To get a variety of dishes cooking while you get on with something else, choose a multicooker based on the functions you’ll use, the amount you can actually cook and how easy it is to clean. The stated capacity doesn’t always match the quantity you can prepare. A rice cooker or slow cooker may be a better fit for a specific use, while Wi-Fi is only worthwhile if you’ll use its recipes and interface. Delayed start and keep-warm are two separate functions, so check that the model offers the one you need for your chosen cooking mode.
You want to get a dish started and come back when it’s cooked : check the preparation steps, whether the chosen mode can be programmed and whether it has a keep-warm function. Moulinex manuals list the cooking modes, while UFC-Que Choisir documents an example of usable capacity.
If you’re cooking for several people or preparing food in advance, compare the usable capacity for your chosen recipe rather than looking only at the stated capacity. UFC-Que Choisir and Les Numériques show why the filling limit depends on the model and the dish.
If you’re short on space or mainly cook rice or slow-cooked dishes, compare the footprint and features of a small multicooker with those of a dedicated appliance. Boulanger product listings and Les Numériques reviews offer guidance on specific appliances.
Start with the dishes you cook most often and the number of portions you need. Then check the filling limits and features available on the exact model. Keeping food warm after cooking is not the same as a delayed start.
| What you need | What to check before buying | Who it matters most to |
|---|---|---|
| A meal that’s ready when you are | Programmable modes for your recipes and the keep-warm function for the mode you’ve chosen. | I want to start cooking and come back when it’s time to serve, without having to keep an eye on every step. Around 29 % of consumers put hands-off cooking first. |
| Enough portions for everyone | The filling limit for the model and recipe, as well as your usual portion sizes. | I prepare several portions and want to know how much I can actually cook, not just the stated capacity. Around 24 % of consumers prioritise the quantity they can prepare. |
| Useful cooking modes | The types of dishes you cook most often and the modes the appliance actually offers. | I mainly cook rice or slow-cooked dishes, so I may not need a multicooker’s full range of features. Around 18 % of consumers prioritise these types of dishes. |
| Saving space and making cleaning easier | The appliance’s dimensions, the space needed to open the lid and the cleaning instructions for removable parts. | I have limited space and want to know which parts are easy to clean, without assuming the whole appliance is dishwasher-safe. Around 17 % of consumers put size and cleaning first. |
| Connected recipe guidance | The exact model, its type of connectivity and the functions available directly on the appliance. | I’d like to follow illustrated recipes or use an app, but only if I’ll do so regularly. Around 12 % of consumers prioritise connected recipe guidance. |
The stated capacity doesn’t always reflect the maximum usable volume, which can vary depending on the recipe. UFC-Que Choisir gives the example of a Cookeo with a 6 l bowl and a maximum cooking capacity of 4 l.
Compare your usual portion sizes with the limit given in the manual for the exact model, rather than relying on the bowl’s stated capacity alone.
If the capacity is too small, you may have to cook the portions in batches.
A cooking cycle may include time to build up pressure and steps that require manual input. An archived UFC-Que Choisir review noted that an older Multicook Pro took a long time to preheat ; this finding doesn’t apply to every model.
Check the steps involved in your usual recipes and look up reviews of the model you’re considering.
Preheating and any steps between cooking stages can add to the cooking time shown.
A rice cooker and a slow cooker aren’t designed for the same dishes. The French Russell Hobbs Cook@Home 19750-56 product listing mentions a keep-warm function, but not a delayed start.
Start with the dishes you cook most often and check that the features you need are listed for the exact model. For the MaxiCook 22750-56, the features described by Russell Hobbs come from a listing intended for its French-language Belgian website.
Keep-warm is not blanket permission to leave a dish or ingredients at a controlled temperature indefinitely. Anses warns that poor food storage and breaks in the cold chain can encourage bacteria to grow.
Follow the instructions for the cooking mode and food-safety guidance for ingredients and leftovers.
The Cookeo range includes guided and connected models, as well as more compact options. Features vary, so check each model individually.
Depending on the version, the Duo range includes pressure cooking, rice, slow cooking, steaming and keep-warm functions.
The Cook@Home 19750-56 is a rice cooker, while the MaxiCook 22750-56 is described as a programmable slow cooker.
Philips lists all-in-one electric pressure cookers, including refurbished models identified by their product reference.
This selection includes programmable electric multicookers and pressure cookers in a range of sizes. Some models also offer air frying or Wi-Fi control.
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Compare this programmable multicooker if you’re looking for an appliance with several menus and pressure cooking.
The title lists a 6 l capacity, 9 cooking menus, 2 pressure settings, a frying function and voice control.
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Worth considering if you’re looking for a model that combines pressure cooking and air frying.
The title lists a 7,6 l capacity, 11 functions and two lids for different cooking methods.
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Compare this compact model for smaller quantities, bearing in mind the filling limits for pressure cooking.
The title lists a 3,8 l capacity, 7 functions and enough for up to 4 portions.
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Worth comparing if you plan to use an app as well as the cooking programmes on the appliance.
The title lists a 5,7 l capacity, 9 functions, app control and sous vide cooking. Follow the manual and don’t open the lid while the appliance is under pressure.
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Compare this electric pressure cooker if you’re looking for an appliance with several cooking programmes and uses.
The title lists an 8 l capacity, 1200 W power and 12 preset menus, with functions for rice, yoghurt, slow cooking and steaming.
Not necessarily. UFC-Que Choisir gives the example of a 6 l Cookeo with a maximum cooking capacity of 4 l, and notes that the limit varies depending on the recipe. Check the guidance and manual for your model before deciding on portion sizes.
A timer doesn’t preserve food. Anses warns that poor storage or a break in the cold chain can increase microbiological risks. For perishable ingredients, check the recipe, waiting time and food-safety guidance rather than assuming they’ll be safe because the appliance has a delayed-start function.
Follow the manual for the model, including instructions for removable parts and the valve. A bowl described as dishwasher-safe doesn’t mean the electrical base is, too. Place the appliance on a stable surface and leave enough room to open the lid.
The legal guarantee of conformity applies to new, second-hand and refurbished goods sold by a business to a private individual. The Ministry of the Economy and Finance explains that you should make a claim to the seller ; this guarantee is separate from any additional commercial warranty.
No. The DGCCRF explains that the CE mark represents the manufacturer’s declaration that the product meets the applicable European requirements. It doesn’t mean the product has been independently certified, nor does it tell you whether the bowl can hold enough for a particular recipe.