Start by choosing according to the part of the meal you want to hand over to the appliance: a multicooker or slow cooker is ideal if you already prepare the ingredients, while a cooking robot is the better choice if you also want to chop, mix, knead or follow guided recipes. Then compare the usable capacity, footprint, parts to clean and model-specific instructions; consumer organisation Que Choisir highlights the importance of these criteria for cooking appliances.
You prepare weekday dinners and would like to spend less time monitoring the cooking, without necessarily automating chopping or mixing. An OpinionWay survey for Lustucru, carried out among adults living in France, looks at the amount of time people say they spend preparing dinner during the week.
You regularly prepare saucy dishes, rice, steamed vegetables or meals to share. The genuinely usable capacity matters more than the stated litre capacity alone, so check that your usual portions will fit in the bowl.
You also want to chop, mix, knead or whisk before cooking, and are happy to choose a more versatile appliance with its accessories to store and clean.
Start by identifying the steps you already do by hand, then compare capacities, cleaning requirements and the space available before choosing an appliance.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Cooking time and autonomy | Automatic programmes; duration and temperature settings; keep-warm or delayed-start functions where available. For pressure cooking, check which recipes are compatible and follow the model’s instructions. | I want to be able to start a hot meal in the evening without standing over the cooker. Programmed modes are most useful for recipes I know well or those that match the appliance’s programmes. |
| Usable capacity | Usable capacity or maximum fill level; safety margin; bowl and steaming basket capacities checked separately. | My usual portions must fit without exceeding the fill markers. For a steamed dish served with a main preparation, I check that the capacities match my recipe. |
| Cleaning up after dinner | Parts that are genuinely dishwasher-safe; removal of the lid, water collector and seals; number of accessories to wash. | I’m looking for a cleaning routine I can keep up with every day. A general claim of dishwasher compatibility does not replace a list of the specific parts concerned. |
| Useful versatility | Chopping, mixing, kneading, whisking and steaming functions; included accessories; space required on the worktop. | If I’m happy to chop and prepare ingredients by hand, I can prioritise cooking functions. If these steps often slow me down, a cooking robot may be a better match for my recipes. |
| Safe operation | Fill levels; handling steam and hot bowls; cleaning the electrical base; precautions for blades and accessories. | I want to use the appliance safely, including when serving food and cleaning up. I read the instructions before first use rather than assuming that every appliance works in the same way. |
A bowl cannot always be filled to its nominal capacity: you need to leave room, particularly for preparations that expand or may boil over. An appliance that appears large enough may therefore be too small for your usual portions.
Compare the maximum level stated in the instructions with the quantities in your recipes. Do not work out the number of portions from a simple litre figure.
Chopping, mixing and kneading functions add accessories, storage requirements and cleaning. If you do not use them in your everyday meals, they may not address your main need.
Make a list of your meals for one week: if you prepare the ingredients by hand and mainly want to delegate cooking rice, steaming or slow cooking, compare multicookers and slow cookers first.
A dishwasher-safe part does not necessarily mean you can skip cleaning the lid, seals, water collector or blades separately. A cleaning routine that takes too long can reduce how often you use the appliance.
Read the instructions for the exact model and count the parts that need washing after your most frequently prepared recipe. Choose appliances whose everyday components suit the way you clean.
Programming does not remove the precautions associated with steam, hot surfaces, the electrical base or blades. Instructions vary depending on the appliance and cooking mode.
Read the instructions before use, follow the fill markers, never immerse the electrical base and use the recommended protection when handling hot components.
Moulinex offers the Cookeo and Companion ranges, covering programmed cooking and more versatile preparation and cooking respectively.
Vorwerk is associated with the Thermomix TM7, a cooking robot focused on guided cooking and a recipe ecosystem.
Magimix’s Cook Expert combines cooking with preparation functions such as blending, chopping, grating and kneading.
This range, distributed by Lidl, combines preparation, guided cooking and integrated weighing scales in one cooking robot.
SEB’s Mijot’Cook illustrates a specialist approach to electric slow cooking rather than complete ingredient preparation.
These Joybuy options focus mainly on multicookers for low-supervision cooking, alongside a cooking robot for households that also want to prepare ingredients in the same appliance.
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For sharing meals prepared with pressure cooking, slow cooking, rice, steaming and keep-warm functions in one appliance.
5.7 L bowl, nine functions, inner bowl and steam rack stated to be dishwasher-safe. The permitted fill level depends on the recipe; remote control requires Wi-Fi and the app.
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A choice for households that prepare meals in one bowl and want pressure cooking, slow cooking, steaming and keep-warm modes.
Stated capacity of 5.7 L, four one-touch programmes and seven modes. The stainless-steel bowl, lid and accessories are stated to be dishwasher-safe; check the fill limits for pressure cooking.
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For combining chopping, mixing, kneading, steaming and cooking when preparing the ingredients takes as much time as the cooking itself.
4.5 L bowl with 3 L usable capacity, integrated scales and touchscreen; bowl and accessories stated to be dishwasher-safe. Check that the capacity suits your portions and review the actual contents of the recipe library.
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For family meals or batch cooking, with pressure cooking, slow cooking, sautéing and steaming functions.
Stated capacity of 7.1 L, up to eight portions and four customisable buttons. The appliance measures 30.9 × 41.5 × 29.8 cm and weighs 8.1 kg; check the available space and the fill markers in the instructions.
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For households that cook large quantities of soups, stews, rice or pulses in one bowl.
Stated capacity of 8 L, 12 programmes, 24-hour timer and keep-warm function. Check the dimensions, dishwasher-safe parts and fill limits before buying.
Yes, if you prepare the ingredients yourself and your recipes match the available modes. Que Choisir states that programmable multicookers can manage cooking time, temperature and keeping food warm, but check whether the model stirs the food: this is not generally its main purpose.
Total capacity does not always equal usable volume, because you need to follow the fill markers and leave a safety margin. Magimix, for example, distinguishes between total and usable capacity for its Cook Expert; compare the instructions with the quantities in your recipes.
Check the bowl, basket, lid, water collector, seals and accessories separately. Dishwasher compatibility for some components does not mean that the whole appliance can be cleaned without dismantling it.
No. It can combine preparation and cooking, but functions, capacities and accessories vary between models. Before replacing your existing equipment, check which tasks you actually carry out: chopping, grating, kneading, slow cooking, steaming or preparing large quantities.
The DGCCRF recommends using only utensils and containers intended for food with food, and using them according to their instructions. You should also follow the model’s guidance on steam, hot surfaces, the electrical base, blades and accessories.