If you switch between cooking rice, slow-cooked dishes and steaming, a programmable multicooker can handle all these tasks. Choose a cooking food processor if you also want to chop, grate or mix ingredients, or a specialist appliance if you often cook just one type of dish. Check the usable capacity, the model’s functions and its manual: fewer settings don’t mean you can leave every appliance unattended, particularly when pressure cooking.
If you also make steamed vegetables or slow-cooked recipes, a programmable appliance can cover all these needs. Compare the amount you can actually cook in the bowl with your usual portions, rather than relying on its stated capacity alone.
Programmes can manage the cooking time and heat for certain recipes. You’ll still need to follow the model’s instructions on filling, steam and handling hot parts; Instant Pot recommends staying nearby while pressure cooking.
If chopping, grating or mixing is a regular part of your recipes, consider a cooking food processor rather than an appliance focused on cooking. Also check how much room you’ll need for the appliance and its accessories.
Start with the dishes you make most often, then check the capacity, which steps need your attention and how much space you have.
Choose this if: you switch between different cooking methods and want to make fewer adjustments while food is cooking.
Bear in mind: you’ll still need to prepare ingredients and handle some tasks yourself.
Choose this if: you also use food preparation functions such as chopping, grating or mixing.
Bear in mind: check how much space it takes up, which accessories you need and how to clean them.
Choose this if: slow cooking or rice makes up most of your cooking.
Bear in mind: if you plan to make a wider range of meals, check what else the model you’re considering can cook.
| Criteria | What to check | What I need |
|---|---|---|
| Programmes and supervision | Look for the cooking methods you use regularly, as well as a delayed start or keep-warm function if these matter to you. Check the manual for steps that need your attention; Instant Pot recommends staying nearby while pressure cooking. | I want to adjust the heat and cooking time less often, without assuming I can leave the appliance unattended while it’s running. |
| Usable capacity | Compare the stated capacity, fill markings and quantities specified in the model’s recipes. Que Choisir points out that you can’t use the full stated capacity of a multicooker bowl. | My usual portions should fit within the cooking limits, without choosing an unnecessarily bulky bowl. |
| Ingredient preparation | Check whether the model only cooks, or also has the functions and accessories needed to chop, grate or mix. Check the recipes and the manual steps they involve. | If I often prepare ingredients in the same appliance, these functions matter more to me than a long list of cooking modes. |
| Space and cleaning | Measure the space for the appliance and somewhere to store its accessories. Check the clearance required in the manual and the cleaning instructions for each part. | I want to be able to set up the appliance properly and clean it after the meals I usually make, not just store it between uses. |
A programme can reduce the need to keep checking on the cooking, but you still need to follow the instructions for steam, the lid and the hot bowl. In particular, Instant Pot recommends staying nearby while pressure cooking.
Before buying, check the manual for the exact model. Make sure you understand the instructions on supervision, filling, opening and releasing steam.
According to Que Choisir, you can’t use the full stated capacity of a multicooker bowl. So the stated capacity alone won’t tell you how much you can cook in one go.
Compare the fill markings and quantities in the model’s recipes with the portions you need to make.
Cooking programmes and chopping accessories do different jobs. A long list of functions doesn’t tell you which ones you’ll use regularly.
Make a note of a few meals you often cook, then check the modes, accessories and manual steps needed for each one.
The Cookeo range is worth considering for guided and pressure cooking; features vary by model.
Instant Pot manuals are a useful reference for comparing the advertised uses of the brand’s electric pressure cookers and rice cookers.
The Cook Expert range is an example of a cooking food processor for when preparing ingredients matters as much as cooking them.
This Joybuy selection includes multicookers, a cooking food processor, a rice-focused cooker and a slow cooker. Compare them based on the dishes you make and the instructions for each model.
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Worth considering if you switch between cooking rice, slow cooking and steaming, among other things. The bowl is listed as 8L: check the fill limits, usable capacity and steam release instructions. Before buying, also make sure this model is electrically compatible with your installation in France.
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This multicooker suits households that use several cooking methods and a keep-warm function. For the 5.7L bowl, check the fill markings rather than estimating portions from the stated capacity. When pressure cooking, follow the instructions for the lid and steam; Instant Pot recommends staying nearby.
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Consider this if you cook rice regularly, and check the model’s programmes to see what else it can do. The 2L capacity refers to uncooked rice: check what quantities will suit your household. You’ll also need to allow for the clearances specified for this appliance: at least 40 cm above it and 10 cm at the sides.
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This cooking food processor is for households that want to prepare ingredients as well as cook them. Check whether the stated usable capacity of 3 L suits your recipes, and bear in mind that you’ll need to handle and clean the chopping accessories. If you want to spend less time supervising while food cooks, check the model’s manual first.
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Consider this if you mainly make slow-cooked dishes rather than using several cooking methods. Check which portions suit the 5.6 L bowl, and consult the manual if you need a delayed start. The instructions for this model advise against leaving it running unattended for long periods.
An automatic programme doesn’t mean you can always leave the appliance unattended. Instant Pot recommends staying nearby while pressure cooking; for any appliance, read the model’s manual to find out how to position and fill it, and how to handle hot parts.
Not necessarily: Que Choisir explains that you can’t use the full stated capacity of a multicooker bowl. Check the fill markings and the quantities specified in the recipes for the model in question.
Choose a cooking food processor if your recipes regularly call for ingredients to be prepared mechanically, for example by chopping or grating them, before or during cooking. If you mainly want to programme different cooking methods, first compare a multicooker’s modes with the meals you usually make.
No: keep-warm is for food that’s already cooked, while a cooking programme controls how it’s prepared. Check whether the model you’re considering has each function, and follow the manual for instructions on using them.
Yes. The public RappelConso website lists alerts about dangerous products. Search for the brand and exact model of the appliance; if an alert gives a batch identifier, check that too before using it.