Choose a programmable multicooker if you switch between rice, saucy dishes and other cooking methods; a rice cooker if rice is your mainstay; or a slow cooker if you mainly plan to make soups and stews that need a long cooking time. In each case, check your portion sizes against the fill limit given in the manual: the capacity shown on the bowl does not necessarily reflect how much you can use for your recipe. Programming means you can keep a closer eye on things less often while cooking, but it does not replace the manufacturer’s instructions.
You take turns making rice, saucy dishes or steamed vegetables, and want to spend less time keeping an eye on the cooking. A multicooker is worth considering if its programmes, settings and bowl really suit the recipes you make. Also check how much space it will take up in your kitchen.
If rice is what you cook most, a rice cooker could do the job without giving you lots of cooking modes you may not use. Compare the stated rice capacity, dimensions and any extra functions rather than looking at the volume in litres alone.
If your recipes call for a long cooking time for soups and stews, a programmable slow cooker offers a different way to plan your meals. Check the timer and keep-warm function on the specific model, along with whether its capacity suits your portion sizes.
Start with the recipes you make most often, then check your portion sizes and available space. Multiple functions are only useful if you plan to use them.
Consider it if: you want to switch between different cooking methods in one appliance, with programmes that vary by model.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to choose a bowl and controls that suit your recipes, and make space for it on your worktop.
Consider it if: rice and grains are your main priority and you want to programme the cooking.
Bear in mind: don’t assume it has searing or pressure-cooking functions; these depend on the model.
Consider it if: you mainly make soups and stews several hours before serving.
Bear in mind: slow cooking is not a substitute for pressure cooking when you’re short on time.
| What matters | What to check | Who it suits |
|---|---|---|
| Varied meals | The programmes your recipes need and whether you can adjust the cooking time or temperature. | If I switch from rice to saucy dishes, I want to start a suitable cooking programme while I get on with something else. Around 36% of consumers might prioritise this variety. |
| Portions and bowl | The fill limit in the manual and the space the appliance needs with its lid open. | To make my usual portions without choosing a bowl that takes up more space than necessary, I need to know its usable capacity. Around 29% of consumers might prioritise this. |
| Everyday rice | The stated rice capacity and the functions you’ll use, particularly programming. | In a small kitchen, if I mainly cook rice or grains, I prefer an appliance designed for that purpose. Around 21% of consumers might put this need ahead of versatility. |
| Planned slow cooking | The timer, gentle cooking settings and whether it switches to keep-warm mode. | When I make a stew well ahead of mealtime, my main priority is planning its long cooking time. Around 14% of consumers might put this need first. |
Capacity deserves particular attention. Que Choisir gives the example of a 6 L Cookeo bowl with a maximum cooking capacity of 4 L. This ratio is not a rule for every appliance or recipe. Check the limit for your chosen model and the food you plan to cook, especially if it expands during cooking.
The bowl’s capacity and its fill limit may differ. Que Choisir cites a 6 L Cookeo bowl with a maximum cooking capacity of 4 L; the amount you can cook also depends on the recipe.
Check the manual for your chosen model to find the limits for soups, stews, rice or pulses, then compare them with your usual portion sizes.
Depending on the model, a rice cooker may already offer programming and a keep-warm function. A more versatile multicooker won’t necessarily add anything for someone who mainly cooks rice.
First compare the rice capacity, dimensions and cleaning requirements of models that meet this main need.
Functions you rarely use can also take up valuable kitchen space.
A slow cooker is designed for recipes that need a long, gentle cooking time. It doesn’t offer the same cooking method as a multicooker with a pressure-cooking function.
If you mainly prepare meals several hours in advance, look at the settings on a slow cooker. If you also want a pressure-cooking function, check that it’s included on the specific multicooker you’re considering.
Les Numériques distinguishes multicookers from food processors that grind, slice, chop or blend. So programmed cooking doesn’t take care of these preparation steps.
Make a list of the tasks you actually want to hand over to an appliance. If chopping or blending matters as much as cooking, consider a food processor with cooking functions separately.
You may still need a separate appliance for blending or chopping.
The Cookeo range includes guided multicookers for a variety of recipes; exact functions vary by model.
The rice cookers mentioned cater for different quantities and cooking programmes.
The Duo range combines several cooking methods, including pressure cooking and slow cooking, with different bowl sizes.
The programmable slow cookers mentioned are designed for long-cooking dishes, with settings that vary by model.
These models include programmable multicookers for a range of cooking methods and rice cookers designed more specifically for rice. Start by choosing one that suits your recipes and portion sizes, then check the instructions and features of the model you select.
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Worth considering if you want a multicooker for a variety of meals. Its stated capacity is 5.7 L; check your portion sizes against the fill limits in the manual, which may vary depending on what you’re cooking.
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Worth considering if rice is your priority, with the option to make porridge or soup too, depending on the programmes listed. The title specifies a 4 L bowl, delayed start, keep-warm function and steaming basket. Check how much rice it can cook for your meals.
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Worth comparing if you switch between recipes and want a large bowl. The title lists an 8 L capacity, 1200 W and 12 pre-set menus, including rice, steaming and slow-cooking functions. Check the fill limit for each recipe, as well as the voltage and plug needed for your set-up.
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Worth considering if you want to programme a variety of dishes and use different pressure settings. The title lists nine menus, two pressure levels and a 24-hour timer. Before choosing, check the fill limits, keep-warm function and whether an instruction manual is available in a language you can follow.
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Worth considering if you want to programme your rice cooking in advance. The title lists a 12-hour timer. Check how much rice it can cook, which functions you need, and whether the plug and power supply are compatible with your set-up.
Not necessarily. Que Choisir states that a 6 L Cookeo bowl has a maximum cooking capacity of 4 L. Check the manual for your chosen model to find out how much you can fill it, depending on the recipe, especially when cooking liquids or foods that expand.
Start with your portion sizes and recipes rather than assuming a fixed relationship between litres and the number of people. Tefal describes its 2 L Pop rice cooker as suitable for one to four people, while Instant Pot offers a 3 L Duo among its range. These figures refer to the models mentioned and should be considered alongside their fill limits.
It’s suitable for recipes that call for several hours of gentle cooking, such as some soups and stews, as long as you follow the model’s instructions. If you also want to sear ingredients, cook rice or use pressure cooking, check which functions are available on the multicooker you’re considering.
No. This function doesn’t replace the fill limits or the manufacturer’s instructions for use and safety. Read the manual for your model before programming a cooking cycle or leaving food on the keep-warm setting.