Choose a programmable multicooker if you regularly prepare a variety of dishes and want to get cooking with less supervision. If your meals mainly revolve around rice, steaming or slow cooking, a more specialised appliance may be all you need. Either way, compare the programmes with your recipes, and check the filling limits, how easy the cooking pot is to handle and how to clean it.
The right type of appliance depends less on how many functions it claims to offer and more on the meals you cook and the portions you need.
If you switch between saucy dishes, rice and steamed food, automatic programmes and a keep-warm function are worth considering. UFC-Que Choisir points out that once you have added the ingredients and started a programme, a multicooker can mean less need to watch over the cooking.
If you mainly prepare rice, grains, soups or steamed food, compare a compact model with a large cooking pot. Tefal, for example, offers a 2 L Pop rice cooker; the right capacity will depend on your portion sizes.
For family meals or batch cooking, check the permitted cooking volume, not just the stated capacity. Handles can also make a difference when you need to remove a hot cooking pot.
Start with the recipes you usually make, then check the portion sizes and what you will need to do once the cooking is finished.
| What you need | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| A range of cooking options with less supervision | Compare the settings available for your recipes, and distinguish between built-in functions and optional accessories. | If I switch from rice to saucy dishes, I want to be able to start the right programme without staying beside the appliance. Around 33% of consumers would make this range of cooking options their top priority. |
| Suitable portion sizes | Check the filling limit in the instruction manual, particularly for liquids or ingredients that expand. | When preparing several portions at once, a stated capacity in litres doesn’t tell me how much I can actually cook. Around 27% of consumers would put usable capacity first. |
| A compact size or a specific use | Check that the programmes cover the dishes you make most often and that the capacity suits your portion sizes. | If I mainly cook rice, porridge or steamed vegetables and have limited space, I’d rather look at a compact appliance. Around 20% of consumers would prioritise this specific type of use. |
| Handling and cleaning | Check for handles and dishwasher-safe parts; for a pressure model, also read the instructions for releasing steam. | I want to be able to remove and clean the cooking pot without making the end of the meal more complicated. Around 20% of consumers would put ease of handling and cleaning ahead of other criteria. |
The stated capacity is not always the same as the permitted cooking volume. UFC-Que Choisir cites the example of a 6 L Cookeo pot with a maximum cooking volume of 4 L.
Check the instruction manual for the limits that apply to different recipes, then compare them with the portions you usually prepare.
Searing, steaming or pressure-cooking settings won’t automatically give you all the results of another appliance. You may need a specific accessory for a crispy finish.
Make a list of the cooking functions you need and check the features and accessories included with the exact model.
Depending on the model or bundle, the accessory for crispy cooking may be sold separately.
A cooking pot that’s difficult to grip can make serving awkward. UFC-Que Choisir highlights the challenge of handling pots without handles; dishwasher-safe parts also vary by model.
Look for handles and check the cleaning instructions separately for the cooking pot, lid and accessories.
Filling, fitting the lid and releasing steam all involve steps specific to the appliance. Opening or handling it incorrectly can expose you to hot steam.
Before cooking for the first time, read the filling and pressure-release instructions. Never force the lid open.
These examples show specific ranges and models; their features may not apply to every product from the brand.
The Cookeo range includes guided multicookers with pressure cooking. Moulinex lists six modes and 150 built-in recipes for the Cookeo Simplicity.
Instant Pot offers pressure multicookers in several capacities in France, including the 3.8 L Classic Mini, which the brand says serves up to four portions.
Tefal offers both appliances with programmes, such as the 5 L SpheriCook, and the compact 2 L Pop rice cooker.
These models give you the chance to compare programmable multicookers in different capacities, as well as a compact appliance for rice-based dishes. To choose, compare their features with your recipes and check the instruction manual for filling limits.
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Worth considering if you’re looking for a 5.7 L multicooker for a variety of meals. Before choosing it for your usual portion sizes, check the instruction manual for filling limits and pressure-cooking guidance.
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This model is worth comparing if you prepare larger meals and want pre-set menus. The product title lists pressure cooking, 12 menus and 1200 W of power; check the permitted filling volume and care instructions before choosing this capacity.
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Worth considering if you’re looking for a 2 L model rather than a large family-sized cooking pot. Check what this capacity means for your portions, which programmes cover the dishes you make most often and how to clean the cooking pot.
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Worth considering if you plan to use both pressure cooking and an air-fried finish. This version is listed with an air fryer lid and built-in scales; check the filling limits and cleaning instructions for each part.
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This model is for anyone looking to compare a programmable pressure cooker with an air-frying function. The product title lists nine menus, two pressure settings and a 24-hour timer; check the permitted volume for your recipes, the keep-warm function and cleaning instructions.
Not automatically. It can combine several cooking methods if the model has the right programmes and accessories, but it won’t necessarily give you the same results as every other appliance. Check whether it meets your needs for searing, steaming and a crispy finish; some may require an accessory or a separate appliance.
Compare the stated capacity with the filling limit for your recipes. UFC-Que Choisir gives the example of a 6 L Cookeo pot limited to 4 L for cooking; you’ll still need to check the manual for your chosen model, particularly for ingredients that expand.
Read the instructions for filling the cooking pot, locking the lid, releasing steam and cleaning the steam outlets for the exact model. Don’t assume the steps are the same as those for another pressure cooker.
No. The French Directorate-General for Competition Policy, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control explains that a commercial guarantee is separate from the legal guarantee of conformity and does not remove your rights under it. You can claim under the legal guarantee from the retailer if a fault falls within its scope; check the terms of any commercial guarantee offered separately.