For a varied evening menu, a programmable pressure multicooker is a good choice if you’ll make real use of its different settings. If you mainly cook slow-cooked dishes, a programmable slow cooker may be a better fit; check how it lets you set the time your meal will be ready. A rice cooker is better suited to menus centred on rice and steaming, while a food processor with cooking functions makes sense if preparing ingredients is a regular part of what you need. In every case, check the usable capacity, keep-warm function and cleaning requirements of the specific model.
If you switch between steaming, slow cooking, browning and pressure cooking, take a look at a multicooker’s settings and how it switches to keep-warm mode. Moulinex’s description of the Cookeo+ gives an example of this combination of functions; check what’s available on the model you’re considering.
If your dinners mainly need a long cooking time, a programmable slow cooker could be a good fit without adding lots of extra settings. According to the brand, the Crock-Pot TimeSelect CSC066X lets you plan what time your meal will be ready and keeps it warm after cooking.
If rice, grains and steamed food feature regularly at dinner, prioritise the programmes you’ll use and a capacity that suits your portions. Tefal’s Pop RK535TE0 includes a delayed start and keep-warm function, while the Classic 2 RK102811 is designed for simpler use.
Worth considering: if your evening meals call for pressure cooking, steaming, slow cooking and browning, like the settings Moulinex lists for the Cookeo+ CE85B510.
Bear in mind: there are more settings to get to grips with, and you’ll need to follow the filling limits for each recipe.
Worth considering: if you start a slow-cooked dish early and have a set dinner time in mind; Crock-Pot says you can plan this with the TimeSelect CSC066X.
Bear in mind: slow cooking doesn’t replace the pressure-cooking or browning settings found on some multicookers.
Worth considering: if rice, grains and steamed food make up most of your meals; Tefal’s Pop RK535TE0 offers programmes and a delayed start for this kind of cooking.
Bear in mind: these programmes don’t mean the appliance can pressure-cook or brown food.
Worth considering: if chopping, blending or kneading is also a regular part of making dinner, as the functions Magimix lists for the Cook Expert Original allow.
Bear in mind: you’ll have more accessories to store and clean, for a need that goes beyond cooking alone.
If you want dinner to cook while you get on with other things at home, first decide when it needs to be ready. Then check the settings you’ll use, the portion sizes and the cleaning involved.
| What matters | What to check | What consumers say |
|---|---|---|
| Dinner time | Know the difference between a timer, delayed start and setting the time you want your meal ready; check whether it switches to keep-warm mode. | When I’m busy with other things at home, I want to find my meal ready without having to restart the cooking. Around 36% of consumers put this kind of time-saving convenience first. |
| Cooking settings | Compare the settings your recipes need, particularly pressure cooking, steaming, slow cooking or browning. | If my dinners often change, I’d rather choose the cooking methods I really need than build up a list of extra functions. Around 29% of consumers prioritise this versatility or the option to pressure-cook. |
| Portions and cleaning | Check the stated portion sizes, fill markers and which parts are dishwasher-safe. | For meals at home, I want a bowl that suits the quantities I usually cook without making cleaning a chore. Capacity and cleaning come first for around 21% of consumers. |
| Built-in food preparation | Look at the food preparation functions you’ll use regularly, the accessories included and the bowl’s usable capacity. | When a recipe often involves chopping or blending before cooking, I’d also like to make those steps easier. Around 14% of consumers prioritise built-in food preparation. |
A countdown timer sets the cooking time; it won’t necessarily let you delay the start or choose a serving time. The functions described by Crock-Pot and Tefal vary by model.
Check the manual for the maximum delay, which settings it applies to and what the appliance does when the cycle ends. Follow its instructions for ingredients and keeping food warm, too.
The stated capacity doesn’t necessarily match the amount you can cook for every ingredient or setting. The portion sizes given by manufacturers don’t replace the fill markers.
First choose a size to suit the number of people you usually cook for, then check the limits for the specific model in its manual.
You may not use the food preparation functions if all you want is to start a dish and come back to find it warm.
Make a note of the preparation steps you actually do before comparing a food processor with cooking functions against a slow cooker, multicooker or rice cooker.
Extra accessories also take up space and need cleaning after a meal.
A brand’s promise that parts are available doesn’t guarantee that a particular part will fit your model.
Keep the exact model number and proof of purchase, then check which parts and repair services are available for the model you choose. In France, ADEME recommends considering repair before taking a small appliance to be collected at the end of its life.
The Cookeo range is worth a look if you want several cooking settings for varied dinners.
The brand’s slow cookers are suited to long-cooking dishes prepared ahead of dinner.
Its rice cookers may suit you if rice and simple dishes are a central part of your meals.
The Cook Expert is worth considering if preparing ingredients matters as much as cooking them.
These appliances include a rice cooker for simple meals and pressure multicookers for more varied menus. Choose based on your recipes, the programming functions you need and the instructions for the specific model.
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Worth considering if your dinners mainly feature rice or simple dishes and you’d like to start cooking them in advance.
The product name lists a 4 L capacity for 3 to 4 people, a non-stick bowl, a steaming basket and a keep-warm function. Check the manual for the delayed-start period, fill markers and cleaning instructions.
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Worth a look if you switch between pressure cooking, slow cooking, rice and steaming, and prepare several portions.
The product name lists 12 preset menus and a non-stick bowl. Follow the manual’s fill limits for each recipe, and check the bowl’s weight and cleaning instructions, too.
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Worth considering if you want to vary your meals with pressure cooking, slow cooking and steaming.
The product name lists four customisable presets. If you need to delay the start to have dinner ready at a specific time, check this function in the manual; follow its fill limits and pressure-release instructions.
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Worth a look if you want several cooking settings in a 5.7 L appliance.
The product name mentions sous vide cooking and app control. Before relying on the app or a delayed start, check how these features work in the manual: the information about remote control needs to be considered alongside the product warning. Follow the fill limits for each recipe.
Yes, if you mainly prepare dishes that need a long cooking time and want to set when they’ll be ready. Crock-Pot lists this option on the TimeSelect CSC066X; however, it doesn’t offer the pressure-cooking and browning settings Moulinex lists for the Cookeo+ CE85B510.
Compare the portions listed for the model with the meals you usually cook, then check the fill markers in its manual. Portion information published by Crock-Pot or Tefal applies to their respective models and doesn’t tell you how much you can use for every recipe.
Check the bowl, lid, steaming basket and other accessories separately, as their cleaning instructions may differ. Consult the manual for the model you choose before putting any part in the dishwasher.
In France, the legal guarantee of conformity applies to new, second-hand and refurbished goods sold by a trader to a private individual, as the Ministry of the Economy explains. It covers, among other things, goods that don’t match their description. Keep your proof of purchase and contact the trader to have the issue assessed.