If your ingredients are already prepared, a programmable multicooker or slow cooker can take care of much of the cooking while you get on with other things. A cooking food processor adds food preparation functions, such as mixing or chopping, but you’ll need to check which steps still need to be done by hand and how much usable capacity it has. A food processor without a cooking function helps you prepare ingredients, but it won’t replace the appliance that cooks dinner.
If you can chop the ingredients before starting dinner, a programmable appliance could save you from having to stay by the cooker for part of the cooking time. Do check, though, whether your recipe calls for ingredients to be added or browned part-way through.
A slow cooker is a good fit for soups and slow-cooked dishes when you’re planning to eat several hours later. Some recipes call for the ingredients to be browned in a pan before they go into the pot.
A cooking food processor is worth considering if mixing, chopping or grating takes up as much of your routine as keeping an eye on the cooking. Compare its functions with the recipes you make, and check the bowl’s actual usable capacity.
Worth considering if: you prepare the ingredients yourself, then want the appliance to handle the settings and cooking.
Bear in mind: a multicooker designed for cooking won’t chop or blend ingredients, as Les Numériques points out.
Worth considering if: your dinners suit slow cooking that starts well before mealtime.
Bear in mind: for its TimeSelect CSC093X, Crock-Pot describes browning ingredients in a pan first when the recipe calls for it.
Worth considering if: you want one appliance to handle both cooking and some food preparation.
Bear in mind: you’ll still need to load the ingredients, follow the recipe steps and clean the accessories.
Worth considering if: chopping and mixing slow you down, but you’re happy with your existing cooking appliances.
Bear in mind: you’ll still need a hob, oven or another appliance to cook dinner.
| Criteria | What to check | What you need |
|---|---|---|
| Programming | Check whether the timer sets the start time, cooking duration or the time the dish needs to be ready. Check the keep-warm conditions separately. | I want to start dinner when it suits me, without having to come back and adjust the cooking part-way through. |
| Hands-on steps | Think through a recipe you make regularly and note the chopping, browning, adding and stirring involved. Check which steps the model and its accessories actually handle. | If preparing the ingredients takes me the most time, automating the cooking alone won’t solve the problem. |
| Servings | Compare the stated number of servings with your usual meals, and distinguish between total and usable capacity. For example, Magimix lists the Cook Expert Original as 3.5 L in total, with 2.5 L of usable capacity. | I sometimes cook for several people or make extra for leftovers, so the stated capacity needs to suit the dishes I make. |
| Recipes | Check that it has the functions you need for your dishes: slow cooking, pressure cooking, steaming or browning. A programme named after a dish doesn’t mean you can skip reading the steps. | My everyday dinners need to suit the appliance’s functions, not just a recipe I’ll rarely make. |
| Cleaning and space | Check the manual to see which parts can be removed and put in the dishwasher. Measure the space available, allowing room to open the appliance and release steam. | I want to be able to set up the appliance and clean the parts I’ve used after an everyday meal. |
A multicooker can handle the cooking without chopping or blending the ingredients. If preparation is what holds you up, this won’t save time on the task you find difficult.
Take a weekday recipe and note every step, from chopping to cleaning up. Look for food preparation functions only for the steps you genuinely want to hand over.
A bowl’s total capacity doesn’t always match the amount you can use in a recipe. For example, Magimix lists the Cook Expert Original as 3.5 L in total, with 2.5 L of usable capacity.
Compare the usable capacity and serving guidance with your meals, then measure the space available on your worktop and in your cupboards.
Slow cooking suits meals planned in advance, but it doesn’t work in the same way as pressure cooking. For some recipes using its TimeSelect CSC093X, Crock-Pot recommends browning ingredients in a pan before slow cooking.
If you want to brown food in the appliance, check that the model you’re considering has a suitable function. Otherwise, plan to do this step separately.
A product recall may apply to a particular model or batch. The DGCCRF says that recall alerts and product withdrawals are published on RappelConso.
Keep a note of your appliance’s model number and check its manual. If you’re unsure or hear about a recall, check whether your appliance is affected.
The Cookeo Touch CE901100 is an example of a programmable multicooker. Moulinex lists its 6 L bowl as suitable for 2 to 6 people.
The 3.5 L CSC059X and 5.6 L TimeSelect CSC093X slow cookers offer two useful capacity points of reference for slow-cooked dishes.
The Cook Expert Original combines cooking and food preparation, while the CS 4200XL is a food processor for use with a separate cooking appliance.
This selection includes multicookers, a specialist cooker and cooking food processors. First, compare their functions with the steps involved in your usual dinners. A timer or automatic programme doesn’t necessarily mean you can leave every appliance unattended.
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Worth considering if you cook larger quantities and want a multicooker to handle the cooking. The product name lists an 8 L capacity, 1,200 W and 12 preset menus. Before buying, check that the voltage is suitable for your electrical supply in France. When pressure cooking, follow the manual’s filling limits and pressure release instructions.
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Worth looking at for recipes that suit this specialist cooker’s programmes. Its stated capacity is 2 L; compare this with your portion sizes and check the space needed around the appliance for steam and opening the lid.
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Worth considering if you’re looking to combine cooking and some food preparation in one cooking food processor. The product name mentions built-in scales and a large touchscreen. Check the exact model, the accessories included with the version on sale and the programming functions you need.
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Compare this 5.7 L multicooker with your portion sizes and the cooking modes used in your usual recipes. If you want to set it to start cooking later, check exactly what programming options this version offers. Follow the manual on filling and releasing steam when pressure cooking.
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This cooking food processor may suit anyone who wants to prepare and cook ingredients using the same appliance. The product name mentions built-in scales and a touchscreen. The instructions for this model say not to leave the appliance unattended while it’s running, so it’s not suitable if you want to walk away during cooking. Also follow the safety advice for handling the blades.
No. It can take care of the cooking, but a multicooker designed for cooking won’t chop or blend ingredients, as Les Numériques points out. Prepare them before starting the appliance, and check whether the recipe calls for ingredients to be added or other steps during cooking.
It depends on the model. For the TimeSelect CSC093X, Crock-Pot says to brown meat and vegetables in a pan before slow cooking when the recipe calls for it. If you want to brown ingredients directly in the pot, check that the model you’re considering has a suitable function.
Start with your usual portion sizes and compare them with the usable capacity, if it’s stated. Moulinex lists the Cookeo Touch CE901100 as 6 L for 2 to 6 people; Magimix lists the Cook Expert Original as 3.5 L in total, with 2.5 L of usable capacity. These figures don’t replace checking the quantities your recipes call for.
Check the manual for the exact model, one part at a time. Crock-Pot says the bowl and lid of the CSC059X are dishwasher-safe; this doesn’t automatically apply to the blades, seals and other accessories of a cooking food processor.
Note the model number and, if needed, the batch number, then check RappelConso. The DGCCRF describes this platform as the official place where recall alerts and product withdrawals are published. Also read the safety instructions in the manual for your model.