A programmable multicooker is a good choice if you cook a variety of dinners and want to get a meal started without keeping an eye on the pot. If you prepare your meal in advance, a slow cooker suits a different routine. For rice and steaming, a specialist appliance may be all you need, while a cooking food processor could be useful if preparing ingredients also takes up time. Whatever you choose, compare usable capacity, ease of cleaning and the space required before you buy.
If you don’t want to stay by the cooker, look at the programming and keep-warm functions of the model you’re considering. Also check which steps still need your attention, particularly before and after cooking.
If you switch between saucy dishes, rice and steamed food, compare the functions you’ll actually use rather than the total number available. The amount the cooking pot can hold and how easy it is to clean also matter if you’ll use it often.
A rice cooker may suit specific needs; a multicooker or cooking food processor can handle other tasks, but takes up space. Match your usual portions to the usable capacity and measure the space available, allowing for the clearances specified in the instructions.
Start with the dishes you make and when you can get the cooking started: these four types of appliance don’t all replace the same tasks.
| Priority | What to check | What I need |
|---|---|---|
| Versatile cooking | With a multicooker, look for the settings that suit your dishes: pressure cooking, steaming, slow cooking or browning, depending on the model. Check which steps still need to be done by hand. | I switch between a saucy dish and a steamed side, and would rather not have several appliances. |
| Meals planned in advance | For a slow cooker, check the programming and keep-warm functions. If using a delay-start function, follow the instructions and food storage guidance for perishable ingredients. | Slow cooking works for dinner if I can prepare it early enough; starting to cook late in the evening changes what I choose. |
| Specialist use | For a rice cooker, check the rice and grain programmes, steaming basket and keep-warm function for the specific model. | Rice is the main part of my meals, sometimes with a steamed side: I may not need other functions. |
| Ingredient preparation | For a cooking food processor, distinguish chopping, mixing and kneading functions from cooking functions. Compare its usable capacity and weight. | Chopping and mixing take up my time too, not just keeping an eye on the cooking. |
| Quantities and cleaning | Compare the permitted cooking capacity with the stated volume, especially for food that expands. Check which parts are removable, how to wash them and how much space the appliance needs around it. | I want to make my usual portions without choosing a cooking pot based on its litre capacity alone, and then be able to clean and store it easily. |
A cooking pot’s nominal volume doesn’t necessarily match its permitted fill level, particularly when cooking food that expands.
Check the guidance in the instructions for the exact model and compare it with the portions and recipes you plan to make.
A long list of programmes doesn’t tell you whether the controls, instructions and cleaning will suit you. Que Choisir assesses these aspects separately in its multicooker testing.
First identify the few cooking functions you’ll use, then check how to set them and whether the parts are easy to clean.
Delaying the start of cooking doesn’t preserve ingredients. Anses warns that poor storage or a break in the cold chain can encourage bacteria to grow.
Follow the instructions and storage guidance for perishable ingredients before using this function.
A safety alert should be checked for the specific model concerned, not applied to an entire brand.
Search for the brand and exact model on RappelConso before buying, then keep a note of the model reference for future checks.
These product ranges show different ways to use these appliances; they don’t represent every model from each brand.
The Cookeo range is an example of a guided multicooker for a variety of meals. Check the functions of the specific model rather than assuming they apply to the whole range.
The TimeSelect CSC093X is an example of a programmable slow cooker for dishes you can prepare in advance.
The Classic 2 is an example of a specialist rice cooker for households that eat rice regularly.
The Cook Expert is an example of a cooking food processor for households looking to combine food preparation and cooking.
These Joybuy options include multicookers for a variety of cooking methods and an appliance geared towards rice and specific types of preparation. First choose the type of use that suits your evening meals, then check the functions and instructions for the model you’re considering.
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An option to consider if you want to make a variety of meals in one multicooker. The stated capacity is 5,7 L: check the fill limits in the instructions against the quantities you plan to cook. When pressure cooking, follow the instructions for locking the lid and releasing steam.
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Worth considering if you’re looking for a multi-function pressure cooker for a variety of meals: the product title lists 12 pre-set menus. Check the permitted capacity for your recipes and the instructions before using delay-start with perishable ingredients. Don’t open the lid while the cooker is under pressure.
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This model is aimed at households looking to set different cooking methods: the product title lists 9 menus, 2 pressure settings, a frying function and a 24-hour timer. Before buying, check the language of the instructions and the fill limits for the dishes you plan to make.
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Compare its 7,1 L capacity with your usual portion sizes and the space available in your kitchen. Check the fill guides to find the right quantities for each recipe, and follow the instructions for locking the lid and releasing steam when pressure cooking.
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Worth considering if your meals are mainly based around rice or other specific types of preparation. The stated 2 L capacity is for uncooked rice, so check the quantities suited to your other recipes. Allow for the specified clearance of 40 cm above and 10 cm at the sides.
Compare the amount you can actually cook with your usual portion sizes, rather than relying on the cooking pot’s stated volume alone. The instructions and fill guides for the model you choose set out the limits to follow for different types of food.
Choose the ones that suit your dishes: pressure cooking, steaming, slow cooking or browning if you use them, then look at reheating and keeping food warm. A high number of programmes is no substitute for clear controls and easy-to-follow instructions; Que Choisir assesses the programming and ease of use of multicookers, among other things.
Don’t assume that delay-start means you can leave any ingredient waiting in the cooking pot. Follow the model’s instructions and store food correctly: Anses highlights the risks of poor food storage or a break in the cold chain.
Before buying, search for the brand and exact model on RappelConso. Keep the model reference so you can check for any alerts that affect it later on.