A multicooker is a good fit if you like to switch between dishes with sauce, rice, steamed food and other cooking methods, and are happy to prepare the ingredients and step in when a recipe calls for it. If your meals mainly revolve around rice, slow cooking or steaming, a specialist appliance may be all you need. In that case, compare its size, functions and usable capacity.
If you switch between rice, dishes with sauce and steamed vegetables, compare the cooking modes that suit your recipes. A cooking programme means less monitoring, but you’ll still need to prepare the ingredients and follow the filling limits.
For smaller portions or meals centred on rice and grains, compare capacity, overall size and storage requirements with your kitchen space, rather than counting the programmes.
A slow cooker may suit a routine of slow cooking and keeping food warm, as long as you don’t need to brown ingredients or pressure cook in the same appliance.
Start with the dishes you make most often, then check how much hands-on work each appliance needs, its usable capacity and how easy it is to clean.
| Criteria | What to check | What you need |
|---|---|---|
| Dinner planning | Check the cooking time settings, delayed start and keep-warm function on the model you’re considering. Also look out for steps that require you to get involved. | I want to be able to get on with other things while the food cooks, without confusing this with preparation time. According to an August 2024 OpinionWay survey for Lustucru, 61% of the 1,020 adults surveyed in France said they spent 30 minutes or less preparing dinner on a weekday evening; this figure doesn’t measure their interest in multicookers. |
| Cooking methods | Match your recipes to the available settings: rice, steaming, slow cooking, browning or pressure cooking. Check which accessories are included and which steps you’ll still need to do by hand. | If my meals change often, having several cooking modes in one pot could be useful. If I almost always cook rice, slow-cooked dishes or steamed food, I can consider a dedicated appliance or make do with the cookware I already own. |
| Capacity and space | Compare the stated portion sizes, the filling limit for different recipes and the appliance’s storage dimensions. Que Choisir gives the example of a Cookeo with a 6 L bowl that can only cook up to 4 L at a time. | The bowl should suit the portions I usually make without taking up too much space on the worktop or in the cupboard. |
| Cleaning and lifespan | Check whether each part is dishwasher-safe and how easy it is to access removable components. For long-term maintenance, ADEME recommends looking at factors such as the documentation, how easy it is to dismantle and access to spare parts. | After a weekday dinner, I’d rather know exactly what needs washing and be able to maintain the appliance over time. |
The safe filling level varies by recipe. Que Choisir cites a 6 L Cookeo bowl that can only cook up to 4 L at a time, so the stated capacity alone won’t tell you how many portions you can make.
Compare your usual quantities with the limits in the instruction manual and the recipe guidance.
A high number of programmes doesn’t mean the appliance can handle every cooking method you’d use with a frying pan or oven.
For the dishes you make most often, check which cooking modes you need, which accessories are included and what you’ll have to do yourself.
For some Cookeo models, the Extra Crisp lid is sold separately. Remember to check that you have space to store it, too.
Programmes control the cooking, but you’ll still need to prepare and load the ingredients. Some recipes also require stirring.
Factor in preparation and cleaning time when choosing an appliance for weekday evenings.
In France, the DGCCRF points out that the statutory guarantee of conformity is mandatory for new, second-hand and refurbished goods sold by a business to a consumer.
If you’re offered an extension, compare its cover and exclusions with the rights you already have.
These examples relate to the ranges and models mentioned, not every appliance made by each brand.
The Cookeo range brings together multicookers with pressure cooking and guided recipes.
The Pop RK5352E0 is a 2 L rice cooker that Tefal France says is suitable for 1 to 4 people.
The SCCPRC507B digital slow cooker is designed for slow-cooked meals prepared in advance.
The Ultracompact VC204800 is a steamer with stackable bowls.
These Joybuy options include multicookers for trying different cooking methods, a rice cooker for meals centred on rice, and a slow cooker for slow-cooked dishes. Compare their features with your recipes rather than assuming they’re interchangeable.
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This multicooker is for anyone looking to make a variety of meals in one bowl. Its stated capacity is 5.7L; check the filling limits for your recipes and whether it has a delayed-start function if you need to schedule cooking to begin later.
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For meals centred on rice and straightforward dishes, this model is listed with a delayed-start function, keep-warm setting and steaming basket. It has a 4L non-stick bowl; check its filling limit and the washing instructions for each part.
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This model combines pressure cooking with rice and steaming functions, making it an option for households that like to switch between different dishes. The product title lists 12 menus and an 8L bowl. Before choosing it, check the filling limits, the space it needs, and the voltage and plug type.
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For a range of cooking methods, this model is listed with nine menus, two pressure levels, a frying function and a 24-hour timer. Its bowl is listed as 6 L; check the portion sizes suited to your recipes, whether it keeps food warm and whether it’s electrically compatible before choosing.
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This slow cooker is suited to a routine of slow-cooked meals, rather than anyone looking for a wide range of cooking modes. The product title lists a 5.6 L capacity and three settings; check the usable capacity for your portions and the programming options if you want to set a start time.
Not automatically. Depending on the model, it may combine several cooking modes, but some dishes still require you to chop ingredients or stir. Before getting rid of another appliance, compare your usual recipes with the included modes and accessories.
Not necessarily. Que Choisir cites a Cookeo with a 6 L bowl that can only cook up to 4 L at a time. Check the filling limit for the model and recipe rather than estimating portions based on the stated capacity.
Check the washing instructions for the bowl, lid and accessories separately, then look at the storage dimensions. A compact design or stackable bowls may help if you’re short on space, but that alone won’t tell you how easy every part is to clean.
No. The DGCCRF points out that the statutory guarantee of conformity is mandatory for new, second-hand and refurbished goods sold by a business to a consumer. Check the cover and exclusions of any extended warranty to see what extra protection it offers.