If you can prepare the ingredients in advance, a slow cooker is well suited to longer cooking times. For more varied meals, or dishes you start cooking when you get home from work, compare the programmes on a multicooker or electric pressure cooker. A cooking food processor is worth considering mainly if you also want to delegate tasks such as chopping or mixing. Check the usable capacity, the parts you’ll need to clean and the instructions for the specific model: UFC-Que Choisir notes that the cooking capacity may be less than the advertised bowl capacity.
If you can prepare the ingredients before cooking, check the programmable cooking time and keep-warm function. UFC-Que Choisir and manufacturers’ product information distinguish these features from a delayed start, which varies by model.
Choose the settings that suit the dishes you usually make, and check the safety instructions for the specific model if you plan to use pressure cooking. The Instant Pot manual, for example, sets out installation precautions for the appliance it covers.
If you’d like to cut down on tasks such as chopping or mixing, compare a cooking food processor’s functions and accessories with the parts you’ll need to use and clean. UFC-Que Choisir assesses cooking performance separately from food preparation.
First decide whether you want to prepare the dish in advance, start cooking when you get home or delegate some preparation tasks too. Then check the functions and capacity that will be useful for your recipes.
| What matters to you | What to check | Who it matters most to |
|---|---|---|
| Starting the cooking without supervision | Check the cooking timer, delayed start and keep-warm function separately in the model’s manual. | When I can prepare the ingredients in advance, I want to start cooking without staying beside the appliance. Around 33% of consumers prioritise programmed cooking that needs little supervision. |
| Cooking when you get home | Check that it has the settings you need for your dishes, along with the filling and handling instructions for pressure cooking. | If I can’t start making dinner until after work, I look for settings suited to starting to cook later in the day. Around 27% of consumers prioritise this need. |
| Cutting down on prep and washing up | Compare the tasks that are actually automated, the accessories included and the parts the manufacturer confirms are dishwasher-safe. | When I want to avoid chopping or mixing by hand, I also check how to clean the parts I’ll use. Around 20% of consumers prioritise preparation and washing up. |
| Matching capacity to your portions | Compare the maximum quantities allowed for your recipes, the usable capacity and the functions you’ll genuinely need. | To choose an appliance that suits my portions without paying for unnecessary features, I check the usable capacity. Around 20% of consumers prioritise capacity and features that meet their needs. |
A timer that sets the cooking time doesn’t necessarily mean the appliance can start at a time you choose. The product information for the Crock-Pot CSC060X and Moulinex Cookeo+ CE851HF0 describes different functions.
Check the exact function in the manual for your model and store ingredients according to Anses advice.
If a delayed start doesn’t suit your routine, you may need to change when you prepare the meal.
The stated volume doesn’t always match the amount you can cook at once. UFC-Que Choisir gives the example of a Cookeo with a 6 L bowl and a maximum cooking capacity of 4 L.
Compare the filling limits for your recipes with the number of portions you usually prepare.
If the usable capacity is too small for your portions, you may need to cook in batches.
Automated tasks, useful accessories and the parts you need to clean vary between recipes and models. Food preparation functions don’t guarantee that every dish will need less hands-on work.
Start with the recipes you make regularly, then check which accessories are included and which parts you’ll use each time.
Extra accessories may need more storage space and add to the washing up.
Depending on the model, the Cookeo range offers guided recipes and several cooking modes, including pressure cooking.
The brand offers slow cookers for dishes that need a long cooking time; the CSC060X is a model with digital controls.
Depending on the model, the brand’s multicookers with pressure-cooking functions may offer programmes for pressure cooking, rice and slow cooking.
The Cook Expert range is designed in part for people who want to combine food preparation and cooking tasks.
These models include electric pressure cookers and programmable multicookers, for a range of cooking styles, planned meals and different capacity needs.
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For a range of cooking styles and programmed meals, this model is listed with a 24-hour timer.
6 L capacity, 9 menus and 2 pressure settings. The product title also mentions frying and voice control functions.
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Its compact size may suit smaller households; the description states that it can make up to four portions.
7-in-1 multicooker with pressure cooking, slow cooking, steaming and keep-warm functions. Follow the filling limits and wait for the valve to drop before opening the lid.
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For planned meals featuring rice, porridge or soup, the description lists a 24-hour timer and a keep-warm function after cooking.
The 2 L capacity is for uncooked rice. The manual is listed as available in French. When installing the appliance, allow at least 40 cm of clearance above it and 10 cm at the sides.
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For planned meals, the product title mentions a timer and keep-warm function; the appliance is described as suitable for a household of 3 to 4 people.
The description lists settings for rice, porridge, soup and cake, as well as a steaming basket. Don’t cover the steam vent during cooking, and take care around hot steam when opening the lid.
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For preparing meals in advance, the description lists a 24-hour delayed start and an automatic keep-warm function.
The title lists 8 L and 1200 W; the description mentions 12 programmes. Follow the filling limits and the safety precautions for pressurised steam.
Don’t confuse a delayed start with chilled storage. Anses advises against leaving a cooked dish at room temperature for more than 2 hours before refrigerating it. For raw ingredients, maintain the cold chain and follow the appliance instructions.
Follow the manual for the model you’ve chosen. The relevant Instant Pot manual, for example, specifies a flat, stable and non-combustible surface. Its instructions apply to the appliance described in that manual and don’t replace those for another model.
Not necessarily: UFC-Que Choisir gives the example of a Cookeo with a 6 L bowl and a maximum cooking capacity of 4 L. Check the limit for your model and the recipe you plan to make.
Check the bowl, lid and accessories separately. Crock-Pot says that the CSC060X bowl and lid are dishwasher-safe; this doesn’t apply to other parts or other models.
The legal guarantee of conformity applies, subject to its conditions, to goods sold by a business to an individual; the claim period is two years from delivery. The DGCCRF states that CE marking is compulsory for products covered by the relevant European legislation, but it is not a certification mark or an independent product test.