To set rice, steaming or a slow-cooked dish going and get on with something else, start by choosing a programmable multi-cooker with programmes to suit your recipes. Compare the actual fill limit of the cooking pot, the keep-warm function and how easy it is to clean: the stated capacity alone won’t tell you how many portions you can make. An electric pressure cooker comes with pressure-cooking requirements, while a cooking food processor is better suited to chopping, blending or carrying out several preparation steps.
For rice, steaming or a slow-cooked dish, look for a programme that suits the recipe. Also check whether the delay start and keep-warm functions fit your routine: they don’t replace any steps you may need to carry out while the food is cooking.
The stated capacity of the cooking pot is a starting point, not a guarantee of how much food you can cook. For example, Que Choisir notes that a 6 L Cookeo has a cooking limit of 4 L. Check the fill limits for the model and the recipes you plan to make.
An electric pressure cooker lets you make pressure-cooked recipes, provided you’re happy to follow the instructions for the lid, filling and pressure release. Check these steps before choosing one for the dishes you usually make.
Choose this if : you mainly cook rice, steam food or make slow-cooked dishes, and want to programme the cooking.
Bear in mind : some recipes still require you to stir or add ingredients.
Choose this if : you’d also like to make pressure-cooked recipes regularly.
Bear in mind : you’ll need to follow the model’s instructions for filling, the lid and pressure release.
Choose this if : you also want to chop, blend or whisk ingredients, rather than just automate cooking.
Bear in mind : check which accessories and steps are actually covered for your recipes. Que Choisir distinguishes these preparation functions from those of a multi-cooker.
Once you’ve chosen the type of appliance, start with the recipes you usually make. They’ll determine which programmes you need, how much you want to cook and what steps you’ll need to carry out.
| Criteria | What to check | Depending on your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Usable capacity | Check the instructions for fill limits for different recipes, especially for liquids, rice and pressure cooking. These limits are different from the nominal capacity and stated number of portions. | If I’m making soup or several portions, I want to know how much I can actually cook at once. Que Choisir gives the example of a 6 L Cookeo with a cooking limit of 4 L. |
| Programmes and autonomy | Look for modes that suit your dishes and check what you’ll need to do while the food is cooking. Check the manual settings, then the conditions for using the delay start and keep-warm functions. | I want to get rice or a slow-cooked dish started before doing something else, without finding out later that I need to stir or add an ingredient. |
| Handling and cleaning | Check whether the cooking pot has handles and read the care instructions for its coating. Check which parts are dishwasher-safe, one by one. | When the meal is ready, I want to be able to remove the cooking pot and clean the parts I’ve used without making the end of the meal more complicated. Que Choisir’s test protocol looks at handling, cleaning and scratch resistance. |
| Pressure cooking | Read the instructions for filling, closing the lid and releasing pressure for the exact model. Also check how to care for the seal and steam-related parts. | If I choose pressure cooking for some recipes, I need to be able to follow the instructions every time, including after the programme has finished. |
| Electrical supply | For an imported model, check the voltage, frequency and plug of the specific version sold in France. Don’t assume it’s compatible just because the product listing is in French. | I’d rather check the electrical supply of the model I’m going to receive before ordering, especially when the same range is available in several versions. |
You can’t always fill a cooking pot to the brim. Que Choisir gives the example of a 6 L Cookeo that can cook up to 4 L: choosing based only on the stated capacity could leave you with the wrong size for the portions you have in mind.
Check the fill limits in the instructions for the recipes you usually make, particularly soups, rice and pressure-cooked dishes.
With an electric pressure cooker, closing the lid, filling it correctly and releasing the pressure are all part of using the appliance, even when the cooking is programmed.
Before choosing this function, read the instructions for pressure release and care for the model you’re considering, and check that they suit the way you plan to use it.
A large number of programmes doesn’t guarantee that your usual dishes can cook without you needing to do anything. Some recipes still call for stirring or adding ingredients part-way through.
Make a list of the dishes you actually cook, then compare their steps with the programmes, manual settings, delay start and keep-warm functions.
The page consulted for the Instant Pot Duo Plus 8QT lists a 120 V, 60 Hz power supply and UL/ULC certification. So the language of a product page doesn’t confirm the electrical specifications of the model you’re buying.
Check with the seller the voltage, frequency, plug and exact product reference intended for use in your home.
The Cookeo range includes guided multi-cookers with pressure cooking. Moulinex lists the Cookeo+ CE851HF0 as having a 6 L cooking pot and 150 built-in recipes.
The models mentioned here cover two different uses: the SpheriCook RK745800 for everyday cooking programmes and the Fast & Delicious CY505E10 for pressure cooking.
Instant Pot offers multi-function pressure cookers. Check the electrical specifications for each model and version.
These models are mainly multi-function electric pressure cookers, alongside a programmable rice cooker. For each one, compare the advertised features with your recipes and check the instructions for the model you’re considering.
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For switching between rice, steaming, slow cooking and pressure cooking, this model lists 12 menus and a delay start. Its listing mentions an 8 L cooking pot, 1 200 W power and a non-stick coating. Check the instructions for recipe-specific fill limits and cleaning guidance, as well as the electrical specifications of the version on offer.
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This model is mainly designed for rice, porridge and steaming, with a delay start and keep-warm function listed. The product listing states 860 W and says it serves 3 to 4 people. Check the instructions for the permitted quantity for each recipe, care of the cooking pot and full electrical specifications.
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If you’re looking for a 5.7 L multi-cooker to make a range of dishes, compare its available modes with the meals you usually make. Check the instructions for this Classic for fill limits, steam-related guidance and whether it has a delay start if you want to programme the cooking to begin later. Also confirm the electrical frequency of the version on sale.
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For programmable pressure cooking, the listing mentions nine menus, two pressure settings and a 24-hour timer. It states that the cooking pot holds 6 L. Before planning your portions, check the limits for each recipe, as well as the menus, cleaning instructions and electrical supply for this model.
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The stated 7.1 L cooking pot may appeal to households preparing several portions, but it doesn’t tell you how much you can cook for every recipe. Check the fill markings in the instructions, along with the delay start and keep-warm functions if they’re important to your routine. Also confirm the electrical specifications of the model on sale.
Not necessarily. Que Choisir gives the example of a Cookeo with a 6 L cooking pot and a 4 L cooking limit; the maximum also depends on the recipe. To plan your portions, check the markings and instructions for the exact model.
Generally, no. Que Choisir points out that multi-cookers don’t usually stir food, except for some models with an optional stirring arm. Check the steps for a risotto or sauce before relying on a hands-off cooking process.
Not necessarily : a programmable multi-cooker is a more direct fit if you mainly want to cook rice, steam food or make slow-cooked dishes. A cooking food processor makes sense if you also want to chop, blend or whisk ingredients; Que Choisir distinguishes these preparation functions.
Check whether the cooking pot has handles, then read the care instructions for its coating and each accessory. Que Choisir notes that a pot without handles may require oven gloves, and its test protocol includes handling, cleaning and scratch resistance.