To get a dish cooking in the pot while you get on with something else, choose a programmable multicooker with settings suited to the recipes you usually make. An electric pressure cooker adds pressure cooking, but you’ll need to follow the instructions in its manual. Pots and pans are still a good choice if you prefer to monitor and adjust the cooking yourself. Either way, compare the usable capacity, keep-warm function and parts to clean rather than focusing only on the number of programmes.
If you often make rice, soup or a slow-cooked dish, a suitable programme can take care of the cooking once you’ve started it. Que Choisir points out that you don’t need to stay by the hob throughout the cooking time, but do check which steps your recipe still requires.
A compact model may suit smaller portions. Instant Pot says its 3.8 L Classic Mini can make up to four portions. Compare this with your recipes and the space available on your worktop.
If you’re making soup or a stew to last for several meals, check the maximum permitted amount for cooking, not just the capacity shown on the pot. Que Choisir gives the example of a 6 L Cookeo with a maximum cooking capacity of 4 L. Check the manual for the model you’re considering.
Start with the way you like to cook: do you want a programme to manage the cooking, the option to use pressure, or to stay in control at the hob? Then check the features and capacity of the specific model.
Worth considering: for cooking rice, soup or a slow-cooked dish without a particular need for pressure cooking.
The trade-off: the appliance may not handle preparation steps, and each recipe needs to suit its programmes.
Worth considering: if you want programmed cooking and plan to use the pressure setting for some recipes.
The trade-off: you’ll still need to follow the filling limits and instructions in the model’s manual.
Worth considering: if you want to use the cookware you already have and adjust the cooking yourself as you follow the recipe.
The trade-off: you’ll manage the heat and cooking steps yourself, without an electric programme to take over.
| What to consider | What to check | Think about your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Monitoring | Look for programmes that suit your dishes, and check which steps need to be completed before starting them. Check the delay-start and keep-warm functions separately. | I want to start cooking dinner without staying by the appliance, but I can prepare the ingredients beforehand. |
| Capacity | Compare the pot’s capacity with its fill markings and the quantities allowed for your recipes. Que Choisir cites a 6 L Cookeo with a maximum cooking capacity of 4 L. | I need enough room in the pot for family-sized soup or leftovers, without exceeding the limit for the dish I’m making. |
| Cleaning | Check the pot, lid, basket and accessories separately. Don’t assume that every part is dishwasher-safe. | After a midweek dinner, I’d like to know which parts need to be washed by hand. |
| Pressure and leftovers | For a pressure cooker, check the limits and instructions in its manual. For perishable leftovers, Anses recommends refrigerating cooked food within two hours. | If I cook under pressure or save a portion for later, I want to know the difference between keeping food warm and storing leftovers. |
Soup or food that expands may need extra room below the fill line. Que Choisir says that a 6 L Cookeo can cook a maximum of 4 L; this figure doesn’t automatically apply to other models.
Compare the limits in the appliance manual with the quantities you usually cook.
A cooking programme doesn’t mean the appliance can chop, blend or knead ingredients. You may still need to do these steps before filling the pot.
Make a list of the steps in your recipes, then check that the appliance has the specific preparation features you need.
The keep-warm function is for mealtimes before serving, not a substitute for refrigerating leftovers. Anses recommends refrigerating perishable cooked food within two hours.
After your meal, pack up any leftovers and refrigerate them in line with food storage recommendations.
Filling limits and instructions vary depending on the appliance and what you’re cooking. An electric multicooker and a hob-top pressure cooker may not work in the same way.
Before pressure cooking for the first time, check the manual for your exact model and its fill markings.
These ranges show different ways of cooking in a pot. Features vary by model, and their inclusion here doesn’t guarantee that the products listed below are available.
The Cookeo range is aimed at people looking for an electric pressure cooker with guided cooking settings.
The brand offers programmable cookers and electric pressure cookers. The cooking method you’re looking for can help you choose between its ranges.
The Classic Mini is an example of a more compact electric multicooker for households that cook smaller quantities.
This selection includes electric pressure cookers and programmable cookers for one-pot meals. Start by choosing according to your recipes and whether you want pressure cooking, then check the usable capacity and essential features of each model.
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Worth considering if you want to programme pressure cooking in a pot. The product name lists 9 menus, 2 pressure settings and 24-hour programming. Check the filling limits in the manual before cooking.
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Worth a look if rice and pot-cooked dishes are part of your evening meals. The product name lists 860 W, a delay-start function and keep-warm. Check which quantities are suitable for recipes other than rice.
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Worth considering for smaller meals. Before choosing it for soups or complete dishes, compare the usable capacity for those recipes with your usual portion sizes.
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Its listed capacity is worth comparing with your needs if you cook several portions. The product name lists 1200 W and 12 preset menus. Check the manual for the applicable filling limits when pressure cooking.
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This 7.1 L multicooker is worth comparing if you’re making one-pot meals for several people. Check the manual for the permitted capacity for your dishes, and, if your mealtimes vary, look at the programming and keep-warm functions.
Not necessarily. Que Choisir cites a 6 L Cookeo with a maximum cooking capacity of 4 L. Check the fill markings and manual for the specific model, especially when making soup or a dish that expands.
Choose settings that suit your recipes, such as rice, slow cooking, soup, steaming or browning, depending on what you make. Check the delay-start and keep-warm functions separately if your mealtimes vary; a large number of menus doesn’t replace these features.
No. It keeps food warm until you’re ready to serve, but isn’t for storing leftovers. Anses recommends refrigerating perishable cooked food within two hours.
Read the manual for your model and follow its instructions, including the fill markings for your recipe. Don’t assume that the instructions for a hob-top pressure cooker also apply to an electric appliance.
Don’t assume they are. Check the instructions for the pot, basket, lid and other accessories on your chosen model separately. One dishwasher-safe part doesn’t mean the whole appliance is.