If you want to set a variety of dishes cooking and then get on with something else, start by comparing programmable multicookers, checking the functions of each model and its genuinely usable capacity. A cooking food processor meets a different need if you also want to prepare ingredients. If your meals mainly consist of slow-cooked dishes or rice, a slow cooker or dedicated rice cooker may be all you need. Keep-warm mode doesn’t remove the need to follow the appliance instructions and food hygiene guidance.
If your priority is to keep an eye on things less once you’ve added the ingredients, look for programmes suited to your recipes. Check for delayed start and keep-warm functions separately, as they vary from one appliance to another.
A cooking food processor is worth considering if chopping and mixing are part of your weekday cooking, not just the cooking itself. Also think about the accessories you’ll need to clean and store.
A slow cooker or dedicated rice cooker may be just what you need. However, make sure its cooking modes cover the other dishes you make regularly.
Start with the steps you want the appliance to take care of, then check its functions, capacity and cleaning requirements against the meals you usually make.
| Feature | What to check | Depending on your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Programmable cooking | Programmes suited to your recipes; available settings; and whether the model you’re considering has delayed start and keep-warm functions. | I want to start a dish and get on with something else, without assuming every preparation step is automatic. |
| Ingredient preparation | Whether it can chop and mix, which accessories you’ll need and which steps still have to be done by hand. | If chopping and mixing also take up my time, I’ll compare a cooking food processor with an appliance focused on cooking. |
| Types of meals | Available modes for a variety of dishes, slow cooking or rice, and how well they match the recipes you make most often. | For planned slow-cooked meals or regular rice dishes, I can prioritise a specialist appliance. If my menus often change, I’ll check the modes on a multicooker. |
| Usable capacity | Fill limits for different recipes and the portions you can make, rather than just the stated capacity in litres. Que Choisir cites a 6 L Cookeo bowl with a maximum cooking capacity of 4 L. | My usual dishes should fit in the bowl without exceeding the recommended limits for cooking them. |
| Cleaning and storage space | Removable parts, washing instructions for each one, the number of accessories and the space available for the appliance and its storage. | I’d rather not have a simple meal followed by lots of parts to wash or put away. |
| Keep-warm function | The conditions stated in the instruction manual and how you’ll manage the meal after cooking. Anses warns that improper food storage can encourage bacteria to grow. | I want to serve the meal later without mistaking keep-warm mode for unlimited safe storage. |
The stated capacity doesn’t always match the amount you can cook. Que Choisir gives the example of a 6 L Cookeo bowl with a maximum cooking capacity of 4 L.
Check the fill limits and portion sizes given for the recipes you make often.
Its preparation functions can be useful if you regularly chop or mix ingredients, but the accessories mean more parts to clean and store.
List the steps you actually want to automate before comparing a cooking food processor with a multicooker or slow cooker.
Keep-warm mode is an appliance function, not a universal guarantee of how long food can be stored safely. Anses highlights the risks of improper food storage.
Follow the instructions and food hygiene guidance relevant to the ingredients and dish you’ve prepared.
The Cookeo and Companion ranges show two distinct approaches: automating the cooking or taking care of preparation steps too.
The CSC052X is an example of a slow cooker to consider when slow-cooked dishes feature heavily on your menu.
The Classic 2 is an example of a dedicated rice cooker for households that prepare rice regularly.
These Joybuy options include rice-focused cookers and multicookers for a wider variety of meals. Compare their functions with your recipes; if you need to chop or mix ingredients too, it’s worth considering a cooking food processor.
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Worth considering if rice features regularly in your meals and you want to compare programmable cooking functions. Check which programmes suit your recipes, the portions you can make with the stated 2 L capacity, and the instructions for cleaning the bowl.
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For menus centred on rice, this model lists delayed start, keep-warm mode, programmes for porridge and soup, and a steaming basket. Check the usable capacity for your recipes and the care instructions for each part.
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Worth comparing for a variety of meals when you want to start a cooking programme and get on with something else. The stated capacity is 5,7 L: check the fill limits for your recipes and whether it has a delayed-start function if you need to set a start time. Follow the instructions for locking the lid and releasing steam when pressure cooking.
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Worth a look if you want to make a variety of meals using cooking programmes. Compare the stated 5,7 L capacity with the fill limits for your dishes. If WiFi control or delayed start matters to you, check exactly how these features work in the manual. Follow the steam-release instructions when pressure cooking.
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For planning a range of different dishes, this model lists 12 preset programmes, including rice, steaming and slow cooking. The 8 L figure is the stated capacity: check the fill limits and portion sizes that work for your recipes, as well as how to clean the bowl. Before opening the appliance after pressure cooking, follow the instructions for releasing the pressure.
Not necessarily. Que Choisir says a 6 L Cookeo bowl has a maximum cooking capacity of 4 L. Check the fill limit for your recipes and how many portions you can make.
A suitable programme can manage the cooking once it’s started, but whether you need to intervene depends on the recipe and model. Check the manual for any steps you need to do by hand, as well as delayed start and keep-warm functions. For example, Moulinex lists delayed start and automatic keep-warm mode for the Cookeo+ CE854B10.
Check the instructions for each part of the model you choose. Look separately for guidance on the bowl, lid and accessories, then consider how many parts you’ll need to clean after the meals you usually make.