If you want to get a variety of meals started and then leave the appliance to handle the cooking, start by comparing programmable multicookers. Their settings should suit the dishes you make, but don’t assume they’ll prepare the ingredients for you. A slow cooker is better suited to dishes that cook slowly over several hours; for rice and simple portions, a dedicated cooker may be enough. A cooking food processor offers a wider range of food preparation functions, while usable capacity and safety instructions are worth checking for every model.
If your ingredients are ready, a programmable multicooker or a slow cooker can take care of some of the cooking settings. Choose according to the dishes you make, and check the manual before relying on a timer or keep-warm function.
For rice, grains and simple portions, it’s worth comparing a compact rice cooker with a large multicooker. The 2 L Tefal Pop, for example, is described by Tefal as suitable for one to four people.
If you’d like to chop, blend or weigh ingredients with the same appliance you use to cook, look at the functions offered by a cooking food processor. That goes beyond simply programming the cooking: check which steps in your recipes you’ll actually use.
Start with the dishes and portions you usually make, then look at the settings, cleaning requirements and safety precautions for the model.
| What to consider | What to check | What I need |
|---|---|---|
| Dishes and programmes | Look for settings that suit your recipes, such as rice, steaming, slow cooking or pressure cooking, depending on the appliance. Check whether you can adjust the time and temperature or whether these are preset by programme. | I make a variety of meals, so I’m more interested in a multicooker with suitable settings than an appliance mainly for rice or slow cooking. If I also want to chop and blend, I’ll compare cooking food processors instead. |
| Usable capacity | Compare the stated number of portions, maximum filling volume and any limits for specific programmes, particularly pressure cooking. Que Choisir notes that the 6 L Cookeo bowl can hold a maximum of 4 L for cooking. | For smaller portions, I don’t want to choose based on litres alone. For family meals, I’ll check that the quantity in my recipe is within the permitted limit. |
| Mealtimes | Check whether the appliance has a delayed start and how it works, as well as how long the keep-warm function lasts. Tefal says the Pop can keep food warm for up to 12 h and has a delayed start of up to 24 h. | I’d like to start some dishes in advance or serve them later, without assuming these functions mean I can leave the appliance unattended without taking precautions. |
| Cleaning and maintenance | Check which parts are removable and which are specifically stated to be dishwasher-safe. Look for the manual and repair options for the exact model number. | If I cook often, I want to be able to clean the parts used after every meal and know how to maintain the appliance. |
| Safe use | Read the filling limits and instructions for handling steam. For a pressure cooker, also check the pressure release procedure; when using the keep-warm function, follow the manual and food hygiene guidance. | I want to reduce the amount of adjusting needed while food cooks, not ignore precautions relating to heat, pressure or food storage. |
Filling limits can reduce the usable volume. Que Choisir gives the example of a 6 L Cookeo bowl with a maximum cooking capacity of 4 L.
Compare your usual quantities with the limits in the model’s manual, rather than relying on its stated capacity alone.
A food processor adds preparation functions that are only useful if they suit the recipes you make. Que Choisir points out that multifunction food processors are not necessarily equally effective at every task.
If you already prepare the ingredients and mainly want to programme rice or a slow-cooked dish, compare a multicooker, slow cooker or rice cooker first.
Automatic settings don’t remove the risks associated with hot surfaces or pressure. The DGCCRF notes, for example, that electrical appliances can pose a risk of burns and fire.
Before first use, read the instructions for filling, setting up and, where applicable, releasing the pressure on the exact model.
How easy an appliance is to maintain depends on the parts you use and whether they’re specifically stated to be dishwasher-safe; you can’t tell from the brand alone.
Check the cleaning instructions, manual and repair options for the model you’re considering.
The Cookeo range is aimed at people looking for a multicooker, particularly for pressure cooking.
The Pop is worth considering for rice and smaller portions, while the SpheriCook has a stated capacity of 5 L.
The CSC059X is mainly for people who want to programme a slow-cooked dish for several hours.
The Thermomix TM7 is a cooking food processor to consider if preparing ingredients matters as much as cooking them.
This selection includes multicookers for a variety of cooking methods and rice cookers for more specific needs. Compare their functions and limitations based on the meals you prepare.
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Designed for meals centred around rice, this model is described as suitable for 3 to 4 people. Its product title mentions a delayed start, keep-warm function and steam basket; check the manual for how long these functions last, the permitted filling volume and the precautions for handling steam.
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This multicooker is worth considering if you want to prepare different meals rather than just rice. Compare its stated capacity with your portion sizes, and check the manual for the available settings, filling limits and pressure release instructions. Before using it in France, also check the plug specifications.
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Its product title lists nine menus, two pressure settings and a 24 h timer to adapt cooking to different dishes. Capacity details vary between descriptions, so confirm the model number, usable volume, manual and pressure instructions before choosing it for your portion sizes.
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For switching between different cooking methods, the product title lists 12 preset menus. Capacity details use different units across the descriptions, so check the exact volume and maximum fill level, as well as the model’s voltage, plug and pressure instructions.
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For planning when your rice cooks, the product title lists a 3 L capacity, suitability for 1 to 3 people, a 12 h timer and a voltage of 220 V. Check the usable volume, programmes and plug type before setting it up.
Choose based on portion sizes and the permitted cooking volume, not just the size of the bowl. Tefal says its 2 L Pop is suitable for one to four people; for a large bowl, always check the recipe’s filling limit. Que Choisir, for example, notes that the 6 L Cookeo has a maximum cooking capacity of 4 L.
Yes, if the model has this function and you use it according to the manual. Tefal says the Pop can keep food warm for up to 12 h. Check the duration and instructions for your appliance, and follow food hygiene guidance.
Having a programmable cooking function doesn’t mean you can assume the appliance is safe to use when no one is at home. Check the instructions for the exact model, particularly those covering setup, filling and pressure release.
Only those the manufacturer says are dishwasher-safe for the specific model. Crock-Pot says the bowl and lid of the CSC059X are dishwasher-safe; don’t assume the same applies to other parts or models without checking their manuals.
Before buying, look for the manual, spare parts and repair options for the exact model number. Also compare the care instructions for the parts you’ll wash regularly, rather than relying on the brand name alone.