If you want to prepare an evening meal without having to keep an eye on it throughout cooking, start by choosing an appliance to suit the steps involved in your recipes. A programmable multi-cooker may be a good fit once you’ve prepared the ingredients, while a slow cooker suits recipes designed for slow cooking and a little planning ahead. A cooking food processor is worth considering if you also want to combine food preparation or mixing in one appliance. Bear in mind that programmable cooking doesn’t necessarily make a meal completely hands-off.
You prepare the ingredients, then want to get on with something else while the appliance follows a set programme. Que Choisir explains how programming can save you from having to stand by the cooker; still, check which steps you’ll need to take before starting.
You can prepare your dish ahead of time and want slow cooking organised around your mealtime. Crock-Pot describes this option for the TimeSelect CSC066X; check the instructions for guidance on specific recipes and keeping food warm.
You’d also like food preparation or mixing tools, and are happy to follow a recipe in stages. Bosch describes these functions for the Cookit; they’re useful if you need more than just programmable cooking.
Choose this if : you prepare the ingredients and want to use several cooking modes in the same bowl.
Bear in mind : browning, stirring and other steps may still be up to you.
Choose this if : your recipes are suited to slow cooking that you can plan in advance.
Bear in mind : setting a serving time doesn’t tell you how to store the ingredients safely.
Choose this if : you’ll also use its food-preparation or mixing tools.
Bear in mind : guided recipes may still be broken into stages and require you to get involved.
If you’re looking to organise a hot meal for a busy evening, start by comparing the steps in your recipes, then check the programming options, suitable quantities and cleaning requirements.
| What matters | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Steps you’ll need to take | Look through a recipe you regularly make and note any browning, adding ingredients or stirring it may involve. | If I can’t get back to the kitchen, I want to know what I’ll need to do before and during cooking. Around 31 % of consumers in this group make the steps involved their top priority. |
| Mealtime | Check whether the appliance lets you set a cooking time, a delayed start or a serving time, and read the instructions for keeping food warm. | When I prepare food in advance, I want the appliance to work in a way that suits the time we’ll be eating. Around 25 % of consumers in this group prioritise having it ready at mealtime. |
| Quantity per recipe | Compare the portions you need with the quantities and limits specified for the mode you’ll be using. | If I’m cooking for several people, I want to check that my recipe fits in the bowl and can be cooked as instructed. Around 19 % of consumers in this group make the number of portions their top priority. |
| Built-in food preparation | Identify the tasks you want the appliance to handle and check which accessories come with the model you’re considering. | If I also want to prepare or mix food in the same appliance, I check that its tools suit my recipes. Around 13 % of consumers in this group prioritise these built-in food-preparation functions. |
| Cleaning | Check which parts are dishwasher-safe and read the instructions for taking them apart. | With frequent use, I want to know which parts can be cleaned as part of my usual routine. Around 12 % of consumers in this group make cleaning their top priority. |
The risotto recipe published by Moulinex starts by browning the onions. So a cooking programme doesn’t necessarily remove the need to prepare the ingredients.
Before you choose, count the steps involved in a recipe you actually cook.
The stated capacity doesn’t mean every cooking mode can use the same fill level. For the Cookit, Bosch gives different examples for different dishes, including 3 L of soup or stew.
Compare your recipes with the quantities and limits specified for the mode you’ll be using, rather than relying on a universal conversion from litres to portions.
Moulinex says that the Extra Crisp accessory is sold separately with the Cookeo Wifi 9-en-1 Blanc offer; this doesn’t automatically apply to every Cookeo bundle.
Check exactly what’s included with the model or bundle before factoring a function into your comparison.
Programming doesn’t replace food hygiene precautions. Anses recommends not leaving food at room temperature for more than two hours before refrigerating it.
Follow food-storage recommendations and the appliance’s specific instructions.
The Cookeo+ CE85BA10 is an example of guided cooking in a bowl; these details apply to this documented model and don’t describe the whole range.
The TimeSelect CSC066X is an example of a slow cooker designed around a planned mealtime.
The Cookit MCC9555FWC is for people who also want food-preparation tools.
The products featured here are programmable cookers and multi-cookers suited to preparing meals in advance. Before buying, check the specifications, fill limits and instructions for the model you’re considering.
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Worth considering if you want a choice of pre-set menus and a delayed timer to help you plan your cooking.
The description lists a 6 L bowl with a usable capacity of 5 L, 9 menus and two pressure settings. An English-language manual isn’t guaranteed.
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Worth considering if you want several cooking modes in one appliance, with a keep-warm function.
The listing gives a capacity of 5,7 L, seven functions and four customisable programmes. The instructions say not to fill the bowl beyond about two-thirds for pressure cooking, or halfway for foods that expand. They also warn of a burn risk from hot surfaces and steam.
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Worth considering if you’re looking for an appliance that offers several cooking modes and pre-set menus.
The description lists pressure cooking, slow cooking, sautéing and steaming, among other functions. The capacity isn’t specified here, so check that it’s suitable for the quantities in your recipes.
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Worth considering if your meals mainly consist of rice and dishes such as porridge, soup or cake.
The title gives a capacity of 4 L, 860 W, a delayed start and a keep-warm function; the description says it’s suitable for 3 to 4 people. A steam basket and rice spoon are also mentioned.
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Worth considering if you want a range of cooking modes and a delayed timer to plan your cooking.
The title gives a capacity of 8 L and a power rating of 1200 W; the description lists 12 pre-set menus and a 24-hour delayed timer. The instructions say to observe the MAX line, or the 1/2 line for foods that expand, and not to open the lid while the appliance is under pressure.
No, not in the example published by Moulinex: the recipe starts by asking you to brown the onions. Check the steps in the recipes you usually make rather than relying on the programme name alone.
No, not as a general rule. For the Cookit, Bosch gives different examples, such as 3 L of soup or stew and 3 to 4 sautéed fillet portions; the type of dish matters too. Check the guidance for the mode you plan to use.
Anses recommends storing food in a cold area of the fridge between 0 and +4 °C and not leaving it at room temperature for more than two hours before refrigerating it. This food-safety advice doesn’t specify how long an appliance can keep food warm.
No. Bosch describes it as a pre-cleaning function and separately says that the bowl, lid and accessories for the MCC9555FWC are dishwasher-safe. Follow the cleaning instructions for the model you have.
No. For the requirements that apply in France, the CE mark represents the manufacturer’s commitment that the product complies with the relevant requirements; the DGCCRF clarifies that it isn’t an independent certification mark.