A programmable multicooker is a good choice if you often prepare rice, slow-cooked dishes, steamed vegetables or one-pot meals, and want to leave the cooking time and temperature to the appliance once it has started. Que Choisir describes this operation for correctly programmed appliances; however, compare the capacity with your recipes, check which parts can genuinely be washed and follow the precautions relating to steam and the hot cooking pot. A dedicated cooker may be enough for specific recipes, while a cooking robot is mainly worthwhile if you also want to prepare the ingredients.
You regularly cook rice, slow-cooked dishes, steamed vegetables or one-pot recipes, and want to spend less time monitoring the food once cooking has started. A capacity of around 5 to 6 L may suit family use, depending on the recipe, but should be compared with the quantities you actually cook.
You want programmable cooking without taking over the worktop or routinely preparing large quantities. Instant Pot describes its 3.8 L Classic Mini format as suitable for smaller kitchens; however, the lid must be washed by hand on this model.
You want the time saved during cooking not to be lost to cleaning. Check each part individually: depending on the model, the cooking pot and accessories may be dishwasher-safe, while certain lid components require hand washing.
Start with the recipes and quantities you usually prepare, then check the programmes you actually need and how each part must be cleaned. Que Choisir points out that automatic programmes can manage cooking time and heat when the appliance is programmed correctly.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Usable capacity | Compare the volume in litres with two or three recipes you regularly prepare. Allow for ingredients that expand, the free space required in the pot and the room available in your kitchen. | I want to prepare a complete meal without having to cook several batches. For a smaller household, a compact format may be easier to store and better suited to the quantities prepared. |
| Useful programmes | Look for modes that genuinely match your dishes: rice, steaming, simmering, slow cooking, browning or pressure cooking, depending on the model. Also check the keep-warm function and the conditions for delayed start, if available. | I want to add the ingredients, start the right programme and then step away from the hob. I would rather have a few functions suited to my meals than a long list of rarely used modes. |
| Cleaning and handling | Check the cooking pot, lid, steam basket, sealing ring, condensation collector and accessories separately. Read the instructions for releasing pressure and observe the filling limits. | After the meal, I want to know exactly which parts can go in the dishwasher. I also need to be able to handle a hot, full cooking pot safely. |
Portion guidance varies according to the model, manufacturer and recipe. A pot that is too small may mean cooking several batches, while a larger capacity is not necessarily practical for small quantities.
Compare the stated capacity with the recipes you prepare most often, their volume, foods that expand and the space that must be left in the pot.
Compatibility varies from one component to another: the cooking pot and accessories may be dishwasher-safe, while the lid or certain parts require hand washing.
Read the product information and manual part by part: cooking pot, lid, basket, sealing ring, condensation collector and accessories.
During pressure cooking, residual steam can cause burns. The Instant Pot manual also states that a full cooking pot may be hot and heavy to handle.
Place the appliance on a stable surface, follow the pressure-release procedure, keep your hands and face away from the flow of steam and use oven gloves when handling the hot pot.
A cooking robot adds preparation functions and accessories, but you also need to consider its size, ease of use and care requirements. These functions may be unnecessary if you already prepare the ingredients separately.
If your main aim is to start cooking and step away from the hob, compare a programmable multicooker with a dedicated appliance first. Consider a cooking robot if chopping, mixing or guided preparation meets a genuine need.
The Cookeo range is designed for guided everyday meals, with pressure cooking and several cooking modes. Moulinex states that the Cookeo+ 6 L offers 150 pre-programmed recipes and six cooking modes.
In France, Instant Pot offers pressure multicookers in several capacities, including 3.8 L and 5.7 L formats, as well as appliances dedicated to rice and steaming.
Tefal offers, among other products, multicooking rice cookers aimed at rice, grains and certain slow-cooked recipes, rather than an electric pressure cooker comparable to a Cookeo.
These Joybuy options are suited to preparing a range of meals with programmable cooking and less monitoring, in compact formats or capacities of 5.7 L.
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For varied meals that can be started with less monitoring, in a 5.7 L cooking pot.
28 programmes, automatic keep-warm, pressure cooking, slow cooking, steaming, rice and sous-vide functions are listed. Observe the MAX marker, keep your hands and face away from the steam and check whether the WiFi app is available in France if this feature matters to you.
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For everyday meals serving several portions, with programmable cooking and a keep-warm function.
This 9-in-1 model lists pressure cooking, slow cooking, rice, sautéing, steaming and keep-warm functions. The cooking pot and steam insert are stated to be dishwasher-safe; check the other components separately and confirm local compatibility of the Instant Connect app.
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For households that regularly prepare several portions in a single pot.
This model is stated to offer 5.7 L capacity and up to 6 portions, with pressure cooking, simmering, sautéing, steaming, yoghurt and keep-warm functions. The cooking pot, lid and accessories are stated to be dishwasher-safe; always adjust quantities to your recipes and the filling limits.
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For small to medium-sized households looking for a compact appliance with programmable cooking.
12 programmes, along with pressure cooking, slow cooking, rice, steaming, sautéing, yoghurt and keep-warm functions, are listed. Check the rated power and filling markers in the manual for recipes containing ingredients that expand.
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For planning meals for several portions with delayed start, a timer and a keep-warm function.
This 5.7 L multicooker combines pressure cooking, steaming, oven cooking and sautéing. Its stated width of 40 cm and weight of 7.1 kg mean you should check the available space; also confirm which parts are genuinely dishwasher-safe before buying.
Yes. Once you have added the ingredients correctly and started the appropriate programme, a programmable multicooker can manage the cooking time and temperature. Que Choisir also states that some appliances have an automatic keep-warm function; nevertheless, follow the model’s instructions, setup requirements and steam safety guidance.
Do not automatically convert litres into a fixed number of meals. Instant Pot states that one 5.7 L model serves up to 6 portions, while Tefal presents a 5 L model for a family of 4 or 5 people or batch cooking for one or two people: compare these indications with your recipes, particularly when they expand or require free space.
Check the cooking pot, lid, steam basket, accessories and sealing ring separately if the model has one. Some models state that all these parts are dishwasher-safe, whereas the Instant Pot Classic Mini 3.8 L specifies that the cooking pot and steam rack are washable, but the lid must be cleaned by hand.
Keep your face, hands and any unprotected part of your body away from the steam-release valve while the appliance is operating or holding pressure. The Instant Pot manual states that the cooking pot can be extremely hot and heavy when full: use oven gloves and place hot components on a heat-resistant surface.
For a purchase from a professional seller in France, the statutory guarantee of conformity can be claimed for two years for new and second-hand goods. The French Ministry for the Economy states that, for a new product, consumers do not have to prove during those two years that the fault existed on the date of sale; any additional commercial warranty supplements the statutory guarantees without replacing them.