If you want to set rice or a slow-cooked meal going in advance, look for a delay-start function that works with your recipe, then check the keep-warm function. A multi-menu rice cooker could be a good choice if rice features heavily in your meals; for larger batches of slow-cooked food, compare slow cookers too. If you’d like to chop or mix ingredients in the appliance, consider a food processor with cooking functions instead, but don’t assume it has a delay-start function.
If you prepare dinner before you’re ready to serve it, check that the delay-start function works with your usual recipes and that there’s a keep-warm function. An automatic programme doesn’t necessarily mean you won’t need to add or stir ingredients.
A multi-menu rice cooker is worth comparing with a multi-cooker if you also make soups or stews. For example, Tefal lists 8 menus, a 5 L capacity and automatic keep-warm for the Tefal Easy Cook+ RK732100. Check separately whether it has a delay-start function if you need one.
If chopping, whisking or mixing takes up a lot of time in your recipes, take a look at the accessories included with a food processor with cooking functions. Moulinex lists 14 modes and five accessories for the Companion XL HF80DB10; check the programming features for this specific model.
Consider this if: its programmes suit your recipes and a delay-start function is confirmed for the ones you plan to use.
Bear in mind: some recipes still require you to brown ingredients, add them or stir them.
Consider this if: rice is a staple and you’re looking at rice cookers, or compare slow cookers if you mainly make large batches of slow-cooked dishes.
Check: a keep-warm function or extra menus don’t guarantee a delay-start function.
Consider this if: you’d also like to chop or mix ingredients in the appliance.
Bear in mind: you’ll have accessories to clean, and you’ll need to check the programming features separately.
Start with the recipes you make and when you want to serve them, then check the features of the exact model you’re considering.
| What to consider | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Programming | Look for programmes that work with the delay-start function. Check when keep-warm begins and which steps you’ll still need to do yourself. | I want to prepare ingredients in advance and serve the meal later, without assuming the appliance will handle every step of the cooking. |
| Usable capacity | Check the maximum fill levels in the manual and the quantities allowed for your recipes, not just the bowl’s capacity. UFC-Que Choisir gives the example of a Cookeo with a 6 L bowl but a maximum cooking capacity of 4 L. | The appliance needs to hold enough for the dishes I actually make, including recipes that need some room in the bowl. |
| Food preparation | Check a typical recipe: do you need to brown ingredients, add them or stir? If you’re considering a food processor, check which accessories are included with the version you’ve chosen. | Chopping or mixing is part of my routine; a simple cooking programme wouldn’t cover every step. |
| Cleaning | Check whether the bowl can be removed and which parts are dishwasher-safe, according to the manual. Remember to clean the lid and any accessories you use too. | After preparing dinner in advance, I want to be able to clean the parts I’ve used without too much extra effort. |
The bowl’s capacity doesn’t always match the amount you can cook. UFC-Que Choisir gives the example of a 6 L Cookeo with a maximum cooking capacity of 4 L.
Check the maximum fill levels and the quantities listed for your recipes before choosing a size.
A recipe may still require you to brown ingredients, add something or stir while it cooks.
Read through a recipe you often make. If chopping or mixing is essential, check whether a food processor with cooking functions and its accessories can meet your needs.
A keep-warm function or automatic menus don’t prove that delay start works with every programme.
Check the product details and manual for the exact model, then confirm which settings are available for the dishes you usually make.
A manual that’s difficult to understand can make it harder to use the programmes, clean the appliance and put its parts back together.
Before you buy, check the language of the manual supplied and the instructions for the version being sold.
These models are examples of different uses; their features don’t apply to every model from each brand.
Two models to compare: the MK708810 multi-cooker for programmable cooking and the Companion XL HF80DB10 food processor with cooking functions for extra food-preparation steps.
The Easy Cook+ RK732100 multi-menu rice cooker is worth a look if rice and a few other dishes make up most of your meals.
The range mentioned includes a large-capacity slow cooker and a pressure multi-cooker. Check which one suits your recipes before comparing their features.
These models include a multi-cooker and rice cookers for preparing meals in advance. Compare their programming features and usable capacity based on the recipes you plan to make.
Image unavailable
For rice, porridge or soup prepared in advance, the product title lists a delay-start function and keep-warm. It also mentions a steaming basket and rice paddle. Check which programmes work with delay start, the usable quantity for each recipe and whether the appliance is electrically compatible with your home.
Image unavailable
If you’d like to schedule meals with the Kyoto, check the manual to see which recipes can use the delay-start and keep-warm functions. The product title lists a 2 L capacity; check the maximum fill levels for your dishes and allow the clearance needed around the appliance.
Image unavailable
For scheduling rice cooking in a smaller household, the product title lists a 12-hour timer and says it’s suitable for 1 to 3 people. Before choosing it, check which programmes are covered, whether it has a keep-warm function and whether it’s electrically compatible with your home.
Image unavailable
This option is worth considering if you cook rice and would also like to compare its other cooking modes. The stated capacity varies between 4,8 L and 5 L across product descriptions. Confirm the capacity of the version being sold, the usable quantities and whether it has a delay-start function if scheduling the start is essential.
Not necessarily: the amount you can cook depends on the appliance and the recipe. UFC-Que Choisir mentions a Cookeo with a stated bowl capacity of 6 L but a maximum cooking capacity of 4 L. Check the maximum fill levels for the model you’re interested in.
No, the programme doesn’t guarantee that this step is taken care of. Read through a recipe for a dish you usually make and check what you’ll need to do as it cooks. If mixing is important to you, look at the functions and accessories of a suitable food processor with cooking functions.
According to the French Ministry of the Economy, the statutory guarantee of conformity applies to new, second-hand and refurbished goods sold by a professional to a private individual. This is separate from any commercial warranty offered for the appliance, so check who the seller is when you buy.