People who make slow-cooked evening meals
If you cook soups, stews or dishes with a sauce, a programme suited to your recipes and a keep-warm function matter more than a long list of modes you will never use.
Who is each option for?
Households cooking several portions
To make a family meal or several portions at once, weigh up the space the appliance takes up against the amount of food you can cook according to its instructions. This may be less than the stated bowl capacity.
People who also want to prepare ingredients
If chopping, blending, kneading or whisking is a regular part of your recipes, compare the accessories supplied with a cooking food processor rather than assuming that an automatic cooking programme will do these jobs too.
What should you look for before buying?
Programmable multi-cooker
Best for: meals that need different cooking modes, such as slow cooking, cooking rice or steaming in the same bowl.
Bear in mind: usable capacity and functions vary by model, and an automatic programme does not mean the appliance stirs the food.
Programmable slow cooker
Best for: mainly making soups and stews with a long cooking time, when you want your meal ready at a planned time.
Bear in mind: slow cooking does not necessarily reduce the preparation time, and it does not replace the other modes found on a multi-cooker.
Cooking food processor
Worth considering: when preparing ingredients, such as chopping, mixing or kneading, matters as much as cooking them.
Bear in mind: there are more functions and accessories to choose and use, for needs that go beyond simple one-pot slow cooking.
| Criteria | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Cooking and scheduling | Check the instructions for the model to see whether it has modes suited to your recipes, a delay-start function and a keep-warm setting. | When a meal needs to cook while I do something else, I want to be able to schedule its start or finish time. Around 36% of consumers would put this hands-off convenience first. |
| Portions and footprint | Compare the maximum permitted fill level, which can vary by recipe, with the appliance’s dimensions. | If I’m cooking several portions, I want to avoid making two batches without taking up too much kitchen space. The right capacity would be the main priority for around 29% of consumers. |
| Cooking modes | Look for modes that suit the dishes you usually make. If rice and steaming are your main priorities, consider a suitable rice cooker too. | I make rice one day, a stew or steamed vegetables the next, and want to cook them all in one bowl. This versatility would come first for around 21% of consumers. |
| Ingredient preparation | If you also need to chop, blend or knead, compare the accessories and usable capacity of a cooking food processor. | When my recipes regularly include these steps before cooking, I want to cut down on the number of appliances I need to get out. Around 14% of consumers would make this their priority. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Choosing based only on the stated litre capacity
The bowl’s capacity is not always the same as the amount of food you can cook. UFC-Que Choisir gives the example of a Cookeo with a 6 L bowl and a maximum cooking capacity of 4 L, which varies by recipe.
Check the maximum fill level in the instructions and compare it with the portions you usually make.
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Confusing automatic cooking with automatic food preparation
According to UFC-Que Choisir, multi-cookers generally do not stir food. You may therefore need another appliance or have to step in yourself for tasks such as chopping or kneading.
If these tasks feature regularly in your recipes, compare the accessories supplied with a cooking food processor and those included with the multi-cooker you are considering.
Without suitable food preparation functions, you may need to use a separate chopper or blender.
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Assuming a pictured accessory is included
The modes available on an appliance and the accessories offered across its range do not necessarily tell you what comes in the box with each specific model.
Check the list of included items, especially if your choice depends on a steam basket or a particular accessory.
The Extra Crisp accessory is sold separately for the Cookeo+ CE851HF0.
Brands to know when comparing ranges
Moulinex
The Cookeo range is designed for programmable one-pot cooking, while Companion is better suited to recipes that also involve preparing ingredients.
- The Cookeo+ CE851HF0 combines features including pressure cooking, delay start, keep warm and a steam basket.
- The Companion HF840110 is in a different category: Moulinex states that this cooking food processor has a usable capacity of 3 L.
Tefal
The SpheriCook RK745800 brings together programmes for cooking rice, steaming and slow-cooked dishes.
- Tefal lists 16 programmes, a delay-start function, a keep-warm setting and a steam basket for this model.
- Its bowl is listed as 5 L. Check the instructions to find out how much you can cook for your recipes.
Crock-Pot
The range includes electric slow cookers designed for soups, stews and other dishes that cook slowly.
- Crock-Pot lists a 5.6 L bowl and a keep-warm function for the TimeSelect CSC066X. You can schedule a meal up to 12 hours in advance.
- A specialist slow cooker does not automatically replace a multi-cooker’s rice, steaming or searing modes.
Instant Pot
The brand offers multi-cookers that combine several types of cooking in one bowl.
- Instant Pot lists 28 programmes and five customisable settings for its Pro 5.7 L model.
- Connected features and accessories vary by model, so compare the exact product rather than the whole range.
Multi-cookers for one-pot cooking
These Joybuy models are multi-cookers that let you prepare a range of dishes in one bowl. If you mainly want to schedule a long cooking time or prepare ingredients, compare them with the features of a slow cooker or cooking food processor too.
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Midea 9-in-1, 8 L, black
Worth considering if you want to switch between slow cooking, rice and steaming in one bowl.
Stated capacity of 8 L, power of 1,200 W and 12 programmes listed in the product title. Check the instructions for the permitted fill level for your portions.
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Instant Pot Classic 7-in-1, 5.7 L, Daydream Blue
Worth comparing for slow-cooked dishes and steaming if you want several modes in one appliance.
Stated capacity of 5.7 L and four customisable settings listed in the product title. Check the instructions for the maximum fill level, and make sure it has a delay-start function if you need to schedule cooking.
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Instant Pot Pro WiFi 10-in-1, 5.7 L
Worth considering if app control appeals to you, as well as one-pot cooking modes.
The product title lists a stated capacity of 5.7 L and app control. To make sure it suits your portions and routine, check the maximum fill level and whether this model offers a delay-start function.
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Instant Pot Plus WiFi 9-in-1, 5.7 L
Worth comparing if you want app control as well as several cooking modes, including sous vide.
The product title lists a stated capacity of 5.7 L. Check the instructions for the permitted cooking volume, and make sure it has a delay-start function if you plan to schedule cooking.
Frequently asked questions
Can a 6 L bowl hold 6 L of slow-cooked food?
Not necessarily. UFC-Que Choisir says that a Cookeo with a 6 L bowl can cook a maximum of 4 L, and the limit varies by recipe. Check the maximum fill level in the instructions for your chosen model, particularly for liquid or pressure-cooked dishes.
Does a multi-cooker stir food while it cooks?
Generally not, according to UFC-Que Choisir: programmed cooking and stirring are two separate functions. If your recipe needs stirring, check what the model can do and be prepared to step in when needed.
Which accessories should you check before choosing?
Focus on the accessories your recipes rely on, such as a steam basket. Tefal lists a steam basket, rice spatula, ladle and measuring cup with the SpheriCook RK745800; Moulinex lists a steam basket for the Cookeo+ CE851HF0. Always check the contents for the exact model you are buying.
Do you need an extended warranty for a multi-cooker bought in France?
No. You do not need one to benefit from the legal guarantee of conformity. The Ministry of the Economy says this guarantee covers new, second-hand and refurbished goods sold by a business to an individual. Compare any optional commercial warranty with your legal rights, taking its own terms into account.