Households that prepare meals in advance
If you have little time during the day to keep an eye on your cooking, look at the scheduling and keep-warm options. These features vary by appliance and model.
Who is scheduled cooking suitable for?
Households that cook in larger quantities
For family-sized soups, sauces and stews, check the cooking volume permitted in the instruction manual. UFC-Que Choisir points out that the capacity stated for a cooking pot may be greater than the usable volume for a recipe.
People who also want to prepare ingredients
If chopping, grating or mixing is a regular part of your recipes, a food-cooking processor can bring these steps and the cooking together in one appliance. Check the functions and accessories included with the model you’re considering.
What matters for meals that need little supervision?
First decide whether you mainly want to slow-cook, try different cooking modes or prepare ingredients in the same appliance. Then compare the usable capacity with the quantities your recipes require.
Programmable multi-cooker
Choose this if: you switch between cooking rice, making saucy dishes and preparing recipes that need different cooking modes.
Check: the modes available on the model and its filling limits, particularly if you use pressure cooking.
Slow cooker
Choose this if: you favour soups, stews or roasts that cook slowly and are ready for a set mealtime.
Check: a slow-cooking timer doesn’t mean that browning or pressure-cooking modes are included.
Food-cooking processor
Choose this if: you also want to chop, grate or mix ingredients in the appliance you use for cooking.
Check: the usable capacity, accessories and space needed on your worktop.
| Criteria | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Hands-off cooking and mealtime | Available modes, meal-time scheduling and keep-warm function, depending on the model. | When my day is busy, I want to start cooking and get on with other things until mealtime. Around 42% of consumers would prioritise this hands-off approach and the ability to set a serving time. |
| Usable capacity | The maximum volume allowed for your recipes and the fill line, rather than the stated capacity alone. | When I cook a large quantity of soup or a saucy dish, I need enough room in the cooking pot without exceeding its limit. Usable capacity would be the top priority for around 33% of consumers. |
| Ingredient preparation | Chopping, grating and mixing functions; the accessories needed and the space taken up. | If I often prepare ingredients before cooking, I’d like to bring these steps together in one appliance. Around 25% of consumers would prioritise this all-in-one preparation. |
Mistakes to avoid before buying
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Relying on the stated capacity alone
A 6 L cooking pot doesn’t necessarily let you cook 6 L of food. UFC-Que Choisir cites a 6 L Cookeo with a maximum cooking volume of 4 L; the limit also depends on the recipe.
Check the instruction manual, the fill line and the quantities needed for the dishes you make regularly.
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Assuming a programmable slow cooker is a multi-cooker
Setting a stew to be ready at mealtime doesn’t guarantee that the appliance has steaming, browning or pressure-cooking modes.
Make a note of the dishes you want to prepare, then compare the modes listed for each model.
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Overlooking the handling of a hot cooking pot
A full, hot cooking pot needs to be handled with care. With a pressure cooker, you also need to follow the model-specific instructions for filling it and releasing steam.
Choose a stable, clear space for the appliance, then read the instruction manual before use, particularly for removing the cooking pot and cleaning the relevant parts.
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Choosing a food-cooking processor just to slow-cook
Preparation functions are only worthwhile if you plan to use them. For the Cook Expert XL, Magimix states a weight of 11.9 kg and a usable capacity of 3.8 L for a bowl with a total capacity of 4.8 L.
Think about how often you chop, grate or mix ingredients, as well as the space you have for the appliance.
Brands to consider by appliance type
Moulinex
The Cookeo range is a good example of a guided multi-cooker. Moulinex describes the Cookeo+ CE851A10 as a 6 L model with step-by-step recipes and six modes, including slow cooking, browning and pressure cooking.
- Moulinex lists built-in recipes and on-screen guidance among this model’s features.
- Check the permitted volume for your recipes: UFC-Que Choisir gives the example of a 6 L Cookeo with a maximum cooking volume of 4 L.
Crock-Pot
The brand offers slow cookers for dishes that need to cook slowly. Crock-Pot states that the TimeSelect CSC066X has a 5.6 L cooking pot, can be programmed up to 12 hours in advance and switches automatically to keep-warm mode.
- According to Crock-Pot, this model’s ceramic pot is oven- and dishwasher-safe.
- If you also want to brown food or pressure-cook, check the modes on the specific model rather than assuming these functions are included because it can be programmed.
Magimix
The Cook Expert XL is a food-cooking processor designed to prepare ingredients and cook them in the same appliance. Magimix lists functions including chopping, grating, mixing and kneading.
- The preparation functions and automatic programmes described by Magimix may be useful if you regularly carry out these steps.
- For the Cook Expert XL, Magimix states a usable capacity of 3.8 L out of 4.8 L total and a weight of 11.9 kg. Compare these specifications with your recipes and available space.
Multi-cookers available on Joybuy
These pressure multi-cookers are designed to help you prepare hot meals with less supervision. If you want your meal to be ready at a particular time, check the scheduling options for each model. The capacity stated on its product page doesn’t replace the filling limits in the instruction manual.
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Midea 9-in-1 pressure multi-cooker, 8 L, black
Worth considering if you switch between cooking rice and making slow-cooked dishes, and want a choice of cooking programmes.
The product name lists a stated capacity of 8 L, 1,200 W of power and 12 preset menus; the cooking pot has a non-stick coating.
For your recipes, check the permitted volume and the filling and steam-release instructions in the manual.
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Cecotec Model D programmable cooker, 6 L
Worth a look if you prepare meals in advance and want to choose from several cooking programmes.
The product name lists 24-hour programming, nine menus, two pressure settings, a frying function and a stated capacity of 6 L.
Check the pressure-cooking fill limits in the manual, and check which language the instructions are supplied in.
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Instant Pot Classic Mini 7-in-1, 3.8 L, Sea Salt White
Worth considering for smaller portions of hot food if you’re looking for a compact pressure multi-cooker.
The product name states a capacity of 3.8 L and up to four portions; the permitted quantities depend on the recipe and the filling limits.
If you need to set the serving time in advance, check whether the model has this feature.
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Instant Pot Classic 7-in-1, 5.7 L, Daydream Blue
Worth a look if you want to make slow-cooked dishes or use pressure cooking, depending on the recipe.
The product name lists a stated capacity of 5.7 L, slow-cooking and steaming modes, and four customisable presets.
Check the manual for permitted quantities, and check separately whether the model has a delay-start function if that matters to you.
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Instant Pot Rio XL 7-in-1, 7.1 L
Worth considering if you cook slow-cooked or pressure-cooked dishes and are looking for a larger stated capacity.
The product name lists a capacity of 7.1 L and a stainless-steel inner pot; compare the usable volume with the quantities your recipes require.
If you need a delay-start or keep-warm function, check that these features are available on the model. Follow the manual when pressure-cooking.
Frequently asked questions
Can you cook 6 L of food in a 6 L cooking pot?
No. The stated capacity doesn’t always match the permitted cooking volume. UFC-Que Choisir cites a 6 L Cookeo with a maximum cooking volume of 4 L. Check the manual and the limits for your particular recipe.
What should you check to have a meal ready at the time you want?
Check whether you can set the meal time, the maximum scheduling period and the keep-warm function, separately from simply setting the cooking time. Crock-Pot states that its TimeSelect CSC066X can be programmed up to 12 hours in advance; this timing applies to that model only.
What precautions should you take with a pressure multi-cooker?
Follow the model’s instructions for filling, locking the lid, releasing steam and handling the appliance. The manual for a 5.7 L Instant Pot multi-cooker specifically says to place it on a flat, stable, non-combustible surface.
Can a slow cooker’s pot go in the dishwasher?
It depends on the model and the part in question. Crock-Pot states that the ceramic pot for the TimeSelect CSC066X is dishwasher-safe. Check the care instructions before washing another pot or its lid.