For complete meals cooked in one pot, choose a programmable multicooker if your priority is spending less time monitoring the cooking once it has started. A food processor with cooking functions is also worth considering if you need to chop, blend or knead ingredients. If your meals mainly revolve around rice and steamed food, look at a specialist cooker instead. In every case, check the usable capacity, which steps require your attention and which parts need cleaning.
If you regularly cook rice, soup, a slow-cooked dish or steamed food, a multicooker can take care of some of the cooking once you’ve prepared the ingredients. Choose its programmes and usable capacity to suit the meals you usually make, then check whether keep-warm or delayed-start functions will be useful to you.
A food processor with cooking functions is worth considering if chopping, blending, grating or kneading is often part of making dinner. Think about how much space you’ll need for the appliance and its accessories, and take care when handling the blades.
For modest portions and meals made mainly with rice, grains or steamed food, consider specialist cookers. Tefal, for example, describes its Pop as a 2 L model for 1 to 4 people; its programmes still need to suit the recipes you make.
Choose this if: you mainly make dishes cooked in one pot and want to be able to step away during some cooking stages.
Bear in mind: you’ll still need to prepare and add the ingredients, and sometimes brown them too.
Choose this if: chopping, blending or kneading is often part of your meals, as well as cooking.
Bear in mind: you’ll need more space for the appliance and its accessories, and to handle blades and discs with care.
Choose this if: your dinners mainly revolve around rice, grains or steamed food.
Bear in mind: other functions depend on the model. Don’t assume it can brown food or pressure cook.
| What matters | What to check | Who it’s for |
|---|---|---|
| Monitoring the cooking | Programmes suited to your dishes; steps to complete before and during cooking, as set out in the instructions. | When I get home late, I want to be able to step away once cooking has started instead of waiting by the hob. Around 33% of consumers might put this hands-off convenience first. |
| Recipes and portions | The modes you need for your meals and the usable capacity, taking fill limits into account. | If I’m making portions for the whole household, the pot needs to suit my recipes, not just have a large capacity listed. This would be the priority for around 25% of consumers. |
| Cleaning and space | Which parts the instructions say are dishwasher-safe; space for the appliance and its accessories. | In a small kitchen, I want to avoid a simple dinner leaving too many things to put away or wash. Around 25% of consumers might prioritise this practical aspect. |
| Preparing ingredients | The functions and accessories you need for chopping, blending, grating or kneading. | If I do these jobs every week, I’d like to combine them with cooking rather than get out several appliances. Around 17% of consumers would put integrated food preparation first. |
The stated capacity isn’t always the amount you can use for your recipe. For example, Que Choisir says that a 6 L Cookeo pot may be limited to 4 L when cooking.
Compare the portions you usually make with the usable capacity and fill limits stated for the model and cooking mode you’re considering.
Dishwasher-safe claims may apply to only some parts. Moulinex says that the Cookeo Touch Wifi’s pot and steam basket are dishwasher-safe, but this doesn’t automatically apply to the rest of the appliance.
Check the instructions for the exact model to see what they say about the pot, lid, seals and accessories. Keep the electrical unit out of the dishwasher.
Built-in food preparation functions are most useful if you use them regularly. They also mean more accessories to store and blades or discs to handle with care, as Magimix explains for the Cook Expert.
Make a note of the food preparation you actually do each week before choosing between a food processor with cooking functions, a multicooker and a specialist appliance.
Check which accessories are included. The ones you need may be sold separately and will need storage space.
In France, a commercial warranty offered by a retailer or manufacturer doesn’t replace the statutory guarantee of conformity. The French Ministry of the Economy says this applies, in particular, to new, second-hand and refurbished goods sold by a business to an individual.
Keep your proof of purchase and read the terms of any commercial warranty before taking out an extended warranty.
The Cookeo range is aimed at households looking for one-pot meals, with functions that vary by model.
According to Magimix, the Cook Expert combines cooking with food preparation tasks such as chopping, blending, grating and kneading.
The brand’s rice cookers offer an option for preparing specific dishes, rather than using a food processor for meal preparation.
These appliances suit three ways of organising weeknight dinners: cooking in a multicooker, preparing ingredients and cooking with a food processor, or making meals centred on a rice cooker. Compare their functions with your recipes before choosing.
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Worth a look if you’d like to switch between pressure cooking, slow cooking and steaming for weeknight dinners.
The product title describes a 7-in-1 multicooker with four customisable presets. Check the instructions for fill limits and cleaning guidance for each part you plan to use.
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Worth considering if your meals need several cooking modes in one appliance.
The product title describes a 7-in-1 model. For portion sizes and care, check the usable capacity, fill limits and Rio XL cleaning instructions.
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Worth considering if preparing ingredients is just as important as cooking them in your routine.
The product title mentions a large touchscreen and 750 recipes. Guided recipes don’t remove the need to follow the instructions on screen; also check how much space you’ll need for the appliance and its accessories.
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Worth a look if you want programmes that let you vary your weeknight cooking in one pot.
The product title lists 12 preset programmes. The descriptions give different units for the capacity, so confirm the exact volume and usable capacity before choosing it for your portions. When pressure cooking, follow the fill limits and steam warnings.
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Worth considering if your dinners mainly feature rice, porridge, soup or steamed food.
The product title describes it as suitable for 3 to 4 people and mentions delayed start and keep-warm functions. Check the model’s usable capacity and care instructions before buying.
Not necessarily. The stated capacity isn’t always the amount you can use for every recipe. Que Choisir gives the example of a 6 L Cookeo pot with a maximum cooking capacity of 4 L; check the fill limits for the model and programme you’re considering.
It can reduce the need to monitor some stages of cooking, but you’ll still need to prepare the ingredients, select a programme and follow the safety instructions. Check the manual to see whether your recipe also requires browning, adding ingredients or another step.
It depends on the part and the model. Moulinex says the Cookeo Touch Wifi pot and steam basket are dishwasher-safe. Check the instructions before washing the lid, seals or other accessories in the same way.
No. According to the French Ministry of the Economy, the statutory guarantee of conformity applies to new, second-hand and refurbished goods sold by a business to an individual in France. Any commercial warranty has its own terms and doesn’t replace this statutory right.