Comparison Moulinex Cookeo + Connect CE85980 vs Tefal Cook4me Touch CY912

The total number of cooking programs provided in the device.

The greater this number — the more extensive the possibilities of the multicooker, the wider the choice of the user. However, note that a specific set of modes may be different, this point in each case should be clarified separately. See "Programs" for details on specific modes. As for specific values, the most modest models nowadays have up to 10 programs, devices for 10 — 20 programs and even more are quite popular, and in the most multifunctional solutions this number can be more than 35.

Automatic cooking programs for the desired dish.

A wide variety of programs are found in modern multicookers: porridge / soup, oatmeal, sauté, pilaf, meat, poultry, fish, rice / buckwheat, milk porridge , baby food, pasta / pasta, scrambled eggs, dumplings, vegetables, legumes, fondue, bread, jam / jam, yogurt, cottage cheese, dessert, aspic, pizza, sauce. Here are the features of each of these modes:

- Porridge/Soup. The program for cooking soups and thin porridges uses rather intensive cooking in a large amount of liquid.

- Oatmeal. Program for making oatmeal. Features of this mode in different models may vary; it also does not hurt to cl...arify what kind of porridge it is designed for - in milk or in water. However, in any case, cooking oatmeal involves quickly heating to a high temperature, then cooking on a “slow fire” and infusing under the lid for several minutes after turning off the heat.

— Saute. The classic sauté is made by briefly sautéing in fat, usually vegetables, but other ingredients such as meat or fish are also possible. However, in multicookers, the method of cooking this dish may differ from the traditional one.

- Pilaf. Classic pilaf is cooked over low heat in a cast-iron cauldron, ducklings or other similar thick-walled dishes; the program simulates the heating characteristic of such cooking.

- Meat. Various programs for cooking meat. Most often we are talking about frying and / or baking, but other processing methods are possible; these details should be clarified separately.

- Poultry. Program for cooking chicken, turkey, goose and fowl. First, poultry is intensively fried until golden brown, then the heating intensity is automatically reduced, transferring the multi cooker to the extinguishing mode. The poultry cooking program allows you to get a well-done, juicy, tasty and aromatic dish.

- Fish. Various programs for cooking fish. Usually this mode is closest to baking, there are practically no other options.

- Rice / Buckwheat. In this case, it means a program for making crumbly cereals, primarily from rice or buckwheat (hence the name). The device works in this mode as long as there is "excess" water in the working tank; when all the water has evaporated, the heating is turned off.

- Milk porridge. Cooking cereals with milk requires caution: even with a slight increase in temperature, the product may burn. Accordingly, a special program for this provides for "delicate" heating.

- Baby food. Cooking mode for young children. It is often a type of steam cooking (see the relevant paragraph) - it is this method that is considered the healthiest and safest.

— Macaroni / Pasta. When cooking, it is advisable to pour pasta or pasta with hot water and stir occasionally in order to avoid sticking together; they cook relatively quickly. Programs for cooking, as a rule, take into account these features.

- Omelette. A program that allows you to cook the so-called melange - a mixture of squirrel and yolk. Heating in the multicooker bowl is supplied immediately from all sides, which provides the omelet with a delicious golden crust.

- Dumplings. Special mode for cooking dumplings. During cooking, it is highly desirable to stir the dumplings so that they do not stick together; this is taken into account in the program. In addition, some multicookers can also cook dumplings by frying / baking, according to specific recipes.

- Vegetables. This program allows you to cook both stews and whole vegetables. Its main feature is the use of moderate temperature - vegetables are slowly heated, as when stewing. In this mode, you can cook potatoes, carrots, zucchini, eggplant, tomatoes, cabbage, etc. Also, the program can be used to prepare both simple side dishes and complex dishes or soup dressings.

- Beans. A feature of legumes (peas, beans, chickpeas, etc.) is that they can take quite a long time to cook, which is reflected in specialized programs.

— Fondue. Most often, cheese fondue is prepared in multicookers. When using this program, the cheese mass melts at a fairly high temperature - about 110 ° C. So that the melt does not thicken, after melting the cheese, the temperature decreases slightly - somewhere up to 100 ° C. There are also chocolate and caramel melts. But chocolate, cheese, and caramel have different melting points, which is why a cheese fondue slow cooker will most likely not be able to cook chocolate or caramel melts.

- Bread. The presence of this program allows you to use the multicooker also as a bread machine. As a rule, this is a special baking mode, designed specifically for bread. However, unlike a full-fledged bread machine, in this case, the dough for bread usually has to be kneaded by hand.

- Jam / Jam. The preparation of some types of jams and jams requires boiling for several hours - so that the product is “boiled down” and excess moisture evaporates from it. The temperature should also not be too high. All this requires a separate program with the appropriate parameters.

- Yogurt. For the preparation of yogurt, it is necessary to maintain a low temperature in containers with sourdough for the optimal functioning of lactic acid bacteria - about 38-40 ° C.

- Cottage cheese. Cottage cheese is made from sour milk or kefir, and the process requires gentle heating in order for the curd mass to separate from the whey. Traditionally, a water bath was used for such heating, modern multicookers can simulate it using the appropriate program.

- Dessert. Program for cooking a wide range of sweets - from jam and marmalade to pudding and bird's milk. It assumes the use of many temperature regimes with alternating heating and holding. Those. heating is switched on and off, which allows you to protect the ingredients from burning. It is often necessary for the user to independently set the optimum temperature, although it is also usually possible to use the standard "universal" temperature mode, which is set by default.

- Aspic. Programs for jelly are also distinguished by a low degree of heating and a long duration - in order for the product to solidify normally, it must be “boiled”.

- Pizza. Pizza is a type of pastry, so the temperature for its preparation must be quite high. In fact, such a program turns the multicooker into an oven.

- Sauce. Program for cooking dishes of the sauce group. Its characteristic feature is the use of multi-stage heating. At first, the slow cooker provides intense heat, which is ideal for quickly frying ingredients, then the heat weakens, making it possible to stew broth-filled or other liquid-filled frying.

This list is not exhaustive, modern devices may also provide other modes of operation - for example, for making pies, barbecue, etc.

— Thermostat. The multicooker features a temperature control regulator that allows users to set specific temperature values for the cooking container. Once the desired temperature is set, the device autonomously adjusts its operating mode to maintain a constant temperature throughout the cooking process. This function can be utilized independently or in conjunction with automatic cooking programs, providing flexibility and precision in temperature control for various cooking needs.

— Induction heating. Induction heating operates by using magnetic induction to heat the bottom of the cooking vessel. This unique method enables the working surface of the dish to reach the desired temperature within seconds. Additionally, the absence of a conventional heating element contributes to the energy efficiency of induction-based multicookers. Such models can achieve efficiency rates of 95-98%, leading to more effective energy utilization during the cooking process.

— 3D heating. The "volumetric heating" technology in multicookers incorporates additional heating elements, typically located in the lid. Another option for its implementation is the presence of a built-in fan on the inside of the lid to ensure the circulation of heated air flows. Thanks to this, the food is heated both from below and from above, which allows you to significantly speed up the cooking pr...ocess, as well as achieve maximum uniform heating. Also, 3D heating allows you to increase the number of cooking programs used.

— Auto-cooking. The presence in the device of programs for the automatic cooking of various dishes. Using such programs is often more convenient than adjusting all the parameters manually; see "Programs" above for details.

— Temperature maintaining. In the keep warm mode, the multicooker does not turn off immediately after the end of the cooking programme, but continues to operate at a low power setting, maintaining a warm temperature to keep the cooked dish hot and ready to serve.

— Auto-off timer. This function enables users to set a specific time for the multicooker to automatically turn off. This eliminates the need to manually track the cooking time, reducing the risk of overcooking or spoiling the dish. Auto-off functionality is typically available in multicooker models with auto-cooking capabilities, as mentioned earlier. However, it can also be found as a separate feature in simpler models, offering convenience and peace of mind during the cooking process.

— Delay start timer. The multicooker's programmable start function allows users to set a specific time for a cooking program to begin automatically. This feature offers the convenience of preparing dishes, such as freshly cooked porridge, for breakfast without needing to be present in the kitchen. By loading the ingredients into the multicooker the night before and setting the timer for the desired morning time, users can enjoy the luxury of sleeping a bit longer in the morning without having to manually start the multicooker.

— Remote control. The multicooker offers the convenience of remote control, typically facilitated through a dedicated application installed on a smartphone, tablet, or other compatible devices. With this feature, users can control the functions of the multicooker from a distance. In some models, this remote control capability extends to controlling the multicooker via the Internet, allowing users to manage it from anywhere in the world. The remote control feature is not only convenient for adjusting settings remotely, but also because the accompanying mobile applications often provide extensive functionality beyond what is available on the standard multicooker panel.

- Child protection. child protection in this case means the ability to lock the multicooker control panel - so that a curious small child cannot turn on the device or change the operating settings. However, for an adult, removing the lock is not a problem. Ideally, this function should be combined with a reliable lock on the lid, however, child protection alone does not guarantee the presence of such a lock - it would not hurt to clarify this point separately.

The type of control provided in the multicooker. Note that this parameter only describes the design of external controls; there is no correlation between the type of control and the functionality of the multicooker. The options could be:

— Rotary knobs. The multicooker is operated using distinctive rotary knobs as its main controls. These knobs can be accompanied by buttons or touch sensors, although in some models, they are the sole means of control. Rotary switches are particularly useful when multiple options or settings are associated with a single switch, such as a dozen cooking programs or temperature adjustments. However, due to their larger size compared to buttons or sensors, rotary knobs have become less common in modern multicooker designs.

— Push-buttons. Control with traditional buttons is a popular and convenient option in modern multicookers. These button controls are cost-effective compared to touch sensors. One minor drawback of this design is that dirt can accumulate in the corners between the buttons and the multicooker body, making it slightly challenging to clean. However, this drawback is not considered critical. Overall, buttons remain the most popular control choice across various price ranges in contemporary multicookers.

— Touch. Control with sensors offers a user-friendly experience as they do not require pressin...g, only a light touch is needed. This makes them more convenient compared to push-button controls. Additionally, sensor control panels have a sleek design without protruding parts, making them effortless to clean. However, the main drawback of sensor controls is their higher cost compared to buttons. As a result, sensor controls are less commonly found and are primarily used in mid-range and high-end multicooker models.

In addition to these controls, some models may also offer smartphone remote control (see Features).