Busy family soup cooks
If you make soup on weekdays and want less active supervision, look for a pressure-cooking programme and a routine you are comfortable following for filling and releasing pressure.
Who each cooker suits
One-pot batch cooks
If you want enough soup for a family meal or leftovers, compare recipe yield with the usable pot volume. An in-pot sauté function lets you prepare the soup base in the cooking vessel.
Low-fuss appliance users
If straightforward controls matter more than the largest batch, consider whether the programmes, pot and cleaning routine suit the way you cook.
What matters when choosing
5.7L pressure multicooker
Choose when: You want pressure cooking and sautéing in a family-oriented cooker; Instant Pot describes its Duo 5.7L as a six-portion model.
Allow for: Pressure-lid and release procedures, plus the fill limit specified for your recipe and exact model.
6L sear-and-slow-cook multicooker
Choose when: You prefer to sauté the soup base and then slow cook it in one pot; Ninja describes this workflow for its 6L MC1101UK.
Allow for: A slow-cook-centred workflow rather than assuming this model has a pressure-cooking function.
4.8L dial-controlled pressure multicooker
Choose when: Dial controls matter more to you than maximum batch size; Tefal's Turbo Cuisine CY754840 has a 4.8L bowl.
Allow for: Less stated pot volume than the 5.7L and 6L models discussed here; check your intended soup yield.
| Concern | What to check | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Weekday cooking | Check for pressure cooking on the exact model and read its fill and pressure-release instructions. | When dinner needs to fit around a busy evening, I would put the pressure-cooking route ahead of a slow-cook workflow. Around 40% of consumers would make weekday cooking their primary concern. |
| Batch size and one-pot cooking | Compare the recipe yield with the usable fill level, and check whether you can sauté in the cooking pot. | If I am making enough lentil soup for a family meal and leftovers, room in the pot and preparing the base in that same vessel come first. For around 30% of consumers, batch size and one-pot cooking are the primary concern. |
| Controls and cleaning | Check how programmes are selected and which pot, lid or accessories the maker says are dishwasher safe. | I would rather have controls I understand and a manageable clean-up routine than choose on capacity alone. Those priorities come first for around 30% of consumers. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Buying by stated capacity alone
A cooker's litre figure does not necessarily equal its usable volume for a pressure-cooked soup. Instant Pot's Duo Plus manual, for example, limits expanding foods to half the cooker's capacity; the instruction for another model must be checked separately.
Start with your recipe yield and leftovers plan, then check the maximum-fill instruction for the exact cooker and cooking method.
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Assuming every multicooker pressure cooks
Instant Pot lists pressure cooking for the Duo 5.7L, while Ninja describes the MC1101UK as an in-pot sear-and-slow-cook model. The name “multicooker” alone does not settle which workflow you are buying.
If pressure cooking is important for your weekday routine, confirm that function on the exact model. Otherwise, check that its sauté and slow-cook programmes suit your recipe.
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Overlooking the hot pot and pressure release
Instant Pot warns that a removable inner pot can be very hot and heavy when full. Pressure cooking also requires following the model's lid and release instructions.
Plan a stable worktop position, handle a hot full pot with suitable protection and never force open a cooker that is still under pressure.
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Using advertised speed claims as a recipe timetable
Instant Pot and Tefal describe cooking speed using their own comparisons. Those claims do not establish the time your particular lentil soup will take.
Choose the functions you need, then follow instructions and a recipe suited to your lentil type, batch and release method.
Brands to consider for these cooking routes
Instant Pot
The Duo 5.7L is a pressure-multicooker option that Instant Pot describes as serving up to six people.
- Instant Pot lists pressure cooking, sautéing and slow cooking among the Duo 5.7L's functions, and says its stainless-steel inner pot and lid are dishwasher safe.
- Pressure cooking brings model-specific fill, lid and release procedures; do not use the stated pot volume as a serving guarantee.
Ninja
The 6L MC1101UK PossibleCooker suits a sear-then-slow-cook approach to a family soup batch.
- Ninja describes searing and sautéing in the pot before slow cooking.
- Choose the MC1101UK for its stated functions, not on an assumption that it pressure cooks.
Tefal
The Turbo Cuisine CY754840 is a 4.8L pressure-multicooker option with dial-based controls.
- Tefal lists 10 automatic programmes, delayed start and keep-warm functions.
- Check your planned recipe yield against its 4.8L bowl and the applicable pressure-cooking fill instructions.
Joybuy multicookers for family soup
These multicookers cover pressure cooking and slower one-pot soup preparation. Decide which workflow you want before comparing pot size and the functions stated for each model.
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COSORI 5.7L 9-in-1 Electric Pressure Multi-Cooker
Consider this model if you want to sauté a soup base and use a pressure-cooking route in one appliance. Its title specifies a 5.7L capacity, slow-cook function and ceramic non-stick coating; check the exact model's fill and recipe instructions before pressure cooking lentils.
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CleverChef 14-in-1 5L Multi Cooker, Charcoal
Consider this model if soup, stew and slow-cook options suit your family meal routine. Its title states a 5L capacity and lists those functions; if pressure cooking is essential, confirm that function for this exact model before choosing it.
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Morphy Richards 560007 6.5L 10-in-1 Multi Cooker
Consider this model if a larger pot and searing before slow cooking suit your batch. Its title specifies 6.5L, 1350W, 10 preset functions and a dishwasher-safe pot and accessories. Check the usable fill level for your recipe, and confirm pressure cooking separately if you need it.
Common questions
What capacity do I need for family lentil soup?
Choose capacity against the amount of soup you intend to make, including any leftovers, rather than the litre figure alone. Instant Pot describes its Duo 5.7L as a six-portion model, but pressure-cooking fill instructions can restrict usable volume; follow the limits for your exact model and recipe.
Can I sauté onions and spices in the multicooker first?
Yes, if the model has an in-pot sauté function. Instant Pot lists sautéing for the Duo 5.7L, and Ninja describes searing and sautéing in the MC1101UK pot before slow cooking.
What should I check before pressure cooking lentils?
Read the exact cooker's instructions for the appropriate fill level, lid, valve and pressure-release procedure before cooking. Do not move a cooker while it is under pressure or force its lid open; follow the manual's instructions for ingredients that expand.
Which parts can go in the dishwasher?
That depends on the model and the particular part. Instant Pot says the Duo 5.7L stainless-steel pot and lid are dishwasher safe, while Tefal identifies dishwasher-safe accessories for the Turbo Cuisine CY754840; check the maker's care instructions for the pot, lid, valves and seals you would need to clean.