AI Multi-Cookers with Grocery Integration
• Updated
AI multi-cookers are transforming kitchens by combining cooking functions with grocery delivery integration. These devices suggest recipes, track pantry items, and even order missing ingredients, all from a single interface. Brands like Thermomix, Samsung, and GE Appliances lead the charge with advanced features like AI-powered recipe adjustments, inventory tracking, and seamless connectivity to grocery platforms like Instacart and Amazon Fresh. Here's a quick overview of some popular models:
- Thermomix TM6: Offers recipe suggestions, grocery ordering, and precise cooking automation. Price: $1,400–$1,500.
- Instant Pot Pro Plus: Affordable at $169.99, with app connectivity, AI recipe guidance, and remote cooking control.
- Cosori Smart Air Fryer Combo: Budget-friendly at $89.89, with guided recipes and smartphone monitoring.
- Miele Smart Multi-Function Cooker: High-end option ($600–$700) with AI food recognition and advanced cooking precision.
These smart appliances simplify meal prep, reduce food waste, and bring convenience to your countertop. Below, we explore their features, pricing, and how they integrate with grocery shopping services.
AI Multi-Cooker Comparison: Features, Prices, and Grocery Integration
1. Thermomix TM6
The Thermomix TM6 has carved a niche for itself by offering a blend of powerful grocery and recipe management features, making it a standout in the world of integrated kitchen appliances.
Grocery Integration
Through its Cookidoo platform, the TM6 simplifies grocery shopping by connecting directly with delivery services. Users can browse recipes on the Cookidoo app, which generates a categorized shopping list accessible on smartphones or the device's 6.8-inch touchscreen. In places like Australia, Cookidoo even syncs with retailers like Woolworths, enabling users to order all the ingredients needed for their weekly meal plans seamlessly. This streamlined approach brings convenience to meal preparation.
AI Recipe Features
The TM6 takes cooking automation to the next level by automatically adjusting essential settings like time, temperature, and speed for each recipe. Its Cookidoo 3.0 software introduces features like "Created Recipes", allowing users to import and tweak personal recipes, and "Scaled Portions", which adjusts ingredient quantities based on serving size. The device also offers specialized modes, such as "Thicken" for perfect sauces and "Rice Cooker", both of which rely on sensor data to fine-tune settings. These AI-powered tools make the TM6 a leader in precision cooking.
Connectivity and Automation
Built-in Wi-Fi ensures the TM6 stays up-to-date with over-the-air software updates that add new cooking modes. Users can monitor their cooking progress remotely via smartphone, while the Thermomix Sensor provides real-time temperature feedback for precise cooking, whether you're roasting meat or baking cakes. This level of connectivity enhances both convenience and accuracy.
Price Range
The TM6 is priced between $1,400 and $1,500, offering a cost-effective solution by replacing multiple kitchen gadgets. With the TM7 model now available at $1,699, the TM6 remains a strong contender for those seeking a high-performance, space-saving appliance.
2. Instant Pot Pro Plus
The Instant Pot Pro Plus delivers advanced cooking features and app connectivity, all at a more affordable price compared to the Thermomix TM6. This device combines smart technology with functionality, making it a strong contender in the world of multi-cookers.
Grocery Integration
The Instant Connect app streamlines the entire cooking process, from choosing recipes to guided step-by-step preparation. In early 2023, Instant Brands revamped the app to include AI-powered recipe suggestions, helping users plan meals more efficiently with AI. The app boasts a vast library of interactive recipes, complete with detailed ingredient lists. These features make meal planning and grocery shopping far simpler, thanks to its intuitive programming.
AI Recipe Features
The Pro Plus incorporates NutriBoost™ technology, which uses automated pulsing during cooking to enhance the texture and flavor of dishes like rice, soups, and risotto. Through the Instant Connect app, users gain access to over 1,500 "smart" recipes. These recipes come pre-programmed with precise timing, pressure levels, and venting settings, ensuring consistent results every time. As Engadget notes:
The app has over 1,500 'smart' recipes, which have the timing, pressure levels and venting preferences already pre-programmed in, so all you need to do is follow the step-by-step instructions.
This feature eliminates much of the trial and error, making it especially helpful for those new to cooking.
Connectivity and Automation
With built-in WiFi, the Pro Plus allows users to start or stop cooking, monitor progress, and even release steam remotely using their smartphone. It also features WhisperQuiet™ technology, minimizing noise during steam release. The app offers programmable venting options, including natural release, pulse release, and quick release, giving users greater control over their cooking process. Operating at 1,200 watts with a 6-quart capacity, the Pro Plus cooks meals up to 70% faster than traditional slow cookers.
Price Range
At $169.99, the Instant Pot Pro Plus offers impressive value with its WiFi connectivity and multifunctional capabilities. This 10-in-1 appliance can handle pressure cooking, slow cooking, rice cooking, steaming, sautéing, sous vide, yogurt making, sterilizing, and warming. With a 4.6 out of 5-star rating from 32 reviews, users frequently highlight its remote steam release feature and extensive recipe library as standout benefits.
3. Cosori Smart Air Fryer Combo
Cosori takes a practical approach with its Smart Air Fryer Combo by leveraging third-party platforms to deliver smart features at a lower price point.
This 9-in-1 appliance handles air frying, roasting, and baking while offering smartphone connectivity for remote monitoring and step-by-step recipe guidance. It’s a solid option for those who want smart cooking features without breaking the bank.
Grocery Integration
Although the Cosori Smart Air Fryer Combo doesn’t come with built-in grocery delivery features, it works seamlessly with third-party platforms like Instacart. Through its connection to AI-powered tools, users can turn recipes into automated shopping lists. The VeSync app adds to the experience by offering guided recipes, simplifying both meal prep and shopping.
By linking recipes to shopping tools, the Cosori makes meal planning and preparation more efficient.
AI Recipe Features
The VeSync app is central to the Cosori’s smart functionality. It provides a library of curated recipes tailored to user preferences and enables real-time monitoring during cooking. Using IoT technology, the appliance adjusts cooking settings based on individual needs, ensuring consistent results every time.
Connectivity and Automation
With Wi-Fi connectivity, the VeSync app allows users to control cooking functions remotely. You can adjust temperatures, monitor progress, and even receive alerts when your meal is ready - all from your smartphone. This level of automation is especially handy for multitasking at home.
Price Range
Priced at $89.89 (regularly $119.99), the Cosori 9-in-1 TurboBlaze Air Fryer offers excellent value for its features. It’s significantly more affordable than models like the Ninja Combi All-in-One ($234.99) or the Typhur Dome 2 AI ($348.95). For those looking for smart cooking capabilities at nearly half the cost of mid-range options, the Cosori delivers dependable performance without the premium price tag. Its competitive pricing makes it an appealing choice in the smart kitchen market.
4. Miele Smart Multi-Function Cooker
Miele caters to high-end consumers with its advanced AI-powered multi-function cookers, which are priced above $600. Known for its luxury positioning, Miele prioritizes state-of-the-art technology over affordability, with most models in the $600 to $700 range. These smart cookers go beyond basic functionality, integrating AI to improve cooking precision and even streamline grocery planning and meal prep.
AI Recipe Features
The Smart Food ID feature uses an internal camera and computer vision to recognize about 30 types of food, ranging from potato wedges to roasted vegetables. This self-learning system can even distinguish between fresh and frozen pizza, taking the guesswork out of cooking.
"Smart Food ID thus considerably simplifies preparation as there is no longer any need to search for suitable settings or programmes." – Miele Press Release
Another standout is the Smart Browning Control, which ensures pizza crusts are cooked to the perfect crispness by automatically stopping the process when the desired browning is achieved. For more precise cooking, CookAssist provides step-by-step guidance for induction cooking, calculating exact temperatures for dishes like steak or salmon. To prevent overcooking, the TasteControl feature slightly opens the oven door at the end of a program, reducing the temperature by about 212°F (100°C) in just five minutes.
Grocery Integration
Miele takes meal planning to the next level by integrating with KptnCook, a recipe and grocery planning app. Through the CookAssist application, users can access KptnCook's database for detailed instructions on frying and roasting with Miele induction hobs. This seamless connection between recipes and grocery planning showcases how AI is simplifying daily meal prep.
Connectivity and Automation
Miele's Miele@home system brings all its smart appliances together, enhancing convenience and functionality. For example, users can connect CookAssist to Amazon Alexa for voice control or share cooking progress with Picture Share, which sends high-quality images from the oven's internal camera directly to platforms like WhatsApp or Instagram. Additionally, the system includes AI Diagnostics, which uses sensor data to identify appliance issues and provides troubleshooting tips through the Miele app.
Price Range
Miele’s premium pricing reflects its focus on advanced technology and luxury features. While the exact cost depends on the model and included functions, most Miele smart multi-cookers fall within the $600 to $700 range, solidifying their position at the top of the market.
Pros and Cons
Every multi-cooker model brings its own perks and challenges, especially when it comes to grocery integration, smart features, and overall value. Here's a closer look at the strengths and drawbacks to help you decide which one suits your cooking habits and budget.
The Instant Pot Pro Plus is a standout choice for its price, sitting at around $170. It offers plenty of value with features like a vast recipe library and voice-guided cooking modes. However, some users report occasional "Food Burn" alerts when cooking starchy dishes, which means you might need to pause and stir more often.
| Multi-Cooker | Key Strengths | Notable Weaknesses | Price Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Instant Pot Pro Plus | Affordable, large recipe library, voice-guided cooking | "Food Burn" alerts with starchy ingredients | $170–$200 |
While these devices offer convenience, they aren't without their challenges. For instance, AI-powered multi-cookers boast up to 60% better thermal efficiency compared to traditional stovetops. Yet, many potential buyers remain hesitant - 39% of non-owners worry about the safety of pressure mechanisms. Additionally, complicated manuals and unclear pressure release instructions can make these gadgets feel intimidating. On top of that, they contribute significantly to electronic waste, adding 3.2 million tons annually in the U.S..
If you're looking to simplify meal prep even further, tools like the Honeydew Recipe Manager can be a game changer. This app lets you import recipes directly from social media, organizes your grocery lists automatically, and even connects with Instacart for easy ingredient ordering. It's a handy way to bridge the gap between recipe discovery and getting dinner on the table.
Conclusion
The AI multi-cookers discussed above bring a range of features to the table, catering to different needs like budget, automation preferences, and grocery integration. For those looking for affordability and practicality, the CHEF iQ Smart Cooker stands out at around $199, offering handy features like a built-in scale and automatic pressure release. On the other hand, if you're ready to splurge for advanced automation, the CookingPal Multo costs about $1,099 and handles nearly every aspect of meal preparation. At the high end, the Samsung Bespoke AI Oven takes things further with cutting-edge AI camera technology for $2,599.
A key differentiator among these devices is how well they integrate with grocery shopping platforms. Tools like Whisk (Samsung Food) and SideChef simplify the process, letting users move effortlessly from recipe selection to grocery checkout. In a major step forward, groceryLISS partnered with Instacart in April 2025, enabling users to plan meals and arrange deliveries with a single click. As founder Sol Petersen put it:
This partnership is all about convenience... Our users already trust groceryLISS to plan and manage their shopping. Now they can rely on us to deliver it, too.
Delivery costs can also play a role in your decision. While Instacart’s fees - including a base charge of ~$7.95 and a ~$7.00 tip - can add up to nearly $15 before groceries, Amazon Fresh often provides a more affordable option for Prime members by avoiding these extra fees.
These advancements align with broader market trends. The multi-cooker industry is expected to grow significantly, with projections reaching $1,472.07 million by 2030, driven by a 9.2% annual growth rate. This reflects the rise of "invisible AI", which automates tasks like temperature control, measurements, and timing, making cooking more hands-off while improving nutrition tracking. For those seeking to optimize their meal planning further, tools like the Honeydew Recipe Manager are a great addition. They can import recipes from social media, create instant grocery lists, and even integrate with Instacart for easy ingredient delivery.
FAQs
How do AI multi-cookers work with grocery delivery services?
AI multi-cookers make meal planning and grocery shopping a breeze by integrating with grocery delivery services. Many of these appliances come with built-in recipe platforms or companion apps that can create shopping lists based on the recipes you select. These lists can then sync seamlessly with services like Instacart or Amazon Fresh, so you can order your ingredients for delivery or pickup without breaking a sweat.
Some models go a step further by using AI to recommend ingredient substitutions or tweak recipes to match your preferences. This means you can customize meals to suit your taste or dietary needs effortlessly. With just a few taps, you can plan your meals, shop for what you need, and have it all delivered - without ever stepping out of your kitchen.
What are the main differences between the Thermomix TM6 and the Instant Pot Pro Plus?
The Thermomix TM6 is a premium, all-in-one kitchen gadget built for precision and ease. It handles a range of tasks like chopping, blending, steaming, and cooking, all while offering guided recipes and automation via its large touchscreen. If you're looking for a sleek, space-saving tool that can tackle complex cooking with minimal effort, this device fits the bill.
In contrast, the Instant Pot Pro Plus is a highly versatile multi-cooker designed for efficiency and adaptability. It supports functions like pressure cooking, slow cooking, and sautéing, and comes with app connectivity for extra control. While it doesn’t offer guided recipes or the same level of automation as the Thermomix, it’s a fantastic choice for quick, no-fuss meal prep with plenty of cooking options.
Are AI-powered multi-cookers safe to use?
AI-powered multi-cookers are built with a focus on safety, incorporating features like precise temperature control, hygiene monitoring, and allergen management. These tools help minimize human error and improve food safety. Many models also come equipped with real-time monitoring and predictive analytics, which can identify potential issues like undercooking or cross-contamination before they become a problem.
That said, no technology is without its risks. Problems like software glitches, system malfunctions, or even cybersecurity vulnerabilities can occur. To use these appliances safely, it’s crucial to follow the manufacturer’s guidelines, keep the software updated, and perform routine maintenance. While these devices offer notable safety advantages, responsible use and regular oversight are key to getting the most out of them.
