Verdict: The Tefal Multicook Actifry is worth considering if you want one large appliance to air-fry, slow-cook, steam, sauté and automatically stir one-pot meals. Its paddle and two-level tray make it more versatile than a conventional basket air fryer. However, it is bulky, its controls take some learning, steam cooking can be slow, and it does not pressure-cook. For chips, wings and frozen food alone, a simpler basket air fryer is likely the better buy.
What is the Tefal Multicook Actifry?
The Multicook Actifry is a 6-litre stirring air fryer and multicooker. It combines a removable cooking bowl, powered mixing paddle, two-position cooking tray, top heating element and bottom heating element.
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Its 14 programmes cover air frying, grilling, roasting, baking, bread, dehydrating, risotto, pasta, sautéing, slow cooking, steaming, yoghurt and reheating. It also offers keep-warm and delayed-cooking functions. The important feature is not simply the programme count: the appliance can move food automatically while cooking and, in suitable programmes, cook a base ingredient below a second layer of food.
That makes it a potential replacement for several countertop appliances, but not an equally good replacement for every specialist machine. It is not a pressure cooker, and its bread function should not be confused with a fully automated bread machine that kneads, proves and bakes a loaf without preparation.
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- COMPATIBLE REPLACEMENT – Mixing paddle designed for selected Tefal ActiFry hot air fryers
- RESTORES MIXING ACTION – Replaces a worn, damaged or broken paddle to keep food moving during cooking
- MODEL COMPATIBILITY – Fits AL8000, AL8001, AL8002, AL8010, AL8040, AL8060, AL8062, FZ7000, FZ7001, FZ7002 and FZ7010
- REPLACEMENT PART – Compatible replacement for Tefal ActiFry paddle reference XA900302
- DETACHABLE DESIGN – Easy-to-remove plastic paddle makes replacement and routine cleaning straightforward
See Tefal’s official product specifications.
Key specifications
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Nominal bowl capacity | 6 litres |
| Useful capacity | Approximately 4.3 litres, according to Tefal support information |
| Portion guidance | Tefal markets it for up to six servings; independent review coverage describes it as suitable for roughly five to six portions |
| Power | 1,334W |
| Dimensions | Approximately 37.6 × 35 × 29.6cm |
| Weight | Approximately 7kg |
| Tray | Two positions: upper and lower |
| Voltage | UK model: 220–240V with a UK plug |
| Pressure cooking | No |
The distinction between 6 litres and 4.3 litres matters. Six litres is the bowl’s nominal capacity, not the amount of food you can necessarily fill it with. Leave room for ingredients to move, steam and cook safely, and follow the programme instructions rather than treating the bowl as a completely usable six-litre container.
What does the stirring paddle do?
The paddle rotates inside the bowl to move food during compatible programmes. It can reduce the need to stir a risotto, turn sautéed ingredients or shake food manually during some air-frying recipes.
It is most useful for foods that benefit from regular movement: diced potatoes, chips, small pieces of vegetables, stir-fries, sautéed mushrooms, pasta mixtures and risotto. It is not a universal stirring setting. Delicate fish, soft vegetables, fragile breaded food, cakes and pastries may be damaged, shredded or mashed by the paddle.
Tray position is also important. Tefal’s instructions say the paddle must be removed when the tray is in the lower position, and stirring must not be used with that arrangement. The paddle is optional for risotto, pasta, sauté and slow-cook programmes, so the correct setup depends on the recipe and programme.
In practical terms, the paddle is the reason to buy this appliance over a standard air fryer—not proof that every dish will improve when stirred.
What can it cook?
| Programme | Best suited to | Important qualification |
|---|---|---|
| Air Fry | Chips, vegetables and small pieces of food | Movement may help, but a basket air fryer may crisp some foods more directly |
| Crispy Meal | A base ingredient with an air-fried upper layer | Includes a fixed 10-minute base-heating stage before the selected air-frying time |
| Steam & Crisp | Steamed food finished with a crisp surface | Includes an automatic 20-minute steaming/heating stage |
| Grill | Grilled or browned food | Use the tray and setup specified by the instructions |
| Roast/Bake | Roasted food, cakes and baked dishes | Do not assume the paddle is suitable for delicate mixtures |
| Bread | Baking bread | Not a complete knead-and-prove bread-machine cycle |
| Dehydrate | Drying fruit and other suitable foods | Allow for the longer times typical of dehydration |
| Risotto | Stirred rice dishes | The paddle is optional; follow the recipe setup |
| Pasta | Pasta dishes | The paddle is optional |
| Sauté | Softening, browning and reducing ingredients | The lid may remain open |
| Slow Cook | Casseroles and long-cooked dishes | Temperature range is 70–90°C, with a maximum time of 12 hours |
| Steam | Steamed ingredients | Steam temperature is fixed at 100°C |
| Yoghurt | Fermented yoghurt | Temperature is fixed at 40°C |
| Reheat | Warming cooked food | The lid may remain open |
The official programme and setup information is available in Tefal’s instructions and support documents.
Can it cook a complete meal?
Yes, within sensible limits. The two-level tray allows a base such as rice, pasta, grains or vegetables to cook in the bowl while protein or additional vegetables cook above it. The Steam & Crisp and Crispy Meal programmes are designed around this kind of layered cooking.
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One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchDo not interpret “complete meal” as meaning every ingredient will always finish at exactly the same time. A base may need boiling or steaming before the top layer browns. A thick protein may need longer than vegetables, while an air-fried topping may require extra time after the lower layer is cooked.
Steam & Crisp has an automatic 20-minute heating and steaming stage before the chosen air-frying period. For example, five minutes of air frying means a programme lasting 25 minutes, not five minutes in total. Crispy Meal includes a fixed 10-minute base-heating stage before the selected air-frying time. These stages should be included when comparing its timings with a conventional air fryer.
Check the tray position, whether the paddle is allowed, whether the lid must be closed and whether ingredients need to be added in stages. Tefal’s quick-start guide provides the relevant combinations and examples.
How good is it as an air fryer?
The Multicook Actifry should be viewed as a versatile air fryer rather than necessarily the fastest or simplest one. Automatic movement is convenient for chips, diced vegetables and small pieces of meat, because it can reduce manual shaking. It also lets the appliance work as part of a layered meal rather than only as a standalone crisping drawer.
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A conventional basket air fryer remains more attractive if your priority is quick, uncomplicated cooking of chips, wings, nuggets and frozen snacks. A basket exposes food directly to circulating hot air and usually has fewer setup decisions. The Actifry’s bowl, paddle and extra programmes add capability, but also add bulk and complexity.
Independent testing by Tech Advisor praised the capacity, versatility, dishwasher-safe parts and paddle while noting that some settings needed adjustment and that the controls could be complicated. Those observations support a nuanced conclusion: the air-frying function is most valuable when it is part of a broader cooking routine.
How good is it as a multicooker?
This is where the product is most distinctive. It can sauté ingredients, cook risotto and pasta, steam, slow-cook, reheat, make yoghurt and bake, while the top heating element adds air-frying and roasting functions. The bowl and upper tray can also combine a base and topping in one cooking cycle.
There are limits. It does not pressure-cook, so it is not an alternative for readers who specifically want rapid beans, pressure-cooked stews or stock. Its slow-cooking, steaming or baking functions may also be less convenient than a dedicated appliance for someone who uses only one of them. A large list of modes is valuable only if you will use several regularly.
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The trade-off for the range of functions is a steeper learning curve than a basic air fryer. You need to choose the programme, set the time and temperature where available, decide whether the paddle is required, select the tray position and follow the lid instructions.
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The lid generally needs to be closed for cooking programmes, while Tefal says it may remain open for Sauté and Reheat. The automatic open-lid warning does not apply to Risotto, Reheat, Keep Warm or Sauté. Keeping the manual nearby is sensible, particularly for the first few meals.
Some programmes also contain fixed stages that are not obvious if you focus only on the displayed air-frying time. If food is undercooked, the practical remedy is usually to continue with an appropriate manual or programme setting rather than assuming the first cycle cannot be extended.
Keep-warm and delayed cooking
Keep-warm can operate for up to 12 hours, but Tefal recommends no more than one hour for best results and specifically says not to keep rice warm for more than one hour. The maximum electronic setting should not be treated as a recommendation for food quality or rice storage.
The Later Meal function can be set up to 15 hours, but the delayed-start Type 2 function is restricted to rice or pasta and should not be used for meat. Do not load meat into a delayed programme simply because the appliance offers a timer.
Footprint, heat and noise
This is a substantial countertop appliance: approximately 37.6cm wide, 35cm deep and 29.6cm high, with a weight of about 7kg. Measure the worktop before buying, including space to open the lid and safely remove the hot tray. Its size may be acceptable for a family kitchen but excessive for someone who wants a compact air fryer.
The lid becomes hot during cooking, although Tefal says the control panel, exterior handles and lid handles remain safe to touch during operation. Steam can escape when the lid is opened, so open it carefully and keep hands and face away from the steam path.
Tefal says the appliance can produce a distinctive fan pitch because of its two-in-one design and that this is normal. Tech Advisor criticised the steam function as slow to heat. Neither point makes the appliance unusable, but both are relevant if you expect quiet, rapid steaming.
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Cleaning and maintenance
The cooking bowl is ceramic-coated and described by Tefal as dishwasher-safe. The paddle, tray and other removable components still need separate cleaning. The condensation collector slides into the rear of the base and should be hand-washed after each use.
Do not assume that the whole appliance, or every accessory, is dishwasher-safe. Follow the manual for each part, keep water away from the electrical base and use silicone-tipped tongs to remove the hot tray. If the bowl or paddle needs replacing, Tefal advises using the supplied bowl or a compatible Tefal replacement rather than assuming another brand’s bowl will fit correctly.
Common problems and fixes
“NO pot” appears
The bowl is missing or not positioned correctly. Remove and reseat the supplied bowl, checking that it is properly located in the base.
“OPEN” appears
The lid is not correctly closed during a programme that monitors lid position. Close it firmly. Remember that the warning does not apply to Risotto, Reheat, Keep Warm or Sauté.
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E1 indicates a top-sensor short circuit; E2 a top-sensor open circuit; E3 a bottom-sensor short circuit; and E4 a bottom-sensor open circuit. Tefal directs users to an authorised service centre for these errors rather than attempting electrical repairs.
There is too much liquid
If the food needs more cooking and excess liquid remains, Tefal recommends using Sauté with the lid open until the liquid reduces.
The paddle clashes with the tray
Check the tray position. The paddle must be removed when the tray is in the lower position, and stirring must not be used in that configuration.
Tefal Multicook Actifry versus the alternatives
| Your priority | More suitable choice |
|---|---|
| Mostly chips, wings and frozen food | Conventional basket air fryer |
| One-pot meals with automatic stirring | Tefal Multicook Actifry |
| Pressure cooking | Pressure multicooker |
| Maximum exposed crisping surface | Basket or dual-drawer air fryer |
| Small kitchen | Compact air fryer or single-function cooker |
| Fully automated bread making | Dedicated bread machine |
| Slow cooking only | Dedicated slow cooker |
UK buying advice and price context
The UK versions listed by Tefal include model references MY741C40 and MY7408G1, with a UK plug and 220–240V operation. That is not a plug-and-play US product. A US buyer should confirm a region-specific model, voltage, plug, warranty and service support; a simple plug adaptor does not convert electrical voltage.
Tech Advisor reported an RRP of £199.99 and promotional prices of roughly £139.95–£159.99 in its November 2024 review. Those are historical reference points, not current September 2026 prices. Compare the live price with the amount you would pay for a suitable air fryer plus a separate cooker, but do not buy solely because the appliance claims to replace several machines.
Tefal’s official product page has listed replacement parts including the bowl, paddle, tray and condensation collector. Prices and availability change, so check the current listing before purchase.
Who should buy it?
- Buy it if you want hands-off stirring, cook one-pot meals regularly, need a bowl and upper cooking layer, and have room for a large appliance.
- Consider it carefully if you mainly air-fry but would genuinely use the slow-cook, steam, sauté, rice, pasta or reheating functions.
- Skip it if compactness, simple controls, pressure cooking or delicate-food handling is your priority.
The Tefal Multicook Actifry’s strongest case is not that it is another air fryer. It is that the paddle, bowl and two-level cooking system can reduce hands-on work in multi-component meals. If that is how you cook, its breadth can justify the counter space. If you only want quick crisp food, choose the simpler specialist appliance.
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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