An all-in-one cooker is worth considering if you often make dishes that involve preparing ingredients and then cooking them in the same appliance. Its built-in cooking function sets it apart from a food processor, as Que Choisir explains. If you usually cook in your oven or on the hob, a food processor, stand mixer or blender may better suit the way you cook. Whichever you choose, check how much space you have, how much you can make in it and which parts you’ll need to clean after your usual recipes.
If soups, sauces, slow-cooked dishes or steamed food feature regularly on your menu, an all-in-one cooker can let you prepare and cook in the same bowl. This setup is only worthwhile if you have room for the appliance in your kitchen and cleaning it fits your routine.
A screen or app can help you follow the steps for a meal. Before choosing a connected model, check whether the recipes you want to use are freely available, included for a limited time or tied to a subscription.
If space is tight or you already do most of your cooking in the oven or on the hob, compare the footprint of an all-in-one cooker with a food processor, stand mixer or blender. A cooking function only affects your choice if you expect to use it for your usual meals.
First, decide whether you also want to cook in the appliance. Then compare dimensions, capacity and cleaning requirements to find the right model for how you plan to use it.
Worth considering: if you regularly need to prepare and then cook food in the same appliance.
The trade-off: you’ll need to make room for it and clean the bowl and any accessories you use.
Worth considering: if you mainly want to chop, grate, slice or mix, while keeping your usual cooking methods.
The trade-off: you’ll need to transfer prepared ingredients to your cookware.
Worth considering: if you mainly make dough, whisked mixtures or blends using already-cooked ingredients.
The trade-off: on their own, these appliances can’t take a dish from preparation to cooking in the same bowl.
| Priority | What to check | Based on my needs |
|---|---|---|
| Meal preparation steps | Think about what you want to make in the bowl. Check the preparation, slow-cooking and steaming functions on the model you’re considering. | I often make dishes that go from chopping or mixing to cooking, and I’d like to avoid transferring food between containers. |
| Guided recipes | Look at the recipe collection for the meals you make, how you access it and the terms that apply after any included trial period. | Step-by-step guidance would help me cook the meals I actually make, not just try out new recipes. |
| Cleaning | Check the instructions for the bowl, blades, seals and lids. See which parts are dishwasher-safe and how much storage space you’ll need. | After an everyday meal, I want to be able to clean and put away the parts I’ve used without it putting me off using the appliance next time. |
| Space and portions | Measure the space available, including the height with the lid or steamer attachment in place. Compare usable capacity or the maximum fill level, rather than just the bowl’s total volume. | My usual portions should fit in one batch, and the appliance needs to be easy to reach in my kitchen. |
| Long-term use | Check which accessories are included, how you access the recipes, which parts are available for the specific model and the stated warranty terms. | I’d like to know what comes with the appliance and what I’ll need to check to keep using it over time. |
According to Que Choisir, cooking is what sets an all-in-one cooker apart from food processors. If you almost always cook in the oven or on the hob, this function may make little difference to the way you cook.
Make a note of the dishes you cook regularly, then identify the ones where preparing and cooking in the same appliance would be useful.
A bowl’s total volume doesn’t necessarily tell you how much you can prepare in it. For example, Magimix lists a total capacity of 4,8 L and a usable capacity of 3,8 L for the Cook Expert XL. Lidl lists a 4,5 L bowl with a maximum fill level of 3 L for the Monsieur Cuisine Smart.
Compare the usable capacities or maximum fill levels of the models you’re considering with your household’s portion sizes and the recipes you plan to make.
Que Choisir’s survey of appliance owners lists washing up among the reasons people use their appliances less often. The blades, lids and accessories used for a recipe all add to the washing up.
Check the instructions for the exact model to find out which parts need washing, whether they’re dishwasher-safe and how to store them.
These specifications relate to models cited by their manufacturers or retailers. They don’t apply to every appliance from each brand.
The Thermomix TM7 is aimed at people who want to follow recipes on the appliance’s screen.
The Companion Pro is worth a look if you regularly cook several portions and want to weigh ingredients in the appliance.
The Cook Expert XL is a useful example of the difference between a stated capacity and the amount you can actually use.
The Monsieur Cuisine Smart is another example of an all-in-one cooker with guided recipes.
These two Robby appliances suit anyone looking for a machine that combines food preparation and cooking. Compare the listed features with the meals you make, then check that the capacity suits your portions and review the care instructions for the model you choose.
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Worth a look if you’d like to prepare and cook meals in one appliance with a large touchscreen. The title lists an XL bowl and built-in scales. Confirm the exact model name and the recipe collection it comes with before choosing. Also check which parts need cleaning and how much space you have.
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Worth a look if you’d like to follow recipes on screen while weighing ingredients in the appliance. The title lists built-in scales and a touchscreen. For your usual meals, check the bowl’s usable capacity, the terms for accessing recipes and the cleaning instructions for each part.
It can handle some food preparation tasks as well as cooking, but whether it’s a good replacement depends on the functions and accessories you need. Que Choisir distinguishes an all-in-one cooker by its built-in cooking function. If you mainly want to grate, chop or knead and already cook separately, first consider whether you’d use this extra function for your meals.
Compare the usable capacity or maximum fill level with the quantities in your recipes, rather than looking only at the total volume. Magimix France lists a total capacity of 4,8 L and a usable capacity of 3,8 L for the Cook Expert XL. Lidl France lists a 4,5 L bowl for the Monsieur Cuisine Smart, with a maximum fill level of 3 L.
Don’t assume they are: instructions can vary by model and part. Check the manual for the bowl, lid, blades, seals and any accessories you’ll use regularly.
Access terms depend on the appliance and its recipe collection. For the Thermomix TM7, Vorwerk France offers new subscribers a period of Cookidoo access at no extra cost. Check which recipes you can access and what terms apply afterwards. Do the same for any other connected model you’re considering.