For preparing meals for the week, choose a multicooker if your main aim is to start cooking with minimal supervision. Go for a food processor with a cooking function if you also want to chop, mix and cook in the same appliance. Before deciding, compare the usable capacity with the portions you need, check which accessories are included and make sure the appliance will fit in your kitchen. If your current equipment already covers these tasks, you may not need a dedicated appliance.
If your batch-cooked meals are mostly rice, slow-cooked dishes, or steamed or pressure-cooked food, start by looking at multicookers. Que Choisir describes cooking that needs less supervision once you have added the ingredients and started the programme, although you will still need to organise the preparation.
If you regularly chop, blend or knead ingredients before cooking, a food processor with a cooking function can reduce the need to switch appliances. Check that the version you choose includes the accessories for these tasks and that its bowl is suitable for the quantities you plan to make.
To avoid cooking in multiple batches, start with the number of portions you prepare in one session, then compare this with the usable capacity for your recipes. Que Choisir, for example, distinguishes between a Cookeo’s 6 l bowl and its 4 l cooking limit.
The main difference between a food processor with a cooking function and a multicooker is the tasks you want the appliance to handle, not simply the number of programmes it offers.
Worth considering: if chopping, blending or mixing is often part of preparing your meals before or during cooking.
Bear in mind: useful functions depend on the model and the accessories included with the version you choose.
Worth considering: if your ingredients are already prepared and you mainly want to spend less time supervising the cooking.
Bear in mind: according to Que Choisir, multicookers generally do not stir food.
Worth considering: if chopping, grating or kneading takes time, but your hob, oven or pans already meet your cooking needs.
Bear in mind: preparation and cooking will still be split between several appliances.
Worth considering: if you can make your weekly recipes with the kitchen tools you already own and space is limited.
Bear in mind: you will still need to do the tasks and supervise the cooking involved in your current method.
| Criterion | What to check | Who is this for? |
|---|---|---|
| Cooking supervision | Look for settings suited to your recipes and check whether you will still need to stir by hand. | When a dish is simmering while I get on with something else, I want to avoid constantly checking on it; around 31% of consumers prioritise this hands-off approach. |
| Preparation built in | Check which tasks the specific model can handle and which accessories are actually included. | If my meals often involve chopping or blending before cooking, I would rather avoid switching appliances; around 25% of consumers prioritise having preparation functions built in. |
| Portions per session | Compare the usable capacity and the filling limits for your recipes, rather than looking only at the total capacity. | When I’m preparing several meals at once, I want to know whether everything will fit without needing another cooking session; around 25% of consumers put the quantity they can prepare at the top of their list. |
| Space and everyday use | Measure the space available for use and storage; also check the terms for accessing guided recipes if you plan to use them. | In a kitchen where every appliance needs a place, I want to be sure I’ll use it regularly; around 19% of consumers prioritise size and intended use. |
A large stated capacity does not guarantee that a whole recipe will fit in one batch. Que Choisir says that a 6 l Cookeo bowl can hold a maximum cooking volume of 4 l.
Choose based on the portions you want to make and the filling limits for the dishes you cook.
A multicooker can reduce the need to supervise cooking, but it may not chop or blend ingredients. According to Que Choisir, multicookers generally do not stir food.
Think about the tasks involved in your usual meals before choosing between a multicooker, a food processor with a cooking function, or a food processor used alongside your existing cooking equipment.
Grating, slicing or steaming may require a specific accessory. The functions available to you depend on exactly what comes with the version being sold.
Check the list of accessories and the cleaning instructions for any parts you expect to use regularly.
Meal planning may be part of a separate service rather than a feature included with the appliance. Vorwerk, for example, says its Cookidoo service renews automatically at the end of the relevant period.
If you plan to follow guided recipes every week, check the access terms, the length of any free period and the renewal arrangements before choosing an appliance.
The range lets you compare two distinct uses: the Cookeo for automating cooking, and the Companion XL for combining some preparation and cooking tasks.
The Thermomix TM7 is aimed at consumers who want to bring preparation, cooking and guided recipes together in their weekly routine.
The Cook Expert XL is worth considering for sessions that combine food processing and cooking, provided it fits in your kitchen.
No. The bowl’s total capacity does not necessarily match the permitted cooking volume. Que Choisir says that a 6 l Cookeo bowl can cook a maximum of 4 l; also check the limit for your recipe.
Not for these tasks if the multicooker you choose does not have the relevant functions and accessories. Que Choisir says that multicookers generally do not stir food. If food preparation is important for your meals, compare the functions of a food processor with a cooking function or keep a separate food preparation appliance.
Whether a guided recipe service is useful depends on how you want to plan your meals. Vorwerk presents Cookidoo as a meal-planning tool and says its subscription renews automatically; check the current access terms if you plan to use the service.
The legal guarantee of conformity may apply if an appliance sold by a trader to a consumer in France does not match its description. The French Ministry of the Economy says it covers new, second-hand and refurbished goods. Keep your proof of purchase and the description of the version and accessories advertised.