People preparing several dishes at once
If you’re making soups, sauces, vegetables or slow-cooked dishes for several days, check what each appliance can do and how many preparations you can make in its bowl before it needs cleaning.
Which option is right for you?
Your choice depends on which steps you want to combine, not just how many meals you’re planning to make.
Households already equipped for cooking
If your hob, oven or multi-cooker already meets your needs, a food processor could be a good choice for chopping, grating, slicing or kneading. You’ll still need to transfer the ingredients to your cooking appliance.
People who plan their meals
If guided recipes and shopping lists help you organise the week, compare how these features are accessed on each appliance. Also check that you can cook your own recipes without relying on them.
What should you compare?
Cooking food processor
Worth considering: when one session involves preparing ingredients and then cooking different recipes.
Bear in mind: you may need to empty and clean the bowl between preparations.
Food processor and existing cooking appliances
Worth considering: when chopping, grating or kneading matters more than combining these tasks with cooking.
Bear in mind: you’ll then need to transfer the ingredients to a pan, oven dish or another appliance.
Electric multi-cooker
Worth considering: when your main aim is to cook dishes in the bowl.
Bear in mind: you’ll need separate utensils or an appliance for chopping and blending.
Start with the tasks you regularly do during a cooking session, then consider capacity, space and cleaning requirements.
| Criteria | What to check | What I need |
|---|---|---|
| Tasks combined | Check the preparation and cooking functions on the exact model. See which accessories are included and whether you can use a manual mode. | I want to prepare ingredients and cook some recipes in the same appliance, without assuming one bowl can do everything at once. |
| Capacity and space | Check the total capacity, usable capacity and fill limits for different recipes. Measure the appliance and allow space for its accessories. | My usual portions need to fit within the usable capacity, and the appliance must be easy to set up and store. |
| Cleaning | Check the instructions for each removable part. Find out separately how to clean the bowl, lid, seals and accessories. | I want to know which parts need washing between preparations before I start cooking again. |
| Guided recipes | Compare the features available without restriction, those included for a limited time and those that require a subscription. Check what you can do without a recipe platform. | Menus and shopping lists are useful if I use them to plan several meals. Otherwise, I’ll prioritise the cooking functions I’ll actually use. |
What should you watch out for?
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Confusing total capacity with usable cooking capacity
You may not be able to fill the bowl or cooking pot to its stated capacity. For example, Que Choisir cites a multi-cooker with a 6 L pot that can hold a maximum of 4 L for cooking.
Compare the usable capacity and fill limits with the portions in your usual recipes, rather than relying on the stated capacity alone.
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Choosing features you won’t use
Extra accessories take up space and need cleaning, even if you only use them occasionally.
Make a note of the preparations you regularly make, then check which accessories are included and where you can store them.
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Assuming guided recipes will always be available on the same terms
Access terms may change after an included trial period. Vorwerk, for example, offers Cookidoo as a subscription. Whether it’s worthwhile depends on how much you use the recipes and planning features.
Check how long access is included for, which features are available without a subscription and whether you can follow your own recipes.
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Assuming every part is dishwasher-safe
The bowl, blades, lid and other accessories may each have different care instructions.
Check the instructions for the exact model to see which parts are dishwasher-safe and which need to be cleaned separately.
A guide to the brands
These examples highlight differences in features and capacity across specific ranges or models; they don’t apply to every appliance from each brand.
Vorwerk
The Thermomix range works with the Cookidoo guided recipe platform.
- Vorwerk describes Cookidoo as a tool for recipes, weekly menus and shopping lists.
- Cookidoo access may require a subscription. Check the terms that apply to your needs and which features are available without the platform.
Moulinex
Moulinex offers Companion cooking food processors and Cookeo multi-cookers, designed for different needs.
- Moulinex lists a 4.5 L bowl for one Companion XL model, while a Cookeo Touch model is shown with a 6 L cooking pot.
- These capacities apply to specific models and don’t replace checking the usable capacity for your recipes.
Magimix
The Cook Expert combines food processor functions with cooking.
- For the Cook Expert XL, Magimix lists a total bowl capacity of 4.8 L and a usable capacity of 3.8 L.
- Check the accessories supplied with the model you’re considering, and measure the space needed for the appliance and storage.
Appliances for preparing or cooking several meals
These Joybuy options include cooking food processors, which combine preparation and cooking, as well as appliances designed mainly for cooking in a pot. First decide which tasks you want to combine, then compare the models.
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Robby Smart cooking food processor with XL bowl and built-in scales
Worth considering if you want to combine preparation and cooking in a food processor with a touchscreen. The number of recipes listed varies between product descriptions, so check the details and terms of access if this is important to you.
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Robby cooking food processor with built-in scales and touchscreen
An option to consider if you want to switch between preparation and cooking with guided recipes; the title lists 680 recipes. If you’re preparing larger quantities, check the usable capacity, dimensions and cleaning instructions for this model.
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Instant Pot Rio XL 7,1 L
Worth considering if cooking meals in a pot matters more to you than preparing ingredients in the same appliance. The 7,1 L in the name doesn’t tell you how much you can use for each recipe, so check the fill limits.
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Instant Pot Classic 5,7 L Daydream Blue
This multi-cooker is suited to a choice focused on cooking in a pot. Compare its stated 5,7 L capacity with the usable capacity for your dishes, and check your available space and the fill limits.
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Cecotec Model D, 6 L programmable pressure cooker
Designed to help organise cooking in a pot, its title lists nine menus, two pressure settings and 24-hour programming, as well as frying and voice control functions. Check the usable capacity for your recipes and the care instructions for each part.
Frequently asked questions
Do you need a cooking food processor to prepare several meals at home?
No. A cooking food processor is designed to combine preparation and cooking. If your existing appliances already cover your cooking needs, a food processor can take care of chopping or kneading. For dishes cooked mainly in a pot, consider a multi-cooker instead.
What capacity should you look for when preparing several portions?
Check the usable capacity and fill limits, not just the total volume. Que Choisir gives the example of a 6 L multi-cooker pot that can hold a maximum of 4 L for cooking. Compare the model’s specifications with your usual recipes and portion sizes.
Do guided recipes require a subscription?
Not always: terms depend on the appliance and its platform. Vorwerk offers Cookidoo as a subscription, while Moulinex lists a free app for some Companion models. Check which features are available without a subscription and whether you can cook your own recipes.
How can you assess cleaning requirements before buying?
Check the instructions for the exact model to find out which parts are removable and which are dishwasher-safe. If you plan to make several recipes in a row, also check how often you’ll need to wash the bowl, lid and accessories during the session.