Households that prepare vegetables and sauces without built-in cooking
You regularly grate, slice, chop or blend, but already use another appliance for cooking. A food processor can handle these tasks if it comes with the accessories you need.
Who are these appliances for?
Households that want to prepare and cook in the same appliance
You also want to cook, simmer or steam food as part of regular hot meal preparation. Built-in cooking, which UFC-Que Choisir identifies as a defining feature of a cooking food processor, then becomes an important factor in your choice.
People who often knead large quantities of dough
Bread, brioche and other doughs are your main focus. If you also want to chop or blend, check the accessories supplied with your chosen stand mixer, as these functions aren’t always included.
What sets these appliances apart?
Food processor
Consider it : if you regularly prepare ingredients but don’t need to cook them in the appliance.
Bear in mind : you’ll need another appliance for cooking, and the tasks it can handle depend on the accessories included with that model.
Cooking food processor
Consider it : if you regularly want to prepare and cook food in the same appliance.
Bear in mind : you’ll need space for it on your worktop, and should check the food-preparation functions available on that particular model.
Stand mixer with accessories
Consider it : if kneading bread or brioche regularly is your priority.
Bear in mind : you may need separate accessories for grating, chopping or blending.
It’s also worth considering a specialist appliance if you do one particular task very often. To choose between versatile models, start with the food you usually prepare, then check that the specific model has the features and accessories you need.
| Feature | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Built-in cooking | Check whether the model can cook, simmer or steam, and whether you’ll actually use these functions. | I want to prepare and cook soups or sauces without switching appliances. Around 31 % of consumers prioritise this built-in cooking feature. |
| Capacity and space | Compare the usable capacity, if specified, the appliance’s dimensions when in use and the space needed for its accessories. | I prepare several portions, but the appliance also needs to fit in my kitchen. This balance is a priority for around 25 % of consumers. |
| Chopping and blending | Check which discs, blades and bowls are actually included for grating, slicing, chopping and blending. | I mainly need to chop or blend vegetables and sauces, and would like the appliance to handle those tasks. Around 25 % of consumers put these tasks first. |
| Kneading | Check the kneading attachments and whether the bowl capacity suits the quantities of dough you make. | I often make large quantities of bread or brioche, so preparing vegetables comes second. Kneading is therefore a priority for around 19 % of consumers. |
What should you avoid?
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Confusing total bowl volume with usable capacity
With a cooking food processor, the usable capacity may be lower than the bowl’s total volume. For example, Magimix states that the Cook Expert has a usable capacity of 2.5 L and a 3.5 L bowl, while the Cook Expert XL has a usable capacity of 3.8 L and a 4.8 L bowl.
Compare the usable capacity with the quantities you usually prepare, and check how much space you’ll need with the bowl and lid in place.
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Assuming a listed function means the accessory is included
A task such as grating or chopping may require a disc, blade or bowl, and these can vary by version. UFC-Que Choisir points out that it only tests optional accessories when they are included with the appliance.
Check exactly what’s in the box and make sure any accessories are compatible with the model you’re considering.
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Choosing built-in cooking when you don’t plan to use it
If you usually finish cooking your food in another appliance, you may rarely use the feature that sets a cooking food processor apart.
Think about the dishes you make regularly. If you mainly need to chop, grate and blend, start by comparing food processors and their accessories.
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Expecting a stand mixer to chop vegetables
A stand mixer is designed primarily for mixing, whisking and kneading; its chopping capabilities depend on the accessories available. For example, Kenwood offers optional food-preparation accessories for its Multi Tasker KHC30.000WH.
If grating or chopping matters as much to you as kneading, check that the version you’re considering includes the right accessories.
Brands to know, depending on how you’ll use it
Bosch
The MultiTalent 3 range is an example of a food processor designed for preparation without built-in cooking.
- Bosch states that the MultiTalent 3 MCM3110W has a 2.3 L bowl.
- This capacity applies to this specific model. Compare it with the quantities you prepare and check the accessories before choosing a version.
Magimix
The Cook Expert range combines food preparation and cooking, with different capacities depending on the version.
- Magimix states that the Cook Expert has a usable capacity of 2.5 L, while the Cook Expert XL has a usable capacity of 3.8 L.
- Their total capacities are 3.5 L and 4.8 L respectively. Compare the usable capacity and available space rather than looking only at the bowl’s total volume.
Moulinex
The Companion XL HF805810 is designed for hot and cold preparation using a cooking food processor.
- Moulinex states that this model has a usable capacity of 3 L and a total capacity of 4.5 L.
- For chopping tasks, check which accessories come with the version you’re buying and which are sold separately.
Kenwood
The Multi Tasker KHC30.000WH is an example of a stand mixer to consider when working with dough is your priority.
- Kenwood states that this model has a 4.3 L bowl and a metal baking kit.
- Blending and chopping accessories are available as optional extras, so check what you’ll need for your other food-preparation tasks.
Joybuy products for these tasks
These products are designed for food preparation, with or without built-in cooking. The capacities and functions listed in their names don’t replace the need to check what’s included and how much space you’ll need at home.
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Robby Smart cooking food processor with XL bowl and built-in scales
Consider it if you want to prepare and cook in the same appliance, with built-in scales for weighing ingredients.
This version is listed with an XL bowl and a large touchscreen. Check the usable capacity and the space you’ll need before choosing this size.
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ochama food processor, 750 W and 1.8 L
Worth considering if you mainly need to chop, blend, slice or grate, without built-in cooking.
The product name mentions a blender, chopper, slicing discs and grating discs. Check exactly what’s included, the bowl’s usable capacity and the appliance’s dimensions.
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Robby cooking food processor with scales and touchscreen
Compare it with other cooking food processors if you want to weigh ingredients as you prepare them.
Built-in scales and a touchscreen set this version apart. If you want to grate or slice, check which accessories are included. Also check the usable capacity and cleaning instructions for each part.
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Cuisinart FlexPrep FP5E food processor, 1.1 L
Consider it for preparing food in a 1.1 L bowl, rather than for processing large quantities in one go.
Compare this capacity with the portions you usually make. If slicing is essential for you, check that the FP5E model offers this function.
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Cuisinart Pixie Chopper CCH32E mini chopper, 0.7 L
Consider it if chopping small quantities matters more to you than preparing large batches.
Its bowl is listed as 0.7 L. If you also need to grate or slice regularly, check the functions and accessories available with this model before choosing it.
Frequently asked questions
Can a food processor replace a cooking food processor?
A food processor can handle the preparation tasks covered by its accessories, but it won’t offer the built-in cooking that UFC-Que Choisir identifies as a defining feature of a cooking food processor. If you chop, grate or blend ingredients before cooking them elsewhere, focus on the accessories included. If you also want to simmer or steam food in the appliance, compare the functions of cooking food processors.
What bowl capacity should I compare when preparing several portions?
First compare the usable capacity, if it’s specified, then make sure the bowl and appliance will suit your kitchen. For example, Magimix states that the Cook Expert has a usable capacity of 2.5 L and a 3.5 L bowl, so the total volume doesn’t always reflect how much you can actually prepare.
Are all food processor parts dishwasher-safe?
No. Check the cleaning instructions for each part of the model you choose. Don’t assume the bowl, blades, discs and other accessories all have the same cleaning requirements.