Choose according to the task you do most often when preparing meals in advance: cooking meals, chopping and kneading, or making blended soups. A multicooker is primarily designed for cooking, while a cooking food processor combines cooking and food preparation. If you already cook your meals using other appliances, a food processor or stand mixer may be a better fit. Then compare capacity for your portion sizes, the accessories included and the space you’ll need.
If you regularly prepare rice, slow-cooked dishes or meals to cook in advance, start by comparing multicookers and cooking food processors, based on the cooking methods you need and the quantities you want to prepare.
If you’re happy with your hob, oven or pans, a food processor can help with chopping, grating or kneading without adding a cooking function. Que Choisir makes the same distinction between food preparation and cooking.
If soups, veloutés and hot blended sauces make up most of what you prepare in advance, compare a heated blender with more versatile appliances. Check the jug capacity and the types of preparation supported by the model you choose.
Start with the preparation you do most often, then check the capacity, functions and accessories of the model you’re considering.
| Criteria | What to check | Who it suits |
|---|---|---|
| Cooking complete meals | Useful cooking modes and capacity suited to your portions, within the stated filling limits. | I want to prepare several portions of rice or slow-cooked dishes and spend less time keeping an eye on the cooking; around 28% of consumers would make this their priority. |
| Preparation without cooking | The chopping or kneading accessories you need, and space to store them. | I already cook with my usual equipment and mainly want to prepare ingredients more easily; nearly 22% of consumers would prioritise this task. |
| Combining cooking and preparation | The functions actually available on the model and the jug capacity for your recipes. | When I prepare several types of dish, I want to use the same appliance for different steps, including cooking; around 22% of consumers would put this first. |
| Soups and blended preparations | Cooking, blending and jug capacity for the number of portions you plan to make. | Soups and veloutés make up most of what I prepare in advance; around 17% of consumers would prioritise these preparations. |
| Dough and baking | The tools supplied and the dough quantities permitted for the specific model. | I mainly prepare doughs or mixtures in larger quantities and don’t need to cook meals in the appliance; around 11% of consumers would prioritise this use. |
An appliance with lots of functions won’t necessarily suit the tasks you do most often. Que Choisir points out that a multifunction appliance won’t necessarily perform equally well at every task.
Make a note of the three things you prepare most often, then compare the functions that match them. If you already cook elsewhere, consider appliances without an integrated cooking function too.
Functions and capacities vary between appliances. An extra programme doesn’t guarantee that the jug will hold your portions or that the accessory you need will be included.
Check the usable capacity for your recipes, the filling limits, the accessories included and the dimensions of the exact model.
An appliance you use regularly needs a place to sit, along with its jug and accessories. The number of parts you’ll need to wash can also affect your day-to-day choice.
Measure the space available and check the instruction manual to see which parts can be removed and put in the dishwasher.
A product may be recalled after it has gone on sale. In France, RappelConso lets you search published recall notices by brand and model.
Keep a record of the appliance’s exact model number and check RappelConso, particularly if you bought the product some time ago or have received an alert. If a recall applies, follow the instructions on its notice.
Moulinex’s range includes the Cookeo multicooker, the Companion cooking food processor and heated blenders.
The Cook Expert range brings together cooking food processors designed to combine cooking with food preparation.
The Thermomix TM7 focuses on food preparation, with guided recipes available through Cookidoo.
The Titanium Chef Baker range is aimed at preparations that mainly involve kneading, beating or whisking.
These models suit two ways of preparing meals in advance: combining cooking and food preparation in a cooking food processor, or cooking several portions in a multicooker. Choose the type of appliance you need before comparing the bowls, controls and usage limits.
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Worth considering if you’d like to combine food preparation and cooking in one appliance. The model name indicates a touchscreen and 750 recipes; check that the usable bowl capacity and recipe access arrangements suit your needs. Follow the instructions when handling the blades and hot bowl.
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Worth considering if your priority is cooking meals rather than chopping or kneading. This version is described as a 6 L multifunction pressure cooker with built-in scales and an air fryer lid. Check the power supply for the version on sale and follow the instructions on filling and pressure release.
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Worth comparing if you’re looking for a cooking food processor with touchscreen controls. The name of this version mentions built-in scales and 680 recipes; check the usable bowl capacity and how recipe access works. Follow the instructions for handling the blades and hot contents.
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Worth considering for cooking several portions at a time, but don’t confuse it with a chopping food processor. The model name indicates a 7-in-1 appliance with a stainless steel inner pot. Check that its power supply is compatible with your setup and follow the instructions for closing the lid and releasing pressure.
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Worth considering if you prepare meals in larger quantities and have room for an 8 L appliance. The name of this version indicates a power rating of 1,200 W and 12 preset menus; compare the filling limits with your recipes and check the power supply. When pressure cooking, follow the instructions for releasing pressure.
A food processor can prepare ingredients, but it won’t replace the integrated cooking function of a cooking food processor. It’s a good fit if you use it to chop, grate or knead, then cook your meals with your usual equipment.
Choose a capacity that suits your largest recipe and the model’s filling limits. As a guide to the capacities of their own appliances, Vorwerk lists a maximum of 2.2 L for the Thermomix TM7, Magimix gives the Cook Expert Connect a 3.5 L capacity, and Moulinex lists a 6 L bowl for the Cookeo+. These figures don’t all refer to the same type of preparation or usable capacity.
Check the terms for the model and offer before relying on guided recipes. Vorwerk presents the Thermomix TM7 with Cookidoo, while Moulinex mentions integrated recipes for the Cookeo+. Check the access terms that apply to the version you’re considering.
Search for the brand and exact model number on RappelConso, the French public portal for product recalls. If your appliance is affected, follow the instructions in the recall notice.
Check the model’s instruction manual for filling limits, lid locking, handling hot parts and cleaning. Instructions vary by appliance. For example, a Moulinex heated blender recipe says to close and lock the lid before starting the programme.