To prepare multi-step dishes with a single cooking food processor, start with the tasks you do regularly and check that the relevant tools come with the model you choose. Cooking and blending don’t guarantee that it can also grate or slice; usable capacity, guided recipes and cleaning are important too, depending on your needs.
A cooking food processor is particularly useful when you want to prepare ingredients and cook in sequence, although the tools you need will depend on your recipes.
If your dishes involve chopping, mixing and then cooking, a cooking food processor can bring these tasks together. Check separately that it can handle the preparation work you need: according to UFC-Que Choisir, heating is what distinguishes a cooking food processor from a non-heating food processor.
For family meals or batch cooking, compare the usable capacity for your recipes rather than just the stated bowl size. Also check the containers and accessories used for steaming or cutting.
A screen with step-by-step instructions may appeal if you don’t want to set every operation manually. Check the recipe library available on your chosen model and any access requirements before relying on this feature for everyday use.
Start with a few recipes you make regularly. Their steps will help you work out which functions, accessories and capacity you’ll actually need.
| What to consider | What to check | My needs |
|---|---|---|
| Preparation and cooking | Identify the tasks your recipes involve, then check which tools are included with the exact model. To assess performance on a demanding task, look for a test of that task using that model: UFC-Que Choisir only assesses additional accessories when they’re supplied. | I want to be able to chop and cook in the same appliance, without assuming that grating, slicing or kneading are also covered. |
| Recipes and controls | Look at the on-screen instructions, manual settings and any requirements for accessing recipes. The number of recipes a brand advertises doesn’t, by itself, tell you how useful they’ll be for your dishes. | I’m interested in following recipes step by step; if I mainly cook my own dishes, I’ll also look at the manual controls. |
| Capacity | Distinguish between total capacity and usable volume or maximum fill level. Check separately any limits that apply to steaming and the dishes you make regularly. | For several portions, I need to be able to estimate how much I can actually prepare, rather than just compare bowl sizes. |
| Cleaning and spare parts | Find out which parts are dishwasher-safe and check their care instructions. Check the availability of seals, bowls and accessories for the specific model, as well as the terms of any advertised commercial guarantees. | If I use the appliance often, cleaning it after each recipe and replacing a worn part will be important factors in my choice. |
A product range may offer additional tools that aren’t included in the pack you choose. UFC-Que Choisir also distinguishes, in its testing protocol, between tests of accessories and those of accessories actually supplied.
For the recipes you make most often, check each task against the list of blades, discs, beaters, bowls and baskets included with the exact model.
Buying an accessory separately means an extra purchase and could delay the meal you had planned.
A list of functions doesn’t tell you how well the appliance performs a particular task. UFC-Que Choisir’s testing protocol assesses several preparation and cooking tasks separately.
If a task such as finely chopping or whisking is essential for you, look for a test that assesses it using the relevant model and accessories.
Total capacity and maximum fill level aren’t the same thing. For example, Lidl lists a 4.5 L bowl but a maximum fill level of 3 L for the Monsieur Cuisine Smart.
Compare the limits for the soups, doughs or sauces you make, and check separately how much space is available for steaming.
A stated guarantee period for a motor or parts is subject to the brand’s own terms. In France, the Ministry of the Economy explains that the statutory guarantee of conformity applies to goods sold by a business to an individual.
Check who the seller is and read the terms of any commercial guarantee offered with the appliance separately.
These models illustrate different types of cooking food processor. The stated features apply to the models mentioned, not to every product from each brand.
The Thermomix TM7 focuses on its screen and guided recipes through Cookidoo.
The Companion XL HF80DB10 combines cooking, programmes and food-preparation accessories.
The Cook Expert XL Connect combines a cooking bowl with food-preparation bowls.
The Monsieur Cuisine Smart offers on-screen guided recipes through Cooking-Pilot.
These two Robby cooking food processors are suited to preparing ingredients and then cooking in the same appliance. Compare the included tools, usable capacity and recipe access to decide which offer is right for you.
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If you want to follow on-screen steps to prepare a dish, this model is described as combining an XL bowl, built-in scales and a large touchscreen. Check which cutting tools are included, the usable capacity for your recipes and the terms for accessing guided recipes.
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This model is worth considering if you want to follow recipes on screen while bringing preparation and cooking together. Its description lists built-in scales, a touchscreen and 680 recipes; check the terms for accessing these recipes, which grating or cutting tools are included, the usable capacity and the cleaning instructions.
Not necessarily. A cooking food processor adds cooking, but grating and slicing depend on the tools supplied with the model you choose. UFC-Que Choisir only tests additional accessories when they’re supplied with the appliance, so check the contents of the exact pack.
Compare the usable volume or maximum fill level for your recipes, rather than just the total capacity. For example, manufacturer specifications list a total capacity of 4,8 L and a usable capacity of 3,8 L for the Magimix Cook Expert XL Connect, while Lidl lists a 4,5 L bowl and a maximum fill level of 3 L for the Monsieur Cuisine Smart.
Yes, if your recipes call for a tool that isn’t included in the pack you choose, particularly for precise cutting or a particular type of steaming. Magimix and Vorwerk offer additional accessories, so check your recipes against the list of items actually supplied before planning to use them.
No. An advertised commercial guarantee for the motor has its own terms and shouldn’t be confused with the statutory guarantee of conformity. According to the Ministry of the Economy, this applies to new, second-hand or reconditioned goods sold by a business to an individual. Check who the seller is and read the terms of the commercial guarantee separately.