People who regularly prepare and cook
If your meals often involve chopping, mixing and cooking, a cooking food processor can bring these steps together. Check that its bowl, programmes and cleaning requirements suit the dishes you actually make.
Who are these appliances for?
Households that mainly prepare ingredients
If you grate, slice, chop or blend ingredients before cooking them on the hob or in another appliance, a food processor meets a different need from an appliance with built-in cooking. UFC-Que Choisir recommends making this distinction, particularly if you already own a slow cooker.
Households thinking about portions and recipe steps
If you cook several portions at a time or like to follow recipes step by step, check the bowl’s usable capacity and how you can access the recipes. Capacity claims and accessories vary between models.
What matters for your meals?
First decide whether you want to cook in the same appliance you use to prepare ingredients. Then check that the bowl, accessories and space needed fit your routine.
| Criterion | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Preparation and cooking in one appliance | Check the cooking modes and accessories included for the dishes you make regularly. | If I regularly chop or mix ingredients before cooking or slow cooking, I want to avoid transferring them between appliances; around 33% of consumers make integrated cooking their top priority. |
| Preparation without cooking | Check which blades, discs and bowls are included, and how they can be stored. | If my hob or multicooker already takes care of the cooking, I mainly want to grate, slice or blend; around 27% of consumers prioritise this separate preparation. |
| Portions and guided recipes | Distinguish total capacity from usable capacity, and check how you can access the recipes and whether the app has any requirements. | To cook several portions while following on-screen steps, I need a suitably sized bowl and accessible recipes; around 20% of consumers prioritise this combination of needs. |
| Separate cooking and preparation | Check the multicooker’s modes and how much room you’ll need to store both appliances. | If I prioritise pressure cooking but still want a separate appliance to chop ingredients, I’m happy to use two workstations; around 20% of consumers prefer to keep these tasks separate. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Expecting a food processor to cook
An appliance designed to slice, chop or blend does not meet the same needs as a cooking food processor. UFC-Que Choisir distinguishes between the two types according to how useful you find built-in cooking.
Make a note of the tasks you do every week and which ones you want to carry out in a heated bowl.
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Comparing bowls by their stated capacity alone
Total capacity doesn’t always tell you how much you can actually use. Magimix, for example, lists a total capacity of 4,8 L and a usable capacity of 3,8 L for the Cook Expert XL Connect.
Compare usable capacity and stated portion sizes, and check the appliance’s dimensions with its accessories fitted.
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Assuming all accessories and recipes are included
Depending on the model, some tasks require separate accessories, and access to guided recipes may depend on a digital service.
Before choosing, check exactly what’s in the box, any app requirements and the terms for accessing recipes.
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Overlooking cleaning and storage
A bowl and several accessories take up space and mean more parts to clean after a meal. The number of functions alone won’t tell you whether an appliance will suit your everyday routine.
Read the cleaning instructions for the model you’re considering, measure the available space and check the information on spare parts and after-sales service.
Brands to know when comparing ranges
Vorwerk
The Thermomix TM7 is a connected cooking food processor focused on preparing food in the bowl and following guided recipes.
- Vorwerk lists a touchscreen, 24 modes and access to Cookidoo recipes.
- Check the terms for accessing Cookidoo and whether guided recipes would be useful for the meals you make.
Moulinex
The Companion and Cookeo ranges are designed for different tasks: the former prepares and cooks food in its bowl, while the latter is a multicooker.
- Moulinex lists a 4,5 L bowl for the i-Companion Touch XL and highlights pressure cooking, steaming and slow cooking among the features of the Cookeo Wifi 10-en-1.
- A Cookeo on its own won’t replace the chopping tools of a food processor.
Magimix
The Cook Expert range combines cooking with ingredient preparation, with an XL version for larger quantities.
- For the Cook Expert XL Connect, Magimix specifies a total capacity of 4,8 L and a usable capacity of 3,8 L.
- Check which bowls, discs and other accessories are included with the model you choose.
Kenwood
The Cooking Chef is a cooking stand mixer to consider if kneading, whisking and mixing are an important part of your food preparation.
- Kenwood offers a range of accessories to expand what you can do with the Cooking Chef.
- If you want to chop or blend, check which accessories are actually included with the configuration you’re considering.
Appliances for different needs
These models cover two different ways to prepare meals: cooking food processors combine preparation and cooking, while food processors prepare ingredients for cooking separately. Choose according to the tasks you do regularly, then check the exact configuration of each appliance.
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Robby Smart cooking food processor with XL bowl and scales
Worth considering if you want to combine preparation and cooking in one appliance with an XL bowl. Its name mentions scales and a large touchscreen; check the usable capacity and how you can access recipes for this model.
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Robby cooking food processor with scales and touchscreen
Consider this if you want to prepare and cook in the same appliance while following recipes on screen. The product name lists 680 recipes; check the terms for accessing them and the cleaning instructions for removable parts.
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Cuisinart FlexPrep FP5E, 1,1 L food processor
For preparing ingredients if you already have a way to cook them. Compare its stated 1,1 L bowl capacity with the quantities you usually prepare; you’ll need another appliance for cooking.
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ochama 750 W food processor, 1,8 L
For preparing ingredients before cooking them in another appliance. Its name lists 750 W and a 1,8 L bowl; check the usable capacity, dimensions and accessories actually included.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a cooking food processor if I already own a multicooker?
Not necessarily, if your multicooker already meets your cooking needs and you mainly want to grate, slice, chop or blend. A food processor could complement your appliances, as long as you’re happy to store and clean two machines.
Can you use a cooking food processor without guided recipes?
Yes. UFC-Que Choisir explains that guided recipes aren’t essential for using a cooking food processor. If you’d still like to follow on-screen steps, check the terms for accessing the service offered with the model you choose.