A cooking food processor is a good choice if you regularly prepare and cook the same recipes in one appliance, provided its usable capacity, accessories and cleaning requirements suit your routine. If you mainly need to prepare food or cook it, separate appliances may better suit the way you work. Compare the functions available and any conditions for accessing recipes, too. UFC-Que Choisir distinguishes cooking food processors from other food processors by their cooking function.
You often switch between preparation and cooking for soups, sauces or slow-cooked dishes, and want to find out whether one appliance can handle both steps. UFC-Que Choisir distinguishes cooking food processors from models without an integrated cooking function.
You compare the amount you can actually use for your usual portions rather than relying solely on the bowl’s stated capacity. Moulinex and Lidl product information distinguishes usable or maximum capacity from the bowl’s total volume.
Available worktop space, washing up and access to recipes all matter when choosing. Manufacturer information, including details from Moulinex and Vorwerk, can help you check these points for specific models.
Choose this if: your recipes regularly involve preparation followed by cooking, and you want to do both in the same appliance.
Bear in mind: check which tasks the appliance can actually handle, its filling capacity, how much space it needs and which parts need washing.
Choose this if: you mainly want to grate, slice or chop, and your saucepan, frying pan or oven already meets your cooking needs.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to move ingredients between appliances, and each utensil needs its own space and cleaning.
Choose this if: pressure cooking, slow cooking or steaming is your priority, and you’re happy to prepare the ingredients separately.
Bear in mind: check which food-preparation accessories you’ll need in addition to the cooking pot.
| Criteria | What to check | Who should consider this? |
|---|---|---|
| Preparation and cooking | Check that the accessories and settings you need for your recipes are included, and find out which steps still require you to intervene or transfer ingredients. | If I often make dishes that involve chopping, mixing and cooking in sequence, I want to know what the appliance can really do. Around 33% of consumers prioritise being able to prepare and cook in sequence. |
| Quantity per batch | Compare the usable capacity or maximum fill level for your recipes, not just the bowl’s total volume. | To serve my usual portions without cooking several batches, I check how much I can actually make at once. Around 27% of consumers prioritise the quantity they can prepare. |
| Access to recipes | Check which recipes are available, whether guided cooking is offered and which manual settings are included. Make sure you understand the access conditions for the model and service. | If I plan to follow guided recipes, I want to know which functions are available and what conditions apply. Around 20% of consumers prioritise ongoing access to recipes. |
| Space and cleaning | Measure the space available and check the instructions to see which parts are dishwasher-safe and which need to be washed another way. | When worktop space and time for washing up are limited, I look for an appliance and accessories that are easy to fit into my routine. Around 20% of consumers prioritise size and cleaning. |
The stated volume does not always match the maximum fill level. For the Monsieur Cuisine Smart, Lidl lists a 4.5 L bowl and a maximum fill level of 3 L. Magimix also distinguishes between bowl volume and usable capacity across its range.
Compare capacity on a like-for-like basis and consider the recipes you usually make.
If a recipe exceeds the permitted fill level, you may need to cook it in several batches.
Conditions vary between appliances and services. Free recipes advertised for one model do not mean that the features of another service are available on the same terms.
Before choosing, check what works without a subscription, which features offer guided cooking and what remains available in manual mode. Vorwerk states that a subscription is needed for full access to detailed steps and Cookidoo features.
A rinse programme may only provide a pre-clean. With separate appliances, you may also have several utensils to wash.
For a typical meal, count the parts you use and check the instructions for washing guidance for each one.
The Companion and Cookeo ranges are designed for different uses: Companion combines food preparation and cooking, while Cookeo focuses on cooking.
The Monsieur Cuisine Smart model covered here, sold by Lidl, combines food preparation and cooking with connected recipes.
The Cook Expert range combines cooking and food preparation, with different capacity and connectivity options.
Vorwerk highlights cooking and Cookidoo guided recipes for the Thermomix TM7.
The MultiPro Express FDP65.820SI is an example of a food processor used alongside a separate cooking appliance.
These products cover pressure and slow cooking, as well as options that combine food preparation and cooking.
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Worth considering if you prefer programmable pressure or slow cooking.
The title lists a 6 L capacity, 9 cooking menus, 2 pressure settings and a 24-hour timer.
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Consider this if you’re looking for a multi-cooker with several cooking modes and app control.
The title lists a 5.7 L capacity and 9 functions. Remote control is described as requiring the Instant Connect app and a Wi-Fi connection.
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Worth considering if you want one appliance that combines food preparation and cooking.
The title mentions an XL bowl, a built-in scale, a touchscreen and 750 recipes.
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Consider this if you want to combine food preparation and cooking and follow recipes on a touchscreen.
The title mentions a built-in scale, a touchscreen and 680 recipes. The product information recommends washing the accessories in soapy water after the rinse programme.
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Worth considering if you want to cook several portions in a multi-cooker.
The title lists an 8 L capacity, 1200 W of power and 12 pre-set menus. Follow the fill lines for ingredients that expand during cooking.
Not if you also want to heat food in the appliance: UFC-Que Choisir distinguishes cooking food processors by their cooking function. Check the features of the specific model rather than relying on its name alone.
Make space for the base and accessories, then follow the model’s instructions for assembly and care. Also check whether accessing the recipes you want to use requires an account or an internet connection.
Not necessarily: it may only provide a pre-clean. Check the instructions to find out which parts still need washing and which are dishwasher-safe.
No, conditions vary by model and service. Lidl advertises a free recipe library for the Monsieur Cuisine Smart model covered here; Vorwerk says a subscription is needed to make full use of detailed steps and Cookidoo features. Check the terms that apply before choosing.
The statutory guarantee of conformity applies subject to its legal conditions, with a two-year period to take action from the date the goods are delivered. For a distance purchase between a trader and a consumer, the right to cancel is at least 14 days, subject to the exceptions provided for by law; the same rules do not apply to an in-store purchase. These rules are explained by the DGCCRF and the Ministry of the Economy.