For anyone who makes multi-step dishes
If you regularly make soups, sauces or slow-cooked dishes, look at models that can handle the preparation and cooking steps your recipes require.
Which option is right for you?
For households that cook in larger quantities
For family meals or recipes that make several portions, compare the bowl’s usable capacity with the quantities you usually cook, then check how much space the appliance takes up.
For anyone who already has cooking appliances
If you’re happy with your saucepan, oven or steamer, a food processor for chopping, grating or kneading may be all you need for food preparation.
What should you check before choosing?
Start with a few recipes you actually make. Their steps will show whether integrated cooking would be useful, and which features to check on each appliance.
| What to consider | What to check | How you’ll use it |
|---|---|---|
| Preparation and cooking | Note the chopping, mixing, kneading and cooking steps in your recipes. Check that the model and its accessories can handle the steps you want to bring together in one appliance. | I’d like to prepare and cook in the same appliance. If I’m already happy cooking in a saucepan, I could choose a food processor instead. |
| Steaming and accessories | Check whether a steaming accessory is included if your recipes call for one. For grating or slicing, check which accessories come with the exact model and pack you’re considering. | I often steam or slice ingredients for my recipes, so these features matter more to me than ones I won’t use. |
| Capacity and space | Compare the usable capacity, if stated, with your usual portion sizes. Measure the space available with the bowl, lid and accessories you’ll need in place. | I cook in larger quantities, but the appliance also needs to fit on my worktop and work under the wall cupboards. |
| Guided recipes | Check what’s available on the screen or in the app, both with and without a subscription, as well as the trial and renewal terms. | I’m interested in step-by-step guidance, but I want to know whether I can still make my own recipes without the service. |
| Cleaning and maintenance | Check the manual for instructions on cleaning the bowl and accessories. Ask the manufacturer about replacement parts and repair options for the model you’re considering. | If I use the appliance often, cleaning time and the option to replace a part will influence my choice. |
What mistakes should you avoid?
-
Assuming food preparation includes cooking
A food processor that chops, grates or kneads won’t necessarily cook the ingredients as part of a recipe. You may need to use another appliance for cooking.
Write down the steps for three recipes you make regularly and check which ones each model can handle.
-
Going by the stated capacity alone
Total capacity and usable capacity can differ. Even if the bowl suits your portion sizes, the appliance still needs to fit with the lid and accessories in place.
Compare the usable capacity, if stated, and measure the available width, depth and height before ordering.
-
Assuming all guided recipes will always be available
Depending on the service linked to the model, you may need an account or subscription to access some recipes. This is particularly important if you plan to follow the recipes on screen regularly.
Check which recipes are available without a subscription, along with the trial and renewal terms.
-
Assuming all accessories are included
Grating, slicing and steaming functions depend on the equipment supplied with the version you buy. Similar models may therefore handle different steps.
Check what’s included with the exact model you’re considering, then find out about its replacement parts and repair options.
A few brands to know
These ranges show different ways to combine food preparation and cooking, or to keep cooking separate. Check the specifications for the exact model you’re considering.
Moulinex
The Companion range includes cooking food processors designed for multi-step recipes.
- Moulinex lists a 4.5 L bowl and 14 functions for the Companion XL YY4591FG.
- Check the usable capacity for your portions, the accessories included in your chosen pack and the space you’ll need.
Magimix
Cook Expert models combine cooking with food preparation tasks, including chopping, grating and kneading, as listed by Magimix for the Cook Expert.
- For the Cook Expert XL Connect, Magimix lists a total capacity of 4.8 L and a usable capacity of 3.8 L.
- Compare the usable capacity and accessories of the version you’re considering with your recipes, rather than relying on the range name alone.
Vorwerk
The Thermomix TM7 combines food preparation and cooking functions with access to guided recipes via Cookidoo.
- Vorwerk lists 12 functions and 25 modes for the TM7, including chopping, slow cooking, steaming and kneading.
- If guided recipes are a key reason for choosing it, check the terms for accessing Cookidoo after any applicable free period.
Kenwood
The MultiPro Sense FPM810 is designed to prepare ingredients before you cook them separately.
- Kenwood lists chopping, grating, slicing, mixing, kneading and whisking among this model’s functions.
- If a recipe needs to be slow-cooked or steamed in the appliance, check the functions of the exact model you’re considering rather than assuming a food processor can do it.
Appliances to compare on Joybuy
This selection includes cooking food processors that combine preparation and cooking, as well as food processors to consider if you plan to cook with your usual appliances.
Image unavailable
Robby Smart cooking food processor with XL bowl and built-in scales
Worth considering if you’d like to combine food preparation and cooking. The product name mentions an XL bowl, built-in scales and a large touchscreen. Check the dimensions against the space you have available, and find out which recipes you can access.
Image unavailable
Robby cooking food processor with scales and touchscreen
Compare it if you’re looking for a cooking food processor with a touchscreen and guided recipes. Check the usable capacity for your portions, its dimensions and the terms for accessing connected recipes.
Image unavailable
Robby food processor, 5 L, 1 000 W, with 1.5 L blender and grinder
Consider it for preparing ingredients before cooking with your other appliances. The product name mentions a 5 L bowl, a 1.5 L glass blender and a meat grinder. Check its cooking functions if you want to cook in the appliance.
Image unavailable
ochama food processor, 750 W, 1.8 L, with cutting discs
Worth considering if the steps you repeat most often involve chopping and blending before cooking separately. The product name also mentions a blender and meat grinder. Check exactly what’s included in the pack and what the appliance can do before you choose.
Frequently asked questions
Do you need guided recipes to use a cooking food processor?
No. Que Choisir says that the recipes provided aren’t essential for using a cooking food processor. If you make your own recipes, check that the model you’re considering offers the manual settings you need.
What should you check before choosing a food processor with connected recipes?
Check which recipes are available without a subscription and which require the connected service, then read the trial and renewal terms. Vorwerk, for example, states that a subscription is needed to retain full access to Cookidoo after any applicable free period.
How can you tell if a food processor will fit on your worktop?
Measure the available width, depth and height, then compare them with the appliance’s dimensions with the bowl, lid and accessories you’ll use in place. Don’t rely on the dimensions of the base alone.