If you often prepare and cook food in the same appliance, consider a cooking food processor. If you mainly chop, grate or mix ingredients, a multifunction food processor may suit you better, with cooking handled separately. Before choosing, compare the tasks you regularly repeat with the usable capacity, attachments, storage space and cleaning requirements. More functions don’t guarantee you’ll use them.
You often prepare and cook food at home in succession. Check that the functions suit the tasks you do and the quantities you usually make, rather than assuming they’ll save you time. Que Choisir distinguishes cooking food processors from food preparation appliances without built-in cooking functions.
You already use a hob or oven, but regularly chop, grate, mince or mix ingredients. Useful attachments and how you’ll store them matter more than the number included, as Que Choisir points out.
You’re short on space or want to reduce storage and cleaning after meals. Compare the dimensions and the parts that need maintaining; ADEME highlights the importance of using and maintaining household equipment appropriately.
Worth considering: if you want to mix or blend and cook in the same appliance.
Things to weigh up: its size, attachments and the parts that need cleaning.
Worth considering: if chopping, grating, slicing or mixing is your priority and you’re happy with your existing cooking setup.
Things to weigh up: cooking is still done separately, and the attachments need to be stored.
Worth considering: if you want to leave a suitable cooking task to an appliance while keeping a separate food preparation aid.
Things to weigh up: two appliances need two spaces and separate maintenance; you may still need to mix by hand.
Worth considering: if you regularly repeat one or two tasks and are happy with your current cooking setup.
Things to weigh up: the result depends on the appliances you already own and which ones you’d need to add.
For meals at home, start with the task you do most often, then check the functions, capacities and maintenance requirements that go with it.
| Consideration | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Preparing and cooking in succession | The preparation and cooking functions, usable capacity and parts to wash. | I want to combine these steps when I often do them one after the other. Around 33% of the consumers surveyed prioritise preparation and cooking in one appliance. |
| Repeating chopping and mixing tasks | The tasks it handles, the attachments included, the bowl size and how to store them. | I prepare ingredients with an appliance and stick with my usual cooking method. Around 27% of the consumers surveyed prioritise food preparation without built-in cooking. |
| Leaving a cooking task to a programmable appliance | The useful programmes, maximum fill levels and any preparation tasks still to be done. | I mainly want to leave a suitable cooking task to a multicooker or slow cooker. Around 20% of the consumers surveyed prioritise a separate programmable cooking appliance. |
| Keeping storage space and cleaning to a minimum | The dimensions, how to store the attachments and washing instructions for removable parts. | I want to avoid adding storage and washing-up for functions I’d rarely use. Around 20% of the consumers surveyed prioritise simplicity and a compact design. |
A food preparation processor doesn’t necessarily cook, and extra attachments are only useful if you regularly do the tasks they’re designed for.
Make a note of the dishes you prepare regularly, then check which functions and attachments are actually included in the option you’re considering.
For some recipes, you’ll need to leave room to prevent spills, which can reduce the usable capacity of a multicooker.
Check the stated fill limits for the dishes you usually prepare.
Access to recipes varies by offer, and you should check that parts are available for the appliance you’re considering.
Before buying, check what you can still access without a related service and ask how long parts will be available. The DGCCRF states that, if the seller has been informed by the manufacturer, they must tell consumers how long parts will be available.
These products illustrate three approaches to meals at home: separate programmable cooking, food preparation without built-in cooking, or preparing and cooking with a cooking food processor.
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Worth considering if you’re looking for an appliance for cooking and have a separate way to prepare ingredients.
7-in-1 multicooker; 3.8 L pot, stated to serve up to four portions. The parts are listed as dishwasher-safe. Chopping and mixing need to be done separately; follow the fill limits and instructions for releasing pressure.
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Worth considering if you’re looking for help preparing ingredients and already have a separate way to cook.
The product name states a power rating of 750 W and a 1.8L bowl. Listed functions include blending, chopping, slicing and grating; check which attachments are included with the option on offer.
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Worth considering if you want to combine several preparation and cooking steps in a cooking food processor.
The product description lists built-in scales, a large touchscreen and 750 recipes. It also mentions food preparation attachments and steam baskets; check how they can be stored. The blades are described as very sharp, and the bowl may be hot during cooking: follow the safety instructions provided.
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Worth considering if you want to combine food preparation and cooking in one appliance.
The product name lists built-in scales, a touchscreen and 680 recipes. The description states that it has a 3.5 L bowl, automatic programmes and a rinse programme. The blades are described as very sharp, and the bowl and its contents may be hot during cooking; follow the stated safety precautions.
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Worth considering if cooking is your priority and you prepare ingredients separately.
The product name states a capacity of 8L and a power rating of 1200W. The description lists 12 programmes, including pressure cooking, slow cooking, rice cooking and steaming, as well as a 24-hour delay start and keep-warm function. Follow the fill limits and instructions for pressurised steam.
Compare your usual quantities with the capacity you can actually use, not just the stated volume. With a multicooker, the space needed to prevent spills can reduce the amount you can cook; the limit also depends on what you’re preparing.
Don’t assume the whole appliance is dishwasher-safe just because some parts are. Check the instructions for the appliance you’re considering, part by part, and factor cleaning into your choice.
No, you don’t need recipes or a related service to cook with a cooking food processor. Access varies by offer, so check what you can still use without a subscription or paid service.
Ask how long parts will be available. According to the DGCCRF, if the seller has been informed by the manufacturer, they must tell you. For a consumer purchase from a professional seller, the legal guarantee of conformity applies under its own terms; you can make a claim for two years from the date the goods are delivered. This is separate from an optional commercial guarantee.
No. For the appliances concerned, the DGCCRF explains that the CE marking represents the manufacturer’s commitment to meeting the applicable requirements; it is not a certification mark. Also check the specifications and safety instructions for the appliance you’re considering.