If you regularly chop or mix ingredients and then cook soups, sauces or slow-cooked dishes, a cooking food processor can combine some of these steps, provided its attachments and functions suit your recipes. If kneading and whisking matter more, compare a heated stand mixer. And if you’re already happy with your cooking equipment, a separate food processor may be all you need. UFC-Que Choisir distinguishes cooking food processors by their cooking function. Whichever option you choose, check the usable capacity, attachments, cleaning requirements and space needed.
You regularly prepare, mix and cook soups, sauces or slow-cooked dishes. UFC-Que Choisir distinguishes cooking food processors from appliances without a cooking function. Check that the tools included with the model you choose cover the tasks you do most often.
You often knead and whisk, but would also like to heat a mixture from time to time. Kenwood lists a 6.7 L bowl for the Cooking Chef expérience KCL95.424SI. Check which attachments are included in the pack, too.
Your hob, pans or oven already meet your needs, and you’re mainly looking for an easier way to prepare ingredients. UFC-Que Choisir describes the common functions of food processors, but check the attachments supplied with each model.
Choose this if: you regularly prepare ingredients and cook soups, sauces or slow-cooked dishes in succession.
Bear in mind: chopping tools vary by model and pack, and the bowl, lid and attachments still need cleaning.
Choose this if: kneading or whisking is central to your cooking, and you’d also like to heat or mix ingredients in the bowl.
Bear in mind: a large stated capacity doesn’t tell you how much of each recipe you can make. Allow for the space it needs, and check what’s included in the pack.
Choose this if: you’re happy with your current cooking equipment and are mainly looking for food-preparation functions.
Bear in mind: UFC-Que Choisir notes that this setup can free up worktop space when you don’t need integrated heating. However, you’ll need to transfer ingredients and manage cooking separately.
| What matters | What to check | Consumer priorities |
|---|---|---|
| Combining tasks | Compare chopping, mixing, slicing and cooking for a few recipes you make regularly, and check which attachments are included. | When I often make soups, sauces or slow-cooked dishes, I want to chop, mix and cook without using lots of appliances; around 39% of consumers prioritise combining these steps. |
| Quantity per batch | Compare the usable capacity and maximum fill level for the specific model and dishes you have in mind. | If I’m cooking my usual quantities, I want to know whether the bowl can handle them without making several batches; around 23% of consumers prioritise the quantity they can make in one batch. |
| Recipes and guidance | Check which recipes are available, what guidance the appliance provides and the terms for accessing the service you choose. | When I rely on guided recipes, I want to know which functions and content I’ll be able to access; around 23% of consumers put recipe access first. |
| Space and cleaning | Consider the space needed to use and store the appliance, then check the cleaning instructions for the specific model. | In a kitchen where every storage space counts, I want to be able to set up the appliance and clean its parts without disrupting how the kitchen is organised; around 15% of consumers prioritise space and cleaning. |
Total capacity and the maximum fill level aren’t the same thing. For the standard Cook Expert, Magimix lists a total capacity of 3.5 L and a usable capacity of 2.5 L. The Monsieur Cuisine Smart Blanc product listing distinguishes between a total capacity of 4.5 L and a 3 L filling capacity. These figures apply to these specific models.
Compare the limits for the model you’re considering with the quantities you usually prepare.
A low maximum fill level may mean making several batches or adapting your recipes.
The tools supplied vary by model and pack, even within the same range.
Before relying on grating, slicing or kneading functions, check the list of included parts.
Extra attachments may also need storage space.
Apps, recipes and on-appliance guidance don’t necessarily work in the same way across different models.
Check which content and functions you want to use, and the terms that apply.
Integrated cooking brings some steps together in one appliance, while separate cooking involves transferring ingredients. Parts and attachments may also need cleaning after use.
Compare how two or three of your usual meals would work with each option, from the start of preparation through to cleaning.
The time spent transferring, washing and putting things away depends on your recipes and the equipment you use.
The Companion range includes models designed for both food preparation and cooking. Moulinex’s product listing for the i-Companion Touch Pro 8010001338 includes a chopping blade, kneading/crushing blade, mixer, whisk and steamer basket.
The Cook Expert range combines food preparation and cooking. The XL and Connect versions have different configurations.
The Cooking Chef expérience KCL95.424SI is a heated stand mixer. Kenwood lists induction cooking from 20 to 180 °C.
The Monsieur Cuisine Smart Blanc combines cooking programmes and food-preparation functions, with a screen and Wi-Fi connectivity.
Vorwerk describes the Thermomix TM7 as an appliance that brings together food preparation, cooking and guided cooking through Cookidoo.
This selection includes food processors for preparing ingredients before cooking them separately, as well as one appliance described as a cooking food processor.
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Worth considering if you’re looking to prepare ingredients before cooking them separately. Check that the functions and attachments included with this model suit your needs.
The product name lists a 1.5 L bowl and 600 W of power. The blades are described as very sharp, so handle them with care.
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Worth considering for preparing ingredients before cooking them separately, if the listed functions suit your recipes.
The product name lists slicing and grating functions, three speeds, a pulse function, a safety lock and 1,300 W of power.
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Worth considering if you want to prepare several types of ingredients before cooking them separately.
The product name lists a blender, chopper, slicing and grating functions, as well as grating discs.
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Worth considering if you’re looking for an appliance described as combining food preparation and cooking, with guided recipes.
The product name mentions built-in scales, a touchscreen and 680 recipes. The blades are described as sharp, so take care when fitting, removing and cleaning them.
Break down a few of your usual recipes into individual steps, then check them against the product listing and the attachments included with the exact model. For the i-Companion Touch Pro 8010001338, Moulinex lists a chopping blade, mixer, whisk and steamer basket separately. Don’t assume that every chopping tool is included just because it’s described as a “cooking food processor”.
No, don’t assume that. For an i-Companion Touch XL, Moulinex says to empty the bowl after the programme and rinse the cooled parts, including the removable seal. Check the manual for the model you buy for instructions on the blades and dishwasher use.
In France, you can make a claim under the statutory guarantee of conformity against the professional seller within two years for a new or second-hand item. The rules on burden of proof differ depending on the item’s condition. This guarantee is separate from any commercial guarantee. The French Ministry for the Economy and Finance explains these rules.
The DGCCRF recommends, among other things, checking that electrical appliances carry the CE marking and reading the product description and warnings. The CE marking indicates that the manufacturer undertakes to comply with the rules that apply to the products concerned. It isn’t an independent certification or, on its own, proof that every listing is reliable.