Anyone starting with raw ingredients
If chopping, mixing and blending take as much time as cooking, consider a cooking food processor. Check which accessories are included, how much it can prepare in one cycle and which parts need cleaning.
Who is each option best for?
Households that mainly want to hand over the cooking
If you don’t mind chopping the ingredients, a programmable multicooker lets you set a cooking programme without having to stay by the appliance, as Que Choisir explains. It generally won’t stir the food.
Anyone who already has cooking appliances
If your hob, oven or multicooker meets your needs, a food processor can grate, slice, chop or blend ingredients for several meals. You’ll still need to cook them using your existing equipment.
What should you check before choosing?
Start by deciding which steps you want the appliance to take care of. Then check its capacity and how easy it is to clean, based on the recipes you actually make.
Cooking food processor
Consider it if: you want to prepare ingredients and cook them in one appliance.
Bear in mind: the accessories, bowl and lid can mean more parts to clean and store.
Programmable multicooker
Consider it if: your ingredients are prepared and you mainly want to hand over the cooking.
Bear in mind: you’ll still need to chop the ingredients and, in most cases, stir them separately.
Food processor
Consider it if: you already have cooking equipment and mainly want to speed up ingredient preparation.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to transfer your prepared ingredients to your cooking appliance.
| Priority | What to check | Consider your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Preparation functions | Check which tasks it can handle — chopping, slicing, blending or mixing — and which accessories are actually included. | I often start with vegetables and other raw ingredients: which steps would I like to avoid doing by hand? |
| Programmable cooking | Compare the programmes that suit your dishes and check what, if anything, you’ll still need to do. Check whether the specific model has a keep-warm function. | Once the ingredients are ready, I’d like to be able to get on with something else while they cook. |
| Usable capacity | Check the fill limits in the instruction manual for each recipe, rather than relying on the bowl or pot’s total capacity alone. | If I want to make several portions at once, I need to know how much soup or casserole will actually fit in the appliance. |
| Cleaning and storage | Check which parts are dishwasher-safe, which need to be washed by hand and how much space the accessories will take up. | If I often cook ahead, washing up time and the space the appliance takes up on the worktop matter too. |
| Guided recipes | Check which recipes are available on your chosen model, the terms for using the app and whether you need a connection for the features you want. | Guided cooking appeals to me if it covers the dishes I make and works with my phone and internet connection. |
What pitfalls should you avoid?
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Assuming the total capacity is the amount you can cook
A pot or bowl may have a stated capacity that exceeds the amount allowed for certain recipes. When preparing several meals, this difference could mean you need to cook in batches.
Check the fill limits and portion guidance in the manual for your chosen model and the dishes you plan to make.
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Expecting a multicooker to prepare the ingredients
A multicooker handles the cooking, but it generally won’t stir the food, according to Que Choisir. So you’ll still need to chop or blend the ingredients beforehand.
If these steps take up most of your time, compare a cooking food processor with using a food processor alongside your existing cooking appliance.
Which ranges should you know about?
Vorwerk / Thermomix
The Thermomix TM7 combines food preparation, cooking and on-screen guided recipes in the Cookidoo ecosystem.
- Vorwerk states that the TM7 has 24 modes and offers access to more than 10,000 guided recipes via Cookidoo.
- If Cookidoo’s recipes are a key reason for choosing it, check the terms for accessing the service.
Moulinex
The Companion and Cookeo ranges meet different needs: the former combines preparation and cooking, while the latter cooks ingredients you’ve prepared separately.
- Moulinex lists Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity for the I-Companion Touch, and a dishwasher-safe bowl for the Cookeo Touch Wifi CE902800.
- Check the accessories included and the features of the exact model you’re considering. Not every appliance in a range necessarily has the same specifications.
Magimix
The Cook Expert XL Connect is a cooking food processor, while the CS5200XL prepares ingredients for you to cook separately.
- Magimix states that the Cook Expert XL Connect has a total bowl capacity of 4.8 l, with 3.8 l of usable capacity.
- The CS5200XL can slice, grate, blend and knead, among other tasks, but it won’t replace your cooking appliance.
Which appliances are available on Joybuy?
These options include two cooking food processors that combine preparation and cooking, followed by three multicookers for cooking ingredients prepared separately. Compare their stated capacity with the fill limits for your recipes.
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Robby Smart cooking food processor with XL bowl and built-in scales
Worth considering if you want to prepare and cook with a single appliance. The model name indicates an XL bowl, built-in scales and a large touchscreen. Check the usable capacity for your batches and which recipes are available on the appliance.
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Robby cooking food processor with scales, touchscreen and 680 recipes
An option to compare if you want to follow recipes while combining preparation and cooking. The product name indicates built-in scales, a touchscreen and 680 recipes. Check the usable capacity for each recipe and the cleaning instructions.
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Instant Pot Rio XL, 7.1 l multicooker
Worth considering if you prepare the ingredients separately and want a multicooker to handle the cooking. The model name states a capacity of 7.1 l. Check the fill limits for your recipes.
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Midea 9-in-1, 8 l pressure multicooker
For handing over the cooking once you’ve prepared the ingredients. The product name states an 8 l capacity, 1,200 W and 12 preset programmes. Check the maximum fill level for each dish and how to care for the parts.
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Instant Pot Plus WiFi, 5.7 l multicooker
An option if you prepare ingredients separately and want a connected multicooker. The model name indicates Wi-Fi connectivity and a capacity of 5.7 l. Check app compatibility and fill limits before choosing.
Frequently asked questions
Can a multicooker replace a cooking food processor when preparing several meals?
Not if you also want to chop, slice or blend the ingredients in the appliance. A multicooker mainly handles the cooking and, according to Que Choisir, generally won’t stir the food. Choose one if you’re happy to prepare ingredients separately; otherwise, look at the functions and accessories of a cooking food processor.
Are guided recipes always available without a subscription?
No, access depends on the appliance and service. Vorwerk requires a subscription for Cookidoo access after a free trial, while Moulinex lists an app for some Companion models. Check which recipes and features are available on the model you’re interested in.
What should you consider when storing meals cooked in advance?
Make sure you have time to cool and refrigerate them after cooking. Anses advises not leaving food at room temperature for more than two hours before refrigerating it. Plan your batches around the space available in your fridge.