To cut down on transfers between preparation and cooking, choose a cooking food processor if you chop, blend or mix ingredients before cooking them in the same appliance — provided the model and its accessories cover the dishes you usually make. A food processor is better suited to complementing the cooking appliances you already own, while a multicooker is mainly for programmed cooking and, as UFC-Que Choisir points out, generally won’t stir food for you. In all cases, compare the usable capacity, space required and cleaning routine before deciding.
If you often make soups, sauces, purées or slow-cooked dishes, a cooking food processor can reduce the number of transfers between preparation and cooking. Check that it includes the accessories you need and that you’re happy with the cleaning involved.
If you’re preparing several meals or entertaining, compare the usable capacity rather than just the bowl’s stated volume. Also allow space to use and store the lid and accessories.
If preparing the ingredients is no problem, a multicooker may suit your need for programmed cooking. According to UFC-Que Choisir, these appliances generally don’t stir food, so check which steps you’ll still need to do by hand.
Consider it: if your dishes need both preparation and cooking, and you want to reduce the number of transfers.
Bear in mind: which steps it can handle depends on the specific model’s functions and accessories.
Consider it: if you mainly want to chop, grate or knead, and already have something to cook with.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to transfer the preparation to a saucepan, oven or another appliance.
Consider it: if programmed cooking matters more to you than built-in chopping or blending.
Bear in mind: according to UFC-Que Choisir, stirring is generally done by hand.
Consider it: if you rarely combine preparation and cooking, or don’t have room for another appliance.
Bear in mind: you’ll still need to transfer food between utensils and keep an eye on it as it cooks.
| What matters to you | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Preparing and cooking without transferring food | Check that it can chop, blend and cook the dishes you make, and see which accessories are included. | For soup or sauce, I want to prepare the ingredients and then cook them without changing appliances. Around 34% of consumers put this at the top of their list. |
| Cooking several portions | Compare the usable capacity and filling limits for the dishes you make, rather than relying on the total volume alone. | When I’m cooking for several people, I need enough room for the dish I’m making. Capacity is the top priority for around 26% of consumers. |
| Programming cooking | Look for the settings you need for your recipes and check whether you’ll have to stir the food by hand. | I’m happy to prepare the ingredients myself, but I want to programme the cooking. Around 20% of consumers prioritise this feature. |
| Making room for the appliance | Measure the space needed to use and store it. Also check how easy the parts are to clean and whether you can access the recipes you’re interested in. | If my worktop space is limited or I cook often, storage and cleaning could make the difference. These factors come first for around 20% of consumers. |
The functions you can actually use vary by model and the accessories supplied. UFC-Que Choisir takes this distinction into account when testing cooking food processors.
Choose a few dishes you make regularly, then work out which steps the appliance handles for each and which you’ll still need to do by hand.
The stated volume doesn’t necessarily reflect how much you can cook. UFC-Que Choisir highlights, in particular, how filling limits for multicookers can vary depending on what you’re making.
Compare the usable capacity and filling instructions for the soups, casseroles or steamed dishes you make.
Guided cooking is only useful if you plan to use it. UFC-Que Choisir points out that connected recipes aren’t essential for using a cooking food processor.
Check which recipes and functions are available with the appliance, as well as the terms for accessing its connected service.
A bowl that fits easily on your worktop doesn’t tell you how much room the lid and accessories will take up. Cleaning requirements also depend on the parts included with your chosen model.
Check what’s in the box, the appliance’s dimensions when in use and the washing instructions for each part.
The Thermomix TM7 brings together food preparation, cooking and access to the Cookidoo recipe platform.
The Companion range includes cooking food processors, while Cookeo focuses on programmed cooking.
The Cook Expert range includes cooking food processors, including a Connect version. Capacity and equipment vary by model.
Monsieur Cuisine covers a range of cooking food processors. Lidl describes step-by-step guidance on the Connect and Smart versions.
These models illustrate two different ways to cook: bringing food preparation and cooking together in a cooking food processor, or prioritising programmed cooking with a multicooker. Start by choosing the option that suits the dishes you make. Don’t assume a multicooker can chop or blend.
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Worth considering if you want to bring food preparation and cooking together. This model is described as having an XL bowl, built-in scales and a large touchscreen. Check which accessories are included and whether its dimensions suit your recipes and worktop.
Check how many pre-loaded recipes are included with this model before making that a deciding factor.
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If you want to bring several steps together in one cooking food processor, this model combines built-in scales with a touchscreen. Its product name lists 680 recipes. Check that it includes the accessories you need for your usual dishes.
If you cook in large quantities or have limited space, compare the model’s usable capacity and dimensions with your needs.
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Worth a look if programmed cooking is your priority rather than built-in food preparation. The product name lists an 8 L pot, 1200 W power and 12 pre-set menus.
Check the filling limits for your dishes and the food preparation functions if you also want to chop or blend ingredients in the appliance.
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This multicooker is for people who prioritise cooking over bringing every food preparation step together. Its stated capacity is 5,7 L; check the filling limits for your recipes.
If chopping or blending in the same appliance is important to you, confirm the exact functions before choosing this model.
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If you’re comparing multicookers for preparing larger quantities, this model has a stated capacity of 7,1 L. Check how that compares with the filling limits for the dishes you usually make.
Check separately which food preparation tasks you want to carry out and how much room you’ll need to open the lid.
No. UFC-Que Choisir explains that you can use a cooking food processor without connected recipes. If you’re interested in guided cooking, check which functions are available on your chosen model and the terms of the associated service.
A multicooker may suit you if you mainly want to programme cooking, but don’t assume it can also prepare the ingredients. UFC-Que Choisir says these appliances generally don’t stir food. If you want to chop or blend, check the functions of the exact model you’re considering.
Compare the usable capacity and filling limits with the quantities you usually cook. The total volume of the bowl or pot doesn’t tell you how much you can actually use, especially for dishes that need some room to spare.
Measure the space you have in mind, then allow room to remove the bowl, open the lid and store the accessories. Compare your measurements with the dimensions of the specific model before choosing.