Choose a cooking food processor if you want to chop, mix and cook with one appliance, provided its accessories and usable capacity suit the dishes you make. A multicooker is better suited to handling different cooking methods, while a cooking stand mixer is designed with kneading and whisking in mind. If you’re already happy with your food processor, you can cook separately, but expect to transfer ingredients between appliances more often.
If you move from chopping and mixing to cooking or steaming in the same session, check that the model offers all these functions and the accessories you need. Que Choisir points out that functions and capacities vary between cooking food processors.
If you’re entertaining or cooking ahead, look at the usable capacity rather than the total capacity alone. For example, Magimix lists a total capacity of 3.5 L, with 2.5 L usable, for the Cook Expert Connect Original. The options for steam cooking also depend on the accessories.
If kneading and whisking matter as much as heating, a cooking stand mixer is worth considering. For the Cooking Chef expérience KCL95.004SI, Kenwood describes a planetary mixing action and a cooking function. Check separately which accessories you need for chopping.
Worth considering: if you want to chop, mix and cook as part of the same preparation.
Bear in mind: how much you can do in one appliance depends on its usable capacity and the tools supplied with the model you choose.
Worth considering: if you already have a suitable cooking appliance and mainly need help preparing ingredients.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to move ingredients between appliances, which means extra handling and washing up.
Worth considering: if your priority is switching between different cooking methods in one pot.
Bear in mind: you’ll need a separate way to prepare ingredients if your recipes involve chopping, grating or slicing.
Worth considering: if kneading, whisking and heating mixtures matter more to you than chopping ingredients.
Bear in mind: chopping or blending may require accessories that are compatible with your model and package.
| Consideration | What to check | What matters to shoppers |
|---|---|---|
| Moving between stages | Check that the exact model can chop, mix and cook, then make sure it includes the accessories you need for your recipes. | If I want to go from preparing ingredients to cooking them without changing appliances, the model I choose needs to handle both; around 36% of shoppers would make this a priority. |
| Amounts you prepare | Compare the total capacity with the usable capacity, then check how much room there is when the steam-cooking accessories are fitted. | If I’m cooking several portions or getting ahead, I mainly need a bowl that suits the quantities I make; around 29% of shoppers would make this their priority. |
| Kneading and whisking | Look at the baking tools and mixing action, as well as the heating functions you need for your recipes. | If I regularly make doughs or heated creams, I’d prioritise how well the appliance handles these preparations over chopping; around 21% of shoppers would make this their top consideration. |
| Appliances you already own | Work out which functions you’re missing and how much room you’ll need for all the appliances and accessories. | If I’m already happy with my food processor and cooking appliance, I can accept transferring ingredients between them and stick with the setup I have; around 14% of shoppers would make this their priority. |
The usable capacity during preparation may be lower than the headline figure. For example, Magimix lists a total capacity of 3.5 L and a usable capacity of 2.5 L for the Cook Expert Connect Original.
Compare the usable capacity with the amounts you usually make, and check how much room the steam accessories need too.
Vegetable slicers, large steam baskets and baking tools can vary between models and packages, even within the same range.
Make a note of the dishes you prepare most often, then check that the exact package includes the tools you need.
Guided recipes can make it easier to follow each step, but availability and access requirements vary. Vorwerk specifies, for example, that the Thermomix TM7 is compatible with Cookidoo 3.0.
Check which functions you can use without the service and what access to the recipes you’re interested in involves.
Commitments announced by Moulinex or Magimix apply to their own products and terms. The DGCCRF explains that requirements to make spare parts available do not automatically apply to every category of product.
For the model you’re considering, check which parts are covered, how long they’re expected to remain available and what repair options there are.
The Thermomix TM7 combines food preparation, cooking and guided recipes.
The Companion range combines food preparation and cooking functions, with specifications varying by model.
Cook Expert models combine food processor functions with cooking.
The Cooking Chef expérience KCL95.004SI is designed for tasks such as kneading, whisking and heating.
Its multicookers are primarily designed for cooking different dishes in one pot.
These products suit three different ways of organising food preparation: combining preparation and cooking in a cooking food processor, preparing ingredients with a separate food processor, or prioritising the cooking modes of a multicooker. Start by choosing the appliance that handles the steps you want it to take care of, then check its electrical requirements for your home.
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Worth considering if you want to prepare and cook with a food processor featuring a large touchscreen. The product name mentions an XL bowl and built-in scales; check the usable capacity, recipe content and electrical requirements before buying.
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Consider this if you want to follow recipes on screen while combining preparation and cooking. The product name lists built-in scales and 680 recipes; check the usable capacity for your portions and the electrical requirements.
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For preparing ingredients before cooking them in another appliance. The product name mentions a blender, chopper, slicing and grating discs; you’ll need a separate cooking appliance. Check the electrical requirements.
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Worth considering if you already prepare ingredients separately and mainly want help with the cooking. The product name lists a stainless steel inner pot and a capacity of 7.1 L; check the electrical requirements and make sure you have enough room in your kitchen.
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For dishes where you can chop the ingredients separately before cooking. The product name lists an 8 L pot and 12 preset menus; check the size of the appliance and its electrical requirements for your home.
No. According to Que Choisir, you don’t need a guided recipe service for the basic functions of a cooking food processor. If you want to follow Cookidoo recipes on a Thermomix TM7, Vorwerk specifies that this model is compatible with Cookidoo 3.0. Check the access requirements that apply to you.
Start with the usable capacity to judge how much you’ll be able to prepare. Magimix lists a total capacity of 3.5 L and a usable capacity of 2.5 L for the Cook Expert Connect Original, compared with 4.8 L total and 3.8 L usable for the Cook Expert XL Connect. The number of portions you can make also depends on the recipe and accessories used.
Check which parts of the model you’re considering are dishwasher-safe, as well as how many accessories you’ll use for your recipes. Vorwerk lists a pre-cleaning mode and dishwasher-safe parts for the TM7; don’t assume another model has the same features without checking its instructions.
If you buy from a professional seller in France, the legal guarantee of conformity applies to new, second-hand and refurbished goods, as the Ministry of the Economy explains. Keep your proof of purchase and the product description, and report the problem to the seller. A brand’s commercial guarantee does not replace this legal guarantee.
No. You shouldn’t assume that the same availability period applies to every cooking food processor. The DGCCRF says that requirements to make spare parts available apply to certain categories of product. Check the manufacturer’s specific commitment for your model and which parts it covers.