Choose a cooking food processor if you often make recipes that involve both preparation and cooking, and you’ll genuinely use both functions in the same appliance. If you’re already happy with your cooking equipment, a food processor is better suited to preparing ingredients; if cooking is your priority, consider a multi-cooker. Either way, check which steps you’ll still need to do by hand, how much space you’ll need, how easy it is to clean and how you can access recipes.
Your choice depends mainly on which steps you want the appliance to handle, rather than how many functions it offers.
For soups, sauces and slow-cooked dishes where preparation and cooking follow one another, a cooking food processor can save you from switching between appliances. However, you’ll need to find space for it and be happy to clean the bowl and accessories. Que Choisir recommends checking the appliance’s size and how easy it is to maintain before buying.
If you already prepare ingredients by hand or with another appliance, it’s worth considering a multi-cooker with cooking modes that suit the dishes you make. Moulinex’s Cookeo range, for example, is presented by the brand as offering pressure cooking, steaming and slow cooking.
If your hob, oven or slow cooker already meets your needs, you may be looking mainly for grating, slicing, chopping or blending functions. In this case, Que Choisir distinguishes a food processor from a cooking food processor with built-in cooking functions.
Start with the recipes you make regularly. The task you want to make easier will point you towards the right appliance, while the accessories and cleaning requirements can help you choose between models.
Worth considering : if your recipes often involve chopping, mixing and cooking in the same bowl.
Bear in mind : the space needed for the appliance and its accessories, as well as the cleaning involved.
Worth considering : if you mainly want to prepare ingredients and already have suitable cooking equipment.
Bear in mind : you’ll need to transfer the prepared ingredients to a separate cooking appliance.
Worth considering : if pressure cooking, steaming or slow cooking suits the recipes you make most.
Bear in mind : you may still need separate utensils to prepare the ingredients.
| What matters | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Preparation and cooking in one appliance | Check which steps in your recipes can be done in the bowl, and see which accessories are included. | If I regularly chop, mix and then cook the same dish, I want to avoid transferring ingredients between appliances. Around 37 % of consumers rank this all-in-one versatility as their top priority. |
| Cooking comes first | Check the model’s cooking modes and the bowl capacity for the recipes you usually make. | When my ingredients are already prepared, I’m mainly looking for a cooking method that suits the dish I’m making. This is the main priority for around 36 % of consumers. |
| Space and cleaning | Measure the space available and check how the accessories can be stored, as well as the cleaning instructions. | If I already have a cooking solution that works for me, I want to prepare ingredients without adding too many parts to store or wash. For around 27 % of consumers, ease of use matters more than built-in cooking. |
A food processor can prepare ingredients without cooking the dish. Conversely, the cooking modes on a multi-cooker don’t mean it can chop or grate. These differences matter whenever a recipe calls for both kinds of tasks.
Write down the steps involved in a few meals you make regularly, then start by choosing the appliance that handles the tasks you want it to take on.
Grating, slicing or adding a steaming function may depend on a model-specific accessory. Extra accessories also take up space and can mean more parts to clean.
Compare what’s actually in the box with the tasks your recipes call for. Don’t assume accessories are included just because a function is listed.
Recipes on the appliance, in an app and through a subscription don’t necessarily offer the same level of access. Vorwerk offers Cookidoo as a subscription that automatically renews after twelve months, while Moulinex describes its Companion app as free.
Look up a few dishes you actually cook and check where you’ll find the instructions for the model you’re considering, and what remains available without a subscription.
An appliance you use often needs to be easy to set up, store and clean. In a survey published in 2020, Que Choisir reported that some users who said they used their food processor less often cited washing up, unsuitable recipes and the time needed to use it.
Measure the space you have in mind and check what needs to be taken apart and washed after making a complete recipe, including the accessories.
These ranges illustrate different approaches to cooking and guided recipes. Check the features of the specific model you’re considering.
Depending on the model, Thermomix combines food preparation and cooking with the Cookidoo guided recipe ecosystem.
Companion is a cooking food processor, while Cookeo is a separate range of multi-cookers focused on cooking.
Cook Expert may appeal if you’re looking to combine a cooking food processor with a recipe app.
These models offer two ways to prepare a variety of meals: combine preparation and cooking in a cooking food processor, or choose a multi-cooker when you can prepare ingredients separately. Compare their exact features with your recipes before choosing.
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Worth considering if you want a cooking food processor to handle several steps of a meal. The product title mentions an XL bowl, built-in scales and a large touchscreen. Check which accessories are included and how you can access recipes if these features are important to you.
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If you want to combine food preparation and cooking in your recipes, compare its accessories with the tasks you do most often. The product title mentions built-in scales, a touchscreen and recipes. Also check the cleaning instructions and how you can access the guided recipes.
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Consider this if cooking is your main priority and you prepare ingredients another way. The stated capacity is 7,1 L; compare it with the quantities in your recipes and check that it has the cooking modes you need.
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This multi-cooker suits a choice focused on cooking rather than chopping ingredients. The product title states a capacity of 5,7 L; check that it has the modes you need for your dishes and follow the model’s instructions for filling the bowl and releasing steam.
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Worth considering for meals focused on cooking, when you can prepare the ingredients separately. The product title states an 8 L bowl, 1200 W power and 12 pre-set menus. Check you have enough space and that the programmes suit your recipes.
No, access depends on the service that comes with the model. Vorwerk offers Cookidoo by subscription, while Moulinex describes its Companion app as free and Magimix says its app includes free recipes. Check which recipes and guided features remain available on the appliance you’re considering.
A multi-cooker may suit your needs if cooking is your priority and you’re happy to prepare ingredients separately. If you also want the appliance to chop, blend or slice ingredients for your dishes, check that the specific model has these functions and the right accessories. Cooking modes alone don’t guarantee it can do these tasks.
Check the model’s instructions to see which parts need to be removed and how they should be washed, then count the accessories used for a complete recipe. In its 2020 survey, Que Choisir listed washing up among the reasons given by some users who said they used their food processor less often.
The statutory guarantee of conformity applies through the professional seller if the product is not as described or does not conform to the contract. The French Ministry of the Economy states that you have two years to claim under this guarantee for new goods; an optional commercial warranty does not replace it.