If you want to chop, mix and cook in sequence with fewer transfers between appliances, consider a cooking food processor. Check which accessories are included and the usable capacity for your recipes. If you’re happy to prepare ingredients separately and mainly want to leave the cooking to an appliance, a multi-cooker may be a better fit. A food processor used alongside your existing cooking equipment, or several separate appliances, can still make sense if you already own these tools or want to prepare components with different textures at the same time.
Your choice mainly depends on which tasks you want one appliance to handle and which ones your current equipment already takes care of.
For soups, sauces or slow-cooked dishes, a cooking food processor is worth considering if you want to reduce transfers between chopping, mixing and cooking. Check which tools are included, the usable capacity and which parts need cleaning after each recipe.
If you don’t mind chopping ingredients separately, a multi-cooker can handle cooking programmes without a cutting tool being central to your choice. You’ll still need to follow the model’s instructions when pressure cooking.
If you’re happy with your hob, slow cooker or multi-cooker, a food processor could help with grating, slicing, chopping or kneading. You’ll need to transfer the ingredients to your cooking appliance afterwards.
Start with a few meals you make regularly. They’ll help you distinguish between the features you need and the modes you’re unlikely to use. As Que Choisir points out in its coverage of cooking food processors, features and capacities vary between models.
| Priority | What to check | What suits my needs |
|---|---|---|
| Combining steps | For each recipe, identify which preparation and cooking tasks the same appliance can handle. Distinguish between a guided programme and a chopping or blending function. | I want to reduce transfers between appliances: a cooking food processor appeals if its features genuinely cover the steps involved in my meals. |
| Leaving the cooking to the appliance | Look at the cooking modes you’ll use, how the programmes work and what you need to do before and after starting them. For pressure cooking, check the model’s instructions. | I can prepare the ingredients separately, but want to be less involved while they cook: I’ll look at multi-cookers first. |
| Chopping and texture | Check which knives, whisks, mixers and accessories are actually included. To compare results, look for tests carried out using the same method: Que Choisir only assesses additional accessories when they’re supplied. | Grating vegetables or kneading matters more to me than having an extra programme, so I’ll compare the tools needed for these jobs. |
| Portions and space | Tell the difference between the bowl’s total capacity and its usable capacity. Check the limits for each programme and the steam basket separately, then measure the space needed to store the accessories. | If I’m cooking in larger quantities, I want to know how much of my recipe I can make in one go, rather than relying on the stated capacity alone. |
| Cleaning and maintenance | Check which parts can go in the dishwasher. Read the instructions for the lid and seals, and, for a pressure cooker, the valve and steam release. | If I cook often, the time it takes to clean the bowl and accessories matters as much as the steps I save during preparation. |
| Equipment you already own | Compare what your current appliances do with the tasks the new one can handle. Check which accessories your recipes need and whether wear parts are available for the model you’re considering. | My pans and blender may already do some of the work, so I’m looking to solve the steps that really frustrate me. |
An appliance may mix and cook without being able to chop ingredients or achieve the texture you want. In its testing method, Que Choisir explains that additional accessories are only assessed when they’re supplied.
Choose a few recipes you make regularly and check that the pack includes the bowl, tool and cooking mode needed for each one.
Total capacity, usable capacity and the capacity of a steam accessory don’t refer to the same amount. A bowl that’s too small may mean cooking a meal in several batches.
Look for the usable capacity and the limits of the programme you’ll use, then check how much space the bowl and fitted accessories take up.
When pressure cooking, the lid, valve and steam release need the care specified in the model’s instructions. Moulinex, for example, says to check the steam release channel before using the relevant valve.
Read the instructions for the exact model before you buy, and make sure you’re happy with the checks and cleaning it requires.
A statement that parts are available for one model doesn’t, by itself, tell you which parts you might need or whether they’ll be accessible for a different model.
Check the part numbers for wear parts, the documentation and the repair options for the model you’re considering.
These ranges show different ways to combine preparation and cooking. Features vary by model and pack.
Companion is part of the cooking food processor range, while Cookeo focuses on the programmes offered by a multi-cooker.
Cook Expert combines food preparation features with cooking, with accessories that vary by version.
The Thermomix TM7 features preparation and cooking modes, as well as guided Cookidoo recipes.
This selection includes two cooking food processors for combining preparation and cooking, followed by three multi-cookers for cooking ingredients prepared separately. Compare their listed features with your recipes and check the instructions for the model you choose.
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Worth considering if you want to combine preparation and cooking steps with on-screen guidance. The title mentions an XL bowl and built-in scales; confirm how many recipes are included with the version supplied, which accessories you’ll need and what supervision is required. Also check the voltage and plug type for your setup.
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This cooking food processor is for anyone who wants to follow guided recipes while combining preparation and cooking. The title lists built-in scales, a touchscreen and 680 recipes; check the bowl’s usable capacity to make sure it suits your dishes. Also check the supervision and cleaning instructions, voltage and plug type.
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Consider this if cooking is your priority and you prepare ingredients with other tools. The title lists a 6 L capacity, nine menus and two pressure settings; follow the filling limits in the instructions. Check that clear instructions are available, and confirm the voltage and plug type are suitable for your setup.
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This multi-cooker may suit households looking to cook larger quantities without using the same appliance for chopping. Its stated capacity is 7.1 L; check the quantities allowed for each recipe rather than estimating portions from this figure alone. For pressure cooking, follow the Rio XL instructions and confirm the plug type for your setup.
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Worth considering if you prepare ingredients separately and want several cooking programmes in one pot. The title lists an 8 L capacity, 1200 W and 12 preset menus; check the usable capacity for your dishes, then read the cleaning and pressure-cooking instructions. Confirm the voltage and plug type before setting it up.
No. Features and accessories vary by model. For the recipes you make regularly, check which tools are included and what you can prepare in the bowl. Don’t assume it comes with a grater or slicer just because it’s called a “cooking food processor”.
Some programmes cook automatically, but you’ll still need to prepare the appliance and follow its instructions. When pressure cooking, follow the manufacturer’s guidance on the lid, valve and steam release in particular.
Look at the usable capacity and the limits for your recipe or programme, not just the total volume. The Magimix Cook Expert product page, for example, gives a total capacity of 3.5 L and a usable capacity of 2.5 L. Check the figures for the specific model you’re considering.
You can keep separate tools for preparation and cooking, which may be useful if you already own them or cook several components at the same time. However, you’ll still need to transfer ingredients, keep an eye on each appliance and clean each one. Compare these steps for meals you make regularly.
Find out about wear parts for the exact model, their availability, the documentation and the repair options. A claim about a range or a different model isn’t enough to tell you what you’ll be able to replace on the appliance you choose.