A cooking food processor lets you prepare ingredients and cook them in the same appliance, provided its functions and capacity suit the meals you make at home. If you already prepare your ingredients and mainly want programmed cooking, consider a multi-cooker instead. If your current appliances can already cook the dishes you like, a food processor may be all you need for preparation. Keeping your appliances separate is also an option if there are no functions you’re genuinely missing.
Start by thinking about which tasks you’d like to combine in one appliance, and which ones your kitchen can already handle.
If you regularly chop, mix and cook ingredients for meals, check the cooking food processor’s functions for each dish you make. Also make sure its usable capacity suits the quantities you prepare at home.
If your pans or other appliances can handle the cooking, but grating, blending or kneading takes up too much time, a food processor may be a more direct solution. Keeping your appliances separate may also be enough if you already have the preparation tasks covered.
If you already chop your ingredients and mainly want to pressure cook, steam or slow-cook, look at multi-cookers. UFC-Que Choisir notes that these appliances generally don’t stir food, so you’ll need to do that by hand.
Start with the tasks you repeat when making your usual meals. This will help you narrow down the categories before comparing models.
Worth considering if: you want to prepare some ingredients and then cook them in the same appliance.
Bear in mind: functions, accessories and recipe access vary by model.
Worth considering if: programmed cooking matters more to you than built-in food preparation.
Bear in mind: according to UFC-Que Choisir, you’ll generally need to stir the food yourself.
Worth considering if: your appliances already cook your dishes and you mainly want to chop, blend or knead.
Bear in mind: you’ll still need another appliance for cooking.
Worth keeping if: your current equipment covers the tasks involved in making your usual meals.
Bear in mind: this set-up doesn’t combine preparation and cooking in one bowl.
| Priority | What to check | What I need |
|---|---|---|
| Tasks and cooking methods | List the preparations you repeat and the cooking methods you need. Check these functions for the specific model rather than relying on the number of programmes. | I only want to combine chopping, mixing and cooking if my meals often require all these steps. Otherwise, cooking alone or preparation alone may meet my needs. |
| Capacity and space | Check the difference between the total volume and the amount you can use in your recipes. Measure the space available and check which accessories come with the version you’re considering. | The bowl needs to be large enough for the portions I usually make, without taking up too much space on my worktop. |
| Recipes and controls | Consider whether the controls and guided recipes suit the way you cook. Check the terms for accessing the recipe service and what you can still use without an internet connection. | I’m interested in step-by-step instructions if I plan to follow them; otherwise, I’ll prioritise the preparation and cooking functions I’ll use. |
| Cleaning and repairs | Check the manual for instructions on washing removable parts. Look into spare part availability, repair arrangements and any model-specific exclusions. | I’d prefer an appliance with parts I can clean after making my usual meals, and clear information about how to arrange a repair. |
A cooking food processor, multi-cooker and food processor don’t handle the same tasks. Choosing the wrong one could leave the task you wanted to make easier unchanged, or duplicate an appliance you already use.
Note down the tasks you regularly do when making meals, then identify which ones your current appliances don’t cover.
The stated volume won’t necessarily match the amount you can use for every dish. If the usable capacity isn’t enough, you may need to prepare your food in batches.
Compare the usable capacity stated for the exact model with the quantities in your most-used recipes. Don’t estimate portions based on the total volume alone.
A connected feature is only useful if its access terms work for you in the long term. For example, Vorwerk offers Cookidoo as a subscription service for Thermomix recipes.
Check the access terms for the model, the length of any trial period and which functions you can use without the service.
Parts and repair services depend on the brand and model. For example, Vorwerk lists exclusions relating to certain types of external damage as part of its Thermomix TM7 repair process.
Before buying, check which parts are listed for the model, how to arrange a repair and what the relevant service excludes.
These ranges show different approaches to preparation, cooking and recipes. Always check the specific model rather than assuming that every product from a brand has the same functions.
The range includes Companion cooking food processors and Cookeo multi-cookers. It’s worth comparing them depending on whether you want to prepare ingredients as well as cook them.
The brand offers food processors for preparation, as well as Cook Expert models that combine preparation and cooking.
The Thermomix TM7 combines food preparation and cooking functions with Cookidoo, a guided recipe service.
These models cover two different needs: combining preparation and cooking with a cooking food processor, or focusing on cooking with a multi-cooker. Compare their functions with the meals you make before choosing a category.
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Worth considering if you want to combine preparation and cooking, with on-screen instructions to guide you. The model name mentions an XL bowl and built-in scales; check the usable capacity, included accessories and recipes available with the version you choose.
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This model may suit a household looking to prepare and cook with on-screen guidance. Its name mentions built-in scales and 680 recipes; check the bowl’s usable capacity and the terms for accessing recipes with this version.
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Worth comparing if cooking in one pot is your priority and you prepare ingredients separately. The stated capacity is 7,1 L; check the usable capacity for the dishes and portions you have in mind.
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This multi-cooker may suit you if you’re looking for a cooking appliance rather than one for chopping or mixing ingredients. Its name states a capacity of 5,7 L; compare the usable capacity with the portions you usually make.
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Worth considering if you want to cook larger quantities in one pot and prepare the ingredients separately. The name states a capacity of 8 L and 12 pre-set programmes; check the usable capacity, the space it needs and the washing instructions for removable parts.
No. A cooking food processor adds cooking to some food preparation tasks, but its accessories and cooking modes vary by model. A multi-cooker focuses on cooking, while a food processor prepares ingredients without cooking them. Compare the steps involved in your meals with the functions of each model.
Compare the usable capacity with the portions in your usual dishes, rather than looking only at the stated total volume. The space you need may depend on the recipe and the appliance, so check the model’s guidance before estimating how many portions it can make.
It depends on the model and the service. Vorwerk offers Cookidoo as a subscription service for Thermomix recipes. Before choosing a connected appliance, check which recipes and functions you can access without the service.
Check the manual for the exact model to see which parts are dishwasher-safe, then look into spare part availability and the repair process. For example, Magimix states that spare parts for the Cook Expert featured on its product page will be available for 30 years. Check that this commitment applies to the model you’re considering.