Households looking to prepare and cook in one appliance
If you regularly blend, mix and cook, a cooking food processor can bring these steps together. Check how well it performs and which accessories it comes with for the dishes you actually make.
Which option is right for you?
Households focused on cooking meals
A multicooker is a good choice if you mainly make slow-cooked dishes, rice or steamed food, and are happy to prepare ingredients separately. According to Que Choisir, these appliances generally do not mix food.
Home cooks who want to keep their hob or oven
If chopping, grating, slicing or kneading plays a big part in your recipes, consider a food processor and its accessories while keeping your cooking separate.
What should you check before choosing?
Cooking food processor
Worth considering : if you regularly prepare and cook as part of the same recipe.
Bear in mind : a long list of functions does not guarantee the same results for every type of preparation, as Que Choisir’s recipe-by-recipe tests show.
Multicooker
Worth considering : if cooking meals matters more to you than mechanically preparing ingredients.
Bear in mind : according to Que Choisir, food is generally mixed by hand.
Food processor and separate cooking
Worth considering : if you often use chopping or kneading functions and already cook on your hob or in your oven.
Bear in mind : you’ll still need another appliance for cooking.
| Priority | What to check | Think about your needs |
|---|---|---|
| What you prepare regularly | Check which tasks the model you’re considering can actually handle and which accessories are included. For a cooking food processor, compare results for each type of preparation rather than looking only at the number of functions, as Que Choisir does in its tests. | I want the appliance to handle the tasks I repeat often, whether that’s cooking, blending, grating or kneading. |
| Guided recipes | Check which recipes are built in, the terms for accessing the app or service, whether it’s compatible with the model and whether you can use it offline. | Following a recipe on screen would make everyday cooking easier, but I want to know which recipes I’ll be able to access with this appliance. |
| Capacity and space | Compare the usable capacity with the portions you usually prepare. Measure the space you have, including the height needed to use the bowl and its accessories. | I make several portions and need to be able to use and store the appliance in my kitchen. |
| Ease of use and cleaning | Check the controls, how easy the bowl is to handle and which parts can be washed, as set out in the model’s instructions. Also check the warranty terms and the availability of spare parts. | An appliance you use often should be easy to clean and handle after every meal. |
What should you look out for?
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Choosing based on the number of functions
A cooking food processor may perform some tasks better than others. Que Choisir assesses the time taken and the results of different recipes separately.
Make a note of a few tasks you repeat each week, then look for relevant test results and check which accessories are included.
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Expecting a multicooker to prepare ingredients
Que Choisir says that multicookers generally do not mix food. You may also need another appliance for chopping and kneading.
Choose based on which step you want the appliance to handle: cooking, preparation, or both if the model allows it.
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Overlooking how you access recipes
Depending on the model, recipes may be built into the appliance or available through an app or connected service.
Check what you can access offline, whether the service version is compatible and the terms of any subscription.
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Confusing the stated capacity with usable portions
A bowl’s volume does not necessarily match the amount you can cook for every recipe. Weight and dimensions can also affect how easy the appliance is to use every day.
Check the usable capacity, portion guidance, dimensions with accessories and what’s in the box for the specific model you’re considering.
A few things to know about the brands
Vorwerk
The Thermomix TM7 brings together food preparation, cooking and on-screen guided recipes.
- Vorwerk says that more than 10 000 Cookidoo recipes are available on the TM7’s screen and that the appliance comes with a three-year warranty.
- Vorwerk says that the TM7 is compatible only with Cookidoo 3.0 : check the terms for accessing recipes before choosing this ecosystem.
Moulinex
The brand offers Companion cooking food processors and Cookeo multicookers, among other appliances. Features vary by model.
- Moulinex says that the Cookeo+ CE85B510 has 180 built-in recipes and six cooking modes.
- The Extra Crisp function on this Cookeo+ requires the separate Extra Crisp accessory : check what’s included with the model you choose.
Magimix
The Cook Expert range combines cooking with food preparation tasks, with specifications that vary by model.
- Magimix states that the Cook Expert Connect has a usable capacity of 2,5 L, compared with the bowl’s total capacity of 3,5 L.
- Magimix gives this model’s weight as 11,14 kg : check you have room on your worktop if you plan to move it often.
Cooking food processors and multicookers on Joybuy
These models cater for two different needs : combining preparation and cooking with a cooking food processor, or focusing on cooking with a multicooker. Start by deciding what you want the appliance to do, then check each model’s features and accessories.
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Robby Smart, XL bowl, built-in scales and touchscreen
Worth considering if you want to combine food preparation and cooking with on-screen guidance. Check which accessories are included, as well as the recipe content and access terms.
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Robby, built-in scales, touchscreen and 680 advertised recipes
For combining food preparation, cooking and guided recipes. Check the bowl’s usable capacity, the accessories included and the terms for accessing recipes.
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Instant Pot Rio XL 7,1 L
Worth considering if cooking is your priority and you prepare ingredients separately. The 7,1 L is the stated capacity : check how much you can use for your recipes.
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Midea 9-in-1, 8 L, 1200 W, 12 programmes
Consider it for pressure cooking with a bowl stated to hold 8 L. Check the usable capacity, the space it needs and which preparation tasks you’ll need to do separately.
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Instant Pot Classic 5,7 L, Daydream Blue
Compare this model if you’re looking for a multicooker rather than an appliance that combines food preparation and cooking. Check the usable capacity for your portions and how to access the recipes you’re interested in.
Frequently asked questions
Are guided recipes always accessed in the same way?
No, it depends on the model and the service it uses. Moulinex says that the Cookeo+ CE85B510 includes 180 built-in recipes and gives you access to more recipes in the My Moulinex app. Vorwerk says that the Thermomix TM7 works only with Cookidoo 3.0 : check the service terms if you’re considering this model.
Can a multicooker replace a food processor that chops and grates?
Not for these tasks unless you’ve checked the functions of the exact model. According to Que Choisir, multicookers generally do not mix food. If you often chop, grate or knead, consider the functions and accessories of a cooking food processor or a food processor instead.
How do you choose the right capacity for household meals?
Compare the amount you usually cook with the usable capacity stated for the recipes you have in mind, rather than looking only at the bowl’s total volume. Also check the model’s portion guidance.
What should you check for cleaning and repairs?
Check the instructions for your chosen model to find out which parts are dishwasher-safe and how they should be cared for. Separately, check that spare parts are available and review the terms of any warranty offered by the manufacturer.