A cooking food processor makes sense if your usual meals involve preparing ingredients and then cooking them in the same appliance, provided you’re happy with the space it takes up, its accessories and how it cleans. If you mainly want to programme the cooking, a multicooker can work alongside your food preparation tools. If your current appliances already cover the cooking, a food processor without a cooking function may be enough. UFC-Que Choisir distinguishes between these appliances according to whether or not they have a cooking function, and notes that multicookers do not generally stir food.
How often you make meals in a single bowl, what equipment you already own and how much space you have are more important factors than the number of functions advertised.
If soups, sauces, slow-cooked dishes or steamed food are regulars at your table, combining some preparation and cooking steps can save you switching between appliances. Check that the model you’re considering has the functions you need for your recipes.
If you already have food preparation equipment and a cooking appliance that suit you, weigh up the tasks a new appliance would genuinely take on against the space it would occupy, including its accessories.
A screen or app may influence your choice if you like following step-by-step instructions. For the exact model, check which recipes are available on the appliance, whether you need an internet connection and whether any subscription terms apply.
Start with a few meals you make often. Identify the steps that involve chopping or mixing, then those that involve cooking. This will help you compare the functions you need before measuring the appliance and its accessories.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Preparation and cooking | Check the preparation tasks and cooking modes offered by the exact model. According to UFC-Que Choisir, cooking is what distinguishes a cooking food processor from a standard food processor. | I often make dishes that need chopping or mixing before cooking, so combining these steps appeals to me. If I already cook with my current appliances, I’d rather avoid a function that duplicates what they do. |
| Programmed cooking | Look at the cooking modes and programming options that suit your dishes, and consider whether they need stirring. UFC-Que Choisir says that multicookers do not generally stir food. | I mainly want to plan the cooking of slow-cooked or steamed dishes, and I can prepare the ingredients separately. For recipes that need stirring, I’ll check whether I need to do it myself. |
| Space and cleaning | Measure the space needed for the appliance and its accessories. Check which parts can be removed and whether they are dishwasher-safe in the configuration being sold. | My worktop and cupboards are limited on space, so I need to be able to store everything and clean the parts I’ve used after an everyday meal. |
| Guided recipes | Check which recipes are available on the appliance and which are provided through an app. Look into offline access, compatibility with your model and any subscription terms. | I’d like to follow guided steps, but I want to know which recipes will remain available under the conditions I’d normally use. |
These options don’t necessarily give you access to the same content. Vorwerk, for example, links its Cookidoo catalogue to a subscription, while Moulinex describes My Moulinex as a free app. The functions available depend on the offer and appliance in question.
For the model you’re considering, check which recipes you can use without an internet connection, which are available through an app and what remains accessible without a subscription.
A multicooker can handle the cooking without chopping or mixing ingredients in the way you’d expect from a cooking food processor. UFC-Que Choisir notes that food is generally mixed by hand in a multicooker.
For a few of your usual meals, make a separate note of the chopping, blending, mixing and cooking steps. Choose this set-up if you’re happy to do the tasks that remain.
You’ll also need somewhere to keep the appliance and its accessories, and any parts you use will need cleaning after each time you cook.
Compare the dimensions of the whole set-up with your worktop and storage space, then check the washing instructions for each part of the model being sold.
UFC-Que Choisir points out that a food processor with lots of functions won’t necessarily excel at every one. The accessories included also determine which tasks you can carry out.
First, list the tasks that are essential for the recipes you make often, then check the functions and accessories included rather than focusing only on the number of programmes.
These ranges show different ways to combine food preparation, cooking and guided recipes. Their features do not necessarily apply to every model from the same brand.
The Thermomix TM7 is an example of a cooking food processor paired with Cookidoo, a guided recipe platform.
The Companion and Cookeo ranges illustrate two different options: food preparation with cooking built in, and multicooker cooking with ingredients prepared separately.
UFC-Que Choisir lists the Cook Expert range among cooking food processors.
These models offer two possible set-ups: combine food preparation and cooking in a cooking food processor, or use a multicooker and prepare the ingredients separately. The right choice depends on which tasks you want the appliance to take care of.
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Worth considering if you want to combine some food preparation and cooking steps while following recipes on the appliance.
Check which recipes are available under the terms of use you expect, and read the washing instructions for each included part.
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This model is for anyone who wants to follow recipes on an appliance that combines food preparation and cooking.
Before choosing, check the terms for accessing recipes and updates, as well as the cleaning instructions for the accessories. Handle the hot bowl and blades in accordance with the instructions.
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Consider this if you want a multicooker to take care of the cooking while you continue using your usual food preparation tools.
Compare its capacity with the quantities you usually cook and measure the space available. If a recipe needs ingredients to be chopped or mixed automatically, check separately whether those functions are included.
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This multicooker suits a set-up where you prepare the ingredients separately before cooking.
Check its dimensions against the space in your kitchen, and consider what food preparation your dishes require. Follow the instructions when handling the hot appliance and steam.
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Worth a look if you prefer cooking in a multicooker and already have the tools you need to prepare ingredients.
Check that its capacity suits the quantities you cook and that it will fit in your space. If your recipes need automatic mixing, check whether the relevant functions are included.
A cooking food processor combines food preparation tasks with cooking, while a standard food processor is mainly used to prepare ingredients without cooking them. UFC-Que Choisir identifies cooking as the difference between these categories. Then check the functions and accessories of the model you’re considering.
A multicooker may suit you if you mainly want programmed cooking and are happy to prepare ingredients separately. UFC-Que Choisir says it does not generally stir food, so if that matters for your recipes, check whether the model you’re considering has this function.
Check the dimensions of the appliance and its accessories, which parts can be removed and how they should be washed. For a multicooker, also look at how the cooking bowl is removed and handled when hot.
No. Access depends on the appliance and its ecosystem. Vorwerk links Cookidoo to a subscription, while Moulinex describes My Moulinex as a free app. For your model, check which recipes are built in, whether you need an internet connection and the terms for accessing the content you want.