People who cook multi-stage dishes
You want to chop or mix ingredients, then cook them as part of the same recipe. Recipes that include a cooking stage are among the uses assessed by Que Choisir when testing cooking food processors.
Who are these appliances for?
Households preparing several portions
You’re looking for a bowl that suits the quantities you usually make, without having to cook multiple batches. The usable capacities listed by Moulinex and Magimix show why it’s important to distinguish this from the total volume.
People mainly interested in cooking
You already have the tools to prepare ingredients and are mainly looking for cooking modes such as pressure cooking, steaming or slow cooking. These are among the modes listed by Moulinex for the Cookeo + CE851A10.
What to consider when choosing
Start with the steps you repeat in your recipes. It’s how those steps fit together, rather than the number of programmes listed, that should guide your choice.
Cooking food processor
Worth considering: if you regularly prepare and cook a recipe using the same appliance.
Bear in mind: the bowl and accessories need to suit your recipes, and you’ll need to clean and store them afterwards.
Food processor with a separate cooking appliance
Worth considering: if grating, slicing, chopping or kneading matters more to you than having cooking functions built in.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to transfer your ingredients to a saucepan, oven or another cooking appliance.
Multicooker
Worth considering: if you mainly want cooking modes such as pressure cooking, steaming or slow cooking.
Bear in mind: keep your food preparation tools handy for recipes that call for grating, chopping or kneading.
| Consideration | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Combining recipe steps | Look at the steps in your usual recipes and check the functions and accessories included with the specific model. | If I chop and mix before cooking as part of the same recipe, I want to minimise transfers between appliances; around 33% of consumers put this at the top of their list. |
| Usable capacity | Compare usable capacity, which differs from total volume, with the quantities you usually prepare. | When making several portions, I want to avoid splitting a recipe across too many batches; working capacity is the priority for around 27% of consumers. |
| Cooking comes first | Check for the cooking modes you want, and distinguish these from tasks involved in preparing ingredients. | If my ingredients are already prepared, I mainly want an appliance suited to the way I usually cook; around 20% of consumers prioritise cooking. |
| Space and cleaning | Measure the space you’ll need for the appliance, bowl and accessories, then check the cleaning instructions for each part. | In a kitchen with limited storage, I want to be able to put the appliance away after every recipe; for around 20% of consumers, size and cleaning are the top priorities. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Choosing based only on the number of functions
A listed programme doesn’t mean the model comes with the accessory you need for every preparation task. Que Choisir assesses the tasks a model can perform and the accessories actually supplied as part of its testing process.
Make a list of a few recipes you cook often, then check the relevant steps and accessories for each appliance you’re considering.
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Confusing total volume with usable capacity
Magimix lists these two capacities separately for its Cook Expert models, so the bowl’s total volume isn’t the figure to use when comparing it with your recipes.
Compare the stated usable capacity with the quantities you cook in one go.
If the usable capacity is too small for your recipe, you may need to cook several batches and do more cleaning.
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Expecting a multicooker to handle every preparation task
The cooking modes listed by Moulinex for the Cookeo + CE851A10 don’t show that it can grate, slice or knead ingredients.
If these tasks feature regularly in your recipes, make sure you have the right tools before choosing an appliance focused on cooking.
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Forgetting about storage and cleaning requirements
Bowls, lids and accessories take up space when they’re not in use, and cleaning requirements vary from part to part.
Measure your worktop and cupboards, check the care instructions and find out about spare parts for the specific model.
Brands to know
Moulinex
In the ranges mentioned here, Companion combines food preparation and cooking, while Cookeo is more focused on cooking modes.
- Moulinex lists a usable capacity of 3 L for the Companion HF840110.
- The cooking modes listed for the Cookeo + CE851A10 don’t confirm that it can replace a food processor.
Magimix
The Cook Expert range combines food preparation and cooking, with capacities that vary by version.
- Magimix lists a usable capacity of 2.5 L for the original Cook Expert and 3.8 L for the XL Connect.
- The XL Connect comes with several bowls, so factor in storage for them as well as for the appliance.
Vorwerk
According to Vorwerk, the Thermomix TM7 is a screen-equipped cooking food processor that offers guided recipes through Cookidoo.
- Vorwerk lists 24 modes for the TM7; check which ones suit the steps in your recipes.
- Before choosing this option, check the terms for accessing Cookidoo and make sure the bowl suits the quantities you usually prepare.
Appliances to consider on Joybuy
These models cover two of the uses discussed above: combining food preparation and cooking in a cooking food processor, or focusing on cooking with a multicooker. Start by choosing based on the steps in your recipes, then check the specifications of the model you have in mind.
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Robby Smart cooking food processor with XL bowl, scales and 750 recipes
Worth considering if you want to prepare and cook with the same appliance. This version is shown with built-in scales, a large touchscreen and 750 recipes. Check that the bowl’s usable capacity and the accessories suit the dishes you usually make.
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Robby cooking food processor with scales and 680 recipes
Consider this if you’re looking for a cooking food processor with built-in scales and a touchscreen for multi-stage recipes. This version is listed with 680 recipes; check the usable capacity, the accessories you need and the cleaning instructions for your intended use.
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Instant Pot Classic 5.7 L, Daydream Blue
Worth considering if cooking is your priority and you already have the tools to prepare your ingredients. This multicooker is listed with a capacity of 5.7 L. For pressure cooking, follow the model’s fill limits and steam-release instructions.
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Instant Pot Rio XL 7.1 L
Compare it with other multicookers if you regularly cook large quantities and prepare the ingredients separately. The stated capacity is 7.1 L; check the quantities permitted for your recipes and follow the pressure-cooking instructions.
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Midea 9-in-1 pressure multicooker, 8 L, 1200 W
Worth considering if you want an appliance focused on cooking larger quantities. Its name lists an 8 L capacity and 12 preset menus; check the usable capacity for your recipes, the space you’ll need and the care instructions. Keep a separate tool for grating, chopping or kneading.
Frequently asked questions
Does a cooking food processor always replace a food processor?
No. Built-in cooking functions don’t guarantee that an appliance can handle every food preparation task. Que Choisir assesses tasks such as chopping, grating, slicing and kneading when testing food processors. Check which functions and accessories are actually included with the cooking food processor you’re considering.
Which capacity should I compare when preparing several portions?
Start with the usable capacity, then compare it with the quantities in your recipes. Moulinex lists a usable capacity of 3 L for the Companion HF840110. Magimix distinguishes between a usable capacity of 2.5 L and a total capacity of 3.5 L for the original Cook Expert, compared with 3.8 L usable and 4.8 L total for the XL Connect. These figures alone don’t guarantee a particular number of portions.
Does being dishwasher-safe take care of all your cleaning needs?
No. Check the instructions for each bowl, lid and accessory, and make sure you have enough space to dry and store them. Ease of cleaning is one of the criteria Que Choisir considers when assessing cooking food processors.
How does an extended warranty differ from the statutory warranty in France?
A commercial extended warranty is separate from the statutory legal guarantee of conformity. The French Ministry of the Economy states that this legal guarantee applies to goods sold by a business to an individual, including when a product doesn’t match its description. Before choosing an extended warranty, compare its coverage and terms carefully with the legal protections that already apply.