Choose a cooking food processor if you want to prepare and cook in one appliance, possibly with guided recipes. If your priority is to start cooking with less supervision, a multicooker may be a better fit, but you’ll still need to chop ingredients and do some mixing separately. Then compare the usable capacity, access to recipes and the parts you’ll need to clean for the models you’re considering.
If you want to prepare and cook in one appliance, look for cooking food processors with guided recipes. Check which recipes are available without a subscription and which steps still require your input.
For rice, slow-cooked dishes or steaming, a multicooker lets you choose a suitable setting without necessarily offering chopping or kneading functions. Compare the settings on the model you’re considering and the amount its bowl can actually cook.
If your food processor or kitchen tools already take care of chopping and mixing, consider whether you need an additional appliance for scheduled cooking. A separate cooking appliance may be enough if you won’t use a cooking food processor’s preparation functions.
First decide whether you want to automate both preparation and cooking, or mainly the cooking. Then check how each appliance suits your portions and the equipment you already own.
Consider it if: you want to prepare and cook in the same appliance, with guided recipes if the model offers them.
Bear in mind: accessories, recipe access and cleaning requirements vary by model.
Consider it if: you mainly want to schedule cooking in a bowl, particularly slow cooking, steaming or, depending on the model, pressure cooking.
Bear in mind: you’ll generally still need to prepare the ingredients and do some mixing by hand.
Consider it if: you mainly need one of these cooking methods and already prepare ingredients with other tools.
Bear in mind: preparation and cooking will still be split between different utensils or appliances.
Consider it if: you mainly use your food processor for chopping, grating or kneading, and your existing cooking appliances already meet your everyday needs.
Bear in mind: you won’t be able to prepare ingredients and then schedule cooking in the same appliance.
| Criteria | What to check | Who it’s for |
|---|---|---|
| Preparation and guided recipes | Check which steps the appliance handles, and distinguish between built-in recipes and access to a platform. | I want to follow the steps for a hot meal without constantly switching between utensils; around 29% of consumers rank this guidance as their top priority. |
| Scheduled cooking | Compare the settings that suit your dishes and the adjustments available on the specific model. | For my slow-cooked or steamed dishes, I mainly want to start cooking and then get on with something else; around 29% of consumers share this priority. |
| Usable capacity | Check the maximum fill level and the portions specified for your recipes, rather than looking only at the bowl’s stated capacity. | When I’m preparing several portions, the permitted quantity needs to suit the meal I’m planning; around 24% of consumers put capacity first. |
| Equipment and cleaning | Identify the functions your existing equipment already covers, and which parts need to be removed and washed. | My current equipment already prepares ingredients, so I want to avoid buying a duplicate and having extra parts to clean. Around 18% of consumers prioritise how well an appliance fits with the equipment they already own. |
The permitted fill level depends on the appliance and sometimes on the recipe. Que Choisir gives the example of a Cookeo with a 6 l bowl that can cook a maximum of 4 l.
For the dishes you usually make, check the usable capacity, fill markers and instructions in the manual, particularly for liquids and pressure cooking.
Recipes stored on the appliance and a catalogue linked to a platform may not offer the same access once a trial period ends.
Check which recipes and functions remain available without a subscription, as well as the platform’s terms if you plan to use it regularly.
According to Que Choisir, a multicooker generally doesn’t mix food. Scheduling the cooking doesn’t mean the appliance will chop or knead ingredients.
If you want these steps combined with cooking, compare the functions of a cooking food processor. Otherwise, plan to use the preparation tools you already have.
An appliance that combines several functions may also have a bowl, lid, blades and accessories that need to be cleaned separately.
Before choosing, check the manual for the exact model to find out which parts can be removed, how they should be washed and what any cleaning programme does.
These product ranges show different ways of combining cooking, preparation and recipes; features depend on the model you choose.
Thermomix combines a cooking food processor with guided recipes via Cookidoo.
Cookeo meets the need for multicooker cooking, while Companion combines preparation and cooking.
The Cook Expert range is for people who want to combine preparation and cooking in a food processor.
Monsieur Cuisine includes cooking food processors with guided preparation and cooking steps.
These models include cooking food processors for combining preparation and cooking, as well as multicookers for mainly scheduling the cooking. Start by choosing the function you need, then compare the features of each model.
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Worth considering if you want to combine preparation and cooking while following recipes on the appliance.
The product name mentions built-in scales and a large touchscreen. Before choosing this model, check how many recipes are available, what language they’re in and whether the electrical specifications are compatible.
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For people who prioritise scheduled cooking over mechanical preparation of ingredients.
The product name mentions slow cooking, steaming and four customisable presets. The 5.7L refers to the stated capacity: check the fill limits for your recipes and follow the manual for pressure cooking.
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Worth considering if you want to combine preparation and cooking, with guidance on screen.
The product name lists 680 recipes. Check the language of the interface and recipes, the usable capacity for your dishes and the washing instructions for the accessories.
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For people looking for a multicooker with a higher stated capacity for preparing larger meals.
The product name describes a 7-in-1 appliance. Before buying, compare the stated 7.1L with the quantities permitted for your recipes and check that the plug is compatible with your electrical supply. Follow the manual when releasing steam.
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Worth considering if you want to schedule a range of cooking methods and prepare larger meals.
The product name mentions rice, slow cooking and steaming, among other functions. Check the quantity actually permitted in the 8L bowl, the fill markers in the manual and how removable parts should be washed.
Not necessarily: it depends on the recipes and functions you want to use on the model you choose. If you’re buying mainly for guided cooking, distinguish between built-in recipes and those available through a platform. Vorwerk, for example, offers the Cookidoo catalogue for Thermomix, subject to access terms that you should check.
Compare the quantities each model can actually prepare for your recipes, not just its stated capacity. Que Choisir gives the example of a 6 l Cookeo bowl that can cook a maximum of 4 l. Also check the fill markers and portion guidance in the manual for the model you’re considering.
No: a cleaning programme doesn’t remove the need to check how to care for the bowl and accessories you’ve used. Moulinex says that whether they should be washed by hand or in a dishwasher depends on the appliance. Check the instructions for the model you choose.