Choose a cooking food processor if you want to prepare and cook soups, casseroles or steamed dishes in the same appliance. If you already have cooking covered, a multifunction food processor can help with preparation tasks. Keeping your separate appliances can also prevent duplication if they already meet your needs. If you regularly bake bread or cakes, consider a stand mixer, but check whether the specific model has a cooking function if that matters to you.
If you want to prepare and cook soups, casseroles or steamed vegetables in one go, look at the cooking functions offered by a cooking food processor. Que Choisir distinguishes this type of appliance from food processors designed for preparation because it can cook as well.
If your current appliances can cook meals but chopping, grating or slicing takes up too much time, a multifunction food processor could complement your existing equipment. Check which tasks it can handle and how much room its accessories will need.
If you regularly make dough, brioche or cakes, or prepare them in large quantities, bowl capacity and ease of handling matter. Que Choisir highlights this as a reason to consider a stand mixer; check separately whether it also has a cooking function.
For regular home cooking, start with the task you want to make easier: cooking in the appliance, preparing ingredients, working with dough or complementing your existing equipment. Que Choisir’s guides distinguish between these uses, but you should still check the functions available on the model you’re considering.
| What matters to you | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Preparing and cooking in the same appliance | Check that it has the cooking modes you need for your recipes and that the bowl is large enough. | If I often make soup or a casserole, I want to be able to go from preparation to cooking in the food processor. Around 33% of consumers rank integrated cooking as their top priority. |
| Preparing food without adding a cooking function | Check which tasks it can handle and which accessories are included, particularly for grating or slicing. | When my appliances already cook meals, I mainly want to cut down on chopping and slicing. Preparation without cooking is the top priority for around 25% of consumers. |
| Working with large quantities of dough | Check the bowl’s capacity and how easy it is to handle. If you also want to cook in the appliance, confirm that the model has this function. | If I regularly make bread or brioche, I prioritise working with dough over everyday chopping tasks. This is the main priority for around 17% of consumers. |
| Avoiding duplication and clutter | Take stock of your appliances and measure the space available for the food processor, its bowl and accessories. | If my kitchen is already well equipped, I only want to add a function I’m missing, without accumulating more appliances to store. Around 25% of consumers prioritise this trade-off. |
A multifunction food processor is designed to prepare ingredients, while the ability to cook is what sets a cooking food processor apart, according to Que Choisir. A long list of functions doesn’t guarantee that each one will suit the recipes you usually make.
Make a note of the tasks you repeat every week, then check that the model you choose has the functions you need and includes the right accessories.
The bowl, lid and accessories also take up space. A large bowl should still be easy to handle for the quantities you usually prepare.
Measure the available worktop and storage space, then compare it with the dimensions of the appliance and its parts.
If your current equipment already handles cooking, a new cooking food processor could be redundant without solving the preparation task that bothers you most.
First, identify the tasks your current appliances don’t handle well. A complementary food preparation tool, or simply keeping your existing appliances, may make more sense.
These products cover preparation with integrated cooking, ingredient preparation and adding a mini chopper to your existing equipment. First, choose the use that suits the meals you make, then check the model’s specifications.
Image unavailable
Worth considering if you want to bring preparation and cooking together in one food processor. The product name specifies an XL bowl, built-in scales and a large touchscreen. Check that the bowl capacity and the space it needs are right for your kitchen.
Image unavailable
This cooking food processor is designed for meals where you want to prepare the ingredients and then cook them in the same appliance. Its name specifies built-in scales and a touchscreen. Check the bowl capacity and cleaning instructions before choosing.
Image unavailable
Consider this if preparing ingredients is your priority and you already have a way to cook them. The bowl is listed as 1.1 L. Compare this capacity with your usual portions and check that it has the functions you need for your recipes.
Image unavailable
This model brings together food preparation tasks when another appliance takes care of cooking. Its name specifies 750 W, a 1.8 L bowl, and blending, chopping, slicing and grating functions. Check how much space you’ll need for the appliance and its accessories.
Image unavailable
If your appliances already cover cooking and you’re missing a dedicated food preparation tool, this mini chopper and blender could complement your setup. Check that its bowl is suitable for the quantities you prepare, and don’t assume it has a cooking function.
The key difference, according to Que Choisir, is integrated cooking. A multifunction food processor can handle tasks such as chopping, grating or slicing, but you’ll need another way to cook if the model you choose doesn’t offer this function.
Measure the space needed for the appliance, its bowl and accessories, both on your worktop and in your cupboards. Then compare these measurements with the dimensions of the model and choose a capacity that suits the quantities you prepare.
Not necessarily. A stand mixer is primarily designed for working with dough and whisked mixtures. If you also want to cook meals in it, explicitly check that the specific model has a cooking function and the right accessories before replacing your current appliance.
For an appliance sold by a business to an individual in France, the statutory legal guarantee of conformity is compulsory and should not be confused with an optional commercial warranty, according to the French Ministry of the Economy. Before accepting a commercial warranty, check what it offers in addition to your legal rights and what conditions apply.
If your food processor can be repaired, you could keep it rather than replace it. If you no longer need it, ADEME lists donation as an option, as well as drop-off at a collection point for small electrical appliances.