A cooking food processor is best suited to households that regularly prepare and cook food in the same appliance. According to Que Choisir, the cooking function is what sets it apart from a food processor or a stand mixer without a cooking function. If your current appliances already take care of cooking and you mainly want to chop, grate or knead, compare a food processor with the equipment you already own. Either way, check the usable capacity, included accessories, space required and parts that need cleaning.
If you chop or mix ingredients before simmering or steaming them, it’s worth comparing a cooking food processor with the utensils you already use. Its value depends on how often you’ll actually use the bowl to cook.
If your pans, oven or steamer meet your needs, consider how a new appliance would change the way you usually prepare food. A food processor can handle several preparation tasks without replacing your cooking appliances.
If kneading, whisking and mixing matter more to you than chopping or steaming, consider a cooking stand mixer. Check which tools come with the exact model before relying on it for other functions.
Start with the steps you repeat most often, then check that your chosen appliance will be easy to keep within reach and clean after use.
| Feature | What to check | Who it’s for |
|---|---|---|
| Preparation and cooking in one appliance | Look for the cooking modes your dishes require, then check the usable capacity and included tools. | When I chop or mix ingredients before cooking, I’d like to carry on using the same appliance. Around 31% of consumers prioritise this combination of tasks. |
| Functions you already have covered | Compare the tasks you regularly do with your current appliances against what’s included in the pack you’re considering. | If my pans and steamer do the job, I mainly want to avoid buying an appliance that duplicates what I already have. This is the top priority for around 25% of consumers. |
| Kneading and whisking | Check the mixing action and the baking tools supplied with the exact model. | If I regularly make dough and whisked mixtures, I want to choose based on those tasks first, even if the cooking function appeals too. Around 19% of consumers put working with dough first. |
| Space and cleaning | Measure the appliance as you’ll use it and check the cleaning instructions for each part. | In a kitchen with limited storage, I want to be able to get the appliance out and clean it without it becoming a chore. Ease of use comes first for around 25% of consumers. |
A food processor can chop, grate or knead without necessarily cooking food in its bowl. Conversely, a cooking food processor’s built-in cooking function won’t add much to your meals if you don’t use it.
Make a note of the dishes you prepare regularly and separate their preparation steps from their cooking steps before choosing an appliance type.
A steaming basket, grater or baking tools may be supplied with some models and sold separately for others.
Compare the contents of the exact model’s box rather than relying on features advertised across an entire range.
Accessories bought separately also need storage space and add more parts to clean.
The space required changes when the bowl and lid are in place. For the Cook Expert Original, Magimix gives separate dimensions for the base and the appliance with its bowls.
Measure the available space with the lid in place for use, and allow room to store the accessories.
In France, the DGCCRF lists household food processors among the product categories covered by the repairability index. Where the index applies to the product you’re considering, it gives you another point to check alongside claims about parts availability.
Check the index displayed for the specific model and separately verify which parts the manufacturer says are available.
These examples show how different ranges are positioned. The features mentioned apply to the models listed, not every model from each brand.
The Companion range combines food preparation and cooking. Moulinex lists a 4.5 L bowl for the Companion XL HF80DB10.
The Cook Expert Original combines a heated bowl with food preparation functions. Magimix lists a total capacity of 3.5 L and a usable capacity of 2.5 L.
The Cooking Chef Experience KCL95.004SI is a cooking stand mixer, with the planetary mixing action listed by Kenwood.
These two Robby models are aimed at households looking to combine food preparation and cooking. To compare them, check the capacity that suits your portions, what’s included in the pack and how much space you have.
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Worth considering if you want to combine food preparation and cooking and are looking for a model with a bowl described as XL. The model listing mentions built-in scales and a large touchscreen; check the usable capacity, included accessories and care instructions. If built-in recipes matter to you, check what’s included with the specific model being sold.
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Consider this model if you’re looking for a cooking food processor with a touchscreen and built-in recipes. Before choosing it for your portions and the dishes you usually prepare, check the usable capacity, included accessories and cleaning instructions for the parts.
It may be all you need if you mainly want to chop, grate, slice or knead and already have suitable appliances for cooking. According to Que Choisir, it’s the cooking function that sets a cooking food processor apart from food processors without one. So consider whether you really want to carry out both sets of tasks in the same appliance.
Check the instructions for the exact model to see which parts are dishwasher-safe and which need to be removed or washed separately. Think about the bowl, lid, blades and accessories you’ll use for your usual recipes.
Not necessarily: what’s included can vary by model and pack. Check the list of supplied parts before counting on a steaming basket, grater or baking tool.
Check the displayed repairability index where the product falls within one of the relevant categories. The DGCCRF lists household food processors among these categories. For the model you’re considering, also check the manufacturer’s information on parts availability.