For households looking to minimise transfers
If you often make soups, sauces or slow-cooked dishes, a cooking food processor lets you combine some preparation and cooking steps in one appliance. Check that it has the functions your recipes require.
Which type of use is right for you?
For households cooking in larger quantities
Compare the bowl’s usable capacity with your usual portions, then check the appliance’s dimensions and weight if you’ll need to put it away after use.
For cooks who prioritise food preparation
If you regularly knead, chop, grate or slice, and already have a way to cook your food, a conventional multifunction food processor may meet your needs without integrated cooking.
What should you check before choosing?
First, decide whether you need the appliance to cook as well. Then compare models based on the recipes you actually make, rather than the number of functions they claim to offer.
Cooking food processor
Consider it: if you want to prepare and cook soups, sauces or slow-cooked dishes in one appliance.
Check: the functions available and accessories included vary by model.
Cooking stand mixer
Consider it: if doughs and whisked mixtures matter more than slow-cooked meals, but you’d also like some cooking functions.
Check: don’t assume it can chop or blend, or that it includes the accessories you need for your dishes.
Multifunction food processor with separate cooking
Consider it: if you mainly want to knead, chop, grate or slice, and already have suitable cooking equipment.
Allow for: hot dishes will need to be cooked separately from the food processor.
| Consideration | What to check | What I need |
|---|---|---|
| Preparation and cooking | Check which steps in your recipes the model can handle. See which cooking modes it offers and which accessories are actually included. | I’d like to chop and mix before cooking, without having to transfer everything to a saucepan each time. |
| Capacity and space | Compare the usable capacity or maximum fill level with your portions. Measure the space needed for the bowl, lid and accessories. | My meals need to fit in the bowl, but the appliance also needs to fit on the worktop or in a cupboard. |
| Guided recipes | Check how you can access recipes, whether the service works with your model and what remains available without a subscription. | If I plan to follow on-screen instructions, I want to know how to access the recipes I’ll use. |
| Cleaning | Check each part individually to see if it’s dishwasher-safe, and find out how to dismantle and clean the bowl, lid and accessories. | I’d prefer an appliance that’s easy to clean as often as I need to use it. |
What should you avoid?
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Assuming “multifunction” means it can cook
A food processor may chop, grate or knead without cooking food. Que Choisir makes this distinction between cooking food processors and other types of food processor.
Think of a few recipes you make regularly and check, step by step, what the appliance and its included accessories can do.
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Comparing only the bowl’s total capacity
The bowl’s total capacity doesn’t always reflect how much you can use: Magimix, for example, lists the Cook Expert XL as holding 4,8 L in total, with 3,8 L usable.
Compare the model’s stated usable capacity or maximum fill level with your usual portions.
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Forgetting to check how you can access recipes
Recipe services have different terms: Vorwerk describes Cookidoo as a subscription service, while Moulinex says its Companion app provides access to recipes.
Check the terms that apply to your chosen model and whether the recipes you’re interested in require any particular accessories.
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Underestimating how much space you’ll need day to day
The bowl, lid and accessories all take up space when you’re using the appliance and when you put it away. Que Choisir recommends considering its overall size and how it needs to be cleaned.
Measure the space you have available and check the exact model’s dimensions and weight.
Which ranges are worth knowing about?
Vorwerk / Thermomix
The Thermomix TM7 is part of a range of cooking food processors associated with the Cookidoo guided recipe service.
- Vorwerk says Cookidoo gives you access to more than 10 000 recipes.
- If these recipes are a key reason for choosing the appliance, check the service’s terms and conditions for your intended use.
Moulinex / Companion
The Companion range includes several cooking food processors, with features that vary by model.
- Moulinex describes its Companion app as providing recipes and step-by-step instructions.
- Check the functions, connectivity and included accessories for the Companion model you’re considering.
Magimix / Cook Expert
The Cook Expert XL is a cooking food processor to consider if the quantity you prepare is an important factor.
- Magimix lists the Cook Expert XL’s bowl as holding 4,8 L in total, with 3,8 L usable.
- Consider this capacity alongside the space you have for the appliance and its accessories.
Silvercrest / Monsieur Cuisine
According to its Lidl France product page, the Monsieur Cuisine Smart combines preparation and cooking functions with guided recipes.
- Lidl France lists a 4,5 L bowl with a maximum fill level of 3 L.
- If a recipe relies particularly on blending or cooking, look for tests of the exact model.
Cooking food processors available on Joybuy
These two cooking food processors fit the “preparation and cooking in one appliance” category. Compare their stated features with the recipes you make, and check the details that matter most before choosing.
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Robby Smart cooking food processor with XL bowl and built-in scales
Worth considering if you want to combine food preparation and cooking for your meals. The product name mentions an XL bowl, built-in scales and a large touchscreen. Check the exact model reference, as product information gives different figures for the number of preloaded recipes.
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Robby cooking food processor with built-in scales and touchscreen
Compare this model if you’d like to prepare and then cook in a multifunction appliance. The product name lists built-in scales and a touchscreen. Check the usable capacity against your portions, the included accessories and how each part should be cleaned.
Frequently asked questions
What’s the difference between a cooking food processor and a conventional multifunction food processor?
According to Que Choisir, integrated cooking is what sets a cooking food processor apart from a conventional multifunction food processor. If you choose the latter for chopping, grating or kneading, you’ll need to cook hot dishes separately.
How do I choose the right bowl capacity?
Compare each model’s usable capacity or maximum fill level with the portions you usually prepare. Magimix lists the Cook Expert XL as holding 4,8 L in total, with 3,8 L usable. Lidl France lists a 4,5 L bowl with a maximum fill level of 3 L for the Monsieur Cuisine Smart.
Do I need a subscription to follow guided recipes?
Not always: it depends on the service and model. Vorwerk offers Cookidoo on a subscription basis, while Moulinex says its Companion app provides access to recipes. Check that the recipes you’re interested in are compatible and find out how you can access them.
What should I check when it comes to cleaning a cooking food processor?
Check the manual for the exact model to find out which parts are dishwasher-safe and how to clean the bowl, lid and accessories. Guidance for one model doesn’t necessarily apply to the whole range.