Households preparing several portions
If you regularly cook complete dishes or prepare several meals in advance, check the usable capacity for your recipes, which accessories you’ll need and which steps the appliance can handle in sequence.
Who are these appliances for?
People who already have cooking appliances
If your oven, hob or casserole dish already meets your needs, consider whether cooking in the bowl would be useful often enough, or whether you mainly want to chop, grate or knead.
Soup and blended-dish fans
If you mainly make soups, smooth soups, fruit purées or smoothies, a heated blender may cover these needs without offering all the functions of a cooking food processor.
Which factors help you choose?
Start with the meals you make regularly, then check which steps your current equipment can’t handle.
Cooking food processor
Consider it if: your recipes regularly involve preparing and then cooking ingredients in the bowl.
Bear in mind: functions, capacity and the parts you’ll need to clean vary by model.
Food processor and your existing cooking appliances
Consider it if: chopping, grating or kneading matters more to you than built-in cooking.
Bear in mind: preparing and cooking may involve several containers and handling steps.
Heated blender
Consider it if: you mainly make soups, smooth soups or fruit purées.
Bear in mind: don’t expect this type of appliance to grate, slice or knead unless you’ve checked the model’s functions.
| What matters to you | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Preparing and cooking in the bowl | Compare the steps in your usual recipes with the model’s functions and check the terms for accessing guided recipes. | When I make the same dishes again, I want to move from preparation to cooking without changing appliances. Around 36% of consumers prioritise this all-in-one process. |
| Preparing several portions | Check the usable capacity, where stated, and the quantity limits for your recipes. | If I’m cooking several portions at once, I need to know how much will really fit in the bowl. Capacity is the main consideration for around 29% of consumers. |
| Avoiding duplicate appliances and clutter | Take stock of your current appliances; measure the space you’ll need for the appliance, bowl and accessories, then consider how easy they are to clean. | If I already use an oven or hob every week, I don’t want to add an appliance whose cooking function would go unused. Around 21% of consumers prioritise avoiding duplication and finding somewhere to store it. |
| Making specific types of dishes | Check for programmes suited to your soups or fruit purées, and make sure the usable capacity is right for the number of portions you want. | If I mainly make soups and hot blended mixtures, I’d rather check whether a specialist appliance is enough for what I need. This is the priority for around 14% of consumers. |
What not to overlook
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Paying for built-in cooking you’re unlikely to use
As UFC-Que Choisir points out, having more functions doesn’t mean a food processor will perform each one equally well. A cooking food processor may not add much to your routine if you still prepare food in a processor and cook it using your existing appliances.
Think about which of your regular meals you’d genuinely want to prepare and cook in the bowl.
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Confusing total volume with usable capacity
For the Cook Expert XL Connect, Magimix distinguishes between a total bowl capacity of 4.8 L and a stated usable capacity of 3.8 L. The advertised volume doesn’t always reflect how much you can use for a preparation.
Compare the usable capacity and check the limits given for your usual recipes.
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Assuming all guided recipes come with the same access terms
A recipe library or connected features may influence your choice, but access terms depend on the offer and the model.
Check which recipes and features remain available without a subscription, and what terms apply after any trial period.
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Confusing a repairability promise with a statutory guarantee
A brand’s stated commitment to repairs or spare parts is separate from the statutory guarantee of conformity. In France, the Ministry of the Economy states that this guarantee covers new, second-hand and refurbished goods sold by a professional to a private individual.
Keep your proof of purchase and check separately the terms of any commercial commitments made for the model you choose.
Brands to consider
Vorwerk
The Thermomix TM7 may appeal to people interested in guided preparation and cooking, with recipes available through Cookidoo.
- Vorwerk states that the TM7 has 12 functions and 25 modes.
- Check the terms for accessing Cookidoo and how much room you’ll need for the appliance and its accessories.
Moulinex
The Companion range includes cooking food processors designed for everyday meal preparation.
- Moulinex states that the Companion XL has a 4.5 L bowl and offers a free recipe app.
- Check the accessories, cleaning options and app terms for the model and bundle you’re considering.
Magimix
According to Magimix, the Cook Expert XL Connect combines food preparation and cooking in a format worth considering if you cook several portions.
- Magimix states that this model has a total capacity of 4.8 L and a usable capacity of 3.8 L.
- The brand lists a weight of 11.9 kg, so check where you could keep and store this model.
Philips
The SoupMaker HR2203/80 is designed for soups and other blended preparations, rather than serving as a multifunction cooking food processor.
- Philips states that this model has five programmes and a usable capacity of 1.8 L.
- Don’t assume it can grate, knead or steam food without checking the functions of the model you’re considering.
Cooking food processors on Joybuy
These two cooking food processors are suited to shoppers looking to prepare and cook food in the same appliance. To choose between them, check the capacity that suits your meals, the functions you’ll use and the terms for accessing recipes.
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Robby Smart Multifunction Cooking Robot, XL bowl and built-in scales
Worth considering if you’d like to prepare and cook several portions in one appliance. The product name specifies an XL bowl, built-in scales and a large touchscreen. Check that the usable capacity suits your recipes, how many recipes are included and the terms for accessing them.
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Robby Multifunction Cooking Robot, built-in scales and touchscreen
Worth considering if you’d like to follow recipes on screen while preparing your regular meals. The product name mentions built-in scales and a touchscreen. Check that the usable capacity suits your usual quantities, along with the terms for accessing recipes and updates.
Frequently asked questions
Do you need a subscription to use a cooking food processor’s recipes?
Not necessarily: the terms depend on the model and its recipe service. Vorwerk offers Cookidoo for Thermomix, while Moulinex offers a free app for Companion. Check which features are available with the appliance you’re considering, with or without a subscription.
What capacity should you look for when preparing several meals?
First, check the usable capacity and any limits for the recipes you make. For example, Magimix states that the Cook Expert XL Connect has a total capacity of 4.8 L but a usable capacity of 3.8 L: these figures don’t represent the same usable volume.
Can a heated blender replace a cooking food processor?
It may suit your needs if you mainly make soups, smooth soups or fruit purées, but don’t assume it can also grate or knead. If you’re preparing several meals at once, check the usable capacity too: Philips states that the SoupMaker HR2203/80 has a capacity of 1.8 L.
What should you do if an appliance bought in France doesn’t conform to its description?
For a new, second-hand or refurbished item sold in France by a professional to a private individual, the statutory guarantee of conformity is provided by the professional seller, according to the Ministry of the Economy. Keep your proof of purchase, model details and description of the offer so you can report the lack of conformity to the seller.