A cooking food processor can prepare and cook food in the same appliance, provided its accessories, usable capacity and settings cover the recipes you usually make. If your main priority is setting the cooking programme, a multicooker may be a better fit. And if your current appliances already handle preparation and cooking the way you like, you could keep them or add to your collection. Also check how much space you’ll need, how easy the appliance is to clean and what access you’ll have to guided recipes.
If you’d like to avoid transferring food between appliances for preparation and cooking, compare the tasks each cooking food processor can actually handle. Check which accessories are included for chopping, mixing or kneading, as well as the settings you need for your recipes.
If you’re already happy with how you prepare ingredients, a multicooker is worth considering for its cooking settings. Choose a bowl to suit the portions you usually make, and don’t assume it will replace an appliance you use for chopping or kneading.
If step-by-step guidance is important to you, check which recipes are available on the appliance, which are offered through an app and which require a subscription. Also check the connection and account requirements for the model you’re considering.
Start with the steps you’d like to combine, then compare each option with the portions you usually make, your kitchen and the way you use recipes.
Worth considering: if you want to prepare and cook food in the same appliance.
Bear in mind: accessories, settings and recipe access vary by model. A long list of features doesn’t guarantee the same results for every task, as UFC-Que Choisir points out.
Worth considering: if your main priority is programmable cooking and you’re happy to prepare ingredients another way.
Bear in mind: the cooking settings on a model such as the Cookeo Touch featured by Moulinex don’t, on their own, replace the food preparation accessories of a cooking food processor.
Worth considering: if you want an appliance for grating, chopping or kneading while keeping your existing cooking equipment.
Bear in mind: you’ll then need to transfer the prepared food to another appliance to cook it.
Worth considering: if your current appliances cover the recipes you make and you don’t need to combine the steps.
Bear in mind: you’ll still need to store and clean several appliances, and may need to transfer food between them for preparation and cooking.
| Criteria | What to check | What I need |
|---|---|---|
| Tasks covered | List the preparation and cooking steps in your recipes, then check the settings and accessories included with the exact model. UFC-Que Choisir points out that a versatile appliance won’t necessarily excel at every function. | I want to reduce the need to transfer food between appliances, or keep preparation separate if that already suits the way I cook. |
| Portions and capacity | Compare the manufacturer’s stated portion sizes with the filling limits in the instruction manual. Moulinex describes the 3 L Cookeo Touch Mini as suitable for 1 to 3 people, and the Companion featured as having a 4,5 L bowl for up to 10 people. These figures relate to different appliances. | My everyday meals need to fit in the appliance, not just meals prepared for guests. |
| Recipes and connectivity | Check the difference between built-in recipes, an app, connectivity and a subscription. Vorwerk links access to Cookidoo on the Thermomix TM7 to a subscription; Magimix offers free recipes in its app. Check the terms for the model you’re considering. | Step-by-step guidance would help me cook, but I want to know which recipes and features I’ll be able to access. |
| Space and cleaning | Measure the space you have available and allow room to store the accessories. Check exactly which parts are dishwasher-safe; UFC-Que Choisir recommends considering the appliance’s size and how easy it is to use. | An appliance I use often needs to be easy to reach in my kitchen and simple to clean after every meal. |
The Cookeo Touch featured by Moulinex offers several cooking settings, but its listed features don’t include chopping, grating or kneading. If your recipes involve these steps, you’ll still need food preparation equipment.
Make a note of the tasks you regularly do before comparing appliances, then check the settings and accessories included with each model.
Recipes and planning features may depend on an app, a connection or a subscription. Vorwerk, for example, states that the Thermomix TM7 uses Cookidoo with a subscription.
Check what’s available on the appliance, with an account and offline, as well as the terms for the features you plan to use.
The number of litres doesn’t tell you on its own how many portions you can make for each recipe: filling limits and the quantities you’re preparing matter too.
Check the manual for the exact model and compare its limits with the meals you usually make before choosing a size.
You’ll need space in your kitchen for the appliance and its accessories. Cleaning requirements also vary by part: if one component is dishwasher-safe, that doesn’t necessarily mean they all are.
Measure your worktop, plan where to store the accessories and check the cleaning instructions for each part.
These examples give you an idea of the ranges and their terms of use. Always check the specifications for the model and version you’re considering.
The Thermomix TM7 combines food preparation and cooking with guided recipes through Cookidoo.
Cookeo is a range of multicookers, while Companion includes cooking food processors that combine food preparation and cooking.
The Cook Expert range combines food preparation and cooking, with a recipe app.
These models illustrate two options: combining food preparation and cooking in a cooking food processor, or prioritising cooking with a multicooker. For each one, compare the stated features and capacity with the recipes you actually make.
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Worth considering if you’d like to combine food preparation and cooking in one appliance, with built-in scales and a touchscreen. Check the usable capacity for your portions, exactly which recipes are included and how much worktop space you’ll need.
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One to compare if step-by-step recipes are important to you when choosing a cooking food processor. Check the usable capacity for your dishes, how you can access the recipes and the cleaning instructions for the accessories.
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This 5,7 L multicooker is an option focused on cooking rather than preparing ingredients. If you also need to chop or knead, check what other equipment you’ll need for those tasks. Measure the space you have available and follow the instructions for cleaning the sealing ring.
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Its stated 7,1 L capacity is worth comparing with the quantities you usually make, especially if you cook several portions at once. This is a multicooker, so check separately whether you’ll need to chop or knead, and check the filling limits for your recipes.
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Worth comparing if you’re looking for a multicooker with several cooking programmes, but don’t expect it to prepare ingredients by chopping them, for example. Check the capacity and filling limits for your portions, then confirm the dimensions and electrical specifications are suitable for your kitchen.
No. Vorwerk says that access to Cookidoo on the Thermomix TM7 requires a subscription, while Magimix offers free recipes in its app. Available content and features depend on the model and service, so check the connection and account requirements before choosing.
Start with the number of portions you make most often, then check the filling limits for the exact model. As examples for their own appliances, Moulinex lists a 3 L capacity for 1 to 3 people for the Cookeo Touch Mini, and a 4,5 L bowl for the featured Companion model; Magimix lists a preparation capacity of up to 4,8 L for the Cook Expert range. These capacities won’t necessarily hold the same usable quantities for every recipe.
Check that the model includes the tools you need for your recipes, such as those for mixing, kneading or steaming. Bundles and available accessories vary by model, so check the list of items included rather than relying only on the features listed for a whole range.