A cooking food processor is worth considering if your usual meals involve both preparation and cooking, and you’ll genuinely use its programmes or guided recipes. If you mainly chop, grate or knead before cooking in another appliance, a multifunction food processor with separate cooking equipment may be enough. For one task you repeat regularly, consider a specialist appliance instead. In every case, compare the number of portions it can handle, the space it takes up, the parts you’ll need to wash and the terms for accessing recipes.
If you want to cut down on steps when making weekday dinners, consider which stages of your usual recipes the food processor can combine. According to an August 2024 OpinionWay survey for Lustucru, 61% of adults surveyed spent no more than 30 minutes preparing a weekday dinner. This figure does not measure interest in cooking food processors or how often they are used after purchase.
If you’re cooking for several people or preparing portions in advance, compare the usable capacity and the limits for your recipes rather than looking only at the bowl’s total volume. Stated capacities vary by model: Moulinex lists a 3 L usable capacity for a Companion, while Magimix lists 3.8 L for the Cook Expert XL Connect.
A cooking food processor can combine some food preparation and cooking tasks, but you’ll need to make room for the appliance and its accessories. As Que Choisir points out when discussing multifunction food processors, combining several functions doesn’t mean an appliance excels at all of them.
Worth considering if: you want to prepare and cook certain recipes in the same appliance.
Bear in mind: the bowl and accessories, and the work involved in cleaning them, may not suit all your recipes.
Worth considering if: you mainly use a food processor to prepare ingredients and want to keep cooking with your hob, oven or casserole dish.
Bear in mind: you’ll still need to move between appliances and keep an eye on the cooking.
Worth considering if: you mainly repeat one task, such as blending, kneading or grating.
Bear in mind: you’ll need other equipment to prepare the rest of the meal and cook it.
| Criteria | What to check | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Steps involved in weekday meals | Check which programmes are available for your recipes and the terms for accessing guided recipes. | When dinner involves weighing, mixing and then cooking, I want to avoid moving between appliances. Around 36% of consumers prioritise reducing the number of steps. |
| Number of portions | Compare the usable capacity with the quantities you usually make, and check the limits for each type of preparation. | When cooking several portions, I want to avoid having to make multiple batches. Capacity is the main consideration for around 29% of consumers. |
| Cleaning and storage | Measure the space you’ll need, including for accessories, and check the washing instructions for each part. | If the bowl and its accessories are difficult to wash or store, I may be less inclined to get the appliance out. Around 21% of consumers prioritise this everyday effort. |
| Usefulness of built-in cooking | Make a list of your current appliances, then check the included functions and the terms for connected services. | If my current equipment already covers cooking, I want to avoid duplicating a function and keep the flexibility to make my own recipes. This is the main consideration for around 14% of consumers. |
Total volume, usable capacity and the quantity you can make for a particular recipe are not the same thing. A bowl advertised as suitable for several people doesn’t guarantee that every preparation will fill it.
Start with the portions you usually make, then check the usable capacity, load limits and accessories for the model you’re considering.
Access to recipes depends on the model and its platform. Vorwerk requires a subscription to access Cookidoo after any applicable introductory offers, while Moulinex advertises a free app for the Companion Pro.
Before choosing, check the terms for accessing the recipe catalogue, the model’s compatibility and whether you can use it manually.
If you mainly want to chop, grate, knead or blend, cooking in the bowl may not be much use for the meals you usually make.
List the preparations you make most often before deciding whether you need a cooking food processor, a multifunction food processor or a specialist appliance.
The bowl isn’t the only part that needs looking after: the lid, blades, basket and accessories may also need space and cleaning.
Measure the space you have and check which accessories are included, along with their washing instructions.
These two Robby models are aimed at households looking to combine food preparation and cooking in one appliance. To choose between them, compare their advertised features with the recipes you make, the space you have available and the terms for accessing guided recipes.
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Worth considering if you’d like to weigh ingredients and follow recipes on screen as you prepare meals. The product title lists built-in scales, a large touchscreen and an XL bowl. Check that its size and the terms for accessing recipes suit the way you plan to use it.
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Worth considering if built-in weighing and following recipes on screen suit the way you cook. The product title lists built-in scales, a touchscreen and 680 recipes. Before choosing it for preparing several portions, check the usable capacity, washing instructions and terms for accessing recipes.
Not necessarily: the tasks it can perform and the accessories it comes with vary by model. Que Choisir points out that multifunction food processors don’t always excel at every function, so compare the appliance with the food you actually prepare.
No. The terms depend on the platform and model. Vorwerk requires a subscription for Cookidoo after any applicable introductory offers, while Moulinex advertises a free app for the Companion Pro. Check the terms for the food processor and account you plan to use.
Check the washing instructions for the bowl, lid, blades, steaming basket and any accessories you’ll need. Que Choisir recommends choosing a food processor that’s easy to maintain, including checking which parts are dishwasher-safe. Don’t assume this applies to every part.