A multi-function cooking food processor is worth considering if your meals often involve preparing ingredients and then cooking them in the same appliance. If chopping is your main priority and you’re happy with your existing cooking equipment, a food processor without a cooking function may be enough. For doughs and hot mixtures, consider a stand mixer with a cooking function instead. In every case, check which accessories are included, the usable capacity, how much space you’ll need and how you can access the recipes.
If your soups, sauces or slow-cooked dishes involve chopping, mixing and then cooking, look at which steps the appliance can combine for the recipes you make regularly. What’s included and how easy it is to clean matter just as much as the list of programmes.
For family meals or batch cooking, compare the usable capacity and the space taken up by the appliance and its accessories. Total capacity and usable capacity aren’t directly comparable.
If kneading and whisking are your main tasks, a stand mixer with a cooking function could suit the way you cook. Check separately which accessories you’ll need for savoury dishes or chopping.
Consider it if: your recipes regularly involve preparing ingredients and cooking them in the same appliance.
Bear in mind: the bowl and its parts need cleaning, and you’ll need to find space for the appliance in your kitchen.
Consider it if: you mainly want to chop, grate or knead and already have suitable cooking equipment.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to transfer the prepared ingredients to another pan or dish for cooking.
Consider it if: kneading and whisking are your priorities, but you’d also like to heat some mixtures.
Bear in mind: chopping and other tasks may require optional accessories, as with the Cooking Chef range from Kenwood.
Consider them if: you prefer to keep specialist appliances or cook on several heat sources at the same time.
Bear in mind: you’ll still need to use several appliances, and find space to store and wash them.
Start with a few recipes you make often. They’ll help you work out which functions you need, then compare appliances by capacity and how easy they are to clean.
| Criteria | What to check | Think about your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Preparation steps | List the tasks your recipes involve: chopping, grating, blending, mixing or kneading. Check which ones you can do with the included accessories. | I want to combine the tasks I repeat often, rather than choose an appliance for functions I won’t use. |
| Cooking | Check which cooking modes you need, such as steaming or slow cooking, and whether your recipes also need to be cooked on the hob. A food processor without a cooking function leaves this step to another appliance. | If preparing and cooking are back-to-back steps in my meals, I’d rather avoid transferring food between containers. Otherwise, my current equipment may still be useful. |
| Capacity and space | Compare capacities measured on the same basis, then check the recommended serving sizes for your recipes. Measure the space for the appliance and somewhere to store its accessories. | For batch cooking, I need a usable capacity that suits my portions without permanently cluttering the worktop. |
| Recipes and accessories | Check whether recipes are built in, available through an app or require a subscription. Confirm that every accessory you need is included and compatible. | I want to know how I can access the recipes I’ll use and make sure I have the parts needed to prepare them. |
| Cleaning and parts | Check the manual to see which parts are dishwasher-safe; clean the electrical base separately. Also check what’s stated about the availability of spare parts for the model you’re considering. | After preparing a meal in several stages, I want to be able to clean the bowl and accessories without making the appliance a chore to use. |
Access terms and features vary between platforms. Vorwerk says access to Cookidoo requires an annual subscription after any applicable trial offers. Moulinex’s Companion app offers recipes and step-by-step instructions, but that doesn’t make the two services equivalent.
Check which recipes you want to follow, the terms for accessing them and the features available with the model you’re considering.
Magimix lists a total capacity of 4.8 L and a usable capacity of 3.8 L for the Cook Expert XL Connect, while Moulinex lists a total capacity of 4.5 L for the Companion XL. These figures don’t refer to the same volume.
For your usual portions, check the usable capacity and the guidance in the manual before comparing two bowls.
A multi-function appliance doesn’t necessarily include every part you’ll need for your recipes. Moulinex, for example, sells Companion accessories separately, and Kenwood offers optional add-ons for the Cooking Chef.
Choose a few recipes you make regularly, then check which accessory each one needs, whether it’s compatible and whether it’s included in the specific bundle.
The bowl, accessories and base take up space even when the appliance isn’t in use. Vorwerk states that the Thermomix TM7 accessories are dishwasher-safe, but the electrical base needs to be cleaned separately.
Measure the space you have and check the manual for the exact model to find out how to clean each part.
These ranges illustrate different approaches. The features and accessories mentioned relate to the models specified, not every product from each brand.
The Thermomix TM7 combines food preparation, cooking and guided recipes through Cookidoo.
The Companion range combines cooking food processors with recipes available through the Moulinex app.
The Cook Expert XL Connect is designed for people looking for a large bowl to prepare and cook their recipes.
The Cooking Chef range focuses on stand mixer tasks, with the added benefit of a heating function.
These two Robby cooking food processors are designed for meals that combine preparation and cooking. Compare their stated features with the recipes you make before choosing a model.
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For recipes that alternate between preparing ingredients and cooking, check that the included accessories cover the tasks you do regularly. The product title lists built-in scales and a large touchscreen; confirm how many recipes are available for this model and the terms for accessing them.
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This model is an option if you’re looking for an appliance that combines food preparation and cooking. Check that its usable capacity suits your portions, and check which accessories are included, how to clean the parts and the terms for accessing the recipes listed.
It depends on the model and the recipes you want to follow. Vorwerk says access to the Cookidoo platform for Thermomix requires an annual subscription after any applicable offers. Moulinex offers recipes and step-by-step instructions in its Companion app; check the access terms for the model you’re considering.
No, what’s included varies by model and bundle. Moulinex lists five accessories with the Companion XL model reviewed, but sells other Companion accessories separately. Compare the list of included parts with the recipes you plan to make.
No. Vorwerk says the Thermomix TM7 accessories are dishwasher-safe, but the electrical base needs to be cleaned separately. For other models, check the instructions for each part, including the bowl, lid and accessories.
No: a review of an accessory tells you about that accessory first and foremost, not the whole appliance or how well it will hold up over time. To make your decision, check that the complete model has the features and parts you need for your recipes.