Households looking for guided cooking
If coordinating preparation and cooking makes dinner more complicated, you may appreciate built-in programmes and on-screen instructions. Check, though, that they cover the dishes you make regularly.
Who might these appliances suit?
Households cooking several portions
You’ll need a bowl suited to the quantities you usually make, without overlooking the space the appliance and its accessories take up. Where available, compare usable capacity rather than relying on the total volume alone.
People who often knead or whisk
If doughs and whipped mixtures also feature regularly in your kitchen, consider cooking stand mixers. Their size and weight matter particularly if you’ll need to put them away after every use.
What should you look for when choosing one for weeknight dinners?
Multifunction cooking food processor
Consider it if: you want to prepare and cook in the same appliance.
Bear in mind: guided cooking and a large capacity won’t make up for an appliance that takes up too much space or is awkward to clean.
Food processor with separate cooking
Consider it if: chopping, grating or blending takes up too much time, but you’re happy with your usual cooking setup.
Bear in mind: you’ll still need to manage the saucepan or oven separately; the steps aren’t all in one place.
Cooking stand mixer
Consider it if: you often knead or whisk and would also like a cooking function.
Bear in mind: this type of appliance needs careful consideration when it comes to space and storage.
| What matters to you | What to check | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Coordinating preparation and cooking | Look for the functions you’ll use for your usual dishes, and try to understand how the programmes and manual mode work. | When I get home late, I want fewer steps to organise and to know what still needs my attention. Around 42% of consumers would put this coordination at the top of their list. |
| Getting portions and cleaning right | Compare usable capacity with the quantities you usually make, then check the space needed and which parts need washing. | Cooking several portions isn’t helpful if the food processor takes up too much space or is a chore to clean every evening. For around 33% of consumers, getting the right fit for their kitchen and portions would be the top priority. |
| Making lasting use of recipes and accessories | Check which accessories you’ll need for your usual dishes, as well as the terms for accessing and renewing recipe services. | I’d rather have functions I’ll genuinely use than rely on a recipe service whose terms don’t suit me. This would be the top priority for around 25% of consumers. |
Mistakes to avoid before you buy
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Choosing based on the number of advertised functions
Not all multifunction appliances offer the same features. As Que Choisir points out, having more functions doesn’t mean an appliance will be equally good at every task you need it for.
Make a note of a few dishes you often cook during the week, then check which functions and accessories you’ll need for them.
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Confusing total capacity with usable capacity
The bowl’s total volume doesn’t always match the amount you can use for a recipe. A large appliance can also be difficult to position or move around every day.
Compare usable capacity with the portions you usually make, and measure the space you have available. Leave enough room to handle the lid and store the accessories.
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Overlooking the terms for guided recipes
A recipe library can make meal planning easier, but how useful it is depends on how often you use it and how you access it. Vorwerk states, for example, that Cookidoo subscriptions renew automatically.
Before choosing a recipe ecosystem, distinguish between the features you can use without a subscription and those that require ongoing access, and check the renewal terms.
Brands to know
Vorwerk
With Thermomix and Cookidoo, Vorwerk focuses on guided recipes and meal planning.
- The brand describes Cookidoo as a recipe and planning service linked to its ecosystem.
- If you plan to use it regularly, check which features require a subscription and the terms for renewing it.
Moulinex
The Companion range combines food preparation, cooking and recipes, depending on the model you choose.
- Moulinex lists a 4.5 L bowl for the i-Companion Touch XL. Compare this with the portions you usually make.
- Before setting aside space in your kitchen, check the dimensions, usable capacity and parts you’ll need to clean for the model you’re considering.
Magimix
The Cook Expert combines food preparation and cooking functions, with specifications that vary by version.
- For the original Cook Expert shown, Magimix gives a total bowl capacity of 3.5 L and a usable capacity of 2.5 L.
- Check the exact version and its usable capacity against the dishes you make; total volume alone won’t tell you how many portions you can prepare.
Kenwood
The Cooking Chef is designed in particular for people who want the functions of a stand mixer with cooking built in.
- Kenwood lists induction cooking up to 200 °C for the Cooking Chef KCL96.004DG.
- For this version, Kenwood gives dimensions of 41 × 34 × 38 cm and a weight of 15.25 kg. Measure the space you have if you expect to move or store it regularly.
Multifunction cooking food processors on Joybuy
These two Robby cooking food processors are designed to bring preparation and cooking together in one appliance. If you’re considering separate cooking or a cooking stand mixer instead, use the criteria above to assess those alternatives.
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Robby Smart cooking food processor with XL bowl
Worth considering if you’re looking for one appliance that combines food preparation and cooking for your evening meals.
The product name lists an XL bowl, built-in scales and a large touchscreen. Before choosing this version, check exactly which recipes are included, the bowl material and which parts are dishwasher-safe.
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Robby Multifunction cooking food processor with touchscreen
Worth considering if you’d like to follow recipes on the appliance while bringing food preparation and cooking together.
The product name mentions built-in scales and a touchscreen. To see whether it suits the meals you usually make, check its usable capacity, how to clean the parts and the terms for accessing the recipes.
Frequently asked questions
Do you need guided recipes to use a cooking food processor?
No. Que Choisir explains that recipes aren’t essential for using a cooking food processor. If step-by-step guidance helps you organise dinner, check which recipes you can access with the appliance and on what terms.
What should I check if I plan to use Cookidoo with a Thermomix?
Check which features you actually need and the subscription terms. Vorwerk’s French support site says that Cookidoo renews automatically; read the applicable terms before you decide.
Which capacity should I compare when cooking several portions?
Compare usable capacity when it’s listed separately from the bowl’s total volume. For example, Magimix gives the original Cook Expert a total capacity of 3.5 L and a usable capacity of 2.5 L. Check the capacity relevant to the dish you have in mind, then make sure you have room for the appliance.