Choose a cooking food processor if your recipes often involve cooking that you’d like to combine with preparation in the same appliance. If your hob, oven or slow cooker already does the job, a food processor may be all you need to prepare ingredients. Either way, check how much space it needs, which accessories are included and how easy they are to clean.
If your meals often involve cooking, steaming or slow cooking, a cooking food processor can reduce the need to transfer food between containers. UFC-Que Choisir distinguishes this category by its cooking function; check the settings, usable capacity and accessories included with the model you’re considering.
If you’re happy with your hob, oven or slow cooker, focus instead on the tasks that take up your time: chopping, grating, slicing, kneading or blending. A food processor handles these preparation tasks, so an integrated cooking function needn’t be the reason you buy one.
An appliance only makes mealtimes easier if you have room for its bowls and accessories, and can clean them in a way that suits your routine. Check dishwasher compatibility for each individual part: Vorwerk and Moulinex make clear that it doesn’t necessarily apply to every part of the appliance.
Start with the steps that slow you down when making your usual recipes, then compare the appliances with the equipment you already own. According to UFC-Que Choisir, the key difference between a cooking food processor and a food processor is the integrated cooking function. Accessories and cleaning requirements can then affect how suitable a particular model is for you.
| Criterion | What to check | Who it’s for |
|---|---|---|
| Cooking in one appliance | Look for recipes where preparation and cooking follow one another; check the settings, usable capacity and accessories included. | I often make dishes that involve several cooking stages, and want to avoid transferring food between containers. Around 29% of consumers would put having everything in one appliance at the top of their list. |
| Preparing ingredients | Compare the tasks you do often — chopping, grating, slicing or kneading — with the blades, discs and bowls supplied. | My appliances already take care of cooking, but chopping and mixing take up time. For around 29% of consumers, ingredient preparation would be the priority. |
| Cleaning and storage | Check how much space it takes up with the accessories you use, and consult the instructions for cleaning each part. | If the bowl and accessories are difficult to clean or store, I may end up leaving the appliance in the cupboard. For around 21% of consumers, easy cleaning and storage would come first. |
| A specific task or unnecessary duplication | Identify a repetitive task that your current appliances don’t handle well; consider whether a specialist appliance or your existing equipment would be enough. | I want to make one particular task easier, not add features I won’t use. Around 21% of consumers would prioritise avoiding duplication or focusing on that one task. |
A feature listed for a range of food processors won’t necessarily be available with every configuration. UFC-Que Choisir assesses additional accessories for cooking food processors when they’re supplied.
For the recipes you make most often, compare the exact contents of the box with the accessories you need, particularly for chopping and steaming.
Extra accessories can also take up space and mean more parts to clean.
The bowl, blades and drive parts may each have different cleaning instructions. For example, Moulinex says that a specific replacement Companion XL bowl is dishwasher-safe, except for its drive shaft.
Check the instructions for the model you’ve chosen to find out how to clean each part you’ll use regularly.
Guided recipes aren’t essential for everyone using a food processor. In France, Vorwerk says that Cookidoo subscriptions renew automatically after 12 months.
Before choosing an appliance for its guided cooking features, check which functions are available without a subscription and the renewal terms for the service you’re interested in.
If your current appliances already cover cooking and everyday food preparation, a new food processor may simply mean more to store and clean.
Make a note of the tasks that genuinely slow you down when preparing your usual meals. If blending or chopping is the only issue, consider a specialist appliance before opting for something more versatile.
The Thermomix range combines food preparation, cooking and guided recipes through Cookidoo.
The Companion range combines food preparation and cooking; Moulinex also describes My Moulinex as a free recipe app.
Magimix offers Cook Expert cooking food processors, as well as food processors and blenders for more specific needs.
These appliances suit three different approaches to home cooking: combining preparation and cooking, preparing ingredients when you already have cooking appliances, or focusing on blending and chopping. Start by deciding which task you want to make easier, then check the specifications of the model you’re interested in.
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Worth considering if you want to prepare and cook in one appliance, and weigh ingredients in it too.
The product name mentions an XL bowl, built-in scales and a large touchscreen. If built-in recipes matter to you, check what’s included with the model on offer.
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Another option to consider if you’d like to prepare and cook in one appliance, while weighing your ingredients.
The product name lists built-in scales, a touchscreen and 680 recipes. Check the instructions to find out how to clean the bowl and accessories for this model.
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Worth considering if your other appliances already take care of cooking and you’re mainly looking to prepare ingredients.
The product name lists blending, chopping, slicing and grating functions, as well as a 1.8 L capacity. Check which discs are included and how much room you’ll need to store them.
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A blender to consider if blending is your main priority, rather than preparing and cooking a meal in one appliance.
The product name lists a set with a jug and personal blender, and a rated power of 1,200 W. Check which containers are included and their fill levels before choosing this format.
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Worth considering if you want to make small-scale chopping easier, without needing an appliance for the whole meal.
This model is described as a mini chopper and blender. Check that the bowl is the right size for your usual quantities, and take care when handling the blades during cleaning.
Choose a cooking food processor if your recipes regularly involve cooking that you’d like to combine with preparation. If your current appliances already cook your meals and you mainly want to chop, grate or knead, a food processor is a more direct fit. UFC-Que Choisir distinguishes the two categories by whether they have an integrated cooking function.
No. Check the instructions for each part of the exact model you’re considering. For example, Moulinex says that a replacement Companion XL bowl is dishwasher-safe, except for its drive shaft. This doesn’t apply to every bowl or accessory in the range.
It depends on the service and model you choose. In France, Vorwerk says Cookidoo subscriptions renew automatically after 12 months, while Moulinex describes the My Moulinex app as free. Check which features are available with the specific appliance you’re interested in.
Measure the space needed for the base and bowl when the appliance is in use, then check how much room you’ll need to store the accessories. Magimix notes that the dimensions of the Cook Expert XL Connect vary depending on which bowl is fitted. Check the measurements for your exact model and configuration, rather than just those of the base.