If you regularly grate, slice, chop and mix larger quantities of ingredients, choose a food processor by comparing the bowl’s usable capacity, the permitted loads and the attachments you need for your recipes. A compact model may be a better fit if storage space is your priority and you mostly prepare vegetables. For soups and purées that don’t need slicing, a hand blender with the right attachments may be all you need.
If you often grate or slice vegetables and also make sauces, purées or dough, check the bowl’s genuinely usable capacity, the permitted loads and the discs supplied. These details matter more than a long list of functions you won’t use in your recipes.
A compact food processor can handle regular chopping without taking up as much cupboard space. Do check where its attachments are stored, though, and whether its smaller bowl is suitable for the thick mixtures you make.
If grating and slicing are only occasional tasks, a hand blender with the right attachments may suit your main needs. It won’t replace a food processor’s discs if you regularly prepare grated or sliced vegetables.
Start with the dishes you make most often, then compare the quantities with the bowl capacity, attachments and storage space you have available.
| What to consider | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity and load | Compare the usable capacity with the quantities you usually prepare. For dough, check the maximum permitted load separately: the bowl’s total capacity won’t tell you this limit. UFC-Que Choisir recommends matching the bowl size to your household and cooking habits. | I prepare several portions at once and want to know whether my recipes will fit in the bowl or need to be made in batches. |
| Chopping and mixing | Check which grating and slicing discs are included, then look for a blade or kneading attachment to suit your recipes. Confirm which parts are actually supplied with the model you’ve chosen. | For vegetables, I mainly grate and slice; for sauces or dough, I may need different attachments. |
| Type of appliance | A compact food processor with direct-to-bowl processing can chop into a serving bowl without offering a large mixing bowl. A hand blender or chopper is better suited to softer mixtures or smaller quantities, while a stand mixer needs compatible attachments to chop vegetables. | If I mainly make purées, my needs are different from those of someone who grates vegetables every week. I want to choose an appliance based on the task I actually do most often. |
| Storage and cleaning | Measure the space you have for the appliance and its attachments. Check the model’s manual to see which parts are dishwasher-safe and how they come apart. For noise levels and ease of use, look for test results for the specific model you’re considering. | If space is limited or I use the appliance frequently, I want to be able to take it out, clean it and put it away without too much hassle. |
| Parts and lifespan | Check whether bowls, lids and attachments are listed as available for the model you’re considering. Where endurance test results are available for that model, they offer a different perspective from the specifications alone. | If a bowl or attachment wears out, I want to check whether a replacement is available before replacing the whole appliance. |
These details alone won’t tell you how much you can prepare, which attachments are included or how easy the appliance will be to use and clean.
Make a note of the recipes you cook regularly, then compare the bowl, permitted loads and included attachments. For noise levels or preparation results, look for tests of the models you’re interested in.
A bowl’s stated capacity in litres doesn’t tell you how much dough it can handle or how much space is usable for a thick mixture.
Check the usable capacity and permitted loads for each type of recipe, then compare them with the quantities you usually prepare.
Discs, blades and bowls all need to be stored and cleaned after use. A food processor’s versatility means you’ll need to manage these parts day to day.
Measure your available space, check how the attachments are stored and follow the manual for the exact model to find out how to clean them.
Also allow time to take apart, wash and dry the parts you’ll use regularly.
These appliances may suit purées, sauces or small amounts of chopping, but their attachments may not be right for regularly grating and slicing vegetables.
If grated and sliced vegetables feature regularly in your meals, check that the right discs are included. If you mainly blend soft mixtures, choose based on that use instead.
The specifications below relate to the models mentioned, not every appliance from each brand.
The CS 3200 XL is an example of a multi-bowl set-up for a range of different tasks.
The Masterchef 8000 FP652DB1 combines a large-capacity bowl with chopping and mixing attachments.
The MultiTalent 8 MC812M844 is a large-bowl model designed for a variety of preparations.
The MultiPro Go FDP22.140GY prioritises a compact design and direct-to-bowl chopping.
The MultiQuick 7 hand blender range is another option if blending matters more to you than slicing.
These options are designed for multifunction food preparation: both Robby models are also cooking food processors, while the ochama is described as a food processor intended for tasks including chopping. If you don’t need your appliance to cook, bear this difference in mind when comparing their bowls and attachments.
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If you want one appliance to handle several food preparation tasks, check that its chopping attachments suit your recipes. Also check the permitted dough capacity and how much space you’ll need to store the attachments. This model’s cooking functions go beyond simply preparing ingredients.
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If you’re preparing several portions, compare the bowl’s usable capacity with your recipes and check whether grating or slicing attachments are included. Consider where you’ll store them, too. The cooking functions are only relevant to this choice if you plan to use them.
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This model also offers chopping and blending functions, which may be useful if you switch between preparing chopped vegetables and other dishes. Compare the stated 1.8 L capacity with the quantities in your recipes, then check which discs are included and how the parts should be cleaned.
If you regularly grate and slice vegetables, start by checking that the right discs are included. A multifunction blade is useful for chopping or blending. Only choose a kneading attachment if you often make dough, and always follow the load limits specified for the model.
Yes, if the model can grate or slice directly into an external container, so the smaller bowl doesn’t have to hold all the prepared vegetables. For purée or dough made in one go, however, check the usable capacity and permitted load.
No. Check the permitted loads, included attachments and ease of use separately. UFC-Que Choisir’s testing protocol also considers build quality and noise levels, so look for test results for the specific models you’re comparing.
Unplug the appliance before cleaning the motor unit and don’t immerse it in water, as advised by UFC-Que Choisir. For the bowl, blades and discs, follow your model’s manual to find out which parts are dishwasher-safe, and handle sharp parts with care.