A food processor deserves a place in a small kitchen if you regularly use several of its food-preparation functions and can store the base, bowl and attachments. Choose its capacity to suit your recipes, not just the number of people you’re cooking for. If you mainly make smoothies or chop small quantities, compare a specialist appliance instead. A multicooker you already own can take care of cooking, so check which food-preparation tasks you still need to cover.
You grate or slice vegetables, and also make sauces, doughs or minced mixtures. A food processor can handle all these tasks, provided you’ll actually use its attachments and have somewhere to store them.
If your current appliance takes care of cooking, separate the tasks it handles from those you still need, such as chopping or grating. This list will help you decide whether adding a food processor is worthwhile.
For a sauce, a minced mixture or a single serving, check the usable capacity and the minimum quantity suited to the model. If you only regularly do one task, compare the space needed for a mini chopper or blender too.
Start with the things you make regularly, then compare the functions you need with the space available to store the whole appliance.
| Criteria | What to check | Think about your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Functions you’ll use | Make a list of the appliances you already own. Check that the supplied attachments cover the tasks you do regularly, rather than relying on the advertised number of functions. | “I regularly grate, chop and mix” could justify having several functions in one appliance. If I only make one thing regularly, I’d compare a specialist appliance too. |
| Storage for all parts | Compare the base’s width, depth and height with the space you have. Allow room for the bowl, lid, cord and attachments too, and check how they’re stored for the specific model. | I want to keep my worktop clear and store all the parts together, without having to find several different places for them. |
| Bowl capacity | Distinguish between total volume and usable capacity. Check which quantities suit your recipes, especially for liquids or small batches. | If I mainly make small sauces or individual portions, a large advertised capacity alone won’t help me choose. |
| Attachments and cleaning | Check which blades and discs are included and what they’re used for. Consult the manual to find out which parts of your chosen model are dishwasher-safe. | I want to be able to grate or slice without then having to find somewhere to store attachments I never use. |
| Replacement parts | Search the manufacturer’s catalogue using the exact model number. Check the stated availability of any bowls, blades, discs and seals you might need. | Before choosing an appliance I plan to keep, I want to know whether its essential parts can be identified and replaced. |
Attachments you never use take up space without replacing the appliances you already own.
Write down the things you make regularly and check which attachments are actually included to prepare them.
The bowl, lid or discs may stop you storing the whole appliance where you planned, even if the base fits.
Measure the available width, depth and height, then check how all the parts can be stored for the specific model you’re considering.
The bowl’s advertised size alone doesn’t tell you what quantity will work for a sauce, dough or small batch of minced ingredients.
Compare the usable capacity with the manual’s guidance for the recipes you make most often.
Availability of a bowl or blade depends on the appliance’s exact model number, not just its brand.
Find the model number and search the manufacturer’s catalogue for matching parts before you buy.
These models show different ways of managing the bowl and attachments. Their features won’t necessarily apply to every model from each brand.
Kenwood France lists the MultiPro Go FDP22.140GY with a 1.3 L bowl and a height of 30 cm.
For the CS 3200 XL, Magimix France lists a total volume of 2.6 L, a usable capacity of 1 L and three bowls.
For the Easy Force FP242B10, Moulinex France lists four attachments, which can be stored in the bowl.
This option is for preparing a variety of recipes with a food processor. If you have a small kitchen, check the appliance’s overall size before deciding where to store it.
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If you want to make different types of recipes without filling your kitchen with appliances, start by comparing the functions you really need. This model is listed with a capacity of 1.5 L and a power rating of 600 W. Check its dimensions, included attachments, usable capacity and the parts available for model DOP250N.
It may be worthwhile if you regularly chop, grate, slice or prepare several other things using the right attachments. UFC-Que Choisir also recommends taking stock of the appliances you already own. If there’s only one task left to cover, compare the space needed for a specialist appliance.
Measure the available width, depth and height, then compare them with the model’s dimensions and the space needed for its bowl, lid, cord and attachments. Also check that you’ll be able to take the appliance out of its storage space.
The number of people is a useful starting point, but recipes and quantities matter too. Darty suggests 0.5 to 1 L for one person or small preparations, and 1.5 to 2 L for two people. Then check the usable capacity of the exact model.
Check the manual for your chosen model for assembly instructions, how to use the pusher and which parts are dishwasher-safe. UFC-Que Choisir’s test protocol also assesses safety, stability and ease of use. The stated power rating alone won’t tell you how the appliance performs in these areas.