People with a small worktop
You regularly prepare meals, but need to find room for the food processor and its accessories. Measuring the space available is just as important as choosing the right functions.
Who is this a good choice for?
Households that prepare small and medium-sized quantities
You switch between making a small sauce and preparing food for the household. It’s worth checking the usable capacity for each recipe and whether the appliance comes with bowls in different sizes.
People who use a few specific functions
You mainly want to grate, slice, chop or blend. Que Choisir advises taking the space used by the accessories into account, so check which ones are actually included with the model you’re considering.
Which features should you check first?
Start with the dishes you make most often, then compare the space you have with the bowl capacity and the room needed to store all the parts. If you only do a few tasks, compare the space taken up by a dedicated appliance too. If the quantities you prepare often change, look at models with several bowls.
| Feature | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | Measure the space needed with the bowl and lid in place, and check where you’ll store the included accessories. | If my worktop is already cluttered, I want to be able to set up the food processor and put its parts away without moving everything else in the kitchen. Around 40% of consumers would prioritise this need for storage. |
| Quantities prepared | Compare your portions with the usable capacity for each preparation, and check whether a smaller bowl is included if you’d use one. | When I switch from making a small sauce to preparing a meal for the household, I’m looking for a bowl that works for both quantities. This would be the priority for around 30% of consumers. |
| Functions you use | Match the dishes you make regularly to the accessories actually included with the model. | If I often grate or chop ingredients, I want to make sure I have the parts I need rather than relying on the functions listed. For around 30% of consumers, preparing these dishes would be the main need. |
Which pitfalls should you avoid?
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Focusing only on the number of functions
A blender, citrus press or other accessory isn’t necessarily included with every version. Que Choisir also limits some of its tests to food processors supplied with the relevant accessory.
Make a note of the dishes you regularly prepare, then check which parts are included with the exact model you’re considering.
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Measuring only the base width
The food processor might not fit in the space you’ve planned for it once the bowl and lid are in place, particularly beneath a wall unit.
Measure the available height, width and depth, then compare them with the dimensions of your chosen model. Bosch lists dimensions of 375 × 220 × 260 mm for the MCM3531M, while Kenwood lists 24 × 22 × 40 cm for the FDP65.450WH.
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Assuming bowl capacity equals usable capacity
The amount you can prepare may vary depending on whether you’re making dough, working with liquids or using dry ingredients. So the total bowl capacity alone won’t tell you how many portions you can make.
Check the limits listed for your usual recipes, and see whether a smaller bowl is included if you often prepare small quantities.
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Assuming every part is dishwasher-safe
Care instructions vary by model and part. For example, Kenwood says that the blender and mill blades on the FDP65.450WH are not dishwasher-safe.
Check the care instructions for the bowl, blades and every accessory you plan to use.
Parts that need to be washed by hand add time to the clean-up after each use.
Brands and ranges to know
Bosch
In the MultiTalent 3 range, Bosch lists a 2.3 L bowl and dimensions of 375 × 220 × 260 mm for the MCM3531M.
- Bosch says that several accessories supplied with this model can be stored inside the bowl.
- Check whether this storage option and the relevant accessories are available with other models in the range.
Magimix
Magimix recommends the Compact System CS 3200XL for households of 1 to 4 people. It comes with three complementary bowls, including a 2.6 L main bowl.
- The different bowls let you choose a container to suit the quantity you’re preparing.
- Check which accessories are included with your chosen version and how much space you’ll need to store all the bowls.
Moulinex
According to Moulinex, the Double Force and Easy Force ranges include models with different capacities and accessory sets.
- You can compare the accessories supplied with each model against the dishes you usually prepare.
- Contents vary by product. More parts also mean more items to store.
Kenwood
In the MultiPro Express range, Kenwood lists a 3 L bowl and a storage bag for the FDP65.450WH.
- The storage bag provides a place to keep the accessories supplied with this model.
- Kenwood says the blender and mill blades on the FDP65.450WH are not dishwasher-safe. Check the care instructions for each part.
Appliances for these needs on Joybuy
These two appliances suit different needs: a food processor for a range of preparations, and a mini chopper if you mainly want to chop ingredients or make small quantities of sauce. Before choosing, compare how much space each will really take up in your kitchen.
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Livoo DOP250N, 1.5 L, 600 W black food processor
Worth considering if you’d like one appliance for a range of preparations. Check that the usable capacity suits your recipes, and that you have room for both the appliance and its accessories in your kitchen.
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Kenwood Easy Chop+ CHP62.400SI, silver mini chopper
Worth considering if chopping ingredients matters more to you than having a wide range of functions. Check that its capacity suits your usual portions, and make sure you have room to store its parts.
Frequently asked questions
Does a food processor replace all small appliances?
Not automatically. If you want to blend ingredients or juice citrus fruit, for example, check that the necessary accessory is included with your chosen model and suits the dishes you make regularly.
How do you choose the right bowl capacity?
Start with the quantities you usually prepare and the limits listed for each type of preparation, rather than looking at the total capacity alone. For example, Bosch lists a 2.3 L bowl for the MCM3531M, with a capacity of up to 800 g of dough, including 500 g of flour and other ingredients. If you often make small quantities of sauce, check whether a smaller bowl is included too.
Are all the accessories dishwasher-safe?
No. Care instructions vary by model and part. Kenwood says the blender and mill blades on the FDP65.450WH are not dishwasher-safe. Check the instructions for each accessory before choosing.
What protection applies if a food processor bought in France is not as described?
According to the French Ministry of the Economy, the legal guarantee of conformity applies to new, second-hand and refurbished goods sold by a business to an individual in France. If the food processor doesn’t match its description, keep your proof of purchase and a record of the advertised features so you can assert your rights with the seller.