Choose a multifunction food processor cooker if you want to prepare and cook a wide range of recipes in the same appliance, including recipes that require chopping, blending, kneading or mixing. A multi-cooker is better suited to everyday hot meals that need little supervision, while separate appliances can still make sense if you already own food-preparation tools and want to keep clutter to a minimum.
You want to combine preparation and cooking for soups, sauces, casseroles, steamed recipes or more elaborate dishes without having to use multiple appliances. Compare the functions included, usable capacity and supplied accessories. Que Choisir also recommends checking the appliance’s footprint and cleaning requirements.
You prefer everyday hot meals with guided programmes, pressure cooking or keep-warm functions rather than complete preparation versatility. In its survey published in 2020, Que Choisir found that 52% of the 1,695 kitchen appliance owners surveyed felt they saved time in the kitchen.
Before choosing an all-in-one solution, check the space it occupies, dishwasher-safe parts, the number of accessories and the terms for accessing guided recipes. These factors affect everyday use just as much as the cooking functions.
Worth considering: if your recipes regularly combine chopping, mixing and cooking in the same bowl.
Keep in mind: the appliance, bowl and accessories can take up considerable space and create more washing-up.
Worth considering: if your main aim is to automate pressure, steaming, braising or slow cooking for hot meals.
Keep in mind: you will still need the utensils required to chop, grate, knead or whisk ingredients.
Worth considering: if you already have a cooking appliance you are happy with and only need certain preparation functions.
Keep in mind: this setup requires more transferring between appliances, more containers and more supervision, depending on the recipe.
Start with the recipes you usually make, then check the capacity, available space and cleaning requirements. The figures below come from a Que Choisir survey published on 14 January 2020 among 1,695 kitchen appliance owners in France.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs and relevant respondents |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal supervision | Automatic programmes, pressure cooking, steaming, keep-warm functions and the settings actually available on the variant selected. | I want to start a hot meal without having to stand over it throughout the cooking process. In the Que Choisir survey, 52% of respondents felt they saved time in the kitchen with their appliance. |
| Recipes and preparation | Chopping, blending, kneading or cooking functions to suit your menus; included accessories; and the terms for accessing guided recipes. | I would like to vary my menus without buying an appliance that cannot perform the steps I need. Que Choisir reports that 49% of respondents said their appliance had expanded their recipe repertoire. |
| Cleaning | Dishwasher-safe parts, how easily accessories can be removed, any rinse programme and the space needed for drying. | After a meal, I want cleaning to fit my routine. Que Choisir lists excessive washing-up among the reasons for reduced use after purchase. |
| Capacity and space | Usable rather than total capacity, dimensions with the bowl and accessories, weight, and storage or worktop space. | I need to cook my usual quantities without having to run several batches or put the appliance away because there is not enough room. |
An appliance may cook and mix without necessarily grating, slicing or carrying out another function you expect unless a dedicated accessory is included. Que Choisir assesses additional accessories when they are actually supplied.
Make a list of your most-used recipes, then compare them with the exact contents of the box and the space needed to store any extras.
Some accessories that extend the appliance’s capabilities may be sold separately.
The volume you can actually use depends on the design and the recipe. A bowl that is too small means running several cycles, while an oversized appliance can take up unnecessary space in the kitchen.
Compare your usual volumes of soup, sauce, dough or casserole with the stated usable capacity, then measure the appliance with its bowl in place.
Apps and recipe libraries do not all have the same access terms. Some are advertised as free, while others rely on a subscription with automatic renewal.
Distinguish between built-in recipes, the associated app and subscription services. Check the trial period and renewal terms before buying.
A growing collection of bowls, lids and accessories can make an appliance less convenient to use. Que Choisir lists excessive washing-up among the reasons for reduced use, while ADEME highlights the importance of maintaining household appliances.
Check which parts are washable, how they come apart, how much space is needed for drying them and the manual’s instructions for the bowl, seals and accessories.
The Thermomix ecosystem focuses on guided cooking and integrated preparation and cooking. According to Vorwerk, the TM7 offers 24 modes, a 10-inch screen, a 2.2 L bowl and access to Cookidoo recipes.
Moulinex covers multifunction food processor cookers with Companion and multi-cookers with Cookeo. The brand also offers the free My Moulinex app with guided recipes.
The Cook Expert range is designed for people looking for both cooking and preparation functions such as grating, slicing, kneading or whisking.
Monsieur Cuisine is presented as a multifunction food processor cooker with a touchscreen, automatic programmes and guided cooking.
These Joybuy options include multifunction food processor cookers and multi-cookers for preparing hot meals at home with fewer appliances and less supervision.
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For meals that combine preparation and cooking in the same appliance.
Advertised 4.5 L bowl with 3 L usable capacity, integrated scales, steaming baskets and reversible disc for slicing, grating and chopping. Check the usable capacity for your usual quantities and the terms for accessing recipes added via Wi-Fi.
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For preparing and then cooking without needing several kitchen appliances.
Advertised 3.5 L stainless-steel bowl, eight programmes, twelve speeds, chopping accessories and a rinse programme. Check how the accessories can be washed, as well as the arrangements for Wi-Fi updates and recipes.
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For large quantities and several cooking methods in one pot.
Advertised 7.6 L capacity, 11 functions, two lids and a stainless-steel inner pot. It does not replace chopping, grating or kneading functions; also allow space for the lids.
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For programming hot meals and reducing the need for adjustments during cooking.
Advertised 6 L capacity, 19 functions, five pressure levels, integrated scales and a timer. This model focuses on cooking: check the food-preparation accessories and how the inner pot, lid and accessories can be washed.
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For family meals or preparing several portions in advance.
Advertised 7.1 L inner pot, pressure cooking, slow cooking, searing, steaming and four customisable presets. Its 41.5 cm width and lack of chopping or kneading functions are worth taking into account.
List the meals you make most often and the actions they require: cooking, braising, steaming, blending, chopping, grating, kneading or whisking. A food processor cooker can combine several of these functions, but accessories are only useful if they are supplied; a multi-cooker remains primarily focused on cooking. Check the specifications for the exact variant and the contents of the box.
No. Moulinex presents My Moulinex as a free app, while Vorwerk states that unlimited access to Cookidoo requires an annual subscription that renews automatically unless cancelled. Check the trial, renewal and recipe-access terms before choosing an ecosystem.
Not necessarily. Compare the bowl’s usable capacity, the type of recipe and the capacity of the steaming basket: a 4.8 L bowl may provide only 3.8 L of usable capacity. Manufacturers’ stated portion counts vary according to the recipe, so compare them with your usual quantities of soup, sauce, casserole and dough.
The legal guarantee of conformity applies to new, second-hand and refurbished goods sold by a professional to a private individual in France. According to economie.gouv.fr, it covers products that do not match the seller’s description or the qualities stated in advertising or on the label. Keep the product page, proof of purchase and your correspondence with the seller.