Choose a food processor with a cooking function if you want to combine chopping, mixing and cooking for a wide range of recipes, and have an accessible place to keep it. If your current appliances already cover preparation or cooking, a multifunction food processor without cooking, or a multicooker focused on programmed cooking, may be a better match for your meals. Above all, compare usable capacity, cleaning requirements and the functions you will actually use.
You regularly prepare soups, sauces, vegetables, casseroles or multi-step recipes and want to combine chopping, mixing and cooking. Your decision will mainly depend on usable capacity, accessories and how easy the appliance is to clean after each use.
You already have a hob, oven, blender or slow cooker and need to decide whether integrated cooking would make meal preparation simpler, rather than leaving you with another appliance to store.
Your main priority is automated cooking for everyday meals, while accepting that you will prepare or mix the ingredients yourself when the appliance cannot do this for you.
Start with the meals you prepare most often, then check what the appliance actually prepares, what it cooks and what it still leaves you to do.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Time and organisation | Compare the programmes, time and temperature settings, and the chopping, mixing and cooking functions available in the same bowl. Check that the guided recipes match the menus you usually prepare. | I want to delegate part of the preparation or cooking without changing my eating habits. In the 2020 Que Choisir survey of 1,695 kitchen-appliance owners subscribed to its newsletter, 52% of respondents said they felt they saved time in the kitchen. |
| Recipes and menus | Check access to recipes, the functions available without an additional service and whether there is a manual mode. See whether searching by ingredients, portions or preferences would be useful to you. | I want ideas suited to the meals my household actually eats, while still being able to adapt my own recipes. |
| Capacity and size | Compare usable capacity, stated portions and filling limits, not just the nominal volume. Measure the space needed for the appliance, bowl and accessories. | I want to prepare my usual quantities without buying an appliance that is too bulky or too small for my soups, sauces and casseroles. |
| Cleaning | Check which parts are dishwasher-safe, how the lid comes apart, whether the cooking pot is removable and how many accessories need washing. Consult the instructions for the exact model. | I can use the appliance several times a week only if washing and storage remain manageable after an ordinary meal. |
| Services and accessories | Check what is included with the chosen product reference, which accessories your recipes require and the terms of any connected services. Also check the availability of spare parts. | I prefer to know in advance whether the functions I will use depend on a subscription, a separate accessory or a recipe service. |
The stated volume does not always match the quantity you can prepare safely. With multicookers, the maximum cooking capacity may be lower than the capacity of the cooking pot.
Compare usable capacity, stated portions and filling limits for the dishes you usually make; do not choose based solely on the litre figure.
A dishwasher-safe bowl does not mean that the lid, collector, seals or accessories require no handling. A large amount of washing-up can make you less inclined to use the appliance regularly.
Before buying, consult the instructions for the exact model and identify which parts need to be removed and washed after preparing a typical dish. Choose a configuration that is simple to clean and store every day.
Guided cooking may depend on a subscription, and some functions may require separate accessories. The appliance itself therefore does not always cover everything you will need to cook as intended.
List the essential functions, check that they are included with the exact product reference, then review the terms for services, accessories and spare parts before ordering.
A multifunction food processor may already cover many preparation tasks, while a multicooker generally does not replace the chopping and mixing functions of a food processor with a cooking function.
Write down five to ten meals you prepare regularly and the steps that take up most of your time: preparation, monitoring cooking, mixing or finding recipes. Choose the solution that genuinely simplifies these steps.
The Companion range combines preparation and cooking in one bowl, while the Cookeo range focuses on programmed cooking for everyday meals.
The Cook Expert range is aimed at households looking for a large-capacity multifunction food processor with a cooking function for preparing larger quantities or entertaining.
Thermomix takes a guided-cooking approach centred on the Cookidoo platform, designed for people who want to plan their menus through a connected service.
These Joybuy options include food processors with cooking functions for multi-step meals and multicookers for households that mainly want to automate cooking during the week.
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Worth considering for varied, multi-step meals when you want to combine mixing, chopping, cooking and steaming in one appliance.
Stated usable bowl capacity of 3 L, for 6 to 8 people, with temperatures from 37 to 130 °C, timer, touchscreen, built-in scales and guided recipes.
Check that 3 L of usable capacity meets your usual quantities, and review the terms for accessing recipes via Wi-Fi as well as the cleaning instructions for the exact model.
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This option suits households preparing varied meals for a small group and looking for guided cooking.
Stated 3.5 L stainless-steel bowl, for up to six people, with eight programmes, manual mode, Wi-Fi, touchscreen and built-in scales.
Check which parts are dishwasher-safe, the terms for accessing new recipes via Wi-Fi and the quantities you can prepare for your largest recipes.
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Consider it for weekday meals based on programmed cooking, rice, casseroles, steaming or pressure cooking.
Stated 6 L capacity, 19 modes, five pressure levels, 11 temperature settings, programming for up to 24 hours and built-in scales.
A multicooker does not generally mix ingredients, so plan for separate preparation when the recipe requires it. Also check the genuinely usable capacity and which parts are dishwasher-safe.
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Suitable for a household that already has appliances for chopping and blending, and mainly wants to automate cooking several portions.
Stated 5.7 L capacity for up to six portions, with pressure cooking, slow cooking, searing, steaming, yoghurt and keep-warm functions.
The stainless-steel pot, lid and accessories are stated to be dishwasher-safe. Follow the filling limits, particularly when pressure cooking.
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This option is aimed at households preparing large quantities and that already have separate equipment for chopping or mixing.
Stated 8 L capacity, 12 programmes, 24-hour delayed timer, keep-warm function for up to 12 hours and pressure, slow-cooking, rice, steaming and searing functions.
Preparation and mixing remain manual when the recipe requires them. Check the dimensions, filling limits and washing instructions before buying.
Start by checking the usable capacity and the portions specified in the recipes, then compare them with your usual quantities. With a multicooker, the nominal capacity of the cooking pot does not always correspond to the maximum cooking volume: a safety margin may reduce the amount you can actually prepare. Also check the full dimensions with the bowl and accessories fitted.
Not necessarily. A multicooker mainly automates cooking, for example rice, casseroles, steaming, browning or pressure cooking, depending on the model, while a food processor with a cooking function can also chop, blend or mix. Multicookers do not generally mix food, except where a specific model or accessory provides this function.
Examine which parts are dishwasher-safe, how many accessories need washing, how the lid comes apart and whether the exact model has a removable cooking pot with handles. A dishwasher-safe pot can make cleaning easier, but the manufacturer’s instructions may also require the water collector, lid or other parts to be cleaned after use.
Check whether recipes and guided cooking are included, time-limited or subject to a subscription. Also check the accessories your recipes require, wear parts, repair options, and the renewal and cancellation terms shown for France when you place your order.
For an appliance bought from a professional seller, the statutory guarantee of conformity applies to new, second-hand and refurbished goods. According to the French Ministry for the Economy, Finance and Industrial and Digital Sovereignty, the time limit for requesting its application is two years; a manufacturer’s commercial guarantee is optional and supplements the statutory guarantees without replacing them.