For preparing several meals in advance, choose a food processor with a cooking function if you want one appliance to handle some preparation tasks as well as cooking. Opt for a multi-cooker if your ingredients are already prepared and you mainly want to spend less time monitoring the cooking. A food processor is better suited to chopping or blending larger quantities, provided you cook everything separately afterwards. In all three cases, compare the usable capacity, the tasks you’ll still need to do by hand and the parts that need cleaning.
If you regularly make soups, sauces or slow-cooked dishes, a food processor with a cooking function can reduce the need to transfer ingredients between utensils. Make sure its accessories, cooking capacity and cleaning requirements suit the recipes you make. UFC-Que Choisir notes that this category typically includes blades, whisks, stirrers and steam baskets.
If you can chop your ingredients beforehand and mainly want to programme the cooking of slow-cooked dishes, rice or steamed food, consider a multi-cooker. UFC-Que Choisir points out that these appliances generally don’t stir food, so you’ll need to do that yourself.
If slicing, grating or chopping takes up most of your preparation time, a food processor can handle these tasks before you cook on the hob or in the oven. UFC-Que Choisir distinguishes these food-preparation functions from cooking, so you’ll still need to use a separate cooking appliance.
Consider it if: you want to prepare and cook a range of recipes in one appliance, with accessories suited to the model you choose.
Bear in mind: the quantity you can prepare and how easy it is to clean depend on the bowl and the parts you use. UFC-Que Choisir recommends checking these features for each model.
Consider it if: you prepare the ingredients separately and mainly want to programme the cooking.
Bear in mind: chopping and stirring are generally done by hand or require another appliance, as UFC-Que Choisir and Les Numériques point out.
Consider it if: your priority is to grate, slice, chop or blend ingredients in larger quantities.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to cook everything separately afterwards. Also check the bowl’s usable capacity, which may be lower than its total capacity on some models.
If you’re preparing meals in advance, start with the task that takes you the longest, then consider how well the appliance matches your quantities and available space.
| What to consider | What to check | What matters to consumers |
|---|---|---|
| Combining tasks | Check which steps the appliance actually handles: chopping, stirring and cooking don’t always come together. | When I’m making several dishes, I want to avoid constantly switching between appliances. Around 34% of consumers prioritise having tasks handled in one go. |
| Quantity per batch | Compare the usable capacity or the fill limit for the recipes you make with the number of portions you want. | If I’m making several portions at once, preparing multiple batches makes it harder to stay organised. Around 33% of consumers prioritise the quantity they can make in one batch. |
| Cleaning and storage space | Check the dimensions, the accessories you’ll need to store and which parts are actually dishwasher-safe. | In a kitchen where I have to get the appliance out and wash it every week, these practicalities matter as much as its programmes. Around 33% of consumers prioritise ease of cleaning and the space it takes up. |
A multi-cooker can programme the cooking without slicing, chopping or blending the ingredients. UFC-Que Choisir and Les Numériques distinguish these tasks from its cooking functions.
Break down a recipe you often make into chopping, stirring and cooking, then check which steps the model you’re considering actually handles.
The amount you can cook also depends on the recipe and the fill limit. For example, UFC-Que Choisir notes that the 6 l Cookeo bowl has a 4 l cooking limit for certain dishes.
Check the instructions for the types of dishes you make before deciding how many batches you’ll need.
A large bowl, its lid and accessories all need to be stored somewhere and cleaned after use. Dishwasher compatibility varies between parts and models.
Measure the space you have and check which parts can be removed and washed before you choose.
The Cookeo range is worth considering if you’re mainly looking for a multi-cooker with programmable cooking.
The Thermomix TM7 is worth considering if on-screen controls and guided recipes are important to you when choosing a food processor with a cooking function.
The brand offers the Cook Expert food processor with a cooking function and the CS5200XL Premium food processor, which cater for different needs.
These appliances offer two ways to prepare meals for the week: combine preparation and cooking with a food processor that has a cooking function, or prepare ingredients separately before using a multi-cooker. Compare each model based on the tasks you want it to handle.
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Worth considering if you want to combine food preparation and cooking. The model is shown with built-in scales and a large touchscreen. Check the capacity allowed for your recipes and which parts need cleaning.
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An option to consider if you want to follow recipes on screen while using a food processor with a cooking function. The title lists 680 recipes; check the usable quantity per preparation and the instructions for washing the accessories.
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Worth considering for programmable cooking after you’ve prepared the ingredients. The title lists nine menus, two pressure settings and a 24-hour timer; check the fill limit for the dishes you make.
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Worth considering if your priority is programming the cooking of several portions rather than chopping ingredients. The title lists 12 programmes and a power rating of 1200 W; check the instructions for the permitted fill level for each recipe.
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For cooking ingredients you’ve prepared separately, using a multi-cooker. This 7-en-1 model is shown with a stainless steel inner pot; check the fill limits for the dishes you make.
Not if you also expect it to chop, slice or blend: Les Numériques distinguishes these tasks from a multi-cooker’s functions. A multi-cooker is better suited to situations where you prepare the ingredients separately and then want to programme the cooking.
No. The fill limit may be lower than the stated capacity and can vary depending on the recipe. UFC-Que Choisir gives the example of a 6 l Cookeo bowl with a 4 l limit for certain dishes. Check the instructions for the model you’re considering and the dishes you usually make.
Check how the bowl, lid and accessories come apart, and which parts are actually dishwasher-safe. Also make sure you have enough room to use and store the appliance and all its accessories.
According to the French Ministry of the Economy, the legal guarantee of conformity applies in France to new, second-hand and refurbished goods sold by a business to an individual. Keep your proof of purchase, and remember that this legal guarantee is separate from any additional commercial warranty offered.