Everyday cooks
You want to prepare and cook a dish in one session, with controls simple enough to make the appliance part of your regular routine. Que Choisir recommends checking the functions and ease of use before you buy.
Which option suits you?
Households cooking several portions
You’ll want to compare the bowl’s usable capacity, steaming options and the space the appliance takes up, rather than relying on the advertised total volume alone.
People who work with dough regularly
If planetary mixing matters more to you than a library of guided recipes, it’s worth comparing a stand mixer with a cooking function against multifunction models. Check which accessories are included for your other preparations.
What sets the options apart?
Multifunction cooking food processor
Consider it if: you want to combine preparation and cooking in one appliance.
Bear in mind: you may need to wash the bowl and tools between some preparations, and you’ll need to find space for the appliance in your kitchen.
Stand mixer with cooking function
Consider it if: you regularly make dough or other preparations where planetary mixing and cooking are your priorities.
Check: chopping, grating or steaming accessories may not be included in the package you choose.
Separate preparation and cooking appliances
Consider this if: you already have suitable cooking equipment and mainly need a food processor for chopping, grating or blending.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to transfer food from the processor to your cooking equipment for the relevant steps.
If you want to prepare a meal in one session, start with the tasks you genuinely repeat, then check for any limitations that could make your chosen appliance less practical.
| Criteria | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Combining steps | Identify the preparation and cooking functions you need for your dishes, as well as the accessories actually included. | If I want to chop, mix and then cook without switching appliances, I focus on the steps I can genuinely combine. Around 36% of consumers prioritise this need. |
| Number of portions | Compare the bowl’s usable capacity with your usual portion sizes; check the steamer basket capacity separately if you plan to use it. | When I cook for several people or prepare portions to keep, I want to avoid having to cook in batches. This capacity is the top priority for around 29% of consumers. |
| Cleaning and regular use | Find out which parts need to be washed by hand, then check the terms for accessing recipes and the availability of parts for the model you’re considering. | I don’t want a fiddly clean-up or recipe access that doesn’t suit my habits to put me off using the appliance. Around 21% of consumers put regular use first. |
| Kneading and cooking | Check the type of kneading, cooking settings and accessories supplied for the dishes you make. | If I often make dough and cooked dishes, I look first for the functions I need for those recipes. This is the top priority for around 14% of consumers. |
What to look out for
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Comparing bowls by total volume
Total volume doesn’t always tell you how much you can use for a preparation. For example, Magimix lists a total capacity of 4.8 L and a usable capacity of 3.8 L for the Cook Expert XL Connect.
Compare usable capacities with the portions you make, and check the steamer basket’s volume separately.
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Assuming all connected recipes will remain available
Access arrangements vary between appliances. Vorwerk presents Cookidoo as a subscription service for the Thermomix TM7, while the Companion pages reviewed by Moulinex describe a free recipe app.
Before choosing, distinguish between recipes built into the appliance, those available through an app and those that require a subscription. Also check whether you’re happy to use the appliance without guided recipes.
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Assuming ‘dishwasher-safe’ means no dismantling is needed
Dishwasher compatibility may apply to only some parts. In its Companion user guide, Moulinex advises against putting the drive shaft and its locking ring in the dishwasher.
Check the instructions for the exact model and find out which parts need to be removed and washed after the recipes you usually make.
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Confusing compatible accessories with those included
Kenwood lists compatible accessories for the Cooking Chef, but that doesn’t mean the tools you need for every task are included in every package.
Check what’s in the box for the kneading, chopping or grating you actually need, and make sure you have enough room to store the accessories you choose.
Brands to consider for different needs
Vorwerk
The Thermomix TM7 combines preparation and cooking with guided recipes through Cookidoo.
- Vorwerk lists a 2.2 L bowl for the TM7. Compare this with the quantities you usually prepare.
- Cookidoo requires a subscription. Check whether the recipes available without the service meet your needs.
Moulinex
The Companion range combines preparation and cooking functions, with capacity and equipment varying by model.
- Moulinex lists a usable capacity of 3 L for the Companion model reviewed and a 4.5 L bowl for the Companion Pro. Check which capacity applies to the model you’re considering.
- The brand offers a repairability commitment for some Companion models. Check the terms for the parts you need and the model you’ve chosen.
Magimix
The Cook Expert XL Connect may suit people comparing capacities for preparing several portions.
- Magimix lists a usable capacity of 3.8 L for this model, compared with a total capacity of 4.8 L.
- The brand lists the Cook Expert XL Connect at 11.9 kg. Check where you’ll put it and the availability of parts for your specific model.
Kenwood
The Cooking Chef combines stand mixer functions with cooking, making it an option for people who prioritise working with dough.
- Kenwood lists induction cooking and weighing for the Cooking Chef Experience KCL96.004DG.
- Check the accessories included in the exact package you’re buying. Accessories shown as compatible by the brand may not all be supplied.
Multifunction cooking food processors on Joybuy
These two Robby cooking food processors offer an all-in-one option for people who want to combine preparation and cooking in one appliance. To compare them, look at the features of each model and the details you’ll need to check for your recipes.
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Robby Smart cooking food processor with XL bowl and built-in scales
To bring preparation and cooking steps together, this model combines an XL bowl, built-in scales and a touchscreen. The Robby product details for this model list a total bowl capacity of 4.5 L and a usable capacity of 3 L.
Check which recipes are available for the exact model, how much worktop space it takes up and which parts are dishwasher-safe.
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Robby cooking food processor with built-in scales, touchscreen and 680 recipes
This multifunction cooking food processor may suit you if you want to bring preparation and cooking together, with built-in scales and a touchscreen.
Before choosing it for several portions or precise-temperature cooking, check its usable capacity and settings. Also review the cleaning instructions for each accessory.
Frequently asked questions
Do you need guided recipes to use a cooking food processor?
No. Que Choisir explains that you don’t need the supplied recipes to use a cooking food processor. If you plan to rely on guidance for regular cooking, check which recipes are available on the appliance or in the app, and under what terms.
Can you put every part of a cooking food processor in the dishwasher?
Not necessarily. It depends on the model and the part. Moulinex says several Companion components are dishwasher-safe, but advises against putting the drive shaft and its locking ring in the dishwasher. Check the instructions for the model you’re considering.
How can you check repair options before buying?
Check parts availability for the exact model and the repair services offered by the manufacturer. Moulinex and Magimix publish commitments relating to their appliances or parts. Check the terms for the model and component you’re interested in, and don’t assume the same arrangements apply to every accessory.
What should you do with a cooking food processor you no longer use?
If it still works, consider donating it or finding another way to reuse it. If it has reached the end of its life, use a suitable collection scheme for electrical equipment. Ecosystem says it offers collection points and options for repair, donation or recycling.