People who cook regularly
If you often make soups, sauces or slow-cooked dishes, a food processor with a cooking function can bring several steps together in the same bowl. Check that its functions match the tasks your recipes actually require.
Who are these appliances for?
People who want to follow recipes step by step
Guidance on a screen or in an app can make getting started easier. Before choosing an appliance for this reason, check which recipes will still be available after any introductory offer ends.
Households that cook in larger quantities
For family meals or batch cooking, compare the bowl’s usable capacity with the portions you want to make. Remember to allow space for the appliance and its accessories, too.
Which features should you prioritise?
Start with the tasks you want the appliance to handle. Que Choisir distinguishes between the food processor with a cooking function, which combines preparation and cooking; the multicooker, which mainly automates cooking; and the traditional food processor, which prepares ingredients without cooking them.
Food processor with cooking function
Worth considering: if you chop or mix ingredients before cooking them in the same appliance.
Bear in mind: accessories and access to guided recipes vary by model.
Multicooker
Worth considering: if your main priority is programming the cooking and you’re happy to prepare the ingredients separately.
Bear in mind: according to Que Choisir, multicookers generally don’t mix food.
Food processor and appliances you already own
Worth considering: if you mainly want to chop, grate or knead, and already have suitable cooking equipment.
Bear in mind: cooking takes place outside the food processor, so you’ll need to transfer the ingredients.
| Feature | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Preparation and cooking in one appliance | Look at the recipes you make and note any chopping, mixing during cooking and blending. Then check that the appliance has the right functions and accessories. | If I often make soup or sauce, I want to avoid switching between appliances for preparation and cooking. Around 36% of consumers would make this their top priority. |
| Guided recipes | Check which recipes are available for the model you’re considering and what happens when any free trial ends. | To get started without having to work out every step myself, I want to follow instructions and know what will still be available afterwards. This would be the top priority for around 29% of consumers. |
| Space and cleaning | Measure the space available and check which parts are dishwasher-safe. | If I cook often but have limited space, taking the appliance out, cleaning it and putting it away needs to be manageable. Around 21% of consumers would prioritise this everyday consideration. |
| Portion sizes | Compare usable capacity and fill limits, as well as the basket size for your steaming recipes. | When cooking for several people or preparing multiple meals, I want to know how much I can actually cook at once. Capacity would be a priority for around 14% of consumers. |
What should you look out for?
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Confusing a multicooker with a food processor that cooks
A multicooker automates cooking but, according to Que Choisir, generally doesn’t mix food. If your recipe calls for chopping and then stirring while it cooks, you may still need to do these steps separately.
Make a note of the steps involved in a few meals you often prepare, then check which of them the appliance you’re considering can handle.
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Relying on the bowl’s total capacity alone
The stated capacity isn’t necessarily the amount you can use in a recipe. For example, Magimix lists a 4.8 L bowl for the Cook Expert XL, with a usable capacity of 3.8 L.
Compare the usable capacities and fill limits of the models you’re considering with the portions you cook.
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Assuming guided recipes will remain free
Access depends on the brand and model. Vorwerk’s three-month Cookidoo offer, for example, is only available to new subscribers; the free trial doesn’t mean you’ll have permanent free access.
Before you buy, check the offer’s terms, whether it renews and which functions you can use without a subscription.
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Forgetting to allow space for accessories
The bowl, lid and accessories need space beyond the appliance’s base. Que Choisir also recommends considering how easy it is to clean.
Measure your worktop and storage space, then identify which parts will need to be washed by hand.
Brands to consider
Vorwerk
The Thermomix TM7 combines food preparation, cooking and guided Cookidoo recipes on screen.
- Vorwerk presents guided recipes as a key feature of the TM7.
- The three-month Cookidoo offer is for new subscribers only; check the terms for continued access.
Moulinex
The Companion range combines cooking programmes, a manual mode and food preparation accessories.
- Moulinex says a free recipe app is available for certain Companion models.
- Check the capacity, accessories and guidance options for the specific model you’re interested in.
Magimix
The Cook Expert range combines cooking and food preparation functions, with an XL version for larger quantities.
- Magimix lists a usable capacity of 3.8 L for the Cook Expert XL, compared with its total capacity of 4.8 L.
- Magimix lists the weight of this version as 11.9 kg, so check that you have enough space for setup and storage.
Silvercrest
The Monsieur Cuisine Smart offers food preparation and cooking functions, along with guided recipes.
- Lidl highlights features including steaming, blending and chopping for this model.
- Don’t assume it will produce fine results based on the list of functions alone: Que Choisir notes that food processors with cooking functions can vary in how well they handle these tasks.
Joybuy products for different needs
The food processors with cooking functions below are suited to anyone who wants to combine preparation and cooking. The multicookers that follow are better suited to those who want to programme the cooking and can prepare ingredients separately.
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Instant Pot Classic 5.7L, Daydream Blue
Worth considering if you mainly want to programme the cooking for your meals and can prepare the ingredients separately.
7-in-1 multicooker with a 5.7 L capacity; the product name mentions slow cooking, steaming and four customisable presets. Check its dimensions against the space you have available.
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Instant Pot Rio XL 7.1L
Worth a look if you want a larger stated capacity for programmed cooking, without expecting the appliance to chop ingredients as well.
7-in-1 multicooker with a 7.1 L capacity and stainless steel inner pot. Compare its usable capacity and overall size with your recipes and kitchen.
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Robby Smart, XL bowl, built-in scales and large touchscreen
Worth considering if you want to prepare and cook food in an appliance with a screen for following recipes.
The product name mentions an XL bowl and built-in scales. Before relying on guided cooking every day, check which recipes are available for this model and the terms of use.
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Robby, built-in scales and touchscreen, 680 recipes listed
Worth a look if combining preparation and cooking, and following recipes on screen, suits the way you cook.
The product name mentions built-in scales and 680 recipes. Check this model’s usable capacity and the terms for accessing recipes before comparing it with other food processors with cooking functions.
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Midea multicooker 9-in-1, 8 L, 1200 W, black
Worth considering if you’d prefer a large-capacity pot for programmed cooking rather than integrated food preparation.
The product name lists 12 preset programmes and a rated power of 1200 W. For use in France, check this model’s usable capacity, dimensions and electrical voltage against your setup.
Frequently asked questions
Is a food processor with a cooking function useful if I already own a food processor?
Yes, if you also want to cook in the appliance: Que Choisir identifies cooking as the main difference from a traditional food processor. If you’re happy to cook in a pan or oven, first check which tasks your current equipment already handles.
Can a multicooker replace a food processor with a cooking function?
It can handle some cooking tasks, but not necessarily the preparation beforehand. Que Choisir says multicookers generally don’t mix food. If chopping or stirring during cooking matters for your recipes, check that the model you’re considering can do it.
Do you need a subscription to use guided recipes?
Not necessarily: the terms depend on the model and recipe service. Vorwerk offers new Thermomix TM7 subscribers three months of Cookidoo at no cost, while Moulinex says a free app is available for certain Companion models. Check what remains accessible on your chosen model after any free trial ends.
What legal guarantee applies to a purchase from a business in France?
The legal guarantee of conformity applies to goods sold by a business to a consumer in France when the goods did not conform at the time of delivery. According to the Directorate-General for Competition Policy, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control, claims must be brought within two years of delivery. Any manufacturer’s commercial guarantee is in addition to, and does not replace, this legal guarantee.