A cooking food processor is worth considering if you regularly make dishes that involve chopping, mixing and cooking, and have the space to set it up and maintain its accessories. If you mainly want to manage the cooking, consider a multicooker; if chopping is your priority, a food processor paired with your pans may be enough. Compare these options with the appliances you already own before adding another one.
The best choice depends less on the number of programmes and more on which tasks take up your time each week.
If you want to cut down on handling or keep a closer eye on the cooking less often, separate the time spent preparing ingredients from the time spent cooking. A cooking food processor and a multicooker don’t handle the same stages.
Check the usable capacity against your usual portion sizes, as well as the space taken up by the bowl and accessories. The stated total capacity doesn’t always reflect how much you can actually prepare.
If your pans, blender or food processor already cover the recipes you make regularly, pinpoint the function you’re missing before adding another appliance to store and clean.
Start with a few meals you make regularly. The tasks you’d like to hand over will help you choose between an all-in-one preparation and cooking appliance, a multicooker or separate appliances.
| Priority | What to check | Consider this if |
|---|---|---|
| Preparing and cooking | With a cooking food processor, check which steps your recipes can actually combine: chopping, mixing, simmering, steaming or blending, depending on the model. Consider which transfers and washing-up tasks will still be needed. | I often make dishes with several steps and want to use the same appliance for preparation and cooking. I also have room for it in my kitchen. |
| Managing the cooking | With a multicooker, look at the settings that suit your dishes, such as pressure, steam or slow cooking. You’ll need separate tools for peeling, chopping or blending. | My ingredients are easy to prepare, but I’d rather let a multicooker handle the cooking than keep an eye on it constantly. |
| Chopping and mixing | For a food processor, check which discs, blades and other accessories are included. You’ll use your own pans, hob or oven for cooking. | I mainly spend time grating, slicing or kneading, and I’m already happy with my cooking equipment. If I only do these tasks occasionally, I can stick with separate tools. |
| Portions and space | Compare usable capacity with total capacity, then check the dimensions with the accessories fitted. Check the clearance under your cupboards and the steamer setup if you plan to use it. | I want to prepare my usual amount without cluttering the worktop with an oversized bowl or accessories. |
| Cleaning and recipes | Find out which parts are dishwasher-safe, which accessories need washing by hand and exactly what’s included in the box. For guided recipes, check what’s available without a subscription. | I’m only interested in an appliance if its cleaning requirements and terms of use fit in with my evening routine. |
A multicooker can handle the cooking, but it won’t peel or chop your ingredients. Even with a cooking food processor, you’ll still need to do some preparation and cleaning.
Write down the steps involved in a few meals you make regularly, from chopping to washing up. Choose an appliance based on the tasks it can genuinely take on.
Usable capacity may be lower than the stated volume. The bowl, lid and accessories can also affect how much space you need when using the appliance.
Compare the usable capacity with your usual portion sizes and measure the available space, including the clearance under your cupboards.
Guided recipes and available accessories vary depending on the model you choose. A recipe service may also require a subscription.
Check what’s in the box, which accessories are compatible and the terms for accessing recipes for the exact model you’re considering.
These examples show different approaches; their features don’t necessarily apply to every appliance from each brand.
The Thermomix TM7 combines food preparation and cooking with recipes available on the appliance.
The models featured here meet two distinct needs: the Cook Expert prepares and cooks, while the CS 4200XL prepares ingredients without cooking them.
The Companion Pro combines food preparation and cooking, while the Cookeo Simplicity focuses on cooking in a bowl.
This Joybuy selection includes cooking food processors that combine preparation and cooking, as well as multicookers designed mainly for cooking in a bowl. Compare their features with those of the appliances you already own.
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Worth considering if you’d like one appliance for food preparation and cooking, with on-screen guidance. An integrated set of scales and an XL bowl are listed in the product name. Check exactly which recipes and accessories are included, and how much space you’ll need once the appliance is set up.
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An option if you mainly want a bowl to handle the cooking and prefer to prepare ingredients with your usual tools. The stated capacity is 5.7 L; check whether it suits your portion sizes and how much storage space you have. When pressure cooking, follow the instructions for filling, releasing steam and opening the lid.
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Worth a look if you’re after an appliance that prepares and cooks, with steps displayed on screen. The product name lists integrated scales and 680 recipes. To see whether it suits your portion sizes and routine, check its usable capacity and which parts need washing after use.
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This multicooker is for anyone who wants to cook in a bowl without expecting the appliance to chop ingredients. Its stated capacity is 7.1 L; compare the usable amount with your portion sizes, including when cooking smaller quantities. For pressure cooking, follow the instructions for closing the lid and releasing steam.
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Worth comparing if you cook larger quantities and want several cooking modes in one bowl. The product name lists 8 L, 1200 W and 12 pre-set programmes; these figures alone don’t tell you how much you can cook or how much space you’ll need. Check how the parts are cleaned, too, and follow the filling limits for pressure cooking.
No. Depending on the model, it may chop, mix, simmer or steam, but you may still need a frying pan, oven or specialist tool for the dishes you usually make. Compare the steps in your recipes with the features and accessories included with the model you’re considering.
Start by checking the usable capacity, then look at the appliance’s size with its accessories. Magimix states that the Cook Expert has a usable capacity of 2.5 L and a total bowl capacity of 3.5 L, while the CS 4200XL food processor has a usable capacity of 1.3 L. These models serve different purposes, so compare their capacities with the dishes you actually plan to make.
Not necessarily: guided recipes aren’t essential for using a cooking food processor, according to UFC-Que Choisir. However, if you’re looking at a connected model, check which features are available without a recipe service. Vorwerk says the Thermomix TM7 is compatible with Cookidoo version 3.0.
Count the bowls, blades, discs and lids you use for your usual dishes, then check exactly which parts are dishwasher-safe. A pre-cleaning programme doesn’t mean you can skip washing the other parts; UFC-Que Choisir recommends considering how easy an appliance is to clean before choosing one.
In France, the DGCCRF states that the legal guarantee of conformity applies to new, second-hand and refurbished goods sold by a trader to a consumer. Check who the seller is and keep your proof of purchase. Any commercial warranty is separate from this statutory guarantee.