Choose a cooking food processor if you want to prepare ingredients and cook them in the same appliance, provided its functions, bowl and accessories suit the meals you usually make. If you already have the cooking side covered and mainly want to chop, grate or knead, a food processor may be all you need. If your main aim is to programme cooking, consider a multicooker instead. In every case, check how much space it takes up, how easy it is to clean and how you can access recipes.
Start by thinking about which steps you want the appliance to handle, then consider the quantities you usually prepare.
A cooking food processor is worth considering if you want to combine steps such as chopping, mixing and cooking in the same bowl. Check the modes and accessories included with the model you’re considering: these vary between models, as UFC-Que Choisir points out.
Compare the usable capacity with your usual portion sizes, and don’t overlook the space it will take up on your worktop. Total capacity and usable capacity don’t always mean the same thing.
If you’re happy with your hob, oven or other appliances, a food processor may be all you need for food preparation. If you mainly want to programme cooking, consider a multicooker instead, and make sure you have a way to prepare the ingredients.
First decide which steps you really want to handle in one appliance. Then compare the bowls, accessories and day-to-day usability.
Consider it if: you want to prepare ingredients and cook them in the same appliance.
Bear in mind: functions and accessories vary between models, and the bowl needs to suit your portion sizes.
Consider it if: chopping, grating, slicing or kneading is your main priority, and your existing equipment takes care of the cooking.
Bear in mind: with a model that doesn’t cook, you’ll need to transfer the prepared ingredients to another appliance.
Consider it if: you mainly want to pressure cook, steam or slow cook.
Bear in mind: cooking modes don’t mean the appliance can chop, grate or knead.
| What to consider | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Functions | Separate food preparation tasks from cooking modes. Check what the specific model can do rather than assuming its functions from the product range name. | I’d like to prepare ingredients and cook them without switching appliances. |
| Accessories | Check which attachments are included for chopping, whisking, slicing or steaming. Make sure they’re suitable for the recipes you have in mind. | I make dishes that need specific techniques, so I want to know what I can do with the accessories in the box. |
| Bowl and space | Compare the usable capacity, where stated, with your portion sizes. Also measure the appliance when set up, including the clearance available under your cupboards. | I cook several portions, but the appliance needs to be easy to set up or put away. |
| Recipes | Check where the steps are displayed, which recipes you can access and the conditions for continued access. | Guided recipes appeal to me, as long as I can use them in the way I actually cook. |
| Cleaning | Check the cleaning instructions for each part and whether replacement parts are available. Don’t assume the whole appliance is dishwasher-safe. | After a meal, I want to clean the bowl, lid and accessories without unnecessary hassle. |
A food processor mainly designed for chopping, grating or kneading won’t save you from transferring ingredients to a pan if the model you choose doesn’t cook.
Make a note of the dishes you prepare most often. Before choosing an appliance, separate the food preparation steps from the cooking steps.
If guided recipes are a key reason for your choice, the conditions for accessing them will affect how you use the appliance.
Check which recipes are available on the appliance or in the app, whether they’re compatible with your model and what you can still use without access to the connected service.
Total capacity and usable capacity can differ. Magimix says the Cook Expert XL Connect has a total bowl capacity of 4,8 L, of which 3,8 L is usable.
Compare the fill limits with your usual portion sizes, then measure how much space you’ll need with the bowl in place.
Steaming or another highlighted function may require a separate accessory.
Check the list of items included with the exact model you’re considering, and make sure you have somewhere to store the accessories you plan to use.
These ranges show how configurations can differ. The features mentioned apply to the specific models named, not every appliance from each brand.
The Thermomix TM7 combines food preparation, cooking and guided recipes through the Cookidoo ecosystem.
The Companion XL is designed for preparing and cooking food in one appliance, while the Cookeo Wi-Fi 8-en-1 focuses more on cooking.
The Cook Expert XL Connect is designed for households looking to combine several food preparation and cooking tasks in one appliance.
These options include cooking food processors that prepare ingredients and cook them in one appliance, as well as multicookers designed mainly for cooking. Choose according to which steps you want to combine and how many portions you need to prepare.
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Worth considering if you want to prepare and cook food in one appliance with built-in scales and a large touchscreen. Compare the usable capacity with your portion sizes, and check how many recipes are available for this model.
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Consider this if you want to combine food preparation, cooking and on-screen recipe guidance. The product name lists 680 recipes; check the terms of access and the bowl’s fill limits for the dishes you usually make.
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This 7,1 L multicooker is worth considering if you want to cook larger quantities, rather than use a food processor that also prepares ingredients. If you want to chop, grate or knead in the same appliance, check that it can handle those tasks before choosing it.
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Consider this multicooker if you already prepare your ingredients separately and want a choice of cooking modes. Its name lists a 6 L capacity, an air fryer lid and built-in scales. Check its dimensions and cleaning instructions before deciding where to put it.
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This 8 L cooker has 12 preset programmes and a power rating of 1200 W. It’s worth considering if you already have another way to prepare ingredients. Check how much space it needs and which parts require cleaning.
No. It depends on the tasks you need it to do and the accessories included with the model. Check its food preparation and cooking functions separately. Don’t assume that a multicooker designed mainly for cooking can chop, grate or knead.
It depends on the appliance and its platform. Vorwerk offers guided recipes for the Thermomix TM7 through Cookidoo. Check the terms of access and which functions remain available without the service for the model you’re interested in.
First compare the usable capacity for your recipes, then check the fill limits in the instruction manuals. Magimix lists a total capacity of 4,8 L and a usable capacity of 3,8 L for the Cook Expert XL Connect, while Moulinex lists a 4,5 L bowl for the Companion XL. These figures may not refer to the same measurement.
Check the cleaning instructions for the bowl, lid and each accessory, and make sure replacement parts are available if you need them. Just because one part is dishwasher-safe doesn’t mean the others are.