If you regularly grate, slice, chop and blend ingredients for several meals, choose a food processor with a bowl and attachments that suit the quantities you prepare and the recipes you make. A compact model is worth considering if space is limited; a cooking food processor meets a different need, as it also cooks food in the appliance.
If you grate or slice vegetables, then chop or blend other ingredients in the same session, check the bowl’s usable capacity, the attachments supplied and how easy they are to clean. You don’t need an appliance with a cooking function just for these preparation tasks.
A compact model or attachments that fit inside the bowl can make storage easier. However, measure the space you have available, including room for the appliance and any parts you need to keep.
A small sauce or a handful of herbs won’t take up the same amount of space as several vegetables. Check whether a mini bowl or mini chopper is included, rather than assuming the main bowl is suitable for small portions just because of its capacity.
Start with the tasks you do regularly, then compare the amount you prepare each time with the attachments supplied and the space you have available.
| What to consider | What to check | Think about your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Bowl capacity | Compare the usable capacity with the largest amount you prepare, not just the bowl’s total volume. Check the maximum quantities for dough and blended mixtures separately. | I prepare several portions at once, but sometimes make a small sauce too. The main bowl and any mini bowl need to suit both uses. |
| Attachments | Look for grating and slicing discs, a blade and any other parts your recipes require. Check what’s included with the exact model you’re considering, rather than what’s merely compatible. | If I grate and slice vegetables every week, these discs will come in handy. If I only do this occasionally, I’ll also compare a dedicated appliance. |
| Size and storage | Measure the space needed for the motor unit and attachments. A direct-feed outlet can send grated or sliced vegetables straight into a bowl, without requiring a larger work bowl for other recipes. | My appliance needs to fit in a cupboard or drawer. If I mainly prepare vegetables, a direct-feed outlet may matter more than a large bowl. |
| Cooking function | Distinguish food preparation functions from cooking functions. UFC-Que Choisir explains that cooking is what sets a cooking food processor apart from a standard food processor. | I want to chop and slice ingredients before cooking them elsewhere, or I also want to cook in the appliance. Your answer will determine which type to compare. |
According to Magimix France, the CS 4200XL has a bowl with a total capacity of 3 L, but a stated usable capacity of 1.3 L. So the first figure alone doesn’t tell you how much you can actually prepare.
Compare your largest recipe with the stated usable capacity, and check the limits for dough and blending separately.
Discs and other parts need to be stored, even if you rarely use them. UFC-Que Choisir recommends checking that you’ll actually use the attachments.
Make a list of the tasks you do regularly — grating, slicing, chopping, blending or kneading — then compare the food processor with a dedicated appliance if you mainly need it for just one job.
According to Kenwood France, the MultiPro Go FDP22.140GY can grate or slice directly into a container, but its stated bowl capacity is 1.3 L. The outlet doesn’t increase the amount you can prepare in the bowl.
Think separately about vegetables destined for a serving bowl and purées, mixtures or dough that need to stay in the work bowl during preparation.
According to UFC-Que Choisir, the cooking function is what distinguishes a cooking food processor from a standard food processor. On its own, it doesn’t meet a need for grating or chopping.
If you already cook using other appliances, start by comparing food processors based on their bowls, discs and storage options.
These examples show different configurations to compare. The specifications mentioned apply to the models listed, not every appliance from each brand.
The CS 4200XL combines a main bowl and a mini bowl, making it easier to switch between different quantities.
The MultiPro Go FDP22.140GY is designed to be compact, with grating and slicing directly into a container.
According to Bosch France, the MultiTalent 8 MC812M844 combines a large bowl with a mini chopper for smaller quantities.
The Double Force Compact FP544111 is worth considering if you’re looking for several attachments in a compact design.
These two options are for preparing ingredients for several meals. One has a stated bowl capacity of 1.8 L, the other 1.1 L. Compare these capacities with your recipes, and check that the attachments you need for your usual tasks are included.
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Worth a look if you want to prepare ingredients in a 1.8 L bowl, with discs for grating or slicing. Compare the usable capacity with your recipes and check the dimensions before deciding where to store it.
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Compare its 1.1 L bowl with the amount you usually prepare, especially if you cook several portions at once. If you regularly slice ingredients, check that the relevant attachment is included with this model.
Check whether it comes with a mini bowl or mini chopper suited to the kinds of food you plan to prepare, rather than relying on the capacity of the main bowl alone. Magimix France lists a mini bowl for the CS 4200XL, while Bosch France lists a mini chopper for small quantities on the MC812M844.
No, check the instructions for the specific appliance. UFC-Que Choisir explains that some bowls and attachments can go in the dishwasher, but the appliance body must not be immersed in water.
In France, the statutory guarantee of conformity applies to new, second-hand and refurbished goods sold by a trader to a private individual. The DGCCRF reminds sellers that goods must match the contract. Keep a copy of the product description and your proof of purchase so you can explain the discrepancy to the seller.
According to the Ministry for the Ecological Transition, an electrical appliance can be taken to a collection point or recycling centre, returned to a shop, or given to a social and solidarity economy organisation.