Choose an all-in-one cooker if you regularly make dishes that need to cook, simmer or steam in the same appliance. If you mainly want to chop, grate, slice, blend or knead, and already have a suitable way to cook, a food processor is likely to suit you better. Either way, check the usable capacity, how much space it needs and which accessories are included. If dough is a big part of what you make, consider stand mixers too.
If you often make soups, sauces, stews or steamed dishes, cooking functions are your first priority. UFC-Que Choisir describes this as the key difference between an all-in-one cooker and a food processor.
You mainly want to chop, grate, slice, mince, blend or knead, then cook on the hob, in the oven or with an appliance you already own.
If kneading and whisking make up most of your food preparation, compare stand mixers with other appliances. Check the tools included and the quantities of dough each model is designed for, rather than choosing based on bowl capacity alone.
If you regularly cook at home, first decide whether you want to cook in the appliance itself. Then compare the quantities you prepare, the tasks you need help with and the space you have available.
| Criterion | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Built-in cooking | Identify the dishes you make regularly that need to be heated in the bowl, then check the cooking settings on the model you are considering. | If I want to make soup or a stew without transferring it to a saucepan, cooking in the appliance becomes a priority. Around 29% of consumers would put this need first. |
| Food preparation without cooking | Check which tools are included for chopping, grating, slicing or blending, and how they can be stored. | When I already have another way to cook, I mainly want to save time and effort when preparing ingredients. This would be the priority for around 36% of consumers. |
| Capacity and size | Compare the usable capacity, if stated, with your usual portions, and check the dimensions with the bowl attached. | When preparing several portions at once, I want to avoid making repeated batches without taking up unnecessary space in my kitchen. Around 21% of consumers would make this balance their priority. |
| Kneading and baking | Check which kneading and whisking tools are included, as well as the quantity of dough the model is designed for. | If I mainly make bread, brioche or other bakes, working with dough matters more than chopping vegetables. Around 14% of consumers would put this need first. |
According to UFC-Que Choisir, cooking functions are what distinguish an all-in-one cooker from a food processor. If you always cook on the hob or in the oven, you may rarely use this feature.
Make a note of the meals you prepare in a typical week and identify the ones where cooking in the appliance would be useful.
Grating, slicing and kneading all depend on the tools supplied with the version you choose. Discs and other parts also need somewhere to be stored.
Check what is included with the exact model number you are considering, and decide where you will store each accessory you plan to use.
Access to recipes and related services varies between appliances. UFC-Que Choisir points out that guided recipes are not essential for using an all-in-one cooker.
Check which recipes are available with the appliance and whether a subscription is required if you want to follow steps on screen.
A hard-to-reach bowl or a large number of accessories can make cleaning less convenient. Blades and discs need to be handled carefully.
Check the instructions to see which parts are dishwasher-safe, unplug the appliance before cleaning it, and store sharp accessories out of children’s reach.
Not necessarily. If you mainly want to chop, mince, grate or blend, and your existing appliances can cook your food, start by looking at food processors. An all-in-one cooker is better suited to you if you also want to heat, simmer or steam in the same appliance.
Check the instructions for your specific model to see which parts are dishwasher-safe and whether the bowl and its seals are easy to reach. To clean the appliance, don’t immerse the main body in water, and handle blades and discs carefully, following UFC-Que Choisir’s advice.
No. UFC-Que Choisir says you can use an all-in-one cooker without guided recipes. If they matter to you, check how to access them and whether a subscription is required before choosing an appliance.
The statutory guarantee of conformity applies to an appliance sold by a trader to a consumer in France, including second-hand or refurbished goods, according to the French Ministry of the Economy. The DGCCRF states that a claim under this guarantee must be made within two years of delivery. Any commercial guarantee does not replace this statutory guarantee.