People who’d also like the appliance to handle cooking
You regularly prepare hot meals and want to mix or cook in the same appliance. Compare the usable capacity, the settings suited to your recipes and the terms for accessing guided recipes.
Who are these appliances for?
Households already equipped for cooking
You’re happy with your hob, oven or multicooker, but chopping and blending take time. Check that a food processor comes with the discs, blades and bowls you need for the dishes you usually make.
People mindful of space and washing up
If worktop space is limited or you want to cut down on the number of parts to wash, compare the dimensions with the bowl fitted against the space you have available. Also check where you’ll store the accessories and which parts are dishwasher-safe.
What should you look for when comparing them?
First decide whether you want the appliance to handle cooking or simply speed up food preparation. If you regularly need just one function, a dedicated appliance or an accessory that works with your current equipment may be enough.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Built-in cooking | Cooking settings that suit your dishes and the bowl’s usable capacity; access to guided recipes if you plan to use them. | I often prepare hot meals and would like the appliance to handle some of the cooking too. Around 36% of consumers would make this a priority. |
| Food preparation without cooking | Which discs, blades and bowls are actually included for grating, slicing, chopping or blending. | I already have cooking covered; it’s the repeated chopping that slows me down. This would be the priority for around 29% of consumers. |
| Capacity and space | Usable capacity for the quantities you prepare; dimensions with the bowl and lid fitted, plus storage space for accessories. | I want to prepare the usual quantities for my household without permanently cluttering the kitchen. Around 21% of consumers would first choose based on the capacity and space available. |
| Cleaning and extras | Parts to wash after your usual recipes, included accessories and terms for accessing recipe services. | If cleaning the appliance or adding accessories makes every meal more complicated, I may not use it much. For around 14% of consumers, easy cleaning and any necessary extras would come before other considerations. |
What to bear in mind
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Choosing built-in cooking when you don’t need it
A cooking food processor may not add much to your meal prep if you mainly want to grate, slice or blend and your current appliances already take care of the cooking.
Think about the dishes you make most often, then separate the preparation tasks from the cooking steps you’d genuinely like the appliance to handle.
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Assuming all accessories come in the box
A function advertised for a product range may require a disc, bowl or basket that isn’t included in the pack you’re considering. Que Choisir distinguishes in its tests between tasks that can be done with the accessories actually supplied.
Check what’s included with the exact model and which accessories you’ll need for your recipes before comparing two appliances.
Depending on the range, some slicing accessories, bowls or steaming baskets may need to be bought separately.
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Underestimating the space and washing up required
The bowl, lid and accessories all need space and cleaning after use. In a survey published in 2020, Que Choisir reported that washing up was one of the reasons some owners gave for using their cooking food processor less often.
Measure the space with the appliance assembled and check the cleaning instructions for each part of the model you’re considering.
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Confusing a commercial warranty with your statutory rights
In France, the Ministry of the Economy explains that the legal guarantee of conformity applies to new, second-hand and refurbished goods bought from a professional seller. Any additional commercial warranty does not replace it.
Before taking out an extended warranty, compare its terms and keep your receipt and a copy of the seller’s offer.
A few brands to know
Magimix
Magimix offers the CS 4200 XL food processor and the Cook Expert XL Connect cooking food processor, among other models. They’re two ranges to consider depending on whether you want built-in cooking.
- Magimix presents the CS 4200 XL as suitable for tasks such as grating, slicing, chopping and blending. The brand states that the Cook Expert XL Connect has a usable capacity of 3,8 L.
- Extras such as the XXL steamer basket or Extra Press XL are sold separately, so check what’s included in the pack you choose.
Moulinex
The Companion range combines food preparation and cooking, with some models also offering access to recipes.
- For the Companion XL HF80CB10, Moulinex lists 14 settings, five accessories and a 4,5 L bowl.
- The brand also sells dedicated accessories separately. Compare the exact pack with the slicing options and capacities you need.
Vorwerk
The Thermomix TM7 is aimed at people interested in guided cooking on the appliance and the Cookidoo recipe service.
- Vorwerk lists 12 functions and 25 modes for the TM7; its support service gives the bowl’s maximum capacity as 2,2 L.
- Compare this capacity with the quantities you prepare. Access to Cookidoo requires a subscription, so check the terms if guided recipes are a key reason for your choice.
Cooking food processors and a food processor
The two Robby models are options if you’re looking for a cooking food processor that combines food preparation and cooking. The ochama food processor is better suited to chopping and blending if you’re keeping your existing cooking appliances.
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Robby Smart cooking food processor with XL bowl and built-in scales
Worth considering if you’d like to combine food preparation and cooking in one appliance. This model is described as having an XL bowl, built-in scales and a large touchscreen. Check the dimensions and what’s included in the pack to make sure it suits the dishes you usually prepare.
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Robby cooking food processor with built-in scales and touchscreen, 680 recipes
Consider this model if you’d like to cook with an appliance that has a touchscreen and built-in scales. The product title lists 680 recipes; check the accessories supplied, usable capacity and cleaning instructions before choosing.
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ochama 750 W food processor with 1,8 L bowl
For chopping, blending, slicing or grating without expecting the same appliance to cook your food. The product listing gives a power rating of 750 W and a bowl capacity of 1,8 L. Check which discs and other accessories are included, along with their cleaning instructions.
Frequently asked questions
Can a food processor replace a cooking food processor?
Not if you want built-in cooking: a food processor prepares ingredients, while a cooking food processor can also heat or cook, depending on its settings. If your current appliances already take care of cooking, focus instead on the chopping and blending tasks you’d like to speed up.
How do I choose an appliance that’s easy to clean?
Look at the parts you’ll use for your usual recipes, then check which ones are dishwasher-safe for the exact model. An appliance with several bowls, discs or seals may need more storage space and washing, depending on what you prepare.
Are guided recipes and accessories included?
Not always: what’s included depends on the model and pack. Moulinex lists five accessories for the Companion XL HF80CB10 and sells other extras separately; Vorwerk requires a subscription to access Cookidoo recipes on the TM7. Before you buy, check what’s included and the terms of any service you’re interested in.
What statutory guarantee applies to a food processor bought from a professional seller in France?
In France, the legal guarantee of conformity applies to new, second-hand and refurbished goods sold by a professional to a private individual, as the Ministry of the Economy explains. It covers issues including goods that do not conform to their description or expected use, and is separate from any commercial warranty that may be offered.