Choose a food processor with cooking functions if you want to combine preparation and cooking in one appliance, particularly for soups, sauces, stews and steaming. A multifunction food processor is a better choice if you already have the cooking appliances you need, while a multicooker focuses on programmed cooking without replacing chopping or kneading accessories.
This option is ideal for people who regularly prepare soups, sauces, stews or steamed recipes and want to avoid switching between preparation and cooking appliances. According to Que Choisir, you should also check the capacity, footprint, accessories and cleaning requirements.
If your hob, oven or slow cooker already meets your cooking needs, a multifunction food processor may be all you need to chop, grate, slice, blend or knead without adding a redundant heating function.
A multicooker is a good fit when your meals mainly involve pressure cooking, steaming, slow cooking or stewing, and a programmable cooking pot matters more to you than a wide range of preparation tools.
Choose this if: you want to chop, blend, mix and cook in one appliance for recipes that include a cooking stage.
Bear in mind: this type of appliance often stays permanently on your worktop, and its accessories need to be stored and cleaned.
Choose this if: slicing, grating, kneading or whisking matter more to you than integrated cooking.
Bear in mind: cooking will still need to be done using your hob, oven or another appliance.
Choose this if: your meals mainly consist of dishes cooked in a programmable pot, whether pressure-cooked, browned, slow-cooked or steamed.
Bear in mind: grating, slicing and kneading functions are generally limited.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Useful functions | List the preparations and cooking methods you genuinely plan to use. Check whether the appliance heats, grates, slices, kneads or blends, and which accessories are included. | I want to avoid paying for functions that do not suit my usual meals. |
| Capacity and space | Compare the usable capacity of the bowl or cooking pot with the number of portions you prepare. Measure the appliance with the bowl, lid and accessories fitted. | My appliance needs to remain accessible without taking up unnecessary worktop space. |
| Guidance and controls | Test or examine the interface, programmes and manual modes. Check the access requirements for guided recipes and any associated services. | I want simple controls, but I do not want to depend on guidance I will not use. |
| Care and repairs | Check which parts are dishwasher-safe, which must be washed by hand, and whether spare parts or repairers are available. Follow the care instructions in the manual. | I want to minimise washing up after every meal and keep the appliance working for longer. |
A multicooker can automate several cooking methods without grating, slicing or kneading. Conversely, a multifunction food processor can handle many preparations but does not usually heat.
Note down the five meals or preparations you make most often, then check whether each one requires integrated cooking, a steaming basket, a slicing disc or another accessory.
Que Choisir states that additional accessories are only assessed when they are supplied. Some ranges also offer accessories sold separately.
Compare the exact contents of the box, the accessories needed for your recipes and how they will be stored before comparing appliances.
Additional accessories may be sold separately.
The space required is not limited to the dimensions of the base: the bowl, lid and accessories all affect the footprint. Que Choisir also recommends checking which parts are washable.
Measure the available space with the lid and bowl in position, then check which parts are dishwasher-safe and which need to be cleaned by hand.
Some recipe services or accessories may be added to the initial purchase. In France, kitchen food processors may qualify for the Bonus Réparation when repaired by an approved repairer, subject to the applicable conditions.
Before buying, distinguish between essential accessories, optional services, the statutory guarantee and the repair options available for the model you are considering.
Depending on the model and service selected, a recipe subscription or accessories may incur an additional cost; out-of-warranty repairs may also be expensive.
Thermomix is a range of connected food processors with cooking functions and guided recipes. Vorwerk presents the TM7 with 12 functions and 25 integrated modes, including chopping, stewing, steaming, blending, kneading and cooking.
The Cookeo range falls into the multicooker category. According to Moulinex’s French product specifications, the modes vary by model and may include pressure cooking, steaming, stewing, browning, slow cooking and reheating.
Magimix presents the Cook Expert as a multifunction food processor with cooking, mixing, chopping, emulsifying, grating, slicing, kneading and whisking functions.
Joybuy options for home-cooked meals: food processors with cooking functions to combine preparation and cooking, and multicookers for dishes mainly prepared in a cooking pot.
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Worth considering if you want to prepare and cook in one appliance for a household of several people.
4.5 L bowl, including 3 L usable capacity; 20 temperatures announced from 37 to 130 °C; mixing, kneading, chopping, steaming and cooking functions. The bowl and accessories are stated to be dishwasher-safe.
Stated dimensions: 40 × 26 × 36 cm; stated weight: 9.4 kg. Check the access conditions for future recipes and Wi-Fi updates.
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This model is designed for preparing and cooking in the same appliance, with on-screen guidance.
3.5 L stainless steel bowl; 8 programmes, manual mode, touchscreen, built-in scales and a rinsing programme announced. The stated functions include blending, kneading, chopping, grating, steaming and stewing.
Stated dimensions: 38 × 28.5 × 31 cm; stated weight: 8.3 kg. Check the included accessories, their dishwasher compatibility and the conditions for accessing recipes via Wi-Fi.
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Consider it for family meals or batch cooking focused on dishes prepared in a cooking pot.
Stated 7.1 L capacity, serving up to eight portions, with pressure cooking, slow cooking, browning and steaming. Four programmable buttons are indicated; the pot, lid and accessories are stated to be dishwasher-safe.
Check the stated depth of 41.5 cm before installation. This model does not replace a multifunction food processor for grating, slicing or kneading.
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This option is aimed at home-cooked meals prepared in a pot for several people, and at those looking for straightforward programming.
Stated 5.7 L capacity, serving up to six portions, with four programmes. Seven modes are announced, including pressure cooking, slow cooking, steaming, browning and keeping warm; the removable parts are stated to be dishwasher-safe.
Check the external dimensions and the space needed for installation. It is not suitable as a single appliance if your recipes mainly require grating, slicing or kneading.
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This multicooker is designed for households preparing large quantities of cooked, programmed dishes.
Stated 8 L capacity, serving up to ten portions, with 9 functions and 12 programmes. The stated modes include pressure cooking, slow cooking, steaming, rice, yoghurt, browning and keeping warm, with a delayed start of up to 24 hours.
Check whether the parts are dishwasher-safe, as well as the dimensions, weight and clearance space required. It does not replace preparation accessories for grating, slicing, chopping or kneading.
Not always. A food processor with cooking functions provides integrated cooking, but grating, slicing, blender or citrus press accessories vary by model and box contents. A multifunction food processor remains a sensible choice if your needs are mainly focused on preparation and you already own the cooking appliances you need.
Consult the manual for the exact model to check the bowl or cooking pot, lid, seals, steaming basket, blades and accessories. Moulinex states that, for some Cookeo models, the pot, steaming basket and lid are dishwasher-safe; Vorwerk states that the TM7’s removable parts can go in the dishwasher, but its base must be cleaned by hand.
No. Que Choisir states that recipes may be available free of charge or for a fee, and that they are not essential for using a food processor with cooking functions. For the Thermomix TM7, Vorwerk announces compatibility with Cookidoo 3.0 and a 60 € annual subscription for new customers: check the current terms and which functions are available without a subscription.
According to the French Ministry of the Economy, the statutory guarantee of conformity can be claimed against the professional seller for two years for a new or second-hand product. This is separate from any commercial guarantee offered by the manufacturer or retailer.
Yes, kitchen food processors may qualify for the Bonus Réparation when repaired by an approved repairer. ADEME states that the reduction ranges from 15 € to 40 €, depending on the type of repair and the size of the item; check that the fault is eligible and confirm the applicable amount before the repair.