Households looking to prepare and cook a meal
You want to chop, mix and cook in one appliance, so there are fewer stages to keep an eye on when preparing savoury meals.
Who are these appliances for?
Cooks who already have cooking appliances
You use your hob or oven, but would like to slice, grate, chop or blend ingredients before cooking them.
Households looking to programme cooking times
You mainly cook rice, slow-cooked dishes or meals with a sauce, and want cooking programmes without needing to chop ingredients in the appliance.
Which features should you prioritise?
As Que Choisir explains, integrated cooking is what sets a cooking food processor apart from a multifunction food processor. A multicooker meets a different need: automating the cooking, generally without stirring the food.
Cooking food processor
Choose this if: you regularly want to prepare and cook soups, sauces or slow-cooked dishes in one appliance.
Bear in mind: features and accessories vary by model, and there may be different terms for accessing guided recipes.
Multifunction food processor
Choose this if: chopping and preparing ingredients takes up your time, but you want to keep using your existing cooking appliances.
Bear in mind: you’ll still need a hob, oven or another appliance to cook the dish.
Multicooker
Choose this if: you mainly want to programme the cooking of rice or slow-cooked dishes.
Bear in mind: according to Que Choisir, these appliances generally don’t stir food, and ingredients still need to be chopped separately.
| Feature | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Preparation and cooking in one | Check that it has the cooking modes you need and comes with the preparation accessories you’ll use. | If I want to chop, mix and then cook without always switching appliances, this combination is my priority; around 31% of consumers put it first. |
| Preparation without integrated cooking | Check the grating and slicing discs, blade and accessories included with the version you choose. | Since I’m already happy with my hob, I mainly want to prepare vegetables and sauces more easily; around 31% of consumers prioritise this stage. |
| Capacity and space needed | Compare the usable capacity with the portions you want to make, then measure the appliance with its accessories fitted. | To cook the amount I need without cluttering my worktop, the right size comes before other features; this is a top priority for around 23% of consumers. |
| Recipes and cleaning | Check which recipes are available without a subscription, which accessories are included and which parts are dishwasher-safe. | If I cook often, I want to use the recipes I’m interested in and clean the appliance after a meal without too much faff; around 15% of consumers prioritise these practical considerations. |
What to avoid before you buy
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Confusing multifunction preparation with integrated cooking
A food processor that chops, grates or blends doesn’t necessarily cook ingredients. You may still need your hob and pans to finish the meal.
Make a note of the savoury meals you usually prepare, then work out whether you want to hand over the preparation, cooking or both for each one.
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Comparing only the advertised capacity
The total capacity of a bowl or cooking pot doesn’t always tell you how much you can use in a recipe, particularly when you need to leave room to prevent liquids from spilling over.
Look for a usable capacity that suits the dishes you make, and check the appliance’s dimensions with the accessories you’ll need.
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Assuming all guided recipes will always be available
Recipes available on the appliance, in an app and through a subscription may differ. Guided cooking is only useful if it covers dishes you actually plan to make.
Check which recipes are available without a subscription, the terms of any trial and the language of the instructions for your chosen model.
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Underestimating cleaning and storage space
In a 2020 survey of kitchen appliance owners who subscribe to its newsletter, Que Choisir cited washing up and unsuitable recipes among the reasons people used their appliances less often.
Measure the space you have and check which bowls, lids, blades and accessories need washing after a typical meal. See which parts are dishwasher-safe.
Brands to consider for different needs
Moulinex
The Companion range is for households looking for a cooking food processor that can prepare meals in a large-capacity bowl.
- Moulinex lists a 4.5 L bowl, several cooking modes and preparation accessories for the Companion XL HF80DB10.
- Check the model number and what’s included in the pack: accessories and dishwasher-safe parts listed for one model may not apply to another version.
Magimix
The Cook Expert and CS ranges let you compare two distinct uses: preparation with integrated cooking, or preparation before cooking separately.
- Magimix lists cooking as a feature of the Cook Expert and describes the CS4200XL as a food processor for slicing, grating, blending and chopping.
- Don’t confuse total capacity with usable capacity: Magimix lists 3.8 L of usable capacity for the Cook Expert XL Connect, a separate version from the other Cook Expert models.
Vorwerk
The Thermomix TM7 is for households interested in preparing and cooking with guided recipes on the appliance.
- Vorwerk lists a 2.2 L bowl for the TM7, along with preparation and cooking functions.
- Access to Cookidoo recipes depends on the offer terms and any subscription required after the trial period. Check what remains available without a subscription.
Appliances for preparing and cooking meals
These models suit two of the needs covered here: cooking food processors that combine preparation and cooking, and multicookers for meals where you mainly want to programme the cooking. Choose according to the tasks you want the appliance to handle, rather than relying on the capacity of its cooking pot alone.
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Robby Smart Multifunction Cooking Robot, XL bowl, scales and large touchscreen
Worth considering if you want to combine preparation and cooking for family meals. This model is listed with an XL bowl, built-in scales and a large touchscreen. Check how many recipes are available, their language and the terms for accessing them.
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Robby Multifunction Cooking Robot, scales, touchscreen and 680 advertised recipes
Worth considering if you want to follow guided steps while preparing and cooking in one appliance. The product title mentions built-in scales, a touchscreen and 680 recipes. Check the recipe language, usable capacity and which parts are dishwasher-safe.
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Instant Pot Rio XL, 7-in-1 7.1 L multicooker with stainless steel cooking pot
Worth considering if your priority is assisted cooking for several portions, rather than chopping ingredients. The listed capacity is 7.1 L; check how much you can use for your recipes and which preparation tasks you’ll need to do separately.
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Midea, 9-in-1 8 L electric pressure cooker, 1,200 W, black
Worth considering if you want to programme cooking for larger meals. The product title lists an 8 L cooking pot, 12 programmes and 1,200 W of power. Check the usable capacity before deciding how many portions to make.
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Instant Pot Classic, 7-in-1 5.7 L multicooker, Daydream Blue
Worth considering for assisted cooking when you prepare ingredients separately. The product title lists a 5.7 L capacity, four customisable presets and the Daydream Blue colour. Check the usable capacity and how much space it’ll need in your kitchen.
Frequently asked questions
Can a multifunction food processor replace a cooking food processor for evening meals?
It can take care of preparing the ingredients, but it won’t replace cooking if you want everything done in the same appliance. As Que Choisir explains, a cooking food processor has integrated cooking; with a multifunction food processor, you’ll need a separate appliance to finish the dish.
Does a multicooker chop and mix ingredients?
Don’t rely on a multicooker to do both. Que Choisir says these appliances generally don’t stir food. Check the functions of your chosen model if you want to cut down on manual preparation.
Do guided recipes always require a subscription?
No, the terms vary by service and model. Moulinex says the app for the Companion XL mentioned here is free, while Vorwerk requires a subscription for unlimited access to Cookidoo after any applicable trial offers. Check which recipes are available without a subscription and whether they’re available on the appliance you’re interested in.
What should I do if the appliance I receive doesn’t match its description in France?
For goods bought by an individual from a professional seller in France, the statutory legal guarantee of conformity is compulsory, as the Ministry of the Economy points out. Keep the model description and proof of purchase so you can report the discrepancy to the seller. This legal protection is separate from the seller’s voluntary returns policy.