People making dinner after a busy day
You want to cut down on the steps between chopping, mixing and cooking when preparing home-cooked weekday meals.
Who are these solutions right for?
People who like following guided recipes
Menu ideas and on-screen instructions matter more to you than adding manual functions.
People short on space or already well equipped
You need to consider what a new appliance would add to your kitchen, without overlooking the space needed for its bowl and accessories.
Which criteria should you prioritise?
For weekday meals, start by separating the time spent preparing ingredients from the time spent keeping an eye on them as they cook: different solutions take care of different steps.
Multifunction food processor
Consider it if: having to prepare ingredients and then cook them is making weekday dinners more of a chore.
Bear in mind: the bowl, accessories and cleaning are all part of everyday use, even when several steps are combined in one appliance.
Multicooker
Consider it if: your ingredients are already prepared and you mainly want help managing the cooking.
Bear in mind: according to Que Choisir, these appliances don’t generally stir food, so preparation remains a separate step.
Food processor and separate cooking
Consider it if: grating, slicing or chopping is your main challenge and you’re happy with your cooking equipment.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to transfer the ingredients and manage the cooking separately.
Appliances you already own
Consider this if: your kitchen equipment already lets you prepare weekday meals without too much difficulty.
Bear in mind: preparation, cooking and any guided recipes won’t all be brought together in one appliance.
| Criteria | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Preparation and cooking in one appliance | Check that the model can handle the tasks your recipes require, and compare its usable capacity with the portions you usually make. | When dinner involves several steps from chopping to the hob, I want to avoid repeatedly transferring ingredients. Around 36% of consumers would prioritise having these steps combined in one appliance. |
| Guided recipes | Check access to recipes, the planning features you want and the terms of any subscription. | If finding an idea and then following the steps takes up most of my time, what I really want is help planning meals. This would be the priority for around 29% of consumers. |
| Storage space and cleaning | Measure the space needed for the appliance and its accessories; check which parts of the model you’re considering are dishwasher-safe. | In a compact kitchen, I want to be able to get the appliance out, put it away and clean it without making the next meal more difficult. Around 21% of consumers would put this practical simplicity first. |
| Less hands-on cooking | Compare the programmes with the dishes you usually make, and decide whether you’re happy to chop or stir ingredients separately. | I can prepare the ingredients myself, but I mainly want to spend less time keeping an eye on the cooking. Around 14% of consumers would put this need first. |
What should you watch out for before buying?
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Confusing programmed cooking with ingredient preparation
A multicooker can manage the cooking without chopping or blending ingredients. According to Que Choisir, it doesn’t generally stir food.
Think about a few dinners you make often. If preparing the ingredients slows you down as much as cooking them, check what each type of appliance actually does.
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Assuming guided recipes will always be available on the same terms
Access to a recipe library may depend on the service you choose. Vorwerk offers Cookidoo with a subscription for connected recipes.
Check which recipes and features are available on the model you’re considering, along with the service’s renewal terms.
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Choosing a bowl without checking its usable capacity
The total capacity won’t necessarily match the amount you can use for your dishes. The bowl, lid and accessories also take up space in your kitchen.
Start with the portions you usually make, then compare the model’s stated usable capacity and measure the space it will need both in use and in storage.
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Planning to use it regularly without considering your habits
Even an appliance intended for the occasional meal still needs to be stored and cleaned. For electrical appliances, the Ministry for the Ecological Transition recommends thinking about how you plan to use them.
If your current appliances already cover most of your weekday meals, first work out which tasks would genuinely justify adding another one.
Brands to know
Moulinex
The Companion XL HF80DB10 combines food preparation programmes with cooking, and offers recipes to follow in the Moulinex app.
- Moulinex lists 14 modes, 5 accessories and a 4.5 L bowl for this model.
- These specifications don’t apply to every Companion model. Check the accessories included and recipe access for the specific model on sale.
Vorwerk
The Thermomix TM7 is designed in part for people who want to follow recipes on-screen using the connected Cookidoo service.
- Vorwerk presents the TM7 with Cookidoo built in and lists more than 10,000 guided recipes.
- Before buying, check what happens to access after any introductory offer and review the service’s renewal terms.
Magimix
The Cook Expert XL may suit households preparing several portions and looking for both food preparation and cooking functions.
- Magimix lists a total bowl capacity of 4.8 L for the Cook Expert XL, with a usable capacity of 3.8 L.
- These figures apply to this specific model. Also check how much space the appliance and its accessories will need.
Related Joybuy products
Matching products will be available soon.
Frequently asked questions
Do you need guided recipes to use a food processor with cooking functions?
No, guided recipes aren’t essential for cooking with a food processor that has cooking functions. They can be helpful if you’re looking for ideas or instructions to follow, though. Before choosing a model, check recipe access and the terms of any associated service.
Can a multicooker be enough for weekday meals?
Yes, if you mainly need help with cooking and are happy to prepare the ingredients separately. Que Choisir points out that multicookers don’t generally stir food, so check what your usual dishes require before replacing a food processor with cooking functions with this option.
What bowl capacity should you choose for your household?
Choose based on the portions you usually make and the usable capacity your recipes need, rather than the stated total capacity alone. Usable capacity can differ, so compare the details for the model you’re considering.
How can you plan for cleaning a food processor with cooking functions?
Check which parts of the specific model are removable and dishwasher-safe, and which accessories are actually included. A feature listed for one model, such as the Moulinex Companion XL HF80DB10, won’t necessarily apply to other models in the range.