Choose a cooking food processor if you want to combine preparation and cooking in one appliance, provided the bowl, footprint, accessories and cleaning requirements suit the meals you usually make. If you already have good cooking equipment, a multifunction food processor may be enough for preparation; a multicooker is a better choice when you mainly want to hand over the cooking.
You prepare several homemade meals each week and want to combine chopping, blending, mixing and cooking. The benefits depend mainly on your recipes, bowl capacity, accessories, washing-up and available space.
If you are already happy with your hob, oven, saucepans or another cooking appliance, a multifunction food processor can meet your preparation needs without adding a heating function.
A multicooker is suitable if you want to programme rice, slow-cooked dishes, steaming or keeping food warm, while accepting that the ingredients will need to be prepared separately.
Start by identifying the task you want to delegate: preparation, programmed cooking or both. Then check that the appliance genuinely fits your quantities, available space and cleaning routine.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Menus and recipes | Check which preparation and cooking functions are useful for your meals, as well as recipe access, language, portion adjustments and any associated services. | I want the appliance to genuinely help with my weekly recipes, rather than paying for functions I will rarely use. |
| Time and independence | Compare programming, keep-warm functions, cooking programmes and the number of parts to dismantle or wash after use. | I want to hand over some repetitive tasks without overlooking peeling, preparation and cleaning. In the UFC-Que Choisir survey published in 2020 among 1,695 subscribers who owned food processors, 52% of respondents felt they saved time at the cooker; this was a self-reported assessment. |
| Footprint and capacity | Measure your worktop, the height beneath cupboards and the storage space for accessories. Also compare the usable capacity with the portions you actually cook. | I want to avoid an appliance that is difficult to leave accessible, or having to cook extra batches when preparing several portions. |
| Running costs and maintenance | Check the terms for guided recipes, included accessories, compatible spare parts and the renewal arrangements for any subscription. | I want to distinguish the cost of the appliance from expenses that may be added for recipes, accessories or wear parts. |
The time saved depends on the recipes, ingredient preparation, transfers and cleaning. UFC-Que Choisir reports that some owners mention washing-up, unsuitable recipes and use they consider time-consuming among the reasons for using their appliance less.
List five to ten meals prepared over one week and check, for each one, what the appliance prepares and cooks, and what you still need to do.
Running costs may also include a recipe service, optional accessories and replacement parts such as seals, lids, bowls or blades.
Before choosing, separate the included equipment from the accessories needed for your recipes and check the terms of any subscription.
For Cookidoo in France, Vorwerk states that access is renewed automatically each year on its renewal date.
A multicooker is mainly used for cooking, browning or slow cooking; a multifunction food processor makes preparation easier but does not heat. Choosing the wrong type of appliance may leave your original need unmet.
First decide whether your priority is preparation, programmed cooking or both in the same bowl, then compare models in that category.
Parts availability and usage precautions vary by reference. In 2024, UFC-Que Choisir reported testimony about burns caused by soup splashes from the Moulinex Companion HF800, although this does not automatically apply to other Companion models.
Ask for the full reference and check the condition of the locking mechanism, lid and seals, as well as the availability of compatible parts, before buying.
Connected cooking food processor focused on guided cooking and the Cookidoo service.
Range of kitchen food processors including Companion models, with parts and accessories offered for specific references.
Range of cooking food processors supported by accessories and replacement parts for the Cook Expert.
Range of cooking food processors sold under Lidl’s own brand, cited among the lower-priced alternatives in French buying guides.
These Joybuy options cover two approaches: cooking food processors that combine preparation and cooking, and multicookers that mainly handle the cooking of weekly meals.
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Prepare and cook a variety of meals in one appliance, with an advertised usable bowl capacity of 3 L.
Built-in scales, touchscreen, 20 temperature levels, blending, chopping, kneading, grating, slicing, steaming and heating functions. Check the space required: advertised dimensions are 40 × 26 × 36 cm and weight is 9.4 kg.
Confirm the terms for accessing recipes added via Wi-Fi before buying.
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An option for handling preparation and cooking in a single bowl, with an advertised capacity of 3.5 L.
Wi-Fi, 8 programmes, manual mode, rinsing programme, stainless-steel bowl, lid lock, built-in scales and more than 680 advertised recipes.
Rinsing does not replace washing the accessories; also check the terms for accessing recipes via Wi-Fi.
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Primarily delegate the cooking of saucy dishes, rice or steamed food in an advertised 6 L cooking pot.
Pressure cooking, steaming, slow cooking, rice, searing, keep-warm function, programming for up to 24 hours and 19 advertised functions.
Chopping, grating, slicing and blending functions are not listed: plan to prepare ingredients separately if these functions are important to you.
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For large batches of slow-cooked dishes, soups, rice or grains, with an advertised capacity of 8 L.
12 programmes, pressure cooking, slow cooking, rice, steaming, sautéing, yoghurt, 24-hour delayed start and an advertised keep-warm function for up to 12 hours.
Chopping, slicing, blending and kneading functions are not advertised; observe the filling limits for pressure cooking.
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Cook several portions in one pot when mechanical preparation is not your main need.
Advertised capacity of 5.7 L, serving up to 6 portions, with pressure cooking, slow cooking, sautéing, steaming, egg, yoghurt and keep-warm modes.
The stainless-steel pot, lid and accessories are advertised as dishwasher-safe. Observe the stated liquid volumes and filling limits.
No. In the UFC-Que Choisir survey published in 2020, 52% of respondents said they felt they saved time, but this self-reported figure does not measure the total time spent preparing, cooking, cleaning or adapting recipes. Choose the appliance for the tasks it will genuinely replace in your menus.
Compare the quantities you actually cook with the usable capacity, rather than looking only at the advertised maximum capacity. With a multicooker, leave room below the maximum fill line and check the serving sizes specified in your usual recipes.
It can handle many preparation tasks, such as chopping, blending, grating, slicing, kneading or emulsifying, but not integrated cooking. It is suitable if your hob, saucepans, oven or another cooking appliance already meets your needs.
That depends on the brand and service. In France, Vorwerk states that Cookidoo works with an annual subscription that renews automatically on its renewal date. Check the renewal terms and which functions are available without a subscription before buying.
Ask for the full reference and, if available, the repair history, then check the bowl, lid, seals and locking mechanism. Also check whether compatible spare parts are available; particular care is advisable with the Moulinex Companion HF800, which was the subject of burn testimonies reported by UFC-Que Choisir.