People who make dishes with several steps
If your meals involve chopping or mixing before cooking, a cooking food processor is worth considering. Just make sure it comes with the accessories you need for your recipes.
Who are these options suitable for?
Households that cook in larger quantities
For family meals or batch cooking, compare the usable capacity and fill limits for different recipes, rather than relying solely on the stated number of servings.
Small kitchens that are already well equipped
If you already own a cooking appliance and a food preparation appliance, work out which tasks a new purchase would actually combine. Remember to allow space for the bowl, base and accessories, too.
What should you check before choosing?
Start with the steps involved in the meals you usually make. This will help you decide between combining preparation and cooking, automating mainly the cooking, or using separate appliances.
Cooking food processor
Worth considering if: your recipes involve both preparation and cooking, and you want to minimise transferring ingredients between appliances.
The trade-off: the bowl and accessories need space and cleaning, even if you don’t use them all for every meal.
Multicooker
Worth considering if: your priority is cooking dishes, rather than chopping, grating or kneading in the same appliance.
The trade-off: you’ll need another tool for any preparation tasks the model you choose can’t do.
Separate appliances
Worth considering if: you already have a suitable cooking appliance and only want to add something for food preparation.
The trade-off: a dish with several steps may involve more transferring, coordination and washing up.
| Criterion | What to check | What I need |
|---|---|---|
| Functions | List the preparation tasks and cooking methods used in your recipes. Check the functions of the exact model and the accessories included: a multicooker focused on cooking won’t necessarily replace a food processor. | I’d like to chop or mix, then cook in the same appliance; or, if I already have preparation covered, mainly automate the cooking. |
| Capacity | Distinguish between total and usable capacity. Check the fill limits and quantities recommended for the dishes you make, especially when steaming. | I want to avoid having to cook several batches for our usual meals, without choosing a bowl based solely on the stated number of servings. |
| Space and cleaning | Measure the space needed when the appliance is in use, as well as the storage space for the base, bowl and accessories. Check the manual to see which parts are dishwasher-safe and how to clean the parts you use most often. | The appliance needs to be easy to reach in my kitchen without taking over the worktop, and it needs to be easy enough to clean for the way I cook. |
| Recipes and controls | Check whether there’s a manual mode, how to follow guided recipes and what’s required to access the related service. Que Choisir points out that the supplied recipes aren’t essential for using a cooking food processor. | I’d like to be able to adapt my own recipes, or follow guided steps if access suits the way I’ll use the appliance. |
What mistakes should you avoid?
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Confusing a cooking food processor with a multicooker
A multicooker focuses on cooking methods; that doesn’t mean it can chop, grate or knead ingredients.
Think of a few recipes you make in a typical week and note down each step, then check the functions and accessories of the model you’re considering.
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Choosing based only on the stated number of servings
Depending on the model, manufacturers may state a total capacity, usable capacity or number of servings. These figures don’t necessarily represent the same quantity of soup, dough or steamed food.
Compare capacities measured on the same basis, and check the manual for the fill limits that apply to your recipes.
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Forgetting about accessories and cleaning
A steamer basket, lids and food preparation tools all take up space, too. If an appliance is awkward to clean, you may be less likely to use it regularly.
Measure the available worktop and storage space, then check the cleaning instructions for every part you plan to use.
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Choosing based on connected recipes alone
A recipe library doesn’t guarantee that the capacity will suit your portions or that the appliance has the functions you need. Access to the service may also depend on an offer or subscription.
Decide whether you’ll mainly cook your own recipes or follow guided ones, then check for a manual mode and find out what’s required to access the recipes.
What do the brands offer?
These ranges show different approaches. Features vary by model, and their inclusion here doesn’t mean that these products are available on Joybuy.
Moulinex
The range distinguishes between the Companion cooking food processor, which combines preparation and cooking, and the Cookeo multicooker, which focuses more on cooking methods.
- According to Moulinex, the Companion Pro has a 4,5 L bowl, 15 modes, built-in weighing scales and five accessories.
- Moulinex describes the Cookeo+ as having a 6 L bowl and six cooking modes. Check separately whether it meets your chopping and mixing needs.
Vorwerk
The Thermomix TM7 combines food preparation and cooking with guided recipes via Cookidoo.
- Vorwerk lists a 2,2 L bowl and a 6,8 L Varoma: these are the capacities of two separate components.
- Check that the bowl’s capacity suits your recipes, and find out what’s required to access Cookidoo after any introductory offer.
Magimix
The Cook Expert range combines food preparation and cooking functions, with different bowl sizes depending on the version.
- Magimix lists the Cook Expert XL Connect as having a total capacity of 4,8 L, with 3,8 L usable.
- According to Magimix, this version measures 405 × 335 × 390 mm with its stainless steel bowl and weighs 11,9 kg. Measure the space where you plan to use and store it.
Silvercrest
Monsieur Cuisine is a range of cooking food processors to consider based on the functions you need for your meals.
- Compare the preparation tasks and cooking methods offered by the specific model you’re interested in.
- Don’t assume anything about the accessories, usable capacity or cleaning requirements based on the range name alone.
Which appliances should you consider on Joybuy?
These options include two cooking food processors that combine preparation and cooking, followed by three appliances designed mainly for cooking. Start by choosing the function your meals need. The details in the product titles alone aren’t enough to establish usable capacity or how easy an appliance is to clean.
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Robby Smart, XL bowl, scales and touchscreen, 750 recipes
Worth considering if you want to combine preparation and cooking, with recipes displayed on screen. The title mentions an XL bowl, built-in scales and 750 recipes. Check the usable capacity, included accessories and cleaning instructions before choosing.
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Robby, scales and touchscreen, 680 recipes
Another cooking food processor to consider if you’d like to follow recipes on screen while preparing and cooking your meals. The title lists built-in scales and 680 recipes. Compare the usable capacity, exact functions and cleaning requirements with your needs.
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Instant Pot Classic 5,7 L Daydream Blue
Consider this if cooking is your main priority and you already have the tools you need to prepare ingredients. The stated capacity is 5,7 L. Check the cooking modes, how much space it takes up and the fill limits for the dishes you make.
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Instant Pot Rio XL 7,1 L
If you’re mainly looking for help with cooking, this model’s name lists a 7,1 L capacity. Before choosing this size for larger meals, check the usable capacity for your recipes, the available modes and the space you have.
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Cecotec Model D 6 L, frying and voice control
Worth considering for meals focused on cooking rather than ingredient preparation. Its name lists 9 menus, 2 pressure levels and a 24-hour timer. Check the model’s usable capacity, instructions, dimensions and cleaning requirements.
Frequently asked questions
Can a cooking food processor replace all my kitchen appliances?
Not necessarily. It depends on the tasks you do, the bowl’s capacity and the accessories included. For each appliance you already own, check whether the model you’re considering can actually do the same jobs in the quantities you need.
What capacity should I choose for complete meals?
Choose based on your portion sizes and the usable capacity for your recipes, without confusing total and usable capacity. As separate points of reference stated by the manufacturers, Vorwerk lists a 2,2 L bowl for the TM7, Moulinex lists a 4,5 L bowl for the Companion Pro, and Magimix lists 3,8 L usable capacity out of 4,8 L total for the Cook Expert XL Connect.
Do you need guided recipes to use a cooking food processor?
No. Que Choisir says that the supplied recipes aren’t essential. If you want to cook your own dishes, focus on checking the manual controls, then look separately at the benefits of guided recipes and the conditions for accessing them.
What should you check for cleaning and repairs?
Check the cleaning instructions for the bowl, lid and accessories of the model you choose, as well as information about spare parts and repair options. ADEME explains that in France, the Repair Bonus is subject to conditions including the appliance’s eligibility, a fault caused by normal use, purchase in France, the warranty having expired and using a certified repairer.