Households preparing several vegetables at once
You regularly grate, slice or chop vegetables, herbs or other ingredients before cooking. The tasks you repeat matter more than the length of the feature list.
Who is this choice for?
Cooks with limited space
You want to keep the number of appliances on your worktop to a minimum without having to store discs, blades and bowls in several different places. Que Choisir recommends considering both the space the food processor takes up and the equipment you already own.
Households that prep ingredients in advance
You work through several ingredients in one session. Cleaning between uses and storing perishable foods safely are therefore practical considerations, just as important as the chopping functions.
What should you look for?
Start with the food you already prepare and the appliances you own. For a range of chopping and mixing tasks, consider the food processor and its attachments. If your separate appliances do the job, there’s no need to replace them. Choose a cooking food processor only if you also want integrated cooking, a distinction highlighted by Que Choisir.
| Criteria | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Useful functions | Match the tasks you do regularly to the discs and blades actually included with the version you choose. | If I grate vegetables, chop herbs and blend sauces in one session, I want to do all those jobs without paying for functions I won’t use. Around 36% of consumers would put this versatility at the top of their list. |
| Size | Measure the available space, especially under cupboards, and decide where to store bowls, discs and blades. | In a kitchen with limited worktop space, I need to be able to take the appliance and its accessories out and put them away easily. Around 29% of consumers would prioritise the space it takes up. |
| Bowl capacity | Compare the stated usable capacity with the quantities you usually prepare. If you’ll be making dough, check the limit for that function too. | When I prepare several ingredients at once, a bowl that’s too small means I have to work in batches. The right capacity would be the main requirement for around 21% of consumers. |
| Cleaning and storage | Check which parts are dishwasher-safe, and plan to clean between handling raw and ready-to-eat foods. | If I prepare several dishes to store for later, I want to clean the parts easily without overlooking the need to keep perishable foods separate. Around 14% of consumers would prioritise this aspect. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Choosing by the number of functions instead of the included attachments
A listed function won’t help you slice if the version on sale doesn’t include the required disc. In its tests, Que Choisir distinguishes between basic functions and those that depend on an included attachment.
For each task you do regularly, identify the attachment you need and check exactly what’s included in the box.
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Choosing a compact model based on the bowl’s total capacity
Usable capacity can be lower than the stated total volume. For example, Kenwood lists a total capacity of 1.3 L and a usable capacity of 0.75 L for the MultiPro Go Blend FDP23.380GY. These figures refer to different quantities of food.
Compare the usable capacity with the largest amount you usually prepare in one session, and decide whether working in batches would suit you.
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Forgetting how much space the parts take up after use
A food processor can handle several tasks but still leave you with bowls, discs and lids to wash and store. Finding space for the attachments matters just as much as finding a place for the motor unit.
Before choosing a set with lots of attachments, check where each part will go and which ones are dishwasher-safe.
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Assuming advance prep means you can store food without taking care
Chopping ingredients doesn’t remove the risks associated with breaking the cold chain or cross-contamination, as highlighted by Anses.
Clean the parts between uses, keep raw foods separate from ready-to-eat foods, and promptly return perishable items to the fridge.
Brands to know for these tasks
Magimix
The CS 3200XL is worth considering if you switch between small and medium-sized batches and would like several bowls in one food processor.
- Magimix lists three bowls, a total capacity of 2.6 L and a usable capacity of 1 L for this model.
- These capacity figures and the box contents apply to the CS 3200XL. Check the exact model number before comparing it with other Magimix models.
Moulinex
The Double Force Compact FP542111 is worth comparing if you’re looking for a reversible disc and a way to store the attachments inside the bowl.
- Moulinex lists a 2.2 L bowl, a disc for grating and slicing, and a storage basket for this model.
- The contents of the pack may vary between Double Force Compact versions. Check the included attachments and care instructions for the model on sale.
Bosch
The MultiTalent 3 MCM3100W is an option if you want to combine food prep with storage for several attachments in the bowl.
- Bosch Electroménager France lists a 2.3 L capacity and a reversible disc for grating and slicing for the MCM3100W.
- Bosch states a dough limit of 0.8 kg, equivalent to 500 g of flour plus other ingredients. Don’t choose this model assuming it’s suitable for intensive kneading.
Kenwood
The MultiPro Go Blend FDP23.380GY is worth considering if you’re looking for a compact model for grating and slicing.
- For this model, Kenwood France lists two reversible discs, for 2 mm and 4 mm cuts, a 1.3 L bowl and a usable capacity of 0.75 L.
- Kenwood recommends letting the MultiPro Go rest after two minutes of continuous grating or slicing. Check that this limit suits the quantities you usually prepare.
Food processors to consider
These three food processors are for preparing ingredients before cooking them separately. Focus on the attachments, the capacity that suits your usual quantities and the care requirements. Their inclusion here doesn’t rank them against other ways of equipping your kitchen.
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Livoo DOP250N, black 1.5 L food processor
Worth considering if you’d like to prepare different ingredients with one appliance. Check that it comes with the attachments for the tasks you usually do.
Stated capacity: 1.5 L; stated power: 600 W. Compare the usable capacity with the quantities you prepare, and follow the model’s instructions for extended use.
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Cuisinart FlexPrep FP5E, 1.1 L food processor
Consider it for smaller batches, particularly if chopping and grating are the tasks you do most.
Stated capacity: 1.1 L. If you regularly slice ingredients, check that the version you choose includes a slicing attachment. Also compare its usable capacity with the portions you prepare.
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ochama, 750 W food processor, 1.8 L
Worth considering if you want to chop, slice and grate ingredients before cooking. Check which discs and other attachments are included with the model on sale.
Stated capacity: 1.8 L; stated power: 750 W. If you’re planning larger prep sessions, check the usable capacity and the limits for each function.
Frequently asked questions
What bowl capacity should I choose to prepare several meals?
Choose according to the quantity you process in one session, and compare usable capacity where it’s stated rather than relying on total volume alone. For example, Magimix lists a total capacity of 2.6 L and a usable capacity of 1 L for the CS 3200XL. Kenwood France lists a total capacity of 1.3 L and a usable capacity of 0.75 L for the MultiPro Go Blend FDP23.380GY.
Is a compact food processor suitable for preparing lots of vegetables?
It can be, if its capacity and operating instructions suit the quantities you need to prepare, even if that means working in batches. For the MultiPro Go, Kenwood recommends taking a break after two minutes of continuous grating or slicing. Bear this in mind if you regularly prepare large quantities.
Can all the attachments go in the dishwasher?
It depends on the model and the part, so check the instructions for the model you’ve bought. Moulinex says the Double Force Compact FP542111 attachments are dishwasher-safe, except for the motor unit. Don’t assume the same applies to another food processor.
How should I store food prepared in advance?
Clean the equipment between uses, avoid cross-contamination and promptly return perishable foods to the fridge. Anses recommends keeping the coldest part of the fridge at 4 °C and storing meat, fish and cooked dishes there.
Do I need a cooking food processor to prep ingredients before cooking?
No, not if you only need to chop, grate, slice or blend ingredients before cooking them separately. First check the attachments on a food processor or the appliances you already own. According to Que Choisir, integrated cooking is what sets a cooking food processor apart. It’s useful if you also want to cook your food in the appliance.