Choose a cooking food processor if you want to prepare and cook certain dishes in the same appliance. If you already have cooking equipment, a multifunction food processor can help with chopping and blending; if you mainly make dough and bakes, consider a stand mixer and its attachments instead. Before adding another appliance, check which functions you genuinely need, the usable capacity and how much room you have for storage.
If you often make soups, sauces, slow-cooked dishes or steamed meals, look for a model that combines the preparation and cooking steps you need. UFC-Que Choisir distinguishes cooking food processors from other food processors by their cooking function; programmes and accessories vary from model to model.
If your hob, oven or another appliance already takes care of cooking, you can focus your search on chopping, grating, slicing or blending. UFC-Que Choisir suggests a multifunction food processor when you don't need cooking built in.
If you knead and whisk more often than you slow-cook, start by looking at the baking kit and the preparation accessories supplied. The Kenwood Multi Tasker KHC30.070GY, for example, comes with a baking kit and other accessories, according to the manufacturer's information; this does not mean it has a built-in cooking function.
Start with the meals you make regularly: do you need the new appliance to cook, or just to prepare ingredients? Then consider the accessories, capacity and how much space the whole set-up will take.
| Criterion | What to check | Who it's for |
|---|---|---|
| Built-in cooking | Check that the model offers the cooking modes your recipes need, and that it has enough usable capacity. | For my soups and slow-cooked meals, I want to prepare and cook in the same appliance. Around 33% of consumers prioritise built-in cooking. |
| Preparation without cooking | Compare the tasks you want to do with the blades and discs actually supplied. | I'm happy with my hob or oven; I mainly want to make chopping or blending ingredients easier. Around 27% of consumers prioritise food preparation without cooking. |
| Kneading and whisking | Check the baking kit and any accessories you'll need for other tasks. | I regularly make bread, pasta or cakes and mainly want an appliance suited to those jobs. Around 20% of consumers prioritise kneading and baking. |
| Space and cleaning | Measure the space available for storing the bowls and accessories; check which parts are washable and what you need to access guided recipes. | I'm happy to have several functions, but I don't want accessories that are difficult to store or wash every day. For around 20% of consumers, space and cleaning are the main considerations. |
A multifunction food processor can chop, grate or blend without cooking. UFC-Que Choisir specifically identifies cooking as the function that sets a cooking food processor apart.
Write down three meals you make regularly and note which steps you'd like the appliance to handle. If cooking is one of them, check that your chosen model has a heating function.
Steaming, grating and chopping may require different parts, depending on the model. UFC-Que Choisir's tests of additional accessories cover the items actually supplied.
Compare the exact box contents with the recipes you make, then work out where to store the parts and check which ones are dishwasher-safe.
These measurements refer to different quantities. For the Cook Expert Original reviewed, Magimix gives a total bowl capacity of 3.5 L and a usable capacity of 2.5 L.
Compare capacities measured on the same basis and make sure the usable capacity suits the portions you usually prepare.
Access to a recipe library depends on the appliance's ecosystem. Vorwerk describes Cookidoo as a service linked to Thermomix; this does not apply to other brands.
Check which recipes you can access with your chosen appliance, how long any included trial lasts and whether you can use it without the service.
The Thermomix TM7 is a connected cooking food processor designed for guided recipes.
The Companion range combines food preparation and cooking functions, with configurations that vary by model.
The Cook Expert Original combines cooking with food preparation, and comes with several bowls and accessories.
The Multi Tasker KHC30.070GY is a stand mixer with food preparation tools included in this configuration.
These models offer three ways to equip your kitchen: cooking food processors that combine preparation and cooking, multicookers for cooking ingredients you've prepared separately, and a multifunction food processor for preparation tasks when you already have cooking covered.
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Worth considering if you want to prepare and cook with a food processor featuring an XL bowl and touchscreen. The number of recipes advertised differs between the product title and description, so check which recipes are available with the version you order and the terms of access.
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Worth considering if you'd like on-screen cooking instructions. Compare the usable capacity with the portions you make and check the terms of access to the recipes.
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Worth considering if cooking is your priority rather than chopping ingredients. This model is described as a 7-in-1 multicooker with a stainless steel pot. If you also want to grate, chop or knead in the same appliance, check that it offers these functions before choosing.
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Worth considering for meals where you prepare the ingredients separately before cooking. The title lists 1,200 W and 12 preset menus; compare the usable capacity with your usual portions and check how to clean the pot. If you also expect chopping or kneading functions, confirm that this model includes them.
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Worth considering if you already have another appliance for cooking and mainly need help with food preparation. The title mentions a blender, mincer and slicing and grating discs; check which parts are included and how to clean them for the model you order.
It can handle the preparation steps if you already have suitable cooking equipment, but it can't replace the heating function of a cooking food processor. UFC-Que Choisir distinguishes these categories on precisely this point, so compare the tasks your meals require before choosing.
Start with the tasks you actually do regularly, then compare them with the list of accessories supplied with the exact model. A disc, steaming basket or blender associated with a range won't necessarily be included in every box; check how to store and clean them too.
It depends on the appliance and the service it uses. Check which recipes are available directly on your chosen model and whether you need a connection or account to access others. For Thermomix, Vorwerk describes Cookidoo as its connected recipe library; its terms don't apply to food processors from other brands.