Home cooks who make a range of dishes
You switch between doughs, grating or slicing vegetables, chopping and mixing, and want one appliance for these regular tasks. Que Choisir tests these operations separately in its test protocol.
Who are these appliances for?
Baking enthusiasts who also cook savoury dishes
You prioritise doughs and whipped mixtures, but still want to grate or slice ingredients. Check which tools come with the stand mixer: compatible accessories are not necessarily included.
Small households and compact kitchens
You mostly prepare small quantities and need to find room to store the bowl and its accessories. Que Choisir recommends matching the bowl size to your household’s habits; it’s also worth checking the kneading instructions for a compact model.
What should guide your choice?
Start with the tasks you actually repeat: these will help you choose the type of appliance, then the tools and capacity to check for the specific model.
Food processor
Worth considering: if you regularly switch between making dough and grating, slicing or chopping vegetables.
Bear in mind: the bowl and accessories take up space, and the functions advertised depend on the tools supplied.
Stand mixer with attachments
Worth considering: if kneading and whisking come before slicing, but you also want to prepare some savoury ingredients.
Bear in mind: grating or chopping tools may be compatible without being included.
Separate small appliance
Worth considering: if your main recurring task is simply blending or chopping small quantities.
Bear in mind: a blender or chopper alone won’t provide the tools needed for every type of dough and slicing task.
Preparing food by hand
Worth considering: if you only prepare these dishes occasionally and storage space is your main concern.
Bear in mind: you’ll still have to do the repeated tasks yourself if your habits change.
| Criterion | What to check | Who it’s for |
|---|---|---|
| Dough and whisking | Maximum dough quantity, tools supplied and recommended operating times for the recipes you plan to make. | If I often make bread, cakes or whipped mixtures, I want a tool suited to my usual quantities. Around 27 % of consumers prioritise baking. |
| Slicing and chopping | Check that the blade, discs or cones you need for your usual cuts are actually included. | If I regularly prepare vegetables and other ingredients for chopping, I want to avoid getting out several appliances. Slicing and chopping are the top priority for around 33 % of consumers. |
| Size and small quantities | Bowl size, storage space and the model’s load limits. | In a small kitchen, I need to be able to store the food processor and prepare my usual portions. For around 20 % of consumers, a compact design and the ability to handle small quantities are the priority. |
| Cleaning and repairs | Which parts are dishwasher-safe, the availability of spare parts and the terms of the commercial guarantee. | If I use the food processor often, I want to know how to clean its parts and what happens if it breaks down. Around 20 % of consumers put cleaning and repairability first. |
What should you watch out for before buying?
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Confusing advertised functions with included accessories
A range may offer grating, slicing or blending without including every tool with every model. Magimix, for example, lists some accessories as optional, depending on the model.
Compare what comes in the box for the specific model on sale with the tasks you usually do: kneading, whisking, chopping, grating or slicing.
You may need to buy a disc or another essential accessory separately.
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Choosing based only on power or the number of functions
These figures don’t tell you whether the bowl suits the quantities you make or whether the necessary tools are included. Que Choisir recommends choosing a bowl size to suit your household and its habits.
Make a note of your usual quantities and the tasks you repeat, then compare them with the capacity and accessories of the specific model.
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Assuming a small food processor can handle large batches of dough
For its MultiPro Go, Kenwood specifies a mixture of 250 g of flour and 150 g of water, with operation limited to 30 seconds to prevent overheating. This guidance should not be applied to other models.
Compare the quantities and operating times in the manual for the food processor you’re considering with your usual recipes, especially if you knead often.
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Relying on the commercial guarantee as your only protection
In France, the Ministry of the Economy states that the statutory guarantee of conformity applies to goods sold by a trader to a consumer. It is separate from any commercial guarantee and its specific terms.
Keep your proof of purchase, check what the commercial guarantee covers and, if goods do not conform, contact the professional seller.
Brands to consider
Magimix
Its food processor range includes several bowl sizes and tools designed for tasks such as chopping, grating, slicing and mixing.
- For the range featured, Magimix advertises a 3-year guarantee on parts and labour, a 30-year guarantee on the motor and 30 years of spare-parts availability.
- Some discs and accessory kits are optional, depending on the model: check which accessories are included and the applicable terms.
Bosch
The MultiTalent 3 MCM3100W offers a stated capacity of 2,3 L, which is different from the amount of dough it can handle.
- Bosch specifies that the MCM3100W can handle up to 0,8 kg of dough, made with 500 g of flour plus the other ingredients.
- Check the washing and storage guidance published for this model separately before applying it to any other MultiTalent model.
Kenwood
The MultiPro Go range is designed in part for food preparation in a compact format.
- For models in this range, Kenwood lists a reversible disc and dishwasher-safe accessories.
- The quick-start guidance for the MultiPro Go limits kneading to a small quantity and 30 seconds of operation.
Moulinex
The brand offers food processors and stand mixers, with tools varying by model.
- Moulinex lists the Masterchef Gourmet QA409D10 as including a dough hook, a beater, a whisk and three metal cones for grating or slicing.
- An accessory described as compatible with this model is not necessarily included in the box.
Food processors on Joybuy
These two food processors suit different home-cooking needs. Consider the Livoo if mixing and making dough are important to your choice, and the ochama if you mainly want to chop and slice. Check which tools are included before relying on a particular function.
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Livoo DOP250N, black 1,5 L food processor
Worth considering if you want one food processor for several types of preparation. The product title lists a 1,5 L bowl and 600 W of power. For dough and vegetables, check which discs are included, the maximum dough quantity and the cleaning instructions for each part.
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ochama, 750 W, 1,8 L food processor
Worth considering if chopping, slicing and grating matter more to you than kneading. The product title also mentions a blender, grinder and discs; check which are included and the usable capacity for your preparations. If you regularly make dough, check separately that it comes with a suitable tool and kneading instructions.
Frequently asked questions
Can a food processor replace a cooking food processor?
Not if you’re looking for an appliance that cooks. Que Choisir identifies cooking as the key feature that distinguishes a cooking food processor from food processors and stand mixers. For chopping, grating or kneading without cooking, choose according to the tools and capacity you need.
How can I find out which accessories are included?
Check the list of items included with the exact model, rather than relying on the functions available across its range. Magimix lists some accessories as optional, depending on the model, so check in particular for kneading tools and the discs you need for your usual cuts.
Are all accessories dishwasher-safe?
It depends on the model and the part. Magimix lists compatible accessories for its Robot Multifonction range, Bosch provides washing guidance for parts of the MCM3100W, and Kenwood gives dishwasher guidance for accessories on some MultiPro Go models. Follow the manual for the appliance you buy and check each part individually.
What guarantee applies to a food processor bought from a professional seller in France?
The statutory guarantee of conformity applies when a professional seller in France sells goods to a consumer. The DGCCRF states that the relevant claim must be made within 2 years of delivery of the goods. A commercial guarantee may also be available, subject to its own terms.