For preparing and cooking in the same bowl
If you often make soups, sauces, casseroles or steamed dishes, consider a cooking food processor. Also think about how much space it takes up and which parts you’ll need to clean after each meal.
Which type of food processor is right for you?
Your choice depends first and foremost on the tasks you regularly do when preparing meals at home, and how much of the cooking you want the appliance to handle.
For those who already cook using other appliances
If your regular tasks are mainly chopping, grating, slicing or blending ingredients before cooking them in a frying pan, oven or saucepan, focus your comparison on food processors and their attachments.
For frequent bread-makers and bakers
If you knead dough, make cakes or whisk large quantities, take a look at the bowl and tools supplied with a stand mixer. UFC-Que Choisir notes that this type of appliance is particularly useful for frequent baking or making large batches.
What should you compare when choosing an appliance?
Start with the dishes you make most often, then compare the functions you need with the space and time you can set aside for the appliance.
| Priority | What to check | Think about your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Built-in cooking | Check which cooking functions and tools are actually available on the model, such as slow cooking, steaming, mixing and manual mode, depending on your recipes. UFC-Que Choisir distinguishes cooking food processors from other types by their cooking function. | I often make dishes that I’d also like to cook in the appliance; otherwise, I can stick with my usual cookware. |
| Preparing ingredients | For a food processor, match each task — chopping, grating, slicing or blending — to the tool supplied. Check separately which functions require an additional attachment. | Chopping and mixing are regular parts of my meal preparation, but I already cook the ingredients another way. |
| Kneading and whisking | With a stand mixer, check which tools are included and how much dough you usually make. Don’t assume it can chop vegetables or cook food. | I make bread, brioche or baked goods often enough to justify an appliance designed for these tasks. |
| Specialist use | Decide exactly what you need the appliance to do, then check whether a blender or another specialist appliance can do it. A single function may not cover the other stages of preparing a meal. | If I blend regularly but rarely grate or knead, I don’t need extra functions for this purpose. |
| Capacity and space | Compare the capacity with the portions you make, then measure the appliance with its bowl fitted. Check the clearance beneath cupboards and where you’ll store the attachments. | I want to be able to take the appliance out, use it and put it away where I cook, without choosing a bowl just because it has the largest capacity. |
| Cleaning | Identify which parts need to be taken apart after the dishes you usually make. Check whether each part is dishwasher-safe, especially the blades and seals. | After a typical meal, the time needed for cleaning should suit how often I plan to use the appliance. |
What should you watch out for before buying?
-
Choosing built-in cooking without planning to use it
A cooking food processor stands out because it can cook. If you almost always use the oven, frying pan or saucepan, this function may not suit your main needs.
Think about the meals you make in a typical week. Compare how often you chop and prepare ingredients with how often you’d want the appliance to cook for you.
-
Confusing advertised functions with the attachments included
A blender, slicing disc or steam basket may only come with certain configurations. So a list of possible tasks doesn’t tell you, by itself, what’s in the box.
For each dish that matters to you, identify the attachment you’ll need and check whether it’s included with the exact model you’re considering.
Additional attachments also need somewhere to be stored.
-
Measuring only the bowl
The appliance’s height when assembled, access to the bowl and the parts you’ll need to wash matter just as much as its capacity if you plan to use it regularly.
Measure the space available on your worktop or in your cupboard, and decide where you’ll place, dry and store the attachments.
Brands and models worth knowing about
These models show how different appliances suit different needs. The features listed apply to the specific models named, not to every product from each brand.
Moulinex
The Companion range is aimed in particular at people who want to bring food preparation and cooking together.
- Moulinex lists 14 automatic programmes, a manual mode and attachments including blades, a beater, a whisk and a steam basket for the I-Companion Touch.
- Check the attachments and functions included with the specific version you’re considering.
Magimix
The Cook Expert XL Connect is an example of a cooking food processor designed for preparing larger quantities.
- Magimix lists a total capacity of 4.8 L and a usable capacity of 3.8 L for this model.
- Its stated weight of 11.9 kg means it’s worth planning where to keep it so it’s easy to use and move if needed.
Bosch
The MultiTalent models mentioned here are designed for food preparation. Don’t assume that every model has the same functions.
- Bosch says the MultiTalent 8 MC812M844 can perform more than 50 functions with its attachments. The MultiTalent 3 MCM3200W product details list a 2.3 L bowl and a blender.
- Check which tools come with the model you choose: the functions available across a range won’t necessarily all be included in every box.
KitchenAid
The Artisan 5KSM175 is an example of a stand mixer designed primarily for baking.
- KitchenAid describes this model as a 4.7 L tilt-head stand mixer and lists a five-year guarantee.
- If you want to chop or blend, check which attachments are compatible and which are actually included with the version you choose.
Food processors for different needs at Joybuy
These Joybuy models cover food preparation with built-in cooking, food preparation without built-in cooking and baking. Compare them based on the tasks you plan to do regularly, rather than treating them as interchangeable appliances.
Image unavailable
Robby Smart Multifunction, XL bowl, scales and touchscreen
Worth considering if you want to prepare and cook food in one appliance, especially for steamed dishes. Make sure you have space for it with the bowl fitted, and check that it includes the attachments you need for your recipes.
Image unavailable
Cuisinart FlexPrep FP5E, 1.1 L
This food processor is worth comparing if you chop or grate ingredients before cooking them separately. Check that its 1.1 L bowl suits the quantities you usually prepare, especially if you cook in large batches.
Image unavailable
Robby Multifunction, scales and touchscreen
This cooking food processor is worth considering if you want to combine food preparation with slow cooking or steaming. Before choosing, check which attachments are included for the tasks you have in mind and the cleaning instructions for each part.
Image unavailable
ochama Food Processor, 750 W, 1.8 L with blender
Worth comparing if your meals involve several preparation tasks, such as chopping or grating, but you don’t need built-in cooking. Check which attachments are included for each advertised function and measure the space you have for it.
Image unavailable
KITCHENCOOK AK80, silver
This stand mixer is worth considering if you regularly knead, whisk or mix ingredients. Don’t choose it assuming it can chop vegetables or cook meals. Make sure you have enough clearance around the appliance, and follow the instructions for kneading and cleaning.
Frequently asked questions
Can a food processor replace a cooking food processor?
Not if you want to cook or slow-cook in the appliance. According to UFC-Que Choisir, the cooking function is what sets cooking food processors apart from food processors and stand mixers. If you already use an oven, frying pan or saucepan for cooking, compare the food preparation tools on different food processor models instead.
Can you use all the advertised functions with the included attachments?
Not necessarily. Check what’s in the box for the exact model, especially for the slicing discs, blender, steam basket or baking tools you need for your recipes.
How do you choose the bowl capacity?
Start with the quantities you usually prepare and, where stated, distinguish between total and usable capacity. Then check the dimensions of the complete appliance: a larger bowl isn’t automatically more convenient for your portions or easier to clean.
Does a manufacturer’s guarantee replace the legal guarantee of conformity?
No. In France, the Ministry of the Economy says that the legal guarantee of conformity applies to qualifying faults and is claimed from the professional seller. A manufacturer’s guarantee is separate: check what it covers and don’t confuse it with this legal right.