Households that often cook full meals
If you regularly prepare and cook soups, sauces, casseroles or steamed dishes, check the available settings, usable capacity and accessories you’ll need for your recipes.
Which option is right for you?
Cooks who mainly prepare food without cooking it
If you want to chop, grate, slice, knead or whisk, a food processor is worth considering if you’re already happy with your cooking equipment. The accessories supplied determine what each model can do.
Households mindful of washing up and space
If worktop space is limited or you put the appliance away after every meal, check its dimensions, the parts that need washing and where the accessories can be stored before prioritising a long list of functions.
What should you look for before buying?
First, separate recipes that need to be cooked in the bowl from tasks that only involve preparation. The quantity you need to make and how easy the appliance is to clean will help you choose the right one for your needs.
| Consideration | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Preparing and cooking in one appliance | Check the model’s cooking settings and steaming accessories, and compare them with the recipes you make often. | For soup or a casserole, I want to prepare the ingredients and cook them without transferring them to a pan. Around 37% of consumers would prioritise having everything in one appliance. |
| Quantity per preparation | Compare the usable capacity and fill limits for the dishes you usually make, rather than looking only at the bowl’s volume. | When I’m cooking for several people or making a large quantity, I want to avoid preparing several batches. The amount it can make would be the main consideration for around 27% of consumers. |
| Cleaning and storage space | Check which parts are dishwasher-safe and how much space the appliance and its accessories need. | If every meal leaves too many parts to wash or put away, I may use the food processor less often. Around 18% of consumers would prioritise an appliance that’s easy to use. |
| Food preparation without an integrated cooking function | List the tasks you need to do and check which accessories are included before choosing an appliance with a heated bowl. | I already have what I need to cook my meals and mainly want to chop, grate or knead. For around 18% of consumers, handling these tasks without adding an integrated cooking function would be the main consideration. |
Mistakes to avoid
-
Confusing bowl volume with usable capacity
The permitted fill level may be lower than the bowl’s total volume. For example, Magimix lists a usable capacity of 3.8 L for the Cook Expert XL’s 4.8 L bowl; Lidl states that the Monsieur Cuisine Smart’s 4.5 L bowl has a maximum fill level of 3 L.
Compare the limits for the dishes you make and the number of portions you want to prepare.
-
Assuming all accessories are included
An appliance described as multifunctional won’t necessarily handle every task with the parts supplied in the pack you choose.
Check the exact list of accessories before relying on it to grate, slice or steam food.
Any extra accessories will also need somewhere to be stored.
-
Assuming cooking in one appliance always makes meals simpler
The bowl, lid, blades and accessories still need cleaning. Guided recipes that don’t suit the meals you usually make may not be much use to you either.
Review the meals you cook in a typical week and the parts you’ll need to wash after each one before deciding whether you’ll use the integrated cooking function often.
Brands to know
Thermomix (Vorwerk)
The Thermomix range combines food preparation, cooking and recipe guidance.
- Vorwerk lists multi-level cooking and guided recipes among the functions available in its range.
- Check the accessories and how you can access recipes for the specific model and offer you’re considering.
Moulinex
The Companion range includes food processors with cooking functions, with features and capacities that vary by model.
- Moulinex describes Companion as a range designed to prepare and cook food in the same appliance.
- Check the product details for the specific model to confirm its connectivity, weighing function and accessories.
Magimix
The Cook Expert range combines cooking and food preparation tasks; the XL version is designed in particular for larger quantities.
- Magimix lists a usable capacity of 3.8 L for the Cook Expert XL’s 4.8 L bowl.
- This capacity applies to the Cook Expert XL. Check the capacity, accessories and dimensions of any other model you’re considering.
Silvercrest Monsieur Cuisine (Lidl)
The Monsieur Cuisine range includes food processors with cooking functions; some of the features described here apply specifically to the Smart version.
- Lidl lists a 4.5 L bowl with a maximum fill level of 3 L for the Monsieur Cuisine Smart.
- Don’t assume the Smart’s capacity, guided recipes or cleaning features apply to another version. Check its product details first.
Food processors with a cooking function available on Joybuy
These two Robby food processors with cooking functions are worth considering if you’re looking for an appliance that handles both food preparation and cooking. Compare the listed features with your recipes and check the specifications of the model you choose before ordering.
Image unavailable
Robby Smart food processor with cooking function and XL bowl
Worth considering if you want to prepare and cook food in the same appliance. Its product name mentions built-in scales and a large touchscreen. Check the bowl’s usable capacity for your portions, as well as the voltage and plug compatibility with your home in France.
Image unavailable
Robby food processor with cooking function, scales and touchscreen
Consider this model if you’re looking for a food processor with a cooking function, built-in scales and a touchscreen. To decide whether it suits your meals, check the usable capacity for your recipes, which accessories are included and which parts are dishwasher-safe.
Frequently asked questions
Can a food processor with a cooking function replace a food processor?
Not for every task. A food processor with a cooking function adds integrated cooking to some food preparation features, while a standard food processor may suit you if you prepare ingredients without needing to cook them in its bowl. Either way, check the accessories supplied with the exact model.
Why does usable capacity matter more than bowl volume?
The amount you can prepare may be less than the bowl’s total volume. Magimix lists a usable capacity of 3.8 L for the Cook Expert XL, which has a 4.8 L bowl; Lidl states that the Monsieur Cuisine Smart’s 4.5 L bowl has a maximum fill level of 3 L. Compare the limits with the needs of your recipes.
How do you choose a food processor that’s easy to clean?
Check which parts need washing after the recipes you usually make, which are dishwasher-safe and how much space you’ll need to dry or store them. If you use the appliance regularly, these details can matter just as much as the cooking programmes.
What statutory guarantee applies to a purchase from a business in France?
In France, the Directorate-General for Competition Policy, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control (DGCCRF) explains that the statutory guarantee of conformity applies to new, second-hand and refurbished goods sold by a business to a private individual. Any commercial guarantee doesn’t replace it, so check separately what that guarantee covers.