Choose a cooking food processor if you often need to prepare and cook food in the same appliance, for example when making soups or slow-cooked dishes. If you already have a way to cook your food, a food processor is better suited to chopping, blending and kneading. Keeping the appliances you already own is also a sensible option if they handle these tasks without causing you any hassle. In every case, check the usable capacity, the accessories included and how much space you’ll need.
If you regularly make soups, sauces or slow-cooked dishes, cooking in the food processor can mean fewer transfers between containers. Que Choisir draws a clear distinction between cooking food processors and food processors designed for food preparation: the former can cook.
If you want to grate vegetables, slice, chop or knead before cooking them elsewhere, look at the functions and accessories available with a food processor. What you can do will depend on the model you choose.
If your worktop and cupboards are already full, check the space needed for the bowl, base and accessories before adding another appliance. Que Choisir also recommends choosing a bowl size that suits your household’s needs.
Start with the meals you make, then decide whether you want your food processor to cook as well. Que Choisir identifies built-in cooking as the key difference between a cooking food processor and a food processor.
Consider one if: you want to regularly prepare and cook soups, sauces or slow-cooked dishes in the same appliance.
Bear in mind: functions and accessories vary between models, and you’ll need to find space for the appliance in your kitchen.
Consider one if: chopping, grating, slicing or kneading is more important to you and you already have a way to cook your food.
Bear in mind: it won’t cook food, so check that it comes with the tools you need for the tasks you have in mind.
Keep them if: they already handle the tasks you do most often and you’re happy with how they work.
Bear in mind: you may still need several appliances and containers to prepare and cook a meal.
| What matters to you | What to check | Who is this for? |
|---|---|---|
| Preparation and cooking | The cooking programmes that suit your recipes and the accessories included, particularly for steaming. | If you often make soup or a slow-cooked dish, being able to move from preparation to cooking without changing appliances may matter more than the space it takes up. Around 33% of consumers would prioritise this built-in cooking function. |
| Chopping and mixing | Whether it comes with the discs, blades or kneading tools you need for your recipes. | If you already have a way to cook, being able to grate vegetables or knead dough may be your priority; around 25% of consumers would put these preparation tasks first. |
| Space and overlapping functions | The overall dimensions, bowl capacity and tasks already covered by your existing appliances. | In a kitchen with little storage space, adding a large appliance that duplicates functions you already have can make everyday life more complicated. Around 25% of consumers would be most concerned about avoiding extra clutter. |
| Cleaning and storage | How to clean each part and how much space you’ll need for the accessories you use. | If you put your food processor away after every meal, taking out, washing and storing several parts can influence your choice. Around 17% of consumers would prioritise ease of use. |
A cooking food processor stands out because it can cook, but this function may duplicate an appliance you already use and are happy with.
Make a list of the recipes where cooking directly in the bowl would genuinely save you from transferring food between containers.
An advertised function may require an accessory that varies by model. Extra parts also need space and cleaning.
Match each accessory to a recipe you make often and check that it’s included with the specific model you’re considering.
The bowl’s total capacity doesn’t necessarily tell you how much you can use for every preparation.
Where it’s listed, compare the model’s usable capacity with the portions you usually make and the smaller recipes you prepare.
In France, the statutory legal guarantee of conformity for goods sold by a business to a consumer is separate from any additional commercial guarantee, as explained by the DGCCRF.
Keep your proof of purchase and the food processor’s description, then read the terms of any commercial guarantee separately.
The Companion range is worth exploring if you’re looking for food processors that combine preparation and cooking in the same bowl.
The brand offers food processors focused on preparation, as well as cooking food processors in a separate product range.
The MultiPro range is worth a look if you want to prepare ingredients without needing built-in cooking.
This selection includes two cooking food processors for preparing and cooking food in the same appliance, as well as a food processor for preparing ingredients when you have a separate way to cook them.
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Worth a look if you want to bring preparation and cooking together for everyday meals. This model is shown with a touchscreen. Compare its usable capacity with the quantities you usually make, and check which accessories are included before choosing.
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An option to consider if your recipes call for both preparation and cooking. Before choosing this model, check the bowl’s usable capacity and which accessories are included for the tasks you plan to do.
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Worth considering for ingredient preparation if you already use another appliance for cooking. Its 1.8 L capacity is stated in the product name. Check the usable capacity, dimensions and accessories actually included to make sure they suit your recipes.
Not if you want to cook in the same appliance: according to Que Choisir, the ability to cook is what sets a cooking food processor apart from a food processor. The latter is suited to preparation tasks if you already have a way to cook your food.
Think about the quantities you usually prepare rather than the occasional large gathering. Que Choisir recommends choosing a size that suits your household and how you’ll use it. If the manufacturer gives both total and usable capacities, compare the usable capacity with your recipes.
It depends on the model and the pack. Que Choisir explains that its tests of additional functions cover accessories when they’re supplied, so check the exact list of what’s included before relying on a disc, blender or other tool.
For goods sold by a business to a consumer in France, the statutory legal guarantee of conformity applies to new, used and refurbished products, according to the DGCCRF. If the product doesn’t match its description, this may be covered by the guarantee. Keep a copy of the product description and contact the seller.