If you regularly chop, mix and then cook as part of the same recipe, a multifunction cooking food processor brings all these steps together in one appliance. If cooking matters more than food preparation, consider a multicooker alongside the kitchen equipment you already own. If you mainly need to grate, chop or knead and already have a way to cook, a food processor without a cooking function may be enough. In each case, compare usable capacity, cleaning and recipe access with the meals you usually make.
If you like having guided steps for everyday meals, consider both cooking food processors and multicookers. However, Que Choisir points out that multicookers generally do not stir food, so preparation and some hands-on steps are still up to you.
If you cook for several people or prepare meals to keep, look at the amount you can actually use and the quantities specified in recipes, rather than just the bowl’s stated size. Check how much room you’ll need for the appliance and its accessories, too.
If on-screen recipes are important to your decision, check which ones are available on the model you’re considering, what language they’re in and the terms for accessing them over time. These vary between ecosystems.
Start with the tasks you want to bring together, then check that the bowl capacity and cleaning requirements suit the meals you make.
Consider it if: your recipes often involve food preparation, mixing and cooking in the same appliance.
Bear in mind: functions, accessories and cleaning requirements vary by model. An all-in-one appliance may not perform every task as well as a dedicated appliance, as Que Choisir points out.
Consider it if: you mainly want to manage the cooking of slow-cooked dishes or rice, and prepare the ingredients separately.
Bear in mind: according to Que Choisir, you will generally need to stir the food by hand.
Consider it if: you’re happy with your current cooking appliances and mainly need to chop, grate or knead.
Bear in mind: you’ll still need another appliance to cook the food.
Consider it if: your current equipment already lets you prepare and cook the dishes you want, including several at once.
Bear in mind: this setup doesn’t combine food preparation and cooking in a single appliance.
| Criteria | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Food preparation and cooking in one appliance | Check which steps in your recipes the exact model can handle without switching appliances. | When I prepare a meal, I want to move from chopping and mixing to cooking without having to organise several appliances. Around 33% of consumers value having all these steps in one place. |
| Usable capacity | Compare the maximum fill level and the quantities specified for your usual dishes, not just the bowl’s total capacity. | For cooking several portions or preparing meals in advance, I need enough usable capacity for the job. This would be the top priority for around 27% of consumers. |
| Functions and recipes you’ll actually use | Compare the functions with the equipment you already own, and check which recipes are available and the terms for accessing them. | If I already have what I need to cook, I want to avoid duplicating that function and choose recipes I’ll be able to access. Around 20% of consumers would put these considerations first. |
| Cleaning and long-term use | Check which parts need washing, how the accessories come apart and what information is available about spare parts. | After preparing meals several times a week, I don’t want a growing pile of difficult-to-clean or hard-to-store parts. For around 20% of consumers, cleaning and long-term use would come first. |
The maximum fill level can limit how much you can actually use. For example, Que Choisir says that a 6 L Cookeo bowl can cook a maximum of 4 L.
Compare the usable capacity with the portions in your regular recipes. If you cook large quantities, check whether you’ll need to prepare several batches.
Preparing several batches can make it harder to cook a large meal.
A cooking programme doesn’t mean the appliance can chop, grate or knead. Que Choisir notes that multicookers generally do not stir food.
List the tasks your recipes require and check which ones the model you’re considering can actually handle.
Built-in recipes and related services don’t necessarily have the same terms and conditions. Vorwerk, for example, says that a Cookidoo subscription renews automatically after its annual term.
Before choosing an appliance for its guided cooking features, check which recipes will remain available and the applicable renewal terms.
A long list of functions doesn’t guarantee that each one will suit your needs as well as a dedicated appliance. Que Choisir recommends comparing the capabilities of food processors for different tasks.
Choose a few dishes that matter most to your household, then check their steps, the accessories required and the cleaning involved on the exact model.
The Thermomix range combines a cooking food processor with Cookidoo guided cooking. Check the features of the model you’re interested in.
The Companion and Cookeo ranges let you compare a cooking food processor with a multicooker.
The Cook Expert XL Connect combines food preparation and cooking, with the range designed for larger batches.
The Monsieur Cuisine Smart is a cooking food processor with a screen and guided recipes, sold by Lidl.
These two Robby cooking food processors are designed for households looking to combine food preparation and cooking in one appliance. Compare their stated features with the portions you make, your available space and your cleaning habits.
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Worth considering if you want to follow recipes on screen while combining food preparation and cooking. The product name mentions an XL bowl, built-in scales and a large touchscreen. Check that the usable capacity suits your portions, that the recipes you can access are available in French, and that you have room for the appliance.
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Worth considering if on-appliance recipes are important to the way you cook. The product name mentions built-in scales and a touchscreen. Before choosing this model for larger meals, check the bowl’s usable capacity, how to clean the accessories and which languages the recipes are available in.
Not if you also want to cook in the same appliance. A food processor without a cooking function leaves that step to your hob, oven or another appliance. It’s better suited to you if preparing ingredients is your main priority.
Compare the usable capacity and maximum fill level with the dishes you make regularly. The total capacity doesn’t always tell you how much you can cook: Que Choisir says that a 6 L Cookeo bowl can cook a maximum of 4 L.
No. The terms depend on the ecosystem and model. Vorwerk links full access to Cookidoo with a subscription that renews automatically, while Moulinex describes My Moulinex as a free app. Also check the recipe language and how you can access them on the specific appliance you’re considering.
Check which parts of the exact model are dishwasher-safe, how to remove the blades and which accessories need washing and storing. A pre-cleaning programme can be useful, but you should still check what you’ll need to do after making your usual recipes.