A food processor with a cooking function is worth considering if your usual meals involve preparing and cooking ingredients in the same appliance, and its usable capacity suits the quantities you make. If you rarely use the built-in cooking function or already own appliances that cover these tasks, weigh up the steps it would save against the space it takes up and the extra cleaning involved. Recipe access, included accessories and spare parts can then help you choose between models.
If you want to follow a recipe step by step, compare the guidance available on the appliance with what’s offered in the app. Also check whether recipe access requires a subscription. These are key differences to consider between models from Vorwerk, Moulinex and Kenwood.
For soups, slow-cooked dishes or steamed food, start with the quantities you actually cook. For this choice, the bowl’s usable capacity and the accessories included matter more than its stated total capacity alone.
If you already own a food processor and cooking appliances, think about which recipes would be different if you could complete every step in one appliance. UFC-Que Choisir distinguishes food processors with a cooking function from traditional multi-function food processors in particular by their ability to cook.
Start with the recipes you make and the portions you usually prepare. Then check how the guided cooking works, how much space the appliance needs and what cleaning the model you’re considering involves.
| Criteria | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Guided recipes | Access to guided steps with or without a subscription; manual settings available. | If I want to follow the steps for a dish without relying on a service I don’t want to subscribe to, recipe access comes first. Around 36% of consumers prioritise this need for guidance. |
| Capacity and steaming | The bowl’s usable capacity for your portions; whether a steam basket is included or optional. | If I regularly prepare family meals or steamed vegetables, I need to be able to cook the quantities I want. Capacity or steaming is the priority for around 29% of consumers. |
| Space and cleaning | How much space it takes up with accessories fitted; cleaning instructions for each part. | In a kitchen that’s already well equipped, I want to avoid an appliance I rarely use taking up space and adding more parts to clean. Around 21% of consumers put this balance between use, space and cleaning first. |
| Spare parts and accessories | What’s included in the pack; stated availability of spare parts for the exact model. | If I plan to keep my food processor for a long time, I want to be able to identify the parts and accessories that fit my model. Access to these items is the top priority for around 14% of consumers. |
A screen that shows guided steps doesn’t, by itself, tell you which recipes remain available without a subscription. Vorwerk says the Thermomix TM7 is compatible with Cookidoo 3.0.
Before choosing, check the terms for accessing the recipe catalogue and whether you can set the controls manually for your own recipes.
The usable capacity may be lower than the bowl’s total capacity. For example, Magimix lists a total capacity of 3.5 L and a usable capacity of 2.5 L for the Cook Expert featured on its product page.
Compare the usable capacity with the portions you usually cook, and check how much space the steaming accessories take up.
Cleaning instructions depend on the model and the part in question: the bowl, blades, lid and seals shouldn’t be treated as a single set.
Check the instructions for the exact model and find out which parts need to be washed separately after you make your usual recipes.
A manufacturer’s stated period of availability doesn’t guarantee that every part you want will be readily available for every model.
Before you buy, search the manufacturer’s spare-parts catalogue for the exact model, bowl and accessories.
According to Vorwerk, the Thermomix TM7 combines on-screen guided cooking, Cookidoo and steaming with Varoma.
The Companion XL YY4968FG is a food processor with a cooking function that Moulinex presents with a recipe app.
The Cook Expert combines cooking and food preparation, with several bowls depending on the configuration.
The Cooking Chef combines stand-mixer-style food preparation with cooking, with accessories varying by configuration.
These two Robby models are aimed at households looking to combine food preparation, cooking and recipe access in one appliance with a touchscreen. Compare their recipe access terms and the exact contents of each pack with the way you plan to use yours.
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Worth considering if you want to follow recipes on a large touchscreen while preparing meals in a food processor with a cooking function. The product listing mentions a large bowl and built-in scales. The number of recipes shown varies between the product details, so check which catalogue you can actually access, the terms of use and the accessories included.
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Worth considering if you’re looking for recipes you can view on a food processor with a touchscreen. The product details mention built-in scales. For the quantities you usually prepare and dishes you steam, confirm the bowl’s usable capacity and whether the pack includes a basket. Also check the terms for accessing recipes and the cleaning instructions for the parts.
Not necessarily: as UFC-Que Choisir explains, a food processor with a cooking function is distinguished by its ability to cook. If you rarely need to cook food in the appliance, compare the tasks your current equipment already handles with those you’d use the new appliance for.
No, the terms vary by model and service. Vorwerk says the Thermomix TM7 uses Cookidoo 3.0, while Moulinex lists a free app for the Companion XL YY4968FG. For the model you’re considering, check which recipes and settings are available without a subscription.
Search the manufacturer’s spare-parts catalogue using the full model name, then check the bowl, blades, seals and lid separately. Also check which accessories, especially those for steaming, are included in the version on sale.
If you bought it as an individual from a professional seller, contact the seller to make a claim under the legal guarantee of conformity. The French Ministry of the Economy states that this compulsory guarantee covers new, second-hand and refurbished goods. Keep the product description and proof of purchase so you can explain how the item differs from what was advertised.