A food processor with a cooking function is a good choice if you want to chop, mix and cook in one appliance, provided its features, usable capacity and footprint suit the meals you make. If you already have a way to cook, a food processor may meet your food preparation needs; a multicooker is mainly designed for cooking, so don’t assume it can chop or blend.
If you regularly chop, mix and then cook, check which steps the food processor with a cooking function can handle in its bowl. Also consider how much space it takes up and which parts you’ll need to wash after your meal.
Compare capacities measured on the same basis, rather than relying on the figure shown on the bowl alone. Vorwerk lists a maximum capacity of 2.2 L for the Thermomix TM7, Moulinex gives the Companion XL a 4.5 L bowl, and Magimix lists a usable capacity of 3.8 L for the Cook Expert XL.
If chopping, grating or slicing is your priority and you already use a hob, oven or another cooking appliance, a food processor may be all you need for food preparation. You’ll still need to cook the food separately.
Start with the steps involved in your usual recipes. This will help you work out whether you need one bowl that prepares and cooks food, or separate appliances.
Consider this if: you want to prepare and cook food in the same appliance.
Bear in mind: features, usable capacity and cleaning requirements vary by model; one bowl may not suit every recipe.
Consider this if: chopping and mixing are your priorities and you already have a way to cook.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to transfer the ingredients and make space for both the attachments and the cooking appliance.
Consider this if: your recipes mainly call for programmed cooking and you prepare the ingredients another way.
Bear in mind: don’t assume a multicooker can chop, grate or blend; you may need another tool for these tasks.
| Criteria | What to check | My needs |
|---|---|---|
| Functions | Check the chopping, mixing and cooking functions of the exact model. Make sure it includes the accessories you need and the cooking modes that suit your recipes. | I want to chop and then cook in the same appliance, or I’d rather keep cooking separate. |
| Capacity and space | Distinguish between bowl volume, maximum capacity and usable capacity. Compare the portions you plan to make and measure the space you’ll need, including room for the lid and accessories. | Our meals need to fit within the usable capacity, without the appliance getting in the way on the worktop. |
| Cleaning | Check which parts can be removed and the cleaning instructions for the model you’re considering. Also look at how easy it is to clean the accessories you’ll use most often. | After a typical meal, I want to be able to clean the bowl and accessories easily. |
| Guided recipes | Check which functions are available without a linked service, how you can access recipes and whether you can cook manually. | If I follow a recipe on screen, I want to know what will still be available for everyday use. |
These figures don’t always refer to the same amount. For the Cookeo, Que Choisir states that a 6 L cooking pot can cook a maximum of just 4 L.
Compare the usable capacity stated for the recipes you make most often with the number of portions you need, then check how much space the appliance requires.
An appliance designed mainly for cooking won’t necessarily replace the chopping, grating or blending you need to do before filling its cooking pot.
Make a note of the steps involved in a few of your usual meals and check that the exact model can handle each one.
A separate food preparation tool also takes up space and adds more parts to clean.
Recipes built into an appliance and those offered through a linked service may be subject to different access conditions.
Check what’s available on the appliance itself, what depends on a service and whether you can still make your usual recipes in manual mode.
The Thermomix TM7 is a food processor with a cooking function from Vorwerk.
The Companion XL is a food processor with a cooking function, while the Cookeo is a multicooker to consider for cooking.
The Cook Expert XL is a food processor with a cooking function, while the CS 5200XL is designed for food preparation with cooking done separately.
The Monsieur Cuisine Smart is a food processor with a cooking function from Lidl’s Silvercrest range.
These two Robby food processors with cooking functions are options if you want one appliance for both food preparation and cooking. Compare their listed features and check that they have the functions your recipes need before choosing.
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Worth considering if you want to prepare and cook food in the same appliance. The model name indicates an XL bowl, scales and a large touchscreen; check the chopping accessories, usable capacity and terms for accessing recipes.
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Compare it for recipes that call for both preparation and cooking. The model name indicates built-in scales and a touchscreen; check the included accessories, usable capacity and cleaning instructions for your needs.
Not if the model you choose doesn’t have a built-in cooking function. Food preparation tasks such as chopping or grating don’t replace cooking, so you’ll need a hob, oven or another appliance to cook your food.
No: check the usable capacity for your recipes. For example, Que Choisir states that a 6 L Cookeo cooking pot can cook a maximum of just 4 L, so also compare this with the portions you usually make.
Don’t assume so: access depends on the model and any linked service. Before choosing, check which recipes are available on the appliance itself, which require a service and whether you can follow your recipes in manual mode.