Everyday cooks who’d like a helping hand
You want to prepare and cook in one go, with fewer manual adjustments. Guided programmes and step-by-step recipes may appeal, but check which tasks the appliance can actually handle.
Who are these appliances for?
Households cooking several portions
For family meals or batch cooking, compare the usable capacity of the bowl or cooking pot with the recipes you usually make. It’s also worth considering how much worktop space the appliance will take up.
Food-prep fans who already have cooking equipment
If you mainly want to knead, whisk, grate or chop, and are happy to use your hob or oven, consider whether you’d use an integrated heating function often enough.
What should you look for when comparing options?
Start with the tasks you’d like the appliance to handle: preparing and cooking in one, cooking in a pot, or preparing ingredients before cooking them using equipment you already know well.
Cooking food processor
Worth considering: if you want to prepare and cook in the same appliance, perhaps with guided recipes.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to wash the bowl and accessories, and have enough space to set up the appliance.
Multicooker
Worth considering: if cooking in a pot is your priority, particularly pressure cooking, steaming or slow cooking, depending on the model.
Bear in mind: you’ll still need to prepare the ingredients separately if the appliance doesn’t offer those functions.
Food processor without a heating function
Worth considering: if you want to prepare ingredients and already have cooking equipment that suits your needs.
Bear in mind: you’ll prepare and cook in separate appliances, as UFC-Que Choisir points out.
Stand mixer with a cooking function
Worth considering: if kneading and whisking are your main priorities, but you’d also like to heat some mixtures.
Bear in mind: check how much space you’ll need and which accessories are included for the tasks you have in mind.
| Criteria | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Guided food preparation and cooking | Preparation and cooking functions used in your recipes; programmes and access to recipes. | When I want to prepare and cook a meal with fewer manual adjustments, having a smooth flow between steps becomes my top priority. Around 29% of consumers prioritise this need for guided preparation and cooking. |
| Running costs | Accessories needed for your recipes and the terms for accessing optional services. | If recipes or functions I’m interested in require a separate service or accessory, I want to know before I choose. For around 22% of consumers, keeping these costs under control is their main concern. |
| Meal quantities | Usable bowl or cooking pot capacity, based on your recipes and the number of portions. | I often cook several portions and don’t want to find out halfway through that my recipe needs to be made in two batches. Capacity comes first for around 21% of consumers. |
| Cleaning and space | Dimensions, including the clearance required; parts to clean and washing instructions. | In a kitchen where I need to put the appliance away after use, its weight, the space it takes up and how easy its parts are to wash can determine how often I use it. This is the top priority for around 14% of consumers. |
| Food preparation | Accessories supplied for kneading, whisking, grating or chopping; whether an integrated heating function would be useful. | I already cook using my hob or oven, and mainly want to prepare doughs or ingredients. Around 14% of consumers put food preparation first. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Assuming the number of programmes tells you which accessories are included
A programme on the display doesn’t confirm that the disc, bowl or blade needed for a particular task is included. In its testing protocol, UFC-Que Choisir distinguishes between tasks that can be carried out using the accessories supplied with the appliance.
Make a list of the recipes you usually cook, then check which accessories are included with the exact model you’re considering.
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Comparing capacity figures that don’t mean the same thing
A bowl’s total capacity isn’t necessarily its usable capacity: Magimix lists a total capacity of 4.8 L and a usable capacity of 3.8 L for the Cook Expert XL Connect. A multicooker pot is also designed for different uses from a food-preparation bowl.
Compare usable capacity against your largest recipe, and make sure you distinguish between a bowl and a cooking pot.
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Overlooking the terms for accessing recipes or functions
A function may depend on a separate accessory, while access to some guided recipes may require an optional service. For example, Vorwerk says a subscription is needed to continue using Cookidoo after the advertised trial period.
Check what’s included with the appliance and what depends on an accessory or service you’d like to use.
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Choosing an integrated heating function when you only need help with preparation
If your current equipment already meets your cooking needs, chopping, grating or kneading functions may be more useful than a second heat source. UFC-Que Choisir assesses food processors without cooking functions separately from cooking food processors.
Think about the tasks you’d like to hand over during everyday meal preparation before choosing an appliance type.
Brands to know
Vorwerk
The Thermomix TM7 combines food preparation, cooking and guided recipes on screen.
- Vorwerk lists a 10-inch screen and 24 modes for the TM7.
- If Cookidoo is an important part of your decision, check the subscription terms after Vorwerk’s advertised trial period.
Moulinex
The Companion range includes cooking food processors, while the Cookeo range is designed for cooking in a pot.
- Moulinex lists 12 automatic programmes, a manual mode and a usable capacity of 3 L for the Companion HF840110.
- Don’t choose a Cookeo instead of a food-preparation processor without first checking whether it can handle the chopping or kneading tasks you need.
Magimix
The Cook Expert XL Connect combines cooking with a range of food-preparation tasks, making it an option for people who cook in larger quantities.
- Magimix lists a total bowl capacity of 4.8 L, with 3.8 L usable, for this model.
- Before making capacity your deciding factor, check how much space this model needs and how easy it is to handle.
Kenwood
The Cooking Chef expérience KCL95.004SI is for people who prioritise baking-style preparation but would also like an integrated heating function.
- Kenwood lists integrated weighing and cooking temperatures of up to 180 °C for this model.
- The range includes optional accessories, so check which ones come with the model you choose.
Appliances for preparing or cooking meals
These Joybuy models cover two different needs: cooking food processors that bring preparation and cooking together, and multicookers for cooking in a pot. Start by choosing according to the tasks you’d like the appliance to handle.
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Robby Smart cooking food processor with XL bowl and integrated scales
Worth a look if you want to combine food preparation and cooking, with a large touchscreen and integrated scales. Check which recipes are available for this model and the cleaning instructions for each part.
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Robby cooking food processor with integrated scales and touchscreen
A good option if you want to prepare and cook in the same appliance and like having recipes to follow; the product title lists 680 recipes. Before choosing it for larger quantities, check the usable capacity and how the parts should be cleaned.
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Midea 9-in-1 pressure multicooker, 8 L, 1,200 W
An option if you want to prioritise cooking in a pot rather than preparing ingredients. The product title lists 12 preset menus. When pressure cooking, follow the filling limits and pressure-release instructions in the manual.
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Instant Pot Classic 5.7 L, Daydream Blue
Worth comparing if your priority is cooking meals in a pot rather than chopping or kneading. Check that the usable capacity suits the portions you make, and follow the filling and pressure-release instructions whenever you use the pressure-cooking function.
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KitchenCook Kyoto white 2 L multicooker
Worth considering for more straightforward cooking in a pot, but don’t mistake it for a food processor that prepares ingredients. The stated capacity is for uncooked rice, so check the quantities suitable for your other dishes. Also allow for the clearance needed around the appliance, particularly above it.
Frequently asked questions
Do you need guided recipes to use a cooking food processor?
No. UFC-Que Choisir says they aren’t essential for using one. However, they can help you move through the steps if you’d rather follow instructions than adjust the appliance yourself.
Do you always need a subscription to access guided recipes?
Not necessarily: check the terms for the specific model and service you’re interested in. For Cookidoo, Vorwerk offers a trial period, followed by a renewable subscription if you want to continue using the service.
Can all the parts of a cooking food processor go in the dishwasher?
Don’t assume so. Check your model’s manual for the bowl, lid, blades and each accessory: washing instructions may vary from one part to another.
Which capacity should you compare when cooking several portions?
Compare the usable capacity for your recipes, not just the stated total volume. For example, Magimix lists a total bowl capacity of 4.8 L and a usable capacity of 3.8 L for the Cook Expert XL Connect. Also check whether another appliance’s capacity figure refers to a food-preparation bowl, a cooking pot or a specific ingredient.
What should you check before cooking for the first time?
Read your model’s manual for instructions on locking, hot parts, blades and approved uses. For the Cook Expert, Magimix specifically says not to start the cooking mode when the bowl is empty.