Choose based on the jobs you want the appliance to do: a food processor for preparing ingredients before cooking them separately; a cooking food processor to handle both preparation and cooking; a multi-cooker if cooking is your priority; or a blender if you mainly make blended dishes. Before you decide, compare the usable capacity, footprint, accessories and cleaning requirements with the meals you usually make and the appliances you already own.
If you regularly chop or mix ingredients before cooking, look at the functions of a cooking food processor, its usable capacity and how easy its accessories are to clean. Que Choisir also recommends checking how easy it is to use and how much space it takes up.
If you’re happy with your pans and oven, a food processor can handle chopping, grating, slicing or kneading without adding another cooking appliance. Check that it comes with the tools you need for the dishes you make.
For slow-cooked or steamed dishes, compare the settings on a multi-cooker and the capacity of its cooking pot. You’ll still need to prepare any ingredients that need chopping or grating separately.
Start with the jobs you regularly do when making weekday meals, then check whether the appliance you’re considering fits your practical requirements.
| Consideration | What to check | What I need |
|---|---|---|
| Functions | List the jobs it can do, such as chopping, mixing and cooking, depending on the model. A food processor prepares ingredients; a multi-cooker focuses on cooking them. | I mainly want to grate and chop ingredients before using my pans, or I want one appliance to handle both preparation and cooking. |
| Blended dishes | Check the bowl’s capacity and what it’s designed to prepare. A blender for soups won’t replace grating or slicing functions. | I mainly make soups or blended dishes; I can already chop and cook the ingredients for other meals. |
| Capacity | Distinguish between total and usable capacity, then compare them with the quantities you cook. Magimix lists a total capacity of 3,5 L and a usable capacity of 2,5 L for the Cook Expert mentioned here. | I make several portions or cook extra for another meal, so usable capacity matters more than the bowl’s headline size. |
| Cleaning | Check which parts can be removed, which are dishwasher-safe and which need to be washed by hand. Vorwerk says the base of the Thermomix TM7 must be cleaned by hand. | After a weekday meal, I want to know how many parts I’ll need to take apart and clean. |
| Space and accessories | Measure the space available, including the clearance beneath cupboards. Check the box contents against the accessories you need for the dishes you usually make. | My worktop space is limited, and I don’t want to rely on an accessory until I’ve checked that it comes with the appliance. |
| Pressure cooking | If you choose a pressure cooker, consult its manual for instructions on filling, closing, cleaning and releasing the pressure. | I prioritise cooking dishes over chopping ingredients, while still wanting to follow the instructions for the model I choose. |
If your existing appliances already take care of cooking, a cooking function alone won’t solve a shortage of food preparation tools.
Make a note of the jobs you repeat across a few typical meals. If chopping, grating and slicing are your main needs, start by looking at the accessories included with a food processor.
A bowl’s total capacity may differ from the amount you can actually use for a preparation.
Look for the usable capacity and compare it with the quantities you usually make, taking the type of dish into account.
The function you’re looking for may depend on a separate accessory. For example, Moulinex describes the Extra Crisp as a separate accessory for the Cookeo Wi-Fi 8-en-1.
Check exactly what’s in the box before relying on a basket, disc or particular cooking accessory.
This may not apply to every part. Vorwerk says the base of the Thermomix TM7 must be cleaned by hand.
Check the instructions for each part, particularly the bowl, blades, seals and base.
These models illustrate functions and capacities you can compare; none is automatically the right appliance for every household.
The Companion mentioned here is a cooking food processor, while the Cookeo Wi-Fi 8-en-1 is designed for cooking-focused use.
The Cook Expert mentioned here is an example of a cooking food processor, while the Blender Power 3 is better suited to more specific blending needs.
The Thermomix TM7 mentioned here gives you a chance to consider the capacity of a connected cooking food processor and how to clean its different parts.
These appliances cover three uses discussed in this guide: combining preparation and cooking, preparing ingredients before cooking them separately, or focusing on cooking with a multi-cooker. Compare their features and practical requirements with the jobs you actually want them to do.
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Worth considering if you want to prepare and cook in the same appliance, with built-in scales and a large touchscreen. Before choosing this version, check the bowl’s usable capacity, which parts are dishwasher-safe and how many recipes are pre-loaded.
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Consider this model if you want to combine preparation and cooking with built-in scales; the title also mentions 680 recipes. Check the bowl capacity for the version on sale, along with the included accessories and cleaning instructions.
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This food preparation option may suit a household that already has its own cooking appliances. The title mentions a 1,5 L glass blender and a meat grinder; check exactly what’s in the box before relying on these accessories, as well as the hand-washing instructions.
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Compare this model if cooking is more important to you than chopping ingredients. Check the settings and accessories for this version, then read the manual for instructions on filling it and releasing the steam.
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Worth considering for preparing ingredients before cooking them with another appliance. The title mentions chopping, slicing and grating; check exactly which discs and other accessories come with this model, as well as how much storage space it needs.
Not if you need built-in cooking: a food processor prepares ingredients for cooking in another appliance. Que Choisir assesses food processors for functions including chopping, grating, slicing and kneading; check which of these are available on the model you’re considering.
Compare the usable capacity, if it’s listed, with the quantities and dishes you prepare. For example, Magimix lists a total bowl capacity of 3,5 L for the Cook Expert mentioned here, but a usable capacity of 2,5 L.
No: check which parts are dishwasher-safe and which need to be cleaned by hand. Vorwerk says the removable parts of the Thermomix TM7 are dishwasher-safe, but the base must be cleaned by hand. The brand also recommends hand-washing where possible to limit wear on certain materials.
First, make a list of the dishes you want to prepare, then compare it with the exact contents of the box for the model you’ve chosen. Don’t assume an accessory is included just because of the type of appliance: for example, Moulinex says the Extra Crisp for the Cookeo Wi-Fi 8-en-1 is sold separately.
Read the manual for instructions on closing, filling and cleaning the appliance, and releasing the pressure. Moulinex lists automatic pressure release for the Cookeo Wi-Fi 8-en-1 mentioned here, but don’t assume another multi-cooker has the same feature.