Households looking to prepare and cook in one appliance
If you chop, blend, mix and cook as part of the same recipe, consider a cooking food processor. The bowl, cooking modes and accessories should suit the quantities and dishes you usually make.
Who are these appliances for?
Households that want to start cooking and get on with something else
If you often make rice, casseroles, steamed dishes or slow-cooked meals, a multicooker is a good fit if you want to set a cooking programme and leave it to work. Que Choisir notes that once you’ve added the ingredients and started the programme, you don’t need to watch the hob throughout cooking.
Cooks who prepare lots of ingredients or dough
If slicing, grating and chopping take up a lot of your time in the kitchen, look at food processors. If you mainly knead, mix and whisk dough, consider a stand mixer instead: Que Choisir describes these as its core uses.
What should guide your choice?
Start with the task you repeat most often, then check the usable capacity and accessories each model offers for that job.
| Need | What to check | Who it suits |
|---|---|---|
| Preparing and cooking | For a cooking food processor, check the cooking modes, usable capacity and included accessories. | I want to chop or mix ingredients and then cook a dish without using several appliances; around 29% of consumers would prioritise having both steps in one appliance. |
| Programmed cooking | For a multicooker, compare the programmes you need and the fill limits for each cooking mode. | I want to set a casserole, rice or steamed dish cooking and not have to stay by the hob; around 24% of consumers would prioritise this. |
| Preparing ingredients | For a food processor, check that it includes the grating and slicing discs, as well as the chopping or blending tools you need. | When I prepare ingredients for several meals, chopping and blending matter more to me than cooking in the appliance; around 23% of consumers would prioritise these tasks. |
| Kneading and whisking | Check which tools come with the stand mixer and which accessories are sold separately for other tasks. | I regularly make dough or whisked mixtures and want to make these jobs easier; around 12% of consumers would prioritise this. |
| Soups and blended dishes | Check the blender’s capacity and, if you also want to cook soup, the functions available on heated models. | I mainly make soups and blended sauces and don’t need the appliance to grate or knead; around 12% of consumers would put this need first. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Judging by the number of advertised functions
Different appliance types handle different tasks, and Que Choisir points out that a food processor with lots of functions won’t necessarily excel at every one.
Make a note of the tasks you repeat each week, then check which tools are actually included to help you do them.
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Confusing bowl capacity with how much you can cook
The fill limit may mean you can cook less than the bowl’s full capacity in one go. Que Choisir gives the example of a 6 L Cookeo bowl with a maximum cooking quantity of 4 L.
Check the manual for the limits that apply to the programmes you use and the quantities you usually cook.
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Expecting a multicooker to prepare the ingredients too
A cooking programme doesn’t mean the appliance will chop, mince or stir the food. Que Choisir notes that multicookers generally don’t stir their contents.
If these tasks are part of your routine, check the model’s functions or plan to keep your food preparation tools.
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Overlooking replacement parts for the exact model
A brand’s stated parts availability for one model doesn’t necessarily apply to its other appliances. Magimix, for example, says parts will be available for 30 years for its CS 4200XL.
Note down the full model number and check how to get the bowl, lid, seals and relevant accessories, as well as the applicable warranty terms.
Brands to know, depending on how you cook
Magimix
The brand offers food processors designed for preparing ingredients.
- For the CS 4200XL, Magimix lists a 3 L bowl, a usable capacity of 1.3 L and 30 years of spare parts availability.
- These specifications apply to the CS 4200XL. Check the tools included and capacity of the specific model you’re considering.
Moulinex
Its ranges include multicookers for dishes cooked in the bowl and heated blenders for soups.
- Moulinex describes the Cookeo+ as offering pressure cooking and guided recipes. Its Soup & Co LM9001B1 is listed with a 1.8 L capacity for cooking and blending soups.
- These functions belong to two different appliances. Choose according to whether you most often cook meals or blend soups.
Vorwerk
Vorwerk says the Thermomix combines food preparation and cooking in one appliance.
- Vorwerk lists blending, chopping, kneading, slow cooking and steaming among its functions.
- A list of functions alone doesn’t tell you how well the appliance will handle your recipes. Look at the model, its capacity and any independent test results available.
Kenwood
The brand’s stand mixers focus on kneading, mixing and whisking.
- Kenwood describes the relevant stand mixers as having a stainless steel bowl, a baking tool set and planetary mixing action.
- Other uses depend on the model and accessories you choose, so check exactly what comes with the appliance.
Cooking food processors and multicookers on Joybuy
These models cater to two different needs: combining preparation and cooking in a cooking food processor, or prioritising cooking with a multicooker. Compare their advertised functions with the tasks you actually want the appliance to handle.
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Robby Smart Multifunction, cooking food processor with XL bowl
Worth considering if you want to bring food preparation and cooking together in one appliance. The product name mentions built-in scales and a large touchscreen. Check the bowl’s usable capacity, included accessories and the recipe collection for the model on offer.
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Robby Multifunction, cooking food processor with scales and touchscreen
Consider this if you want to weigh ingredients while preparing a dish that will be cooked in the same appliance. The title mentions built-in scales, a touchscreen and 680 recipes. Check the usable capacity and included accessories for the tasks you usually do.
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Midea 9-in-1, 8 L electric pressure multicooker
Worth considering if your priority is programmed cooking rather than chopping ingredients. The title specifies 8 L, 1 200 W and 12 preset programmes. Check the manual for fill limits and pressure-release instructions.
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Instant Pot Rio XL, 7.1 L electric pressure multicooker
Consider this if you want to focus on cooking in one appliance rather than preparing ingredients. The title specifies a 7.1 L capacity, seven functions and a stainless steel inner pot. Check the permitted quantity for each dish and the pressure-release instructions.
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Instant Pot Classic, 5.7 L electric pressure multicooker, Daydream Blue
Worth considering if you prioritise cooking programmes over chopping or grating. The title specifies 5.7 L, seven functions and four customisable settings. Check the manual for fill limits and pressure-cooking instructions.
Frequently asked questions
Can a 6 L multicooker cook 6 L of food?
Not necessarily: the fill limit may be lower than the bowl’s capacity. Que Choisir gives the example of a 6 L Cookeo bowl with a 4 L cooking limit. Check the manual for your model and the programme you’re using.
Does a multicooker stir ingredients as they cook?
Generally not, according to Que Choisir. If your recipe needs stirring, check whether the model has a suitable mechanism or plan to stir it yourself.
What should I check before using a pressure multicooker?
Check the fill limits, pressure-release instructions and how to remove the bowl. Que Choisir highlights the risk of burns if you have to grip the edges of a bowl without handles.
Does the manufacturer’s commercial warranty replace my rights with the seller?
No. In France, the Ministry of the Economy states that consumers can claim under the legal guarantee of conformity from a professional seller if a product is faulty. A commercial warranty is separate and has its own terms.
How can I check whether spare parts are available for a food processor?
Note down the food processor’s exact model number, then check how long parts are expected to be available and how to order the ones you might need. A stated availability period for one model, such as the 30 years Magimix lists for the CS 4200XL, doesn’t automatically apply to other models.