People who cook full meals during the week
You regularly make soups, sauces, stews, rice or steamed vegetables, and want to move from preparation to cooking with fewer transfers between appliances.
Who are these options for?
The right appliance depends above all on the tasks you repeat and the space your existing appliances already take up.
Households with appliances already in a small kitchen
You have cooking appliances and need to check where you can put a new food processor, its bowl and accessories before adding functions you may already have.
People who mainly want to prepare ingredients
You want to chop, grate, slice, blend, whisk or knead for several meals, without replacing your hob, oven or slow cooker.
How do the different appliances compare?
In a small kitchen that’s already well equipped, start with the tasks your appliances don’t cover. UFC-Que Choisir’s guides distinguish between food preparation and cooking functions, and recommend considering the space required, capacity and accessories.
Heated food processor
Consider it: if your regular meals involve preparing ingredients and then cooking them in the same appliance.
Bear in mind: you’ll need space for the appliance and its accessories, even if other equipment already covers some of the tasks.
Food processor
Consider it: if cooking is already taken care of and you regularly chop, blend or knead.
Bear in mind: it won’t replace your cooking appliance, and its bowls or discs will also need storing.
Multi-cooker and food processor
Consider them: if you want a separate programmable cooking appliance alongside your chopping and blending equipment.
Bear in mind: you’ll need space for and have to clean two appliances; check whether your recipes need stirring during cooking.
A few individual appliances
Consider them: if you only need one or two functions and your current appliances take care of everything else.
Bear in mind: you may need to transfer ingredients between appliances more often for recipes with several steps.
| Priority | What to check | Who it’s for |
|---|---|---|
| Combining preparation and cooking | Identify the cooking methods needed for your usual dishes, then check the functions and included accessories. | I often make dishes that go from chopping or mixing to cooking, and would rather avoid transferring ingredients between appliances; around 36% of consumers prioritise this continuity. |
| Available space | Measure the space available for using and storing the appliance, including the base, bowl and accessories. | My cupboards and worktop space are limited, so I want to be able to store the food processor and get it out easily. Around 29% of consumers put keeping this space clear ahead of other criteria. |
| Complementing existing appliances | List the tasks your current appliances already cover, then check what’s missing, especially for food preparation or programmable cooking. | My cooking appliances already do the job, but some preparation tasks take me a long time; around 21% of consumers prioritise adding equipment without doubling up. |
| Functions you’ll actually use | Compare the tasks you do regularly with the accessories included and the number of parts you’ll need to clean. | If I only use one or two functions, I’d rather avoid extra accessories and washing up; around 14% of consumers prioritise choosing only what they need. |
What to avoid before you buy
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Assuming all advertised functions are included
Grating or slicing may depend on a disc supplied with the model. UFC-Que Choisir’s testing protocols assess some optional accessories only when they’re included.
Compare the exact list of accessories with the dishes you usually make, and decide where you’ll store the ones you’ll use.
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Choosing a bowl based only on its stated capacity
According to UFC-Que Choisir, a multi-cooker needs a safety margin to prevent spills, so you may not be able to use all of its stated capacity.
Check the fill limits in the instruction manual against the ingredients and portion sizes you prepare.
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Paying again for functions you already have
A food processor can complement your existing cooking appliance without replacing it. On the other hand, adding a multi-purpose appliance for a few tasks you already cover means more things to store.
Take stock of the appliances you use and note the repeated steps they don’t take care of.
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Forgetting about cleaning and storing accessories
In a survey published in January 2020, UFC-Que Choisir reports that some owners of heated food processors cite the amount of washing up as a reason for using them less often.
Check which parts are dishwasher-safe, which need taking apart after use and how much space each accessory requires.
Brands to consider
There are no brands to feature in this section.
Appliances for food preparation or cooking
These products are designed for different tasks: heated food processors combine preparation and cooking, food processors help prepare ingredients, and multi-cookers are for cooking. If you’re considering two complementary appliances, check the functions and space required for each one separately.
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Robby Smart Multifunction Cooking Robot, XL bowl, built-in scales, touchscreen and 750 recipes
Worth considering if you want to combine food preparation and cooking for your regular meals.
The model name indicates an XL bowl, built-in scales and a touchscreen. Check that you have room for the bowl and accessories in your kitchen, and that the included functions suit the dishes you make.
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Robby Multifunction Cooking Robot, built-in scales, touchscreen and 680 recipes
Consider it if preparing and cooking in one appliance suits the meals you usually make.
The model is listed with built-in scales and a touchscreen. Make room for its accessories, and check the cleaning instructions and whether it needs to be monitored while in use.
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ochama Food Processor 750 W, 1.8 L, blender and slicing and grating discs
Designed for preparing ingredients when your other appliances already take care of the cooking.
The product name indicates 750 W, 1.8 L, as well as blending, chopping, slicing and grating functions. Check how much room you’ll need for the food processor and its accessories before buying.
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Instant Pot Classic Mini, 3.8 L multi-cooker, 7-in-1, Daydream Blue
Consider it for cooking if you already have a way to prepare ingredients, or plan to use a separate food processor.
The model name indicates a 3.8 L bowl and capacity for up to four portions. If you’re cooking several meals, check the fill limits in the instruction manual and measure the space available.
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Instant Pot Classic, 5.7 L multi-cooker, 7-in-1, four customisable programmes, Daydream Blue
Consider it if you want a dedicated appliance for cooking several portions, while keeping ingredient preparation separate.
The model name indicates a 5.7 L capacity and four customisable programmes. Check the space required and the fill limits for your recipes.
Frequently asked questions
When should you choose a heated food processor over a food processor?
Choose a heated food processor if your usual meals often involve preparing ingredients and then cooking, stewing or steaming them in the same appliance. If cooking is already taken care of, a food processor is better suited to preparation tasks; UFC-Que Choisir also recommends comparing how much space these appliances take up.
How do you work out the capacity you need for several meals?
Compare your usual portions with the maximum quantities listed in the instruction manual, rather than relying only on the capacity shown on the bowl. UFC-Que Choisir points out that a multi-cooker needs a safety margin and that the permitted fill level can depend on what you’re preparing.
Do you need to buy all the accessories offered with a food processor?
No. Choose the accessories you need for the tasks you do regularly, and check which ones come with your chosen model. The functions available depend on the accessories supplied, which also need to be easy to clean and store in your kitchen.
What rights do you have in France if a food processor bought from a retailer isn’t as described?
According to the French Ministry of the Economy, the legal guarantee of conformity in France applies to new, second-hand and refurbished goods sold by a professional to a private individual. If the appliance doesn’t match the description in the offer, keep your proof of purchase and contact the seller. This legal guarantee is separate from a retailer’s returns policy.