Households that mainly want to get the cooking started
You prepare the ingredients, then want the appliance to manage the heat and cooking time. A programmable multi-cooker is worth considering if you don’t mind chopping and mixing separately.
Who are these appliances for?
People who make recipes with several steps
If you want to chop, blend or mix as well as cook, look at the functions and accessories offered by a cooking food processor. Usable capacity, storage and cleaning matter just as much as the number of settings listed.
Households that already have cooking equipment
If your hob, oven or another appliance already meets your cooking needs, a food processor can take care of grating, slicing or chopping. Your existing equipment will still handle the cooking.
Which tasks would you like to hand over?
For evening meals, think about the time spent preparing ingredients separately from the time spent keeping an eye on them as they cook. The right choice depends on which step you find most demanding.
Programmable multi-cooker
Worth considering if: you’re happy to prepare the ingredients before starting a cooking programme.
Bear in mind: chopping and mixing are generally separate tasks, as UFC-Que Choisir points out.
Cooking food processor
Worth considering if: your recipes regularly involve preparing, mixing and cooking in the same appliance.
Bear in mind: functions and capacities vary between models. Also check which accessories you’ll need to store and wash.
Food processor with separate cooking
Worth considering if: your current equipment already cooks your meals, but chopping or mincing slows you down.
Bear in mind: a food processor won’t cook or keep watch over the appliance you use for cooking.
| What matters to you | What to check | Who it’s for |
|---|---|---|
| Cooking with minimal supervision | Check that the programmes suit the dishes you make, review the time settings and read the instructions to follow while cooking. | I can prepare the ingredients, but then I want to spend less time keeping an eye on dinner as it cooks. Around 42% of consumers would make this level of automation their priority. |
| Preparation and cooking in one appliance | Check which tasks the included accessories can handle, then compare the bowls’ usable capacity. | When a recipe involves chopping, mixing and then cooking, I want to avoid switching between appliances. This would be a priority for around 33% of consumers. |
| Preparation without built-in cooking | Review the cooking equipment you already have, and check the chopping accessories and bowl size. | I already have cooking covered; it’s preparing the ingredients that takes the time. Around 25% of consumers would prioritise this need. |
Things to bear in mind
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Assuming the bowl’s capacity is the same as its usable cooking capacity
The maximum fill level may be lower than the advertised capacity. UFC-Que Choisir gives the example of a 6 L Cookeo bowl with a 4 L cooking limit; this does not mean other models have the same limit.
Check the fill limit for the model you’re considering and compare it with the quantities you usually cook. Don’t estimate portions based on the bowl’s capacity alone.
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Choosing more functions than you need
A cooking food processor can handle preparation steps, but those functions may not solve your main problem if you’re happy to prepare the ingredients yourself.
Think about which tasks you genuinely want to hand over each week. If your main concern is keeping an eye on the cooking, compare multi-cooker programmes before looking at food preparation functions.
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Forgetting about the parts you’ll need to wash and store
Blades, discs, baskets and whisks all add to the cleaning after cooking and take up space. Washing instructions may also differ from one part to another.
For the exact bundle you’re considering, check which accessories are included, how to store them and the cleaning instructions for each part.
Brands to compare
Moulinex
The Cookeo and Companion ranges let you compare bowl-based cooking with food preparation alongside cooking.
- Moulinex describes the Cookeo+ CE851A10 as a 6 L multi-cooker with six modes, and the Companion XL HF80DB10 as a 4.5 L cooking food processor with 14 functions.
- These figures alone don’t tell you how much you can cook or which tasks the appliance can perform without your input. Check the instructions and accessories for the specific model.
Vorwerk
The Thermomix TM7 is an option to explore if you’re looking for a cooking food processor with guided recipes.
- Vorwerk lists 24 modes for the TM7 and access to Cookidoo guided recipes.
- Check the terms for accessing Cookidoo. Vorwerk says the removable parts are dishwasher-safe, while the base should be cleaned by hand. It also recommends hand-washing some parts to help limit wear.
Magimix
The Cook Expert XL Connect is worth considering if you prepare several portions and also use chopping or kneading functions.
- Magimix lists a 4.8 L bowl, with 3.8 L of usable capacity, for this model, along with cooking, chopping, grating and kneading functions.
- Compare the 3.8 L usable capacity with your recipes, and check the dimensions and accessories included in your chosen bundle.
Appliances for preparing weeknight meals
These appliances cover food preparation and cooking in one with the Robby cooking food processor, while the other models are primarily for cooking. Start by choosing which tasks you want to hand over, then compare the functions listed for each appliance.
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Robby Smart cooking food processor with XL bowl and built-in scales
Worth considering if you want to combine food preparation and cooking in one appliance. The model name mentions a large touchscreen and 750 recipes; check the instructions to see which steps require your input.
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Cecotec Model D 6 L multi-cooker with voice function
Worth comparing if your priority is programming the cooking rather than automating food preparation. The title lists a 24-hour timer, nine menus, two pressure settings and a frying function. Check the fill limits and cleaning instructions.
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ochama 4 L, 860 W rice cooker
Worth considering if rice and the dishes listed in the title feature in your regular meals. The model includes a delay-start function, keep-warm setting and steaming basket; check its fill limit before planning your portions.
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Midea 8 L 9-in-1 pressure multi-cooker
Worth comparing if you want to cook several portions in one bowl. The title lists a power rating of 1 200 W and 12 pre-set programmes; check the quantities allowed for your recipes and how to care for the parts.
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Instant Pot Rio XL 7.1 L 7-in-1 multi-cooker
Worth considering if you’re looking for several cooking modes in a multi-cooker. The title mentions a stainless steel inner pot; check the fill limit and whether it has a delay-start function if you plan to start cooking in advance.
Frequently asked questions
Can you cook 6 L of food in a 6 L bowl?
Not necessarily: the bowl’s capacity may not match its fill limit. UFC-Que Choisir cites a 6 L Cookeo bowl with a 4 L cooking limit. Check your model’s instructions and the guidance for each recipe.
Can a multi-cooker also chop and blend?
Generally not: food preparation functions depend on the appliance and its accessories. If your recipes often involve chopping, blending or mixing during cooking, compare these tasks across the cooking food processors you’re considering.
Are all the parts of a cooking food processor dishwasher-safe?
No, instructions vary depending on the model and the part. For the Thermomix TM7, Vorwerk says the removable parts can go in the dishwasher, while the base should be cleaned by hand. The brand also recommends hand-washing some parts to help limit wear.
What should I do if the appliance I receive doesn’t match its description?
If a business sells an appliance to an individual in France and it differs from the description provided, this may be covered by the legal guarantee of conformity. The French Ministry of the Economy explains that this guarantee applies to new, second-hand and refurbished goods. Contact the seller and describe the discrepancy clearly.