Households that want to start cooking and get on with other things
You mainly prepare rice, soups or slow-cooked dishes. Your priority is to spend less time watching the food cook, without necessarily handing over the chopping as well.
Who are these appliances for?
People who also want help preparing ingredients
You regularly make soups, sauces or dishes that involve chopping and mixing. A cooking food processor is worth considering if its functions match the steps you genuinely repeat.
Households limited by portion size or space
You want a cooking capacity that suits your meals without cluttering the worktop. Check the permitted fill level: it may be lower than the stated capacity of the bowl or cooking pot.
How do the options compare?
Multi-cooker
Choose this if: you prepare the ingredients yourself and mainly want to set everyday meals cooking.
Bear in mind: chopping and most other preparation tasks are still down to you.
Cooking food processor
Choose this if: your recipes often involve chopping, blending or mixing as well as cooking.
Bear in mind: functions depend on the model and its accessories; more parts may mean more storage space and washing up.
Your existing utensils
Stick with these if: your usual meals don’t often need unattended cooking or integrated preparation.
Bear in mind: you’ll still need to do the hands-on tasks and keep an eye on anything that needs monitoring as it cooks.
| Consideration | What to check | What shoppers are looking for |
|---|---|---|
| Keeping an eye on cooking | Check the cooking modes suited to your dishes and the model’s programming options. | Once I’ve prepared the ingredients, I want to start cooking and not have to stay by the hob; around 36% of shoppers would put this ability to cook unattended at the top of their list. |
| Preparing ingredients | Check for the chopping, blending, mixing or weighing functions you need, along with the accessories included. | For my soups and sauces, I also want to cut down on the preparation involved before and during cooking; around 29% of shoppers would prioritise integrated food preparation. |
| Portions and space | Compare the permitted fill level for your recipes and measure the space needed, with the lid open and accessories put away. | I need to cook the right amount without losing too much worktop space; around 21% of shoppers would make this the main priority. |
| Cleaning and services | Find out which parts need washing after the recipes you usually make, and check the terms for accessing connected recipes. | If cleaning and storing the appliance makes every meal more complicated, I may use it less; around 14% of shoppers would prioritise ease of cleaning and use above all else. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Choosing based only on bowl capacity
The total capacity doesn’t always match the amount you’re allowed to cook. For example, Que Choisir notes that a 6 l Cookeo pot is limited to a maximum fill of 4 l when cooking.
Compare the usable capacity or maximum fill level with your usual portions, including when you use a steam basket.
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Assuming “multi-function” means “does all the preparation”
A multi-cooker can handle cooking without chopping or mixing the ingredients. Some functions on a cooking food processor may require model-specific accessories.
Break down a few meals you make often, then check which steps the appliance you’re considering can actually handle.
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Forgetting about parts to wash and store
Bowls, blades, lids and baskets still need cleaning, even when you don’t have to watch the cooking as closely. In its 2020 survey of subscribers who owned food processors, Que Choisir listed washing up among the reasons for using them less often.
For a recipe you make regularly, identify the parts you’ll use, how they should be washed and how much room the accessories need.
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Taking connected recipes or repairability for granted
Access to recipes and repairability commitments depend on the offer and the specific model; a brand’s promise doesn’t replace the applicable legal guarantee.
Before choosing, check the terms of the recipe service, which parts are covered by the repairability commitment and the seller’s information.
Brands to know
Moulinex
The Cookeo and Companion ranges cater for two distinct needs: handing over mainly the cooking, or bringing more preparation and cooking steps together.
- Moulinex states that the Cookeo+ CE851A10 has a 6 l pot and six cooking modes; the brand gives the cited Companion model a usable capacity of 3 l.
- Check the functions, permitted fill level and accessories for the exact model you’re considering. A repairability commitment shown on some product pages is separate from the legal guarantee.
Vorwerk
The Thermomix TM7 is aimed at people interested in guided food preparation with built-in scales.
- Vorwerk states that the TM7 has a 2.2 l bowl and scales that measure in 1 g increments, up to 3 kg.
- Compare this capacity with the quantities you cook and check how to access the recipes you plan to use.
Magimix
The Cook Expert XL bowl may appeal to households comparing usable capacities for larger batches.
- Magimix states that this XL bowl has a total capacity of 4,8 l and a usable capacity of 3,8 l.
- These capacities apply to the bowl mentioned, not every Magimix appliance. Check compatibility, any accessories required and how much space it will take up in your kitchen.
Silvercrest
The Monsieur Cuisine range includes cooking food processors whose specifications vary by version.
- For the Monsieur Cuisine Smart, Lidl France states that the bowl has a capacity of 4,5 l and a maximum fill level of 3 l.
- Check which version is on offer, its permitted fill level and the washing instructions for the accessories you’ll use.
Appliances for these needs
These appliances cover the two options discussed here: multi-cookers for handing over mainly the cooking, and cooking food processors that combine preparation and cooking. For each one, compare the listed functions with the tasks you actually want to avoid.
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Robby Smart cooking food processor with XL bowl and scales
Worth considering if you want to combine food preparation and cooking in one appliance.
- The product name lists built-in scales and a large touchscreen.
- Check the permitted fill level for your portions and the terms for accessing the recipes you’re interested in.
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Cecotec GM H Deluxe Fry, 6 l multi-cooker with scales
Worth looking at if you’re mainly after a programmable cooking appliance with a weighing function.
- The product name lists a 6 l capacity, built-in scales and an air fryer lid.
- Before choosing it for your usual meals, check the maximum fill level for cooking, the dimensions and the care instructions.
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Robby cooking food processor with scales and touchscreen
Worth considering if you’d like to combine weighing with food preparation and cooking.
- The product name lists built-in scales and a touchscreen.
- Check the usable capacity for your recipes and the washing instructions for each accessory.
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Instant Pot Plus WiFi, 5,7 l multi-cooker
Worth looking at if you want to hand over the cooking and are considering app control.
- The product name lists a 5,7 l capacity and app control.
- Check the maximum fill level, app compatibility and terms of use.
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Cecotec Model D, 6 l multi-cooker
Compare it with other multi-cookers if you want to programme cooking and adjust the pressure setting.
- The product name lists 9 cooking menus and 2 pressure settings.
- Check the dimensions, cleaning instructions and whether instructions are available in French.
Frequently asked questions
Does the stated capacity in litres match how much I can cook?
Not necessarily: check the maximum fill level and any limits for the recipe. Que Choisir gives the example of a 6 l Cookeo pot with a maximum cooking fill level of 4 l; Lidl France states that the Monsieur Cuisine Smart has a 4,5 l bowl that can be filled to 3 l.
Can a multi-cooker replace a cooking food processor for evening meals?
A multi-cooker may suit your needs if it’s mainly the cooking you want to hand over, but not if preparing the ingredients is your biggest challenge. Que Choisir explains that a multi-cooker generally doesn’t mix food; check which tasks each cooking food processor can perform and which accessories are included.
How can I work out how much washing up there’ll be before I buy?
Think through a recipe you make regularly and identify every part you’ll use and then clean: the bowl, lid, blade, whisk or basket, depending on the model. Check the washing instructions for these parts rather than assuming a rinse programme will clean everything.
What guarantee applies if I buy the appliance from a business in France?
According to the Directorate General for Competition Policy, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control, the legal guarantee of conformity applies to new, second-hand and refurbished goods sold by a business to a private individual in France. If the appliance isn’t as it should be, keep your proof of purchase and contact the seller; a commercial repairability commitment is separate from this guarantee.
Does a repairability promise cover every model from a brand?
No: check the commitment on the product page for the exact model. Moulinex advertises 15-year repairability on some product pages; check the terms and which parts are covered, and don’t confuse this commercial commitment with the legal guarantee that applies through the seller.