Choose a programmable multi-cooker if you mainly want to cook rice or slow-cooked dishes without keeping an eye on every stage. Opt for a food processor with cooking functions if you also want to chop, mix or knead with the same appliance. In either case, check the usable capacity, how much space it needs and which tasks you’ll still have to do yourself.
You mainly prepare rice, slow-cooked dishes or steamed food, and want to spend less time keeping an eye on the appliance once cooking has started. Check the programmes and keep-warm function on the model you’re considering.
Chopping, mixing, whisking or kneading also feature in your recipes. The accessories, how easy they are to clean and how much space they take up are just as important as the cooking functions.
Your choice depends first on the portions you usually make, the capacity you can actually use and the space available for the appliance when assembled and its accessories.
If you want to spend less time keeping an eye on your meals, first decide whether you only need programmed cooking or also want help preparing the ingredients. Then compare usable capacity and how much space the appliance will need in your kitchen.
| Criterion | What to check | Best suited to |
|---|---|---|
| Cooking with less supervision | Check that the programmes suit your recipes and that there’s a keep-warm function if you need one. A multi-cooker won’t necessarily prepare the ingredients for you. | If I often start cooking rice or a slow-cooked dish before moving on to something else, I want to limit how much I need to do while it cooks. Around 45% of consumers would make this level of hands-off cooking their priority. |
| Preparation and cooking in one appliance | Check which tasks the appliance can handle, which accessories are included and how easy the parts are to clean on the specific model. | When I regularly chop or mix ingredients before cooking, I want to bring those steps together in one appliance. This versatility would be the priority for around 33% of consumers. |
| Portions and storage | Compare the usable capacity and filling limits with the portions you make; also measure the assembled appliance and the space needed for its accessories. | If I cook several portions or have limited storage, the appliance needs to suit the quantities I make without cluttering my kitchen. Around 22% of consumers would put this fit at the top of their list. |
You can’t always fill a cooking bowl to its stated capacity. Que Choisir points out that you need to leave some room, particularly to prevent food from spilling over.
Compare the usable capacity and the filling limits given for your usual recipes, especially when ingredients expand or are cooked under pressure.
A food processor with cooking functions can combine preparation and cooking, but its accessories and different functions won’t necessarily make a meal any easier if all you need to do is cook ingredients that are already prepared.
Make a list of the tasks you do each week, then compare the models’ functions with how you’ll actually use them.
Access to recipes depends on the appliance and the service it’s linked to. Que Choisir recommends checking this when choosing a food processor with cooking functions.
Check which recipes are available with the appliance, the terms for accessing guided recipes and which functions you can use without an internet connection.
A bowl in place and accessories that need storing can make a model impractical, even if its capacity is right for your meals.
Measure your worktop, the clearance beneath your cupboards and your storage space, then compare them with the dimensions of the assembled appliance.
The Cookeo range focuses on guided cooking, while the Companion range combines food preparation and cooking.
The Thermomix TM7 combines food preparation and cooking functions with guided recipes.
The Cook Expert XL Connect combines cooking with preparation functions such as grating, slicing and kneading.
No. Both can cook, but a multi-cooker is primarily designed to control cooking in a bowl, while a food processor with cooking functions can also handle steps such as chopping or mixing. If you want to combine several stages of a recipe, check the functions of the specific model.
No. You can’t always use the cooking bowl’s full capacity for cooking. Que Choisir gives the example of a 6 l Cookeo bowl that can be limited to 4 l for cooking, depending on the recipe. Check the limit for your model against the quantities you usually make.
No. Availability and access terms vary by model and associated service. Before choosing, check which recipes are available with the appliance and which functions you can still use without an internet connection.
When buying a new appliance of the same type, ask whether your old one can be taken back. The Ministry for Ecological Transition describes a ‘1-for-1’ take-back scheme under this condition. Ask the retailer about the practical arrangements for your old appliance.