Choose a multi-cooker if you mainly want to set a familiar dish cooking and get on with something else; a cooking food processor is better suited to broader needs if chopping and mixing also take up your time. If your existing appliances already cook the way you want, a food processor without a cooking function may be all you need for preparation. In every case, compare the included accessories, usable capacity, space required and parts that need cleaning.
If you don’t mind preparing the ingredients, a programmable multi-cooker could suit your main priority: managing the cooking of a dish that works with its programmes, then keeping it warm. UFC-Que Choisir draws a clear distinction between help with cooking and help with preparation.
If chopping, mincing or mixing also slows down your evenings, look at a cooking food processor and the accessories supplied with the specific model you’re considering. It can bring preparation and cooking tasks together, but not every model has every function.
If you’re happy with your hob or oven, a food processor without a cooking function can help with chopping or mixing. Check that its accessories are suited to the tasks you actually want it to handle.
Worth considering: if keeping an eye on cooking is your biggest obstacle to weeknight dinners.
Bear in mind: you’ll generally still need to prepare the ingredients, and the appliance won’t usually stir the dish for you.
Worth considering: if you expect to use its preparation functions as regularly as its cooking functions.
Bear in mind: depending on the model and accessories you use, there may be more parts to set up, store and wash.
Worth considering: if you’re happy with how you currently cook and mainly want to speed up preparation.
Bear in mind: you’ll still need to manage the cooking using your usual appliances.
| What matters to you | What to check | Who it suits |
|---|---|---|
| Keeping an eye on cooking | Check for programmes suited to your dishes and a keep-warm function; confirm separately whether it has a delay-start function if you need one. | I want to set a familiar dish cooking, then get on with something else. Around 33% of consumers make this hands-off approach to cooking their main priority. |
| Combining preparation and cooking | Check which tasks the specific model can handle and which accessories are actually included. | Chopping or mixing takes as much time as cooking: I want one appliance to handle both stages. This is a priority for around 27% of consumers. |
| Space and cleaning | Measure the space available and check which parts need to be taken apart and washed. | I want to be able to get the appliance out on a weeknight without making storage or washing up more complicated. For around 20% of consumers, ease of use comes first. |
| Complementing your existing appliances | Identify the function you’re missing and check what the specific model offers compared with your current appliances. | My appliances already take care of cooking; I just want to make one specific preparation task easier. Around 20% of consumers prioritise this targeted help. |
A multi-cooker can manage a programmed cooking cycle, but it won’t necessarily chop the ingredients or stir the dish automatically. So it may not solve the tasks that take up your time before cooking.
Think about what slows you down when making your usual meals. This will help you choose between help with cooking and help with preparation.
Fill limits can reduce the capacity you can actually use, particularly depending on the recipe and precautions needed to prevent spills.
Compare the portions and preparation volumes given for your usual dishes, rather than looking only at the figure shown on the bowl.
According to UFC-Que Choisir, recipes aren’t essential to the basic operation of a cooking food processor. However, access to recipe services varies between brands and models.
Check what remains available without an additional service, and whether guided recipes really matter to you.
An appliance with lots of functions won’t necessarily be useful if your existing equipment already handles the tasks you do most often.
Make a list of the tasks you regularly use your appliances for, then compare the functions you’re missing and exactly what comes with each model.
The Cookeo and Companion ranges illustrate the multi-cooker and cooking food processor options respectively.
Cook Expert is a range of cooking food processors designed to bring preparation and cooking together.
MultiTalent is a food preparation option without a cooking function, designed to complement the cooking appliances you already own.
Thermomix combines preparation, cooking and guided recipes in a range of connected cooking food processors.
These Joybuy models are designed for cooking familiar dishes. If your main challenge is chopping or mixing before you cook, also compare a cooking food processor or a food processor without a cooking function.
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For a range of everyday cooking options without built-in chopping functions.
7-in-1 multi-cooker; the model name lists slow cooking, steaming and four customisable presets, among other features.
If you prepare dinner well in advance, check whether it has a delay-start function and whether the usable capacity suits your recipes.
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Worth a look if you cook large quantities and want several modes for weeknight meals.
The model name lists a 1,200 W power rating and 12 preset menus, including options for rice, slow cooking and steaming.
Check the fill limits for the dishes you make and the cleaning instructions for each part.
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For households looking for a large-capacity multi-cooker while keeping ingredient preparation separate.
The model name lists 7-in-1 operation and a stainless-steel inner pot.
If your routine depends on a delay-start or keep-warm function, confirm that these are available on the specific model you choose.
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Worth considering if controlling your cooking through an app is part of how you plan meals.
The model name lists a 9-in-1 multi-cooker with app control and sous-vide cooking.
Check the app’s terms of use, as well as the programming functions you need.
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Compare this programmable cooker, with its choice of menus, against what you actually need for evening meals.
The model name lists nine menus, two pressure settings and a voice function.
An advertised timer doesn’t necessarily mean it has a delay-start function, so check this, the usable capacity and the language of the instructions.
No. According to UFC-Que Choisir, recipes aren’t essential to the basic operation of a cooking food processor. If you’re interested in guided cooking, check separately which recipes are available with the appliance and the terms of the service offered for the model you choose.
It can manage the cooking once programmed appropriately, but that doesn’t mean dinner will make itself. You’ll generally need to prepare the ingredients separately, and some recipes still require you to add or stir something part-way through.
Compare the usable capacity and the portions specified for your usual recipes, rather than looking only at the stated capacity. UFC-Que Choisir gives the example of a 6 L Cookeo bowl with a 4 L cooking limit; this limit shouldn’t automatically be applied to other models.
Look at the parts you’ll use most often: the bowl, lid, blades and accessories. Then check how they come apart and whether they’re listed as dishwasher-safe. A function advertised for a range may depend on an accessory that isn’t supplied with every model.