People who prepare their ingredients in advance
If you chop your ingredients ahead of time, your main priority may be to set the evening meal cooking and let the appliance run the programme you’ve chosen. Keep-warm functions vary by model.
Who are these appliances for?
Households looking to make prep easier too
If chopping, blending, mixing or whisking takes as much time as cooking, look at the tasks a cooking food processor can handle in one appliance, and the accessories you’ll need for your recipes.
Households cooking several portions
If you want to cook dinner and save portions for another day, check the usable capacity for your recipes and consider how much space the bowl and accessories will take up.
How do the two options compare?
Programmable multi-cooker
Choose this if: you prepare the ingredients yourself and mainly want the appliance to take care of the cooking.
Bear in mind: according to Que Choisir, multi-cookers don’t stir food, so some recipe steps still need to be done by hand.
Cooking food processor
Choose this if: prep takes up as much of your time as cooking, and the model’s functions suit your recipes.
Bear in mind: the bowl and accessories take up space and need to be cleaned and stored.
| Criteria | What to check before you buy | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Programmable cooking | Check which cooking modes suit your dishes and, if needed, whether the appliance has a delay-start or keep-warm function. | When the ingredients are ready, I want to get dinner started without standing over the hob. Around 40% of consumers put leaving the cooking to an appliance at the top of their list. |
| Built-in food preparation | Identify the tasks your recipes require and check that the relevant accessories are included. | Chopping or mixing before cooking slows me down every evening; I’m looking for one appliance that can do both. Built-in food preparation is the top priority for around 30% of consumers. |
| Usable capacity | Compare the usable capacity and fill markings with the quantities in your recipes, particularly when pressure cooking. | I cook several portions at once and need to be able to cook them without exceeding the bowl’s limit. Capacity is the main concern for around 20% of consumers. |
| Space and cleaning | Measure the space you’ll need, including for accessories, and check whether each part is dishwasher-safe. | If taking the appliance out, washing it and putting it away makes dinner more of a chore, I’d rather keep those tasks to a minimum. Around 10% of consumers prioritise space and cleaning above all else. |
Mistakes to avoid before you buy
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Assuming programmable cooking means a fully prepared meal
A multi-cooker handles cooking steps, but you may still need to chop and add the ingredients, and sometimes stir them too. “Programmable” doesn’t mean the whole recipe happens without any input from you.
Think about two or three dinners you regularly make and identify the tasks that take you the most time. If it’s the preparation, look at the functions and accessories offered by a cooking food processor.
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Going by the stated capacity alone
The bowl’s capacity may be greater than the volume you’re allowed to cook. Que Choisir gives the example of a Cookeo with a 6 L bowl that’s limited to 4 L for cooking.
Compare your quantities with the fill markings and the instructions for the exact model, especially for pressure-cooked recipes or ingredients that expand.
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Forgetting about the parts you’ll need to wash and store
A cooking food processor combines several tasks, but its blades, bowl and other accessories still need cleaning and storage space.
Check which accessories are included, the dimensions of the complete appliance and the washing instructions for each part. Don’t assume that everything is dishwasher-safe.
Brands worth comparing
Moulinex
Cookeo is the multi-cooker option, while Companion combines food preparation and cooking.
- Moulinex says the Cookeo+ CE85B510 has a delay-start function and keep-warm setting. The Companion XL HF80DB10 is listed with 14 modes and five accessories.
- These specifications apply to the models mentioned. Check the programmes and accessories included with the version you’re considering.
Magimix
The Cook Expert range combines food preparation and cooking functions.
- Magimix lists the Cook Expert at 3.5 L. For the Cook Expert XL Connect, it gives a total capacity of 4.8 L and a usable capacity of 3.8 L.
- The amount you can use for a particular recipe still depends on the programme and the markings on the bowl of the model you choose.
Vorwerk
The Thermomix TM7 is aimed at people interested in guided recipes alongside food preparation and cooking.
- Vorwerk lists the TM7 with a 10-inch touchscreen and guided recipes via Cookidoo.
- Check the access terms for the recipes you’re interested in, as well as the TM7’s cleaning instructions.
Appliances for preparing evening meals
This selection includes cooking food processors that combine some preparation tasks with cooking, followed by multi-cookers designed mainly to programme the cooking. Choose according to the tasks you want to hand over and the portions the appliance can actually handle.
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Robby Smart cooking food processor with XL bowl and scales
Worth considering if you want one cooking food processor to handle both preparation and cooking.
The product title mentions built-in scales, a large touchscreen and an XL bowl. To make sure it suits your portions, check the usable capacity for your recipes and the washing instructions for the accessories.
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Robby cooking food processor with scales and touchscreen
Consider this if food preparation is just as important as cooking when choosing an appliance.
The title mentions built-in scales and a touchscreen. The product listing advises you not to leave the appliance unattended while it’s running. Also check the usable capacity and the model’s instructions.
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Cecotec Model D 6 L programmable multi-cooker
Worth considering if you prepare the ingredients yourself and then want to programme the cooking.
The title lists nine menus, two pressure settings and 24-hour programming. The 6 L figure is the stated capacity; check the instructions for filling limits, pressure-cooking guidance and whether French-language instructions are available.
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Midea 9-in-1 8 L electric pressure cooker
Worth a look if you want to programme cooking for several portions, provided their volume is within the limits set out in the instructions.
The title lists an 8 L capacity, 1,200 W of power and 12 preset menus. Don’t assume you can cook a full 8 L: check the fill limits for the recipes you plan to make.
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Instant Pot Plus WiFi 5.7 L multi-cooker
Compare this if your main priority is setting the cooking programme rather than preparing ingredients in the appliance.
The title mentions a 5.7 L capacity, nine functions and WiFi connectivity. Before you buy, check exactly what you can control through the app, whether the electrical specifications are suitable for France and the model’s fill limits.
Frequently asked questions
Will a multi-cooker prepare the ingredients for me?
No. It mainly takes care of the cooking once you’ve selected a programme and added the ingredients. According to Que Choisir, multi-cookers don’t stir food, so you’ll still need to chop ingredients and carry out any steps your recipe calls for.
Can I cook 6 L of food in a bowl listed as 6 L?
Not necessarily. The bowl’s capacity isn’t always the same as the permitted cooking volume. Que Choisir gives the example of a 6 L Cookeo bowl with a 4 L cooking limit. Follow the maximum fill marking and the instructions for your model, especially when pressure cooking.
Are all the parts of a cooking food processor dishwasher-safe?
Don’t assume that every part is. Check the instructions for your model to find out how to clean the bowl, lid, blades and each accessory supplied.
Does a commercial warranty replace my rights in France?
No. If you buy an appliance from a professional seller in France, the commercial warranty is in addition to, and doesn’t replace, the statutory guarantee of conformity. The DGCCRF states that claims under the statutory guarantee of conformity must be brought within two years of the goods being delivered. Check the terms of any commercial warranty separately.