Choose a multi-cooker if your main priority is to set a cooking programme and minimise the need to check on your food, without expecting the appliance to chop or blend ingredients. A food processor with a cooking function is better suited to recipes that also involve chopping, grating or mixing. Your pans and oven are still an option if, for you, the convenience of programming doesn’t outweigh the space an extra appliance takes up and the effort of cleaning it.
The key difference is when you want to cut down on the effort involved: just during cooking, or from the moment you start preparing the ingredients.
For rice, slow-cooked dishes and other recipes suited to its programmes, a multi-cooker lets you set the cooking time without having to keep an eye on a pan. Check the modes and keep-warm function on the model you’re considering, as these vary from one appliance to another.
A food processor with a cooking function is worth considering if chopping, grating, slicing or mixing is a regular part of your recipes. Functions and capacities vary between models, so compare the included accessories with the tasks you’ll actually want the appliance to do.
If your pans, hob and oven already suit the way you cook, think about what programming would actually change. Available space, your usual portion sizes and how much washing-up each meal creates matter just as much as the list of programmes.
Start by separating the preparation tasks from the cooking steps, then compare the appliance’s functions with the meals you usually make.
Consider it if : you put the ingredients in the bowl and mainly want to programme or set the cooking process.
The trade-off : you’ll generally still need to chop, grate and blend ingredients separately, as Les Numériques points out.
Consider it if : your recipes often involve mechanically preparing ingredients before or during cooking.
The trade-off : bowls and accessories take up space and mean more parts to handle and wash. UFC-Que Choisir also notes that functions vary between models.
Stick with it if : you mainly cook dishes that you prefer to monitor and adjust yourself using the equipment you already have.
The trade-off : you won’t get the programmes or keep-warm function built into some multi-cookers.
| What to consider | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Programmed cooking | Look for cooking settings that suit your recipes, the timer controls and the keep-warm function. Check separately whether it has a delayed start if you need one. | I want to start cooking a hot meal without staying beside the cooker, then serve it at a time that suits me. |
| Ingredient preparation | Compare the chopping, mincing, grating and mixing functions, as well as the included accessories. UFC-Que Choisir points out that food processors with cooking functions don’t all offer the same features. | My recipes often involve several preparation tasks before cooking. I want to know which of them the appliance can actually handle. |
| Capacity and space | Check the usable capacity and fill limits in the instruction manual, rather than relying on the total volume alone. Also measure the space needed for the appliance and its accessories. | The portions need to suit my household, without an appliance I rarely use taking up space on the worktop all the time. |
| Cleaning and use | Find out which parts need to be removed or washed after cooking, and check the instructions for the blades, electrical components or pressure-cooking functions. | I want to be able to clean and put the appliance away without the extra work cancelling out the convenience of programming. |
An appliance designed mainly for cooking generally won’t save you from having to chop, mince or grate ingredients before adding them to the bowl.
For the three meals you make most often, separate the preparation tasks from the cooking steps. Consider a food processor with a cooking function if you’d regularly use its preparation features.
The total volume and usable capacity can differ. For example, Moulinex’s EPC03 series manual gives a product capacity of 6 L and a usable capacity of 4 L. These figures don’t apply to other models.
Check the fill levels and restrictions in the manual for the specific model you’re considering, particularly for pressure cooking and ingredients that expand.
Guided recipes and connected features depend on the model. Don’t assume that a feature available on one model will be included or work in the same way on another.
Check what you can still access without a smartphone, what type of connection is required and which features you’ll genuinely use.
Bowls, lids, seals, blades and discs can all mean several extra steps after a meal. The instruction manual will also include precautions specific to each appliance.
Before choosing, find out which parts need to be removed after use and which must not be immersed. Make sure you have a suitable place to store sharp accessories.
These ranges can help you understand the different categories, but their features don’t automatically apply to every model or to the products shown below.
The Cookeo range is an example of a multi-cooker focused on cooking.
The Cook Expert range is an example of a food processor that combines cooking with mechanical food preparation.
Thermomix is one range of food processors with cooking functions to consider if you’d like to prepare and cook food in the same appliance.
Monsieur Cuisine is another range of food processors with cooking functions to consider for recipes with several steps.
This selection includes multi-cookers for meals focused on cooking, and food processors with cooking functions for recipes with several preparation steps. To choose between them, start with the tasks you want the appliance to handle, then check the manual for the model you’ve chosen.
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Worth considering if you want to programme the cooking rather than prepare ingredients mechanically. The product title lists 12 menus and 1,200 W of power. Before buying, check the manual for the usable capacity, fill limits, voltage and plug type.
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Consider this if programming the cooking is your priority. The product title lists a 24-hour timer, 9 menus and 2 pressure levels. Check that the usable capacity, plug and voltage suit your setup, and confirm that easy-to-understand instructions are available in French.
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This food processor with a cooking function is designed for recipes where you’d also like to cut down on food preparation. Check that the included accessories can handle the tasks you need and that the stated usable capacity of 3 L suits your portions. Confirm the number of recipes if that matters to you.
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Compare this if your meals involve both preparing ingredients and cooking. The product title mentions scales and a touchscreen. Check the usable capacity for your portions, the included accessories and whether you can access the recipes you’re interested in without a Wi-Fi connection.
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Worth considering if your main aim is to manage the cooking in one appliance. The product title lists a capacity of 5.7 L. Check the manual for the usable capacity and fill levels, and confirm that it has a delayed start if you need to programme when cooking begins.
Not if you expect it to chop, slice, grate or blend your ingredients. A multi-cooker generally focuses on cooking, while a food processor with a cooking function can also handle preparation tasks, depending on its accessories and version.
No. Check the model’s usable capacity and fill levels. For example, the Moulinex EPC03 manual gives a product capacity of 6 L and a usable capacity of 4 L. Don’t assume these figures apply to another model.
Read the manual before using the model for the first time, paying particular attention to instructions about the blades, bowls, cooking and electrical components. The Magimix Cook Expert manual, for instance, says not to immerse the appliance base. Always follow the instructions for the product you’ve bought.
Check the manual to see which parts need to be removed and washed after each use, including the bowl, lid, seals and cutting accessories. Also check any washing restrictions: a rinse programme alone won’t tell you everything you need to know about cleaning the appliance.