Anyone looking to make cooking easier
You cook rice, vegetables or slow-cooked dishes and want to get them cooking without having to stay by the appliance. You can still chop and blend ingredients by hand.
Who are these appliances for?
Anyone who also wants to prepare ingredients
For soups, sauces or recipes with several steps, you’re looking for an appliance that can chop, blend or mix as well as cook. The exact functions depend on the model and its accessories.
Households mindful of cleaning and space
If you’ll be using the appliance often, the number of parts to wash and the space needed for the bowl, lid and accessories can matter just as much as its programmes.
Which features matter for your meals?
Start with the tasks you’d like to avoid, then compare the appliance’s functions with your usual portion sizes and kitchen space.
| Feature | What to check | Who it’s for |
|---|---|---|
| Cooking with minimal supervision | Cooking modes suited to your dishes and time settings; a keep-warm function if mealtimes vary. | I want to start cooking a suitable dish after preparing the ingredients, then get on with something else. Around 33% of consumers put this hands-off cooking first. |
| Built-in food preparation | The chopping, blending or mixing functions your recipes need; the accessories actually included. | If I often make soups or sauces, I also want to simplify the steps before and during cooking. Around 25% of consumers prioritise this built-in food preparation. |
| Portions and size | Usable capacity and fill limits; dimensions with the lid on and storage space for accessories. | My portions need to fit in the bowl without the appliance taking up too much room in my kitchen. Around 25% of consumers prioritise this balance. |
| Cleaning and everyday use | Parts that need to be removed and washed; access requirements for recipes or related services, where applicable. | If I’m going to cook with this appliance regularly, I want to clean it without making my routine more complicated. Around 17% of consumers put cleaning and conditions of use first. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Confusing automatic cooking with automatic food preparation
A multi-cooker can handle the cooking without chopping or blending the ingredients. Que Choisir distinguishes these uses from those of cooking food processors.
Think about the tasks your recipes most often involve. If chopping, blending or mixing is exactly what you want to avoid, look at the functions offered by a cooking food processor.
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Choosing based on total capacity alone
The stated capacity of the cooking bowl isn’t necessarily the amount you can use for every recipe, particularly when fill limits apply.
Compare the usable capacity and the limits in the instruction manual with the portions and dishes you usually prepare.
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Forgetting about accessories when considering cleaning
Blades, lids, whisks and other parts can mean extra washing up after cooking. Que Choisir recommends considering how easy a cooking food processor is to clean.
Check the instructions for removing and washing each part. Don’t assume a pre-clean programme means you won’t need to clean the accessories.
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Confusing a commercial warranty with your statutory rights
For goods bought from a business seller in France, the legal guarantee of conformity is separate from a commercial warranty, as the Ministry of the Economy points out.
Before taking out an extended warranty, compare its terms, exclusions and claims process with the rights you already have through the seller.
Brands to know
Moulinex
The Cookeo and Companion ranges offer two distinct approaches: focus on cooking in a bowl, or include food preparation as well.
- Moulinex says the Cookeo+ has six modes, 150 built-in recipes and a 6 L bowl designed for two to six people.
- If you also want to chop or mix, compare the functions and accessories of a Companion. Remember to check which parts need cleaning.
Magimix
The Cook Expert is designed for recipes that alternate between preparation and cooking, including soups, sauces and doughs.
- Magimix lists cooking, mixing, chopping and kneading among the Cook Expert’s functions.
- For the Original model, the brand states that the bowl has a total capacity of 3.5 L, with 2.5 L usable. Compare the usable capacity with your portion sizes.
Vorwerk
The Thermomix TM7 combines food preparation and cooking with recipes guided on screen.
- Vorwerk lists 12 functions and 25 modes, as well as a pre-clean mode.
- Before choosing the TM7 for its guided recipes, check the terms for accessing Cookidoo and the washing instructions for each part.
Appliances available on Joybuy
This selection includes multi-cookers for a focus on cooking and cooking food processors that can also help prepare ingredients. Compare their functions with the recipes you make, rather than looking only at the number of programmes.
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Robby Smart cooking food processor with XL bowl and scales
Worth a look if you’d like one appliance for both food preparation and cooking, with a touchscreen. Before choosing it for its guided recipes, check how many are available with this version.
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Instant Pot Classic 5.7 L, Daydream Blue
Worth considering if your priority is to get cooking once you’ve prepared the ingredients. Check its dimensions to make sure it will fit, and when pressure cooking, follow the fill limits and opening instructions.
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Instant Pot Rio XL 7.1 L
Worth comparing if you cook several portions at a time, but don’t assume the stated 7.1 L is usable for every recipe. Check the fill limits and steam instructions before use.
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Cecotec Model D, 6 L multi-cooker
Worth a look if you want to compare several cooking modes in one appliance. This model lists nine menus, two pressure settings, a 24-hour timer, plus frying and voice control functions. Check its usable capacity, dimensions, cleaning instructions and whether documentation is available in French.
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Robby cooking food processor with scales and 680 recipes
Worth considering if built-in weighing and recipes displayed on screen are important to the way you prepare food. The instructions for this model say not to leave it unattended while operating, so it’s not the right choice if you want to leave it cooking while you go elsewhere. Also check how to wash its parts.
Frequently asked questions
Can a multi-cooker replace a cooking food processor?
Not if you want the appliance to chop, blend or mix ingredients as well. If you’re happy to prepare your ingredients by hand, compare the multi-cooker’s cooking modes with the recipes you usually make.
What capacity should I choose for my household meals?
Start with your usual portion sizes and the usable capacity, rather than looking only at the bowl’s total volume. Check the instruction manual for the fill limits that apply to the recipes you plan to make.
Are all parts of a cooking food processor dishwasher-safe?
No. It depends on the model and the individual parts. Check the instructions for the bowl, blades, lid, seals and accessories separately, even if the appliance has a pre-clean function.
Do you need an extended warranty to claim for a fault?
No. The Ministry of the Economy explains that in France, when you buy from a business seller, the legal guarantee of conformity applies independently of any commercial warranty. If the appliance doesn’t match the contract or has a fault that makes it non-compliant, contact the seller. Consider separately what an extended warranty would offer.