Choose according to the step that slows you down most. A multicooker is ideal if you want to set a meal that’s already prepared to cook, while a cooking food processor can combine several preparation and cooking tasks. If your current appliances already cook the way you want them to, a food processor can help with chopping, as long as you cook separately. In every case, compare usable capacity, the space it takes up and how easy it is to clean.
If your ingredients are already prepared and you mainly cook slow-cooked or timed dishes, a multicooker can reduce the need to keep an eye on things. However, Que Choisir distinguishes cooking from preparing the ingredients, which you’ll still need to plan for.
If you regularly need to chop, blend or mix ingredients before cooking, look at the functions and accessories included with a cooking food processor. Combining tasks matters more here than simply being able to programme the cooking.
If you’re happy with your oven, pans or multicooker, a food processor can handle tasks such as chopping, grating or slicing. As Que Choisir points out, you’ll need another appliance for cooking.
If you want to prepare several meals in advance, first work out what’s holding you back most: keeping an eye on the cooking, moving between different stages, or chopping ingredients.
Best if: your ingredients are ready and you want to spend less time monitoring the cooking.
Bear in mind: you’ll still need to chop the ingredients, and some dishes will still need attention.
Best if: your recipes regularly involve moving from chopping or mixing to cooking.
Bear in mind: the tasks it can handle depend on the model’s accessories, and you’ll need to clean the parts you use.
Best if: your appliances already cook your meals and you want to make chopping easier.
Bear in mind: cooking remains a separate step, and you’ll need to store the bowl and accessories.
| Priority | What to check | Who it suits |
|---|---|---|
| Spend less time monitoring the cooking | Look for programmes suited to your dishes and check which stages still need your attention. Check whether it keeps food warm if your schedule varies. | I want to start cooking a prepared dish without having to stay by the hob. Around 42% of consumers prioritise this freedom from constant supervision. |
| Combine preparation and cooking | Check that the model includes the functions and accessories you need. | When my dishes need chopping, mixing and then cooking, I want to minimise the number of times I change containers. Around 33% of consumers prioritise this seamless process. |
| Chop ingredients when you already have cooking appliances | Compare the bowl and chopping accessories with the size of your batches, and consider where you’ll store them. | I’m happy with my cooking appliances, but preparing ingredients for several meals slows me down. For around 25% of consumers, chopping is a higher priority than buying another cooking appliance. |
The maximum fill level varies depending on the setting and recipe. For example, Que Choisir cites a 6 l Cookeo bowl that is limited to 4 l of food in the example given.
Check the limits in the instruction manual and compare them with the size of your usual largest batch.
A cooking programme doesn’t mean the appliance can chop, grate or mix food. Que Choisir says that multicookers generally don’t mix ingredients.
Make a note of the steps involved in your usual meals. If chopping comes up often, compare cooking food processors and food processors too.
Cleaning instructions apply to specific parts, not necessarily the entire lid, seals or base. For example, Moulinex provides separate instructions for the Cookeo Touch bowl and water collector.
Check the manual to see which parts can be removed, which are dishwasher-safe and which need to be washed by hand.
The advertised functions don’t always correspond to the accessories supplied with every version. Access to guided recipes may also depend on the service available.
Compare exactly what comes with the model against the tasks and recipes you plan to use.
These ranges show different ways of combining cooking and food preparation. Check the specifications of the version you’re interested in rather than assuming they apply to an entire brand.
The Cookeo and Companion ranges let you compare a multicooker with food processors that combine preparation and cooking.
The Cook Expert is for people who want to combine tasks such as chopping, grating or kneading with cooking.
The Thermomix TM7 focuses on cooking modes and Cookidoo guided recipes.
The Monsieur Cuisine Smart is a guided cooking food processor with an integrated scale.
The Cooking Chef may suit people who value kneading and whisking as much as cooking.
These appliances cover two of the options discussed here: combining preparation and cooking in a cooking food processor, or programming the cooking in a multicooker. Compare their advertised functions and capacities with the meals you usually make.
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Worth considering if you want to combine preparation and cooking steps, without expecting to leave the appliance running unattended.
The product name lists an integrated scale, a touchscreen and 680 recipes. Check the manual for cleaning instructions and electrical compatibility with your home.
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Worth considering if you want to combine food preparation and cooking in an appliance with a large bowl. Compare the usable capacity with your recipes before choosing your batch size.
The product name mentions a scale and a large touchscreen. If guided recipes matter to you, check which ones are actually included, as well as the electrical compatibility.
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Worth considering if your ingredients are prepared and your main aim is to manage the cooking. The advertised capacity may not be the permitted volume for every setting.
The product name lists an 8 L capacity, 1 200 W and 12 preset programmes. Check the manual for fill limits, steam release and electrical compatibility.
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Worth considering if you prepare ingredients separately and then want to choose a pressure-cooking programme. Check that the instructions are available in a language you understand.
The product name lists a 6 L bowl, nine menus, two pressure levels and a voice function. Follow the model’s fill limits and pressure-release instructions, and check its electrical compatibility.
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Worth considering if your priority is cooking several portions in a multicooker, rather than using it to prepare ingredients. Check the permitted volume for your recipes and whether it has a delayed start if you need one.
The product name lists a 7,1 L capacity, a stainless steel inner pot and a 7-in-1 configuration. Follow the model’s instructions for pressure cooking and steam release.
Not necessarily: the fill limit depends on the model, setting and recipe. Que Choisir cites a Cookeo with a 6 l bowl that is limited to 4 l of food. Check the appliance manual before working out your portions.
It can work well if your priority is cooking prepared ingredients with less hands-on supervision. If chopping, grating or mixing also takes up your time, compare the functions and accessories of a cooking food processor. A food processor is another option if you’re happy with your existing cooking appliances.
Follow the instructions for each appliance rather than assuming all its parts can be cleaned in the same way. For the Cookeo Touch, Moulinex recommends cleaning the bowl and water collector after every use, and provides separate instructions for the lid.
No. If an appliance has a lack of conformity, you can exercise your statutory rights through the professional seller. The French Ministry of the Economy states that you have two years to request this. An additional commercial guarantee does not replace your statutory rights, as the DGCCRF points out. Check separately which parts and repairs it covers.