A cooking food processor is a good choice if you want to chop, mix and cook as part of the same recipe, provided the model and its accessories can handle all those steps. If you already have cooking appliances, a food processor may be all you need to prepare ingredients. For dishes cooked mainly in a bowl, a multicooker is another option, but UFC-Que Choisir notes that these appliances generally do not mix food. Whichever you choose, compare the usable capacity, space required and access to recipes before making your decision.
For soup, sauce or a slow-cooked dish, the benefit of a cooking food processor depends on which steps you want it to handle: chopping, mixing and then cooking. Check the functions and accessories of the specific model rather than relying on the category name alone.
If you prepare several portions or batch-cook in advance, compare the usable capacity with the quantities your recipes call for. The total capacity shown for a bowl does not always match the amount you can cook in it.
Combining several tasks in one appliance can be convenient, as long as you also allow space for its bowls, lids and accessories. Think about where you will store them and how you will clean the parts you use regularly.
Choose this if : you want to prepare and cook in the same appliance when making the recipes you cook most often.
Bear in mind : functions, accessories and recipe access vary by model, as does the amount of storage space it needs.
Choose this if : you already have a way to cook and mainly want to chop, grate, knead or whisk.
Bear in mind : you will still need to cook elsewhere, and the accessories also take up space, as UFC-Que Choisir points out.
Choose this if : your recipes mainly involve cooking in a bowl, such as rice or slow-cooked dishes.
Bear in mind : according to UFC-Que Choisir, a multicooker generally does not mix food, so check separately how you will handle the preparation steps.
| Criteria | What to check | Think about your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Recipe steps | List the chopping, mixing, kneading, cooking and steaming involved in three recipes you make regularly. Check the functions and accessories included with the exact model number. | I want to go from ingredients to finished dish without switching appliances for the steps I do most often. |
| Capacity and storage | Compare usable and total capacity. Measure the space needed for the bowl, lids and accessories you plan to use. | I prepare several portions, but I need to be able to leave the appliance within easy reach or put everything away after use. |
| Recipes and accessories | Check which recipes remain available without a subscription and which accessories are included in the pack. Compare these details across the models you are considering. | If I plan to follow step-by-step recipes, I want to know what will remain available and whether my dishes require an extra accessory. |
| Cleaning and parts | Check the manual to see which parts are dishwasher-safe and how to remove them. Make sure spare parts are available for the model you choose. | After making a sauce or dough, cleaning needs to be manageable for how often I plan to cook. |
An appliance that can slow-cook or steam does not necessarily chop ingredients. UFC-Que Choisir says multicookers generally do not mix food.
Write down the steps involved in a few recipes you make regularly, then check that the model you are considering can handle each one, including any accessories required.
A chopping function or ongoing access to guided recipes may depend on a separate accessory or service. For example, Vorwerk offers Cookidoo as a subscription after any included trial periods and sells some Thermomix accessories separately.
For each model, check what is included in the pack, which accessories your recipes need and the terms for accessing guided recipes.
A multicooker's bowl cannot always be filled to the brim, UFC-Que Choisir points out. A larger appliance also needs enough room when fitted with its bowls.
Compare usable capacity with the quantities stated in recipes, and check the dimensions in the configuration you plan to use.
Having several bowls, blades and lids can make cleaning more complicated or take up more space than expected, even when one appliance combines several tasks.
Check the manual to see which parts are dishwasher-safe, then set aside a place for every accessory you use regularly.
These models show different ways to prepare or cook a meal. Always check the version and pack contents you are interested in.
According to Vorwerk, the Thermomix TM7 combines food preparation and cooking with on-screen guided recipes via Cookidoo.
Moulinex lists a 4,5 L bowl, 14 modes and a free recipe app for the Companion XL HF80DB10.
The Cook Expert XL combines food-preparation and cooking functions for people who cook in larger quantities.
The Foodi OP300EU is a 6 L multicooker for a range of bowl-based cooking methods, rather than for every stage of food preparation.
These two Robby models are for people looking for a cooking food processor that combines food preparation and cooking. Compare their functions and the contents of each version with the recipes you plan to make.
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If you want to prepare and cook in the same appliance, check that this version's accessories cover the steps in your recipes. The product title mentions an XL bowl, built-in scales and a large touchscreen; confirm how many recipes are included with the version on sale.
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If you want to follow recipes on the appliance, this version is listed with a touchscreen and 680 recipes. Its title also mentions built-in scales. To work out whether it suits your portion sizes and cleaning routine, check the usable capacity, included accessories and washing instructions for the version on sale.
Not for every recipe. A multicooker can be suitable for cooking in a bowl, but UFC-Que Choisir says it generally does not mix food. Check separately how you will chop, grate or mix the ingredients.
It depends on the model and service. Vorwerk says access to Cookidoo for the Thermomix TM7 requires a subscription after any included trial periods, while Moulinex advertises a free app for the Companion XL HF80DB10. Check the terms of the service linked to the model you choose.
Check the list of contents for the exact model number, not just the range name. Companion packs do not all include the same accessories; Magimix, for example, lists the XXL steamer basket and Extra Press XL for the Cook Expert XL as configuration options.
Usable capacity gives you a better idea of the quantities you can prepare. For example, Magimix lists 3,8 L of usable capacity from 4,8 L total for the Cook Expert XL. For a multicooker, UFC-Que Choisir points out that a safety margin means you cannot use the bowl's full capacity.