For weeknight meals where the ingredients are already prepared, choose a multicooker if your priority is to programme the cooking and spend less time watching the hob. If you also want to chop, mix or weigh ingredients in the same appliance, look at the functions and accessories offered by a cooking food processor. A food processor without a cooking function can make preparation easier, but you’ll still need another appliance to cook the meal.
If the ingredients are usually ready before you start cooking, a programmable multicooker can cook rice or a slow-cooked dish without you having to keep an eye on the hob, as Que Choisir explains. You’ll still need to do the chopping and add ingredients when the recipe calls for them.
For soups, sauces or doughs that involve several steps, a cooking food processor can bring preparation and cooking together in one appliance. Check that it has the accessories your recipes require, that the bowl has enough usable capacity and that you have space for it on your worktop. These features vary by model.
If your hob, oven or casserole dish meets your needs, a food processor without a cooking function can help you chop, grate or mix ingredients. It won’t cook the dish for you, though: Que Choisir distinguishes these food processors from cooking food processors by their cooking function.
For meals you make regularly, first decide whether you want to hand over the cooking, handle both preparation and cooking in one appliance, or simply make preparation easier before using your usual cooking equipment.
Worth considering: you prepare the ingredients, then want the appliance to cook an everyday dish for you.
The trade-off: you’ll still need to chop and, depending on the recipe, stir by hand.
Worth considering: you want one appliance to handle several preparation tasks as well as cooking.
The trade-off: what it can do depends on its accessories, and you’ll need space for the appliance and its parts.
Worth considering: you’re happy with your cooking equipment and mainly want an easier way to prepare ingredients.
The trade-off: you’ll then need to cook the meal in another appliance.
| Feature | What to check | Who it suits |
|---|---|---|
| Programmable cooking | Check that the cooking modes suit your dishes, and find out which steps still need your attention while the food is cooking. | When the ingredients are ready, I want to start cooking and spend less time watching the hob. Around 46% of consumers would prioritise this hands-off approach to cooking. |
| Preparation and cooking in one appliance | Check which tasks the model can handle, what accessories are included and how much usable capacity the bowl offers. | For soups, sauces or doughs, I’d also like to cut down on the preparation needed before cooking. Around 36% of consumers would prioritise this all-in-one approach. |
| Preparation only | Look at the chopping and mixing functions, as well as how much storage space the appliance needs. | My appliances already cook my meals; it’s preparing the ingredients that slows me down. Around 18% of consumers would prioritise help with preparation alone. |
The stated capacity isn’t always the amount you can use for cooking. Que Choisir gives the example of a 6 L Cookeo bowl with a maximum cooking capacity of 4 L.
For the portions you usually make, compare the usable capacity, fill markers and the space taken up by any steam basket.
A multicooker mainly handles the cooking. If your meal involves chopping, weighing or kneading, you may still need to do these tasks separately.
List the tasks you genuinely want to hand over before choosing between a multicooker and a cooking food processor.
Built-in recipes, recipes in an app and functions available without an internet connection may all work differently.
For the model you’re considering, check which recipes you can access directly, whether you need an internet connection and whether you can adjust the cooking settings manually.
Depending on the appliance, some guided recipe features may require an app or an internet connection.
A food processor without a cooking function can prepare ingredients, but it can’t cook a meal for you automatically.
Choose one if you’re happy with your current cooking equipment and preparation is what’s holding you back.
Compare specific models rather than assuming every product from a brand has the same features. Usable capacity, accessories and recipe access all vary from one appliance to another.
The Cookeo and Companion ranges let you compare an appliance focused on cooking with a food processor that combines preparation and cooking.
The TM7 is designed for people who want to follow guided recipes while using both preparation and cooking functions.
The Cook Expert combines preparation and cooking tasks for recipes that involve several steps.
The MultiTalent 3 MCM3100W is worth considering if you want to prepare ingredients before cooking them separately.
This selection includes multicookers that let you programme cooking and cooking food processors that bring more preparation and cooking steps together. If you want to leave the appliance while it’s running, check the supervision instructions for the specific model.
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Worth considering if you want to programme different cooking methods in one pot. The product name specifies a 1,200 W power rating and 12 pre-set programmes. Check the fill limits for each recipe to make sure it suits your portions.
When pressure cooking, follow the model’s instructions for releasing steam and opening the lid.
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Worth considering if you want to weigh ingredients and follow recipe steps on the appliance. This model is described as having a large bowl; check its usable capacity against the quantities you usually cook.
Check which recipes are actually pre-loaded and how to access any additional content. Handle the bowl and its contents carefully during and after cooking.
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Worth comparing if you’re looking for cooking programmes and several pressure settings. The model name specifies nine menus and two pressure levels. Check the fill limits for the recipes you plan to make.
Check whether instructions and recipes are available in French, then follow the model’s guidance for pressure cooking.
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Worth considering for cooking several portions, provided the model’s cooking modes suit your dishes. The product name specifies a 7-in-1 configuration and a stainless-steel inner pot. Check how its 7.1 L capacity compares with the fill markers for your recipes.
If you plan to programme cooking to start later or use automatic keep-warm, check whether these features are available on the exact model and what conditions apply.
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Worth considering if you want to weigh ingredients and follow recipes on screen while bringing preparation and cooking together. Check the bowl’s usable capacity and how to access the recipes you’re interested in.
The model’s instructions say not to leave the appliance unattended while it’s running, so don’t choose it if you want to leave it to cook by itself.
No, not if you want to hand over the cooking. Que Choisir distinguishes cooking food processors from food processors by their cooking function. After preparing the ingredients in a food processor without a cooking function, you’ll need to use your hob, oven or another appliance to cook the meal.
Not necessarily: usable capacity depends on the model and the recipe. Que Choisir gives the example of a 6 L Cookeo bowl limited to 4 L for cooking. Check the fill markers on the appliance you’re considering, particularly for pressure cooking.
Check which recipes you can access on the appliance, which require an app or an internet connection, and whether you can adjust the cooking settings manually. Que Choisir recommends checking how you can access recipes before choosing a cooking food processor.
For an appliance sold by a business to an individual in France, the statutory guarantee of conformity applies to new, second-hand and refurbished goods, according to the Directorate General for Competition Policy, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control. If the appliance doesn’t conform to the contract, contact the seller and keep your proof of purchase and a description of the issue. This statutory guarantee is separate from a retailer’s change-of-mind returns policy.