Choose a multicooker if your meals mainly need programmed cooking after you’ve prepared the ingredients by hand. A cooking food processor is a better fit if you want to chop, blend, knead or mix as part of the recipe. Check that its accessories, usable capacity, size and cleaning requirements suit the dishes you usually make.
If your ingredients are already prepared, you’ll mainly be looking for cooking programmes and, depending on your schedule, a delayed start or keep-warm function. Check that the model you’re considering has the features you need.
Chopping, blending, whisking, kneading or stirring takes up a lot of time when you cook. A cooking food processor is worth considering if its functions and accessories cover the tasks you do regularly.
If kneading and whisking are priorities, compare cooking stand mixers. Check that they offer the mixing action you want and can cook the dishes you have in mind.
For weeknight meals, the first question is whether you want to leave the cooking to the appliance alone, or hand over some of the prep as well. UFC-Que Choisir distinguishes these two types of appliance by their functions and recommends considering capacity, size and cleaning requirements.
Consider it : for cooking ingredients you’ve already prepared, particularly for rice, steaming or slow-cooked dishes.
Bear in mind : you’ll generally still need to chop and mix ingredients separately, even when the appliance takes care of the cooking.
Consider it : if chopping, blending, whisking or mixing regularly slows down your meal prep.
Bear in mind : depending on the model, there may be more parts and accessories to store or clean.
| Feature | What to check | Who it’s for |
|---|---|---|
| Programmable cooking | Programmes suited to your dishes, cooking settings, delayed start and keep-warm function if you need them. | I can prepare the ingredients, but I can’t stay by the hob until dinner. Around 33 % of consumers prioritise this hands-off cooking. |
| Built-in food preparation | Check that the included accessories really do the chopping, blending, whisking or kneading you need. | Chopping and mixing takes as long as keeping an eye on the pan: I want to make this part of cooking easier. Around 25 % of consumers make this their priority. |
| Capacity and space | Usable capacity for your portions and the appliance’s dimensions when set up for use. | I make several portions, but I also need to be able to keep the appliance within easy reach in my kitchen. Around 25 % of consumers prioritise finding the right balance between capacity and space. |
| Cleaning and handling | Which parts are dishwasher-safe, how to remove the hot inner pot, and what you need to know about accessing connected recipes. | If storage, washing up or handling the hot bowl makes every meal more difficult, the time saved on cooking matters less to me. Around 17 % of consumers put these practical considerations first. |
A multicooker can manage the cooking without chopping or mixing the ingredients. You’ll still need to allow time for prep before filling the bowl.
Think about how often you chop, blend, whisk, knead and mix when making your usual meals. Then decide whether a cooking food processor would be useful.
You may need to leave room to prevent spills, which can reduce how much you can cook, particularly with liquid ingredients.
Compare the usable capacity and the limits given for your recipes with the number of portions you actually make.
Cooking food processors vary in size, weight and what’s included in the box. An appliance stored out of reach may be less convenient to use every day.
Measure the space you have, then check which of the accessories you need for your recipes are actually included.
Access to recipes and whether parts are dishwasher-safe depend on the model and, where applicable, the service it uses.
Check the terms for accessing recipes, which parts are dishwasher-safe and the cleaning instructions for the specific appliance you’re interested in.
The brand offers programmable multicookers as well as Companion cooking food processors: two options to compare if you’re deciding between hands-off cooking and built-in food preparation.
The Thermomix TM7 is worth considering if you’re looking for a cooking food processor with guided cooking.
The Cook Expert range combines food preparation and cooking, with models offering different capacities and features.
The Cooking Chef is best suited to people who prioritise working with dough and also want to heat certain dishes.
These models are designed for multicooker cooking, rather than the built-in food preparation offered by a cooking food processor. To compare them, match their stated capacity and controls to the meals you make, then check the usable capacity and instructions for your chosen model.
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Worth considering if you prepare your ingredients before starting the cooking. The product name lists an 8 L capacity, 1 200 W of power and 12 pre-set programmes. Check the usable capacity for your recipes and the instructions for pressure cooking.
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Worth a look if you want to switch between several cooking modes in the same pot. The product name lists a 5,7 L capacity, seven functions and four customisable presets. If you need to set a delayed start, confirm that the model has this feature before choosing it.
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Worth comparing if the amount you cook is important for your household. The product name lists a 7,1 L capacity, seven functions and a stainless steel inner pot. Check the usable capacity, the space you’ll need and the programmable functions you want.
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Worth a look if a timer and a choice of menus suit the way you plan meals. The product name mentions a 24 h timer, nine menus, two pressure settings, plus frying and voice-control functions. Check that the available instructions are in a language you understand and find out how to clean the parts.
A multicooker may be all you need if you prepare the ingredients yourself and mainly want to leave the cooking to the appliance. If you want it to chop, blend, knead or mix as part of the recipe, compare the functions and accessories of cooking food processors instead.
Compare the usable capacity and the portions you can make for your recipes, rather than relying on the stated volume alone. UFC-Que Choisir points out that leaving room to prevent spills reduces the amount you can cook; the limit to follow depends on the appliance and the ingredients.
Check which of the parts you use for your recipes are actually dishwasher-safe and how many accessories you’ll need to clean. A pre-cleaning function, if available, doesn’t replace checking the model’s care instructions.
Follow the instructions for opening the appliance and removing the hot inner pot or bowl. UFC-Que Choisir notes that some multicooker pots require oven gloves. Check the handles and safety features on the specific model before use.
It depends on the service linked to the appliance. Check which recipes are available without a subscription and what terms apply after a trial offer. For the Thermomix TM7, Vorwerk mentions a three-month Cookidoo offer for new subscribers; this doesn’t mean permanent access on the same terms.