For dinners where you can prepare the ingredients first and then leave them to cook, choose a programmable multicooker if your main aim is to spend less time keeping an eye on the cooking. If chopping, mixing or kneading also takes up time, consider a cooking food processor and its accessories instead. Either way, check what input your recipes require, the usable capacity and how easy the appliance is to clean.
If you often cook rice, slow-cooked dishes, steamed vegetables or soups, a cooking programme and keep-warm function may suit your needs. However, Que Choisir points out that the programme must be suitable for the recipe.
If chopping and mixing take you as long as cooking, check which functions and accessories actually come with the cooking food processor. How useful they are will depend on the recipes you make regularly.
If your hob or oven still meets your cooking needs, a food preparation appliance can complement your existing equipment without replacing it. Que Choisir therefore distinguishes between a standard food processor and a cooking food processor with a heating function.
Choose this if: you mainly make dishes that can be cooked on a programme once the ingredients have been added.
Bear in mind: depending on the recipe, you may still need to prepare the ingredients, brown them or stir the dish yourself.
Choose this if: you also want to chop or mix ingredients before and during cooking, using the right accessories.
Bear in mind: accessories take up space and add more parts to wash; how much supervision is needed depends on the model and recipe.
Stick with this if: your hob or oven suits your recipes and you mainly want to make chopping or kneading easier.
Bear in mind: a standard food processor cannot replace cooking and, on its own, will not reduce the need to keep an eye on it.
| Criterion | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Less supervision while cooking | Programmes suited to your dishes; whether browning or stirring is still needed. | I want to start cooking a dish and then be able to step away from the hob while it cooks. Around 36% of consumers rank this as their top priority. |
| Preparation and cooking in one appliance | Chopping and mixing functions; accessories included with the model. | When chopping and mixing slow down dinner, I want to cut down on these tasks. Around 29% of consumers would make this their priority. |
| Capacity and available space | Usable capacity for your portions; the appliance’s dimensions, including its accessories. | I need to make enough portions without cluttering my worktop. For around 21% of consumers, this is the most important criterion. |
| Cleaning and accessories | Parts to wash after making your usual recipes; accessories needed and how to access recipes. | If cleaning and putting everything away add too much time to dinner preparation, the time saved matters less. Around 14% of consumers would prioritise this. |
You may not be able to fill a cooking pot to its stated capacity. The usable amount can vary depending on the recipe; Que Choisir recommends allowing for this when choosing a multicooker.
Compare the usable capacity and the portion sizes given for dishes similar to the ones you cook.
A programme can manage the cooking, but it will not chop the ingredients or stir the dish. Some recipes also call for browning or adding ingredients part-way through.
Look through the recipes you usually make and note which steps need you to be there before choosing an appliance.
An advertised function does not necessarily mean that all the accessories it needs are included. The bowl, lid, blades and baskets can also add to the washing-up.
Check which parts are included and which are dishwasher-safe, then focus on the functions you will use regularly.
Optional accessories and washing several parts can make everyday use less convenient.
Access to recipes and manufacturers’ commitments vary by range and model. Any commercial guarantee is in addition to, and does not replace, the statutory legal guarantee of conformity that applies to sales by a business to an individual in France, as explained by the Ministry of the Economy.
Check the recipe access terms, parts availability and after-sales commitments for the specific appliance you are considering.
The Cookeo and Companion ranges meet two different needs: the former lets you programme cooking, while the latter combines food preparation and cooking.
The Cook Expert range combines cooking and food preparation functions in a cooking food processor.
Thermomix is one of the cooking food processor ranges to consider if you want to prepare and cook with the same appliance.
The Monsieur Cuisine range is another cooking food processor option for combining food preparation and cooking.
This selection includes multicookers for programming cooking and a cooking food processor for adding food preparation steps. The cooking food processor featured here explicitly requires supervision while in use, so do not choose it if you want to leave food cooking unattended.
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Worth considering if you regularly make dishes suited to programmed cooking.
The product title lists 9 menus, 2 pressure settings and a 24-hour timer. Compare the 6 L volume with the amount you can actually use for your recipes; also check that the plug and voltage are suitable for your set-up.
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Consider this if you want to try different cooking methods for evening meals while comparing how much food you can prepare.
The product title lists 12 preset menus and a power rating of 1,200 W. Check the usable capacity behind the stated 8 L volume, as well as the space available and the parts that need cleaning.
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Worth comparing for meals involving pressure cooking, slow cooking or steaming.
The product title describes a 7-in-1 multicooker with 4 customisable programmes. Check the usable capacity for your portions and whether it has a delayed start if you plan to programme it. Follow the appliance’s instructions for filling and releasing steam.
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Consider this if you want to combine food preparation and cooking rather than leave a meal to cook unattended.
The product title mentions built-in scales and a large touchscreen. The instructions say not to leave this appliance unattended while it is operating. This is a key limitation if your priority is being able to step away while food cooks.
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Worth comparing if you prepare several portions and want a choice of cooking modes.
The product title lists a 7-in-1 multicooker with a stainless steel inner pot. Check the usable capacity behind the stated 7.1 L volume, as well as the delayed start and keep-warm functions if these are important to you.
A multicooker can reduce the need for supervision during a suitable cooking programme set up correctly, as Que Choisir explains. However, it will not prepare the ingredients and generally will not stir them, so check the steps involved in each recipe.
Not necessarily. Compare the usable capacity and the portion sizes given for your recipes. Que Choisir points out that you need to leave some room in a multicooker pot. For one specific Cook Expert, Magimix distinguishes between a total volume of 3.5 L and a usable capacity of 2.5 L.
A standard food processor makes food preparation easier, but it cannot replace a cooking food processor when it comes to heating food. If you want to keep using your hob or oven, it can complement them. If you want cooking functions built in, check that the model explicitly includes them.
Make a note of all the parts used in your usual recipes, including the bowl, lid, blades and accessories. Check which parts are dishwasher-safe and whether the necessary accessories are included.
No, guided recipes are not essential for using a cooking food processor, according to Que Choisir. If they appeal to you, check the access terms for the model you choose, particularly for any associated app.