If your ingredients are already prepared, a multicooker can reduce the need to keep an eye on the cooking, but it won’t do the chopping for you. If chopping or mixing takes up as much time as cooking, consider a cooking food processor instead, bearing in mind the accessories you’ll need to wash and store. A food processor alongside your existing cooking appliances — or even no new purchase at all — could still be the right choice if cooking itself isn’t a problem for you.
You can chop the ingredients before you start cooking, but then you’d like to step away from the hob and use fewer pans. A programmable multicooker could suit you if you want to spend less time keeping an eye on your food, without doing away with the preparation beforehand. Que Choisir draws a clear distinction between these cooking programmes and the tasks you need to complete before starting.
If chopping or mixing regularly gets in the way of making dinner, it’s worth looking at the built-in functions of a cooking food processor. How useful it is will depend on the tasks you do often, as well as the space and maintenance needed for the appliance and its accessories.
Compare the space you have available, the parts you’ll need to clean and the tasks your current utensils can already handle. If you’re happy with the way you cook, a food processor for preparation — or simply sticking with your current setup — may make more sense than buying a second cooking appliance.
For weeknight dinners, start with the step that slows you down the most: preparing the ingredients, keeping an eye on the cooking, washing up or finding space for another appliance.
Consider it if: you prepare the ingredients and mainly want to start cooking without having to keep such a close eye on it.
Bear in mind: you’ll still need to chop and assemble the ingredients. Programmes and usable capacity vary by model.
Consider it if: food preparation slows you down as much as cooking, and you’ll regularly use the built-in functions.
Bear in mind: you may have more parts to wash and store, and not every recipe can be made without your input.
Consider it if: chopping, grating or kneading slows you down, but you’re happy with your pans or oven.
Bear in mind: you’ll still need to manage the cooking with your current appliances.
Consider it if: your weeknight meals don’t often call for an extra function.
Bear in mind: you’ll still have the preparation, cooking checks and washing-up involved with your current equipment.
| Consideration | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Less hands-on cooking | Programmes suited to the dishes you make and a keep-warm function. Check for a delayed start only if you plan to use it. | Once I’ve prepared the ingredients, I want to start dinner without staying by the hob. Around 33% of consumers would put this hands-off cooking at the top of their list. |
| Built-in food preparation | The tasks the appliance can actually handle and the accessories included with the version you choose. | In the evening, chopping and mixing slow me down as much as cooking, so I’m looking for one appliance to handle both steps. This would be the top priority for around 27% of consumers. |
| Washing up and maintenance | The parts you’ll use for your usual meals and whether each one is dishwasher-safe. | I don’t want an easier meal to end with a pile of bowls, blades and accessories to wash. Around 20% of consumers would put ease of cleaning first. |
| Space and usefulness | Space for the appliance and its accessories, and the functions that genuinely complement the equipment you already have. | My kitchen is small, or my utensils already do most of what I need, so I don’t want to add an appliance I’ll rarely use. This would be the main concern for around 20% of consumers. |
The stated capacity doesn’t always match the amount you can cook. Que Choisir gives the example of a 6 l Cookeo bowl with a 4 l cooking capacity, leaving room to prevent spills.
Compare the usable capacity and quantities specified in the recipes for the exact model with the portions you usually make.
Food preparation functions can mean extra blades, discs and other parts, as well as the bowl and lid. What you need to clean will depend on the parts you use and the manufacturer’s instructions.
Check which accessories you’ll need for your usual meals, then consult the manual to see which ones can go in the dishwasher.
A cooking food processor won’t necessarily solve a problem that’s only about keeping an eye on the cooking. On the other hand, a multicooker won’t do the chopping or slicing that might be slowing you down.
Make a note of the tasks that regularly delay dinner, then look first for functions that handle those jobs.
On-screen guidance doesn’t mean every recipe runs from start to finish without your input. Recipe access and offline use may also depend on the service linked to the model.
Check which steps you’ll need to do yourself, how you can access the recipes and whether you can use the appliance without guidance.
These ranges show different ways of combining cooking and food preparation. Check the features of the specific model you’re interested in rather than assuming they apply to every product from a brand.
The Cookeo range is an example of a multicooker focused on cooking, while Companion combines food preparation and cooking.
Cook Expert Connect is a cooking food processor designed to bring together several food preparation and cooking tasks.
Thermomix combines several food preparation and cooking functions with guided recipes.
These models cover two of the needs discussed above: combining food preparation and cooking with a cooking food processor, or focusing on the cooking functions of a multicooker. Before choosing, compare the space required, the tasks each model handles and its instructions for use.
Image unavailable
Worth considering if you’d like to combine food preparation and cooking in one appliance. This version is listed with built-in scales, a large touchscreen and 750 recipes. Check which steps require your input while it’s cooking, as well as the instructions for washing the accessories.
Image unavailable
Worth considering if food preparation slows you down and you’d like on-screen guidance. The name of this version indicates that it has built-in scales, a touchscreen and 680 recipes. Its instructions say not to leave the appliance unattended while it’s running. Check how to clean the accessories, too.
Image unavailable
For meals where you’ve already prepared the ingredients and want to set the cooking programme. This model is listed with a 24-hour timer, nine menus, two pressure levels, a frying function and voice control. The 6 l refers to its stated capacity, so check the usable capacity, space required and care instructions.
Image unavailable
Compare this model if you’re looking for several cooking modes in one appliance rather than food preparation functions such as chopping. It’s listed at 1 200 W, with 12 menus and an 8 l capacity. Before planning your portions, check the fill limits and instructions for cleaning the parts.
Image unavailable
For meals where you’d like a choice of cooking modes without adding food preparation functions. This model is listed as a 7-in-1 multicooker with four customisable presets. If you need to schedule it to start in advance, check whether it has a delayed-start function. Follow the fill limits and steam-release instructions.
Not necessarily: the usable capacity may be lower than the stated capacity. Que Choisir cites a 6 l Cookeo bowl with a 4 l cooking capacity. Check the fill limits for the exact model before deciding what capacity you need.
No, you’ll need to check each part separately. Consult the manual for the cooking pot or bowl, lid, blades and any accessories you plan to use. How they come apart and how you wash them will determine how much cleaning is involved after dinner.
In France, the legal guarantee of conformity applies to new, second-hand and refurbished goods sold by a trader to a private individual, according to the Ministry of the Economy. You should make your claim to the trader. Keep your proof of purchase, the product description and any correspondence with them.
Depending on its condition, you could consider having it repaired, donating it, selling it on or taking it to an appropriate collection point. ADEME lists options for dropping off small electrical appliances at shops or recycling centres, among other places. Check the arrangements at your chosen location.