Those who cook in one pot
If you mainly make rice, steamed dishes or slow-cooked meals, a multicooker can take care of the cooking once you’ve prepared the ingredients. Moulinex lists delayed start and keep-warm functions for its Cookeo+ CE85B510.
Who could benefit from these appliances?
Those who are slowed down by prep
If moving between the chopping board, scales, mixing and cooking makes mealtimes more complicated, take a look at the functions of a cooking food processor. Moulinex, Vorwerk and Magimix describe appliances that handle food preparation and cooking, although the combination of functions varies by model.
Households that already have appliances
If you already own a saucepan, pressure cooker or food-preparation appliance, work out which step in your usual meals a new appliance would genuinely change before making room for it.
What sets these options apart?
Start with the step that slows you down: cooking, preparing ingredients or both. Then check what the specific model still requires you to do while it’s running.
Programmable multicooker
Consider it: for one-pot meals where you can prepare the ingredients before starting to cook.
Bear in mind: cooking modes alone don’t replace chopping or mincing.
Cooking food processor
Consider it: if combining some food-preparation steps with cooking addresses your main challenge.
Bear in mind: functions and accessories vary by model, and they also take up space and need cleaning.
Appliances you already own
Stick with them: if your equipment covers the recipes you make regularly and there’s no extra step you want to automate.
Bear in mind: preparation and cooking may still be spread across several utensils.
| Criterion | What to check | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Cooking supervision | The model’s modes and instructions, particularly for delayed start and keep-warm functions. | I can prepare the ingredients in advance, but having to stay by the cooker makes my day harder; around 27% of consumers would put reduced supervision first. |
| Built-in food preparation | The chopping, mixing or weighing functions actually available, and the accessories needed for the model you’re considering. | When chopping and transferring ingredients between appliances takes as long as cooking, I want to combine these steps; this would be the priority for around 27% of consumers. |
| Capacity and space | Usable capacity, your usual portion sizes and the dimensions with the bowl and accessories in place. | I want a bowl that suits the quantities my household needs without taking over the worktop; around 20% of consumers would make this their main criterion. |
| Cleaning | The number of parts used for your recipes and whether they fit into your usual washing-up routine. | If every meal adds several parts to wash and put away, the appliance is less useful in my day-to-day life; ease of cleaning would come first for around 13% of consumers. |
| Risk of duplication | The tasks your current appliances already handle, and any accessories or services needed for the way you plan to use the appliance. | My equipment may already cover the meals I usually make, and I only want to add functions I’ll use; around 13% of consumers would prioritise this. |
Easy-to-overlook points
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Confusing total volume with usable capacity
Magimix gives the Cook Expert Original a total bowl capacity of 3.5 L, but a usable capacity of 2.5 L. So the stated volume alone doesn’t tell you how many portions you can prepare.
Compare the usable capacity with your usual quantities, then measure the space needed with the bowl in place.
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Assuming delayed start means the meal is fully prepared
Delayed start and keep-warm functions manage the cooking; they don’t chop or weigh ingredients.
Work out whether your main challenge is having to supervise the cooking or preparing the ingredients, then check the functions and instructions for the specific model you’re considering.
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Forgetting about required accessories and services
Moulinex lists the Extra Crisp as a separate accessory for the Cookeo+ we looked at; Vorwerk links guided cooking on the TM7 to its Cookidoo service.
Check which accessories are included and the terms for accessing recipes if these functions are part of what’s influencing your choice.
Accessories also mean more items to store and clean.
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Underestimating how many parts need washing
Moulinex lists five accessories for the Companion HF840110. How useful they are depends on the dishes you actually make.
Check which parts are used for your recipes and how to clean them for the specific model.
Brands to know for this comparison
Moulinex
The range considered here includes Cookeo multicookers, designed around cooking in a bowl, and Companion cooking food processors, which add food-preparation functions depending on the model.
- Moulinex lists six cooking modes, keep warm and delayed start for the Cookeo+ CE85B510.
- For the Companion HF840110, the brand lists 12 automatic programmes, five accessories and a usable capacity of 3 L; these specifications don’t apply to every Companion model.
Vorwerk
Vorwerk says the Thermomix TM7 combines food-preparation and cooking functions with guided recipes.
- Vorwerk lists 24 modes for the TM7, including food-preparation and cooking functions.
- If Cookidoo recipes are important to you, check the terms of the associated service.
Magimix
The Cook Expert combines cooking with food-preparation accessories, with specifications that vary by version.
- Magimix lists functions such as chopping, mixing, grating and cooking for the Cook Expert Original.
- On this model, the total volume of 3.5 L equates to a usable capacity of 2.5 L; check the accessories supplied with the version you choose too.
Multicookers and cooking food processors on Joybuy
These products offer two ways to approach everyday meals: cooking food processors that combine food preparation and cooking, followed by multicookers for meals cooked mainly in a bowl. Compare their functions with the step that slows you down and check the instructions for each appliance.
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Robby Smart cooking food processor with XL bowl
Worth considering if combining food preparation and cooking meets your main need; check which steps still require your input.
The product name indicates that it has built-in scales and a large touchscreen.
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Robby cooking food processor with built-in scales and touchscreen
Worth considering if preparing ingredients slows you down as much as cooking. The instructions for this model say not to leave it running unattended.
The product name mentions 680 recipes; check what you’ll have access to and whether the usable capacity suits your portions.
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Midea 9-in-1 8 L pressure multicooker, black
Designed for meals cooked in a bowl rather than chopping or weighing ingredients; compare the stated capacity with your usual portions.
The product name lists 1200 W, 12 pre-set menus and a non-stick bowl.
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Instant Pot Rio XL 7.1 L pressure multicooker
Worth comparing if your meals mainly involve cooking in a bowl; you’ll still need to organise ingredient preparation separately.
The product name lists a 7-in-1 configuration and a stainless-steel inner bowl. Check the usable capacity if volume is important for your household.
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Instant Pot Classic 5.7 L, Daydream Blue
For one-pot meals where cooking, rather than preparing ingredients, is the step you want the appliance to handle.
The product name lists a 7-in-1 configuration, slow cooking, steaming and four custom pre-sets. If scheduling cooking in advance is essential, check whether it has a delayed-start function.
Frequently asked questions
What does a multicooker do automatically?
Depending on its modes, it can handle certain stages of cooking, but it doesn’t necessarily prepare the ingredients. Moulinex lists automatic pressure release, keep warm and delayed start for the Cookeo+ CE85B510; check the instructions for the programme you plan to use.
Does a cooking food processor mean you don’t have to prepare anything by hand?
No. Its functions don’t mean that a whole recipe will run without any input from you. Check which tasks your specific model covers for the recipes you make, which accessories you need and which steps you’ll still have to do yourself.
Which capacity should I compare for household meals?
Compare usable capacity with your portion sizes, rather than looking at total volume alone. Magimix gives the Cook Expert Original a total capacity of 3.5 L and a usable capacity of 2.5 L, while Moulinex lists a usable capacity of 3 L for the Companion HF840110.
How can I tell if I’ll need accessories or recipe services?
Start with the recipes you want to make and check which accessories are included with the exact model, as well as the terms for accessing guided recipes. Moulinex lists the Extra Crisp as a separate accessory for the Cookeo+ we looked at, while Vorwerk links the TM7 to its Cookidoo service.