Households preparing several meals in advance
If you often cook rice or slow-cooked dishes to eat over several days, look at the cooking programmes and keep-warm function. Above all, check how much the cooking pot can actually hold.
Who are these appliances for?
People who prepare and cook in the same appliance
If chopping, blending, grating or kneading is a regular part of your meal prep, a cooking food processor’s preparation functions can be just as important as its cooking modes. Check that it has the attachments you need for your usual tasks.
Smaller kitchens and households keen to keep cleaning simple
Compare the space needed for the appliance and its attachments, then consider how many parts you’ll need to wash after everyday use. Check dishwasher compatibility for each part of the specific model you’re considering.
What should you compare?
Start with the tasks you do each week: cooking ingredients you’ve already prepared, preparing them in the appliance, or simply adding food-preparation functions to your current set-up.
| What to consider | What to check | What I need |
|---|---|---|
| Preparing ingredients | Identify the tasks you actually need help with: chopping, blending, grating or kneading. A multicooker is focused on cooking; a food processor needs to be paired with a separate appliance for cooking. | I already prepare my ingredients, so a multicooker may be all I need for cooking. If I also want to chop or mix ingredients in the appliance, I’ll look at cooking food processors. If I’m happy with my current cooking set-up, I can compare food processors instead. |
| Programmable cooking | Check that the specific model has modes suited to your dishes, adjustable cooking times, a delayed start and a keep-warm function. A specialist appliance may be a good fit if you mainly repeat one type of cooking. | I want to start cooking rice or a slow-cooked dish with less supervision. If I almost always cook the same things, I may not need lots of cooking functions. |
| Usable capacity | Compare the usable capacity and the filling limits specified for your recipes and cooking modes, rather than looking only at the cooking pot’s total capacity. Que Choisir points out that you can’t use the full advertised capacity of a multicooker. | My portions need to fit in the appliance without exceeding the limit for the preparation I make most often. |
| Cleaning and storage | Count the bowls, blades and other parts you’ll need to clean. Check whether they’re dishwasher-safe and how much space you’ll need to store everything. Que Choisir includes cleaning and storage among its multicooker assessment criteria. | I want to be able to clean the appliance after an everyday meal and keep its attachments close to hand without cluttering my worktop. |
| Recipes and app | Check whether recipes are built in, available through an app or part of a subscription service. Que Choisir recommends checking whether a cooking food processor’s recipes are free to access or paid for. Also check that they’re available in France for the model you choose. | If I plan to follow guided recipes every week, I want to know what I’ll still be able to access after buying the appliance, without confusing these features with its cooking functions. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Confusing the pot’s capacity with how much you can cook
Filling limits can vary depending on the recipe and cooking mode. Que Choisir explains that you can’t use the full advertised capacity of a multicooker.
Check the instructions for the dishes you usually make, especially those that expand or are cooked under pressure. Then compare the filling limit with the portions you want to make.
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Buying a cooking food processor just to cook
Chopping and mixing functions mean more attachments to store and clean, even if you mainly cook rice or slow-cooked dishes.
Think through the steps involved in a few everyday meals. If you rarely use a machine to prepare ingredients, compare a multicooker with a specialist appliance first. Otherwise, check the functions and attachments available with cooking food processors.
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Assuming all connected recipes are included
Built-in recipes and those available through a connected service may have different access terms. Vorwerk describes Cookidoo as a subscription service in France.
Check which recipes you can use without a subscription, whether any free trial periods are offered and the renewal terms for the service you plan to use.
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Forgetting about cleaning and storage
If you use an appliance several times a week, you’ll also need to clean the cooking pot and lid, as well as any attachments used for your recipes.
Check exactly which parts are dishwasher-safe, the appliance’s dimensions and how much space its attachments need. Keep the instructions and details of the model you choose, too.
A few brands to consider
Moulinex
The Cookeo+ CE85B510 is an example of a multicooker for anyone who prepares ingredients separately and wants to programme the cooking.
- Moulinex lists a delayed start, a keep-warm function and automatic pressure release for this model.
- Check the instructions to see how much you can cook for your recipes: the pot’s capacity doesn’t necessarily match its usable cooking capacity.
Magimix
The Cook Expert Connect combines ingredient preparation and cooking, making it an option for meals that regularly involve both types of task.
- Magimix lists a total capacity of 3,5 l and a usable capacity of 2,5 l for this model.
- Consider how much space you’ll need and how much cleaning is involved for the attachments you’ll actually use.
Vorwerk
The Thermomix TM7 is a cooking food processor with guided recipes available through Cookidoo.
- Vorwerk lists 24 modes for the TM7 and access to guided recipes through Cookidoo.
- In France, access to Cookidoo requires a subscription, according to Vorwerk. Check the terms if you plan to use the service regularly.
Multicookers and cooking food processors on Joybuy
This selection includes multicookers for programmable cooking and cooking food processors that can prepare ingredients too. Start by deciding which task matters most for your meals, then check the capacity and features of each model.
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Robby Smart cooking food processor with XL bowl and built-in scales
Worth considering if you want to prepare ingredients and cook them in the same appliance. The description lists blending and kneading functions, as well as a 4,5 l bowl with 3 l usable capacity. Check that this is enough for your recipes and that the instructions include the programmable functions you want.
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Instant Pot Plus WiFi multicooker, 5,7 l
If you want to programme cooking for dishes such as rice or slow-cooked meals, the description lists several modes and says the appliance switches to keep-warm after cooking. The pot is listed as 5,7 l: check the filling limits for your recipes. If you’re interested in app control, check exactly which controls are available, as the description isn’t clear about remote operation.
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Instant Pot Classic 5,7 l, Daydream Blue
This multicooker is suited to cooking, rather than chopping or blending. Its description lists adjustable cooking times, pressure cooking, slow cooking, steaming and a keep-warm function. The pot is listed as 5,7 l. Check the filling limits and dimensions if you’re making several portions or have limited space.
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Robby cooking food processor with built-in scales and touchscreen
Worth a look if your meals involve chopping, grating or mixing ingredients before cooking. The description also lists steaming and slow-cooking modes, guided recipes and a 3,5 l bowl. Compare the usable capacity with your portion sizes, and check for a delayed start or keep-warm function if you need one.
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Cecotec Model D programmable cooker, 6 l
This model is designed for meals you want to set cooking in advance: its description lists nine menus and a 24-hour timer. It gives the pot’s capacity as 6 l and its usable capacity as 5 l; check the limits for your recipes too. If a keep-warm function or dishwasher-safe parts are important to you, check the instructions.
Frequently asked questions
Can a multicooker replace a cooking food processor for weekday meals?
It can cook many dishes, depending on the modes available on the model you choose, but it won’t handle preparation tasks such as chopping, slicing or blending. If these are a regular part of your meal prep, compare the functions of a cooking food processor rather than looking only at cooking programmes.
How do I choose a capacity that’s right for several meals?
Compare your portion sizes with the filling limit in the instructions for the recipes you make. Que Choisir points out that you can’t use the full stated capacity of a multicooker pot, so its total volume alone won’t tell you how much you can cook.
Can I still access recipes and apps without a subscription?
It depends on the appliance and service. Separate the recipes built into your chosen model from those available through an app. Vorwerk, for example, describes Cookidoo in France as a subscription service. Check any free trial periods and renewal terms before relying on its guided recipes.
What should I check to avoid a difficult clean-up?
Identify the parts you’ll use for your usual recipes and check which ones are dishwasher-safe on the exact model you’re considering. Also look at how many attachments need to be removed and stored: a cooking food processor may take more effort to handle than cooking with a pot alone.