A multifunctional cooker can make meals easier when you regularly need to prepare and then cook ingredients in the same appliance, provided its functions and accessories suit your recipes. If your food processor and cooking appliances already cover these tasks, consider what an integrated cooking function would really add before making room for another bulky appliance.
If your meals often involve chopping or mixing before cooking, look at the steps a multifunctional cooker could combine. Check the programmes and accessories included with the model you’re considering: they vary from one model to another.
A food processor may already handle several preparation tasks. If you’re happy with your hob, oven or other cooking appliance, the key question is whether cooking in the same bowl would save you from transferring ingredients so often.
If you plan to follow instructions on a screen or in an app, compare the recipes available with each model and check any subscription terms. It’s also worth considering whether you can cook manually.
Consider it if: you often make dishes that involve both mechanical preparation and cooking.
The trade-off: you’ll need to make room for it and check how to care for its different parts.
Consider it if: your current appliances already meet your cooking needs and you mainly want to chop, grate or knead.
The trade-off: you’ll need to transfer ingredients from the food processor to the cooking appliance.
Consider them if: your main priority is cooking and you do very little chopping or mixing as part of those recipes.
The trade-off: a multicooker generally won’t mix ingredients, according to Que Choisir.
Once you’ve chosen an option, check how the specific model matches the quantities you cook and the steps you repeat.
| Factor | What to check | My needs |
|---|---|---|
| Tasks covered | Check the functions and accessories included. Compare them with the tasks your existing appliances already handle; an accessory sold separately won’t be included with every set. | I want to avoid transferring ingredients between preparation and cooking, but I don’t want to replace an appliance I already use for the same task. |
| Capacity and space | Measure the space available. Distinguish usable capacity from the total capacity quoted, and compare it with the quantities you usually make. | The cooker should be easy to access in my kitchen and hold the portions I actually prepare. |
| Cleaning | Check the instructions for the bowl, lid, blades, seals and accessories. Find out which parts aren’t dishwasher-safe and whether there’s a pre-cleaning function. | After a midweek meal, I want to know which parts I’ll need to wash by hand. |
| Recipes | Check whether recipes come in a book, are free to access or are part of a subscription catalogue. Confirm the access and renewal terms for the model you’re considering. | If I’m relying on step-by-step instructions, I want to know which recipes I’ll be able to access based on how I use it. |
A food processor you already own may handle many preparation tasks, so the value of integrated cooking depends on how many transfers it would save you.
Make a note of the steps involved in your usual meals, then check which ones the model and its included accessories can combine.
A function may require a particular accessory, and the total capacity isn’t necessarily the same as the usable volume.
Compare the exact model, what’s included, its usable capacity and its dimensions with the dishes you make.
A subscription catalogue and freely available recipes won’t suit regular users of guided cooking in the same way.
Check which recipes are available without a subscription, the renewal terms and the offer for your model in France.
According to Vorwerk, full access to Cookidoo for the Thermomix TM7 requires an annual subscription.
Care instructions can vary from part to part. For example, Moulinex says the drive shaft in a replacement bowl for the Companion XL is not dishwasher-safe.
Read the instructions for the exact model and check how to clean every part you’ll need to wash after use.
These ranges show different ways to combine preparation, cooking and recipes; check the features of the specific model you’re considering.
The Thermomix TM7 combines food preparation, cooking and guided recipes through Cookidoo.
The Companion XL range is worth considering if bowl size and hot or cold preparations are among your priorities.
The Cook Expert Connect combines food preparation and cooking functions.
The Cookit combines connected cooking with recipes available through Home Connect.
These two Robby models combine food preparation and cooking in one appliance. Compare their controls, bowl and cleaning requirements against the meals you make; this selection alone won’t tell you whether a separate appliance would suit you better.
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Worth considering if you want to move through preparation and cooking steps using one appliance with scales and a large touchscreen. Before relying on guided recipes, check how many are available for this model and the terms for accessing new recipes. Also check the instructions for cleaning each part.
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Worth considering if you want to combine guided steps with food preparation and cooking, while still having the option to use manual mode. Check the usable capacity against your portion sizes, the terms for accessing recipes and the cleaning instructions for the accessories.
No. A food processor may already whisk, knead, mix, chop or grate, as Que Choisir explains; a multifunctional cooker adds the option of cooking in the appliance. Check which accessories are actually included before deciding which appliances it could replace in your home.
No. The usable volume may be less than the total capacity. For example, Magimix quotes 3,5 L in total and 2,5 L usable for the Cook Expert Connect. Compare the usable capacity with the quantities you cook.
No. Vorwerk requires an annual subscription for full access to Cookidoo on the Thermomix TM7, while Bosch advertises free Cookit recipes. Check the terms for the specific model, including which recipes remain available without a subscription.
Check the cleaning instructions for each part of the model you’re considering. Bosch says the Cookit’s bowl, lid and accessories are dishwasher-safe; Moulinex says a replacement bowl for the Companion XL is dishwasher-safe, apart from its drive shaft.