People who cook often but have little worktop space
You want to combine several steps without having to get out multiple appliances. Also measure the space needed to open the lid, store the accessories and clean the bowl after use.
Who are these appliances for?
People who want to follow guided recipes
Step-by-step guidance can make planning meals easier, but how you access it varies depending on the service and setup. Check what works on the appliance itself, in the app or with an additional connected device.
People who prioritise cooking everyday meals
If you already prepare ingredients using other utensils, a multicooker is worth considering. However, check whether you’ll still need an appliance for chopping, grating or kneading.
What should you look for?
In a small kitchen, first decide which tasks you really need the appliance to handle, then check how much space it and its accessories will take up. Que Choisir highlights features, size, maintenance and recipe access among the criteria to consider when buying a cooking food processor.
Cooking food processor
Consider this if: you regularly use both functions and want to prepare ingredients and cook in the same appliance.
Bear in mind: you’ll need space for the bowl and accessories, and features vary by model.
Food processor and separate cooking appliance
Consider this if: grating, slicing or kneading matters more to you than cooking in the food processor, and you already have a way to cook.
Bear in mind: preparing a complete meal will also involve using your separate cooking appliance.
Multicooker
Consider this if: you mainly want guided cooking and prepare ingredients another way.
Bear in mind: its cooking programmes don’t replace chopping or kneading accessories.
| Criteria | What to check | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Space and cleaning | Measure the appliance with the lid open and allow space to store the accessories. Also check how easy the parts are to clean. | If I often cook with limited worktop space, I want an appliance that’s easy to position and clean every day. Around 42% of consumers could make this their top priority. |
| Preparation, cooking and recipes | Check which tasks the model combines and what you need to do to access guided recipes. | To prepare and cook with the same appliance, I need the functions I’ll actually use and access to recipes on terms that suit me. This could be the top priority for around 33% of consumers. |
| Cooking everyday meals | Check the cooking modes and bowl capacity, then identify which preparation tasks you’ll need to do separately. | When the ingredients are already prepared, I’d rather have guided cooking than an appliance that also chops them. Around 25% of consumers could put this at the top of their list. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Assuming “all-in-one” means it saves space
A cooking food processor combines several functions, but its bowl, lid and accessories take up space too. The space-saving benefit depends on which appliances you’ll genuinely stop using.
Measure the space where you plan to use it and the storage available, then compare the accessories included with the tasks you do often.
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Choosing guided recipes without checking how to access them
Recipe services and connected features come with different terms depending on the brand and setup. Vorwerk offers Cookidoo on a subscription basis, while Moulinex and Magimix describe their respective apps as free. With Magimix, connected step-by-step guidance requires Smart Connect.
Check which recipes are available with the exact model you’re considering and, if you plan to use connected features, what equipment you’ll need.
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Expecting a multicooker to handle all your ingredient preparation
Cooking programmes don’t necessarily include grating, slicing or kneading. You may still need to keep food preparation utensils to hand.
Before choosing an appliance, list preparation tasks separately from the cooking modes you need.
Brands to know
Vorwerk
The Thermomix range combines food preparation, cooking and guided recipes through Cookidoo.
- Vorwerk says Cookidoo provides access to more than 10,000 recipes in France, including on the Thermomix screen.
- Full access to Cookidoo requires a subscription once any trial periods have ended. Check whether you need one for the recipes you want to follow.
Moulinex
The Companion and Cookeo ranges are designed for different uses: the former combines food preparation with cooking, while the latter offers guided cooking.
- Moulinex describes My Moulinex as a free app offering step-by-step recipes.
- Don’t choose a Cookeo as a replacement for food preparation functions without checking what the specific model can do.
Magimix
The Cook Expert is a multifunction cooking food processor that comes with a recipe app.
- Magimix describes its app as free, with features for adapting recipes and planning menus.
- Connected step-by-step guidance and control from the app depend on Smart Connect, so check the setup you’re considering.
Cooking food processors on Joybuy
These two Robby cooking food processors combine food preparation and cooking in one appliance. To choose between them, consider the space you have available, the features you need and how you’ll access recipes.
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Robby Smart Multifunction Cooking Robot, XL bowl and built-in scales
Worth considering if you want to combine food preparation and cooking with an XL bowl, built-in scales and a large touchscreen. Before choosing this setup, check how much space you’ll need to open the lid and how you’ll access recipes.
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Robby Multifunction Cooking Robot, built-in scales and 680 recipes
Worth considering if you’re looking for a food preparation and cooking appliance with built-in scales and a touchscreen; its name lists 680 recipes. Before choosing, check the space it needs, how easy the parts are to clean and how you’ll access recipes.
Frequently asked questions
Can you always access guided recipes without a subscription?
No, it depends on the service and the features you want. Vorwerk offers full access to Cookidoo on a subscription basis once any trial periods have ended. Moulinex and Magimix describe their apps as free, but some connected features may require a compatible model or, with Magimix, Smart Connect.
Can a multicooker prepare a complete meal?
It may suit you if your main need is cooking and you prepare the ingredients another way. For example, Moulinex says its Cookeo Wi‑Fi 8-in-1 offers pressure cooking, steaming and slow cooking. Check separately for chopping, grating or kneading features if you need them.
What should I do with my old electrical appliance?
In France, the Ministry for Ecological Transition says you can take an electrical appliance to a collection point or household waste recycling centre, return it to a retailer or give it to a social and solidarity economy organisation. If you’re considering a retailer take-back scheme, check the terms that apply to your appliance and purchase.