Bosch MultiTalent 3 MCM3501MGB food processor review

One machine, 50 functions: that’s the promise that the Bosch MultiTalent 3 MCM3501MGB food processor makes and, given the range of kit in the box, it feels believable. For all that, it’s a relatively compact machine, with most of the accessories tucking inside the bowl when not in use, and a narrow base that allows it to fit neatly into the corner of your kitchen worktop. For families and those who like to batch cook, there’s still a good-sized 2.3-litre bowl that can accommodate up to 500g of some foods and whisk up to six egg whites. Space-saving, yet spacious – is it any wonder we wanted to see how it measured up against the best food processors on sale right now. 

You can buy find the MultiTalent 3 MCM3501MGB food processor direct from Bosch at about £110. It is, however, often cheaper at other retailers, such as Amazon, Argos, John Lewis, AO.com and Hughes, so be sure to shop around. 

Bosch MCM3501MGB food processor design details

As far as food processors go, the MultiTalent 3 MCM3501MGB has a pretty standard design, albeit one that’s short enough to store below kitchen wall cabinets. There’s a twist-in bowl with a twist-on lid, suckers on the bottom (which do a good job of keeping it stable on the worktop while in use) and cable storage inside the base. Handles either side of the base make it simple to carry around. Like some of the other food processor models we trialled, the look and feel is functional without feeling basic – there’s a metal surround framing the control dial, which itself is pared back with few places for debris to hide, so it should be easy to wipe down.

Functionality of the Bosch MCM3501MGB food processor

If you’re a keen cook, you’ll love the amount of kit that comes with the Bosch MCM3501MGB. There’s a one-litre liquidiser with detachable blades, that can be transformed from a small container into a mini food processor – great for small amounts of nuts or herbs. That same container also has grinding blades, so it can process things like coffee beans too. In addition to the usual reversible slicing and shredding discs, there’s a beating disc for whipping cream and eggs, as well as a chopping blade and dough blade. All of which is controlled by two speeds and an M (meaning ‘moment’) setting – which is essentially the pulse. 

Performance of the Bosch MCM3501MGB food processor

The Bosch MCM3501MGB doesn’t lack power thanks to its 800W motor – its main blade took a few seconds on speed two to coarsely chop a cooked chicken breast while carrots were sliced equally quickly. However, because there wasn’t a separate holder in the chute, the carrots fell over and led to the slices going from a uniform thickness to a more varied finish. Making bread on speed one with the dough blade was also straightforward. After mixing, the dough moved around the bowl easily without wrapping around the spindle or sticking to the sides, resulting in a thorough knead and a well-risen baked loaf. It’s also worth noting that while speed one isn’t too loud, the Bosch MCM3501MGB can be whiny on speed two, so you may not want to run it for too long on that setting. 

Weighing up the Bosch MCM3501MGB food processor 

At 3.65kg, the MultiTalent 3 food processor isn’t especially light, but it’s also not so weighty that you’ll be reluctant to move it around or store it in a cupboard. 

Cleaning the Bosch MCM3501MGB food processor

The design of the Bosch MCM3501MGB food processor means it’s prone to ingredients working their way between the removable spindle and the fixed one that’s part of the bowl. While the bowl cleaned easily in the dishwasher, it was more awkward to wash it thoroughly by hand. Another issue is that the chopper and grinder blade units aren’t dishwasher safe, so you’ll have to be careful cleaning around them by hand and may need a brush.

Bosch MCM3501MGB food processor warranty

The Bosch MCM3501MGB food processor’s two-year guarantee should see you through plenty of chopping, grinding and slicing and beyond.

Summing up… the Bosch MCM3501MGB food processor

Compared to the rest of the food processors that we trialled, the Bosch MCM3501MGB food processor is a great-value buy that’ll get the job done without blowing your budget. Plus, its host of added extras provides some potentially useful processing options. However, it’s only a good choice for your kitchen if you’re likely to use these rather than sacrificing cupboard space to store them.