How to use a kitchenaid food processor
How to Use a Food Processor Step-by-Step
Using a food processor quickly expands your possibilities in the kitchen. You can use functions like chop, mix, puree, slice and more all in one versatile appliance, leaving you more time to be the master—and taste-tester—of your culinary creations. Knowing how to use a food processor will open up a world of new possibilities that go far beyond basic prepping. This helpful guide will provide you with step by step instructions on how to use a food processor to its full potential.
Instructions to Use a Food Processor
Before you can start to use a food processor, the first thing you will have to do is put it together. Whether you're starting out with a small food chopper like the KitchenAid® 3.5 Cup Food Chopper or something more robust like the KitchenAid® 13 Cup Food Processor, assembly will always come first.
1. Set Up the Base
This is the heaviest part of the food processor that contains the motor. Make sure you set up your food processor on a flat, sturdy surface.
2. Attach the Work Bowl
This is the clear plastic container that attaches to your food processor base. They come in various sizes, depending on the capacity of your food processor. KitchenAid brand makes models varying from 3.5 or 5-cup food choppers, 7-cup, 9-cup and 13-cup food processors and the Pro Line® larger capacity models.
The KitchenAid®7, 9 and 13-cup food processors feature work bowls and latched lids that click into place for easy, twist-free assembly. Your food processor will not operate if the work bowl is not attached correctly and fully locked in place.
If you have an older KitchenAid® model, you’ll need to line up your bowl at about 90 degrees from the insertion point, then twist it until it drops onto the base and locks into place.
If you’re ready to upgrade to innovative new designs for easier setup, there are many models of KitchenAid® food processors for you to choose from.
3. Insert the Drive Adaptor
Most food processors come with a removable drive shaft adaptor that your blades and discs will slide over. Place the drive adapter in the work bowl, onto the built-in drive pin. On KitchenAid® food processors, this drive adaptor does not click or lock in place. Just lower it onto the drive pin—no need to push or twist.
4. Choose a Blade
Slicer or Shredder Disc – Most food processors come with a reversible slicer and shredder/grater disc or multiple discs for thicker or thinner slices. To install these food processor accessories, first slide the drive adaptor over the center drive pin, pushing it down as far as it will go. Set the disc on top of the drive shaft adaptor using the hole in the center of the disc. It will rest on the drive adaptor at the top of the bowl.
Multi-Purpose or “S” Blade – This classic food processor accessory fits over the drive pin in the center of the work bowl and base.
It has two very sharp-angled blades opposite each other on the shaft. For the KitchenAid® 3.5 or 5-cup food chopper, press down to lock the blade in place. You will hear an audible click. On larger KitchenAid® models, attach the drive adapter over the pin, then slide the multi-purpose blade over the adapter, pushing down as far as it will go.
Dough Blade – Some food processors come with a special dough blade to use for kneading dough or similar tasks. The smooth edges of this blade assist with a kneading action for things like creating a pie crust with your food processor. This blade attaches in the same way as the multi-purpose blade.
5. Attach the Work Bowl Cover
This clear plastic lid secures to your work bowl, after you have attached your choice of blades. Again, the lid must fit securely to the work bowl in order for the food processor to operate. On all newer KitchenAid® food processor models, the lid is hinged to the work bowl.
Simply flip it to cover the bowl then secure it with the locking tab to make a seal. On older models, you set the lid down on the bowl and twist until it lines up with the bowl and locks in place.
Larger food processor models often have multiple feed tubes for adding ingredients during processing and/or a food pusher for pushing an ingredient slowly toward the blades. Insert the smaller feed tubes/food pushers all the way into the larger built-in feeding tube in the lid until it is flush. On some models, the food pusher locks into place with an audible click. On newer KitchenAid brand models, the feed tube and pushers simply stack inside one another.
6. Select a Food Processor Setting
Now that your food processor is properly assembled, you’re ready to make culinary magic by chopping, pureeing, shredding, slicing, mixing, or kneading your ingredients. You can choose food processor functions like:
Chop - Chop or mince salads, vegetables, potatoes, fruits, meats, nuts and more
Puree - Turn cooked fruits, dips such as hummus, and vegetables into a smooth puree or paste
Pulse - Quick burst operation for precision chopping or pureeing
High - Runs the food processor continuously at a high speed
- Low - Runs the food processor continuously at a low speed
Refer to your exact model to learn what functions you have for operating your food processor.
KitchenAid® 3.5-cup and 5-cup food choppers have a lever to slide from chop to puree as well as a pulse function. Larger models such as the 7-cup and 9-cup have three buttons for high speed, low speed and pulse.
Tips for Food Processor Use
When learning how to use a food processor, it’s important to determine what you need to do with your ingredients to best complement your dish. Depending on what you’re planning to make, there are a variety of ways to use a food processor. You can chop, puree, shred, knead and so much more. Be sure to clean your food processor promptly once finished.
How Do You Chop or Mince in a Food Processor?
To chop or mince ingredients in a food processor, you’ll want to start with a multi-purpose blade. Before adding ingredients to the bowl, it’s best to cut larger food items like raw fruits, chicken and vegetables into smaller, 1-inch pieces. This helps ensure you end up with consistently chopped pieces.
Evenly fill the work bowl no more than halfway and attach the lid.
To control the consistency of your chopped food, use a pulse setting. This allows you to keep an eye on the outcome of your ingredients so they don't become over-processed or accidentally turn into a paste.
How Do You Puree in a Food Processor?
To make a puree also requires the use of a multi-purpose blade. This process is similar to chopping. Cut your ingredients into 1-inch pieces to ensure a smooth consistency. Evenly fill the bowl no more than 2/3 full and attach the lid. You can now use the puree setting on your food processor.
How Do You Use a Food Processor to Shred, Grate or Slice?
To shred, grate or slice your ingredients, you will want to use a slicing/shredding disc. Foods shred best when they are cold. Keep your food items refrigerated until you’re ready to shred, grate or slice them. Attach the disc to the top of the drive adaptor and lock it into place along with the lid.
Set the food processor to your desired speed, and insert your ingredients into the food tube.
If your food processor includes a food pusher, use it to press harder food items like raw vegetables and fruits into the food tube.
How Do You Use a Food Processor to Knead?
To knead dough with a food processor, you will want to use a dough blade if included with your model. You can use your food processor's multi-purpose blade, but it would be best to use the dull edges of a plastic blade to knead the dough properly.
How Do You Fold or Mix with a Food Processor?
To mix ingredients with a food processor, use a multi-purpose blade. This process is also similar to chopping—only for less time. Use quick pulses and monitor your mixture to make sure you don’t overdo it.
You can also use a food processor to cut butter into flour or cream butter with sugar. Fold chocolate chips into your cannoli cream or mix up some delicious sauces and dressings. You can slowly add liquids to your work bowl while the food processor is running if your appliance features a drizzle basin, or through the food tube on larger models.
Can you Dice with a Food Processor?
To dice with a food processor, you will need a model with that specific capability. The KitchenAid® 13-Cup Food Processor with Dicing Kit includes a dicing kit that quickly creates consistent, uniform cubes. First, you'll need to install the upper drive adaptor and then the dicing kit.
Choose your desired speed. You can then use the included food pusher to push ingredients down the feed tube and into the work bowl to dice them.
A food processor can be a valuable kitchen tool to have in your collection. This versatile countertop appliance offers capabilities that make food prep quick and easy, so you can readily master your next dish. From slicing vegetables to crushing crackers for graham cracker crust, food processors help you get it done. Even a smaller food chopper can be a great addition to your kitchen. With a food processor or food chopper in your hands, the culinary possibilities are endless.
Learn how to choose the right food processor for your needs with this food processor buying guide.
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KitchenAid USING THE FOOD CHOPPER Instructions
USING THE FOOD CHOPPER
MULTIPURPOSE BLADE RECOMMENDATIONS CHART
Use the multipurpose blade to chop raw fruits, vegetables, or nuts and to mince parsley, chives, or garlic for easy preparation in your favorite recipes. Purée cooked fruit or vegetables to make baby food, or to use as bases for soups or sauces. You can also make bread crumbs or grind raw meat.
NOTE: For best results, larger food items should be cut to approximately 1-inch cubes before processing. This step also allows processing of more food at a single time.
IMPORTANT: Do not process coffee beans or hard spices such as nutmeg, which may damage the Food Chopper.
SUGGESTED FOOD | FOOD PREPARATION | AMOUNT | SETTING |
| RAW FRUITS AND VEGETABLES | Cut into 1-inch pieces | Up to 3 cups | Purée |
| COOKED FRUITS AND VEGETABLES | Cut into 1-inch pieces | Up to 2. 5 cups | Purée |
| MEAT | Meat should be raw, and cut into 1-inch pieces for best processing results. | Up to 0.7 pound (317g) at one time | Purée |
| HERBS AND SPICES | Add herbs and spices as they are; no preparation needed. | Up to 4 cups | Purée |
| BREAD, COOKIES, OR CRACKERS | Break bread, cookies, or crackers into pieces that fit into the bowl before processing. | Up to 4 cups | Purée |
| NUTS | Add shelled nuts as they are; no preparation needed (up to 3 cups). | Up to 2.5 cups | Purée |
TIP: For better consistency, or to achieve coarsely chopped results, use the Pulse operation.
FOR DETAILED INFORMATION ON USING THE FOOD CHOPPER:
Visit kitchenaid.com/quickstart for additional instructions with videos, inspiring recipes, and tips on how to use your Food Chopper
Before first use
Before using the Food Chopper for the first time, wash the work bowl, lid, whisking accessory, and blade in hot, soapy water.
Work bowl, lid, whisking accessory, and blade may also be washed in the top rack of a dishwasher.
For convenient storage, always reassemble the Food Chopper after cleaning.
DISASSEMBLING THE FOOD CHOPPER
Follow these instructions to disassemble the Food Chopper for cleaning and when removing ingredients from the work bowl.
| 1 | Be sure the Food Chopper is unplugged. Hold the lid as shown, and rotate it clockwise to unlock. Then, lift the lid off of the work bowl. | |
| 2 | Pull the blade straight up to remove it from the work bowl. | |
| 3 | Pull the drive adaptor straight up to remove it from the work bowl. | |
| 4 | Hold the base steady with one hand, and use the other hand to rotate the work bowl clockwise to unlock and lift it off of the base. |
IMPORTANT: Be sure the Food Chopper is unplugged before assembling.
| 1 | Start with the work bowl handle facing front on the base. Rotate the handle 90° counterclockwise to lock into place. When assembled properly, the handle will face the right side. | |
| 2 | Fit drive adapter over the shaft in the center of the work bowl, then rotate and lower the drive adapter until it rests at the bottom of the work bowl. | |
| 3 | If using the blade, fit the blade over the drive adapter, then rotate and lower the blade until it rests at the bottom of the work bowl. If using the whisking accessory, see “Using the whisking accessory” section. |
NOTE: Do not try to install more than one accessory at a time. The Food Chopper will operate with either the blade or the whisking accessory in place, not both.
| 4 | Place ingredients to be processed inside the work bowl. For uniform consistency of processed foods, cut fruits, vegetables, and meats into 1-inch pieces. |
IMPORTANT: Do not process coffee beans or hard spices such as nutmeg as they may damage the Food Chopper.
| 5 | Place the lid on the work bowl with the lid handle facing front. Rotate the lid handle counterclockwise until it locks into place. The lid will click when properly locked into place. |
NOTE: The work bowl and lid must be locked into place for the Food Chopper to operate.
| 6 | Slide the Chop/Purée lever to your desired setting. Press down on the PULSE/ON button to start the Food Chopper. | |
| 7 | For a coarse chop, use a pulsing motion to rapidly press and release the PULSE/ON button until your desired results are achieved. |
| 1 | Fit the whisking accessory over the drive adapter, then rotate and press down until it rests at the bottom of the work bowl. | |
| 2 | Place ingredients to be processed inside the work bowl. | |
| 3 | Place the lid on the work bowl with the lid handle facing front. Rotate the lid handle counterclockwise until it locks into place. The lid will click when properly locked into place. | |
| 4 | Slide the Chop/Purée lever to your desired setting. Press and hold the PULSE/ON button to start the Food Chopper. |
Use the drizzle basin to conveniently add liquid ingredients while processing dressings, mayonnaises, emulsions, sauces, and more. Use the pour spout for easier serving.
| 1 | Place ingredients to be processed inside the work bowl. | |
| 2 | Place the lid on the work bowl with the lid handle facing front. Rotate the lid handle counterclockwise until it locks into place. The lid will click when properly locked into place. | |
| 3 | Press rapidly up and down on the PULSE/ON button to get your ingredients moving in the work bowl. | |
| 4 | Slowly pour liquids, such as oil, into the drizzle basin. The liquid will be efficiently and thoroughly mixed into the ingredients as they spin inside the work bowl. | |
| 5 | Once processing is complete, remove the lid and blade to use the pour spout. |
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FOR DETAILED INFORMATION ON USING THE FOOD CHOPPER:
Visit kitchenaid.com/quickstart for additional instructions with videos, inspiring recipes, and tips on how to use your Food Chopper.
Documents / Resources
| KitchenAid USING THE FOOD CHOPPER [pdf] Instructions KitchenAid, FOOD CHOPPER |
References
- A Pinch Of Help | KitchenAid
How to use a food processor correctly: 10 tips
A food processor is a valuable helper for modern housewives.
He can:
- Shred products;
- Mix components;
- Knead the dough;
- Cook minced meat;
- Beat egg whites.
And a lot of other useful things. Therefore, it is very disappointing when, due to ignorance of the basics of using the device, such a necessary device in the kitchen fails.
In order for the unit to serve faithfully for many years, it is worth adhering to simple rules for its operation and cleaning. Which ones? Described in the article.
Read also: 4 reasons why you need a food processor: details about the gadget
How to use a food processor correctly?
Devices are often easy to operate (for example, the device from Philips), all the details of their setup and operation are reflected in the instructions. However, before you start creating a culinary masterpiece, you should use the following recommendations.
Tip #1. Only use accessories for the intended purpose.
Knives, whisks, graters should be used for a certain type of raw material (meat, vegetables, egg whites, etc.). For example, sharp blades come in handy when you need to grind the solid components of a future meal. Slightly blunt - for mixing products.
Tip #2. Do not use the units continuously. The machine can be disabled by overheating the motor if a large amount of raw material is processed without pauses. Information about how much “rest” the unit needs is usually indicated in the instructions, if this data is not available, about 30 seconds of a break is needed for every 3-7 minutes.
Tip #3. Grind components before loading into the device. Regardless of the power of the device, it is imperative to cut vegetables and fruits into cubes, circles, any shapes before processing in the unit. Pieces that are too large can weaken or damage the engine or even shorten its life.
Tip #4 .
Close the cover of the unit tightly. This will prevent leakage while the ingredients are being processed. Most appliances make a clicking sound when the lid is well closed. Also, some specimens have a seal on the lid for better tightness of the device (for example, Gorenje SBR 1000BE).
You may be interested in: TOP 10 best food processors
Tip #5. Do not open the lid until the end of the work process. This can lead to injury to the user (for example, with a rotating knife), splashing of ingredients in different directions, failure of the unit.
Tip #6. Wash all containers of the instrument thoroughly after use. Then dry all nozzles. Dried food residues on the knives will lead to premature blunting of the blades, and not dried moisture can not only spoil the components being mixed, but also affect the performance of the device.
Tip #7. Do not "fit" accessories to your machine to replace lost or damaged ones.
You do not need to grind nozzles yourself or purchase similar ones, take them from other devices. It is necessary to use only branded components that correspond to the model of the device. Cheap analogues will only aggravate the situation and can lead to irreparable damage to the kitchen appliance, not to mention the lost warranty.
These simple tips on how to properly use your food processor will help prolong the life of your appliance and eliminate the need to spend money on repairs or buying a new one to replace a damaged unit.
Good to know: How to choose a food processor: 9 steps
How to clean a food processor?
After finishing the cooking process, it is essential to clean the unit (outside and inside).
How to do it right:
- Tip #1 . Find out if the device can be washed in the dishwasher, and, if so, which specific parts of it. Such information is in the instructions for the unit.
If yes, this is very convenient, because the high temperature and detergents remove all food residues from the machine nozzles by 100%. No - you should not risk the performance of the device, it is better to wash all parts by hand in warm water, and do not forget to wipe the nozzles dry. - Tip #2 . The case and non-removable elements of the device should be wiped with a damp cloth or napkin. At the same time, it is important not to allow water to flow inward. The procedure should be carried out at least 1 time in 7 days. Even if the unit is not in use, dust settles on its surface, small debris accumulates, all this can damage important parts of the combine.
- Tip #3. Do not start cleaning the device until the end of its operation. While the device is connected to the mains, it is forbidden to wash or wipe it. Moisture can lead to a short circuit, which will disable the unit and is generally dangerous.
Before using the device, it is also not superfluous to tidy up all the details, especially if the unit has been inactive for a long time.
Interesting article: What is the difference between a food processor and a kitchen machine: differences between 2 appliances
A kitchen processor is a useful piece of equipment that, with proper care, will last for many years (as an option, Sencor STM3700 WH). One has only to remember that you need to tightly close the lid during cooking, prevent the motor from overheating, chop the ingredients and use the right products for a certain mode. In care, the unit is very unpretentious - either washing in the dishwasher, or manual wiping from dust and dirt. A damp cloth and standard detergents are quite enough for self-cleaning of a kitchen device.
How to use the food processor according to the instructions for use
Modern food processors are much more convenient to use than their predecessors. The devices are compact and ergonomic, have an intuitive interface, simple operation.
The enclosed manual informs the user how to use the food processor. Difficulties in use arise due to the multitasking of machines and incomplete information in the instruction manual. When there is a need to produce several different operations in turn or one with multiple repetitions - the device can be damaged. Before you start creating a culinary masterpiece, you should take into account the basic rules for handling equipment.
Table of Contents
- 1 Intended Use of the Tool
- 2 Installing the Tools
- 3 Maintaining the Food Processor
- 4 Reading the Instructions for Use of the Tool 0027
- beef is ground at medium speed;
- lamb or pork is tougher, the processing of this meat will require high speed and more power;
- for soft fish fillets, use the Pulse button.
Each machine, depending on the functionality, contains various removable knives, graters, whisks and other attachments. Even if the passport does not contain a detailed description for them, this does not mean that they are all interchangeable. In fact, each knife or blade is designed for specific tasks .
For example, sharp blades should be used for grinding hard ingredients, and blunt blades for soft ones, and they are also easy to mix foods or drinks. It is not difficult to guess that chopping vegetables or nuts with a dull knife will put an additional load on the motor.
The machine is easily damaged if it is regularly overloaded, especially for low power models up to 500 W. Do not save time on pre-preparation of certain ingredients. In the process of processing a large number of products, regular pauses must be made. Such specific information must be reflected in the passport, if none is found, contact the network and find instructions for a similar / related model of the same brand.
Conventionally, a 30-second break is made for every 3-7 minutes. The higher the power, the longer the interval between pauses.
Meat processing deserves special attention
It is logical that the processing of hard products at low speeds will also lead to excessive load on the motor of the device, which is subsequently fraught with damage. This is especially true for European-made equipment , which does not tolerate violations of the operating instructions. Impeccable quality and considerable cost does not mean at all that the resource of the machine is unlimited.
Mounting tools
The food processor is a fairly simple device in terms of design. The equipment is easily removed and installed, depending on the work ahead. During the processing of ingredients, the user changes the working tool countless times. As a result, a regular load is placed on the attachment points - this must be borne in mind.
Normally, correct installation is accompanied by a characteristic click and does not require much effort. So that the mount does not fail ahead of time, and the nozzles do not “stick”, it is enough to follow simple rules:
- replacement of all working parts must be smooth, without sudden movements;
- don't use too much effort when changing equipment;
- purchase only suitable additional accessories, it is not recommended to "customize" them to mounts or make them yourself;
- Keep all knives, whisks and blades clean and dry in the designated areas.
Food processor maintenance
Proper and timely maintenance of household appliances is a guarantee of saving the resources of its work. The main thing about food processors is that they need to be kept clean. Convenient if all attachments are dishwasher safe: high temperatures and good detergents will remove food residues cleanly.
When a manufacturer does not allow machine washing, the prohibition should not be ignored. In an aggressive environment, the deformation of various parts is not ruled out.
After each use of the harvester, wash all attachments, parts and accessories with special detergents and wipe dry. Regular cleaning will prolong the life of plastic parts and prevent dulling of sharp blades. It will not be superfluous to rinse the components before using the device.
To prevent liquid from getting inside the machine and small debris from accumulating, the housing must be wiped with a damp cloth at least once a week.
