What makes a good food processor
How to Choose a Food Processor Before You Buy It
By
Jessica Harlan
Jessica Harlan
Freelance food writer, trained chef, and kitchen equipment expert Jessica Harlan has written eight cookbooks on topics such as quinoa and ramen.
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Updated on 07/11/19
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Versatile and efficient, a good food processor will likely become indispensable in the kitchen. It can be used to shred cheese, make biscuit dough, puree baby food, grind spices, and chop up salsa ingredients. But before you head to the store, consider these factors to ensure you select the best food processor for your needs.
Pamper Your Baby With Homemade Baby Food
Features
Most food processors only have one motor speed, and most have a small tube opening at the top that enables you to easily add other ingredients. They usually come with a "pusher" that fits into this tube and helps to feed larger items, keeps fingers safe, and acts as a lid.
Make sure the machine you choose has a "pulse" button to give small bursts of power (good for rough chopping or quick dough kneading). You'll appreciate a smooth touchpad for the controls, which is easier to clean than raised buttons, as well as dishwasher-safe parts (although we recommend hand-washing blades to keep them from dulling).
Power
Make sure the machine you choose is powerful enough to handle the tough jobs: kneading stiff doughs, chopping raw carrots, or shredding a hard cheese, for example. Otherwise, you run the risk of the processor not chopping or combining uniformly. Or worse yet, the motor burns out. For a full-sized processor (9 cups or larger), seek out a motor that's at least 600 watts.
Size/Capacity
Food processors come in all sizes, from tiny 3-cup choppers to 20-cup versions that could function in a restaurant kitchen. What size is best for you depends on the number of people you typically cook for and the recipes you'll prepare with it.
If you're usually cooking for a family of four or preparing single-batch doughs, an 11-cup size processor should suffice. If you're often chopping small amounts of herbs or nuts, or making small quantities of sauces, seek out a processor that includes a small work bowl and blade, or invest in a separate 3-cup "prep" processor for these tasks.
Attachments and Accessories
Some food processors come with an entire assortment of accessories intended to maximize your use of the machine. These can include different sized work bowls and blades, disks that slice and grate foods to varying degrees of thickness, and even attachments and speed settings that turn the processor into a citrus juicer or a bread dough kneader. Before you spend the extra money on a machine with all these bells and whistles, consider whether you'd actually use them.
Brand and Price
The two leaders in the food processor category are Cuisinart and KitchenAid, and their products consistently rank highest in test-kitchen and consumer ratings.
They're also among the most expensive; 11-cup and larger versions from these two brands will set you back $130 or more. Other brands include Hamilton Beach and Black & Decker, whose products start at $50. While these secondary brands might offer some interesting features and accessories, often their motors aren't as powerful. But ultimately, the decision comes down to your own personal preference, as well as your budget.
Beginner’s Guide to Food Processor
A food processor is a versatile tool for the kitchen, making it easy to put together an amazing meal. This informative food processor guide will teach you how to use a food processor and will also give you tips on how to choose one. Delicious recipes for using your food processor also included!
Wow, food processors come in handy.
You can use them for just about anything and they chop, blend, and purée like a charm!
I’m constantly using my food processor. It’s great for everything from pineapple sorbet (bringing the tropics home is ah-mah-zing) to pancakes (think plain Greek yogurt, oats, and almond milk!) and speeds up the process of any task in the kitchen.
I mean, think about it. Food processors can chop, shred, slice, blend, purée, and more! It’s a pretty exciting kitchen appliance in that it helps you perfect all of your favorite dishes, sauces, and dips. And that’s just a start.
So let’s delve into how to use a food processor in the kitchen. Once you learn about all this handy kitchen tool can do, you’ll use yours more often—or go out and buy one!
WHAT SIZE FOOD PROCESSOR DO I NEED?
My food processor is an 11-cup size. It’s perfect for everything I make in the kitchen, and you know that is a lot! The dough capacity is 4 cups of flour (the work bowl is 7 cups) and it has slicing and shredding discs that can conquer any task I present!
When prepping food for a family of four, a 10-cup capacity should do the trick. If you often have company or cook big family dinners, you could go for the 14-cup capacity.
It’s totally fine to start with a mini chopper to get the hang of it and to decide if a food processor is something you’ll use.
But I can almost guarantee that once you get used to the speed of the thing, you’ll pass that mini chopper along to someone else new in their chopping and dicing journey, and move right on up to a full-fledged food processor.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR WHEN BUYING A FOOD PROCESSOR
Learning how to use a food processor is a beautiful thing. After all, this one kitchen technology item does a heck of a lot to make your life easier! Saving time in the kitchen is always a bonus.
- Decide on the size of the work bowl you think you’ll need. As I mentioned, my processor bowl is 11 cups.
- Make sure that the blades are stainless steel for best quality.
- Verify the functions on the processor. Check to see what blades and discs are included, and whether more are available to order if you find you have other jobs for your processor to do!
- A wide chute is ideal for large vegetable chopping and dicing. Some will have wide tubes and an optional narrower pusher inside for smaller items.
- Check the power and wattage. The wattage on my machine is 625. A function like mixing dough takes more power; chopping and slicing don’t require quite as much.
- Verify whether the parts are dishwasher safe. But, when putting the parts in the dishwasher, don’t place them too near the heating element. The top rack is the safest place.
- The body and base can undergo a lot of strain and vibrations. Choose a model with a solid body and base to prevent the machine from moving across the counter as it works.
- How is the warranty? Check the coverage on parts and the motor and see how easy it is to replace a part if needed.
- Buy a good quality processor (like this one) and then you’ll only have to put out the money once.
TOP 10 WAYS TO USE A FOOD PROCESSOR
I’ll tell ya right now, there are more than 10 ways to use a food processor! But these are some of my top ways that I use my machine:
1. Making hummus: I’m a big lover of hummus.
My food processor keeps busy with this job because you can’t beat homemade hummus, right? I’ve also written a post with 4 easy recipes that are absolutely delicious. Take a look here for how to make black bean hummus, sweet potato hummus avocado hummus, and beet hummus<–yum!
2. Grinding meat: Want to make the Best Homemade Burger Recipe ever? Sometimes it nice to grind the beef yourself for extra fresh and juicy burgers. My Queso Dip With Ground Beef is awesome, too.
3. Puréeing soup: I love creamy, warm soup. Using a food processor to make Cream of Tomato Soup or Roasted Acorn Squash Soup is easy peasy. Impress your guests with these savory soups.
4. Making dips and pestos: Love Italian? Anything topped with basil is divine—especially healthy pesto, easily whipped up in the food processor in less than 5 minutes!
5. Shredding cheese: Need shredded cheese for Quinoa Taco Stackers or Healthy Mac and Cheese? The food processor takes care of that task in mere seconds.
6. Making veggie dishes: I use the food processor to transform healthy cauliflower into amazing cauliflower rice. This tasty side goes with just about everything, from fish to beef.
7. Whipping up nut butter: Healthy nut butter in minutes. What more can I say?
8. Texturing and chopping veggies: Whether getting vegetables ready for a soup or salad, the food processor makes it a breeze.
9. Making healthy ice cream: Y’all know I love my healthy ice cream recipes. Using my food processor to create them gives an awesome blend of flavors.
10. Making dough: Using your food processor to make dough is easy. Sure you can make bread dough, but one of my favorite recipes is Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Edible Cookie Dough Bites, a healthy snack my family loves.
4 MISTAKES TO AVOID WHEN LEARNING HOW TO USE A FOOD PROCESSOR
1. Using the food processor instead of the blender: When I have tasks that include liquids and sauces, I typically turn to the blender.
The blender is taller and there is less chance of the recipe going beyond the fill line and spilling over.
2. Adding items that aren’t cut up enough: Yes, the food processor is magical and a lifesaver. But, it’s still important to cut your veggies up in uniformly-sized portions for an even consistency. And you don’t want to overwork the processor by adding ingredients that are too large.
3. Letting the motor overheat: Many recipes require a lot of work of the processor—and that’s okay. But give your handy appliance a break now and then to let it cool down if needed.
4. Forgetting the pulse option: It’s important to know that when you want things chopped, the pulse button is key. If you hold the button down, your contents will turn into purée.
FOOD PROCESSOR SAFETY TIPS
Just like any other appliance (like the instant pot, for example) there are safety measure to follow:
- Keep your hands, spatulas, and utensils away from the blades when they are spinning.
Don’t put your hands in the machine unless it is turned off and unplugged. - Secure the work bowl before placing the blades and turning on the food processor.
- Use the food pusher to add ingredients to the bowl, never your hands. Never put your fingers into the feed tube or the work bowl when the machine is plugged in.
- Always make sure your food processor is turned off before removing food or disassembling it and cleaning it.
- When you have finished using the food processor, remove the work bowl from the base of the processor before removing the discs or blades.
FOOD PROCESSOR RECIPES
I’m glad I could fill you in on how to use a food processor. (Check out my guides on the Vitamix, instant pot, and slow cooker, too.) I use my food processor all of the time and have lots of recipes to share. Like Peach Ice Cream and more!
- Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Edible Cookie Dough Bites
- 4 Easy Fruit Sorbet Recipes
- How to Make Frozen Yogurt + 4 New Frozen Yogurt Recipes
- Mini Freezer Chicken Pot Pies
- Healthy Mashed Sweet Potatoes
- Butternut Squash Bisque
- How to Make Honey Roasted Peanut Butter
- High Protein Chicken Bowl With Cashew Lime Crema
This post contains affiliate links for products I use regularly and highly recommend.
CP top 12 rating
Whether you're a seasoned pro or just learning how to cook, food processors are incredibly useful tools. These machines are jack-of-all-trades that can chop and chop many ingredients, as well as take on heavier jobs like kneading dough. They're also good for light work - especially useful when you only need to make a handful of basil or chop up a few nuts.
We have prepared our ranking and determined which models are the best food processors in 2023. Read and leave your opinion!
Editor's Choice
GARLYN S-500
GARLYN S-500. Photo: garlyn.ruThanks to its power and quality, a 5in1 kitchen machine can replace several appliances at once: a planetary mixer, a stationary blender, a meat grinder, a vegetable cutter and a dough mixer.
With its large capacity (5.5 l bowl), this model is one of the most compact and handy. The case itself is made of strong and durable metal, which is very easy to care for. High power is enough to perform all functions, and the speed of work is smoothly adjustable.
Metal attachments will help you cook a lot of dishes and make cooking tasks much faster, from churning mousses and crushing ice to making homemade minced meat and signature cocktails.
With high power (1200 W), the manufacturer also took care of safety, so you won’t have to worry about overloading and overheating of the motor either.
Editors' Choice
Key Features
| Base Color | Black | 9002
There are eight speeds, they are switched using a knob on the body. All necessary nozzles, knives, disks are included. The capacious bowl on 7 l is closed by a cover and can be used for storage of preparations in the refrigerator. Pros and cons
Well equipped, high power, metal body, glass blender bowl. simple mechanical control
Not identified
2. Redmond RKM-4040
Redmond RKM-4040. Photo: yandex.market.ru This machine is a multifunctional device that combines a meat grinder, a stationary mixer, a vegetable cutter and a blender.
The power of Redmond RKM-4040 reaches 1200 W, which allows it to quickly and efficiently cope with the tasks assigned to it. The model is completed with a bowl which capacity makes 5 l. The device provides protection against incorrect use and overloads: if the assembly is incorrect, the device will not turn on, and it will not work if the motor overheats.
Pros and cons
Large bowl, metal body
3. Philips HR7510
Philips HR7510. Photo: yandex.market.ruIf there is a need for healthy homemade food, then you will like the Philips HR7510. The capacity of the bowl is enough for your family, and the power of 800 W will allow you to finish the work in the kitchen quickly. It is not for nothing that the company has created this range of compact devices specifically for those who live in the frantic rhythm of the city.
Key features
Power could be higher
4. Bosch MUM4657
Bosch MUM4657. Photo: yandex.
market.ru This model of food processor incorporates the Bosch reputation and a wide range of accessories. The device has a large bowl: 3.9 l, and it is also possible to knead up to 2 kg of dough. The kit includes a wide range of attachments: a whisk for kneading batter, a round whisk for whipping cream and egg whites, a nozzle for kneading hard dough, a universal cutter with three discs for different types of cuts and a meat grinder.
Pros and cons
Reliability, large bowl
5. Bosch MCM3110W
Bosch MCM3110W. Photo: yandex.market.ruThe Bosch MCM3110W food processor is equipped with a multifunctional knife and metal discs. With their help, the harvester carries out cutting, shredding, grater, grinding. All accessories can be easily removed and washed in the dishwasher. The power of the combine is 800 W, the working volume of the bowl is 2300 ml, which allows you to cook a considerable amount of food in one cycle.
Pros and cons
Manufacturer, design
No overload protection
6.
Kenwood KVC5100B Kenwood KVC5100B. Photo: yandex.market.ru A kitchen machine is a powerful (1200 W) device that can replace most of your items in the kitchen. The model is equipped with a bowl made of borosilicate glass, along the edges of which there are handles, and a measuring scale on the wall. The harvester is equipped with a soft start, 6 speeds and a pulse mode, which you can easily switch thanks to a convenient regulator located on the side panel of the device.
Pros and cons
Design, large bowl
7. Redmond RFP-3909
Redmond RFP-3909 . Photo: yandex.market.ru Using the device, you can grind, squeeze, beat, mix, chop or chop ingredients - just think about how many kitchen appliances you will have in your kitchen in one. The device can operate at a speed of 18500 rpm, while the power of the combine is 1500 W - it will help you make all the preparations for cooking very quickly. The dimensions of the product are 42x21x24 cm - not so much for such a functional device.
Pros and cons
Power 1500W, high speed
Small bowl
8. Vitek VT-1443
Vitek VT-1443. Photo: yandex.market.ruThis kitchen machine is designed for mixing ingredients, preparing sauces, desserts (whipped cream, puddings, cocktails, mayonnaise), as well as for kneading dough. It is compact and fits perfectly in any kitchen, even the smallest. And the capacity of the bowl will allow you to cook for a large family of 3 or more people. But the lack of a pulse mode can strain some housewives.
Pros and cons
Price, powerful
No pulse mode
9. Centek CT-1136
Centek CT-1136. Photo: yandex.market.ru The work of the harvester is carried out with a high power of the electric motor of 1000 watts. Comfortable operation is facilitated by the presence of non-slip rubberized feet. The model is equipped with a metal bowl of 5 liters and a glass container for a blender of 1.
5 liters. The functionality is also good - the equipment has six speeds with the possibility of smooth adjustment and operates in a pulsed mode. The device can replace your meat grinder, blender, and is also complemented by a dough attachment and a whisk.
Pros and cons
Very powerful metal bowl
10.
KitchenAid 5KFP1335ER KitchenAid 5KFP1335ER. Photo: yandex.market.ruThis model is ideal for kneading dough, whipping cream or proteins. The power of the combine corresponds to 300 W, so it does an excellent job with medium-intensity work. The food processor is equipped with a 3.1 liter plastic bowl. You can choose one of two operating speeds. The kit comes with a set of different attachments and discs, including a dough attachment, a whisk for whipping, a sharp utility knife, discs for chopping and slicing.
Pros and cons
Reliability, large bowl
Price will turn many off
11.
Kitfort KT-1320 Kitfort KT-1320. Photo: yandex.market.ru The food processor is equipped with a grater, a universal knife and a shredding disc. It effectively cuts, shreds and rubs vegetables for all kinds of salads and vegetable dishes. The device is equipped with a power of 500 W, with 2 operating speeds for different cooking modes. The capacity of the plastic bowl of the combine is 1 liter. The weight of the device in 2.2 kg allows you to easily move it around the kitchen (and not only) without problems.
pluses and minuses
Price, compact dimensions
Small bowl
How to choose a kitchen combine
A couple of tips for choosing a food combine Combine GAY Dmitry Kravtsov, Seller-Consultant of the store Biluir .
Be aware that some food processors are quite hefty machines. Make sure you have space to store them in an accessible place. And if noise is an issue for you, ask for a demo at the store first - some models are significantly noisier than others.
Bowl capacity is the key to a successful purchase. The largest models have a bowl capacity of more than 4 liters, which is enough if you are busy cooking for a small family.
Versatile and efficient, a good food processor will become your indispensable assistant in the kitchen. It can be used to grind cheese, make biscuit dough, baby food puree, grind spices and more. But before heading to the store, consider these factors to make sure you've chosen the best food processor for your business.
Features
Most food processors have only one motor speed, and some have a small hole in the top to allow easy addition of other ingredients. They usually come with a "pusher" that fits into this tube and helps you add larger items to the machine while keeping your fingers safe.
Make sure the machine you choose has a "pulse" button for giving small pulses of power (suitable for coarse grinding or quick kneading of dough). You'll appreciate a smooth touchpad for controls that's easier to clean than raised buttons, and dishwasher-safe parts.
Power
Make sure the machine you choose is powerful enough to handle heavy tasks such as kneading hard dough, chopping raw carrots or chopping hard cheese. For a full-sized processor (9 cups or more), look for a motor with at least 600W.
Size and capacity
Food processors come in all sizes, from tiny 3-cup choppers to 20-cup versions that can function in a restaurant kitchen. Which size is best for you depends on the number of people and the recipes you want to make. Whether you're typically preparing meals for a family of four, or making dough for a single batch, an 11-cup processor is sufficient. If you frequently grind small amounts of herbs or nuts, or make small amounts of sauces, find a processor that includes a small work bowl and blade, or invest in a separate 3-cup processor.
Accessories
Some food processors come with a range of accessories designed to get the most out of your machine. They can include work bowls and blades of various sizes, discs that cut and grate products of various thicknesses.
Before you spend extra money on a car with all these "bells and whistles", consider whether you will really use them.
How to choose a food processor: a buyer's guide and the best models
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10/13/2022
Author: Alexey Ivanov
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How to Choose a Food Processor: Buying Guide and Best Models
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A food processor is a useful and multifunctional device that can be difficult to choose. CHIP figured out which features to consider when buying and which models deserve attention.
How to buy an inexpensive but good food processor and still not get a whole bunch of features that you won't even use? We tell in the article.
Combine or chopper?
According to the type of construction, food processors are divided into choppers and multifunctional processors.
Chopper - bowl, usually small, with several interchangeable attachments. It is suitable for those who simply need to finely chop food: for salad, baby food.
The multifunction harvester has a richer package. It comes with more attachments, is larger and can process more food in the same amount of time.
We will talk about how to choose a multifunctional harvester - we will not cover choppers in this article.
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How to choose a food processor
When choosing a food processor for your home, be guided by the number of functions and attachments in the kit, as well as the power and quality of the bowl. At the end of the article, we will talk about several good models as an example.
Attachments
The food processor can replace many other devices: meat grinder, blender, mixer (often planetary), knife, grater and chopper. Here's what a modern food processor can do:
- Chop meat and vegetables;
- Work like a blender, grinding food;
- Work like a juicer;
- Knead dough;
- Whip cream;
- Cut food in a great variety of ways with removable knives - either into cubes or into noodles;
- Crush berries and fruits, make juice;
- Grind coffee and spices;
- Grate food.
Nozzles for all these purposes are usually purchased separately - be sure to pay attention to the package of a particular device and available accessories.
Power
The power of the food processor affects its performance. That is, how many products he is able to process in one working cycle in a bowl of a certain volume.
Here is a review from a specialist:
- bowl capacity of 1.5 liters requires a power of 300 W;
- 2-2.2L - 400-450W;
- 3-3.1L - 700W;
- 4.5L and up - 1000W and up.
In a word, decide: how many products do you intend to process at a time? How much dough or cream to knead, how many vegetables to process into juice or puree? From this you can calculate the required power of the device.
Bowl
This is a very important part of the machine and should be given special attention. The combine bowl must be durable and resistant to acids and juices released by the products. As a rule, bowls are made of plastic, metal or glass.
- Plastic bowls : Lightweight, cheap, often found in inexpensive food processors. But they are fragile, and one day you may find cracks and chips.
- Glass bowls are heavier and more expensive, but can be used in the microwave and freezer.
They can also be washed in the dishwasher. - stainless steel bowls are the most expensive, but also the most durable. They are lighter than glass and more hygienic than plastic. Today, it is metal bowls that are increasingly used in food processors and kitchen machines.
We also add that a good food processor should have a convenient and intuitive control system. Also make sure that the model supports pulse mode or refer mode for reverse scrolling of the nozzles and cleaning them. Also, the device must have protection against overheating, and, if necessary, the function of blocking the control panel from children.
Food processor: which is better to choose
We have collected for you a small top of food processors that have received a lot of positive feedback from customers.
Polaris PKM 1104
Powerful food processor Polaris PKM 1104 will replace the planetary mixer, meat grinder and stationary blender. It’s convenient that all the nozzles are immediately included in the kit - you don’t have to buy anything in addition.
Mixer can be used with whisk, dough hook and mixing paddle. The volume of the bowl is 5 liters. The meat grinder is equipped with three steel discs with holes of different sizes. The blender jug is made of high-strength glass and equipped with a handle. The capacity is quite roomy - 1.5 liters.
The model implements the manufacturer's proprietary technologies. SmartMIX - for automatic power adjustment depending on the number of products (maximum - 1000 W). PROtect+ technology - to protect the engine from overheating during long periods of operation.
The combine supports 6 speeds and pulse mode. Also, the body of the device is equipped with rubber feet for maximum stability.
Kitfort KT-1350
Kitfort KT-1350 combines planetary mixer and mincer. Matching accessories are included. With a mixer, you can use a whisk, a dough hook and a mixing paddle. For products, a metal bowl with a volume of 6 liters is provided. The meat grinder has 3 discs for minced meat with different hole diameters, a nozzle for forming cookies, molds for sausages and kebbe, as well as a metal tray for serving products.
The model supports 6 speeds and pulse mode. The power of the device is 1300 W, one of the best indicators among home food processors.
Moulinex FP542132
Moulinex FP542132 is a compact food processor that replaces a chopper, grater and stationary blender. It supports three speeds and pulse mode. The power is low, 800 W, but this is enough for a 2.2 liter bowl and a 1 liter blender.
Ideal for the minimalist who needs a food processor to mash potatoes, chop vegetables for a salad or mix a smoothie.
REDMOND RKM-4030
At first glance, this is an ordinary planetary mixer. But no: you can use various attachments with REDMOND RKM-4030, adding new features to it. True, they are all sold separately: a meat grinder, a stationary blender and a set of graters.
In the basic configuration, the device has only a 5 l metal bowl, a transparent lid for splash protection and three standard attachments (whisk, hook and spatula).
