Food Processors

Food processors  are incredibly versatile. Whether you need to grate two kilos of cheese for a pizza party or want to make a creamy vichyssoise, your food processor is up to the challenge. They are very different from blenders  in a few important ways and can do far more than simply liquefy. A good food processor can often save you a lot of tedious shredding or chopping.

• Food processor blades are extremely sharp to cut through the food. Blenders, on the other hand, use dull blades and liquefy foods using blunt force.
• Food processors can, with just a change of the blade, shred raw potatoes or sliver almonds as easily as they can puree cooked peas. Most food processors come with several interchangeable blades. Blenders are usually used for puréeing foods that are already soft at the start, such as fruit. Blenders have only one blade.
• Food processors are wider than they are tall to accommodate large, solid food items. Blenders are generally taller than they are wide so that ingredients are funnelled down to the mashing blades at the bottom.

Important Features

• Capacity
• Food processors are available in a wide range of sizes, from small 1.5 litre units  to jumbo models of three litres  or more.
• As with many appliances, it is generally better to overestimate the size you need -- you don't have to fill it up all the way, but that extra capacity might come in handy someday.
• Keep in mind the amount of counter and storage space available to you. Larger capacity models take up a lot of space!
• Attachments
• The beauty of food processors is that they can do myriad tasks with a simple switch of the blade.
• Look for a model that has all the features you want, like grating  and slicing attachments .
• At the same time, watch out for extra "bonus" features that may not be useful and probably cost you more!
• Newer models offer a food processor and blender  in one. All you have to do is change the top piece. Some models also offer additional bowls of varying sizes. This is a good idea, but make sure you have enough space to store those bowls when you aren't using them.

Other Features

• Some food processors have many speed settings; others have just a few. You may not need many; most people make do with just slow, medium and fast.
• A pulse button  is especially handy for good control over foods that don't need much processing.
• Cleanup
• As with any kitchen appliance, if it is easy to clean you will be more likely to use it!
• Look for models with dishwasher-safe parts, easily removable chamber and lid, etc.
• Safety
• Food processors can be dangerous. Look for models with lots of safety features, such as safe storage of blades  and a locking lid .

Popular Brands

• Kenwood 
• Magimix 
• Haden 
• Moulinex 
• Bosch 
• Breville 

Related Guides

Blenders	Coffee Grinders	Food Dehydrators	Kitchen Mixers	Meat Grinders

International Resources

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NL: Keukenmachines Shopgids