How to Choose a Food Processor

Tired of the slice and dice routine that you have to do every time you cook? Want to have perfect dressings for your salads? Then a food processor is just for you.

You can use a food processor to prepare dressings, grind meat, make crumbs, and much more. That’s why it’s considered an all-in-one tool, which, accordingly, means there are endless factors to consider when choosing one.

Choosing a food processor can be a tricky operation because of the complexity of the design and the number of features it offers. But, we’re here to make that process easier by giving you a summary of what you need to consider when buying one.

The Golden Keys to a Perfect Food Processor

There are many factors to consider when picking your next multi-functional food processor, including size, blade sharpness, bowl capacity, and more. I’ll list out the essential ones to consider to help you choose your ideal kitchen sidekick.

Size

The size of a food processor reflects the number of features it holds and its versatility. There are two main food process sizes: full-sized and mini-sized.

Full-Sized

A full-sized food processor is an obvious choice for professional chefs as it’ll take on any recipe you challenge it with. It’s known for being high-yield, high-quality, and robust. On the downside, it takes up too much space.

If you’re willing to sacrifice space for the sake of a powerful high-yield appliance, then this is the best choice for you.

Mini

As the name implies, mini-sized food processors are small compared to the full-sized ones; they can fit within your cupboard just fine! I consider this type of processor to be the best for casual cooks who only need to chop up some garlic or herbs.

Mini food processors are also an excellent option for beginners. Not to mention, they’re the less expensive choice. However, full-sized ones are more powerful and versatile compared to this type.

The Blade

Blades are considered the core of food processors. Food processors usually come with the standard “S-Blade” and a reversible disc-shaped blade. 

A sharp edge is an essential factor for a good food processor. Everything is faster with a sharp blade as it will cut through everything with ease. On the contrary, If you have a dull blade on your food processor, you’ll have a terrible time preparing your dressing or grinding your meat.

The “S-Blade” is generally used for chopping all your ingredients, while the reversible disc-shaped blade is used for slicing and shredding. There are also many other types you can buy and attach to your food processor.

Attachments

Food processors are called multi-functional for a reason. When choosing a food processor, you should keep track of the attachments that come with it. 

A good food processor usually comes with different attachments that undertake various tasks. The more functions a food processor can perform, the better. 

But you don’t need to worry; you can also buy these attachments separately. Below are some of the most practical attachments you must get with a food processor.

S-Blade

We already talked about this one; it’s the standard blade that comes with every single food processor. If you can’t find this within the package, then there must be a mistake.

Dough Blade

This one is used for recipes that require yeast. If you’re making a cake or bread, then you’ll need this handy attachment.

Egg Whip

Beating egg white or whipping some cream? The egg whip attachment will take care of that for you. Egg whip is a necessary attachment in dealing with eggs or baking fluffy cakes, for instance.

With this attachment, you can enjoy preparing meringues, mousses, soufflés, and desserts.

Juicer

Food processors can also be used as juicers. Are you tired of squeezing out the juice of an orange with all your might? Then a juicer is your hero. 

With this attachment, you can squeeze all the juices you need out of your vegetables and fruits. You’ll have an easy time using this to make your tomato sauce, preparing soup, or making nut butter.

Blender

A blender is a crucial attachment when it comes to making smoothies or sauces. This attachment can replace many others without sacrificing efficiency—a multi-purpose attachment for a multi-purpose device. If you’re having trouble deciding, we have a great write up here!

I’ve always used a blender to mix up my lemonade. It’s not an attachment you can let go of; it’s a must for every food processor.

Motor

The motor of a food processor reflects its toughness. Some food processors come with a weak motor that can’t withstand tasks requiring high power, like dough mixing. 

A motor’s power is measured in watts. The higher, the more powerful. The most capable food processors come equipped with a motor power of 1000W, but that’s a massive powerhouse that you won’t need in a casual setting. 

The acceptable range is from 500W to 700W. However, I recommend having at least 700W of motor power when you’re buying a food processor; otherwise, it will have a hard time dealing with some tasks. 

Capacity

As food processors vary in size, they also vary in capacity. You can choose a suitable capacity for you, depending on your workload or the number of family members you have.

Mini food processors usually come with a capacity of 3-4 cups, while full-sized ones are packed with a capacity of 11-14 cups. 

If you’re a family of 4-6 members that favor superb cuisine, then a capacity of 11-14 cups will serve you well. However, if you’re going to use the food processor for small meals, a small capacity of 3.5 to 5 cups will do.

Conclusion

Choosing a food processor is an escapade for discovering your perfect kitchen assistant.

While the factors going into the choice are many, choosing the suitable one can make all the difference. 

As we’ve discussed, if you tick all the boxes when it comes to size, blade sharpness, motor, capacity, and attachments, picking the empowering kitchen appliance that’ll help you prepare exquisite meals will be a breeze.

Happy shopping!