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Your kitchen deserves the best tools. Welcome to A Guide to Gearing Up Your Kitchen, a series designed to help you equip your space with all the essential small appliances (and get rid of the ones that no longer serve you).
Food processors are incredibly versatile, helping you turn rough-chopped almonds into the smoothest almond butter your aunt in Portland has ever tasted. At some point, you figured that owning one would be a good decision, and now you've found your way here. Well, you’re absolutely right—it is a great decision to invest in one. But keep in mind, not every food chopper will cut it. You deserve the best appliance for your kitchen, so here’s what to keep in mind before making a purchase.
How a food processor operates
Let’s quickly cover the basics. Every food processor consists of four main parts: a base that houses the motor and controls, a container, a lid with a feed tube, and blades. The controls determine the speed at which the motor spins the blades, and depending on the blades you choose, the food will be chopped, puréed, kneaded, sliced, or grated to your preference. This is where your journey begins. Every gadget or appliance should excel at one thing, and that's what makes it valuable. But when it offers multiple useful functions, it becomes indispensable. A food processor can handle your immediate needs, but its versatility will lead to a thrilling culinary adventure down the road.
Explore the available functions
Speed settings
Even the simplest food processors come with a single high-speed setting and a pulse function. The high-speed setting is great for puréeing or quickly chopping a small batch of ingredients, while the pulse function excels at evenly chopping larger amounts or kneading dough.
More advanced (and pricier) food processors tend to offer additional speed settings, like low and medium, or even buttons labeled according to the type of cut.
Types of cuts
The variety of cuts you can achieve depends on the blade you choose for the machine. As you shop, consider what tasks you need the blades to perform. Do you occasionally need a shredder? Maybe you're preparing for a wave of summer pie orders. If you're unsure, no worries—opt for a more versatile model.
The S-blade. This is my go-to blade for most tasks. It fits into the food container and handles chopping—from large pieces to mincing and puréeing. Some models may include a plastic S-blade, which is much duller than its metal counterpart and designed for mixing batters or kneading dough.
Food processors typically include at least one two-sided disk: one side for shredding, the other for thinly slicing vegetables, much like a mandoline. This circular blade fits over the top of the container, beneath the lid. Once the lid is securely placed, you can start the machine, causing the disk blade to spin. As you push food through the feed tube with consistent pressure, the food will slide across the shredder or slicer at speed, resulting in perfectly cut vegetables. Higher-end models offer adjustable slicing thicknesses. If you're planning to make scalloped potatoes today and taro chips tomorrow, this feature will certainly come in handy.
Think about the space available in your kitchen before purchasing. It may sound excessive, but I always grab a tape measure to jot down the dimensions I need. This becomes crucial if your kitchen is small, or if you’re already packed with appliances. I store my food processor in a lower cabinet, so I measured the cabinet space it would occupy. When shopping for a food processor, pay attention to how the parts separate. The bowl always detaches from the base, allowing you to store them separately if necessary. Don’t forget about the accessories—they need their own space too.
Size is crucial. A food processor won't be convenient if you’re constantly stopping to empty the container after chopping small amounts like half an onion. Ensure the container is large enough to handle your needs. Food processors come in various sizes, from small 1.5-cup choppers to large 16-cup models. Most likely, you'll find yourself in the middle. Keep in mind that you’ll never fill the container completely, as the blades need to reach all of the food for even chopping, and the container height must accommodate the food as it rides up the sides while the machine is running.
When selecting a food processor, consider its versatility. Many models come with multiple attachments, like a chopping blade, a kneading tool, and even a juicer. If you're someone who frequently makes dough or prepares smoothies, these additional attachments will be invaluable. They can help you tackle a variety of tasks, from slicing to pureeing, offering a true multi-purpose kitchen tool.
Ease of cleaning is essential when choosing the right food processor. Some machines have parts that can be easily disassembled and washed by hand, while others may be dishwasher-safe. Ensure that the processor you choose has removable parts, so you can clean them properly. Over time, food residue can build up, so you’ll want something that makes maintenance simple. A machine with smooth surfaces and fewer nooks will be easier to clean, helping keep your food prep hassle-free.
If you're debating between two container sizes, such as a 10-cup versus a 12-cup, I always recommend going for the larger one, if possible. However, it's important to be practical. If your typical use only involves making two cups of onion dip, there's no need for a 12-cup machine. In that case, you might face a new challenge—the blades won't be able to effectively process the small amount of ingredients.
No matter the size of your kitchen, there's a food processor for everyone, whether your space is small, medium, or large.
KitchenAid -cup Food Chopper
Ninja Professional 9-cup Food Processor
Breville 16-cup Sous Chef Food Processor
It's no surprise that the container's capacity often correlates with its overall size. While the base of a specific brand may stay the same, the height of the container can vary based on the capacity. If you're dealing with limited cupboard space, you may need to adjust your expectations and sacrifice some container volume.
Additional accessories
If you thought the excitement stopped with the "adjustable thickness slicing disks," think again, fellow gadget lovers. Whenever there's a high-powered spinning machine, you can expect a collection of somewhat unnecessary, yet intriguing, accessories. (But hey, if they work for you, that's what truly counts.)
Breville offers a dicing kit with various blades, allowing your food processor to peel potatoes and then perfectly cube them. (Potato salad anyone?) Meanwhile, Cuisinart provides a convenient spiralizing attachment set for making those zoodles. You can even purchase an additional container with a continuous feed chute, so you can power through long slicing tasks without needing to stop. If you're a fan of accessories, look for brands like Cuisinart or Breville, which offer an extensive range of slicing attachments.
Accessories and attachments that can enhance your food processor's capabilities:
Breville Dicing Kit with holder
Cuisinart Spiral Accessory Kit
Cuisinart Continuous Feed Attachment
As soon as you take your new machine out of the box, get ready to explore an endless array of recipe possibilities. You’ll be able to whip up 2-ingredient watermelon sherbet, create fluffy whipped cream in an instant, prepare batters, knead dough, or make some damn good dips. It's an exciting culinary adventure ahead, and I think you'll enjoy every minute of it.
