Want More Money? Get Food Processor
Versatile and efficient, a fantastic food processor will probably become indispensable in the kitchen. I've used
mine to shred cheese, make biscuit dough, puree baby food, grind spices, and chop up salsa ingredients.
your needs.
Features
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 touch pad for the
Controls, which is easier to clean than raised buttons, as well as dishwasher-safe parts (although I still
Like to hand-wash my blades to stop them from dulling).
Power
Make sure the machine you choose is powerful enough to handle the tough jobs: kneading stiff doughs,
processor not chopping or combining uniformly. Or worse yet, having the motor burn out. For a fullsized
processor (9 cups or larger), I'd recommend seeking out a motor that's at least 600 watts.
Size/Capacity
Food processors come in all sizes, from tiny three-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 what types of
recipes you'll prepare with your machine. If you're usually cooking for a family of four or preparing
single-batch doughs, an 11-cup size 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 consider also investing in a separate 3-cup "prep" processor for these tasks.
Attachments and Accessories
Some food processors come with an entire assortment of accessories Meant 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 that includes 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,
Your decision comes down to your personal preference, in addition to your budget.
mine to shred cheese, make biscuit dough, puree baby food, grind spices, and chop up salsa ingredients.
your needs.
Features
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 touch pad for the
Controls, which is easier to clean than raised buttons, as well as dishwasher-safe parts (although I still
Like to hand-wash my blades to stop them from dulling).
Power
Make sure the machine you choose is powerful enough to handle the tough jobs: kneading stiff doughs,
processor not chopping or combining uniformly. Or worse yet, having the motor burn out. For a fullsized
processor (9 cups or larger), I'd recommend seeking out a motor that's at least 600 watts.
Size/Capacity
Food processors come in all sizes, from tiny three-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 what types of
recipes you'll prepare with your machine. If you're usually cooking for a family of four or preparing
single-batch doughs, an 11-cup size 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 consider also investing in a separate 3-cup "prep" processor for these tasks.
Attachments and Accessories
Some food processors come with an entire assortment of accessories Meant 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 that includes 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,
Your decision comes down to your personal preference, in addition to your budget.
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