Buyers Guide - Food Processor
In the kitchen, work like chopping, dicing, grating and mixing is repetitive, monotonous and time-consuming. Enter the food processor, a machine that makes quick work of all these mundane yet important tasks.
These are powerful multifunctional machines, capable of handling several jobs. They can whisk, whip, shred, grind, juice and blend. Unlike smaller processors, they usually come with many accessories to perform the different functions. They also come with different size jars and blades. Such processors are invaluable for households with larger families where prepping can take up a lot of time.
A blender has blades to slice and mix food into a smooth solution. Most can only be used for soft foods while others can work to chop harder items. Blenders may be hand-operated or of the stand variety, which is more powerful.
A chopper, on the other hand, chops food items and doesn’t blend it. It’s ideal for making salads and for cutting vegetables for cooking. Basic models have a handle to rotate the blades while higher-end varieties use electricity to do the job.
Similar to food processors but with three main functions–mixing, grinding and juicing–, such machines are perfect for consumers who want a multifunctional processor but don’t really need additional functions like whisking and blending.
Perfect for small and large families alike, roti and puri makers are definite must-haves. You don’t need to roll out the dough and cook it; they do it for you. Just place a ball of dough on the device, close the lid and your work is done.
The question of which food processor to buy really depends on what you’re looking to get out of it. Aside from the types, you’ll need to decide between manual and electric models that are very different from each other.
Pros: Manual processors are typically inexpensive and are easy to repair. They’re your best buy if you don’t entertain guests much, cook for a small number of people, and don’t serve up complex dishes that require plenty of preparation. Since they aren’t hooked up to a power source, they save energy.
Cons: Manual processors are smaller as they don’t have electric parts. You may have to prep food in smaller batches. They aren’t very powerful either. Unlike electric processors, you need to put in effort for them to perform functions. This means your hands are not free to do other work.
Pros: Electric processors are fast and efficient. What’s also great is that they come in different sizes and forms. You don’t need to get a large machine just to get a small job completed. Many processors are also very competitively priced. Roti/puri makers and hand blenders, for instance, are inexpensive as they have simple functions.
Cons: Electric processors rely on electricity to function so power cuts mean you can’t use them. Heavy usage can impact your power bills. Larger models can take up a lot of space, so small kitchens can end up feeling cramped. Repair can be expensive too.
When shopping for food processors, it’s very important to keep quality in mind even with inexpensive products. There’s nothing worse than being left with a bent blade or a broken handle at the wrong time. You also want to make sure you get the best return on your investment.