How to choose a food processor: functionality and features of different devices

Compact household appliances help to mechanize the work in the kitchen: facilitate and speed up the preparation of most dishes and desserts. A wide range of devices is produced by domestic and foreign manufacturers. But with such a huge number of proposals, how not to make a mistake in choosing a kitchen assistant? You should not purchase a device with functions that you do not have to use. You also need to compare models for technical specifications and functionality.

What is a home food processor

A food processor is a device capable of performing dozens of functions. The device mechanically processes various products: meat, fish, vegetables and fruits.

Models of kitchen machines can be divided into three main groups:

• Mini-harvesters have a compact size, low power, limited set of options. Such appliances cannot process many products. So that the device does not fail, you need to take a short break in work. This version of household appliances is suitable for a small family.

Mini harvester

• Compact stationary models are equipped with several nozzles to perform various functions, have a volumetric capacity and medium power. With such a device, you can quickly cook food in large quantities.

Compact stationary model

• Oversized machines with a wide range of options can replace several individual devices. The body of the device is adapted for the installation of additional elements and nozzles. The machine quickly adjusts to perform the necessary functions. Oversized harvesters process large quantities of raw and cooked foods. When buying multifunctional equipment, you can significantly save: the purchase of each device individually (mixer, meat grinder, blender) is much more expensive. The disadvantages of large combines include the high cost and large dimensions, which creates certain inconveniences when storing such a device in a small kitchen.

Multifunctional harvester

Compact and multifunctional devices consist of:

• housing;
• electric motor (motor);
• keys of inclusion (ON) / switching off (OFF) and switching of speeds;
• bowls for processed products;
• knives and various nozzles.

Devices of different brands differ in parameters, appearance, technical characteristics. The weight of the kitchen machines is affected by the materials from which parts such as the body, working mechanisms, components and bowls are made. Devices with metal bowls (stainless steel is mainly used) and glass have a significantly higher weight compared to plastic counterparts, but their service life is noticeably longer.

Why do I need a household food processor

The main purpose of culinary machines is maximum help in the kitchen. When choosing a device, you should focus on the functions that will be used. The most common option is slicing raw and boiled vegetables, fruits.For lovers of the oven you will need a machine with a large capacity and a kneading function.

What are the criteria for choosing a food processor

Most buyers pay attention to how the device looks. This is also important, but the main criteria is the amount of electricity consumed per hour. From this indicator, with what speed the equipment can work and what functions it can perform.

With more power, higher productivity and less time is devoted to the workflow:

• In compact budget models, this figure does not exceed 250 watts. Such devices are designed for whipping creams, making cocktails and various sauces, such as mayonnaise.
• To qualitatively and quickly chop or chop solid vegetables and fruits, you need a model with a capacity of at least 500-600 watts.
• A device with a capacity of up to 800 watts can handle the mixing of dough and the preparation of minced meat.
• In expensive and multifunctional devices, the power indicator starts at 1000 watts.
• The processing of a large number of products will be handled by household appliances from 2000 watts. These are professional models that are irrational to use in a normal kitchen.

The capacity volume is selected according to the amount of energy consumed. For a three-liter bowl, the indicator should not be lower than 700 watts. For a 1.5-2 liter capacity, you need a device from 300 to 400 watts.

What functions do food processors have?

The capabilities of food processors are quite large. Depending on the model of the device, they perform the functions:

• Meat grinders.
• Blender
• Juicers.
• Mills for splitting ice.
• A mini-grinder for obtaining powder from coffee beans, peppercorns, sugar and cereals.
• Mixer
• Mixer operator.

The list of additional options increases due to removable nozzles and disks. Additional elements are metal and plastic. The first option is more durable and durable.

Combine picker - a variety of nozzles

Manufacturers of household appliances produce devices of various configurations:

• Whisk for mixing and whipping liquid products: sour cream, cream, eggs, ingredients for the dough.
• Emulsifier disc with embossed wavy surface. Using an emulsion disc, you can prepare emulsions, sauces, mixes for biscuit and pudding.

Emulsifier disc

• Nozzle in the form of a metal hook for any dough (shortbread, butter, for bread).
• Noodles cutter for cooking homemade noodles and spaghetti.

Noodle cutter

• Disks (slicers) for dividing products into identical pieces.
• Disks for shredding vegetables. It is convenient to use when you need to cook first courses and salads.
• Nozzle for french fries.
• Citrus press.

Citrus press

• Graters with holes of different diameters and shapes.
• Special grater for potato pancakes. With the help of a nozzle, potatoes very quickly turn into a homogeneous mass, as a result of which the resulting consistency does not darken, and the product does not lose its beneficial properties.
• Nozzle for the formation of sausages.
• Stainless steel knives of different sizes - chop vegetables, fruits, all kinds of cheeses, chocolate, nuts.
• Nozzle with cells for dicing. Equally chopped products give the dish an appealing, appetizing appearance.
• Nozzle for curly cookies.

The more additional nozzles, the more versatile the food processor. This factor also affects the amount of energy consumed and the cost of the unit.

Nozzle set

Optimal bowl volume

The food processor is equipped with several bowls for kneading and whipping products of different sizes. How many products a machine can process at a time depends on the size of the container.

Devices with an oversized bowl can hold a lot of processed foods. For example, in a capacity of 1,500 ml will fit 2 kg of chopped vegetables or 1.5 liters of liquid. The largest bowl is for kneading dough. It is not difficult to choose the right option, as the instructions indicate the parameters of the containers.

Also important is the selection of containers by material:

• Plastic products are the cheapest and have a short life.
• Glass bowls are suitable for any products. They can be washed in the dishwasher and used to heat dishes in the microwave. The only drawback is the fragility of the glass.
• Stainless steel tanks are characterized by high strength, practicality and durability. With such a complete set, the equipment is more expensive.

If you liked a food processor, which is equipped with only one cup, then you should not refuse to buy, because you can always buy accessories of the right volume and from the appropriate material.

How to use and care for a food processor

Before buying a food processor for the home, you should familiarize yourself with the instructions that are included with each appliance. For each option, the corresponding operating mode is set, the nozzle and speed are selected. For safety reasons, the products are loaded into the receiver, from where they fall into the processing bowl. Processing of products with cutting elements is brought to the state specified by the program or with self-regulation of speed.

After work, the food processor needs to be washed and cleaned. Removable parts equipped with working processors must not be placed in the dishwasher, since water can malfunction if water gets on them. Such details need to be looked after carefully and it will be enough to wipe the surface and remove the remaining products with a damp cloth.

Removable nozzles should be washed with warm running water using detergent. You can also wipe the case with a damp cloth, but be sure to disconnect the machine from the mains. Water must not get inside the case.

Overview of popular models, taking into account characteristics and current prices

Food processors of well-known brands are popular: Bosch, Kenwood, Philips, Moulinex, Vitek, CENTEK and others. A short review of the equipment will help you choose the right model according to technical specifications, we also give the advantages and disadvantages of the devices.

Brand Bosch

The MUM 4855 multifunctional food processor is easy to use. The machine easily copes with any work: cuts, whips, grinds, kneads the dough, squeezes juice from citrus fruits. Despite the small power (600 W), the meat grinder cranks rather tough meat, including those with small veins. There are functions of a mixer and a blender.

The advantages include:

• profitability;
• option "Protection against overloads";
• large-volume bowl - 3.9 L;
• set of nozzles - 8 pieces;
• high-quality mixing of products;
• rubberized legs on the case;
• affordable price.

The disadvantage is that there is no disk for dicing.

The price of the Bosch MUM 4855 model is on average 10 thousand rubles.

Bosch MUM 4855

Kenwood Brand

If the price does not matter when choosing a food processor, you should pay attention to the Kenwood KVC5030T model. This is an expensive and powerful (1100 W) unit, perfectly grinding meat of any rigidity. Good stability is attached to the device by its large weight - 8.6 kg. A stainless steel bowl has a volume of 4.6 liters.

Of the advantages it can be noted:

• high power and reliability;
• simplicity and ease of use of nozzles;
• optimal set of nozzles - 5 pieces;
• high-quality mixing of ingredients;
• simple and easy maintenance - thanks to a smooth surface the remains of products are well washed;
• Ergonomic shape and aesthetic design.

Cons - high price, lack of a disk for cutting into cubes and a mill.

The price of the device is an average of 50 thousand rubles.

Kenwood KVC5030T

Philips

The Philips HR7762 is inexpensive and compact. Perfect chopping is provided by PowerChop technology. But in order not to grind the products into powder, it is necessary to control the grinding process.

Positive points:

• sufficient power - 750 W;
• a good format for slicing french fries;
• a large set of nozzles - 9 pieces (blender, mill, shredder, slicing, nozzle for dough, emulsifier disk);
• optimal bowl volume (2.2 l). Ideal for single and family of 2-3 people.
• Good stability to the body is ensured by rubber suction cup legs.
• affordable price (an average of 7 thousand rubles).

Cons - the case and the bowl are made of plastic; small elements of unmilled products remain.

Philips HR7762

Brand Moulinex

The French-made Moulinex FP 659 GB7 universal food processor is original in design and compact in size. Due to sufficient power (1000 W) and a large number of nozzles / disks, almost any food processing operation can be performed - cut, chop, chop, beat, knead the dough, squeeze the juice from citrus fruits.

Of the advantages, we can distinguish:

• aesthetic design;
• simplicity and ease of installation and removal of nozzles;
• multifunctionality - options of a blender and a meat grinder, a set of nozzles and disks;
• the presence of a capacious bowl of 3 l;
• high-quality mixing of ingredients;
• there is a function "Protection against overloads";
• affordable price (no more than 10 thousand rubles).

Disadvantages - a plastic case and a bowl, there is no meat grinder, a disk for dicing.

Moulinex FP 659 GB7

Brand Bomann

The universal food processor Bomann KM 379 CB is capable of performing all operations. Replace the meat grinder, mixer, blender. The main advantage is the power that provides great capabilities of the device - large volumes of products are easily processed.

Advantages:

• high power - 2000 W;
• 10 speed modes;
• large volume stainless steel bowl - 5.5 l;
• function of cooking various dishes;
• affordable price, correlated with functions and quality - about 30 thousand rubles;
• a large set of nozzles, discs, accessories.

Minuses:

• Plastic case
• The harvester is designed to cook only a large number of products

Bomann KM 379 CB

Knowing the advantages and disadvantages of each model, it is much easier to choose the food processor correctly. If an old blender with a minimum number of options breaks down, then it is worth changing it to multifunctional equipment.