Food Processor

[Abby]

I've been pondering the purchase of a food processor and was wondering if it would just be another appliance that would take up space. Aren't my blender and mixer sufficient to do most jobs? If you do recommend buying a food processor, what brand and style do you recommend? Thanks for the input!

[Gail]

No one ever agrees with me on this kind of thing, but for the most part, if you've got a really good mixer (like Kitchenaid) and a blender you don't need a processor, too. Since I've gotten my Cuisinart (which I got WAY before the Kitchenaid) I haven't used it too much, except maybe for chopping or slicing large amounts of something if I get lazy. What I use a lot more is a mini processor (my mother had given me a Black and Decker, which looks like it's been through a war it gets used so often.) Anyway, that's one cook's opinion... and keep in mind also that your cooking style (what and how you cook it) will have a huge bearing on the type of equipment you need.

[Angela]

I've too have been pondering a food processor. Usually when a recipe calls for a food processor to be used I use my blender and it works well. So far the only food I have found to not blend will are beans. They get stuck too easily between and under the blades. Any advice would be great.

[Beth]

I thought a food processor was a total waste, but my husband gave me a Cuisinart for Christmas one year. I may use the minichopper more often, but I love having the food processor for pasta dough, scones, biscuits, pie dough, also some for slicing or shredding in large amounts. Wheter you should get one depends on what you think you'd use it for. Mine's not a daily or frequent use item, but I'm glad I have it. If you're starting out, there are probably other things I'd get first.

[Vanessa]

I agree with the others it all depends what type of cooking you do etc. I have a 11 cup cuisinart. Through a couple of yrs my husband gave me 5 blades and I do use it for dough coleslaw, pesto, etc. The kitchen aid I must say creams sugar and butter very nicely and I use blender for drinks and for soups. Think a bit if you really need it then if you do I would recommend a Cuisinart. I must say my mom has a bigger one and it has never given her problems & mine either.My small cuisinart little chopper I am on my second blade (not lucky with that appliance). Oh Cuisinart now has a special (extra) top that is used on tv etc Its very nice since it clicks in easily and you dity less parts when swirling stuff like pesto etc.

[TamiK]

I vote for Cuisinart, too. I have my KitchenAid mixer, which I use for my baking. I love my Cuisinart for making salsa (2 or more times a week), slicing tomatoes for sandwiches (for a large group, of course--paper thin slices), and the myriad of chopping and slicing tasks that crop up in the kitchen. I had another brand for years and really liked it. When we moved to a new house, though, I bought everything new (except my KitchenAid) and "splurged" on a Cuisinart. I didn't know what I was missing with another brand.

I don't use mine every day, either, but the Cuisinart performs so well that I do use it frequently enough to justify the space it takes up in my very small kitchen.

[Cory]

I've had a Cuisinart for 2 years, and it's never left the box. I either use one of my blenders or one of my mini processors (I have three, in different sizes). It makes cleaning much easier.

[Deanna]

I love my Cuisinart...have had it for about 15 years, it's the 11 cup model. One job I hate is shredding (carrots, cheese, potatoes, cabbage) by hand. The Cuisinart does the job in seconds! Also makes quick work of pie crust, just remember not to over-process.

[BeckyM]

I've been wondering the exact same thing about getting a food processor, but so far I haven't broken down and bought one. I've found most things work just fine in the blender -- until I tried making pesto the other night. I found that the basil leaves just ended up getting stuck under the blender blades, so it didn't all get blended together. So maybe I ought to reconsider a food processor. It sounds like Cuisinart is the way to go!

[MaryB]

I agree with Deanna. You can't beat a Cuisnart for shredding and slicing large amounts of vegetables such as shredding carrots for carrot salad or slicing potatos for casseroles. I also use mine to make pizza dough and a couple of other kinds of dough for rolls. I also make homemade peanut butter with mine. I should point out that I don't have a big mixer, but I do have a blender (which is used primarly by my husband to make breakfast smoothies).

[lorilei]

I don't have a food processer... and I suppose I've never needed one.

My KitchenAid grater attachment shreds like a dream (cheese, carrots, potatoes... you name it). It slices too if I'm having a very lazy day http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

And although I've met with the limitations of a blender, I've found that a little bit of extra liquid usually does the trick when things like beans & basil want to "stick". And I don't usually find that it makes much difference in the consistency.

http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif I'm running out of cupboard space, so puleeze don't convince me otherwise!!

[BethH]

I have a mini-prep from Cuisinart and I love it. I use it to make pesto, finely chop nuts, and make smooth, yummy guacamole (SO likes no chunks) http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/redface.gif Everything else I do by hand, but I do like the convenience of my little guy.

[MrsReber]

I, too, have the mini chopper. Since it is just me and my husband, that is really all I need. I also think we'd have to rent storage space if I try to buy one more kitchen appliance! I just won't tell him that I still want an ice cream maker! Anyway, I have pondered buying a food processor for a long time, but I find that I get along fine without one. I don't know that I'd use it for much, but I can always improvise when a recipe calls for the use of one. Like everyone else is saying, if you think you'd use it often, then it is probably worth the money.

[karen w]

I must add my two cents worth. I got both the Kitchenaid mixer and a 9c. cuisinart for wedding gifts five years ago. I love them both, but found the 9c. was not big enough. Last year I gave my 9c. to my mother in law(she had an ancient processor that has broken)and my husband got me the 11c. model. It is invaluable for certain jobs that a blender or a mixer just can't do-shredding potatoes at Hanukah, Cabbage for coleslaw, pesto, etc... I also have the mini cuisinart for chopping nuts , spices etc... So cuisinart has my vote too.

[JeanneW]

There's a grater attachment for my Kitchen Aid???? Details please! I used to use my food processor a lot, but it's broken now and I didn't want to replace it. A grater attachment may be just the thing. Thanks.

[lorilei]

Yes! Yes

http://store1.yimg.com/I/comfort_1552_130451

Here's a picture of three of the attachments, the cheese grater/shredder thing is on the far left. It has a variety of grating options and works wonders on carrots & potatoes.

It attaches to the power hub of the mixer. You place the food products in through the top and the grated/chopped food comes out the front.

[This message has been edited by lorilei (edited 07-18-2000).]

[DanaSD]

I have a kitchenaid mixer and I love it!!! I use it all the time especially for grating cheese (which can't be done in a blender or minichopper). It comes with a mini bowl useful for smaller chopping jobs and the large bowl is 11cups. I liked the buttons on the kitchenaid mixer better than the Cuisinart (smooth with the surface) although I have noticed that Cuisinart recently switched to resemble the Kitchenaid.

[Beth]

I have a Kitchen Aid, and probably the only reason I don't have the grater/shredder attachements is because I got the Cuisinart first (by months, but first). I also have a husband who worked in a ship's galley and like to help with cooking. He's the resident chopper/dicer in the house, and I love him for it!

[JeanneW]

Thanks for the info and pictures of the Kitchen Aid attachments. I'm going shopping!

[Grace]

Originally posted by DanaSD:
I have a kitchenaid mixer and I love it!!! I use it all the time especially for grating cheese (which can't be done in a blender or minichopper). It comes with a mini bowl useful for smaller chopping jobs and the large bowl is 11cups. I liked the buttons on the kitchenaid mixer better than the Cuisinart (smooth with the surface) although I have noticed that Cuisinart recently switched to resemble the Kitchenaid.


I think Dana, you mean the Kitchen Aid Food Processor, not the mixer, which is what I have also (I actually have the mixer and the food processor and love them both!). I asked my husband for a food processor for Christmas last year, and I did my homework and checked out a few sources that rated different Food Processors (Cooks Illustrated, etc.). The Cuisinart scored high as well as did the Kitchen Aid, but the difference came down to usage - they recommended if you were going to do more pureeing type stuff, the KitchenAid would be better, because the Cuisinart fell short in that category - it doesn't puree well. Additionally, I also, like Dana, like the flat button surface for easy cleaning (no little crevices for food to get stuck in). I also know that Kitchen Aid quality is superb, so I went with that and love it.
Grace

[NotchJohnson]

I would use it to chop veggies for soups. Would that work?

[Abby]

I started this post and am still contemplating the purchase. Another question, what size food processor should I get?

[Vanessa]

Abby I have the 11 cup Cuisinart and the 5qt 350 watt Kitchen Aid. I saw the 6qt K Aid (525 watt) but unless one is doing commercial stuff thats a lot of power. My 11 cup Cuisinart handles good amounts of shredding, dough etc. I keep my blender & Cuisinart nearby and even plugged. The K Aid its in a stainless steel rack and I bought a cover for it but easily accesible. If you are going to buy appliances have them easily accesible because my experience is you end up not using them.

[This message has been edited by Vanessa (edited 10-26-2000).]

[Grace]

Hi Abby,

Like I said in my post above, I have both the Kitchen Aid big mixer and the Kitchen Aid Food Processor. The Food processor is nice because it has BOTH the large and the small bowls. So you can do large shredding jobs, or make pie dough or pizza dough (I do this often!) or a nice sized batch of dip, etc., and the small bowl does a wonderful job of chopping just one onion, or making a batch of salad dressing, or chopping up some nuts, etc. I wouldn't be without it, even though I have a Kitchen Aid mixer and a VitaMix blender. They are all good for different purposes. I couldn't make my pie dough in either the mixer or the blender, or pesto, nor chop up a cabbage for cole slaw, etc., etc. Since I do all sorts of cooking, it makes sense for me to have this machine, and I love it. Hope that helps!

[Joyce]

All I can say is when I need my processor, it's a blessing. At Thanksgiving, it chops up all my celery, onions and giblets for stuffing in two minutes, I quickly slice potatoes evenly for scalloped potatoes, I just used it last night for the roasted pepper and basil pizza in the Oct. issue and it took a minute to puree. I wouldn't be without my Cuisinart.

[lindrusso]

Just wanted to say a positive word about Cuisinart. I just had to send in my 3-year-old Cuisinart Food Processor after it started smoking one day while making pizza dough - ack! Anyway, they just sent it back (it only took about 2-3 weeks) and there was no charge (other than shipping) - they replaced the motor, no questions asked.

I know these more expensive brands SHOULD have these sort of warranties/policies, but it's always nice to know that they will follow through on them!!

By the way - mine's an 11-quart and it's nice not to have to squeeze stuff in and have it overflow all the time or have to do it in smaller batches!!

[Norma]

I also agonized over the size to get. I finally decided on the smaller one since I mostly don't do big quantities of anything. I figured I could do more batches if I had to. I have not been sorry.

[bijoux22]

I love my KitchenAid 11 cup food processor, I use it at least 4 times a week. It has a small bowl that fits inside the large one for smaller jobs. Other than the coffee maker it is the only appliance that stays on the counter after using.