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How to Choose a Food Processor

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By eHow Contributing Writer
(57 Ratings)
Choose a Food Processor
Choose a Food Processor

If you entertain often, a food processor can be a lifesaver. Even if you're just cooking for your family, it can save time and let you combine several functions in one appliance.

Difficulty: Easy
Instructions

Things You'll Need:

  • Product Brochures
  • Food Processors
  1. Step 1
     

    Analyze your need for a food processor. If you prepare food for large amounts of people and would regularly use the slicing, shredding, chopping and other functions of a food processor, you may be a candidate for buying one.

  2. Step 2

    Consider the capacity you need. A 2- or 7-c. bowl is likely to be big enough unless you usually make large quantities of food.

  3. Step 3
     

    Decide whether you need any extra slicing or shredding discs. Most food processors are sufficient without extras, but you may want to add discs now or later.

  4. Step 4
     

    Check special features such as mini bowls, feed chutes, number of speeds, pulsing function and whether blades are reversible.

  5. Step 5

    Look for a juicing function if you're interested in making fruit or vegetable juices.

  6. Step 6

    Check that the parts are dishwasher-safe. This saves cleanup time.

  7. Step 7

    Read warranties carefully, and check on service options and replaceable parts.

Tips & Warnings
  • Be realistic. If you aren't likely to drag out an appliance to grate cheese or shred carrots because it's easier to do it yourself manually, you probably don't need a food processor.
  • The heavier the base of your food processor, the less likely it is to move around when it's being used.
  • The larger the bowl of the food processor, the more it's likely to cost.
  • Make sure you have storage space for a food processor. It can be bulky, especially if it comes with extra discs and bowls.
  • The base of a food processor should never be put in a dishwasher or underwater.

Comments  

pflynn said

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on 1/3/2007 A bit simplistic. Give capacities in liters as well as cups (most of the world has no idea how big a "cup" is). Important aspects missing: look for as few [re]movable parts as possible; all parts must be very simply designed with no awkward nooks and crannies; all other things being equal, pick the one with the most powerful motor (measured in watts or kW); a more expensive model will likely be quieter in operation; check for simplicity of operation (no-one wants to have to read the manual to find out how to grate a carrot) one knob is all that's needed, from zero/off to max, with a pulse button in the middle; avoid flashy marketing designs that look cool but don't actually work properly; check the manual for spelling and punctuation (if the manufacturer is careless writing the manual, they're likely careless making a food processor).

pflynn said

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on 12/2/2006 A bit simplistic. Give capacities in liters as well as cups (most of the world has no idea how big a "cup" is). Important aspects missing: look for as few [re]movable parts as possible; all parts must be very simply designed with no awkward nooks and crannies; all other things being equal, pick the one with the most powerful motor (measured in watts or kW); a more expensive model will likely be quieter in operation; check for simplicity of operation (no-one wants to have to read the manual to find out how to grate a carrot) one knob is all that's needed, from zero/off to max, with a pulse button in the middle; avoid flashy marketing designs that look cool but don't actually work properly; check the manual for spelling and punctuation (if the manufacturer is careless writing the manual, they're likely careless making a food processor).

Anonymous

Anonymous said

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on 2/20/2006 A wide input was important to me. It allows long slices and long grating results. I chose the Cuisinart over the Kitchen Aid for this reason.

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