How to Buy a Food Processor

FOOD PROCESSOR BASICS

A versatile food processor with the requisite number of blades and attachments can chop food like a your best knife, blend ingredients like a power blender, knead bread like a mixer, and even extract juices like the most popular juicer.

The capacity of a food processor is always measured in cups. The smaller mini-processor units are easier to store, take no time to clean, but limit your food processing capacity.  Power consumption ranges, too - more power equals more money spent but the extra power tends to get you more accessories along with faster and better results.

Bowl sizes range in size and are often made of plastic (cheaper), glass, or more expensive and durable stainless steel. The stainless steel bowls will of course last longer, so paying more upfront should be considered.  Since you will be chopping, slicing, dicing, or kneading a variety of foods, you should look for a food processor that comes with more than 1 bowl size. 

FULL SERVICE FOOD PROCESSORS

In the world of competitive food processors there are a few leading brands to consider, namely KitchenAid and Cuisinart.  KitchenAid has long established itself in the small kitchen appliance arena by offering quality machines at an affordable price.  Not exactly known for their style, KitchenAid food processors more than make up for this by offering loads of functionality, ample accessories, and powerful processing engines. 

KitchenAid Food Processors

Pros

• Quiet, powerful, stable engine
• Wide assortment of blades and accessories
• Blades and accessories are dishwasher safe
• Mini chopping blades included
• Additional cutting blades available
• Accessory carrying case

Cons

• Not exactly stylish

Cuisinart offers a large variety of food processors with cup capacities up to 14-cups.  Casual and gourmet chefs alike will find something to like about these food processors like the big capacity cups, large selection of blades and accessories and the new alternate-speed motor(s), and a 3 year warranty.  Accessories include wide-mouth feed tubes, and cord wraps, but no accessory carrying case are included.   

Pros

• Stylish yet functional
• Larger cup capacities available
• Versatile blade and blade discs
• Fast and powerful slicing, grating, dicing and cutting
• Can handle a large variety of food processing chores

Cons

• Can be difficult to clean
  • Plastic cup can become worn over time

IN THE WORLD OF THE MINI-FOOD PROCESSOR one could go for the Magic Bullet shown on TV infomercials and our community of reviewers seem to enjoy the small single purpose bullet-shaped mini-chopper.  The versatile little chopper ships with a number of cup sizes and blades to accomplish any number of small chopping and slicing shore.

Pros

• Small single purpose designs
• Ideal for cutting, slicing, dicing, or mixing in small quantities
• Easy to store

Cons

• May not process food as well as brand name processors
• Lack the versatility of full size food processor

Read food processor reviews to see what real people have to say is the best model:

Purchasing a food processor is a big and costly decision and one that should not be taken lightly. You should have a very good idea what you want to use the food processor for and what you want to pay for the machine. And by all means read food processor reviews and ask family and friends for recommendations.

• KitchenAid Food Processors
• Cuisinart Food Processors
• Black & Decker Food Processors
• Magic Bullet
• Hamilton Beach Food Processors