I am a minimalist when it comes to kitchen equipment. I prefer gadgets that can perform multiple tasks to save on time and money! We all know how these two are precious! don't we?
So I never had a food processor because I figured out I can use a blender and it would work just fine
Right? Nope! I came to realize how wrong I was!
My search for the best food processor to buy was not pleasant.
That is why once I found this cuisinart food processor, I decided to share the information with everyone who might be looking. I make sure to state its pros and cons so that you can have an easier time making the decision.
Check out the Cuisinart DFP – 14BCNY 14-Cup Food Processor here
Choosing the best food processor that can slice, shred, grind, quick, and easy to chop nearly every food can be difficult.
A favorite is a multipurpose processor which can also assist in making fruit juice, grinding meat, and making citrus.
Do Chia seeds go bad? How long do Chia seeds last? Click here to Read.
A processor helps make your work easier as part of the kitchen appliance, which is very versatile.
A good food processor should compose of :
- A motor
- A bowl with a lid,
- Feed tube,
- And a set of attachments.
Motor – it is placed at the bottom of the machine, it is the heaviest part of the device. This heaviness of the motor gives stability to ensure the device doesn’t move around while it’s running. They are available in different colors to make sure they fit with your décor.
The bowl with a lid – It is made of robust, transparent plastic that fits well with the base of the motor. The lid which is also made of plastic closes at the top of the bowl. It has an on/off switch button.
The feed tube and attachments – attachments fit over the shaft and are an S-shaped blade. The blades are usually made of metal, or made of hard plastic. The lid has a feed tube filled with the plunger. Preferably you can use this feed tube to pass through food substances into the plunger.
Cuisinart DFP – 14BCNY 14-Cup Food Processor, Brushed Stainless Steel
This is one of the best food processors that you can add to your kitchen appliances. It is made of brushed stainless steel, this processor can be used for multipurpose uses when blending or mixing your food.
It is not a manual device it uses electricity so it makes your work quicker and easier.
Features
- Has a 5-year motor warranty
- Has a large pusher and sleeve assembly
- Has a Manual to help you get to understand its work well
- BPA free
Here are some pros and cons of this food processor
Pros
- Has the 14-cup bowl that helps you to know when you have enough for your recipe
- Has removable parts which are easy to clean
- Have multiple purposes such as mixing, chopping, slicing, and shredding discs.
- Has readable markings
Cons
- It is not a heavy-duty processing device
- It has a (720) watts which may not process so many things at the same time.
What is the best multipurpose food processor?
Cuisinart FP-12DCN Elite Collection 2.0 12-Cup Food Processor, Die Cast
Getting a food processor is easy, but getting a food processor that does multiple of work can be quite a challenge. This device is good for heavy duties in your kitchen recipes.
Most people look for a piece of equipment which is a food processor and mixer all in one.
This processor with cooking excellence with groundbreaking innovation has set a high limit in the kitchen appliances.
It has a four-cupped work bowl placed right inside the big bowl with an adaptable six-position slicing disc.
The disc is an adjustable shredding disc with difficult food processors in one.
It has a 10-year motor warranty and 3-year warranty, adjustable slicing disc, large/small chopping/mixing blades, and a dough bowl.
It has an electronic touchpad is which is wipe-clean with detachable portions that are dishware safe for ultimate convenience.
Features - BPA Free, Sealed Lid, Lockable lid, Reversible blades
Functions – slice, chop, mix, dough, and shred
Here are the pons and cons of this device
Pros
- Can be used for multipurpose processing
- The motor is powerful
- The motor has a long year warranty
Cons
- Quite expensive
- Uses high voltage because of its heavy duty work
What can I use a food processor for?
Food processors can be used to:
- A food processor is used in the mixing and kneading of dough.
- Helps in chopping and cutting food products such as vegetable and meat
- Has blades that are useful for making chips and fries
- Usually used for making Milky shake and juice
What can I use if I do not have a food processor?
There are various options that one can use if you do not have a food processor.
Therefore the battle becomes food processor vs mixer vs blender vs grinder.
Also, see My List of Kitchen Gadgets you can use in place of a food mill here
When your recipes call for you to use a food processor, but you don’t have, what other option will you use? Here are some alternative methods to use.
- When your recipe calls for mix or chop, a blender will be likely a better choice.
- Combine liquids and solids in a mixer. A mixture is most helpful for combining a liquid with a dry mixture and make homemade whipped cream.
- If you have a grinder you can use to chop nuts and spices.
- If you want to break some small pieces or crush foods you can use a rolling pin or use a plastic bag to crush chickpeas for homemade hummus.
The best food processor for chopping Vegetables
Hamilton Beach 70725A 12-Cup Stack and Snap Food Processor and Vegetable Chopper
If you are looking for a chopping device to easy your work for chopping, this device is great for it. It is a simple device easy to use, has no twisting, turning or locking required when putting the food processor together.
With its reversible shred/slice disc and S-blade for slicing or mixing will help you with your kitchen work.
Features – Has push-button controls, Stainless steel blades, Reversible Slicing Shredding disc, Locking Lid, Removable Bowl, Large feed Tube, Hideaway Cord Wrap
Functions – mince/puree vegetables and fruits, mix salad dressings, shredding cheese, and chopping vegetables.
Specifications - Has 450 watts, has no safety lock, has a control button, has slicing options, has 2 number of speed settings, the blade is made of stainless steel.
Here are some pros and cons of the device
Pros
- Has 2 sized mouth-feed-tube for adding food
- The motor has plenty of power
- Quickly chop the vegetables
- Affordable
Cons
- Has a short cord
- Mostly used for chopping purposes
Find: My 7 Best Food Processors here
How to use a food processor to chop vegetables
Method 1 – when processing vegetables
- Gather your food processors
When using your food processor you have to protect the plastic bowl to the electric bowl. Make sure it is unplugged when assembling or charging the blades.
- Add your recipe ingredients
Depending on your recipe, add your ingredients as per the instructions one at a time. When done putting your recipe close the lid and turn it on.
If perhaps you have a large number of ingredients make sure you chop them into small chunks to help the mixture blend well.
- Process your food
Make sure the lid is tightly closed since some processors won’t work well until the lid is closed. Start the on button or run button depending on your processor.
Run button process vegetables into well-shopped slices, while the pulse button is basically used in chopping vegetables.
- Clean your processor
Every processor needs to be cleaned after use. Start by removing the plastic parts and blades and wash them thoroughly with soap and water.
After you are done with the washing, wipe the cords and let the parts dry without before reassembling again the processor.
Method 2 – using the attachment blades
- Inserting the S-shaped blade
This blade can be used to chop vegetables, chop fruits and also grind dry ingredients into powder form.
- Select a slicing disk
This an attachment near the lid mainly connected to the blade. This disc is used to slice the vegetables into thin circular pieces.
- Knead the dough with the dough blade
Some processors come with a dough blade mostly placed on the blade mount in the same position as the S-shaped blade. Dough like:
- Pizza dough
- Egg dough
- Rolled-dough – for croissants
- Pasta dough
In conclusion, technology has brought different Kitchen appliances that can be used to easily work in a quick way. These food processors are good investments to add to your kitchen equipment.
Having them is good and maintaining them also is another good. Each appliance comes with a manual that guides you on how to use it.
Never tamper with the device in case it develops difficulties it can be taken to the manufacturer or well specialist personal in these devices.
Choosing a quality food processor is equally important to cut down the cost of buying each time a new appliance. They have their pros and cons but the advantages exceed the disadvantages.
Buy food processors depending on the need that you have. If you are looking for a device with multipurpose activities, then Cuisinart FP-12DCN Elite will be best for you.
In case your needs aren’t for heavy duties then the Cuisinart DFP – 14BCNY will be best for you.
There are lots of stuff that you can use with the food processors starting from, chopping, mixing, slicing, and making shred cheese among many other things.
Now that the processors are of different colors, you can perfectly choose according to your décor in the kitchen. Before purchasing appliances know the features, specifications, cons, and pros of that device.
