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Food processor FAQs
What is a food processor?
Food processors are appliances that can speed up your food preparation by chopping, slicing, dicing, shredding and more. While some smaller models are limited to a few functions, most food processors these days have several interchangeable attachments for all sorts of food prep, from julienning potatoes to thinly slicing cucumbers, grating cheese to whisking and even kneading bread dough.
What size of food processor do I need?
That really depends on what you’re doing and how much you’re cooking. If you’re cooking solo or for small households (and if you are, check out our guide to the best recipe boxes), or if you’re just using your food processor for chopping veg, then you won’t need much more than the Kenwood MultiPro Go. With a capacity of 1.3L, it’s not the biggest on the market, but it does a brilliant job. If you’re regularly making big batches of food for families, or something like a coleslaw for a barbecue, then you’ll want a larger device of around 3L capacity.
What features should I look for in a food processor?
When choosing a food processor, you should consider capacity, pulse function, speed, attachments and whether or not the parts are dishwasher safe. You might want to consider the weight of the base of your food processor and how much space it will take up on your countertop.
How do I clean and maintain my food processor?
To clean a food processor you should make sure your food processor is unplugged, remove all attachments and soak them in hot soapy water. Some additional parts may be dishwasher-safe as well. Use a small long brush to scrub the blade. To remove stains and odours from your food processor let the parts soak in a solution of one part vinegar and one part water. You can also apply baking soda. Make sure everything is fully dry before you put the food processor back together again.
Do I need a food processor with a powerful motor?
Generally, more powerful motors will speed up the task, although other factors, like blade sharpness, are important, too. Having said that, if you’re only chopping small amounts of herbs, nuts and vegetables, a lower wattage – around 200 – is fine. For large volumes, you’ll want something around 600W or more.
Can a food processor replace other kitchen appliances?
Some food processors can replace other kitchen appliances, such as a box grater for grating cheese, a mandoline for slicing, and a blender for pureeing, chopping and kneading dough. Food processors can also function like mixers, meaning you can mash, whip and blend both hot and cold foods. It is always worth checking before you buy a food processor what additional features it has.
What is the easiest food processor to use?
Generally, all the food processors I tried were easy to use, as they’re not the most complex of appliances, and most just have an on and off button, or a few different speeds. Different attachments are easy to attach and remove. The smaller devices like the Kenwood MultiPro Go or the Salter option tested tend to be incredibly simple, while larger devices with more functions take a little getting used to. Having said that, the likes of the Magimix Food Pro and KitchenAid food processor are very simple to use.
