Help selecting a food processor

Blenders can whip in more air and create more smoothness. Think liquids.

Food processors are more flexible but can't create the smoothness of a blender.

Even for one person, there is no reason to buy a small food processor. They are too versatile to limit in that way. 11 cups is the smallest you should consider. They often come with small bowls for those small jobs too. In reviews, between Kitchenaid and Cuisinart, the distinguishing feature is bread dough. Cuisinart does dough better. Otherwise, Kitchenaid tends to have a better price/performance point.

For pureeing soups, I've been quite pleased with inexpensive hand blenders (less than $30).

Costco sells the 11 cup Cuisinart for about $150. They've got a Cuisinart hand blender for just under $30. Occasionally, special deals on the food processor come through that have extra blades, sheet pans and so on.

What Phil said.

BDL

You might use either to puree; or a food mill; or an immersion blender; or ... It all depends on what and how much you seek to puree.

The differences between a blender and a processor is that a blender's container is shaped like a pitcher with a fairly small base; while a processor's container is a straight sided bowl with a wide base; a blender has a comparatively small set of four blades; and a processor a fairly large set of wide blades; processors can be handle a number of dry tasks that blenders cannot -- like mixing dough; blender can handle a number of wet tasks that processors cannot -- like making smoothies and shales; etc.

I frequently cook for two and four -- and almost never use my processor. Partly because my knife skills are very good -- and a knife is the BEST processor; and partly because I have other resources like a stand mixer, a hand mixer, several whisks, an immersion blender and a commercial quality blender. Still, I wouldn't want to give it up for those times we have parties, or those times when I do something it does best.

I'm not sure what your budget is, but most people would rather have a blender than a processor. I recommend buying a commercial quality blender -- power makes a real difference on the humble milkshake and the frozen daiquiri. Mrs. Novice would love a frozen daiquiri. Make her happy.

BDL

Correct. It's not.

BDL

not to throw a monkey wrench in, but I find the "stick blenders" to be super helpful....most come with a small "food processor" too...

sure its not 11 cups, but i find the stick blender part awesome, and the food processor adequate for most of my needs.

just something to look at....especially if you looking to "Save space"

but...a food processor for smoothies = not good. and a blender for food pro = not good

but a stick blender that has a food pro attachement as well, not so bad.

something like
Amazon.com: Cuisinart CSB-77 Smart Stick Hand Blender with Whisk and Chopper Attachments: Home & Garden

I once dated.......aw nevermind. :lol:

good luck with your purchase :)

The Bullet's not a blender. This is a blender: Waring - NuBlend Bar Blenders from The Restaurant Source :: Restaurant Equipment :: Restaurant Supply

This is what we have, and I consider it kind of a minimum if you're serious about cooking and getting smashed ... whoops ... I meant making smoothies and milk shakes. Smoothies and milk shakes, that's the ticket.

It will blend. Oh yes it will blend. I especially enjoy the slight whiff of ozone coming off the American wound motor.

BDL

"This is what we have, and I consider it kind of a minimum if you're serious about cooking and getting smashed ... whoops ... "

Dangit, BDL- when is that cookbook coming out?

On the topic, I have all of the things mentioned above (I'm a tool nut, remember?) and I would strongly recommend the Cuisinart MiniPrep for small blending jobs. Ity's great for mincing garlic- the cloves bounce around until they're just the right size, and then they stick to the sides of the bowl, out of the way of the blades.

Mike

I'm hoping to have it in good enough shape by the holidays to get serious about finding a publisher. In the meantime read my blog and you'll know what's happening as it happens.

Next entry should be pretty good, as I'm feeling pretty cocky about having figured out how to organize a technique based cookbook in a way that makes sense, isn't set up around "fish," 'poultry," "appetizers" etc., and doesn't chop the book up into a bunch of discrete, unrelated snippets. I'll post either this weekend or early next week. If you want to harass me, make fun of me, give me advice, and otherwise make my life worthwhile, leave a comment there.


While I don't use them because I like to play with knives, I think the mini processors are great, and the MiniPrep is supposed to be top dog. I understand the "Bullet" does all of the the same things and more, but maybe not as well. They have them at BB&B. Pretty cool.

We'll be hearing more from Novice on the bullet, no doubt. You guys actually have a lot in common in your approaches -- you've both got the patience to pick things apart until they're at the quark level and continue to ask questions.

BDL

A few years back when my ancient coal fired blender with the flint arrowhead blades died ( okay, maybe it wasn't THAT old ) I ended up buying a fairly nice Hamilton-Beach unit. Great blender, works well, does a good job on my various homemade blender mayo recipes. It came with a small food processor device consisting of a different blade and a smallish, straight sided container that fits into the stand where the pitcher would normally go. I've used a couple of times, at the moment I can't even remember where it is.

When I need a blender, I use the blender. When I need a food processor, I use my trusty old Cuisanart. But for some folks, a combination device like the Hamilton-Beach might be a good comprimise. It works, but not as well as a 'real' food processor.

mjb.

Nov,

Keep us updated on the Bullet. It's a very cool little collection of machinery.

BDL

for what it's worth, I have the MiniPrep "plus" and it's done me fine for when I need it. I just don't ever have the need for processing a large "volume" of stuff.

I have the Bullet and use it almost exclusively these days. I do have a FP and a stick blender too, but the Bullet has a permanent place on my countert top and the others do not. I love how the cups and blades are small and go right in the dishwasher. If I knew then what I know now I would have bought this a long time ago. I almost NEVER use my real blender. I use the bullet for milkshakes, smoothies, coffee beans, spices, nuts, soups, just about everything. And I like it more than the coffee or spice blender because you can use the same cups because they go in the dishwasher (as opposed to the coffe grinder...)

I have both and honestly, I almost never use the immersion blender. I do use it for soups, but I make creamed soups so seldom, that I almost never take it out! But I use the bullet several times a week. I have used it to mix eggs for scrambles eggs, omelets, or a recipe, and making bread crumbs out of bread, most recently. They also make great blizzards and smoothies that are individual-sized!

Perspective

Blender, stand mixer, food processor, electric hand mixer, immersion blender, mini multi-tasker -- all do different things at differing levels of competence.

A Bullet might make decent smoothies but won't make margaritas for a party of 12 -- at least not without a lot of trouble. A bullet won't make pie dough or breads or whipped cream or egg whites. It isn't big enough to make cake batter. And you certainly can't immerse it in a pot of soup to make a rough puree. There are other differences. The right choices depend on individual needs.

The Bullet is small enough to stay on most counter tops, and versatile enough to get used frequently -- as a mini processor/blender at least. While small size is it's greatest asset, it's also it's largest limitation. Some things, even family of four things, just can't be conveniently done in a bullet. OTOH, I admit to putting some things off because I don't want to drag the Cuisinart (food processor) or the Waring (blender) out of the appliance bay -- which is probably par for the course. I suppose it would be nice to have a small "everything" machine ready to go, but I already own at least one of each of the others and have to draw the line somewhere.

I'm not trying to talk you out of loving your Bullets, or talk you into buying anything else. I'm not even trying to keep this from becoming the "Why I love my Bullet and you should too" thread. Just trying to keep some perspective for the benefit of anyone else who's following along.

Aside: You really use an electric appliance to beat eggs for scrambles and omelettes? I suppose it really amounts to the same number of things to clean (the real limiting factor) but Jeeze Louise! And don't they get too aerated to make a proper omelette or scrambled eggs?

Just a little perspective fellas,
BDL