Everything about food processors - types, principle of operation, choice, repair, maintenance, prices, reviews, assembly.
The food processor has become an indispensable tool for those who love to cook and regularly come up with new dishes that require many complex ingredients. But this device is just as useful for those who do not like to cook and prefer to keep kitchen chores to a minimum. Thanks to its versatility and capabilities, the combine was able to securely gain a foothold in the kitchen of almost every home.
The first prototypes of these devices, which appeared back in the 40s of the last century, differed from modern models in almost everything. With their structure, they resembled the usual food processor only remotely.
Such machines consisted of a large number of complex parts, interconnected and forming a bulky structure that could not perform even half of the functions that are now inherent in combines.
But technology developed rapidly, and after twenty years, models began to appear that customers are used to today. They were still quite large, expensive and noisy, but they already boasted a large set of functions.
Nowadays, there are a great many options for combine harvesters. They differ not only in their dimensions, but also in their capabilities, application, cost and even color.
Before buying a combine, you should take an interest in its device. This device in modern design consists of a much smaller number of parts than in the days of the first prototypes.
And in order to wash the food processor, very often it needs to be disassembled.
Type classification
There are quite a few types of food processors and at first glance they all may seem completely different - after all, not only the overall dimensions vary, but also the shape of these devices. However, there is an approximate classification of combine types into:
- Mini;
- Compact;
- Multifunctional.
Depending on the type, food processors differ in their structure and, as a result, in the presence of certain nozzles and functions. This is also expressed in the quantitative characteristics of the configuration.
Of course, such combines and weight differ. But weight is not one of the categories, since it largely depends on the structure of the device. There are models made entirely of stainless steel, which makes them quite heavy even with small dimensions. But there are also options made of durable plastic, which, with a large size, have a minimum weight.
Device functions
In many ways, the functionality of a food processor depends on its structure. Mini-devices can do much less than their large-sized counterparts and often do worse than the tasks they are trusted to do.
This is especially true for cutting hard foods.
Due to the nature of the structure, mini-harvesters are only capable of processing soft foods, while multifunctional models can perfectly cope with ice crushing.
The general set of functions that are available to almost all models of compact and multifunctional options include:
- Shredding, slicing, chopping vegetables and fruits into strips, cubes or slices;
- Grinding food to a puree consistency;
- Juice extraction;
- Mixing dough.
Some devices have the advantage of increased durability and an additional set of special nozzles, which allows them to work also with meat and ice.
Internal structure and functions
The food processor consists of several main large parts, as well as additional structural elements that may vary depending on the device. In terms of their structure, these devices have many differences, since they are designed for different loads and the number of operations. But there are details that are present in absolutely all combines:
- Motor;
- Capacity for loading processed products;
- Knives and other attachments;
- Bowl for finished products;
- Control buttons.
All these elements can be made from different materials, but their purpose and structure remains the same. The main component of any food processor is the motor.
It is thanks to him that fast and efficient processing of products occurs.
If the motor in the device is weak, then no matter how many speed modes and attachments it has, it is difficult to achieve proper use due to insufficient power of the device.
The motor also has the largest weight in the device. In multifunctional models, many of which are professional, the weight of the motor can be up to 9 kilograms. For an ordinary kitchen, such equipment will be too large, not even taking into account its weight. However, for cafes or restaurants, such a model is very useful for its ultimate power.
Separately, it is worth mentioning the possible nozzles for these devices. All of them are designed for slicing, shredding, grating, chopping, whipping or kneading.
Nozzles for a food processor have, as a rule, two variants of appearance - knives connected to a socket using a holder or a circle on which recesses, knives and furrows are located.
There are also nozzles of other shapes, but most of them are designed for specific operations. For example, these can be noodle cutter attachments, juicers.
The power of the motor also affects how fast the nozzle will rotate. And the quality of processing products loaded into the receiver depends on its rotation speed.
So, for example, some combines can only cook batter for pancakes and cannot cope with thicker ones, while others are able to process a large amount of food and knead a tough dough, which is quite suitable for all types of pastries.
Principle of operation
Most food processors work on the same principle, although there may be slight differences in the speed of operation and the functions of the attachments due to the difference in construction.
All harvesters nowadays are powered by the mains, as they require a large amount of energy to perform their tasks. Initially, the products are loaded into the receiver, which delivers them to the processing bowl. Some models can handle fairly large and firm vegetables and fruits, while others require prior slicing.
After getting into the processing tank, the products are brought to the state specified by the program with knives. Depending on the design of the device, the knives can be fixed at the bottom of the bowl or installed with the lid.
Manufacturing materials
Most harvesters are made from steel. Stainless steel is considered the best option because it lasts the longest. This option is heavy, but at the same time stable and characterized by a long period of use.
The bowls and body of the combine are often made of plastic. This choice is justified only with the high quality and high strength of the plastic used. In all other cases, such a decision by the manufacturer may be a sign of bad faith.
But whatever material is used for the outer parts and the bowl, the inside of the harvester elements are made of steel, since they bear the greatest load during operation.
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Page tags: food processor, types, types, device, structure, principle of operation, functions
Source: http://kuhonnyj-kombajn.ru/
How to choose a food processor?
Julia Yurevich Many of us just love to cook. The rest, albeit with less passion, but still practice in the culinary arts from time to time. Life is long and unpredictable at times, it's not always possible to dine at a restaurant or get to mom's signature dish. So the first part of the people are in much more favorable conditions.
Today, work in the kitchen is very difficult to imagine without technology. The problem is not that we cannot cope without it and remain hungry.
Most likely, the fact is that it is stupid to limit your capabilities and not save precious time.
For example, an electric kettle will provide you with boiling water much earlier than a metal one for a stove, which means that you will be able to drink your favorite tea or invigorating coffee more often.
Why deny the available benefits of technological progress, especially when it comes to preparing a festive table or a gala dinner? It is often simply impossible to redo this work with your hands in one day, so the housewives resort to electric “saviors” when they need to rub, cut, squeeze, knead, mix ... And even better than these appliances lying separately in your kitchen can only be multifunctional food processor.
Why a food processor?
The irony of life is that, as a rule, the food processor appears in the family without her desire. Such a unit has become a popular impressive birthday and new year gift.
So it turns out that other people choose your “main support” in cooking for you, who, in turn, may have completely different motives. In any case, the food processor is the solution to minimize all the working chaos.
Once you understand the value of order, the food processor will inspire you to experiment. Even sophisticated food lovers are surprised by the variety and new interpretations of old dishes.
What are the functions of a food processor?
The set of functions directly depends on the chosen model and its cost. Of course, there are both standard versions and enhanced ones. In fact, a food processor consists of three components: a motor, a bowl, a set of nozzles. It is the last group of elements that determines the degree of "tricked out" technology. It includes:
- Grater. With this attachment, you can quickly chop and chop vegetables and fruits. The gauge of the cut will depend on the size of the holes.
- Knife. In fact, this nozzle is also designed for cutting, chopping and chopping, however, already meat and minced meat. In this case, the degree of grinding is determined by the power, and therefore the speed of the food processor. Knives should be made of stainless steel, so they will serve you well.
- Multimixer, or otherwise mini-mill / mini-meat grinder. A useful accessory if you often need to chop garlic or chop herbs. Easily and simply, he grinds nuts - in a word, any small portions of food.
- Disk emulsifier. Imagine, with this nozzle you can cook homemade mayonnaise, whip cream, make delicious sauces, dough for your pleasure. The best part is that the kitchen stays clean, because all the work takes place inside under a closed lid.
- Press. The press is a nozzle that will become a faithful assistant in the preparation of fruit or mashed potatoes. However, you can cook mashed potatoes from any vegetables and fruits, the main thing is to remove the bones in advance. The density of the mass will depend on the sieve-lattice.
- Meat grinder. This attachment in a food processor is essentially not much different from a standard electric meat grinder. The only difference is that the meat grinder in the food processor can be supplemented by purchasing new knives and attachments. The advantages of a built-in meat grinder over a separate one are that you do not have to frantically search for a suitable container for the product. Cooking takes place in the same bowl of the food processor and at the end you just have to wash it and rinse the knives.
- Dough hook. A terrific find for those who often prepare dough is the dough kneading hook. It is a small spatula or a curved spiral that allows you to evenly mix the dough. In this case, it will not be smeared on the walls of the bowl, flour or other ingredients will not remain on it separately. Manufacturers claim that the kneading knife allows you to get a completely homogeneous mass.
- Mill. A few centuries ago, people simply could not afford to dream that a real windmill would appear in everyone's kitchen and be much smaller than its real prototype. Times have changed, and today, with the help of a special nozzle, which is a steel millstone, everyone can get homemade flour. The mill allows you to erase any cereal to a powder state.
- Ice cream maker. From the name it is already clear what delicacy can be prepared with this nozzle. Usually, to make ice cream, you need to place the nozzle in the freezer for a day in advance. So it gets the right temperature. Next, you mix everything you need according to the recipe and turn on the freezing device.
- Juicer. The juicer will allow you to get fresh juice from vegetables and fruits. The volume of liquid, the squeezing speed will depend on the specific model.
- Blender. One of the most requested features of a food processor is the blender. With it, you, first of all, will be able to mix completely different products and bring them to a homogeneous consistency. It is great for making cocktails, as well as baby food. In addition, it will allow you to crush the ice to small crumbs, which will be a nice addition to summer drinks.
Which food processor do you need?
When you arrive at the store, the variety of choices will not leave you indifferent. True, among the numerous models with different characteristics and prices it is easy to get lost. In order not to become a “victim of marketing”, you need to understand what and how, and most importantly, what you need.
Compact food processor and multifunctional
Perhaps the first criterion that you must decide for yourself is the type of combine. Think carefully and decide how much and what type of work you will give him. If you want to cut vegetables quickly and easily, as well as cook minced meat, the compact model will satisfy the minimum requirements. When it comes to more complex work, you need a multifunctional food processor.
What is the food processor bowl made of?
The food processor bowl can be made of glass, metal, or plastic. The choice is yours, you must choose a shock-resistant material. If you frequently freeze food or reheat in the microwave, the material of the bowl should allow you to do so.
Experts recommend choosing glass if you mainly cook vegetables and fruits. The metal bowl, in turn, is perfect for meat and minced meat. By the way, many manufacturers offer several containers in the kit, besides, if you wish, you can buy them in addition.
Bowl resistance to temperature
Food processor containers can be divided into three categories: low temperature resistant, high temperature resistant, impact resistant.
The former allow, if necessary, to freeze pate, juice or minced meat directly in the bowl up to -50 degrees. The second group can withstand up to +80 degrees, but it is not safe to pour boiling water into such a container.
Impact-resistant bowls won't fail if accidentally dropped, but they can shatter if you're intentionally testing them.
Choose the size of the bowl
We consider the following characteristic of a food processor - the volume of the working bowl. This indicator should not be confused with the concept of "total volume". For example, a 1.5 liter bowl will allow you to knead 750 g of dough, process 2 kg of dry vegetables, 1.5 liters of liquid.
Pay attention to the fact that some models do not allow you to work comfortably with a small amount of products. In this case, they must be equipped with mini-mills. When choosing the volume of the bowl, you must evaluate your own needs, or rather the number of people for which you usually cook.
If the family is large, you need a larger bowl accordingly.
Choosing the power of the food processor
The power of a food processor is one of the defining characteristics of its work, however, it cannot be estimated without correlation with the volume of the bowl. The fact is that the power of the combine is, in other words, the amount of processed product in one go.
For this reason, it is essential that the power ratio of your machine is ideal in relation to the size of the bowl. The optimal ratio is 300 watts per 1.5 liters; 400 W per 2 liters; 700 W for 3 liters.
Therefore, if you are faced with choosing two models with the same volume, give preference to where the power is higher.
How many food processor speeds do you need?
The power of the food processor also affects its operating modes, the number of speeds. The number of speeds can be up to five, which is a range of revolutions from 15 to 12,000 revolutions per minute.
It is not difficult to guess that the more speeds a combine has, the faster it will cope with the task. Modern food processors are equipped with a pulsed mode of operation.
What does it mean? If you need to increase the speed of work, you press the corresponding button and hold it as long as necessary. Moreover, the rotation speed will depend on the strength of your pressing.
Buyer Tips
As a rule, food processors are criticized for their bulkiness. Allegedly, they take up too much space, numerous nozzles are inconvenient to store, and you don’t want to get this entire unit from the far shelf for the sake of one salad.
Of course, you need to think in advance how and where to store large kitchen appliances, as well as assess your needs and, if necessary, purchase a compact model. The second point that you should pay attention to is the ease of use of the design. It is especially important that the attachments and bowls are easy to remove and wash quickly.
Sometimes the subsequent thorough washing of each small detail stops the housewives from using it again. Of course, cleaning cannot be avoided, but you can ensure your convenience in this matter in advance. It is also worth understanding that by choosing a metal bowl of a food processor, you burden yourself with more thorough care.
Water drops and fingerprints are clearly visible on such a surface. If aesthetic purity is in your interests, you will have to take extra care of it, however, this is not so difficult. Have fun experimenting!
Photo sources: http://www.colady.ru, http://weldongardnerhunter.blogspot.com, http://vitek.kiev.ua , http://www.golden.by, http://www.entero.ru, http://countrycooking.org.ua/
Source: https://mag.dom.by/bytovaja-tehnika/tehnika/3001-kak-vybraty-kuhonnyj-kombajn/
Food processor. Kinds. Job. Application. How to choose
Any hostess thinks about acquiring this household assistant. Regardless of your passion for cooking, your family sits at the table several times a day with the hope of seeing something tasty on it. Even if a person lives alone, it is still necessary to cook various dishes, since instant noodles and scrambled eggs quickly get bored.
A food processor will free up a lot of time for you to spend on more interesting things. If you like to pamper your family members with delicious and healthy dishes, but you don’t have enough money to go to a restaurant, then this household assistant will help in this matter.
The food processor can be used to make smoothies or juice fruits, as well as cut vegetables and even grind coffee beans.
The hostess receives especially great help from this device when guests come - you can quickly prepare several salads and other dishes that guests will like.
Varieties
A large list of such products makes it difficult to choose them in the store. The main criteria for the right purchase are sufficient power, the necessary safety, ease of use and good functionality. Consider several main types of food processors and their features of use.
Multifunctional
The name of these kitchen machines speaks for itself: they are equipped with a variety of functions in the form of a blender, juicing device, meat grinder, grinder and other useful options. The main part of such universal kitchen machines is equipped with a powerful electric motor over 700 watts, a large bowl, speed adjustment.
You can purchase this product without a meat grinder, or without other features that are not needed, it all depends on your needs.
Almost all food processors come with the following attachments:
- Disk emulsifier.
- Mixer for kneading dough.
- Disc grater.
A large set of various accessories included in the kit allows you to conveniently and quickly prepare several dishes for a large family, as well as experiment with new dishes according to original recipes.
As auxiliary nozzles can be attached:
- Centrifuge juicer.
- Blender cup.
- Double bladed knife.
- Press for citrus fruits.
Option with blender and meat grinder
Food processors with blender and meat grinder functions are the best choice for a large family with children. This handy kitchen machine is capable of quickly preparing food for a family dinner. A device for processing different types of meat will help you prepare cutlets and other meat products.
Thanks to the built-in blender, the hostess can easily prepare fruit puree or baby porridge. It makes no sense to purchase a meat grinder, juicer and blender separately, if you can save on this by buying one device with several functions.
Many people do not know how to choose a food processor with a blender and a meat grinder, and what to look for. There are two types of meat grinders that differ in the way they grind meat: impact and auger. The first of them cut meat with sharp knives rotating at high speed. The second includes a rotating auger (feeding meat), a grill and a knife.
A blender in a food processor most often has two versions: stationary or submersible. The first version whips the products on the surface, and the second mechanism must be completely immersed in the bowl.
Mini harvesters
A food processor of this type differs from other samples in its compact body, low power and low functionality. But with all the assigned tasks, the combine copes well. This mini-device, which helps a person to process food, will perfectly complement the design of a small kitchen, will make it possible to prepare delicious meals for a small family every day.
The cup of this small device has a volume of 2.5 liters, the power is not higher than 0.65 kW, which can reduce energy costs. Compared to other types of similar devices, the cost of this mini-harvester is much less.
To save money on your purchase, you can purchase this product with only the features you need most, without overpaying for options you will never need. If you purchase the design that is optimal for you, then it will serve for a long time.
Additional devices can be:
- Juicer.
- Test mixer.
- Meat grinder.
Shredder option
Food processors equipped with a special shredder are considered universal appliances. This product has original technical parameters: a large list of various nozzles for performing useful functions, as well as a modern external design.
The shredder allows you to perform the following operations:
- Create cubes for serving salads from fruits and vegetables, as well as meat.
- Cut into strips many products.
- Get puree from food by quickly grinding it.
- In the presence of special nozzles, you can make figured cutting of fruits and vegetables.
- Some devices equipped with shredders may include a meat grinder or a juicer.
Dough mixer option
This design was created for those who cannot live without delicious pastries in the form of such flour products - pies, buns or gingerbread. On such a device, you can not only knead the dough, but also many other tasks with the help of additional figured nozzles, as well as a blender.
When choosing a product with a device for preparing dough, experts recommend paying special attention to power, the number of functions, as well as the quality and type of material used. A food processor of this type can be used to prepare any type of dough - yeast, dumplings, kefir, etc.
Before going to the store for a food processor, you should understand for what purpose you want to buy this product. If a kitchen combine is needed only for cutting fruits and vegetables, then it is not necessary to buy an expensive product. Inexpensive harvesters will not take up much space on the table, they are easy to clean and disassemble, easy to use.
The dimensions of your kitchen should also be taken into account - if the area of \u200b\u200bthis room is small, then a large processor with many functions and nozzles looks ridiculous, and will take up most of the table. As a result, you will need only a couple of nozzles out of a possible ten.
Consider the main criteria by which you should choose a food processor.
Power
This is a parameter that many buyers always focus on when choosing household appliances. In order not to pay extra money for unnecessary large power, you should understand what is considered power consumption, and what value of this characteristic is small and which is large.
The more power, the more the device will consume electrical energy. Power affects the durability of the electric motor, the speed during operation, as well as the performance of the combine.
If the work takes place at the power limit, then all the mechanisms and components of this product wear out faster, the risk of overloading the main elements, as well as overheating of the electric motor, increases.
For a small compact combine with a small number of functions, 400 watts of power is sufficient, and for a multifunctional device with a large list of capabilities, it would be advisable to purchase a combine with a power of at least 600 watts.
Rotational speed
The number of revolutions of the working part can be in the range of 20-12000 revolutions per minute. This setting affects the processing speed of products. Usually, all products are equipped with a regulator, which can be used to set the optimal speed for a particular type of product.
The more speed steps available, the easier it is to set the desired processing mode. A high speed is needed for cutting solid foods, and a low speed is needed for beating eggs and other liquid foods.
Material and volume of the bowl
The bowl material is usually stainless steel, plastic or glass. Its volume is divided into useful and general. The first of them is somewhat smaller, since the bowl is not filled to the very brim during cooking. The total volume is indicated in the passport data for the food processor.
A convenient addition is the presence of marks and divisions on the bowl, which greatly facilitates the measurement of the volume of different products. It should be noted that the indicated volume of divisions corresponds to liquid products, when using dry substances, the quantity is indicated in kilograms.
When choosing, you need to pay attention to the resistance of the bowl to aggressive substances, as well as high temperatures. These data must also be indicated in the passport. Plastic and glass are fragile materials compared to metal, but are cheaper.
It is better if the set includes an auxiliary small bowl, which is necessary for preparing small portions of food.
Controls
According to consumer reviews, we can conclude that ease of use is not a very important indicator. With daily use of the device, the hostess quickly gets used to the location of the controls or buttons.
Manufacturers offer various options for the execution of control elements:
- Mechanical control consists of conventional rotary knobs or buttons. Household appliances with mechanical control are cheaper, break down much less often, are resistant to high temperatures, and you don’t need to spend a lot of money during repairs.
- Touch control considered more modern, additionally has a display.
This option looks much more attractive, but the use of electronic elements is always accompanied by a high cost.
On sale you can find a food processor that has electronic control using a processor.
Such “smart” devices can automatically determine and adjust the rotation speed when whipping various products, maintain constant speed.
Electronics ensures the safety of the mechanisms in case of an overload, while it de-energizes the combine, preventing malfunctions. When choosing, you should not be too greedy to purchase an electronically controlled combine, high-quality electronics are always expensive.
How to maintain a food processor
Keeping it clean is the most important factor in proper operation. After each use, the working elements of the device must be washed using ordinary dishwashing detergents. It is better to purchase a version of the combine in which the components can be washed in the dishwasher.
Good afternoon, dear reader! Today we will talk about the most popular, invaluable assistant to every housewife - a food processor. If you like to cook delicious and quick gourmet meals for the whole family, then this appliance will definitely take its rightful place in the home kitchen. Thanks to the perfect mechanism, high power, versatility and great opportunities, every housewife can feel like a real chef, because these units are often used in professional kitchens. In this article we will try to figure out what a food processor is, what it does, what its design features are.
Food processor - classification, design, functional features
Surely, among my readers there is no person left who would not know what a food processor is and why modern hostesses fell in love with it so much. The main objective of this device is to reduce cooking time and reduce household chores to a minimum. The universal unit managed to win many hearts with its versatility. Do you want to grind grains into flour, breaded nuts, berries for stuffing, knead the dough, make a homogeneous delicious cream, puree, meat products, cut vegetables? A food processor can handle all this.
Modern equipment hypermarkets offer numerous variants of harvesters from domestic, Asian, European, American manufacturers. They differ in their appearance, size, purpose, functional sets, capabilities, power, equipment, prices. Before you go to the store, you need to familiarize yourself with the varieties of devices and their features.
If we divide the structures by size, then there are:
- Mini-harvesters suitable for use by one person or a small family;
- Compact standard models - have a sufficient set of functions, nozzles, a large bowl and medium power, which is ideal for the average family;
- Multifunctional large-sized units that will replace several kitchen appliances at once (juicer, meat grinder, blender, mixer).
Because of this, all models differ not only in size, but also in weight. Also, the weight indicators depend on the material from which the bodies, components, bowls of the combine are made. Fixtures with metal or glass parts will be significantly heavier than plastic models.
Device functionality
I get asked quite often what are the functions of food processors and what is their versatility. The functionality of such devices directly depends on their design features, because each component performs a particular task.
The main functions of the devices include:
- Shredding vegetables and fruits, cutting them into cubes, slices, slices, straws;
- Grinding meat, fish products, vegetables, fruits, berries, etc. to a puree state;
- Squeeze juice from berries, fruits;
- Kneading liquid, thick dough, cream, fillings for baking.
At the same time, it must be understood that miniature devices with low power are not capable of grinding sinewy meat or frozen foods. But bulky multifunctional combines can easily fulfill any task assigned to them, because they are their main purpose - grinding even the most unthinkable ingredients, mixing them and bringing ready-made dishes to a homogeneous consistency. Modern models can be supplemented with various knives, nozzles that expand the functionality of the units.
Structural elements and their features
In each, even the smallest food processor, there are several main elements, large parts that perform one or another significant function. Larger and more functional devices can be supplemented with other nozzles and parts that expand the functionality of the unit.
What is included in the food processor:
- The motor responsible for the efficiency of food processing, performance, speed. Often, buyers ask the question why a powerful motor is needed if you can buy a slightly weaker model cheaper by several thousand rubles. The fact is that no matter how great the equipment of the food processor is, a weak motor threatens that the device will overheat and will not be able to cope with solid ingredients. It is important that the motor is as powerful as possible;
- Loading capacity, where pieces of products are initially placed;
- Nozzles, sharp knives and blades responsible for grinding, one or another type of cutting. These can be large and small graters, whisks, shredding attachments, choppers, juicers, pasta cutters, etc.;
- One or more bowls for already cooked, chopped products;
- Control mechanism (touch, push-button).
A large number of nozzles, bowls, high power forms the impressive cost of a food processor. If you are looking for a versatile multifunctional device, then a variety of completeness will be the best option.
What can be cooked with a food processor
Modern technologies do not stand still, so they have left far behind the problematic, long and tedious cooking for a large family, endless shredding, cut fingers with knives that bothered housewives. If you are still wondering what a food processor is for, then the list of features of this unit described below will answer for itself.
Let's see what can be cooked using a universal appliance that combines the functionality of a mixer, meat grinder, blender, shredder, grater, juicer?
Thanks to such a diverse functional set and the ability to cook almost anything your heart desires, the food processor has received the name of a universal device. I hope that this article will help you decide whether you need such a device in the kitchen. And how to choose a food processor for yourself. Until we meet again, dear readers, subscribe to me and invite your friends!
Thank you for your attention! Sincerely, Rostislav Kuzmin.
Food processor. A multifunctional device capable of performing a wide range of technological operations. The basis for them is usually a planetary mixer, to which you can connect many different attachments (blender, food processor, meat grinder. Thanks to this, the average food processor can: chop meat, grind mashed potatoes and paste, squeeze juice, peel and cut vegetables, knead the dough , whip cream, etc. When choosing a food processor, you should pay attention to the equipment.The list of device functionality will depend on the number of attachments.
- Kitchen machine. Universal devices, which in most cases are a combination of a blender and a food processor. However, the range of functionality of the equipment directly depends on the number and variety of complete nozzles. As a rule, a kitchen machine performs the following operations: chopping meat and fish products, squeezing juice, peeling vegetables, grinding spices, etc., but they are practically not used for kneading dough.
- Planetary mixer. The device looks like a stationary mixer, but due to the planetary system of work and higher engine power, it is more efficient for mixing, whipping cream and kneading dough. For some planetary mixers, it is possible to buy and install additional accessories (blender, food processor, etc.), in this case, devices ... o turns into a food processor.
planetary mixing
Combine support for planetary mixing mode. With such mixing, the working tool (whisk, spatula, etc.) not only rotates around its axis, but also moves around the center of the bowl. This ensures the most uniform mixing, not only in the center, but also along the edges of the container, and also speeds up the process. On the other hand, this function complicates the combine mechanism and requires a large bowl (at least 5 liters); All this has a corresponding effect on the price and dimensions of the device. Without exception, all planetary mixers and many models of food processors are endowed with such an opportunity.
bowl capacity
The nominal volume of the food bowl provided in the combine. Most often, the working volume is indicated - that is, the maximum amount of product with which the device can be guaranteed to handle “in one go”.
It should be borne in mind that a large capacity affects the dimensions and weight of the unit, and also requires a more powerful engine - which, in turn, affects energy consumption and price. So when choosing a bowl by capacity, you should not chase the maximum capacity, but take into account the planned amount of work.
Chopping bowl capacity
The capacity of the blender bowl determines how much consistency the device can prepare in one go. The average blender has a capacity of 1.5 liters, which is quite optimal for making drinks and other textures for three people.
blender capacity
The capacity of the blender jar (see Blender) that the food processor is equipped with. As a standard, it is about one and a half liters; for a large family, it makes sense to select a larger volume (about 2 liters), and if a blender is rarely needed and for small quantities of the product, 1 liter will be enough.
Power
Rated power of the food processor. Most of this power comes from the engine - the rest of the unit consumes very little energy. The more power, the higher the productivity of the unit, as a rule, and the less time it takes to process products.
Note that the optimal power value directly depends on the volume of the bowl (see the corresponding paragraph): for example, for a 1.5 kg bowl, at least 300 W is desirable, for a two-kilogram bowl - 400 W, a three-kilogram bowl - at least 700 W. And with the same bowl capacity, a more powerful unit will be more productive, it will work faster and better cope with high loads (for example, a full load). On the other hand, an increase in power has a corresponding effect on energy consumption and price.
Max. revolutions of rotation
The maximum speed of rotation of the working nozzle of the combine. The higher the rotation speed, the more solid products can be processed in a combine, and the less (in some cases) the time to complete the desired procedure.
Number of speeds
The number of fixed speeds of rotation of the nozzles provided in the design of the combine. The more of them - the more accurately you can choose the required speed for each specific mode of operation. It is worth noting that some devices do not have fixed speeds - the adjustment is carried out smoothly (see Stepless speed controller)
Smooth speed control
A regulator that allows you to smoothly change the speed of rotation of the combine engine - for more precise adjustment of speed and setting the optimal mode for different products. With step speed control, a situation may arise when a higher speed value is already too high, and a lower speed is not yet enough. Smooth adjustment avoids such situations.
Pulse mode
The ability to operate the combine in pulsed mode, when the motor does not rotate constantly, but intermittently. This mode is especially useful when processing particularly hard foods such as frozen fruits and vegetables: it ensures efficiency and at the same time reduces engine stress.
Turbo
Turbo mode allows for a short time to significantly increase the speed of rotation of the harvester discs. This can be useful when working with hard foods, such as making crushed ice or chopping vegetables. It will also come in handy in case of "congestion" in work - a short-term acceleration of the knife will help to cope with them. It should be borne in mind that the turbo mode is a kind of “emergency measure”, and not a regular mode, since the engine of the combine in this mode works with significant loads. Therefore, you can turn it on only for a short time - otherwise there is a risk of damage to the device. Specific features of turbo modes differ from model to model and are usually indicated in the instruction manual.
Timer
The timer allows you to set the time during which the device will perform a particular function; After the set time has elapsed, the device will automatically turn off. The food processor with a timer eliminates the need to monitor the operating time of the appliance and turn it off manually.
Double boiler
The possibility of using the food processor as a double boiler - for steaming dishes. This method of cooking is considered healthier than classic cooking, it allows you to save a maximum of vitamins and nutrients in the products. Among other things, steaming is often used in the preparation of baby food, and some food processors with this function are originally designed specifically for cooking for children.
kitchen scales
Existence in the combine of the built-in kitchen scales. As a rule, the weight sensor is built into the platform on which the bowl is installed; this allows you to determine the weight of the loaded products directly in the cooking process. Of course, other containers can be placed on such scales, not only the "native" bowl of the combine.
nozzles
Main bowl. An open container designed for kneading dough, whipping cream and mixing masses. The main bowl is included in almost all food processors. It can be made of various materials: plastic, glass, metal, etc.
- Blender. In this case, it is a bowl narrowed down, at the bottom of which there is a bladed knife. Such a device is suitable both for mixing liquids into a homogeneous mass (for example, for making cocktails or batter), and for grinding some solid foods (for example, fruits and vegetables) into a homogeneous puree. The blender is usually installed instead of the main bowl, however, there are devices that allow you to use two bowls at the same time.
- Food processor. A special container for chopping, which is equipped with either a knife for chopping products, or discs for chopping, cutting, french fries. Allows you to cut salads, shred cabbage and perform a number of other operations, depending on the complete nozzles.
- End-to-end food processor. Special nozzle for installing cutting discs. This accessory allows you to quickly chop vegetables or shred cabbage. Moreover, the finished product enters the main bowl (or any other from your kitchen inventory) - there is no separate bowl like in a classic food processor.
- Meat grinder. Possibility to use... ia device as a meat grinder - for preparing minced meat, grinding fruits and vegetables. In terms of capabilities, such nozzles are often not inferior to meat grinders made in the form of separate devices.
Vegetable cutter. Special attachment for cutting vegetables, fruits and mushrooms. Depending on the type, it allows you to cut food: into cubes, slices, sticks, etc. It can be equipped with its own capacity for collecting cuttings.
- Mill (for coffee). A small container, at the bottom of which is a paddle knife driven by a combine motor. Designed for grinding small portions of food (for example, spices, nuts, garlic, etc.) in cases where it makes no sense to use the main bowl of the combine for this purpose.
Centrifugal juicer. Universal juicer for obtaining fruit, vegetable and berry juices. Not suitable for citrus fruits (see Citrus Juicer). It should be borne in mind that food processor juicers are usually less productive than juicers in the form of separate devices, and therefore are poorly suited for harvesting large amounts of juice.
- Citrus juicer. It is a rotating ledge with a ribbed surface. To get juice, you need to manually put half of the fruit on it with the pulp down and press hard. Due to this procedure, the juice from the pulp is squeezed into the bowl located below, and the peel remains intact.
Accessories
- Whisk whisk. As the name suggests, this accessory is designed for whipping and mixing "light" liquids (batter, mayonnaise, eggs, etc.). Most often it is a whisk, similar to that used in mixers (although there are other options). Sometimes there may be two such corollas.
- Hook for kneading dough. Nozzle for kneading thick dough. It has a special shape, thanks to which the dough is evenly mixed, and no unused ingredients remain on the walls of the bowl.
- Double kneading hook. The double hook allows you to significantly increase the efficiency of kneading thick dough. The second hook is used so that the dough does not stick to the bowl and mixes more thoroughly. Depending on the model, the double hook can be realized as a one-piece hook or as a piece of hook (two single kneading hooks) that can be used independently of each other.
- Spatula for mixing (bitter). The spatula for mixing is used in the preparation of light dough, confectionery mixtures, all kinds of pastes. Bitter can also simply mix various ingredients. It can be made of metal or plastic, as well as with additional rubber seal to prevent the product from sticking in the bowl.
- ... /pr-39069/">Disk for minced meat. Traditional grate grinder. The minced meat disk can have a different mesh size, from 3 to 8 mm, which has a direct impact on the consistency of the cooked minced meat. As a rule, three discs are included in the standard meat grinder set: for a fine fraction (cells of about 3 mm), for a medium fraction (about 5 mm) and for a large fraction (about 8 mm). Less commonly, but on the market there are also discs with smaller cells (1 mm or less), such are used for making pate.
- Nozzle for kebbe. Kebbe is a dish of Arabic cuisine, which is a hollow sausage made of minced meat, which is stuffed with lumpy meat, vegetables and other products. After that, kebbe are fried like cutlets or baked in the oven. The kebbe attachment itself is fixed on the spout of the meat grinder, instead of the clamping ring for the grate, and allows you to quickly and easily form hollow sausages from minced meat.
- Nozzle for homemade sausages. It is a thin-walled tube with a diameter of up to 20-30 mm and a length of 50 to 100 mm. The nozzle is installed on the “nose” of the meat grinder, instead of the clamping ring for the mince / pate grill, and the edge of the casing of the future sausage is put on the second end of the product. Thus, the nozzle allows you to form homemade sausages, which are subsequently fried or baked in the oven.
Chopper knife. The model is equipped with a knife for a food processor, which allows you to cut salads, shred cabbage and perform a number of other operations.
- Disc for shredding / slicing. A disk with special slots that play the role of knives during rotation. Allows you to quickly and evenly cut fruits and vegetables into thin slices, especially useful for cutting large quantities of food. - For dicing. Attachment for cutting fruits and vegetables in the form of small cubes. Great for preparing salads.
- Disc for french fries. To prepare french fries, potatoes need to be cut in a special way - long thin sticks. It is for such cutting that a special disk is intended, which some food processors are equipped with.
- For potato pancakes (pancakes). Draniki, or potato pancakes, are pancakes made from mashed potatoes. The nozzle for their preparation is usually a kind of "prickly" grater, which allows you to bring raw potatoes to the desired consistency. It can also be used for other purposes (for example, making applesauce).
- Disk for making sauces. A specialized nozzle that allows you to grind semi-finished products into puree and prepare thick homogeneous mixtures, such as sauces, creams, etc. It is a disk with special guides on the surface.
Main bowl material
The bowls of modern food processors can be made of plastic, glass, or metal.
Plastic bowls are the most common due to their low cost and durability. They are lightweight, resistant to falls and can withstand quite large loads, can be both transparent and opaque. The disadvantage of plastic is an increased tendency to scratches.
The glass bowls are scratch-resistant, and thanks to their transparency, they allow you to observe the process of food processing. However, glass is a fragile material and these bowls are very sensitive to drops, shocks and bumps.
Metal (usually stainless steel) is the strongest and most durable material. However, it is opaque, in addition, the metal bowl usually significantly affects the cost of the device.
blender bowl material
- Plastic blenders are the most common due to their low cost and durability. However, the material itself has a number of important advantages. So, it is easy to clean and dries quickly, has a good margin of safety, thanks to which plastic bowls can easily withstand a fall from a small height (up to 1-1.5 m). Additionally, plastic bowls have a minimum cost. In the list of shortcomings, one can note the susceptibility to the rapid appearance of scratches and scuffs on the surface of the bowl.
- Glass blenders are resistant to scratches, and thanks to transparency, they allow you to observe the process of processing products. An important advantage of glass is the absolute chemical neutrality to foodstuffs and liquids. This material does not absorb odors, it can be washed in a dishwasher, the working surfaces of the bowl are practically not subject to scratches and scuffs. Thus, glass bowls do not lose their original presentation over time. Among the shortcomings, fragility can be noted - glass does not tolerate falls even from a small height. Additionally, glass bowls are very expensive.
Metal (usually stainless steel) is the strongest and most durable material. However, it is opaque, in addition, a metal blender usually significantly affects the cost of the device. Metal bowls are ideal for crushing ice and crushing nuts... . Such models are not afraid of falls from a height and rough handling, they can be freely washed in the dishwasher.
Housing material
The main material used for the body of the unit.
- Plastic. The main advantage of plastic is the relatively low cost. In addition, this material can have almost any color, including quite bright ones. In terms of strength and reliability, plastic is inferior to metal, but this difference does not play a special role in normal use, it becomes noticeable only in various emergency situations (during falls, overheating, etc.). Also, plastic cases are relatively easy to scratch, but this moment mainly affects the appearance of the unit and does not affect the functionality. In light of all this, it is plastic that is the most popular material for the bodies of modern food processors.
- Metal. Metal housings are distinguished by their solid appearance and high strength. On the other hand, this material is noticeably more expensive than plastic, and therefore is less common - mainly in food processors of the middle and top class.
Display
Existence of the display on the control panel does operation of the device more simple and evident. As a rule, the screen displays basic information about the operating modes used, and the display is also used to configure equipment parameters.
Compartment / stand for attachments
The presence in the body of the device of a separate compartment for interchangeable nozzles, or a device for storing them directly in the working bowl of the device. Such food processors are more convenient in storage, because. less bulky, take up less space, and the risk of losing any attachment is reduced.
Compartment for cord
A special compartment in the body of the device for storing the power cord. Often such compartments are also equipped with devices for uniform winding of the wire, which prevents kinks and possible fractures. The cord compartment is especially useful if the processor is used relatively infrequently and has been idle for a long time outside the kitchen.
The first food processor appeared in 1940. Since then, these units have firmly settled in many homes. They simplify the work of housewives and perform several functions: they know how to make minced meat, whip mashed potatoes, chop vegetables for salad into cubes and mix cocktails. But how to choose the optimal and suitable device for you? What parameters should you pay attention to when buying? These and other questions will be answered by the TOP 10 best food processors on the market in 2019. Today we have selected for you the most popular models that won prizes in the "price-quality" category.
Choosing a kitchen appliance wisely
The food processor is a multifunctional unit equipped with an electronic control system and consisting of a motor unit, a bowl and interchangeable nozzles. Depending on the set of options, it can replace a mixer, chopper, meat grinder, blender, juicer and coffee grinder. In order to buy a good food processor, it is important to know what characteristics it should have.
Power and performance
The first thing you need to pay attention to is the power of the device. The higher this indicator, the faster the device will do its job. A weak motor won't be able to cut meat, knead hard dough, or process frozen vegetables, so if these are your top picks, you need a 900W model. In other cases, 500-700-watt devices will be enough. The number of speeds is also important - they largely determine how versatile your unit will be.
Bowl
The volume of the bowl is directly related to the power of the engine. Appliances with a strong motor should have a spacious mixing vessel. So, a 700-watt engine corresponds to a three-liter bowl. Do not underestimate the importance of the material, the main indicator of which is strength, hygiene and resistance to food acids. The best are containers made of metal, tempered glass and high-quality plastic.
Rating of the best food processors
Compiling today's review, for your convenience, we divided all the TOP-10 participants into categories.
The best food processors for shredding
The hostesses who have tested the operation of this device leave good reviews, according to which the food processor does an excellent job of dicing any vegetables, grater carrots and shred cabbage. A knife with two wide blades in 50 seconds finely chop a kilogram of chicken fillet, chop herbs, nuts and spices. All graters are double-sided, which saves storage space.
The device has an engine with a nominal power of 700 W, operating in three modes, which makes the model a full-fledged blender that gives excellent results both in mixing ingredients and preparing cocktails, and in kneading light dough. The speed varies from 14,200 to 17,000 rpm.
Average price - 10 690 rubles.
Advantages:
- seven metal nozzles included;
- 3.5 liter bowl;
- low power consumption;
- sharp knives (be careful);
- two years warranty.
Disadvantages:
- few options;
- no space for cord.
This inexpensive but good food processor, which takes up very little space, combines the capabilities of three devices: a blender, grinder and chopper. Equipped with a pulsed mode and two speeds, the 750 W motor will easily cope with the tasks assigned to it, and the 2.1 liter bowls will be enough for preparing meals for a small family.
But the main quality for which this model is so loved by the owners is the excellent cutting of vegetables. The set includes ten nozzles made using PowerChop technology, which combines a special slope and the shape of a knife. In total, the unit has ten nozzles: for shredding, chopping and grater. There is even a special cutting for potato pancakes!
The average price is 7,000 rubles.
Advantages:
- compactness;
- price;
- equipment;
- wire storage compartment;
- simple assembly.
Disadvantages:
- lack of rubber gasket on the lid;
- bad coffee grind.
The best food processors with a blender
If you are faced with a choice of what is better to buy - a food processor or a blender - then the purchase of a multifunctional unit, indispensable in making purees, sauces, drinks, chopping herbs and nuts, would be an excellent solution.
This device replaces many devices, such as a vegetable cutter, meat grinder and blender, necessary for whipping cottage cheese, cream and eggs. The manufacturer provided an aluminum hook and two types of nozzles for kneading dough. The power of the combine, which has 6 modes of operation, is 1,000 watts.
The body is made of silvery plastic, and the handy 5 liter bowl is made of stainless steel. There is a special mount for it - a slight movement of the hand - and the vessel is securely held in the right place. Thanks to silicone feet, the appliance stands steadily on the kitchen surface, the ventilation hole is located at the bottom and does not spoil the appearance of the model.
The average price is 15,500 rubles.
Advantages:
- bowl volume;
- the quality of the prepared dough;
- the presence of nozzles for homemade noodles and sausages;
- splash protection.
Disadvantages:
Food processor Bomann KM 369 CB
Judging by the reviews, the Bosch model is ideal for those who are looking for a device with a high-quality blender and a large number of attachments. With it, you can prepare the sauce in a couple of minutes, knead the liquid and tough dough, beat the eggs, cut the beets into cubes into vinaigrette, chop the onion into thin rings for the roast, and use a special disk to prepare vegetables for Asian dishes.
The volume of the combine bowl is 3.9 liters, the blender is 1.5 liters. The power of 1250 W is enough even for minced meat. It does not matter that the meat grinder option is not provided for in the device - a sharp universal knife will quite cope with cutting meat.
The average price is 17,300 rubles.
Advantages:
- ideal dicing (pieces 6x7 mm);
- non-waste production;
- compactness;
- noiselessness.
Disadvantages:
- few options;
- short cord.
Food processor Bosch MCM 68861
The reliable food processor from Russell will interest, first of all, fans of English quality and modern design. The body of the unit is made of plastic with stainless steel elements and decorated with the brand logo. Titanium-coated blades handle slicing and shredding with ease. The device compares favorably with competitors with an emulsion nozzle, indispensable for preparing sauces and thick drinks.
Thanks to the 850-watt motor, the device will perfectly cope with such difficult tasks as crushing ice and crushing nuts. A special Illumina backlight with a color change will inform the owner about the necessary change of speed, of which there are three in the device (plus a pulse mode). The device is equipped with two plastic bowls: for a combine (2.3 l) and for a blender (1.5 l).
The average price is 8,900 rubles.
Advantages:
- comfortable bowl handles;
- functionality;
- cord compartment;
- compactness.
Disadvantages:
- no replacement parts available.
One of the advantages of the device is its appearance, which will decorate your kitchen. The device is based on a planetary mixing system, in which the kneading part rotates not only around the circumference of the bowl, but also around its own axis. Thanks to this technique, it is possible to achieve the perfect mixing quality of the ingredients in a short time.
According to reviews, the model kneads the dough remarkably, beats protein to stable peaks in seconds, and, without leaving lumps, prepares thick sauces and drinks. A 900-watt motor and six speeds will help you achieve excellent results. The model is equipped with a practical 4.6-liter splash-proof main bowl and a 1.5-liter blender container.
The average price is 14,600 rubles.
Advantages:
- body and bowl material (stainless steel);
- design;
- quality of mixing and whipping.
Disadvantages:
- the ability to knead only 0.5 kg of dough at a time.
Kitchen machine Tefal Masterchef Gourmet QB508GB1
The best food processors with a meat grinder
If you prefer to cook minced meat yourself, then it is better to buy a food processor equipped with a meat grinder. Which one to choose, you will learn from the rating.
The modern design of this model will easily fit into any kitchen. The control system is simple and at the same time safe. The device turns on / off by pressing just one button with a backlight. It also serves to switch modes and speeds, of which there are seven in the device. Power - 900 W. The bowl, made of stainless steel, has a volume of 3.9 liters. A special cover protects against splashing during operation.
Nozzles, including for chopping and cutting straws, have only one drawback - they need a lot of space in the kitchen to store them. In addition to the main functions - a citrus juicer, a metal meat grinder with a container for minced meat and a pusher, a blender with a volume of 1.25 liters and a chopper.
The average price is 20,300 rubles.
Advantages:
- burnout protection;
- accessory bag;
- cable storage compartment;
- Recipe DVD.
Disadvantages:
- price.
This kitchen helper is indispensable for creating a variety of dishes that will greatly diversify your family menu. Knead the dough for pies, beat a delicate cream, chop vegetables, grind coffee, nuts and crush ice - there are no unsolvable problems for the device. Bonus - two juicers: centrifugal and citrus.
The set includes two bowls: the main one made of stainless steel (4.3 l) and glass for a blender (1.2 l). The power of 1,000 W and five speeds is enough to process any, even the most sinewy meat, so it is not surprising that the manufacturer included a classic meat grinder and two discs for it - with small and large holes.
The average price is 19,200 rubles.
Advantages:
- multifunctionality;
- security;
- glass blender.
Disadvantages:
- price;
- wet cake from the juicer.
By purchasing a model from a well-known German manufacturer, you become the owner of a 600 W multifunctional unit with four speeds and reverse. A 3.9-liter bowl made of stainless steel will be enough to knead two kilograms of dough.
Options include a meat grinder, ice cream maker, grinder and citrus juicer. A liter blender will easily cope with all kinds of cocktails, mixtures, smoothies and purees without the hated lumps. A planetary mixer will turn even sour cream into airy foam, which an ordinary mixer will simply turn into a liquid substance.
The average price is 9,700 rubles.
Advantages:
- DVD with recipes as a gift;
- three-shaft lever for fastening nozzles;
- multifunctionality;
- ease of operation.
Disadvantages:
- price.
Planetary mixing, 1 100 watt motor, six stepless speeds, 4.6 liter bowl with graduated scale, smart controls, backlit control knob - sounds great, doesn't it? Well, that's not all that the winner of the TOP 10 best food processors for the home will please its owners.
The set includes: 2 height-adjustable mixing and whisking attachments, a dough hook, chopping and chopping attachments, a citrus press, a 1.6 l blender made of heat-resistant glass and a meat grinder with a metal auger that guarantees fast meat processing and fish.
The average price is 60,700 rubles.
Advantages:
- multifunctionality;
- quality;
- protective cover;
- heat-resistant spatula included;
- nozzle adapter.
Disadvantages:
- price.
Most Common Buyer Mistakes
When choosing equipment, many are based not on the advice of specialists, but on their own preferences and conclusions, as a result of which the purchased devices may not meet expectations. Let's take a look at what mistakes unlucky buyers most often make.
- "Ah, what a beautiful harvester, let's buy it." Believe me, this is not the most correct selection criterion, because the appearance of the unit has nothing to do with its functionality and performance.
- If you are used to buying minced meat in a store, then you are unlikely to need a meat grinder, and if you are a fan of diets and a healthy lifestyle, then you do not need to knead the dough. Moral: don't go after too many options.
- The statement “the more expensive the better” is not always true. The cost of the device is influenced by its characteristics. Study them carefully - perhaps you should not buy a model with a high power rating to meet your needs?
Now, armed with information about the best models of food processors, their features and technical data, you will not make mistakes when buying this unit that is necessary for your home. But even if after reading the article you still have questions, feel free to ask them - we will try to give an exhaustive answer.
A food processor (or food processor) is a versatile household electrical appliance that is characterized by the presence of many built-in functions. The use of this device helps many housewives save a significant amount of time preparing delicious and healthy meals for the whole family.
Initially, it was believed that the food processor was designed exclusively for chopping, slicing and chopping various products. But subsequently, manufacturers of household appliances equipped the food processor with so many built-in functions that it alone can successfully replace almost all other types of household kitchen appliances.
Functions of a food processor
Universal food processors are characterized by a huge number of a wide variety of functions, among which are the following:
- fast mixing of different types of products;
- dicing vegetables, fruits, meat and fish products;
- cutting into slices of different types of products;
- dough kneading;
- peeling potatoes and other vegetables;
- grinding meat to the state of minced meat;
- crushing ice for a cocktail;
- ice cream preparation;
- whipping cocktails and creams for confectionery.
In this case, you need to pay attention to the number of nozzles included in the kit. The more nozzles included in the food processor package, the more various actions the device is capable of performing, and the greater the number of built-in functions included in the technical characteristics of the device.
Therefore, when choosing a food processor, you must be guided by your own individual needs and requests. For some housewives, it will be enough to purchase a kitchen chopper for cutting vegetables.
But if you plan that the device should perform a wide variety of types of work, you should buy more multifunctional or universal models of food processors.
The only drawback of multifunctional harvester models is their high cost compared to ordinary, low-power choppers, which are characterized by the presence of a minimum set of built-in functions.
Benefits of a food processor
The indisputable advantage of the food processor is that it can replace a wide variety of household appliances for the kitchen. So, a high-quality universal food processor is capable of performing the functions of the following devices:
- blender
- mixer;
- meat grinders;
- juicers;
- graters;
- kitchen knife;
- coffee grinders
and many other devices, depending on the number of basic functions built into one or another model of this miracle of household appliances. Compared to a huge number of the most diverse household appliances, a food processor takes up very little space in the kitchen.
After use, the device is easy to clean. At the same time, there is no need to disassemble and then reassemble the juicer or meat grinder. It will be enough just to remove the knife, wash it and rinse the work bowl.
Most models of food processors are made in a modern design, which allows the device to harmoniously fit into the design of the kitchen in many styles.
Power of food processors.
In the process of choosing any household electrical appliance, one of the main criteria is its power. This indicator is inversely proportional to the time that must be spent on the performance of a particular function. In this case, with a food processor, this rule is fully true: the greater the power of the food processor, the less time the hostess will spend on cooking, since the power to a large extent affects the speed of the device.
In this case, it is also necessary to take into account another important indicator - this is the capacity of the bowl, which is included in the food processor package. Many experts in the field of household appliances unanimously agree that the following can be considered the best ratio of these two indicators:
- power 300 W - bowl volume 1.5 liters;
- power 400 W - bowl volume 2 liters;
- power 700 W - bowl volume 3 liters.
Thus, in the process of choosing a reliable assistant for working in the kitchen, it is necessary to choose more powerful models, and also pay attention to the ratio of the power of the appliance to the capacity of the bowl included in the kit.
Nozzles for the food processor.
The functionality of each model of the food processor is determined by the number of nozzles included in the appliance. However, for some models, it is possible to purchase additional nozzles, each of which is characterized by its own capabilities and features of action.
There are the following types of nozzles for a food processor:
- Knives- most often they are made of stainless steel, but sometimes they are coated with a special coating for strength. Knives are used for chopping, cutting and chopping food, as well as for preparing minced meat, pates and kneading dough.
- Disc or disc cutter- used for chopping vegetables for salad and for cutting food into slices.
- Knife - blade- this single or double nozzle on a plastic holder helps to cut products into pieces of irregular, arbitrary shapes.
- Disc - grater- used for rubbing products. In this case, the size of the grinding depends on the diameter of the holes on the disk - grater, and the time required for grinding the products. A high-quality device allows you to chop 1 kg of vegetables for one minute.
- chip disc- allows you to cut fruits or vegetables into pieces or slices.
- Juicer is able to squeeze as much juice from vegetables, fruits, fruits and berries that can fit in a bowl. However, the preparation time for freshly squeezed juice depends on the power level of the food processor.
- Citrus Juicer has a special, characteristic shape that allows you to squeeze juice from any kind of citrus: lemons and oranges, tangerines and grapefruits.
- Disk - emulsifier must be closed with a lid during operation. With it, it is very convenient to mix sauces, whip creams and prepare homemade mayonnaise.
- Nozzle - blender helps to mix any kind of liquids, as well as shake up cocktails and prepare baby food. With this attachment, you can crush pieces of ice to a state of fine crumbs.
- Miller- This nozzle is usually small in size, and it is able to grind small portions of food.
- Hook or spatula for kneading dough, which helps to mix the components until a homogeneous dough is formed. At the same time, it is considered normal if flour and residues of other products do not remain on the walls of the working bowl.
- Meat grinder- a nozzle for this type of kitchen is no different from an ordinary meat grinder. As a rule, a meat grinder attachment comes with a knife and several types of grates with smaller and larger holes.
Bowl for food processor.
The bowl is an integral part of the food processor. There are three types of materials that are used to make working containers - glass, plastic or stainless steel. Each type of material has its own advantages and disadvantages.
All models of food processors are necessarily equipped with a bowl with divisions printed on its walls, showing the amount of raw materials loaded and the product obtained at the output. At the same time, the total volume and working capacity of the bowl are distinguished.
Each type of product has its own indicators. So, a bowl of a food processor with a capacity of 1.5 liters allows you to load the following amount of products for processing:
- Dry products = 2.1 kg.
- Liquids = 1.5 liters.
- 250 grams of flour for kneading 765 grams of dough.
However, it should be borne in mind that some models are not capable of processing small portions of food. In this case, most often food processors are additionally equipped with small grinders. In the bowl, which is designed to process the minimum portion of food, nozzles and knives are low.
