A food processor will do the work for you in the kitchen, replacing several appliances

Types

According to the type of device, combines are divided into:

• Compact devices, simple in design and functionality - shredders.
• Food processors with a minimum number of basic operations and standard attachments - vegetable cutter, grater, meat grinder. If the package includes a blender, such devices have two electric drive sockets.
• Universal processors with electronic control, many functions and attachments (from ten to twenty).

The universal food processor has a bowl made of durable glass, plastic or stainless steel with a capacity of two to six liters. Removable bowls of various sizes are convenient for storage and care; they can be used in the microwave, dishwasher, or when stored in the refrigerator.

A standard food processor is equipped with a set of attachments: a disk-grater, an emulsifier, a stainless steel knife, a spatula or a hook for kneading dough. Combines with advanced functions are equipped with many additional attachments, such as a juicer, meat grinder, graters and knives of various configurations to perform a variety of cooking tasks.

Advantages of a multifunctional kitchen processor:

1. Ability to process large quantities of products at varying speeds.
2. Spacious bowl.
3. High power.
4. Complete with replaceable attachments, which are also purchased separately from the device.
5. Availability of electric motor fuses against breakdown and overheating (depending on the combine model).
6. Easy to care for. All components of the device are removable, easy to disassemble and wash in the dishwasher. A special container is provided for storing attachments, which is included with the kitchen processor.
7. There is no need to select special dishes; a set of bowls is supplied as a set and is available for purchase separately.

Flaws:

1. Large dimensions requiring large storage space.
2. Risk of motor overheating during continuous operation.
3. High price
4. Lack of mobility

The functionality of the device directly depends on the number and types of attachments included.

Main functions

What are the functions of a food processor? What can you cook? Almost all devices, both budget and luxury, have universal functions. This applies to:

• disk grater;
• emulsifier attachments;
• spatula/hook for kneading dough;
• knife with 2 blades.

A disc grater performs chopping and chopping of various products. The level of grinding is determined by the size of the holes. Nozzles with wide slots are used for slicing.

The emulsifier attachment (metal whisk) whips or mixes batters and homemade sauces, such as mayonnaise. Compared to a conventional mixer, the food processor has a lid, which protects against splashing of liquid and dry products.

Using a spatula or hook, you can knead even stiff dough with high quality without leaving any lumps. The attachment can be straight or curved, in both cases the result will be a perfectly kneaded dough.

Shredders

1. Electric – is a device consisting of one working bowl with a volume of 0.2 to 1.5 liters and an electric drive. Inside the bowl there are knives inserted, including one universal one, included in the kit, and other options for attachments.
2. Mechanical (manual) . Such grinders are the easiest to use and inexpensive, but are not capable of processing some of the products, unlike electric ones.

A kitchen food chopper performs two or three functions; the package usually includes a whipping device, a knife and several graters. Used for chopping vegetables, herbs, cheese, meat, and other products. Used for making sauces, purees, baby food and diet food.

Operating principle: products are placed in a bowl and covered with a lid. By pressing the lid or button, a rotating blade is activated, which crushes them to the required size. The higher the power of the device, the more efficient the processing.

For hard products, a disc grater is used; for whipping, a separate attachment is used.
If the lid is not closed, the locking system is activated and the device stops functioning. Advantages:

1. Easy storage and saving kitchen space thanks to its compact size.
2. Price.
3. Simple operating principle.
4. Possibility of use outdoors.
5. The components (with the exception of the motor) are washed in the dishwasher.
6. Security of the device thanks to the locking system.
7. Suitable for daily use and for processing small volumes of products.

Flaws:

1. Not suitable for processing large quantities of products.
2. Productivity is lower than that of universal combines.
3. Low power.
4. Using the device, you cannot cut vegetables, cheese or meat into plates and even, identical parts, or process large pieces of food.
5. Not suitable for grinding coffee, nuts, grinding cereals or kneading thick dough.
6. Small number of operating speeds.

How to choose a kitchen machine for your home

The household appliances market is represented by numerous kitchen processors, each of which is in demand by customers. Therefore, the choice of kitchen machine is individual. Before making this important purchase, you should carefully analyze the technical characteristics of the models, their functionality, customer reviews, photos and other important information.

Manufacturer

A review of information shows that the top models of food processors belong to global companies Bosch, Braun, Kenwood, Philips. The developers of these companies are constantly improving kitchen appliances and expanding the functionality of the machines. Japanese SUPRA, French Moulinex, Tefal, German Krups are not inferior in quality to kitchen goods. The Turkish manufacturer Sinbo and the American KitchenAid are worthy of buyers' attention.

The Russian brand VITEK is very popular on the kitchen appliances market. Multifunctional kitchen processors at affordable prices are offered by domestic manufacturers Elekma, Energy KP, and the Foxtrot Le Chef trademark. Domestic manufacturers occupy a worthy place in the kitchen appliances market.

Type

Food processors are often associated with bulky appliances, but many modern models are ergonomic, compact, and convenient. All models can be divided into three types: shredders, traditional and universal. Among the top selling models of shredders are SUPRA CHS-1080 and Kenwood KN 180A. Top models of traditional combines are Braun FX 3030, Philips HR7605. Among universal machines, the leaders are Bosch MUM 4855 and Philips HR 7768.

Housing material

High quality plastic and stainless steel are the materials used to make the body of kitchen processors. Models with a plastic body are more in demand. It is easier to clean and more affordable. Models with a stainless steel case are more durable and reliable, but they are heavier and more expensive. It is better to choose plastic attachments for making juices and purees; graters and knives for chopping vegetables are made of high-quality stainless steel to preserve vitamins. Meat knives should be metal and well sharpened.

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Bowl material

The combine bowl is made of glass, plastic, and stainless steel. Important functional characteristics are impact resistance and thermal stability. It is worth giving preference to glass and steel bowls. They are easy to clean, do not absorb odors, and do not interact with food. The process of mixing and chopping products is visible in the glass bowl; it can be placed on a hot stove, in the oven and prepared products can be cooked in it.

Number of speeds

Small models of kitchen processors offer two speeds - for processing soft and hard products. More expensive, multifunctional models have 12 speed modes. Multi-speed models have a step speed adjustment switch; the combine can have smooth adjustment. For processing each type of product, the optimal speed is selected.

Bowl capacity

The bowls differ in volume; for compact models it does not exceed 2.5 liters; multifunctional combines are equipped with bowls of 2.5 liters or more. There are models equipped with bowls made of different materials. A plastic bowl is included with relatively inexpensive combines. When choosing the volume of the bowl, you must take into account the number of products that you plan to process and the number of family members.

Power

The engine power ranges from 200 to 1000 W, the latest models have a power from 1200 W. For the efficient operation of a kitchen processor, it is not so much the power that is important, but its ratio to the volume of the bowl. For a bowl up to 1.5 liters, the power of 250-300 W is sufficient, for a volume of 2 liters - at least 350 W, for 3.5 liters - 750 W or more. The correct ratio of engine power and bowl volume will ensure the longevity of the kitchen appliance.

Maximum rotation speed

The food processor engine is capable of providing a speed of 12-15 thousand revolutions per minute. Simple models operate at one speed, while more advanced models have a special switch for adjusting the speed depending on the type of food and cooking technology. Additional characteristics include operation in the “Pulse” and “Short-term engine acceleration” modes.

Overload protection

When choosing a food processor model, it is very important to pay attention to the presence of a fuse to protect against engine overload and overheating. During the processing of a large number of products, when turned on for a long time, when using a high-speed mode, even the most powerful motor overheats, which can lead to its failure. Therefore, additional protection is mandatory.

Food processor with meat grinder

The meat grinder in the device is used to prepare classic minced meat from minced meat, similar to a traditional auger grinder. Complete with additional perforation grids and knives.

Unlike a knife, a meat grinder helps to achieve the desired consistency of minced meat of any density, with veins and cartilage. When small bone particles get into the auger mechanism, the meat grinder stops.

For maximum efficiency, it is recommended to choose models with a power of at least 600 W.

Advantages of food processors with a meat grinder:

• The meat grinder allows you to prepare classic minced meat without large pieces or pasty mass. When using a specific grid or knife shape, the density of the raw material and the shape of the portions are adjusted.
• A model with a meat grinder included is cheaper than a stationary electric meat grinder.
• Can be equipped with an additional nozzle for squeezing juice.

Disadvantages of food processors with a meat grinder:

• Equipping it with a meat grinder leads to an increase in the overall cost of the unit.
• Additional weight to the structure.
• If you want to purchase a model with a juicer and a meat grinder at the same time, you may have to choose between them due to the high cost of the combine.
• Insufficient power of the meat grinder in the food processor compared to a stationary one.

Equipment for food processors with meat grinder:

1. Grids with perforations with a diameter of 3 to 8 mm for preparing minced meat of the desired consistency. Grids with holes of small diameter (3 mm) are used in the preparation of pates and fillings for appetizers; grids with medium diameter (4.5 - 5 mm) are used for minced beef and chicken.

Grids with perforations with a diameter of 8 mm are suitable for preparing minced pork, stuffing dishes, crushing dried fruits and hard cheeses.

The number of grilles in the set varies from one to three pieces. In addition, there are modeling nozzles for minced meat, with the help of which it is distributed into uniform portions for cutlets.

1. Sausage utensils - used for filling casings and preparing sausages, wieners, sausages.
2. Attachment for “kebe” – used for making hollow products for subsequent stuffing, as well as a variety of national dishes.
3. Vegetable cutter – helps to cut vegetables into uniform round or square shapes.
4. Citrus press.
5. Press for squeezing juice from berries.
6. Attachment for making shaped cookies and other baked goods.
7. Dough racks for making homemade noodles, pasta and spaghetti.
8. Special equipment for chopping tomatoes and preparing tomato juice, paste, sauce. Some models are equipped with the function of filtering seeds from the bulk of tomato juice.
9. Graters with different-sized perforations for chopping vegetables.

Additional functions

There may be other functions of a food processor. What can be cooked will depend on them. Multifunctional appliances include several different attachments that expand culinary capabilities and cut food:

• cubes;
• straws;
• figurines;
• cubes.

A food processor with a dicing function will allow you to prepare salads, first and second vegetable and meat courses. Grater attachments also come in different varieties; they differ in the diameter of the holes. There is a cheese drum attachment that slices the product into even and thin slices.

The function of chopping ingredients is presented in the form of an attachment that includes 1 or 2 blades. The result is small pieces of irregular shape, for example, minced meat.

A food processor with a meat grinder function will help you prepare minced meat and fish. It also grinds hard products, such as nuts. A meat grinder in a food processor is similar in functionality to a standard meat grinder, but may have a smaller diameter. Various disks with small or large holes are purchased for it.

There are devices with an ice cream maker for creating homemade ice cream or sorbet. The maxi-press option is popular, which allows you to prepare puree from vegetables or sum from berries. The size of the grate determines the level of grinding of different components, and the press squeezes out excess juice. Additional features include a mill, which quickly and evenly grinds coffee and cereals.

Food processor with juicer

A kitchen processor with an additional juicer function may include two interchangeable types: a citrus press and a centrifugal juicer for vegetables and fruits, or one of them.

The press is a ribbed rotating bowl, when pressed against it, juice flows out of the citrus into a collection container. The second type extracts juice by very quickly rotating a cylinder-shaped sieve, during which the juice is thrown into a special container and the waste is retained on the grid.

Comparison of citrus press and juicer:

1. Unlike a universal juicer, the press is not used for preparing fresh juice from hard fruits.
2. A centrifugal juicer is equipped with a filter that separates the juice from seeds and peel particles.
3. The versatility of the juicer compared to a citrus press allows you not to be limited to a narrow type of product.
4. The capacity of the press is on average 1 liter, in contrast to a centrifugal juicer.

Some models with a meat grinder can simultaneously include the additional function of a juicer, provided that an additional attachment for squeezing juice is used in it. Devices with a juicer are additionally equipped with a press for squeezing juice from berries. The amount of juice squeezed depends on the volume of the appliance bowl.

Disadvantage - compared to a stationary juicer, it produces more waste and a maximum of 50% juice at the output.

Nozzles: the more the better

Compact models usually have 2-3 main ones; in multifunctional ones, the number of attachments can reach up to 30. When purchasing, you need to clearly define for yourself what exactly you want to do in the combine. After all, each additional attachment increases the cost of the device. In the future, as your skill grows, you can purchase other attachments.

A good solution may be a special compartment for storing them in the combine body, but if there are a lot of them, then usually the kit includes a special container, sometimes even a wall-mounted one.

Food processor for making puree

Models with a blender (a tall jug with curved legs at the bottom) or with a special attachment for purees are used.

To prepare thin fruit and vegetable purees, pureed soup, gazpacho, baby food purees, a processor with a blender is used, which works effectively with soft and liquid products.

To prepare mashed potatoes, a special press is used (also known as “maxi-press”). The different diameters of the holes in it help to regulate the degree of thickness of the puree.

It is not recommended to use a blender to mash potatoes as it may result in a sticky, starchy mess. The puree press is also suitable for any cooked vegetables and soft, seedless fruits. It squeezes out the liquid so the puree is thicker than using a blender.

Food processor without blender

They differ from ordinary choppers in their greater functionality and number of attachments, as well as the presence of a neck for adding products to the bowl without opening the lid. This type of device is suitable for grinding hard and processing soft products, chopping, cutting into strips, cubes, grinding coffee and cereals.

Designed for processing a large number of products, except for making cocktails. The emulsifier attachment whips cream and cream. The pulse mode splits ice at high speed without heating.

Pros:

• In addition to the existing functionality, it is used for preparing thick sauces, airy purees without gluten, and eliminates excess liquid during food processing.
• one electric drive, so the unit has less weight and dimensions than the model with a blender.

Minuses:

• there is no possibility of preparing cocktails, liquid dishes such as cream soup, sauces for dressing salads.
• When making puree in a device without a blender by stirring, the result is a thick and dry consistency.