Unbeatable Deals on Food Processors in the UK
Investing in a food processor has been a total kitchen game-changer for me. This nifty gadget has transformed the way I cook, making meal prep a breeze and elevating the overall cooking experience. With a food processor, I can tackle a wide array of tasks, from chopping and slicing to blending and kneading, all with precision and ease. When it comes to food processors, think of it as your ultimate kitchen sidekick, making all those repetitive kitchen chores a walk in the park. In today’s world, the term “food processor” typically refers to electric-motor-driven appliances, although some manual gadgets carry the same name. In many ways, food processors are close cousins to blenders.
Typically, a food processor needs little to no liquid, and even the finely chopped goodies it produces have some texture. A blender, on the other hand, results in a more liquid output and requires a certain amount of liquid to work its magic. Food processors are your trusty companions for speeding up tasks like blending, chopping, dicing, and slicing.
In 1946, the German manufacturer Electrostar introduced the Starmix, one of the earliest electric food processors. It featured various add-ons, including attachments for bread slicing, milk centrifuging, and even ice cream making, even though the main device looked like a basic blender. Developed later in the 20th century, the food processor has become an electric marvel for various food preparation tasks, such as kneading, chopping, blending, and pulverizing. The first food processor was the brainchild of Pierre Verdon, with his Le Magi-Mix unveiled in Paris back in 1971.
Discover the Best Types of Food Processors in the UK
The Ultimate Cuisinart Food Processor
Unlike many machines we tested, this remarkable gadget delivered almost flawless results in our grating, slicing, and chopping trials, with minimal food waste. Our testers were particularly impressed with the adjustable slicing disc, spiralizing disc, and dicing attachment, not to mention the two different-sized bowls that come with it. Every setting proved to be highly responsive, and the cakes it whipped up were nothing short of light and airy. With two-speed settings, a pulse button, and dishwasher-safe components, it’s a versatile kitchen marvel through and through.
Top-of-the-Line Sage The Kitchen Whizz Peel And Dice
This robust food processor, which also earned high marks, excelled in slicing, pureeing, and emulsifying tasks. It performed admirably across the board in our testing. It processed four carrots in just three seconds using its unparalleled grating discs. On top of its efficiency, it boasts a capacious 3.7-liter capacity, making it a heavy-duty champion that can tackle beef and bread dough with ease. What’s more, this processor comes with a peeling attachment that simplifies the task of peeling potatoes for your roast. The dicing attachment is equally remarkable, making quick work of dicing vegetables. With a handy storage box and straightforward operation, the only drawback is it offers just one power level.
Get the 3.1-Liter Food Processor from KitchenAid
The KitchenAid food processor takes the crown as the quietest in our tests, surprising us with its heavy-duty processing capabilities. You can cook in peace with this one. It earned top scores in our tests for bread and pastry dough, with testers particularly appreciating its extra-wide feed tube. The slicing disc incorporates finger holes, and it offers two slicing thickness options, among other clever design features. The controls are highly responsive, and in addition to the standard pulse button, you can choose from two-speed options.
Secure the Magimix 5200xl Food Processor Now
Baking enthusiasts will adore the Magimix 5200XL food processor, which excelled in nearly all our dough and pastry tests. Opt for the “premium” model, and you’ll receive additional items such as an egg whisk, citrus press, and a soft spatula, taking your cake-making skills to new heights. Our testers loved the 1.2, 2.6, and 3.6-liter nested bowls and commended the dicing attachment for consistently producing uniform vegetable cubes. Once again, the only downside we found is the absence of multiple speed settings, which may not cater to everyone’s preferences.
Place Your Order for Bosch MCM3501MGB Now
If you’re on the hunt for your first food processor, this affordable Bosch appliance is the ideal choice. Unlike many other processors, we found it a breeze to assemble and clean, with all components being dishwasher-safe. It comes with handy attachments and delivered impressive performance across most of our tests. However, it faced some challenges when it came to whipping cream and handling more demanding tasks like mixing cake batter. It’s worth noting that its handle is also on the right side, which might pose a minor challenge for left-handed users.
Grab the Stylish Kitchen Aid 5KFP0919 2.1 Litre Food Processor
Looking for a food processor that complements your kitchen’s aesthetic? This KitchenAid model is not only attractive but also produced promising results in our tests. It consistently grated cheese and sliced cucumbers to perfection without wasting a bit, efficiently mixed dough, and effortlessly minced beef. Setting it up and assembling it is a breeze, but testers noted some instability when chopping things like dough and nuts, with occasional uneven results.
Get Your Hands on the Ultimate Kenwood MultiPro Express + Weighing Food Processor
Food processors are already versatile, but this Kenwood takes things up a notch with integrated scales that our users found to be remarkably precise. It also offers storage for a range of attachments, including a citrus tool, and features a manual power dial for controlling the operating speed. With sturdy, non-slip feet, it remains stable during use and is a breeze to operate, though it can get slightly unstable when pushed to the maximum power limit. Some users reported minor leakage when the liquid line reached the top.
Key Food Processor Features
Power Source: A robust motor expedites tasks like chopping and slicing. Aim for a model with at least 600 watts of power, as power is measured in watts.
Weight and Size: Consider where you’ll place your substantial food processor in your kitchen before making a purchase. It should fit on your work surface with enough space above it to make use of the feeding tube and lid.
Capacity: How many people you cook for and the extent of your cooking determine this. A 1.3 to 2-liter processor suffices for small families or couples, while large 4-liter models with wide feed tubes allow you to process large quantities of food.
Features of Food Processors
Motor Power: Food processors come with motors of varying power ratings, usually ranging from 400 to 1200 watts. Higher wattage typically signifies more potent processing capabilities.
Capacity: Food processors offer different bowl capacities, ranging from small (around 4 cups) to large (up to 16 cups). Choose a size that aligns with your cooking needs.
Attachments: Many food processors include a range of attachments, such as slicing and shredding discs, chopping blades, dough blades, and emulsifying tools. These attachments enable you to perform a variety of tasks, from slicing and dicing to kneading dough and making purees.
Variable Speed Control: Some models provide variable speed control, allowing you to adjust the processing speed to suit different tasks.
Pulse Function: The pulse function enables short bursts of processing power, giving you control over the texture of the ingredients without over-processing.
Safety Locks: Food processors often feature safety locks that prevent the unit from operating unless the bowl and lid are securely locked in place.
Dishwasher-Safe Parts: Many parts of food processors, including bowls, blades, and attachments, are dishwasher-safe, ensuring easy cleanup.
Benefits of Food Processors
Time Savings: Food processors significantly reduce food preparation time, making chopping, slicing, and dicing tasks quick and effortless.
Versatility: Food processors can handle a wide range of tasks, from chopping vegetables and grating cheese to kneading dough and making sauces, eliminating the need for multiple kitchen appliances.
Consistency: Food processors deliver consistent results, ensuring that ingredients are uniformly chopped or processed, which can be especially handy in baking and cooking.
Efficiency: Food processors excel at breaking down tough or large ingredients, making them ideal for recipes that require blending or pureeing.
Texture Control: The pulse function allows you to control the texture of the ingredients, whether you want coarse or finely chopped results.
Food Processor Safety Tips
Unplug When Not in Use: Always unplug the food processor when it’s not in use, especially when changing attachments or cleaning it.
Secure the Lid: Ensure that the lid is securely locked in place before operating the food processor to prevent accidents and spills.
Watch Your Fingers: Exercise caution when inserting or removing blades and attachments, and avoid placing your fingers near the sharp edges.
Avoid Overfilling: Never overfill the food processor beyond its recommended capacity to prevent ingredients from spilling or jamming the machine.
Use a Stable Surface: Place the food processor on a stable and flat surface to prevent wobbling or tipping during operation.
Cool Down: Allow the food processor to cool down before disassembling, cleaning, or storing it after use.
Follow the Manufacturer’s Instructions: Always adhere to the manufacturer’s instructions and safety guidelines provided in the user manual for your food processor.