What food processor is better to buy

A food processor is a versatile and multipurpose appliance designed to replace several household appliances in your kitchen at once. All the advantages of this choice are obvious: saving space and finance, mobility and compactness, and finally - convenience. Before you choose a food processor, you should fully analyze your own needs. When choosing the best model, focus on the technical characteristics, design and ergonomics.

Combine Varieties

Conventionally, all cars are divided into two broad categories:

• compact;
• multipurpose

Compact Food Processor differs in the low cost, small dimensions and narrow functionality. The volume of the bowl in such a device does not exceed 2 liters, but the device will take up very little space, which is important for a small area.

The power of a small kitchen car reaches 700 W, there are also few speeds, about 2 - 3. Despite all the weaknesses, such a combine will chop well, chop or grind vegetables and fruits, quickly knead any dough. For many users, this is quite enough, especially if such an equipment as a juicer, meat grinder or coffee grinder is already present in the arsenal.

Multifunctionyy cars contain a fairly wide option, where not only basic, but also additional features are provided. A wide range of work of a food processor always implies greater power, approximately from 700 to 1500 W, as well as the presence of several speeds. Consequently, the cost of such a combine will be higher than that of the compact version.

Overall and multipurpose combines are beneficial in that they combine several household appliances - this is the choice of those who have not yet acquired various useful appliances for the home.Another weighty advantage is a larger bowl volume (up to 3 liters), in comparison with a small compact device, such a machine will process more products.

To understand which food processor is better to buy, rate your priorities. If the financial side of the question matters - stop choosing the compact model. Such devices occupy a large market share and are presented in a rich assortment. Buying a “top-end” multi-purpose machine of large size is justified if the user often prepares different dishes.

Choose among famous brands whose quality is proven by the feedback of numerous customers.

The technical side of the food processor

How to choose the right food processor and not be disappointed in the purchase? Carefully consider the technical parameters of the device. The unit is a small device with an electric motor and a control panel, it can have one or two bowls, a set of several nozzles.

All technical aspects of the selection can be systematized by key criteria:

• power, speed and performance of the device;
• bowl volume;
• ease of management and maintenance.

Power factor and speed

The power of the device - this is the indicator that many are guided by when choosing any technology. In order not to overpay for unnecessary watts, one should understand what “power consumption” means, which value can be considered large and which value can be considered small.

Power consumption is measured in watts (W), and the higher the rate, the more the device will consume electricity. The value of power determines the performance of the combine, the speed of work, endurance of the motor. Not for nothing, many sellers recommend choosing models with a reserve of power, when the device works at the limit, the mechanisms wear out faster, the probability of overheating and overloading of the main components increases.

For a compact kitchen machine with little functionality, 400 W is enough, but multi-purpose devices with a wide range of options are better to choose with a rating of 600 W and above.

The number of revolutions of the combine can vary from 20 to 12 000 / minute. The frequency of rotation of the nozzle determines the speed of processing of various ingredients. As a rule, devices are equipped with a regulator, which allows to process products more qualitatively.

Combine bowl: characteristics and volume

Cooking bowls are made from glass, plastic or metal. Volume is measured in liters and divided into total and useful. The total value is indicated in the passport to the car, useful will be somewhat less, because even a closed container is difficult to fill to the brim.

Convenient when there is a bowl tick marks, it is a little easier to use. Keep in mind that the displacement corresponds to the volume of liquid ingredients, when loading dry or semi-dry weight is already determined in kilograms, and here it can exceed the volume. For example, a 2.2 liter container holds 2.2 kg of semi-dry products.

The bowl itself must be resistant to various acids, as well as withstand different temperatures, the optimal range will vary from -5 to + 80 ° С. Glass and plastic are more fragile than metal containers, but will cost less.

If you have purchased a large kitchen machine with different functions, then for the preparation of small portions you will need an extra small bowl.

Ergonomics and machine maintenance

Based on the practice and user reviews, ease of management is not the most critical indicator. In the process of preparation, the owner gets used to any order of buttons or knobs.But you can do a small review and evaluate what manufacturers offer.

1. Mechanical control represents keys or rotary knobs. "Mechanics" is cheaper, much less often fails, more resistant to overheating (which is not excluded during prolonged work), and its repair will not empty the family budget.
2. Touchpad, often complemented by a display - a more modern version. Such models look attractive, but electronics always increases the cost.

Food processor PANASONIC MK-F800 with touch panel

The "pulse" or "pulse / pulse" mode is intended for a short-term increase in power and speed to the maximum value, it is used for grinding solid products.

There are so-called "processors" - kitchen machines, equipped with electronic control. "Smart" combines automatically determine and set the frequency of turns when cutting or beating various ingredients, maintain the speed of rotation of the nozzles. Electronics monitors safety as well, and when overloaded, the device will simply turn off, which will prevent damage. Choosing such a device, do not strive to save finances as much as possible; a high-quality electronic control unit cannot be cheap.

Maintain cleanliness - one of the important aspects of operation. Naturally, all working parts of the combine need to be washed before and after each use. Do not want to do it manually? Choose the model, parts and components which are allowed to wash in the dishwasher.

The functionality of the kitchen machine

From the point of view of the culinary specialist, this is the most important indicator. What will be your priority depends on how often you cook these or other dishes. In most cases, this is the first criterion of how to choose a food processor for the house. It should be borne in mind: the more possibilities embedded in the device, the greater its dimensions.

A set of basic functions

Almost all models from budget to elite contain universal options:

• grater disc;
• nozzle emulsifier;
• spatula / hook for kneading dough;
• knife with two blades.

Disc grater designed for shredding and grinding various products. The degree of grinding depends on the size of the holes on the disk. Nozzles with wide slots designed for slicing.

Nozzle emulsifier (metal whisk) is designed for whipping or mixing batter or homemade sauces, for example - mayonnaise.Unlike the usual mixer, the lid is provided in the combine, which eliminates splashing of liquid or dry ingredients.

Spatula or hook quality even knead dough, leaving no flour or lumps. The nozzle can be straight or curved, in both cases the result will be a perfectly kneaded dough of the desired consistency.

A set of additional features

Multifunctional machines contain several different nozzles, which significantly expand the culinary capabilities and perform cutting of ingredients:

• cubes;
• straws;
• various figures;
• the bars.

Grater nozzles are also different, they all differ in the diameter of the holes, from special ones there is a nozzle-drum for cheese, which planes the product in even and thin slices.

The function of cutting products is a nozzle of one or two blades. As a result, the user receives small pieces of irregular shape, such as minced meat.

The device with the meat grinder will allow to make minced meat or fish, it is also used for grinding solid foods, such as nuts.The meat grinder in a combine in its capabilities is not inferior to a conventional meat grinder, but may differ in smaller diameter. To her you can buy a variety of discs with large or small holes. According to the manufacturers, for regular processing of large volumes of meat it is better to purchase a meat grinder separately.

Kenwood KM287 food processor with meat grinder function

There are modifications with ice cream maker for making homemade ice cream or sorbet. The maxi-press option is also in demand, its purpose is to prepare vegetable puree or fruit mousse, which is important if there are small children in the house. The size of the lattice determines the degree of grinding of various ingredients, and the press squeezes out excess juice.

The additional features of the kitchen machine include mill, it quickly and evenly grinds coffee, and also brings any cereals to flour.

Making drinks

For the preparation of drinks in combines can be as many as three special functions.

1. Juicer centrifuge quite quickly copes with its task, its actual speed is comparable to the work of a conventional juicer.
2. Citrus Press allow you to squeeze the juice from oranges, lemons, lime or grapefruit at high speed. The process is fully automated, in one minute the device is able to produce up to 1 l of fresh.
3. Blender or shaker for mixing cocktails.

The presence of a blender will allow you to mix drinks, as well as crush ice, vegetables, fruits. But juicers are used extremely rarely: if you read the user reviews, then this option is justified only with regular use.

Security

To protect the harvester and the user from injury, there is such a useful option as blocking if the nozzles are installed incorrectly. The device simply does not start working until the rig is installed correctly.

As already mentioned, overload protection will save the device from overheating. This option is rarely present in low-cost models, as a rule, it is equipped with powerful combines of the middle and higher price segment.

Reliable fixation of the device on the plane will be ensured if the combine provides for rubber feet. In the process of processing food, the motor operates at high speeds, which creates a constant vibration.On expensive combines, as a rule, they install powerful motors with good balancing, but the more affordable versions are more susceptible to vibration. Reliable support eliminates the possibility of injury or machine failure.

Summarize

The selected model should best meet your needs. Choose a good food processor is not so easy, you should consider parameters such as functions, specifications, external data, you can also listen to the advice of experts of the store. Sellers, at times, are well aware of the various shortcomings or merits of electrical appliances. After you have purchased an excellent device, advise the food processor to interested users. Real experience - valuable and useful information about household appliances.