Food Processor Features

The most desirable universal assistant in any kitchen is a food processor - a household appliance specializing in food processing. Grind, mix, chop and even squeeze juice - this device is capable of much. But in order to understand which device from the numerous assortment on the market is suitable for your kitchen, you need to have an idea of ​​what a food processor is and what functions it has.

Device essence

Definitely, the technique has French roots: many assume that monks from this country who used such shredders for winemaking became its inventors. According to another version, Karl Sontheimer, again a Frenchman, became the “father” of the unit.And another representative of this nation, Pierre Verdun, the founder of Robot Coupe, is "suspected" of introducing appliances into everyday kitchen life.

Be that as it may, the invention turned out to be really useful. Especially when you consider that it combines the functions of a large number of kitchen appliances:

• graters;
• blender;
• meat grinders;
• vegetable cutters;
• juicers;
• kneading machine.

Almost all similar devices (even being from different manufacturers) are similar in design to each other. Some of them have a couple of bowls, others - a large number of nozzles. Differences food processors are in the following points.

1. Bowl size. This parameter forms not only the number of eaters for whom food is prepared in the technique - also more products will fit here.
2. Device power depends on its capabilities - most often it ranges from 550 to 1000 watts. For example, when working with dough, it can not be small.
3. For each product it is recommended to use its own speed - In some models, their range reaches 14. This also affects the number of dishes that can be prepared using the technique.
4. Advanced functional, which determines the operation of the food processor. As a rule, in such models there is an additional complete set of nozzles.
5. Convenience and safety of work.

Classification of similar units

The following types of food processors are distinguished:

• multifunctional options;
• set "meat grinder + blender";
• mini models;
• handhelds;
• highly specialized: for a specific cut.

All in one

This option wins over all other types of its capabilities - here there are all possible options - from the mill to the blender. It implies a speed switch, a large bowl and power that exceeds 700 watts.

Most of the models available on the market have such basic kit: disc grater, stainless steel knife, dough mixer, disk emulsifier. The following additions may be present: a double-blade knife, a blender cup, a citrus press and a juicer (in the form of a centrifuge).

One of the main advantages of a versatile and multifunctional device is a large bowl, which can be made of plastic, glass or stainless steel.Often such utensils are removable, and therefore easy to maintain and store.

The main bonus is the processing of a considerable number of products. In addition, in addition, you can always purchase replaceable nozzles. Usually, manufacturers try to additionally protect devices from overheating and breakage. By the way, despite the bulkiness, all component parts are easy to remove and rinse if necessary.

There are certain drawbacks. The obvious are the immobility of the device and its large dimensionsThat stops the owners of small kitchens from buying similar appliances. Separately, we are talking about the cost - many of the proposals are not at all from among the budget.

Meat mincer + blender

The purpose of such a device is to help in the preparation of various meat dishes and mashed potatoes. This will save on the purchase of two different devices. Reception, even in the combine itself, there can be different types of components.

1. Meat grinders here can be augers and drums. In the first case, the meat will guide the spiral shaft (further to the knife and the grate). In the shock version, the separation of the product will take place with the help of special knives, which expel the excess liquid from the meat.
2. Used in such a unit blender can be submersible or stationary. In the first case, it is completely lowered into the bowl, and it maximally affects all the products present. Stationary will only mix and beat ingredients on the surface.

What good is this device? Its presence will make the stuffing of the required density, regardless of the density of the meat, the cartilage in it with streaks. However, with the bone structure is more difficult - when even small parts hit, the technique will stop.

There are drawbacks - the design gains additional weight. And at the meat grinder the power will be many times less than usual. Separately, it should be said about the devices for such equipment.

1. Perforation have a hole diameter of 3 to 8 mm. The smallest size is suitable for pastes, and already more is designed for chicken or ground beef. Pork, dried fruits, hard cheeses, and so on, are ground on lattices with holes of more than 8 mm.
2. There are devices for sausage making. With their help, the shells are filled and the corresponding products are prepared.
3. Kebe nozzle needed to get hollow options.

Kebe nozzle for hollow products

Miniature models

Such options are suitable for small kitchens. We must immediately be prepared for the fact that they will be very limited functionality. The volume of the bowl will not exceed 2.5 liters, and the power will not rise above 650 watts. The cost is also quite affordable, and the device itself copes with the tasks assigned to it.

Typically, the basic kit of such a device includes a fruit and vegetable chopper. There are also options with options for kneading dough, squeezing juice and meat grinders.

Manual combines

Such a device is not automated, and to launch it you need to make some effort. There are also positive points:

• power grid independence;
• mobility (you can take with you to the country);
• full control at all stages of the process.

Highly specialized devices

Most often, such a food processor has narrowly limited functions - this is, to a greater extent, cutting products in the form of straws, squares and cubes. But besides this, in some models there are nozzles for figured cutting.Often these units are complemented by a juicer, meat grinder and blender.

Similar grinders are a device with one bowl and the electric drive. The knives are located in the bowl, there you can also insert other options for attachments. The principle of operation is as follows: products are put inside and closed with a lid. The more powerful the device works, the more efficient is the processing. It is worth listening to these recommendations:

• for solid products use a separate nozzle;
• the lid must be tightly closed, otherwise the device will not function.

Of the bonuses - such a device convenient to store, it saves space. Also, the combine is inexpensive and easy to operate and manage. It is mobile and safe to use, it can be used at least daily, processing small amounts of products.

However, such a device will not be able to cope with cutting meat and cheese so that they are even with identical plates. It is difficult for it to recycle large pieces of food. For grinding various kinds of nuts, coffee beans and cereals, the device should not be turned on either. It is not recommended to knead the dough. And many users do not like it low speeds device operation.

What gadgets can fit into such a device? Among them:

• disc version of the knife, which has cut on the digonal (shred cabbage and salads);
• disk for slicing french fries;
• Kubonarezka (disk) for cheese and vegetables;
• disk with small holes (cut into strips);
• polyfunctional double-sided disk (one of the sides will cut into slices, the second is needed for rubbing);
• double-sided disc for cutting;
• grater disk (prepares vegetable puree);
• another grater disc, but for hard cheeses and chocolate.

Dough mixers

The use of these devices is important for those who like to do baking. It can work with both sweet and yeast dough, sand, aspic and hard - in a word, of any kind and texture. In addition to the kneading itself, there are often other useful options - from blender to figured baits (which is useful when working with cookies).

It is very convenient when the nozzle is represented by a hook, not a shovel - in this case, the flour and dough practically do not remain on the walls of the electric appliance bowl.

Juicer and other functions

It is impossible not to tell about one more talent - the possibility of squeezing juice technology.In this case, the smart machine will be presented in such options: replacement parts in the form of a press for citrus and centrifugal juicer, or one of them. Press - This is a ribbed rotating cup. It is necessary to press her citrus, as the juice flows into a special compartment. In case of centrifugal option the juice will be squeezed due to the rapid rotation of the sieve in the cylinder. The liquid then goes into one container, the waste into another.

You should know that:

• the press in the combine is not intended for squeezing fresh fruits from hard fruit varieties;
• in the centrifugal juicer there is a filter that will help separate the seeds from the juice and the peel particles;
• the volume of the press version is 1 liter, which distinguishes it from the centrifuge configuration.

No cost and no drawbacks - compared to a specialized device, the output from the combine is two times less juice.

In addition to the juicer and other advantages, the device can do the following:

• make ice cream from pre-frozen ingredients for a day;
• grind coffee beans;
• using a mini-mill to grind spices, garlic, onions, nuts (when the minimum quantity of products is required);
• Finally, there is a special equipment that will help prepare tomato juice, sauce, pasta (separating the seeds from the main mass).

So, a food processor can be an indispensable assistant in any kitchen. For home use it is better to choose models of brands Kenwood, Bosh, Philips, Moulinex or Zelmer. More professional models (for example, for work in cafes) include Ariete, Berlinger and again Bosch with Kenwood. In any case, before purchasing it is worth exploring all the functions in order to choose the most suitable option for you according to the configuration and abilities.

By the way, it is quite possible to buy many tips for expensive equipment separately.