A food processor can cost anywhere from $15 to $20 for a really cheap unit all the way up to $900+ for an expensive, top-of-the-line, professional quality unit. As you can see, that’s a pretty wide price range so we wanted to put together this food processor buyers guide to help our readers pick the unit that will be right for them. Below are the things you should be aware of (in no particular order).
The Motor
An inexpensive food processor might have a 250 watt motor while a higher-end machine might have a 1200 watt motor. A more powerful motor will be able to handle the toughest jobs and it should last longer than a less powerful motor because it won’t have to struggle to get the job done. A bigger, more powerful motor is also going to be heavier so that is something to keep in mind if you are going to be constantly taking your food processor in and out of the cupboards.
Speeds
Some food processors simply have an on/off switch. Others will have an on/off switch and a pulse button that will allow you to run the machine in short bursts. There are some machines available that have additional speed settings but they are not really necessary. An on/off switch and a pulse button are all you really need.
Bowl Size
The capacity of your food processor is an important consideration. Most models range from 7 to 14 cups. If you are preparing small amounts of food then a smaller capacity food processor will work for you. However, if you have a large family or if you like to have gatherings on a regular basis where you are preparing food for multiple people, a larger capacity food processor is a must. Of course a larger capacity unit will also be more expensive but if you need a larger capacity machine it makes sense to spend a little more money to get it.
Feed Chute
The feed chute or feed tube is where you feed in the food items to be chopped, diced, minced etc. It’s a good idea to look for a food processor that has a larger feed chute so that you will not have to spend extra time cutting up food before you feed it into the food processor. Some machines have a large enough feed chute to put an entire potato in without sectioning it first.
Blades and Attachments
Your food processor will come with various blades and attachments and more expensive units will normally have additional components to help make things easier and more versatile. More expensive units will have specialized blades like one that is designed to cut french fries for example. Some units also have an adjustable blade that allows you to adjust the thickness of the items you are slicing.
Cleanup
If you’re going to be using your food processor on a regular basis it would be nice if it was easy to clean. The blades and attachments on a lot of units are dishwasher safe and that makes cleanup a lot easier. Many machines today also have touchpad controls that are easier to clean because they are smooth and don’t have any crevices for food particles to get into.
Hopefully this food processor buyers guide has given you some food for thought to help you figure out which things are most important to you. The various features will have an effect on the price so you will need to find a machine that has the features you want at a price you can afford. It’s also a good idea to research user reviews to get an idea of whether a particular machine truly is as good as it appears to be on paper. Find a food processor that has the features you want at a price you can afford and that also has good user reviews and you have found a winner.
