If you happen to’re on the fence about whether or not you actually want one other kitchen equipment along with that blender, Instantpot, or air fryer, we should advise you that one of the best meals processors are absolute taskmasters within the kitchen. For batch cooking, cooking for a gaggle, or meal prepping, it’s actually a timesaver, permitting you to rapidly shred kilos of cheese, course of giant quantities of dough, and even slice veggies in a matter of seconds.
Saveur’s Editorial Director, Kat Craddock, has two meals processors to get the job accomplished. “I take advantage of the infant much more typically, like if I wish to make a garlic paste for Indian meals and don’t really feel like getting out the mortar and pestle or giant processor.” The larger processor is reserved for big portions and particular functions like grating cheese or pureeing a big batch of hummus.
There’s a spot for a meals processor in each kitchen, actually, no matter funds or measurement. Take a look at our picks for one of the best choices for you.
Our Prime Picks
Greatest General: Cuisinart 14-cup
Wattage: 720 watts | Capability: 14 cups | Variety of Speeds: 1 | Guarantee: 5-year
Execs
- Easy operation with two buttons
- Comes with chrome steel commonplace slicing disc (4mm), medium shredding disc, and chrome steel chopping/mixing blade
- Massive feed tube
Cons
- Massive measurement
- Doesn’t embrace a smaller bowl insert
Why we selected it: Cuisinart has confirmed itself as among the best manufacturers for meals processors over time, and its 14-cup mannequin has very best performance and measurement for almost any goal.
This meals processor does precisely what it’s designed to do: effectively chop, slice, shred and blend something you throw at it. The big feed tube makes it simple to drop in complete greens for slicing and chopping, and even giant chunks of cheese for shredding. The bowl measurement is nice for making any quantity of meals, although some customers (myself included) would have preferred the inclusion of a smaller bowl insert for littler duties, like making vinaigrettes or sauces.
Greatest Worth: KitchenAid 7-Cup Food Processor
Wattage: 250 watts | Capability: 7 cups | Variety of Speeds: 3 | Guarantee: 1-year
Execs
- Cheerful coloration
- Versatile, mid-size bowl
- Robust motor for measurement
Cons
- Barely unstable whereas in use
Why we selected it: The proper companion for cooks who aren’t planning on making giant batches from a trusted model.
KitchenAid is thought for its sturdy stand mixers, however that belief simply extends to its different merchandise, together with the 7-cup meals processor. It is ready to slice, shred, chop, and puree whereas sustaining a smaller profile in your kitchen countertop at a really respectable 7-cup capability and value. For many who aren’t planning giant prep classes, this measurement ought to handle virtually each of your on a regular basis meals processing wants, and it is available in a collection of engaging colours, together with our favourite Empire Pink.
Greatest for Spacious Kitchen: Breville Sous Chef
Wattage: 1200 watts | Capability: 16 cups and a couple of.5 cups | Guarantee: 1-year
Execs
- Extraordinarily highly effective
- Quiet
- Adjustable slicing disc
Cons
- Massive
- Costly
- Not dishwasher protected
Why we selected it: Breville’s Sous Chef is a mighty device within the kitchen (you probably have the area), that may handle any meals processing want in file time.
Breville all the time brings the bells and whistles with its glossy home equipment, and the Sous Chef isn’t any exception. It’s exceptionally highly effective, with the flexibility to create easy nut butters or hummus, swiftly slice greens thinly for any software, or regulate for thick cuts like steak fries. It’s an all-purpose prepping machine, that comes with a small bowl for smaller duties, a big bowl for mixing, pureeing, and slicing greens. The very best function of all is the adjustable slicing disc that means that you can fine-tune the scale of your slices from paper-thin to ⅓ inch thickness.
Greatest for Small Areas: Cuisinart Elemental 4-cup
Wattage: 250 Watts | Capability: 4 cups | Variety of Speeds: 2 | Guarantee: 1-year
Execs
- Dishwasher protected
- Compact measurement for simple storage
- Separate controls for chopping and grinding
Cons
- Much less highly effective motor than bigger fashions
- No further equipment
Why we selected it: The perfect measurement for small duties within the kitchen with the identical capabilities as its bigger brethren.
With the facility of Cuisinart in a small package deal, the Elemental can rapidly chop, shred, grate, and puree with one of the best of them. It simply occurs to be simply saved and cleaned, on account of its small measurement. It’s the identical value because the longtime favourite Cuisinart Mini-Chopper, a petite 3-cup meals processor, however affords extra capability and the flexibility to cut or grind on the contact of a button, making the Elemental a transparent winner.
Greatest for Professionals: Robot Coupe
Wattage: 840 watts | Capability: 3 liters | Variety of Speeds: 1 | Guarantee: N/A
Execs
- Warmth- and shock-resistant lid
- Easy to make use of
- Indestructible
Cons
- Not aesthetically pleasing
- Just one operate
- Heavy
Why we selected it: Whereas most dwelling cooks don’t require a commercial-grade meals processor to get the work accomplished, the Robotic Coupe is just the toughest working, easiest machine we’ve ever labored with.
If you happen to’ve ever labored in a restaurant kitchen, you’ve come throughout the Robotic Coupe, a heavy, large-and-in-charge machine that may grind just about something to mud. Its industrial pink and grey look is one clue, as is its single row of three, giant buttons: On, Off, and Pulse. It comes with one sharp, easy S-blade that can simply course of any ingredient you throw at it, from nuts to exhausting chocolate to doughs. It’s an enormous funding, however for anybody utilizing their meals processor day by day, it would final a lifetime.
How We Selected These Merchandise
Senior Commerce Editor Ellen Fort attended culinary college, has labored in skilled kitchens, and continues to be an avid dwelling cook dinner. She’s encountered the whole lot from tiny Cuisinarts to may Robotic Coupes, and all of the fashions in between. She additionally spoke with business specialists like Saveur’s Editorial Director Kat Craddock to study extra about what makes a meals processor actually excellent.
Options to Hold in Thoughts When Purchasing for a Meals Processor
Energy
The ability degree that’s finest for you is dependent upon the kind of kitchen work you’ll be doing. For dense doughs, giant batches, and extended use, a robust processor just like the Breville Sous Chef or Robotic Coupe will serve you properly. For infrequent processing, like pestos, vinaigrettes, or nut butter, a smaller mannequin with much less energy will work simply nice. That stated, if the motor appears to be struggling at any time, give the machine a relaxation in order that the motor doesn’t burn out; await a second, scrape the perimeters of the bowl and begin once more.
Measurement & Dimensions
Contemplate out there storage and counter area when buying an equipment like this. The bigger fashions are hefty, and never conducive to hauling across the kitchen; smaller fashions just like the Cuisinart Elemental are simple to shuffle out and in of cupboards.
Velocity & Settings
For many makes use of, a single setting with the addition of a pulse operate is enough. Some fashions embrace particular settings for chopping or grinding, although that’s usually simply accomplished utilizing one velocity.
Equipment & Attachments
Most meals processors don’t include a bevy of additional attachments. Bigger fashions could include a shredding disc, grating disc, dough blade, and chopping blade. Smaller fashions usually don’t embrace attachments.
Ask the Consultants
Q: What’s the distinction between a meals processor and a blender?
A meals processor is designed for dense, much less liquidy purposes (although vinaigrettes and nut butters are nonetheless well-suited) that have to be chopped or floor, like pie dough or chickpeas for hummus. A meals processor additionally leaves a courser texture when pureeing, versus a blender that can use a smaller blade and excessive velocity for a really easy texture.
Q: How do I clear my meals processor?
Heat cleaning soap and water are your finest guess. Usually the polycarbonate bowls will clear very simply when scrubbed by hand. Many are dishwasher protected, however be sure that to double-check the handbook earlier than loading them.
Q: Do all meals processors include a guaranty?
Not essentially. Ensure that to examine the producer’s web site for clarification on the size of the guarantee and what it covers earlier than buying.
Q: Can meals processors change blenders?
No. “I by no means love to do something sloshy or moist in a meals processor,” says Craddock. “It’s not hermetic and it’s going to splash up over the perimeters so ii use a blender or immersion blender or an everyday blender for smoothies, or vichyssoise for something that’s drinkable or eatable on a spoon.”
Our Take
There’s no getting round it: Meals processors can take up a whole lot of useful area. Nonetheless, when you’ve actually explored the huge skills of those machines, your kitchen prep work can grow to be miles simpler. Selecting the best processor for you is all about how a lot you cook dinner, and the place you may retailer it, actually.
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