Top 5 Best Food Processors 2022: Reviews And Buyers Guide

Cuisinart 14-Cup Food Processor

BOTTOM LINE
Top Brand
An excellent product from a well-known brand.

PROS
Large food chute. Includes user-friendly blades and attachments included and a 14-cup bowl. It looks lovely on the counter with clear, minimalist lines and stainless steel construction.

CONS
It's somewhat heavier than the less costly versions.

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Hamilton Beach 12-Cup Stack & Snap Food Processor

BOTTOM LINE
Affordable Yet Capable
A simple, affordable food processor that will meet most people's needs.

PROS
For a high-capacity model, it's lightweight and compact. It's simple to operate and store. The function guide tells you which blade to utilize and which buttons to press. The base is steady and doesn't shake across the countertop.

CONS
The 500-watt engine is of average quality. A tiny percentage of complaints cite product failure.

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Ninja 400-Watt Blender/Food Processor

BOTTOM LINE
Easiest to Use
A basic blender. It can be used to blend different types of food.

PROS
This powerful blender is excellent for making smoothies, chopping vegetables, and more. It outperforms similarly priced rivals in terms of handling frozen blending. Anti-spill splash guard and a convenient non-slip base are included. A budget device.

CONS
It's not as powerful as some competitors.

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KitchenAid 3.5-Cup Food Chopper

BOTTOM LINE
Compact Design
This is a good option for individuals who don't have space for a bigger processor.

PROS
It's a tiny powerhouse that takes up minimal room to run or store. The 3.5-cup capacity is convenient. There's a handy drizzle basin for liquid recipes on hand. It comes in various bright hues and is frequently purchased as a secondary processor for smaller jobs.

CONS
Opening, installing, and securely fastening the cover can be challenging.

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BLACK + DECKER 8-Cup Food Processor

BOTTOM LINE
Best for Beginners
Simple to use and efficient. A fantastic starting processor.

PROS
A sturdy, ultra-sharp stainless steel chopping blade, slicer, and dicer. For simple cleaning, many components are detachable and dishwasher-safe. Simple controls make it easier to use. The food chute makes cutting long veggies a breeze.

CONS
The noise is comparable to that of a lawnmower, with an average level of 80-90 decibels.

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How to Choose the Best Food Processors

Food processors can chop, grind, slice, and puree a wide range of ingredients. If you want a single device that can juice fruits, knead the dough, and mix thick batters, you'll need the appropriate amount of power and different attachments.

Choosing a food processor depends on your culinary demands and budget. Small processors, also known as food choppers, are ideal for light food preparation and modest budgets. If you're looking for a bigger food processor to handle more prep duties, a full-size version is the way to go.

We've compiled a list of the top food processors to help you add this versatile gadget to your culinary arsenal.

IS A FOOD PROCESSOR NECESSARY?

A food processor is an excellent investment for anybody who frequently cooks at home.

It can save you time when preparing meals with fresh vegetables or other ingredients that need chopping, slicing, mincing, or shredding. It's also helpful in creating your salsas and dips.

Some uses of a food processor:

• Grate cheese
• Make mayonnaise, salad dressings, and gravies.
• Prepare cream-based fillings for desserts.

TYPES OF FOOD PROCESSORS

Food processors can be divided into full-size food processors and small food choppers.

Food chopper

Like a traditional food processor, a food chopper has a smaller capacity and less power than a full-size food processor.

So food choppers are typically less expensive and take up less room on your countertop due to their smaller size.

Full-size food processor

It can swiftly chop and slice vegetables, grate cheese, and purée dips.

Some models are more sophisticated, such as mixing bread dough or juicing fruits and vegetables.

CONSIDERATIONS WHEN BUYING A FOOD PROCESSOR

Bowl size

Consider how big your family is or how many people you cook for regularly when selecting a food processor. A bowl that can hold at least nine cups is ideal.

If you prepare for larger groups than four or like to make big batches of food that you can freeze, go for a model with a dish that holds 11 to 14 cups. In the same way, if you're only cooking for one person and using the processor to create small amounts of food, a bowl that holds three cups is often enough.

When selecting food processor bowls, look for one with a maximum liquid line. This will prevent you from pouring in too much liquid and causing leaks.

Motor wattage

When it comes to chopping, slicing, and shredding food, a food processor doesn't need a lot of power. However, if you want to use the device for other things, such as mixing dough, you'll need more strength.

If all you want to do is chop, mince, or puree food and don't require a lot of power, a 500- to 600-watt motor will suffice. For dough kneading, meat grinding, and other heavy-duty tasks, seek a food processor with a 700-watt or higher motor.

Blades

Many food processors come with several blades for various purposes. Many of these include a chopping, mincing, and puréeing blade and a slicer and grater blade.

Food chute

A food processor's feed tube lets you put food in while the machine is on.

Choose a model with an extensive food channel. You won't have to slice your ingredients before putting them through a wide chute, as you would with a small one.

Speeds

Food processors come with three settings: on, off, and pulse. The pulse option activates the machine for brief intervals to avoid over chopping, puréeing, or grinding your ingredients.

A few food processors include additional speed settings to help with heavier-duty operations. Look for a model with extra speeds if you want to use your machine for more than chopping, puréeing, and grating.

Controls

For control, food processors have levers, buttons, or touchpads.

The buttons and levers are simple to use, but they might be tough to clean if drinks are spilled on them.

A touchpad is just as simple to use and clean after. As a result, it may be worth the extra cost.

Accessories

Some food processors come with different-size work bowls, so you can mix and process various ingredients without having to clean the bowl. You may opt for one with a juicer and whipping attachment if you intend to use your food processor for something other than pureeing.

Extra features

Choose a food processor with specific functions for blending tasks, such as making smoothies and crushing ice, if you want the most versatile machine.

FOOD PROCESSOR PRICES

Food processors come in various sizes and strengths, ranging from a few dollars to thousands.

Top-tier food processors

For a larger food processor that can chop, slice, and shred substantial quantities of food, expect to pay between $99 and $380.

Mid-range food processors

For $50 to $99, you can get a mid-size food processor.

Budget food processors

Expect to pay between $30 and $40 for a small food chopper.

TIPS WHEN USING A FOOD PROCESSOR

• Don't fill up the bowl before placing the food processor on the base. The blade won't fit properly if you do that. Fill the bowl after positioning the bowl on the base and ensuring that the blade is in place.
• Be careful about placing your plastic pieces in the dishwasher, such as the bowl. The high water temperatures can induce tiny lightning bolt-style internal fractures in the plastic. They won't affect the bowl's structural integrity, but they will alter its appearance.
• Before putting anything in a food processor, cool it first. The plastic section of the blade can discolor and melt if the contents are hot.
• When using a food processor to puree soup, vegetable dishes, or fruit smoothies, don't fill it halfway with liquid. If there's too much liquid, it may seep or spray out the sides as the machine is turned on.
• Before adding food items to the food processor's bowl, roughly chop them.
• When you are puréeing or chopping, remember to scrape down the sides of the food processor bowl. This will ensure that all of the ingredients are chopped or puréed evenly.
• While you might consider the majority of your food processor's chopping and cutting tasks, don't overlook it when you need assistance with sweets. A food processor can quickly and effectively chop nuts, mix cheesecake batter, and break cookies into crumbs for pie crusts and toppings.
• Don't fill a food processor's basin to the top. Fill it three-fourths of the way and then process it.
• Opt for a food processor with stainless steel blades for the highest performance. They're extremely durable and perform the best.

FAQs

Q. What’s the difference between a food processor and a blender?

A. A blender is designed to puree foods that contain a lot of liquid, whereas a food processor is for chopping, slicing, and grating hard items. A basic blender can't be used in place of a food processor.

Q. How do I know if a food processor chops well?

A. The pulse speed of a food processor is the most important factor in how well it chops. The pulse should be powerful enough to move the ingredients around the bowl while being brief enough to avoid pulverizing the food.

Q. What makes food processors easier to store?

A. It's more convenient to use your food processor on the counter. However, if you plan to store it in a cupboard, the sides of the base and bowl are the most important factors for how easily it will fit.

Minimalist kitchen food choppers are the most portable. Look for one with a case for its blades and attachments, so you don't have to keep them loose in a drawer or cabinet if you're getting a full-size version.

6 UNCOMMON WAYS TO USE A FOOD PROCESSOR

• The pulse function and a regular blade help cut butter into the flour with ease for pie crust and other pastries.
• A tiny bowl, such as Breville's 2.5-cup bowl, is ideal for chopping little food without getting the larger bowl dirty.
• Make whole potatoes into fries in only seconds using the unique french fry blade attachment. The extra big food chute can accommodate an entire potato.
• The Breville's julienne disc can zoodle veggies for a salad or slaw without straining your wrist while using a manual zoodler.
• The grating disk shreds a huge block of cheese (and not your fingers). The extra-large chute on the Breville makes it easier to avoid pre-cutting.
• The emulsifying whisk disk is a must-have for whipping up whipped cream or butter in no time.

Cuisinart 14-Cup Food Processor

BOTTOM LINE
Top Brand
An excellent product from a well-known brand.

Shop Now

Hamilton Beach 12-Cup Stack & Snap Food Processor

BOTTOM LINE
Affordable Yet Capable
A simple, affordable food processor that will meet most people's needs.

Shop Now

Ninja 400-Watt Blender/Food Processor

BOTTOM LINE
Easiest to Use
A basic blender. It can be used to blend different types of food.

Shop Now