Kitchen appliances come with multiple functions as saving space became a modern-day issue in our kitchens. We acquired the need of having practical machines that we can rely on doing more than one work. Food processors and choppers are both useful for preparing food but which one would you need specifically? We will break down some of their functions to hopefully guide you through your decision.
Food Processors
You can rely on performing some labor-intensive food preparing with processors that have razor-sharp blades. Their motors tend to be more powerful and operating with them is extremely safe; You would be adding the ingredients to the processor through a chute. There is no way for your fingers to come in contact with those blades. Apart from the grating, chopping, and dicing vegetables, food processors also blend hummus, mix bread dough or emulsify dressings. Just make sure to read the manufacturer’s guidance to make sure the ingredients you will be adding are safe to be processed. You might need to cut some of the solid ingredients into small pieces to fit them through the opening tube.
To match their multi-purpose feature, processors often come with a variety of attachments that are easy to operate. Extra blades will help you with your aimed thickness while paddles will help you knead dough. While these pieces of equipment maximize your usage, it’s good to consider if you would actually use them because they take up more space and cost a little more than choppers.
You would like your processor to have a strong motor for tougher processes like kneading stiff dough or chopping hard vegetables such as carrots. If the motor is not powerful enough, your food won’t operate as smoothly as you want it to be. Another risk is, of course, burning the motor. Even though most models have strong motors, they come with a pulse button so you will be able to have your desired texture with reliable control.
Food Choppers
A food chopper’s main function is to shred the food rather than creating a homogenized mixture. Multipurpose chopping sets allow you to prepare a pleasant food presentation with your vegetables and fruits, using different blade options. You can use a chopper to chop all your salad ingredients, cheese varieties, and some ingredients that can’t be hand-chopped. They are also handy for chopping some solid food like nuts and cooked meat.
Some models are manual, which means they rely on some handwork rather than electricity. They often have a pull-cord or turning mechanism to spin the blades. This might look tiresome but if they are the models you are looking for, there are some ergonomic models that will save you from trouble.
Electric models are easier to operate with buttons to guide you as they don’t rely on muscle power. They are more like food processors but smaller and more specialized in their functionality.
Since they have a smaller container compared to a food processor, you might need to cut your vegetables or fruits into small pieces before chopping them. Models with pulse options will give the motor a resting time if the ingredients include more challenging, solid food.
While food processors can do both light and heavy work at the same time, choppers are only ideal for lighter works. Apart from chopping or dicing onions, garlic, carrots, or celery; you can also prepare some tasty sauces, dips, or dressings. Most models are dishwasher-safe so after you are finished with your chopping, you will have little to no trouble cleaning them.
Best Food Chopper/Food Processor Brands and Reviews
Chef’n VeggiChop Hand-Powered Food Chopper
Ideal for whipping up batches of hummus, salsa, guacamole, and more, this chopper also comes with a sealing storage lid to keep ingredients in the container. As this is a pull-cord model, all you have to do is add the ingredients and pull the cord to spin the chopping blades. Every piece is removable and dishwasher safe. Running without electricity, this hand-powered chopper is great for small kitchens, travel, and camping!
BLACK+DECKER 1.5-Cup Electric Food Chopper
The motor has 70 watts of power which give you the right amount to chop, mince, and slice the variety of ingredients in the kitchen. The chopper gives you the power to easily prepare ingredients for larger recipes and create your favorite side dishes. One-touch pulse control starts the stainless steel blades to chop and mince food in the 1.5-cup prep bowl. Plus, all removable parts are dishwasher-safe for fast and easy cleanup. If you have difficulty or lack of strength while trying to perform a wide grip/twist, this will be a lifesaver in the kitchen. The bowl just lifts right off of the unit and no wide grip or twisting action is required!
Cuisinart CTG-00-SCHP Stainless Steel Chopper
Comes with a removable platform to chop the vegetables or ingredients on. Available to use on top of a cutting board, but you can actually leave the rubber base on the bottom and not mar your countertop. The blade is not removable but it’s still easy to clean! No electricity required, no ribs so easy to get chopped food out, easy to assemble, and to disassemble for dishwasher, this chopper is definitely a winner!
Ninja Mega Kitchen System (BL770) Blender/Food Processor
The name says it all, it’s a mega, multi-functional kitchen system. It comes packed with 1500 watts of power to handle all of your drink and meal-making needs, included several attachments; a 72ounce pitcher, 64-ounce food processor bowl, and a 16 ounce of Nutri Ninja cup. The set comes with locking lids for safety and the base has a suction cup on the bottom that stays on the counter right where you put it. Less expensive than the other premium processors in this power range, but with more accessories!
Cuisinart DFP-14CGRY 14-Cup Food Processor
This large capacity food processor speeds up the cooking- from quick, daily meals to family gatherings and gives you more spare time. With the large 14-Cup bowl, extra-large feed tube, and parts that are dishwasher friendly, there’s more time to share the delicious results with family and friends. You can whip up dough for two pizzas or a double crust pie without even the tiniest dust of flour escaping. It’s easy to clean, however, it’s best to hand-wash the bowl as time may negatively impact the seal between the top and the large bowl.
