Talk to me about food processors...

[quickitsapoo]

Boring I know but I'm still a bit excited.

Decided I need a food processor but started looking around and no idea what will be best.

I've got a good budget so can splash out but what do I need to look out for?

Any tips? Anything that really annoys you? Do you use it as much as you hoped? Anything it does that is just wonderful?

Please talk to me about your food processors!

---

This thread is quite old now, so some of the suggestions may be out of date, but if you’ve landed here looking for the latest advice and guidance, we’ve recently updated our best food processor page with the models MNers love. We hope this helps.
MNHQ

If you've got a good budget, then go for a magimix. I have a full sized one that mainly gets used for slicing and grating with the odd bit of pastry or crumble mix - all things I find difficult to do manually due to dodgy joints. Also have a small one that I use mainly for curry pastes.

Watching because I'm looking for a good one too! All the ones I like seem to be sold out now though

Agree with the magimix recommendation. I’ve had mine for 16 years and it’s still going strong! I’ve had to replace the bowl once, but that was relatively inexpensive. I use it a lot: slicing, grating, pureeing, blending, making pastry etc. The little bowl is good for curry pastes etc. I used to use it for cakes too, but have recent got a kitchen aid mixer that I use for that sort of stuff. If I could only have one of them, I’d have the magimix.

www.lakeland.co.uk/70082/Kenwood-Multipro-Classic-Food-Processor-FDM790BA
Love mine for baking as it has an inbuilt weighing scale. I use the sharp blade for 'all in one' cakes and the plastic blade for dough/rubbing fat into flour for scones etc.
I have also used the slicing functions to make soups occasionally and it works well but my main priority was easy baking.

If you've got the budget, Magimix

If budget isn't problem then I would suggest Thermomix

another vote for Magimix!

Posted this and then fell asleep, sorry!

I like the three bowls on the Magimix and think it's the front runner but reviews say that people would prefer to select the speed rather than the Auto speed function - is this a problem?

Love the idea of integrated weighing scales on the Kenwood but think I'm really keen on different sized bowls.

Anything else I need to look out for? Anyone made any expensive mistakes I need to look out for?

What do you use yours for most? If cooking dinner for 8, would you chop using the food processor?

I'm worried that having to wash all the bits will stop me using it. We do have a dishwasher but it looks like it would fill it up in one use!

Off to look at the Thermomix!

I love my magimix. I have never felt the need to alter the speed manually.

My model is a bit old now, but I do think the three bowls thing is a bit of a gimmick. I hardly ever use the smaller bowls, inevitably some stuff gets into the larger bowl and you have to wash the lot. I use it for cake making, chopping, whisking egg whites and occasionally slicing to make coleslaw.

The chopping I use it for is for when I need a lot done, like a big batch of chutney, or a stew or bolognese base (ie carrot, celery, onion etc) when you don't want big chunks. When I make meatballs I chuck in toast for the breadcrumbs, the cooked onion and seasonings etc so my fussy children won't detect them. I actually think this is nicer now than bigger onion pieces, so I'll keep on doing that even when they are no longer fussy.

It's not time effective to use it for all tasks. It really depends on the sort of cooking you do.

I would love integrated weighing scales. So useful for baking.

I forgot, we probably use it most often for pancake mix. Not crepes, the fluffy American ones.

I have an kitchen aid one. Very powerful and about 15 years old. New bowl was expensive mostly due to shipping.

Whatever you get make sure it's powerful and has the biggest bowl possible. Buy an extra bowl at the start.

I love my Magimix and have had it for years (and I also love the fact that they are made in France).

Thanks for starting this thread. You actually beat me to it as I am considering exactly the same.

I had a Magimix when I was first married which lasted for about twenty years. It was great but the bowl/lid broke and I couldn't get a replacement. My next was a Cuisinart which has been great and so far is twelve years old. Again, problems with the bowl and lid and I can't get a replacement.

I have got a Kenwood stand mixer which is fantastic, but I do need a food processor as well.

Watching with interest to see your recommendations.

I have no recommendations on the food processor, but I can heartily recommend getting a mini one too - I have a little one that I use so often for things like breadcrumbs, hummus, herbs etc. it's tiny so it's easy to just grab out of the cupboard when I'm making meatballs or whatever. It's so useful it's followed me through multiple moves when less useful gadgets have been put into storage and never brought out again.

I use a nutribullet for pancake mix - because cleanup is so easy with the cup.

Yes. We do have too many gadgets. I definitely blame DP

So if the little bowl inside the big creates lots of mess, does that mean I need a food processor and a mini-chopper? Is it possible to make small amounts of dip, pesto etc in a big bowl?

Not in the big bowl as the blade doesn’t reach the bottom so there is a gap.

We have been gifted a Magimix recently and I love it!

Been making mayo, prawn bisque, bread and soup.

If I had the money, it would be the Thermomix.

I had a good budget about 12 years ago and got Kenwood Chef Platinum. Bloody lovely machine. We make bread regularly, I bake. The processor has all the usual attachments and gets used for coleslaw, breadcrumbs and all sorts, and it has a glass blender, which makes soup easy.

I also got a mini processor for small batches, it too gets used a lot.

Besides a good set of knives I don't think we've needed anything else.

Have fun looking, it surprised me back then, with what was available. There must be lots more now

I've got a Kenwood Prospero, the smaller version of the Chef. It has a mixing bowl, food processor, liquidiser and spice grinder, I bought some of these separately. Also a separate mini chopper for pesto, curry paste, finely chopping one onion or similar. It is brilliant, had it about 10 years and it gets used all the time, I just can't imagine doing without it. I probably wouldn't pay extra for inbuilt scales as it is no bother using the bowls with my normal digital scales and I'd need to keep them for non Kenwood cooking. If I had more space I'd have gone for the Chef.