Food processor or blender

[BeetheQueenBee]

I want some kind of blender that I can use for making soup and also for chopping up onion and ginger and the like.

I have a food ninja smoothie maker and I use that for making soup and sauces sometimes but it only works if there is a lot of liquid in there and liquidises rather than chops up. DH thinks it makes my soups too smooth, so I have reverted to chunky soups (no blender).

What do I need?

Couldn't you just pulse the blender so it's not smooth? I have both and find the processor good for chopping bull veggies and the blender good for smooth soup

No it doesn’t seem to work as that just leave liquidy bits and chunky bits... I think.

Also need a fair amount of water so can’t just chop an onion as need to need put the water in and then come out with onion paste

In your situation then, I would get a food processor. If you have something which can already act as a blender then a food processor seems to give you the most options. I wouldn't be able to chop onions in my blender either - like you I would need to add enough water to create onion puree!

We just bought a Maximix Compact and it's fab. Chops, grates, blends, makes smoothies etc.

Just googled the maximix and it is about £200?

Was hoping for something cheap like £50 ish but would pay more if it’s worth it

I was initially thinking of a hand blender but one that comes with an attachment I can do onions etc in

Can you tell I hate chopping onions

We paid £179 from John Lewis so yeah they're not cheap. Last forever though.

Also something small and easy to store would be a bonus

Dualities do a thing which you can put into the soup pan and blend. With attachments for whipping and grinding.

Dualit 88910 700 Watt Hand Blender, Polished https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00JBEZUPG/ref=cmswwrcppapiii_Pl.VEbE900W38

I store most of that in a spare kitchen drawer.

Why not go for a mixer/blender combo? I previously had a Philips similar to this:

www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07Q138TKY/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_c_api_i_vs.VEbBRBE1EZ?tag=mumsnetforu03-21

Not sure if the above is a clicky link but it’s very versatile. There are lots of different manufacturers that do the base with different jugs & attachments; something this should do everything you need both blending and processing wise.

*like this

The Dualit thing is along the lines of the ones I was looking at

Is Dualit a good brand for kitchen stuff?

The problem with amazon is I’ve seen loads of unknown brands and they look similar but not sure if I trust the reviews

Trying to compare the Dualit thing with the Philips style one

I must watch too much QVC because I’d like to see them in action on a video!

Yes think so- I like dualitt. That or a magimix are good, but do different jobs.

I use one of these for chopping, it's not got a big capacity like a processor but it's easy enough to work in batches:
www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00XYRVZHI/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_1jhWEbTPSTFTH?tag=mumsnetforu03-21

And then a stick blender for soup.

I’d go for something like that @HardAsSnails if it works. What do you use it for?

I got one of those mini push blenders, think it’s Salter, and only used it once as it was crap. Didn’t cut through the onion well and then all the onion stuck in it...

Or wondering about something like this

Might actually see what QVC has so I can see some of these types of gadgets in action

I've used the little manual blender for chopping onions and peppers as well as for making spice pastes.

I've tried one of those push down choppers and found that if it encounters any resistance it slips and you end up with many little bits of plastic in your food. Never again.

What about a hand blender with that small processor? I use my hand blender most of all my gadgets. I have
this kenwood one but don't really use the big foot, or masher. It's so easy to just blend the soup in the pan.

Or -a hand blender and buy frozen chopped onions, and frozen ginger?

I’ve got a magimix and I love it. I’m not particularly into branded stuff, but it is so superior to every blender/processor I’ve ever owned, comes with different sized attachments and loads of different blades. I use it several times a week and it still works like it’s new.

I love my Magimix too but I don't think OP wants to spend that much.

Very tempted by the Kenwood one.

Had a hand blender and used it for soups in the pan but it broke which is partly why I’m thinking of getting that type again but also like the ones that come with attachments the chop up veg etc.

I remembered today that I have around £200 vouchers to use that I can use at John Lewis so thinking I might use those to buy a hand blender system or food processor.

I bet the magimix is great and I’m not ruling it out but I had in mind something easy to use, easy to clean, small and that doesn’t take up too much space

I have a kenwood food processor that also has a blender that you can put on the base unit instead- from Costco. Very pleased.

Had another Kenwood FP before

Also a kenwood mini chopper is excellent

The Kenwood one is out of stock on John Lewis

The Dualit one posted above is in stock at John Lewis. Think I’d rather buy from JL than Amazon in case there is an issue with it as they have good customer service.

Would this type of blender chop up veg without need to put in water?

www.johnlewis.com/dualit-88910-hand-blender-set/p1117218

Yes, that one would do all the things you want it to do. For hand blenders I prefer plastic as they're lighter and don't scratch or mark pans. But it's personal choice really.