Mini food chopper - does anyone use one?

[maggiethecat]

I have a big food processor but sometimes it's a faff to get out and am thinking of something small that I can have to hand as we use so much chopped onion.

The other thing with a food processor is that the onion can get a bit wet, mushy, iyswim, and that interferes with the frying off process.

Recommendations for a mini processor that's quick and does a good job would be very welcome.

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MNHQ

I use this one, got it for Christmas. It works like a dream, even with onions!

yes we have a Kenwood mini chopper which came from Tesco I think? and it's great for small amounts, I would say it's a bit smaller than the lakeland one

@bearlyactive
I'm looking at that one although it does look a bit big. But if it works like a dream for onions I could find space 😀

@didldidi
Thinks I've seen Kenwood in my local supermarket - will check that out too!

I've got the Ninja - can certainly recommend it.
I had a Kenwood, it stopped working, so got a replacement from Amazon. That also stopped, so I'll never but anything from Kenwood again.

@Georgyporky
The Ninja has good reviews but it seems that the Kenwood gets top rating - wonder if it's ridiculously bad luck that both of yours were no good?

I have one of these. Everything comes apart & is dishwasher proof.

OXO Good Grips Chopper https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0002YTFU0/ref=cmswwrcppapifabcc_3D0bGbVV2B7SS

I've got a Kenwood mini chopper, bought it about 20 years ago when it was one of Delia Smith's must have items. We use it several times a week, I'd replace it immediately if it broke.

I think Kenwood nowadays is a very different brand to the 70s. Inherited my Aunts very old Kenwood Chef and it lasted till a couple of years ago.
I have a small Breville mini chopper combined with stick blender. It sits very easily at the back of the work surface, always plugged in and is very easy and convenient.

I've have the same kenwood mini chopper as @EssentiallyDelighted - recommended by Delia so I guess must be about 20 years old too!

It's great for smaller quantities (today chopped 1 chopped onion, 2 garlic cloves & a piece of ginger) and because you have to hold the button down, can't over chop unless you want to.

Another vote for the kenwood mini chopper. I use it all the time for onions and breadcrumbs mostly.

Yup, I love the Kenwood. Not good for onions on their own (better with a hand chopper for those) but for Thai pastes, curry pastes, breadcrumbs, grating chocolate, and a myriad of other things, it's fantastic.

@Luckingfovely
I was sold on the Kenwood until you said not good for onions on their own. That's why I'm buying one, so I can stop wearing my swim goggles when chopping onions 🤣

I once saw someone, I can't remember who, chop onions in a chopper in a few seconds and they weren't soppy or mushy - just right for frying off in so many of my recipes.

This is what you need!
VonShef Mini Chopper, Small 400W Electric Food Processor with 2 Speeds for Vegetable Cutting & Dicing - Chop, Blend, Mix & Puree- for Salads, Salsa & More - Stainless Steel Blades & 1.2L Glass Bowl www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07HWXX3HQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_7t2bGbV178HYM?tag=mumsnetforu03-21

@EleanorElena
It looks good but just a bit more pricey than the others 😞

I have this one - the bowl is glass so if your regularly chopping onions, garlic etc - won't start smelling unlike the plastics ones (I had the kenwood mini chopper previously and found the plastic bowl took on these smells - if that makes sense?)

https://ao.com/product/24662-russell-hobbs-desire-choppers-and-grinder-black-69535-74.aspx?utmmedium=affiliates&utmmsource=guenstiger.de+GmbH&utmcampaign=Price%20Comparison%7C331615&utmmcontent=0&svcampaignnid=331615&svtax1=affiliate&svvtax2=&svtax3=guenstiger.de+GmbH&svvtax4=0&svaffiliateeid=331615&awc=1952616110988777_0f00c29676855e2c2acb807ede4b1fec

I have an attachment for Braun hand blender,I must say it’s the most used part and getting a bit worn out now so bought one at Lidl’s in December. Haven’t tried it yet but looks promising- 500W and glass container,not plastic.

Huge timesaver when making soups or ragu.

Kenwood mini chopper here too. I didn’t realise so many people owned one. It’s really handy for those small jobs.

I could never get on with any electric mini choppers I've tried over the years. Even the relatively minor faff of plugging them annoyed me and they sat unused in the cupboard.

But I got one of these pull cord choppers a few years ago and use it all the time zyliss.co.uk/products/zyliss-easy-pull-food-processor

Also bought the Lidl version (as a back up!) and it's even better for less than half the price.

I have one and use it all the time, mostly for onions and also celery and carrots for a base for stuff

I keep mine right next to my chopping board and knives. I use it for garlic, onions, celery, and many other things like chopping up carrots finely to hide in a pasta sauce.

One thing I have found over the years is it is best to get one where the blade is close to the bottom when you use it for small amounts, so it chops it rather than plastering it on the bottom under the blade. I hope that makes sense.

Using a pulse setting makes sure you can control the size of the chop. If no pulse setting, just push the on button repetitively rather than holding it down.

I had one as part of a braun stick blender set years ago. Worked well for many years, but the blade stopped spinning and the chopper part stopped. I still use the stick part and the whipping attachement though.

I bought a mini chopper from lidl last year. Worked ok at first, but within 6mths, the blade went blunt, jammed and I needed to turn the whole thing on the side to get it to work! I cant recommend anything as still looking myself!

Kenwood mini chopper here too.

I use mine all the time. Pesto. Curry paste. Breadcrumbs

It was great for weaning the kids.

I can't really say about onions as the only time I put onions in is for making the curry paste and you have to add water to blend it down

I use ours for onions all the time and it's never picked up a noticeable smell, but we always put the parts through the dishwasher. I don't use it for anything sweet or that would be negatively affected by a bit of onion flavour in any case.

I've got this which is brilliant
www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07T2H8K6R/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_fabc_bd.bGb3S60KTA?tag=mumsnetforu03-21

and also one of these

www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B076V94L5F/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_fabc_fe.bGbPBSRE9E?tag=mumsnetforu03-21

I also have a Food Processor with 3 different sized bowls but tend to use the manual ones for chopping onions and carrots as so much easier.

I’ve got the aldi one. It’s brilliant.
I’ve had a few of the attachment ones, so the one you can add a whisk to or a blender attachment.
Brilliant, but theyve never lasted.
My aldi mini one just keeps on and on