If you’re looking to spend a small fortune on a modern kitchen gadget, it may be time for you to reconsider. Despite the fact that food processors seem like the most convenient option of two, mixers are an excellent option for people who want to save money. Food processors can sometimes be difficult to clean, but mixers are easy as pie and don’t require an extra appliance in your kitchen. If you don’t have room for a mixer in your cabinets, you can always find a spot in your desk drawer or on top of one of these tiny desk space savers!
Consider how much money and time you’ll save with this decision when choosing which machine will work best for your needs.
It’s all about the dough:
You must be wondering what the difference is between a food processor and a mixer. The truth is, they’re both a set of tools that help speed up your cooking process. However, because they both refer to a device which can quickly mix and cut ingredients, you can use them interchangeably in many cases.
Mixers are usually bigger, but are more expensive than their processor counterparts. For example, there are so many different models of mixers for kitchen appliances, ranging in sizes from portable to heavy-duty mixing bowls. If you prefer to purchase only the most basic kitchen gadget on this list, it may be time for you to invest in a mixer instead of a food processor.
You can use them interchangeably and they’re relatively easy to clean, so both work well in your kitchen. However, if you prefer to economize on space, use a mixer and stick to the smaller appliances like coffee makers or colanders.
Choose the Right One for Your Kitchen:
If you only have a small space in your kitchen, it’s best to choose a mixers. If you have more room in your cabinets and are considering purchasing a food processor, consider this tidbit of information: A food processor is ideal for work surface size of 14″ or less; while a mixer will work with work surfaces of up to 18 inches.
Can I Use A Food Processor Instead Of A Mixer?
You may be tempted to use a food processor instead of a mixer, but that decision may be a costly one. A high-end food processor can cost you around $200 before tax. For example, if you stick with the KitchenAid model, which is an average price for hand crank models, it will cost approximately $83.50 before tax. For comparison sake, it will taake approximately 45 minutes to save the same amount of time with a hand crank food processor.
Take time and consider your budget while choosing a dietitian or personal chef and determine what type of machine is best for your needs and kitchen space.
Can I Use A Stand Mixer Instead Of A Food Processor?
Stand mixers are great for kneading bread dough in the early stages of baking, but you need a food processor if you want to slice or chop ingredients. For example, French fries don’t need to be diced in a mixer because it’s not possible (though potato chips does work well with a mixer).
However, keep in mind that you can use any type of mixer for kneading dough, as well as just about any other cooking process. Mixers are ideal for heavy duty tasks like preparing meat for grilling or large quantities of cookie dough. If you’re preparing small amounts of food and love the convenience of using an electric mixer, it’a best to stick with one.
The Top Five Differences Between a Food Processor and A Mixer:
There are so many products on the market, it can become confusing to choose between the two. With this in mind, here are some of the most important differences between mixers and food processors:
Do They Cost The Same?
Another consideration is price. You may be interested to know that food processors usually cost more than mixers. For example, KitchenAid hand grind models only cost $83.50 before tax, while their most expensive stand mixer costs over $400! Of course, price will depend on the brand you choose and the size of the appliance you purchase.
What is the Best Food Processor?
Readers have various opinions on the best food processor. Several people maintain that KitchenAid is the best brand, while other readers say they prefer Cuisinart. At least one consumer likes the Black & Decker Food Processor and claims it’s easy to clean and maintain.
Some models are more expensive than others with the exception of hand crank models (as mentioned above). However, you can pay less for a powerful model after tax by purchasing an older, discontinued model. Consumer Reports noted that a recent discontinued Cuisinart model cost $25 after tax. The KitchenAid Hand-Crank will cost you around $80 before tax, which is comparable to a stand mixer of equivalent age and power.
There is only one brand of stand mixer that’s proven to be the most reliable, but you can find the best deal with a little research. For example, Consumer Search reports that the most powerful mixer from KitchenAid is priced at $400. If you purchase their hand-crank model instead (which will cost about $80), you can save almost half that amount without sacrificing power or quality.
What is The Best Hand Crank Food Processor?
If you live in a dorm and are looking for a small food processor on a budget, consider purchasing an inexpensive hand crank model. For example, the Krups Mini Chopper costs approximately $33 before tax and comes with two different discs (for chopping and mixing). Another popular choice is the Cuisinart Mini Prep which costs approximately $45. While these models are smaller than pricier food processor models, they are still capable of slicing and chopping ingredients with ease.
Can You Use A Mixer Or Blender Instead Of A Food Processor?
It’s possible to use a stand mixer or blender for most food processing tasks. It may take a little longer to user a mixer, but it’s cleaner and faster than using a food processor. One small note of caution: If you choose to purchase a blender, make sure you’ve thoroughly washed the blades before using them. If they’re not properly cleaned, they will malfunction and/or injure you while working.
Do I Need Both?
There are several factors you should consider before purchasing both mixers and food processors. For example, it’s best to have both food processor and mixer versions of the same size model in different colors – this way you can quickly identify the type of appliance that’s being used at all times. It doesn’t take up more space and it helps to keep your kitchen organized.
Other things you should consider are the capabilities of each product. While a mixer can serve as a food processor, it’s best not to use both products simultaneously because they require different amounts of work. For example, you can use a mixer to knead bread dough ingredients, but a food processor will be necessary for cutting ingredients or dicing vegetables and fruits.
Do Food Processors Really Save Time?
If you’re the type that likes fast meals, you may discover that using a food processor can actually save time (as well as easier cleanup). For example, if you’re a fan of chicken parmesan over pasta, it’s possible to quickly slice and dice the ingredients, mix them up and pour them onto a pan. The same can be said for pizza toppings or salad ingredients.
How Good Is The KitchenAid Mixer Food Processor Attachment Vs A Standalone Food Processor?
As mentioned above, this is a common question. It’s important to note that stand mixer attachments aren’t always powerful enough to dicing and slicing foods, which is why it’s important to read the product reviews. To give you an example, some KitchenAid Stand Mixer/Food Processor models are more durable than others because they were built to last. The KitchenAid 5-Quart Stand Mixer/Food Processor (KFP600) with Bowl Scraper on sale for $300 at Amazon.com gets 4 out of 5 stars on Amazon and costs about $18 more than their 4-Quart Stand Mixer/Food Processor model.
We suggest you purchase the KitchenAid 5-Quart Stand Mixer/Food Processor (KFP600) just because it’s more durable than their 4-Quart model. You can save $25.00 by purchasing it on sale.
Final Thoughts:
A mixer is a more versatile appliance than a food processor, but they don’t always have to be used at the same time. Product reviews are an excellent place to find comparisons between different models, as well as features and capabilities of each product. Consumer Reports has several articles that can help you determine the best food processor for your needs.
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