Information about the different cooking appliances.
Blenders, mixers, and food processors are all kitchen tools that have their own specialties. They’re not identical and they each have a different set of advantages and disadvantages. You’ll want to choose the right one for your specific needs to be able to make everything you want without any trouble! Here’s a quick summary of what each appliance does so that you know what to look for when you go shopping:
1) Blender: A blender is best if you need liquidy foods like smoothies or juices as it can liquify anything it comes in contact with (even tough ingredients like avocados!). It does this by creating a vortex that spins the food around and shakes the particles free. This is why blender drinks are so smooth! The downside of the blender is the noise which can become quite bothersome during the louder parts of dinner or when you’re trying to sleep. Also, some people don’t like how their food gets a “medicinal” taste after blending it.
2) Mixer: All else remained equal, I would recommend getting a mixer as my pick for best blender/food processor. It has a large bowl for mixing and kneading larger quantities of food and it’s easier to clean. The downside is that it can’t liquefy food like a blender can. You’ll want to throw your ingredients in the mixer to mix them but then transfer them to your blender if you want liquid.
3) Food Processor: A food processor is best if you are cooking with delicate ingredients or if you need small pieces of uniform sizes (like when making homemade croutons). It also works well for chopping and mix-ins which is good because it’s probably going to be your busiest appliance. The downside is that it can’t liquefy foods but it does a great job of chopping, shredding, and slicing fruits and vegetables.
4) Salad Dressing Maker: If you’re making salad dressings from scratch then I would recommmend a salad dressing maker. The one thing that you’ll want to watch out for is the container; this will be where most of the food gets stored when you’re not using it, so make sure you choose one that has a non-spill lid (like this one ). If you’re not going to use the dressing right away, then you’ll want to store it in an airtight container just like you would with regular dressings.
5) Food Slicer: If you want slices of uniform size and volume, then a food slicer is the right tool for the job. It’s great if you are making things like homemade bread croutons or homemade chips. I personally don’t have one and I haven’t missed it yet!
6) Manual Grater: While all else remained equal, I would highly recommend getting a manual grater over an electric grater because manual ones are more versatile . You can also use a large cheese grater if you need to grate large quantities of food. The downside is that it’s small and can fill up fast if you are cooking for many people. It also takes more time than an electric grater so I would recommend it for snacks or toppings only.
7) Electric Grater: If you’re not quite ready to pull out the big guns (a food processor) then I would recommend an electric grater . They’re fantastic if you want small portions from a simple ingredient (like nutmeg or chocolate). The downside is that you’ll need to clean it after every use. I personally only use the small holes for garnishing fresh fruit (like sliced strawberries). Otherwise, all I do is wash them and put them back in the drawer where they go for safe keeping until I need them again.
8) Mandoline: A mandoline is best if you are making large quantities of uniform, thin slices of ingredients like tomatoes or cucumbers. These will be your most versatile pick because they can also be used as a slicer, a julienne tool, and a shredder. The downside is that it can be hard to slice a lot of food at once if you don’t have much counter space to work with.
9) Paring Knife: If all else remained equal, I would recommend getting a paring knife over a chef’s knife because it’s easier to handle and less likely to slip. The small size also makes it less dangerous in crowded kitchens. You’ll want this for vegetable prep when you don’t need large portions. Make sure to have a cutting board next to you as well! I recommend having your paring knife on hand when you’re cooking because it’s so versatile. You can peel and chop small vegetables into pieces (like cherry tomatoes or bell peppers) or carve small designs out of other foods (like your roast beef).
10) Paring Knife: If all else remained equal, I would recommend getting a paring knife over a chef’s knife because it’s easier to handle and less likely to slip. The small size also makes it less dangerous in crowded kitchens. You’ll want this for vegetable prep when you don’t need large portions. Make sure to have a cutting board next to you as well! I recommend having your paring knife on hand when you’re cooking because it’s so versatile. You can peel and chop small vegetables into pieces (like cherry tomatoes or bell peppers) or carve small designs out of other foods (like your roast beef).
11) Chef’s Knife: A chef’s knife is best if you need larger portions than what a paring knife will offer. One reason to get a chef’s knife that I haven’t seen mentioned in any other articles is that using a large blade means more of your hand is protected by the handle which makes it safer for anyone who has weak wrists (like myself). You’ll want to keep your chef’s knife sharp (sharpening stones are cheap and easy to use) so that it slices your food instead of smashes it.
12) Cutting Board: True fact: a cutting board is the single most used cooking tool in the kitchen! Having at least one safely stored out of harms way. Will you need more than one? Depending on how much space you have, I would say it wouldn’t hurt [I’ve used up 4 different ones myself]. Here’s a good guide for what material to choose from: wood, plastic, or bamboo . You’ll want to use a different board for each food category (fruits & vegetables, meats & seafood).
13) Baking Sheet: A baking sheet is a must have for making casseroles and roasts so you’ll want to pick one that can handle a lot of weight. I use this glass one that’s oven safe and comes in handy when I need to make things like roasted chicken on demand (my go too meal!).
14) Egg Poacher: If you’re going to make French eggs or quiches for dinner then you’ll want a poacher . This little egg cooker will allow you to perfectly cook medium-large eggs without the risk of them cracking in your pan. It’s also great for cooking just one poached egg because the water evaporates really fast so it will be done but still moist.
* There are three main types of kitchen tools that you’ll need: kitchen caddy (for cooking utensils, sharp objects and towels), bakeware set (pans for both ovens and stove-top) and tools (for cutting and slicing).
* You can get away with having just a few larger tools (bakeware set) or many small tools (kitchen caddy). Regardless of which way you go, the most important part is to have the right tool for the job. For example, if you’re going to peel 2 potatoes then get a swivel peeler. If you’re going to cut 12 apples then get a cutting board with a groove in it.
* If budget is an issue, remember that you can get away with the basics (bakeware set) and build your collection over time! My personal favorite item to have would be a food processor because it’s great for cutting down large amounts of food (for example, baking ingredients), but if you meal plan then that might not be necessary for you. If you’re just starting out, I would recommend getting tools that allow for various cooking techniques as opposed to ones that are specific to one dish like a waffle maker.
Is food processor better than blender?
I love both and find them to be an essential kitchen tool . With the bulk of my steaks or fish, I’m probably using my blender most of all. It’s great for making smoothies and shakes on the go. For recipes that call for a chunkier ingredient, I recommend getting a food processor . It’s good for both small amounts as well as batches of larger ingredients (like chopping your vegetables or shredding cheese).
Which type of knife should you get?
The choice is yours! Personally, I think that you can’t go wrong with any type of knife but again, your preference will depend on your kitchen needs. Here are some thoughts on what different types of knives are great for.
Pointed Tip Chef’s Knife: This is the most popular and most used knife in kitchens today. It’s great for slicing, for dicing, and can do a pretty good job at chopping too if you have a steady hand.
Serrated Edge Chef’s Knife: This is a great knife to have when working with breads or cakes because it also makes evenly sliced cuts. Think of it as your crumb knife!
Cleaver/Chopping Knife: These knives are meant to cut through bone or heavy pieces of meat so they aren’t very versatile. If you’re a butcher and need to get really big pieces of meat off the bone, a cleaver is perfect.
Santoku Knife: This knife has a long blade that’s great for cutting through Asian ingredients like cucumbers and tomatoes. It also has a notch that makes it easy to cut through garlic cloves!
How much counter space do I need in my kitchen? Do I really need a kitchen island?
How much counter space or a kitchen island you have available to you will depend on the layout of your home and (especially) your kitchen. We know that a kitchen island can be very useful but depending on where you live and the other features of your kitchen, it may not be necessary. If you’re going to get one, think about how much counter space you’re going to need for your baking ingredients (flour, sugar).
What can a food processor do that a blender Cannot?
Blenders and food processors both have their purposes. As far as I’m concerned, you can get away with using a blender for most recipes. There are also a lot of recipes that call for pureeing or blending certain ingredients so it’s always good to have one in your kitchen just in case.
Is it worth getting a food processor?
You can get away without one if you don’t need it but if you need to make big batches or puree things then a food processor is so much better. If you have room, it’s worth getting one because they’re very affordable!
How long is a good-sized knife?
This all depends on your application. If you’re making a single chop or slicing small amounts of meat, I would say that a 6″-8″ knife (that’s about the size of your palm) would be great for most people. For anything bigger than that, I would recommend getting another knife for cutting large amounts of food (like chopping carrots).
CONCLUSION:
I hope that this article on how to choose a kitchen knife set and the FAQs below can help give you some ideas on what to look for in your own kitchen. No matter what, just remember that these tools aren’t a one-time purchase. As you grow in skill and knowledge – they will grow with you. If you are unsure about which set to get, then I would recommend getting a starter kit so that you can start off on the right foot.
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