A food processor is an exclusive Kitchen appliance facilitating the cooking process of millions of working couples, and putting an end to the continuous woes of housewives. Food Processors are both manual as well as electrical. Food Processor performs the following functions:
- Slicing or Chopping of vegetables
- Grinding nuts, meat, dried fruits
- Shredding or Grating cheese or vegetables
- Pureeing
- Mixing and kneading dough.
Mechanism Of Food Processor
The food processor has rotating blades to slice food placed in the container, a motor, which is attached to its base, and a transparent plastic bowl fitted around the shaft. There are also cutting blades, which can be attached to the shaft. The other equipment is shredding or slicing disks. There is a lid with a “feed tube” that is fitted onto the bowl. The feed tube adds ingredients while chopping, grinding, or pureeing and other functions are performed. All food processors are equipped with safety devices preventing the motor from operating if the bowl isn’t properly affixed to the base or if the lid isn’t properly affixed to the bowl. They can also operate at more than one speed.
Tips For Buying Food Processor
Careful planning before buying a food processor may help you in easing your work in the kitchen. The foremost thing to consider is the capacity you require. You will regularly use slicing, shredding, chopping, and other functions of a food processor. Most food processors do not require extra attachments, therefore you need to check carefully whether you need extra attachments or not. Also check whether the Food Processor has special features or not such as mini bowls, feed chutes, number of speeds, pulsing function, and whether blades are reversible, then look if it also functions as a Juicer or not.
Dealing With Food Processor
To utilize the food processor efficiently and with the best results, these simple tips can really prove wonders:
- Before putting the food or fruit in a Food processor, cut them into small pieces of uniform size.
- Remove their seed and core.
- Stack the food in a food pipe according to their size.
- Check that the bell shaped protector that is located to indicate the level of the food being processed to avoid the food from spilling out.
- Avoid using dry or wet, grinding ingredients.
- First, make sure that the Jar is placed in a perfect position.
- Avoid laying thin plastic sheets or cloth under the basic unit. It may get stuck up and block the ventilation holes in the base.
- Use a feed tube to add ingredients to the work bowl
- Don’t process frozen foods or hard items. Hard food can damage the processor motor or blade.
- Give your food processor the required rest after every use, as stipulated in the instructions manual.
PROCESSING TIPS AND OTHER FUNCTIONS
First place the S Blade onto the center shaft in the center of the bowl It should be fully assembled with the cover locked securely in place. Plug the processor into an electrical outlet, turn the unit on, and drop food through the food chute while the blade is running. This S blade performs a number of food preparation functions. The final consistency of the food depends upon the processing technique and the length of processing time.
The use of slicing/shredding discs is achieved by placing the disk shaft over the center shaft in a bowl. Place the reversible slicing/shredding disc onto the top of the shaft with the desired cutting edge facing up. To use it first cut food to fit in the food chute and apply even and steady pressure with the food pusher. This will result in more uniform slices or shreds.
If you are working with a Hand blender then you need to fix the motor part into the shaft with the blade and lock it.
For cleaning the motor part, use a damp cloth only.
The chopper is used for chopping onions, carrots, nuts, etc., and can also grind soft wet spices for gravy. You can also use the chopper to grate cheese and mince meat etc, but chopping of hard food like coffee beans, chocolate grains, etc. should be avoided.
Buying Advice For Food Processors
Food processors look like complicated appliances, but if you pick the right one; they can save hours of preparation time. If you want to have your Food Processor perform both functions like blending as well as preparing, a food processor with a liquidizer attachment is best for you. The style of the preparation all depend on the extra attachments that come with the food processor. These attachments are:
- Extra blades that are used for coarse or fine preparation by chopping, cutting, grating, slicing and pureeing. Chipping blades can turn your potatoes into crispy chips. These blades are all made of stainless steel.
- Whisking to prepare cream as well as beat eggs.
- Citrus press to press citrus fruits
- Juice extractor
- Extra bowls of different sizes and shapes. Some food processors have bowls with specialized actions, eg. mixing.
Capacity, power, and speeds
There are both versions of food processors, mini as well as large, and their capacity ranges from 0.8L to 3L. It is advisable to use 400 W power for the Food Processor, because the higher the power, the more efficient the machine will be, particularly to make dough. There are also varying speeds for varying functions of Food processors that can go from just one without a pulse, to automatic selection with a pulse. Different speeds give you more control, and an automatic option will select the best speed for you.
Additional features to consider are Food processors with safety features, like cord storage, safety interlocking lids, and blade storage cases.
Safety Measures For Food Processors
Some of the safety measures that should be kept in mind while using a food processor are:
- Avoid immersing the base in water or other liquid.
- Unplug the cord from the outlet when you are not using it.
- To reduce the risk of injury, avoid placing the cutting blade or disk without putting bowl properly in place.
- Make sure the blade or disc is stopped before removing the cover.
- Make sure not to operate any appliance with a damaged cord or plug or after the appliance malfunctions, or is dropped or damaged.
Few Models Of Food Processors
You can buy food processors from any Modular Kitchen Accessory shop or from online shops. Some of the models worth considering are:
Compact Food Processor
A compact food processor is best for everyday use. Its jar is fitted with a single blade, which is used for chopping, blending, or grinding. This Food Processor is the best gift for small families or couples who are setting up their homes. It cost around $39.
Vita-Mix 5000 processes
Vita-Mix is the most powerful processor with an unbreakable and clear polycarbonate container. You can blend as little as 4 oz also. It has a flexible 2-piece thermoplastic lid and a removable plug that allows you to add ingredients while in operation. Its variable speeds, ensure perfect consistency, smooth operations, and required results. It ranges between $349-$399.
Cuisinart Smartpower BFP-703 Duet Blender & Food Processor
This Cuisinart combo appliance perfumes both the function of food processing as well as blending. With its 3-cup bowl and 40-ounce glass blender jar, as attachments, this food processor boasts of possessing 350 watts of power and a seven-speed motor. It ranges between 50 to 80 dollars.
KitchenAid Chef’s Chopper KFC3100 3 Cup Food Processor
It is available in different colors. It has a mouth-feeding tube, reducing the preparation time. It has 3 3-cup work bowls and steel blades, which combine to give it a distinct identity. With its help, you can easily prepare many recipes from cookie dough to cake. Its price range is between 30 to 40 dollars.
There are number of baby food processors also available to nourish your babies with delicacies For eg: The Dex Products Electric Baby Food Processor. They prepare healthy and fresh baby food instantly and have mixing and serving bowls with the rate ranging around $29.75.