Imagine whipping up homemade hummus in minutes or effortlessly shredding a mountain of cheese. A food processor can make these kitchen dreams a reality! But with so many brands and features, picking the perfect one can feel overwhelming. You want a machine that works well, lasts a long time, and doesn’t break the bank. It’s easy to get lost in all the choices, and you might end up with a gadget that doesn’t quite do what you need it to.
That’s where America’s Test Kitchen comes in. They put kitchen tools to the test, so you don’t have to. In this post, we’ll dive into their findings about food processors. We’ll look at what makes a food processor great and what to watch out for. Get ready to learn what America’s Test Kitchen discovered about the best food processors, helping you choose the right one for your kitchen adventures.
Top Food Processor America’S Test Kitchen Recommendations
- The Breville Sous Chef 9 food processor is where precision and performance meet compact design with an onboard storage caddy; Premium attachments provide consistent cutting; Create masterpiece meals with memorable taste and presentation
- RECIPES FOR HOME AND KITCHEN: Breville+ opens a world of instant mastery with over 1000 guided recipes, live and on-demand classes, cook guides, and more; Recipes from leading food content experts, tested and tuned exclusively for your Breville appliance
- ONBOARD STORAGE SOLUTION: Compact food processor for small kitchens; Easy-to-use integrated storage caddy holds dicing kit, S-blade, reversible shredder, adjustable slicer, and dough blade; Items can be accessed independently and neatly housed inside bowl
- COLOR-CODED ACCESSORIES: Accessories in the Chef’s Armoury are color coded for easy navigation when using and storing the premium attachments; Consistently cut ingredients are the key to even cooking, delicious taste and memorable presentation
- WIDE 4.7 INCH FEED CHUTE: Food processor features a 2-in-1 wide feed chute designed to accommodate different shapes and sizes for easy and fast preparation; Effectively integrate nuts, onions, garlic, veggies, and more into daily meals
- The Breville Sous Chef 16 food processor is where precision and consistent size are the keys to beautiful presentation, even cooking and good taste; Create masterpiece meals in minutes with the 16 cup food processor large enough for your cooking goals
- RECIPES FOR HOME AND KITCHEN: Breville+ opens a world of instant mastery with over 1000 guided recipes, live and on-demand classes, cook guides, and more; Recipes from leading food content experts, tested and tuned exclusively for your Breville appliance
- THE CHEF'S ARMORY OF PRECISION: Slice, shred, French fry, mince and purée with your very own chef’s armory; Includes a 24 size adjustable slicer, reversible shredding disk, French fries disk, micro-serrated S-blade, dough blade and mini blade & bowl
- EXTRA LARGE 5.5 INCH FEED CHUTE: Food processor simplifies meal preparation; 3-in-1 feed chute designed to accommodate different shapes and sizes with precise results; Chute options range from 1.7 in to 5.5 in, reducing the need to pre-prep your food
- HEAVY DUTY INDUCTION MOTOR WITH 30 YEAR WARRANTY: Heavy duty induction motor has updated direct drive with a high torque 1450W motor to easily handle the toughest kitchen jobs; Large food processor will remain a favorite kitchen appliance for many years
- Built-in bowl scraper saves time. Quickly process ingredients without stopping to use a spatula. Simply move the scraper from side-to-side to scrape the bowl while the food processor is running or the power is off — no need to remove the lid.
- Slice, shred, chop, mix and puree with 2 versatile attachments. The Hamilton Beach food processor gives you 5 processing functions and includes a stainless steel slicing/shredding disc and chopping/pureeing blade so you can tackle every job with ease.
- Powerful 450 watt motor. Make healthy salads, homemade salsa, hearty acai bowls and more. The 450 watt motor easily powers through the toughest ingredients, so you can spend less time processing and more time enjoying.
- Precise control with 2 speeds plus pulse. The low and high speeds plus pulse give you the control you need for a variety of recipes. Use the high speed when you need more power and select the low speed for processing or mixing delicate foods.
- 10 cup bowl capacity. The generous 10 cup bowl fits large volumes of food all at once, and the large feed chute saves you time by reducing the need to pre-cut food before processing or using as a vegetable chopper.
- POWERFUL PERFORMANCE: Equipped with a 1000-peak-watt motor, this Ninja food processor effortlessly handles tough ingredients, ensuring smooth and consistent results every time.
- AUTO-IQ TECHNOLOGY: Features 4 Auto-iQ intelligent preset programs that take the guesswork out of food prep, providing one-touch control for chopping, slicing, pureeing, and dough making.
- LARGE CAPACITY: The 9-cup bowl is perfect for large batches, making it ideal for family meals, entertaining, or weekly meal prep, saving you time and effort in the kitchen.
- PRECISION BLADES: Includes stainless steel precision blades designed for optimal performance, ensuring even chopping, slicing, and pureeing of all your ingredients.
- DOUGH BLADE INCLUDED: Comes with a specialized dough blade that makes mixing dough for bread, pizza, and pastries a breeze, delivering professional-quality results at home.
- STACK AND SNAP TECHNOLOGY FOR EASY ASSEMBLY: With this well-designed food processor, you can skip frustrating, awkward assembly. Stack & Snap technology provides easy assembly and removes the need for difficult twist-locking.
- 12 CUP SEALED BOWL: Most food processors are too small for large processing jobs. This 12 cup sealed bowl fits large volumes of food all at once, and since it's sealed in the center, there's no messy leaks or spills to clean up after processing.
- BIG MOUTH CHUTE: Fit a whole potato or tomato right into the chute. The Big Mouth chute of this Hamilton Beach food processor saves prep time by reducing the need to pre-cut food before processing.
- SLICE, SHRED, CHOP, MIX AND PUREE WITH 2 VERSATILE ATTACHMENTS: This large food processor and vegetable chopper includes a chopping/pureeing blade and reversible stainless steel slicing/shredding disc so you can tackle every job with ease.
- QUICKLY POWERS THROUGH TOUGH INGREDIENTS WITH 450 WATT MOTOR: Shred cheese and potatoes, slice cucumbers and tomatoes, chop onions and herbs. As you process, the suction cup feet prevent sliding for greater stability on the countertop.
- All-in-one storage solution stores all blades and discs directly in the bowl
- Snap-and-go, easy-clean work bowl with a twist-free, one-click bowl assembly and latched lid; Add warm water and 1-2 drops of dish soap in the leak-resistant bowl to quickly clean bowl and blades
- Chop, shred, slice and puree everything from fresh veggies to cheeses, sauces, salsa and so much more with the included multi-purpose blade and reversible slice/shred disc
- Reduce prep time with the 2-in-1 feed tube and process a variety of ingredient shapes and sizes - tomatoes, cucumbers, potatoes and more
- Simple controls with 3 speeds (High, Low and Pulse) to handle a variety of ingredients with precision. The easy-press paddles and illuminated LED controls make operation simple
Choosing the Right Food Processor for Your Kitchen
Your Guide to the Best Food Processor America’s Test Kitchen Recommends
Are you tired of chopping, dicing, and mincing by hand? A food processor can be your kitchen’s new best friend! America’s Test Kitchen has tested many models to find the ones that work the hardest and last the longest. This guide will help you pick the perfect one for your cooking adventures.
1. Key Features to Look For
Motor Power: The Engine of Your Processor
The motor is what makes the blades spin. For most everyday tasks, a motor between 600 and 1000 watts is great. More power means it can handle tougher jobs like kneading dough or chopping hard vegetables easily. Less powerful motors might struggle with these tasks.
Bowl Size: How Much Can It Hold?
Food processors come in different sizes. A 7-cup or 11-cup bowl is good for families or if you like to make big batches of things. Smaller bowls, like 3 or 4 cups, are better for single people or small tasks like making a single serving of pesto. Think about how much food you usually prepare.
Blade Quality and Types: The Cutting Edge
Look for sharp, durable blades made of stainless steel. Most processors come with a multi-purpose blade for chopping and pureeing. Some also include special blades or discs for slicing, shredding, or even making dough. More attachments mean more things you can do with your processor.
Ease of Cleaning: A Clean Kitchen is a Happy Kitchen
No one wants to spend ages scrubbing. Dishwasher-safe parts make cleaning a breeze. Also, check if the lid and bowl are easy to take apart and put back together.
2. Important Materials
Durable Plastics: Built to Last
The bowls and lids are usually made of strong plastic. Look for BPA-free plastic. This plastic is tough and won’t break easily. It also keeps your food safe.
Stainless Steel Blades: Sharp and Strong
Stainless steel is the best material for blades. It stays sharp for a long time and doesn’t rust. High-quality stainless steel blades will chop and slice through ingredients smoothly.
3. Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
Motor Durability: How Long Will It Last?
A strong motor that doesn’t overheat is a sign of a quality machine. America’s Test Kitchen often looks for motors that can run for a good amount of time without stopping. Cheaper processors might have motors that burn out quickly.
Build Quality: Solid Construction
A well-built food processor feels sturdy. The base should be heavy enough to stay in place while it’s running. Wobbly parts or thin plastic can mean lower quality.
Versatility: Doing More with Less
A processor that can do many different tasks well is a great value. If it can chop, slice, shred, and maybe even knead, it’s a high-quality choice. A processor that only does one thing well might not be worth the investment.
4. User Experience and Use Cases
Simple to Use: Anyone Can Cook
A good food processor has simple controls. You should be able to turn it on and off easily. The lid should lock securely. If it’s hard to figure out, you won’t use it as much.
Common Uses: What Can It Do?
- Chopping vegetables for soups and salads
- Making pesto and dips
- Pureeing fruits for smoothies
- Shredding cheese
- Making pie crusts and cookie dough
- Grinding nuts
A food processor saves you time and effort. It helps you make healthy meals faster. It can also help you try new recipes you might have found too difficult before.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What is the most important feature of a food processor?
A: The most important feature is a strong and reliable motor. It powers all the other functions.
Q: How do I clean my food processor?
A: Many parts are dishwasher safe. Always check your manual. Wash the blades by hand with soap and water to keep them sharp.
Q: Can a food processor chop nuts?
A: Yes, most food processors can chop nuts. Pulse the nuts to avoid turning them into nut butter too quickly.
Q: What is the difference between a food processor and a blender?
A: Blenders are best for liquids like smoothies. Food processors are better for solid foods that need chopping, slicing, or shredding.
Q: Is a food processor worth the money?
A: Yes, if you cook often and want to save time. It makes many kitchen tasks much easier.
Q: How much power do I need?
A: 600-1000 watts is good for most homes. More power is better for tough jobs like kneading dough.
Q: Can I make dough in a food processor?
A: Some food processors with powerful motors and dough blades can make dough. Check the product description.
Q: What are “pulses”?
A: Pulsing means turning the motor on and off quickly. This gives you more control when chopping ingredients.
Q: Are expensive food processors always better?
A: Not always. America’s Test Kitchen finds great models at different price points. Focus on the features you need.
Q: How long should a food processor last?
A: A good quality food processor can last for many years, often 10 years or more, with proper care.