When does it make sense to buy a food processor?

A food processor can take on a variety of tasks in the kitchen, saving you time and effort. It can stir, knead, beat, cut, grate, chop, grind, mix and puree, among other things. These practical kitchen gadgets are therefore popular in both private households and professional kitchens. But when does it make sense to buy one?

Frau füllt Obst in einen Entsafter, vor dem ein Glas mit grünem Saft steht© iStock
Do you need a food processor? We'll tell you.

What is a food processor?

Food processors are electrical household appliances that combine the functions of many different appliances in just one machine. Typically, there is a basic appliance with a powerful motor that can be equipped with various attachments for different tasks. Depending on the version, the following functions are conceivable, among others:

  • Stirring cake or cookie dough
  • Kneading yeast dough
  • Whipping cream or eggs
  • Cutting and grating vegetables or cheese
  • Chopping and grinding grain, nuts, meat or spices
  • Blending and pureeing soups, smoothies, pestos or purees

There are many different food processors on the market. Models such as the Kenwood Cooking Chef XL Connect offer additional functions including a scale, cooking function and connection to a smartphone. But there are also simpler models that only offer a few selected basic functions.

For whom the purchase is worthwhile

A very simple food processor with a mixing and kneading function is sometimes available for less than 100 euros. But if you want high quality, a powerful motor and the right accessories for additional functions, the price can quickly rise to over 1,000 euros. An upmarket food processor is a small investment. In addition, it is a relatively heavy and large appliance that takes up space.

Whether you want a food processor or not can of course simply be a question of taste. We have put together various scenarios for you in which the purchase makes particular sense.

Frequent baking and cooking

If you frequently bake and cook fresh food, a food processor can be a valuable helper. It can shorten your preparation time or take over tedious tasks. Instead of using many individual appliances for special tasks, you can use the food processor with various accessories. Models with a cooking function can even cook sauces, soups and desserts or steam food. And anyone who likes to bake bread knows that many doughs need to be kneaded for a very long time to create a smooth and elastic dough. A food processor also handles this strenuous work without any problems.

Processing large quantities

If you regularly want to process large quantities, a food processor is generally a good choice. They are supplied with a large mixing bowl that can hold 5 liters or more, depending on the model. So if you have a large family, frequently cook for large groups or like to prepare large quantities for the week, a food processor will help you with this.

Complex cooking

Do you like to cook complex recipes with lots of processing steps and ingredients? Then a versatile food processor can make your work easier for a wide variety of tasks. The ability to complete several preparation steps simultaneously or in quick succession can also significantly reduce your cooking time.

Conclusion

Food processors are powerful and versatile. If you also cook and bake fresh food frequently, a food processor can be an asset to your kitchen. For many people, the kitchen is a kind of status symbol - and the right food processor is a must. Think about which functions you really need in order to find the best value for money. In the end, a well-chosen food processor can not only increase your efficiency, but also enhance your enjoyment of cooking and baking.