Ingenious all-rounders: food processors put to the test

No more tedious dough kneading, no more time-consuming chopping. Instead, a single appliance that takes care of these steps at the touch of a button: no wonder food processors are popular with anyone who likes to work with healthy ingredients but doesn't want too much effort. We took a closer look at these kitchen talents. This is how well food processors really perform in the test.

Frau füllt Obst in einen Entsafter, vor dem ein Glas mit grünem Saft steht© iStock
Hello vitamins! Many modern machines have a juicer for fresh fruit and vegetable drinks.

All-rounder - this is what these robust professionals can and do

A good food processor really is one for everything: baking cakes, preparing mince for meatballs with the meat grinder, grinding grain, grating potatoes, making pasta yourself ... It is versatile, easy to use even for novice cooks and usually has a wide range of accessories so that it can replace several individual appliances in the household. This not only saves a lot of time in everyday life, but also costs.

Quality - what you should look out for when buying a new appliance

A sturdy design is important to ensure that the machine is stable during use. The motor should have a high wattage and work with several speed settings so that the revolutions can be adjusted to suit the food. The basic equipment includes a beater, whisk and dough hook, and often also a juicer or blender - the beaker should have grooves on the inside so that the food does not stick to the walls. A lid for the mixing bowl is also very useful as a splash guard.

Manufacturers - the best-known brands and what sets them apart

Bosch appliances regularly score well in test reports, especially the MUM56S40 with its high wattage and many accessories. The KitchenAid machines are made almost entirely of stainless steel and have a particularly great design. However, individual parts are quite expensive. Kenwood appliances are characterized by their durability and very good quality. The young company Klarstein has very affordable, modern-looking and well-rated appliances in its range. Other companies worth recommending are Philips and Braun.

Cleaning - the best way to care for your food processor

Individual parts can often be put in the dishwasher; follow the manufacturer's instructions here. For coarse dirt, scrub the appliance with a brush and some washing-up liquid, but do not use a steel wool brush for delicate materials. Use a wooden stick or an old toothbrush to remove residue from nooks and crannies. If the dirt stubbornly remains, soak the individual parts of the food processor in warm washing-up liquid. Vinegar essence also helps to loosen the dirt. Then rinse the appliance thoroughly to prevent the vinegar taste from sticking.