What size food processor for me?
Cloud Swift
15 years ago
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Comments (19)
readinglady
15 years agoCloud Swift
15 years agoRelated Discussions
food Grinder vs. Food processor
Comments (21)Solid state Kitchenaid mixers were introduced in 1978 (the K45SS and the K5SS). In 1986 the line was sold to Whirlpool and all the Artisan, Classic etc. mixers sold today are basically the same models as made in 1986 (some improvements and efficiencies in the machining but anyone who has an old "original" K45SS or K5SS can repair it using today's parts). The Pro line was developed as something entirely new so it doesn't have the same history, but the company has worked very hard to upgrade and improve the model since its inception. There was a period of time when people were having a lot of trouble with their Kitchenaid mixers and the company had to work very hard to restore the reputation of the product. That's when they instituted the one-year no-questions-asked full replacement policy. It's still the best guarantee in the business (my opinion). I'm not convinced the old Hobart mixers are inherently superior to the Kitchenaids made today. I think there's a lot of mythology attached to the brand, but my take on it is people have trouble with the newer mixers because they ask them to do more than they were designed for, especially kneading bread. 50 or 60 years ago women (and it was women in the home kitchen) fortunate enough to have mixers used them for cakes, cookies, meringues, whipped cream, etc. They didn't use them for bread dough, which was generally kneaded by hand. My MIL baked 4 loaves every other day and her old Dormeyer never saw the dough. There's a lot of discussion on The Fresh Loaf about people who burn out their mixers with stiff doughs mixed at speeds higher than the recommended "2" setting. Bread is not the KitchenAid's strong point, though you can mix a perfectly fine one or two-loaf batch or autolyse a portion of a bigger recipe and finish by hand. For bread the Bosch (stiff doughs) or the Ankarsrum/Electrolux Assistant/Magic Mill, etc. (wet doughs) are more suitable. Getting back to the original discussion, the two attachments I use most often on the KA are the grinder and the colander/sieve. The colander/sieve is wonderful, but you have to purchase a vintage one and the K5 is the biggest mixer one will fit. Why the company doesn't offer a new colander/sieve for the 6 quart I do not know. The Viking/Cuisinart/De Longhi (all the same machine) did have a colander/sieve attachment available. I use the shredder attachment less frequently, but I do use it, and even though I have a 14-cup Cuisinart, I prefer the shredder attachment because I find since the mixer is already on the counter, it's less fuss for me to use. Just one of those individual quirks we all have. Carol...See MoreFood processor and chopper, what's the difference?
Comments (13)Thanks Lars, Annie, and Linda C! Lars, I was thinking a small FP to save counter space. Knowing how I am, I probably won't bother to use the FP if I have to pull it out every time I need it! I am just too lazy! LOL Annie, I have an Oster blender that does a very good job making puree. I need a food processor that will make coarse texture like pie crust crumbs. I also would like to use it to process cooked chickpeas to make vegetarian burgers, also very coarse texture. These are the two main reasons I want a food processor. Linda, I have an Old Kitchen Center that has all the discs for slicing and dicing. Strange enough, it doesn't have the "S" blade so can't use it as a food processor. One of these days I might just get rid of all these odd gadgets and get one or two very large ones to replace them all. Wouldn't it be easier that way? LOL Al...See MoreBefore I Pull the Trigger...What Brand Food Processor?
Comments (7)Someone posted a tip about putting plastic wrap between the bowl and the top of the processor so that the top doesn't get dirty. This works for most of my applications (at least for when I just purée, and I'm very grateful for it. I have neither Cuisinart nor Kitchenaid because when I bought mine I was on a very strict budget. I'd like to replace the cheaper one I bought, but I don't use it enough to justify it, especially since I now have less time for cooking anyway. I've gone back to using a mandolin for a lot of things I might use a food processor for, and my FP works fine for puréeing. I use my KA mixer for doughs. Lars...See MoreFood processor size for 7 cups of hummus?
Comments (1)FWIW as of Jan 2013 Cooks Illustrated ranks Cuisinart's 14 cup custom the best overall. I don't use my FP much but unless space were an issue I would prefer a large size. Mine is 11 cup. For someone who goes through as much hummus as you do I would highly recommend using dried chickpeas. I did a side-by-side comparison of the same exact recipe and had several people taste it and dried was the clear winner. A little more work but worth it IMO....See Morebri29
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