Food Processors vs. Blenders

Food processors and blenders can often serve many of the same purposes in the home kitchen. When it comes to blenders vs. food processors and which one is more appropriate for a given home, the decision depends mostly on the need and amount of use either appliance will be used to fulfill. There are some very important roles each one can fill that the other cannot.

 

Drink Preparation

Though some food processors may be able to liquefy, they are generally not the best tools for producing good blended drinks. The nature of the design of the food processor is to make chinks or slices so the blades are usually much bigger than those found in a blender.

The smaller blades coupled with the higher speeds that the blender has over the standard food processor enables it to make more consistent textures needed for drinks. In addition to changing the texture of solid items, the blender can also mix in liquids such as alcohol in a more uniform fashion than any food processor would be capable of achieving.

 

Chopping Foods

Although there are many blenders that can sufficiently prepare ingredients for cooking, the food processor is the best tool for cutting down the prep time when chopping and dicing is required. Most blenders are designed to allow ingredients to run through the blades hundreds of times in a given period. Conversely, the food processor is made to produce more variations of solid foods.

These differences will produce very different results and the choice between the two appliances for a given recipe will depend on the role of the ingredients to be processed. Basically, if only the taste of the ingredient is needed, the blender will work well. However, if the ingredient is to also be seen and felt texturally, the food processor is the better choice. A creamy soup can be prepared well in a blender. A chunky salsa will turn out better from a food processor.

 

Mixing Ingredients

Food processors are not usually effective in combining dry or wet ingredients as would be necessary for baking. Better blenders are usually equipped for such uses. Many blenders can even knead dough so mixing ingredients for a cake is no problem. One just has to be careful not to over-blend the ingredients.

 

Appliance Versatility

Most of us need for any appliance to multi-task in the kitchen and the blender or food processor is no different. Generally, the blender can be used for more tasks than the food processor. The quality of either appliance will ultimately determine how much versatility they will have. More often than not, the blender will have more capabilities than a food processor.