This device is one of the most popular among household appliances because of its wide functionality. The functions of the food processor are enough to prepare various dishes for the whole family. Usually there is a bowl with a grinder, vegetable cutter, nozzles that simplify cooking. What functions a food processor performs and how to choose it, is described in the article.
Kinds
Conventionally, devices are divided into 2 types:
- Compact.
- Multi-purpose.
The first type of low cost, small dimensions and narrow functionality. The volume of the bowl is not more than 2 liters, but the device takes up little space. The power of this technique is 700 watts, a little speed, usually 2-3. The functions of a food processor include chopping, grater or chopping vegetables and fruits. You can still knead the dough. This is enough for many housewives.
There are many options in multifunction devices. It includes both basic and additional functions. For example, some fixtures allow you to create cubes. A food processor with a function of this kind is able to help in the preparation of salads, first and second courses. Due to the large number of jobs, high power - 700-1500 watts. There may be several modes of speed. Naturally, the price of such equipment is higher.
Dimensional and multi-purpose devices are appreciated for including the functions of several devices. They also have a large bowl volume (up to 3 liters) compared to a small device. Which version of the device is better to buy? It is necessary to take into account both the financial side of the issue and the purpose of the device.
Technical specifications
How to choose the right device so that there is no disappointment? To do this, you need to familiarize yourself with the technical characteristics of the equipment. The harvester is presented in the form of a small device with an electric motor and a control panel. It can have 1 or 2 bowls, as well as a set of nozzles.
Technical aspects are systematized according to the main criteria:
- power, number of revolutions, productivity;
- the volume of the bowl;
- ease of management and maintenance.
Power and speed
When choosing a device, power is the most important indicator. In order not to pay for extra watts, you need to know what power consumption means and which indicator is large and which is small.
Power is measured in watts (W). The higher the indicator, the higher the electricity consumption. The value sets the performance of the equipment, speed, endurance of the motor. Although some sellers advise buying models with a power reserve when the equipment is running to the limit, the mechanism can wear out quickly, and the risk of overheating and overloading of the main components increases.
For a compact device, 400 W will be enough, and for multipurpose devices - 600 W and more. The number of revolutions may be in the range of 20-12000 per minute. Usually in the device there is a regulator that helps to perform high-quality processing of products.
Bowl
A cooking container is made of glass, plastic or metal. The volume is changed in liters and divided into general and useful. The total indicator is indicated in the passport to the device, the useful one is slightly less, since even a closed bowl is difficult to fill to the brim.
It will be more convenient if there are divisions and marks on the tank, this simplifies the use. It should be noted that the displacement is equal to the volume of liquid components, when loading dry and semi-dry, the weight is set in kg, and here it can be more than the volume. For example, a capacity of 1.5 liters includes 2.2 kg of semi-dry products.
It is important that the bowl is resistant to acids, and also withstands various temperatures, the optimal performance is in the range from -5 to +80 degrees. Glass and plastic are considered fragile materials, but are cheaper. If you bought a large machine with different functions, then for cooking small portions you need an additional small capacity.
Ergonomics and service
It is necessary to pay attention not only to the functions of food processors, but also to ease of operation. During cooking, you can get used to the different order of buttons and knobs. Manufacturers offer:
- Mechanical control. It is presented in the form of keys or rotary knobs. This option is cheaper, less likely to break, is considered resistant to overheating, and repairs will be available.
- The touchpad, which is complemented by a display, is a modern option. It has an attractive appearance, but electronics always increases the price.
Still sold "processors" - devices that have electronic control. The functions of food processors of this type are also diverse. In devices, the speed is automatically determined and set during the cutting or whipping of products. The nozzle rotation speed is also supported. Electronics also monitors safety, with overload, the equipment is turned off, which protects against breakage.
Maintaining cleanliness is an important parameter of operation. All working elements of the equipment should be washed before and after each use. If you do not want to do this all the time, you should choose a food processor that can be washed in a dishwasher.
Main functions
What are the functions of a food processor? What can I cook? Almost all devices, both budget and elite, have universal functions. It concerns:
- grater disk;
- emulsifier nozzles;
- scapula / hook for kneading dough;
- knife with 2 blades.
Disc grater shreds and grinds various products. The level of grinding is determined by the size of the holes. Nozzles having wide slots are used for slicing.
The emulsifier nozzle (metal whisk) whips or mixes the batter and homemade sauces, for example, mayonnaise. Compared to a conventional mixer, the combine has a lid that protects against splashing of liquid and dry products.
With a spatula or hook, high-quality kneading is performed even on a steep dough in which there are no lumps left. The nozzle can be straight or curved, in both cases the result will be a perfectly mixed dough.
Additional functions
There may be other functions of a food processor. What can be cooked will depend on them. Multifunctional devices include several different nozzles, expanding the culinary possibilities and performing cutting products:
- cubes;
- straws;
- figurines;
- in small cubes.
A food processor with the function of dicing will allow you to cook salads, first and second vegetable and meat dishes. Grater nozzles are also different, they differ in the diameter of the holes. There is a nozzle-drum for cheese, planing the product in smooth and thin slices.
The chopping function of the ingredients is presented in the form of a nozzle comprising 1 or 2 blades. The result is small pieces of irregular shape, for example, chopped meat.
A food processor with the function of a meat grinder will help prepare meat and fish mincemeat. He also grinds solid foods, such as nuts. The meat grinder in the harvester is similar in capabilities to a standard meat grinder, but may have a smaller diameter. Different disks with small or large holes are purchased for it.
There are devices with an ice cream maker for creating homemade ice cream or sorbet. The maxi-press option is popular, which allows you to cook mashed potatoes from vegetables or sums from berries. The size of the grinding of various components depends on the size of the grate, and the press squeezes out excess juice. Of the additional features, a mill is allocated that quickly and evenly grinds coffee and cereals.
Beverages
There are 3 functions for creating drinks in combines:
- A centrifuge juicer will help you quickly complete your task. The speed is almost the same as a standard juicer.
- The citrus press allows you to make juice from oranges, lemons, lime and grapefruits with great speed. The procedure is automated, up to 1 liter of fresh is prepared in 1 minute.
- Blender or shaker mixing cocktails.
A blender in the combine will help mix drinks, crush ice, vegetables, fruits. And juicers are rarely used.
Security
In order to exclude injuries, the device has a function of blocking in case of improper installation of nozzles. The device will not work until properly installed. The overload function protects the device from overheating. This option is rarely found in low-cost devices, usually it is in powerful combines.
High-quality fixing of the device is provided in the presence of rubber legs. During food processing, the motor operates at high speeds, which creates a constant vibration. On expensive devices usually have powerful motors, good balance. Thanks to the reliable support, the risk of injuries or damage to the device is eliminated. If you take into account all the above parameters, you will be able to choose a high-quality device. And the best harvester models are presented below.
Bosch MCM 64085
The technique is intended for home use. The harvester is ideal for kneading, mixing, whipping, slicing, chopping food of any hardness. The body and bowl are made of hygienic food plastic that can withstand elevated temperatures - up to 180 degrees.
This is a food processor with a shredder function with a power of 1.2 watts. Built-in 1 speed, there is a button that is responsible for the number of revolutions. The device is equipped with a pulse mode, which facilitates the work with solid products. The functions of the Bosch food processor are diverse. The kit includes a nozzle for beating, mixing dough, chopping knife, a disk for cooking french fries, a disk for slicing and shredding. The device has small dimensions - 300 x 430 x 250 mm.
The functions of the Bosch food processor allow you to prepare a dough for baking various products, salads, first and second courses. The advantages of the device are:
- high power;
- good build;
- many nozzles;
- dicing;
- speed controller.
This is a food processor with dice function. But slicing discs are unbalanced, which can damage the bowl. Drives get clogged quickly, so they need to be cleaned often.
Kenwood KM 287
The harvester is easy to assemble, therefore reliable and durable. It has small dimensions. The speed is regulated by the electronic system. The capacity for grinding products is made of stainless steel, its volume is 4.5 liters.
The case of the device is made of plastic, there is no backlash. Power is 900 watts. The set includes 3 nozzles for a bowl - a standard whisk for a cool dough and a nozzle in the form of the letter "K" for mixing. There is also a metal meat grinder. The volume of the blender includes 1.5 liters. There is a juicer and a citrus press.
The device has suction cups that protect against slipping on the table. All functions work reliably. The device has an attractive appearance. Of the minuses, not too good mixing of the cool dough is distinguished. Some vegetables are not mashed.
Tefal QB508GB1
The device has a high-performance blender with an attractive appearance and good functionality. The body and bowl were created of stainless steel, the blender has a plastic container.
Power is 900 watts, the unit has 6 speed modes, switching between them is smooth. There is a pulse and turbo mode. The kit includes nozzles for whipping, mixing dough and chopping.
Moulinex QA50AD
The device has a whisk for whipping, a nozzle for mixing, a hook for dough, 2 pushers and a meat grinder. There is also a vegetable cutter with 3 wire racks - large grater, small grater, shredder. The bowl is made of stainless steel, its volume is 4.6 liters. There is a cover for protection against splashes. The motor power is 900 watts, this is enough for cooking on a daily basis.
The device has 6 speeds, a pulsating mode. The whipping nozzle is made of stainless steel with double wire. A meat grinder block will help not only grind meat, but also chop vegetables. But it is important to consider that the engine power is not large, so the products are laid in small volumes. The harvester does not emit extraneous sounds during operation.
Thus, cooking will be much easier if you have such a technique at home. The food processor you choose must meet your personal needs. Then he will be a great assistant in the kitchen.