topic Re: Blender or Food Processor in Kitchen

Blender or Food Processor

cotton4me — Wed, 05 Sep 2018 10:44:05 GMT

Do you have a preference and why? My blender broke and I never replaced it but now I’m thinking about getting a new one. Does anyone have any recommendations? Thanks .

Re: Blender or Food Processor

nyc1 — Wed, 05 Sep 2018 10:46:48 GMT

They each do different chores so it's tough to select one over the other..... HOWEVER, if I were choosing only ONE, I would absolutely get a VITAMIX. It's an incredible piece of equipment, and I use it instead of my food processor for a number of things.

Re: Blender or Food Processor

ID2 — Wed, 05 Sep 2018 10:48:35 GMT

I have both and NEVER use them. Never. I could easily give them away and wouldn't even miss either one.

Re: Blender or Food Processor

I am still oxox — Wed, 05 Sep 2018 11:46:19 GMT

I have Ninja and it has a multitude of functions and I love it. I just to make many things from crushed ice to ground chicken

Re: Blender or Food Processor

OKPrincess — Wed, 05 Sep 2018 11:57:28 GMT

I have the Vitamix and Ninja and use both very very seldom. I will keep both because they’re paid for and take up little space in my pantry.

Re: Blender or Food Processor

Dusty1 — Wed, 05 Sep 2018 12:57:25 GMT

I use my food processor more than my blender.

I use it to shred zucchini, chop nuts, shred cheese, make my laundry detergent, etc.

We use the Ninja every morning for smoothies.

I can't remember the last time that I used my blender.

Re: Blender or Food Processor

Eileen in Virginia — Wed, 05 Sep 2018 13:32:29 GMT

DH likes to make smoothies for breakfast. When his blender broke, we replaced it with an Oster Pro 1200 from Amazon. It came with a food processor that I like better than my 14-cup Cuisinart. It has the capacity I need and is a little easier to use. He uses it about 5 out of 7 mornings and I use it occasionally.

Re: Blender or Food Processor

janeec — Wed, 05 Sep 2018 13:36:39 GMT

I would recommend a Vitamix by all means. I have had other blenders in the past but the Vitamix is the best. I also have a KitchenAid food processor which I love. It does different things from the Vitamix such as dice potatoes, etc. I cannot imagine my kitchen without either one. Good luck.

Re: Blender or Food Processor

loriqvc — Wed, 05 Sep 2018 16:05:03 GMT

@I am still oxox wrote:
I have Ninja and it has a multitude of functions and I love it. I just to make many things from crushed ice to ground chicken

I also love my Ninja; I got one of the models that has the shredding disc insert and use it once a week (or more) for cheese. I also make salsa in the Ninja at least a couple times a month from a slightly modified version of the recipe in the book that accompanied the unit--it's so easy and so tasty! I've also used the smaller blender cups for crushing nuts and similar jobs. Even though those are my three primary uses for the Ninja, I feel like it paid for itself long ago.

As for a food processor, if you get one, get a big one. I made the mistake of buying a mid-size one because I don't have big crowds to feed, but the capacity simply isn't large enough for most recipes that call for using a food processor. (And be aware that most recipes don't tell you what size processor you need, so you're left to calculate the recipe amounts versus your processor capacity before you get going.)

If you think you'll be making lots of shakes and smoothies or other liquefied things, you may want a blender, but the Ninja can handle that task with no issues; it can even make soft serve sorbet and ice cream. I had a blender for many years, and when I moved recently, it was so far back in my pantry that I realized I hadn't used it in ages, so I gave it away. I am glad I never gave in to the presentations for the Vitamix or Blendtec, because even though they seem amazing, I now know I'd never use them.

TL;DR - Your decision will depend on your reasons for needing a machine to help you in the kitchen.

Re: Blender or Food Processor

cotton4me — Wed, 05 Sep 2018 15:57:05 GMT

Thanks everyone. I really appreciate your insights and information. It helps me sort things out. I’m somewhat on the fence about it.

Re: Blender or Food Processor

wagirl — Wed, 05 Sep 2018 16:19:41 GMT

I have both a Vita Mix and a Cusinart food processor and use them both all the time, usually for doing different things. .

Re: Blender or Food Processor

Sooner — Wed, 05 Sep 2018 16:45:44 GMT

Vitamix. You can use a knife for almost everything the food processor does.

But it depends on what you want to use one for? What do you see yourself doing? Chopping, slicing? Food processor. Blending, salad dressings, smoothies, soups, sauces? Vitamix. Alhtough you can successfully chop slaw fixings in the Vitamix, make peanut butter, etc. Grind coffee I THINK?

Re: Blender or Food Processor

skittles2 — Wed, 05 Sep 2018 17:01:57 GMT

@cotton4me wrote:
Do you have a preference and why? My blender broke and I never replaced it but now I’m thinking about getting a new one. Does anyone have any recommendations? Thanks .

VITAMIX! No brainer for me. I was vacillating for years- get it don't get....wish I had bought it decades ago, would have made things much quicker and easier, and it's great for health, which is the most important reason to me.

It's done everything I need, and makes hot, very hot soup! I have the Ascent model, also the 7500 which I'm selling to someone, and I bought my daughter a Costco model, E320 Explorian for $300, online right now it's 349 still great price., may be lower in store, if not, it usually lowers back and forth. Same motor, everything as the 7500. Great deal, and Costco has a great return policy, take anything back- months, and I mean months later.

Re: Blender or Food Processor

chrystaltree — Wed, 05 Sep 2018 20:25:36 GMT

They aren't the same thing. They do totally different things. It's like comparing a toaster to a microwave. I have a blender but I don't have a food processor because I don't do a lot of cooking.

Re: Blender or Food Processor

Alison Wonderland — Wed, 05 Sep 2018 20:36:12 GMT

I have a Ninja with attachments that manage the tasks of both a food processor and a blender. It's similar to this one: https://www.qvc.com/Ninja-Master-Prep-Pro-and-Drink-Mixer.product.K301052.html

I don't use either a blender OR a food processor enough to justify the cost of a Vitamix. It may be the best blender ever, but if I only use it a few times a year, spending $300-550 on a blender just does not make any sense. Consider your cost per use for anything you purchase.

Re: Blender or Food Processor

CelticCrafter — Thu, 06 Sep 2018 21:56:11 GMT

I had both, gave both of them to Goodwill and have never said I was sorry for doing it.

Re: Blender or Food Processor

Warrior2022 — Thu, 06 Sep 2018 23:19:58 GMT

I bought the Ninja Iq that is on clearance here. I'm in love! I have used it every single day. Tried out the spirializer for the first time today. Zoodle capriese salad is in the fridge.

Re: Blender or Food Processor

sfnative — Fri, 07 Sep 2018 02:01:12 GMT

@cotton4me

I have 2 Cuisinarts and use them all the time. If you are not a "from scratch" baker or cook, you can very well get by without a food processor. I do everything from scratch, so find my Cuisinarts to be of great assistance. Also consider this: As one ages, cutting, chopping and shredding become more difficult and more painful on joints. A food processor will be of immense help in these instances.

Though I do have a blender, I get it out maybe 4-5 times a year, which suit my need.

Re: Blender or Food Processor

mare54 — Fri, 14 Sep 2018 01:09:26 GMT

I have a Vitamix and a Cuisart food processor. Use them both.

Re: Blender or Food Processor

faeriemoon — Fri, 14 Sep 2018 13:00:29 GMT

I have and use both, but I cook a lot. I don't think I could recommend one over the other without knowing how you would use it.

If you don't really cook a lot, you probably just need a blender. Or maybe you don't really need either one.