When to Use a Blender Rather Than a Food Processor
You should have the right tools in your kitchen. Welcome to The Guide to Outfitting Your Kitchen series , where I help you outfit your space with all the small appliances you need (and ditch the ones you don’t).
I’d be lying if I denied that the blender and food processor seem interchangeable: they have blades, containers, lids with grooves, and a large base with buttons. While it may seem like having one is just as good as having the other, they don’t do the same thing. Yes, they both cut food (quickly), but the shape of the container and blades make them experts at different tasks. Once you know what they do best, you can use both of these appliances to make your kitchen work much easier.
Watch this video to hear me explain:
Vortex blender
Both blenders and food processors have powerful motors that spin the blades at incredible speeds—much faster than a human can move—and this is what makes them convenient. They differ in shape, and this changes everything.
The blender has a tall container that tapers towards the base where the blades are located. There are two sets of small blades; two tilts (or tilts) up and two down. The shallow sides of the container and the opposing angles of the blades help create a swirl of whatever you put inside. The blades rotate and create suction at the base. The material moves slowly down from the top of the container, mixing at the bottom, and then moves up the funnel again, repeating the cycle until you stop the machine.
Highly Rated Blenders You Should Consider:
When to use a blender
The small blades of the blender are located only at the base, so the design is designed for the vortex to deliver food as it slowly descends towards the blades. This makes it ideal for mixing liquids or items with high water content. Anything dry or thick won’t get into the blades, so the bottom will end up with recycled material and the top will remain untouched.
Use a blender for:
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Finely pureed soups
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Super gentle baby food
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Mixing a smoothie
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Making salad dressings
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Making stable emulsions such as hollandaise sauce or mayonnaise.
The food processor chops evenly.
A food processor doesn’t create the same swirls as a blender, but that’s not a bad thing. You don’t always want mashed potatoes—sometimes you want thick salsa or coarsely chopped onions. A blender doesn’t really have any choice but to overdo it, but a food processor gives you control over the process.
The container of a food processor is short and wide compared to the tall and thin container of a blender. The blades are mostly straight (maybe angled, but not curved like some blenders), have a longer wingspan reaching almost the entire diameter of the container, and, depending on the model, there may be two or four of them. When you activate the motor, the food processor blades rotate and chop. That’s all. The important thing is that because the blades are longer and more spread out, they reach more food in the container at one time, allowing you to cut pieces evenly. Compare this to a blender, whose blades can only access the very base of the container at a time.
Highly Rated Food Processors to Consider:
When to use a food processor
A food processor is more like your sous chef. It’s an expert at quickly chopping ingredients, helping you get started cooking faster. Plus, it’s not just for chopping. Food processors come with attachments (different brands may offer more options), so you can slice carrots and potatoes into rounds, switch to a chopper, and easily grab a chunk of cheddar for a casserole. Read here for more tips on buying the best food processor.
Keep in mind that a food processor can completely smooth out your bulky soups, but the puree won’t be as velvety smooth as a blender.
Use a food processor to:
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Grinding ingredients from coarse to very fine.
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Slicing rounds
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Peeling vegetables
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Grinding ingredients
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Kneading the dough
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Mixing puddings, sauces, sauces or dressings
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Making stable emulsions such as hollandaise sauce or mayonnaise.
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Making nut butter
Once you get the hang of it, you’ll be able to choose the right appliance for any job, whether it’s whipping up whipped cream, making the perfect smoothie, or whipping up this week’s Alfredo potato casserole.