Food Processors

While they have only been with us for a few decades, the food processor has revolutionized many aspects of the culinary arts. Originally designed in the 1960's as a way to cut down on the vast amount of time restaurant workers spent cutting and chopping foods in the initial stages of preparation. It was not until the early 1970's that home sized food processors were made available. The first food processor marketed in North America was the Cuisinart in 1973.

The food processor has a few unique differences from a basic food blender. Where blenders generally have a tall food holding chamber food processors tend to have shorter and wider bowls for mixing the food. They do not require special aid to operate, unlike blenders that usually require some liquid in with the food to aid in drawing it down into the cutting blades. Where blenders use a fixed blade in the bottom, food processors have interchangeable blades and cutting disks that can be switched out for different cutting tasks. The food processor can be used for shredding and slicing as well as blending and mixing. Unlike blenders, food processors have a chute that allows more ingredients to be injected into the processor as the cutting operation is being performed. They are equipped with a plastic ram that can be used for this so you don't add fingers to the mix.

While the Wolfgang Puck food processor is designed more for the commercial restaurant industry, there are other major brand names that specialize in domestic household food processors. KitchenAid makes a great mini food processor that offers powerful action in a minimum of space. Cuisinart offers a large variety of food processors. They range from 21 oz mini food processors that run a mere $30 to a giant 20 cup heavy-duty food processor that averages about $800. With several standard sizes in between that go for about $120 to $200, there is a style and size for every kitchen.

Advertising aside, you need to check the reviews and ratings on your food processor purchase. The Ultimate Chopper brand food processor had to recall over one and a half million of their food processor units in 2005 for a faulty safety switch that allowed the processor to be run without its lid. Because of the potential dangers involved, it is recommended that you let professionally trained technicians do the repair and rebuilding work on any broken food processor.