Food Processor Tips

In these busy times a good quality food processor is a must for every food lovers’ kitchen. A food processor can save you significant time in the kitchen, particularly if you use yours for multiple tasks. Check out the Magimix and KitchenAid food processors available at your local Matchbox store.

The original food processor is still the basis for most top quality models today, featuring a motor, bowl and lid, blade and feed tube. A food processor with the motor underneath the bowl is generally more powerful and durable than a model with the motor to the side. However, having the motor underneath makes for a taller food processor, so make sure you can fit the height of the machine in your kitchen before purchasing. If possible, find a permanent home for your food processor so you don’t have to move it every time you want to use it – this will minimize the risk of bumps and drops, plus make life in the kitchen easier!

Size Matters

Consider the size of your family, the amount of cooking you do and how often you entertain. Food processors come in many sizes including mini models through to commercial quality workhorses. When assessing size, consider the bowl size(s) with the machine and check if the manufacturer lists the capacity of the machine in terms of cups (sml = 1 – 3 cups, med = 7 – 10 cups, lge = 12+ cups), bread dough kneading capacity (standard loaf = 680g), number of egg whites, meat weight etc. A quality food processor will be covered by a manufacturers guarantee – some will cover your motor for 10 to 12 years! They are designed and built to last so if you’ve only got a small family now, but plan to expand in the future, it may be worth considering a larger model as an investment.

Power Up

If you plan on using your food processor often and would like to process bread dough with it, look for a model with a 600+ watt motor. The more powerful the motor, the more powerful the food processor, however, a top quality food processor will still be quiet to operate, despite the high-powered motor.

Use & Features

The term food processing can include a wide variety of kitchen functions. If you’re after a machine to revolutionise your cooking experience, look for one that can perform just about any process you can think of - chop, slice, grate, beat, mince, knead, pulse, whisk, shred, puree etc. Check what comes as standard inclusions – different sized bowls, multiple blades/disks and a dough blade will extend the versatility of your machine. Also, check if any additional accessories are available for your machine. An extra wide feeding tube can also be invaluable.

Care

A food processor is meant to make your life easier so look for a model that is easy to use and easy to clean. Make sure you follow the manufacturers instructions regarding washing the parts. If parts of your food processor are dishwasher safe, put them on the top rack of your dishwasher, away from any potential hazards that might scratch or damage your parts. IMPORTANT: Don’t ever wash the base containing the motor in water! Just wipe it clean with a damp cloth.

To keep your parts in top condition and to avoid staining, wash them thoroughly immediately after use. Stainless steel for example is stain resistant, not stain proof – some food residue can have a corrosive effect. Always take care when handling the processing blades and disks.

Warranty

Good quality food processors have warranties that can cover the motor, parts and accessories. Check the warranty before purchasing to ensure you are aware of what is covered and the process for getting repairs or replacement parts.

SPECIAL TIPS:

Don’t overload your machine. If you want to process 6 cups of food, you’ll need at least a nine cup bowl to allow room for the food processing.

If you’ve processed food(s) that are particularly hard to scrape off your blade, try putting the bowl and blade back on for a second or two. The centrifugal force can help push the food off the blades onto the sides of the bowl for easy scraping.

To grate items such as soft cheese, dried fruit or chocolate, refrigerate them and take them out just before processing. The softer a food is, the harder your processor will have to work to grate it.

Don’t throw out your old bread! Use your food processor to make fresh bread crumbs, perfect for crumbing or stuffing.

Processing Dough

If the flour amount in a recipe is beyond your machine’s capacity, don’t overload it – mix in small batches, then combine doughs to rise and shape.

Think seconds, not minutes to make a soft, elastic dough. It will generally take 30 – 40 seconds for dough to be formed in a food processor. Over-kneaded dough looses its elasticity and becomes wet and sticky, even with the addition of more flour.

Practice makes perfect for dough consistency. If you’re just starting out, go slow! If, after 30 – 40 seconds, your dough is stiff and dry, add a teaspoon of water, if it seems soft and sticky, add a teaspoon of flour – then process for 10 seconds before checking the consistency again.

Add nuts, fruits and seeds at the very last second of mixing to distribute them throughout the dough, rather than over-processing them.

Pulse Function

Use the pulse function to avoid over-mixing cake batter, uniformly chop food (rather than blending it!) and to combine dry ingredients.