Not sure what small appliances are necessary for you? Start with the basics – a
stand mixer,
carafe blender,
and food processor.
Then decide if you are missing any functionality
you wish you had. Before you buy a whole new appliance, don’t forget the option of
add-ons and accessories for your basic trio – juicer and
pasta maker attachments for
some stand mixers and food processors, for example.
If you are planning to keep your small appliance on your counter-top, evaluate its appearance
carefully. There’s sure to be choices that add an attractive design element to your décor,
whether as a colorful accent (think a retro
red KitchenAid stand mixer in an otherwise
earth-toned kitchen,) or a seamless match (picture a gleaming
stainless steel and
glass Waring blender next to a
Viking range.) In addition, be sure to consider appliance
height and whether it will fit underneath your cabinets.
If you plan to store your small appliance, make sure you have a convenient spot for it, and that the
appliance you choose isn’t too heavy. If you can’t bring yourself to rummage in a crowded
cabinet for it or do heavy lifting to bring it out, you won’t get your money’s worth on
your purchase.
Pay for the power you need. Don’t get the most powerful small appliance available if you don’t plan
to use it for heavy-duty uses or frequently. This is a great place to cut costs.
Consider how many speed and control options are necessary for you. An attractive and powerful
appliance with only three speeds or power levels is probably a better choice than a less
durable option with more controls. Especially if you like easy to use items, keep your
appliance simple and functional.
Choose durable construction and materials. Small appliances are an investment, and
it’s best to make purchases that will last.
Overwhelmed by options? Try sticking to popular brands
with great reputations – for example,
KitchenAid,
Cuisinart, and
Waring, to name a few.
A simple model from a top manufacturer
is usually a better choice than a lower end brand with lots of bells and whistles.
Check for warranties! Reputable brands will offer them.
Mixers: As you’ve probably gathered from the name, they primarily mix things. Specifically,
mixers are great tools for tasks that involve adding air into your mixture. They are
great for mixing cake batter, pancake batter, cookie dough, bread dough, mashed potatoes,
whipped cream, and more.
Blenders: These are designed to blend solids, or solids and liquids, into liquid
purees at high speeds. Think frozen drinks, fruit smoothies, tomato sauce, creamy soups,
baby food, and more. Crushing ice is a key task for a blender as well.
Food Processors: These can tackle tasks like slicing, shredding, and chopping dry solids.
Grating cheese, chopping onions, or shredding carrots are good tasks for a food processor.
Note: While there can be some overlap in use, you’ll probably find that it’s
worth having each of these key kitchen tools.
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FOOD PROCESSING SHOPPING TIPS
Small appliances are essential kitchen accessories.
Mixers,
blenders, and
food processors are popular
products for good reason; they save time and perform helpful tasks efficiently and well. Not sure
which of these products you need? Read on for a summary of their unique purposes, as well as what
to look for in terms of quality, performance, and style from these versatile and handy tools.
Stand mixers are usually considered a must-have small appliance. Great for mixing batters,
dough, and more, they save time and are helpful for anyone from professional chefs to casual cooks.
Consider the following when planning your purchase:
Frequency of use.If you plan to use your mixer often, you should choose a powerful high
end model. If it’s for less frequent use, you may be able to get by with a lower end option.
Also, if you plan to use your mixer regularly, it will be more convenient to keep it out on
your countertop, since mixers tend to be heavy and large, and you should pick one that looks
great in your kitchen.
Kitchen space.As mentioned above, if you plan to keep your mixer on a countertop,
you’ll want an attractive one that matches your décor, and choosing a hefty model won’t
be an issue. Don’t forget to consider how high the mixer can be in order to fit under
your cabinets. If you don’t have the space for one on your counter, you may be happier
with a lighter model and appearance will be a lower priority.
Extra features.Special features are available in abundance and you will spend more
for them. Choose the ones that matter to you. Multiple speeds, generally ranging from
three to 12 choices, are available; for most users, three speeds are sufficient. Controls,
with options including dials, push buttons, switches, and digital display touch pads, can
cost more depending on what you pick; consider aesthetics and functionality, and pick what’s
comfortable for you. The more extra attachments and bowls included with your mixer, the
higher the price. Standard attachments include chrome or
stainless steel beaters and
dough
hooks/dough mixers. A key extra is a splatter/pouring shield and you’ll probably be glad to
have one. Sausage stuffers,
meat grinders,
pasta makers, strainers, shredders, can openers,
juicers, and more are also available.
Performance Basics
A stand mixer should always have a stable and heavy base that doesn’t move or shake while
operating. Look for powerful operation, with choices from 325 to 1,000 watts. Higher
power is most useful for tough mixing jobs, such as firm dough.
Sturdy and durable construction for the body, bowls, and blades is important. Mixer
stands are generally made from plastic, metal, or a combination of these materials.
Plastic is less expensive and less durable; metal lasts longer, weighs more, and is pricier.
Bowls are usually made of plastic, metal, or glass, with metal again being the high end and
most durable choice. Consider bowl size (usually from three to seven quarts) and make sure
it is right for your needs. Blades are often made of chrome or top of the line stainless
steel, and should be easy to remove for cleaning.
A tilt-up head, or one that lifts up and down, are nice features which allow easy
access to the mixing bowl. A rotating bowl rest is a good performance enhancer. Or,
the popular KitchenAid mixers
use a single beater on a rotating disc that spins the
beater as it moves around the stationary bowl. This is very effective for reaching
all areas of the bowl for a complete mix.
Hand mixers
generally perform the same mixing tasks as stand mixers, but you’ll need to hold
the mixer in the bowl and operate it manually. You give up hands-free convenience and some
power and performance, but these are less expensive and more compact options. A hand
mixer is a good economy choice for less frequent and less heavy-duty use, as well
as hassle-free storage.
Blenders are great for a
broad range of tasks, from making frozen drinks to blending
tomato sauce. You’re sure to get a lot of use out of this essential appliance.
Keep in mind the following while shopping:
Frequency of use. If you plan to use your blender often, especially for the
tough job of crushing ice, you should choose a model with lots of power.
You may
also find it more convenient to keep it on your countertop, making design a more
important issue than for one that will usually be stored.
Kitchen space. As mentioned above, if you plan to keep your blender
on a countertop, you’ll want an attractive one that matches your décor. If you
don’t have the space for one on your counter, appearance will be a lower priority
and ease of storage will be a larger factor for you.
Extra features. Various special features are available and will add
to your cost. Separate ice-crushing/pulse setting, number of speeds, and type
of controls (touch pads are usually available on high end models) will affect
your price. Especially if you will be using your blender for drinks, nice extras
are dispensing spouts and thermal carafes.
Performance Basics
Blender construction and materials should be considered. For the base, stainless
steel is the upscale, heftier, more durable, and usually more attractive choice.
Plastic is also common; it’s lighter and more economical. Keep in mind that a
heavy base will help provide better stability, an important factor.
Carafes come in plastic, glass, or stainless steel. A glass carafe is durable, won’t
discolor or absorb odors, and is resistant to scratches, but it can break if not
handled carefully and is heavier than plastic. Keep in mind that the weight of a
glass carafe helps keep it grounded securely on the base. A plastic carafe is
least expensive, lightweight, and more resistant to breaking. However, it may
scratch, discolor, and can absorb odors. A stainless-steel carafe is a high
priced option that won’t break if dropped, and is a good choice for frozen
drinks because the material helps keep its contents cold. A major drawback is that
you can’t see inside a stainless steel carafe during blending and therefore can’t
monitor progress without turning it off. Carafe sizes range from about 29 to
50 ounces.
A secure lid is vital for a blender, for both performance and safety.
Most blenders offer from 300 to 600 watts of power. Generally, ice crushing
requires the most power, while other tasks can get by with less. There are many
choices in the number of speed settings, usually from one to 12. You’ll want some
speed options for flexibility, but about three settings are sufficient for most needs.
A pulse option, which turns the blender on for short bursts, is popular, particularly for
ice crushing.
An immersion blender is a
handheld blender
that you manually submerge into a bowl
or pot. It is a good option for light blending, but won’t work well for ice crushing.
An easy-to-store, economical alternative to a carafe blender, a hand blender is a sound
though more labor-intensive and limited choice.
Food processors can turn
labor intensive cutting and chopping into quick and
easy tasks. It’s clear why both large and small food processors are very popular
kitchen tools.
Consider these factors when choosing your food processor:
Frequency of Use. As with your other small appliances, if you plan to use your
food processor often, it makes sense to invest in a powerful, larger,
and higher end model.
Kitchen space. Consider whether you will store your food processor or keep it handy
on your kitchen counter, and plan your purchase accordingly. Don’t forget to consider
how much space you have under your cabinets.
Extra features. Various special features are available and will add to your cost.
Continuous feed chutes, which let you keep slicing or dicing without pause while processed
materials are dispensed into another bowl, are a great time saving feature. A wide mouth
feed tube is also a desirable option, since its larger opening will allow you to put in bulkier
food items. Specialty blade discs are available, such as ones for cutting French fries or
julienne vegetables, or for kneading dough. A food processor with a blender carafe attachment
is popular, as is a juicer attachment. Extra work bowls are also available.
Performance Basics
Food processors include a power base, clear work bowl, various metal blades and cutting
discs, a feed tube/chute, a food pusher, and a lid. Typical blades included are
ones for chopping, slicing, and shredding, which should be made of durable and easy
to clean stainless steel. The base and work bowl should be made of durable materials
as well. Look for dishwasher-safe parts for easy cleaning.
Food processors are generally categorized as full size or
compact. Full size food
processors are larger, more powerful, and are designed to handle greater quantities
of food at once, making them ideal for a frequent entertainer or a large family.
Compact food processors
are much smaller and are great for smaller tasks, such as
processing single vegetables or chopping herbs. Some food processors come with a
mini processor bowl that fits inside the main container for added flexibility.
Work bowl sizes vary from about eight to 20 cups for a full size food processor.
Compact food processors usually have work bowls that hold under eight cups, with
some holding as little as one cup, great for single-size portions.
Power varies from 600 to 800 watts for larger models. Speeds can be variable,
though you’ll probably find that you don’t need many choices. Some people like
the added versatility of speed options of up to 12; others prefer the simpler
operation of one or two choices. You should be able to accomplish most if not
all tasks without having very many speed choices.
All food processors have multiple parts. Loose cutting disks can go astray, so
it is a nice feature to have a holder or some way to organize disks.
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