Food Processors

Discover Did You Know

The food processor remains an essential tool for the home chef. What was once an extravagance has now become a staple. Food processors are an important tool called for in many recipes. Making sure your customers understand the capabilities of the models you stock is key.

How do I know which food processor size will best suit my needs?

Size is an integral feature that directly affects its usage and versatility. A 14-cup food processor, for example, can mix three pounds of bread dough, or enough for two large loaves, while a seven-cup processor mixes two pounds of dough, enough for two standard loaves.

The size and shape of the work bowl is also an important feature of any food processor. A 14-cup work bowl is the recommended size for the home chef. Because this bowl is both larger and wider, it can chop more meat or knead more dough at one time. New food processors are also designed so even the smallest amount of food can be processed in a large-capacity bowl, eliminating the need for smaller versions.

Can everything go into the food processor?

About the only thing today’s food processors can’t do is grind coffee beans (the fastest speed on food processors is too slow for grinding beans, and the diameter of the bowl is too large).

But overall, there is a vast number of uses for today’s food processors. You can chop ice in a food processor, for example, though a specific disc is required since chopping ice can sometimes scratch or cloud the work bowl and eventually, dull the blade.

Other foods also require special preparation. Soft cheeses, such as Mozzarella, must be well chilled for best results. And sticky ingredients, such as prunes, dates, or apricots, should be placed in the bowl with a little flour prior to pulsing. If sun-dried tomatoes are not packed in oil, they should be plumped first by soaking them in boiling water for 10 minutes and then draining them before chopping them in the processor.

What are the advantages of a wide-mouth feeding tube?

A wide-mouth feeding tube allows consumers to process batch after batch of food without ever having to turn the machine off, as well as enabling them to have one hand free while reloading the feeding tube or continuing any other food preparation activity. It also reduces the necessity of pre-cutting ingredients, which makes prep time shorter since the wide-mouth feeding tube accepts many whole fruits and vegetables. And because the feeding tube holds more food at one time, you can process greater quantities more quickly than ever before.

What is the benefit of having a small feeding tube in a food processor?

The small, round feeding tube is perfect for smaller food prep tasks, such as slicing single vegetables like carrots or cucumbers. This is a convenient feature for consumers who don’t need to process larger quantities of food. It is also useful when adding ingredients during processing – for instance, when you are making a vinaigrette, pesto, or even bread dough.

What does a dough control feature do?

A dough control feature takes the guesswork out of dough preparation by providing an alternate speed for consistent and uniform dough mixing. Using integrated circuit technology to measure a dough’s consistency, the motor speed is automatically adjusted to ensure that the dough isn’t over- or underworked.

How important is the size of the motor?

The size of the motor allows high-quality food processors to be differentiated from other models on the market because they are both powerful and efficient. They are designed to give consumers peak performance when they need it most – when they’re chopping a lot of meat or kneading a heavy batch of yeast dough. Look for a motor which can deliver maximum power during heavy jobs, but does not waste energy by overpowering easy jobs.

What about cleaning?

Other than the motor base, every part on most food processors is dishwasher safe to ensure thorough cleaning of all the parts, including the shatter-resistant bowls, stainless steel blades and balanced discs, and detachable stems.

How can I get the most from my food processor?

Food processors are designed to perform the tasks of virtually any- and sometimes every – other small appliance in the kitchen. From pureeing a soup stock to mixing cookie or bread dough to slicing vegetables, shredding cheeses, or concocting a fresh salsa in minutes, food processors handle an endless list of tasks.

Once you become well versed in the proper use and flexibility of the food processor, it will become your favourite tool in the kitchen.

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