Having the right equipment in your kitchen is important — the machines that help you save time and enhance your finished product are what makes a good kitchen great, and the wrong equipment could hold it back from its true potential.
Having the right equipment in your kitchen is important — the machines that help you save time and enhance your finished product are what makes a good kitchen great, and the wrong equipment could hold it back from its true potential. One of the most useful pieces of kitchen equipment is a food processor. Whether you’re slicing, chopping, dicing or shredding, the right food processor can help you experiment with all sorts of ingredient combinations and save you some serious prep time, especially when working with high volumes of food. With so many different options out there, how do you know which food processor is the right fit for your kitchen? First, you should consider what you need to do in your kitchen:
- Do you have a lot of ingredient prep in the form of chopping or slicing?
- Do you need a bowl-style processor that works well for sauces and purées?
- Do you need equipment that can quickly process a high volume?
Next, think about your priorities. Is time a precious commodity in your kitchen? How important is consistency in your finished products? Is quality paramount to your needs? The right food processor will not only save you time but also deliver more consistent output, resulting in better visual presentation and a higher quality finished product. Flexibility may be another priority in choosing the right food processor; be sure to choose a model with an assortment of cutting tool options. Some types of processors can also complete other tasks to increase versatility, such as mixing and kneading. Finally, you’ll need to learn the different styles of food processors and their capabilities. Knowing the features, benefits, and application possibilities will help you narrow down your choices to the style best suited for you. Arming yourself with information before making a final purchase will ensure your processor will be everything you need and want it to be and won’t fall short of expectation.
This article is the first in a two-part series focused on food processors. Read article two, How to Select the Best Food Processor.
About the Author
Megan Gray is the product line manager for Hobart – Food Preparation Products. She has been with Hobart since 2017 and specializes in Hobart meat room, specialty and food processing equipment. See all her blogs here.
