Food processors: Choosing a food processor What you can do
You can buy food processors from most high-street shops, as well as online from manufacturer websites and sites such as Amazon.
High-street retailers such as Argos, Comet and Currys stock a wide range for food processors, stand mixers and mini choppers, as do department stores such as John Lewis and Debenhams.
Our page on types of food processors and best baking gadgets video can help you work out what type of appliance and accessories you might need. But here's a small reminder.
What food processing appliance will suits my needs the best?
Best for chopping
We tested all of the machines with various foods used when cooking and baking in the kitchen, including onions, herbs and nuts. So whatever you need to chop, a food processor should be able to help you out.
If you've only got a very small amount of food to chop or purée, a mini chopper could be a smaller – and cheaper – alternative.
Kitchen machines are better at kneading
Best for kneading bread
We all know how good homemade bread can taste, and a food processor with the correct blades can make the chore of kneading much easier. If you've got more money to spend, then a stand mixer may be the better option.
Best for mixing cakes
Good news for those of us with a sweet tooth – all food processors come with the attachments needed to mix cakes, as do stand mixers. A mini chopper, however, won't be able to help you out this time.
Best for slicing
Whether you need to finely slice cucumbers for a salad or roughly slice chunks of carrot for a rustic stew, a food processor can do this quickly for you. A stand mixer generally won't be able to help, unless it comes with a specific attachment. A mini chopper can’t slice.
Best for grating
Food processors can grate both hard foods, such as carrots, and softer foods, such as cheese, but the results depend on the quality of the accessories used. Some food preparation machines need more force than others to achieve good results.
As with slicing, stand mixers don't cover this task, unless they come with a specific attachment (like a food processor). A mini chopper can’t grate.
Best for whipping cream
If you like to top your cakes, pastries and trifles with whipped cream, you'll need a food processor that comes with a whisk attachment. Twin-gear beaters give the best results, especially if they're metal.
Stand mixers really excel at this task, so if you do a lot of whisking or whipping, a stand mixer may be the the best option for you.
Food processors need a whisk attachment for egg whites
Best for whisking eggs
If you regularly need to whisk eggs, make sure that your food processor comes with a whisk attachment. Twin-gear beaters give the best results, especially if they're metal.
Stand mixers really excel at this task, too, so if you whisk or whip a lot a stand mixer may be best.
Best for making mayonnaise
Food processors and stand mixers with a liquidiser or jug blender can try their hand at making mayo. You can also make mayonnaise in the main bowl of a stand mixer using the whisk.
Best for puréeing
If you need to purée baby food, good results can be achieved by a food processor’s liquidiser or jug blender attachment. Mini choppers are also excellent at this task, but they can only purée small amounts.
If you only ever purée or chop small amounts, a mini chopper is a good option.
Best for making milkshakes and smoothies
Food processors and stand mixers with liquidiser or jug blender attachments make excellent milkshakes and smoothies. Mini choppers aren't recommended for use with liquids.
Feeder tubes like this are good for extra-wide items
