Comments on: The Difference Between Knives and Blades

By: jwsharrard

jwsharrard — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 16:05:31 +0000

Upside to smaller machines: they take up less counter space. Downside: smaller cutting capacity.

Cook’s Illustrated did a comprehensive test of mini choppers and concluded that they have limited abilities: grating cheese and mincing parsley, for instance were tasks that none of the models tested handled to their satisfaction. Of the models they tested, the Black and Decker Chopper not recommended; the only model that they recommended was the Kitchen Aid Chef’s Chopper, and even that they found to be unable to do more than bruise the parsley. So, my recommendation still stands: even if you have a food processor that you trust for some tasks, it is no substitute for proficiency with a chef’s knife.

By: Michelle

Michelle — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 20:22:41 +0000

While it is true that you get a strong handle on basic cutting techniques, having a food processor always speeds things up, especially now that they have all of these tiny models that don’t need to be lugged out of a cupboard. I’m a busy mom of three, and I’ll take all the help I can get from processors that help with quick food prep. Try anything from Black and Decker…reliable and affordable.

By: Chuck

Chuck — Wed, 18 Apr 2007 20:38:05 +0000

When I got my first processor (25 years ago or so), I imagined it would be heaven on earth. Not so. So I got better at my knife skills, then learned how to better use the processor. Knowing what stuff looks like when it’s been skillfully processed with my knife, I could better control what I was doing with those whirring blades in the machine.

All that said — I rarely use the processor anymore. I can mince an onion with my knife faster than I can get out and set up the machine. Practice those knife skills!

By: SamChevre

SamChevre — Tue, 17 Apr 2007 13:53:47 +0000

The other thing you can’t do without a food processor is make emulsified sausages (like bratwurst or knackwurst) or fine pâté (you can make country pâtés).

By: Cortney

Cortney — Tue, 17 Apr 2007 12:18:23 +0000

If you decide to get a food processor, you might look around for a used one, either at thrift shops or an estate sale. My food processor is a hand me down from a friend, a no-brand model, and it’s held up over the last six years with no sign of breaking any time soon. I’ve mostly used it for hummus, pasta dough, and sauces.

I agree with Jesse that it most of time time a food processor takes up space, but it is oh-so-handy when preparing the things listed above.