A food processor is an essential item in any serious cook's kitchen. They make light work of all kinds of preparation tasks, from chopping to pureeing, slicing to dicing. The product selection at Ace includes models suitable for all kinds of kitchens and cooks, from small food processor and food chopper units for light prep work to full-size models for handling heavy-duty tasks.
Do You Need a Food Processor or a Food Chopper?
If you're looking mainly to chop, puree, mix and whip, then a low-cost food chopper will complete your tasks with its single cutting blade. For more advanced tasks such as slicing, shredding and dicing, a full food processor may be worth the investment thanks to its greater number of switchable blades. However, there's a lot of overlap between the two kinds of units, with many mini food processor models focusing on chopping tasks, leaving the more complicated work to larger and more advanced processor designs.
Which Size Food Processor Do You Need?
Our food processor models come in a range of sizes, from three-cup food choppers up to powerful, large processors with capacities of 14 cups or more.
- For chopping small quantities of ingredients, a mini food processor with a 3- to 5-cup capacity will be efficient and cost-effective.
- For frequent family use, aim for a large food processor with an 8- to 10-cup capacity.
- Processors holding 12 or more cups are powerful enough to use in professional/commercial settings. They are also ideal for domestic cooks who often deal with large recipes, such as in bread-making.
Importantly, ensure that the model you choose has enough power to match its capacity. For small food choppers, an 80W motor is ample and has low energy use. Larger machines need more power to protect the mechanism from overheating, so look for 250W to 500W for a medium-sized processor or 750W and above for the most-demanding tasks.
Ideas for Using a Food Processor
A food processor is a highly versatile piece of kitchen equipment that can take the place of many other small appliances, saving space on your work surfaces and lowering costs when kitting out your kitchen. With the right food chopper or processor, you can:
- Prepare tomatoes or other ingredients for preserving by canning. Simply whip the ingredients in a large food processor until smooth, then boil down with your favorite flavoring and preservative mix before transferring to your canning jars.
- Use as a coffee grinder, mixing your own blend of beans to make your ideal cup of morning coffee.
- Prepare flour, butter and sugar before mixing when baking cakes or making pastries.
- Make homemade mayonnaise, hummus and salsa dips with a small portable food processor.
- Use a mini food processor to chop vegetables and herbs, making a basis for homemade soups and stews.
Shop Food Processors at Ace
Whatever you use a food processor for, the selection at Ace will bring convenience, versatility and reliable quality to make your kitchen time easier and more enjoyable. Enjoy speedy delivery when you shop online from brands like Cuisinart and Hamilton Beach or free in-store pickup at an Ace Hardware store near you.
