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As much as you would like to eat healthy, or do meal prepping, cooking at home is not easy for a person on a tight schedule. Most of the time the cooking itself is not the problem, but everything you need to do beforehand to put that dish on the stove or in the oven is. If you have never found any joy in cooking, it might be because you hate the preparation: dicing, grating, slicing, grinding, and shredding. This is why you need a food processor so that you can rediscover the happiness of making delicious food at home. But, buying a food processor can be a tricky business. As it is a complex appliance, you need to know what you need to keep an eye out for before deciding to buy one. Luckily, these ten factors can help you understand everything you need to know before buying a food processor.

What Functions Do You Need?

The first thing you check about a food processor is how many functions it has. A basic food processor will have simple functions like slicing, grating, mixing, etc. A multifunctional food processor might have extra abilities like breaking hard nuts and spices into powder, grinding meat, juicing, mixing dough, and so on. So, think about all the functions you need and learn as much as you can about the food processor you intend to buy. If you already have a meat grinder, juicer, or any other specialized machine for those tasks, opt for one that only carries out the specific functions you are looking for.

Can You Clean It Easily?

As mentioned before, food processors can be very complex with numerous parts. You need to understand whether you would be able to handle cleaning the appliance you are choosing. We suggest that you should always go for the easiest to clean food processor. Every essential culinary tool you buy should be easy to clean. Otherwise, you will be reluctant to use it – there’s no point in spending money on an appliance you probably won’t use.

Is It Dishwasher Safe?

Do you have a dishwasher at home? If so, then prioritize a food processor that can be used in your dishwasher. Not only will you save time in food preparation but you’ll rid yourself of the hassle of washing the parts. Remember to check out what the food processor parts are made of. Some materials are prone to rust with prolonged exposure to water, so know your material before buying the appliance. Be especially careful about the material the blades are made of. Check user reviews and see if anyone complained about rusting or poor performance.

How Much Capacity and What Size?

How big do the bowls and the cups of the food processor need to be? Will you be cooking for just you, a family, or a living arrangement that has more than five people? The capacity is very important as it will determine how much food you can process with each session. If you have fewer people at home and can do with a smaller machine, that might be a good choice as you would have smaller parts to clean. The capacity will also determine the overall size of the appliance, which can be cumbersome in a small kitchen. A big appliance with numerous parts would be difficult to store and keep track of. So, only opt for one that you can store and use safely, without losing any parts.

Attachments, Accessories, and Controls

Any food processor comes with a few parts. The more functions it has, the more attachments and accessories will come with it. So, ask yourself what extra things you would like to do with your processors. If there are things you want, like a plastic scraper or extra blades, look for a processor that has those attachments. The steps or controls are also important. They will determine the power and speed used to process your food. So, check out how specialized the controls are before selecting one if that is something you need in your food processor.

Is It Safe For Children to Use?

Do you like cooking with your children or have kids who have a love for cooking? If you do, you might want to create a child-friendly kitchen. A safe and easy-to-use food processor might be a great addition. People buy children-safe knives, scissors, and other culinary tools that their kids can use. A child-safe appliance might be even better. However, you must teach them proper and safe use of the machine before letting them use it to ensure that they will be responsible while using it. Otherwise, even the safest machine in the wrong hands can cause huge accidents.

How Much Power Do You Need?

An appliance might short circuit if you ask too much of them. For example, breaking hard ingredients like nuts, seeds, ice, and spices into grounds or powder takes a lot of power. If you plan on using your food processor for those purposes, make sure it is powerful enough to handle it. But, remember that a powerful machine might use more electricity, can be noisy, and might vibrate a lot. If possible, you should witness firsthand how it reacts while being used before buying one.

How Much Electricity Does It Require?

If you want to avoid huge electricity bills, make sure you know about the wattage of the food processor you intend to buy. A high wattage will mean that your appliance will need a lot of electricity, so try to opt for one with lower wattage. However, that might mean that your appliance is not as powerful or might short circuit while being used heavily. So, even if it is a machine that uses less power, ensure that it is durable for your needs before buying it.

How Much Can You Spend?

It is a no-brainer that an expensive machine will have more functions and might be more durable. However, you need to stay within your budget and find a machine that should last for at least five years. Avoid buying a cheaper machine because it will likely break within a few months which would be a waste of money.

How Long is The Warranty?

The length of the warranty is an important factor in any household appliance. A warranty is like a safety card that will get your machine fixed or replaced if it goes bad during the warranty time period. Get a food processor that has at least a year of warranty. Some companies provide the option where you can pay them to extend the warranty and free-servicing period, so keep an eye out for that too.

The Bottom Line

Now that these decision factors for your food processor have been explored, go ahead and do the research accordingly. By following these tips, you can find the perfect food processor for your home in no time.