Buying a food processor

[richtea78]

Im slowly building up cooking stuff and think it would be useful to get a food processor.

Im not exactly an advanced cook but having tried to cook a few meals from Jamies 15 minute meals I have struggled without one.

Anyone have any suggestions on what to look for or what I need to spend? I have no idea where to even start!

[dazco]

How much budget do you have.

I bought a Thermomix this year and now find it invaluable, it does the job of a few items of kitchen equipment.

They cost quite a lot though

[Mobile Chicane]

Are you sure you need one?

I find it's quicker to use a knife than wash a dozen fiddly bits.

The one exception to this being a small 'mini'-processor for making hummous and pesto.

[richtea78]

I hadnt really thought about it that much. I have no idea of a frame of reference? I would say £100 off the top of my head but no idea if thats right or wrong?

[richtea78]

I thought it would be useful as I am rubbish at chopping and also I was thinking it would be handy as a blender for making things like soups. At the moment I seem to spend a lot on buying ready made soups like the Covent Garden stuff and I think it would be good to make them rather than buy them

[eggchaser1987]

I have been thinking the exact same thing today. Had a quick look at a morphy Richards 'hand blender work center'. Was thinking might do the ae job but looks a bit smaller than a normall blender

[dazco]

richtea78 said:

I hadnt really thought about it that much. I have no idea of a frame of reference? I would say £100 off the top of my head but no idea if thats right or wrong?

A thermomix is muck more than that.

Keep your eye on sites like hot uk deals and sites like that, deals for food processors pop up all the time.

[15peter20]

I have a magimix 'le micro' (circa £45) for pesto, hummus and other smaller jobs and a big glass blender from JL (think it was about £30-40) to do soups etc. Haven't needed anything else and both have their distinct uses - should start you off nicely

[Mobile Chicane]

A hand (stick) blender is perfect for soups, and you can just rinse it under the tap.

[davek_964]

dazco said:

A thermomix is muck more than that.

Is it worth the cost? I've got a food processor I've had a good few years - and although there's nothing really wrong with it I am tempted to splash out for a new posh one!

[21TonyK]

Buy the cheapest you can and at the same time buy a decent 8-10" knife and board. I have every toy going but at home I rarely use much more than one or two knives to save on washing up!

[dazco]

davek_964 said:

Is it worth the cost? I've got a food processor I've had a good few years - and although there's nothing really wrong with it I am tempted to splash out for a new posh one!

If it broke, and I could not find a used one, I would buy a new one.

It is just so good at so many things.

Take for example soup, because it is mentioned above.

Put raw ingredients in the bowl, blitz them , add stock, set a time and temperature and leave it. It will cook and stir it and beep when it is ready.
Crushes ice
Turns sugar to caster sugar
weighs mixes and kneads bread
Makes fail proof sauces
Pizza bases
Scones

But it is so solid too, and goes in the dishwasher.
The blades are strong enough to turn cooked lobster shells and stock to a bisque.

Amazing machine.