Recommend me a food processor please!

[Kermit power]

I'm really struggling on this!

I'd like something durable and versatile for no more than £150. I've looked at various things such as the Kenwood FP920 but the reviews on places like Amazon are, when you get into the details, somewhat worrying. Too much talk of burnt plastic odours, ill-fitting lids and the like!

Any suggestions on here?

[tonym911]

Kermit power said:

I'm really struggling on this!

I'd like something durable and versatile for no more than £150. I've looked at various things such as the Kenwood FP920 but the reviews on places like Amazon are, when you get into the details, somewhat worrying. Too much talk of burnt plastic odours, ill-fitting lids and the like!

Any suggestions on here?

Just been right through this process myself. The missis wanted a KitchenAid but research indicated these are the mixer equivalent of a Ford Edsel, ie all style and no substance. Plus they are stupidly expensive over here at nigh-on £300 for the basic model (they're much cheaper in the US but p&p adds about £80 to the price). That really only leaves Kenwood and the Chef Classic KM336 which at less than £150 seemed to be the best value model in the budget range.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B000Q7ZCFK/ref=...

I bought one for the OH's Xmas, thankfully via Amazon as when she used it for the first time the mixer arm wouldn't stay down in use. The release knob on our one seems a bit too keen to kick in. Otherwise seems like a good quality bit of kit. No quibble returns with Amazon so just waiting for the replacement to turn up as we speak. Hopefully that one will be OK and we'll be sorted.

I suspect the OH still hankers after a KitchenAid but the support in the UK seems to be terrible and I'm not convinced the retro style isn't hiding a basic lack of quality/design. Hope this helps. Good luck.

[tonym911]

Obviously the Chef is a food mixer rather than a 'processor' but I can't see the difference meself.

[miniman]

Mixer:



Processor:



You can add a processor attachment to a Kenwood mixer but not vice versa.

[AndyAudi]

My mother/grandmother have always had Magimix's.

Grandma's previous one lasted approx 25yrs, Mothers current one maybe 10yrs

Only problem has been mothers bowl develops like a shatter crack in the plastic, meaning we replace it every couple of years this I'm led to believe is caused by frequent washing in the dishwasher.(it is used 3or4 times a week)

these guys sell them along with the spares www.magimix-spares.co.uk

Edited by AndyAudi on Tuesday 28th December 15:36

[Piglet]

Kermit, what do you think you will use it for mainly?

We have a Chef with a slicing attachment on it which is fine. The only time I get the FP out is to use the blades for chopping so for blitzing pate etc.

Our FP came from a carboot sale - brand new, all bits and pieces for £12! It's a Kenwood but I'm not sure which model.

[Roger645]

Magimix appears to be the weapon of choice in most pro kitchens

[Roop]

SWMBO go one of these earlier this year on a less-than-half-price deal which made it very good value indeed. It's chomped it's way through everything so far without any tell-tale sounds of a motor under load. Feels weighty and well made, little cord storage thing in the base.

http://www.moulinex.com/Products/Food-Processors/m...

[tonym911]

miniman said:

Mixer:



Processor:



You can add a processor attachment to a Kenwood mixer but not vice versa.

Which makes the mixer a better bet. There are scads of add-ons for the Chef.

[Kermit power]

Aren't the mixers a very expensive way of getting a processor?

I can't imagine making much in the way of dough-based products (which I assume it the main use for the mixer), but am more looking for soups, chopping of onions and other veg, smoothies, making ratatouille quickly and so on.

[miniman]

Yeah but a decent Chef plus enough add ons is hundreds of pounds. The processor in that pix was listed on Amazon for £20.

[tonym911]

Kermit power said:

Aren't the mixers a very expensive way of getting a processor?

I can't imagine making much in the way of dough-based products (which I assume it the main use for the mixer), but am more looking for soups, chopping of onions and other veg, smoothies, making ratatouille quickly and so on.

When loaves hit three quid a pop you might suddenly see the appeal of making your own bread! Mixer gives you the option at least. I never thought I'd be into baking, and I'm not really, but it's occasionally good fun having a go at bread and cakes. TBH this is all the OH's dept and she is well into her baked goods and all that, the words 'food processor' never crossed her lips. She is a mixer lady all the way.

[tonym911]

miniman said:

Yeah but a decent Chef plus enough add ons is hundreds of pounds. The processor in that pix was listed on Amazon for £20.

Bloody hell that is cheap I must admit. Ignore everything I've just been blabbing on about.

Though to be fair the OP did use the words 'durable' and 'versatile'.

Edited by tonym911 on Tuesday 28th December 15:58

[Piglet]

You can make dough and pastry in a FP. What you can't really do in a FP is whisk so sponge cakes etc. aren't really an option.

They both do similar but different things and it's worth thinking about what you want.

FWIW, I'd go for a cheap FP and see how you get on with it and then if you feel the need you're in a better position to chose something to spend a bit more money on when you're ready to trade up.

[Kermit power]

I'm not much of a bread fan to be honest, and don't like sponge cakes. Or pretty much any form of cake, come to that!

Definitely don't think I need a mixer!

[tonym911]

Kermit power said:

I'm not much of a bread fan to be honest, and don't like sponge cakes. Or pretty much any form of cake, come to that!

Definitely don't think I need a mixer!

You don't like bread or cakes? I'll bet you're one of them non-obese folk.

[21TonyK]

Magimix 3200 is a fraction over budget but worth the investment.

[Kermit power]

tonym911 said:

Kermit power said:

I'm not much of a bread fan to be honest, and don't like sponge cakes. Or pretty much any form of cake, come to that!

Definitely don't think I need a mixer!

You don't like bread or cakes? I'll bet you're one of them non-obese folk.

Anything but! I've got all sorts of other food weaknesses, but thankfully cakes certainly aren't one of them! It's the texture more than anything. I always loved scooping out the remnants from the mixing bowl as a kid when my mother made cakes, and still do now when my wife makes them. It's just the cooking process which ruins it!

[tonym911]

With you on that, trouble is various urchins beat me to the mixing bowl these days.

[Kermit power]

21TonyK said:

Magimix 3200 is a fraction over budget but worth the investment.

They do look pretty decent, although with a family of 5 I figured it might be a little small, so I've just ordered up a chrome 4200 model with a couple of free extra blades.