Blender vs. Food Processor: Main Differences Explained
Blenders and food processors share many similarities, but cooks must know some differences. Blenders are excellent for making drinks, while food processors can slice, grate, puree, shred, and more. For this reason, cooks usually turn to a food processor for items consumed with a fork or spoon. However, there are many other differences to be aware of when choosing which device to use.
Blenders
Blenders feature one fixed blade at the bottom of the unit. This blade on the Blender cannot be changed. Each blade point sits at an angle to ensure that the ingredients are thoroughly blended. The blade crushes ice, finely purees foods, and liquefies ingredients.
The unit has a tall jar and is ideal for items with a high liquid content. The height of the jar ensures liquids remain contained. The ingredients circulate throughout the jar when the blender is on to ensure everything is equally blended. Most jars on blenders come with a pouring lip and handle to make it easy to transfer the liquid ingredients. Personal blenders may only hold two cups of ingredients, while larger models can handle up to 14 cups. Blenders of this size are usually found in commercial kitchens.
Blenders tend to be best when working with liquid ingredients. They efficiently handle frothed milk or creamy horchata, and a cook might use a blender to make puddings, custards, or mousse. Soups, sauces, and bisques are other items ideal for use in a blender. Of course, a person should always pull out their blender when they want to make a milkshake complete with homemade whipped cream. The blender can quickly produce both and many other foods and beverages.
Food Processors
Food processors come with multiple blades or discs. The cook chooses the appropriate blade or disc for the task they wish to complete. The blades may puree, chop, mix, or knead foods. Today’s models also come with a whisk to whip and stir ingredients. The blades fit onto a drive adapter and pin at the bottom of the unit. Conversely, the discs sit below the feed tube at the top of the unit. They are used to slice, shred, and dice foods inserted into the unit through the feed tube.
Food processors have work bowls rather than jars. This bowl provides the room needed to process whole ingredients or large ones. The cook can do large batches at once when using this machine, which can typically handle anywhere from six to 14 cups. A cook should consider how many people they feed to decide which size to buy.
These units effortlessly handle dry ingredients, chopping, slicing, or grating them. A food processor can shred cheese or veggies, chop, dice, or cut them before kneading dough. It is also ideal for mincing meat, ricing cauliflower, and creating chunky salsa. A parent can also make homemade baby food with a food processor.
Each kitchen tool has its uses. While there is some overlap, cooks love having access to both devices when preparing dishes. They can try new recipes, explore different textures, and combine two or more items to create a unique dish. With a food processor and a blender readily available, anyone can make recipes they find in books and online and delight the family’s taste buds. Try a new recipe using these tools today to see how amazing they are.
Poppy Watt