food processor

[Annpan]

I have just broken my hand blender while trying to make vege burgers ( I broke my big jug blender a few months ago while trying to turn stale bread into bread crumbs)

So I think I will be investing in a food processor (I have just asked on freecycle, so if one comes up there first that would be great)

I want to make coleslaw, burgers, falafels, and other stuff in it. I probably want quite a big one (not a mini one)

Can anyone recommend me one?

[Graye]

I would probably suggest a Kenwood Chef if you can get a good second hand one. They are a couple of hundred pounds new but they are wonderful. I've seen them on EBay in really good condition for about £35 so you might find one there if you're lucky. My Mom just replaced hers with a reconditioned one from EBay for £100. Her original one was at least 40 years old so did good service. It peeled new potatoes (I know - they are nicer with the skins on) liquidised, made cakes, kneaded bread dough, chopped stuff etc, etc. All the blades are super strong so they are very hardy.

[Annpan]

hmm, I already have a kitchenaid mixer, I always thought that a kenwood chef was the same kind of thing.... I wonder if I can get chopping attachments form my mixer...hmmm...

[ina]

I want to make coleslaw, burgers, falafels, and other stuff in it. I probably want quite a big one (not a mini one)

I know you have rather larger quantities to make than I do - but I do my coleslaw by hand (coarsely grated carrot and finely sliced cabbage - with a mandolin); I always think if I have to factor in the time used for cleaning the machinery, it's faster by hand! And felafel always seemed to work best if you turn the chickpeas through one of those hand mincers that you attach to the table top - normally used for sausage making, or mincing meat. I still use a stick blender for soups - but it will do felafel, too, the texture is just not so nice; and the normal blender really only gets an outing if I have to whip cream, or egg whites.

[Thomzo]

When my ex moved out taking ours with him, I mention to some friends that I was looking for one and what would they recommend. At least two friends mentioned that they had spare ones and offered them to me. So it is well worth asking around first. The one I was given is a Kenwood and I think it's brilliant.

Zoe

[MKG]

Whatever you choose, it's the size of the motor which is far, far more important than any amount of gadgetry. Nothing is worse than switching one of these things on and hearing the motor slow to a crawl. I bought a big Magimix for that very reason. It's used every day, but the accessories rarely see the light of day.

It will mix and knead dough within thirty seconds - there's the advantage of a big motor.

[Lady Willow]

another vote for a magimix 5100 - wouldn't be without mine

[Green Aura]

I got a kitchenaid food mixer on ebay a couple of years ago. Since then I rarely seem to use the food processor very much at all. I'm trying to save up to get some of the attachments, then the FP, which is on its last legs, will go and won't be replaced.

The same thing seems to go every time. In my house all the plastic bit die - first the lid lock breaks off (I'm currently having to stick a spoon handle in the slot to make it work. I've never been able to get replacements because the model seems to change so quickly. So I'm going for quality and longevity (hopefully).

[red]

i would look at getting an old kenwood chef. maybe freecycle or ebay

we acquired one recently - inherited - and i am quite impressed

i even blogged about it... sad.. i know....

[Annpan]

I know people really seem to love their kenwood chefs.... but..... I already have a kitchenaid table top mixer, that does dough, whisking, etc I also have a super dooper blender. I used to use my (now deaded) hand-blender (plus mini chopper attachment) for everything and I am really missing it

I need something that can chop, and grate on a big scale.

I like the idea of a mincer, (as ina suggested) perhaps I can get my hand on a second hand one, or get the mincing attachment for my kitchen aid. Not cheap, but if I can get my friend to pick it up the next time she is in the states, it is about half price...

[ina]

I like the idea of a mincer

They really give you a much nicer texture for felafel etc. Another thing we made with that was fruit bars - dried fruit, soaked in juice, and through the mincer... Mixed with ground nuts, placed between two sheets of rice paper, and cut into desired shapes. Terribly healthy and nice! One Christmas everybody got them from me...

[red]

kenwoods can do chopping grating and mincing

we bought an electric mincer/sausage maker, but the 40 yo kenwood does it with less noise and strain. good sturdy motors on the old KCs

i was alway against kenwoodchefs.. sort of on principal.. my parents had one.. so i had a food processor. and we use our FP a lot. my hand blender gets the most use though, as we make a lot of soups and that just goes in the saucepan no hassle.
if i could only have one electric gadget out of the above, it would be the hand held blender. but the rest are handy

[Annpan]

Just ordered myself a magimix Now I'll need to decide where it is going to live