Question about kitchen tools

[NettleTea]

When buying a blender and food processor what is the better choice? What has worked well and been long lasting in your experience?

[faeriecurls]

If you can afford to spend the $ go for a Vitamix.

[NettleTea]

I just checked out the Vitamix. Those are a little *ahem* outside of my budget at this time
I would love to buy the highest quality out there, but right now my limit is probably going to be around $60. So, I guess my question should have been, "what's the best I can do for around $60?"

I am looking for both a blender and a food processor.

Edit: Wow, I just looked into the Vitamix some more and I am impressed! It can evidently be both a blender AND food processor...and grain grinder and ice cream maker and on and on. Very, very cool.

[Otto]

Originally Posted by NettleTea

I just checked out the Vitamix. Those are a little *ahem* outside of my budget at this time
I would love to buy the highest quality out there, but right now my limit is probably going to be around $60. So, I guess my question should have been, "what's the best I can do for around $60?"

I am looking for both a blender and a food processor.

Yah, I'd love a Vitamix. Moulinex has put out a couple of food processors that are "built out" with a separate base attachment for a blender jar--it's the same motor, but the blender section does capitalize on the geometry of the jar to approximate a dedicated blender. I don't know if they still make them, but I'd pick up a second-hand one in a heartbeat to replace the one I had.

[robugmum]

I think for a blender, you'll just want to look for the most powerful motor you can afford. Short of a Vitamix, of course!

[cristeen]

For about that price, I got an Oster blender that also has a FP attachment. It's little, maybe 2 cups, but for that price, it's probably the best you're going to find. None of the mini FPs that you can find for that money are worth wasting your money on.

[kjbrown92]

I just bought a blender/food processor (2 attachments, one base) for $69. I think it's a Cuisinart. I have a Waring blender that I love (but I've gone through a couple of blade replacements on). Those are $100. I have a Cuisinart Mini Prep food processor which is just a little too small. The food processor on this new one has the mixing blade, and also has a slicer/shredder blade, and is bigger than the mini, but not quite the size of a full size one. For me, I hope it's what I need. I haven't tried the blender part to see how it does with frozen fruit on smoothies though.

[NettleTea]

checking these out. thanks

[NettleTea]

Ok, I found a blender with a high-powered motor.

Take a look

I am joking, of course. But I never imagined such a thing existed.

[ceiba]

I also have the Cuisinart dual blender/food processor. Can't remember how much it cost, but I'm sure it was under $100. You can get it at Bed Bath and Beyond with one of the 20% off coupons they always send. Both attachments have worked very well for me for about 8 or 9 years now, doing normal things like making smoothies with frozen fruit, grating carrots and cheese, chopping onions, making pate and other pastes and sauces. I don't attempt to grind grains or mix dough in there or anything like that. The food processor bowl is much smaller than the full-sized version, but I have a small kitchen so I appreciate compact and multi-purpose gadgets. And I don't mind working in batches for larger quantities.

[tilly_sue]

DH bought me a food processor recently. I am very happy with it. It is at the lower end of the $$ but with very high ratings from users.
http://www.walmart.com/ip/GE-14-Cup-...essor/12311468

Wow, right now it's on an AWESOME sale too!!! It holds a lot and works really well. I even grated a bunch of vegis and cheese in it and was very happy.

[NettleTea]

Thanks!

[Koalamom]

If I could only afford one, I would get a blender. I would love a food processor, but life has gone on without one just fine. I do have smoothies everyday, so I could not do without a blender.

[Koalamom]

BTW, NettleTea, I love you user name. It reminds me every time I see your posts to drink up my infusions in the fridge.

[tilly_sue]

I've run my kitchen just fine for 10 years without a food processor. Grew up without one too. As I have been expanding our diets, though, it has been very convenient. The original thing I was wanting it for -- not even food! -- was for homemade laundry detergent . Using the blender was a PITB and buzzing it through the food processor made a fine powder to rival any store bought junk. I LOVE LOVE LOVE my homemade detergent. It cleans as well as or better than the expensive store-bought stuff.
Since the food processor has the grating and slicing attachment it has made using fresh vegis in things much more convenient (I make a killer scalloped potatoes the other night, slicing them with the FP in a fraction of the time and there were no "too thick" slices that were not cooked clear through).
While I was living fine without a FP I really am glad to have one now!!!

[NettleTea]

Thanks, BlueBirdMama. It's one of my favorite things to drink.

TillySue, that's where I am at with this food processor dilemma. I have wanted one for years, but get by 'okay' without one. I finally decided on a replacement blender so I think I will put buying a food processor on hold yet again.

Or maybe I'll just save up for a VitaMix

btw, thanks for the detergent link.

[New_Natural_Mom]

I heart my Vitamix so much!! Though expensive- BEST appliance purchase I ever made. I use it almost daily. It food processes, grinds grains, blends, chops, you can make soup, or ice cream. It is AWESOME!