[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 <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/wink1.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="wink1"><br>
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?"<br><br>
I am looking for both a blender and a food processor.<br><br><i>Edit:</i> 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. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/thumb.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="thumbs up">

 

[Otto]

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<div>Originally Posted by <strong>NettleTea</strong> <a href="/community/forum/post/15400861"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a></div>
<div style="font-style:italic;">I just checked out the Vitamix. Those are a little *ahem* outside of my budget at this time <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/wink1.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="wink1"><br>
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?"<br><br>
I am looking for both a blender and a food processor.</div>
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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. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/wink1.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="wink1"><br><br><a href="http://www.877myjuicer.com/tailgator-portable-gas-powered-blender-w-cordura-case.html?gdftrk=gdfV21098_a_7c311_a_7c924_a_7cTAILGATOR" target="_blank">Take a look</a><br><br>
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.<br><a href="http://www.walmart.com/ip/GE-14-Cup-Digital-Food-Processor/12311468" target="_blank">http://www.walmart.com/ip/GE-14-Cup-...essor/12311468</a><br><br>
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 <a href="http://adorabletrifecta.blogspot.com/2010/04/yay-i-feel-like-rockstar-with-only.html" target="_blank">laundry detergent</a> . 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.<br>
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).<br>
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.<br><br>
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.<br><br>
Or maybe I'll just save up for a VitaMix <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/winky.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Wink"><br><br>
btw, thanks for the detergent link.

 

[New_Natural_Mom]

I heart my Vitamix so much!! <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/img/vbsmilies/smilies/joy.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="joy"> 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!