Help Chosing a Blender/Food Processor

1992Leigh1992

So I wanted some advice for buying a food processor/ blender because I'm not sure exactly what I need, but I have come across things I would like to make that call for either of them.

I want to be able to make falafel and pesto, and to easily make any kind of recipe for lentil burgers, making smoother soups ect. I would probably also use it for making fruit smoothies and iced coffee.
I have seen someone follow a falafel recipe that called for a food processor, but instead used a blender and we couldn't achieve the right texture for cooking. So I'm assuming it wasn't powerful enough? Or that it needs to be a processor and not a blender?

My budget is $150 (AU). So if I am unable to find something in that price range that can make falafel, I would be better off just going with a simple blender for smoothies/ect.

Someone informed me that they found it easy to make falafel with a Philips Viva food processor. They seem to be around the $140-$150 mark at the moment.

I'm also open to buying second-hand, particularly if there is an older model or product that might do the job.
But it would really help me to hear about whether anyone else here owns a food processor or blender, what kind it is, how much they paid, and what they use it for.
Any advice would be much-loved.

ActuarialChef

Not sure of the intricacies of making falafel, but I make hummus in my KitchenAid 9-cup food processor just fine. The trick is to remove the "skins" of the chickpeas to get it smooth and creamy.

I think it might be over your budget, but they do make smaller versions.

I live by my KitchenAid products. They stand the test of time, too - both of my grandmothers and my mom have had KitchenAid products for years and years and KitchenAid backs up their products if anything goes wrong.

As for a blender.. I'm in the market and will probably get the KitchenAid one.

ActuarialChef

ActuarialChef wrote: »

Not sure of the intricacies of making falafel, but I make hummus in my KitchenAid 9-cup food processor just fine. The trick is to remove the "skins" of the chickpeas to get it smooth and creamy.

I think it might be over your budget, but they do make smaller versions.

I live by my KitchenAid products. They stand the test of time, too - both of my grandmothers and my mom have had KitchenAid products for years and years and KitchenAid backs up their products if anything goes wrong.

As for a blender.. I'm in the market and will probably get the KitchenAid one.

Oh I forgot - I use my food processor for pretty much everything. I shred cheese, "grind" meat by pulsing a few times, make black bean burgers, shred cabbage and carrots to make slaw, etc. etc.

My fiance got it for me for Christmas in 2013, but I believe he paid $150 USD. Here's a link to the one I have (they make it in many colors though): KitchenAid 9-Cup Food Processor with Exact Slice System - Onyx Black

SunflowerCat74

I will also second the kitchenaid food processor. I use it for hummus, biscuit dough, slicing semi frozen meat thinly for stir fries, slicing/grating/shredding veggies, pesto!!!!
I do not use it for soup. Instead I have a kitchenaid immersion blender for soups. Love it!!! No making messes pouring burning hot liquids. Seriously...that's a hazard. I use it a lot - love that it has a whisk attachment and a small food chopper (used for the veggies in my lettuce wraps we ate for dinner tonight)

I have a high end blender too. Bought it 7 years ago and never even took it out of the box.

SunflowerCat74

Correction...my food processor us a cuisinart 11 cup...going on 13 years of abuse.
If you can get a quality food processor - even used, it'd be a really good investment if you are going to do more serious cooking.
Oh and I forgot I use it to make salsa...by the boatloads!

kellycasey5

I had an old Oster blender with ice crush function that did a great job with smoothies/frozen fruit, dips, etc. They can be purchased for about $40 and really are worth every penny. Then my mom got me a vitamix blender that I use for about everything and of course love. But, for the price, the Oster was fine for most of my needs.

waxflower

I've had my hamilton beach bowl scraper food processor for a year or so and use it all the time to make hummus and chop up chickpea burgers (so...big falafel haha), and smooth soups, etc. I don't use it for liquids much but I'm sure it would be ok in small batches. I like it a lot, especially because I do not have to remove the lid every so often to push down the ingredients (there is a build in scraper in the bowl and it works for most things).

Amitysk

I have a Nutri-Ninja. It has both blender and food processor attachment plus cups to make smoothies to go. It's pretty powerful. I can use it for just about anything including doughs. I think my fiance paid $120 for it.

ActuarialChef

SunflowerCat74 wrote: »

I will also second the kitchenaid food processor. I use it for hummus, biscuit dough, slicing semi frozen meat thinly for stir fries, slicing/grating/shredding veggies, pesto!!!!
I do not use it for soup. Instead I have a kitchenaid immersion blender for soups. Love it!!! No making messes pouring burning hot liquids. Seriously...that's a hazard. I use it a lot - love that it has a whisk attachment and a small food chopper (used for the veggies in my lettuce wraps we ate for dinner tonight)

I have a high end blender too. Bought it 7 years ago and never even took it out of the box.

SunflowerCat74 wrote: »

Correction...my food processor us a cuisinart 11 cup...going on 13 years of abuse.
If you can get a quality food processor - even used, it'd be a really good investment if you are going to do more serious cooking.
Oh and I forgot I use it to make salsa...by the boatloads!

Damn I was getting kiiiinda jealous that your FP came with a whisk attachment, then you had to say it was a Cuisinart instead. Damnit haha I wanted that attachment!!!