Food Processors: Juicers and Blenders
Most of us have a kitchen cluttered with countertop appliances like toasters, coffee makers, can openers, and microwaves. But when it comes to food processors, how do you know which to choose for each of the many tasks you perform every week in the kitchen? What follows are some specific types of processors, as well as what each of them does best. Juicers
The juicer is perhaps the most limited of the food processors, as it tends to perform only one basic task: juicing. A juicer is used for squeezing juice from soft-centered fruits and vegetables. A juicer differs from a blender in that a juicer separates the juice from the pulp, whereas a blender simply blends the fruit or vegetable into a liquid. Blenders
Blenders can be used for a variety of purposes: to crush ice, to emulsify mixtures, to make smooth purees of semisolid ingredients, to reduce small solids to powder, to help dissolve solids into liquids, and of course to blend mixtures. Often, low-powered blenders require liquid to be added in order for the blender to operate effectively. The liquid serves to move solids around the jar, putting them in contact with the blade in a whirlpool effect. Over the years, several uses of the blender have been appropriated by the standard food processor. These include making thicker mixtures such as mayonnaise and hummus. |  |
Mixers
Mixers are designed to mix, fold, beat, and whip. There are two basic types: the hand mixer and the much larger stand mixer. Whereas blenders, operating at high speeds, use sharp blades to chop or liquefy food, mixers are much slower appliances that use beaters instead of blades.
