Food processor and blenders are both used for processing foods. If you look at the appearances, they seem quite similar. And the inner engineering of both appliances is the same to deal with various ingredients. But if you notice carefully, you will find some distinct differences as well.
Many people become puzzled to see the external looks. But it is important to know that the food processors are mostly used for chopping, slicing, grating, and most noticeably they work to process harder ingredients. On the other hand, blenders are utilized for blending liquids, pureeing foods, and making smoothies. However, the following writing will come up with the difference between food processor and blender.
Differences Between Food Processor and Blender
We will consider the appearances and functions of both kitchen appliances. Though everything is gradually changing, they have something unique that is enough to make differences between them.
Different Food Processors
Food processors come in different forms. We can name some of them are full-size food processor, mini food processor, and handheld choppers. The full-size processor comes with extensive functionalities. They have a feeding tube that allows you to put ingredients in it effortlessly. Various discs of the processors help to customize the chopping sizes.
Mini food processors are the smaller versions of full-sized. They are designed to do basic food processing tasks and they are ideal for small families. If you just need slicing and chopping, you can go for this option.
Handheld choppers work depending on the manual actions. They are best for chopping and slicing vegetables. You will need to turn or press down the blades and the ingredients go into a bowl.
Different Blenders
Blenders are well-known kitchen appliances that come with various cooking advantages. They are mostly compact and can be set up on small countertops. Nowadays, these tools are more effective and perform lots of tasks instead of making drinks, soups, and sauces. There are various types of blenders for a variety of purposes.
When you think of a blender, full-size blenders come first to your mind. Designed to easily fit in your kitchen, they are excellent for preparing various smoothies and sauces. Enhanced technology has made them more functional and many modern blenders can make butter, jam, jelly, and aerate wine.
If you look for making individual-sized drinks and smoothies, you can choose a personal blender. These blenders are able to offer only 1 or 2 servings and not ideal for continuous dicing and chopping. You can carry personal blenders anywhere as they are compact and lightweight.
Immersion blenders are not alternatives to personal or full-size blenders. They are designed to submerge into bowls or pots. You can use immersion blender mostly for making smooth liquid, vinaigrettes, pesto, and whipped cream.
Size and Texture
After processing foods with a food processor, you will be able to identify different items. Though they will not be very clear, you still can detect them. The result of food processing will not be homogenous like the blenders.
If you want ingredients liquefied, you should use a blender. Blending will turn various ingredients into the absolute liquid. You will have no chance to identify various ingredients from the homogenous mixture by a blender.
Usage
It is already mentioned about the usage of the food processor, but in detail, it deals with a variety of dry foods. It does much and more in processing ingredients than a blender. Processors come with various attachments and common food processors can slice, chop, grate, and shred foods. Many latest models have extra attachments and they can do more.
Though many newer food processors can work with wet foods, it is good to keep in mind that food processors are better for dry and hard ingredients.
The uses of the standard blender are to make a smooth mixture and turn ingredients into the complete liquid. It can make hot and cold smoothies, dips, soups, and so on. This appliance is for actually a particular purpose, making smoothies.
Remember that the working process of blender is not suitable for solid content. The crushing blades cannot properly work when it comes to harder foods.
Container Size
Containers are different in size; the food processor has typically a broader but shorter container. It is also named as ‘work cup’ or ‘work bowl’. The blender has a taller container which is not too broad. It is also known as ‘jar’ or ‘pitcher’. Work bowl can hold more things than pitcher.
Motor Power
The blender has a more powerful motor than the motor of food processor. There is a logical reason behind this. As blender works to give a smooth mixture, it requires more power.
A powerful food processor can be run at 1,300 watts to provide maximum yield. For a standard blender, the power source can be up to 2 horsepower that is equal to 1,470 watts.
Cutting Blades
One of the greatest differences between the two appliances is versatile attachments. It is basically the cutting blade which is only one for blender. But the food processors have several cutting blades for diverse purposes.
Not only the chopping blade, but a food processor has also a grating disc and a slicing disc. Many processors also contain citrus attachment, whisking disc, peeling disc, dough beater, etc.
Chopping Blade and Blade Assembly
In the food processor, the chopping blade ensures the fine cuts of metal knives. These blades are very sharp and perform the same as the knife cuts. The key difference is that it works very fast in a food processor.
The blade in blender crushes ingredients rather than chopping. The two sharp pieces are attached flawlessly to ensure that all ingredients at the base get the necessary force.
The blade in the food processor can be removed and replaced with another. Therefore, a food processor is more versatile. Alternatively, blender’s blade is not removable.
Related Read: Best Juicer Blenders
Wrap Up
The gradual development of technology may deface the difference between food processor and blender. Though they work for different types of ingredients, they will possibly perform similar tasks in near future. However, the core difference between them is the food processor processes hard foods and the blender processes soft foods.
If you intend to give your kitchen completeness, you must consider buying both; food processor and blender. They are handy and fulfill your daily needs, give a taste of various foods, and save you from spending money in the shops.
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