Food Processors

Food Processors allow the use of fresh ingredients to make delicious meals like homemade meatballs rather than opting for store-bought varieties including additives and preservatives. Foods that are processed at home will taste better and are more nourishing as they're made fresh.

These Kitchen Benchtop Appliances consist of a motor housed in the body of the appliance with the controls, a bowl with a lid, a feed tube and a range of included and/or optional Mixer Attachments. Each of the attachments processes food in a variety of specialised ways as ingredients are fed into the bowl. Freshly processed food collects in the bowl which can be detached after use to transfer via pouring, draining and cooking.

The range of Mixer & Food Processor attachments will let it chop veggies, grind or mince meats, process bread into crumbs or cauliflower into cauliflower rice. Puree homemade nut butters and baby foods, blend your own hummus or pesto, shred, grate and slice vegetables, cheeses, and deli meats. Some can even knead doughs!

Food processors specialise in chopping, slicing, grating, and shredding tasks using interchangeable blade and disc attachments. Blenders focus on pureeing and ice crushing with fixed bottom blades in tall, narrow jugs designed to create vortex circulation. Below are the key distinctions:

• Food processors: Wider bowls, multiple attachments, prepare table-ready foods

• Blenders: Tall jugs, single fixed blade, create smoothies, milkshakes, drinks, dips

• Processing method: Processors use various cutting actions; blenders puree through vortex

• Liquid handling: Blenders require liquid for operation; processors work dry

Both house motors in the base with containers sitting on top. Food processors swap between specialised attachments for tasks like making breadcrumbs or julienning vegetables. Blenders excel at incorporating liquids and creating smooth textures but can't slice or shred. Browse our full range of benchtop kitchen appliances to compare capabilities.

This all depends on the task and the volume of food to process. For smaller tasks using minimal ingredients, a manual or electric Food Chopper can most definitely perform as a mini Food Processor. They do however have much less (if any) wattage so the results take longer.

Food Choppers are great for not only chopping ingredients like onion and garlic to cut down on prep time, but for mixing fresh herbs and nuts into dips or a quick homemade basil pesto. Because they're smaller they also require less clean up over Food Processors.

For all other tasks such as grating, shredding or crumbing bread, you'll need a Food Processor because they come with a raft of accessories to do more with food than a Chopper is capable of.

With the right attachments and features, a Food Processor can do just about any kitchen task thrown at it. It’s worth thinking about what it'll be used for and how often before buying one, so here's some key features to consider.

The size of the bowl varies between models, so consider how much space is free in the kitchen and weigh it up against the amount of food likely to be made. For even more space saved, some come with a storage box to keep all the attachments together like some Breville Food Processors. This also keeps them in better condition and stored away from small hands safely.

There are a variety of attachments that a processor may come with, common attachments being a dough blade, slider and shredder, while accessories such as a whisk may be only found in selected models. Some such as selected Kenwood, KitchenAid or Sunbeam Food Processors can come with a Blender jug for whipping up creamy smoothies which may save the cost and space of buying a standalone Blender.

Most food processor components are dishwasher-safe, including bowls, lids, and plastic attachments. Blades require careful hand washing due to sharp edges. Rinse components immediately after use to prevent food residue drying and hardening.

Cleaning recommendations:

• After each use: Rinse bowl and blade under running water

• Weekly deep clean: Soak stubborn residue in warm soapy water

• Blade maintenance: Use brush to clean crevices around blade edges

• Feed tube cleaning: Remove and wash separately to prevent odour build-up

Motor housings wipe clean with damp cloth—never immerse the base in water. Some models feature sealed bases preventing liquid seepage into motor compartments. Storage boxes keep mixer and food processor attachments clean between uses and protected from damage.

Selecting a reputable brand ensures efficient meal preparation and appliance durability. Australia’s leading manufacturers offer diverse solutions to suit various culinary needs:

• Breville: Known for innovation, featuring clever storage and professional-grade attachment sets.

• KitchenAid: Combines iconic design with powerful motors for consistent performance.

• Kenwood: Provides versatile, multi-functional units that often include integrated blender jugs.

• Sunbeam: Offers accessible, high-value models perfect for everyday chopping and slicing.

Key comparison factors:

• Motor Type: Induction motors offer quieter, heavy-duty operation compared to standard residential versions.

• Longevity: Warranty periods typically range from 1 to 5 years, reflecting build quality.

• Versatility: Assess the variety of included blades and the ease of sourcing replacement parts.

To find the right model for your budget, consult our best food processors Australia guide. Always verify standard attachments to ensure the unit is optimised for your favourite recipes.