Can I use a blender instead of a food processor?
Every food lover thinks about this question, can you use a blender instead of a food processor? Whether you are chopping, grinding or mixing, there is always a need of machine that will be your companion in the kitchen!
Food processors are useful devices that are used for various functions like mixing, mincing, grinding, crushing, grating and kneading substances for making delicious food. However, they are large and expensive so it is not possible for everyone to purchase them. Do not worry if you do not have one because you can use a blender instead of food processor!
What can I use instead of a food processor?
There are many different things that you can use instead of a food processor. The first and simplest way is to perform the actions manually. You can grind, crush, mix and mince, meat, vegetables and other ingredients using your hands and utensils as well. This requires more time and effort so people prefer machines for it. All you need is a chopping board or bowl, knives, spoons and sticks that can help you to crush anything that comes in front.
People wonder can you use blender as food processor which is a valid question because blenders are more commonly found in houses. The answer to this is that you can definitely do it. There are also several benefits to it. Blenders are cheaper than food processors and compact in size so they take up less space. Moreover, they are easy to clean and maintain as well because they have less moving parts. There are many redundant functions in food processors that you would probably never use so it is better to purchase a blender which do the parts that you require normally.
There are also other specialised machines such as smoothie or juice makers, meat grinder and choppers which deliver specific functions. You can use these instead of food processor but the problem is that you will need separate devices for each task which can be quite expensive.
How to use a blender as a food processor?
Blenders operate just like normal food processors. The usage depends on the task that you have to achieve. The common use cases for blenders are just like food processing machines but at a lower scale. This means that their volume and power is lower than their big brothers. Many people prefer them for juices and smoothies because they are quick to make and healthy at the same time. Some of the key points that you should take care of while using blenders are as follows:
Use the blender at slow setting
At first, always start with the slowest possible setting on the blender. Usually, they operate at faster speeds than food processors because they are used to produce liquids. You can also operate the blender for short intervals to see how the food is being processed. Use it at least 4-5 times in this way so that you know the optimum speed at which the blades operate.
Use less amount of liquid
It is recommended to use less amount of liquid because you would not want the stuff to become so watery. Some fruits and vegetables emit juice as well so you should keep this in mind when making smoothies or shakes. It is always easy to add water again so do not worry about it.
Follow the device manual
If you follow the instruction manual, you will find out if you can use blender as food processor because it provides information about the functions of the machine. Every blender has different functions so it is possible that some devices can do more tasks than others. There are some items which are not recommended inside the blenders because they can damage their blades. Always ensure that you keep those away.
Use limited number of ingredients
People always think can you blender instead of food processor because they wish to use their devices for various functions. When using blenders, you should always keep in mind that too much ingredients can damage the blades and result in improper mixture. Whatever you are putting in the device, make sure that first you put half of the contents as compared to a food processor and then put the remaining gradually.
Benefits of a blender over food processor
Cheaper
This is probably the main benefit of buying a blender instead of a food processor. You can a lot of bucks with it as blenders can start from$50 whereas food processors usually begin from $120 because they are larger and contain more functionality inside.
Easier to operate and maintain
Being smaller and lighter, blenders can be washed easily and they are simple to run as well. Usually, they will have 2 knobs which are for speed setting and mode selection. In this way, the user can learn how to operate it in no time at all and change the settings easily as well.
More practical for kitchen
If you have a look at your kitchen, there would be many substances that you rarely use. Food processor is a common one as well because most people just place them in cabinets and never take them out because it is too large and complicated to run. Therefore, blenders come into play as they are compact in size so you can even keep them on your kitchen counters all the time.
Final Words
After reading this article, you will know how to use a blender as a food processor? You can use it instead of a food processing machine but always keep in mind that there are limitations. Blenders are recommended when making smoothies, shakes, pastes or other liquid substances. They are more affordable to buy and smaller in size so easy to maintain and store in the kitchen. If you put hard vegetables or fruits in them in large quantity, then you can damage the device. Therefore, depending on the dishes you make frequently, you should buy either a blender or food processor for your kitchen.
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