Food choppers and food processors are not the same. Food choppers typically have just a small bowl and sharp blades to chop, dice, or mince ingredients. Food processors, on the other hand, have multiple attachments and settings. They can chop, slice, grate, and even puree.
Can I Use a Food Chopper as a Food Processor?
It really depends on what you’re trying to do. If you need to chop and mince vegetables and fruits, use a food chopper. If you need to knead dough, puree a large quantity of ingredients, or mince harder food items like nuts, stick to a food processor.
How to Use a Food Chopper as a Substitute
A food chopper is great for smaller tasks in the kitchen. Here’s how to use one:
Step 1: Cut your fruits, veggies, or other ingredients into smaller chunks. A food chopper can’t handle big pieces like a food processor.
Step 2: Add the ingredients to the food chopper bowl. Don’t overfill it. The blades need space to move freely. Lock the lid into place.
Step 3: Use the pulse function (or press down briefly if it’s manual) to start chopping.
Step 4: Pause and scrape down the sides of the bowl.
Step 5: Start pulsing again till you reach the desired consistency.
Step 6: Once everything’s chopped, empty the bowl before starting a new batch.
Step 7: Clean your food chopper immediately after using it. Food bits can get stuck in the blades and be harder to remove if they dry. You might be able to put it in the dishwasher if it’s dishwasher-safe. Check your manual for confirmation.
What It Works Best For
Food choppers are great for:
- Chopping onions, garlic, or herbs
- Making salsa or dips
- Prepping small amounts of ingredients
When to Invest in a Food Processor
Here’s when it’s time to upgrade:
- You cook or bake regularly.
- You work with large quantities of ingredients.
- You need to carry out multiple tasks like slicing, grating, pureeing, mixing, and juicing.
- You want to make smooth purees.
- You need to grind tough ingredients like nuts, seeds, or hard vegetables (like carrots and sweet potatoes).
Summary
If you only need to chop small amounts of veggies or herbs once in a while, stick with a food chopper. But if you’re cooking regularly, handling big recipes, or want a tool that can do it all, a food processor is worth every penny.
Looking for a quick and easy way to chop your ingredients? The MisterChef Food Chopper is the perfect tool. Shop with us today.