Which food processor please? ... confused

sunflowersuffolk

Help please, you cooks. I’m considering some sort of food processor, to sit on worktop all the time, not too big and easyish to clean and swop over discs. I don’t want to pay a fortune, but I do like sturdy items that fit together well and last where the motor isn’t straining and is large enough for the job.

Will be used lots for chopping /grating carrots and cabbage etc. I eat a lot of fresh veg/salads.

I have a Kenwood Chef Premier for cakes, which I don’t use that often now. I was first considering getting the grater/slicer attachment for it, but not sure if it’s a bit of a faff to attach/clean etc if not doing big quantities?

There are 2 of us and I’m the only vegetarian. I’m not a great cook - mainly I want it to easily : Prepare carrot, cabbage, celery apple etc for a large coleslaw - ? best to chop, grate, slice, shred?
Grated cheddar and possibly parmesan. Whizz up small salad dressings. Sauces with tomatoes, garlic etc. Hoummous. Breadcrumbs. Veggie burgers. Grated cheddar and possibly parmesan.

I was thinking of Magimix 3200 (more than I really wanted to pay) but reviews say it makes chopped onion a mush, and you use more than one bowl and they all get dirty? Also I think I might have to pay even more for coarse blade for some stuff. Every time I think I’ve found the one, a remark puts me off.

Not bothered about dough or pastry as I can use my Kenwood.

I already have a stick blender I use for soups. An old small coffee grinder which I use for nuts and seeds. Plus a blender on my Kenwood, and a Nutribullet, both of which I hardly ever use!
Thanks for any help.

VfM4meplse

Honestly? Whilst you’re deciding, put a wanted ad out on Freecycle, and see how much use you would get from a basic machine. Or if you really want BN Lidl and Aldi often have them on offer for a fraction of the big brands.

I’m not sure premium is going to offer value for money if it’s just going to be used to shred veggies.

sunflowersuffolk

Thanks I have done a wanted on some local FB sites. Will try freecycle too.

I will use it also for pastry, crumble mix, stuffing etc. It's just that I know I'll be chopping lots of veg, need it to be able to do that well. I'm tempted by some cheaper ones, but don't want to waste money getting the wrong one.

dreaming

Ha, this really resonated with me as I am currently listing my Kenwood Premier mixer, plus the liquidiser, and the grating/slicing attachment on e-bay. I have to say buying the mixer/liquidiser in the first place was a moment of madness, and the first time I used the liquidiser for soup I realised that it was very badly designed. With the goblet fitted to the mixer on top of the worktop I couldn't reach to pour the soup from the saucepan. I then tried to fill the goblet before fitting to the mixer - disaster when I didn't get a good seal and hot, semi-blended soup leaked all over the machine and clogged the motor leading to a £75 repair bill (2 months out of warranty)! Due to problems with my hands I then bought the slicer/grater attachment but that too proved to be a pita to fit, use, and then clean afterwards. It wasn't too bad when I found cheese on offer and grated large batches for freezing, but if I just wanted a small amount then it really didn't seem worth it. I ended up buying a cheap supermarket hand mixer for the odd cake I make these days, and a supermarket hand blender for soup. I did buy a Kenwood food processor for the grating etc. (much easier to use and clean, and only takes up half the space of the Premier) but to be honest I could have got away with a cheaper one I think.
So I came to the conclusion that the Kenwood Premier was just a rather expensive ornament in my kitchen using up valuable worktop space, with a basket full of attachments etc. in the cupboard below, so earlier this week it all came out to be photographed and listed for sale.
Hope this helps. It's good advice to see if there is anything on Freegle first.

sunflowersuffolk

Oh dear Dreaming, it's such a shame we can't go and have a really good honest demo of these items before we buy! Or rent them for a month.

Actually if I found a small processor that would do a bit of pastry and a basic cake, I'd probably try and sell my Kenwood too! Good luck hope you sell soon. People might want it prior to Christmas.

VJsmum

I have a magimix - I think that one. I love it, and am unlikely to consider anything else.

I don't chop onions in it though - because, for me, it is as easy to use a knife. i did puree them in there for bolognaise so DS didn't realise that they were in it, when he was small.

sunflowersuffolk

Some of the Kenwoods seem ok?.Kenwood FPM250 Multipro Compact Food Processor £89 https://www.johnlewis.com/kenwood-fpm250-multipro-compact-food-processor/p231657442#tabinfo-ratings
or
Kenwood FDP301WH Multipro Compact £42.99 800 watts https://www.amazon.co.uk/Kenwood-0W22010031-FDP301SI-Multi-Pro-Processor/product-reviews/B073X56BFM/

One thing I have done in past is buy from Lakeland for peace of mind if doubtful. It usually costs a bit more, but if you don't like it, they will exchange for another model/return within 3 years. Amazing service..

nuatha

sunflowersuffolk wrote: »

Thanks I have done a wanted on some local FB sites. Will try freecycle too.

I will use it also for pastry, crumble mix, stuffing etc. It's just that I know I'll be chopping lots of veg, need it to be able to do that well. I'm tempted by some cheaper ones, but don't want to waste money getting the wrong one.

For a dozen years or so I used a Biffnet (Lidl) so much so that when I was planning the catering for my wedding I bought a second off ebay. (The design has changed substantially since but I presume is still as effective). I was gifted a Magimix 3200 a year ago, but still tend to reach for the old Biffnet most times.
However for slicing and grating small to medium quantities of veg I use an interchangeable blade mandolin (and this is the only gadget I use to do onions - up to 10Kg at a time).
I use a Kenwood Chef with rotary grater for parmesan or large quantities of cheese.

If, as and when the Biffnet motor dies, I'll move over to the Magimix full time (I gave the second Biffnet to a friend) but if I was spending my money, I' checkout the new design one when it came roun on special or check the charity shops an ebay etc.

dreaming

sunflowersuffolk wrote: »

Oh dear Dreaming, it's such a shame we can't go and have a really good honest demo of these items before we buy! Or rent them for a month.

Actually if I found a small processor that would do a bit of pastry and a basic cake, I'd probably try and sell my Kenwood too! Good luck hope you sell soon. People might want it prior to Christmas.

I have to admit it was a "mad moment" for me to buy it in the first place - a bit of "aspirational spending". I think I thought that if I had a decent mixer I would suddenly transform into a sensational baker, rather than the reasonably-good, everyday cook that I really am. If I look into any new hobby I really have to curb my enthusiasm for all the gadgets involved.
I think that FPM250 is the one I have.

monnagran

dreaming, I have also just sold my Kenwood mixer with several attachments. It looked good on the kitchen counter but i rarely used it.
I live on my own now but still do a lot of mass catering for church events and a regular lunch club plus stuff for coffee morning's and cake stalls. I use a hand mixer (nearly 40 years old) and a stick blender.

In the past I had a Magimix and absolutely loved it. Unfortunately I gave it to a friend and have repented of my generosity many times. The one time it went wrong the makers/ stockists, can't remember who it was, were brilliant. I am now about to buy another one and cant wait.
I just hope that it hasn't been "improved." in the intervening years.

sunflowersuffolk

Monnagran .... can I ask which model Magimix you will be getting?

From what I read the 3200 would be best for one or two people. I'm hoping there may be some deals just before Christmas, but I want it now!!! Must be patient.

I have seen second hand ones but over £100 and of course no guarantee with them.