Kenwood Chef questions

thriftlady_2

OH has just bought himself a motorbike (again:rolleyes: ) so I'm having a Kenwood Chef:D

I've been reading the collection of threads about Kenwoods but still need some questions answering. I'm thinking of buying this one. Does anyone have it ?

What I need to know is how big and how efficient the food processor attachment is. I like to prep lots of onions and other veg for the freezer so I need a good one (mine is on its last legs).

My other question is about dough capacity. I'd like to make bread in it. I usually make a 4.5 lb batch by hand -is that too much for the bowl ?

bathbabe

Hi Thriftlady

I don't have that model - I think the bowl is bigger than mine, so I can't comment on the bread question. I find the food processor attachment too small for most things - it's significantly smaller than my stand alone food processor, which I'd hoped to get rid of when I got the Kenwood. That's just not possible, the Kenwood one is fine for small amounts, but you have to do larger amounts in batches, which is a pain because of the way it attaches to the top of the Kenwood - you basically have to take the whole thing off to unclip the lid.

Still, the Kenwood is the best kitchen gadget we've ever bought!

HTH

r.mac_2

my hubbie bought me this for my birthday a couple of weeks ago. It's brilliant!!!

I do have to confess though that I haven't yet used the food processor attachment. I'll go dig out the book and see what it says for you.......

Pink.

Hi thriftlady,

The food processor attachment that comes with that model is the AT640. There is some information on it here

I don't know if you are planning to buy it from Amazon but you can get that model cheaper here

Pink

thriftlady_2

Thanks Pink and Bathbabe -it looks like the food processor is too small for my requirements.

I'm wondering now whether I wouldn't be better off splashing out on a really good food processor instead. I do bake a lot but one of the things I like about baking is the feel of the ingredients -kneading and stirring, folding in. I like using my big earthenware mixing bowl too and I bet it's easier to wash up than a Chef;)

Any food processor recommendations ?

SheepApnoea

Magimix 5200! I've just splashed out on one after being given some housewarming money, with strict instructions to not spend it on bills...got a £70 discount as it was on sale too.
It's certainly built to last, the motor is quiet(ish) and the 3 bowl system is pretty useful.

thriftlady_2

SheepApnoea wrote: »

Magimix 5200! I've just splashed out on one after being given some housewarming money, with strict instructions to not spend it on bills...got a £70 discount as it was on sale too.
It's certainly built to last, the motor is quiet(ish) and the 3 bowl system is pretty useful.

Ha! that's the one I've been eyeing up on Amazon. I really liked the 3 bowls too. Is the funnel big enough to take a whole mediumish potato ? that would be brilliant for potato gratins and hotpots.

Thaks for the recommendation :T

lindadykes

I try to bake my own bread and used to use a good old big earthenware bowl like thriftlady says and lots of elbow grease in the process of kneading. Have to say I know what you mean when you say, kneading can be quite theraoutic, but when you work full time and get home at 6pm, have tea to make and then realise that bread is low and you need to make a batch - after tea, and after taking DD to her own home coz she works close to you but lives 10 miles away - and public transport rubbish (rant over), I somtimes just couldn' tbe botherered. SOoooo, went on ebay and got a kenwood chef for £20, fairly local so picked up to save postage.

Never looked back - I didn't get any instructions and wasn't sure what capacity it would knead, but as it does the kneading I halved my usual quantity to be on the safe size - to 1 1/2 lb flour. I now get in measure the ingredients into my kenwood bowl and set away on speed 1 for 1o mins, in that time I can get on with preparing tea. After 10mins I remove dough from dough hook and just shape it into a round and back into bowl which I cover with cling film and leave for 1-2 hours at room temp.(sometimes more) whilst I go about the rest of my life. When doubled in size I knock back and shape into 2 oval shapes, slash 4-5 times diagonally and then put on a baking tray and leave to double again. I then stick in oven for 20 mins -Bobs your uncle two loaves of bread - effort minimal!

thriftlady_2

Well, I have decided on the Magimix 5200 food processor;) I'm just not busy enough to justify a Chef. I have a big fruit cake to make next week for the school fete 'guess the weight of the cake' and I can't see me tipping it all in a machine -I want to stir it in my big bowl:D

I need a new a food processor though -so thanks for all your advice:)

r.mac_2

hvaing investigated my food processor attachment (book not terribly helpful), it would appeaer that it really is an add-on and an extra rather than an appliance in itself. If it's a nice extra (which it is for me) it would be fine, but if you are planning on using it lots I would go for the magimix.

when I nannied a few years ago I used to use the families magimix for al the babyfood I made - it was brilliant

have a great tiem with your new toy

Addiscomber

thriftlady wrote: »

My other question is about dough capacity. I'd like to make bread in it. I usually make a 4.5 lb batch by hand -is that too much for the bowl ?

I know you have gone off the idea of the Chef, but if you meant 4.5lb of flour then no, it wouldn't have done it. Capacity for stiff yeast dough is 3lb of flour, and my older, less powerful Chef doesn't like being at full stretch.