Diverse cuisines and recipes require diverse kitchen equipment, and the worst thing you can do to yourself is to hit the kitchen appliance aisle at a mall without knowing the difference between a food processor and a mixer grinder. Although they might seem to serve a similar purpose — chopping and grinding food items, a closer look will reveal the fine differences between them.
In this article, we will discuss the difference between food processor and mixer grinder to help you choose the perfect appliance for your next recipe, so read until the end.
What is a Food Processor?
Food processors offer a wide range of features such as chopping, shredding, mincing, pureeing, and slicing. They work well with different food types, including vegetables, fruits, and even meat.
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Pros of Using a Food Processor
Here are some benefits of using a food processor:
- Comes with fewer sharp blades, so you have a lower chance of hurting yourself
- Takes care of multiple kitchen tasks, like cutting, slicing, mincing, and shredding
- Best way to save time if you have several dishes to prepare in a short timeframe
- Comes with bigger bowls so you can process larger quantities of food at once
- Works with solid food items like veggies and fruits as well as hard meat
Cons of Using a Food Processor
Here are the disadvantages of using a food processor:
- Makes more noise than a mixer grinder
- Consumes more electricity
- Being bulky, it requires a lot of space in your kitchen
- It’s difficult to clean the gaps and corners
- Not designed for liquid drinks and soups
What is a Mixer Grinder?
A mixer grinder is a type of kitchen appliance used to break down bigger pieces of a food item into tiny bits or even grind them into fine powder or paste.
Unlike a food processor, it doesn’t offer any variety in cutting and breaking down vegetables and fruits. Also, if you’re planning to grind meat, it’s best to choose a dedicated meat grinder.
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Pros of Using a Mixer Grinder
Here are some benefits of using a mixer grinder:
- Affordable
- Much easier to use than a food processor
- It can handle solid as well as liquid items like soups and shakes equally well
- Does not make a lot of noise and consumes less energy than a food processor
- Comes with more settings that give you better control over your food
- Cleaning a mixer grinder is super easy and quick
Cons of Using a Mixer Grinder
Here are the disadvantages of using a mixer grinder:
- Can overheat with prolonged use
- Sharp rotating blades can hurt your fingers
- Big cutting blades make it difficult to scoop out all the ground food
- Requires you to hold the jar in place, or else it will be wobbly
- The rubber lid might loosen up over time
Key Differences Between a Food Processor and Mixer Grinder
The basic difference between food processor and mixer grinder must be clear by now, but surely you need more information to help you zero in on what you’ll be ultimately buying.
Here are a few other key differences to see which of these appliances is a better match for your kitchen:
Blender Attachment and Accessories
Mixer grinders are simple devices with fewer mixer attachments. They come with a holder to accommodate the jar responsible for grinding your food. The main body of the grinder contains all the speed and control settings. Some brands also offer multiple-size grinder jars for different grinding needs.
Due to their compact design, mixer grinders take up very little space. You can stuff them in the kitchen cabinet corner, beside the oven, or anywhere with an electrical outlet.
Food processors offer a much wider range of services, so they are naturally bigger and take up a lot of space in your kitchen. They also contain extra accessories and bowls with different types of cutters and blades to meet all chopping needs.
Service & Work
The biggest difference between a food processor and a mixer grinder is their service.
While food processors offer a wider range of features with chopping, slicing, mincing, and shredding, mixer grinders are limited to grinding big food pieces into smaller pieces, power, or paste.
Durability
Mixer grinders are much more durable than food processors.
Usually, the body of a mixer grinder is made of plastic, whereas the jars are made of steel which withstands the high power from the machine and stays resilient throughout the rough grinding motion.
Food processors are entirely made of plastic — body and containers alike, so they are more prone to damage and breakage compared to mixer grinders.
Price
Since a food processor comes with a lot more features, benefits, and accessories, it’s more expensive than mixer grinders.
Needless to say, the price will depend on the brand and model, and you can always find a cheaper product, but it will almost certainly disappoint you in terms of service and durability.
On average, a mixer grinder will cost anywhere between $30 to $150, whereas an average food processor costs about $80 to $250.
Food Processor vs Mixer Grinder: Frequently Asked Questions
Can You Use a Food Processor as a Mixer Grinder?
Some multifunctional food processors come with an additional feature for pureeing. If that’s the case, you can certainly use your food processor as a mixer grinder.
Can You Use a Mixer Grinder as a Food Processor?
You cannot use your mixer grinder as a food processor.
Mixer grinders lack the multi-range features offered by food processors, and no amount of add-ons and accessories can make up for that. Try mini food choppers if you want an appliance to chop your food items instead of grinding them.
Which is Better: Mixer Grinder or Food Processor?
Both have their perks; a mixer grinder is best for people with limited cooking needs, whereas a food processor is best for cooking fanatics that cook multiple dishes regularly. Your budget also plays a vital role in deciding which of these two appliances you want to pick first.
Conclusion
Both food processors and mixer grinders make your life easier in the kitchen. Whether you are a newbie looking for an assistant in fine chopping, slicing, and grinding or an expert chef who wants to save time in the kitchen, these appliances are perfect for every cook. Just make sure you follow this guide to the dot and get the right machine for the right need.
