Do you know the difference between a food processor vs mixer grinder? For inexperienced cooks, the two kitchen machines might sound very similar. And if the salesperson doesn’t have enough knowledge on the subject, you could end up buying the wrong equipment.
A food mixer is an essential kitchen appliance. After all, chopping or grinding different types of food takes up a considerable amount of your time. But with a quality mixer, you can get it all done within minutes. However, as valuable as a food mixer is, buying a kitchen appliance is not as easy as it seems.
We’ve created this comprehensive guide to clear up the confusion between a food processor and mixer grinder once and for all.
What Is a Mixer Grinder?
As the name suggests, the primary and perhaps the only function of a standard mixer grinder is to grind and mix the food you put inside it. For example, if you want to grind coffee beans, cumin powder, black pepper, or make baby food and fruit juice, a mixer grinder will be your best friend.
What Is a Food Processor?
Unlike a mixer grinder, a food processor has multiple functionalities. In addition to efficient grinding, it can also help you chop, slice, mince, and shred a variety of food ingredients.
The Difference Between a Mixer Grinder & Food Processor
Here are five key differences between food processor vs mixer grinder machines that’ll help you better understand which one best fits your needs.
1. Food Processors Come With More Features
As stated above, mixer grinders have limited features. If you need to grind items like coriander powder, bread crumbs, baby food, or egg whites, the average mixer grinder with its sharp, stainless steel blades is the perfect appliance.
The disadvantage here is that you’ll either have the whole ingredient or a paste or powder of the ingredients – there are no other stages in between.
On the other hand, food processors have a wide range of features that come in very handy if you have a busy kitchen. Daily cooking requires more than purees and pastes. Food processors should be your go-to choice for all other processes, like chopping, slicing, and kneading heavy doughs.
2. Mixer Grinders Are Easier to Store
Since mixer grinders come with fewer features, they tend to have a compact design. However, food processors can come with lots of additional kitchen tools, so they’re worth the attention as well.
Every tool, blade, or add-on to a food processor is meant for a particular process, such as chopping or slicing. So, as a whole, they can take up a lot of counter space.
Pro Tip: If you have a smaller kitchen, you can shift your focus towards mini food processors.
3. Food Processors Are Costlier Than Mixer Grinders
There is a considerable price difference between the two tools. Understandably, if an appliance carries a wide range of features, it will come at an extra cost. This is true for food processors.
Since the single appliance takes care of a plethora of kitchen processes, like slicing, chopping, mincing, etc., they can be looked at as splurge-worthy and not “expensive.”
Mixer grinders, on the other hand, are smaller, more compact, and have limited features. Therefore, they tend to have an affordable price.
4. Food Processors Consume More Power Than Mixer Grinders
Although the exact power consumption will depend on the model of the appliance, a food processor generally has high motor power and consumes anywhere between 500 to 1000 watts of power. On the other hand, a mixer grinder consumes approximately 500 to 800 watts of power.
Which One Is a Better Investment?
Whether a person should buy a food processor or a mixer grinder is very subjective. It all depends on your needs and budget. For instance, if you like trying out new recipes or have a big family, a food processor will help you save a lot of time and energy. After all, meeting the cooking requirements for a big family requires extra effort.
However, if you are a bachelor or prefer sticking to basic meals, then a mixer grinder will suffice when taking care of your kitchen needs. To help you make a choice, here is a detailed list of the pros and cons of a food processor vs mixer grinder:
Pros of Food Processors:
- Suitable for various tasks, including chopping, kneading bread dough, making puree, etc.
- Have a larger blender jar than mixer grinders and can chop up harsh ingredients.
- With a powerful motor, they help you save a lot of time and energy in food preparation.
- Help you prepare liquid dishes like shakes, soup, and fresh juices. The additional attachments and the juicer jar take care of that.
Cons of Food Processors:
- Take up a lot of cupboard space in the kitchen.
- Liquid dishes might leak from the joints of the processor, though this is not a regularity.
- Purees and pastes made by food processors are not always smooth.
- Require a lot of effort to clean and can be complicated to use.
Pros of Mixer Grinders:
- Perfect for making shakes, fruit juice, and soups.
- Easy to clean up and require less cupboard space.
- You can adjust your speed limit depending on your needs.
- Comparatively more straightforward to use than food processors, which makes a world of difference to amateur cooks.
- Cutting blades are replaceable.
Cons of Mixer Grinders:
- Unlike food processors, mixer grinders come with limited features.
- Difficult to scoop out ingredients from the bowl because they come with sharp blades.
- When used for extended periods, the machine can get overheated.
- Rubble lid may become a little loose after regular usage.
Endnote
Cooking is fancy, but definitely not easy. It requires a lot of time, energy, and effort. If you are hunting for a helping hand that will share a part of your day-to-day kitchen load, both a food processor and a mixer grinder are equally competent. However, whether you buy a simple mixer grinder or a multi-use food processor is a choice that only you can make.
We hope this article helps you decide between a food processor vs mixer grinder. If you’re interested in more articles like this one, visit our kitchen appliance reviews page.
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