BLACK+DECKER 8-Cup Food Processor

Why spend hours chopping vegetables when you can use a food processor to do it? Some recipes specifically call for a food processor, which makes it an essential part of every chef’s kitchen. But like many appliances, food processors range in price and capacity, which can make choosing one tough. Fortunately, there are a few things you can look for while you’re shopping that will make it easier.

The largest food processors can handle as much as 14 cups of food and liquid, making them perfect for those who cook for large groups. If not, though, as nice as it may be to have that capacity just in case you might need it someday, it might be worth considering a much smaller unit. The larger food processors are not only bulky, but they’re also heavy, making them tough to store when not in use.

A smaller-capacity food processor, on the other hand, can only handle up to a few cups of contents, which limits the recipes you can tackle. Even if you only cook for one or two people, or you live in a small space, check into the foods you’ll want to make before you choose one of those models.

On top of capacity, you should also pay close attention to the types of foods each processor can handle. If you plan to use your food processor to knead bread, for instance, you’ll need not only a unit with a larger bowl but one that has the accessories to tackle that task.

• Today’s food processors can do amazing things. Not only can they chop and slice, but they can also grate cheese and knead bread. Finding a food processor that can chop while also keeping items crisp and fresh can be challenging, though. Some models are best at slicing, shredding and grating, while others have blades that sit close to the bottom of the bowl, making them best for processing dough and sauces.
• One differentiating factor in food processors is capacity. If you regularly cook for large groups, you may want to focus on a 14-cup powerhouse. A 3.5-cup bowl, on the other hand, is better suited for those who cook small portions or live in small spaces, like dorm rooms.
• Once you’re finished slicing and dicing, it’s time to clean your food processor. Make sure any parts you don’t want to wash by hand are dishwasher safe.
• If you’re planning to tuck your food processor away in a cabinet when you aren’t using it, weight and size are worth considering. Models that are 26 pounds and larger in size are better suited for dedicated counter space. Smaller models that weigh only 2.7 pounds can fit in any cabinet.
• One of the best things about certain food processors is its accessories. Some models have an enormous food chute, a medium slicing disc, shredding disc, chopping/mixing blade, spatula and recipe book. Others only come with one multipurpose chopping blade, which doesn’t work well with items like tomatoes.
• With most of the food processors, putting the unit together is fairly straightforward. Others are a bit more complicated, with disc assembly requiring extra effort.