Blender vs food processor. Are they interchangeable? Let’s find out!
Hey friends! Welcome to another Did You Know Friday Link-Up! A time to get nerdy about all things nutrition, fitness and health.
These link-ups happen on the first Friday of every month on three different blogs! Find out more about Did You Know Fridays here.
Today’s topic is one that I’ve been interested in for quite some time but for whatever reason..was too lazy to do a Google search. I mean I’ve learned from experience that the blender and food processor aren’t necessarily interchangeable, but I never knew why. So when I brought up the subject at the last blogger shindig I attended and Emily, the founder of Fridays said I should do this topic I got excited.Did You Know
Because little things like researching kitchen appliances are exciting to me.
The basic answer to the question of blender vs food processor is that blenders are for mixing up liquid-based things like tasty smoothies and food processors are more for chopping, slicing and whipping up denser foods like nuts for awesome nut butters.
I’ve also broken down all of the differences into two handy lists.
Blender vs Food Processor
Blender
-Primarily for liquid-based mixtures or soft foods.
-Examples include smoothies, soups, sauces, and liquid-based dips.
-They pulverize the ingredients into liquid as opposed to chop.
-Can handle a very large amount of liquid. Trust me—blending up smoothies at the café we whip up multiple servings in one blender and it rarely overflows.
-Flat blade, better to aerate
-Narrow shape
-If not enough liquid is used, it could burn out the motor.
Food Processor
-Primarily for more solid ingredients.
-Examples include nut butters, chopping veggies, making chunky salsa, grinding foods like beans for hummus, coffee, spices, whipping cream and nuts.
-Has a maximum amount of liquid which means it will definitely overflow if you fill it too high. Trust me.
-Cross blade, often serrated
-Wider bowl
-If you get a big fancy one, there are tons of attachments that allow you to slice, zest and chop things up.
Bonus: Immersion Blender
This is another option for blending things. It’s basically a hand-held blender. A popular use is for blending hot soups where you heat the ingredients in a pan and use the immersion blender to blend it all up. I’ve also seen it used for milkshakes (I’m looking at you, Dave).
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Both blender and food processors are great to have in the kitchen for making items from scratch at home which is a key thing (in my opinion) to eating a little healthier. Each item does have its own purpose though, so it might be best to invest in both options for your kitchen.
Right now I have a super tiny food processor, but reading about the different attachments for fancy processors made me want to get one..and my birthday is coming up..so..
I promise if you get me one I will make you some yummy nut butter!!
Other awesome Did You Know Friday topics:
Is it Possible to Drink Too Much Water?
How Much Physical Activity Do You Really Need?
5 Surprising Benefits of Yogurt
10 Surprising Benefits of Walnuts
Okay, it’s your turn! Link-up your knowledge for Did You Know Fridays. Don’t forget to use the hashtag #diduknowlink!
Do you have a food processor and a blender? Or one or the other?
Should I get a big fancy food processor? Is it worth the counter space?
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PS I’m all about Pinterest this year, so I would LOVE IT if you could pin one (or two!) of these images!
Pin with me!
Linking up to:
(All of the lovely link-ups I participate in here.)
Sources:
http://www.wikihow.com/Decide-Whether-to-Use-a-Blender-or-a-Food-Processor
http://housewares.about.com/od/blendersprocessors/f/blendervfoodprocessor.htm
http://www.deliaonline.com/equipment/food-processors-and-blenders.html
Emily @SinfulNutrition
Good thing I have all 3! 😀 And now I want to make all the smoothies and nut butters!
Amanda @ Diary of a Semi-Health Nut
haha you’re all set!! YES I want to make more nutbutta!!
Pam@over50feeling40
Excellent information and I know this will help many of us. Thanks for sharing with our Thursday Blog Hop!
Amanda @ Diary of a Semi-Health Nut
So happy you found this helpful! And that someone else is apparently linking me to your party! 🙂
Kitchen Gadgets
There are things that processor cannot do but the blender can. I think blender is better than the other because it can do more things than the other.