Buying guide for Best Hamilton Beach food processors
For curious cooks and creative chefs alike, the food processor is an integral part of any functional kitchen. The most basic options allow easy food prep by chopping and mixing ingredients, though most are loved for their ability to thoroughly purée, easily creating sauces, butter, dips, and dressings.
One of the leading kitchen appliances companies is Hamilton Beach, founded by two entrepreneurs in Wisconsin more than 100 years ago. Among their many products are food processors, which range in size, power, and capability to cater to various needs in the kitchen. Notably, Hamilton Beach offers easy-to-use products at affordable prices, making their food processors useful for those on a budget as well as frequent cooks.
This guide will review Hamilton Beach’s lineup of food processors and detail how they work, providing you with all the information you need to find the right unit for your kitchen. The proper food processor can foster creativity and give you a chance to make culinary creations you’ve yet thought of. Bon appetit!
Key considerations
Components
A food processor comprises four main pieces. There is a motorized base that sits securely on the counter. Next is a plastic bowl that locks into the base; in the bowl is a blade, known as an S-blade, that loosely locks in place. (The processor will not start unless the bowl is locked into the base.) Lastly, a lid latches onto the bowl. Hamilton Beach food processor lids feature a food chute, which will vary in size depending on the capacity of the unit. The food chute allows you to add food or liquid safely while the unit is operational. The food chute includes a pusher to help guide any additions by the user into the bowl.
Size
Most Hamilton Beach food processors have a bowl capacity from 8 to 12 cups, and price generally increases with size. Consider your cooking tendencies, as well as how many people you're regularly cooking for. Larger households will want a processor with greater capacity, though keep in mind that bigger units require more space, often requiring users to leave it on a counter permanently. In most cases, a 10-cup processor will serve well, though those who prefer to cook and prep large batches of food in advance of a week may prefer the biggest option.
Basic functions
All food processors, including those by Hamilton Beach, allow users to chop and purée. These two basic functions cover a lot of ground — prepping vegetables, mixing ingredients, and blending items to create dips, sauces, and pastes that may serve as key components of meals or even as sides in themselves. Hamilton Beach processors also refer to chopping as mixing or pulsing, which is an intermediate operation. Processors also feature two different speeds, low and high.
Power
Hamilton Beach food processors range in power from 300 to 500 watts, typically increasing along with size. A more powerful motor allows not only for more items to be chopped and puréed at once but for harder, dryer foods as well. With smaller motors, you’ll want to fill the processor more slowly and carefully; if you overfill it, the motor won’t have enough juice to mix everything properly, resulting in you having to remove items before starting anew.
As power correlates to size in Hamilton Beach food processors, it may be useful to opt for a larger model simply for the added power, regardless of whether you will regularly fill it up.
Did You Know?
For those who enjoy Hamilton Beach food processors, the company has plenty of other appliances for the kitchen, including air fryers, breadmakers, pressure cookers, and even coffee machines.
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Features
Shredding and slicing
Most Hamilton Beach food processors allow users to shred and slice foods as well, with cheese or carrots being two popular choices for such treatment. This is done using a special, double-sided disc blade that typically comes with Hamilton Beach models, but also can be bought separately. Some discs may offer different thickness options for the slices and shreds. One side of the disc allows for shredding while the other side is used for slicing. Discs that create different cuts also are available, and sometimes included.
Dough blade
Some models include a so-called dough blade or dough hook, which aids in the making of pastries, bread, or pizza dough. The dough blade is blunt and plastic, ideal for gently pulling around dough in order to knead it. Newer cooks may find it particularly useful; the S-blade can be used to make dough, but it requires more attention and a bit of caution.
Bowl scraper
This clever feature comes in some Hamilton Beach food processors. The food scraper allows users to simply clean the interior of the bowl without having to turn off the unit and take off the lid. As items may frequently stick to the sides, scraping it off with a spatula is regular work, but the installed plastic scraper saves time and energy.
Did You Know?
Be sure your bowl is locked into place with the desired blade or disc secure before adding food. The blade or disc may not sit flush if you try to affix it after putting food in the bowl.
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Accessories
Stand mixer: Hamilton Beach 4-Quart Mixer
A stand mixer is a necessity for anyone who enjoys baking. This well-priced option also by Hamilton Beach is durable and easy to use.
Spatula: OXO Good Grips Spatula Set
Using a food processor requires scraping the sides and bottom to get everything mixed properly. This inexpensive silicon set from OXO will do the trick.
Air fryer: Ninja AF101
A popular countertop appliance, an air fryer allows for healthier, easier cooking of a variety of foods. This model by Ninja also roasts, reheats, and dehydrates.
Hamilton Beach food processor prices
Inexpensive: Smaller Hamilton Beach food processors cost under $40.
Mid-range: Most 8- and 10-cup Hamilton Beach food processors cost between $40 and $60 and may include a shredding and slicing disc.
Expensive: For $60 and up, you can purchase a 12-cup Hamilton Beach food processor, which likely includes useful accessories.
Did You Know?
Hamilton Beach food processors are exceptionally simple to operate. They feature a straightforward dial to toggle between the main settings or labeled buttons for using a disc or blade.
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Tips
- Stay under the limit. Each Hamilton Beach food processor has a limit to how much the bowl can be filled. Exceeding this line will result in items not being chopped or can potentially damage the motor.
- Shred firm items. The shredding disc does not function effectively on softer foods. Some cheeses, like mozzarella, are too soft at refrigerator temperature — pop them in the freezer for a bit before shredding.
- Not so hot. Keep hot items, including liquids and anything recently cooked, out of the food processor until they cool. The heat may melt the plastic, affect other ingredients, or even splash up and burn the user.
- Experiment. Food processors can chop, mix, puree, shred, and slice items in ways that make meals more enjoyable and creative. Don’t be afraid to learn new and clever cooking methods.
FAQ
Q. How should I clean my Hamilton Beach food processor?
A. Most components of the food processor are dishwasher safe. You can place the bowl, lid, chute, and blade in the top rack of the dishwasher, though it’s recommended to wash the blade by hand to avoid dulling. Dry the blade with a cloth after rinsing. If you forgo the dishwasher, you can easily wash the lid and bowl by hand, running under warm water to remove any stubborn or stuck food particles. Wipe the base by hand with a damp cloth; do not run under water.
Q. Is there a proper order for filling up a food processor?
A. In order for the most desirable and efficient outcome, add ingredients in the most sensible order. Begin operation with smaller ingredients that should be finely chopped or ground, like garlic. Continue to add items increasing in size, maintaining a bit of moisture within the bowl by adding oil or liquids as needed. Items that only need to be mixed can be added at the end. Be sure to add items slowly and to regularly check on the mixture, scraping down the sides to ensure that everything is being mixed or blended properly.
Q. Does it matter what speed I use?
A. Hamilton Beach food processors offer two speeds, either identified as low and high or 1 and 2. The faster setting is ideal for puréeing and mixing items, as it will thoroughly churn ingredients to create a consistent paste or sauce. For chopping, use a low speed or pulse option so that the items don’t end up as a purée. The lower speed setting is also recommended when using the disc for shredding or slicing.
