Buying guide for Best KitchenAid food processors

Love cooking but hate food prep? If so, a KitchenAid food processor is sure to be your new best friend. These appliances can chop, slice, shred, and even dice your veggies for you, making food prep a breeze. Of course, there’s much more that you can do with a food processor, too, from mixing batter to kneading dough.

When it’s time to pick your perfect KitchenAid food processor, there’s plenty of features to consider. You’ll need to figure out what size food processor is right for you and which blades and attachments you require. KitchenAid has a few features that are exclusive to its food processors, like ExactSlice technology and UltraTight Seal, which may interest you. Plus, you might want to consider if you need a latched lid or want a model that offers in-bowl storage.

Our buying guide goes in-depth on everything you need to know before buying a KitchenAid food processor. When you’re ready to shop, check out our picks for the best models on the market.

KitchenAid food processors are available in a range of colors, so you can pick one to match your kitchen or your other appliances.

Key considerations

Bowl size

KitchenAid food processors come in a wide range of bowl sizes, from 3.5-cup mini chopper bowls to 16-cup bowls large enough for commercial use. The bowl size you need depends largely on how many people you regularly cook for and how you intend to use the food processor. If you only want to use your food processor to chop a few onions, grind nuts, or emulsify dips, then a mini chopper with a bowl between 3.5 and 5 cups will suffice. If you cook for a large family and intend to chop, shred, and slice most of the vegetables you cook with in your food processor, then a model with a bowl size of 9 to 11 cups is ideal.

Some KitchenAid food processors even come with two bowls, one small and one large, since sometimes large bowls aren’t the best for the task at hand. For instance, a full-size bowl is too large to chop a few cloves of garlic or a handful of fresh herbs.

Blades and attachments

KitchenAid food processors often come with a range of blades and attachments. Note that not all KitchenAid food processors include all these attachments, so double-check exactly what you’ll receive with any models you’re considering to avoid disappointment.

• Multipurpose blade: The multipurpose blade features two sharp blades that are meant to roughly chop, grind, and even puree (though you won’t get perfectly smooth results with a food processor).
• Dough blade: The dough blade is a dull blade made from plastic that’s meant for kneading dough. You can also use it for mixing batters.
• Slicing disc: The slicing disc slices food into even pieces. You may receive two slicing blades with different thicknesses or a reversible slicing disc that slices thinly on one side and more coarsely on the other.
• Shredding disc: The shredding disc works much like the slicing disc, but it shreds food, giving you the same results as using a box grater. With less expensive KitchenAid food processors, the shredding and slicing discs are combined, so one side slices and the other shreds.
• Dicing kit: The dicing kit is only included with commercial-grade KitchenAid food processors. If you want a neat dice, rather than a rough chop, you need the dicing kit. It can save you a huge amount of prep time, though the food processors it comes with are expensive.

Unlike blenders, food processors don’t rely on brute strength. They carry out a range of tasks that don’t necessarily require a high-powered motor, so wattage isn’t an important factor with food processors.

Features

In-bowl storage

Some KitchenAid food processors have in-bowl storage, meaning you can fit all the included attachments inside the bowl for storage. While this is handy, it’s only possible because the food processor in question comes with minimal attachments – usually just a multipurpose blade and a combined shredding and slicing disc. As such, in-bowl storage is a feature associated with basic KitchenAid food processors.

Multiple feed tubes

Higher-end KitchenAid food processors often feature multiple or adjustable feed tubes. Having a small feed tube is restrictive, as you’ll need to chop up food into small pieces to feed into the tube. On the other hand, extra-large feed tubes aren’t ideal for feeding in slimmer pieces of food, as it can be difficult to get the angle right. Models with multiple feed tubes make your life easier, no matter what type of food you’re working with.

ExactSlice technology

ExactSlice is another feature that’s mostly found on higher-end KitchenAid food processors. Models with ExactSlice technology allow you to adjust the thickness of the slice without switching out the slicing disc. Instead, you simply adjust the lever on the base of the food processor, and this changes the slicing thickness.

Latched lid

Some KitchenAid food processors feature a latched lid rather than a twist lid. You just flip the lid into position and lock it when you’re ready to start using your food processor, which is significantly less fiddly than the twist lids that are commonly found on food processors.

KitchenAid food processor prices

Inexpensive KitchenAid food processors cost $50 to $100. At the lower end of this range, you’ll find mini food choppers, while at the higher end you’ll find small food processors with basic blades and attachments.

Mid-range KitchenAid food processors are priced between $100 and $200. At this price point, you’ll find medium to large food processors with extra attachments like dough blades, plus some high-end features like ExactSlice technology.

High-end KitchenAid food processors can cost as much as $600. These are commercial models with extra-large bowls and top-drawer features, such as the ability to dice food neatly.

The UltraTight Seal found on some KitchenAid food processors is a special locking system that prevents leaks and allows you to fill the work bowl to capacity without making a mess.

Tips

• Consider how often you’ll use your food processor. Be realistic – if you’re probably only going to use your food processor once or twice a month, you don’t need a top-of-the-line model. Conversely, it’s worth splashing out on the best if you’ll use your KitchenAid food processor most days.
• Decide whether you want a storage case for your KitchenAid blades and attachments. Some KitchenAid food processors include a storage case, which not only helps you keep track of all your attachments but also protects them from becoming dull in a drawer from rubbing up against utensils.
• Think about what tasks you might want to accomplish with your food processor. If you know you want to be able to dice vegetables, for example, make sure your chosen model includes the requisite attachments. If you’re more likely to only slice and grate with your food processor, you can opt for a more basic model.
• Know the difference between a food processor and a blender. A food processor is a multipurpose gadget that can tackle many kitchen tasks, from chopping to kneading. What it can’t do is completely puree foods, which is the primary task a blender can do better.

You don’t need a large number of speed settings on a food processor. KitchenAid models have high, low, and pulse settings, which are enough to accomplish any food processing task.

FAQ

Q. What makes KitchenAid food processors stand out from others on the market?

A. KitchenAid is an American home appliance company that’s been in business for over 100 years. It’s one of the best-known makers of appliances and kitchen gadgets. KitchenAid food processors are known for being strong and reliable. They come with warranties that offer some peace of mind, plus it’s easy to source replacement parts if anything goes wrong outside of your warranty or you lose an attachment. What’s more, KitchenAid food processors look great and are available in some bold colors to brighten up your kitchen.

Q. What can I do with a food processor that I might not expect?

A. Everyone knows food processors are great for chopping, slicing, and grating, but they can do much more than that. Food processors are also great for making pastry, biscuits, and other baked goods that can become tough if handled too much. You can also emulsify dips and sauces, grind oats into flour, knead bread (with the right attachment), mix up cake or pancake batter, and make nut butter, to name just a handful of the tasks you can accomplish with your KitchenAid food processor.

Q. How easy are KitchenAid food processors to clean?

A. Luckily, KitchenAid food processors are extremely easy to clean, since their bowls, lids, blades, and other attachments are all dishwasher-safe. We recommend washing the parts of your food processor on the top rack of your dishwasher where they’ll get a slightly gentler clean. Also, note that blades and shredding and slicing attachments can dull with regular dishwasher use, so it’s best to clean these attachments by hand when you can.