The great debate – Stand mixer or food processor?
Author: mundanemusings // Category: family, food, fun, healthy living, lifeI love to cook. Really love it. I made a trip to the library today for the soul purpose of finding a new cookbook for some new inspiration. I’m always trying new recipes (I’ll never forget the day my husband looked at me and said, “What exactly is spatchcock and what makes you think I’m going to eat it?!” He was so bewildered until I explained it was just a way of preparing a chicken before cooking).
I’m finding though that I’m in desperate need for two key items for my kitchen. I really, really need a stand mixer and I really, really need a good food processor. I would use them about the same amount. Right now I have a hand mixer that is about to give up the ghost and I use my blender as a food processor although it’s not nearly the same.
These are items that I’m willing to spend a bit of money on. A cheap stand mixer or food processor will *not* do. If there is one thing that I’ve learned, it’s that you get what you pay for. And when you are regularly cooking for a family of 6, quality kitchen items are an absolute *must*.
So, go leave me a comment and let me know which is more important? Feel free to leave me brand recommendations. Which would you invest in first – the stand mixer or the food processor?
October 3rd, 2008 at 4:02 pm
STAND MIXER!!! Hands down
I have a 20+ year old food processor (seriously. And it still works great) but I rarely use it. In fact, the only thing I really use it for is falafals. I do have a $10 mini food-processor I use a lot (for things like chopping a lot of garlic, chopping herbs, whipping up a sauce) but I rarely drag out the big one. I don’t have a stand mixer though so maybe it’s stand mixer envy and I wouldn’t really use it?? LOL
My dream kitchen tool though is a stand mixer, so yeah, I’m biased. But seriously, even with 7 people in the house (okay, fine, Locke doesn’t eat “people” food yet) I rarely dig out the food processor.
October 3rd, 2008 at 4:03 pm
definitely a…………..STAND MIXER! I have had my KA Artisan for 21 months now and wonder how I could live without it.
I do not have a food processor.
October 3rd, 2008 at 4:20 pm
I would get the stand mixer (I have a red KitchenAid)! I use mine all the time for baking, it is a lifesaver! It is very helpful for Christmas cookies….makes it a whole lot easier!!
October 3rd, 2008 at 4:38 pm
BOTH!!!
No – seriously – sort of…
Buy a Kitchen Aid mixer and then when you can, buy the attachments that go with it – wala… both!
I guess my answer is to go with a good mixer – AKA Kitchen Aid – first and then figure out the food processor business!
October 3rd, 2008 at 5:16 pm
I would have to agree wholeheartedly. I use my food processor for several things, but my kitchenaid stand mixer would be one of the things I would grab first in a hurricane evacuation!
It is that much a part of my everyday life. It is so much more than just a mixer!
Just my two cents,
Karen in FL (From the pw list)
October 3rd, 2008 at 5:16 pm
I agree- mixer. It is much easier to make do without a food processor. You can always chop by hand but you can not always mix by hand, at least not without killing your arms!
October 3rd, 2008 at 6:43 pm
Rebekah,
Thanks for dropping by and taking my poll…
And I vote for the stand mixer
Blessings,
DeeDee
October 3rd, 2008 at 6:57 pm
Oh, Stand mixer, hands down. I actually own both devices – I have a kitchenaid stand mixer (just the plain ‘ol white one). The food processor is a Black and Decker I think. I bought it at a rummage sale BRAND NEW for fifteen bucks. I rarely use it. It’s so much faster for me to just chop stuff than it is to clean out the food processor. And I like chopping much more than I like cleaning, lol!
October 3rd, 2008 at 7:08 pm
I inherited my mom’s kitchen aid stand mixer when she passed away earlier this year. She almost never touched the thing and I wondered why my Dad thought I should have it.
But once I got it home and washed it all up I found a million and one things to use it for. I am seriously considering purchasing a second (and maybe third) bowl for it because it is ALWAYS getting used. I use it to mix pancakes or waffles at least twice a week. And it gets used for just about every other thing that needs whipped, mixed, or blended.
I don’t have a food processor so I don’t know if I would ever use one if I had one. Maybe buy a cheap food processor and see if you like using one before you spend big?
October 3rd, 2008 at 8:39 pm
I have been dreaming of a Kitchen Aid stand mixer for 10 years now, and, well, it is pretty allusive when it means an over 200.00 hit out of your budget, but I believe it is the ultimate kitchen tool as there are so many options. I think it may even have a food processor option on it, or at least all the tools available to cover anything a food processor could do. Here is a link to all of the available attachments for this amazing kitchen appliance…
http://www.kitchenaid.com/catalog/category.jsp?categoryId=158
Well, just because I want one so bad, I really hope you do get one. It gives me hope of having one some day…
October 3rd, 2008 at 8:41 pm
PS. Hubby is rolling his eyes at all my drama this evening. You should have read what I wrote about being a Seattlite in the mountains Wyoming. Major drama central.
October 3rd, 2008 at 8:50 pm
I’m in the minority, I guess… I’d vote for a food processor. I just don’t see what you could do with a stand mixer that you couldn’t do with an old handheld one…
October 4th, 2008 at 5:16 am
I go for a good stand mixer with the attachments. Don’t just buy the stand mixer, by the attachments that go with it, and you will end up being able to do just about everything that a food processor would do plus everything you need a stand mixer for. My food processor hasn’t been used for years. When I do need to chop a little something, I just use my PC chopper.
October 4th, 2008 at 10:52 am
I also vote for the stand mixer. If you get the Kitchen Aid you can add the addition attachments. I really can’t do without mine.
October 4th, 2008 at 2:14 pm
Another vote for a Kitchen Aid stand mixer!!! I got a great deal on one last year when Lowe’s had an “oooops” in their sale flyer. I went ahead and got one for my dd at the same time. We love them!! I don’t think you would regret the decision.
October 5th, 2008 at 4:44 pm
What a hard question. I got a good food processor as a wedding gift and when I use it love it. Definitely recommend anyone getting one. However, I still dream of a good Kitchen Aid mixer. I have a hand mixer too but really want a nice mixer for Christmas cookies, breads, etc. Maybe one year a good day after Thanksgiving Sale will push me to buy one. Good luck, if you can get one or the other hope they help make cooking easier.
October 6th, 2008 at 7:21 am
I vote Kitchen Aid mixer, and nothing less than a 300 watt motor. The more watts, the better. The 325 watt model is
on sale often – we snagged one for my DIL for Christmas last
year for just over $200, a very good price. It was on sale
at Kohl’s and I had an extra 20% discount. And then like someone else mentioned, buy some of the attachments as you get the funds for them. My DIL says it was the best gift she has ever received!
October 7th, 2008 at 4:14 pm
Don’t know how much this helps, but Mattoon Walmart has a couple of stand mixers in their clearance isle! Thought of you and your blog when I saw them this morning!
October 13th, 2008 at 8:03 am
Stand mixer…no question. Kitchen Aid, of course. I got one for Xmas a few years ago & LOVE it. Also? Keep your eye out for a food processor if you pass by garage sales. I got a bread maker for $2 that works great.
October 17th, 2008 at 10:00 am
Wow, I was curious so I looked to see what everyone else was saying and I’m in the definite minority! I have a food processor, and I LOVE it. I have managed to make it through my adult life so far not having had a stand mixer…so I would say food processor. (as I strongly consider whether to add stand mixer to my wish list for Christmas?)
I use my food processor to make dips, salad dressings, chop veggies, puree beans, make ham salad, sometimes chicken salad, make baby food, etc…
Can’t wait to hear what you decide!
Steph
November 5th, 2008 at 1:15 pm
I am definitely a stand up mixer woman. I have both. The only thing I use my food processor for was to make baby food and to make homemade salsa, mmmm…
April 30th, 2009 at 7:02 pm
I vote for a kitchen aid. My hubby bought one and I love it!!!!