How I Found the Right Food Processor
I used to play “The Sims” quite a bit. I just loved buying all those appliances for the virtual people. I got a kick when I could upgrade their food preparation methods from chopping by hand to using a food processor. No more cries of “Ow! Oooh! Ow!”.
For a long time, I’ve also dreamed of having a high-tech all-purpose food processor in my kitchen. I seldom passed up the opportunity to peruse the various models in Linens N’ Things or Bed, Bath and Beyond. The only thing that kept me from buying one outright was the cost. The best ones were tagged at $200 and up. You know, the models that could slice, dice, mince, chop, and mix dough with the flick of a button.
One day, I finally got me my own kitchen helper. Can you guess what it was?… A tiny (1 cup) mini-chopper that cost a measly $7. Why did I forego that gleaming appliance for this little thing? Here are the questions I asked myself and found the honest answers to:
- Where am I going to put a big model? In my dream kitchen, I would have storage and counter areas to creatively store or display all the gadgets I wanted. Right now, I have space but adding a processor that can do everything but make ice would have seriously crowded it.
- Do I really want to haul out the heavy machinery for every chopping or slicing I had to do? Just putting together the whole kaboodle is an effort that would have to be justified each and every time.
- When was the last time I had to chop 14 cups of celery? This was the clincher for me. Most of the cooking I do is of the everyday kind, with the occasional party thrown in. The real reason I wanted a food processor was to save time mostly on chopping and mincing. Slicing stuff is not that big a deal for me. Besides, I have never in my life had to slice more than half a dozen cucumbers. If I had to, I believe I’d just go ahead and buy one of those veggie trays (comes with a dip too!).
- Do I really want to pay mega bucks for something that I might eventually find a chore to use? I’d rather use the money for something else.
These days, my mini-chopper is stored in a cabinet, tucked between my hand mixer and breadmaker. I pull it out once in a while, use it and wash it quickly before putting it away. It’s a time-saver that I really enjoy using. Even if I take it out only a few times a year, it’s seven bucks I don’t regret spending.
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5 opinions for How I Found the Right Food Processor
CC Jones
Aug 12, 2005 at 1:05 pm
I received one of those about 12 years ago (the small chopper), and I use it all of the time. I finally broke down a couple of years ago and succombed to the temptation of the big one, and guess what? I don’t use it at all. I still use my tiny one all of the time!
Christine G
Aug 14, 2005 at 10:22 pm
hi maricar — this is such a good tip. i’m quite old fashioned, i finding slicing veggies or meat very therapeutic for me. As for minced garlic and onion, I buy the bottle! haha naaah, i chop it to little bits. I’m that patient! haha
stef
Jan 16, 2006 at 6:23 pm
hi maricar, funny that i found your post while i was looking for one of mine with “cucumber” on it — isn’t that weird! at any rate, your find sounds like a really good one! i still miss my mini food processor that i had as a newly wed — it broke after a few months. but i also wouldn’t part with my vintage cuisinart, which is awesome for making quick pastry/pie crust, or pureeing soups, or even grinding meat. but like christine, i find chopping and mincing very therapeutic….
Maricar
Jan 18, 2006 at 6:52 pm
hi stef, how did “cucumber” become “food processor”?
too bad your mini chopper broke. i haven’t graduated yet to the full-sized one. maybe someday, when i’m able to cook as much and as wonderfully as you do! :)
Frank
Nov 21, 2007 at 1:13 pm
Would you be kind enough to tell us which mini chopper you purchased?
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