Believe it or not, the food processor has been around since the 1960s. However, these handy little gadgets did not make it into a home kitchen till about 1972. Prior to that time, chefs and bakers had to cut their ingredients by hand.
What is a KitchenAid Stand Mixer?
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The mixer has been around for a long time. For most of the length of human time, the mixers were handheld manual spoons, etc. Then in 1919 KitchenAid developed the first stand mixer. It was motorized and saved the housewife of that time a lot of work.
Unfortunately, it was a heavy device and hard to lift. No matter, the home chef welcomed the aid in beating, mixing, kneading, and mashing different ingredients. The stand mixer made cooking far more enjoyable and gave the housewife a chance to rest up before her family came home.
What is a Food Processor?
The food processor does not replace the stand mixer. Its duties are vastly different. Instead of using beaters, it uses blades and other sharp utensils to get all the ingredients ready.
This invention came about 50 years after the stand mixer, but its purpose was the same. It was invented to help the home chef have an easier time preparing their ingredients for their various meals. The food processor is a handy tool and really takes the work out of dealing with hard-to-cut or chop ingredients.
How are they Different?
There is some overlap between the two small kitchen appliances, but that overlap is minor. The difference between these two devices is that the stand blender is made for baking. It kneads, mixes, blends, mashes, and does anything to do with baking it does to perfection.
The food processor can do some of those tasks but not as well as the stand mixer and the stand mixer can do some of the food processor’s tasks. But not as well. While the stand mixer uses different shaped beaters, the food processor uses blades and discs to chop, puree, slice, and shred.
How are they Similar?
The similarities are few in number. The overlapping of duties can be done but as previously stated, neither can do the other’s job as well as the other appliance. They do use attachments that help them process the ingredients.
Plus, they have powerful motors that drive those attachments. Variable speeds are possible with the stand mixer having more. It is possible to own one and not the other but it is better to have both in our kitchen. That way you get the ultimate amount of options possible.
What’s Better About Stand Mixer?
Its purpose helps make this appliance stand out. When you like to bake and create wonderful pastries, nothing beats the stand mixer. Also, if it is from KitchenAid then you have a wide variety of colors to choose from.
Then with all of the attachments you can buy, your stand mixer can substitute a little bit for the food processor. Those attachments help you make juice, pasta, and a whole lot more.
With the KitchenAid behind the product, you know you are getting a top-notch small appliance that is designed to make your kitchen life simpler.
What’s Better About a Food Processor?
The stand mixer will help you as a baker and do other small tasks, but the food processor opens up a whole new area of food creativity. Its ability to chop, slice, puree, and so on is second to none.
Those abilities allow you to branch out in your meal-making plans. Plus, it also has attachments that help you create different types of baked goods that you need for your recipes. It is a very durable machine although you have to be careful when removing, replacing, and cleaning the blades. They tend to be very sharp
Who Should Get a Stand Mixer?
This is an ideal small kitchen appliance for anyone who wants to bake. It doesn’t matter if you are a novice baker or an experienced one, this device will help all groups. Also, those people who like to enter contests would benefit from the help they get from this mixer.
It does the work, so you do not have to.
Who Should Get a Food Processor?
This appliance is for those people who want to go above and beyond the standard ho-hum meals that they make every day. This small appliance helps you be more creative in your meal preparation and allows you to use more ingredients than ever before.
You do not have to be a gourmet chef to enjoy using one of these small appliances. It will open new doors to food prep for just about anyone.
Quick Comparison Chart
| Category | Food processor | Stand Mixer |
| Self-standing | Yes | Yes |
| Uses blades, etc. | Yes | No |
| Uses beaters | Possibly | Yes |
| Comes with attachments | Yes | Yes (may have to purchase others) |
| Handles liquids | Not very well | Very good at this task |
| Needs lots of storage space | Yes | Yes |
| Cost | Can be expensive | Can be very expensive |
