Immersion blenders, food processors, and blenders seem similar at first glance. Each appliance is designed differently, but despite having fast-spinning blades, some tasks are better suited to certain devices than others.
Food processors are great for making smoothies, but they might not produce as smooth a result as you would like for several reasons. Check out the strengths and weaknesses of each appliance and find out which one they would pick if they only could have one in the kitchen.
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Blenders: Best For Smoothies and Soups
When making morning smoothies or weekend piña coladas, blenders work best. Food is pulled down to the blades at the bottom of blenders, chopped, and sent back up the sides through a vortex. Mayonnaise and nut butters can be made with them. It is possible to grind flour with a high-quality blender.
Food Processors: Best For Chopping Food
The blades of a food processor work like fast-spinning knives, allowing you to chop food finely or coarsely. You can chop your desired texture down to a puree or paste using the pulse button. Some food processors also have flat disks for shredding, slicing, and dicing.
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Immersion Blenders For Soup
A blender immersion is the best option if you’re making a large batch of soup and want to puree it without removing it from the pot. It’s a stick with a motor and blade at the bottom, similar to a portable blender. As it does not come with its own container, you must use a bowl, pot, or another container like a quart.
Which One Should You Get?
If you make smoothies frequently, you should invest in a high-quality blender. Due to their versatility, food processors are the obvious choice. A top consideration when choosing one of these should be what it will be used for.