Purchase Food Processor or Blendtec/Vitamix?

[LJSquishy]

I do a TON of cooking & baking -- we eat out once maybe every 2-3 weeks and everything else is homemade. I choose not to purchase very much processed food so because I'm in the kitchen so much, I like to have quality tools & gadgets.

I want to purchase either a food processor like the Cuisinart 11-cup one at Costco...but I was wondering if it would be better to put that money toward a super awesome blender like the Blendtec or Vitamix. The Cuisinart food processor is $150 so I would hate to spend that much on a food processor and then buy a Blendtec/Vitamix down the road anyway. I make lots of smoothies (very icy ones -- I like them thick) and I would definitely want it to be able to puree pretty much anything without having to add liquid. I like the idea of being able to puree soups as well. We do currently have a blender, but it's just a cheap one. It happens to crush ice really well but it can't do much else.

So, should I continue saving up and get a blender...or go with a separate food processor?

 

[denisem]

Ah, that's a tough one. You might want to look into this goody, which I covet at the moment as it's gotten really great reviews and won't break the bank. There's a video attached to show if this would suit your needs. Another thread here about the Ninja Cooking system had someone comment favorably about the Ninja Kitchen System:

http://www.qvc.com/Ninja-Kitchen-System-Pulse-48-oz.-Blender-with-Accessories.product.K38585.html?sc=K38585-WISH

I already have a food processor for slicing/shredding that works perfectly well, and recently purchased an immersion blender for pureeing with a chopper/blender attachment that works great for smoothies - so I can't justify buying a Ninja, too, but it's still on my wish list.

 

[SSRJen]

We have had a blendtec for about 8 years now and love it! We are big smoothie drinkers and it does a great job at making them perfect. I have also made soups, ice cream, and many other things in the blendtec. I also love the size and shape of the machine. It fits perfect on my counter for daily use.

 

[LJSquishy]

Ah, that's a tough one. You might want to look into this goody, which I covet at the moment as it's gotten really great reviews and won't break the bank. There's a video attached to show if this would suit your needs. Another thread here about the Ninja Cooking system had someone comment favorably about the Ninja Kitchen System:

http://www.qvc.com/Ninja-Kitchen-System-Pulse-48-oz.-Blender-with-Accessories.product.K38585.html?sc=K38585-WISH

I already have a food processor for slicing/shredding that works perfectly well, and recently purchased an immersion blender for pureeing with a chopper/blender attachment that works great for smoothies - so I can't justify buying a Ninja, too, but it's still on my wish list.

Hmm...that looks mildly interesting but I'm not sure if it can puree whole foods without adding any liquid, such as pureeing butternut squash. I will have to look at reviews.

We have had a blendtec for about 8 years now and love it! We are big smoothie drinkers and it does a great job at making them perfect. I have also made soups, ice cream, and many other things in the blendtec. I also love the size and shape of the machine. It fits perfect on my counter for daily use.

You can puree whole foods without adding liquids such as squash or yams right? It really seems like they can do it all!

 

[JessB320]

I am like you we eat out about once a month, I cook EVERYTHING lol , crackers, bread, yogurt most things people buy I make from scratch. I have NOT been able to find one appliance that can do it all well. I have a cuisinart food processor (11 cup size) and a good blender ($50 range). I hate having appliances cluttering my cupboards if not needed but for me I really needed two machines to do what I needed well and without a bunch of hassle.

 

[Ladyhawke]

A friend bought a Vitamix at a convention. She loves it. It has a very powerful motor, which is why they are so expensive.

 

[SDSorority]

As the resident "hippie" on the boards , it depends on how much storage space you have and how much you'll use it. We use our Cuisinart almost every day for raw food treats, crushing up almonds for flour, mixing up banana ice cream, etc. If I had a Vitamix or Blendtec, I would use that much more than my food processor. My sister has a Vitamix and she LOVES it. They are expensive, that's for sure, but they last forever.

If I had the option, I'd go Vitamix/Blendtec. Between the two... they're very similar, so whichever one fits better into your budget.

Just my $0.02

 

[tekoa]

I have a Vitamix and love it. I purchased it at Costco last fall. I use it daily.
It makes fabulous smoothies. I make a green smoothie with almond milk, spinach or mixed greens and a frozen banana. Sounds kind of disgusting, but it is really good. You cannot taste the greens. The banana flavor is prominent.

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

Food processors and Vitamix/Blendtecs ARE different devices. I have the original DLC-7 Cuisinart from 23 years ago and it does its job as well as it did the day I bought it, but it's NOT a blender. It processes whole foods into uniform pieces of various shapes depending on which disk is used. There is nothing in this world faster and easier to make pie crust with than an 11 or 14 cup food processor.

I have the Vitamix and I wouldn't replace it with any other blender. Ever. I also have the dry mix container that allows me to grind any hard grain into flour and grind fresh coffee.

 

[Plumeria9]

I also have a Cuisinart and a Vitamix. When making things like hummus in my Vitamix, it is really hard to get all of it out of the jar. The blade is fixed into the bottom, making it harder to get all of the food off of and under the blade. I have never attempted to make hummus w/ my Cuisinart, but when I make black bean "whip" for quesadillas in the Cuisinart, it is a lot easier to get all of the food out of the bowl and off of the blade because I can lift the blade out of the bowl. I use my Vitamix mainly for green smoothies, but I have tried it for soup and ice cream just to see how it went. I don't use the Cuisinart very much, but I am glad I have both of these machines. I am not a fan of having too many gadgets either, so I only want what I have to have cluttering up my kitchen.

 

[platamama]

I have a Vitamix and it is awesome for smoothies, purees, soups, and things like that (the more liquidy kind of stuff). But I doubt it could do well what the Cuisinart does well.

I look at it as which one to get first based on what kind of cooking/food prep is done most often. Then get the other when you have more funds.

BTW I've had several "cheap" blenders ~$50-$100 and after the Vitamix I would not go back to those.

 

[LJSquishy]

Thanks everyone...I was pretty set on getting a Blendtec/Vitamix but now I think ultimately I need both because I forgot about the times I just want to mince or chop veggies...I would need a food processor for that. So, I guess I need the Cuisinart for now and will have to get a super awesome blender sometime down the line!

 

[My2CrazyGirls]

Thanks everyone...I was pretty set on getting a Blendtec/Vitamix but now I think ultimately I need both because I forgot about the times I just want to mince or chop veggies...I would need a food processor for that. So, I guess I need the Cuisinart for now and will have to get a super awesome blender sometime down the line!

I would go with the Vitamix now and then decide later if you really need a food processor.....you have lived without the food processor up until now (as have I) and have been ok. I got a Vitamix last month and use it everyday! The thing makes peanut butter and cleans itself! It is the best purchase I have made in years.

 

[manning]

I would go with the Vitamix now and then decide later if you really need a food processor.....you have lived without the food processor up until now (as have I) and have been ok. I got a Vitamix last month and use it everyday! The thing makes peanut butter and cleans itself! It is the best purchase I have made in years.

The cuisinart also makes peanut butter. I've seen it done at a demo.

 

[DisneyFansInLINY]

I have the Vitamix and so does my sister. We love it. I almost bought the Blendtec but my sister persuaded me to buy the Vitamix. And I am glad I did. I make everything from red sauce, smoothies, peanut butter, almond butter, to hot soup in it. It is an awesome blender. I even use it to chop up veggies. Also, while it isn't technically a juicer, you can juice in it too! You need to use a cheese cloth to separate the pulp though. So although it is quite expensive, the price is justified by the fact that it is several appliances rolled into one.

 

[*JoGo*]

I wanted a Cuisinart food processor for Xmas. Received a Vitamix. Hate it.

It's huge. Doesn't fit on counter under cupboards or on any shelves in the cupboards.
It's extremely loud. Seriously. If you live in an apartment, do not get it.
And it doesn't do the ONE thing I wanted it for.

Cuisinart is going back on my Xmas list this year.

 

[lucyem]

Food processors and Vitamix/Blendtecs ARE different devices. I have the original DLC-7 Cuisinart from 23 years ago and it does its job as well as it did the day I bought it, but it's NOT a blender. It processes whole foods into uniform pieces of various shapes depending on which disk is used. There is nothing in this world faster and easier to make pie crust with than an 11 or 14 cup food processor.

I have the Vitamix and I wouldn't replace it with any other blender. Ever. I also have the dry mix container that allows me to grind any hard grain into flour and grind fresh coffee.

I could have written this. I feel the same way. There might be a little overlap in what they do but really they are two very different things.

I agree with the person who said look closely at what foods you want to make and buy the first machine based on that.

I also agree about the Vitamix being HUGE. It will not sit on a counter under another cabinet. In my kitchen this means it sits right next to the sink. We do use it daily for smoothies otherwise I am not sure where it would live.

 

[My2CrazyGirls]

I wanted a Cuisinart food processor for Xmas. Received a Vitamix. Hate it.

It's huge. Doesn't fit on counter under cupboards or on any shelves in the cupboards.
It's extremely loud. Seriously. If you live in an apartment, do not get it.
And it doesn't do the ONE thing I wanted it for.

Cuisinart is going back on my Xmas list this year.

What model do you have? I have the Vitamix 750 and it is short and it has awesome presets and it is not as loud as other models. Best purchase ever!

 

[SSRJen]

I have a blendtec and love it! I bought it about 6 years ago and it still works like day one. I replaced my food processor/blender and never looked back.

It is so easy to use for chopping, blending, crushing...etc. I have made smoothies including green smoothies, soups, ice cream...etc It is also super easy to clean! The square base makes it so easy to poor and get everything out of the bottom.

The best way to chop with the blendtec is to simply hit the pulse button a couple of times. So fast and easy!

I also love that it fits perfectly on my counter and under my cabinets with no problem.

 

[coastiewifern]

love my blendtec and use it daily. Just talked my sister into getting one as she is doing a blenderized diet for her daughter who tube feeds. She is loving the results as well