5 Tips for Choosing Food Processor Blades

Food processor blades are found within this popular kitchen appliance that quickly and easily performs many time consuming kitchen work. It has a strong motor which drives a shaft that turns a blade. The blade chops, blends and purees food, depending on the length of time the blade is turning. Food processors are a lot like blenders because they both use a blade attach to combine and mix. However, food processors use a variety of blades and discs instead of just one fixed blade. They also have wider, shorter bowls than blenders. Food processors also require little or no liquid to operate properly.

1 - Blade Operation

The blade is located in the lower portion of the processor. It uses the force of gravity to help it chop large items and force the smaller pieces to the sides and bottom of the appliance. The processor pulsates repeatedly in order that the items being processed can shift and be made into smaller particles. A continual pulsation will pulverize food items. Many processors have accessory blades that shred and slice. The blades are placed at the top of the processor. They process food that has been forced into the processor through an opening on the lid. The lids opening has a cylindrical casing attached to it through which the food is forced into the processor with a food pusher. The food pusher protects fingers, keeping them safely away from the sharp blades. The accessory cutting blades are made of steel. Dough mixing blades are made of plastic.

2 - Blade Functions

Food processors have many functions, depending on the blade and the blade location. The functions include: slicing, chopping, grinding, shredding, grating, pureeing, mixing and kneading.

3 - Chopping, Mixing and Pureeing Food

For chopping, mixing, pureeing food items, begin by cutting them into small pieces. Use the metal blade. Pulse the blade until it is chopped coarsely by holding the lever down for a second at a time. Continue pulsing until you have the food consistency you want.

4 - Slicing or Shredding Food

For slicing and shredding food items, cut the food into small items that will fit into the tube opening. Use a disc blade into the processor. Pack the food pieces into the tube. Turn on the power to the processor. Push the food through the feed tube using the food pusher. Apply light pressure for soft foods and firm pressure for harder foods.

5 - Kneading Yeast Dough

When using the food processor to combine ingredients for making dough based foods, use the plastic dough blade for a large recipe and the metal dough blade for a single recipe. Run the food processor blade for about 20 seconds in order to evenly mix the dry ingredients. Slowly add all of the liquid ingredients through the cover opening while the processor is in operation. After the dough begins to form a ball shape, run the food processor for another minute.