Cleaning and Maintaining Food Processor Bowls

A food processor's bowl is one of the most basic parts of this useful kitchen tool in which you can shred, blend, chop or slice almost any kind of food. Some food processors, in fact, come with different bowl sizes so that you can use a specific bowl according to the quantity of food that you want to process. However, these bowls can easily get damaged if they are not used well or if they are not given the proper maintenance. Here are some troubleshooting tips for food processor bowls and how you should handle them correctly.

Clean by Hand

It is better to clean most food processor bowls by hand than to wash them in a dishwasher. This is because some bowls have a small mechanism in the handle that eventually starts the motor when the bowl is in place. When the bowl is put in a dishwasher, moisture can accumulate inside the handle, damaging the mechanism in such a way that the motor won’t start even if the bowl is correctly positioned. Alternatively, you can purchase a food processor whose mixing bowl is dishwasher safe so that there will be no such problems.

Handle with Care

When using a food processor, try to avoid dropping the bowl on the floor. Although these bowls are usually made of a very resistant material, they can crack. Cracks and scratches can weaken a bowl and make it look old and unattractive. By paying particular attention when handling the bowl, you can avoid this sort of accident and damage.

Do Not Use Abrasive Cleaning Products

Avoid using unnecessarily strong cleaning detergents on the bowl, or other parts of the food processor, and also never use a harsh dish sponge to remove the food leftovers from the bowl’s surface because this can cause scratches. If the leftovers are too sticky to remove by hand right away, fill the bowl with hot water and leave it for about 10 minutes. Then the dirt will soften, and a wipe with a dishcloth should do the job.

Leaking Bowl

After some years, food processor bowls can start to leak from the bottom and even from the spindle that the blades rest on. If your food processor is still covered by a warranty, go to the store and change it for a new one. Otherwise, try to use a plastic sealant and apply it  over the leaking areas. Make sure that the sealant is completely dry and rinse it well before using the bowl.

The Spindle

The spindle is the middle part of the bowl on which the blades are mounted. This part often gets dirty, and this can cause the blades not to mount properly. Make sure that the spindle is well-cleaned and that the blade is correctly mounted so that it will not get off the spindle.

Final Word

These are some basic tips that will help you to protect your food processor bowl from unnecessary problems. A final tip is that the best thing to do is to invest in a good quality food processor that has a strong body and various safety features. Durable food processors can last for more than 20 years, which is much longer than a cheap processor can last.