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Farm Kitchen:  Food processor v. stand mixer v. spoon?  |
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Amie C.
True Blue Farmgirl
2099 Posts
Finger Lakes Region
NY
2099 Posts |
 Posted - Apr 24 2009 : 07:10:21 AM
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I've been reading some food blogs lately, and I see that there's a bit of a divide between cookbooks that call for using a food processor and cookbooks that call for a stand mixer. People seem to have strong feelings about which one is better.
Now, personally, I've never owned either of these things and neither did my mom. I'm not even sure what they do exactly. So when I read a recipe and it calls for using either a mixer or a food processor, I'm completely stymied and can't use the recipe. I assume that the appliance mimics something you can do with your hands - chopping, grinding, mincing - but having never used one, I don't know what I'm supposed to do. It's actually a big block for me in my attempts to broaden my cooking skills.
What appliance do you prefer? Would you recommend buying one? Or do you prefer to do everything by hand? If so, how do you interpret appliance based instructions? Or are there any good cookbooks you know of that don't assume the reader has a kitchen full of gadgets? |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
Posted - Apr 24 2009 : 07:33:35 AM
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Well actually I recommend having both. I like my food processor for chopping/grating and mixing of dry ingredients. However it can really mangle other things, so I love my stand mixer for making breads, whipped things, and cookies.
Food processors mostly chop and grate.
Mixers are just that- they can mix and knead and whip.
There are a lot of old fashioned gadgets that are the non motorized equivalents of a mixer- like the egg beaters with the turn handle. Personally I would never make whipped cream or meringue without a machine because I don't have the patience.
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.awarmheart.com
www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com
www.allergyjourneys.blogspot.com
Put your pin on the farmgirl map! www.farmgirlmap.blogspot.com |
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FebruaryViolet
True Blue Farmgirl
4810 Posts
Jonni
Elsmere
Kentucky
USA
4810 Posts |
Posted - Apr 24 2009 : 07:53:18 AM
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I use a variety of different appliances. Mostly, I use a mortar and pestle for grinding, or a little coffee grinder for spice grinding. Then, I use the small "cuisinart" for making pesto, and I rarely use the ginormous expensive cuisinart because I chop veges by hand, and I hate cleaning that sucker.
Now, my kitchenaid stand mixer I use when baking--for everything, cookies, pie crusts, bread, etc...and I use my kitchenaid hand mixer when I don't feel like lugging the stand mixer out--for quick things like homemade whipped cream and brownies.
Sometimes, mixing certain things by hand can really work a number on your forearms....and I am an instant gratification girl, so I like the help that ingenious engineers designed for us.
Musings from our family in the Bluegrass http://sweetvioletmae.blogspot.com/ |
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Marybeth
True Blue Farmgirl
6418 Posts
Mary Beth
Stanwood
Wa 98292
USA
6418 Posts |
Posted - Apr 24 2009 : 09:49:10 AM
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I have a small hand mixer I use occasionally but I seem to use the hand and spoon for mixing most stuff. I always made bread by had. I thinnk the texture is more 'home madey' (if that is a word) when mixed by hand and large appliances seem to make the batter or dough too smooth. Like making applesauce by mashing the finished product or putting it through the Foley Mill. You get to way different consistancies. My kids all like lumpy applesauce not pureed. LOL MB
http://www.smallcityscenes.blogspot.com
www.strawberryhillsfarm.blogspot.com
www.day4plus.blogspot.com www.holyhouses-day4plus.blogspot.com
"Life may not be the party we hoped for...but while we are here we might as well dance!" |
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Sheep Mom 2
True Blue Farmgirl
1534 Posts
Sheri
Elk
WA
USA
1534 Posts |
Posted - Apr 24 2009 : 10:54:48 AM
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I have all three: the kitchenaid stand mixer, the cuisinart food processor and a hand mixer. Each has it's own purpose. I always make my my yeast breads by spoon/hand because if I don't touch it, I don't know whether it has enough flour or is kneaded enough. For small amounts of chopping I just use a knife, the food processor is a wasted clean-up for that. If chopping large amounts it's a God send in my opinion. My kitchenaid stand mixer on the other hand is one of my best buddies. There is nothing like a mixer with horsepower to mix large batches of cookies or quick breads and cake decorating frosting. I use the processor to make pie crust and biscuits too and the cream candy centers for my dipped chocolates.
Sheri |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
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Amie C.
True Blue Farmgirl
2099 Posts
Finger Lakes Region
NY
2099 Posts |
Posted - Apr 24 2009 : 4:40:53 PM
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It sounds like the stand mixer is the most useful. Honestly, I don't even know what these terms mean, so your advice is very helpful. I mean, of course everyone hears the phrase "food processor" and "cuisinart" thrown around, but I've never seen one in action so it's hard to know specifically.
My mom used to have a handheld mixer thing (with two beaters that detached to be cleaned - ie, licked). So the kitchen aid stand mixer must be a more heavy duty type of the same thing? I've got one of the egg beater things with a wheel that you turn with one hand. We always used those for whipping cream. Probably for making meringue also, but I can't actually remember making meringue (it's been a while since I was living at home and cooking with my mom).
Maybe the best way to tell if I really need one these appliances is to get one and see how much I use it, but those stand mixers cost at least $200! I guess if I find one on craigslist... |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
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Amie C.
True Blue Farmgirl
2099 Posts
Finger Lakes Region
NY
2099 Posts |
Posted - Apr 24 2009 : 5:40:44 PM
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| You've almost got me sold, Alee! I'm going to start checking them out. |
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KJD
True Blue Farmgirl
402 Posts
402 Posts |
Posted - Apr 24 2009 : 6:22:13 PM
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I love making pies and tarts...for this, my Cuisinart food processor is indespensible - it makes the best pie crust! I also make some pretty great dips in it...
I use my kitchenaid mixer for baking and mashed potatoes. since I don't really enjoy baking, other than bread and pies, and i can make great mashed potatoes with a metal potato masher, the food processor is still #1 for me. I use a wooden spoon and a big bowl for bread dough...
I am fortunate to have all of these choices. If I had to choose one electric device, it would be my Cuisinart Food Processor. |
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ddmashayekhi
True Blue Farmgirl
4740 Posts
Dawn
Naperville
Illinois
USA
4740 Posts |
Posted - Apr 25 2009 : 5:40:05 PM
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I use my food processor and stand mixer nearly every day. Both are very necessary and useful for me. I love to bake and cook so these are not useless gadgets in my kitchen. My wrists and hands can't take the stirring, mixing, etc. by hand and these machines do a much more efficient job then I ever did.
Dawn in IL |
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lisamarie508
True Blue Farmgirl
2648 Posts
Lisa
Idaho City
ID
USA
2648 Posts |
Posted - Apr 26 2009 : 10:24:10 AM
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I love stand mixers. My 25 year old Oster finally died a couple years ago and I've been wanting a KitchenAid so bad that I just won't settle for less. I haven't yet found one I can afford or saved enough to buy one...but I'm working on it. Stand mixers are great as you don't have to hold anything. The mixer does the work all by itself as you add your ingredients (some recipes call for adding a little at a time), you can walk away to get something else or to answer the phone and not have to stop. I used it to make EVERYTHING; whipping cream or making butter, mashing potatoes, making/kneading bread, pie crust, cookies, cakes, etc.
Now, a food processor...I really don't know what to do with it! I'm so glad you asked this, Amie. I was just given one yesterday from a neighbor who was moving. I've looked it over and it has a disc with grating holes on one side and slicing blade on the other. I might use that this summer when I'm grating up zucchini for the freezer, but can't think of another use for it. It has another thingamabob with 2 serrated blades that sit at the bottom of the container. I'm not really sure what that is supposed to be used for. This thing is pretty big. The container holds about 8 cups. I can't imagine using it to grate or slice up anything on a daily basis as what I would be grating/slicing would be such a small amount. I have a box grater for that.
I've been mixing, kneading and whipping by hand since my mixer died. It is a lot of work (and whipping cream with a whisk does take some patience!) and takes more time and yes, the forearms get a very tiring workout. Those of us who do all this by hand should have arms like Popeye!
So, if any of you can enlighten me on what to do with this machine and how to use it? I don't know that it's worth keeping and taking up space in a cupboard just for zucchini!
Farmgirl Sister #35
"If you can not do great things, do small things in a great way." Napoleon Hill (1883-1970)
my blog:
http://lisamariesbasketry.blogspot.com/
My apron website:
http://lisamariesaprons.bravehost.com |
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Sheep Mom 2
True Blue Farmgirl
1534 Posts
Sheri
Elk
WA
USA
1534 Posts |
Posted - Apr 26 2009 : 10:44:15 AM
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Hi Lisa. The food processor is a God send for making biscuits or piecrust. Just use the blade, put in your dry ingerdients, and pulse to cut in the shortening. Then just add the liquid and let it run and it will mix your dough into a ball for you. It keeps them tender as the dough is handled very little. Another good use is to puree fruit when making jam - I use it a lot for that when I am doing large batches. I use the blade attachment much more than the grater/slicer. You can use it to chop onions when making relish. I use it to chop vegies fine when making egg rolls. You can use fresh nuts and the blade and make your own peanut butter. You can chop nuts with the blade too. I even use it to crush corn flakes when I use them to make a coating for chicken. I use it to mix the crust portion of bar cookies too. I make a lot of dipped chocolates at the holidays and I use the blade to make my cream centers for my candy. You can make great bread crumbs with the blade as well for adding to meatloaf or whatever. It grinds up graham crackers like a champ if you need them for pie crust as well. I don't know what I would do without mine.
Sheri |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
Posted - Apr 26 2009 : 10:52:12 AM
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Just a word of warning- the Kitchen Aids that you see at Wal-Mart are a special contract. They are not the same quality as the Kitchen Aids that you see in other places. I do not recommend buying one from there at all. Part of the attraction to getting a kitchen aid is having the awesome warrenty. Our first Kitchen Aid was faulty and burned up making one of their bread recipes. So Kitchen Aid sent us a new one- no questions asked- and we sent back the faulty one. They don't do that with the Wal-Mart ones and they are not as strong either.
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.awarmheart.com
www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com
www.allergyjourneys.blogspot.com
Put your pin on the farmgirl map! www.farmgirlmap.blogspot.com |
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City_Chick
True Blue Farmgirl
509 Posts
Christina
Omaha
Nebraska
USA
509 Posts |
Posted - Apr 26 2009 : 11:03:26 AM
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I have the kitchenaid stand mixer, the cuisinart food processor, a hand mixer and an old metal hand crank grinder. Plus, about a hundred other kitchen gadgets. I don't use the hand mixer very often just because I have to pull it out. For years though it was all I used because I had one that had different beater attachments. Sadly it burned out after about 7 years.
If I had to purchase just one to start I would reccomend the Kitchenaid mixer. It does a great job, is reliable and you can add attachments like the grater/slicer and meat grinder. I use the meat grinder all the time.
I have to agree with the other girls that the cuisinart makes wonderful pie crust! It also does amazing hummus, bean purees and what not.
So invest in one and save for the other is my suggestion. Don't forget though that everything those machines do you can do by hand or by a hand crank. I got my hand crank at an estate sale and I love it almost as much as my other electric grinder.
Christina
Farmgirl Sister #195
City Chick & Friends Chapter Mama
http://justacitychick.blogspot.com/
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Sheep Mom 2
True Blue Farmgirl
1534 Posts
Sheri
Elk
WA
USA
1534 Posts |
Posted - Apr 26 2009 : 11:10:45 AM
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I will second what Alee said about where you buy your Kitchenaid. I have the professional model and have never regretted the extra $40.00 over the cheaper model. I even purchased a second bowl. There are two styles of stand mixer the lesser grade where the bowl just sits on the base and the heavy duty where the bowl snaps down. If the paddle beater or whisk isn't getting your ingredients all the way to the bottom there is a small screw adjustment that will allow you to adjust how low to the bottom of the bowl the beater/whisk will reach. If you adjust this tho be careful that it isn't touching the bottom of the bowl as it will damage your whisk.
Sheri |
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lisamarie508
True Blue Farmgirl
2648 Posts
Lisa
Idaho City
ID
USA
2648 Posts |
Posted - Apr 26 2009 : 12:35:46 PM
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Great, Sheri! I didn't really think this thing could chop nuts fine enough to make nut butters. I always thought it took some kind of grinder or something! Bread crumbs! That's a great idea. I've been crushing dried bread with the rolling pin all these years. This will be cool! The whole mess will be contained in the container instead of scraping it off the chopping block! Oh, and great idea, Christina with the beans. I've been using a potato masher to make refried beans. This should be much easier and faster.
Good to know about Walmart. I would suspect anything that comes from that place is substandard after all the things I've gotten in the past that didn't last very long, especially electronics. I had read somewhere that the electronic stuff is special contract, also. The products that don't really pass the higher testing standards at the manufacturer, but still work, are what is sold to Walmart for us to buy.
Well, thanks for all the ideas.
Farmgirl Sister #35
"If you can not do great things, do small things in a great way." Napoleon Hill (1883-1970)
my blog:
http://lisamariesbasketry.blogspot.com/
My apron website:
http://lisamariesaprons.bravehost.com |
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Suzan
True Blue Farmgirl
659 Posts
suzanne
duncannon
pa
USA
659 Posts |
Posted - Apr 27 2009 : 08:07:50 AM
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| If you want a kitchenaid, watch on qvc, they often run them with easy pay where you pay in installments with no interest. It is a great deal. I don't know how I lived without my kitchen aid. I have a little one cup chopper I use often and I have a food processor that I use for large quantities, I HATE grating anything by hand! It's great for grating soap for my laundry detergent too!! |
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Amie C.
True Blue Farmgirl
2099 Posts
Finger Lakes Region
NY
2099 Posts |
Posted - Apr 27 2009 : 09:03:05 AM
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I've got very limited counter space, so I don't think I can get more than one of these gadgets. I'll have to sit down and think about what I would really use it for. I don't bake much, except bread, which I knead by hand and I'm fine with that. I would love to make more hummus, bean dip, etc. but I have a blender which does an ok job at that. My pie crusts are always an experiment, so I really like the idea of having reliably perfect pie crust every time!
But I still lean toward the principle of doing everything by hand, if possible. The gadgets are smaller and easier to store, for one thing. The problem I have with cookbooks is that they have instructions like "process in your food processor on the grate setting for 30 seconds". If I don't know what the end result is supposed to look like, I can't substitute a hand tool.
Is there a good basic cookbook, or maybe a manual for beginner chefs, that tells you how to dice, how to grate, etc. and what the perfect result is supposed to look like? |
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City_Chick
True Blue Farmgirl
509 Posts
Christina
Omaha
Nebraska
USA
509 Posts |
Posted - Apr 27 2009 : 09:22:40 AM
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Amie it took many many years to accumulate most of my high tech gadgets. My food processor is the newest and it was a gift. So I totally understand how you feel. I also have little to no counter space. 1920's city homes are notorious for their small kitchens.
If you have a recipe that calls for something grated a standard metal box grater will do a great job for you. Alot of recipes that call for something diced will want somewhere between 1/4 inch to a 1/2 inch dice. So just picture a little cube with all the sides the same. Cooking is supposed to be fun so don't look for perfection. Just enjoy great the great flavors and play with it. Machines are just to make it faster and easier. I personally love taking the time to enjoy the actual process.
Don't get me wrong though there are still many times that I use my gadget sized stuff because it makes for a quicker and easier clean up. Especially when I am in a time crunch.
My children (17 & 13) have fallen in love with the Professional Chef Cook books that are used for culinary school. They do sell them at Borders but they are over $50. We borrow them from our local library. So you may want to check yours to see if they have them. If not maybe they would order one to add to their collection. That is how I got ours to carry MaryJane's Outpost book.
Hugs~
Christina
Farmgirl Sister #195
City Chick & Friends Chapter Mama
http://justacitychick.blogspot.com/
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Amie C.
True Blue Farmgirl
2099 Posts
Finger Lakes Region
NY
2099 Posts |
Posted - Apr 27 2009 : 10:55:56 AM
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| Thanks for the recommendation, Christina. And, yes, you called it on my kitchen...city house built in 1913. Cooking was a different sport back then. I like the big pantry with built in shelves, though. |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
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Amie C.
True Blue Farmgirl
2099 Posts
Finger Lakes Region
NY
2099 Posts |
Posted - Apr 27 2009 : 1:17:33 PM
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| My pantry's pretty full also, Alee! I keep my toaster, microwave, and crockpot out on the counter. Pantry holds blender, coffeemaker, and canning supplies, among other things. I'd really like to be able to keep more of my cooking dishes and utensils near the stove, but kitchen remodeling is a whole other post...In general, I like to have the things I use regularly close at hand, because getting things out and setting them up is a big pain. Almost as much hassle as cleaning up afterward...I swear, I could use the blender a lot more than I do, but I hate taking it all apart and washing each piece after use. |
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City_Chick
True Blue Farmgirl
509 Posts
Christina
Omaha
Nebraska
USA
509 Posts |
Posted - Apr 27 2009 : 8:01:30 PM
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Oh I am so jealous of you pantry already. When we moved in there was a little broom closet that I scrubed and added shelves to so that I could have some extra food space. It is not much at only 6-8 inches deep but it is better than nothing. Most of my appliances get stored in what cabinets I do have except my kitchen aid, microwave and mini convection oven sitting out. I wish I could part with the last two and make more space.
Christina
Farmgirl Sister #195
City Chick & Friends Chapter Mama
http://justacitychick.blogspot.com/
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paradiseplantation
True Blue Farmgirl
1277 Posts
julie
social springs community
Louisiana
USA
1277 Posts |
Posted - Apr 28 2009 : 07:42:31 AM
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I have all three, but prefer my wooden spoon. I do use the food processor to chop things up, especially when I'm canning something like pickle relish. I use my Kitchenaid to make some of my cookies -- especially those with a real thick batter. But mainly, I prefer my wooden spoon. Speaking of which, I think I need to go buy some more. Mine are about worn out, and last night, my dh was using the end of one to get something unjammed from the sausage grinder, and caught it in the blade! Snapped it right in two. Huh. Maybe I'll make HIM go buy me a new one!
from the hearts of paradise... |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
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Farm Kitchen: Food processor v. stand mixer v. spoon? |
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Food processor v. stand mixer v. spoon?
