Difference between blending with food processor vs Vitamix?

[Linda1970]

Hello All,

I know that many of you say that they are different, and Rawkinlocs had said that it is explained why in Alissa's book. But I just went and bought a food processor anyways because I want to make the butter pecan ice cream that everyone is loving so much. This morning, I tried making it with both the food processor and Vitamix, and they both did the same thing. I don't understand what the difference is?

[Rawkinlocs]

Hi Linda,

One of the major difference "I" see is that sometimes the blender (esp. a Vitamix) can OVER-blend. I like to use the blender for things like salad dressings, smoothies, cheese sauces...anything I want REALLY blended well and smooth...almost liquidy (for some things).

I like the food processor for making pate's, crusts for pies, etc., ice cream, pulse chopping veggies, marinara sauce...stuff like that.

I think the more you uncook, the more you'll kinda get a "feel" for what job would work best in what appliance. I now have a Vitamix and I still think there are just some things that do better in the processor although Vitamix says it can replace all those types of kitchen equipment including the food processor.

[margi]

The big difference I notice is that I can't make crusts (nuts and dates/dried fruit) in the Vitamix but I can in the food processor. Food processor works well with dryer things, whereas vitamix works better with liquidy things.

[rawpriestess]

boy, such good advice already,


I concure,
the Vita Mix is a blender number one, it mixes liquids and will make your nut sour cream and things super smooth, it also moves much faster and makes flax seed,into flax meal, grinds wheat berries into flour etc.

your food processor can't do those things, it moves much slower, nad will allow you to chop or mince or dice, or slice or shred or grate, depending on the disc or wheal, and depending on how much liquid is in it

Like Rawkie says, the FP is great for salsa, and pate's and such, the Vita Mix, is great for smooth sauces.

[Linda1970]

Thank you all so much for your responses! :) Well, another question. Today when I made my butter pecan ice cream, BOTH the fp and vitamix could not mix the ingredients because the ingredients were under and to the sides of the blade. WHat can I do to remedy this situation? THanks again.

[Rawkinlocs]

What (cup) size is your FP? How much did you have in there? Sometimes if you don't have enough of the ingredients in the fp, it might not blend right for you. Sometimes it does get under the blade and on the sides...I generally just stop the processor and scrape the contents off of the sides and down to the bottom.

But it sounds like you might have needed to have just a bit more of the bananas in there.

[Linda1970]

What (cup) size is your FP? How much did you have in there? Sometimes if you don't have enough of the ingredients in the fp, it might not blend right for you. Sometimes it does get under the blade and on the sides...I generally just stop the processor and scrape the contents off of the sides and down to the bottom.

But it sounds like you might have needed to have just a bit more of the bananas in there.

It's 10 C. FP, and I just have 1 frozen banana. I can't eat more than that by myself. THanks for your response again, Rawkinlocs.

[rawpriestess]

Humm, I think Rawkinlocs is right, you need more stuff in there, for one banana, I would use my baby 2 cup FP, but if I am using my big one, I usually use about three bananas, so If you are only making enough for yourself, you might wish to either make more and then freeze it, but it will get some ice crystals in it when refrozen, or get a baby food processor, that's all I can think of that might work right now.


sorry, couldn't be of more help here.

Rawkie, any ideas?

[Smoothie]

Linda,

One banana isn't enough. I mix about 2.5-3 bananas and it works great. I can't eat it all at once either but I put the rest in the freezer for later.

You have to give the blades enough to work with or it doesn't blend properly.

[Rawkinlocs]

Oh yeah, one banana is definitely too small of an amount esp. for a 10-cup processor!

Make more, and as it was suggested, freeze the rest for later. One thing I just thought of from what I've read other places before, is that you can pour it into ice trays (or an ice tray) and freeze into cubes. Once frozen, store the cubes in ziploc bags or in an airtight container and then whenever you want ice cream, just process some of the cubes in the processor. I've never tried this, but I've read others suggesting it or something similar.

RP, I "think" I may have found a solution to the ice crystals, but my 3-year old wouldn't let the ice cream stay in the freezer long enough for me to fully test it out. But give me another couple of days or so and I'll get back to you on my findings! ;) :)

[Linda1970]

Thanks everyone!