High Power Blenders vs. Food Processors

[mkate]

Hello. I am really, really new to the concept of a raw diet and am trying to learn before I start. I have looked at a lot of recipes and information and it seems like half of them require a Vita Mix and the other half require a food processor. Can a food processor be a substitute for a high power blender? I already have a juicer so I was wondering if I could get by without the $300 blender. Any help is much appreciated. :)

[qnjnean]

first of all, welcome to the joyful journey of raw food!!! a food processor is best for heavy, not super smooth things like pates, etc. a blender is best for really smooth and often more liquid blending, like nut milks, most soups, etc. you can get started with a cheap-o fp and blender. (check thrift stores and garage sales especially for food processors). a super blender ($300 kind) is more helpful to have than a super fp, in my opinion. good luck!

[Emma-Liza]

I think a fp can substitute for a few things. I've even made smoothies in my fp. As long as the blades are sharp in a cheaper blender, it will work pretty well. But once they go, you'll have to buy a new blender---so in the long run, a more expensive, high-powered blender is a better buy.

If it is persuasive at all--I've had my Vitamix since 1993. Although one of the clips is partly detached, it still latches closed. I've never had to replace anything on it. Motor and blades work great. You can probably get a used vitamix on ebay.

[carolg]

Welcome here...
smoothies in blender; other things fp. vitamix is not necessary, besides excellent and pricey, but I would say any blender would do at least for my raw needs.

carolg

[annavon]

I have both and I think I use my Vitamix far more than by FP. I have tried some recipes in the F.P. that I have also made in the VM. The sauces were not as smooth. The thing I like about the Vitamix is that it is pretty indestructible. My former roomie burned out three blenders before I got my VM.

I like the versatility of the F.P. because of the shredding and slicing disks.

[shashibala]

I have a 30 dollar food processor from Target and an old Oster blender.
I've gotten by just fine and I've been all raw for 9 months. The high speed blenders are wonderful for making super smooth nut creams and that sort of thing, but you don't need it at first. Now that I know I'm fully committed to this lifestyle I'm saving up for an expensive blender.

[Ilse W.]

I have a Kitchen Aid blender and a Cuisinard food processor. They work very well and I don't feel the need to spend a few hundred dollars for a Vitamix. I think it would be fairly easy to find a good blender and a food processor at a thrift store for the beginning. Then you can save up for a vitamix, if you feel that you need one. I've been reading a lot about raw foodism lately, and one thing I find over and over is the idea that once you have been 100% raw for a while, you lose your taste for all the complicated dishes and eat simply fruits, veggie salads, nuts and seeds.

[mkate]

Thanks to everyone for the responses. I think at first I'll make due with simple stuff and if I decide to stick to a raw diet I will invest more. Right now I'm still detoxing and preparing, so I'm not there yet...just kinda taking it slow. :)