Food Processor or Blender for now?

[flmom]

I'm on a tight budget for right now, but to get me started which is better blender or food processor? I don't want to spend no more than $50, but it's only temporary.

[sport]

I would say blender. Smoothies are great and very handy.

[FreedomSeeker]

I agree with Sport. You can get a decent blender for under $50, but unless you find a really good used deal, probably not a good food processor. I went with a blender first, and still use it more often than the food processor.

I would recommend waiting to get a food processor until you can get a good one.

[OnMyJourney]

I would say blender. Smoothies are great and very handy.


I agree with Sport and vote for a blender right now. Smoothies are a wonderful and filling option to make with the blender, and there are so many other things you can prepare with it - marinara sauces, soups, etc. Also I find that while I have a lot of fancy gadgets in my kitchen these days, more often than not my meal choices are simple and don't require many of them on a regular basis. You can get by with a blender and a good knife to be honest - a potato peeler doesn't hurt to use on veggies either and can be purchased for very little. The overall prep time is longer, but it works out just as well.

I haven't bought a food processor, yet. But for the past few weeks I've been "processing" my walnut mixture in my VitaMix (for jalapeno burgers) rather than a food processor and it has worked out just great. I know you don't want to spend that kind of money right now, but it was just an example.

Furthermore, you could purchase a $10 coffee grinder to ground nuts if you'd like. I use the dry canister with my VitaMix for that, but my whole point is ...you have many options aside from the food processor by which to perform similar functions - not as timely, but it can be done never the less. But you can't find any (that I can think of) alternatives for a blender in a raw food lifestyle.


Happy shopping!! :)

[mcster]

I'm going raw starting on Monday. I already have a vitamix and I just picked up an Oster hand blender with a cup and chopper attachment (like a mini food processor) for $20. I figure this is a good start. If you like simple meals and don't like recipe books this is probably enough to get started.

[changeisgood]

I have a 12 speed osterizer blender and it came with a food processor. I don't remember the price, but I don't think I paid much for it.
It makes great smoothies as everyone said.

[flmom]

Thanks everyone! I ended up getting the Hamilton Beach blender. It cost me $30, not bad at all. I don't know if it's working properly or not as when I made my first smoothie I had to ad mostly water to get it to blend everything. The smoothie was a little juicy, but it was still good. :D

[joyce09]

I burned several inexpensive blenders making green smoothies before I finally bought a refurbished Vitamix 5200, with which I am immensely satisfied. I wish I had done that before I wasted money on inexpensive blenders. If your Hamilton Beach blender does not last, maybe consider buying a refurbished Vitamix. But I wish your Hamilton Beach a long life. :)