Stand mixer, food processor or blender: which one to choose?
A kitchen appliance that stays at the back of the cupboard is useless. The right choice starts with what you like to make: cakes and breads, soups and smoothies, grated vegetables, fresh juice. Here's how to find your way.
- Stand mixer : kneading, beating, whisking
- Food processor : chopping, grating, mincing
- Blender : soups and smoothies; juicer : juice
- Don't forget the bowl, the attachments and the cleaning
Which appliance for which task
| You like to make… | The appliance | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Cakes, bread, brioche, meringues | Stand mixer | Kneads, beats and whisks in a large bowl, without you |
| Grated, sliced and minced vegetables, purées | Food processor | Chops, grates, slices, minces with its discs and blades |
| Smoothies, milkshakes, crushed ice | Blender | Blends liquids and fruit finely |
| Homemade soups and compotes | Heating blender | Cooks and blends in the same bowl |
| Fresh pulp-free juice | Slow juicer | Slowly presses fruit and vegetables |
| Herbs, onions, small quantities | Chopper | Chops in seconds |
| Yoghurts, ice creams, fresh pasta, vacuum-packed preserves | Specialist appliances | Yoghurt maker, ice cream machine, pasta machine, vacuum sealer |
The stand mixer
The bowl rotates (or the beater rotates in the bowl) with three basic tools: the dough hook for kneading, the flat beater for mixing, and the whisk for whisking egg whites and cream. What matters:
- The bowl : 4 to 5 L for a family, 6 to 7 L for bread and large quantities.
- Power and stability : a heavy bread dough puts the motor to work; a heavy, well-balanced mixer doesn't ‘walk' across the worktop.
- Attachments : mincer, pasta roller, graters, blender. Check which ones are included.
- Design : it often stays on the worktop, so it may as well look good (Smeg, KitchenAid).
The multifunction food processor
It saves time every day: it grates carrots, slices onions, minces meat and kneads a small dough. Check the number of discs, the feed tube size (a wide opening means you don't have to cut vegetables first) and the bowl capacity.
The blender
For smoothies and soups, 600 to 800 W is enough. For crushed ice and frozen fruit, aim for 1,000 W or more and a sturdy jug. The bowl made of glass doesn't hold on to odours or scratches; BPA-free plastic is lighter. The portable mini blender blends straight into the bottle you take with you.
Check what's dishwasher-safe. An appliance that cleans in two minutes gets used every day; one that has to be taken apart and washed by hand ends up in the cupboard.
Our food processors and blenders in store
Prices and availability shown on product pages are the reference; Nimesclub members often get a reduced price.
All our small kitchen appliances are in the small appliances.
Frequently asked questions
Can a stand mixer do anything other than cakes?
Yes: bread dough, pizza dough, mash, minced meat or fresh pasta with the right attachments. Check what comes included and what's available as an option.
Blender or juicer?
A blender blends the whole fruit: you get a thick smoothie with the fibre. A juicer presses slowly and separates the juice from the pulp: a smooth juice with no bits.
What power do you need for a blender?
For smoothies and soups, 600 to 800 W is enough. For crushed ice and frozen fruit, aim for 1,000 W or more, with a sturdy jug.
Glass or plastic jug?
Glass doesn't hold on to odours and doesn't scratch, but it's heavier. BPA-free plastic is light and unbreakable.
Come and see the appliances in person
At our Temploux shop, we open the doors and compare drums and finishes. Or ask our expert sales adviser online, right now.
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