I can only afford one right now, which should I get first? a food processor or a Kitchen Aid stand mixer?

Question

I'm more of a cook and don't bake at all...but a reason why I don't bake is all the mixing involved!

Thanks everyone for their answers...I was leaning towards a food processor as well..but I've always wanted the Kitchen Aid Stand Mixer. It just looks sooo nice. I have a gift card to use up -so I thought since I would actually use my "own" money to purchase a food processor (because it is a handy tool and a good investment)...that I should use my gift card towards the purchase of the Stand mixer! hahaha. I think I'll be practical and get the food processor :o)

Answer 1

Each has its own strong points. I have both and use both regularly.

Kitchen Aid: whipped cream, beating egg whites, cookie dough, cake batter, pizza crust

Cuisinart food processor: Mayonnaise, pie crust, fish mousse, sauces, pureed soups

If its a "one or the other" decision, I'd have to pick the food processor

Answer 2

Nothing personal, but why should color be an issue? When choosing a Kitchen Aid Mixer, the important thing is how powerful the mixer is; not its color. Kitchen Aids come in range of different motor strengths, so not all Kitchen Aids are the same. When choosing a mixer, go for functionality, not aesthetics. When you find the right type of mixer, then you can choose a color that is available for that model. Just so you know... the best Kitchen Aids are the commercial model Kitchen Aids. Usually, they just come in white. And don't think they are more expensive then the other types of kitchen aids, because they aren't.. I bought my commercial Kitchen Aid on sale for $210.

Answer 3

Food processor would be my 1st choice for you..

I have both, and luv my stand mixer.
However, since you say you don't bake, and you DO cook, you can put your investment into use immediately. And that investment can start paying back it's "keep" immediately.

It is the more versatile of the two machines out-of-the box.

Moreover, you can do some baking preparation with the food processor should you decide to bake.
Pie dough, knead bread, mix assorted fillings.
Aside from this, you can shred, slice, mix, puree, chop, etc. , for your cooking needs.

Again, I luv my KitchenAid, but I can do a greater variety of things with the food processor.

Either purchase will take up a bit of counter space, and are not very practical to move about, as they are both rather large and heavy.

Answer 4

I agree with everyone else who voted for the processor and add the comment that stand mixers take up a lot of counter space (and are quite heavy – don't think you will move this on a regular basis) so if you are not a big baker I would hold of on getting one of these until later, perhaps inherit one from a relative as many people seem to do, as they last FOREVER.

That being said get the biggest food processor you can afford from a reputable company – we have a mid-sized one that seems to always require multiple loads.

Answer 5

Well actually I vote for a Vidalia Chop Wizard which is about $20. It chops onions, tomatoes, eggs, well pretty much anything that needs chopping...LOL. It's by far my most used gadget!

I have a stand mixer and rarely use it... I actually prefer a hand mixer which is around $10-20 better. I do have a mini food processor that you can buy for $10 (its really small but works for me since I don't need to grind things often. So if you bought all 3 (chop wizard, hand mixer, mini processor), you should only have to spend around $50!

Hope this helps!

Answer 6

I love both of mine, but in all honesty I'm not a baker either and rarely use the mixer. I have the shredding attachment for it, and grate up block cheese.

I use the food processor though 3-4 times a week. I'd say that's more worth the money.

Answer 7

I would get the food processor and then buy a hand mixer. If you don't do that much baking a hand mixer will do the trick for a lot less money.

Answer 8

I would get a food processor. You can do a good amount of the same things in a food processor as you can in a mixer-- but the processor allows you to chop and puree also. Food processors are awesome!

Answer 9

food processor. It can do all of your chopping/shredding and still handle some baking tasks such as batters and doughs. Pie crust is easy in a food processor and it will even do some bread doughs. A recipe book comes with the kitchen aid food processor.

Answer 10

I'm not much of a baker by nature. Even if I had the mixer i don't think I would do more, but I LOVE my food processor. it is a huge time saver and it allows me to get really creative.