“One onion, finely chopped,” seeing this in a recipe can be a little daunting. Unless you’ve got Gordan Ramsay's kitchen skills, you're looking into inevitable tears, difficulty in cutting uniform pieces, and a lot of time on the cutting board. This is where the manual food processor comes in.
Using a food processor means no longer spending more time dicing than the actual cooking and, most importantly, no more tears. It makes dicing onions or mincing the garlic, or chopping things like nuts that tend to fling all over the place less messy, and they’re also a great way to let kids help around the kitchen safely. It's also a great way for people with poor knife skills or dexterity problems to process whatever they need to cook.
Our top manual food processors are top-of-the-line. Of course, the first on the list is the Kuhn Rikon Manual Food Chopper which comes with all the bells and whistles, including 15 pulls for a fine shred. The next in line is the Zyliss Easy-Pull Food Processor, which is user-friendly and durable. Our third on the list is the Ultra Chef Express 7-in-1 Mini Manual Food Chopper which has a large capacity and dices perfectly chopped pieces.
The Best Manual Food Processor and Chopper for Easier Chopping
A manual food processor is relatively inexpensive and simple to use. On the other hand, an electric food processor is essentially a mini food processor. Like the manual processor, an electric food chopper is great for rough dicing and chopping; however, it can also make small amounts of purees.
The downside is that most quality electric options are a little pricier compared to their manual counterparts. Here is a helpful guide to help you know how these kitchen tools work, the most durable models with all the right features, and several popular models that have scored really well in different areas.
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1) Kuhn Rikon Manual Food Chopper
- Save time spent on preparation and chopping - cut a wide variety...
- Pull the cord approx. 5 times for coarse cuts, approx. 10 times...
- Ideal for fruit, vegetables, garlic, herbs, boiled eggs,...
- 2-cup capacity container (diameter = 5”; height = 4.5”) stays...
- Container is both microwave and dishwasher safe (wash the lid by...
If you are looking for a food chopper that's easy to use, then the compact Kuhn Rikon manual food processor should be an ideal choice for you. It is perfect for small portions of dips or salsas. The bowl holds a 2-cup food capacity.
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We know that most manual choppers will need you to push down for it to chop; however, the Kuhn Rikon chopper uses a Swiss pull system that spins the blades. They will spin and chop like a food processor as finely or coarsely as you'd like. The blade will continue spinning after you pull, so it should take a few pulls.
The Swiss pull-cord system gives you the option to choose the number of 'pulls' you would need for the desired outcome. For a coarse chop, we know that Kuhn Rikon recommends at least 5 pulls and 10 for fine food processing, and 15 pulls for the extra fine chop outcome. The number you make also depends on the texture of the ingredients and how much you have prepared them.
The blades are removable, which comes in handy if you need to add any ingredients to the mix. For instance, as we tried to make coleslaw, you can remove the blades to add the dressing. It has a non-skid rubber ring at the bottom of the bowl to keep it from slipping as you work on your counter space.
For safety and cleaning, the sharp blades are fitted with a protector. The blade and bowl are dishwasher-safe. However, the lid should only be washed by hand, it's not dishwasher safe, and even then, it shouldn't be immersed in water. It should be carefully washed in a way that its hollow design won't trap water.
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2) ZYLISS Easy Pull Food Processor
- Multi-blade designed food chopper blends ingredients in seconds
- Booster arms on the top and bottom of the bowl keep food from...
- Hand powered pull design is great for travel, small kitchens, RVs...
- Use for chopping, preparing, blending and pureeing ingredients;...
This model is user-friendly, durable, and comes with a tough design that can handle even the hardest ingredients chops in a matter of seconds. We were excited that both the bottom and top of its bowl come with booster arms that prevent food from sticking as you process. This food processor can chop, puree, mince, blend, and dice, a decent variety of ingredients.
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It has a 3-cup food capacity that allows us to process a large amount with each batch. This food processor scores well in ease of use and versatility. You can use it to prepare salads, ice cream, smoothies, bread crumbs, sauces, dips, salsa, salad dressing, and more.
It has a dual-blade system that rotates in opposite directions to chop the ingredients finely. Compared to other food processors, we noticed that the drawback is the dual-blade design since competing models at the same price range often come with a standard 4-blade design.
Still, this chopping machine still does an excellent job at finely chopping food uniformly in an easy and fast way. Using the chopping machine couldn’t be any simpler; you only need to place one hand on the lid, grasp its handle, and pull to start the blades. The pull cord is 2 feet long and automatically draws back with minimal resistance. Additionally, like a countertop oven, this gadget is an excellent addition.
For easy cleaning, we ensured that both the blade system and bowl were dishwasher safe. The lid should only be wiped with a damp cloth and never submerged in water. This food processor has a 5-year product warranty cover after purchase against any manufacturing defects or bowl and blade damage.
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3) Ultra Chef Express 7-in-1 Mini Manual Food Chopper
- DESIGN – Our triple bladed Samurai chopping blades are made of...
- ALL IN ONE – Not just a food chopper, the Ultra Chef Express is...
- VERSATILE – Perfect for slicing vegetables, chopping nuts,...
- SAFE & CONVENIENT – A great alternative to electric food...
- 100% SATISFACTION GUARANTEED – For over 25 years we have been...
The Ultra Chef Express 7-in-1 chopper takes the overall top spot for many reasons. A few major helpful ones include a 5-cup chopped food capacity. This is one of the largest capacities you’ll find on a manual food chopper.
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Its 7-in-1 features- it offers so much versatility compared to other models. The slicing insert slides right into the lid to give you a slicing tool with a holder to contain perfectly sized sliced pieces.
For safety, we noticed the gadget has a rubber ring at the bottom of the bowl to prevent slips and a plastic handle on the stainless steel blades for easy removal. Additionally, it also has a hole on the lid that you can use to add ingredients as needed in stages. We also loved that it comes with a recipe book for the customer to try different recipes.
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4) Mueller Pro Multi-Blade Spiralizer and Rolling Chopper
- Why Is The Mueller Pro The Best Choice? - We offer you superior...
- Finally Available In The USA And Now Bonus Rolling Chopper...
- 4 Stainless Steel Blades - Made from heavy duty, professional...
- Save Space & Clean-Up Easily - The design allows for safe,...
- Superior Quality With Mueller - We are here to offer you only the...
For people who don't eat rice or pasta and love that courgetti or zoodles, the Mueller-Pro should be a welcome addition to the kitchen. It is the ultimate kitchen tool for that delicious veggie pasta, a quick stir-fry, or an amazing salad. It is easy to use and conveniently fast.
Image Source: muellerhome.us
The spiral tool has 4 different blades for different-sized spiral chops. Additionally, we noticed that it comes with an extra rolling chopper on the side that is great for salsa, onions, peppers, carrots, and other prep food recipes. Overall, this is a spiral slicer for anyone who's on a low carb, gluten-free, raw, or Paleo diet. The Mueller-Pro spiralizer has a warranty for life to guarantee durability and convenience to the customer.
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5) Cuisinart CTG-00-SCHP Processor
- EXCEPTIONAL DESIGN: Easy push down handle allows for quick...
- CLEAN UP: Stainless steel housing and blade are dishwasher safe...
- LIMITED LIFETIME WARRANTY: Refer to user manual for...
Cuisinart is popularly known for manufacturing affordable and durable kitchen appliances. The latest model earned its top position for being a user-friendly, compact design, making it a highly portable appliance. This processor comes with the standard 4-blade design.
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Its stainless steel blade is known to be durable and rust-resistant, so we were easily assured that the blades would not break, chip, or bend as you chop. They are sharp and tough, allowing us to work with a good variety of foods, including garlic, onions, peppers, herbs, hard cheese, vegetables, fruits, crackers, and so much more.
It uses a push-down chopping method, meaning you'll need a little more hand and arm power to process the food, unlike other models that will need you to press down on the lid or use a pull cord system to start.
This food processor model allows you to mince impressively, dice, or chop fresh vegetables and fruits in seconds. Overall, we love that it is a great buy and processor that can handle heavy-duty use since it comes with a tough and durable blade system.
It is dishwasher safe, meaning you can clean up quite easily and fast. Note that, to clean, you'll have to disassemble the appliance, then just toss the parts in the wash. Remember your dishwasher has to be cleaned before washing anything else. Cuisinart comes with a limited lifetime warranty, which is bound to assure you of how durable and reliable it is and give the customer peace of mind as you use it.
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Factors to Consider for the Ideal Manual Food Processors
a) Capacity
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Each model comes with a bowl that can hold a certain amount of prep vegetables or fruits. Smaller food processors have a 1-cup food capacity, while the larger models can hold 4 to 6 cups. The higher the capacity, the higher the price.
b) Blades
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Most food processors feature a 3-or-4-blade design with sharp edges. Most blades are made out of stainless steel and are rust-resistant. Many can be tossed into the dishwasher; especially the ones made out of stainless steel.
c) Attachments
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The attachments may be included in the purchase, or you can purchase the additional attachments directly from the manufacturer. The attachments give you the option of either rougher or finer chopping specifically designed for slicing or different types of cuts, mixing, or blending.
Frequently Asked Questions on Manual Food Processors
i) Do manual food processors work?
Yes, they do. The manual machine is much easier to use and care for and doesn’t have performance issues compared to the electric machine, such as motor overheating or low-powered performance.
They are easy to use on larger vegetables like carrots and celery. If you want to chop up vegetables easily and quickly, then a manual food processor is an excellent choice.
ii) What is a manual food processor used for?
Many people mistakenly assume that manual food processors can only be used for vegetables; however, these appliances are surprisingly versatile and can be used for various foods that, make baking, cooking, and barbecuing much easier. It can be used to chop, cut, dice, slice, or mince many things, including meat. However, you cannot use it with meat that has bones.
iii) What is the difference between manual and electric food processors?
Manual food choppers are the perfect tool for chunky results. They work slower than a blender but cut garlic cloves, onions, spices, and other foods at a precise angle. Furthermore, even mini food processors have multiple blades to carry out several tasks.
Electric food choppers are powered by electricity and are larger than their manual counterparts. They are also faster.
iv) What are the advantages of using a manual food processor?
Apart from being able to do multiple things with a food processor, it can also:
- Save time when it comes to chopping.
- Multifunctional.
- It promotes healthy eating.
- It will be easy to cook food for many people.
- You can try different recipes.
- It's a great tool for busy professionals.
v) Which is the best food processor?
The best food processor is Kuhn Rikon Manual Food Chopper. It is an excellent food chopper with a 2-cup food capacity, an excellent pull cord system, and removable blades. It has all the bells and whistles you would want in a food chopper. Not to mention, it is dishwasher safe, and it doesn't take much counter space.
vi) Can a food processor chop onions?
A food chopper is an excellent way to perfect your onion-chopping skills. You can now easily nail any recipes that require chopped onions in no time. Furthermore, choppers make easy work of vegetables quickly, so you can focus on other parts of the recipe and cut down on prep time.
vii) Is a food chopper better than a juicer?
Juicers are mostly used to make juice. A food chopper is better because it has more precision. It is also the best tool for chopping vegetables, fruits, and nuts.
viii) How long will my food processor last?
The life of your food processor depends on how you use it. If your food processor is well-maintained, it can last you at least 8 years. However, you should always replace your food processor after 5 years to ensure your food always remains fresh.
The Bottom Line
A good food chopper is an excellent addition to any kitchen. Not to mention they are affordable, useful, and easy to use. Furthermore, food choppers have become a must-have appliance if you like to dice, julienne, and chop.
