Want to save space in your kitchen? Any appliance that blends multiple functions into one provides a great way to save space in a kitchen. They are perfect when you don’t have much room or your kitchen is on the smaller side. Our best blender food processor combo is no exception. It is amazing how much space and time you can save with the right tools.
When to Use a Food Processor Versus a Blender
While some people may use the two interchangeably, there are subtle differences between a food processor and a blender. Each component does something different, and you use them for different applications.
Use a blender for:
- Liquids, like soups, sauces, dressing, and marinades. A blender container is best for making large batches of blended soups like broccoli or anything chunky, smoothies, meat marinades, ice cream, or tomato sauce.
- Loose batter, including cheesecake, pancake, and cake batters. While most people stir or mix them in a bowl, mixing these batters in a blender will make them smoother and add air to the mixture.
Use food processors for:
- Most spreads, sauces, or dips. Items like whipped feta, hummus, and others mix better when blended in a food processor. Food processors additionally make a smoother nut butter as well.
- Kneading dough. This can be done very well with the correct blades on a food processor.
- Chopping, shredding, and slicing. A food processor will do a more uniform cut and save time when done in a food processor.
Use a single-serve container for:
- Individual servings of smoothies
- Smaller batches. Anything that a blender would be used for would be applicable in this category.
Things to Consider
There are several factors to consider before purchasing your blender food processor combination. While most perform well for any task, you also need to consider the types of food that you are using to determine power, material, and durability.
For example, if you plan to blend nuts or food with a harder texture, you may want to consider something that has over 1,000-watts of power and stainless-steel blades. The wattage will not only blend the food better, but it will also make it creamier as well. It will also prevent the device from burning out, prolonging its life span.
Again, a stainless steel blade is more durable than any other product available. They are easier to clean and cut through almost anything. They will stay sharper for a longer duration and last longer.
Capacity (Bowl and Size)
Blender/food processor combinations come equipped with bowls for mixing and jars for blending. Many combination appliances vary in their capacity. For instance, blender jars will generally hold 3-14 cups with a food processor bowl containing 3-8 cups.
If individual-sized containers for smoothies or other foods are a must, then you may want to consider a personal blender as a removable attachment for when you are mobile.
When deciding on the size, take into consideration entertaining and cooking requirements in addition to storage space in the kitchen. Larger combinations may be more ideal for those who do a great deal of entertaining. However, if you don’t have a great deal of counter space, you may want to consider something smaller or more portable.
Blades
Blades are the most important component in a blender/food processor combination. Stainless steel blades are optimal as they are more durable and do a better overall job. However, the shape is also something to consider.
Most combination units contain two or three sets of blades that use the same base. It should contain s-shaped and x-shaped blades. X-shaped blades work best for standard blending because it is the most efficient. S-shaped blades are the best for mixing and chopping on the pulse setting. It also purees and blends exceptionally well, too.
If your appliance comes with a third blade, this is usually one for kneading dough or a disc attachment that can be used for grating/slicing food while using the food processor.
Power
Power is measured in watts, and more wattage delivers more speed and efficiency. Most units have a range of 350 to 1,500 watts. Units with a higher wattage will contain a higher capacity as well.
As a rule, aim for a powerful motor with a minimum of 700 watts. If you need to crush ice or nuts, look for something over 1,000 watts. One benefit of a higher wattage blender/food processor kitchen appliance is it often includes a cooling function, which automatically turns off the blender if it starts to overheat.
Controls
The best food processor blender combo should have touch buttons/knob controls that are easy to use. A basic option will have an on/off button or switch, three-speed selections, and pulse. If you need to know what speed to use for what ingredient, many have control labels specifying their functions.
For a nice touch, find one with an LED indicator or one that is backlit. Aesthetically, it looks great and is practical when you need the area to be darker.
Feeding Tube and Lid
The feeding tube acts as a chute for adding ingredients to the food processor. If you want to eliminate the requirement of cutting food before processing, find one that can handle different sizes and shapes of food. By utilizing a clicking or shredding disc accompanied by the feeding tube, you will generate finer cuts of your food.
Your lid should always have a snug fit to prevent splatter from occurring. Additionally, it should not be cumbersome or difficult to open or close. It needs to have a rubber gasket that will prevent it from leaking. Also, look for one with a safety lid. This will prevent the machine from operating if not sealed properly.
Settings
Some people prefer manual controls but look for pre-programmed settings if you want something more straightforward. They come with presets for the speed and time required to create specific items.
There are additional machines that contain a power setting that reverses the blades. This is handy when you need to release jammed ingredients. Other settings may be a self-cleaning function or protection against overheating.
Attachments
These countertop blender and food processor combinations come with several attachments. Basic models will have a blender jar, blades, and a bowl for the food processor. There may additionally be a dough blade to knead bread dough.
Higher-end models will contain different-sized attachments, like a small blender jar, chopper bowl, work bowl, or an individual-sized smoothie container. They may have discs created for nut butter, peeling, grating, and slicing food. If you want to create your own juice, you can buy non-citrus and citrus attachments separately.
Best Blender Food Processor Combo
Our top selection keeps preferences and needs at the forefront. They are powerful yet easy to use with a variety of attachments available. Here are our recommendations for combinations suited for many foods and designed to be durable above anything else.
1. Best Overall: Ninja Compact Kitchen System with AutoIQ
The compact Ninja blender with AutoIQ has 1200-watts of powerful crushing capabilities, accompanied by a stacked blade configuration. This high-performance machine easily cuts through frozen foods with exceptional ease.
This best food processor/blender has a five-cup work bowl with a chopping blade and dough blade increased versatility with food prep, and the Auto-IQ removes the guesswork of creating drinks by using specific presets.
Pros:
- 72-oz crushing pitcher
- Nutrient extractor
- Compact and easy to clean
Cons:
- Doesn’t blend to a juice-like consistency well
- For some, there was a bit of a learning curve
2. Tied: Ninja Foodi SS351 Power Blender and Processor
With a 1,400-watt motor, this combination has a SmartTorque technology, allowing it to blend through even the toughest, densest ingredients on the market with ease. Ingredients won’t plug up the machine or cause it to become stalled/stuck.
You can use the jar for multi-purposes along with a 14 oz smoothie bowl containing a tamper to push ingredients through the chute. It has a 24-oz nutrient extraction cup designed to make your food healthier by preserving the vitamins necessary to produce a healthy drink.
Pros:
- Six preset functions: extractions, bowls, smoothies, spreads, dough, and extractions.
- Parts are dishwasher safe
- Built-in tamper
- Six preset programs
Cons:
- Loud
3. Most Versatile: Oster Blender Pro
This Oster Pro combo comes equipped with 1200 watts of power. The food processor and blender work interchangeably on the base. Smart technology allows users to do seven different speeds, including three settings to make one-touch salsa, smoothies, and milkshakes. It also has a pulse for more precision and control.
The dual direction blades go in reverse and forwards, permitting food to flow directly into the blade for smoother and quicker results. The blades are 50% larger than other blenders in the Oster line.
Pros:
- 6 cup glass jar, BPA-free five cup bowl for food processing, 24 oz smoothie cup, and a stainless-steel chopping and slicing disk.
- Cleans easily
Cons:
- Blender cup may leak at the seam
- Hard to clean around the blades
4. Best for Smaller Kitchens: Cuisinart Goodful BFP700GF
This food processor blender combination contains only 700-watts of power but is tiny and takes up minimal space in the kitchen. It is compact and easy to store. As a food processor, it contains three cups. It has a slicer/shredder disk, feed tube, and chopper blade.
This 56 oz blender also has commercial quality blades. The settings come in pulse with low/high rotary speeds.
Pros:
- Rubber feet prevent movement
- Cord goes into base for easy storage
- Rubber seal prevents leaking
Cons:
- Comprised of plastic
- Puree isn’t quite as fine
5. Best Budget: Hamilton Beach Elite Blender and Food Chopper
This machine has 700-watts of power accompanied by a wave-action system that will pull your ingredients toward the blade for a smoother texture. It comes equipped with a three-cup chopper and a 40 oz blender.
The food processing component has an s-blade and a disc for slicing and shredding material.
Pros:
- Spout is easy to pour
- Personal blender lid which allows for easy transport
- Storage for cord located in the base
- Dishwasher safe
- 12 blending functions
Cons:
- Lacks significant power
- May be louder than other models
What Is the Attraction with a Blender Food Processor Combo?
This question is not uncommon for a first-time user. The number one reason to obtain one of these is convenience. It eliminates the need to buy both a blender and a food processor. This machine makes cooking easier and promotes nutrition.
These kitchen appliances also save on space, which is ideal when you have no room or a smaller kitchen. Many of these combos are compact and easy to store.
Furthermore, buying a combination appliance can end up saving you money. If you price out how much two of these kitchen appliances can be, most users tend to notice cost savings when buying a combination appliance.
Tips When Using a Food Processor/Blender Combo
Some tips are obvious, like following the instructions in the user manual for capacity limitations since you may risk breaking the appliance. Not all combination appliances will allow you to place large portions in them. You can try, but usually, what ends up happening is that the appliance overheats, stops working, or you need to pulse for better consistency.
Be mindful when disassembling and assembling the product for cleaning. There are many with extremely sharp blades and discs. Additionally, when using hot liquids, be sure to lift the lid away from your face to prevent burns.
Don’t:
- Override a cover interlock
- Use the blade for anything outside of its intended purpose
- Leave the product plugged in while removing blades
- Place any utensils in it while the motor is running
- Use a blender with a broken/frayed/exposed cord
The best blender food processor combos are high in power and composed of superior materials. Look for a blender with a high wattage, especially if you are chopping ice or hard textured foods, and choose stainless-steel blades for durability, strength, and longevity.
Make sure that the container is large enough for its intended use. If you are making large batches, you will need a larger container. Also, thick glass is recommended over plastic as plastic breaks easier. However, if you do use plastic, make sure that it is BPA-free to ensure that you don’t consume toxic chemicals.
Consider the kitchen space you have available as well. If you have a smaller kitchen, you will need one that stores easily or one with a smaller footprint.
Whatever you choose, make sure that it is best suited for your needs. You need to consider the density of the food because this will determine the wattage. It will also determine which settings you will require to use the appliance.
FAQ
How do I clean a blender/food processor combination?
Most combos will allow you to disassemble them so you can put them through the dishwasher. Wipe down the motor base using a damp cloth after each use. Do not place it in water.
Some units have self-cleaning, meaning that all you need to do is add soap and water then press a button. However, do not solely rely on this for a full cleaning. You will need to completely clean and sanitize the machine.
What is the lifespan of this type of appliance?
There is quite a variation in durability, depending on the motor power and the materials. Typically, machines with stainless steel blades and thick glass jars with higher wattage will last the longest. They are also better equipped to handle a multitude of different foods.
What does pulse do?
The pulse setting is very versatile. It will allow you to chop or blend food items that are larger or chunkier with ease. It can save the blender as well when blending foods with thicker textures. It will prevent it from overheating.
It also allows users to control the duration and speed of the ingredients until they reach the intended consistency. The pulse setting is also useful for dislodging food stuck under the blender blades.
