How to choose a kitchen machine

The first was a planetary mixer. Then it was supplemented with a blender and attachments, significantly expanding the functionality. Then they changed the number of drives, increasing the number of tasks performed even more. As a result of evolution, there was such an assortment of kitchen machines on store shelves that it became difficult to make a choice. Only the correct placement of accents will help you cope with this difficult task.

How to choose a kitchen machine for yourself

It is often confused with a more compact and quiet combine harvester. The basis of the misconception is clear - there are too many similarities. But if you look into the details, the main features of a kitchen machine can be considered large:

• power;
• dimensions of the body and bowl;
• level of protection.

Another sign is noise. The kitchen machine is louder than its compact brother. But with an eye to a higher level of reliability and the ability to process more products in the same period of time, it is inappropriate to focus on this drawback.

Criterias of choice

Based on your needs, the main guidelines when choosing a kitchen machine are power, bowl volume and the number of replaceable attachments. The next stage is dimensions and functionality. The last stage is the design and materials used. Moving in this order, it is easy to choose a technique that will not disappoint.

Manufacturer

KENWOOD can be called a trendsetter, setting the standards for kitchen machines. The manufacturer produces expensive equipment. But the price hides advanced achievements and solutions.

High quality at average prices is guaranteed by BOSCH. The main difference between kitchen machines from this manufacturer is three drive shafts and a multifunctional connection system. This solution is patented, so other brands only have its analogues.

Mulinex compensates for its small assortment with low prices. This is a manufacturer of high-quality and inexpensive household appliances - an ideal solution for those cooks who are looking for a kitchen machine for home use at a reasonable price.

Type

Based on the design features of food processors, they can be divided into equipment:

• with several nests, one of which is reserved for a blender;
• with one socket.

In the first case, additional nests can be located on the sides and on top. The main advantage is the ability to reduce cooking time due to parallel operation of drives. The second option is distinguished by a large number of attachments included in the kit.

Functional

The main tasks of a kitchen machine are chopping and kneading, which requires different speed settings. Their number varies from 2-4 for budget models to 12-14 for expensive equipment.

The presence of built-in scales will facilitate dosing of products. And models with induction heaters that have recently appeared on the market allow you to cook directly in the bowl. The temperature and cooking duration can be adjusted with just a few touches.

Materials

Depending on the design, there are two categories of kitchen machines:

1. With a plastic body, they are lightweight and easy to clean.The most noticeable advantage is the low cost.
2. With a stainless steel body - solid weight and durability. But the prices are appropriate.
3. The material of nozzles and knives can also be different. Plastic components are recommended for making juices and purees. Stainless steel guarantees the safety of vitamins in products crushed with knives and graters.

Bowl characteristics

Wear resistance, impact resistance and lack of interaction with products are the requirements for this element. Bowls are:

• plastic;
• glass;
• steel.

Budget models are completed first. High-quality plastic lasts quite a long time and is quite durable. However, it relatively quickly becomes covered with scratches, which affect not only its appearance - a damaged bowl is difficult to clean and absorbs odors.

Impact-resistant glass is typical for devices in the mid-price category. It is free from the disadvantages of plastic and allows you to control the cooking process. But it requires careful handling, since a sharp temperature change or an accidental impact will inevitably lead to the formation of cracks or chips. And such bowls cannot be called light.
Stainless steel comes complete with semi-professional equipment. Such bowls are easy to clean, do not interact with food and weigh little. They allow heat treatment of products. The only drawback is the price.

Cheap steel bowls rust. Made of aluminum - easily scratched and deformed. Therefore, when choosing them, it is important to pay attention to the quality of the material.
Depending on the power of the kitchen machine, it comes with bowls of different sizes. For large ones, the manufacturer indicates the minimum recommended weight of processed products.Based on this parameter, you can decide on the need to upgrade the bowl with a smaller volume.

Do not confuse the total and useful volume. A bowl filled to the brim can hold 2 liters, of which only 1.5 liters will be useful. You should be guided by the marks specified by the manufacturer - everything that is above the top will inevitably spill during operation of the kitchen machine.

Power

The engine is the heart of the car. If it constantly wears out, then the service life before the first breakdown will be short-lived. Therefore, it is recommended to select equipment with a small power reserve.

The optimal range is considered to be 1000 - 1500 W. A kitchen machine with such an engine confidently kneads dough and processes meat.
If the main task of the equipment is cutting vegetables and preparing puree, then a power of 500 W or more will be enough. Semi-professional equipment is characterized by a power of 2000W.

Equipment

The basic configuration directly depends on the cost of the equipment. The more expensive the car, the more extras it comes with. In order not to get confused when looking at the assortment, it is advisable to look at the family’s culinary preferences and choose the required minimum of attachments, mixers and bowls that will be used regularly. Later it will be possible to purchase additional components - exactly those that are needed.

Recommendations for selection

A clear definition of its tasks helps you save significant money when purchasing a kitchen machine. So, it can come with over 30 add-ons, of which more than half can simply become covered with dust on the shelf. Having abandoned the unnecessary, it is better to invest in power reserves or quality of materials.

The same goes for speeds.Even professional cooks rarely use more than 5-6. The built-in induction heater and scale make the cooking process more comfortable. But if the budget is limited, then it makes sense to abandon them in favor of increasing the durability of the equipment.

The only mandatory item is the presence of overheating protection. High-speed modes or prolonged continuous operation of the kitchen machine inevitably lead to heating of the engine. If there is no protection, it may simply fail.