Food Processor Power: How Many Watts Do You Need?


food processor power

Power is an important consideration when buying a food processor. A powerful motor will help you get consistent results time after time. You’ll get even, even cuts and cuts. You’ll be able to make nut butters with ease without worrying about stress on the motor. Bread dough is effortlessly kneaded in minutes. Pasta dough comes together quickly and painlessly. Caesar dressing or mayonnaise can be emulsified without fear of separation. You can easily see why proper power is imperative when shopping for a new food processor.

Power and energy efficiency

Many consumers are obsessed with power and think that watts are synonymous with power. In general, more watts will contribute to a more powerful appliance capable of handling cooking tasks with ease. However, it is also important to appreciate the role that efficiency plays when considering the total power available. A motor can use a large number of watts simply because it is not energy efficient, leaving you with an appliance that wastes a lot of electricity without providing the power you seek.

Engine types

Consider the type of motor used in any type of small appliance you are considering buying. There are two main types of motors for food processors: direct drive and belt drive. In a belt-driven food processor, the motor is located on the side of the work bowl and connected by a belt. In a direct drive food processor, the work bowl is located on top of the motor. This leads to a more efficient power transfer. As a result, a direct drive 500 watt motor will typically outperform a belt driven 500 watt motor.

Variations Within Engine Type

There are certainly many differences within the two main categories of engines. An example; The Viking Food Processor has a unique 625-watt direct drive induction motor. While other models offer more power, in an induction motor, alternating current (AC) voltages are induced by the stator’s rotating magnetic field in the circuit. An induction motor is built with elements of steel, aluminum and copper. While this makes them more expensive than universal motors, it also increases their quality, durability, and efficiency. The Viking probably has the most pronounced difference when it comes to engine type variation, but there are a myriad of other variables present between the top brands.

Information Classification

So how are you supposed to figure all this out? It’s hard to tell how well powered a machine will be just by reading the statistics provided by the manufacturer. That’s where consumer reviews become incredibly useful. Through honest and unbiased customer feedback, you can measure the efficiency and durability of an appliance. People who have actually used the product can tell you if the motor is having trouble in certain tasks. You will find out if the machine you are considering makes a thick mush from the vegetables when you try to cut them. This type of product-specific information will provide you with information you won’t find anywhere else. Check out a detailed Food Processor Buying Guide, as well as thousands of reviews, by visiting Food Processor Reviews.