Home LivingAppliancesKitchen7 foods you should never put in a food processorFood processors can do many things… but you shouldn’t use them to tackle these foodsWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
Home LivingAppliancesKitchen7 foods you should never put in a food processorFood processors can do many things… but you shouldn’t use them to tackle these foodsWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
Food processors can do many things… but you shouldn’t use them to tackle these foods
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Amazon)
(Image credit: Amazon)
For the best meal results and to avoid dulling your blades, here are 7 foods you should never put in your food processor.
If you’re looking for more food tips, check out the foods you should never cook in anair fryer, on thebarbecue, in amulticooker, in aslow cooker, using anon-stick pan, in amicrowave, with atoaster, in ablenderand in ajuicer.
1. Smoothies and juices
(Image credit: Jugoslocos / Unsplash)
(Image credit: Jugoslocos / Unsplash)
A general rule of thumb when using a food processor is to avoid putting liquid in it at all costs. Food processors aren’t equipped to handle smoothies, juices or shakes, as they’re designed to process foods whereas blenders are made for drinks. Trust me, when I used to live at home, I tried making a smoothie using my parents’ food processor and it was without a doubt the worst drink I ever made. Food processors are super powerful but it’s a different kind of power that’s needed to liquify things. They won’t give your smoothie or juice the right flavour or texture, and even the top food processor models can leak if you put too much liquid in them. You’re better off sticking to thebest Nutribulletor thebest juicerto make these drinks.
2. Tough meat
(Image credit: Markus Spiske / Pexels)
(Image credit: Markus Spiske / Pexels)
3. Bread dough
(Image credit: Artur Rutkowski / Unsplash)
(Image credit: Artur Rutkowski / Unsplash)
As we see each year on the Great British Bake Off, food processors are often used to make pastry dough. However, bread dough is a different story. While some food processors come with a hook blade attachment specifically for bread dough, dense or heavy doughs can push your processor to its limits. It’s important to make sure your machine is strong enough to repeatedly knead your dough for several minutes at a time, and if it’s not, you should look towards thebest bread makeror thebest stand mixerinstead.
Sign up to the T3 newsletter for smarter living straight to your inbox
Get all the latest news, reviews, deals and buying guides on gorgeous tech, home and active products from the T3 experts
4. Unpeeled fruit and vegetables
(Image credit: Karalina S / Unsplash)
(Image credit: Karalina S / Unsplash)
If you don’t like chopping up fruit and vegetables, a food processor can take care of this for you, but it’s always best to remove the skin first. Fruits and vegetables with tough skin and peels can damage the inner workings of your food processor, and dull the blades quicker than normal. Pumpkin, squash, melons and pineapple are perfect examples of this, so try to peel them first before you whizz them up into a salad.
5. Coffee beans
(Image credit: Mike Kenneally / Unsplash)
(Image credit: Mike Kenneally / Unsplash)
Can a food processor grind coffee? Yes, but it won’t give you the best results. Food processors’ blades aren’t designed for coffee beans and the beans’ tough exterior can wear them down quickly. While you can pulse coffee beans in a processor if you don’t have any other option, the result will likely be too coarse and won’t work well with yourbest bean to cup coffee machine.
6. Hot food
Hot food should never go in your food processor for many reasons. When you put piping hot food into one, the steam will get trapped and create pressure. This will build up and can cause the food to splatter everywhere or the food processor lid to explode, making a mess and potentially burning you. Using a food processor on hot food can also give it a strange texture, funny colour and even melt the plastic portion of your processor’s blade. To avoid this, let your food cool down for 5-10 minutes before chucking it in your food processor.
7. Frozen food
To avoid breaking your food processor, you shouldn’t put frozen food or ice inside it. As the food is too hard and tough, this will dull or break your blade and put too much strain on the motor. Depending on how much you’ve put in there, the speed of the blade can also whip the frozen food around at some force, causing it to smash, crack or dent the bowl.
Today’s best Food Processors deals$34.88View$54.99View$79.99ViewShow More DealsWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best Food Processors deals$34.88View$54.99View$79.99ViewShow More DealsWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best Food Processors deals
$34.88View$54.99View$79.99View
$34.88View
$34.88View
$34.88View
$34.88
$34.88
$54.99View
$54.99View
$54.99View
$54.99
$54.99
$79.99View
$79.99View
$79.99View
$79.99
$79.99
Show More Deals
Show More Deals
We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Build bigger arms in just 30 minutes with this 5-move dumbbell-only workoutIt’ll leave the biceps and triceps popping!
It’ll leave the biceps and triceps popping!
OMEGA puts the moon on your wrist with its new Speedmaster Moonphase MeteoriteOMEGA adds two new Moonphase Meteorite watches to its Speedmaster line-up
OMEGA adds two new Moonphase Meteorite watches to its Speedmaster line-up
I’m a kitchen expert – these are the 7 kitchen trends I expect to see in 2025From shrinking air fryers to AI cameras, here are the kitchen trends I want to see next year
From shrinking air fryers to AI cameras, here are the kitchen trends I want to see next year
Samsung announces new AI home screens for its smart fridges and laundry appliancesSamsung previews its CES launches, including new AI Home screens
Samsung previews its CES launches, including new AI Home screens
Nutribullet Flip review: a powerful, portable blender for smoothies on the goCan this portable, insulated blender live up to its promises of powerful smoothie blitzing on the go?
Can this portable, insulated blender live up to its promises of powerful smoothie blitzing on the go?
T3’s ultimate Christmas dinner gadget guide: for sides, mains and beyondWe take a look at the best dinner gadgets to make Christmas lunch easier and hassle free
We take a look at the best dinner gadgets to make Christmas lunch easier and hassle free
Ninja takes on Instant Pot with its own slow cooker – it’s perfect for one-pot mealsNinja’s Foodi 8-Mode PossibleCooker is finally available to buy
Ninja’s Foodi 8-Mode PossibleCooker is finally available to buy
Brevoy Portable Espresso Maker review: a top battery-powered device for making espressos on the goIngenious espresso-making contraption for top-flight espressos in the great outdoors
Ingenious espresso-making contraption for top-flight espressos in the great outdoors
De’Longhi La Specialista Opera review: is this the best domestic espresso machine ever?Brilliantly easy espresso and cold brew maker for discerning coffee connoisseurs
Brilliantly easy espresso and cold brew maker for discerning coffee connoisseurs
9 Great British Bake Off appliances you need in your kitchenBecome Star Baker in your own kitchen with these Great British Bake Off appliances
Become Star Baker in your own kitchen with these Great British Bake Off appliances
