If You Could Only Have ONE Appliance!
Posted by proctsu on Aug 09, 2010 · Member since Aug 2010 · 3 posts
HI!
If you could only have ONE appliance what would YOU pick???
I am new to vegetarianism and only have a Cuisanart blender.I would like to start creating more of my vegetable based meals. I have heard a lot of people say they can't live without their VITAMIX. But do you still need a food processor if you have a Vitamix? I'mreally interested in sneaking more leafy greens in my smoothies and juicing with greens, too. If you could only pick one appliance.....what would it be?
Thanks ahead of time for your input. Bring it on!
Susan
OK....now my mind is apinning with all kinds of ideas due to all the fabulous responses!!!
I am single and doing a lot of one serving stuff with my huge cuisanart blender. Maybe I only really need the Magic Bullet. I love the idea of doing a smoothie and having a go-cup all in one. BUT..can you use leafy greens in the Bullet? Have very limited counter and plug-in capacity, so small is a bonus. Mainlly was thinking of the Vitamix for soups and smoothies.....so maybe immersion blender or Bullet would do???
Would love to hear more of your thoughts. Prove to me I don't HAVE to have that Vitamix! OR....keep convincing me I SHOULD SPRING FOR IT!!!!
Virgin Vegetarian,
Susan
I would say my KitchenAid blender. It has a 64 oz. blending container and is really powerful. As someone who has ripped through 4 blenders before this one, I have to say it's my favorite. I have a kitchenaid food processor too, but i hardly ever use it because I use the blender for both duties. you definitely don't need a vitamix. I make everything in my blender (soups, smoothies, nut butter, dips) and it was $80.
is an immersion blender really that good? I've never felt like I was missing out by not having one...
Actually only one appliance: oven/stove so I can cook shit. I could deal with keeping food in a chilly bin/shopping often, so the fridge can take a hike.
Only one small appliance: probably my blender/food processor. It's not flash or anything and I could totally live without it but I use it more often than any other appliance .
Actually, I was really asking about small kitchen appliances...
Yes, but we get side-tracked easily.
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You don't NEED a Vitamix. It'll blend things smoother than anything else on the planet, but nearly blended works fine.
I quickly went through three $30-ish immersion blenders before I got a halfway decent KitchenAid one for about $60. I have not been disappointed with it.
If you already have a blender, I'd get the following as you have funds, in the following order:
1. Food Processor (get at least a mid-grade one so you have a decent motor)
2. Immersion Blender (for hummus, creamy soup, "refried" beans... )
3. Magic Bullet (comes with a smaller cup you can use to pulverise cashews for "cream" sauces)
my version of that list:
1. immersion blender. it can be split into two parts (stem with blade, motor with plug) so it stores easily and does not take up much space. you can blend things in their original pot rather than pouring hot liquid into a blender or food processor. or for smoothie type things or for pre-blending things for cooking, they often come with ~500-750mL graduated blending cups. as long as you rinse out the blade part relatively soon after use, it's easy to clean.
this is the one i have:
http://www.amazon.com/Cuisinart-CSB-76BC-SmartStick-200-Watt-Immersion/dp/B000EGA6QI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden&qid=1281854072&sr=8-1
in my experience, food processors are more efficient and thick foods (vs smoothies) than countertop blenders. but if you're just looking at making smoothies and blending/partially blending soups, i think immersion blender is the way to go. also, food processors can be a pain to clean, but that's only a factor for me because i'm lazy.
Yeah, my immersion blender is nice to have now that my magic bullet type appliance is kaput. But having something that will blend AND grind is really priceless.
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