How to choose a kitchen food grinder: types and main functions of appliances. How to choose a garden shredder Main shredder

The kitchen chopper is popular among housewives who know how and love to cook. The process of processing and preparing food is faster than using manual kitchen appliances. A simple kitchen knife for manual cutting and chopping can't compete with this compact device.

Products are cut into even pieces or portions. Depending on the intended purpose of use, the chopper models differ in the principle of operation and functionality. There are times when the purchase of a bulky food processor is not justified - its operation is more difficult, and the result of the work is comparable to using a food processor.

Types of kitchen grinders

A compact device - a blender grinds in a matter of minutes, but it is used only to obtain a homogeneous mass of ready-made dishes. For meat and vegetables, it is preferable to use a kitchen chopper. To make the right choice, they take into account the functions, the quality of the dishes obtained at the exit, and the fundamental differences in work.

The compact chopper whips, grinds and grinds food. Characterized by compact dimensions and high strength. The container is used to heat food in the microwave and easily placed in the dishwasher.

According to the principle of operation, they are divided into two types: electrical and mechanical. Each group of devices has its own advantages and disadvantages:

Mechanical shredders are easy to use. Manual mechanisms are put into action by means of simple pressing of a cover. Thanks to the mechanical rotation of the knives, the products are cut. The advantages include an attractive price. However, the scope of application is limited to a certain set of products and functionality.
Electric shredders are characterized by wide functionality, which allows you to easily handle any source material: vegetables, fruits, meat, fish, chocolate, biscuits, etc. The device does the job faster than a mechanical one. The disadvantages include a higher price.

Principle of operation

The device is designed for smooth cutting and grinding of food, raw and boiled vegetables, meat, fruits, cheese.

The work is based on the use of various nozzles (knives), which, when rotated (in manual mode or with the help of electricity), come into contact with a certain product, cutting into even pieces. Depending on the method of propulsion, in manual grinders, cutting is carried out using the lid as a press or by rotating a special handle, as in a coffee grinder.

In electric shredders, the knives are rotated by an electric motor.

The design consists of the following parts:

Plastic or glass container. It is used as a container where they put vegetables, fruits for cutting,
container lid,
Replaceable nozzles (knives). In some models, nozzles are built into the container.
Electric motor (in devices powered by the mains).

Functions of kitchen grinders

Used for professional uniform cutting of hard products: vegetables, fruits, boiled eggs, hard cheeses. The processing process is safe, unlike working with a simple kitchen knife.

Grinders greatly facilitate the process of processing soft substances - grind to a puree state, crumble into small uneven pieces, used for rubbing, mixing batter.

Performs the functions of the following kitchen appliances:

It is used as a knife for cutting large and small pieces.
Works as a meat grinder and grater, scrolling through the round holes of nozzles of different diameters.
How a blender mixes the original product to a homogeneous mass
As a mixer, mix thoroughly and beat.

With the help of special nozzles, mousse or cream is whipped, mashed potatoes are prepared. Unlike manual work, these procedures take a minimum amount of time and no effort is expended. Some product options are capable of producing the smallest cutting of vegetables, crushing solid foods (nuts and ice).

Ice crushing is done with a special standard nozzle included in the kit. If this function is provided by the manufacturer, products with a similar degree of hardness are processed with the same nozzle.

How to use

Store the product assembled or disassembled. Wash after use and let dry.

If you need to process a lot of fruits or vegetables, the large amount of product in the bowl is broken into small pieces before grinding. Large pieces are cut into smaller ones to make it easier for the device to cope with the volume.

The amount of one serving is determined taking into account the filling of no more than 2/3 of the bowl. Do not overload the grinder, then the processing will take one minute.

To avoid premature failure, this product is used to process only those products that are permitted by the attached instructions. Using the grinder for other purposes will lead to its rapid breakdown.

To make the work of slicing fruits and vegetables safe and easy, a number of precautions are observed:

Compliance with the instructions and use strictly for its intended purpose. Unless the manufacturer's instructions indicate that this product is suitable for cutting hard vegetables or fruits, do not cut raw beets, turnips, potatoes, etc.
To grind hard cheeses, meat or chocolate, you will need a grinder with a power of 600W or more.
In order for the product to successfully cope with the work, specially designed nozzles are used for certain product groups. Some options for electrical products are able to process cereals, nuts, spices, mix tight dough.
Some are protected against misuse. If the lid is not closed, the lock mechanism is activated and the device will not turn on.
To pour some of the crushed food into another container, use the wide spout of the bowl.

How to choose kitchen grinders and blenders

In order for the purchase to please its hostesses with good work for a long time, they choose the option taking into account the following parameters.

Processing speed depends on power products and a list of vegetables, fruits, etc. allowed for grinding by this product. The greater the power of the kitchen grinder, the wider the list of products and the shorter the operating time.

When the hostess needs to perform the simplest functions of shredding or grinding into pieces, they purchase a product with an average processing speed and low power. When processing solid foods and meat, choose electric options with a power above 600 watts. This will allow you to perform the maximum number of functions without the risk of damage to the product.

Study the instruction. The advantage in favor of the purchase will be the ability to combine the cutting function with others. The ability to use the product as a blender does not require the purchase of additional devices for grinding and whipping to a homogeneous mass.
Consider whether the grinder is capable of performing the function of a mixer and other kitchen devices. Check which nozzles are included.

Preliminary study the reviews of the model of interest. As a rule, buyers share their impressions regarding the operation of the purchased product. If there are negative reviews regarding complaints about the functionality and quality of the device, the selected option is abandoned.

Quality, what materials the parts are made of, who is the manufacturer of the selected model. Preference is given to proven brands that have proven themselves in the kitchen appliances market. In addition to the warranty card, serviceability and reliability are ensured by the authority of the manufacturer.
Processing container (bowl) capacity. It depends on the performance and processing volumes. If the hostess often needs to cook food in large volumes, attention is drawn to devices with capacious containers.
For the convenience of users, a number of models are equipped with an additional function. A lid with a hole is used to add a new portion to the already processed mass without the need to stop and turn off.
Price. More expensive ones have extended functionality, replace many kitchen appliances. However, not every hostess will need to use all the functions.
Quality assurance that confirms the reliability of the product. In case of complaints about the performance of functions, the seller undertakes to replace and provide a working model.

The criteria that will determine the choice of the buyer in favor of a particular model vary depending on the preferences and purpose of the acquisition. It is important that the functionality of the model declared by the seller is implemented.

With a kitchen chopper, a laborious cooking process can be turned into an interesting experience, which will result in a beautifully presented, tasty dish that can compete with any restaurant.

Growing organic products from your garden without the use of chemical fertilizers is not a fantasy, but a reality. Everything you need is under your feet. For this, a garden shredder was created: the device will not only save the site from excess garbage, but also help to process the latter into a full-fledged fertilizer.

A garden shredder is a special type of equipment that facilitates the process of crushing roots, branches, bark, cuttings of trees and vines, as well as other plant debris. All of the above is, in fact, an excellent tool for humus. The unit has another name - garden shredder.

Externally, the device looks like a disk to which small knives are attached. Depending on the speed of rotation, the degree of grinding of waste also varies - from small pieces to wood sawdust.

The shredder works best with “soft debris”, which means leaves, grass, small branches and stems.

Raw materials processed in this way can be used not only for composting. For example, the resulting mass of wood waste can be heat the house along with firewood. And if you grind fruit chips, then it can be used for smoking meat.

How the device is arranged and works

According to the principle of operation, the unit is similar to a meat grinder: we lay bark, branches, tops, cones, and at the output we get a crushed result that can be used as fertilizer. So it is made by powerful knives that are started by an engine that can work both from the mains and from gasoline fuel.

Most of these devices have the same format of the internal device - this is a case with a motor inside it and a grinding system. Raw material supplied through the funnel, which varies in width for different types of processed materials: for chopping wood, it is better to use with a narrow entrance, and for foliage and grass, on the contrary, with a wide one.

After passing through the knives, the crushed mulch is poured out of a special hole. At the same time, it can fall into both a plastic tank and a soft bag - it all depends on the model. There are options and without container. Here, the consumer already chooses according to his requirements for such a device.

Classification of garden shredders

Such devices can be selected based on the presented classification. There are two main ones:

by type of knife system;
by type of engine.

According to the types of knife system

The type of cutting knives determines what type of raw material the shredder is designed for. There are 4 common options here.

By engine type

Here the choice is much easier to make - preference is given to the gasoline or electric version.

For electric chopper characterized by ease of maintenance, lightness and environmental friendliness. Even women and pensioners can work with it - the unit is lightweight. A big plus is that it does not spoil the air with combustion products and does not emit harmful products. However, the connection to the network cannot be discounted: a cord is needed for operation, which imposes a restriction on maneuverability in operation. An electric shredder is only suitable for a small area garden. In addition, the electric motor does not give too much power - the maximum diameter of cut branches is 4 cm.

Electric garden chipper Viking GE 140 L

Petrol systems have power and mobility. Most often, they are universal tools suitable for tree branches and bushes up to 7 cm thick. However, one must get used to the disadvantages of such units, among which the main ones are the emission of harmful substances as a result of fuel combustion and a fairly noticeable noise level.

Petrol garden shredder Viking GB 460 C

Do not forget that the use of such a device is quite expensive: both engine oil and gasoline will require certain costs.

Selection criteria

When deciding on the model of a shredder that is relevant to your country house, consider the main criteria. First you need to decide what exactly is planned to grind, and how often the user plans to work with the unit - the type of knife system and energy source depend on this. Of great importance funnel shape. The most convenient is a cone-shaped with a slightly inclined design. It is also more comfortable to work if separate holes are used for different waste: for example, branches are inserted into one, and the second is used for mulch.

It is important to regulate knife rotation speed- this will help to grind the waste into the desired fractions. The model must come with a pusher: it is not safe to move garbage into the funnel by hand. Speaking about safety, it is also important to have a reverse - it will allow you to “rewind” the wrong garbage (for example, for knots that have risen across the knife mechanism). A sieve will also be useful for adjusting the output material.

For many electric models, self-start blocking is perfect - in this case, the device will not turn on by itself in case of power outages.

Also, knowing the leading technical parameters will help you choose your model.

Power electric shredders - from 2 to 5 kW. The petrol version has the same performance up to 8 kW (e.g. for wood residues), but this performance is offset by more noise.
Concerning volume at work, then up to a level of 70-80 dB it is still possible to work without headphones, in other cases, hearing will additionally need to be protected.
The wider the wheels are, the easier it will be to move the unit around the dacha or other garden plot. This will especially save if the work takes place on dug up land.
It is important to pay attention to weight. Unit weight it is important if a person of age and even just a woman is engaged in processing.
Attention should be paid to assembled unit height. This indicator is very important for people of short stature, especially if the receiving funnel is located on the unit one and a half meters from the ground. The comfortable movement of the handheld device also includes the location of the transportation handles - it will not be very convenient to work, bending over like a doom.
The presence of a receiving bunker is important with protective visor. When working, situations are possible when chips fly in different directions, so you should properly protect yourself.

Grinding wet grass should be avoided as this can clog the cutting mechanism and outlet.

As for the recommended models, manufacturers such as Bosch, Wolf Garten, AL-KO and Viking have proven themselves well - the latter are generally so omnivorous that they can grind everything in a row. Although there are other less well-known brands - IKRA MOGATEC, MacAllister, Stiga Bio Quiet, Skill, PATRIOT and others. In any case, feedback from experienced users will help you make the right choice.

The blender is designed primarily for making mousses, drinks, purees, as well as for mixing a variety of foods and liquids. By design, these products are of two types - stationary and submersible. In the first case, the blender is a bowl with a knife attachment at the bottom. Food is put into this bowl or liquids are poured, then it is closed with a special lid and turned on. Immersion blenders are an elongated rod with a nozzle that is lowered into a bowl of food or liquid.

Often the blender nozzle is part of food processors. It can be considered as another type of such a device.

The chopper consists of an impact-resistant reliable bowl and a rod, on which a variety of attachments are attached. The number and functions of nozzles depend on the features of a particular model. In particular, you can buy a device with the function of a grater, fine, medium, large shredder, etc.

What is the difference between a blender and a chopper

A very important difference between a blender and a chopper lies in their design. In the first device, the nozzles are located below, in the second - on top. Thanks to this feature, the blender thoroughly mixes the products, turning them into a homogeneous mass, while the grinder cuts them and dumps them into the bowl.

Externally, these devices are very different. As a rule, the bowl of a blender is taller and much narrower than a similar chopper element.

The difference lies in the purpose of the devices. If you need to make a puree or emulsion, pureed vegetable soup, smoothie, a blender is the best choice. Thanks to him, you can also whip cream, mix sour cream with fruits and berries, prepare light purees for a child.

If you need to cut or grate food, a chopper will do the job better. Such a device works more roughly than a blender. With it, it is easy and convenient to prepare salads, vegetable mixture for frying. According to the principle of operation, the chopper resembles a grater or a knife, but it allows you to cope with the task much faster and better, ensures uniform cutting.

It should be noted that some models of choppers are supplemented with nozzles for grinding food, mixing liquids, preparing and whipping mashed potatoes. Such models are somewhat similar to blenders, but their set of functions is much wider, and the price is usually higher.

Before buying a shredder, it’s better to keep in mind right away - garden shredders are designedfor recycling branches, thick tops (such as corn, sunflower). It will not work to grind large volumes of grass with a shredder, it will be wound on knives and clog the unit. And the earth from the roots of plants - blunt knives.Therefore, you should not choose a chopper only for the disposal of grass - grass is easy to chop with a lawn mower, and piled up with a trimmer with a fishing line.

When choosing a grinder, study its passport data:

The power of the shredder and the maximum diameter of the plants processed by it.
Mode of operation (continuous or intermittent).
Availability of spare parts (cutting tool, it fails in the first place).

It is useful to consider:

The bigger shredded waste container- all the better. Optimal - 50 liters or more.
For safety reasons, all garden shredders are equipped with pushers. They must be used.
Shredders use various grinding systems: turbine roller, in the form of gears, cutters, etc. Choppers with a knife system are more convenient to maintain: knives can be removed, sharpened (recommended in a service center), replaced or turned over with a sharp edge.
Maximum branch diameter, specified in the technical characteristics of the shredders, as a rule, refers to soft woods: linden, aspen, bird cherry. If you plan to use a shredder for the branches of all garden plantations, in order to extend the device's performance, this value must be reduced by 10-20 mm and not exceeded when loading plant waste.

Much depends on where this unit will be used. When it comes to a well-maintained home with a small yard and the need to shred a modest amount of cut vegetation, an electric shredder would be the best option. And if you need to free up an area that is just waiting to be connected to electricity from old branches, you can’t do without a good gasoline garden shredder. It is better to choose a specific model, focusing on the brand image and functionality.

Salads, stews, soups - all these dishes are prepared by every hostess. They have to cut a large number of products. If guests are invited and a feast is planned, it makes sense to use a food processor. But for daily cooking, it is not very suitable, because getting, collecting bulky equipment, and then washing a lot of nozzles, bowls, knives is inconvenient. An alternative is a compact food chopper for the kitchen. It cuts vegetables, cheeses, eggs in the same way, but takes up less space and is easier to operate.

All kitchen grinders for vegetables and other products can be divided into two large groups - volatile (electric, automatic) and non-volatile (manual, mechanical). The first work from the network, and for the work of the second, the hostess herself has to make some efforts. The number of nozzles can be any depending on the model.

Affordable price. Hand choppers, mills, blenders, etc. cost customers less than electric ones. Their operation does not affect the amount of electricity bills. This is an obvious advantage over electrical appliances.

Simple construction. Most often, the device consists of a bowl and a lid into which nozzles are inserted. Such a food chopper for the kitchen is practical: the fewer parts, the lower the risk of breakdowns. The main thing is to choose a fixture from quality materials.

There are no operational difficulties. Grinding of products occurs due to pressure or rotation of the cover-nozzle. All you need is to apply physical force.

Compactness. The device takes up minimal space. It has no wires to fold or twist.

Despite all the advantages, manual technique has a clear disadvantage. All processes are carried out only at the expense of the physical strength of the user himself. Grind food in small portions.

Manual vegetable chopping device

Pros of electrical appliances

The convenience of use. Electric kitchen grinders cut and grate food almost instantly. One push of a button is enough and they are ready.

Performance. With the help of an electric model, you can cut a much larger number of products than manually. This is convenient if you need to cook several dishes.

Multifunctionality. Some models are equipped with a large number of attachments that can not only chop vegetables, but also squeeze juice and make fruit puree.

Automatic shredders are many times more expensive than manual shredders, and when choosing a place to store them, you need to remember that the devices are afraid of moisture. When choosing a model, you should take into account the volumes of products that will have to be crushed so as not to be mistaken with the capacity and size of the container.

Household appliances of popular brands

Which technique is suitable for grinding products

During cooking, the preparation of food takes the most time. The longest time is to cut and grate. Appliance manufacturers offer many different tools to make grinding easier. With the help of special nozzles, you can get products cut into cubes, circles, stars or straws.

There are several types of devices for grinding food:

meat grinders;
vegetable cutters (graters, slicers);
mills;
harvesters.

The time required for the chopper to grind different products

All devices perfectly cope with their tasks, and each housewife can choose the type of grinders that suits her best. The only disadvantage of all devices, except for the combine, is the narrow functionality. The food processor “does” everything, but at the same time it is expensive. Here the choice depends on the preferences and budget of the hostess.

Below we consider the purpose and features of the operation of devices of various types.

Option #1: meat grinders

The usual mechanical meat grinders are gradually becoming a thing of the past, they are being replaced by electric ones. If manual models need to be attached to the table with clamps, then with electric models there are no such difficulties. They perfectly cope with any volume of products, and the hostess does not have to “train” by turning the handle. All that is required of her is to constantly put new portions into the bowl.

Some models of electric meat grinders are not much inferior to food processors. They can be equipped with shredders, graters, juicers. With the help of universal models, sausages, noodles, cookies, salads are prepared. Depending on the functionality, three classes of meat grinders are distinguished:

"A". Powerful class "A" meat grinders are designed for grinding meat products of any quality. With their help, minced meat is prepared.

"V". Models with additional nozzles - graters, vegetable cutters.

"WITH". Class "C" includes household models of low power. These are budget meat grinders without additional features.

When choosing the right meat grinder, you should pay attention to the models of Panasonic, Bosch, Philips, Kenwood, UNIT, Zelmer, Aksion brands. As for power, it is better to buy equipment "with a margin." In this case, there will be no problems if you suddenly have to process a larger amount of products.

Option #2: vegetable cutters

Vegetable cutters and slicers are indispensable in the kitchen. If you have to chop vegetables for salads for the holidays, you can’t do without special tools. They quickly cut potatoes, cucumbers, carrots, eggplants, cabbage, beets. Thanks to vegetable cutters, chopping onions does not cause any inconvenience, and cubes of potatoes, cheese and eggs do not stick to the knife.

Although mechanical devices are very convenient, it is still better to buy two types of devices - manual and electric. The former are useful for cutting boiled vegetables, and the latter for raw vegetables. Mechanical vegetable cutters do not cope well with raw products. The hostess has to apply force, and this is fraught with breakdowns. Electrical appliances are more practical.

The standard set of manual models includes several nozzles - for large and small pieces. There are lattices for cutting cubes, straws, thin circles. They can be quickly removed and replaced during cooking. Electric vegetable cutters are able to chop vegetables in any pieces, finely grate. Popular brands are Bosch, Siemens, Clatronic, Zelmer.

There are several types of vegetable cutters:

"Alligator". This chopper is designed for manual cutting of boiled vegetables, eggs. Its design resembles the elongated jaws of an alligator, which is how the device got its name.

Mechanical food processor. Although shredders of this type are called combines, they are not capable of performing all the operations that electric models can handle. These are good food choppers for the kitchen with various nozzles for cutting vegetables, fruits, cheese, eggs.

Electric vegetable cutter. The design of this device is similar to that of an electric meat grinder, so it is not uncommon to find models that combine both functions.

Slicer (slicer). Convenient chopper is designed for cutting products into thin slices. Such models are in demand in families where they love sandwiches. With their help, it is easy to cut ham, sausage, cheese, bread into pieces of the same thickness. Thanks to self-sharpening blades, the slicer can last for many years without changing knives.

Option #3: Choppers

Choppers occupy a special place among kitchen food grinders. Often they are confused with blenders, but these devices are different. Their functions are similar, but choppers do a much better job of cutting vegetables. These devices are successfully used for grinding raw meat, coffee beans, nuts, herbs, cheese, ice cubes.

The design resembles a blender, but choppers are much easier to clean, remove prepared pieces of food from them. Manufacturers use impact-resistant plastic or durable glass as materials for manufacturing. The containers can be placed in microwave ovens, which greatly simplifies cooking and reduces the amount of dirty dishes.

Choppers for the kitchen can be manual and electric. You should choose based on the desired performance. If the device is of high quality, it will work for many years without changing its characteristics. When buying an electric chopper, pay attention to models of well-known brands - Bosch, Bradex, Saturn, Delimano. Reviews about their work are only positive.

Option #4: blenders

Blenders are designed for grinding and mixing products. There are classic and submersible models. The first ones are similar in appearance to stationary mixers. They consist of a jug with a lid, at the bottom of which are knives. When food is put into the bowl and the button is pressed, the knives begin to rotate, and the contents of the container are crushed and mixed.

Submersible knives are located on top, on the “corollas” of blenders. The handle with the nozzle is lowered into the bowl with the products and the device is turned on. In some devices, the immersion part can be fixed, but there are also those that need to be held by hand.

In addition to knives, the blender can be equipped with beaters, dough hooks, and puree nozzles. Also often included are lids for containers so that they can be put in the refrigerator without taking out the contents. Among the manufacturers of blenders, the trademarks VITEK, Braun, Philips, Moulinex have proven themselves well.

Option #5: Mills

Mills are a special type of grinders for the kitchen. They are designed for grinding solid foods, in particular spices. Devices are containers with millstones. They can be made of plastic, glass, ceramics, cast iron, wood.

There are manual and electric models. Both types of devices are convenient, but in electric ones you can easily change the grinding modes, and in mechanical ones it is easier to control the dosage of spices.

Electric mills work from a network, the accumulator, batteries. Models with rechargeable batteries or batteries can be taken to the country, hiking, outdoors. There are touch controls. Mills of Zephir, ZEST, Peugeot, Zeli brands are popular.

Option #6: Combines

The food processor is a versatile food processor. With it, the hostess no longer has to chop, chop, grate vegetables. All this laborious work will be done by a device with many nozzles. The main thing is to choose the right model. Manual is suitable for those who rarely have to cook food in large quantities. Electric - for those who spend a lot of time in the kitchen.

When choosing a combine, it is important to consider the number and shape of nozzles, the volume of the bowl. If the device is electric, then pay attention also to power, speed modes. Household models can work in 4-14 modes. It depends on how many different operations are available for the hostess.

If you only need to grind food, then a 550-800 W combine will do. If you have to knead the dough, then it is better to choose a model with a power of 800-1000 watts. Philips, Bosch, Clatronic, Kenwood, Braun brands deserve special attention, but if you wish, you can also find cheaper harvesters of decent quality.

How to choose the right food processor

Functionality. Decide what you expect from new appliances in the kitchen and choose the right type of chopper. When choosing a particular model, study the set of nozzles and make sure that it suits you.

Bowl volume. Food containers can be designed for different volumes - from 0.2 to 1.75 liters. Containers cannot be filled to the brim. Calculate the approximate amount of food that needs to be processed at one time, and add 30-40%.

container material. Usually bowls are made of glass or plastic. Sometimes there are models with steel containers. The best option is glass. It is durable, tolerates temperature changes well and will not burst if something hot or icy is placed in the bowl. On the other hand, plastic is lighter, cheaper, and easier to clean.

Video: how to use the electric model

Demonstration of the operation of a manual chopper: video tutorial

When buying a kitchen chopper for vegetables and other products, pay attention to the details. For example, a measuring cup is much more convenient than a simple container. Of the two equivalent models, it is better to choose the one that will have markings in grams and / or milliliters.

If you have decided on the power, but are in doubt which device to choose, buy one with a smaller bowl volume. The main thing is that you have enough such capacity. The larger the container, the more powerful the engine must be. With equal power, the choice is obvious. Feel free to ask sellers, read product data sheets and check quality certificates. Household appliances are worth the hassle!