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What Is the Difference between a Food Processor and a Juicer?

Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum

Many kitchens are home to both a food processor and a juicer. While both appliances are helpful in transforming different types of food into tasty culinary recipes, each one utilizes different methods and is better suited for use in different types of preparation. Essentially, a food processor is ideal for preparing certain types of dishes for consumption while the juicer is helpful in extracting fluids for use in different types of beverages.

One of the key differences between a food processor and a juicer involves the types of foods that may be reduced in each appliance. With a food processor, the task normally involves peeling or otherwise removing any coatings or layers of the foods placed in the device. This is because the action of the processor will reduce any vegetables or meats placed in the appliance to a fine consistency. Typically, it is possible to control the rate of reduction so that the result is a coarse, medium, or fine processing that makes the results ideal for use in cooking certain types of dishes. The food processor can also be used to prepare uncooked recipes, such as salsa or different types of bean dips or hummus.

Juicers are used to extract the liquid from plants, like wheatgrass.
Juicers are used to extract the liquid from plants, like wheatgrass.

By contrast, a juicer is used to extract liquid from any fruits or vegetables that are placed in the device. This involves reducing the foods by using the series of blades and pressure to separate the juices and direct them through one feed on the appliance. At the same time, the pulp that remains is fed into a different hopper, allowing it to be used for drinking or as an ingredient in a more complex beverage. Depending on the ingredients that compose the pulp, the remaining fruit and vegetable matter may be used in making fresh breads or thickeners in soups and stews.

A food processor.
A food processor.

With most designs, there is some difference between a food processor and a juicer when it comes to preparing the raw foods for reduction. Food processors normally require peeling in advance, since the finished product will include everything that is placed into the device for processing. With a juicer, there is no need to peel in advance and assuming that the feed opening is large enough there may be no need to even quarter or chop anything. Since the two appliances are handy for creating different types of foods and beverages, a well stocked kitchen is very likely to include both a food processor and a juicer.

Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum

After many years in the teleconferencing industry, Michael decided to embrace his passion for trivia, research, and writing by becoming a full-time freelance writer. Since then, he has contributed articles to a variety of print and online publications, including DelightedCooking, and his work has also appeared in poetry collections, devotional anthologies, and several newspapers. Malcolm’s other interests include collecting vinyl records, minor league baseball, and cycling.

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Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum

After many years in the teleconferencing industry, Michael decided to embrace his passion for trivia, research, and writing by becoming a full-time freelance writer. Since then, he has contributed articles to a variety of print and online publications, including DelightedCooking, and his work has also appeared in poetry collections, devotional anthologies, and several newspapers. Malcolm’s other interests include collecting vinyl records, minor league baseball, and cycling.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

nextcorrea

My husband gave me a really nice food processor for Christmas last year. It has completely changed the way that I cook. I feel like my meals have been elevated to the next level. I feel confident trying to make sauces and other technical preparations that I never would have tried before. Sometimes just having the right equipment is all the push you need to start getting creative and ambitious in the kitchen.

summing
I am looking for an all-in-one machine -- one that can do what both a food processor and a juicer does.

Does something like that exist and where would I buy it? Also, how much should I expect to pay?

Belted

If you have a juicer, can you do anything with the pulp that is produced? Does it have any flavor or nutritional benefits or does all that get squeezed out in the juice?

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    • Juicers are used to extract the liquid from plants, like wheatgrass.
      By: MSPhotographic
      Juicers are used to extract the liquid from plants, like wheatgrass.
    • A food processor.
      By: nito
      A food processor.
    • Electric juicers allow users to make a large amount of juice with little effort.
      By: verca
      Electric juicers allow users to make a large amount of juice with little effort.
    • Both food processors and juices can be used to make fruit drinks, but with different consistencies.
      By: monticellllo
      Both food processors and juices can be used to make fruit drinks, but with different consistencies.