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Food prep buying guide
Food prep appliances are a real time-saver in the kitchen. Whether you're mixing up cake batter, blitzing smoothies, or chopping veggies, there's something for every kind of cook. We’ve split this guide into three easy sections: mixing, blending, and prepping. Whatever your space, style or budget, we’ll help you find the perfect kit.
Mixing
A food mixer means you don't need to manually whip, knead or mix, saving the arm ache and making sure you get the perfect consistency. They offer impressive performance at the push of a button, making them perfect for big batches and tough tasks. Plus, with handy attachments for everything from pasta to meat prep, it’s like having a sous chef in one clever appliance.
Size and weight
Heavier mixers stay put while they work, but they can be a bit bulky to store. If you’re short on space, a compact model’s a smart choice.
Ease of cleaning
Dishwasher-safe parts are a massive timesaver. They save you from loads scrubbing so you can enjoy your tasty creations with overloading the sink.
Blending
Blenders, soup makers, smoothie makers and juicers make mealtimes a breeze. From speedy smoothies to piping hot soups and even deliciously nutritious fresh fruit juice, they’re great if you don't fancy spending ages cooking or cleaning up. They can also come in handy for batch cooking sauces and dressings or prepping healthy meals for baby weaning.
Key features
Blenders
Power
More Watts, more whizz. A higher wattage (600W- 1500W) means your blender can tackle tougher ingredients with ease – think nuts, ice, and tough veg.
Capacity
Just for you? 0.5-1 litre should do the trick. Feeding the fam? Go for 1.5-2 litres or more to keep everyone happy.
Cleaning
Most blenders are easy to clean – just detach the parts and rinse. Want even less faff? Check the spec to see if it’s dishwasher safe.
Speed
More speed settings means more control. Soft fruits might only need a gentle pulse, but tougher bits need a good blast. Most blenders have at least 2 speeds, and some go all the way up to 15.
Soup makers
Power
Most soup makers sit between 800W and 1000W. Lower wattage means it’s more energy- efficient but might take a little longer. Higher wattage cooks faster and handles chunkier ingredients, though it’ll use a bit more juice.
Capacity
If you’re cooking for one or two, a 1L model should do the trick. But when it comes to feeding a few or batch cooking, go for 1.75L or more.
Cleaning
Look out for self-clean functions or non-stick jugs – they make tidying up a lot easier.
Settings
Most models let you choose between smooth or chunky soup. Some even have blend, juice, or pulse options for extra control over texture.
Juicers
Types
Centrifugal Juicers are fast, affordable, and great for hard fruits and veg like apples and carrots. Meanwhile, masticating juicers are slower but super-efficient. They’re Ideal for leafy greens, soft fruits, and even nuts.
Cleaning
Fewer parts means less faff. Look out for dishwasher-safe bits or even self-cleaning features to make life easier.
Speed
Need juice in a hurry? Centrifugal’s your go-to. Want top-notch quality? Masticating takes its time but delivers the goods.
Noise
Centrifugal juicers spin fast and loud, while Masticating ones are much quieter, which is great if you’re an early riser.
Smoothie makers
Power
Wattage usually ranges from 300W to 1200W. 300–600W – Great for soft fruits and simple smoothies. 700–1000W+ - Ideal for frozen fruit, ice, nuts, and leafy greens.
Capacity
Going solo or feeding the fam? Small jugs (300–600ml) are great for quick blends, while bigger ones (1L–1.7L) are ideal for batch prep.
Extras
Many smoothie makers come with handy cups you can drink from straight away, plus extra bottles or storage containers—ideal for whipping up a pre- and post-workout smoothie in one go.
Prepping
Food processors and choppers take the hard work out of meal prep. Whether you’re chopping, slicing, dicing or puréeing, they save loads of time and effort while keeping things consistent.
Key features
Food processor
Wattage
More power means tougher jobs are no problem. Higher Wattage helps your processor slice, dice, and mix with ease.
Capacity
Measured in litres, small (1–2L) bowls are brill for dips and sauces, medium (2–3L) suit most families, and large (3L+) are spot-on for batch cooking or hosting.
Attachments
Different jobs need different tools. A standard S-blade is perfect for chopping, mixing and puréeing, while a dough blade makes kneading a breeze. Many models also come with extras for slicing, grating and more so you can do it all with one appliance.
Food chopper
Wattage
For basic chopping, 150-300 Watts does the job. Want to blitz tougher ingredients like nuts or raw carrots? Go for something with a bit more oomph.
Capacity
Small bowls (250–500ml) are brill for herbs, garlic or baby food, medium ones (500ml–1L) are fab for onions and salsa, and large (1L+) are top notch for batch prep or feeding a crowd.
Cleaning
Most parts go straight in the dishwasher – easy! Just check the spec to make sure it’s all as fuss free as possible.
FAQs
- What features should I look for when buying a blender?
Look for at least 500 Watts, multiple speed settings and a pulse function for extra control. A sturdy glass or BPA-free plastic jug is a nice bonus, and easy-clean blades will save you time. If smoothies are your thing, go for one with ice-crushing power. Plus, if you fancy a homemade soup for lunch, a blender that handles hot liquids is a winner.
- What is the difference between a blender and a food processor?
Blenders and food processors might look similar, but they’re built for different jobs. Blenders are best for liquids—think smoothies, soups, and sauces. Food processors, on the other hand, are your go-to for chopping, slicing, grating and mixing dough.
- What should I consider when buying a food mixer?
Think about what you’ll use it for. If you love baking, go for a model with a powerful motor and a dough hook. Fancy whipping up meringues? A balloon whisk is a must. Also look for variable speeds, a large bowl and different attachments that suit your style. Plus, tilt-head designs make life easier, while dishwasher-safe parts save time.
- Are food mixers with bowls better than hand mixers?
Food mixers with bowls are great for hands-free mixing, which is perfect for big batches and thicker doughs. They’re sturdy, powerful, and often come with handy attachments. Meanwhile, hand mixers are lighter, easier to store and ideal for quick jobs like whipping cream or beating eggs.
- Are soup makers easy to clean?
Most soup makers have non-stick coatings and smooth interiors, so leftover bits don’t cling. Some even have auto-clean functions, which means you just have to add water and a drop of washing-up liquid and let it do the hard work.
- What is the difference between a traditional blender and a soup maker?
A blender is built for liquids, which is perfect for smoothies, milkshakes and soups after they’re cooked. A soup maker, on the other hand, does everything in one go – it cooks and blends your ingredients right there in the jug.
- What should I consider when buying a juicer?
First, think about what you’ll be juicing – soft fruits, hard veg, or leafy greens. Centrifugal juicers are speedy and great for everyday use, while slow juicers squeeze out more goodness from greens. A wide feed chute saves chopping time too, while dishwasher-safe parts make cleaning easier.
- What are the different types of juicers available?
There are a few different types of juicers, each with their own perks. Centrifugal juicers are fast and great for hard fruits and veg, while masticating juicers squeeze out more juice and nutrient, which is perfect for leafy greens.
- What features should I look for in a smoothie maker?
Look for a powerful motor – around 500 Watts or more – to crush ice and frozen fruit with ease. A sturdy, easy-clean jug is a must, and multiple speed settings give you more control. Want to take your smoothie on the go? Choose one with a portable cup. Plus, non-slip feet, pulse functions and dishwasher-safe parts are handy extras to have.
- What is the difference between a blender and a smoothie maker?
A blender and a smoothie maker might look alike, but they’re built a bit differently. Blenders are all- rounders that are great for soups, sauces, and drinks. Smoothie makers are designed specifically for blending fruit, veg and ice into silky-smooth drinks, and often come with portable cups for grab-and- go convenience.
- What features should I look for in a food processor?
Look for a powerful motor of about 600 Watts or more for smooth chopping and mixing. Multiple blades and discs are fab for slicing, grating and kneading too. A large-capacity bowl saves time when you’re whipping up big batches, while dishwasher-safe parts make cleanup easy.
- How do I choose the right size food processor?
It depends on how much you cook and what you’re prepping. For small jobs like dips or chopping herbs, a mini processor of around 1-2 litres is spot on. If you’re cooking for a family or batch prepping, go for a larger bowl like 2.5 litres or more. Bigger bowls mean fewer batches and less faff.
- What should I consider when buying a chopper?
Look for sharp, durable blades and a powerful motor for smooth chopping. A pulse function gives you more control, and dishwasher-safe parts make cleanup easy. Plus, compact designs are great for saving space, while non-slip bases keep it steady when you’re using it.
- Are there different types of choppers available?
Manual choppers are great for quick jobs and don’t need power – just press or twist to chop. Electric choppers handle tougher ingredients and save time with the push of a button. Plus, some models come with multiple blades for slicing or dicing too.
- What should I consider when buying a food grinder?
Start with what you’ll be using it for – meat, spices, or grains. For meat, a strong motor and stainless steel parts are key. Grinding spices? A compact model with fine settings is ideal. Also, look out for easy-clean parts, safety features and different grinding plates for added flexibility.
- What types of food grinders are available?
There are a few types of food grinders out there, each designed for different jobs. Meat grinders are perfect for making mince, sausages or burgers at home, with manual and electric models available. Spice grinders are compact and ideal for blitzing herbs, spices or even coffee beans into fine powder. Then there are grain grinders, which turn wheat, oats or rice into flour, which is great for home bakers.
