+++ The genie in my kitchen +++. Review on Bajaj FX 10 Food Factory

Food Processors are one of the best thing invented after the sliced bread, I know many homemakers will agree with me warna ;) The process of grinding/chopping has come a long way from using grinding stone to using mixers to food processors. I can’t imagine myself now grinding green chillies on grinding stone though I have done that too( the sorry state of power, sigh!), now I don’t even want to remember those occasions.

My old faithful friend Inalsa Food Processor started becoming sick very frequently as the service center had quacks instead of qualified doctors err technicians. Now the sick processor was creating a lot of problems due to its sickness, I myself was on the verge of getting sic of it. One fine day I decided I had to issue an ultimatum,[after all I am a stubborn scorpio ;) ] so very lovingly told my hubby that if I don’t get a new food processor, you better start ordering food from out. So my sweet hubby immediately agreed (as he very well knows that we are very choosy from where we eat food) as the amount that we need to spend for the new processor will be definitely worth less than we may spent on food by ordering for 2-3 days from out.

So on a Sunday five weeks back, we went to Croma, Vashi and got a new Food Processor tobe precise Bajaj Fx10 Food factory, hey food factory is the name of the model and not of some factory. Now this Lady is (processor) is a beauty, pristine white(lol..for how long leeme see) promising to be more attractive than other models.

The best thing is that it consumes only 600 watts, doesn’t make a lot of stupid noise and even runs on an invertor. It can be used for 30 minutes at a stretch but never use it for so long, always give the motor rest for a minute or two if using for long time. The processor won’t work unless the safety lock is in place, this feature is found in lot of mixers and processors nowadays. In the absence of this feature, there are chances of getting hurt or whatever you put in the jar may come out and spread everywhere during its operation. The processor can be operated at three different speed depending upon the nature of the work that you are doing For eg speed 1 for kneading dough, speed 2 for making finger chips and speed 3 for blending. If there is overload Reset button is available and you can start using it again.

As usual, ladies always carry paraphernalia with them, this lady also can’t do without several accessories:

Processor Bowl is the main bowl made of unbreakable polycarbonate which is used for all operations. This bowl acts very stubborn, unless the lid is locked properly into its place, it refuses to start. All attachments and blades have tobe mounted on one of the two spindles, one spindle is for blades and other for the various attachments. This bowls also comes with two lids, one is used when extracting juice and the second one for the other operations.

The two blades that have tobe placed on the particular spindle depending upon your work. One blade is made of plastic for kneading dough and one very sharp made of steel used for mincing. The dough can be made by running the machine at a slow speed but I hate cleaning the mess though it is less messy than other processors. After a few times I gave up and now knead the dough usual way, this way I can work out my anger too ;)

There is a whisking blade which helps the process of making mayonnaise, whisking eggs easier. You can also make batter for cakes, nankhatais etc, a handy machine for those who love baking but hate whisking by hand. If powdered sugar forms lumps you can just powder it again very quickly by using the mincing blade.

For mincing meat place the steel blade on the spindle and fill the bowl with meat pieces. Run at speed 1 or 2, running at speed 3 is not advisable as it starts looking like meat puree. You can chop other vegetables using this blade if the shape of the chopped vegetables doesn’t matter to you.

There are four blades which perform variety of operations from making finger chips to shredding vegetables for salads. One blade with thick holes is used for coarse shredding, one with finer holes for fine shredding, one is for slicing and one is for making finger chips. This is the blade that will be used most in my home as my son is fond of finger chips as if I can resist them. When slicing vegetables the uniform thickness is assured but forget about the uniformity of the shape. I just wish there was a blade for thin slicing which my earlier processor had. The blades have to be mounted on a plate before being placed on the spindle or the operation is carried out. This plate is very delicate, hope they start making them sturdier, at times I am too scared to use it.

The same bowl can be used for extracting juice but with the help of additional attachments. There is one attachment for extracting juice from citrus fruit. To extract juice place the attachment on the bowl by using the appropriate spindle. Place the citrus fruit on the cone of the attachment and run at speed one only as you have to hold the fruit with your hand. The juice flows in the processor bowl and the pulp as well as the seeds remain in the citrus bowl attachment. So no presence of seeds in the juice. Again this is very easier to clean. The other juicer is centrifugal juicer where I can extract juice of non citrus fruits and vegetables. Fix the centrifugal attachment on the spindle, place the lid for the centrifugal juicer. Start filling the feeder tube ie the hollow on the lid from where you can fill the stomach of the hungry bowl. It is best to run the machine at maximum speed, again the juice goes in to the processor bowl, the pulp and the seeds remain in the mesh. One good thing is that the mesh is made of plastic unlike my previous processor which had steel teeth on it. Less chances of getting the hand injured while cleaning.

There are three jars as usual, the smallest jar which can be used to make chutneys, grind spices very finely(I have yet to try grinding spices) and anything which has tobe ground into fine powder. This will come very handy for powdering cardamoms. The other steel jar can be used for most daily operations like making idli or dosa batter, dals, groundnut powder is used in my home a lot and I am very happy with this attachment. Coconut paste also comes out very fine, a must for curries in my home. The third jar is a polycarbonate one which can be used for blending, liquidizing. Lassi and buttermilk are a must in this scorching heat, I can make it in a jiffy. I even make apple juice in this attachment but by starting from incher as it chops the fruits first then proceed slowly to maximum speed.

What attracted me to this processor is its looks, ease of cleaning, the accompanying attachments and the recommendation coming from my Co-sister. The price is also reasonable and not to forget that this product comes from the house of Bajaj, a reliable name in the world of electricals. It carries a 5 year guarantee on its motor. I don’t remember the exact price but will surely write when I find the bill. A strong recommendation from me.