Could the Bosch mixer w/ newer shred/slice attachment replace my large food processor?
Hello -
I hope this is the right location for this thread. It falls into both "off topic" and "equipment" so I chose the latter.
I'm seriously considering getting the Bosch Universal Plus mixer over the other options for reasons I won't go into just cause I'm sure you've heard them all (works better for dense breads than some, but costs less than others, and has good customer support supposedly).
I don't have a lot of cupboard space so am very intrigued by the possibility of being able to get rid of my Cuisinart food processor and putting the Bosch mixer in its place. This would only work though if I could do the same things with the newer shredder-slicer attachment (that sits over the main big bowl) that I can with the Cuisinart.
Aside from making pie dough which I know I can use the Bosch mixer for (and shredding which I know the shredding blades would do well on the attachment) I use the Cuisinart to chop fruit and veggies into chunks, including firm berries (not wanting to completely liquify them).
Does anyone here have experience with this attachment (or one of the main blades for the bowl re. food-chopping) and know if it can really chop up food as opposed to just thinly slicing or shredding?
Thanks!
I have had a Bosch Universal with the slicer/shredder attachment for a couple of months and have enjoyed the attachment a lot. I still get out my knives and cutting board to get the fruits and veggies into small enough pieces to fit into the chute, but I think I have saved a lot of time nonetheless. I never used to haul out my Cuisinart for chopping and slicing. It pretty much sat unused. I haven't sold it yet, but am strongly considering it. Pulling out the Bosch attachment is easy. I leave the mixed on the counter, so I can quickly grab the lightweight bowl for the slicer/shredder. I use the French fry blade for chopping onions, apples, potatoes, etc. That way, they come out in 1 x 2ish" pieces - they are shaped a little funny, yes, but I can handle that. They are not as long as french fries, but are not perfect cubes either. So far, the slicer/shredder has easily replaced my Cuisinart. I have not missed the Cuisinart at all. I have found if I grate my frozen butter into the flour when making pie dough, I can make it by hand just as easily as with the food processor.
Thanks!
You should have written sooner (just kidding)! I ended up ordering the DLX/Ankarsrum which should arrive Fri. or Sat. I hope. After reading more about it and seeing more videos and then being lucky enough to borrow a friend's older 1980s model which worked great, I was sold. I'd gotten the impression the DLX wasn't strong enough to handle tough doughs (so many people kept saying it was better for higher hydration doughs and not so much for lower-hydration doughs but then I found out that's not the case at all).
So yeah, unfortunately I won't be getting the cool shredder/slicer or food processing option. The DLX does come with a shredder/slicer but it doesn't seem to have quite as many options in that area (I could be wrong, obviously) as the Bosch has. But if I keep the DLX on the countertop which I'm considering doing, I don't have to worry about needing to give up my Cuisinart food processor for the cupboard space.
Edit: forgot to say that I saw a video on youtube of someone using the Bosch to use pie dough (using the cookie paddle I think?) and it worked out just fine. A lot like a Cuisinart in fact. Better than I think the DLX will but I'm not sure - will have to try that out. My point being you might not need to do it by hand (but I agree - it's fats and painless and you're at more risk of over-working the delicate pie dough in any machine). I was told the DLX worked fine for someone who used it for pie dough (can't remember which tool though - it may have even been the roller/scraper) but she said she grates/shreds it first too (DLX has that option as well). I wonder how long it takes to pull out the accessory pieces and shred it that way. Maybe if it's all set up and ready to go (e.g. if you mostly use it for shredding) it would be quick and painless...
Anyway thanks again - I'll be sure and tell others that it worked well for you!
I thought you had ordered the DLX. Did you change your mind? You were aware the DLX has an optional vegetable slicer/shredder were you not?
cheers,
gary
Yes Gary - I ordered the DLX which should arrive in the next couple of days, knock on wood. :) I started this thread before I started leaning toward the DLX. And yes I know it has the slicer/shredder. Will have to look at the videos again to see how much of a hassle it is to attach (if it can be done quickly and if it appears to be well made and do a good job). Do you have those accessories? Thanks!
No attachments here, just the basic machine and its included stuff. I did look over the instructions for the shredder/slicer. It looks very straightforward and simple to install on the machine and to change blades. I don't think it will be an onerous task. But, what do I know? My kitchen skills are strictly limited.
cheers,
gary
What I'd like is to be able to grate cheese and turn cranberries into a relish (not soupy - just smaller chunks). I wish I could have veggies chopped like a processor would, but oh well. I'd also like to be able to make pasta at some point. The citrus juicer thing looks nice too.
So here's what I'm wondering: the meat grinder they say can grind meat but also other things and something else they said (forgot details but I think they said potatoes too, like for potato pancakes?) made me think you could probably use it for grating cheese. Also there's a grater that comes with the "shredder/slicer." If the meat grinder does have a setting or disc etc. that would grate cheese more or less, then I would get that one cause I could also use the meat grinder for kinda mincing up the cranberries. If I were to get the slicer/shredder, I could grate cheese but would never want the slicer cause everything's sliced too thin. So I'd only be getting it for cheese which seems silly. Do you see what I mean? So I'm wondering if the meat grinder has the ability to shred cheese. Or it may be that it can but not as fast and efficiently as the proper grater that comes with the shredder/slicer.
Blah, blah blah blah.