In Depth Baby Product Reviews Led by a Pediatrician

Hamilton Beach Food Processor Review

A food processor with smooth purees, but not recommended since the bowl scraper leaves scratches on the plastic bowl
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Hamilton Beach Food Processor Review
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Price:  $63 List
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Manufacturer:   Hamilton Beach
By Molly Bradac ⋅ Senior Research Analyst  ⋅  Jul 1, 2021
44
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#9 of 9
  • Puree Quality - 35% 1.0
  • Ease of Use - 30% 5.4
  • Health/Safety - 20% 7.2
  • Ease of Cleaning - 15% 6.5

Our Verdict

This is a product we would not recommend to a friend. With the power and space to create large quantities of smooth baby food, plus a bowl scraper accessory, the Hamilton Beach Food Processor initially impressed us as an ideal choice. However, after multiple uses, we noticed fine scratches on the plastic bowl, which left us with fears of the possibility that those scratches might imply that plastic could be entering the food. Considering this issue alone, our opinion is that we would not recommend this product. While we have no evidence that the scratches we observed are resulting in plastic entering the baby food, there are many compelling competing products that have no similar issue to choose from. We can't ignore the fact that we are left uncomfortable recommending that a friend use this product to create baby food based on this plastic scratch issue, which we do not see on competing products.
REASONS TO BUY
Large quantity
REASONS TO AVOID
Bowl scraper accessory scratches plastic bowl concerns us
Larger footprint on countertop

Compare to Similar Products

 
Awards  Editors' Choice Award
Best Overall Baby Food Maker
Best Value Award
Budget-Friendly Puree
Top Pick Award
Best for Travel-Friendly
 
Price $63 List
$54.99 at Amazon
$110 List
$100.00 at Amazon
$50 List$12.00 List
$11.95 at Amazon
$70 List
$46.65 at Amazon
Overall Score Sort Icon
44
86
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55
Star Rating
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Bottom Line A food processor we don't recommend due to the removable bowl scraper leaving scratches on the plastic bowlAn excellent blender that may take up kitchen space but is worth the expense given its multiple positives, including puree quality, ease of use, and capacity to create large batchesSimple, inexpensive, and versatile, this unit makes baby food in a snapA muscle-powered food maker that mashes food and is portable, but does not produce puree quality like machinesAlthough easy to use and clean, we do not recommend this blender due to its black residue production
Rating Categories Hamilton Beach Food... NutriBullet Blender Sage Spoonfuls Pure... OXO Tot Food Masher NutriBullet Baby
Puree Quality (35%)
1
9.3
7.4
2.9
1
Ease of Use (30%)
5.4
8.2
7.7
5.9
7.6
Health/Safety (20%)
7.2
8.4
8.7
7.6
8.2
Ease of Cleaning (15%)
6.5
8.0
7.3
9.0
8.0
Specs Hamilton Beach Food... NutriBullet Blender Sage Spoonfuls Pure... OXO Tot Food Masher NutriBullet Baby
Capacity 10 cups
Manual states: 2 to 3 cup max for fruits and vegetables, .7 lb for meats
8 cups Not Listed for Food Processor, N/A for Immersion Blender Not Listed 2 oz Single-Serving Storage Cups, 12 oz Short Cup, 32 oz/4 cups Batchbowl
Footprint Large Large Small Small Small
Steam No No No No No
Settings Chop, Blend, Puree, Slice Blend, Puree Blend, Puree Blend, Mash Puree
Special Features None None None None None
Included Accessories (1) Reversible Slicing/Shredding Disc Tamper, Recipe Booklet HomeMade Essentials Package Available with (1) Recipe Book, (6) Glass 4oz Storage Jars, (60) Labels, (1) Immersion Blender with Food Processor Attachment and Pocket Guide (1) Lid (1) Easy-pop batch tray with lid, (6) Date-dial storage cups with tip-proof tray, (1) Short cup with lid
Available Accessories Crinkle Cut/Fine Shred Disc Yes Sage Baby Eco Steamer, Sage Spoonfuls - Simple Recipes, Healthy Meals, Happy Babies; Sage Spoonfuls Pocket Guide, Assorted Storage Jars, Pouches, Snackie and Munchie Bag Sets None None

Our Analysis and Test Results

With a mission to provide innovative solutions that improve everyday living, Hamilton Beach Brands design, market, and distribute various branded electric household and specialty houseware appliances, plus commercial products. Today, it is one of the largest U.S. manufacturers of small kitchen appliances.

Performance Comparison


hamilton beach food processor - the hamilton food processor features a bowl scraper accessory that...
The Hamilton Food Processor features a bowl scraper accessory that is optional.
Credit: BabyGearLab Staff

Puree Quality


Each contender experiences the same test of pureeing various foods, including vegetables, fruits, meats, and grains, to examine puree quality.

Partially frozen peaches
Partially frozen peaches
Pasta
Pasta
Banana
Banana

The Hamilton Beach has the best puree results with banana, avocado, sweet potato, broccoli, pasta, and partially frozen peaches. However, it did not produce ideal results with raw carrots, which appear minced, not smooth, and with uncooked apple and steamed kale, leaving too many small pieces for a beginner baby to manage.

Raw carrots
Raw carrots
Uncooked apple
Uncooked apple
Steamed kale
Steamed kale

The machine comes with a removable bowl scraper accessory that, in theory, we would consider a selling point of the product. But, during our testing, we observed that the scraper accessory left fine scratches on the plastic bowl's sides after only a handful of uses. This issue concerns us, given our natural fears that plastic scratches might mean that plastic scrapings could potentially be entering the baby food. While we have no evidence that plastic is actually entering the baby's food, or even if it was, that it would result in a health or safety issue, we can't help but feel very anxious about this issue. For us, in our opinion, this issue is a deal-breaker, and prevents us from considering it a product we would recommend to a friend, or use to make our own baby's food. There are just too many compelling competing products that have no similar issue to choose from. Despite some strengths of this product, we are left with anxiety about this issue that prevents us from recommending it.

Ease of Use


The Hamilton Beach scored slightly below-average in this metric. When unboxing, you will notice a fair amount of parts, but the user manual helps outline the set-up, cleaning, etc. You will be using the chopping/mixing blade to puree, not the reversible slicing/shredding disc. The control knob offers three speeds high, low, and pulse, and with a 450-watt motor, there is enough power to get the job done.

When unboxing the Hamilton Beach Food Processor, you will discover...
When unboxing the Hamilton Beach Food Processor, you will discover multiple parts.
The chopping/mixing blade is for pureeing food.
The chopping/mixing blade is for pureeing food.
The Hamilton Beach's control knob has three settings: low, high, and...
The Hamilton Beach's control knob has three settings: low, high, and pulse.

The machine includes a bowl scraper, which we consider a selling point of this product. This accessory is optional and operates when the processor is on or off, moving ingredients that stick to the bowl's sides toward the blade.

The bowl scraper is easy to move and is operable while the food...
The bowl scraper is easy to move and is operable while the food processor is running or not.
The bowl scraper moves ingredients that stick to the wall towards...
The bowl scraper moves ingredients that stick to the wall towards the blade.

The manufacturer states the bowl's capacity is 10 cups. However, the user manual explains that for best results, do not exceed 2 to 3 cups of fruits and vegetables and .7 lb for meat. In our experience, due to the bowl's design with a shorter opening in the middle, that liquid will overflow this part soon after exceeding 4 cups, and this is something to keep in mind if you are pureeing food with high liquid content.

hamilton beach food processor - the bowl's design has a shorter middle, and liquid will overflow and...
The bowl's design has a shorter middle, and liquid will overflow and leak soon after exceeding 4 cups.
Credit: BabyGearLab Staff

The plastic does not feel the most sturdy or durable, but we appreciate the suction cups on the base's bottom that keep the machine in place. This machine is on the larger side, so you will need to spare counter or storage space.

hamilton beach food processor - the hamilton beach features suction cups on the bottom that keep the...
The Hamilton Beach features suction cups on the bottom that keep the appliance in place.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Health and Safety


The Hamilton Beach has an above-average score for health and safety. It has safety mechanisms, does not have any inaccessible areas to clean and dry properly, and has no steam tank to cause steam burns. However, be aware, the blade and disc are sharp, so use caution when handling, inserting, removing, emptying the bowl of ingredients, and cleaning.

hamilton beach food processor - we recommend handwashing plastic to prolong the product's longevity.
We recommend handwashing plastic to prolong the product's longevity.
Credit: BabyGearLab Staff

Ease of Cleaning


All of the removable parts, like the bowl, blades, discs, and lid, are safe to clean in the dishwasher (top rack). Alternatively, we prefer handwashing parts in the sink with hot, soapy water. However, we do recommend hand washing as it prolongs a product's longevity. In addition, there is no ongoing maintenance besides occasionally checking parts for wear.

Manufacturer Video




Should You Buy the Hamilton Beach Food Processor?


In our opinion, no.

As we noted above, we just aren't comfortable with the fine scratches in the plastic bowl that the scraper seemed to have created after normal use. We don't see this in competing baby food makers we tested, and we can't help but have anxiety that there may be plastic scrapings resulting from the scratching that could be entering the baby food. For us, even though we have no evidence that there is actual plastic in the baby food, and we have no evidence that even if there was plastic being introduced into the food that it would present an actual health or safety risk, we are still left anxious by the observed scratches. For us, in our opinion, given that there are so many compelling competing products to choose from that do not have this issue, we do not feel comfortable recommending this product to a friend, or using it ourselves to make baby food.

Molly Bradac