Manual food choppers are a kitchen essential for those who love to cook and prepare food at home. They offer a convenient way to chop vegetables, fruits, nuts, and other ingredients with ease and precision. With so many options on the market, it can be difficult to know which one to choose. In this blog post, we will be discussing the best manual food choppers available and what to look for when choosing the right one for you.
What is a Manual Food chopper?
Exactly what it says on the tin, a manual food chopper. No batteries or electricity are required to run this food cutter. Off-grid living, camping, and in-home recipes that call for specific sorts of chopped foods are all great uses for food choppers. This means that you can easily grab the knife and chop without being tethered to any particular electrical socket because they are manually operated.
Meals choppers are a must-have for anyone trying to lose weight or maintain a healthy diet since they make it simple to portion food and provide diversity to the diet. Almost any recipe can benefit from the use of a food processor because it can mince as well as chop.
The Best 16 Manual Food Choppers
Best Overall: KitchenAid 3.5-Cup Food Chopper
Why It’s Great
- Size of a big bowl
- Has two speeds and can be set to pulse
- Bowl, lid, and blades can go in the dishwasher.
Grain of Salt
- Lids can be hard
We recommend this food processor because of its high quality and user-friendly design. Because it is electric, you won’t have to use muscle power to prepare your food. You can adjust how coarse or fine you want the food to be thanks to the two speeds and pulse function.
All-Star Tasha Barbour says, “I’ve had this [food chopper] for about two or three years, and I love to use it to chop up Oreos for dirt cake, nuts, and anything that I can put into it instead of bringing out my food processor.” “The only strange thing about it is that the on button is also the handle, and the lid safety feature requires a precise turn of the screw. It’s effective, but you’ll need a moment to figure out how to use it.”
This food processor’s bowl is of a moderately standard size. It’s fantastic since not only does it come in handy when cooking for oneself or a small family, but it also doesn’t take up too much space. It’s also available in a wide variety of stylish hues, making it easy to coordinate with your existing kitchen fixtures.
The Specifics: It’s 8.75 inches tall, 6.94 inches wide, and 5.63 inches deep, and it can hold 3.5 cups.
Best Manual: Pampered Chef Food Chopper
Why It’s Great
- A plunger that is easy to use
- Durable stainless steel blade
- Gives the same chop every time
Grain of Salt
- A bit more expensive
No extra effort is required, even if your food chopper is manual. Pressing down on the product’s convenient plunger top gets the chopping action started. Our All-Stars are admirers of this food chopper because it is simple to operate and clean.
All-Star Linda Crumbaugh praises it as the “ideal tool when I have a small copping task” because of how compact it is and how straightforward it is to operate. The blade spins as you apply pressure, resulting in a clean cut that’s as rough or smooth as you prefer. It’s a great time saver when it comes to cooking.
All-Star Rachel Dobson raves, “I’ve had my Pampered Chef food chopper for years, and it’s great.” It’s convenient that you don’t have to use a cutting board for pinches. Cut it up in the top container!
The Specifics: It is dishwasher safe and measures 3.8 by 3.8 by 9.5 inches. It can hold 1.75 cups.
Best Budget: Cambom Manual Food Chopper
Why It’s Great
- A reasonable price
- Use-friendly
- Comes in different colors.
Grain of Salt
- The top lid must be washed by hand.
This manual food chopper won’t put a dent in your bank account. This item has a large capacity despite being one of the least expensive options available. To rephrase, reducing costs need not mean reducing output. It also incorporates an anti-skid ring on the bottom of the bowl to keep everything in place as you pull the string to chop, making it similar to more expensive choices. For a finer or coarser chop, simply repeat the pulling motion.
You can choose the color of this food chopper that best complements your kitchen decor. Blades and bowl are dishwasher safe (top rack only), however the top cover should be washed by hand. It’s doubtful that the extra time it takes to do that would ever outweigh the time you would have saved by not having to chop by hand.
The Specifics: It’s 3.74 x 4.91 x 3.15 inches, can hold 2 cups, and both the blades and bowl can go in the dishwasher.
Best Mini: Proctor Silex 1.5-Cup Food Chopper
Why It’s Great
- Size that saves room
- Changes the speed of the pulse
- Inexpensive
Grain of Salt
- Not good for chopping up bigger things.
A compact food processor could be ideal if you’re short on counter space or just making a few servings of meals at a time. This electrical food chopper functions similarly to a little food processor and, despite its limited size, does an excellent job at cutting a wide variety of foods. You may adjust the size and consistency of the chop thanks to the pulse function. It’s also not a huge hassle to pull out and put back because it doesn’t take up much room on the tabletop or in the cupboard. “My mother purchased me a Proctor Silex around 25 years ago. It’s a fantastic solution, “Jennifer Levin, a rock star, claims.
This isn’t the best option if you’re going to be making a lot of large dinners or doing intensive food preparation, but it’s great for making baby food, slicing onions, and creating salsa. The bowl, cover, and detachable blades can all go in the dishwasher after use, making cleanup a breeze. The low cost and compact design are further advantages.
The Specifics: Measures 8 by 5 by 4 inches, 1.5-cup capacity, bowl, lid, and blades can all go in the dishwasher.
Best for Large Quantities: Hamilton Beach 10-Cup Food Processor
Why It’s Great
- Size of a big bowl
- Has blades that can be switched out
- Comes with a useful scraper attachment
Grain of Salt
- Can move while in use
In order to avoid wasting time constantly chopping little amounts of food, someone who routinely prepares meals for a large number of people should invest in a food chopper with a larger capacity. Rosanne Robinson, an All-Star in the kitchen, suggests this 10-cup food chopper because it is much larger than the alternatives. She vouchs for it since “it contains plenty” and “is easy to clean.” Blades are razor-sharp and may speed up any tedious process.
In addition to the expected S-blade, this product also features a dual-sided disc that may be used for either slicing or shredding. This item may be harder to store, but its many features make up for that. A further expedient? You can skip using a separate spatula thanks to the bowl scraper attachment that comes standard.
This product’s motor is powerful (450 watts to be exact), which is wonderful in terms of chopping ability, but it also means that the device may shake a little when it’s working. In any case, suction cups on the base help keep it relatively stable. Having a hand on it to steady it while it’s on is probably a good idea, just to be on the safe side.
The Specifics: Measures It’s 10.25 by 8.43 by 15.47 inches, can hold 10 cups, and the blades, bowl, and lid are all dishwasher safe.
Most Versatile: Fullstar Vegetable Chopper
Why It’s Great
- It comes with four blades that can be switched out.
- Large storage container
- Has a nonskid base
- Contains tools for cleaning
Grain of Salt
- Requires more counter space
You should look for a food chopper that can perform multiple functions before making a purchase. The Fullstar Vegetable Chopper is here to help. Having four different blades (a tiny dicing blade, a large dicing blade, a spiral blade, and a ribbon blade) allows this food chopper to perform a wide variety of tasks, earning it high marks from reviewers. In addition, the food is chopped into perfectly consistent pieces when you push down on the lid and pass it over the blades.
The stainless steel blades of this chopper are sharp and won’t rust, making it ideal for chopping harder ingredients like potatoes. The nonslip base keeps the device in place while you chop, and the huge storage container makes it easy to put your work in order as you go. You may need to clear some space on your kitchen top to accommodate this chopper. You may store all of the parts (including some helpful cleaning equipment) in the container, making it easier to transport.
The Specifics: It is dishwasher safe and measures 10.6 by 4.5 by 4.7 inches. It can hold 5 cups.
Best Portable: Kuhn Rikon Pull Chop
Why It’s Great
- Cute, compact design
- Easy to use with a pull cord
- Nonslip base
Grain of Salt
- The lid must be washed by hand.
You shouldn’t look much farther than this portable food chopper if that’s a priority for you. For one thing, it’s manual, so there’s no need to bring a power cord or worry about batteries. You may easily control the blade speed and precision by tugging the attached cord.
The bowl is large enough to accommodate a lot of food at once, but small enough to carry effortlessly. Due to the airtight top, this chopper may also be used to store food until you’re ready to finish putting your dinner together, making it a useful and versatile travel companion.
This food chopper includes a nonslip base, which is a nice touch because it prevents the appliance from moving around the kitchen while the cord is being pulled. For added ease, both the bowl and the blade may be thrown in the dishwasher after use. The fact that the lid must be washed by hand is minor in comparison to the many advantages.
The Specifics: It’s 5.5 by 5.25 by 4.25 inches, can hold 2 cups, and both the bowl and the blade can go in the dishwasher.
Best for Garlic: Chef’n GarlicZoom Garlic Chopper
Why It’s Great
- Small, sturdy design
- Rolling system that is simple and works well
- Everything can go in the dishwasher
Grain of Salt
- It’s not always easy to get everything out.
You can absolutely use any standard food processor to mince garlic, but if you want something optimized for the task, this small garlic chopper is your best bet. It’s small enough to operate with a single hand, it’s lightweight, and it can cut three garlic cloves at once. The best thing is that, unlike other manual choppers, this one is powered not by a pull cord or a pump mechanism, but by simple rolling. Also, by rolling more or less, you can adjust the coarseness of the chopped garlic to your liking.
Full access to the side compartments allows for easy insertion and removal of garlic. However, a tiny spatula can be useful for removing every last particle of minced garlic. Besides, you can just place the entire unit on the upper shelf of your dishwasher when you’re done using it. Choppers that are larger and more flexible can be purchased for less money, but if you frequently use garlic in your cooking, this one will save you a lot of time.
The Specifics: It is dishwasher safe and measures 2.25 by 2.5 by 3.5 inches. It can hold three cloves.
Best With Easy Storage: OXO 1057959 Good Grips Chopper
What We Like
- How much is on a cup
- A reasonable price
- Good at cutting nuts.
What We Don’t Like
- Tomato juice got on parts of the chopper.
This handy chopper has a 3/4-cup capacity, making it perfect for meal prepping, and the chopper cup features measurement marks up to one cup, eliminating the need for a separate measuring cup. Furthermore, the cup has a lid, which allows food to be pre-prepared and kept in the same container. A small spoon is attached to the chopper’s side for removing a pinch or all of the chopped food to transfer to a bowl or pot.
The nonskid base protects the chopper from moving around the counter while you use it, and the blades are constructed in a wave pattern that rotates for even chopping. We put it through its paces with several different kinds of veggies, and it fared well in each case. While it wasn’t as effective with green peppers as other choppers, they still worked in our recipe. When you’re done chopping, it’s simple to take apart and put in the dishwasher. Unfortunately, the test spoon and cap became stained by tomato residue after being tested and subsequently cleaned with dishes containing tomato residue. Extra bowls with lids are sold separately for those who prefer to plan ahead with their meal preparation.
The Specifics: Measures 4 inches by 3.75 inches by 6.75 inches; weighs 1.01 pounds; holds 3/4 cup.
Best With Glass Bowl: MOSAIC Electric Food Chopper
What We Like
- A second set of blades can be added.
- Large amount
- Performance in silence
What We Don’t Like
- Not safe for a dishwasher
With a 5-cup capacity and the ability to chop up to 40 onions on a single charge, this cordless electric chopper eliminates the need for energy, manual pushing, or hand-cranking. It takes roughly two hours to fully charge the battery, and a low-battery indicator will let you know when it’s time to do so. But if you need to get through just a few more things and the battery is low, a quick 10-minute charge will get you through up to 11 more onions.
This device can chop, blend, purée, and even whip cream thanks to its dual speeds. The set comes with a whisking attachment and a multi-use blade for chopping and blending. The extras can be stowed away inside the chopper, and a case is provided for pristine organization.
The Specifics: The size is 10 inches by 6 inches by 7.5 inches, and it weighs 3 pounds and 8.6 ounces. It can hold 34 ounces.
Best for Carrots: LHS Vegetable Chopper
When preparing carrots, for example, you may require a more robust chopper, like the one offered by LHS. The unit’s five powerful blade slicers make quick work of nearly any kind of food.
In addition to its sturdy blades, the LHS vegetable chopper offers you unparalleled versatility in the kitchen. To top it all off, the container is made out of a sturdy food-grade ABS plastic that will prevent tears even when chopping onions.
The hand guard on this vegetable chopper prevents you from slicing or nicking your fingers while using it. The product’s container also serves as a place to safely store all of the blades.
Key Features:
- BPA-free
- Excellent for use in salads.
- Incorporates Handguard
- Outstanding adaptability
Pros
- Included is a plastic scrape for scrubbing the cutting edges.
- Strong anti-corrosion properties provide reliable operation even in harsh environments
- Superior adaptability
- Capable of ensuring a risk-free workplace
Cons
- To open, especially with difficulty.
Best With Multiple Blades: KKCITE Onion Vegetable Chopper
Consider this device from KKcite, a highly adaptable vegetable cutter that will simplify your life in the kitchen. The KKcite vegetable chopper has up to 7 stainless steel blades to make quick work of any chopping or mincing tasks in the kitchen.
This food processor features a base cover that allows you to safely remove the blade without risking injury to your hand. In addition, it comes with a safety glove that can be worn over your hand as a guard while you chop.
Additionally, a sizable bowl is included with the KKcite vegetable cutter. As a result, you may store your chopped fruits and veggies in this container until you’re ready to prepare or serve them.
Key Features:
- Effective and adaptable
- Use at your own risk
- There are 7 blades, all of which are stainless steel.
- Equipped with safety gloves for worry-free use.
Pros
- Capable of producing uniform slices and dice
- These blades are so keen that even the toughest fruits and vegetables can be easily prepared.
- Extremely long-lasting and solid
- The vegetable cutter is equipped with a tiny brush for easier cleaning.
Cons
- The top of the chopper is a little ajar.
Mueller 4 Stainless Steel Blade Pro Series Vegetable Chopper
An onion, apple, or other hard vegetable or fruit is no match for this Mueller compression-style chopper. Place the food on the surface and compress it for speed and convenience of use. Simply cutting a little portion off one side to produce a flat edge will ensure that the food remains stable on the chopping board. You can chop through any food without bones with ease if you place this edge on the surface.
With its special grids, you can cut huge wedges, fries, or small cubes with this chopper. To ensure a flawless cut, stainless steel blades are used. The spacious bowl holds up to 32 ounces of liquid. Bowls are designed so that food can be entirely consumed. For your convenience, a cleaning brush is included, and the entire unit can be washed in the dishwasher.
This chopper is backed by a lifetime warranty as proof of its high quality. Every cut will be faultless as a result.
Cuisinart CTG-00-SCHP Stainless Steel Chopper
stainless steel is used to make this chopper. As a result, it’s sturdy and ready to handle whatever meal, snack, or salad you throw at it. It has a compression-style plunger, which is capable of chopping through a wide range of foods, including smoked cheeses, with ease.
A twisting blade ensures that the chopped segments are suitable for any recipe. But the finest feature of this chopper is that it can be used on a chopping board because the top can be removed from the base. Everything is now ready to go into the dishwasher.
Best With Pull Cord for Salsa: Zyliss Easy Pull Vegetable Chopper
Because of the pull-style mechanism, this food processor can also be used as a small food chopper. As a result, it is capable of producing salsa, smoothies, and a wide range of dips. However, it may also be used as a typical food chopper, and it has no trouble handling tough vegetables like potatoes or onions.
Large or small recipes are no problem with the included 25-ounce bowl. In order to ensure that you are comfortable when chopping, the handle has been ergonomically built.
The internal arm that removes food from the bowl’s sides makes it simple to empty and clean. It also shows how many pulls it takes to dice or chop food into a specific size. As a result, for dishes that require precise portion amounts, the food will always arrive in the same size.
When you’re making your favorite recipes, the food chopper won’t slide around because of the silicone gripper on the bottom. It also comes with a 60-month warranty.
Key Features:
- The blades are part of a complex design.
- Armed with boosters as standard
- Modeled on a pull-type mechanism
- Dishwasher-safe
Pros
- Featuring a sizable bowl, this set is ideal for cooking for a crowd.
- The product’s portability and light weight make it perfect for camping or other situations where space is at a premium.
- Useful for blending into smoothies or pesto
Cons
- The blade cover is difficult to remove from the product.
Brieftons QuickPush Food Chopper
The Brieftons chopper, a compression-style chopper, is ideal for large things like apples and onions. But due to the blades, it is able to handle tomatoes without crushing or mashing.
The blades are made of 420-grade stainless steel, and there are three options to choose from. If you’re looking for something that’s going to last, you’ll want to go with stainless steel.
Eight cups of food may fit in the huge bowl, making it suitable for feeding a full family. In addition, the bowl has a tight-seal top that makes it easy to store in the refrigerator.
What to Look for in a Manual Food Chopper Buyer’s Guide
When looking for a manual food chopper, there are several important factors to consider:
Capacity:
Consider the size of the chopper bowl and how much food you will be chopping at one time. Look for a chopper with a bowl that is large enough to accommodate your needs.
Blade quality:
Good-quality blades are essential for efficient and effective chopping. Look for a chopper with sharp, durable blades that are easy to clean.
Ease of use:
A manual food chopper should be easy to operate, with comfortable handles and a simple design. Consider the weight of the chopper and whether it will be easy to hold and use for extended periods.
Ease of cleaning:
Look for a chopper with removable parts that are dishwasher safe and easy to clean.
Price:
Consider your budget and look for a chopper that offers good value for the price. High-end choppers may have more features and better performance, but may also be more expensive.
Brand reputation:
Look for a well-established brand with a good reputation for quality and customer service.
Additional features:
Some manual food choppers may come with additional features, such as multiple blades or attachments for different chopping tasks. Consider these features and whether they are important to you.
By considering these factors, you can find a manual food chopper that meets your needs and provides good performance for years to come.
FAQs
Is a food processor the same as a food chopper?
Modern food choppers come in a wide range of sizes and some even look very similar to actual food processors. Most food choppers are fairly compact and efficient only for light-duty or occasional chopping. Food processors, in contrast, typically come in larger sizes, have more features (such kneading), and have stronger motors. While manual food choppers do exist, food processors are exclusively electric appliances. You may find the same product labeled as both a food chopper and a food processor because certain electric food choppers perform many of the same functions as a tiny food processor.
What is a food chopper used for?
Vegetables, fruits, and nuts can all be chopped, diced, and minced with the use of a food chopper. When preparing food, a food chopper can be a time-saver compared to using a knife to cut each item individually. They’re safer to use when cooking with kids and useful for people who aren’t as competent with a knife.
How do you clean a food chopper?
Because there is such a wide variety in food choppers, it is recommended that you consult the handbook that came with your model for precise instructions on how to clean it. To clean the chopper, you will need to disassemble it; you may do this by hand in warm water with a light detergent. If you want to know if an item can go in the dishwasher, you should read the label first. Make a mental note of which components of your electric food chopper can go in the dishwasher and which cannot.
Conclusion
Manual food choppers are a great addition to any kitchen. They are versatile, easy to use, and offer a convenient way to chop ingredients with precision. When choosing the right manual food chopper, consider factors such as capacity, blade quality, ease of use, ease of cleaning, price, brand reputation, and additional features. With the right manual food chopper, you can make quick work of even the most challenging chopping tasks, freeing up more time for you to enjoy your delicious creations.
