Housekeeping House Cleaning Cleaning Tips How to Safely Clean a Food Processor Whip up everything from pasta sauce to pie crusts confidently by properly cleaning this hard-working appliance between recipes. By Mary Cornetta Mary Cornetta Mary Cornetta has been in the professional organizing industry for over 5 years. She knew she had a passion for decluttering and organization upon graduating Marist College in 2007, however, pursued it as a hobby instead of a career. All of that changed when Mary founded Sort and Sweet Inc on Long Island in 2017. Since then, she has worked hands-on and virtually with hundreds of clients to clear their clutter and create functional systems in their homes and offices. Mary runs the Sort and Sweet social media accounts, creating content and writing captions with organizing tips and inspiration for more than 12,000 followers. Recently relocated to Savannah, she continues to own and operate the business with the help of a talented team. Mary has been a weekly contributing writer for House Digest and has been interviewed as an expert by Martha Stewart Living, Real Simple, and Health magazines. She is the owner of the blog, Organized Overall, in which she details how she creates organization in her home. Learn about BHG's Editorial Process Published on May 10, 2024 Close Photo: Blaine Moats Project Overview Working Time: 10 minutes Total Time: 15 minutes Skill Level: Beginner Estimated Cost: $0 Between its versatility and compact size, the food processor is one appliance that should be a staple in every kitchen. Whether you’re thinking about buying one or relying on it for all your meal prep needs, it’s important to understand the best way to clean a food processor after each use. We asked an appliance expert to explain the most effective and safest way to clean the appliance. Beth Gardner, director of the Cuisinart Test Kitchen, shares a simple four-step process for cleaning your food processor so you can put it to work without worrying about cross-contamination or close calls with its sharp blades. Plus, properly cleaning your food processor will help it perform better and maintain longevity. The Best Methods to Cleaning Appliances, Step by Step What You'll Need Equipment / Tools Scrub brush Sponge Materials Dish soap Dish rag Instructions How to Clean a Food Processor Gardner recommends using the following method to clean your food processor after each use. Unplug the Appliance and Remove Attachments Before cleaning any of its parts, ensure the food processor is turned off and unplugged. Then, detach all the removable parts from the base. (Be extra cautious when handling the blade or discs.) Separate every part listed above except for the base, and possibly the spindle, if your food processor is an older model. The 8 Best Food Choppers of 2024 to Make Meal Prep Easy Empty and Soak the Bowl The next step is to remove any food contents from the food processor work bowl. Try scraping as much out as possible first with a spatula. It should be especially easy if working with dry bits, like breadcrumbs. “For messier or oilier tasks, like dips or purees, soak the scraped-out bowl with warm, soapy water,” Gardner says. After roughly 15 minutes, dump the water out of the bowl, and if there’s lingering stuck-on food, particularly around the blade or disc, use a scrub brush to dislodge it. “A handled scrub brush is a great tool to clean up the metal blade and corners of the work bowl and lid," she says. Wash the Bowl and Attachments Ideally, you should remove the blade or disc and the spindle (if possible) before proceeding. Once you have all the parts disassembled, you have two cleaning options: Handwashing or using the dishwasher. Cuisinart’s current processor model parts are dishwasher safe, but Gardner clarifies they should only be loaded onto the top rack. (Although, it’s best to place the blade or disc into the utensil caddy to keep it secure during the cycle.) Always check the manufacturer’s instructions first because some, if not all, of your food processor parts may not be suitable for the dishwasher. If dishwashing isn't an option, you can easily handwash the parts instead. Fill the sink with warm water and dish soap before submerging the attachments, and then use a scrub brush or handled sponge to wash each one thoroughly. Be mindful of the blade disc: Hold it by the opposite side of the sharp edge while cleaning. 12 Things You Should Never Put in the Dishwasher Wipe Down the Base “A damp rag is best for wiping down the exterior of the motor base and cord to clean up any drips or spills after use,” Gardner says. If crumbs or gunk are wedged between the buttons, try using a toothpick or toothbrush to dislodge them. Follow up by drying the base and cord with a clean cloth. Once all parts are dry, reassemble the food processor to either use for another recipe or store away. Whether they run through the dishwasher or you handwash each part, make sure they fully air dry before reassembling the processor. Parts of a Food Processor Before diving into the cleaning process, it's helpful to understand the components of the appliance so that you can easily identify how to handle each one. Most standard food processors are made up of the following parts: Motor: This is the base that powers the processor and where you’ll find the controls, such as the pulse button. Bowl: Often referred to as the ‘work bowl,’ this plastic container sits on the base and where all ingredients are placed. Lid: This fits securely onto the top of the bowl to prevent a mess while the processor is running. Feed tube and pusher: Many processors include a small opening on the top of the lid, allowing you to feed more liquids into the bowl while blending. The pusher helps guide the ingredients through the tube. Blades: Different models may include different attachments, but, generally, most have S blades used for chopping and pureeing, discs for slicing and shredding, and a dough blade for kneading. Spindle and seal ring: The spindle connects the base to the blade or disc, and the seal ring helps prevent leaks while the motor is running.