Even those who love cooking have to admit that prepping all of the food, such as dicing onions or mincing garlic, can make it almost impossible to get in and out of the kitchen quickly, especially if you’re cooking for a large family, or hosting Sunday night dinner. That’s where the best manual food chopper comes in. If you’re looking for a way to prepare dinner faster, want to get rid of the time-consuming prep work involved, then this tool will be invaluable.
This guide is designed to help you learn about how these important kitchen tools work, and how to choose a model that’s durable, and comes loaded with all the right features. I’ve reviewed several popular models, and have narrowed it down to the top six, each of which scored well in a variety of areas. Below, you’ll find a comparison chart that includes the six models that made it onto my best-of list, with a glimpse at some of their most important features, and how they rated.
Table of Contents
Manual Food Chopper Comparison Chart
Product | Capacity | Design | Accessories | Rating |
---|---|---|---|---|
Brieftons QuickPull Food Chopper Shop On Amazon! | 4 Cups | Pullcord | Mixing Attachment | |
Cuisinart CTG-00-SCHP Chopper Shop On Amazon! | 1 Cup | Push | None | |
ZYLISS Easy Pull Food Chopper Shop On Amazon! | 3 Cups | Pullcord | None | |
Mueller Austria Onion Choppe Shop On Amazon! | 2 Cups | Press | None | |
Chef'n VeggiChop Chopper Shop On Amazon! | 3 Cups | Pullcord | Storage Lid |
Brieftons QuickPull Food Chopper
This is one of the leading manual choppers on the market, and one that’s designed to take all the hard work out of blending and chopping herbs, nuts, veggies, and fruits. This model features a set of sharp stainless steel blades that allow for fast and efficient mincing and chopping. It comes with a soft comfort grip lid, with a base that has an anti-skid design, so you won’t have to worry about the device moving out of place during use.
This is a pullcord style chopper. The large handle makes it easier to stabilize and grip during use. The included extra mixer blade allows for more efficient and effective blending and mixing. The large four-cup capacity makes this model perfect for larger families or the cook who loves hosting dinner parties. This package comes with the chopper, mixer blade, user’s manual, spiral slicer recipe Ebook, summer salads recipe Ebook, and a salsa recipe Ebook.
Pros
- Includes mixing attachment
- Four-cup capacity
- Dishwasher safe
- Anti-skid base
- Comfort grip lid
Cons
- Bowl is prone to splitting
Conclusion
This model by Brieftons comes with a large four-cup capacity, a design that’s dishwasher-safe, three Ebooks that include some great recipes and tips on how to get the most out of your chopper, all for a price that’s affordable. This is one versatile model and one that will allow you to create and prepare your favorite meals, in a fraction of the time compared to chopping, dicing, and slicing food using a knife.
Cuisinart CTG-00-SCHP Stainless Steel Chopper
Cuisinart is a popular manufacturer that’s known for its durable, affordable kitchen appliances. Their latest chopper earned top marks for its user-friendly, compact design, which makes it highly portable. This model comes with a standard four-blade design that’s made out of stainless steel.
Stainless steel is naturally rust-resistant and durable, so the blades will not chip, break, or bend. The tough blade system will allow you to chop and dice a variety of foods including garlic, onions, hard cheese, herbs, fruits, veggies, crackers, and more. The dishwasher safe design will make clean up a cinch.
To clean, all you have to do is disassemble the device, toss it in the wash, and you’re good to go. This chopper features the standard push down chopping method, so you’ll need to use a little more hand and arm power to chop food, unlike easier to use models that operate via pressing down on the lid or using a pullcord to activate the blade system. Cuisinart offers a limited lifetime warranty, which will give buyers peace of mind knowing that the manufacturer stands behind their products.
Pros
- Limited lifetime warranty
- Dishwasher safe
- User-friendly
- Low price
Cons
- Model is not a good choice for people with a history of hand or wrist surgery or people with arthritis
Conclusion
If you need a model that allows you to mince, dice, or chop fresh veggies and fruits in a matter of seconds, then you’ll love this model from Cuisinart and you’ll be impressed with everything it can do. The durable, dishwasher safe design allows you to simply rinse off the blades and rinse out the container, pop them in the dishwasher, and you’re done. Overall, this is a great buy and a chopper that comes with the type of durable blade system that can handle heavy-duty use.
ZYLISS Easy Pull Food Chopper
Need a food chopper that can do so much more than just rough chop fruits and veggies? This model by Zyliss is user-friendly, durable, and comes with a multi-blade design that will chop up even the toughest ingredients, in a matter of seconds. The top and bottom of the bowl come with booster arms that are designed to prevent food from sticking.
The chopper can be used to puree, blend, chop, mince, and dice, a variety of ingredients. The three-cup capacity allows you to prepare a larger amount of ingredients per batch. This model is also covered by a five-year product warranty against manufacturing defects and bowl and blade damage. This chopper scored well in terms of versatility and ease of use. You can use this model to prepare ice cream, salads, bread crumbs, smoothies, sauces, salsas, dips, salad dressing, and more.
Both the bowl and blade system are dishwasher safe. The chopper’s lid should be wiped down using in a damp dishrag, but should not be submerged. The dual blade system allows the blades to rotate in opposite directions in order to finely chop up ingredients. The drawback for some is the dual-blade design, considering competing models in this price range often feature a standard four-blade design.
However, this chopper does an excellent job of finely chopping up ingredients uniformly, and in a matter of seconds. Using the chopper couldn’t be simpler. To use, all you need to do is place one hand on the container and grasp the handle and pull up and away to activate the blades. The pullcord measures in at two feet and draws back naturally, with minimal resistance.
Pros
- Dishwasher safe
- Versatile
- Durable
- User-friendly
Cons
- Dual-blade design instead of a four-blade system
Conclusion
This is the perfect chopper for travel and camping. This model’s collapsible handle folds down easily for storage, making it a great choice if you’re tight on cabinet space in the kitchen, or you need a portable model for your hiking, camping, or RV’ing trip.
Versatile, easy to use, and available at a low price, you’ll be hard-pressed to find another model in this price bracket that offers this level of durability and functionality.
Foruisin Manual Food Chopper
This three-blade food chopper can handle chopping, dicing, blending, and mixing. This compact, lightweight handheld chopper can be used to cut and prepare a variety of foods including guacamole, salsa, hummus, pesto, veggies, fruits, herbs, nuts, baby food, and ice.
It can be used to mince garlic and chop onions, salad, and tough veggies such as potatoes. This model takes all of the hard work and time out of preparing a big meal for the family. The machine itself features a base with an anti-skid design, a large handle, and pull cord operation.
Both the bowl and blades are dishwasher safe, for faster cleanup. Most models of manual choppers come with blades that are made out of stainless steel, which is naturally rust-resistant. These blades are made out of steel, which makes them prone to rust if not dried thoroughly and promptly.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Components are dishwasher safe
- Anti-skid base
- Can be used to mix, blend, and puree food
Cons
- Three-blade design
- Blades are not made out of stainless steel and are prone to rust if not dried properly
Conclusion
This durable and versatile chopper can handle blending, mixing, chopping, and dicing pretty much anything, yet the blade design has to be the model’s biggest drawback. Not only are the blades made out of standard steel and prone to rust, but this model features a three-blade design instead of the more powerful four-blade design, which you’ll commonly find on other models in this price bracket.
While this may be a drawback for some potential buyers, with proper use and care, the blades should last for several years to come.
Mueller Austria Onion Chopper
This model has a four-cup capacity and a container that’s BPA-free. This is a standard two-blade design, with blades that are made out of four hundred and twenty grade hardened stainless steel discs, which are designed to dice and chop even the hardest cheeses and veggies, using a single motion. The machine itself is FDA certified, and every component is dishwasher safe.
This model is backed by a lifetime warranty and twenty-four hour, seven days a week customer support. Since the chopper is covered under a lifetime warranty, the replacement period is unlimited, which means if the blades bend or break, or if the bowl becomes damaged, you can contact customer support and request a replacement, no questions asked.
Pros
- Highly portable
- BPA-free bowl
- Tough blade design
- Lifetime warranty
Cons
- Can be difficult to chop tougher veggies, such as potatoes
Conclusion
Reasonably priced, easy to use, and designed to last. This model is covered for life, which is a huge selling point for most buyers. Its versatility and portability will allow you to use this chopper wherever you travel, for a wide range of foods including nuts, veggies, meat, cheeses, and more.
While it can take a little more power to get the blades through tough veggies, such as potatoes, the two-blade design is surprisingly durable and impressively sharp. This is a great buy if you’re looking for a chopper for RVing, travel, camping, or home use.
Chef’n VeggiChop Hand-Powered Food Chopper
This large chopper can handle veggies, ice, nuts, cheeses, herbs, and boneless meats. This hand-powered model is a great fit for camping, travel, RVing, and home use. The pullcord design makes the chopping and mincing process feel almost effortless. To do, place the ingredients into the bowl, twist the lid to lock it securely in place, then pull the pull cord and the blade system will activate, instantly chopping the ingredients.
This model can be used to make guacamole, salsa, hummus, pesto, pasta sauce, baby food, and more. To save on dishes, this model comes with a storage lid that you can use after you have removed the blades, and store the bowl in the fridge. It’s also dishwasher-friendly and should be washed on the top rack only.
Pros
- Portable
- User-friendly
- Durable bowl and blade system
- Low price
Cons
- Not covered by warranty
Conclusion
This is a very basic manual food chopper, but it features an intuitive, durable design, one that can withstand heavy-duty daily use. Ultimately, this is the perfect model for both travel and home use. Its low maintenance design, coupled with its overall durability, will make it a must-have in any kitchen. If you’re looking for a budget-friendly model, one that can handle tough veggies, meats, hard cheeses, and nuts, then hit that buy now button.
Manual Food Chopper Buyer’s Guide
If you love to cook, then you also probably love a good appliance that can help you out in the kitchen and cut down on how much time you have to spend preparing fruits, veggies, and meats, before you can get started cooking.
The manual food chopper can be the best thing that ever happened to your kitchen. Unlike a food processor, these appliances are small, compact, and highly portable. For many cooks, a food chopper can be a great, more affordable, and convenient option. The fact that it’s very easy to use also makes it a big hit with those who don’t have much cooking experience.
Food Prepping in a Fraction of the Time
There’s no doubt that while cooking can be enjoyable, and even therapeutic, some parts of the cooking process can feel pretty tedious. For many cooks, prepping fruits and veggies can be very time-consuming, especially if you’re already short on time and in a hurry to feed the family. A food chopper can simplify the cooking process by speeding up food prep.
Both the pro and home cook know how important time is during the cooking process, whether you’re cooking multiple dishes, or you simply want to get dinner on the table faster for the family, the food chopper is going to be one tool that you’ll find yourself relying on often.
These days, there are a variety of choppers on the market to choose from, so finding one that suits your needs and cooking style can take a little research, especially if you don’t know much about how these tools work and the different features they have to offer. Below, you’ll get an in-depth look at the features available, and how using one of these compact manual appliances can totally change how you cook.
What’s the Difference Between a Food Processor and a Food Chopper?
This is a common question many home cooks have. To speed up the cooking process, many home cooks will initially consider a food processor, but what they really need is a food chopper. A chopper can handle the majority of the prep work, and it’s available for a fraction of the price you’d pay for a food processor.
The food processor is more versatile and can perform some tasks that a chopper cannot, which is what accounts for the higher price tag. But what are the main differences between the food processor and chopper?
If you don’t know much about either appliance, I’ll break down what stand out features a chopper has to offer, and why they can be a better option than a standard food processor.
Capacity: The food processor is significantly larger than a chopper;.
Functionality: The food processor can do much more than a chopper, such as grating, kneading dough, and more.
Price: Choppers are more affordable
Ease of use: Choppers are more beginner-friendly compared to food processors, especially larger, feature-packed models that allow you to choose from a variety of settings.
Bottom line, if you’re looking for a device that will do much more than just chop of up fruits and veggies, then you need a food processor. These appliances can make nut butters, hummus, soups, and more. But if you’re simply looking for a highly portable kitchen tool, one that will speed up food prep, and you’re on a tight budget, then the chopper is the clear winner here.
Capacity
If you’ve decided that the chopper is the right tool for you, then one of the first features you’ll want to pay close attention to is the chopper’s capacity. Each model will come equipped with a bowl or container that can hold a certain amount of prepared veggies or fruits. Smaller models will have a capacity of one cup, while larger models may have a capacity of four to six cups. The higher a chopper’s capacity, the higher the price tag.
Choose a model that offers a capacity that will work for the size of the meals you normally cook. Do you need a high capacity chopper? If you have a smaller family or you normally cook for one to two people, then a lower-priced model with a capacity of one to two cups should work fine. If you have a large family, or you find yourself hosting dinner parties often, then a larger capacity is a must.
Electric or Manual?
Manual models are powered by the user, whereas the electric chopper runs on electricity, so it can help you prepare dinner easily. There are pros and cons to each type of chopper, but the manual model is much easier to care for and doesn’t come with any performance issues like an electric model does, such as the motor overheating, or a low-powered performance, which can make using the machine very frustrating.
Electric models can be a better option if you need a model that can handle the job totally hands-free, which is obviously not the case with manual models. Additionally, it’s more common to find an electric-powered chopper that offers a larger capacity. In some cases, the manual chopper is designed more with portability in mind than functionality.
However, the models that I’ve included on my must-have list offer a large capacity, a durable design, and a powerful blade system. Essentially, they can stand up to even the toughest electric models on the market. ultimately, whether you go with a manual or electric-powered model will be up to you, your budget, and cooking needs. It can also depend on whether or not you’re suffering from arthritis or have a past hand or wrist injury, which could potentially prevent you from using this type of chopper.
Portability
Unlike electric models, the manual chopper is highly portable, so you don’t have to worry about outlet access when using it. It can also be a great option if you have a camping trip coming up. These devices are lightweight, compact, and can easily fit in a suitcase or backpack. When you’re on vacation, then taking your chopper will come in handy, especially for people who don’t want to spend too much time preparing their food.
Blades
The blades on a chopper feature a three to four-blade design that holds a sharp edge for a longer time compared to the blades in a food processor that can quickly wear out. Most models will have blades that are made out of stainless steel and are naturally rust-resistant.
Many of these blades are dishwasher friendly, especially those that are made out of stainless steel. However, if you want to avoid any potential blade damage, then I recommend washing them by hand and towel drying them promptly, before storing them.
Attachments
You may come across models that come with different types of blade attachment options. These may be included in the package itself, or you’ll have the option of purchasing these additional attachments directly for the manufacturer. These attachments allow for rougher or finer chopping. Some attachments are specifically designed for slicing or other types of cuts, blending, or mixing.
There are many options available, however, the number of attachments included per model will vary from model to model. More commonly, you’ll find models that come with a standard three or four-blade design. So, if you want a chopper that allows you to purchase different types of blades in the future or one that comes with more blade options, make sure you look into this before you buy.
In most cases, a chopper that comes with extra blade attachments will also come with a steeper price tag, but if you want more cutting versatility and options, then you’ll find that a higher price tag is a fair tradeoff.
Maintenance
When you’re preparing dinner, chopping up onions and fresh tomatoes, mushrooms, and peppers, and mincing garlic, you have to use multiple knives and rinse off the cutting board between different types of foods. With a chopper, you’ll be using a single tool, which means less cleanup and fewer dishes to wash.
But washing the chopper itself is also very fast and simple. To do, take apart the chopper, rinse off the blades and clean out the bowl or container with warm soapy water, or toss it in the dishwasher if the manufacturer states that the model is dishwasher-safe.
Design Options
Manual models will take some elbow grease that involves hand and wrist power, but they’re relatively easy to use and offer the same type of durability that you’ll get from electric models. Of course, the design is basically the same, the only real difference here is that you’re what’s powering the device, not electricity.
There are a few different styles of manual choppers available. The push chop models are the most common and more affordable than the pressing mechanism models or the pull cord or handle models.
Push
Unlike an electric chopper that runs on electricity, a manual chopper features a push-chop mechanism. To use this type of device, you’ll place the fruit or veggies on top of the chopper blades, place the top over the device and push. This will force the fruit or veggies into the blade system, before dropping it into the awaiting container.
Press-Style
Many models of manual choppers will come with a pressing mechanism. This is very similar to the push chop models. To use, you’ll place the produce into the blade system and press down on the lid in order to push the produce through the blades where it’s then collected in the bowl or container below. Many of these models will come with a variety of blade options, which makes them more versatile than the standard push style models.
Pullcord or Handle Design
These models are also more affordable than the press to chop style choppers. To use you’ll pull a handle or a cord that causes the blades to spin, allowing the blade system to chop up your fruits or veggies efficiently before it’s collected into the container or bowl.
Other Ways You Can Use Your Chopper
Many people mistakenly believe that you can only use a veggie chopper for veggies, but these devices are actually surprisingly versatile, so you can use it to chop up a variety of foods that can make cooking, barbecuing, and baking much easier. Essentially, anything that needs to be chopped, minced, sliced, or diced can go into a chopper, although it does have its limitations.
As an example, I do not recommend using the chopper on any type of meat that contains bone, which can damage the blades. However, you can use it to cut up chicken breast, steak, nuts, graham crackers, crackers, and many more different types of food.
Make sure you read the user’s manual before you use your chopper to learn more about its capabilities and limitations. Some manufacturers will clearly advise against using the chopper for cutting meats and other types of tougher foods.
There are plenty of models that you’ll come across if you’re looking for a model that’s more functional and versatile. I’ve included several models that are able to perform many of the same functions that a food processor can, such as pureeing food, making baby food, sauces, salad, dips, hummus, pudding, and more.
For more meal ideas, click here to read my guide on 10 simple and quick cooking tips for busy moms.
Final Thoughts
The best manual food chopper is highly portable, compact, easy to use, and allows you to chop, dice, and mince a wide variety of fruits and veggies. These devices will come in handy whether you’re preparing a meal at home, at the park for a barbeque, or you’re camping out during the summer.
Each of the models I’ve included here earned high marks in a variety of areas including durability, ease of use, a low maintenance design, and an affordable price. Now that you know exactly what to look for in your next chopper, you should have no trouble choosing a model that’s built tough, loaded with a powerful blade system, and chopper that’s designed to last.
Originally posted 2022-03-28 18:46:29.