Vitamix Food Processor Attachment Review: Does It Replace a Standalone Food Processor?
This accessory adds food processing capabilities to your blender without cluttering your counter.
Vitamix Food Processor Attachment Review
The Vitamix is a legendary name in the kitchen appliance world, most famous for high-powered blenders found in both home and professional kitchens. With their Food Processor Attachment, Vitamix enters the crowded world of meal prep tools, promising to handle all your slicing, shredding, chopping, and pureeing needs with the versatility and power Vitamix is known for. But does an attachment really stand up to a dedicated machine? This review puts the Vitamix Food Processor Attachment through its paces—in real kitchens, with classic recipes, and in side-by-side comparisons with leading standalone processors.
Why You Should Trust This Review
This review was conducted by experienced cooks who have worked professionally in kitchens, tested dozens of food processors, and approached the Vitamix Food Processor Attachment with a skeptical and informed eye. Every test reflects real-world use: prepping vegetables, making dough, blends and sauces, and more. The findings are grounded in direct hands-on experience and comparison, providing you with practical guidance for your own kitchen decision-making.
What’s Included: Out of the Box
- Work Bowl (12 cup capacity): Generously sized for batch processing.
- Lid with Feed Tubes: Features both a standard feed tube and a mini-tube for thin or small items.
- Blade and Disc Attachments: A metal S-blade for chopping and pureeing, reversible slicing/shredding discs (thick and thin), and a disc storage case.
- Drive Adapter: Allows the attachment to connect directly to compatible Vitamix blender bases.
- Pusher Tools: Both large and small to help feed ingredients safely and effectively.
How the Vitamix Food Processor Attachment Works
The attachment fits onto select Vitamix blender bases (Ascent and Venturist series) and uses the blender’s powerful motor to drive the processing blade or disc inside the new container. The top opens to a feed tube and pusher, just as on a standalone processor, letting you guide items toward the blade while the machine is running. After processing, the bowl lifts off for easy serving or cleaning. The system is designed for maximum safety—you can’t run the machine unless everything is locked into place.
Main Differences from Standalone Food Processors
- No motor in the attachment itself: Leverages your Vitamix base for power.
- Interchangeable accessories: Disc and blade storage case keeps tools organized.
- Smaller countertop footprint: Requires less space when not in use (assuming you already own a Vitamix blender).
- Setup time: Slightly longer, as you need to assemble disc, bowl, and secure to the blender.
Performance Testing: What Can It Do?
We assessed the Vitamix Food Processor Attachment against industry-leading food processors using a battery of typical kitchen tests. These included:
- Slicing and Shredding: Potatoes, carrots, celery, zucchini, cheese.
- Chopping: Onions, garlic, herbs, nuts.
- Pureeing: Hummus, pesto, nut butters, sauces.
- Mixing Dough: Pie dough, pizza dough, cookie dough.
Slicing & Shredding
The reversible slicing/shredding disc produced beautifully uniform slices of potatoes, zucchini, and cheese. Both narrow and wide feed tube options made it easy to load oddly-shaped ingredients. Shredding blocks of cheese and carrots was fast and clean, without large unshredded chunks left behind. Slices were consistently even—comparable to a premium Cuisinart or Breville processor.
Chopping Performance
The S-blade handled dry chopping (nuts, onions, herbs) efficiently, with no mushy pulp at the bottom and no chunks left on top. It performed equally well with wet mixtures, like salsa or mirepoix, achieving a fine, even chop. Pulse control via the Vitamix base allowed fine-tuning texture, which is essential for recipes like tabbouleh or chunky guacamole.
What others are reading
Pureeing
The food processor attachment produced velvety smooth purees on par with leading standalone food processors. Small batches and large batches alike emerged consistent, without unblended bits or overheating. Standout results included creamy hummus and flawless pesto, with quick, thorough emulsification.
Dough Mixing
For pie, cookie, and pizza dough, the processor performed better than expected. Pie dough came together in under a minute, evenly cutting in fat without smearing or overworking. Yeast-based doughs mixed rapidly, with no floury patches or unincorporated wet spots. However, the 12-cup bowl can reach capacity quickly with heavier doughs; for very large batches, a conventional stand mixer is still superior.
How to Clean the Vitamix Food Processor Attachment
- Bowl, lid, and pusher: Dishwasher-safe for easy cleaning on the top rack.
- Blades and discs: Also dishwasher-safe, or rinse and wash by hand using a brush for quick turnaround.
- Disc storage case: Helps keep sharp edges protected and components organized.
- NOTE: Never immerse the drive adapter in water; simply wipe with a damp cloth.
Compared to traditional food processors, which can have lots of fiddly crevices and prone-to-warpage plastic, the Vitamix system disassembles and cleans up quickly. The bowl is resistant to staining and the sturdy plastic construction is designed for years of dishwasher cycles—though handwashing prolongs its life.
Versatility: What Can and Can’t It Do?
The Vitamix Food Processor Attachment matches or exceeds many standalone processor tasks. However, there are some limitations to keep in mind.
| Task | Vitamix FPA | Standalone Processor |
|---|---|---|
| Slicing & Shredding | ✓ | ✓ |
| Chopping | ✓ | ✓ |
| Pureeing | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dough Mixing | ✓ (medium batch) | ✓ (larger batch, heavier dough) |
| Whipping Cream/Egg Whites | ✗ | ✓ (with specialty whisk attachments) |
| Continuous Processing | ✗ (batch processing only) | ✓ (w/ continuous feed models) |
While the attachment is a solid all-around performer, for very large batches or tasks like continuous processing, a pro-level processor offers more capacity and specialty attachments.
Compatibility & Storage
- Compatible with: Vitamix Ascent and Venturist series blender bases only.
- Not compatible with: Classic or Explorian Vitamix blenders, or non-Vitamix blenders.
- Storage: Bowl, lid, and pusher nest neatly; disc storage box keeps sharp blades safely organized in the cabinet.
This attachment is ideal for those already invested in the Vitamix ecosystem. Storage footprint is modest for a food processor, though you do need to dedicate space for the disc case and base adapter when not in use.
Value & Price: Is It Worth Buying?
- Price Point: Typically a bit less than a premium standalone processor, but you must already own a compatible Vitamix blender.
- Replacement Parts: Available from Vitamix if needed; discs and blades are robust and built to last.
- Warranty: Vitamix offers a generous warranty, adding peace of mind absent from many third-party brands.
For those who already have (or plan to purchase) a compatible Vitamix, the attachment is an excellent investment, delivering professional-grade processing without adding another motorized appliance to your countertop. If you don’t own a Vitamix base, the combined cost may exceed dedicated processors with similar or greater features and capacity.
How It Compares: Vitamix FPA vs. Standalone Models
| Feature | Vitamix FPA | Cuisinart/Breville Processor |
|---|---|---|
| Motor Power | Uses Vitamix base | Dedicated motor (600–1200W) |
| Attachment System | Removable, no wires/cords on FPA | Integrated unit |
| Capacity | 12-cups | 12–16 cups |
| Footprint | Smaller (if you store with Vitamix base) | Larger (processor + base in one unit) |
| Specialty Attachments | Limited | Wide (emulsifiers, whisks, discs, dicing) |
| Value for Vitamix Owners | Excellent | Low—redundant if you already have a blender |
Final Thoughts
The Vitamix Food Processor Attachment delivers on its promise: robust, even, and consistent slicing, chopping, and pureeing for nearly every home kitchen need. Its main limitation lies in batch size for doughs and the lack of highly specialized attachments that some standalone processors offer. If you own a compatible Vitamix blender and have limited space, this is a smart, efficient way to add true food processing to your repertoire without clutter or redundancy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I use the Vitamix Food Processor Attachment on any Vitamix model?
A: No, it only works on Ascent and Venturist series blenders due to unique drive and container designs.
Q: Is it dishwasher safe?
A: Yes, bowl, lid, pusher, blades, and discs are dishwasher safe (top rack recommended). The drive adapter should only be wiped clean.
Q: Does it replace a standalone food processor?
A: For most home cooks and day-to-day uses, yes. For very large batches or specialized tasks (like continuous dicing), a standalone processor may be superior.
Q: How does it store?
A: Attachments nest within the bowl, and included blade/disc case keeps accessories organized and safe.
Q: What about making nut butter or thick dough?
A: It handles nut butters well and mixes thick dough like pizza or bread as long as you stay within batch capacity. For extra-large or commercial-scale jobs, a larger processor or stand mixer is better.
Should You Buy the Vitamix Food Processor Attachment?
- Already own a compatible Vitamix blender? This attachment offers top-tier food processing without the cost and space of a full processor.
- Need a dedicated unit for specialized or large-batch tasks? Standalone food processors still excel in niche or heavy-duty use cases.
- If you prioritize compact storage, easy cleaning, and robust all-around processing, the Vitamix Food Processor Attachment is a standout choice in its category.
References
Similar Articles
Read full bio of medha deb
