How to Clean a Food Processor Easily
In a fast-paced kitchen environment–whether that be a home or professional setting–where stoves are turned to full heat and cooks are pivoting from one ingredient to the next, a food processor is one of the fastest ways to get those time-consuming and tedious kitchen tasks off the to-do list and onto the plate.
With so much heavy use, careful attention must be paid to caring for your food processor so it can bear the brunt of the load for years to come. With that said, there are two major types of cleaning methods of a food processor: by hand and by machine, using the food processor itself or a dishwasher. Learn how to clean a food processor, including the steps, tips and tricks for removing tough stains from the base, jar, lid and handle with us in the guide below!
Supplies You’ll Need
- Mild dish soap
- Soft-bristled brush
- Cloth or sponge
- Towel
- Dishwasher
Easiest Way to Clean a Food Processor
The easiest and fastest way to clean a food processor is by running the unit by to clean the jar and popping any dishwasher-safe components into the dishwasher. Here are the steps to get it done:
Running the Food Processor
- Step 1. Rinse out the food processor bowl – To prevent chunks of food from getting mixed in with the soap suds, be sure to pre-rinse the food processor jar as best you can, taking care to get rid of all major food particles.
- Step 2. Add warm water and dish soap – While you’re at the sink, add a couple of drops of your favorite dish soap before filling it with warm water. Be careful not to fill the food processor above the fill line. About halfway full should do it!
- Step 3. Lock the cap into place and insert the feeder – Assembly your food processor as you normally would, making sure you lock the lid and insert the feeder so water and soap suds don’t go flying.
- Step 4. Run the food processor – Run the food processor for a few seconds or until the inside of the bowl is visibly clean.
- Step 5. Rinse the bowl with fresh water – Rinse the cap, bowl and feeder tube with fresh water until all the suds are washed down the drain.
- Step 6. Wipe down the base and power cord – Taking a damp, soapy washcloth, wipe down the base, power cord and any other area that might be sticky. Remember to avoid wiping the prongs so they don't get wet.
- Step 7. Wipe dry and store – Fully drying your equipment before putting it away is vital to preserving the blade’s sharpness and preventing rust and mold. For that reason, you should take a fresh hand towel and wipe away any excess water droplets. When storing, offset the cap to allow for evaporation of any leftover moisture.
Washing Components in the Dishwasher
Note: This portion is for washing dishwasher-safe components only
- Step 1. Unplug the food processor – The first step is all about safety. The buttons that make food processing so easy and convenient can also pose a danger to fingers if they’re accidentally bumped during the cleaning process.
- Step 2. Disassemble the food processor – To disassemble the food processor, remove the feeder tube, lid, blades and bowl.
- Step 3. Place the dishwasher-safe components into the dishwasher – Place the jar, lid, feeder tube and blades onto the top rack of the dishwasher and start the cycle.
- Note: Refer to the manufacturer’s manual to identify which food processing components are dishwasher safe.
- Step 4. Wash the non-dishwasher-safe components by hand – Not all parts of a food processor can be magicked clean by the dishwasher. Wipe down the base and power cord with a damp cloth or sponge and some mild dish soap.
- Step 5. Wipe dry– Use a clean cloth to dry the base, power cord and any parts still wet from the dishwasher.
- Step 6. Reassemble the food processor – Going in reverse order of disassembly, reinstall the jar, blades, lid and feeder tube.
How to Clean a Food Processor By Hand
With some dishwashing cycles taking up to 4 hours, sometimes you simply don’t have the time to put the food processor or its components in the dishwasher, especially if you have several recipes on the menu.
- Step 1. Unplug and disassemble the food processor – The first step is to unplug the food processor before disassembling and cleaning it. The buttons that make food processing so easy and convenient can also pose a danger to fingers if they’re accidentally bumped during cleaning.
- Step 2. Disassemble the food processor – To disassemble the food processor, remove the feeder tube, lid, blades and bowl.
- Step 3. Wash the bowl, blades, lid & pusher – If the food is stuck, try soaking these parts in warm, soapy water for 10-20 minutes before washing with a non-abrasive sponge or cloth. You can also use a nylon or soft-bristled brush to get into hard-to-reach nooks and crannies. Also, Be careful not to cut yourself while washing the blades.
- Step 4. Wipe down the base and power cord – Taking a damp, soapy washcloth, wipe down the base, power cord and any other area that might be sticky.
- Step 5. Wipe dry– Fully drying your equipment before putting it away is vital to preserving the blade’s sharpness and preventing rust and mold. For that reason, you should take a fresh hand towel and wipe away any excess water droplets.
- Step 6. Reassemble the food processor – Going in reverse order of disassembly, reinstall the jar, blades, lid and feeder tube.
How to Remove Stains from a Food Processor
For those tougher stains that refuse to budge with dish soap, you can try a baking soda or vinegar solution. However, you’ll want to keep the vinegar away from any rubber or metal components and baking soda away from aluminum, as they can cause premature corrosion.
Just mix one part vinegar with one part water or create a baking soda paste to apply to the stubborn stain. Let it soak for 10-15 minutes before rinsing with water and drying with a clean cloth. Don’t forget to unplug the unit first to prevent any accidents, and never use abrasive or harsh cleaning tools or agents.
For more model-specific food processor cleaning resources, check out our articles on Sammic food processor cleaning or how to clean a Robot Coupe R2 food processor.