This 10-blade spiralizer comes with more blades than the others in our selection, meaning you can make everything from veggie angel-hair noodles to pappardelle. However, they’re not all for fine noodles. You’ll also get attachments for making wide lasagne ribbons, curly fries and a cool wavy slicer for ridged crisps. Where it also differs from the others is a solid build quality. It’s BPA-free, has reinforced ABS parts and a large suction pad with an on/off lever that attaches brilliantly to smooth, flat worktops. Easy to clean, simply rinse under running water. For easy storage the cutter blades can be fitted inside each other and placed in the Spiraliser beaker. Features: The collected items are kept at recycling centres or retailers and then taken to a reprocessing plant where they are shredded into small pieces for recycling. Recycle Now reports that all the raw materials are distributed to create new products. How we test food processors

However much you decide to spend on your spiralizer, these are the key features you’ll want to look for. Number of bladesHowever, food processors can be large, bulky beasts and are often expensive. Bigger models, or models with multiple parts, can also be more of an effort to clean. Food processors are designed to take the hassle out of food prep tasks and save you precious time in the kitchen. But they can vary massively in price, size and what they can do – and we’ve found some can be more of a hindrance than a help. All food processors come with a knife blade for basic tasks, but some models come with even more attachments. We've seen blenders, citrus juicers, dough hooks, grating blades, mills, mini bowls, shredding blades, slicing blades and spatulas. Electric spiralizers form a relatively new category and, as the manual type come in a variety of shapes, there was little precedent in terms of design. Resembling a downsized coffee percolator, the Spiralizer Express requires fruit and vegetables to be fed from the top towards the blades, so there’s little pressure needed. The ribbons collect in a beaker below, compacting in swirls – no need to constantly empty it if you’re prepping a large batch.

Spiraliser Express is great for health-conscious chefs, as you can fill your meals with nutrient rich vegetables. You can enjoy spiralised vegetables and fruit either raw or cooked within a dish of your choice. Create a simple Courgetti bolognese by swapping pasta for courgette spaghetti, using the dedicated spaghetti blade. Spirals In Seconds Choosing between a compact mini chopper and a full-sized food processor? As well as thinking about how much kitchen space you have, consider how much you want to spend and what you’ll be using it for. Food processorsWe judge food processors on how well they chop, slice, grate, mix, knead and blend. Plus how noisy they are and how easy they are to use and clean. The following models are the best we've tested. Assembling the machine was simple; it’s pretty intuitive to put together and we were ready to spiralize in seconds. We started by making courgetti using the finer of the two blades. After topping and tailing a courgette – it can be peeled for a greater similarity to spaghetti – I halved it and attached the plunger. Gently pushing it towards the blade, it produced consistent swirls of vegetable that collected in the beaker below. There were a few scraps of skin that had been peeled off during the spiralizing and seeds to remove, but otherwise I was left with long runs of courgetti and a cone-shaped end piece of courgette that could be sliced up and used in another dish.

As well as chopping, slicing and grating, most can also whisk, whip, mix and knead. This is ideal if you also like to bake but don't have space or budget for a separate stand mixer. Some also come with a blender attachment for making soups and smoothies. Don't know your cubing disc from your Blendermix attachment? Read Food processor attachments explained. Large feeding tube As well as interchangeable blades, this manual spiralizer also has non-slip feet and an easy-turn handle to make shredding veggies a breeze. The only niggle we have with it is that it’s not as easy to use with smaller veggies, so if you find yourself buying these a lot, you may want to consider a smaller handheld version instead. All in all, though, this is a fantastic spiralizer for the price and perfect for your first foray into the world of veggie spaghetti, chips and more.The best food processors take the hassle out of food prep, but not all models are fit for purpose – we've found some that struggle with the most basic tasks, such as grating cheese and dicing an onion. Food processors range massively in size and weight. Make sure you have enough kitchen counter space for the appliance you choose – think about the height of any cabinets above where you’ll put the food processor that may obstruct the feeding tubes or lids. If it's going to live in your cupboard, can you lift it in and out easily? Some are pretty hefty, weighing as much as 11kg. How much should I spend on a food processor? Some food processors come with a lid that has a wider feed tube so you can process larger items, such as potatoes or cucumbers, without having to chop them up first. Dishwasher-safe attachments and accessories Make sure the food processor has the tools for the tasks you need to do. It’s worth buying a food processor with a jug blender attachment if you want the versatility of blending smoothies or soup as well as processing food. If you're buying a food processor, but like to bake, you may want to look out for a model that comes with a beater attachment for whipping and whisking and/or a dough blade. The Spiraliser Express comes with two interchangeable blades for producing different sized spirals. One blade for creating Spaghetti and the other for ribbons, great for Courgetti and Sweet Potato Ribbons. Easy Clean

The only real issue is the amount of kit can be overwhelming at first, so make time to watch the demo videos, as well as read the booklet in the box. Most spiralizers come with changeable blades for everything from thin curls to chunky ribbons, so you can create more than just spaghetti-like vegetables. If you want to experiment with different vegetables and shapes or make salads with intricate garnishes, those extra blades will come in handy. Ease of cleaning The non-slip grip means it’s comfortable to hold and fairly easy to use, although you’ll need to exert a bit more effort for harder vegetables like carrots. Its single blade, while limiting, can handle most vegetables as long as they’ve come directly from the fridge. While the OXO handheld spiralizer isn’t for anyone who wants to spiralize daily – it’s not a timesaver and you won’t be able to use it for long without getting a sore wrist – it’s a good introduction to spiralizing and will expand your dinner options. Whatever you’re going to spiralize, choosing a machine with good suction pads on the bottom will help keep it in place while you work – and avoid any nasty accidents. The general robustness is, of course, something to consider if you want a spiralizer that can handle the firmest of vegetables and slice them neatly for years to come. Some of the cheaper models may struggle with harder veg, such as sweet potatoes and carrots, so if that’s what you plan to prepare, invest in a model that’s built to last.Simply choose your vegetable or fruit, ensuring it will fit down the feeder shoot. Guide the vegetable down the feeder chute using the plunger and watch the perfect spirals collect in the dedicated container. Spaghetti and Ribbons Food processors are a versatile gadget that can be used to make a broad range of recipes. Visit BBC Good Food to find ideas for what to make in your food processor, from a basic shortcrust pastry recipe or puff pastry recipe , to a homemade peanut butter recipe and classic pesto recipe .