Reviewing the Vitamix Food Processor Attachment

The Vitamix Food Processor Attachment is Finally Here: Let’s Talk First Impressions

The 12-Cup Food Processor Attachment with SELF-DETECT from Vitamix is now available for purchase. The question is, after several years of rumors, will it live up to the hype?

Well, we’re pretty excited about it. Even, or perhaps, especially at $199 ($259 CAD).

Why?

Because for years, we’ve had to answer the question “Can my Vitamix replace my food processor?” And the answer has always been, “Yes, but…”

Standard Vitamix containers can do everything a food processor can do. But as I explain in our video review, they just cannot shred or slice.

This, the Food Processor Attachment, changes that.

Everything You Need, Nothing You Don’t

At first glance, the Vitamix Food Processor Attachment comes with a lot of pieces.

1. Base
2. Bowl
3. Top
4. Big pusher
5. Little pusher
6. Large shred / thick slice disc
7. Small shred / thin slice disc
8. Multi-purpose blade
9. Disc holder
10. Disc holder top

But when it’s all put together, the Food Processor Attachment stacks and stores nicely. Ten pieces become one.

And these ten pieces are the essentials for a good food processor. Everything you need, but nothing you don’t.

Works (well) with Smart System’s SELF DETECT (only)

The Vitamix Food Processor Attachment is only compatible with Smart System Vitamix models. So Ascent Series and Venturist.

You can see on the bottom of the base that it’s designed to only fit onto Smart System bases. You may be able to squeeze it onto a Classic, but you really shouldn’t.

Why?

Food Processor Attachments have safety features that only work with Smart System models. The blender detects that the attachment is on and everything is secured.

Of note, our A3500 recognized the attachment quickly without issue.

3 Notes About the Food Processor Attachment’s Blade

The blade on this attachment is unique to Vitamix products. Here’s how:

It’s Sharp!

The blades on the Food Processor Attachment are

It’s Removable!

Like a food processor and by design, the blades are removable. This is in contrast to standard Vitamix containers that have blades are fixed (not removable) to the container.

The result?

Everything except for the base is dishwasher safe. But because nothing is fixed together, there are more disparate pieces to clean than standard containers.

It’s Set to Lower Gear Ratio (than standard Vitamix containers and blades)

The blades on the Food Processor Attachment spin at about 10% of the speed that the blade on standard Vitamix containers do. This works via gears built into the base sort of like a bicycle. (3:53 here shows this nicely)

They also only spin at one speed. You can turn the dial from Variable Speed 1 to 10 and the speed doesn’t change. (It’s like the best food processors: On / Off, Pulse.)

What it’s Like to Use It

We noticed right away that the Food Processor attachment is not loud. And that makes sense.

As noted above, the blade isn’t spinning as fast as standard Vitamix blades. So the noise output is noticeable less.

And processing ingredients happens fast.

Slicing tasks were less than five seconds. Chopping depended on how much you were chopping (but was also much faster than blending a smoothie, obviously.)

Overall, the Food Processor Attachment was easy and fun to use. Not sure if it’s any different, though, than how we’d feel about a standalone food processor.

And that leads us to our plans with this thing.

Next Steps For Us

We’re pretty excited to see how we use the Food Processor Attachment in our lives.

We know it’s inspiring us to get creative again. We’re excited about making things that we couldn’t before.

• Falafel
• Ratatouille
• Shaved Ice
• Hashbrowns
• Plant-based burgers

But will it change our lives the same way our first Vitamix did? It’s hard to say.

We maintain a minimalist lifestyle. Things need to earn their place in our home.

Will this attachment help us in that way?

These are just our first impressions. In a year or so, we’ll publish a long-term review with our findings.

Until then, it’s up to you:

The Food Processor Attachment May be For you If (you have a Smart System and)…

You were going to buy it no matter what.

You’ve been waiting. And you were planning to get it the second it became available. If that’s you, you’ll love it.

You have a food processor but it’s time to upgrade.

Maybe you got a food processor for your wedding a long time ago. And maybe it’s time to upgrade.

You’re looking for a holiday gift.

If you know someone that loves their Ascent or Venturist Series Vitamix (basically any Vitamix besides Explorian that was made after 2016) and needs a holiday gift from you, you can buy this attachment and they’ll love it.

The Food Processor Attachment May *NOT* be For you If…

You have a Classic Vitamix.

Anything made before 2016 cannot drive this attachment. (If this is disappointing for you, please know that I hear ya.)

You have a food processor and it’s still working fine.

The decision to upgrade the appliance depends on how much you use it today.

FAQ

Should I upgrade to Ascent (so I can get a Food Processor Attachment)?

It’s hard to say. If you’ve been waiting for an excuse to upgrade, then this is it. But if you’re perfectly happy with your Vitamix, than you’re probably best to wait. (And if you need a food processor, grab the best one for most people.)

Can I get the Food Processor Attachment to work on my Classic?

You may be able to. But you really shouldn’t. (Really, don’t.)

Will they be available in the UK?

At the moment, they’re only available in USA and Canada. We’ll send an email if that changes. (Keep me updated.)

Does the firmware software for the base need to upgraded for the base?

Nothing needs to be updated. Which is interesting because that indicates they’ve been planning to offer this since the beginning.

Conclusion

The Vitamix Food Processor Attachment is a well-built, well-designed attachment. It does what it’s supposed to do well:

• Slice and chop like a food processor
• Run on and with a Smart System Vitamix

If you’ve been waiting a long time for it, you’ll love it.

___

Originally published on August 18, 2020, here’s the “coming soon announcement” post about the Food Processor Attachment.

Coming Soon: Vitamix Food Processor Attachment

The Vitamix Food Processor Attachment (FPA), Compatible with Ascent and Venturist Blenders, to be Released September 2020

Just teased on their website, the 12-Cup Food Processor Attachment with SELF-DETECT from Vitamix is no longer just a rumor. It’s happening and scheduled for launch in September 2020.

It’s priced at $199 ($259 CAD).

We’re planning a First Impressions video on our YouTube channel to show it to you. We just need to get our hands on one, first. 🙂

We’ll provide updates on all this, price, launch date, availability, video review, etc. as we get them. (Keep me updated.)

Until then, here’s what we know about the long-awaited Vitamix Food Processor Attachment.

Contents

Compatibility

Availability

Functionality

FAQ

The Vitamix Food Processor Attachment is Exclusive to Smart System (Ascent or Venturist) Models

The folks at Vitamix HQ have long told us that Smart System was “the system on which Vitamix is building its future.” While there weren’t any concrete examples of why this may be true, we trusted the guidance and used that information to help people figure out which model to get.

But with the Food Processor Attachment, this makes sense.

The Food Processor Attachment is only compatible with Ascent and Venturist (Smart System) models. In other words, if you have a Classic Vitamix model, your machine will not be able to use the Food Processor Attachment.

Unsure about whether or not your Vitamix will work with the Food Processor Attachment? Contact us and we’ll help ya.

The Food Processor Attachment will be Available in USA and Canada

Buyers in the USA and Canada can buy a Food Processor Attachment for $199 ($259 CAD). They’re shipped for free via links from this site.

At this time, it’s not available for buyers in the UK, unfortunately. If anything changes, we’ll send an update to our list.

They’re saying they’ll be available for purchase in September of 2020.

It Can Slice, Dice, (and do everything a food processor can do)

You’ve always been able to use your Vitamix as a food processor. But slicing was always a challenge.

Why?

The blade in standard Vitamix containers are, by design, not sharp. So any food processor tasks with the standard blender container were limited to coarse chopping hard vegetables and making variable textured dips. (Those work great.)

Now, with this attachment, you should be able to bridge that gap.

Per the site, you’ll be able to finely chop, mince, knead, and mix ingredients with the Multi-Use Blade. And, you’ll be able to slice and shred with the small and large discs.

Now, I’m sure you have some questions. Let’s get to those now.

FAQ

Why can’t my Vitamix use it?

The Food Processor Attachment has what they’re calling the Wireless Safety System. This shuts off the blade if not properly attached and is only compatible with the newer Smart System models (Ascent and Venturist).

Is it easy to clean?

Hard to say. The high-capacity bowl is dishwasher safe. But unlike traditional Vitamix blenders whose blades are fixed to the container, the blades on the Food Processor Attachment are removable and thus may require some extra steps to clean.

Will it go on sale (special deals)?

Hard to say. It’s a new product, so it’s not likely that’d discount it now. During the holiday sale, there may be something special for people also buying a blender. Like a buy one, get one at a special price. But there’s nothing like that scheduled at this time.

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