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tank o tang
06/29/2009, 09:59 PM
I want to go pick up something to make my own fish food ( will be for this purpose only) and want to know what people prefer. The food processor or the blender?

tank o tang
06/30/2009, 09:10 AM
anybody ?

SWINGRRRR
06/30/2009, 09:20 AM
I used a cheapo processor. Im sure a blender will work though. I have to store mine outside. Even though its washed completely, it still stinks.

halcyon_diver
06/30/2009, 09:32 AM
cheapo processor too..i think i paid 8 bucks for it at wallmart...does a good job

evsalty
06/30/2009, 09:39 AM
processor

Wildcatreef
06/30/2009, 09:42 AM
I have tried using both and the processor worked much better.

luv951
06/30/2009, 09:43 AM
I use a blender, but now I may try a processor. I have to get in there and stir stuff around with a spatula. From the other responses, I might go buy a cheapy processor and give it a go. No way I am using my wife's cuisinart though. I value life too much.

boilermaker1
06/30/2009, 10:48 AM
Defintely the food processor. Got a little 1 cup FP that my mom didnt need anymore, it works great. I dont think a blender would do as good of a job chopping things up since the blade isnt sharp.

michika
06/30/2009, 12:18 PM
Processor hands down! I make 50-60 cups per batch, and a batch every 2-3 months.

The motor in a blender will blow out long before one in a processor. It also takes longer with a blender.

L98-Z
06/30/2009, 12:26 PM
My blender chops things too fine at times, so I may have to try a processor. Seems that's the best choice.

evsalty
06/30/2009, 12:30 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15281848#post15281848 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by L98-Z
My blender chops things too fine at times, so I may have to try a processor. Seems that's the best choice.

proceesor should chop more fine then a blender

L98-Z
06/30/2009, 12:53 PM
I guess I don't have an ordinary blender, it is 3HP....

evsalty
06/30/2009, 12:57 PM
My processor will turn stuff into a paste or gooy texture. Can not tell that I started with shrimp, clam, squid etc etc.

L98-Z
06/30/2009, 01:00 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15282002#post15282002 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by evsalty
My processor will turn stuff into a paste or gooy texture. Can not tell that I started with shrimp, clam, squid etc etc.

That sounds ideal. Perhaps I'll grab one next time I'm at walmart.

SWINGRRRR
06/30/2009, 01:04 PM
The secret is to not have the processor on for any long amount of time. Ill run it for a couple of seconds, off and on. Believe it or not, that blade will heat the food and start to cook it so you wanna go slow. And just like baking, mix your dry stuff and your wet stuff seperate. Then combine the two as the last step.

I dont make my own food anymore though. I fell in love with Rods. $12 and I dont have to clean anything up.

tomas
10/12/2009, 11:07 AM
Any preference from Walmart's selection ?

(http://www.walmart.com/search/search-ng.do?search_query=food+processor&search_constraint=0&tab_value=69_All&ic=48_0&ref=&search_sort=4&selected_items=+)

lordofthereef
10/12/2009, 11:13 AM
Another vote for processor here. Looks like the processor is winning hands down!

LobsterOfJustice
10/12/2009, 11:38 AM
I've never used a processor but I was not happy when I used a blender. Turned it into mush. I've always thought something like that slap-chop would work great....

melev
10/12/2009, 11:48 AM
Many of those linked on Walmart's site are less than $20. They will work, but won't last too long if you are chopping up frozen foods. I thought I bought mine for $30 to $40, maybe as much as $60. I don't recall.

Everything is processed frozen, which is hard on the motor, but I'm still using it. A part broke under the blending section (the part you remove to wash off), and I was able to fix it with JB-Weld, believe it or not. If you just want to try it out, the ones for $8 to $15 are probably fine, and may last you a few times depending upon how hard you run it.

When making your food, you can make it in smaller batches, with some chopped up very fine and some a little more coarse. Then mix it all up and everything in your tank will be able to eat the food sized for their mouths.

jason2459
10/12/2009, 12:38 PM
I use the slapchop and the shamwow for water changes!




:D



What are you all using to store the slury in? I was thinking of making food in bulk and freezing in those minifridge mini-icecube trays?

melev
10/12/2009, 12:49 PM
I put mine in freezer-rated ziplock bags, pressed flat so it is easy to snap off tiny pieces each day.

http://www.melevsreef.com/pics/food/readytoserve.jpg

hllywd
10/12/2009, 12:50 PM
I use the Cuisinart (processor), it works great. Throw everything in the dishwasher afterward and its good as new.
Tim

jason2459
10/12/2009, 12:51 PM
I put mine in freezer-rated ziplock bags, pressed flat so it is easy to snap off tiny pieces each day.

http://www.melevsreef.com/pics/food/readytoserve.jpg

Looks like some nice chum there. Great idea, thanks.

tank o tang
10/12/2009, 02:26 PM
Thanks everyone. I was going to pour it into eggcreate to make frozen cubes then put the cubes into those vacuum pump freezer bag

melev
10/12/2009, 02:33 PM
That works too. Ed Reef did a really nice write up about making food in his build thread. Ask him about it and he'll point you to the post.

iamwhatiam52
10/12/2009, 08:51 PM
Everything is processed frozen

Never thought of that!

Do most of you thaw it first, or chop it frozen?


And what about squid? When I chop squid in my cheep processor some of it is too large for my fish and the rest is mush. Will processing it frozen give me a more uniform result?

melev
10/12/2009, 09:09 PM
What I do is take the frozen food, put it on a plastic HDPE cutting board, and use a big knife to cut it up into smaller chunks that are then put in the processor. The duration of how long you pulse/chop it will determine food size. Stop, open it up and check, resume processing, stop, check again... You'll get a good feel for it as you go. If it gets chopped up too fine, the next batch can be a bit larger. Once you combine it all in a big bowl, you'll have a mixture of different sizes to freeze - and offer to your tank later.

Oh, and btw, I love to lower the cutting board and the processor parts in my tank the day I make fish food so my reef can get a banquet that night. :D

James77
10/12/2009, 09:33 PM
Is there anywhere that sells the cubed trays?

Mikeeal
10/12/2009, 09:43 PM
Oh, and btw, I love to lower the cutting board and the processor parts in my tank the day I make fish food so my reef can get a banquet that night. :D

HA! I love this part.

I have the cheap $14 type, it's worked great for me for the last few years. I now realize from this thread that thawin my seafood out first has probably made the cheapo processor last longer.