A commercial food processor turns repetitive knife work into a machine job: slicing, shredding, dicing, chopping and pureeing in volume. The first decision is the feed style. A batch bowl unit chops, mixes and purees inside a closed bowl, a continuous feed unit pushes product through a disc and out into a pan, and a combination unit does both on one motor base. Pick by what you prep most, how much of it, and what power your kitchen has.
Every spec and price below comes from product listings in our store at the time of writing.
What a commercial food processor does (and what it does not)
The WebstaurantStore article Food Processor vs Food Chopper vs Food Blender sums up the split well: a food processor uses interchangeable blades and discs to chop, slice, shred, grate, mix or puree, while a blender is built to move liquid around a jar and liquefy it. Smoothies and smooth soups are blender work; sliced vegetables, shredded cheese, salsas and spreads are processor work.
It is also not a mixer or a grinder. Dough in quantity belongs in a planetary or spiral mixer (see our commercial mixer size guide), raw meat belongs in a grinder (see the meat grinder size guide), and deli meats and cheeses sliced to order belong on a slicer (see the meat slicer buying guide). For where a processor fits in a full kitchen buildout, start with our commercial kitchen equipment guide.
Batch bowl vs continuous feed vs combination
Manufacturers sort their lines the same way. The Hobart commercial food processors page splits its range into countertop continuous feed, floor model continuous feed and bowl style units, and lists cutter mixers separately. Robot Coupe’s US site groups its machines into combination processors, vegetable preparation machines and cutter mixers.
Batch bowl food processor
A bowl unit has an S blade (or similar knife assembly) spinning in a sealed bowl. It is the tool for salsa, pesto, dressings, chopped herbs and purees. Output is limited by bowl size: fill, run, empty, repeat.
Continuous feed food processor
A continuous feed unit has no bowl to fill. Product goes into a hopper or chute, hits a spinning disc, and drops out the front into a pan or bus tub. This is the machine for slicing cases of cucumbers or shredding block cheese for a pizza line. Hobart’s FP series listings rate output in pounds per minute (11 lb per minute on the FP100 up to 26 lb per minute on the FP350).
Combination units
A combination processor puts a bowl and a continuous feed head on the same base. The Centerline by Hobart CCH32-1 listing describes continuous feed at 500 RPM and bowl processing at 1400 RPM, with a 3.2 quart bowl. It suits kitchens with mixed prep and room for one machine.
Bowl size, motor HP and speeds
Bowl capacity on our listings runs from 3.2 quarts on the Centerline combination units, to 4 quarts on the Hobart FP41, to 6 quarts on the Hobart HCM61-1 and HCM62-1. A bigger bowl means fewer cycles per batch.
Motor ratings vary widely and do not map neatly to throughput. The FP100 runs a 1/3 HP motor, the FP150 a 1/2 HP, the FP250 and FP41 3/4 HP, the FP350 1 HP, the Centerline units 1.34 HP, the HCM61-1 1 1/2 HP and the HCM62-1 2 HP. Bowl units spin fast to chop and puree (1725 RPM on the FP41 and HCM61-1; 1725/3450 RPM on the two speed HCM62-1), while continuous feed units spin slower so the disc cuts cleanly (420 to 430 RPM on the FP series).
More speeds give you more control. The CCH34-1 offers four speeds (500/800 RPM continuous feed, 1400/2650 RPM in the bowl) against two on the CCH32-1, and adds dicing capability per its listing.
Commercial food processor comparison table
Prices and specs as listed in our store at the time of writing. “Not listed” means the listing does not state that spec.
| Model | Price | Feed type | Bowl size | Motor | Power as listed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart CCH32-1 | $1,762.00 | Combination (2 speed) | 3.2 qt | 1.34 HP | Not listed |
| Hobart CCH34-1 | $2,000.00 | Combination (4 speed, dicing) | 3.2 qt | 1.34 HP | Not listed |
| Hobart FP41 | $3,758.30 | Bowl (per description) | 4 qt | 3/4 HP | 120/60/1, 8 ft cord with plug |
| Hobart HCM61-1 | $5,472.60 | Bowl (per description) | 6 qt | 1 1/2 HP | 120V |
| Hobart FP100 | $3,589.60 | Continuous, half size hopper | None (11 lb/min) | 1/3 HP | 120/60/1 |
| Hobart FP250-1 | $6,665.40 | Continuous, full size hopper | None (17 lb/min) | 3/4 HP | 120/60/1, 8.0 amps |
| Hobart FP350 | $9,029.30 | Continuous, full size hopper | None (26 lb/min) | 1 HP | Not listed on this listing |
The FP series units are listed as unit only, so budget separately for plates; variants like the FP100-1A and FP100-1B bundle plate packages. Browse the full lineup on our Hobart brand page.
Food processor discs and the S blade
On a continuous feed machine, the disc decides the cut. The main families on our listings:
- Slicing plates: fixed thickness. Our Hobart listings run from 1/16 inch fine slicer plates up to 5/8 inch soft slicing plates (the SFTSLCE and 15SFSLC series) for softer produce such as tomatoes.
- Grating and shredding plates: perforated plates such as the Hobart 15SHRED-3/16-SS (3/16 inch shred) for cheese, cabbage and potatoes.
- Julienne plates: thin strips, such as the Hobart 15JUL-5/64-SS at 2 mm for carrots, zucchini and cucumbers.
- Dicing grids: a two part setup. A grid like the Hobart DICEGRD-5/8 (15 mm dice) works together with a slicing plate; its listing calls for slicer plates of 3 to 10 mm or soft slicer plates of 8 to 10 mm.
In a bowl unit, the S blade does the work. WebstaurantStore’s guide describes it as the blade for chopping, mixing and pureeing, and recommends short pulses so herbs are chopped instead of turned into paste.
Power: 115V/120V vs 208/240V
Most units on our listings run on standard 120V single phase power: the FP100, FP150, FP250, FP350 (on the FP350-1A listing), FP41 and HCM61-1. Some variants need more. The FP150-2 is listed at 220 to 230V, 50/60 Hz, single phase, and the HCM62-1 at 208 to 240V, 60 Hz, three phase with an 8 ft cord and plug.
Plug types (NEMA configurations) are not stated on these listings, so confirm the plug and circuit with the manufacturer spec sheet before you order. A licensed electrician and your local code have the final word on any new circuit or receptacle.
Safety interlocks and cleaning
Every Hobart FP series and HCM listing mentions triple safety interlocks; the FP41 listing says they prevent operation unless components are properly secured. The Centerline units list a double interlock switch. Never defeat an interlock.
For cleaning, WebstaurantStore advises unplugging the unit and fully disassembling it for cleaning and sanitizing after use. Stainless cutting surfaces, removable plates and a bowl scraper or wiper (listed on the HCM61-1 and the Centerline units) make that faster. Follow the manual for which parts are dishwasher safe.
Frequently asked questions
Is a continuous feed food processor better than a bowl unit?
A continuous feed food processor wins when you slice, shred or dice large amounts of solid product. A bowl unit wins for sauces, purees, emulsions and chopped mixtures. If you do both regularly, look at a combination unit.
What size batch bowl food processor do I need?
Our listings range from 3.2 quarts (Centerline combination units) to 6 quarts (HCM61-1 and HCM62-1). Size it to your largest regular batch.
Which food processor discs should I buy first?
Start with the cuts you do every day. A shredding plate and one or two slicing plates cover most kitchens; add julienne or a dicing grid when you have a menu item that needs it.
Does a commercial food processor need a special outlet?
Many run on standard 120V, but some variants need 208 to 240V or three phase power. Check the listing and spec sheet, and have a licensed electrician confirm your circuit.
Not sure which commercial food processor fits your prep line? Call us at 866-777-2590, Monday to Friday, 9AM to 6PM PST. Orders of $999 or more ship with free freight shipping (a $200 flat rate applies below that), and you can review our return and refund policy before you buy.
