Mini choppers for sun-dried tomatoes: what to look for

Who a mini chopper suits

Small-batch tapenade makers

If you want chopped tomatoes or a coarse paste for one recipe, being able to stop between pulses matters. Kenwood’s sun-dried-tomato tapenade recipe calls for pulsing until a coarse paste forms.

Space-limited everyday cooks

If cupboard or worktop space is scarce, match the chopper’s food capacity to the quantities you usually prepare. The compact models discussed here include 500 ml food-capacity options as well as larger bowls.

Multi-tasking sauce and prep cooks

If the appliance will also make dressings, dips or other preparations, consider whether a larger bowl, speed settings or an accessory is worth the storage space it requires.

What matters when choosing

Start with the texture and quantity you usually need, then decide how much cleaning effort and storage space you can accommodate.

Concern	What to check	Who this matters to
Texture control	Look for pulse operation or controllable speeds so you can pause and inspect the chop. Kenwood’s tapenade recipe uses pulses to reach a coarse paste.	I want pieces or a coarse paste, not to keep processing past the texture my recipe needs. Around 34% of consumers put texture control first.
Footprint and capacity	Compare food capacity, not just bowl volume, and check the appliance’s dimensions against your storage space.	With little room to store an appliance, I want a bowl that fits my usual small recipe without taking up unnecessary space. For around 33% of consumers, footprint is the primary concern.
Cleaning and storage	Check the exact model’s care instructions and how its blade and cable are stored. Kenwood describes dishwasher-safe tools for the CHP61.100WH; Russell Hobbs says the 24662 parts are not dishwasher-safe.	If I often prepare ingredients with oil, I want the clean-up and storage routine to be manageable. Cleaning and storage come first for around 20% of consumers.
Larger batches	Consider an 830 ml to 1.19 L bowl if you regularly prepare more than a small quantity; check whether any accessories serve tasks you actually do.	I make sauces or dips for several portions and would rather have more working room than the smallest bowl. Around 13% of consumers prioritise capacity and versatility.

Buying pitfalls

Choosing by wattage alone

A motor rating does not tell you whether it will be easy to stop at the coarse texture you want for sun-dried tomatoes.

Look for pulse or controllable-speed operation, and inspect the mixture between short bursts.
Treating bowl volume as food capacity

The Russell Hobbs 24662 has a 1 L glass bowl but a stated food capacity of 500 ml. The two figures describe different things.

Compare stated food capacities when deciding whether a chopper fits your usual recipe quantity.
Assuming every part is dishwasher-safe

Care instructions differ by model: Kenwood describes dishwasher-safe tools for the CHP61.100WH, while Russell Hobbs says the 24662 parts are not dishwasher-safe.

Check the exact model’s instructions before cleaning. Electrical Safety First advises following the manufacturer’s cleaning guidance and unplugging the appliance when it is not in use.
Overlooking where a mains model is intended for use

A listing aimed at another market may leave you needing to check whether its plug and instructions suit your location.

Check the intended market, plug and instructions before buying. The Office for Product Safety and Standards publishes Great Britain guidance on electrical equipment placed on the GB market; use Northern Ireland-specific guidance if that is where you will use the chopper.

Brands to consider

Kenwood

The Easy Chop CHP61.100WH is a corded, 500 ml mini chopper with a 500 W motor, two-speed pressure-sensitive control and a pulse function.

Kenwood states that its tools are dishwasher-safe. Its sun-dried-tomato tapenade recipe uses pulses to make a coarse paste.
A 500 ml capacity may mean working in batches for a larger recipe.

KitchenAid

KitchenAid lists an 830 ml mains chopper, a 1.19 L model with a whisk accessory, and a 1.18 L cordless KitchenAid Go model.

KitchenAid specifies two speeds and pulse action for the 830 ml and 1.19 L models. It states up to 25 minutes of chopping before the cordless model needs recharging.
Consider whether a larger bowl earns its storage space for your recipes; the cordless model also needs charging.

Russell Hobbs

The Desire Matte Black Mini Chopper 24662 has a 1 L glass bowl, a stated 500 ml food capacity and manual pulse operation.

Its stated food capacity and pulse control are relevant when preparing small quantities and checking texture as you go.
Russell Hobbs states that the 24662 parts are not dishwasher-safe.

Ninja

The product information lists the Ninja NJ1002UKBK 200 W Express Chopper.

Good Housekeeping UK named a Ninja Professional Chopper 200W runner-up in its mini-chopper roundup.
Check the model number before treating the Professional Chopper named in that roundup as the same product as the NJ1002UKBK in the product information.

Joybuy products

Frequently asked questions

How can I keep sun-dried tomatoes coarsely chopped?

Use short pulses and inspect the texture between them. Kenwood’s sun-dried-tomato tapenade recipe calls for pulsing until a coarse paste forms; stop sooner if your recipe needs distinct pieces.

Is a 500 ml mini chopper enough for sun-dried tomatoes?

A 500 ml food capacity can suit a small amount for one recipe. The Kenwood CHP61.100WH and Russell Hobbs 24662 have this stated capacity; if you regularly prepare larger quantities, compare them with an 830 ml to 1.19 L option and allow for the extra storage space.

Can mini-chopper parts go in the dishwasher?

That depends on the exact model and part. Kenwood describes the CHP61.100WH tools as dishwasher-safe, whereas Russell Hobbs states that the 24662 parts are not. Follow the model’s cleaning instructions and unplug the appliance when it is not in use, as Electrical Safety First advises.

What should I check before buying a mains chopper for use in the UK?

Check that the plug and instructions are intended for where you will use the chopper. The Office for Product Safety and Standards’ guidance on the Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2016 covers equipment placed on the Great Britain market; consult Northern Ireland-specific guidance rather than assuming the GB guidance applies there.