What are the most important appliances for the vegan kitchen? An article in Mother Nature Network lists their suggestions of the most important and useful tools and equipment that every vegan kitchen should have.

Both new and long-time vegans will definitely agree that the right appliances make cooking and baking easier and more enjoyable. Take cashew cream for example. Soaked, blended cashews make an amazing base for frosting, dips, raw desserts, and sauces … but a high-powered blender or food processor is a must!

The right appliances allow you to whip up new, creative ideas at home instead of buying everything pre-made, ultimately saving money and allowing you to customize recipes to your preferences. Check out the guide below to help you find the right appliance for your needs and budget.

Juicers:

Juicing fresh fruits, vegetables and herbs gives you a nutritional boost and allows you to mix together your favorite combination of produce.

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Brand	Breville	Black & Decker	Breville
Feature	Heavy-duty compact juice fountain with centered knife blade assembly 700-watt motor operates at 14,000 RPM for maximum extraction Extra-large 3-inch centered feed tube; stainless-steel micro-mesh filter Dishwasher-safe parts; custom cleaning brush included Measures 9-1/2 by 8-3/4 by 16 inches; 1-year limited warranty	400 watts of power plus a stainless steel cutter and strainer juices all your favorite fruits and vegetables with ease Large, integrated pulp container reduces space taken on counter Custom juice cup makes measuring, pouring and serving easy Dishwasher-safe parts make cleanup a breeze Measures 13 by 9 by 9-inch; 2-year limited warranty	1000-watt juicer with 2 speed controls, high (13,000 RPM) and low (6,500 RPM) Die-cast steel housing; stainless-steel micromesh filter; titanium-plated cutting disk Circular 3-inch feed tube accommodates whole fruits and vegetables Pulp container, juicing pitcher, and manual/recipe book included; dishwasher-safe parts Locking arm bolts move up to 1/4" in all directions to ensure a snug fit in the locking arm
Manufacturer	Breville	Black & Decker	HWI/Breville USA
Model	BJE200XL	JE2200B	800JEXL
UPC	021614043283	050875804753	021614034205
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Breville makes a line of high-quality juicers that fit various kitchen needs. The least expensive, at about $150, is the Breville BJE200XL 700-Watt Compact Juice Fountain. It’s a compact juicer designed to save counter space. The deluxe model, the Breville 800JEXL Juice Fountain Elite 1000-Watt Juice Extractor, sells for around $300.

Trusted brands like Black and Decker offer more affordable juicers, like their Fruit and Vegetable Juice Extractor. This model is available for under $40.

Blenders:

A high-powered blender is a must for smoothie lovers and raw foodies! Smoothies are an amazing way to get a healthy dose of fruit and/or greens, and are a nice complement to juicing. A powerful blender is also the best way to make a variety of sauces, raw soups, and even nut milk.

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Title	Vitamix 1782 TurboBlend, 2 Speed	Vitamix 1363 CIA Professional Series, Platinum	Vitamix 1732 TurboBlend VS Blender
Feature	Super-efficient 2 peak horsepower motor Oversize, 64-ounce container Locking lid design for easy removal Patented tamper tool for processing thick ingredients and to prevent air pockets from forming Full color recipe book with over 160 recipes This machine runs on 120 volts	Countertop blender with laser-cut stainless-steel blades 2+ peak hp motor generates blade speeds of 240 MPH Durable construction; variable speed control 64-ounce jar; recipe books, instructional DVD, and manual included Measures 8-3/4 by 7-1/4 by 20 inches; 7-year warranty	Variable speed control allows for flexibility and creativity Powerful 2 peak motor horsepower Bpa-free, shatter-proof container with 64-ounce of true blending capacity Spill-proof lid with removable Lid Plug seals securely allowing ingredients to be added while processing Live fresh recipe book and let's get started dvd instructional video
Manufacturer	Vita-Mix Corporation	Vita-Mix	Vita-Mix Corporation
Model	1782	1363	1732
UPC	703113017827	703113013638	703113017322
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There’s a reason the Vitamix has an almost cult-like following; vegans and raw foodies around the world will attest that it is the ulimate blender. Its powerful motor, various settings, and patented tamper stick allow you to do much more than with a typical blender. Ranging in price from $329 to $649, the Vitamix is definitely an investment, but you can use it to juice, blend, chop, powder and process with ease. The company’s unparalleled 5-to-7 year warranties guarantee your satisfaction.

There are also plenty of great blenders available for under $100. For example, this Oster Blender with a bonus food processor attachment is available for about $80 on Amazon.

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Feature	Revolutionary Wave-Action system pulls mixture down into the blades for smooth results 40-Ounce dishwasher safe glass jar 450 Watt peak-power motor Patented stainless steel Ice Sabre blades Counter-stable jar base	2-speed toggle with 600 watts of ice crushing power 5-cup dishwasher-safe glass jar is Thermal Shock tested to withstand extreme temperature changes Stainless steel Ice Crusher blade for perfectly crushed ice every time Oster All Metal Drive system for lasting durability; durable die-cast construction Removable filler cap for easy and convenient filling and measuring	High-performance 600-watt motor with die-cast metal housing with stainless steel collar Sleek 4-speed electronic touchpad controls with blue indicators: high, low, pulse and Ice crush controls Standby mode; automatic 2-minute auto-stop feature 48-Ounce thermal shock-resistant borosilicate glass jar and a patented ultra-sharp stainless steel blade Tight-seal lid with 2-ounce measure pouring cap insert
Manufacturer	Hamilton Beach	Oster	Cuisinart
Model	50242N	004093-008-NP0	SPB-600
UPC	040094502417	034264003262	086279029874
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Food Processors:

A good food processor is indispensable for making raw desserts (like no-bake brownies!) and finely chopping vegetables. A number of models are available from well-known brands such as Breville, Black and Decker, Cuisinart, KitchenAid and Hamilton Beach.

Look for sturdy construction and adequate cup size, especially if you plan to use this appliance frequently, for large batches, or on hard to process foods. Food processors aren’t cheap these days, but you do often get what you pay for in the world of appliances.

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Feature	Lexan work bowl virtually shatterproof, dishwasher-safe Speed automatically adjusts to ensure proper dough consistency Includes spatula, recipe/instruction book, and how-to DVD; dishwasher-safe parts One-piece Supreme wide mouth feed tube holds whole fruits and vegetables Spatula, recipes, how-to video included	Comes with 5 multi-function discs and 3 blades out of the box 5.5 inch super-wide feed chute reduces the need to pre-cut most fruits and vegetables BPA-free processing bowls; 16 cup large bowl and 2.5 cup mini processing bowl LCD display displays count-up and count-down auto timer Accessory storage box can be stored horizontally or vertically based on storage space	Measures 16-1/8 by 8-1/4 by 10-1/2-inch; 1-year replacement warranty 700-Watt food processor with 12-cup work bowl and multipurpose stainless-steel blade set Durable sealed housing creates sound barrier for quiet operation; pulse control Dual feed tubes; 4-cup mini bowl with blade; assortment of accessories with storage case included Base wipes clean easily; dishwasher-safe bowls, blades, and discs
Manufacturer	Cuisinart	HWI/Breville USA	KitchenAid
Model	DLC-2009CHB	BFP800XL	KFP750PK
UPC	086279022301	021614053817	883049005713
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Dehydrators:

Dehydrating is a common practice, and it’s not just for raw foodists! This appliance is awesome for making raw pizza crusts, crackers, dried fruit, and much more. Like the Vitamix, a good dehydrator is an investment. But after making a few batches of “cheesy” kale chips or raw granola, the machine will pay for itself in a short time period.

The Excalibur 3000 Series Dehydrators are highly regarded for their superior quality and customized timer settings that simplify the dehydrating process. Their 5-tray dehydrator is available on Amazon for about $200, and the 9-tray version is a bit more.

A less expensive option is the Ronco 5-tray Dehydrator, which retails for about $50. The Ronco model provides a clear view of your food as it dries, and comes with the option to add additional trays.

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Feature	5-Tray dehydrator, 8 square feet of drying space Built in on/off switch Perfect for families with small gardens Includes adjustable thermostat Easy to clean Polyscreen tray inserts	400-watts of drying power Expandable to 7 trays Clear top to monitor the drying process Fan forced radial air flow means no tray rotation needed Made in USA	125-watt food dehydrator with 5 interchangeable trays Electrical heating coils produce convection air flow for evenly dried food Internal operating temperature of up to 133 degrees F; quiet operation Instructional booklet with recipes included; made in the USA Measures 13 by 13 by 12-1/2 inches; 10-year limited warranty
Manufacturer	Omega Juicers	Nesco American Harvest	Ronco
Model	3500B	FD-37	FD1005WHGEN
UPC	837654243152	029517005513	665860990146
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While this is a pretty good list of vegan kitchen appliances, we believe two other items that every vegan kitchen should have are immersion blenders and soymilk makers. We have a detailed review of soymilk makers, here: http://veganbits.com/soy-milk-maker-review/ and a immersion blenders, here: http://veganbits.com/gift-ideas/

Jane uses the immersion blender all the time. I think it's her favorite tool. Here are a few links to some soups that she's made with her immersion blender:

http://veganbits.com/vegan-kabocha-squash-soup/

http://veganbits.com/carrot-soup-and-homemade-bread/

http://veganbits.com/vegan-cream-of-asparagus-soup/

Are there other vegan kitchen appliances that you consider essential?

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