Mixer Grinder + Food Processor. Review on Philips HL 1659

The photo shown is of Philips food processor HR7625(Daily Collection) and not HL1659(Lavender Intelligent).

The actual photo is attached here.

Best Price: Rs 7, 500/-

This model was introduced by philips in 2008.

Warranty for 2 years.

3 Stainless Steel Jars(and not plastic or glass jars which are susceptible to scratches).

Blender Jar and Bowl made of SAN(Styrene Acrylonitrile) resin, which has high thermal resistance; meaning that hot liquids(not boiling) will not cause warping of the containers. Though it is recommended to cool them before putting in the blender.

Maximum recommended continuous usage for 30 minutes. The motor shuts off after 5 minutes(in auto mode) and 3.5 minutes(in manual mode) of continuous operation, and will start within the next 5 minutes.

The processor on power up goes in'Auto' mode by default, that is, it will run the motor for the time you provide(timer based). Fix the jar with lid on and press down the arm on the lid, so the whole assembly is locked. In this mode if the time display shows 00:00, then the speed knob will not start the motor, since the time given is 0. Use the up and down arrow buttons to increase or decrease the time in steps of 5 seconds, and keep it pressed for changing the time further. Now turn the knob to whichever speed you want. The motor will start and the time starts to decrease every second, and after the set time the motor will stop on its own.

If you don't want to use the timer(that is Auto mode), go to'Manual' mode. To put in manual mode press'Mode' button and the display will change from 00:00 to °o:o° . Now turn the speed knob and the motor runs if the jar is locked with the lid on and pressed with the arm.

The timer displays the following symbols

__:__ Power On

00:__ Jar Fitted

00:00 Ready(Arm Locked) in Auto Mode

°o:o° Ready(Arm Locked) in Manual Mode

XX:AE Arm Ejected(XX is remaining time)

JE:XX Jar Ejected(XX is remaining time)

OL:__ Over Load(Reduce quantity in jar, wait for few minutes, and press overload release button at bottom)

Some recommended tips:

Use speed 1 only for food processor and blender jar, both of which are made of plastic.

To release vacuum feet, press vacuum lever at bottom for 2 to 3 seconds and then lift up the motor unit.

To cancel the set time in Auto mode(also called timer mode), bring speed knob to 0 and then press'Mode' button twice.

To change the time while in operation. Bring knob to 0. Change time using up or down buttons and then turn knob to the required speed.

For grinding(wet/dry/chutney) use speed 1 and 2 for 10 to 15 seconds and there after use speed 3 till you finish grinding.

Clean jar/bowl immediately after use with running water, as it is much easier and faster compared to keeping food stagnant and risk it colouring and hardening the plastic jar/bowl.

To remove carrot juice from plastic white parts(it will happen when shredding carrots), clean with running water, put a few drops of cooking oil and rub it on the surface which dissolves the carrot pigments, and then wash with detergent. Wash immediately after use, as the stains may become stubborn and difficult to remove.

To prepare dough for chapatis. Put a few drops of cooking oil in bowl and smear it evenly on the inside surface, also apply on plastic blade and spindle. Put the empty bowl on the motor unit, fix the spindle and the plastic kneading blade. Only after this put wheat flour(2.5 cups for 7 chapatis) on top of the blade. Add a pinch of salt. Cover the bowl. You can cover the bowl before itself and put flour from feeding tube. Keep 1 cup of water ready in a jug. Start the motor at speed 1. Put water in feeding tube slowly. After a minute the dough would have mixed nicely. Once you open the bowl lid and put it back again for further kneading, will cause the dough to come out from bottom of the bowl. Therefore remove the lid only when you think no further kneading is required.

Wet slightly you palms with oil/ghee and remove the dough. wash the bowl immediately with running water. No need to wash with detergent every time. Wash it once in a week with detergent or when slimy vegetables are chopped.

What I do not like about this food processor:

The rubber seals are smelly and look and feel crumbly. Philips could have used a better material for it, something odorless and with good finishing. It has been only a week I started using it so do not know the long term wear and tear that will occur. Still there is a solution to it if you like this food processor.

First, wash it(and everything else that will come in contact with food) thoroughly the first time you use it, with detergent. Keep in open air for a day. After it is dried up, put a few drops of cooking oil on the rubber seals and smear it.

Second, while storing the jars do not close the jar the way you do while using it. Place the lid on the jar with the rubber seal facing up and keep the small opening in the lid open. The rubber will only smell if you lock the jar air tight.

I hope it will be useful to all.

Rohit.