How much does it cost to run a food processor?
A food processor costs about 11¢ per hour, 0.3¢ a day, $0.09 a month and $1 a year at typical use (6 minutes a day, 2 days a week) and the U.S. average rate of 17.99¢/kWh. Full-size food processors draw 500-750 W; mini choppers 250 W. Running a few minutes costs very little.
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Cost by hours of use
| Hours per day | kWh/day | Per day | Per month | Per year (all year) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 hour | 0.17 | 3.1¢ | $0.94 | $11 |
| 2 hours | 0.34 | 6.2¢ | $1.88 | $23 |
| 4 hours | 0.69 | 12¢ | $3.75 | $45 |
| 8 hours | 1.37 | 25¢ | $7.51 | $90 |
| 12 hours | 2.06 | 37¢ | $11.26 | $135 |
| 24 hours | 4.11 | 74¢ | $22.53 | $270 |
Cost to run a food processor in every state
The same food processor costs $1 a year in North Dakota and $3 in Hawaii, at each state's average residential rate (12 months ending July 2026).
| State | Rate | Per hour | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Dakota | 12.32¢ | 7.4¢ | $0.06 | $1 |
| Idaho | 12.65¢ | 7.6¢ | $0.07 | $1 |
| Nebraska | 12.86¢ | 7.7¢ | $0.07 | $1 |
| Louisiana | 12.99¢ | 7.8¢ | $0.07 | $1 |
| Utah | 13.32¢ | 8.0¢ | $0.07 | $1 |
| Nevada | 13.36¢ | 8.0¢ | $0.07 | $1 |
| Arkansas | 13.43¢ | 8.1¢ | $0.07 | $1 |
| Tennessee | 13.56¢ | 8.1¢ | $0.07 | $1 |
| Oklahoma | 13.70¢ | 8.2¢ | $0.07 | $1 |
| Montana | 13.84¢ | 8.3¢ | $0.07 | $1 |
| Kentucky | 13.92¢ | 8.4¢ | $0.07 | $1 |
| Missouri | 13.95¢ | 8.4¢ | $0.07 | $1 |
| Wyoming | 14.01¢ | 8.4¢ | $0.07 | $1 |
| Washington | 14.12¢ | 8.5¢ | $0.07 | $1 |
| Iowa | 14.13¢ | 8.5¢ | $0.07 | $1 |
| South Dakota | 14.20¢ | 8.5¢ | $0.07 | $1 |
| Mississippi | 14.77¢ | 8.9¢ | $0.08 | $1 |
| North Carolina | 14.77¢ | 8.9¢ | $0.08 | $1 |
| Kansas | 15.09¢ | 9.1¢ | $0.08 | $1 |
| Georgia | 15.12¢ | 9.1¢ | $0.08 | $1 |
| New Mexico | 15.32¢ | 9.2¢ | $0.08 | $1 |
| Florida | 15.39¢ | 9.2¢ | $0.08 | $1 |
| Arizona | 15.40¢ | 9.2¢ | $0.08 | $1 |
| West Virginia | 15.48¢ | 9.3¢ | $0.08 | $1 |
| Oregon | 15.50¢ | 9.3¢ | $0.08 | $1 |
| South Carolina | 15.64¢ | 9.4¢ | $0.08 | $1 |
| Texas | 15.96¢ | 9.6¢ | $0.08 | $1 |
| Minnesota | 16.22¢ | 9.7¢ | $0.08 | $1 |
| Alabama | 16.44¢ | 9.9¢ | $0.09 | $1 |
| Virginia | 16.48¢ | 9.9¢ | $0.09 | $1 |
| Colorado | 16.58¢ | 9.9¢ | $0.09 | $1 |
| Indiana | 16.94¢ | 10¢ | $0.09 | $1 |
| Delaware | 17.79¢ | 11¢ | $0.09 | $1 |
| Ohio | 18.25¢ | 11¢ | $0.10 | $1 |
| Wisconsin | 18.74¢ | 11¢ | $0.10 | $1 |
| Illinois | 18.79¢ | 11¢ | $0.10 | $1 |
| Pennsylvania | 20.70¢ | 12¢ | $0.11 | $1 |
| Maryland | 21.03¢ | 13¢ | $0.11 | $1 |
| Michigan | 21.05¢ | 13¢ | $0.11 | $1 |
| New Jersey | 23.78¢ | 14¢ | $0.12 | $1 |
| Vermont | 23.80¢ | 14¢ | $0.12 | $1 |
| District of Columbia | 24.20¢ | 15¢ | $0.13 | $2 |
| New Hampshire | 26.67¢ | 16¢ | $0.14 | $2 |
| Alaska | 26.85¢ | 16¢ | $0.14 | $2 |
| Connecticut | 27.99¢ | 17¢ | $0.15 | $2 |
| New York | 28.39¢ | 17¢ | $0.15 | $2 |
| Rhode Island | 29.27¢ | 18¢ | $0.15 | $2 |
| Maine | 29.31¢ | 18¢ | $0.15 | $2 |
| Massachusetts | 30.43¢ | 18¢ | $0.16 | $2 |
| California | 32.99¢ | 20¢ | $0.17 | $2 |
| Hawaii | 43.51¢ | 26¢ | $0.23 | $3 |
How to cut the cost
- Process in full bowls rather than several small runs.
- Use pulse for chopping to avoid over-processing.
- Keep blades sharp; dull blades lengthen run time.
Cheaper ways to get the job done
Uses about a third of the power for small jobs like garlic and herbs.
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Compare with similar appliances
| Appliance | Watts | Typical use | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food processor | 600 | 6 minutes a day, 2 days a week | $0.09 | $1 |
| Blender | 800 | 3 minutes a day, 4 days a week | $0.13 | $2 |
| Stand mixer | 325 | 15 minutes a day, 1 days a week | $0.06 | $1 |
| Juicer | 600 | 6 minutes a day, 3 days a week | $0.14 | $2 |
| Rice cooker | 600 | 45 minutes a day, 4 days a week | $0.97 | $12 |
| Food dehydrator | 600 | 10 hours a day, 1 days a week | $2.35 | $28 |
| Bread maker | 600 | 1 loaf a week | $0.31 | $4 |
Head-to-head comparisons
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to run a food processor per hour?
A food processor drawing 600 watts uses 0.60 kWh per hour. At the U.S. average of 17.99¢/kWh that's 11¢ per hour. In North Dakota (12.32¢) it's 7.4¢. In Hawaii (43.51¢) it's 26¢.
How much does it cost to run a food processor per month?
At typical use (6 minutes a day, 2 days a week), a food processor costs about $0.09 a month and $1 a year, at the U.S. average rate. Enter your ZIP in the calculator above for your utility's rate.
How many watts does a food processor use?
Most food processors use 250 to 1,200 watts. Check the label on the back or bottom for your model's exact rating.
How many kWh does a food processor use?
About 0.02 kWh a day and 6 kWh a year at typical use (6 minutes a day, 2 days a week).
Does a food processor use a lot of electricity?
No. At about 6 kWh a year it's a small share (0.1%) of the average U.S. home's 10,492 kWh.
Is it cheaper to run a food processor or a blender?
At typical use, a food processor costs about $1 a year versus $2 for a blender. So the food processor is cheaper by about $0 a year. Use the comparison table above to compare them at your own settings.
How can I lower the cost of running a food processor?
- Process in full bowls rather than several small runs.
- Use pulse for chopping to avoid over-processing.
- Keep blades sharp; dull blades lengthen run time.
Rates updated 2026-10-21: EIA data through July 2026. Typical wattage and usage reviewed against DOE, ENERGY STAR and manufacturer specs. Methodology.