Food Processor

Carli · 08-04-2012, 03:04 PM

Im in the market for a food processor. I've never owned one before, so Im not even sure what Im looking for.

My main usage will be for blending/pureeing cauliflower for either rice or faux potatoes. I also may start buying blocks of cheese and shredding it myself.

I want something small, but not one of the baby choppers. I have very limited space and don't want a large elaborate machine. Are there any small machines that also shred?

Another big consideration is that I don't have a dishwasher. So I need something that's easily washed by hand. I find a lot of small appliances advertise their dishwasher safety so much....but its really difficult to wash by hand.

Right now I am considering the Cuisinart Pro Classing 7 cup food processor, but I need to check in the store to see how big is it.

sfmom · 08-04-2012, 03:55 PM

My food processor is a cuisinart and I love it - I have a small kitchen and it doesn't take up much counter space - I also don't have a dish washer and so I wash everything by hand and it is very easy to take apart and clean. Mine is a Prep 11 Plus.

watcher513 · 08-04-2012, 05:21 PM

I have a 7-cup Cuisinart and love it!

tofucheez · 08-04-2012, 06:18 PM

I've been abusing my Cuisinart multiple times EVERY DAY (crushing ice, mixing dough, etc) for over ten years....not so much as a hiccup. It's my BFF!

....and I thought I was the only one without a dishwasher!

jmc305 · 08-04-2012, 08:33 PM

I have the Cuisinart 7 cup, probably the same one you are thinking about. Performs beautifully. Makes almond flour pastry dough and grinds peanuts into peanut butter like a champ. HOWEVER, it's really hard to clean because of the way the bowl and lid is shaped. Bits of food get in the nooks and crannies and they are HARD to get out by hand. If I didn't have a dishwasher, I'd hate this food processor.

buttoni · 08-05-2012, 06:24 AM

I have both the 7-cup and the 11-cup Cuisinart and both perform beautifully. JMC, I keep a toothbrush at the sink for washing those "nooks and crannies" that tend to collect food. I find putting most clear plastic into my dishwasher turns it cloudy, so I've been afraid to put the top of mine in the dishwasher.

ravenrose · 08-05-2012, 10:31 AM

it's pretty huge I'm afraid. read reviews on Amazon. most of the modern food processors seem to be a piece of junk. I recently went with a Cuisinart 9 cup prep to replace an older model that was still going strong after nearly daily use for 25 years! (but plastic parts on top keep breaking and it's more expensive to replace them than it's worth. the new ones don't fit exactly right and end up cracking something else!)

anyway, I don't expect the new one to last 25 years! LOL

Nigel · 08-05-2012, 04:06 PM

There's a 7 cup one on amazon.
Product Dimensions: 11.2 x 7 x 13.8 inches ; 16.4 pounds
Hope this helps you with the size.

okay, I found the perfect one for you.
Cuisinart® PowerBlend Duet™ Blender and Food Processor

Two kitchen essentials in one space-saving design. Versatile unit features a powerful 600-watt motor, 4-speed touchpad control, durable die-cast metal and stainless-steel housing, shock-resistant 48-oz. glass blender jar and 3-cup food processor attachment with wide feed tube. Attachments are dishwasher safe. Limited three-year warranty.

Die-cast metal and stainless steel housing
Sleek 4-speed electronic touchpaid control-high, low, pulse and ice crush
Powerful 600-watt
48oz thermal shock-resistant boroslicate glass blender jar
3 cup FP attachment with feed tube, pusher, slicer/shredder and ss chopper blade
Standby mode: Automatic 2 minute auto stop feature
DW safe attachments
Limited 3-year warranty
$129 at sur la table (if you want to go and check it out)

As a matter of fact, I might like to have one of these myself.

tiva · 08-05-2012, 05:13 PM

Over the years, we've had the following food processors:
a. Original cuisinart: worked like a tank, hard to wash, is probably still churning away (I didn't get it in the divorce 25 years ago!)
b. newer, much more expensive Cuisinart that died in 1.5 years. Terrible machine, hard to clean, fussy, far too heavy
c. Cheapo Hamilton Beach ($35 at target) that worked incredibly well for 15 years until a farm volunteer tried to make 50 quarts of pesto last fall in one afternoon. Great machine, easy to clean, I'd buy one again.
d. fancy, expensive Kitchenaid that my husband bought to replace the cheap Hamilton Beach. It started falling apart in 7 months. We also don't have a dishwasher, and it's impossible to clean--tiny bits of food fall into the handle, where you can only reach them by taking a hammer and smashing the machine to bits.

The moral of the story? More expensive isn't necessarily better. On amazon, most users love the cheap Hamilton Beach machines, so my excellent model probably wasn't just a fluke. If those original Cuisinarts were still around, they'd be a wonderful thing to buy. But alas, I think they're long gone!

I'd buy one of the many hamilton beach models available. (We do have a vitamix, which is built like a tank. I use that for a lot of heavy duty nut chores that might kill a food processor).

Tilly · 08-05-2012, 07:35 PM

I have had my 7cup for years and love it. Have a dishwasher but clean that (and lot of other things) by hand.

jmc305 · 08-05-2012, 08:05 PM

For what it's worth, I put my cuisinart bowl/blade/lid in the dishwasher and they don't get cloudy. Even if they did, I wouldn't care as long as it's clean. The only thing that I don't toss in the dishwasher is my good knives. I like to cook but HATE washing dishes, so the dishwasher is a must for me.

RVcook · 08-06-2012, 11:35 AM

Love my Cuisinart DLC-10 Plus with the flat lid accessory that just went off its 25 year warranty last year! Only replaced the bowl once (because of my error), NEVER put any of the parts in the dishwasher, and it works flawlessly. It is actually my 2nd...I bought my first in 1977 but traded up because I wanted a larger unit.

You may want to check out used models on ebay. There are several priced at about $30. Considering how the new ones sound like they are made "cheaper", might be worth a look.

clackley · 08-07-2012, 07:54 AM

I recently got a KitchenAid 9 cup with all the attachments and love it. Best thing I do with it is to grind almonds into flour. It takes no time at all and saves a ton of $$$.

Barbo · 08-07-2012, 08:48 AM

One Cuisinart which has been working hard for twenty five years at
least. I have all the blades. It is the kitchen King.

Second: I love my Vita Mix for different reasons than the Cuisinart.

If my Cuisinart ever goes out ???? I'll be getting a new one within
hours of it's demise..... Dish washer worthy...

dianafoot · 08-07-2012, 08:55 AM

recently bought a Cuisinart 11 cup so that I could have the slicing/dicing blades which I couldn't replace (the blade holder) on my 30-year-old Braun. They do not make the fine slicing blade for the Cuisinart 11 cup model, I found, after paying $40 for the blade accessory kit, which included 2 blades that actually came with the processor! To boot, if you put more than three cups of anything in the "11-cup" bowl, it leaks all over the counter. It's also very heavy and cumbersome and won't run unless you have the small insert in, making it impossible to add any but the skinniest pieces of vegetable through while blending. So glad I held on to my ancient Braun, which is still running like a tank! I hope the 7-cup model performs better than that, but I would not buy another Cuisinart for anything!

cabrioluvr · 08-07-2012, 09:26 AM

I've had a Cuisinart for over 34 years - I'm only on my second one (a 7 cup). The motor still works great on the first one (had over 25 years) but the blade I used the most cracked (the plastic part).

Love it - wouldn't have any other brand.

RVcook · 08-07-2012, 10:36 AM

I think if I had to purchase a replacement for my current Cuisinart, I would up the ante and buy the 14C Elite. Even though it weighs 28 lbs, it has a 20 yr. motor warranty and 3 yr. limited warranty. The "Seal Tight" feature would definitely be a bonus, not to mention that it comes with three different sized bowls and 'adjustable' blades. Years ago, Robot Coupe made an excellent consumer product, but at 26 lbs, and with a 12 yr. motor warranty, it would be worthy of a serious look as well.

dianafoot · 08-07-2012, 08:24 PM

As I read Consumer Reports, it becomes more and more evident that the same company can make both the best and the worst products in a category. I used to love Cuisinart products and was utterly disappointed to find that the food processor model that I bought fell so short for the expectations that I had. But other Cuisinart food processor models might be great and past models might have lasted forever. I just wish I had read all of the reviews when I bought the one that I did -- the complaints were the same ones that I had. Depends entirely on what is important to the individual consumer...

08-04-2012, 03:04 PM	#1
Carli Senior LCF Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Metro Detroit Posts: 170 Gallery: Carli Start Date: March 7 2011	Food Processor Im in the market for a food processor. I've never owned one before, so Im not even sure what Im looking for. My main usage will be for blending/pureeing cauliflower for either rice or faux potatoes. I also may start buying blocks of cheese and shredding it myself. I want something small, but not one of the baby choppers. I have very limited space and don't want a large elaborate machine. Are there any small machines that also shred? Another big consideration is that I don't have a dishwasher. So I need something that's easily washed by hand. I find a lot of small appliances advertise their dishwasher safety so much....but its really difficult to wash by hand. Right now I am considering the Cuisinart Pro Classing 7 cup food processor, but I need to check in the store to see how big is it.

08-05-2012, 04:06 PM	#8
Nigel Very Gabby LCF Member!!! Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 3,072 Gallery: Nigel	There's a 7 cup one on amazon. Product Dimensions: 11.2 x 7 x 13.8 inches ; 16.4 pounds Hope this helps you with the size. okay, I found the perfect one for you. Cuisinart® PowerBlend Duet™ Blender and Food Processor Two kitchen essentials in one space-saving design. Versatile unit features a powerful 600-watt motor, 4-speed touchpad control, durable die-cast metal and stainless-steel housing, shock-resistant 48-oz. glass blender jar and 3-cup food processor attachment with wide feed tube. Attachments are dishwasher safe. Limited three-year warranty. Die-cast metal and stainless steel housing Sleek 4-speed electronic touchpaid control-high, low, pulse and ice crush Powerful 600-watt 48oz thermal shock-resistant boroslicate glass blender jar 3 cup FP attachment with feed tube, pusher, slicer/shredder and ss chopper blade Standby mode: Automatic 2 minute auto stop feature DW safe attachments Limited 3-year warranty $129 at sur la table (if you want to go and check it out) As a matter of fact, I might like to have one of these myself. Last edited by Nigel; 08-05-2012 at 04:13 PM..

08-05-2012, 05:13 PM	#9
tiva Major LCF Poster! Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Sweden for the year Posts: 2,909 Gallery: tiva Stats: 5"6", 157/136/135, 51 yo WOE: LCHF Primal Start Date: 12/02	Over the years, we've had the following food processors: a. Original cuisinart: worked like a tank, hard to wash, is probably still churning away (I didn't get it in the divorce 25 years ago!) b. newer, much more expensive Cuisinart that died in 1.5 years. Terrible machine, hard to clean, fussy, far too heavy c. Cheapo Hamilton Beach ($35 at target) that worked incredibly well for 15 years until a farm volunteer tried to make 50 quarts of pesto last fall in one afternoon. Great machine, easy to clean, I'd buy one again. d. fancy, expensive Kitchenaid that my husband bought to replace the cheap Hamilton Beach. It started falling apart in 7 months. We also don't have a dishwasher, and it's impossible to clean--tiny bits of food fall into the handle, where you can only reach them by taking a hammer and smashing the machine to bits. The moral of the story? More expensive isn't necessarily better. On amazon, most users love the cheap Hamilton Beach machines, so my excellent model probably wasn't just a fluke. If those original Cuisinarts were still around, they'd be a wonderful thing to buy. But alas, I think they're long gone! I'd buy one of the many hamilton beach models available. (We do have a vitamix, which is built like a tank. I use that for a lot of heavy duty nut chores that might kill a food processor). Last edited by tiva; 08-05-2012 at 05:15 PM..

08-07-2012, 08:48 AM	#14
Barbo Very Gabby LCF Member!!! Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Southern Ca. San Juan Capistrano Posts: 3,272 Gallery: Barbo Stats: 225/155/136 WOE: Low Carb Diabetic Plan Start Date: August 2005	Kitchen Essentials One Cuisinart which has been working hard for twenty five years at least. I have all the blades. It is the kitchen King. Second: I love my Vita Mix for different reasons than the Cuisinart. If my Cuisinart ever goes out ???? I'll be getting a new one within hours of it's demise..... Dish washer worthy...

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08-04-2012, 03:55 PM	#2
sfmom Major LCF Poster! Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: North Central, Illinois Posts: 1,045 Gallery: sfmom Stats: 176/122.0/135 5'8" tall WOE: Low carb	My food processor is a cuisinart and I love it - I have a small kitchen and it doesn't take up much counter space - I also don't have a dish washer and so I wash everything by hand and it is very easy to take apart and clean. Mine is a Prep 11 Plus.

08-04-2012, 05:21 PM	#3
watcher513 Major LCF Poster! Join Date: May 2007 Location: Sonoma County, CA Posts: 2,639 Gallery: watcher513	I have a 7-cup Cuisinart and love it!

08-04-2012, 06:18 PM	#4
tofucheez Senior LCF Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Posts: 394 Gallery: tofucheez	I've been abusing my Cuisinart multiple times EVERY DAY (crushing ice, mixing dough, etc) for over ten years....not so much as a hiccup. It's my BFF! ....and I thought I was the only one without a dishwasher!

08-04-2012, 08:33 PM	#5
jmc305 Senior LCF Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: TN Posts: 299 Gallery: jmc305 Stats: 323/220/205 WOE: Atkins mostly Start Date: September 2011	I have the Cuisinart 7 cup, probably the same one you are thinking about. Performs beautifully. Makes almond flour pastry dough and grinds peanuts into peanut butter like a champ. HOWEVER, it's really hard to clean because of the way the bowl and lid is shaped. Bits of food get in the nooks and crannies and they are HARD to get out by hand. If I didn't have a dishwasher, I'd hate this food processor.

08-05-2012, 06:24 AM	#6
buttoni Very Gabby LCF Member!!! Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Temple, TX Posts: 3,302 Gallery: buttoni Stats: 196/170/150 WOE: Primal 8/12 Start Date: 4/21/09 Height 5'5", Age 64	I have both the 7-cup and the 11-cup Cuisinart and both perform beautifully. JMC, I keep a toothbrush at the sink for washing those "nooks and crannies" that tend to collect food. I find putting most clear plastic into my dishwasher turns it cloudy, so I've been afraid to put the top of mine in the dishwasher.

08-05-2012, 10:31 AM	#7
ravenrose . Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: California Posts: 9,069 Gallery: ravenrose Stats: lost 130 lb so far, and miles to go before I sleep WOE: low carb controlled calorie Start Date: June, 2009	it's pretty huge I'm afraid. read reviews on Amazon. most of the modern food processors seem to be a piece of junk. I recently went with a Cuisinart 9 cup prep to replace an older model that was still going strong after nearly daily use for 25 years! (but plastic parts on top keep breaking and it's more expensive to replace them than it's worth. the new ones don't fit exactly right and end up cracking something else!) anyway, I don't expect the new one to last 25 years! LOL

08-05-2012, 07:35 PM	#10
Tilly Very Gabby LCF Member!!! Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Rockville, VA Posts: 3,059 Gallery: Tilly Stats: 158/136/130 WOE: started with Atkins, now just low carbs Start Date: January 30,2011	I have had my 7cup for years and love it. Have a dishwasher but clean that (and lot of other things) by hand.

08-05-2012, 08:05 PM	#11
jmc305 Senior LCF Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: TN Posts: 299 Gallery: jmc305 Stats: 323/220/205 WOE: Atkins mostly Start Date: September 2011	For what it's worth, I put my cuisinart bowl/blade/lid in the dishwasher and they don't get cloudy. Even if they did, I wouldn't care as long as it's clean. The only thing that I don't toss in the dishwasher is my good knives. I like to cook but HATE washing dishes, so the dishwasher is a must for me.

08-06-2012, 11:35 AM	#12
RVcook Major LCF Poster! Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: In A Clown Car! Posts: 2,351 Gallery: RVcook Stats: 153/143/125 WOE: 40/30/30 Start Date: 8/2012	Love my Cuisinart DLC-10 Plus with the flat lid accessory that just went off its 25 year warranty last year! Only replaced the bowl once (because of my error), NEVER put any of the parts in the dishwasher, and it works flawlessly. It is actually my 2nd...I bought my first in 1977 but traded up because I wanted a larger unit. You may want to check out used models on ebay. There are several priced at about $30. Considering how the new ones sound like they are made "cheaper", might be worth a look.

08-07-2012, 07:54 AM	#13
clackley Chatty Cathy Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Toronto Posts: 12,998 Gallery: clackley Stats: 228.5/168/125 WOE: N.K.=vlc/hf/moderate protein & organic/pastured Start Date: Restart Oct 18 2009	I recently got a KitchenAid 9 cup with all the attachments and love it. Best thing I do with it is to grind almonds into flour. It takes no time at all and saves a ton of $$$.

08-07-2012, 08:55 AM	#15
dianafoot Senior LCF Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: southern US Posts: 913 Gallery: dianafoot	recently bought a Cuisinart 11 cup so that I could have the slicing/dicing blades which I couldn't replace (the blade holder) on my 30-year-old Braun. They do not make the fine slicing blade for the Cuisinart 11 cup model, I found, after paying $40 for the blade accessory kit, which included 2 blades that actually came with the processor! To boot, if you put more than three cups of anything in the "11-cup" bowl, it leaks all over the counter. It's also very heavy and cumbersome and won't run unless you have the small insert in, making it impossible to add any but the skinniest pieces of vegetable through while blending. So glad I held on to my ancient Braun, which is still running like a tank! I hope the 7-cup model performs better than that, but I would not buy another Cuisinart for anything!

08-07-2012, 09:26 AM	#16
cabrioluvr Very Gabby LCF Member!!! Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Hot and humid Posts: 3,248 Gallery: cabrioluvr Stats: 18/8/6 WOE: Atkins! Start Date: 03/2000	I've had a Cuisinart for over 34 years - I'm only on my second one (a 7 cup). The motor still works great on the first one (had over 25 years) but the blade I used the most cracked (the plastic part). Love it - wouldn't have any other brand.

08-07-2012, 10:36 AM	#17
RVcook Major LCF Poster! Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: In A Clown Car! Posts: 2,351 Gallery: RVcook Stats: 153/143/125 WOE: 40/30/30 Start Date: 8/2012	I think if I had to purchase a replacement for my current Cuisinart, I would up the ante and buy the 14C Elite. Even though it weighs 28 lbs, it has a 20 yr. motor warranty and 3 yr. limited warranty. The "Seal Tight" feature would definitely be a bonus, not to mention that it comes with three different sized bowls and 'adjustable' blades. Years ago, Robot Coupe made an excellent consumer product, but at 26 lbs, and with a 12 yr. motor warranty, it would be worthy of a serious look as well.

08-07-2012, 08:24 PM	#18
dianafoot Senior LCF Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: southern US Posts: 913 Gallery: dianafoot	As I read Consumer Reports, it becomes more and more evident that the same company can make both the best and the worst products in a category. I used to love Cuisinart products and was utterly disappointed to find that the food processor model that I bought fell so short for the expectations that I had. But other Cuisinart food processor models might be great and past models might have lasted forever. I just wish I had read all of the reviews when I bought the one that I did -- the complaints were the same ones that I had. Depends entirely on what is important to the individual consumer...