I have had my Cuisinart since 1982 nad it is a workhorse. I don't know how they make'em these days, but I wouldn't even consider another brand. Non-stop and easy to clean. I keep it out on my counter and use it almost every day for SOMETHING. Love it!

Ha! Me, too! 1982! I thought I had the record. My sister bought it to make baby food for her new baby (now 26 years old), and gave it to me when she was finished using it for that. Still sitting on my counter, still works like a champ. I have heard the new ones aren't as solid, but can't say for sure.

Cuisinart--workhorse, reliable, love it.

I love my KitchenAid. I wouldn't have another Cuisinart. I had one several years ago. The trigger that activated the on/off switch was of such flimsy plastic that it broke off within three months. I was so diillusioned. I'd spent months researching food processors and my husband had bought it for Christmas for me. I called customer service and they insisted that I send the whole unit back at my expense and they would give me the replacement lid I needed. When I pointed out that all I needed was the lid and they should just sent it to me the rep acted as if I was trying to pull a fast one. He said it was their policy that I send the whole machine back at my expense.
I guess I'm stubborn but I refused to send it. My husband rigged it so it worked for a while but as soon as I could I bought a KitchenAid and just love it. I've had it for over eight years now with no problems. It's powerful, easy to use and attractive--also less expensive than Cuisinart. It comes with a mini bowl and blade that is handy for small jobs. I also have a KitchenAid Professional mixer and their immersion blender--love both. I highly recommend their products. If you have a problem during warranty period they replace your machine, no questions and you don't pay a cent. It's delivered to your door.
SerenaMc

Cuisinart since 1987, Cuisinart mini-chopper since about 1990. Occasionally the plastic feed tube things crack & break, but it's easier to buy a new plastic part than a whole new machine :)

Avoid the KitchenAid "Professional" mixers. About 3 or 4 years ago they switched from Hobart design to cheap plastic parts. Funny thing is they still advertise metal gears, but they don't mention that the housing that holds them together is plastic and will allow the gears to fly apart at higher temps. They now say that warranty doesn't apply if you mix more than 3 cups of flour worth of dough or on a speed higher than 2. It's hardly professional anymore, it's has extremely limited capabilities and capacities. I've got two 6 quart Kitchenaid mixers in my garage that sound like someone threw a glass pickle jar in a garbarge disposal if you turn them on.

They did a similar thing with their gas grills. Lynx made their grills (very high quality), then about a year ago they also switched it over to a Chinese knock-off, but kept the price up at the premium grill level.

It wouldn't surprise me if their food processors have followed suit. They seem to get/buy top notch stuff, then after they build a reputation, they convert it to junk and just milk the products for profit until the brand is worthless.

WE have had the KA for about 10 years or so and I think, all things considered, I like the Cuisinart better. I am glad this was posted as well to see what others generally think. It just seems to me the Cuisinart is more verstile, better options and stronger motor.

cpanther, I was just about to spring for the KA TOL pro-mixer a few months back until I read the earlier posts about the same issues you commented on above. What timing but what a bummer! Hobart's entry level model is about $1,850! I thought the switch came when Whirlpool bought the KA division from Hobaet.

Hello friends,

With Hopefully i am going to give my OPINIONS. Just 5 months back i have got married with my lovely husband gary. After this i have been browsing the different forums looking for suggestions to buy kitchen appliances. After that with help of my friends we gone at Target.com by going through Rebation.com. We purchased so many items like Mixer, refrigerator, icecream maker, oven,cooktops etc., By going through this we got 10% cash back also. I am very happy to say this.

Cooks Illustrated tests products and they recommend the KitchenAid 750 with the regular feed tube. In addition they also recommend the Cuisinart Pro Custom 11 (11-cup capacity). They call it an "oldie but a goodie", and say that "this model handled all tasks (especially grating and slicing) with aplomb- with the exception of preparing bread dough. However, some testers disliked the design of the feed tube."

They also reviewed the Cuisinart Prep 11 Plus (11-cup capacity) and say that "the newer Cuisinart excelled at most tasks, especially mixing bread dough. But it suffers from the same issues with the design of the feed tube as its older sibling."

The testing by Cooks Illustrated was done in September 2005. I never use a food processor so I can't attest to one model or the other, but I do trust Cooks Illustrated.

Thanks all for the replies. I've been pretty happy with the KA at home. Mine's a 9 cup and I think I'd like to go with an 11 cup with this next one. One thing about mine is that the little mini bowl unit doesn't work well at all. It would be a convenient size for chopping nuts, half an onion, etc., but it seems to just toss things around more than chop them up. Otherwise, I've been pleased.

It seems that most of the TV chefs use a Cuisinart, though, so I thought I must be missing something. The friend who warned me about the clean-up problems with her Cuisinart back when I bought my KA, was a great cook and baker so I took her advice.

I will take all your recommendations and comments into account before I purchase, and would welcome others' thoughts, too, as people seem to be equally and passionately divided between KA & Cuisinart.

Robot Coupe. I have the 1982 vintage Cuisinarts, also. I have had to order a number of replacement feed tubes, tops, bowls, etc. DH has decreed, "No more Cuisinart." If I get to the point of ordering again, it will be Robot Coupe, a company that, I believe, originated the food processor. I had an opportunity to buy a commercial one years ago and didn't because I had a new Cuisinart. Now I regret that I did not.

Robot Coupe did indeed introduce the Food Processor appliance under the Cuisinart name, way back when. They then eventually sold it to concentrate on the commercial market.

Recently they re-entered the residential market. The new brand name is now Magimix. They are not cheap, but come with a 12-yr warranty on motor, 3-yr on all parts and accessories.

We bought the 12-cup KitchenAid 750 with the regular food chute last year, and are very happy with it. It's much easier to use & clean than our 1999 Cuisinart, and it processes much better. KA even includes an accessory box, something I had to buy as an accessory with the Cuisinart. It also includes the mini-bowl, great for small quantities.

Here is a link that might be useful: KitchenAid food processor

We had an 11-cup KA that we used a LOT and actually abused by making daily smoothies using ice cubes. It did an excellent job, but then the post got warn so that the blades wouldn't turn right. Anyway, time for new, so I started a little research. The research I read said KA and Cuisinart were about even with the KA better at chopping veggies. That particular task was of top importance to me, but they weren't very specific about why they considered it better, and how much better...Since Costco offered the Cuisinart (so easy to return), and at about $100 less than I could get a new KA, we are now owners of the Cuisinart 11-cup FP. We had to get used to the way it goes together and is situated differently than the KA, but it wasn't difficult, and we have no complaints about its performance. I can't give a long-term review, though, because we've only had it through this summer.

Although I have a great cuisinart food processor, I will
say kitchenaid has GREAT customer service. I had
a coffee pot, called in with a problem, and they
sent me a new one BEFORE I even had to return the other.
And they sent a mailing slip so I didn't even have
to pay postage to return the old one. I was impressed.
I had similar great experiences with Calphalon.

I have a 17 yr old Cuisinart at home that is still going strong. I purchased a half dozen KitchenAid food processors for work 5 yrs ago and then again 4 yrs ago and was very happy with them. I don't know if all of these were pre Hobart design switch or not. After seeing the same Cooks Illustrated test results that chickadeead posted about, I recommended the KitchenAid to a friend about a year ago and she's very happy with it. Consumer Reports in 2006 also favored the KitchenAid 750. It's gotten so tricky these days to figure these things out. IMO If you're not a heavy user and aren't doing dough's, the KitchenAid would work well for you. If you do need a heavier duty unit, Look at the Cuisinart and the Magimix.

Was excited to learn about the Magimix from jkom51. I'm always interested in this sort of thing and did look at some of the reviews for the Magimix. It gets really great reviews, but the following cons were mentioned:
1. A little bulky and heavy
2. Parts aren't all dishwasher safe (must read fine print in manual) and it is a little hard to clean.

Best of luck with your decision!

I purchased a KA 750 12-cup food processor in Oct. 07 after my 20+ year-old Cuisinart work bowl cracked. The replacement cost for the workbowl would have been $40+, and in researching what to do, I found several consumers reporting that the replacement bowls were ill-fitting and inferior plastic compared to the original. I also found many rave reviews about the KA, and I'm happy to report that I am now among them. The controls are flush on the base so it is easy to clean. I do my dishes by hand and have had no problem with cleaning the bowl/lid. Love the heft and solid feel of this model, and got a pretty good deal from Amazon. I use my food processor regularly: pesto, soups, pie crust, biscuits, slicing large quantities of veggies, etc. Good luck!

Just checked in to find the last 3 responses. Thanks so much for your thoughtful replies.

Am still trying to "process" the information, but want to make a decision soon. I'll be entertaining a lot through end of August & early Sept. Sure wish I'd had a processor up here to help make the crusts for the tomato tarts I made this past weekend!

Magimix isn't a new brand - it's been the leading European brand for decades. People use the name to refer to food processors, as a generic name "just put it in the Magimix".

They're great, and built very solidly. At least, my mum's and my sister's are.

sara, you are correct! My post should have read, "recently they re-entered the US residential market."

IMO, Cuisinart and KA are the two top brands. Both work well, and both would do the job for you.

Serenamc,
Same thing happened to me with Cuisinart. While grating, the pusher assembly hit the grating disc and shards of plastic ended up in the food. It took days to finally talk to a supervisor at Cuisinart who informed me that I should send the whole unit back, it would be evaluated then I'd be billed for the repairs. Not satisfactory. I'll pitch it and buy a Kitchenaid.