I have a Cuisinart custom 11 that i have to hold to work, the lid is cracked alittle so I bought a new Cusinart 14 cup but didnt open it. Does anyone think the newer one is superior to older one....thinking I should have just gotten replacement part.

Someone posted a tip about putting plastic wrap between the bowl and the top of the processor so that the top doesn't get dirty. This works for most of my applications (at least for when I just purée, and I'm very grateful for it. I have neither Cuisinart nor Kitchenaid because when I bought mine I was on a very strict budget. I'd like to replace the cheaper one I bought, but I don't use it enough to justify it, especially since I now have less time for cooking anyway. I've gone back to using a mandolin for a lot of things I might use a food processor for, and my FP works fine for puréeing. I use my KA mixer for doughs. Lars

I also think you should do your research before you purchase a kitchen item that may or may not do what you want it to. We'll be happy to help you, we LOVE to spend other people's money. (grin) As sleevendog mentioned, though, not everyone has a bunch of expendable cash for new and expensive kitchen equipment and gadgets. If you don't like to cook the best tools in the world aren't going to make you love it, I don't think, but if you might kind of like it, good tools will make a difference. I keep telling my son in law that a kitchen is like a garage, there's a big difference between a Dollar Store wrench and Snap On. Now understand, I didn't always have fancy appliances, when I started posting here more than a decade ago my most used kitchen device was a wooden spoon, Larry Englehardt (who used to post here) told me he was amazed at what I could accomplish with a wooden spoon, LOL. I didn't have even a mixer and I was chopping onions with an old hunting/skinning knife of Dad's. It can be done but it's a lot harder. I don't have a mini-processor, so I can't remark on that. I do have a big one but I don't think chopping things is a big plus with it. Everything I chop is either uneven sizes or turns to puree or something. Many things I prefer to chop by hand. Thankfully now I have some good knives. If you might like to cook and just want to try different things, we'd love to help, really we would. Just give us a chance. Between everyone here you can probably even find a lot of easier ways to accomplish things, I know I've learned a LOT. Happy Cooking (I hope). Annie

I can't say I use my FP a whole lot, but when I do I'm glad I have it. I probably use it most when I'm shredding a pound of mozzarella for a lasagne or potatoes for latkes. Or pureeing meat for a qyro loaf, or making the occasional pie crust. Like Theresa, most of my uses such as bread crumbs, chopped herbs, etc. only require a smaller FP, and I use my Ultimate Chopper. It's not the best rated machine in its league, but it was a gift so that's the one I have.