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Before I Pull the Trigger...What Brand Food Processor?

15 years ago

I recently posted on the appliance forum asking for recommendations for a food processor. I got a number of replies, but they are pretty much split between Cuisinart and KitchenAid.

I thought before I buy I would try to get some of your opinions, figuring many of you may not frequent the appliance forum (because you are all so busy cooking!)

I want a large one (11-12 cups)because, though we're empty nesters, we entertain often. I'd like it for mixing pastry dough as well as for chopping, slicing and grating.

Would appreciate your thoughts -

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Comments (7)

caliloo
15 years ago
I have a Cuisineart Custom Prep 11 Cup and I love it!

Alexa
User
15 years ago
You can't go wrong with either a Cuisinart or a Kitchenaid. I've had both. The one I'm using now is a
which I bought about 2 1/2 years ago. Great for kneading bread dough.

Ann
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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!
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I have a 7 cup capacity. It makes bread with 4 cups of flour, 2 pie crusts, pesto with 2 cups basil and 4 oz parm 2/3 cup oil. It grates 2 cups of carrots at a time and 1/2 a small head of cabbage. Slices 2 or 3 cukes without dumping, and 3 good sized onions for soup. It's the size that suits me best. I have cooked at other people's houses who have a larger one, and a larger one won't mix a small amount as well......won't ealily process bread of only 4 cups of flour nor just 2 cups or pastry dough. ( I put cubes of frozen butter into the processor with the flour and salt...mix in bursts and add the liquid too...) Ideally, I would like 2!! A 14 cupper for big batches of slaw and a double recipe of pesto....but in reality, one is enough and the small one fits the way I cook better than the larger one....and the smaller bowl fits into my dishwasher more easily. I very VERY rarely use the FP for anything that could be considered "liquid"....for that I use the blender or the "boat motor". Linda C
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I have an old chopper - an Oskar- that holds several cups, and I use that often. But the KA 12 cup fp is another story and does much more. For small amounts, however, the Oskar is preferable as the cup and lid are small and fit in the dishwasher easily and I hand wash the KA fp to keep the bowl looking nice. I use the KA mostly for large portions of grated, sliced or chopped things and pie crust and such. I frequently cook for largish groups- 30+- and it is a handy tool. But so is a small chopper. When the Oskar dies, I will buy a 2-3 cup similar chopper. The KA does have a small bowl but using it requires cleaning the large bowl and lid too so I never use it.
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amck2
Original Author
15 years ago
Ann - Since you've owned both brands, did you find that one was easier to clean than the other? And how do they compare as far as ease in changing blades?

Thanks -
wizardnm
15 years ago
My first FP was a Cuisinart, used it hard and it never gave me any problems but some plastic parts of the bowl broke. Things have to all line up just so....

I currently have a KA FP and it's had hard, hard use (we used it at our deli). Not one problem and I think it's easier to clean.

Next one will be the 16 Cup.

Nancy
centralcacyclist
15 years ago
I have nothing to compare to but my Cuisinart Professional 14 works great for me.
Lars
15 years ago
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 purÃ©e, 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 purÃ©eing. I use my KA mixer for doughs.

Lars
User
15 years ago
The blades are easy to use and change on both brands. And I think that they both clean up about the same too. Very easy especially if you have a dishwasher.

Ann

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