Don't do that. It may damage the FP.

The uplift is because the blade is designed almost like an airplane propeller. The lifting action is to push down the food so that the food can recirculate.

dcarch.

I had the blade lifting up when I was just pulsing. I have done that with an empty work bowl before -- both when new and to test the new blade, if nothing else. If it damages the machine to do a few test pulses, I think I have a problem anyway. I think the lifting action you are talking about is lifting the food in the bowl as a function of the angle of the blade as well as centrifugal pushing outward. Those same forces should push the blade itself downward, not up.

The reason why it may damage the machine is because some drive shafts have fins near the bottom to turn the blade, If the blade is lifted up, just before it starts to free wheel, the fins can get broken.

If the blade is lifting up, that means the force generated by the blade is pushing down, or as some may call it "Helicoptering".

dcarch

If I am following you, first -- I don't think a Cuisinart has such fins. There are grooves inside the center of the blade that fit onto corresponding bumps or extensions along the center shaft. I just checked mine to make sure. And I did a few pulses -- nothing lifted with a short test. At least it looks like I am not in the immediate market for a new processor (FP -- though that makes me think fireplace - LOL).

DC - actually the cuisinart blade is opposite, if anything the pitch would have it “propel” down not up. It’s not locked, so any intentional upward propulsion would be a problem right for the start.

ETA - sorry, didn’t see lascatx already stated that; oh well now you’ve got a picture. :)

FOAS, The up lift force, in the physics of aerodynamics, can be generated by two means.

1. The tilt (pitch) of the object as it travels thru air, such an airplane's wing edge flaps.

2. The geometry of the cross sectional shape of the wings. The top of the wing surface is longer than the bottom surface, therefore air travels faster above the wing than the bottom of the wing. That's how an airplane can fly. If you look at the Food processor blade you will notice that the top surface is longer than the bottom surface. As the blade is turning at high speed, there will be a force to lift the blade higher.

dcarch

lascatx: I didn't realize it was the replacement blade in which case that is extremely disconcerting. The new blade I got felt lighter than the old one but I don't know if that caused the problem. I sometimes get lift if I take the blade out with food in the bowl and then try to put the blade back it. It's sometimes hard to get it to seat properly but that doesn't sound like the issue you are having.

The top surface is longer by an extemely small amount, nothing like the foil of an aircraft wing. I just ran mine empty, no upward movement whatsoever. And it’s going through flour not air, so I’d imagine there would be a downward force as it augers through the flour. How many replacement blades have been supplied? Tens or hundreds of thousands? Millions? Something else happened wrt lascatx, at least that’s where’d I’d put my money.

Yes, I am wondering if it was something about the recipe. It was a test recipe, but that is also a bit troubling. I may have to go through it again -- a third time. Ugh. My comments are in with a note that I am not sure if I had a replacement blade issue or some other problem, so I don't HAVE to, but I might like to know. I had the same issue (slight lift) with the first part of the recipe both times, but I ran into a problem and had to discard the first batch before I got to the big problem point. But I am glad to not have noticed anything with the empty work bowl.

lascatx-- I hope you get that figured out.

I have a DC-11 that I've had for years. I don't use it very often and didn't get a blade replacement. I'll follow this thread to see what transpires.

I am wondering how sharp the blade should be. Mine doesn't seem all that sharp. Should it be? Most blender blades are sharp, aren't they?

I've always thought of mine as sharp. y old blade didn't have the cracks they were being replace for, but it did shoe some damage along the blade edge, including some small knicks. It was enough to give me pause in using it for hard ingredients that might chip off larger pieces once that damage had begun, so I discarded the old one when I got the replacement.

I sent in a follow up to my recipe evaluation. The evaluation included the comment about the blade pulling up and coming off, but not the fact that the bread totally fell apart when wee tried to make a sandwich the next day. I was told there were similar reports and that the recipe was under further development. That's the most I've ever heard back -- and I appreciate when they give feedback.

Meanwhile, I have used my processor a couple of times and had no issues with it. I don't think it's the new blade. If you didn't get one, you might want to see if you still can. Surely it won't take months to get it now.

I am so glad you posted your concerns about your replacement Cuisinart blade for DLC. I have had the same lifting problems with this replacement blade using a variety of recipes: cookie dough, pie crusts, cake batter. The blade also does not sit flush on the bottom, as ingredients like vanilla adding later pool under the center where the blade attaches to the bowl. I have had these frustrating things happen nearly overtime I have used this blade! I too wish I had kept my old blade, as I had no problems. I use my Cuisinart multiple times weekly and have for years, so I know how it is suppose to work! Now I realize this blade is dangerous, as it disengages while the machine is running and I now worry if the blade may go through the side of the bowl. I have called twice to voice my concerns to the company. Just today I got an employee who took my concerns seriously and was asking cooperate how this can be resolved. I do not want to purchase a new Cuisinart. Please let me know if you get any resolution.

I posted on a couple of forums and didn't find any pattern of lifting problems so I didn't call Cuisinart. I also got an indication that the recipe I was testing had some issues reported from other testers. I have used the blade for other recipes since and have not had a problem with lifting, though I have noted than the blade leaves a little of whatever is in the bowl underneath it. Hmmmmm

lneilsson your post reminds me of a difference I did notice but discounted. I’m on vacation now but will look again when I’m home. Question though, by “disengage” do you mean anything more than lift? My blade doesn’t engage, it just sits there.

Interested in that answer too. The problem I had was both. First, when pulsing dry ingredients and adding a little oil, as I recall, the blade lifted on the post -- probably not more than half an inch. When I added water to make a dough, the blade lifted and came completely off the post. I was pulsing, so I quickly released the button and the blade was jammed in the bowl at an angle above the post. It was pretty scary to have it come completely off even though you know the bowl has to be locked in place and the lid then locked in place for the motor to run. To me, that sounded like the concern of "I now worry if the blade may go through the side of the bowl."

I wish I had taken pictures. I think mine was even further off the post, but same thing. I generally use my mixer for doughs -- except some of my scone recipes. I have not had the lifting when cutting in butter and the only scone recipe I have made in the FP since getting the new blade is a larger recipe and probably helps prevent the lifting. It is also just a few seconds -- like 2-3 once liquid is added. If I ran it longer, it might lift.

This may be the culprit. When I was originally comparing the blades I noted that the tips were virtually the same height:

but at second glance I see that on the inside, the old blade (right) started at zero, whereas the new one is raised:

That probably explains the unincorporated product, and maybe contributes to lift?

While I’m posting pictures, I’ve posted this elsewhere but this shows the beginnings of failure of the old blade. Note the cracks by the rivets:

Oh -- I never looked at the bottom of the old blade. Wish I had kept it but space is always an issue in the kitchen and keeping something I didn't plan to use -- just in case, didn't seem worthwhile once I had used the new one. Now that I have had issues with the new one, I wish I had kept the old one. I may look at the new ones and see what their blades look like.

If this lifting becomes a widely reported issue, do you think either we or Cuisinart will make it through another blade recall? That was a long mess.

Hi Lascaux,

Cuisinart rep told me to call back by Monday to see what corporate would do about my problem. I am not willing to purchase a new machine just because my replacement blade makes my Cuisinart basically unusable. I’ll let you know what they say.

Thanks. You might tell them others are having the same issue if you have not already. I had planned to call, then decided maybe it was just the recipe I was testing that was a problem and pushed it off. I am going to contact the folks I was testing the recipe for. I know they were continuing to work on the recipe.

Are you having issues with the use of your FP generally or only with certain types of recipes? I use mine for scones or cutting fat into flour for that type of dough more frequently than anything and I recently made a scone recipe that grated the butter and tossed it in the flour, the froze it for 10-15 minutes. They turned out really well, and I can't think of anything I can't do without the FP. But I could gain a little kitchen real estate without it. ;)

I am excited to read other people’s problems with their replacement blade. I want this problem solved, as my Cuisinart has been my most frequently used appliance for literally years!

I am especially interested in the folks who posted technical measurements, etc about the blade. These comments may be very important to document this blade replacement problem. Does anyone recommend other sites where others may be commenting on this problem. I have only posted on Houzz.com and Reddit.

I would use mine a lot more if it were not for the fact that DH does so much of our prep work. I cringe to think of another blade recall -- and I bet Cuisinart would rather pull teeth than go through that again.

I don't use my FP very often with the blade, so this may have been my first time using the new blade. I experienced the blade lifting all of the way off the shaft multiple times while making bread crumbs from some dried bread today. Kept having to shut down, dump the bowl contents and blade out to replace the blade so it would be flat in the bowl. I thought it was strange, until seeing this thread now. The old blade got stored, but I don't recall where I tucked it off the top of my head. Think I'll dig that one out to use, as it seems the fix is more dangerous than the original problem.

Interesting that you had the lifting with only something dry. It happened to me when moisture was added, but it may have to do with what can get underneath that blade, as the photo above shows a gap. Gap + spin = lift

I called Cuisinart today and they are sending me another replacement blade. He said it would be arrive 5-7 days.

Cuisinart 800-726-01

I have a DLC 2011CHB

My original replacement blade:

DLC-8 DLC-8611B

The new replacement blade (2/26) is the following:

DLC-861TXB-CSR

I will post when it arrives!

Thanks. I am going to check mine, I don't remember the model number off hand, but it sounds like we may have the same one.

I’ve got the 8611B so I’ll be interested to hear about the re-replacement.

My replacement blade which does lift a bit from the post with only 2 cups in the bowl, is the same one lneilsson will be getting. I've put my original one back in. I too will be interested to hear how the new blade works out.

Ruh-roh!

Oh dear. Well, lifting a little is better than lifting off completely, but not loving this.

Foodonastump, could you take a look at your blade and tell me if the blade sits flat to the bottom?

lneilson, could you double check yours?

My replacement blade that lifted completely off the center post and left stuff under the blade that didn't get mixed in is a DCL861lB. However, unlike the one on the right in the photo above, the lower blade on mine sits flush with the bottom of the center portion.

As you can see my replacement blade 8611B does not sit flat. The white base sits flat but the bottom blade is raised about 1/8th of inch. The blade also is not level. The top blade is level.

Thanks for checking. I was just wondering if you accidentally had the two flip-flopped since mine looked different. Looks like there is a quality control issue at the least. They made a lot of the replacement blades in a hurry (relative hurry -- I know it took months to get them). I have very mixed feelings about all of this......

Clearly two different designs. Mine is like lneillson’s, goes into the plastic about 1/8” up. My original is riveted to the bottom. (Actually looks like rivet goes up though plastic and upper blade.) Now I’m curious how yours is attached to the plastic?

I just noticed my replacement blade says DLC-8611B so same as lascatx and foas. I took some comparison photos and was surprised at how different the replacement blade is from the original. The original is heavier with more metal to the blades. The replacement looks quite flimsy in comparison. (Apologies for the bad lighting)

I also took the bowl off the FP to get a better idea of how each blade sits on the post. The replacement does sit a bit higher (top pic) than the original (bottom pic).

I don't have my old blade, but the new one looks like your top one, ovenbird. It fits flush to the bottom of the work bowl when it is off the motor. When the work bowl and blade are set into place and ready to work, the blade is up off the bottom by a good 1/8 inch, maybe a bit more.

Ovenbird- I also received 8611B as my replacement blade.

Hi Everyone!

I have now used my second replacement blade #8611DLC-861TXB-CSR two times. I have made a cake and two pie crusts. Both trials the blade stayed on the stem; the blade sounded rattle like it was going to come off; ingredients were pooled unmixed around bottom of blade. Clearly the only way to use this blade is to add ingredients such as soda, vanilla, etc at the end on top of dry ingredients and hope it gets mixed it. By the way, my second replacement blade delivered 10 days after calling is the same exact number as my first replacement blade ! I feel my Cuisinart has been reduced in quality and productivity by this blade recall! Thinking of trying to contact Consumers Reports or the Attorney General’s office. There must be lots of disgruntled users out there! Your thoughts.

Thanks, Ineilsson and others for the photos, notes and reviews. I never ordered a replacement and don't feel inclined to now. I think if my Cuisinart DC food processor fails, I will look for a different brand of FP.

If the company cannot make a satisfactory replacement blade, why should I trust them on the design and build quality of any future replacement?

I understand your hesitation, but do check you blade each time you clean it to look for any cracks or signs of failure. You don't want to eat metal -- and you can't say you weren't warned. I can tell you that I have continued to use my replacement blade and other that the one test recipe, I haven't had any real problems with it. I'm still hesitant, but it hass done several more jobs without a problem.

Replacement blade is wearing itself and my bowl!!!!! I must be getting the plastic in my food!!!! That white by the post should not be there, nor the wear on the blade. Seems I am having the opposite issue to the rest of the posters. I will be calling Cuisinart tomorrow and will ask for a new bowl and blade. The bowl is not only white but full of wear- deep grooves. Anyone else with this problem?

Daily I say a prayer that may very old cuisinart keeps on keeping on so I don't have to deal with this sort of stuff!!

I think mine (pictures above your post) is 20 plus years old. I actually welcomed the replacement t blade as I thought mine was dull after making so much nut butters!!!!

I’m thinking your replacement is the wrong size? Mine doesn’t sit low enough to make contact.

As for being sharp, yes it is! I’ve cut myself to bleed nearly every time I’ve touched it. Literally. I don’t think the original blade was ever close to being that sharp.

I've used my FP with the new blade a number of times since last posting here. The only significant problem I had was with that test recipe. The test recipe was a bread dough and I don't usually make bread dough in the FP. I considered buying a new one, but looks like I can hold out. The one with the grooves in the plastic makes me think it is the wrong blade. Double check your part number for compatibility.

Same problem