Huge selection of Food Processors!

   

Hamilton Beach 70670 Chef Prep 525-Watt Food Processor, Black
From Hamilton Beach

Full size 10-cup Food processor - for large batch processing Has 525 watts of power with 2 speeds plus pulse speed option for maximum versatility- 4 functions- slcing- shredding, crinkle cutting, & fine shredding f rom 2 reversible discs . Has large stainless steel chopping blade & oversized feed chute. Dishwasher safe bowl & blades .Internal cord storage

• Amazon Sales Rank: #381 in Kitchen & Housewares
• Brand: Hamilton Beach
• Model: 70670
• Dimensions: 5.00 pounds

With its powerful 525-watt motor, this full-size 10-cup food processor helps reduce prep time in the kitchen. Two included reversible slicing/shredding discs deliver four different functions--slicing, shredding, crinkle cutting, and fine shredding. The unit also comes equipped with a large stainless-steel chopping blade that slices and minces to perfection. Choose from two speed settings or the pulse option when a light touch is needed for precision results. Other highlights include a simple control dial, an oversized feed chute, and internal cord storage to help keep countertops tidy. The base of the appliance wipes clean easily, and the bowl, lid, blades, and discs can be washed by hand or in the dishwasher. Stylish and functional for today's busy kitchen, the food processor measures approximately 10 by 9 by 16 inches and carries a one-year warranty.

A workhorse....
I bought this food processor last Fall to process fruit for jam making. I pick my fruit in the summer, and freeze it to make jam in the Fall to take advantage of the cooler weather. Jam making can be a hot job, especially in Texas! In previous years, I chopped my fruits by hand, but this year, my husband and I went overboard and picked pounds and pounds of strawberries, blackberries, blueberries and peaches. Then a friend gave me figs! There was no way I wanted to process all of that by hand, so I started shopping for a food processor. I found several good reviews of the Hamilton Beach 70670 and it was a great price, so after a little more comparison shopping decided to take the plunge.

When I got ready to process fruit, this processor performed like a champ. The only issue I had was making sure I gauged the pulse correctly, as a few of my batches of fruit ended up almost pureed, which was not what I was aiming for! It plowed through hours of processing for 3 days of a long weekend, then several 2 day weekens. And cleanup was so easy.

This is not my first food processor, but the Hamilton Beach compares very favorably with others I have used. I really love it and look forward to my next jam making season. I use it other times for smaller jobs, but the big workout for this baby is in the Fall.

Hamilton Beach Food Processor
This machine has plenty of power. I have only used it to make pizza dough and it worked extremely well. The dough came out great and I can't wait to use the shredding blades next.

Better than I expected
I bought the Hamilton Beach Chef Prep when Cuisinart shipped me the wrong size replacement work bowl twice! Enough, I said. When I saw the Hamilton Beach in person I thought it was flimsy and cheap (about 1/4 the price of a Cuisinart, so why not?) The work bowl is light and made of a cloudy plastic, not the tough Lexan of more expensive machines. But experience has proved the Hamilton Beach an excellent small appliance and a good value. It is well designed: lock and unlock images make it clear which way to turn the work bowl to release it. A dot on the lid shows how to align it. The two disk blades are reversible and make distinctly different cuts and slices. The basic cutting blade is sharp, easy to put on, remove and clean. The machine rests on suction cups that are just strong enough to hold it in place where you want it, but release when you choose to do that. I have to admit, the motor is NOISY, but it is very efficient. A few seconds usually does the job. I use my food processor almost every day and am very satisfied.

   

KitchenAid KFC3100ER Chef Series 3-Cup Food Chopper, Red
From KitchenAid

Say good-bye to hours spent chopping, dicing and shredding with this chef's chopper by KitchenAid. Large 3-cup capacity is great for sauces and soups yet compact enough for smaller, everyday jobs. The premium, razor-sharp blade handles meat, nuts, hard cheeses and vegetables as well as fresh herbs, fruit and more. The unique lid design includes wet and dry compartments for adding ingredients as you're processing. Removable parts are dishwasher safe. Manual includes delicious recipes to get you started. Imported. 10Hx5Wx6D."

• Amazon Sales Rank: #9237 in Kitchen & Housewares
• Color: Red
• Brand: KitchenAid
• Model: KFC3100ER
• Number of items: 1
• Dimensions: 6.40" h x 8.00" w x 11.40" l, 3.20 pounds

With a 3-cup work bowl and 240 watts of power, this chopper is ideal for small jobs and for making sauces, frostings, and dressings. The stainless-steel blade's reverse spiral action pulls food down, minimizing scraping and producing uniform chopped meat, nuts, cheese, vegetables, herbs--all the many foods for which the chopper is intended. For adding ingredients while the chopper is running, the lid has two compartments, one for dry items and the other for wet. For precise control, the chopper's electronic pulse pad responds instantaneously. The heavy power base provides stability and is seamless, making cleanup a simple matter of wiping the base and placing all the parts in the dishwasher. The chopper stands just 9-1/2 inches high and has cord storage inside the base. A stiff spatula is included. Should the chopper fail during its first year, KitchenAid's total replacement warranty guarantees delivery of another machine. --Fred Brack

Makes quick work of common chopping needs
I have had a few full-size food processors in the past -- both expensive and cheap models -- and the main complaints I had with them were: bulkiness, noise, and cleanup time. Over time, I realized that I was doing fewer and fewer things with the processor, and then finally, it got put away for good.

But lately, I found that I was chopping the same ingredients, in almost the same amounts, again and again.

So, on a whim, really, I decided to give the Kitchenaid 3-cup chopper a try. I own a number of Kitchenaid large appliances, and have always been satisfied. This food chopper is no exception, as it exceeds my expectations for handling my chopping drudgery. Be it onions, garlic, emulsifying dressing, making bread crumbs, chopping nuts, whatever.

This unit takes a very small amount of counter space, has a great look, stores its cord in the base, and its bowl and cover are dishwasher-safe.

This appliance is a nice time-saver, and that, in my opinion, makes it a great item.

Cuisinart Vs. KitchenAid Mini Choppers
When I starting searching for a mini-chopper I was surprised by the huge rating difference between the Cuisinart DLC2 and the KitchenAid KFC3100, so I bought both and did a side-by-side comparison. The only explanation I can give for the ratings difference is that Cuisinart buyers must have higher expectations. For most operations they have nearly identical performance and for some operations the Cuisinart is the clear winner.

Onions: Many Cuisinart reviewers panned its performance here, claiming it made onion purée, but most KitchenAid reviewers praised its onion chopping ability. I found almost no difference between the two. Maybe its an issue with the instructions - for chopped onions you must use a few short pulses. A few more pulses and you get minced onion - more than this and both give you onion puree. I wouldn't say either is great at chopping onions, but both are equally mediocre.

I also tested chopping nuts, and making breadcrumbs with similar results. Both performed about the same for a course chop, although the Cuisinart produced a more even chop on the nuts, but its when you want a really fine chop that the Cuisinart starts to shine. The first reason for this is the grind feature found only on the Cuisinart. This spins the blade in the opposite direction which allows the flat, back-side of the blade to impact the food. More importantly, it redistributes the food, so if you've got a couple of chunks that refuse to be chopped, a short pulse in the opposite direction helps it drop into the blade. For perfect, fine breadcrumbs I alternate between the normal chop mode for a few seconds, and grind for one second.

The other reason the Cuisinart gives a better fine chop is that it does a much better job of cycling the food through the blade. This is a real key when you're working with softer foods like spreads, pâtés or purees. When I made a cream cheese spread in both choppers the Cuisinart did a far quicker and better job of pulling the ingredients down the center and into the blade. The KitchenAid kept larger chunks bobbing on top. If you're making dips, spreads or baby food, the Cuisinart is the hands-down winner.

On the practical side, both choppers were equally easy to clean. Both have small holes in the lid for pouring in liquids on the fly, but only The KitchenAid has a slot for dry or thick ingredients - if that's important to you. Overall, I found the Cuisinart easier to use for several reasons. First, the Cuisinart blade drops on easily, while the KitchenAid blade is keyed and I found myself turning it several times before it dropped in. Second, the KitchenAid lid must be removed first before you can lift off the bowl, but on the Cuisinart, the bowl and lid can be detached as an assembly. Finally, the Cuisinart blade has a "handle" that extends to the top of the bowl like a popsicle stick allowing you to remove the blade without getting your fingers in the food.

After all my testing, I really can't understand the large ratings difference between these two. Neither is perfect - you'll never get a perfect, even, course chop with things like onions or chocolate, but they do come in handy. For many uses either one will give you pretty much the same results. Because of its advantage with softer foods and its ease of use, I recommend the Cuisinart.

So close...
I love almost everything about this chopper. It's reasonably priced, a nice size, and it does a good job with the chopping (my first experiment, chicken salad, was a success). It's easy to clean, the cord stores in the base, there's a slot in the top to add ingredients while mixing, and the little paddle is handy for scraping out the food from the bowl (it's a tight fit for one of those regular size rubber kitchen paddles). Another good feature: the chop button won't function unless the lid is locked in place.

The one thing I don't love: the noise. I expected some noise with a chopper, of course, but this thing is so loud and *shrill* that it's almost embarrassing to use. It sounds sort of like a dentist's drill, times ten.

So, we have four stars for this product. It does its job, it just makes a lot of noise doing so.

   

Cuisinart DFP-7BC 7 Cup Food Processor
From Cuisinart

The Cuisinart® Original Food Processor in Brushed Metal is a classic! Its 7-cup capacity and versatile assortment of blades and discs make food prep tasks a snap. The Extra Large Feed Tube and Pusher and Sleeve Assembly handle whole fruits and vegetables with ease.

• Amazon Sales Rank: #5277 in Kitchen & Housewares
• Brand: Cuisinart
• Model: DFP-7BC
• Dimensions: 9.00" h x 11.25" w x 13.00" l, 15.20 pounds

The name Cuisinart is synonymous with food processors and this 7-cup unit is the perfect size for daily food prep for an average family of four. This versatile appliance comes with two blades and two discs that perform a variety of kitchen tasks in a short time. The main stainless-steel blade chops or purées raw or cooked fruits and vegetables, meat, fish, cheese, and nuts. A switch on the motor base flips up for mincing or puréeing and flips down for the pulse option, which offers better control when chopping food into larger chunks. The included plastic blade kneads up to two pounds of perfectly textured bread, pastry, or pizza dough in less than two minutes. Other attachments include a slicer disc for slicing or julienning luncheon meats, cheeses, and various vegetables, and a shredding disc for vegetables such as cabbage, carrots, or iceberg lettuce. Foods to be sliced or shredded are inserted through an extra-large plastic feed tube above the processor's bowl and helped through with a pusher.

For convenience, the bowl, feed tube, and pusher are all dishwasher-safe, reducing cleanup as well as prep time. The sleek base gives this processor a commercial-kitchen look and its weight and rubber feet make it immovable during use. This Cuisinart food processor comes with a spatula and a colorful instruction and recipe book as well as a full five-year warranty on the motor. --Cristina Vaamonde

Paddle Switch Rules!
I use my Cuisinart primarily for chopping veggies or making my own ground beef. I can use more flavorful cuts than the leftover bits usually made into ground beef and control the texture to my preference.

The Cuisinart 7 Cup performs great for my needs. It's both powerful and very quiet. Cheap proccessors with side mounted, belt driven motors are usually so noisy that you don't want to bother with them.

Others may disagree, but I find Cuisinart's safety interlocks only a minor hassle. The small center feed tube isn't interlocked and is useful for adding ingredients while processing.

I looked at other food processors in stores before I bought the Cuisinart, and found I prefer the ergonomic feel and control of the old-fashioned Cuisinart paddle switch. Whether it be the new Cuisinarts or KitchenAids, I don't like to have to search around for the little sealed-dome lumps on modern control panels. The first time you use the Cuisinart up-for-on / down-for-pulse lever switch, it's so easy and intuitive, you don't have to look to use it ever again. I've never regretted my choice - I love the paddle!

When your fingers are wet or messy, you can press the lever down to pulse with a knuckle much more easily than trying to find the right tiny plastic bump on a typical control panel.

If you actually like membrane switches, the KitchenAid food processors are good choices, too, but the Cuisinart classic paddle / lever switch is the trump card for me.

Safety features are NOT a problem
There are two reviews on this site as well as some on others claiming that the safety features on this model are a problem and/or that the feeder pusher can't be removed without removing the entire top. My conclusion is that these people must not have read the instructions, which I feel are clear as to how to remove the dual-pusher (which is the notable feature of this model vs. the DLC-5). I'm having no problems at all and think this is a great product. The large dual-pusher feeding tube is a very useful feature.

Best food processor I've ever had
I always check Consumer Reports before I buy anything and they gave this machine it's top rating. After using it for a while, I have to agree. It performs very well and the wide opening lets me chop large pieces of vegtables without having to chop them up thin in order to get them into the chute. I can't recommend this processor highly enough.

   

Cuisinart DLC-8S 11-Cup Pro Custom 11 Food Processor, White
From Cuisinart

Cuisinart is known for power, quality and convenience. This size processor will take you from soup to soufflé with ease. Exclusive cover with a large feed tube and unique compact chopping/baking cover. Industrial-quality motor. Comes with stainless steel discs and blade, bonus thin slicing disc, dough blade, 2 covers, recipe collection and how-to video. Model #DLC8S. Includes a manufacturer's limited warranty.

• Amazon Sales Rank: #390 in Kitchen & Housewares
• Color: White
• Brand: Cuisinart
• Model: DLC-8S
• Dimensions: 14.50" h x 7.00" w x 11.25" l, 16.92 pounds

A perfect gift for new homemakers, the food processor has become an integral part of modern cooking, speeding up a multitude of processes, including kneading dough; slicing; chopping; shredding cheese, vegetables, and meat; mincing garlic and parsley; mixing batters; and emulsifying mayonnaise. Cuisinart's Pro Custom comes with an 11-cup work bowl; five basic attachments for slicing, shredding, chopping, mixing, and kneading; and also features two feed-tube options, one big enough to handle a whole potato. This processor comes with a compact cover for use when the feed tube isn't needed and a pulse control that allows the desired degree of fineness when chopping and puréeing. Remove the detachable stem for compact storage of discs. All the parts are dishwasher-safe and the motor base wipes clean. In addition, a custom-contoured spatula, a 50-page recipe booklet, and a 30-minute video designed to familiarize the new owner with the care and use of the food processor are included. --Victoria Jenkins

Cuisinart DLC-8S is Shoddy Shadow of former Cuisinarts
My 1987 DLC-7 is my 3rd Cuisinart. It has had daily use and is worn and has a small problem. I ordered the DLC-8s only to find it cannot compare to my old machine even in it's state of advanced age and I am returning it. For example the cord is short and light weight. The bowl is actually smaller...11 cups is really an exaggeration. The motor is 5.2 amps compared with the 6 amps of the DLC-7 and the DLC-8S is lighter. The deciding flaw however is the poorly designed switching arms on the feed tube. They are flimsy and an accident begging to happen. I am going to have my old machine repaired and look at the Kitchen Aid processors. Very sad to lose an outstanding product.

There are better choices.
This food processor is made in China. For the same amount of money you can buy an 11 cup Kitchen Aid. It runs smoother, has the slicing blades and a mini bowl. The blades are Sabatier and are excellent. We tried both machines and returned the Cuisinart.

Sad end to a noble name
Cuisinart is practically synonymous with food processor. When the French were manufacturing them years ago, you couldn't touch another blender, processor or kitchen appliance that would do more. But the manufacturer changed, and so did the Cuisinart.

My cuisinart bowl cracked at the base. To their credit, they did replace the bowls. Now the knives, the most critical part of the food processor, are no longer the same.

In addition, if you do heavy breads (we like to do rye) you will find that the stem can overheat and the bowl can stick on it for a bit (until you figure out how to get it off, not easy, let me tell you.) I once even had the plastic dough blade stick onto the stem.

The bowl isn't so easy to clean, either. I give it three stars because it still slices and dices with the greatest skill, but overall, I would not buy one again. Sad....

   

Cuisinart Custom Pro 11-Cup Stainless Steel Food Processor EV-11PC8 with Bonus
From Cuisinart

Cuisinart® is about to change the way you think about cooking! Your Custom Pro 11TM food processor is designed to do all those time-consuming food prep tasks, like chopping, mincing, mixing, slicing and shredding. Try those dishes you never had time to make, or create whole new gourmet menus! The Cuisinart® food processor even has its own dough blade, so be sure to put bread and pizza on the menus! Added Value: * One extra 11-cup work bowl * How-to-DVD * 14" Pizza pan * Pizza cutter Features: * 11-cup capacity Lexan® work bowl: Clear, durable, and heat/cold resistant * Extra large feed tube: Holds whole fruits and vegetables - no precutting * Small feed tube: Holds smaller items upright for picture-perfect slices * Slice, shred, knead dough, chop, grind, mix, mince and puree * Stainless steel 4mm slicing disc: Perfect, whole slices in seconds * Stainless steel shredding disc: Cheese for pizza, cabbage for coleslaw * Stainless steel chopping/mixing blade: Mince a single clove of garlic; mix a batch of cookie dough * Dough blade: Kneads up to 2 pounds in less than two minutes * Quiet, Heavy-Duty motor: Handles big food prep tasks without slowing down * Simple paddle controls: One-touch ON, OFF, and PULSE control * Easy Cleanups: Everything but the motor base goes right into the dishwasher * Recipe/instruction book * Custom spatula * UL listed * Dimensions: 10.0 x 7.0 x 14.5"

• Amazon Sales Rank: #156353 in Kitchen & Housewares
• Brand: Cuisinart
• Dimensions: 21.00 pounds

Cuisinart Custom Pro 11-Cup Stainless Steel Food Processor EV-11PC9
Cuisinart Custom Pro 11-Cup Stainless Steel Food Processor EV-11PC8

I ordered the EV-11PC8 with a bonus pack (pizza pan, pizza cutter and a second 11-cup work bowl). But, the next day I received a phone call from Southeast Clearance Consolidators, telling me that the product was mistakenly over-sold by one!

I was offered the newest model for the same price as the EV-11PC8, without the bonus pack. The price had risen on the new model $40, so I decided to take it, even though I really wanted the second work bowl. I'm very glad I did.

The man I spoke with was very apologetic and accommodating. He didn't want to lose my business. He even credited my account immediately $9.00 for half of the shipping charges, because he felt bad about the error. It shipped the same day and I received it five days later. I highly recommend this company, and will definitely buy from them again.

So, this review is actually for Cuisinart's newest model EV-11PC9, NOT the 11-PC8 as the product link shows.

I gave this appliance a 5-star rating for the excellent DEALER customer service I received, and for its beauty, ease of initial setup, ease of use, and ease of cleaning. I don't have a dishwasher so just I wipe each part with a soapy sponge and run under a spray nozzle to rinse.

An instructional DVD came with the food processor which demonstrates using it to make a variety of recipes included in the user manual. I found setting up and using the machine as easy as it looked in the DVD.

I've been using a Sunbeam Little Oskar for more than 20 years, and it's still going strong. But, it's very small bowl capacity means chopping large quantities of ingredients for fresh pesto and salsa had to be done in multiple batches, which created a huge mess in my kitchen, every time. So I'm happy to be retiring it for the new Cuisinart.

I've already made a large batch of pesto, a large batch of fresh salsa, and banana-nut-oatmeal pancakes, with a cherry topping. In each recipe, every ingredient I wanted fit in the work bowl, so there was no mess from removing the lid and bowl multiple times. The motor is very powerful and processes in seconds. The banana and cherries were still frozen when I chopped them, and the motor breezed right through them. I know I've barely used this product, but I'm thoroughly convinced that it's exactly what I was hoping for. I look forward to using it for years to come. I only wish that I'd gotten it sooner! I could have saved myself hours and hours of labor...

My first food processor
My Cuisinart Custom Pro 11-Cup Food Processor is wonderful! I didn't know a food processor could do so much. The instruction DVD helped me a lot since I am new to food processing. Every recipe I have tried has come out great.

Makes a mess
You MUST add ALL ingredients while it is on the stand. Otherwise they come pouring out the bottom. What a waste a money and a huge mess in my kitchen. Customer service was also useless.

   

Cuisinart DLC-2011BCN Prep 11 Plus Food Processor
From Cuisinart

Get ready to cook up a storm and whip up meals that everyone will remember! Cuisinart's 11-cup processor can do everything from blending 2.5 pounds of dough to chopping a single clove of garlic  and anything else in between. Great meals have never been so easy. Three-year warranty. Model DLC-2011.

• Amazon Sales Rank: #443397 in Kitchen & Housewares
• Color: White
• Brand: Cuisinart
• Model: dlc2011bcn
• Dimensions: 14.75" h x 9.50" w x 7.00" l, 15.50 pounds

I loved it, until I needed service
As the owner of Cuisinart food processor for more than 20 years, when it came time to upgrade it was a no-brainer...another Cuisinart. I had received excellent customer service in the past when a part developed cracks.

Now, under new ownership, it's a whole new story. I had my new model for less than a month when it developed numerous cracks in the pusher assembly. I called customer service (by the way, the number in the manual was not a working number) and I was told they would send me a new part only after I sent them the defective one, and there would be a delay of about two weeks, not counting shipping (plan on another two weeks). This was their unbendable rule. I told them this was not acceptable, that I did not want to be without the use of the equipment for a month, especially with the holidays coming up. Sorry, that's the rule, is what I was told.
Then I wrote to the President of Conair (the parent company) and the VP/GM of the Cuisinart division, and asked them to contact me for assistance in resolving this issue. A month has passed as I write this, and I have not heard from either of them.

I took the equipment back to the store where I purchased it, and exchanged it for a KitchenAid food processor, which was less expensive, and works beautifully. I did my research this time, and they have a reputation for excellent customer service should I need it.

The Cuisinarts are good, solid appliances, but if you ever need customer service, it's an uphill battle. If you decide to buy a Cuisinart, be sure to buy at a store that will stand behind the products they sell.

Cuisinart stole my heart from Kitchenaid!!
I'm a Kitchenaid kind of girl, so when my husband surprised me with the Cuisinart Food Processor, I was faced with quite the quandry. I began to research both the Cuisinart 2011 and the Kitchenaid 760. The reviews pointed slightly towards the Kitchenaid so I figured I'd swap mine for it. I visited a local store to compare them in person and was so disappointed to realize that the Cuisinart fits together more securely and smoothly. In denial I stared at the blades for quite some time. Finally I had to admit to myself that the Cuisinart ones were heavier. They felt better and looked more solid. Oh how I tried to convince myself that the Kitchenaid was better. But I just didn't like how the top on the Kitchenaid snapped into place. It's not as smooth. The KA comes with more tools. Surely I'd end up with the Kitchenaid.

I went home and joined the online Kitchenaid Conversation Forum. Who does this? It's a group of people who post back and forth about their devotion to Kitchenaid. I begged Kitchenaid Rita to help me back on the righteous path.

Then I started using my Cuisianrt to test it out. I tried not to love it. I just couldn't help myself. It's so convenient to use. I started to think that the extra KA bowls might start to get on my nerves--always taking them in and out. I've made all kinds of things in my food processor. I made pizza dough. I can't believe I've been kneading by hand all these years. I made sweet potato chips; I made hummus and salsa... the list grows each day.

I actually use it all the time. And, it would be very much like me not to use it if it were at all hard to assemble or clean.

OK, there you have it. A perfectionist's testamonial and admission of betrayal. I do love my new Cuisinart 2011, and I feel guilty for ever having doubted it. And just last night my new TOB-165 Cuisinart Toaster Oven arrived. Review on that soon...

Love me, Love my food processor!!
I got this (in white) as an early B-Day gift that I picked out. I got it on ebay for 30% off amazons price. My only processor experience prior to this is a little 2 cup black and decker model that I got for Christmas. which ws very limited with what to do with it.But I liked the Idea and thought about the possibilities of what A "real" one could do! I live in a little po dink town in the middle of nowhere and there are to say the least no department stores or any thing that sells good kithchen appliances. So when looking for a food processor I was entirely doing my research and comparisons online. After reading reviews and comparing products and prices I came down to choosing between 2 food processors. This one and the KitchenAid KFP670. At first it was a close call because of the extra stuff that comes with the KitchenAid. However I was absolutely sure that I had made the right decision when I actually saw the KitchenAid 670 in person about 45 miles away at a dept. store. What truly sold me on my Cuisinart in addition to it's power, additional blades ect. was the huge feed tube.The Kitchenaid's tube looked so small compared to mine and you may not think that it would be a big deal but even though I had only had mine for a few days the big tube made a big difference. For instance I can stick a whole potato in mine and make instant hashbrowns or fries. with the KitchenAid you would have to cut up the potato first and fries... please, it may have the disc but who wants dinky little bits. Also I made stir fry steak. I was utterly amazed at how it handled it so well. and becaue of the large feed tube I could put a bunch of meat in the at one time and it took all of 2 seconds to slice the steak into 4 mm slices .. Wow!!! I even used the dough blade to make the cheese bread in the cookbook which was so fast to make and yumm GOOD! I like the safety features on this machine, the sturdiness,The extra blades that are available, the power, the style, and love the big feed tube. I am I first generation food processor owner and Will never go back!! I highly reccomend this food processor

   

Factory-Reconditioned KitchenAid RRKFP350WH1 Little Ultra Power 5-Cup Food Processor, White
From KitchenAid

Factory Reconditioned Model

• Amazon Sales Rank: #209878 in Kitchen & Housewares
• Color: White
• Brand: KitchenAid
• Model: RRKFP350WH1
• Dimensions: 8.10" h x 10.00" w x 16.10" l,

Equipped with 5-cup and 2-cup work bowls, this compact food processor is ideal for small households or for small jobs when a large unit isn't necessary. Each bowl has its own blade, and the smaller bowl is perfect for mincing herbs, chopping onions and tomatoes, and making bread crumbs. Also included is a reversible, stainless-steel disk with one side for shredding such foods as cheese and potatoes and the other for slicing carrots and cabbage. At 450 watts the unit is amply powered for the size of the work bowls. A large, uncomplicated feed tube simplifies adding ingredients. Cleanup is simple, too, requiring nothing more than a quick wipe of the power base and its touchpad controls, and all other parts are dishwasher-safe. The processor measures just 6-3/8 inches wide, 13-3/4 inches high, and 7-1/2 inches deep and weighs 10 pounds so it won't skitter on the counter during operation.--Fred Brack

Editor's note: This is a reconditioned small appliance. Reconditioned generally means that the appliance has been returned to the manufacturer, who brings the appliance back to like-new condition. Some appliances may contain cosmetic blemishes.

Just exactly what I was looking for!
One of the casualties of our recent move was the loss of my "as seen on TV" hand crank food chopper (I think it was a Rocket Chef??). So for two years now, I have been making salsa & bruschetta by hand and whining about my need for a food processor. My husband was not interested in spending $100+ for a food processor that we would probably use 1-2 times a week if that. So I continued to whine and he continued to protest the purchase of a full size food processor (eventually we just lived without salsa!). You can imagine my delight when this Kitchenaid processor went on sale ... and for a whole lot less than it's current advertised price :-) I worried a little bit about it being refurbished, but the item was received with little more than a few *very* minor scuff marks on the bowls ... which we would likely inflict ourselves after a week or two. And for the price paid, a six month warranty on this product is more than adequate.

I am impressed by how quick and easy this lovely machine is to use. Assembly and cleanup is so easy that we even managed it without the directions. I really enjoy the simplicity of design and operation, and feel that this size is the best for our particular use. I was able to make a full batch of salsa in literally minutes, which is something that used to take way too long with my old Rocket Chef. The mini bowl is quite handy. I realized after my main batch was complete that I had forgotten a jalepeno. I just popped it in the mini bowl, hit the "pulse" button two times, and it was done!

I would definitely recommend this item to anyone looking for a "starter" processor or for an occasional use gadget, especially if you aren't sure if/how you would really use one of these. Now that I have seen how easy it is to use, I will be using my processor all the time! Another great design from Kitchenaid. My only complaint would be that the color that matches my mixer was sold out :-)

Makes good latkes and cole slaw
I never expected this to be the be-all-and-end-all kitchen savior but it takes up very little room on my counter, makes great cole slaw and shreds potatoes beautifully. (I did slice my thumb accidently while shifting the slicing blade from one side to the other so now I use a kitchen towel when handling the slicing disc - be careful!) For the price, it's a fabulous product...

Good price but cosmetically not so good
The motor assembly looks great but clear plastic parts were scratched up badly and had some small cracks. I got it for a lot lower than it is currently so I can't complain.

   

Cuisinart DLC-10S Pro Classic 7-Cup Food Processor
From Cuisinart

Cuisinart DLC-10S , The Cuisinart® Pro Classic™ Food Processor makes all your favorites, from stir-fries and main course salads to peanut butter and home-made bread.

• Amazon Sales Rank: #284 in Kitchen & Housewares
• Color: White
• Brand: Cuisinart
• Model: DLC-10S
• Dimensions: 13.75" h x 7.00" w x 11.25" l, 15.55 pounds

A perfect gift for new homemakers, the food processor has become an integral part of modern cooking, speeding up a multitude of processes, including kneading dough, slicing, chopping, shredding cheese, vegetables and meat, mincing garlic and parsley, mixing batters, and emulsifying mayonnaise. Cuisinart's Pro Classic comes with a 7-cup work bowl, four basic attachments for slicing, shredding, chopping, mixing, and kneading, and also features two feed tube options, one big enough to handle a whole potato. This processor comes with a compact cover for use when the feed tube isn't needed and a pulse control that allows the desired degree of fineness when chopping and puréeing. Remove the detachable stem for compact storage of discs. All the parts are dishwasher-safe and the motor base wipes clean. In addition, a custom-contoured spatula, a 50-page recipe booklet, and a 30-minute video designed to familiarize the new owner with the care and use of the food processor are included. --Victoria Jenkins

Useful for a number of chores in the kitchen
While I usually chop on a plastic cutting board with a big chef's knife, the Cuisinart makes several tasks a lot easier. Chopping cooked or raw meat is one. If you are making hash from leftover corned beef, a short burst in this food processor is the easiest way to go. For mixing certain pastry doughs (pie or pate brisee) this is also a very good item to have, although you have to be careful to go slowly and not overprocess. The one thing the Cuisinart does is heat up the dough if you whirl it around too much, so you have to be careful. And if you put too heavy a bread dough in, using the plastic bread blade, you can heat the shaft up enough to jam the blade onto the central post and that's a big nuisance. However, with these cautions, the Cuisinart is hands-down my favorite food processor and for shredding, slicing thinly or chopping, pretty much the best kitchen appliance for the job.

Excellent Addtion to a Gourmet's Kitchen
For the size and the money, this is one of the better buys if you are looking for time- and effort-saving device for gourmets.

This food processor can replace many other tools in the well-equipped chef's kitchen: Mandoline, Pastry Knives, Potato Masher, to name a few.

Since I began using the Cuisinart, I have been able to make well-mixed doughs for perfect pastries and breads, julienned veggies (with a separate julienne blade) for crudites, superb mashed potatoes and potatoes au gratin, as well as many other dishes with a minimum of effort.

The only flaw of the Cuisinart line is the feed tube. While the multiple size feed slots make it easy to push anything from full-size potatoes to drizzling oil to make mayonaise, it can be a major challenge to clean due to the multiple crevices in the feed pusher.

Overall, however, the Cuisinart can make short work of the most complicated culinary endeavors, with a versatility to match a whole counter full of manual tools.

A "gadget" that really works
I bought the Cuisinart food processor last Christmas...as a gift to myself. My husband rolled his eyes when I told him I had bought this..he thought this was another gadget that would get used once and then disappear forever in a kitchen cabinet. I absolutely love this machine...I use it almost everyday from chopping vegetables to making cookie/cake dough. It is easy to use...easy to put together and best off all..easy to clean. I would highly recommend this for anybody who wants something that really works.

   

Cuisinart BFP-703CH SmartPower Duet Blender/Food Processor, Chrome
From Cuisinart

Enjoy a frozen drink, crush enough ice for a crowd, and prepare hors d'oeuvres for a party with the Cuisinart® SmartPower Duet™ Blender/Food Processor. Seven speeds, one just for ice crushing and one for food processing, make this Blender/Food Processor a powerful kitchen helper. The smart choice for everyday home cooks and chefs extraordinaire!

• Amazon Sales Rank: #896 in Kitchen & Housewares
• Color: Chrome
• Brand: Cuisinart
• Model: BFP-703CH
• Dimensions: 16.00" h x 6.50" w x 6.00" l, 10.00 pounds

Two powerful kitchen appliances have been brought together in this blender/food processor by Cuisinart. The heavy-duty motor base is up to both blending and processing tasks, and won't "walk" on the counter, even when it's crushing ice. Use the blender with its dripless pour spout to make and serve 40 ounces of frozen drinks or to purée baby foods or soups; use the processor to prep up to 3 cups of vegetables, cheeses, nuts, and meats. With one motor base, it's simple to keep the blender out on the counter and then bring out the processor attachment for special tasks.

This is an amazingly sturdy product, with tight-fitting lids, a heavy glass blender jar, and a motor that chops meat or ice with equal aplomb. Most attachments are dishwasher-safe, and the flat touch pad, which has seven settings (including ice crush and pulse), is easily wiped down with a sponge. This dual appliance comes with a booklet that explains how to use all the features and lists 48 recipes, from cranberry-orange mimosas to classic mayonnaise. --Maria Dolan

I love my Duet, hope it's reliable
I have been shopping for a new blender to replace my 1985 Osterizer, which has been leaving big chunks of ice in frozen drinks. I saw a really interesting consumer-oriented cooking show on the local PBS station one Saturday afternoon - they taste test their recipes on the public and test kitchen equipment. They had a test segment on blenders and claimed the fiftydollar Osterizer unit was the best, had the strongest motor and did a better job than even the hundredplusdollar blenders. I went out and bought one (actually, I got the Oster version of the Duet, with the blender and a food processor attachment). I quickly returned the Oster unit because 1) It could not a crush ice in frozen drinks and was actually worse than my 17 year old, worn out blender - it's pretty hard to suck a 3/4" ice rock up a straw; 2) Did not circulate thick liquids well unless stirred with a spoon through the hole in the top cover; 3) It was loud as heck; and 4) the food processor attachment was nearly useless because it was very small, only had a chopping blade and had no feeder - you unlatch the processor, empty out the one cup or so of chopped food, put more food inside, re-latch the processor lid and put back on the blender base.

After reading some of the reviews here, I was pretty much set on the similarly priced (one c-note) Kitchen Aid so I went to my local department store to look around and a bright and bubbly teenage sales clerk came up and asked me if I needed help. I almost said no (I can read the box myself) but instead decided not to exercise age discrimination and asked if she had any recommendations for blenders. Surprisingly, she said "Yes, I tested a bunch of them for a Christmas present for my dad a few months ago and the Cuisinart was definitely the best. It does the best job of crushing ice, is easy to clean up and my dad loves his!" Given that it came with a small food processor attachment for the same price as the Kitchen Aid and I had a 30 day return policy if I didn't like it, I decided to give it a shot. Here's my observations:

1) It blends great. It has as much power as you would ever need and frozen drinks come out smooth and frosty, they way they should. No more small icebergs clogging up the straws. You can dump a tray full of ice cubes into the blender, hit the "Ice Crusher" button, and it will give you a pitcher of finely crushed ice in about 30 seconds. Thick liquids still circulate well in the wide pitcher body.

2) It's quiet. I would say this blender puts out only about half the volume of noise that my old Oster unit or the newer one I returned did. Maybe there is a quieter unit on the market, but for the other reviewers complaining about the noise, I have to ask what they expect when blending ice cubes. No doubt, it makes more noise turning ice cubes into a liquid form than, say, a pot on the stove, but it is easily quiet enough to make a smoothie or margarita after midnight in an apartment without waking the neighbors.

3) The food processor works great. Sure it is smaller, at a 3-4 cup capacity, than the big 11 cup processors, but otherwise, it works exactly like its bigger brothers that made Cuisinart famous for the past several decades. I think the reviewer complaining about the processor must have had a few too many dacquiris or margaritas from his/her machine when he/she criticized this accessory. The feeding tube is a complete necessity for chopping more than a cup of food or using the grating and slicing blades (which work extremely well). So what if it sticks out a few inches? I used the processor to make hash browns for eight people for Easter brunch, and it did a great job of chopping the onions and shredding the potatoes; I did have to empty the moderately sized processor container twice while shredding the potatoes, but it only took about two minutes to turn eight medium-large potatoes into uniformly shredded hash browns.

4) It's easy to clean. The base unit just wipes clean, with no protruding buttons or difficult channels to clean out. The pitcher is also easy to rinse clean.

A big caveat: the reliability. I did not read the reviews here about the easily breakable plastic motor locking ring on the blender base until after my 30 day return period ended. So far, so good (I'm giving it a ***** rating based on my own experiences and am not going to let other reviewers' experiences change my score) but I really hope, knock-on-wood-fingers-crossed, that Cuisinart cured that defect by the time it got around to manufacturing my unit. It does have a heavy, very steady base and feels like a well made unit.

I hope I get many years of happy use out of my Duet, but will report back if I suffer the same problem that others have experienced.

EDIT 3/07:

Eventually, my Duet's blender unit failed, perhaps somewhat differently than others have reported. After about six years of frequent use, the black plastic gear ring on the bottom of the blender container that meshes with the drive unit in the base locked up on me and would not turn on the bottom of the blender, meaning the blade inside the blender to which it is attached would not turn. I contacted Cuisinart and bought a new one for around $10 or $12 shipped, took the old one off, installed the new one and in a few minutes had it running again good as new. I still really like the unit and think it is terrific. Spending a dozen dollars on a simple replacement part for an item we use so frequently is not unreasonable and I'm not lowering my score as a result of that temporary problem. In 2007 there are now a lot more higher end blenders available than there were when I bought this Cuisinart in 2001 and I'm sure some of them have even stronger motors and are slightly more quiet. However, this is still a very good unit and the hundred bucks I spent on it was money very well spent. Nowadays, I've seen this blender-food processor combo available for as low as half what I paid on sale and as low as fortybucks refurbished, so I doubt that there's anything on the market that is even close to being as good of a value.

Great, until the drive gear shatters
As other reviewers, we loved this blender until it broke. It was quiet, powerful, simple to use, and looked great. The food processor was the perfect size, and very useful.

The only complaint in using it was the base unit on the blender jar was hard to get off at times. Also, the plastice silver coating was wearing off.

After 1.5 years of moderate use (mainly smoothies), the plastic gear connecting the motor to the blender shattered. Luckily we bought ours at a retailer that we could return it to.

If Cuisinart ever fixes this defect issue, we would definitely buy it again. Until then an expensive Osterizer is working well for us.

Ideal for the casual cook
This appliance is ideal for me. I use the blender once or twice a week and the processor 2 or 3 times a week. And I don't have a lot of storage space in my kitchen, nor the desire to own 2 motors when one will do both jobs. I bought this to replace a very wimpy Oster blender/processor combo and I am thrilled with it. The blender grinds through ice cubes in no time, and the processor has delivered consistently good results with a variety of foods.

The product design is excellent. The attachments fit securely onto the motor base without the need to twist or lock. The buttons are very easy to clean, and they have been thoughtfully arranged for ease of use. The motor unit is very compact, so it takes up about half the space my old Oster did. The glass blender jar is very sturdy and leakproof, but I wonder about the durability of the plastic processor attachment.

For a serious cook who deals with large quantities and frequent demands on an appliance, it's probably better to have separate pieces. But as a casual home cook for two, I love its design, efficiency, and power.

   

Hamilton Beach 70610 500-Watt Food Processor, White
From Hamilton Beach

Full size 10-cup Food processor - for large batch processing Has 525 watts of power with 2 speeds plus pulse speed option for maximum versatility- 2 functions- slcing- shredding, from a reversible stainless disc . Has large stainless steel chopping blade & oversized feed chute. Dishwasher safe bowl & blades .Internal cord storage

• Amazon Sales Rank: #4374 in Kitchen & Housewares
• Brand: Hamilton Beach
• Model: 70610

With its powerful 500-watt motor, this full-size 10-cup food processor helps reduce prep time in the kitchen. The unit's large stainless-steel chopping blade slices and minces to perfection, while its reversible stainless disc allows for slicing or shredding. Choose between two speeds or the pulse option for precision results when a light touch is needed. Other highlights include simple controls, an oversized feed chute, and internal cord storage to help keep countertops tidy. The base of the appliance wipes clean easily, and the bowl, lid, and blades are dishwasher-safe. Stylish and functional for today's busy kitchen, the food processor measures approximately 9 by 11 by 15 inches and carries a one-year warranty.

Excellent Processor
This is an excellent food processor. It has two speeds, plus pulse control so it allows for better precision when chopping. Some processors turn everything to puree, but with this one you have better control over how finely things are chopped. The grater/slicer disk produces very uniform pieces and is really fast! While running it's not too loud either. I highly recommend this processor, especially considering the reasonable price.

Great Value
This is excellent with every processing task, and I compared it to both my KitchenAid and Braun models. The motor is very powerful, the design is simple, and all the parts are very easy to clean. Check your local WalMart if you have one closeby because this sells for only $34.96 there.

Practical and Affordable
This is a great food processor.
It really gets a workout from me.
I used it this Thanksgiving to mince onions, celery and carrots for my stuffing.
Since I've used it so much and it's still in ''brand new " shape, I definitely give it 5 stars.
Highly recommended.

   

Starfrit Manual Food Processor
From Feature Products, Inc

The perfect Manual Food Processor from Starfrit! Japanese made of quality stainless steel blades, it chops all your vegetables, fruits or meats perfectly, even allowing you to make homemade baby food quickly. Now you can effortlessly make your favorite salsa whenever you feel like a fiesta! Easy to use, it has a non-slip rubber base and with a few simple turns of the handle, the blade will do the chopping for you! It also includes a whisk to make mixing and whipping easy. Ideal for preparing creams, dips and salad dressing in no time! With the removable funnel you can add liquids such as oil when preparing mayonnaise or salad dressing. Easy to care, easy to clean and easy to store. No need for batteries or a power adapter, it's manual, making it perfect for camping or tailgaiting.

• Amazon Sales Rank: #60253 in Kitchen & Housewares
• Brand: Feature Products, Inc
• Model: 93900-006-blck
• Dimensions: 7.00" h x 6.50" w x 6.50" l,

What a joke!
When I decided to purchase this product, there were only two reviews and both were all right, so I thought I would give it a try. I was specifically looking for something to chop organic matter just a little bit smaller before it went out into the compost bucket on my back porch. In other words, I was not looking for food to be cut very small or uniformly and this processor still doesn't perform-- even after I do most of the chopping for it first. Instead of real chopping blades, it simply has two razor blades. They don't cut much, but after just a few spins they invariably get stuck on something really tough. You know. Like a leaf of spinach or piece of pear. The manufacturers should have just saved the plastic and left the nonskid ring off the bottom; it works so poorly for keeping the processor in place, I exert more effort holding it in place than I do turning the handle.

Don't waste the money on this one!

Purchased as a gift.
Bought this for a friend b/c I have one very similar. She has never complained about it and she would tell me if I bought her a piece of crap.
I love mine. Great for a chopping almost anything. I especially love it for onions!!!!! The only thing I wont use if for is tomatoes b/c I do not like when the they get all smooshed and air bubbly, but thats just me being extra picky. Much easier to use and clean that a electric food processor and actually control the size of your chopped items.

Great for mincing.
Works really well for making homemade salsa, etc. Minces and blends everything nicely without turning it into mush. Also worked well when used for wisking eggs.

   

Cuisinart BFP-703R Blender & Food Processor, Duet Combination
From Cuisinart

Two indispensable kitchen appliances in one, the Cuisinart food processor and blender will do all your slicing, dicing, shredding, and mixing for you. 40 oz. glass dripless pour spout jar. Ice crush button with pulse at any speed. 3-cup capacity work bowl with cover, feed tube, and pusher Stainless steel chopping blade. Reversible slicing/shredding disc. 7 speed. Style BFP-703.

• Brand: Cuisinart

an excellent and versatile appliance
I was excited to get this Cuisinart a month or so ago because I love to cook, but I'm a college student who lives in an apartment. I don't have tons of space (or money, for that matter) to blow on two appliances. I have done many things with the SmartPower Duet, and it hasn't failed me yet. I've made deliciously smooth and thick shakes (including one with rum for a party - it was a hit.) I've made amazing salsa. I've made gazpacho. For some of these, I used the recipe book that comes with the machine. There are a lot of good recipes, indeed, but as an added bonus, the recipes give you helpful hints about how to use the appliance the best way - like, which ingredients to add first, instead of just shoving everything in.

Just last night I made a pasta salad with about twenty ingredients, most of which had to be chopped or minced or sliced, so I used the food processor with the chopper to pulverize the garlic and other spices into a nice smooth blend (thus avoiding the dreaded clumps of pungent garlic). Then, I took the spices out and added red and green peppers and other vegetables and chopped them up coarsely, like salsa. Then I put the slicer attachment on to the food processor and sliced perfectly thin slices of cucumber and red onion. I added this to some pasta, provolone cheese, and some olive oil, and voila, I had a great pasta salad in less than half of the time it would have taken me to prepare all of those veggies by hand.

I certainly haven't had any complaints about the workmanship. I love how it feels so sturdy without being bulky - the base is a little wider than most and not flimsy like most other blenders I've used, and the thick, glass blender jar is squat instead of tall and thin, which seems to make blending things a lot easier because the ingredients can easily move around near the blade. The keypad controls are enclosed so it's incredibly easy to clean up splatters and spills. The processor bowl doesn't seem to be flimsy to me (perhaps they've fixed the problem ?). In other words, this thing is great.

Versatile, but breaks easily
I have owned the duet for approximatley one year. I use the blender mostly for milkshakes. The food processor is small, which is ok with me, except I do not like the feed tube. With a processor this small, it's unlikely one would use it to slice or shred, so why bother with the slicing disk and therefore the feed tube? Also, the feed tube makes it too tall to work with right under kitchen cabinets--you must pull it out to use. The motor is loud for both appliances. And the biggest problem is that mine broke this morning while I attempted to make a milkshake rendering both applicances unusable, since now the blade will not rotate. There is a small black plastic disk that fits between the base and the jar that has shattered all on its own. After reading your other reviews, I see I am not the first person to experience this. Buy this item with caution.

Makes excellent smoothies
I have been looking for a good blender and also a food processor for a while and one day I came across this cuisinart combination in a store. I liked the fact that I could get one device which was both a blender and a food processor (hence saving $$$ and space).

I read a few good online reviews on this product and decided to purchase it from amazon a week ago. I've so far used this device half a dozen times to make smoothies and they come out perfect each time. The motor is very powerful and it gets the job done really quickly. It is also very easy to assemble/disassemble hence making the task of cleaning it very easy.

My only wish is that this product came in other colours too but now I am only being picky.

   

Cuisinart BFP-10CH PowerBlend Duet Blender and Food Processor, Chrome and Black
From Cuisinart

Cuisinart's powerful new 7-speed blender has a genuine Cuisinart food processor. A heavy-duty 500-watt motor pulses, stirs, mixes, purees, chops and even crushes ice in record time. In food processor mode, users can slice, shred or process ingredients right into a 3 cup work bowl. It's big, it's powerful, and it's easy - removable parts are dishwasher-safe!

• Amazon Sales Rank: #684 in Kitchen & Housewares
• Brand: Cuisinart
• Model: BFP-10CH
• Dimensions: 15.50" h x 6.75" w x 8.45" l, 12.80 pounds

For everything from fruit smoothies to crushed ice, this countertop blender features a heavy-duty 500-watt motor and powerful cyclonic blending action to deliver quick, thorough results. Seven preprogrammed speed controls with LED indicators are lined up alongside an oversized "on/off" switch to let users pulse, stir, mix, puree, chop, liquefy, or crush ice with the touch of a button. The blender's large 56-ounce glass jar comes equipped with a drip-free spout, generous handle, and a clear 2-ounce measured pour lid for adding ingredients while mixing. For added convenience, the appliance includes a 3-cup food processor attachment with feed tube and pusher, slicing/shredding disc, and chopping blade. In food-processor mode, users can slice, shred, or process ingredients right into a 3-cup work bowl. Moreover, push-in cord storage helps keep countertops tidy and all removable parts clean up easily by hand or in the dishwasher. An instruction manual with recipes comes included. The blender measures 6-7/8 by 8 by 15 inches and carries a three-year limited warranty.

Terrific combo for the price!
We bought this blender/processor combo in February, but were a little nervous given some of the other reviews. But, a friend was using this as a drink blender at a party and raved about it. So, we bought it and thought we'd try it for a while before writing a review. So far, after pretty steady use, we love it. The ice crusher is terrific. The blender handles large capacity well. Everything has come out great.

So, how do we answer the cons that others point out? First, the noise. Uh, blenders are noisy. This doesn't seem to be any worse than any others we've owned--it's about the same as any other I've owned (Krupps, Oster). Then, the question of an oder--there was a slight oily smell when we first started using it, but that is long gone now. Yes, the food processor part is small, this is a combo unit. They are small on all combo units. And it's larger than the Krupps combo processor, for that matter the blender is larger too! Some don't care for the look. That's esthetic, and up to you. You see the picture, either you like the way it looks or you don't. I personally don't care too much, I keep it in a cabinet anyway.

All in all, we find this is a great buy. We don't need a full-size processor, this small one is perfect for what we use it for. And the blender is large and handles everything we've thrown at it; drinks, smoothies, soups, pestos, etc etc. You are not going to do better for this price.

It's okay
We had to replace our old Krups blender, which we had for many years, because the switches stopped working. The motor still ran--you just had to plug it in and unplug it to stop it.

So--we have a lot of Cuisinart stuff, and this looked like the item closest to the Krups, which had a food processor as well as the blender.

Here's why I give the Cuisinart item a 3, after probably three uses:
1. the food processor is pretty small
2. the "chrome" is actually plastic with a chrome coating, and I worry it won't last long
3. the styling is kind of klunky--it's somehow too big looking and obtrusive compared to, say, our Cuisinart toaster (which we have had a long time and really like)
4. the motor always smells as if it's about to burn out (but hasn't yet)
5. it has this weird feature that you first turn it on, then choose an action, like "chop" or "blend." I suppose this is a safety feature, but I'm not sure why.

On the other hand, it does the jobs it's supposed to do, and so I can't complain about that. It's okay. Just not the dream I imagined it would be, but it is powerful and effective. Why can't someone design a sleek blender/food processor combo that can handle a bit more quantity and looks good on the counter and lasts forever? :)

Good product
I bought this as a replacement for another Cuisinart food processor that gave up the ghost after 18 years of regular use. It is well designed and a bit lighter than the older models. It can be a little tricky to get the top on at first - do it a few times with it empty to see how the mechanism works and then it's easy to do. It seems to be able to handle any blending/processing job that I give it including really thick smoothies and baby food.