Food Processor

**katybug** · 07-11-2011, 03:26 AM

I'm thinking about getting a Food Processor, there are a lot of things I want for the kitchen and I want to add one big thing this summer.

I would like to take a survey of you lovely ladys and gents who can help me decide which to get.

I'm looking at:

1. Ease of use
2. Function
3. Power

mostly with function I'm just looking at whether it works and works well. So many times recently I've bought things that just don't work as they should or don't work well.

Thanks!

KB

**Josephhgoins** · 07-11-2011, 07:49 AM

When it comes to kitchen gadgets my rule is buy the best quality I can afford if I am sure it is something I am going to use. A food processor is of course something you are going to get a bit of use out of.

I only cook 3 or 4 times a week (and eat leftovers most of the other times) but I easily use mine 2 or 3 times a week.

I got a Cuisinart Pro Custom 11 about 10 years ago. So far I have had to replace about $50 worth of parts in that 10 years and that was because of improper use on my part. It is a great machine and does everything I need it to.

I am not sure they make the exact model anymore, but you can't go wrong if you stick with the Cuisinart line.

I have successfully used mine to do everything from shred 100 lbs of cabbage for saurkraut (in about an hour) to make mayo (which I do about 1 time a week).

It is better for pie down than a stand mixer and I use it instead of a blender for pureeing or grinding up ice.

I have seen 20 year old used ones on Ebay for about 25% of what a new one would be, so they are good enough that they actually hold some of their value unlike most kitchen gadgets.

**missyali** · 07-11-2011, 08:21 AM

My dh & I got ours 10 years ago as a wedding present. He kinda shook his head at me when I said I was buying it (with gift cards). We use it easily twice a week. There are some things I wouldn't even TRY making without it any more. We love it! It is a Cuisinart 8 cup. I have three blades that came with it and the only thing I would change would be the capacity. We got the 8-cupper because it was just the 2 of us. Now there are 4 of us and I could use a larger one for convenience.

**Luckybustert** · 07-11-2011, 09:41 AM

I also have the Cuisinart Pro Custom 11 and I love it. I use it for everything from shredding cabbage, to slicing semi-frozen chicken for stir-fry, to grinding bars of soap to make homemade laundry detergent.

**2ndGenGranola** · 07-11-2011, 10:15 AM

I have 3 food processors of various sizes given to me as gifts. They are nice but unless I am cooking for an army, I prefer a good knife. Noise and clean up are a big part for me.

**katybug** · 07-11-2011, 10:27 AM

Thanks for the answers so far guys! I was eye-balling a kitchenaid one yesterday and then I came home and read the reviews on amazon. I figured you guys would be more thorough.

Joseph, I agree with you and I might just get a cusinart, especially with the reviews I got here.

I would still like to here what everyone has to say! Thanks to you guys who have answered so far! I appreciate the thoughtful answers.

**Josephhgoins** · 07-11-2011, 11:17 AM

btw, just to let you know in the years I have had my my interests have changed greatly! I have ground meat, ground soap for homemade body wash, and ground up newpaper for homemade paper. The blades are still like new.

The only thing It has ever really failed on is grinding dry corn to make corn meal, It just can't do it.

Btw, get one size bigger than you think you need and get a neutral color. As they last sooo long, you don't want a color that will be really dated in 10 or 15 years.

I wouldn't get many of the accessories until you start using it. I know they are great about suppling those for years after the unit is discontinued.

**missyali** · 07-11-2011, 12:35 PM

Originally Posted by Josephhgoins

The only thing It has ever really failed on is grinding dry corn to make corn meal, It just can't do it.

I have a Kitchen Aid mixer with the meat grinder attachment. My friend tried it for grinding nuts and loved it! Would that attachment work for you?

**oheoh's momma** · 07-11-2011, 12:47 PM

stick with the cisinart I have one that is not I hate it. Heard nothing but good stuff about it. This is on my wish list after dishwasher, and sharkmop.

**Paws** · 07-11-2011, 01:11 PM

My vote goes to Cuisinart also.
I got one several years ago and I absolutely love it. The only one I would consider, (if this one dies), is a Bosch. The really nice ones are a combo between a mixer and processor...super cool.

**Saule** · 07-11-2011, 02:17 PM

My Cuisinart is almost 30 years old, has a little bit chipped out of the base of the bowl, not so that it impairs use. I don't use it quite as much as I did when it was the only automated kitchen equipment I owned - first 10 years of use, but it still works each and every time with not problems.

Mine is one of the original models, which were small, but it has been enough for me and my small household. If you have a larger household, a larger machine makes sense, but realize that small quantities may not work so well in it. So you need to decide how you would be using it.

It might be worth your while to borrow a book on food processor recipes from the library, to see how you think you might be using it. That might help you determine the size you would most likely make the most effective use of.

While I am a Cuisinart fan based on my own experience, I should mention that the Kitchenaid (12-cup model - my machine is a 4 cup model!) was the highest rated FP by Cooks Illustrated the last two times they rated food processors.

**Neeley** · 07-11-2011, 02:28 PM

I have to vote for the Cuisinart as well. I have one and love it. I have had mine two and a half years, only used it a few times, but love it.

**shoiji** · 07-11-2011, 04:37 PM

Cuisinart brand has also been recommended by American's Test Kitchen. The PBS cooking show and the magazine Cooks Illustrated.

Let us know what you pick out.

**Josephhgoins** · 07-11-2011, 05:53 PM

Originally Posted by missyali

I have a Kitchen Aid mixer with the meat grinder attachment. My friend tried it for grinding nuts and loved it! Would that attachment work for you?

I have seen those and thought about them. I just wouldn't use it enough to pay for itself.

It is on the list though, pasta roller attachement is first.