Food Processor Recommendations

[tiffanyh]

I have finally decided that I can't live without a food processor. I don't need anything fancy and can't afford to spend a lot of money. Does anyone have any suggestions? Also, how do people feel about the blenders that just come with food processor attachments?

[ashley]

I have a blender/food processor and it works very well for small jobs - holds approx 2 cups. But, if you plan to use it for making pie crusts, chopping & slicing vegetables, or doing anything with larger quantities it's best to invest in a bigger machine. I got an 11 cup Cuisinart for Christmas - don't know how I lived without it!

[SusanT]

I second the poster who loves her Kitchenaid. My first food processor was a $50 low-end model which was ok for pureeing but didn't slice or shred well and was hard to clean. It was also louder than a jet engine! I hardly used it, but I use the Kitchenaid almost daily. It also has a small bowl for smaller jobs. My advice - save your pennies and get a Kitchenaid. It's more expensive but you'll get more use out of it. If you just can't afford that right now, get a immersion blender with a chopper attachment. You can't process a lot of food but it's great for mincing garlic, chopping onions and pureeing soups.

[Jessica]

I would second SusanT's recommendation. I recently received an immersion blender with a chopper and I use it often. I have a cheap food processor that works fine, and I still use it to shred potatoes and do a few other tasks, but I mostly use the immersion blender. It is much easier to clean and I don't have to do things in batches.

[goldilocks]

Yet another vote for the Kitchenaid. I recently got married and was fortunate enough to upgrade all of my appliances. I had a food processor before, but it was not heavy duty, and whenever I made something in it, it would totally shake on the counter. My Kitchenaid is amazing. I also got the one with 2 bowls, which allows me to do two things without having to clean out the main bowl. Save up and buy this one. It's an investment and you won't be disappointed.

[Vanessa]

My Cuisinart 11 cup was the first thing I bought after returning from my honeymoon.
I like the size and its really great for all kind of things from pesto to coleslaw. The Kitchenaid was a more recent gift from my hubby as he loves cookies & cakes. My suggestion would be to save and get a Cuisinart you won't be disappointed

[PJB]

I too just got a Cuisinart 11 cup processor and I love it! I have been cooking constantly since x-mas since this makes things so much easier. I would save for this one!!!

[Joyce]

I wouldn't be without my Cuisinart. It does my Thanksgiving stuffing in five minutes and many other things. Between my Zyliss chopper and the Cuisinart all my chopping is a breeze.

[Beth]

I have a Cuisinart, but from all I have heard and seen, I think the Cuisinart (11 cup seems most popular) and the KitchenAid are safe bets. I just took at look at Chef's catalog since they have free shipping on orders over $75 til the end of Jan. They have the Cuisinart 11 cup (new design) for $229, the blender/3 cup combination for $99 (reg $160) and the Kitchenaid for $199 or $239 with the citrus press (both have a $20 rebate). They are online at www.chefscatalog.com. (http://www.chefscatalog.com.) That will at least give you some things to compare.

If you really need one, look for the best buy you can find and invest in one that may give you a lifetime of good service. Anything you will really use is not worth going cheap and either being unhappy or having to replace unless you just can't do anything else and think you will be able to buy a better one later. Remembering the bread machine thread...check out garage sales or resale options, maybe even the manufacturer for refurbished models. That's how I got my stand mixer.

[This message has been edited by Beth (edited 01-09-2001).]

[lindrusso]

Originally posted by Beth:
If you really need one, look for the best buy you can find and invest in one that may give you a lifetime of good service. Anything you will really use is not worth going cheap and either being unhappy or having to replace unless you just can't do anything else and think you will be able to buy a better one later. Remembering the bread machine thread...check out garage sales or resale options, maybe even the manufacturer for refurbished models. That's how I got my stand mixer.


I would second this. I have a Cuisinart and after 2 or 3 years the motor went out. I sent it back to the company - they sent it back 2 weeks later and had replaced the motor - no charge and no questions asked. So, even though the motor went out, they fixed it with no problem - something you might not get from other companies.

If you decide you really can't afford a Cuisinart or KitchenAid, I'd go for something bigger than the blender/processor models. I had one of those and never had enough room in the processor to do things like dough or gazpacho - they only hold about 2 cups. The bigger processors are just more versatile.



[This message has been edited by lindrusso (edited 01-09-2001).]

[Abby]

I also got a Kitchenaid 11 cup processor for Christmas. I had visions of spending the week after Christmas processing everything in sight, but alas, a horrible ice storm blew those visions away (See Pity Party thread)and I ended up in a hotel for the 5 days after Christmas. Now I don't know where to start with it! I think I might make a stir-fry tonight and slice and dice all of my fresh veggies in it - sounds like a safe way to start out! Anyone else have any tips on things to start out with? It has so many gadgets and gizmos that I think I'm intimidated by it all!

[kpk]

KitchenAid all the way! I love mine, and would recommend it to anyone.

[miamadre]

Hi everyone. My name is Mary and I have lurked here from time to time and have enjoyed reading your reviews of the recipes. I always seem to be a month or two behind in trying out the recipes though.

However, I got a new KitchenAid for Christmas and I love it. It's a new model. It has two large work bowls, a mini bowl and a juicer. I used to have a cheap machine, and I think this is one of those instances when you get what you pay for. The machine was pricey ($260.00) but I use it almost everyday.

[mightyh]

I have an 11 c. Cuisinart and it works great.

From an unbiased viewpoint, however, I just saw a show yesterday on PBS that tested and reviewed food processors and they basically came up with what you're hearing here--the Kitchenaid ($250) and the Cuisinart ($200) are the best. The cheaper ones aren't worth wasting your money on. FYI (and I haven't ever checked this website so I can't guarantee it will have the info) the show was called America's Test Kitchen and its website was www.americastestkitchen.com (http://www.americastestkitchen.com)

[luv2cook]

Mary, I have the same food processor, the 670 professional model, sounds like. I absolutely love it. As I mentioned before (probably ad nauseum to some) I went to Cooks Illustrated and looked at their recommendations and bought the KA based on what I did the most of. I absolutely love it.

[sushibones]

FYI--America's Test Kitchen is produced by Cook's Illustrated--a new venture for them.

I also vote for the KitchenAid, especially with the mini-bowl.

[bijoux22]

I love my 11 cup KitchenAid food processor! One of the few appliances that I have given permanent real estate on my counter.

[tiffanyh]

Meg,
Since I was just on the Chef's Catalog website checking out the options, I can tell you that they do sell the KitchenAid 11 cup extra work bowl on the website for $29.99.

[Meg O'C]

Thanks Tiffany! I will check it out. I noticed some folks mentioned immersion blenders. I got one of those as a wedding gift too. Definitely more inexpensive than a food processor and it's great for pureeing but I don't think it's as versatile as a good food processor.

[Meg O'C]

I agree with all the KitchAid fans out there! I registered for the KitchenAid 11-cup last year (my future sister-in-law was disappointed with her Cuisinart) and recommended the KitchenAid. Anyway, it is one of the best shower gifts I got (and from my mother-in-law no less). I use it all the time. Mine came with the mini-bowl and blade but not the second large bowl. Do they sell the large bowls separately?