Buying guide for best Cuisinart food processors
Chopping and shredding vegetables and other ingredients can be some of the most tedious food prep tasks for the home cook. It can be even more of a challenge if your knife skills aren’t particularly strong, which is why having a food processor can make life much easier in the kitchen. When it comes to the best high-quality food processors on today’s market, it’s hard to top the outstanding models offered by Cuisinart.
While a food processor is commonly used to chop and slice, it can do much more. You can use it to prepare homemade nut butter, ground meat, shredded cheese, pesto, hummus, sauces, dips, and salad dressing. And most Cuisinart food processors come with attachments that allow you to take on tougher jobs, such as the kneading bread dough blade.
All of Cuisinart’s food processors are top picks: You simply can’t go wrong with the brand. That said, some models may better fit your needs than others. Considering the wide array of food processors Cuisinart makes, choosing the right model can feel like a serious challenge. When shopping, it helps to familiarize yourself with the best food processors from Cuisinart before making your selection.
Finding the best Cuisinart food processor for your kitchen
Size and capacity
Look at a food processor’s size and capacity to decide if it would serve you well. Cuisinart offers food processors in a variety of sizes, with bowls that range in capacity from 3 to 14 cups. It’s important to choose a size large enough to allow you to work quickly and efficiently while still fitting comfortably on your countertop.
Large-capacity models typically have a larger footprint than smaller ones, so make sure you have the room to use and store it in your kitchen.
- Mini food processor (3 to 4.5 cups): These smaller models work well for dicing, mincing, and chopping as well as making sauces.
- Midsize food processor (8 to 9 cups): These are suited for most food processing tasks and work well if you typically cook for two or three people.
- Large-capacity food processor (11 to 13 cups): These work well for nearly any food processing task and are ideal if you usually cook for four or more people.
- Extra-large-capacity food processor (14 cups): These models allow you to double recipes easily. Processing gadgets of this size appeal to those who regularly host parties, holiday dinners, or other get-togethers. Many of the extra-large models include a mini-size work bowl with a 4- to 4.5-cup capacity for smaller recipes, too.
Power
In addition to capacity, you’ll want to pay attention to the power offered by the gadget’s motor. The power is measured in watts, and most Cuisinart models have 400- to 1,200-watt motors.
- For mini food processors or midsize models, choose one with at least a 400- to 800-watt motor.
- For large-capacity or extra-large-capacity models, choose one with at least an 800- to 1,200-watt motor.
Think about the types of ingredients you’ll be putting in your food processor. If you frequently process thick doughs, tough root vegetables, or hard cheeses, choose a Cuisinart food processor with at least a 600-watt motor.
DID YOU KNOW?
Some foods should simply not be processed in a food processor. This includes tough cuts of meat, bones, fruit peels, and ice, among other things.
STAFF
BestReviews
Important Cuisinart food processor features
Controls
Cuisinart food processors are available with several different control styles.
- Dials and buttons: Some machines have dials that you turn to choose a speed or shut off the processor. Others have large buttons that you push to choose the speed. Both of these types of controls are easy to operate, but they have nooks and crannies where food can get stuck, which may make them difficult to clean.
- Touchpad: High-quality Cuisinart food processors in the upper pricing brackets have touchpad controls, which are user-friendly and extremely easy to keep clean. If any food spills on the controls, you can simply wipe it off.
Feed tube
Cuisinart food processors have a tube in the lid through which you push the food while the processor is on. The width of the feed tube is key. If the processor has a narrow tube, you’ll have to chop the food into smaller pieces before you can fit it through the tube. Smaller food processors have narrower feed tubes.
A wide feed tube means you won’t need to do as much chopping beforehand. Cuisinart offers several food processors with wide-mouth feed tubes so you can add ingredients without doing much food prep. In some models, the tube is large enough to accommodate a whole onion or tomato. These models tend to have larger work bowls, too.
Measurement markings
To make preparing your favorite recipes as easy as possible, opt for a Cuisinart model with measurement markings on the work bowl. This allows you to keep track of how much food you’ve added to the processor. Some models also have a maximum level line that prevents you from adding too much liquid, which could cause the bowl to leak.
Accessories and attachments
While all Cuisinart food processors include standard slicing discs and chopping blades, some models include additional attachments and accessories that can make the appliance even more versatile and helpful in the kitchen. Accessories and attachments you may wish to look for include the following:
- Multiple S-blades: These are basic shredding blades and slicing blades. Some Cuisinart models include both large and small slicing and shredding blades so you can control the size of your output.
- Dough blade: This blade is for kneading bread dough, mixing pie crusts, and preparing other baked goods.
- Spiral blade: This blade cuts vegetables and other ingredients into spirals that you can use for veggie “pasta” or garnishes for other dishes.
- Blender pitcher: Some Cuisinart food processors include a blender pitcher so you can use the base as both a processor and a blender. These models may also include single-serve blender cups so you can quickly whip up a smoothie or other drink.
- Multiple work bowls: Some larger Cuisinart models include a small-capacity work bowl along with the larger bowl, so you always have the right bowl for whatever recipe you’re making.
A powerful motor gives more oomph to your food processor. Cuisinart sells appliances in a range of wattages, from a lower-power motor of 400 watts to a highly powerful motor of 1,200 watts.
STAFF
BestReviews
Cuisinart food processor prices
Cuisinart food processors vary in price based on size and features. Most models range from $30 to $200.
Inexpensive
The most affordable Cuisinart food processors are mini food processors with a capacity of 3 to 4.5 cups. These are best suited for light processing tasks or cooking for one. Prices range from $30 to $80.
Midrange
Cuisinart food processors with an 8-cup work bowl are slightly more expensive. Many of these include additional accessories and are a good option if you usually cook for two or three people. They usually cost between $80 and $130.
Expensive
Large Cuisinart food processors with an 11-cup capacity have plenty of high-end features, like touchpad controls. These gadgets work well if you usually cook for four people, and they range in price from $130 to $170.
Premium
Extra-large Cuisinart food processors with 14-cup work bowls are the most expensive models. They offer the most features, including touchpad controls, a wide-mouth feed tube, and a wide array of accessories. If you usually cook for large groups, consider looking here. These food processors typically cost between $170 and $200.
FOR YOUR SAFETY
Take care when handling your Cuisinart chopping blades, slicing blades, slicing discs, and shredding discs. These sharp items could do serious harm if handled carelessly.
STAFF
BestReviews
Tips
- Attach the bowl to the base before you put food in the processor. You could have a hard time getting the bowl to sit properly if it already has food in it.
- Stop the processor periodically to scrape down the sides of the bowl. This helps make sure all the food is cut evenly or thoroughly mixed together.
- Know when to tap and when to hold down the pulse button. Quickly tapping the pulse button prompts the machine to work as a food chopper. Holding down the pulse button purees the food.
- Chop onions, tomatoes, or other foods into a few uniformly sized pieces. Most food processors can’t handle whole foods, so chop them before adding them to the processor.
- Store sharp attachments—shredding blade, slicing blade, and such—in a storage case when not in use. This will keep the sharp parts away from curious young fingers and help you keep track of where all the parts are. If your kitchen appliance did not come with its own accessory storage case, you can find separately sold cases at online retailers like Amazon.
FAQ
Q. Do I need a food processor and a blender?
A. Food processors and blenders can do some of the same tasks, such as whipping up nut butter, but they fill different roles in the kitchen. Blenders are best for liquid recipes like smoothies and soups because a food processor can leak if you add too much liquid to it. On the other hand, most blenders can’t handle heavy-duty tasks like slicing veggies or kneading dough the way a food processor can.
Q. Are the work bowls for Cuisinart food processors BPA-free?
A. Nearly all Cuisinart food processors feature BPA-free work bowls, so you don’t have to worry about chemicals leaching into your food. However, read the product specifications carefully for any model you’re considering to verify the composition of the work bowl to be certain.
Q. Do Cuisinart food processors come with a warranty?
A. Cuisinart offers warranty coverage for all of its food processors, but the protection varies from model to model. Most of the mini choppers/processors come with an 18-month warranty, while some of the larger models offer up to three years of warranty coverage.
Q. What other companies make high-quality food processors besides Cuisinart?
A. Although Cuisinart has one of the best reputations in cookware and kitchen appliances, it’s not the only top pick when it comes to food processors. We also appreciate the best food processors from quality brands like KitchenAid, Hamilton Beach, Vitamix, and Ninja.
Q. Is my 12-cup food processor large enough to do food prep for a graduation party?
A. It depends on how many guests you expect and what types of food you intend to make. A 12-cup food processor is a fairly generous size, but if you’re cooking for a huge crowd, you may want to prepare several batches of processed food. Store them for your meal prep in food storage containers until you’re ready to get cooking.
Q. What if I can’t find the manual for my Cuisinart food processor?
A. If you have a question about your Cuisinart processor but can’t find the manual, not to worry. The manuals are conveniently stored on the Cuisinart website for your reference.
