It's finally time... My antique home (how do you spell cuisinart?) died the other night. You know, that nasty 'electric' smell then nothing - as in a cooked motor...

It's been years, so I suppose it doesn't own me anything. I'd love some opinions before I start looking. Anything new from a technology standpoint? Are there favorites? Don't be shy, voice an opinion. (I've learned that just like belly buttons, everyone has one!)

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Best Food Processors (out of 26):
KitchenAid Professional KFPM650, Cuisinart Pro Custom II, KitchenAid Little Ultra Power KFP350.



Top Rated What the Research Says

• KitchenAid Professional KFPM650, (*est. $270)

>> Where to buy The KitchenAid Professional KFPM650 is the best all-around food processor for home chefs and has a big (11 cups) capacity. The competition was neck-and-neck between this model and the comparably sized Cuisinart Pro Custom 11, listed below. In the last analysis, the KFPM650 is slightly better at pureeing, holds more liquid without leaking, and is easier to clean. It also has a few extra features, such as a smaller bowl that fits inside the work bowl for small jobs.
• Cuisinart Pro Custom 11, (*est. $200)

>> Where to buy Reviewers say the Cuisinart Pro Custom 11 is the food processor to get if you want a large capacity (11 cups) machine and if you use your unit mostly for slicing and grating (which reviewers say it does slightly better than the KitchenAid Professional). Cuisine Magazine says that this unit is slightly more powerful than the KitchenAid, though other reviewers did not point this out. Reviewers also pick this machine for those that prefer both a small and extra large feed tub.
• KitchenAid Little Ultra Power KFP350, (*est. $120)

>> Where to buy Experts say the KitchenAid Little Ultra Power KFP350 is the best all-around small-sized (or compact) food processor. Competition was tight between this unit and Cuisinart's somewhat smaller Little Pro Plus, but we were convinced by one reviewer's conclusion that the Little Ultra Power outperformed the Cuisinart in basic slicing and dicing. This five-cup-capacity unit is the one to get if you don't plan to tackle major cooking projects that require larger-capacity processors. (Please be aware that units sold between Apr. 1997 and Aug. 2000 were recently recalled for a problem with the blade unit.)
• Cuisinart Little Pro Plus, (*est. $90)

>> Where to buy This less expensive model has a smaller capacity (three cups) than our other Fast Answers, but if money is your prime concern, reviewers say the Little Pro Plus does a respectable job of slicing, shredding and pureeing.
>> Comparison Chart


What the experts say, our analysis, and more...

Consumer Reports does the most outstanding work of all the reviewers we found, ranking 18 food processors in two separate reports. The more recent article reviews three machines using the same testing methodology as in an Aug. 1997 report. The magazine evaluates models according to their performance in chopping, slicing, shredding and pureeing, as well as on number of features and convenience (noise, ease of setup, use and cleaning). Details are provided about the foods used during each process (including hard and soft food and different-textured foods). Both reports are too out of date to receive our highest rating, but they're still the best out there.

Experts say the KitchenAid Professional KFPM650 (*est. $270) is the all-around best food processor on the market for home chefs. Not fewer than seven reviewers choose either this model or the KitchenAid Ultra Power KFP600 as one of their top picks. Both machines offer the same performance and features; the only difference is that the Professional KFPM600 has a plastic base (instead of metal) and does not include a whipping paddle.

I have the KitchenAid Ultra-Power 11-cup machine. I am please with it, but, in all honesty, I haven't used it all that much.

full report can be found at:
http://www.consumersearch.com/xp6/Co...ood_Processors

I've had a Cuisinart Pro Custom 11 for a few years. No complaints whatsoever, but it's the only one I've ever owned so I have no basis for comparison.

Crudeau,
I think I'm a fan. Wow! What great input.
As for the tool? My husband bought one for me five years ago. Brand? What he found at KMart, on sale, while he was there for a garden hose. He wanted to surprise me. (Diamonds make the best surpises.)
Me? I like good stury names and hardy equipment resumes. But I have to admit, my little Blue-Light Special has served me well for the past five years and it still has life in it. Question: What do you want your tool to do? How long do you want it to last? Are you concerned with labels? (Take away my All-Clad and I won't cook!) How will the tool be used? How often will it be used? Cuz if you just want to shread cheeze, there' my fave appliance - The Salad Shooter - for that!

Crudeau,
I think I'm a fan. Wow! What great input.
As for the tool? My husband bought one for me five years ago. Brand? What he found at KMart, on sale, while he was there for a garden hose. He wanted to surprise me. (Diamonds make the best surpises.)
Me? I like good stury names and hardy equipment resumes. But I have to admit, my little Blue-Light Special has served me well for the past five years and it still has life in it. Question: What do you want your tool to do? How long do you want it to last? Are you concerned with labels? (Take away my All-Clad and I won't cook!) How will the tool be used? How often will it be used? Cuz if you just want to shread cheeze, there' my fave appliance - The Salad Shooter - for that!

I replaced my aged FP a few months ago with Cuisinart's Power Prep Plus (opted for the 11 cup model)...no complaints, use it frequently, touch pad controls easy to clean, and I like the larger feed tube on this model.

From my humble and FP killing experience, for the home, I would go with the Kitchenaid, realitively easy to repair and find parts for. For my kitchen, I go with the Robot Coupe, for pure guts in the Processing, and a stainless body.

Angelina, I'm sorry, but I fought the urge to keep my mouth shut a long time and lost the battle. I'll try to walk the edge without crosssing any lines...


"What do you want your tool to do? " - I expect my tool to do as much as it possibly can. I hope it will amaze all who see it in action and that it will satisfy every need in the kitchen (or anywhere else for that matter!)


"How long do you want it to last?" Obvioulsy, it would be best if it lasted a long, long time - from an economic and pure satisfaction standpoint...

"Are you concerned with labels? (Take away my All-Clad and I won't cook!)" Nor will I (they're new this Xmas... and a very nice collection to boot!... Otherwise, labels are not important. "It's not the size of the boat . . ." Whooops, wrong anology!

"How will the tool be used?" I hope my tool will be used with considerable creativity, skill and passion (as do others!) As for specifics, it will be put to the test (as to effectiveness) every time it's "plugged in..."

"How often will it be used? " It is my sincere hope that my tool will be used daily - probably more often on the weekends!!! (My fingers ARE crossed!)

I certainly hope "you's guys" (I'm in Philly) have a sense of humor! I'm wiping the tears from my cheeks in between words. . . this was a lot of fun!!!

BBlank -

ThanX for the daily exercise. I hear laughing is not only good for the soul but the abs too!

Angelina

Trust me - I enjoyed writing it as much as much as you enjoyed working out! (You're Welcome...!)



1,2,1,2,1,2,1,2,1,2,1,2. . . . no pain, no gain!

[mudbug]

This is from 1997 but I would still stick with the same name brands. Food Processors
In our tests of food processors, two models stood out among the others:

KitchenAid and Cuisinart. Both performed well in our slicing and kneading tests, but differed in their strengths and weaknesses at other tasks. If you use your food processor for pureeing and also need a mini-bowl, we recommend the KitchenAid Ultra Power Food Processor, Model KFP 600. It can be purchased through The Chef’s Catalog (3215 Commercial Avenue, Northbrook, IL 60062-1900; 800-338-3232). For grating and chopping we recommend the Cuisinart Pro Custom 11, Model DLC-8S model. We also liked its extra-large and small dual-feed tube, with a pinhole for dribbling oil into the work bowl. It can be purchased from A Cook’s Wares (211 37th Street, Beaver Falls, PA 15010-2103; 800-915-9788; www.cookswares.com).

From: http://www.cooksillustrated.com/show...ocumentID=3064

Testing Full-Size Food Processors http://www.cooksillustrated.com/show...DocumentID=815
(you may have to register to view this article)

For more info see:
Epinions.com

[Nick.Shu]

hmm, robot coupe - the quad blade ones you push around on the trolley.

Gees, if i could get it in a V8, hmmmmm.

[KC]

I have a Kitchen Aid 11-cup (KFP600)at home and I've been very happy with it.

Last summer, I looked for a smaller (5-7 cup) processor to use at my family's summer cottage. I discovered that the smaller models (including those made by Kitchen Aid and Cuisinart) have a very limited variety of cutting disks available. If you decide to go with a smaller processor, please make sure that the standard slicing/shredding disk that is included is adequate for all your needs.

Sure, I don't pick up my robot and carry it around, but the thing will almost chip wood for me. When I use an FP, it's usually on for quite a while, or being used for several hours straight. The Cuisis and Kitchen aids overheat after about 15 minutes of continuous use. I've got 25# of hummus to make! I'll take my old robot any day!