A question about Food Processors

[joelippard]

Thank You

I appreciate everyones responses.  Looks like I am torn between Kitchen Aid and Cuisinart with a heavier leaning toward Cuisinart.

 

[danemodsandy]

Joe:

If you want the easiest path on maintenance and replacement parts, I'd suggest Cuisinart, specifically the DLC-7 or DFP-14 machines. The DLC-7 was introduced in the early '80s, and the current DFP-14 is essentially the same machine with some detail changes, now made in China instead of Japan as the DLC-7 was.

The DLC-7 is readily available used on eBay, and the DFP-14 is available new. Parts for one fit the other, so used parts from eBay can be a good budget-conscious choice. You should know that there have been changes over the years to the feed tube and pusher system, so if you're looking to replace any of those parts, care should be taken to get an exact match to whatever you have.

I personally think it's always prudent to get a large-capacity machine. As I used to say when I was in the thick of the food processor wars in the '80s, "You can always do less in a big machine, but you can't do more in a small one." The difference in footprint and cubic storage requirement is small, but the difference in usability can be huge.

 

[timborow]

Custom 14 Cuisinart Stainless Steel

I found one of these machines at Goodwill today for $8.98. I could hardly believe it. They had it plugged up, but they had the bowl on it wrong and it wouldn't run. I watched several people look at it, try to make it run, then walk away. I walked over and put the bowl on correctly, and it purred like a kitten. When I took it to pay for it, I saw several people look at me like I was crazy.

I couldn't believe how quietly it ran. I feel like I got a very good deal.

Tim

 

[frigilux]

Good for you, Tim! You just saved yourself about $190. The Custom 14 is my favorite processor. You should get many years of service from it.

 

[ovrphil]

Nice going, timborow. I've had the same happen at Goodwill, with other appliances...sometimes it's a misunderstanding(to be kind)when they check it out...happened with a can opener...brought it home, showed my sweetie the new "thing" I bought and proceeded to demo how the knife sharpener is broke, only to realise, one movement on the lever that pierces the can-lid and the sharpener CAME ALIVE. Broken(thought) opener = very low price.

Nice find and glad for you!!!

 

[timborow]

Thanks

My wife was VERY happy when I showed her what I found. She has a Kitchen Aid that's so much louder. I doubt she will use it much anymore since the new machine moved in.
It doesn't have the bread dough kneader with it. Maybe we can find one soon. Look forward to some good Pimento Cheese made in it this weekend.
Tim

 

[kimball455]

The 'large one' ... DCL X

A good friend closed his Bed and Breakfast last year and gave me the food processor. A Cuisinart DCL X ... this thing is huge the motor is 1.5 horsepower. With this addition I have 4 processors of various sizes. One that I use the most is a small Kitchen Aid. Great for the quick chopping of onion or when ever a small quantity is needed. The DCL X gets used mostly for bread unless I am making a large quantity of something for a party or to share.
Harry

 

[tolivac]

I used to know a man who had a Cusinart DLX-yes,a huge machine-the largest sold for home use other than RC.Caterers often liked DLX's,too.

 

[frigilux]

Harry-- The DLX is my dream machine. I make all my breads/rolls/pastries, and use the Cuisinart Custom 14 for many of those doughs. I'm forced to use the KitchenAid mixer for things like sweet roll dough, 100% whole wheat dough as the 14 can't handle them. The DLX would have no problem with them. I've had my finger on the PURCHASE NOW button a couple of times, but I always pull back as I just can't bring myself to pay $800 for a food processor. Someday.

 

[petek]

Eugene..You ever looked into getting a Bosch Universal mixer.

http://https//www.pleasanthillgrain.com/Bosch_Universal_Plus_Mixer_MUM6N10UC.aspx

 

[xraytech]

I have a JCPenney Cooks food processor, I bought it because the Cuisinart 7 cup model I wanted was out of stock.
Truthfully I rarely use the processor, and when I do it is at holiday time to grind several pounds of walnuts, or to puree 5 lbs of onions when I make an 18 guart batch of spaghetti sauce

 

[joelippard]

Did a little looking around at our local Belk store today.  It's definetly going to be a Cuisinart.  They had the 14 cup Die Cast model and boy did it look like a serious kind of machine.  I picked it up and the others, including the Kitchen Aid feel like lightweights by comparison.  Does anyone here have experience with the model I mentioned above?

 

[frigilux]

If the processor pictured here is the one you saw, it is the newly-redesigned Cuisinart--the word 'Elite' is often used with it. While certainly better than the newly-redesigned KitchenAid, it scores significantly lower in tests than its predecessors. I'd recommend the 14-cup Custom-14 model, pictured above in Reply #2. You'll also save around $110.

 

[danemodsandy]

I Second Frigilux!

Joe:

That new model with the curved workbowl sides isn't a patch on the DFP-14BCN model, which is a tried-and-true thirty-year-old design underneath the new cladding of the base. It's based on the DLC-7, a workhorse that does not ever let you down.

The new one is not actually terrible, but its workbowl system is fiddlier than the DFP series, harder to use.

The DFP-14BCN with the black and stainless base is a great machine; you wouldn't regret it.

 

[frigilux]

Joe-- I checked out the Bosch Universal, which gets high marks for kneading dough, but decided to hang on to my KitchenAid mixer. I invested in three extra bowls and several flat beaters for the KA, which makes quick work of high-volume mixing. The Bosch is a very cool-looking unit, though!

 

[frigilux]

I received the new issue of Cook's Illustrated today, and which food processor did they top-rate? Why, the above-mentioned Cuisinart Custom-14 ($200)

They also tested the midseason-tweaked new KitchenAid 13-cup processor ($300), and the 16-cup Breville ($400).

While the Custom-14 lacks the variable slicing thickness offered by the other two, they still preferred it for basic tasks (dicing, chopping, dough) over the re-redesigned KitchenAid, and questioned whether the Breville was worth the extra $200.

So, the Custom-14 comes highly recommended by both Frigilux and the wizards at Cook's Illustrated/America's Test Kitchen.

 

[joelippard]

Pulled the trigger today

Just ordered the DFP-14BCN and the blade/disc holder to go with it. We're going to fix Mom up right, this should last her a very long time. I was very tempted by the "prettiness" of the new design but decided the advice given here and the ratings on Amazon should be heeded and stick with the time proven design. Thank you to those of you who helped me by giving your advice.

 

[danemodsandy]

And That's Not All!

Joe:

Since this unit is based on the venerable DLC-7, that means that DLC-7 blades fit it.

What that means to you is that if accessory blades are desired, you can pick up a full set of DLC-7 blades on eBay cheap. There is a set of nine-count-'em-nine available, containing such goodies as thick and thin slicers, julienne blades in different sizes and even a French fry blade.

The DLC-7 beater unit, juicer and pasta attachments also fit.

Happy processing!

 

[whirlpolf]

just buy French

and you will be happy.

Having tried out several brands (in Europe, that is) I might say you might want to stick to Robot-Coupe or their respective household brand Magimix.
I do know for sure that there had been some severe to-and-fro going on in the USA, businesswise. (Cuisinart and Robot-Coupe behaving like some queer Barbie dolls in the beginning, it must have been something about patent infringements and one not wanting to have to do with the other - just blah stuff).

Seen from here I cannot see any major technical difference between Robot-Coupe, Magimix, Cuisinart or the older KitchenAid processors. All seem to be made with a substantial induction motor and no speed control (just the choice between "run" and "run shortly" = pulse button).
That is what you will want: Full power and full speed with the best blades you can get.

Going down in the price range you might even get some Braun Multisystem (models K 850 to K 1000)- nowadays called Braun Multiquick 7 (up to models K 3000). They do not have a heavy induction motor but a DC brushed motor with some extra cooling fan and a speed control. Not really comparable to the ones above but within the household and thrift range I consider them best choice. Ours has been going strong for 2 years now without complaints, even in the semi-commercial usage. Very silent, very versatile and a real bargain at some 139,- to 220,- Euros with all attachments (dough bowl with kneader and whisk/ full processor/shredder kit and a full fledged glass jar blender) - (I do not know about the US or Canada prices though).

 

[whirlpolf]

here is the link

look at "Essenszubereitung" ( = food preparation)

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