Help me pick out a food processor

[irishwashguy]

My food processor bit the dust the other day, it was an old, old old, model that i had found on e-bay.This time I thought that perhaps this time that I would get a new one (unless there is a retro one that is fabulous and it still works well in while). I am in the habbit of buying the best that i can get.My dielemma is finding one that is not "made in China', or "made in Mexico', altough, from what I can tell, that is kind of tough to do.The one that had caught my eye was the gorgious Viking , and I am afraid that it is made in China just like the Chuisinart.Help!!!

Pardon Our Interruption...

 

[luxflairguy]

food processor

Since I own 8 processors--have to have just the right ones in each house!
I'm still partial to Cuisinart despite their country of origin. The Viking is made by Kitchenaid, but using that dial isn't quick and easy.
If I were to buy a new one, I'd really look at the larger Kitchenaids with the smaller inner bowl. The food mag's love them. If you want French effitist (sp?), there's always the Robot Coupe--the ORIGINAL food processor! Michael Ciarello on the Foodnetwork loves them!
My 2 cents worth!

Greg aka LuxFlair guy soon to be just Seattle

 

[petek]

I believe all the KA stuff except for the stand mixers are now made in China. I was checking out their Pro-Line series (read most expensive) and they are as well although it's difficult to see because "made in China" is embossed in the black plastic bases and somewhat camouflaged. Your eye is easily drawn to a larger white decal with crisp black lettering stating KitchenAid, St.Joseph MI.. blah blah which could lead some to assume the machines are made in St Joseph when they're not. I didn't check out the boxes they came in, not sure if they're required to print the country of origin on the box or not though many things do. Despite the fact I think the large KA is probably the way to go if you use one frequently and for large jobs because it comes with two bowls, a large bowl and a smaller bowl insert for smaller jobs. It's also very heavy so it shouldn't walk on the countertop.

 

[scott55405]

I think I'd have to go with a KA. Not sure where they're made, but I don't think Cuisinarts are made in France or wherever they originated from anymore either.

The Cuisinart is a nice machine results-wise, but it takes an engineering degree to assemble and properly operate the safety backup, and it's a pain to wash because it doesn't come all the way apart. If you compare, you'll notice the KA is much simpler in this regard.

 

[maytagbear]

I have both brands-

a 7 cup Made in Japan Cuisinart, and a 5 cup Made in France KitchenAid. Both are wonderful machines.

I bought my KA as a refurb, through Amazon.

If I had to get a processor today, I would probably get another Cuisinart, and cross my fingers. I love the expanded feed tube of the Cuisinart, but I do have to say that my KitchenAid is every bit as good as the Cuisinart, in all ways, except for size.

My KitchenAid does have the small extra workbowl, and I have used it for herbs and garlic and so on, and it works quite well, though it isn't something I use a lot.

I would stay strictly away from Black and Decker, or Hamilton Beach if I was cooking seriously. Friends have the Black and Decker, and it is NOISY. The Cuisinart and the KitchenAid (even new ones) are almost silent.

Cuisinart and KitchenAid offer the most additional discs and attachments.

BEST processor cookbook: Process This! by Jean Anderson. Lots of useful information, and delicious recipes, well written.

Of course, this is just my experience and opinion.

Lawrence/Maytagbear

 

[maytagbear]

Really, Scott?

I have had no trouble using the expanded feed tube of the Cuisinart, and as for cleaning, I just put the removable parts in the dishwasher.

L/Mb

 

[bajaespuma]

N'oubliez pas le Robot...

I don't know how much money you want to spend on this but if you want a superlative food processor, go to the Robot Coupe professional site and get the red and white plastic one. We use them at work and they work like the original Cuisinarts (since they were made by them) and are wonderfully quiet. I also like the fact that they don't have that stupid feed tube. If you want more information, Google the name Charlie Van Over--he is what you might call a bona fide Cuisinart expert. He doesn't work for them anymore so he'd probably be able to direct you to the best retail models out there.

 

[maytagbear]

Well,

with the expanded feed tube, you reduce your prep time considerably, instead of wasting time cutting to fit that ridiculously small opening.

L/Mb

 

[panthera]

new versus old

There are two big differences in food processors that I have noticed.
1) They are either quiet or loud enough to wake the dead. Allowing for the theoretical possibility that the smaller (hence louder) brush motors are just as good as the non-brush (hence more expensive to build but much quieter) motors, I still choose the quiet ones. The extra weight keeps them from "walking", too.
2) The real measure of how long they will stay useful is known in Germany as "KB=XXMin." This is an index of how many minutes the machine may run full out at a time. After this period, it must be allowed to cool completely. The longer they can run continuously, the better built the machine is.
Just my two cents - I have kept my folk's thousand year old and absolutely quiet Hamilton Beach running since the 70's by replacing plastic stuff every ten years or so.
Same motor as at the beginning.

As far as country of origin is concerned, well, if the rest of the world were to stop buying US produced goods cause of the current administration, that would be just plain silly. The French may always be relied upon to take the opposite opinion to anything; they are just that way. Doesn't change the fact that they build excellent kitchen equipment.
But forget any hopes of avoiding China...

 

[scott55405]

Lawrence that thing just drove me to tears. I don't think I used it more than a half dozen times, then it sat in the closet for 7 years, til I sold it on Ebay (for more than I paid for it) (LOL). I have a very old JCPenney model that I far prefer to the Cuisinart, and it's set up very similar to a modern day KA.

I always struggled with the safety interlock, (the safety interlock is broke on the JCP and I love it! it's so easy!) (LOL) and at least on mine, unless I was doing something wrong, the food pusher did not detach completely from the lid. How the heck am I supposed to wash that? (LOL) The processor itself was of utmost quality and did do a fine job, I just hated the lid/pusher setup. The bigger feed tube is a fine idea, but why couldn't they simplify it to be more like a KA?

 

[wmlask]

Kitchenaid Processor

Search EBAY for a Kitchenaid model. The older models that were made in France are not that old and are easy to find. I found a stainless steel Kitchenaid (made in France) at an appliance store in Chicago less than a year ago. If you want a photo of the older style unit made in France, let me know and I will post one.
Good Luck.
Bill

 

[tomturbomatic]

Scott, You are right; the expanded feed tube does not come apart. It had to be that way so that someone would not push their hand through it and have their manicure ruined. I just remove the round tube and put the expanded feed tube sleeve and pusher upside in the top rack of the KA and let it wash. It always comes clean. When it's upside down, the water that falls on top of it flushes out stuff between the sleeve and pusher.

 

[irishwashguy]

do you have a pic of one?

.I would be up for that.I have found that the best consumer is an informed consumer.

 

[frigilux]

I have two full-size machines, both of which have advantages/disadvantages. I use my 14-cup capacity Cuisinart Power Prep Plus for bread-making. It handles up to 7 cups of flour without stalling (this makes two loaves of bread). It does a great job with everything else, too. I think I paid around $275 for the Cuisinart. My first choice if I had only one processor. I make a lot of bread, rolls, etc.

I use my 11-cup KitchenAid for smaller jobs. It handles all tasks except kneading dough very well. Unfortunately, it labors and stalls with even 3-1/2 cups of flour when kneading bread dough. It has has one less part to clean than the Cuisinart. However, I always put all parts of a food processor in the dishwasher, so it's a moot point for me.

 

[maytagbear]

It won't happen nowadays,

but when I bought my Cuisinart, I bought it from a small, local cookware store, and they included a brief "hands on" session at no extra charge, (Darn well should have, I paid list price!) so I got to use the same model machine. It was brilliant, and I had no trouble at all when I unpacked my machine at home.

Of course, I should have worn shoes at home. I was so eager to unpack and use it, the Steel Knife ("S" blade) flew out and cut my foot.

As for learning the expanded feed tube now, I'd just watch the included video.

As I said above, I have had excellent results from my KitchenAid, it's just that I really prefer the expanded feed tube. It's easier for slicing cabbage for coleslaw, and for slicing potatoes for scalloped potatoes.

Lawrence/Maytagbear

 

[tomturbomatic]

Expanded Feed Tubes

They also hold whole potatoes or two halves when I shred them to make hash browns, one of my favorites.

 

[scott55405]

Lawrence, I cut myself on one of those metal blades once washing dishes in the sink. I didn't think it was *ever* going to stop bleeding!

I remember seeing the original or at least an early Cuisinart at Dayton's, our local major dept. store, about 1975 or 76. It was $225. A woman was demonstrating it, and particularly never having seen one, was quite impressed with it.

Frigilux, what happens when you push "dough" on the Cuisinart? Does it do something different? Interesting to learn about the power difference between the two, I wouldn't have imagined that. But, I always use the KA mixer for bread products.

 

[sudsmaster]

I have the Cuisinart "Classic" DLC-10C which I got about 20 years ago. Made in USA. It's never given me a problem, and as noted, cleaning the feed tube is no problem. I have looked at newer models and although they are made in China (I assume) they look pretty much identical. Since I have accumulated a large number of cutting disks, if I were to need to replace the motor portion, I'd go for another Cuisnart with compatible disks.

I also have a 5 cup "Little ultra Power" Kitchenaid, about 15 years old, made in France. It's well made but too small. I prefer the Cuisinart.

 

[tolivac]

Food processors-I have a couple older Cuisinarts-and an older KA that was built in France-I looked at the newer KA machines built in China and they look FLIMSY!I would stay away from those.The Robot Coupe machine are primarily marketed to commercial users.They are good for home use though-but just keep the kids away from the huge feed openings on them.I have an older RC machine-they are well made.Mine needs a new bowel.Bought it used from a restaurant equipment supplier-Occasinally RC machines appear used at those places.May be a good place to look for a used one.New ones are great-BUT EXPENSIVE.I thought micheal Ciarello Likes the "Magimix" machines-another French machine that is excellent like the Robot Coupe.He sells the Magamix machine in his catalog.Would like to get one at some point.The Cuisinart giant feed tupe insert has the tendency to break if not handled carefully-and many trips thru the dishwaser causes the plastic on it and the container to crack.But wash them in the dishwaser anyway.the blades go in too-I have had no problems in washing them thast way-Just don't use the steel blade to chop ice as some food processor cookbooks suggest-The ice cubes are like ROCKS to the fine cutting edge of the blade-you would't try to cut ice cubes with a fine knife?If you must chop ice that way-use the grating disc blade or an old chopping blade.The Cusinart cookbook suggest using the disc grating blade to "shred" the ice cubes thru the feed tube in the lid.The chopped ice collects in the bowel.Its better to use the blender or a dedicated Ice crusher to chop ice than the processor.