Food Processors?

[rabid_child]

One of the things I really want for my apartment (I almost said next year, and yet, I'm moving in 11 wks) is a food processor. My dad wouldn't let me have one at home cause he said there wasn't enough room in the kitchen.

I was thinking about getting one of the Cuisinart Food Processor/Blenders, cause they're only about $100, and I don't have a blender either (has a food processor bowl and a blender thingie) but these are my questions..

Do I need more capacity than 3 cups for the food processor?
I have a KitchenAid Stand Mixer, with a dough hook, does that work better than a food processor with a dough kneading attachment?
It only comes with a slicing/shredding disc. I know there are a million disks for food processors -- what do the other ones do?? Do I need them?
Any other food processor considerations?

I have a Cuisinart Mini Prep, but it really only chops, and only a little bit.

Thanks :rockon:

[renaissancesun]

There is another thread about food processors around here that you might get something out of reading. I remember it because this is a subject (all things kitchen, not just processors) that makes me giddy. :D

Whatever you do, I suggest going on sites like epinions and amazon and reading the reviews on whatever it is you are considering buying. You can google the item, model number and reviews and should come up with something.

Your mixer is better for dough, IMO, way better.

As you go along, you might want to add more discs, but it would be better to wait to see what you would use and how often. They are not cheap.

As far as capacity, I can not imagine having only a three cup capacity, but then I cook for at least four people when I cook. I don't know what you cook and what you plan on using the mixer for.

I got really lucky and when my gram and her husband downsized their living quarters, she gave me her old 11C quisnart. It is sometimes too small because I use it to prepare food for the dehydrator and I end up wishing I had one that would do about 3 gallons. :p

I think a regular good blender is worth having as the combo ones are not usually great at either job and if you make smoothies, you will want something with enough power to pull the frozen stuff down into the blades.

Sunny

ETA http://www.veggieboards.com/boards/showthread.php?t=30109&highlight=food+processors

[remilard]

My personal opinion (and I worked in housewares at BB&B for 3 years so I guess it is qualified) is that the cuisinart combo is not a particularly good blender or food processor for $100. My recommendation would be to buy a food processor or a blender for $100, and then buy the other later if you need to save up more money.

FWIW I think the old style cuisinart models (square, big buttons) are the way to go at $100, I think the 7 cup model in the older cuisinart line goes at that price point now.

I agree the stand mixer is better for dough so don't even worry about using a FP for that.

I couldn't live with 3 cup capacity, even living alone, I think 7 cup should be your minimum (and I wouldn't try to get anything bigger at $100).

A slicing/shredding disk will be the one you use the most, it is nice to have two of them, with different slicing thicknesses.

[rabid_child]

What do the other disks do, might I ask?

And I did read the other FP threads, thanks :) I'm excited that I'll finally get to have one!! Technically, I HAVE the money to buy whatever dang FP suits my fancy, but I don't want to spend tons on it considering I have a million other expenses.

[Michael]

I bought this one the other night, it might be the one you're looking at...

http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/product.asp?order_num=-1&SKU=101774&RN=435

I've only used it once but I really like it. :p I got it at Bed Bath & Beyond. Around here they send out 20% off coupons on a regular basis so I got it for $85 including tax.

[FalafelsRule]

I am getting this one, I have the brushed nickle/silver thing going in the kitchen.

http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/product.asp?order_num=-1&SKU=106016&COL=43&RN=435

[Stey]

i got this proccessor from kmart....it was 20. on sale. its ight. could be bettter

[renaissancesun]

What do the other disks do, might I ask?

And I did read the other FP threads, thanks :) I'm excited that I'll finally get to have one!! Technically, I HAVE the money to buy whatever dang FP suits my fancy, but I don't want to spend tons on it considering I have a million other expenses.

I usually find that I am usually glad, after the fact, when I buy the best whatever I can afford. If it something you won't use often, it doesn't matter much, but if it is something you will use for years and pretty often, having a good one can make a lot of difference. The harder it is to use (ie-small capacity means having to empty more often and it ends up being a pain and hard to clean is REALLY a pain)

I borrowed a ...oh, dang, I am blanking out on the name..julienne disc, I think, the one that makes the little matchstick shapes, and it pretty much sucked, FYI. They are a lot nicer cut by hand, if you care at all about appearance.

I only use the slicing and grating discs, and I am not sure what else is out there.

You can probably find info on them all. If you have a question about a specific type, I have a freind who might be able to tell me. :)

[remilard]

I am getting this one, I have the brushed nickle/silver thing going in the kitchen.

http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/product.asp?order_num=-1&SKU=106016&COL=43&RN=435

http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/product.asp?order_num=-1&SKU=13441014&RN=435

This one is quieter, more powerful, has a bigger feed tube, and is actually clad with brushed nickel whereas the non pro model just has a brushed nickel "finish".

The only downside of the pro version is that it probably weighs 15 pounds or so (the non nickel versions are lighter) so if you can't keep it on the countertop you'll have to lift it, otherwise it is definately worth the extra $70.

[FalafelsRule]

I do like that one better, I just do not like the price tag. :p

I might as well get that one. It will be going on one of my countertops.

[FalafelsRule]

At least the 20% coupons for BB&B that I get in the mail every 2 weeks never expire (even though they have a date on them, BB&B still honors them). That will save me almost 60 bucks.

[renaissancesun]

http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/product.asp?order_num=-1&SKU=13441014&RN=435

This one is quieter, more powerful, has a bigger feed tube, and is actually clad with brushed nickel whereas the non pro model just has a brushed nickel "finish".

The only downside of the pro version is that it probably weighs 15 pounds or so (the non nickel versions are lighter) so if you can't keep it on the countertop you'll have to lift it, otherwise it is definately worth the extra $70.

My old cuisinart is very servicable, but I think I might start saving up a few bucks a month so I can get one of these. I hate the narrow feed tube on the cuisinart and the lock mechanism is a pain and seems like it can not possibly hold up forever. When it breaks, I won't buy a new bowl. I will just get an new unit. :) Besides, this one is purty. :drool:

[remilard]

I do like that one better, I just do not like the price tag. :p

I might as well get that one. It will be going on one of my countertops.

The pro version also has automatic overload shut off circuitry, and beefier wiring, if you get a chance to see both versions on the shelf I think you will prefer the appearance of the pro version although it is hard to see the difference in low rez photos. I think the $70 will definately pay off just in increased durability, plus I'll second sunny's opinion that small feed tubes are a pain (you are getting the FP to avoid cutting, so why get one where you have to cut stuff down before you feed it).

BTW, few BB&Bs will have the pro version in stock, if you order it online you can't use the coupon but if you go in the store you can order it through them and use the coupon, also hit them up for free shipping, threaten to walk if you have to (you probably won't) but they will do it for a big ticket item, as long as you aren't in there every week trying the same thing.

Additionally, KA will run rebates from time to time (twice a year roughly), iirc, the last time they ran one it was $20 for the pro 12 cup and $10 or $15 for the regular 12 cup so depending on how big of a hurry you are in, you might keep an eye open for a rebate. They will definately have a rebate for the last three months of the calendar year but they tend to do at least one more rebate event a year with unpredictable timing.

ETA: For the record, the item Michael linked is the cuisinart 7 cup that is my personal recommendation at $100 (it is a steal for that price, people paid $180 for the same model before the newer cuisinart line came out.)

[Joe]

I bought this one the other night, it might be the one you're looking at...

http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/product.asp?order_num=-1&SKU=101774&RN=435


My sister bought me a 7 cup Cuisinart for Christmas. It was either this model or something very similar.

I like it a lot. I think this is a much more useful size than the 3-cup model.

[renaissancesun]

Remilard, if you happen to notice a rebate going on, would you post it? I doubt I would be able to afford it around the holidays, but another time of year might be better. I don't "get out" enough to notice when things like that are happening. :)

[Bunny Hugger]

I've always wanted the ultimate chopper.
It can turn concrete into dust..:smitten:
......Not that I eat concrete or anything......:no: :D


http://www.ultimatechopper.com/index.php?src=affiliate&aid=13159&subid=AG2001

[rabid_child]

I've always wanted the ultimate chopper.
It can turn concrete into dust..:smitten:
......Not that I eat concrete or anything......:no: :D


http://www.ultimatechopper.com/index.php?src=affiliate&aid=13159&subid=AG2001

I have a cuisinart miniprep pro, which is essentially the cuisinart version of this product. Its really not all that helpful unless you're cutting small things up into smaller bits (i.e. herbs, nuts).

[Morticia]

I received the mini cuisinart for a wedding present, but also found it to be too small for a lot of things, like a good batch of hummus. So I went to ebay and bought a blender/cuisinart combo for maybe 60.00? I'm not sure how much, but I saved money. It works really well.

[Pigeonwhole]

I was thinking of buying a KitchenAid KFP740WH 9-Cup Food Processor for my sister. She's only going to be cooking for herself so she doesn't really need a big one. Amazon has them on sale now for about $100 after all the discounts. But, the problem is that I can't find reviews for it anywhere. I don't know if thats a good or bad thing. Thus, has anyone used this processor or heard anything about it?
The features include:
1/2-horsepower food processor with 9-cup work bowl and multipurpose stainless-steel blade
Large feed tube; 4-cup mini bowl with blade; assortment of standard accessories included