Last Updated on July 23, 2014 // Written by Jenny
You probably know what a food prep machine is, and it is definitely more than the mixer and grinder that your mother or grandmother used. You also understand that the additional features that are now added to that humble machine include kneading, whipping, mincing, chopping, slicing, blending, etc. However, you still need to know whether there are some features that are unique to any of the food making machines out there, and which you require for your regular cooking. This is especially true if you never owned one, or your old processor that did not have many features has been given way.
Clearly, you are considering purchasing a new food processing machine, but wouldn’t know where to start. After all, there are so many of them out there; some catch your attention because of brand name while others look attractive enough because of the price and yet others seem good because of cleaning convenience, or characteristics. But before you go spend your hard earned money on something that doesn’t give you everything that you want, you might want to read something about the top ones in the market.
What do these reviews offer?
Usually, the best food processor reviews are the experiences of people with that particular product. It may be customers expressing their delight, or disgruntled customers venting their frustration. Both types of information are what made good reviews because they shed some light on quality as well as features of the product. In addition, there may be professional reviews as well, like those on cooking websites, and cooking illustrated magazines.
It may be confusing to take a purchase based on diverse opinions. But it must not be because, at times, the customer who is unhappy with the machine may only not have outgrown his or her previous processor and may be doing something out of habit. Instead of following instructions, because of which, he or she is bound to be dissatisfied with the new product.
In any event, it would be wise to consult friends, relatives, and other acquaintances before dismissing such negative reviews as something irrelevant. Professional food processor reviews enable people to identify the desirable features in any processor. Since these often assess a product in comparison with other products, they also indicate whether the product is expensive or not.
Where do you find best reviews?
The best reviews are usually available on the websites of online marketing businesses, such as Amazon, and eBay. Even, Huffington Post did a piece on food processor recipes and CNN on top food processor review. However, Amazon and eBay offer these opinions under a product. It is not the same thing as looking exclusively at a processor and reading relevant reviews before deciding.
Sites such as Amazon do try to list comparable products, and also other models, but such lists are not complete. This is the reason many people who wish to buy any kitchen appliances turn towards particular buyer’s guide, like Food Buyer’s Guide. This guide provides a comprehensive list of the products available in the market, along with their features, and prices. In addition, one can find ratings for each food making machine listed on such Guide.
It is not easy for me to come up with the top reviews. However, I narrowed it down to just two brands at the start, but now we have expanded on the brands we will review. This is because they are the most versatile and powerful, and their processing go smooth in the kitchen. Those that will be compared and reviewed are Kitchenaid and Cuisinart.
However, if time permits, and all things are fine, I might dabble into Breville, Braun, Ninja, Oster, and Hamilton, Ninja and Black and Decker. These eight are the top and the most sought after best food makers brands in the market.
I am also tempted to include Blendtec blender in this reviews of the most used and highly rated food processing appliances
Ketchenaid Food Processor
For kitchenware or cookware appliances, KitchenAid is a pioneer brand under Whirlpool Corporation that laid its corner stone in the year 1919. Since then, the company has made several series, and lately introduced the stand mixers, which I believe is their best seller. These Kitchenaid reviews will look at some of the products that are made by the company, and try to give an honest review for those who would want to have a Kitchenaid product.
History & The Past
Stand Mixer was the brain child of Herbert Johnson, an engineer by profession working with Hobart Corporation. The sight of the baker mixing dough gave him a brilliant idea. At that eureka moment, he decided to make out the plans for a more efficient and faster device. Soon after the very first models, the ‘H’ mixer was launched to serve industrial needs. The US Navy was among the first who had ordered for appliances in their Tennessee class and California Battleships. By 1917, the Hobart models were already ruling the US marine ships, and this urged the manufacturers to concentrate on a model for residential use.
The very first appliance that could be categorized as home appliances and bore the name kitchenAid was the 10 quart C-10 devices that were circulated among the wives of executives in the Hobart’s Troy Metal Products factory, to get feedback and initial tests. The product was then being sold from a kitchen in the farmhouse and in hardware outlets. But the company then decided to take up sales women to sell the appliance from door to door because many retailers were still skeptical about the idea of selling them. The C-10 machines were also named FountainAid and BakersAid, and so they had created a niche in the market for themselves.
The year 1922 was yet another landmark in the history of the company’s products and appliances because the H-5 mixers were presented. They were supposed to cater to the needs of home fronts and were quite portable as compared to the C-10. It had a five quart bowl and hence it was handled easily. The year 1920 was eventful once again, KitchenAid products next design – the ‘G’ range of Mixers was introduced in the market.
The G- series were amazingly light; close to half the weight of the H-5, and nothing seemed to be able to beat them (many companies started introducing the similar variety of mixers)! Till the next three decades, KitchenAid products and appliances ruled the market.
But the soaring graph met with a set back during the Second World War when the production was completely stopped. After the war, production started again, the factory was moved to Greenville, Ohio and production began full-fledged once again until the next landmark in their history arrived. In the year 1949 for the first time, KitchenAid launched its dishwasher, by spreading its gamut beyond mixers only. It created a stir in the market and their launching of the cookers added more excitement in the year 1985.
January 1986 saw the business be passed over to Whirlpool Corporation, and since then KitchenAid is still under this Corporation. Slowly the umbrella product was spread even more with the launching of the refrigerators. To keep the reputation high the company used proper marketing strategies and the 80’s saw celebrity chefs marketing their products.
The strategy did not go in vain, and the popularity of their products rose even more. Presently, KitchenAid is a popular name in the household and is also the other name for durability and reliability. Every household in America requires the Kitchenware products from the company to complete the look of their kitchen.
The Present: Kitchen Aid Products
Here is a wide variety of products that have stood the ravages of time and proven the KitchenAid brand as a synonym for durability, reliability and ingenuity. Let us take a glimpse of some of the popular products.
Stand Mixers and Accessories
Stand Mixers and Accessories are the products that have been tried and tested over time, and they mix, kneed, blend, whips and works effortlessly. It comes with attachments that increase the utility even more.
Hand Mixers
Hand Mixers are the products that are provided with a powerful yet light weight motor that look sleek and gives professional results.
Refrigerators
Like other appliances, refrigerators also have many varieties including French Door refrigerators, which comes with LCD screen for adjusting the temperature automatically.
Food Processors
In the line of KitchenAid products, food processors are innovative kitchen appliances for helping in your food preparation process. They come in different ranges from small to powerful ones.
Coffee makers/Grinders
Grinders and coffee makers are one of the top-notch products that are unmatched in performance and durability. The filter basket is flat, and this assures that you get optimum flavor. The shower head dispersion of water ensures the even extraction of oils from coffee, and you will not fail to notice the freshness in the brewing coffee. Similarly the grinders too are exceptionally easy to handle, and their state of the art technology ensures correct brewing.
Waffle Makers
Waffle makers appliance can make Belgian style waffle that is crispy and crunch. The baker revolves so that the batter is evenly laid between the upper and lower waffle plates.
Toasters/Toaster Ovens
With their range of two slices to four slice toasters, you will get a variety of colors for the toasters and toaster ovens products. Toaster pastries, specialty breads and bagels can be easily made with the toasters.
Dishwashers
Dishwashers are also one of the most sought after KitchenAid products that can do forceful cleaning without making any noise. The cutting-edge ProScrub technology of their dishwashers can accommodate all your dining needs.
Slow Cookers
Running on a 400-watt heating element the slow cooker is one of the powerful KitchenAid products. It lets you heat the food as per the USDA specifications.
There is no way of doing these reviews without mentioning Cuisinart brand.
Cuisinart Food Processor
There is a large product line of Cuisinart to choose from, as well. These products are designed for differing needs of the buyers. For instance, you could opt for the comprehensive heavy-duty Cuisinart Elite Collection 14 cups, which also has 4 and a half cup and 11 cup bowls for processing smaller quantities of food. Alternately you may settle for Cuisinart DLC 10S Proclassic 7 cup , which has only one bowl. Other models of Cuisinart processors include Cuisinart Prep 11 Plus which is the ideal product for somebody looking for something in between the 7 cup and 14 cup model.
The 14 cup Cuisinart processor comes with a 1000 watt motor, and the Cuisinart 9 cup is the most sort after in the market. However, the speed, machine design, and the sharpness of blades ensure that your Cuisinart food machine remains energy efficient. There is a selection of blades as well, which are compatible across different Cuisinart Processors. Some of the uncommonly used blades are also available as accessories.
Why Choose Cuisinart?
Now you would wonder why only Cuisinart food processor? It is because Cuisinart has technical and designing advantages over most of the other brands in the US market. The product was launched in 1973 by the Sontheimers,and it was one of the first of its kind in the US around that time. Latest technologies are incorporated to ensure that Cuisinart processors have all modern features. For example, the work bowls in Cuisinart are made from Lexan Polycarbonate Thermoplastic, which makes them almost unbreakable. Well designed pour spouts on such bowls make them drip free.
In addition, there are calibrations on the side of these bowls for easier measurements of the contents. The lid too is designed in such a way that the content in the work bowl does not flow out when the grinding process is on. Feed tubes in most of the Cuisinart models have larger openings, making it easier to put larger pieces of vegetables or fruits for making juices. However, in most food processors, this is a major problem, forcing the user to cut the fruit first or vegetable into smaller pieces as otherwise these pieces get caught in the feed tube and time is lost while removing them.
Cleaning of narrow feed tubes is also difficult. In fact, cleaning is often a dreaded job in almost all kitchens. So manufacturers of Cuisinart version have ensured that most of the parts of this machine which need regular cleaning can be washed in regular dishwashers.
Another flaw that is common in most processors is leakage around the blade attachment. Cuisinart models do not have this problem because of a unique seal tight arrangement between the work bowl and the blade attachment provision. An electronic control panel with a modern touch pad systems makes operation easier. The four options on these panels include pulse and dough apart from the regular off and on.
The machine in Cuisinart does not vibrate while making dough or mincing meat unlike most of the other processors. Reliability of Cuisinart food making machine has made it one of the most popular in the US, and many other countries as well. The manufacturer offers 10 years warranty on the motor of these appliances. In addition, there is a limited warranty of 3 years for other parts. Most of these food apparatus are available along with accessories for $100 to $150 or so.
Pros
The pros of Cuisinart models include-
• Stylish appearance
• Easy locking and unlocking system for the bowls with motor
• Versatile application
• Noise free functioning
• Low power consumption
• Ease of using and cleaning
• Availability of accessories
• Sturdiness
• No drip design of bowls
• No leakages
• Long term warranty on motor
Cons
The cons of these models are:
• Weight of some models makes it necessary to find a permanent place for them in the kitchen
• Dimensions may make Cuisinart version necessary to visualize the food processor’s position in the kitchen
• Prices of some models of Cuisinart processor are marginally higher when compared to similar products in the market
• The additional gasket provided to prevent leakages is difficult to clean because it can’t be removed easily.
Verdict
So, what can the Cuisinart processor do for you? For starters, it can knead dough, chop or shred vegetables, mince meat, mix food stuff, whip up batter, grind soaked lentils or grains, grind dry condiments and bread crumbs, blend milkshakes, and even give you some juices within few seconds.
Conclusion:
Cooking is an unavoidable time consuming routine of each day. You obviously do not want to leave your family members at the mercy of unhealthy fast foods. Moreover, family members, especially children, should have healthy food on their plates. These processors come to your rescue by reducing the number of hours you end up spending in the kitchen and giving you that much needed respite.
