 The food processor SHOW DOWN: A comparison of 14 cup stainless Cuisinart food processors |
| Review Date: October 14, 2009 |
| Reviewer: A. Chandler, Austin, TX |
When I buy a new kitchen or household item with lots of competitors I do loads of comparison/contrasting and research first if it's over a hundred bucks...Knowing it was time for a new food processor, I began comparing models. However, I found it a tad difficult to do with all the different blades, codes, etc.
Therefore, once I had completed my own shopping and comparisons, I thought it might be helpful for anyone else in the same situation if I posted my own comparisons here.
I'll start by saying I decided to order the Cuisinart Limited Edition Metal 14 cup food processor on Amazon. I found it to be the best value for my own needs and it was cheaper here than anywhere else I looked as of the time of my review. I chose Cuisinart because it's known to be the best but what made me decide on the limited edition may not be what you would want...this way you can compare and decide.
I chose a 14 cup because I love soups and big batches of dough.
I only looked at stainless because I only have 2 electronics on my countertops....this will be one. And it best match the appliances.
So...that said...here we go: (these are all by Cuisinart)
I compared The Custom 14 food processor DFP 14BCN.
I will call this "C from now on.
I compared it to the Limited Edition 14 cup MP-14N
I will call this "LE" from now on
I compared also the Elite Collection 14 cup FP 14DC
(I will call this "E" from now on)
and I compared the PowerPrep Plus 14 cup DLC-2014CHB
(I will call this "PP" from now on)
WARRANTY: I admit I equate this with how well it's built and how long Cuisinart expects it to last:
C: 5 year motor, 3 year entire unit
LE: 20 year motor warranty, 3 year entire unit
E:20 year motor warranty, 3 year LIMITED warranty
PP:10 year motor warranty, 3 year entire unit
CONTROLS:
C: Two controls: On/off and pulse. No dough mode button
LE: 4 controls: On, Off, Pulse, Dough
E: 4 controls: On, Off, Pulse, Dough
PP: 4 controls: On, Off, Pulse, Dough
MOTOR: (heavy doughs especially need the better motor if you use these)
C: regular motor, 720 watt
LE: most powerful: over ¾ horsepower commercial induction motor
E: regular 1000 watt motor
PP: induction motor 768 watt motor
HOUSING:
C: Brushed stainless overlay
LE: Heavy duty die-cast metal
E: Brushed stainless overlay
PP: Brushed stainless overlay
DOUGH BLADE:
C: plastic
LE: all metal
E: plastic
PP: all metal
SHREDDING BLADE:
C: stainless medium
LE: stainless medium
E: stainless reversible shredding disc (fine/medium)
PP: stainless medium
SLICING BLADE:
C: 4mm
LE: 4mm
E: adjustable 1-6mm
PP: 4mm
CHOPPING/MIXING:
C: large blade
LE: large
E:Large and small blades for various sized bowls it comes with
PP: large
How To DVD:
C:none
LE:included
E:included
PP: video included
All have extra large feeding tubes which replaced the small ones of food processors of yesteryear so you don't have to prechop veggies to get them in the feeding tubes. All come with spatulas to scrape them down. All have parts that are dishwasher safe.
Other:
C: none
LE: also comes with attachable beater blades so you don't have to keep your mixer on the countertop or drag out two appliances for some mixing chores. Bowl is made so no food gets caught in grooves or corners. Cord can be wrapped underneath machine.
E: also comes with attachable 11 cup and 4.5 cup bowls with pour spouts and measurement markings for small chores. These nest inside the 14 cup bowl. Some have complained that the narrow base and wide top, which makes the nestling bowls fit in, don't allow as smooth of mixing and also that food gets caught in a rim making this bowl harder to clean after mixing things that get trapped like shredded cheese and fine nuts. This is the only one that comes with an accessory storage case with a lock...nice to keep blades away from kids. You can also wrap cord under unit on this one.
PP:none
Conclusion:
What I wanted in my food processor may be different from you so I'll note a few things. For me, the Limited Edition was what I purchased because it was far higher priced everywhere else on the internet including the Cuisinart site itself so I thought it good value and its price on Amazon, it's warranty was the best and it had the most powerful motor of all of them so, since I use it often, this was a plus. Also because of its powerful motor it is best for doughs as was the solid metal dough blade. I have a huge kitchenaid mixer that I don't keep on the counter so having the beater blade attachment was great for quick mixing when I don't wish to drag it out of the pantry. Because most of my slicing is the 4mm and I never do any fine shredding, the adjustable blades weren't needed for me (and I can buy them later if I want them...all parts are interchangeable on the 14 cup Cuisinart food processors.) BUT if you are someone who wants a variety of bowl sizes and blades, then I'd say the Elite would be the best choice. It's also nice that that one comes with an accessory storage case. However, I find having to unstack the small bowls housed inside the large one and get food out that gets trapped in the seams were an annoyance I wished to avoid. I found the custom to be too simple with a lesser motor and poor warranty and no mode specifically for dough. And the powerprep is fine but more basic as well with a lesser warranty and motor for almost the same price as the uber food processor...(the limited edition). Might be ok for those who rarely use the machine who know they won't wear out the motor. Also, Cuisinart is really going "old school" on this model to include a VHS tape with it...rather than the DVD included in the newer models. Still it's got an induction motor which is still better than the Custom and the Elite...(but the Elite has more wattage to it's motor inspite of the fact it's not an induction motor.) Final thought is for the price, the parts, the mega motor, the commercial grade and the warranty of the Limited Edition along with its ease of cleaning and stremlined look... it just pulled out ahead of the game for me.
I'm very happy with my purchase...my old food processor was working fine but had the small chute and didn't offer near what this new one does and it looks impressive on the counter even though I'm very picky about anything out on the counter in my kitchen as my kitchen is open to the living room so I have to keep it neat. The metal is attractive, the motor is SO quiet for what it is, and the chopping power is tremendous...I did a couple batches of dough already too and it makes some FINE pizza in no time because of it!
Negatives: Some complain about the new food processors having safety mechanisms that won't allow the machine to start unless everything is aligned perfectly. For me this is not a negative because the newer machines with the commercial induction motors being loose would easily chop off your head. And that's a kitchen mess none of us want. They aren't your mama's old school food processors that whir at a low speed...these things do all but chop logs and they'd probably do that too. I want nothing loose when this baby starts!
p.s. If you buy shredded cheese, try shredding your own in the food processor instead...not only will you save lots of cash to help pay for the food processor, :-) but shredded cheese is coated so it won't stick together. If you shred your own it actually tastes soooo much better and fresher, and it melts better. Same with meat...except of course for the melting part! |
Impressive Performance
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| Review Date: August 20, 2006 |
| Reviewer: Robert Brian Lamm, Millstone Township, NJ |
I've had a Cuisinart DLC-11 for the past 20 years and it still works.
I decided to purchase this one based upon its larger capacity. It is superior to the older one in almost every way. Cuisinart has managed to improve the cover latching system, without making it cumbersome and hard to use (like on the KitchenAid that I tried at Williams-Sonoma).
The "dough" button appears to direct more torque to the blade, and the metal dough blade performs better than the former plastic one (although the old plastic blade has whipped up many a batch of pizza dough).
This unit also has a set of wire beaters, something that I do not believe I will get much use out of, since I am a mixer junkie and have 3 stand mixers (KitchenAid, Kenwood and DeLonghi). I think I'll leave the whipping to them.
The discs with the detachable stem perform admirably, as does the feed chute on this unit. I recommend purchasing the disc storage units from Cuisinart - if not for safety, certainly to keep the discs organized and ready to go to work. My DLC-11 discs were scattered throughout the drawers in the kitchen, making it easier to get a knife and a cutting board and chop, rather than conduct a treasure hunt through the kitchen to find the particular disc I needed. Keeping things organized in the kitchen is important - it makes it more fun to cook.
This unit is powerful and quiet, and intelligently designed. |
A stellar performer from a stellar comany
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| Review Date: February 12, 2004 |
| Reviewer: Havens South, Naples, Florida |
| I just ordered and received, from Amazon.com, a Cuisinart MP-14 (Limited Edition Metal 14-cup Food Processor. This new Cuisinart replaces my original 1977 Cuisinart, bought to make baby food for my infant daughter. Of course, as anyone who has ever used a high quality food processor knows, by 1978 that Cuisinart had seen a lot more, and a lot heavier duty than mere baby food pureeing! That original Cuisinart is still going strong, but resides with my daughter, now an adult and newly married. She laid claim to the Cuisinart somewhere during her high school baking and breadmaking phase, and instead of registering for a new model during her wedding, she happily absconded with mine when she set up her household and I took off for life in SW Florida. After a year without my Cuisinart, and making do with a small, outdated Oster mini processor, I gave myself a Valentine's gift an bought the Cuisinart MP-14. Why?
-Because I am tired of hand making the bread doughs I love to grill as pizza or flat bread over the open flame of our outdoor grill.
-Because I am tired of scraped knuckles and sliced fingers from hand graters and razor sharp mandolines when shredding or thin slicing veggies for slaws, tempuras, or Potatoes Anna.
-Because I like to grate hard and soft cheeses in bulk for adding to lasagnas, topping pizzas, or blending into savory shortbreads and hor d'oeuvre pastries.
-Because I like to make my own chopped pork and beef mixture for Swedish meatballs.
-Because I love the speed and ease of a food processor in making bread crumbs, apple crisp and pie crumb toppings, chopping chocolate and nuts, and mincing and blending large quantities of garlic or herbs for dips, herb butters and spreads, or pestos.
-Because my daughter also laid claim to my heavy duty KitchenAid mixer, and it looks like this whisk attachment is going to be fine for mixing cheesecake batters, whipping cream or putting the final whip finish on mashed potatoes, as well as frothing the egg custard foundations to chocolate mousses and flourless cakes.
-Because I believe in the Cuisinart product line, which has proven itself to me for decades. I believe my newest Cuisinart will to be worth every penny, and perform flawlessly and efficiently for generations to come!
-And because maybe, just maybe -- in the not too distant future -my new MP-14 will whip up even more wickedly wonderful batchs of baby foods! Cuisinart - I love you, and I adore this new 14 cup heavy duty MP 14 with whisk attachment, bread dough mixing blade and the dough setting to prevent overheating the dough. You are making my Valentine's Day very sweet indeed! |
Fabulous!
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| Review Date: December 9, 2005 |
| Reviewer: Sattvala, Harpswell, ME United States |
Wonderful, wonderful.
I've had 2 previous food processors - a Himilton Beach, and then the 7 cup Cuisinart which leaked (sprayed) if I was doing any sauces. This MP-14 is like Dorothy stepping out of her house into techni-color Munchkin Land!
It's simple to use, quiet, and powerful. The DVD that comes with it shows you how to make pizza crust (which is good because the cookbook doesn't explain it well). The 2-size-feeder tube option is great - now I can slice whole potatoes and still do a single carrot.
It also has a separate button/speed for dough and has a variety of recipes for breads. The motor is so strong you needn't worry about making whatever you want.
It is a sleek, handsome machine which really adds to my kitchen. The 14-cup capacity is perfect - I don't have to worry about making cole slaw or any other large recipe. I'm so glad I finally took the plunge and got the best of the best.
Enjoy! |
the relentless power alone deserves a sixth star
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| Review Date: September 10, 2009 |
| Reviewer: M. Eldridge, nashville, tn |
i've only had this unit for two weeks and i can tell you it is built like a tank. after much deliberation -- which involved about a week's worth of back and forth between online investigation via countless websites (including amazon) and physical investigation at the brick & mortar stores of sears, kroger, wal-mart, and bed bath & beyond, i began to grow very attracted to this unit, but i didn't expect to find it anywhere...
then i ventured into an electronics store i used to work for (electronic express) that i knew sold cuisinart products. boom. they had one of them. on the top shelf. so i bought it.
i'm a guy. although i love to garden and garden, i still feel strange paying over $200 for a glorified blender, especially with all the negative reviews on amazon regarding cuisinart processors. i want to address first one of the concerns that bothered me the most:
SAFETY (and the price we pay):
i've read reviews where people have complained about safety features and units not operating unless 37 different plastic pieces are aligned and it's tuesday at 4pm and the inner planets are in a triangular formation, blah blah blah -- these people must either have defective units or are attempting to cram whole pigs into their units. it's only so big...
i love to be given enough rope to hang myself with, if you get my drift. if a piece of equipment has the power to chop my arms and my legs off at the same time, i want it to be capable of such. if you have any reason to push anything through the MP-14N that is not available in semi-squishy 8" x 6" chunks, then you probably should buy a chipper shredder or 2' food slicer instead.
the MP-14N has three safety features (and for good reason -- the motor spins with such power and torque that i'm pretty damn sure it'll take your arm off if you let it). the base unit will not operate unless the bowl is attached and locked (durh; like any blender - although amazingly easier to lock into place than your run-of-the-mill blender), the top is locked into place (another task that's easier than attaching a tuperware top) and the large food pusher is attached to the top of the bowl's large chimney. the last safety feature is probably the most limiting, but (like i said), if you're processing food chunks that are bigger than 8" x 6", you must need something else...maybe a chainsaw. even with the large chimney, there's a smaller 2" chimney that has no safety feature whatsoever. the large chimney safety is easy to defeat if you really want to make a mess.
you probably don't, though. and if you don't believe it, drop me a line. i'll hook up a webcam and SHOW you this unit in operation. which brings me to my second concern:
POWER (it's not a blender):
according to my bathroom scale, the stainless steel base weighs 16.2 pounds. find something that's 16.2 pounds. you know why it's that heavy? the torque of the motor would send it flying off the counter if it weren't. even with everything attached, the base rotates about a quarter of an inch when you start and stop it. and it's QUIETER than my blender. that's quality.
speaking of motor power -- this thing will chop your arm into neatly sliced pieces if you let it. i grow tomatoes and peppers (i'm a chilehead) and make my own salsa and italian sauce. this thing eats through tomatoes like nobody's business. i've always skinned and deseeded my tomatoes in the past. this process has gotten to be too much for my patience, so i left the skins on them while only partially deseeding them... the cuisinart devours the seeds and leaves only small traces of the skins. it's saved me a ton of time. i'm happy.
this past weekend i smoked two 10 pound pork shoulders for the college football kickoff. i thought the cuisinart would die trying to cut through a pork shoulder that's been charred on the outside by 12 hours of smoking. no such thing. the MP-14N mowed through the huge chunks of pork like they were weak sticks of butter. in less than 5 seconds, it had processed everything i had pushed into the chimney with no hesitation.
i am extremely happy with this unit. for the price, however, i think it should have come with a few more blade attachments. although it did come with a gratuitous egg beater (which i haven't used), the disparity in function between the slicer and grater discs leave something to be desired in between. |
Beautiful
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| Review Date: January 4, 2004 |
| Reviewer: , |
| This is a great food processor. It is surprisingly quite when operating. This machine has all the power you need to do any job in the kitchen. This is a really quality item. For those blessed with the money this item is worth every penny. |
The Cadillac of food processors!
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| Review Date: December 14, 2006 |
| Reviewer: Jezebella, FL |
| This food processor works like a dream! It's faster, quieter, just all around better than any other food processor I've used! It also hold a lot more. Every time I use it, it surprises me how quiet it quickly chops through anything. I just keep on feeding it foods of all shapes, sizes and textures and it whips through them in a flash with little more than a hum. I would definitely buy this again but won't have to for many decades to come. This is top of the line, a real great gift for yourself or others, I got mine when I was asked what I wanted as a gift by my family. Just to let you know, my brother got a new GTO, and I asked for this food processor and couldn't be more pleased! |
Happy Newcomer to Food Processors,
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| Review Date: August 23, 2007 |
| Reviewer: O. Brown, Twopeas, WA |
*****
I have never had a food processor before, thinking that they take too much time for the effort involved in using them. Nevertheless, I purchased my Cuisinart 14-cup brushed chrome model DFP-14BC based on recommendations from Amazon, and LOVE it!
It is very, very easy to use. It comes with a DVD which I watched and replayed pertinent sections to make sure that I understood how to use it. There are also recipes on the DVD, but I was watching it just to figure out how to use the appliance and how not to hurt myself.
I like the locking mechanism feature. I have used my Cuisinart 14-cup brushed chrome model DFP-14BC about 10 times. Sometimes when I'd go to use it, it would not engage or turn on---this was because I had done something wrong or unsafe and I was GLAD that it didn't work. I am getting the hang of it and am very glad that it has the level of safety that it does.
I debated between buying this model or an inexpensive ($50 or so) model. I am glad that I purchased the Cuisinart DFP-14BC because it is easy to learn to use, easy to use, easy to clean, and I know that I will have it for a while, as opposed to an inexpensive model that would perform in a limited fashion and then be discarded in a few years.
It looks beautiful on my countertop when I'm not using it. I bought a wicker basket that I keep the attachments in out-of-sight so that the appliance stands on its own as a permanent fixture in my kitchen. It is beautiful, quiet, easy to use, and great for a beginner like me. I am quite pleased with this purchase!
***** |
Loving it so far. Great for breadmaking, though you can only make a few loaves at a time
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| Review Date: November 22, 2007 |
| Reviewer: HalfGeek, Washington, DC USA |
| I do love this thing. I've been making whole wheat bread, 100%, and you can only make one loaf of whole wheat at a time in even the 14c model. That's the way it is. You can make 2 loaves of white bread. Having said that, I've made the best whole wheat bread yet in this, it really does work, and finally kneads the bread like it should be kneaded. One thing, do be careful about the dough overheating, it's still a problem with this, as with other, food processors. But otherwise, it's a great little device, has been fine for cleaning, the size isn't overly large, and it is pretty. The only problem is that they give you a ton of attachments etc and there is nowhere, nowhere, to store them. Considering how much stuff they send you, and how expensive this is, they ought to give you something to store everything in - I'm talking 15 or so extra "things" that come with this. Great bargain, to be sure, but I've had to keep them in the silly styrofoam they came in in order to store them! |
Cuisinart is the Rolls Royce of food processors!
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| Review Date: December 15, 2008 |
| Reviewer: A. Mironov, San Francisco Bay Area, CA, USA |
I wore out my old DLC 11 after abusing it for 9 years, so I decided to give this one a try as it's larger and has a larger motor.
I'm so glad that I bought this machine! It's plenty strong enough to knead dough, even 100% whole wheat bread dough without choking. It chops, purees, shreds and slices without a hitch. It's one of the strongest but at the same time quietest food processors. The extra 3 cup capacity is great as I tend to entertain a lot. It cleans up very easily in the dishwasher.
It also coordinates beautifully with the rest of my stainless kitchen.
Bravo Cuisinart! This is my third Cuisinart food processor in 23 years, and I will get another one when I wear this one out. |
Whipping up good eats.
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| Review Date: December 11, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Gary R. Hughes, Hastings, MN United States |
| We bought the Cuisinart MP-14N for our winter home. Having had a Cuisinart food processor for years, we dedided that having two was not forbidden by the consumer gods. This model is very well made. The shape of the bowl is improved and allows easy cleaning and mixing of contents. The only problem we have had is that the unit failed to beat heavy whipping cream for our Thanksgiving pie. That being said, we love it and would recommend to anyone. |
Fantastic
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| Review Date: December 15, 2009 |
| Reviewer: T. Giangreco, Foothill Ranch, Ca United States |
We've been using this product for a month now, and after using other processors, this one tops the mountain. I like everything about this model; all metal, stainless-steel, big motor, big bowl, great selection of blades and attachments. I just wish someone would make a more managable storage case for the attachments. The ones advertised are bulky and don't hold any extra attachments you might purchase. I ended up going to HomeDepot and making a plastic parts-bin work.
I would recommend this any day. |
Exceptional Tool
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| Review Date: December 19, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Jennifer R. Schmidt, Seattle, WA |
I am absolutely thrilled that I selected this machine!
It was hard to make a decision, and I admit that I relied heavily on a very helpful review created by Top Ten Reviewer A. Chandler "ArtistAlana".
It's heavy, strong, powerful, and tears your raw apples apart in no time flat. I'm very happy with this purchase! |
My wife loves it
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| Review Date: March 9, 2010 |
| Reviewer: Ritesh Sheth, USA |
| I would recommend this product due to its amazing utility. As an traditional Indian family we do lot of dough making everyday to make bread for our lunch and dinner. I have this product for almost a year and it has been doing the job just as described. Though it is costlier, but looking at the longevity I think this is worth. Morever if your motor dies, than it is covered under warranty for 20 yrs from the date of purchase. Who else can give you such an assurity in such a competitive market. My wife loves this product so I love it too..... bottomline keep your wife happy and you will be happy forever. |
Great deal!
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| Review Date: May 1, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Gloria De La Cruz, |
| I am very happy with my purchase. Product was just as described. I received it in about a week, it was worth the wait. Thanks. |
Expensive for a food processor
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| Review Date: May 3, 2006 |
| Reviewer: Gabriel Werder, Royal Oak, MI |
| I've never owned a food processor before and my wife wanted one, so I compulsively compared details/features of all the food processors I could find and decided that this was the Rolls Royce (excluding strictly commercial machines). I watched this item for months waiting for the right deal and eventually bought it from The Wiz for $283 including shipping... So far, we've used it twice in the month we've had it for VERY BASIC food processing tasks. It did exactly what we wanted, but it's large for small tasks and expensive for the casual user. I would recommend it based on quality, but for my small, non-food processor-oriented family there's a less expensive KitchenAid model that offers two bowl sizes (a large one for big jobs and a small one for little jobs) might have been a better choice. |
Well Designed.
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| Review Date: September 26, 2007 |
| Reviewer: JAI, USA |
I purchased this food processor because it is large enough to use as a food processor, blender and mixer. I am very satisfied with the result. The only awkwardness for using it as a mixer is that you have to take the top off to scrape the sides... no surprise, just an additional step.
The appliance itself is beautiful enough to leave on your counter.
Downside is that there is no easy way to store the blades etc. they don't fit in the container. I finally resorted to putting them all in a basket.
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I'd rate it a "Buy" with reservations
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| Review Date: November 21, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Mitchell J. Bolen, San Francisco |
After 23 years, my old Cuisinart finally chopped its last onion. I replaced it with the 14N Limited Edition and really like the power but have the following issues: 1) The polished stainless body looks great but is difficult to clean around the buttons as they are rubber surface mounted versus flush like the white plastic models. 2) I HATE the feed tube. Yes it's big, but you have to have the pusher in place in order for the machine to engage which means large items need to be cut down prior to processing. In my old machine, I could place long items in the feed tube and push them down by hand until they reached the top of the feed tube and then use the pusher to complete the process. I'm sure it's a liability issue, but it's a pain.
If I had to do it over again, I'd get the machine in white plastic with the more easily cleanable surface. |
Very nice!
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| Review Date: March 11, 2007 |
| Reviewer: Toast, |
| My stainless steel Cuisinart looks great and has lots of power. It is however heavy and not easily moved from place to place. |
Good Food Processor
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| Review Date: January 30, 2010 |
| Reviewer: Lidiya Zahulyayeva, USA |
| I couldnt get how it works first but then I found out and now I love it. It helps me a lot to cook. It has a lot of functions. The only thing that I dont like, it is very heavy to carry. You have to be strong to carry it. |
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US $689.99
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