<p>I use my food processor instead of a mixer for most stuff besides the chopping and cutting. I had the vintage 1984 Cuisinart and what I didn’t like is the batter would seep through and I’d have a mess. It also seemed to be overheating a lot. I too switched to the bigger Kitchen Aide and have enjoyed it immensely for the last few years. It is easier to clean and handles the heavier dough easier.</p>
<p>I use my three cup cuisinart food processor all the time. It came as a blender/processor set. Same motor for both. Love both of them. Perfect size and stays on the counter . I save money, By grating/shredding cheese, vegetables, herbs, hummus, dips. I have also have the kitchen aid, but the motor is temperamental and it comes on when it feels like it. I replaced it once before, but it is more of a hassle than it’s worth. The three cup comes with all the attachments like the larger model. Can’t say enough good things about it.</p>
<p>I only use my big processor for pesto now, but I make gallons every summer so I couldn’t get by without it. Like dmd, I am finding real pleasure again in my good knives and my big big Boos board. I’m sure that has a lot to do with the fact that no one is whining for dinner or needing to head out he door for scouts or practice. One more thing to appreciate about the empty nest.</p>
<p>Yeah, I’ve heard chefs say that anything that you would use a food processor for can be done with a knife. O.K., but most times I’d like to save myself some time. Usuallly I do chop and slice with a knife, for salsa and such. A mandolin comes in handy, too.</p>
<p>Not to hijack the thread but I’d also love to hear any recommendations for a smaller food processor (less than 7 cups) that is able to at least slice, dice, and shred. My mom has been wanting one for Christmas to sit on her counter for easy use -so silver or black coloring. According to reviews none of the small ones seem to be able to do any functions besides pulverize and don’t appear to offer discs to purchase separately.</p>
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<p>I don’t remember. Whatever the top-of-the-line 12 cup model was a few years ago. It’s actually the same basic motor and machine as the old Robot Coupes. Same factory.</p>
<p>I don’t use it a whole lot. I’m a knife man when it come to chopping and stuff, but it’s fantastic for some things, like making pesto-style sauces, Thai curry pastes, and so forth. Also fastastic for grating large quanties of cheese.</p>
<p>The latching mechanism on my Robot Coupe finally gave out. A new work bowl would be $98 with shipping. The sabatier blades are good enough for what I do with it. It will be 30 years old next month. Do I buy it this expensive birthday gift, or get a new KitchenAid for about $200?</p>
<p>Another vote for Cuisinart. Got it in 1986 and have never had a problem with it. Having said that, though, I’m sure that this is another instance of “they don’t make them like they used to,” so I have no idea how current Cuisinart models compare.</p>
<p>Yes, you can do almost everything with a knife and/or mixer instead of a food processor, but in some cases I wouldn’t want to – things like pesto, bourbon balls at Christmas, etc.</p>
<p>I’ve been reading a lot of reviews; the general consensus is, in fact, that they don’t make the Cuisinarts like they used to. I’ve also read that the KitchenAids have not been made by Robot Coupe for a few years; they are now made by Whirlpool in China. And Robot Coupe is making the Magimix for Williams Sonoma. Why does this have to be so complicated? :eek: I do like that the big KitchenAids come with three bowl sizes. That would allow me to give my small Cuisinart to DS and free up a little cupboard space.</p>
<p>I have not used my Cuisinart (bought in 1984 with wedding present money, including all the blades) in about a year (since I bought my Blendtec). Sounds like it might be time to put it on EBay!</p>
<p>How many cups? I might want to bid on it. 
Is Blendtec a blender? I have a gutsy blender, but it cannot handle the bigger quantities I occasionally use my Robot Coupe for. I haul the RC out when I am making pesto or hummus, which I make in large quantities and freeze. I haven’t used anything other than the steel blade in a decade, at least.</p>
<p>1moremom: Blendtec is a blender. They have a wonderful (hilarious) series of videos on Youtube showing them blending unlikely things (like an iPhone) if you want to see it in action. As for my Cuisinart, it’s a DLC-7 Pro. They appear to be selling on EBay for $75 to $100, send me a PM if you’re serious.</p>
<p>Cooks Illustrated just did a comparison last fall and gives their highest recommendation to the Kitchenaid, with the Cuisinart and Viking (more expensive than either of these) coming in second. The Kitchenaid is a little larger than the Cuisinart and comes with a smaller bowl. They like the KA better for grating, chopping and slicing. I think Consumer Reports picked the Cuisinart as their top choice. You probably can’t go wrong with either. </p>
<p>I got the newer 11 cup Cuisinart a couple of years ago and agree that the older model was a little better, but this one does a pretty respectable job. Cuisinart is supposed to be better for mixing dough, so if you intend to use it for that purpose (which I don’t) it might be the better all around choice.</p>
<p>dmd77, I am thinking about you offer, and also considering the Braun K650. It got great reviews, but for some reason they have stopped producing it. It is still available on Amazon.</p>
<p>I got the Cuisinart Elite 16 cup for Christmas and I love it ! The others I have had in the past were not the best quality and didn’t hold up. This one has a seperate case for the blades and accessories and it certainly is a lot more heavy duty. The only dough I have made is pasta dough ,so the strength of the motor will not likely become an issue for me. I also have a mini- cuisinart ,just big enough to chop some herbs.</p>