Cuisinart - Elemental 13C Food Processor w Dicing - Dark Gray

Best kitchen appliance ever. Having the option to use 2 bowl of different sizes is a game changer. There are so many recipes one can use by having the smaller mixing bowl. I had the initial version; the 1980''s model and that was a real work horse but this design upgrade permits me to mix small batches of cookie recipes, salad dressings and seasonings like taco seasonings. Makes life in the kitchen easier for me due to the fact that I must follow a gluten free diet because of my sensitivities that require making many basics from scratch in small batches. Having had the initial model, I was familiar with how to operate this later version of the Cuisinart. So, I adapted to the new model quite easily. Regardless, it is a pretty easy set up. Beginners should be able to pick up the basics quickly. It's Cuisinart. She processes like a charm. Additionally, the later version has more attachments that expand its function yet are neatly organized in a well designed case. As for clean up, it advertises that the parts are dishwasher safe. Like all my top notch kitchen ware, I wash and dry by hand. Using warm, soapy water, parts clean and rinse off easily. I really cannot say enough about how pleased I am with my selection. There were so many new models and versions and brands on the market today with endless comments, that selecting a new one when the safety lock feature on my old one broke after 40 years of use was daunting. But after study and seeing the new features that allowed one to mix small batches of various recipes, the dough mix and dicing features, I took the risk and went for it. I made the right choice. Instead of tucking the Elemental away between uses, I made counter space and today she sits proudly on my counter. Being there, I find myself using it far more than I used my previous one. Getting my money's worth! I highly recommend this food processor: I could not be more pleased.

Dicer is the medium size. I would have liked the larger size but this came with the food processor and works well. I have used it for potatoes twice and just cooked them less than my usual diced potatoes. I have used it for sweet potatoes a couple of times too and for onions and winter squash. It went very fast and evenly. I am getting used to the smaller size diced potatoes in the soups and potato salads. When I want to make pico de Gallo I still do it by hand because it really does need a different size dice (smaller) and the few times I make it doesn't justify purchase of another size. I like the adjustable slicer, from very thin to thick. The zucchini and carrots sliced evenly with very little left unsliced. I shredded some potatoes for hash browns and cabbage for slaw, both using the large shred. They did well. The small bowl cannot be used with the shredder or slicer but I guess the only difference would be washing a smaller bowl instead of the large one. A couple of times I was surprised that I actually needed the large size to hold all the sliced or diced vegetable. Overall I am pleased with the food processor and accessories. I especially like having the containers for all the parts. I keep the whole thing on the counter.

Excellent food processor! It does a wonderful job and the noise level is actually better than my old one! The storage container for the accessories is a great addition - I wish the dicing accessories and the small bowl also fit into the same (obviously would need to be bigger) storage container. I like how the machine shuts off when the pusher is removed (& starts again when re-inserted) so adding food is mess free. The shoot opening could be deeper. I find I have to chop some things up more with this unit to fit them in because while the opening is wide and tall, very little depth. It is also frustrating that food must be short enough to allow the pusher to hit the lever or it won't operate. Saves time when I need chopped, diced, and shredded foods so I'll take the quirks!

Lightweight plastic worries me. It all works but not sure for how long. Was going to return it but thought I would give it a try. The quality is not half as good as the Cuisinart I about 8 years ago. Not sure why I thought I needed to upgrade to a newer model. This is by no means an upgrade.

I really like the food processor a lot. So far it has done everything I have used it for very well. The biggest problem I have is that because it is made out of plastic, pieces of the cover and the pusher for the food break of after very little use causing the processor to not be able to work. that problem, of the processor not working, is addressed in the manual,but does not solve the problem of parts breaking off thus not allowing the processor to have all parts properly put together so the processor will work.. I have not mishandled the machine in any way.