cooking

Christmas Gift Ideas: Food Processors

Posted by tricia on 11.02.09 | 3 Comments Short Link: http://onceamonthmom.com/?p=4389  Print This Post

If you or anyone you know is a Once A Month Mom cook, or just likes cooking in general, then they likely could use/need a decent food processor. We don’t go one month around here without having used ours. It is a staple in this household.

Last month at the Once A Month Mom Tweet-Up we had the pleasure of having two food processors on hand for participants to review. We had mushrooms available for them to slice and cheese available for them to shred. Here is a look at the two food processors that were reviewed, what participants thought and recommendations if you are interested in purchasing one yourself.

Hamilton Beach Big Mouth 14 Cup Food Processor

This food processor was the overall favorite of the event. The comments from participants included: “Worked great;” “Seemed really well made;” “Great price;” “quiet”. Here is Becky after she just sliced mushrooms:

Key Features:

• Fits whole foods
• Retractable cord
• Stainless steel blades include reversible slicing/shredding disc & chopping blade
• 3 speeds plus pulse
• 500 Watt motor
• High-performance processing bowl
• Dishwasher safe bowl, lid & blades

Participant Ratings:

We asked participants to rate the product based on the following factors: value, ease of use and recommend-ability on a 5 point scale (1 being “hate it”, 5 being “love it”). Here are the averages:

• Value – 4.35
• Ease of Use – 4.55
• Recommend-ability – 4.50
• Overall Rating – 4.47

Where to Get One (Prices listed as of 11/2/09):

• Amazon.com -$79.59 + free shipping
• Bed, Bath & Beyond -$89.99
  • Use U Promise to get 2% rebate on your purchase.
• JCPenney – $129.99 (Get on the JC Penney list for more great savings!)
  • Use U Promise or Ebates to get 3% back on your online purchase

Cuisinart Elite 12-Cup Food Processor

This is a GREAT food processor as well. It didn’t score as high as the Hamilton Beach but I think that is mostly because of it’s price in comparison to the Hamilton Beach. One of the great features of this appliance is that there aren’t a bunch of buttons and what-not to push. Very simple to use! It also has a smaller processing bowl for when you are doing smaller jobs (you know, when you aren’t once a month cooking).

The comments from participants included: “Love my Cuisinart, could use an update” and “Seems sturdy”.

Key Features:

• 12-cup large bowl & 4-cup small bowl with pour spouts and measurement markings
• Stainless steel adjustable slicing disc, reversible shredding disc, large & small chopping/mixing blades, and dough blade
• Supreme wide-mouth feed tube and cover assembly
• Dishwasher safe bowl, lids & blades
• 3 year limited warranty, 10 year motor warranty

Participant Ratings:

We asked participants to rate the product based on the following factors: value, ease of use and recommend-ability on a 5 point scale (1 being “hate it”, 5 being “love it”). Here are the averages:

• Value – 3.37
• Ease of Use – 4.32
• Recommend-ability – 4
• Overall Rating – 3.89
  

Where to Get One:

• Amazon.com -$226.42 + free shipping
• Bed, Bath & Beyond -$229.99
  • Use U Promise to get 2% rebate on your purchase.
• Macy’s – $229.99
  • Use Mr. Rebates or Ebates to get 5% cash back on your purchase.
• Kohl’s – $269.99
  • Use Ebates for 4% back on your purchase.

Disclosure: I was provided with each of these food processor models for reviewing during the event. The ratings of the food processors is that of the participants of the event, not me. The written review is my opinion of the food processors after having used them in my own kitchen.