Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

I am a very analytical person that does not buy a product without extensive research. I first determined that for a two person household of empty nesters that the 7 cup food processor would be the ideal size. Smaller models do not offer the option of mixing bread dough or pizza dough and usually do not have slicing/shredding options. I also did not want to lift or be forced to clean a larger machine. Upon examination of 7 cup food processors I quickly found that the two brands most recommended by consumer research groups are the Cuisinart and the Kitchen Aid brands within my price point of around $100.00. Both of these models have good motors and are heavy enough not to move around on the counter while performing their functions. In comparing the two models I found that the weights and heights of the models are similar. Product reliability ratings are also similar. The Kitchen Aid gains points for appearing to be easier to clean and being slightly more attractive on my counter than the Cuisinart. The downside of the KitchenAid food processor was that the slicing blade that comes with the unit is a 2mm blade that slices food very thin. I concluded that the slices are too thin to use in my stir frys or pie baking without rendering the fruit or vegetable into a mush like state. The Cuisinart comes with a more functional 4mm blade that better meets my needs(It is important to note that you cannot buy other size blades or attachments for the 7 Cup KitchenAid model).I like it that I had the flexibility of purchasing other attachments in the future to perform other functions with the Cuisinart model. I purchased this particular model of the Cuisinart because unlike the newer model it came with an extra easy to clean lid, which you can utilize when using the main blade of the machine. This simiplar lid cuts your clean up time in half over using the more complex pusher lid, which is not easy to clean. (As a side note-always spray the blades with cooking spray before using the slicing and shredding discs to save on clean up time). I also found that you have more control with the slicing function in the Cuisinart model, due to the pusher assembly in the lid, than you do with the less complex mechanism in the Kitchen Aid model. After trying both models at home I also found that the mixing action was superior in the Cuisinart and that food had less chance of becoming lodged under the blade. So, I have kept the Cuisinart model and could not be happier with my recent Christmas gift to myself!