When I starting searching for a mini-chopper I was surprised by the huge rating difference between the Cuisinart DLC2 and the KitchenAid KFC3100, so I bought both and did a side-by-side comparison.The only explanation I can give for the ratings difference is that Cuisinart buyers must have higher expectations.For most operations they have nearly identical performance and for some operations the Cuisinart is the clear winner.Onions:Many Cuisinart reviewers panned its performance here, claiming it made onion purée, but most KitchenAid reviewers praised its onion chopping ability.I found almost no difference between the two.Maybe its an issue with the instructions for chopped onions you must use a few short pulses.A few more pulses and you get minced onion more than this and both give you onion puree.I wouldn't say either is great at chopping onions, but both are equally mediocre.
I also tested chopping nuts, and making breadcrumbs with similar results.Both performed about the same for a course chop, although the Cuisinart produced a more even chop on the nuts, but its when you want a really fine chop that the Cuisinart starts to shine.The first reason for this is the grind feature found only on the Cuisinart.This spins the blade in the opposite direction which allows the flat, back-side of the blade to impact the food.More importantly, it redistributes the food, so if you've got a couple of chunks that refuse to be chopped, a short pulse in the opposite direction helps it drop into the blade.For perfect, fine breadcrumbs Ialternate between the normal chop mode for a few seconds, and grind for one second.
The other reason the Cuisinart gives a better fine chop is that it does a much better job of cycling the food through the blade.This is a real key when you're working with softer foods like spreads, pâtés or purees.When I made a cream cheese spread in both choppers the Cuisinart did a far quicker and better job of pulling the ingredients down the center and into the blade.The KitchenAid kept larger chunks bobbing on top.If you're making dips, spreads or baby food, the Cuisinart is the hands-down winner.
On the practical side, both choppers were equally easy to clean.Both have small holes in the lid for pouring in liquids on the fly, but only The KitchenAid has a slot for dry or thick ingredients if that's important to you.Overall, I found the Cuisinart easier to use for several reasons.First, the Cuisinart blade drops on easily, while the KitchenAid blade is keyed and I found myself turning it several times before it dropped in.Second, the KitchenAid lid must be removed first before you can lift off the bowl, but on the Cuisinart, the bowl and lid can be detached as an assembly.Finally, the Cuisinart blade has a "handle" that extends to the top of the bowl like a popsicle stick allowing you to remove the blade without getting your fingers in the food.
After all my testing, I really can't understand the large ratings difference between these two.Neither is perfect you'll never get a perfect, even, course chop with things like onions or chocolate, but they do come in handy.For many uses either one will give you pretty much the same results.Because of its advantage with softer foods and its ease of use, I recommend the Cuisinart.
I got this as a gift from my boyfriend and have been using it regularly.This is one of those things that you don't think you ever need (and I did give this topic extensive thought), but once you have it, you would really miss it.
The good is that it is really good at FINELY chopping things.
The bad is that it is really good at FINELY chopping things.
Keeping this in mind, I've learnt when to use and when to just use my knife.For instance, when chopping walnuts for banana bread, I put a cup of walnuts into the processor and hit "Chop" it immediately chopped the walnuts into good sized chunks, but there was a couple of walnuts that didn't get cut yet, so I hit the "Chop" button a couple more times, but that turned the rest of the walnuts to a very small almost "powder" consistency.I tried it again, with about the same results.I guess I could try putting in less walnuts at a time, but then that would defeat the purpose of "less work" since I'd have to put in a small amount, chop, dump out the first batch, repeat.It's much easier in this case to do a coarse chop with knife.Chopping Mushrooms in this device also was lacking, it kind of made a mushroom puree.
Where it shines though is in my daily meals where I'm making some kind of pan sauce.Just about all my pan sauces or pan meals start with butter/oil, then saute'ing some garlic and onions.I'll just peel a few cloves of garlic, coarse chop an onion, dump it all into the MiniPrep, and presto, it's done!When I'm ready to dump it into my pan, just remove the co, remove the blade and use a mini-silicone spatula to dump the contents directly into the pan.A quick rinse of the lid, blade, and work bowl, and the processor can be put away.That can't be any easier.
For larger meals and more ingredients, it's great to just coarsely chop your items, dump into the processor, let it do it's work, and then fill up your prep bowls with the different ingredients making everything easier once you're cooking.
I find the "Chop" and "Grind" feature to be pretty much the same thing, just in opposite directions.The opposite direction thing is helpful to get the food to drop down to the blade.If you don't put too much in the processor, once the piece is chopped, it gets flung to the sides of the work bowl and sticks there, creating empty space for the unchopped foods to drop into the blade.Everything gets chopped evenly...it just gets chopped very finely too.
The entire unit is very easy to use and clean.The blades are extremely sharp, so be careful when washing those.The clear plastic work bowl does get a little scratched up and not so clear anymore after a bit of use...but then, it's a work bowl.The buttons are under a protective plastic, sealed so no chance of anything getting under the buttons, just a quick wipe and it's clean!
Overall, the unit is small, solid, quiet, easy to use, and easy to clean.It's great for fine chops to puree, not so great for coarse chops/dice.Perfect size for meals for 2 people.For making larger meals you may want to look at the larger cup sized processors, or just make a couple of batches.
Buy Cuisinart DLC-2A Mini Prep Plus 3-Cup 250-Watt Food Processor Now
I have the Mini-Prep and I have the big guy version, but I use the MP 10x as much.It does everything!Want chopped garlic? peel a couple heads, add 2-3T of olive oil and about a 1/4-1/2tsp. of salt.It keeps in a jar in the fridge and tastes a heck of a lot better than the store kind!Fresh herbs, nuts, peppers without burning hands...it's great!When I'm done, I just rinse it out.This is my favorite appliance after my blender, and if this made smoothies and margaritas, it would be my favorite!
Read Best Reviews of Cuisinart DLC-2A Mini Prep Plus 3-Cup 250-Watt Food Processor Here
I had this Cuisinart DLC Miniprep first, and was not happy with it. I wanted a small food processor primarily to chop up an onion and some garlic cloves, and with the Cuisinart, I pretty much ended up doing almost all of the chopping before I put the food in the processor, otherwise large sections wouldn't get cut.After reading the reviews here about how the Kitchenaid has the reverse sprial action which pulls down the food, I thought I'd try that one, and it's true!!The Kitchenaid KFC3100 is a superior product!Now I can just cut the onion into quarters and throw in whole garlic cloves and it cuts them all up perfectly. If your not sure which of the two products to buy, get the Kitchenaid KFC3100!
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I read the reviews from others before buying the product--disregard the bad reviews about things turning to mush. The only way things turn to mush is if you hold the chop button down. If you do quick pulses, you get exactly what you want. This is the essential appliance because it helps to do exactly what the name says--prep. Often after coming home late I want to make a meal, but the thought of chopping onions, garlic or veggies seems daunting. Not with the mini-prep. It saves so much time.Plus I use fresh ingredients more often. I am completely happy with this product.Save 47% Off
