The Lowdown on the NEW Cuisinart 14-cup Power Prep Plus

This Saturday, I went to two different kitchen stores so that I could get my hands on the new Cuisinart food processor. I brought my friend Azielinski (of epinions) with me to store #2, Williams-Sonoma, and we were in heaven. We interviewed 2 different Williams-Sonoma employees about both the Cuisinart 14-cup and the new Mini-Prep (soon to be another epinion) and tried both machines out ourselves. These are awesome machines. Here's the lowdown on the 14-cup model:

Introduction: Finally Cuisinart has added some new innovative features to their line of food processors. In this review, I’ll share information on the new Grandaddy of food processors and I’ll tell you what’s out on the market right now and what’s coming out soon.

Quick Thoughts: It’s been a while since Cuisinart has come out with anything revolutionary. This new line of food processors still isn’t revolutionary, but it is evolutionary in that it incorporates some great features that KitchenAid has had in their appliances for a while. It also sets the standard for others to follow with some of the other new features.

Price: Suggested Retail Price is $349. I found it for $299 at Kitchen, Etc. and $329 at Williams-Sonoma (where I tested it out). The limited 10-year warranty means that you’ll probably get sick of this appliance long before it dies on you. (Note: if you want the chrome-colored appliances, be prepared to pay more).

Features/Benefits:

* The 14-cup work bowl is (for now) the largest available on the market – so if you are planning on running your own catering business, have a large family or just do big food projects, then this model is for you.

* New touch pad controls panel and indicator lights – if you are familiar with KitchenAid appliances like their food processor or blender, then you are already familiar with this feature. Basically, it’s easy to clean because you simply run a cloth over the top of the panel and you don’t need to fuss with individual buttons that get gunk stuck under them. You can also see if you are in “dough mode” or “pulse model” because there will be a light on next to the button. Personally, I think some people are going to miss the big old pulse button, but will end up liking these better when they get used to them. I’ve been using this type panel on my KitchenAid blender for 2 years and love it.

* New “dough control” – this dough control feature is really cool for all you bread bakers or pizza makers like me. You simply hit the on button and the dough button and the machine does the rest of the work for you. You don’t have to babysit it at all, because when it’s done, it stops. I think I’m going to use this a lot. Even though I often make dough with my KitchenAid mixer and like it, this seems like an even easier process.

* Attachments: double whisk attachment, chopping blade, slicing disc, shredding disc, and dough blade. If you have special attachments from an older model Cuisinart, they will STILL work with this model so your old investment will still pay off for you.

* Cleans up nicely - the cord wraps neatly under the appliance so it stays out of the way and looks nice. With my old Cusinart, I have to wrap the cord around the middle of the appliance or bunch it up and put a rubber band on it to get it out of the way.

* New feed tube is bigger than ever so you barely have to chop anything into smaller pieces before you drop it down the tube. It’s pretty cool. Evidently the guys at Cuisinart think it’s so amazing that they have a patent pending on it. There are also some new safety features built in to the tube and the bowl which are nice to know are there.

* The new motor is 840 watts – this is important because you need a stronger motor to make a variety of doughs.

At this time, it’s only available in white and it has been selling very well. Very soon, it will be available in chrome. Williams-Sonoma will carry white, chrome and their signature blue color in time for the holidays. Other stores will most likely stay with white for a while. (Williams-Sonoma gets an exclusive on the blue color for one year).

And – this is what I’m holding out for – the 11-cup model will be available on the market by late October. This model should be in the $199 price range.

For those of you looking for a bargain, there should be some great sales on the older models at most stores that will need to make room for the new 11-cup model when it hits the market.