Cuisinart DLC-XP Plus 20 Cups Food Processor

The first food processor I bought in the early eighties was one of the Moulinex La Machines. This was so lousy I was turned off fp's for several years. I bought my DLC-X roughly 10 years ago. It was the largest and most durable model then, and still is.

I had learned from friends that the trick to buying a food processor is getting one LARGER than you think you'll need. The work bowl on my machine is roughly a gallon. Now, that may seem like a huge bowl compared to some of the little guys around, but visualize making a salad dressing, grating carrots, slicing radishes, onions, etc., then thin slicing a chiffonade of lettuce, stopping only to change discs! Turn the whole thing over into a salad bowl and you are ready to serve. Much, much more convenient than having to empty the stupid bowl between ingredients.

The main reason I bought the DLC-X is because I bake a lot of bread as a hobby, and grind my own wheat. With its powerful motor and stainless steel power shaft, the DLC-X easily kneads 3-4 loaves of white bread or 2-3 loaves of 100% whole wheat dough at a time. I don't use my fp for kneading bread all the time, I use either my hands or a mixer. However, when I'm in a hurry, the speed at which this processor can knead is a godsend.

Being vegetarian, I have given this machine very, very heavy use over the psat 10 years or so. It still performs flawlessly; I learned years ago that I don't have to 'baby' this machine at all. I have made gallons of mayonnaise and dressings to perfection; I use it for this then I need more to serve than what my blender will process at a time. I have made dozens and dozens of cakes and cookies the easy fp way.

I bought the whisk attachment years ago but it didn't last long enough with my mashed potato production. I never replaced it when it wore out. I have all the accessory discs, and use almost all of them readily.

The machine is not indestructible, however. The bowl and the top and feed mechanism are Lexan; after about 4-5 years of owning this, and a little tab broke off of the bowl in the back. I replaced it then, since hasn't given me any problems. It is messy, however, feeding the flexible feed tube. I wish Cuisinart would make a plain old feed tube like their older machines,and give the cook the choice of when to use either one. Also, Cuisinart has come out with a flat-topped bowl accessory for their smaller models, but not for the DLC-X. I'd love to have one for my machine, for the feed tube gets dirty even if you are just chopping

I use this processor more than any of my other electric appliances, save the coffee pot, and would be lost at home without it on my counter. Take the time to truly educate yourself in the possibilities of a processor, and it will make a believe out of you, too!

P.S.: it's high, but it's the last processor you'll ever have to buy. Plus, after using it a year or two, you'll be glad you bought this model.