Food Processor Buying Guide: Capacity, Blades, and Tasks

KitchenAid KFP1318BM key specifications

The adjustable slicer and reversible shredder cover more cut sizes than fixed-thickness discs. The included dough blade and in-bowl caddy extend its task coverage and keep the tools together for storage.

Best for: households that slice potatoes or cucumbers, shred vegetables and cheese, chop aromatics, and sometimes mix dough.

Limitations: No dicing grid is included. A 13-cup bowl is less suitable for just a tablespoon of herbs or garlic, and dough quantities are limited by the manual rather than the nominal bowl size.

Verdict: The KitchenAid KFP1318BM suits a mix of slicing, shredding, chopping, and dough work. A smaller processor is more convenient for tablespoon-size batches.

Cuisinart Custom 14 key specifications

The Cuisinart DFP-14BCNY supplies separate slicing and shredding discs. These cut at fixed sizes; a different slice thickness requires a compatible replacement or additional disc.

Best for: repeated vegetable batches, shredding, pastry, and buyers who prefer a simple interface.

Limitations: The included slice and shred sizes are fixed. Cuisinart's included-equipment list does not name a dough blade, even though the processor can mix certain doughs with its regular blade; an optional dough blade is listed separately. The 14-cup nominal bowl has much lower liquid limits: Cuisinart's guidance describes roughly 3 cups of thin liquid or 6 cups of thick mixture per batch.

Verdict: The Cuisinart Custom 14 fits large batches with consistent standard cuts. The KitchenAid 13-Cup includes adjustable slicing.

Breville Sous Chef 16 key specifications

The adjustable and specialty discs serve frequent potato preparation, salads, and recipes needing different cuts. With the proper mini blade, the 2.5-cup bowl handles smaller portions. Breville includes a separate accessory storage case for the BFP810.

Best for: frequent cooking projects involving multiple cuts, a premium accessory set, and both big and small portions.

Limitations: Its full-size housing and separate accessory case need storage space. The standard box has a French-fry disc, but dicing accessories are separate and compatibility-specific. The manual also limits fill levels and warns against processing hot or boiling liquids.

Verdict: The Breville BFP810 is worth considering for frequent specialty cuts and both large and small batches. Its accessory set is excessive for occasional basic chopping.

Ninja PrecisionPro BZ601 key specifications

Ninja BZ601 provides a dedicated dough tool and automated programs, although its published peak-watt rating does not establish kneading capacity.

Best for: cooks making vegetable prep, sauces, and smaller dough batches who prefer preset operation.

Limitations: The supplied slice/shred disc lacks the adjustable thickness settings of KitchenAid KFP1318BM and Breville BFP810. Dough quantities still depend on the manufacturer's limits.

Verdict: Choose Ninja BZ601 if 9 cups and an included dough blade fit your regular recipes. Choose KitchenAid KFP1318BM if variable slice thickness matters more than presets.

KitchenAid KFP0718ER key specifications

Unlike a mini chopper, the KitchenAid KFP0718ER produces slices and shreds through its feed tube. Compared with the 13-cup KFP1318BM, its standard package omits an adjustable slicer and dedicated dough blade.

Best for: smaller homes, occasional salads, shredded vegetables, and limited storage space.

Limitations: Large quantities require repeated batches, slicing thickness is fixed by the included disc, and the standard package is not intended as a dough-focused setup.

Verdict: The KitchenAid KFP0718ER is a compact full-function choice for slicing and shredding when a 13-cup bowl is excessive.

Hamilton Beach 70730J key specifications

Hamilton Beach 70730J includes the basic cutting tools and a scraper. Hamilton Beach also lists replacement bowls, discs, blades, and scrapers.

Best for: meal prep, dips, hummus, coleslaw, and frequent mixtures that cling to the bowl.

Limitations: No adjustable slice thickness or dough blade is listed. Hamilton Beach's bowl-scraper instructions prohibit using the scraper with the reversible slicing/shredding disc; check the instructions supplied with the exact model before switching tools.

Verdict: Hamilton Beach 70730J suits basic 10-cup prep and frequent scrape-downs. Ninja BZ601 includes a dough blade instead of a scraper.

Cuisinart Mini-Prep Plus key specifications

The small bowl accommodates portions that can be awkward to process evenly in larger machines.

Best for: quick aromatics, small sauces, chopped nuts, and compact storage.

Limitations: It does not have a food chute, slicing disc, or shredding disc, and a 3-cup bowl does not make it a substitute for a processor used to prepare several pounds of vegetables. For recipe volumes above its marked limit, work in batches.

Verdict: Cuisinart DLC-2ABC fits small chopping and grinding tasks, but not slicing, shredding, or dough.

Bowl capacity is not the same as fill capacity

Manufacturers advertise the work bowl's nominal size. Actual limits depend on whether food is dry, wet, thick, or elastic. For example, Cuisinart lists a 14-cup bowl for DFP-14BCNY but describes a working limit of about 3 cups of thin liquid or 6 cups of thick mixture. Breville instructs BFP810 owners to follow the bowl's ingredient-specific maximum fill markings. Do not assume a 14-cup machine can safely puree 14 cups of soup.

Measure your usual single batch

Think about the largest preparation you make regularly, not the largest holiday meal you might make once. If you chop half an onion and a few cloves of garlic, a small bowl matters more than nominal maximum volume. If you shred several large vegetables every weekend, a larger bowl and feed tube reduce repeated unloading. If you knead bread or pizza dough, check the maximum flour and dough quantities in the manual before buying.

Check height and accessory storage

A processor can fit on a counter but not beneath an upper cabinet while its lid and chute are assembled. Compare the fully assembled height, room to remove the pusher, and where loose discs will be stored. For example, Breville states a substantial separate accessory case, while the KitchenAid 7- and 13-cup models store their tools in the bowl.

What blade do you need for each task?

• Onions, herbs, garlic, nuts: S-blade, using short pulses to avoid turning an uneven coarse chop into paste.
• Cucumber rounds, potato slices, thin vegetables: slicing disc; choose an adjustable disc if thickness varies by recipe.
• Coleslaw, shredded carrots, grated cheese: shredding disc; consider fine and coarse sides if texture matters.
• Pesto, hummus, dips: S-blade; look for a workable batch size and easy scraping.
• Pie crust: S-blade can cut cold fat into flour on machines whose instructions permit the recipe; pulse carefully.
• Pizza or bread dough: use the manufacturer's specified dough tool or permitted S-blade method and respect dough limits.
• Uniform cubes: a true model-compatible dicing kit. Chopping with an S-blade produces pieces of varying shapes.

Does wattage tell you how powerful a processor is?

Wattage alone does not establish cutting quality or dough capacity. Gearing, blade geometry, bowl size, and operating limits also matter. Ninja lists BZ601 at 1,000 peak watts, while Cuisinart gives DFP-14BCNY a 720-watt rating without the peak qualifier. The two figures are not directly comparable performance measurements.

Food processor vs. food chopper vs. blender

Choose a food chopper for small portions of chopped or pureed ingredients. Choose a full-size food processor when slicing and shredding discs, a feed chute, and larger batches matter. Choose a blender primarily for flowing drinks and very smooth liquid blends, following its hot-liquid instructions. A processor can make hummus or thick sauces, but its bowl and fill limit are not equivalent to a blender pitcher.

Breville Sous Chef 16 BFP810 vs. KitchenAid KFP1318BM

Breville BFP810 has fine/coarse shredding, a French-fry disc, a separate mini bowl, and more slicing settings. KitchenAid KFP1318BM offers a simpler accessory set with in-bowl storage. The Breville's added tools matter most when those specialty cuts are frequent.

Ninja PrecisionPro BZ601 vs. Hamilton Beach 70730J

Ninja BZ601 includes a dough blade and presets; Hamilton Beach 70730J includes a scraper. Ninja has a 9-cup bowl; Hamilton Beach has a 10-cup bowl. The tools are a more useful distinction than the 1-cup nominal capacity difference.

KitchenAid 7-Cup KFP0718ER vs. Cuisinart Mini-Prep Plus DLC-2ABC

KitchenAid KFP0718ER is for sliced cucumbers and shredded cabbage; Cuisinart DLC-2ABC is for minced garlic, herbs, and small sauces. The 7-cup KitchenAid includes a reversible slice/shred disc and feed tube. The 3-cup Cuisinart has only a chop/grind blade.

Is a 7-cup food processor big enough?

Yes, for smaller households and moderate batches. KitchenAid KFP0718ER chops, slices, shreds, and purees with an S-blade and reversible disc. Large quantities may require several batches.

Do I need a 14- or 16-cup food processor?

A 14- or 16-cup model makes sense for repeated substantial batches or specialty tools. Cuisinart Custom 14 offers a large bowl with standard discs. Breville BFP810 adds more discs and a 2.5-cup mini bowl. Both still have ingredient-specific fill limits.

Can a mini chopper slice potatoes or shred cheese?

Not with the Cuisinart DLC-2ABC. Its reversible chop/grind blade does not slice potatoes or shred cheese. KitchenAid KFP0718ER is the smaller full-function model in this guide that includes a slice/shred disc.

Is a reversible slicing/shredding disc as useful as an adjustable slicer?

A reversible disc covers two functions but usually only the thicknesses built into that disc. KitchenAid KFP0718ER offers a reversible medium disc. KitchenAid KFP1318BM adds an adjustable slicing disc, while Breville BFP810 has a 24-position adjustable slicer. Choose adjustable slicing if recipes call for materially different slice thicknesses.

Is a dough blade necessary for pizza dough?

Not always, but it is useful when the manufacturer provides one and specifies a dough program. Ninja BZ601, KitchenAid KFP1318BM, and Breville BFP810 include dough blades. Cuisinart DFP-14BCNY can mix certain dough recipes using its chopping/mixing blade, but a separate dough blade is not part of its standard listed package. Follow recipe and load limits for each machine.

Can a food processor make hummus, pesto, or nut butter?

Yes, if the recipe and batch size are suitable for the appliance. An S-blade is the usual tool for dips and purees; smaller batches may process more effectively in a small bowl. For dense mixtures or nut butter, follow the model's motor-rest and quantity instructions rather than assuming every food processor can run continuously.

Can I pour soup into a 14-cup food processor?

Do not treat the 14-cup number as the soup capacity. Cuisinart's DFP-14BCNY guidance places thin-liquid capacity around 3 cups, and the Breville BFP810 manual prohibits processing hot or boiling liquids. Cool ingredients as required and use the marked limits for your exact processor.

Will a food processor dice vegetables into uniform cubes?

Only with a compatible dicing accessory designed to make cubes. KitchenAid KFP1318BM does not include a dicing kit; the separately identified KFP1319 series does. Breville BFP810's manual identifies optional, compatible dicing accessories. An ordinary S-blade produces a chop, not uniform cubes.

Are higher watts always better?

No. Rated wattage is electrical information, not a universal benchmark for chop uniformity, slicing quality, or dough handling. Ninja BZ601's 1,000 peak watts and Cuisinart DFP-14BCNY's 720-watt listing cannot establish which machine performs a particular task better without comparable testing. Compare the tools and use-case performance first.

Which food processor is easiest to store?

Cuisinart DLC-2ABC has the smallest bowl of these picks. For models with slicing and shredding, KitchenAid KFP0718ER nests accessories in its 7-cup bowl. KitchenAid KFP1318BM also stores tools in its bowl, whereas Breville BFP810 has a separate case. Check assembled height and cabinet clearance.

Is the cheapest model good enough?

Yes, if it has the tools you need. Cuisinart DLC-2ABC handles small chopping jobs but cannot slice or shred. Hamilton Beach 70730J adds a 10-cup bowl and slicing/shredding disc. Compare current prices for the actual tools and batch sizes you need.

What independent tests found

TechGearLab reported good slicing and pureeing results for the Cuisinart Custom 14 and noted its fixed disc options. Its separately tested Breville Sous Chef 16 Pro is an older model, not the BFP810 listed here.

Prices are in USD and were recorded on October 28, 2026; they may change. Amounts exclude tax, shipping, and additional promotional discounts. A dash means no verified non-promotional price is included for that variant.

Independent testing and safety

• TechGearLab - food processor comparison

• Consumer Reports - blender vs. food processor

• USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service - food safety basics