Food processors are electric motor-driven kitchen appliances used to make some food preparation tasks easier.
The food processor was invented in Paris by Pierre Verdon in the year 1971. In 1973, Carl Sontheimer an American engineer modified Verdon’s version and produced the Cuisinart food processor.
There are different ways we can use food processors but we are concerned with how to use a Cuisinart food processor.
Watch a video on this topic below:
Types of Food Processors
There are two basic types of food processors based on their power source:
i. Manual food processors: They are operated by hand and require no electric power supply. Made mostly with plastics.
ii. Electric food processors: They must be connected to an electric power supply before use.
There are three basic types of food processors based on their size and capacity:
i. Mini size food processors: They have a capacity of 2-5 cups
ii. Compact size food processors: They have a capacity of 5-7 cups
iii. Full-size food processors: They have a capacity of 9-13 cups.
There are three types of food processors based on their performance:
i. Entry-level food processors: best for working for a few hours each day and are very affordable
ii. Mid-tier food processors: They are designed to be more versatile and durable than the entry-level types. They can be used more often too.
iii. Premium grade food processors: They are built with high horsepower motors and strong body parts so that they can perform excellently, be used more often and be more versatile.
Parts of A Cuisinart Food Processor
Cuisinart food processors are used for a lot of cooking tasks like slicing, blending, grating, chopping, mixing, making dough and other tasks. It is quite easy to operate but it is made up of parts that carry out these tasks.
The parts of a food processor are:
The Base
The base of a food processor contains the motor assembly which drives the spindle and other attachments, internal power supply, a cord connecting the motor to an external power source and fuse.
The base also houses the dials and buttons that control the mechanisms. These include the power button, speed, and mode settings
Some food processors have digital control systems only.
Most food processors have rubber slip-proof feet that cling to the table. It prevents food processors from moving and causing damages to the working surfaces.
The Bowl
This is usually a transparent container where the food to be processed is put. The size of the bowl depends on the size of the machine.
It fits onto the base and locks into position. It normally has a handle, a lid and a hole where the spindle passes through the attachments.
The lid has a tube used to feed food into the bowl. The plunger which is used to push food into the bowl is fitted into this feed tube.
The feed tube can be narrow or wide depending on its model.
Attachments
These are metal or plastic accessories that the appliance uses to carry out its various functions.
Metal attachments are more popular because they retain their sharpness for a long time. They are made of stainless steel and a rubber seal ring called the gasket.
These attachments fit over the spindle or shaft inside the bowl. These are the various attachments:
i. The S blade: This is also known as the Sabatier blade. It has two curved blades on the opposite sides of the central plastic spindle that fits into the bowl.
ii. The shredding disc used to tear cheese, fruits, and vegetables into small pieces.
iii. The slicing disc used to make medium or finely sliced fruits, vegetables, and frozen meat.
iv. The chopping disc which is used to mince, beat, chop or mix food.
v. A Julienne disc which has a row of short sharp teeth that slices food into long thin sticks
vi. The citrus press shaped like a dome and is used to remove juice from citrus fruits.
vii. The whipper is used to incorporate air into liquid foods like cream and eggs.
viii. The vegetable juicer is used to puree vegetables, separating its pulp from the juice.
ix. The dough blade is used to make dough for bread and pastries. The blades that look like the Sabatier blades but are straight.
x. The French fry disc that slices food into fatter sticks than that of the Julienne disc.
Features of the Cuisinart Food Processors
This video explains the features of the Cuisinart Custom 14 Food Processor (DFP-14BCN).
Food processors are built to easily and quickly slice, grind, chop, shred and puree foods.
Some of the attachments can be used to whip cream, butter, and eggs, grind meat and even knead the dough.
There are lots of Cuisinart food processors which have different performance levels and capacity. Some of them are:
i. DFP-14BCNY 14-Cup
ii. DFP-11 (Deluxe 11™) 11 Cup:
iii. FP-14 DCN (Elite Collection® 2.0) 14 Cup
iv. DLC-5 Discontinued 7 Cup
v. FP-13DGM Elemental 13 Cup
vi. SFP-13 Stainless Steel 13 Cup
vii. FP-8SV Elemental 8 Cup
viii. DLC-2007 (Prep 7®) 7 Cup
ix. FP-12 (Elite Collection™) 12 Cup
x. DFP-3 (Handy Prep™) 3 Cup
xi. DLC-6 8 Cup
xii. DLC-4CHB (Mini-Prep®) Plus 4 Cup
xiii. DLC-2BK (Mini-Prep®) Plus
xiv. DLC-XP (Plus™) 20 Cup
xv. MP-14 (Limited Edition Metal™) 14 Cup
xvi. BFP-703BC (SmartPower™) Duet 500 Watt
xvii. CTG-00-PCH4 (PrepExpress®) Manual Food Processor
xviii. BFP-650 Velocity Ultra Trio 1 HP Blender/Food Processor with Travel Cups
How to Use A Cuisinart Food Processor
Assemble the Parts of the Food Processor
Fix the bowl to the base. Move the bowl around to make sure it is firmly fixed. Put the attachment required for the task into the bowl and make sure it is fixed properly to the spindle. Do not plug the food processor to a power supply before assembly.
Add the Ingredients
They can be added at once or in batches depending on the recipe of the meal prepared. Close the lid of the bowl after adding the ingredients before turning the food processor on.
Chop large ingredients into smaller pieces before working on them. Hot ingredients should be cooled down before adding to the food processor. Be careful not to pour ingredients beyond the ‘fill’ line on the bowl.
Process the Ingredients/Food
Press and release the OFF/PULSE button to achieve their required texture or consistency. Allow the processed foods to fall to the bottom of the bowl before pressing the OFF/PULSE button again.
Add Extra Ingredients Or Liquids
Any extra food or liquid to be added to the food processor should be done through the whole on the lid and pushed in using the plunger/pusher.
Care And Handling of the Cuisinart Food Processor
i. When the food processor is not being used, do not plug it to a power supply
ii. Store the blades and discs out of reach of children.
iii. All parts apart from the motor base are dishwasher safe. The bowl should be placed upside down in the dishwasher.
iv. To make washing easier, rinse the bowl, discs, plungers, and lid, immediately after use so that food won’t dry on them.
v. Even though the work bowl is heat- and shatter-resistant, it should not be used in a microwave oven.
vi. Wipe food spills from the base as soon as it occurs.
vii. Clean the detachable stem by sliding the release button up and running water through the stem
viii. Do not store the discs or blades on the motor shaft.
Safety Measures
i. Handle blades and discs carefully, they have very sharp cutting edges.
ii. Place the disc on a flat surface before connecting the detachable stem.
iii. Blades or discs should never be placed on the motor shaft until the bowl is locked to the base.
iv. Put discs and blades as far as it could go into the work bowl.
v. Be sure to insert the blades or discs into the bowl before putting the food to be processed.
vi. Never use hands or spatula to push food into the bowl. Use a pusher/plunger instead.
vii. Do not remove the lid or plunger from the bowl while the blades or discs are still spinning.
viii. Remove the bowl from the base before touching the blades to avoid electric shock.
ix. Do not pour out the blade with the processed food. Remove it first before emptying the bowl or hold it in place with a finger or spatula.
x. Always purchase and use accessories of the same brand and specifications
xi. Unplug the appliance from the power outlet when not in use, before removing any part or before cleaning.
xii. Do not use outdoors.
xiii. Do not let the cord dangle over the edge of a table or shelf.
xiv. Do not use if the plug or cord is damaged
xv. Do not use the food processor without servicing it, if it was dropped or damaged.
xvi. Do not try to tamper with the cover interlock mechanism.
xvii. Do not operate this appliance under the influence of alcohol or any substance that may tamper with your response time.
xviii. Contact a qualified and authorized service representative if technical and electrical faults develop.
