Like the Cuisinart Mini-Prep Plus (our former mini chopper pick), this model runs only while you hold the “on” button down. To operate it, you squeeze a tab on the top of the handle, which we found more comfortable to do than holding down buttons on the base of the Cuisinart Mini-Prep Plus. The Cuisinart actually did relatively well with our tomato chopping test, but it still produced an overall mediocre result. None of these mini choppers were that cuisinart toaster costco good at truly chopping the tomatoes, tending to make a bit of a mush and more puree them, rather than actually chopping them. The Cuisinart does an alright job if the tomato half is placed skin side down, though it won’t cut all the way through. We limited the products in our review to those with three- to four-cup capacities—big enough to handle a full batch of hummus but not so enormous that you’d have to clear out a whole cabinet to store it.
We took note of any special features on the various mini food processors we tested, but overall they had to prove more than just a kitchen one-trick pony. By chopping and puréeing, we witnessed the full range of each model’s capabilities and could determine which would make the best addition to a home cook’s equipment arsenal. To process small batches of ingredients, you may want to consider getting a mini food processor—even if you already have a full-size version. Mini processors are most useful for tasks such as chopping one onion, preparing salad dressing, or making a small batch of pesto. A mini model will process smaller quantities more efficiently than a full-size model, and its diminutive size means a mini model is easier to move around a counter, store, and clean. If you’re a cook who needs to get dinner on the table quickly, a food processor can feel like an additional pair of hands in the kitchen.
Pulse activation gives maximum control for precision processing, whether chopping or grinding. Although there’s some overlap in what they can do, food processors and blenders aren’t interchangeable appliances. A food processor is the best tool for chopping and mincing, because its wide base allows the blades to slice through more at once, so you can coarsely chop ingredients quickly and evenly. Most full-size food processors also come with blades for slicing and grating, which a blender can’t do. This model is a scaled-down version of our winning full-size Cuisinart food processor, both in appearance and in power.
You can usually purchase everything from a juicing attachment to julienne disks separately, but such extras often go unused. Both cookbook authors we spoke with essentially said these add-ons were a waste of money, so we didn’t test any. Take a hands-on approach with a manual mini food processor, which can be used anywhere — no need for charging or plugging in. Lab Director Papantoniou likes this model because it has “an oversized handle that’s easy to pull and use, and it is overall simple to clean.” She notes that it’s great for garlic and other quick jobs. Because you must pull a cord to operate it, it could pose the risk of fatigue for some users and requires some dexterity. The Cuisinart EvolutionX Cordless Mini Chopper ($80) was the only cordless mini chopper we tested, which was intriguing.
This model tied with the Black+Decker HC150B for the back of the pack, both ranking quite inferior to the Ninja Express Chop. Most food processors are electric, however, there are some quality manual models on the market, such as the Zyliss Easy Pull Food Processor. A manual processor is only ideal if you don’t want to deal with cords or batteries or will be using it in a place where there isn’t electricity. For standard everyday usage, an electric model with motors between 200 and 400 watts is your best option.
So, it’s up to you to decide whether you’ll want to trust this product or not. Electric Spice-and-Nut Grinder — There’s nothing like the smell and taste of freshly ground spices. And with the Cuisinart Spice & Nut Grinder, it’s easier than ever to efficiently grind any spice or create original, tantalizing spice blends. The blades are exclusively designed to grind spices and nuts and the simple press-down lid starts the grinding process with one touch, sealing in all the finely ground spices.
The motor on the Elemental was noisy, and the base is very lightweight. Another drawback to the Sous Chef is that it made a slightly looser mayonnaise than the Cuisinart Custom 14 and the mini processors we tested. Also, its mini bowl insert did not chop almonds evenly, so we recommend using its 16-cup bowl for this task. The Sous Chef’s thoughtful design was what really sold us on this machine. Other machines require you to fit the bowl over a shank on the base, but the Sous Chef has a flat attachment, with the shank attached to the inside of the work bowl.
They’re small enough that you don’t have to dedicate any prized counter space to them and can instead pull yours out of the drawer or cabinet whenever you want to make your dinner prep a little easier. We’d even venture a guess that if you try out one of our favorite models below, you might find you’re reaching for this compact appliance multiple times a day. More convenient than ever, the Cuisinart Elemental Collection™ four-cup chopper/grinder effortlessly handles a variety of food preparation tasks such as chopping, grinding and pureeing.