Compact, versatile but not ideal in some ways
Written: Aug 24 '09 (Updated Aug 25 '09)
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Pros: Inexpensive, functional, does shredding and chopping reasonably well.
Cons: Clumsy to set up, not the best shredding, limited function.
The Bottom Line: If you occasionally need a food processor to shred, slice or chop, this is a very cost-effective solution.
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| knitsnbytes's Full Review: Wolfgang Puck BFPR0035CF 4 Cups Food Processor |
Introduction
I tend to use a mortar and pestle, and a mezzalune and board, or knives for most chopping and blending techniques; when pressed for time, I use a mini-blender. But for fast shredding of coleslaw, a quick aioli or mayonnaise, it's great to employ the speed of a food processor.
Not wanting to spend over $40, I found the Wolfgang Puck 4 Cup Food Processor for $29 and now you can find it for under $20 if you shop around. So that's pretty inexpensive for a versatile kitchen appliance. But, how well does it work?
The Features
The food processor comes with:
Instruction and recipe book
A 4 cup work bowl
Spindle
Chopping blade
Ejector/food chute
Slicing disk
Shredding disk
Ejector plate
Product Features:
You can process more than 4 cups (of shredding or slicing) if you employ the ejector plate and open the door on the chute.
The spindle fits the plates on top, the blade on the bottom. The plates store inside a drawer on the bottom.
There are two "speeds" --continuous operation, used for steady shredding, blending, and pulse, for quick chopping or controlled blending. There are two buttons, one with a soft press for the pulse, and an on/off type next to it for the continuous operation.
The unit is dishwasher safe on the top rack only--this pertains to the bowl, lid, stem and disks. I would not put the blade in the top rack as it would fall down. Normally, I clean such things by hand, as groping for the blade in the dishwasher could be a way to get cut fingers. The base is a motor, and cannot be submersed or washed in the dishwasher.
For safety, there are two automatic shutdowns:
Stops operation before overheating can occur; reset button under motor is used after it cools down.
Safety interlock - processor will not turn on until the bowl and lid are properly assembled
The unit comes with a manufacturer's 1-year limited warranty
How to Use
To slice inside the bowl, install the slicer or shredder on top of the spindle. REMOVE the blending blade or else you will end up with chopped items as they will drop under the shredding plate and get chopped by the blade!
To EJECT into a side bowl (for larger amounts of shred or slice), open the chute door on the side of the top, and install the ejector plate (a plastic plate that has a vane that directs the shredded food towards the chute.)
So if you don't want salad all over the counter, remember to close the door or put a bowl on the side. If you have the plate installed and forget to open the chute door, it will pile up on the plate. So you need to have your wits about you as you set this processor up for use.
To puree or blend, put the blade on the bottom and blend as you would in any food processor. Note that this unit is not large enough or strong enough to really do doughs and batters other than a small amount of muffin batter, let's say. If you intend to bake and make doughs and batters, I would suggest a larger, 7 to 10 cup food processor.
How well does it work?
This unit is fine for average jobs. I did not find that the shredding plate made very sharply-cut slices or shreds. They were a tad mushy. This means the plates are not as sharp or as precisely placed on the spindle as one would like.
The puree function works well. It chopped herbs, made an herb butter, and chopped onions and garlic well.
The plates are a bit tricky to place back into the drawer underneath. You have to remember to install the parts correctly (blade out for shredding, door open if ejecting, plate off if shredding into bowl, door closed.) Putting up some notecards inside a cupboard door might be helpful until you get used to the routine.
Summary
For the price, this little unit does shredding, slicing and purees and chopping, and handles most small kitchen tasks of this nature. It will not really do doughs or batters.
It can be a bit clumsy to set up. It is compact, fits inside a cupboard or in a corner, so good for small kitchens. The parts all store in the unit. Would be suitable for RV living, cabins, small apartments.
If you cook a lot with a food processor as a tool, I would recommend a larger unit. If you only occasionally need the special things a food processor can do, this unit is a very affordable way to get the job done.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 29
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knitsnbytes
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Location: Delaware
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As well as digital photography, I enjoy writing.
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