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CNN
5 days ago
- General
- CNN
The best food processors for fast and easy kitchen prep, tested and reviewed
The best food processors we tested Best food processor: Cuisinart Custom 14-Cup Food Processor DFP-14BCNY Best budget food processor: Hamilton Beach 10-Cup Food Processor If a recipe is your road map to the destination of a delicious meal, consider the best food processors shortcuts to getting there. Using one can seem like cheating — a motorized hack for chopping veggies, shredding cheese or pureeing dips — but don't feel guilty, because even the best blenders and kitchen knives can stop short of achieving the results you want sometimes. To invest in a food processor is to do yourself a major favor. From a high level, using a food processor should be as simple as inserting your ingredients and turning it on, but my testing of four popular units showed it's not really that easy. Does one pull off a certain task better than another, or are they all worth a spot on your counter? After running them through a series of identical trials and assessing the pros and cons of each design, two food processors cut through the competition. Cuisinart Custom 14-Cup Food Processor This Cuisinart food processor keeps it simple, but don't confuse basic with bad. It's a kitchen workhorse that can handle a heavy load of shredding, slicing and pureeing over the long haul. Hamilton Beach 10-Cup Food Processor With Bowl Scraper Though it looked and felt cheaper than the other models in our testing pool — because it was — the Hamilton Beach food processor put forth solid results across our slate of recipes. It's a fine choice for those who won't need a food processor often but want one for when they do. I'm a product testing writer who gets his hands on the latest kitchen appliances pretty often, so I've seen some newer bells and whistles that impress me and others that make me wonder who thought this would be a good idea. The Cuisinart Custom 14-Cup Food Processor goes the opposite direction, sticking to a tried-and-true design that hasn't changed in years, because it doesn't need to. While several of the other food processors I tested had different modes and power settings, the Cuisinart features just two buttons total. One turns it on; the other turns it off or initiates a single pulse. That's it. No worrying about what level is best for what task. Just feed your ingredients through the top, then go. Simplicity in use led to results of sublime quality. I ran four tests for this round of evaluations: chopping vegetables such as celery, shredding cheese, pureeing a fresh salsa and making peanut butter. The Cuisinart won every task except for the peanut butter, where it was runner-up to only my budget pick. I made restaurant-style salsa with each food processor, and the Cuisinart was best at achieving that smooth consistency you expect from your favorite Mexican joint. The celery it chopped was the most uniform of the group. The cheese was the most finely shredded. Both were done the fastest. Seriously, all you need is a few seconds and this thing will complete whatever you need prep-wise. At my house, it gets heavy use making pizza sauce. When I made peanut butter in the Cuisinart Custom, I was amazed at how rapidly it advanced through the stages of the process. The low blade excelled at preventing buildup. The peanuts clumped into a ball, then melted down into a creamy consistency that was mouthwatering. Powered by a 720-watt motor, which isn't as much juice as advertised on other models' spec sheets, the Cuisinart Custom still packed plenty of punch but didn't get as loud as the competition. Sure, its base is heavy at about 17 pounds, but with power and pace at just the right levels this is the kind of machine you park on your counter and never remove because it makes your life that much easier. A 14-cup capacity made the Cuisinart the largest bowl I tested too. That extra size came in handy with larger, messier jobs like salsa. While more compact options could be beneficial to users who plan to lean on their food processor for the convenience of casual and infrequent chopping, at least every part here — the bowl, pusher, blade and two discs — is dishwasher-safe, so you won't have to grind through a heavy-duty hand-wash. I especially liked the included spatula for scraping the sides of the bowl because it was easier to clean and operate than the built-in paddles. There's no storage for the blades you aren't currently using, but options exist on Amazon for less than $30. Though spending more than $300 at full price is no measly investment, Cuisinart backs your purchase with a full five-year warranty on the motor and a limited three-year warranty on the rest of the machine (the warranties on the rest of the food processors I tested ended at one year). And with performance and reliability far and away the best among the units I tested, you'll get your money's worth far longer than that. If yet another $300 appliance isn't what your kitchen needs right now, the Hamilton Beach 10-Cup Food Processor came through with shockingly adequate results across all my tests despite having a cheaper build than the rest of the food processors in the group. It's what I'd buy if I knew my food processor was going to be used sparingly, only being called on for the occasional recipe. The Hamilton Beach made the best peanut butter of the group: smooth, creamy and luxurious. Its flavorful salsa was also beloved by our testing panel, so much so that we ran out of chips with which to eat it. It could have done better shredding cheese, leaving behind a few small chunks above the disc that the feed tube never pushed through, but the results on that test were still better than buying pre-shredded cheese. At 10 cups, the bowl on the Hamilton Beach is smaller than my top pick, but not by much. If anything, that trade-off in capacity is a plus for portability. This unit lends itself more to moving from the counter to the closet and back again. While the Cuisinart felt like a countertop titan, the Hamilton Beach lacks the same might. It's light and borderline flimsy, powered by a 450-watt motor with a plastic dial for switching between two levels. You can look at that as a downside, or you can admit that it makes sense, considering you're getting a fine food processor for just $70. It comes with one blade and one disc, the latter of which is reversible for shredding or slicing. A three-pronged scraper fits over the center column and turns via a simple knob to remove buildup on the sides of the bowl. A food processor is meant to save time and simplify jobs in the kitchen, and the Hamilton Beach does that at a price that can't be beat. It's not a workhorse, but I doubt it'll let you down for those occasions when you do plug it in. To see how each food processor stacked up, I put them through identical tests and assessments, evaluating them according to the following criteria along the way. Performance Salsa: Using identical proportions, I made this Food Network restaurant-style salsa recipe in each food processor, then had a panel of CNN Underscored editors taste test each. We noted flavor and consistency. Chopping veggies: I sent several vegetables, including carrots and celery, through the feed tubes of each processor to see how effectively they chopped them down. Shredding cheese: A proper food processor can save time and effort when shredding cheese, so I put a hunk of cheddar into each unit to compare results. The best food processor produced uniform shreds and didn't leave behind any chunks. Peanut butter: Making peanut butter from scratch is actually quite easy, but using the same ingredients in each processor yielded varying results. I assessed the smoothness of each model's PB. Design and specs Bowl capacity: Being able to fit several ingredients in your food processor's bowl is essential if you want convenience to remain a signature reason you deploy this appliance. I noted any instances during testing in which the bowl of a particular unit seemed too small (salsa overflowing, for example) or too large (bothersome to hold and remove food). Attachments and blades: I compared the included attachments and blades for how effective they were in processing different foods and for how comprehensive they were as an arsenal as a whole. Did it feel as if an extra attachment were missing? Were there so many pieces that deciding on which to use felt like overkill? Feed tube: Every food processor had a chute atop the unit for safely inserting food to be processed. I assessed the design and use of each mechanism, identifying any frustrating snags or safety features that made the feed tube stand out. Power: A strong and reliable motor within a food processor is what makes this kitchen upgrade worth it, so I evaluated the force behind each motor, which was usually measured in watts. It was apparent which machines packed more punch than the competition. Noise: Being too loud is absolutely grounds for disliking an appliance, as the annoyance can limit where and when you can use it, so I kept the noise level in mind as I tracked performance. Overall build: How heavy is the food processor? Does its heft make it hard to move around your counters and cabinets? Does it seem durable? Getting hands-on with all of these products gave me a feel for how they'd hold up over the long haul. Care and maintenance Cleaning: Food processors can get cruddy and crumby, so I appreciated when parts were easily removable and dishwasher-safe. Storage and organization: Did all of the parts fit into the bowl when not in use? Was there a storage option available to purchase or included in the box? A food processor's blades are sharp, so it's important to be able to safely manage them. Value Features: Food processors are fairly simple machines, and because of that, most of my evaluations hinged on their design and performance in the recipes I tested. But any special features that made a tangible difference were weighed as well. Price: How often you use your food processor determines what price point is worthwhile for you. That said, I looked at the range of prices in my testing pool and the performance of each model to ensure any recommendations merited their cost. Warranty: The extent and duration of each food processor's warranty were considered in total value. Use cases will guide your choice If you're reading this, you're probably seriously considering buying a food processor. Why? Your answer will be the biggest contributor to which model will work best for you. For example, are you buying one because you're sick of having to delicately chop every vegetable you need in a recipe? If that's the case, I'm not sure splurging on a top pick is a must for you. But if you're planning on making big batches of soups and dips that could splash around in smaller machines, you're going to want to get something big and powerful like my top pick from Cuisinart. If you're not sure of your answer, that's OK too. Versatility, then, is something you'll need to prioritize. Luckily, all of the food processors I tested can handle more than one job. I'd take a look at each model's section in this guide to see where they shine that aligns most closely with your kitchen needs. How key is capacity? The size of your food processor will open up more possibilities. With the 14-cup Cuisinart in my kitchen, I know I'm prepared the next time I want to make salsa or hummus for a party. But the machine is so big that it can't stay out permanently because my counter space comes at a serious premium. Conversely, if you live alone or rarely prepare food for more than a few people, you can get away with a smaller food processor, so long as it still has the power to do the job. Ninja Professional XL 12-Cup Food Processor Though I preferred the simpler controls on the winning models, this Ninja food processor lets you dial in on exact settings if you want. The included storage container (if it's in stock) is clutch for organization and safety. If you don't want to spend the money for the Cuisinart but feel you need more than what my budget pick from Hamilton Beach offers, the Ninja Professional XL 12-Cup Food Processor can handle most jobs. It didn't lead to the same results as I got with my top pick, but it was a capable machine for a fair price. Notably, its interface and controls are far more robust than the Cuisinart's basic on/off function. Powered by a 1,200-watt motor, the Ninja handled my salsa test with ease, though its batch wasn't a favorite among our taste tests. Feeding celery and cheese through its feed tube was also a smooth experience, as it has three nesting sizes suitable for different foods. Its peanut butter was not bad but also not nearly as smooth as what the Hamilton Beach extracted. I used the high setting for that task and didn't love that it automatically shut off after a minute. I had to reengage it three times to reach my desired consistency. The complications during my PB test were likely the result of Ninja's Auto-iQ programming, designed to turn off once the food is done. Using one of four settings — chop, dough, puree, disc — on high or low is supposed to 'remove guesswork with the touch of a button,' according to the brand. For me, it took several touches of that button. Your experience may vary, and this approach could be desirable for anyone intimidated by the far simpler controls on the winning Cuisinart. The Ninja I tested also came with a smaller 4.5-inch nesting bowl for smaller jobs, plus a lidded storage box for any blades you weren't using. It was a great addition, though it added to an already large footprint and was subject to availability. As of this writing, it was out of stock at Ninja and marked up significantly at Amazon. NutriBullet Ultra Plus+ Compact Kitchen System Shoppers short on counter space might appreciate the 3-in-1 aspect of this food processor that moonlights as a personal blender and a grinder … or is it the other way around? It's not a good sign that I can't tell which is the primary function of the trio. I knew the limitations of the NutriBullet Ultra Plus+ Compact Kitchen System when I considered it for this test, but I included it anyway because I thought the extra features would give it a boost in my rankings. In a way that happened, because its small size and versatility proved to be unique among the group. While it is a mini 2-cup food processor, the box includes the blades and bowls to also be a fully functioning personal blender and coffee/spice grinder. The food processing of the Ultra Plus+ delivered mixed results. Our testing panel actually loved the salsa it produced, though I couldn't fit the entire recipe in the bowl, and the portion that did fit overflowed while the machine was on. It fared OK in chopping celery, leading to mostly uniform sizing, but left a large hunk of cheese unshredded above the disc. It couldn't make peanut butter at all, automatically stalling out with clumps of peanut stuck below the reach of the blade. Most frustrating was the disassembly required for cleaning. The bowl and its handle are two parts that are supposed to come apart (and they must, since food and liquid fit between them), yet it took minutes of struggling to split them up almost every time. These issues were understandable because I expected to sacrifice some top-notch performance to gain the ability to grind coffee or make a smoothie. But as someone who uses a burr grinder every morning at home, this bladed grinder simply didn't cut it. It made a guessing game out of grind size; when I wanted a coarse grind, the results were inconsistent and included a lot of finely ground coffee. This NutriBullet, to borrow an overused term, is a jack-of-all-trades but master of none. It may only have utility for you if you don't need a specific grind size for your coffee or want all three appliances but lack the space to accommodate separate machines. The following questions were answered by the writer of this guide, CNN Underscored associate testing writer Joe Bloss. How is a food processor different from a blender? How is a food processor different from a blender? A food processor grants you far more control over what you put into it, allowing for precise chopping, slicing and shredding of things that would otherwise be turned to goop in a blender. This is because the blades in a blender typically move with more power than a food processor. Though the two can be used interchangeably for some tasks, anything with liquids is often better suited for a blender than a food processor. How do I use a food processor? How do I use a food processor? There are two main methods of using a food processor. One is adding all your ingredients to the bowl and combining them, just as I did with salsa and peanut butter during my testing, or you can use it as a tool to chop, slice and shred ingredients piece by piece through the top feed tube. Before that, make sure the blade is inserted and the lid is properly attached, then turn it on. Engaging the motor can typically be done in pulses or in a steady setting. What size food processor do I need? What size food processor do I need? It all depends on your expected uses. The 14-cup capacity of the bowl on my top pick from Cuisinart was plenty big enough for most, including those prepping meals for a group, while the 2-cup bowl on the NutriBullet was far too small. The 10-cup capacity of my budget pick from Hamilton Beach felt like the appropriate middle ground. CNN Underscored editors thoroughly test nearly all the products we cover and provide full transparency about how we test them. We have an experienced team of writers and editors with several years of testing experience who ensure each article is carefully edited and products are properly vetted. We talk to top experts when it makes sense to ensure we are testing each product accurately and speaking about the pros and cons of each item. For this guide, associate testing writer Joe Bloss assembled a group of food processors from leading kitchen appliance brands to see which are truly worth your money. Bloss has years of experience testing products for CNN Underscored, including kitchen mainstays such as slot toasters and French press coffee makers.
CTV News
11-07-2025
- Business
- CTV News
Amazon Prime Day Deal: You Can Get This Genius Egg Cooker For Almost 40% Off Right Now
The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us. If you're a breakfast person, eggs are probably a staple part of your morning meal. But when you're tired, groggy, and have a million other things to tackle, cooking yourself an omelet or whipping up a poached egg isn't always in the cards. This countertop egg cooker from Hamilton Beach will solve your problems and save you from relying on crumbling protein bars or soggy cereal. And great news! You can get it for 38% off during Amazon Canada's Prime Day event. Now, let's get into the details. This countertop kitchen appliance can cook up to seven soft, medium, or hard-cooked eggs at a time. Making breakfast for the entire family has never been so simple. If you're only cooking for yourself or a partner, you can switch out the trays and opt for a single omelet or 1-2 poached eggs. One-touch operation makes the process easy. Set it and shower, apply makeup, get dressed, or get your kids ready for the day while it works its magic. The beep will tell you when your breakfast is ready. It's faster and easier than boiling eggs on a stovetop, so you'll save time, too. But it's not just a breakfast essential. You can also use it to steam up to two servings of vegetables, making it excellent for prepping dinners and lunches, too. It comes with trays for cooking hard-boiled and poached eggs, an omelet/steaming bowl and a water measuring cup, so you won't have to order extra accessories. When is Amazon Prime Day 2025 in Canada? Amazon Prime Day is now underway, and runs through July 11th, so it's actually not just a day—it's a full four days of savings. The event is exclusively for Prime members, but even those without memberships will also be able to snag some awesome deals. How to take advantage of Amazon Prime Day 2025 in Canada? First things first, you'll want to sign up for an Amazon Prime account. Most deals are exclusive to Prime members, and you definitely won't want to miss out. You'll have the added benefit of seeing your orders arrive on your doorstep lickety-split (you can get free 1-day delivery on many items in most cities, with no minimum purchase required). It costs $99 a year (plus tax), but students can get it for only $49 (plus tax). If you've never tried it out, you can sign up for a 30-day trial period (seriously, now's the time). The benefits of your Amazon Prime account aren't limited to Prime Day, though. With your membership, you'll have access to other Amazon services, like Amazon Music and Prime Video, where you can watch Amazon Original series and more. It'll also give you access to Prime Reading, where you can read a regularly updated selection of books for free. Disclaimer: The prices displayed are accurate at the time of publication. We'll do our best to keep them as up-to-date as possible, but you may see slight changes.
Yahoo
10-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
This 3-in-1 egg cooker is a Prime Day favourite — and it's just $18 on Amazon Canada right now
Day two of Amazon Prime Day 2025 is still going strong, and Amazon Canada shoppers can save on a ton of kitchen gadgets, including one deal that's particularly egg-citing. Right now, the Hamilton Beach 3-in-1 Electric Hard Boiled Egg Cooker is marked down to just $18. This nifty device boils, poaches and creates omelettes in just minutes, and shoppers say that food "comes out perfect every time." If eggs are a staple of your diet, having one of these could save you some hassle (we all know cooking eggs can be a finicky process). Just scroll below to find out everything you need to know about this Amazon Prime Day deal. Oh, and one more thing? This deal, like most Prime Day deals, is exclusive to Prime members, meaning you'll need an Amazon Prime membership to take advantage of it. You can here. Shoppers love that you can "set and forget" it and that it's "super easy to clean."This appliance cooks up to seven eggs at once and can make soft, medium or hard-boiled eggs, poached eggs and omelettes. To use the device, just add eggs, water, press the power button and the appliance cooks your egg for the perfect amount of time. When the eggs are ready, the cooker will beep to alert you and the indicator light will turn off. The egg cooker is faster than boiling eggs on the stove top and can also steam fresh vegetables. 🛍️ 3,200+ reviews ⭐ 4.4/5 stars 🏅 Shoppers rave that it's a "wonderful little gadget" that makes boiling eggs "easy and hassle-free." Reviewers share that the appliance is easy to use, saying that it's perfect to "set and forget" and that it's "super easy to clean." They also rave that it's a "practical little gizmo" that even "looks kind of cool" and is great for "anybody tight on counter space." In terms of function, they write that it "simplifies the process" of boiling eggs, that it's "easy and hassle-free" and that the their food "comes out perfect every time." "So convenient," says one person, with others chiming in that it's "a good time saver" and a "wonderful little gadget." Shoppers love that the Hamilton Beach 3-in-1 Electric Hard Boiled Egg Cooker is small, practical and that you can set and forget it. They also rave that it produces perfect eggs every time and that it's easy to use and clean up. Best of all? It's currently 38 per cent off on Amazon Canada, meaning it's just $18 right now.
Tom's Guide
09-07-2025
- Business
- Tom's Guide
Never burn rice again — save 20% on this top-rated Hamilton Beach rice cooker for Prime Day right now
If you love cooking rice or hosting for guests, it can often be tricky to get it right each time. I know too well the perils of trying to perfect fluffy basmati rice, only to have it either soggy or undercooked. And if you don't want to risk a burned pot, why not let a rice cooker do all the hard work for you? There's no better time than Amazon Prime Day to grab a great deal. Right now, this Hamilton Beach Digital Programmable Rice Cooker & Food Steamer is now $39 from $49 on Amazon. With a decent 20% discount that still gives you spare cash in your pocket. What's more, this rice cooker offer is for Prime Day only, so you'd better act fast! This rice cooker doubles up as a food steamer and has an 8-cup capacity. Its versatile steam basket can also be used as a handy colander, making it convenient for rinsing rice or grains before cooking up a storm. Easy to use, it has a handy, LCD display with one-touch settings to create various dishes. From rice and hot cereal to seafood and steamed veggies, this Hamilton Beach cooker is a great, multifunctional appliance. As a Homes editor, I've tested a variety of small appliances over the years, but nothing beats the convenience of this popular, multifunctional cooker. In fact, there are so many reasons why you should buy a rice cooker. Not only are these designed to cook at the precise temperature and will automatically be set to 'keep warm' until you're ready to eat, but you'll never have to worry about undercooked or burnt rice again. What's more, these can make a range of delicious meals at just a touch of a button. And along with one of the best air fryers, these countertop favorites are versatile to use, while cutting cooking time down. So if you want to guarantee fluffy-textured, delicious rice each time, I'd recommend picking up this Hamilton Beach rice cooker deal while it's still hot. For more deals, check out our Amazon Prime Day live blog to save big right now on everything from TVs and laptops to appliances and sneakers.
Yahoo
07-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Prime Day starts tomorrow, but early shoppers can already score this 'egg-cellent' 3-in-1 egg cooker for under $20
Amazon Prime Day 2025 officially kicks off tomorrow (July 8), but Amazon Canada shoppers can already save on a ton of kitchen gadgets, including one deal that's particularly egg-citing. Right now, the Hamilton Beach 3-in-1 Electric Hard Boiled Egg Cooker is marked down to just $19. It promises to make breakfast time much more streamlined. This nifty device boils, poaches and creates omelettes in just minutes, and shoppers say that food "comes out perfect every time." If eggs are a staple of your diet, having one of these could save you some hassle (we all know cooking eggs can be a finicky process). Just scroll below to find out everything you need to know about this limited-time Amazon Prime Day deal. Oh, and one more thing? This deal, like most Prime Day deals, is exclusive to Prime members, meaning you'll need an Amazon Prime membership to take advantage of it. Not yet a member? You can here. Shoppers love that you can "set and forget" it and that it's "super easy to clean."This appliance cooks up to seven eggs at once and can make soft, medium or hard-boiled eggs, poached eggs and omelettes. To use the device, just add eggs, water, press the power button and the appliance cooks your egg for the perfect amount of time. When the eggs are ready, the cooker will beep to alert you and the indicator light will turn off. The egg cooker is faster than boiling eggs on the stove top and can also steam fresh vegetables. 🛍️ 3,200+ reviews ⭐ 4.4/5 stars 🏅 Shoppers rave that it's a "wonderful little gadget" that makes boiling eggs "easy and hassle-free." Reviewers share that the appliance is easy to use, saying that it's perfect to "set and forget" and that it's "super easy to clean." They also rave that it's a "practical little gizmo" that even "looks kind of cool" and is great for "anybody tight on counter space." In terms of function, they write that it "simplifies the process" of boiling eggs, that it's "easy and hassle-free" and that the their food "comes out perfect every time." "So convenient," says one person, with others chiming in that it's "a good time saver" and a "wonderful little gadget." Shoppers love that the Hamilton Beach 3-in-1 Electric Hard Boiled Egg Cooker is small, practical and that you can set and forget it. They also rave that it produces perfect eggs every time and that it's easy to use and clean up. Best of all? It's currently 35 per cent off on Amazon Canada, meaning it's just $19 right now.
