Useful for a number of chores in the kitchen
While I usually chop on a plastic cutting board with a big chef's knife the Cuisinart makes several tasks a lot easier. Chopping cooked or raw meat is one. If you are making hash from leftover corned beef a short burst in this food processor is the easiest way to go. For mixing certain pastry doughs (pie or pate brisee) this is also a very good item to have although you have to be careful to go slowly and not overprocess. The one thing the Cuisinart does is heat up the dough if you whirl it around too much so you have to be careful. And if you put too heavy a bread dough in using the plastic bread blade you can heat the shaft up enough to jam the blade onto the central post and that's a big nuisance. However with these cautions the Cuisinart is hands-down my favorite food processor and for shredding slicing thinly or chopping pretty much the best kitchen appliance for the job.
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Chops extremely well but ...
As a chopper to use on a daily basis this is unbeatable. The blades are much more substantial than on other products of this size. However you have to be very careful with the plastic bowl. The center section that holds the blade has begun to break. Currently half of the circular holder (in the middle) is gone. Although it will still hold the blade if it breaks any more it probably won't. I'm going to have to find a replacement for the plastic bowl. October 18 2005 update: Guess what? I contacted Black & Decker online and they have a company that they refer you to that handles their replacement parts. In this case they are sending me a complimentary new 3 cup plastic bowl. I wish I could change my rating upward; this is real customer service. July 5 2007 update: Since I received the replacement bowl I have used this appliance constantly that is three to five times a week. I have had no problems with the center section of the replacement bowl. February 8 2008 update: Note that when Amazon runs this item for $12.99 it is really a screaming deal.
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