KitchenAid KPFP850OB 16 Cups Food Processor Review

As a family who grows very large gardens, we have had years of practice at food preserving.  Whether it is soups, tomato frozen sauces (uncooked), grape jam, salsas (raw frozen), gosh, you name it- we have probably tried it when it comes to vegetables and fruits.

When our Cuisinart began to crack (you know, that uncrackable lexan that it used to be sold as), I got so frustrated with Cuisinart that we decided to purchase a large capacity Kitchen Aid after months of research.

Here is a brief overview of what the Cuisinart KPFP850 consists of

WHAT IS THE CUISINART KPFP850 PRO LINE FOOD PROCESSOR LIKE?

What sold us on this food processor was its set up. Here is what comes with this package:

• 950 watt metal base (heavy, total unit weighs 32 lbs)
• Wide mouth high capacity polycarbonate bowl and top (16 cup)
• mini prep bowl with mini blades for small jobs (4.5 cups)
• 13 cup chefs bowl for sliced or shredded veggies in large amounts like salad
• 2 piece feeding tube- can use while running by taking out smaller feeding tube piece
• Pulse and regular buttons enclosed for easy cleaning
• 2mm and 4mm slicing discs
• 4mm shredding disc
• accessory case and spatula
• dough blade
• egg whip

WHAT MAKES THE CUISINART KPFP850 FOOD PROCESSOR DIFFERENT?

At the time we purchased the Cuisiart KPFP850  16 cup food processor, it was the first year it was released.  Back then the price was pretty steep- and I see that it has reduced considerably.

It was the first food processor that had multiple bowls designed to multi-task to make dinner preparation even quicker.

For instance, you can take the mini prep bowl and make a salsa or salad dressing you can quickly process that, take out the little bowl and put in the chef bowl with a disc of your choice and either slice or shred various vegetables until you have your salad complete.  Remove that bowl and you can use the regular bowl to either make some bread, or chop something to cook on the stove, or any other task you would need a large bowl for such as salmon patties or a chicken recipe, etc.

Previously you would have had to clean all of the parts over and over three times to do this much processing, and this multi bowl method REALLY speeds things up.

This must be very popular because I have been noticing that the new Cuisinarts have copied this innovative feature in their new processors.

COMMENTS (BROKEN DOWN INTO SECTIONS)

We have had this processor for about three years now I think.  It has been used daily with as many as 8 uses in one day and we have been very fond of this machine and its performance.

PERFORMANCE AND CAPACITY

We have had no problems with capacity with this machine.  The KITCHEN AID KPFP850 FOOD PROCESSOR is quite heavy.  Although this would be a problem if you wanted to carry it around with you, if you plan to do heavy workloads, this machine does not travel when used at high capacities.  You are not recommended to use this filled to the top, I might note, but that still leave plenty of room for my family to eat well and save some for later.

COOKBOOK

What a great cookbook and guide comes with this machine.  There are excellent instructions and many wonderful GOOD recipes included inside.  Sections are well marked so you can quickly skip areas you do not want to see.  The cookbook is covered in plastic to make it easier to use and clean off.  The only thing that would make it better would be spiral binding.  As it is though it is one of the nicest instruction/recipe manuals we have received with an appliance.

BLADES

One thing that I do NOT like, however is the design of the multipurpose blades.  The metal blades are molded into the plastic column instead of having metal continue all of the way through from blade to blade which would make these blades fantastic.  As it is now, if you happen to get something caught in these blades just right- SNAP!  Off come the blades.

For two years this processor is completely warrantied so the blades are replaced for you should this happen.  Once that is over with, however, the cost is $35 a pop (probably not including S&H).

SLICING DISCS

Sometimes food will get caught in the discs when slicing which is frustrating.  The food tube in the lid does not lock into place like the old Cuisinart processors so if you take off the lid and turn it over and BAM- if you have granite floors, well, you COULD be calling KiTCHEN AID for a replacement.

WHISK

The whisk is nice- although I only have used it a few times- whips cream and egg whites beautifully.

DOUGH BLADES

I have not used the dough blade as I prefer to use the Kitchen Aid mixer we have had for two decades for making bread doughs.

RETAIL PRICE

At the time we got our machine for Christmas, it was retailing for over $500.  I see now that it is retailing for about $349 if I am not mistaken on the Kitchen Aid site.  It only comes in black right now and ours is gray.  Same design however.  

WHERE TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE CUISINART KPFP850

You can try the kitchen aid site, but might have some trouble finding this model, so here is the product page.  You might be able to find out where else you can see this machine

http://www.kitchenaid.com/flash.cmd?/#/product/KPFP850OB/