For home cooks seeking efficiency and convenience in the kitchen, a food processor is an indispensable tool. I’ve spent considerable time exploring various models, and today, I’m diving deep into an honest review of the KitchenAid 5 Cup Cordless Food Processor. This model has been a hot topic in the online cooking community, especially after my previous review of the corded KitchenAid 3.5 cup mini food processor.
As someone who values compact kitchen appliances, I understand the appeal of a smaller food processor. While KitchenAid has offered a corded 5-cup version for years, I hesitated to add another appliance to my already crowded kitchen. However, the introduction of a cordless 5-cup food processor piqued my interest. During the Black Friday sales of 2021, I decided to purchase and test it thoroughly. After just one use, I was impressed. A significant bonus? The 3.5 cup chopper bowl from my older model is compatible with this cordless base – a fantastic feature!
A KitchenAid cordless food processor, a versatile kitchen aid, stands ready on a countertop, showcasing its compact design and cordless convenience.
But the crucial question remains: Is the KitchenAid 5 cup cordless food processor the right kitchen aid for you? Is the increased cost, nearly double that of the 3.5 cup model, justified?
While I appreciate numerous aspects of the 5-cup cordless food processor, there are areas where the 3.5 cup model excels. Let’s delve into a comprehensive comparison.
KitchenAid Cordless 5 Cup Food Processor: An In-Depth Review
This review provides a thorough examination of the KitchenAid Cordless Food Chopper. I will cover the following key points:
Price and Purchasing Options
The manufacturer’s suggested retail price for the KitchenAid 5 Cup Cordless Food Chopper is $99.99. However, it’s frequently available on sale for around $79.99, and during major sales events like Black Friday or Prime Day, prices can drop as low as $69.99.
This KitchenAid food processor can be purchased from most major retailers and online stores specializing in kitchen and home goods:
KitchenAid 5 Cup Cordless Food Chopper
This compact yet powerful 5-cup food processor, a true kitchen aid, features a rechargeable lithium-ion battery, two-speed settings, and interchangeable blades, making chopping and whisking effortless, regardless of your kitchen setup.
It’s also available at Wal-Mart, Food52, QVC, Kohl’s, and HSN. Target also offers an exclusive deep teal green version as part of their Hearth & Hand brand collaboration. deep teal green version
Trustworthy Testing: My Hands-On Experience
As a pastry chef and recipe developer with a practical approach, I am always eager to explore new kitchen appliances. My focus is on tools that enhance kitchen efficiency. However, living in a small apartment with limited kitchen storage, any appliance I consider must be truly essential.
Having both a mini and a full-size food processor already, my evaluation of this KitchenAid food processor centers on its unique attributes compared to other food processors I own. I have alternatives readily available when needed, ensuring my review is unbiased and highlights both the strengths and weaknesses of this model.
My testing of the 5 cup KitchenAid cordless food processor involved preparing:
- Homemade mayonnaise (using both the standard blade and the whisk attachment)
- Pie dough (prepared in two batches due to capacity, which wasn’t ideal)
- Fresh homemade basil pesto (along with my dried basil pantry pesto)
- Chopping various vegetables, including onions
I also conducted a direct comparison with the 3.5 cup food chopper. Furthermore, I frequently utilized the 3.5 cup bowl and blade on the cordless base for recipes like the filling for my rosemary chocolate halva hamantaschen and tuna melt hand pies.
The versatile KitchenAid food processor effortlessly handles tasks like preparing tuna melt filling, showcasing its adaptability as a kitchen aid.
The compatibility of the smaller 3.5 cup food chopper bowl with the cordless food chopper base is a significant advantage.
Ideal User Profile: Who Will Benefit Most?
The 5-cup cordless food processor is an excellent kitchen aid for:
- Individuals who frequently prepare recipes that exceed the capacity of a mini food processor but are too small for a full-size model.
- Those with limited kitchen space who need a powerful yet compact food processor. The 5-cup bowl is sufficiently sized for numerous basic chopping and processing tasks.
- Cooks with kitchens that have inconvenient outlet placements, or anyone who values the freedom of cordless operation.
- Individuals who find heavy appliances difficult to lift and prefer not to keep large food processors on the countertop. Weighing just 3 pounds, this 5-cup cordless food processor is exceptionally portable and easy to handle.
- Single individuals or small households (one to two people) who regularly cook small-batch meals and recipes.
KitchenAid Cordless 5 Cup Food Processor: Detailed Specifications
What’s Included:
- 5-Cup Food Chopper Bowl with a convenient Pour Spout
- Locking Food Chopper Lid featuring a “Drizzle Basin”
- Cordless Food Processor base with 2 speed settings
- Two-piece stainless steel blade
- Plastic whisk attachment
- Charging cord
Battery Performance:
- Battery Type: Rechargeable lithium-ion
- Full Charge Runtime: KitchenAid claims up to 2 hours of continuous use on a full charge. In practical use, where operation is typically in short bursts, the battery life feels exceptionally long. However, for continuous operation tasks like making mayonnaise, the battery life is noticeably shorter and requires more frequent charging than expected.
- Charging Time: A full charge takes approximately 2 hours. A quick 10-minute charge provides enough power for about 5-10 minutes of active use, sufficient for most chopping tasks.
- Operation During Charging: The KitchenAid 5 Cup Cordless Food Chopper cannot be used while it is charging.
Advantages and Disadvantages
Pros of the 5-Cup Cordless Food Processor:
- Exceptional Battery Life: With up to two hours of active use per charge, you can often use it for months before needing to recharge. I personally used mine for two months before the low charge indicator illuminated and three months before a recharge was necessary.
- Ultimate Portability: The cordless design offers unparalleled freedom, allowing you to use it anywhere in your kitchen without needing to be near a power outlet. This is, in my opinion, its most compelling feature. You can even move around with it while it’s running, keeping one hand free thanks to…
- Effortless One-Handed Operation: Simply press the tab on the handle’s top to activate the food processor. Minimal pressure is required.
- Compact Footprint: The base, measuring just 5.25 inches in diameter, combined with a tall, narrow bowl, ensures this 5-cup food processor occupies minimal counter and cupboard space.
- Easy-to-Clean Two-Part Blade: The blade assembly consists of a central column and a detachable ring with curved chopping blades. This two-piece design simplifies cleaning, especially around the blade base.
- Dishwasher Safe Components: All parts except the food chopper base are dishwasher safe, enhancing convenience.
- Interchangeability with 3.5 Cup Components: If you own the 3.5 cup mini food processor or the corded 5 cup food processor, their bowls, blades, and lids are compatible with the cordless food processor base. This is a standout benefit! The interchangeability designed by KitchenAid is highly practical.
- One-Handed Lid Locking: The lid easily aligns and locks into place with just one hand, beneficial for users with arthritis or dexterity issues. While removing the bowl from the base often requires two hands, the one-handed lid operation is a thoughtful design feature.
The KitchenAid food processor’s lid, a key component of this kitchen aid, is shown in a close-up, highlighting its user-friendly locking mechanism.
Cons of the 5 Cup Cordless Food Processor:
- Non-Locking Blade: When tilting the food processor to pour contents, the center column and blade tend to slide forward, as they do not lock securely into the bowl.
- Limited Capacity for Stiff Doughs: This 5-cup food processor is not ideally suited for making pie dough, pasta dough, or pizza dough. The bowl’s tall and narrow design, combined with its limited capacity, makes it less effective for handling tough doughs. While small batches might be possible, more efficient methods exist for dough preparation.
- Charger Management: Due to the infrequent charging needs, it’s important to store the charging cord in a memorable location, especially in kitchens prone to clutter. Misplacing the charger can be a minor inconvenience, though replacements are available from KitchenAid. replacement from KitchenAid.
- No Operation During Charging: The charging port’s placement, accessible only when the power switch is in the “off” position, prevents using the food processor while it charges. Although charging is rapid, the inability to use it while charging can be frustrating.
- Manual Operation Required: The food processor requires continuous handle pressure to operate; there is no “stay on” setting. This is consistent with both the 3.5 cup and 5 cup corded models.
- Slight Start-Up Delay: A minor 1-2 second delay occurs between pressing the handle and the motor starting. This is a very minor drawback and barely noticeable in regular use.
The securely locked lid of the KitchenAid food processor, a reliable kitchen aid, ensures safe and efficient operation.
The Whisk Attachment: Does It Enhance Performance?
I tested the whisk attachment’s effectiveness by preparing homemade mayonnaise (using 1 egg, 1 tablespoon of vinegar, 1 tablespoon of mustard, and 1 cup of olive oil) in both the 3.5 cup corded and 5 cup cordless food choppers.
In the 5-cup cordless model, I made two batches of mayonnaise: one with the standard blade and another with the new whisk attachment, specifically designed for emulsifications like mayonnaise. I approached this test with skepticism but curiosity.
Making mayonnaise by hand requires a very slow, drop-by-drop addition of olive oil while whisking vigorously to prevent separation. This provided an ideal scenario to compare the two bowl sizes and the whisk attachment side-by-side.
Test Results:
| Model | Attachment | Duration | Observations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Cup Corded | Blade | 9:21 mins | Overheating of the base and mayonnaise obstructing the lid’s drip hole prolonged the process. |
| 5 Cup Cordless | Blade | 5:37 mins | The base warmed slightly but did not overheat. Mayonnaise splatter made observation difficult, but ample space allowed for continuous oil addition. |
| 5 Cup Cordless | Whisk | 3:09 mins | The whisk effectively contained the mixture at the bowl’s base, providing a clear view. Mayonnaise emulsified quickly without overheating. The low battery indicator briefly illuminated in the final minute. |
Both models and attachments successfully produced excellent homemade mayonnaise using the blade. However, the whisk attachment in the 5 cup food chopper impressed me significantly. It streamlined the process, making it cleaner, faster, and easier.
The images below illustrate mayonnaise preparation using the food processor whisk attachment. Notice how the mixture remains contained at the bottom of the bowl, offering a clear view of the oil drizzling into the bowl.
These images demonstrate the efficiency of the whisk attachment in the KitchenAid food processor, a valuable kitchen aid, keeping ingredients neatly contained during mayonnaise making.
The low battery indicator activated briefly towards the end of the process, but the mayonnaise was perfectly emulsified in approximately 3 minutes.
Cordless 5 Cup Chopper vs. Corded 3.5 Cup Chopper: Key Differences
The primary distinctions between these two models are:
- Bowl and Overall Size: The 5 cup model is larger than the 3.5 cup version.
- Power Source: The 5 cup cordless requires charging, while the 3.5 cup corded operates via a power cord that neatly stores in its base. The 5 cup cordless uses a detachable charging cord that requires separate storage.
- Price: The 3.5 cup food chopper has a retail price of $54.99 compared to the cordless 5 cup model at $99.99, although both are frequently discounted.
- Color Options: The 3.5 cup chopper is available in 10 colors, whereas the 5 cup cordless offers 7 color choices.
- Attachments: The 3.5 cup chopper includes only a blade attachment, while the 5 cup cordless comes with both blade and whisk attachments.
- Speed Settings: The 3.5 cup chopper features “chop” and “puree” speed settings, while the 5 cup cordless uses numbered speed settings.
- Handle Design: A minor visual difference is the handle. The corded model has a black handle that connects back to the base, whereas the cordless model has a clear handle with an open bottom.
Functionally, both share a compact footprint and streamlined design.
A visual comparison of the 5 cup and 3.5 cup bowls of the KitchenAid food processor, highlighting the size difference in these essential kitchen aids.
The bowls are interchangeable between the corded and cordless food processor bases.
Cordless 5 Cup Chopper vs. Corded 5 Cup Chopper: Key Differences
Note: I do not personally own the 5 cup corded chopper, so my comparison is based on specifications and my experience with the 3.5 cup corded model.
The primary four differences between these models are:
- Power Source: Cordless vs. corded operation.
- Price: The cordless model retails for $99.99, while the corded 5-cup food chopper is priced at $64.99 on the KitchenAid website.
- Color Availability: The cordless 5-cup food chopper is available in 7 colors, including Empire Red, Black Matte, and White. The corded model offers 6 colors, such as Empire Red, Black Matte, and White.
- Handle Design: Similar to the 3.5 cup corded model, the 5 cup corded version has a black handle connected to the base, unlike the cordless model’s clear, open-bottom handle.
In terms of size, height, weight, and shape, they are largely comparable. If cordless operation is not a priority, or if budget is a primary concern, the corded model might be a suitable alternative.
Final Verdict: Is the KitchenAid Cordless Food Chopper Your Ideal Kitchen Aid?
For those seeking a small food processor that eliminates cord clutter, the 5 cup cordless food processor is an excellent choice. If you already own the 3.5 cup model, upgrading to the 5 cup cordless is still recommendable, primarily due to the bowl interchangeability.
If you are choosing your first small food processor and are deciding between the 3.5 cup corded and the 5 cup cordless models, I recommend the KitchenAid 5 cup cordless food processor.
The 5 cup bowl can handle any task suitable for the 3.5 cup model, but the reverse is not true. The additional two cups of capacity provide significant versatility. Moreover, the whisk attachment is a valuable addition not included with the smaller model.
However, if managing charging cords is a concern, budget is tight, emulsification tasks are infrequent, or a locking center column is preferred, the smaller corded food chopper remains a strong option. Both are excellent small kitchen appliances.
Ultimately, if I could only choose one, I would opt for the cordless 5 cup food chopper as my primary kitchen aid in this category.
Side-by-Side Comparison Table
| Model | 5 Cup Cordless | 5 Cup Corded | 3.5 Cup Corded |
|---|---|---|---|
| Retail Price | $99.99 | $64.99 | $54.99 |
| Colors | 7 | 6 | 10* |
| Attachments | Blade, Whisk | Blade, Whisk | Blade |
| Shop KitchenAid | Shop here! | Shop here! | Shop here! |
| Shop Amazon** | Check price! | Check price! | Check price! |
| Shop Wayfair** | Shop here! | Shop here! | Shop here! |
* Color availability varies by retailer** Price varies by color
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