When it comes to kitchen appliances that genuinely simplify your cooking routine, a high-quality food processor is indispensable. Among the myriad options available, the Cuisinart Custom 14-Cup Food Processor consistently stands out. For years, we’ve rigorously tested various models, and this Cuisinart has remained our top recommendation as the best food processor for most home cooks. It delivers exceptional performance and versatility without overwhelming you with unnecessary bells and whistles.
Why the Cuisinart Custom 14-Cup Remains the Best Food Processor Choice
Since 2013, the Cuisinart Custom 14-Cup has earned its place as our best food processor because it excels at the core functions you need in a food processor. Equipped with a standard blade, a grating disk, and a slicing disk, it impressively handled virtually every chopping, slicing, and shredding task we threw its way. Remarkably, it performed on par with, and often better than, more expensive machines boasting a multitude of extra attachments that often go unused.
One of the standout features of the Cuisinart Custom 14-Cup is its stability. Unlike some other models we evaluated, its base remained firmly planted on the countertop, even when processing large batches of dense dough. Cleaning this model is also straightforward, and the attachments conveniently nest inside the bowl for compact storage, minimizing kitchen clutter.
In our extensive testing, the Custom 14-Cup consistently proved its prowess in chopping, shredding, and emulsifying a wide range of ingredients. It effortlessly processed juicy tomatoes and smoothly shredded soft mozzarella cheese without any clumping or gumming up. Furthermore, we achieved a firmer and more stable mayonnaise in the Custom 14-Cup compared to any other full-size food processor we tested, highlighting its exceptional emulsifying capabilities.
The Cuisinart Custom 14-Cup is built with a robust motor and a substantial base. Weighing approximately 18 pounds when assembled with the bowl, it stays remarkably stable during operation. While its 750-watt motor might seem less powerful compared to some models, like the Breville Sous Chef 16 with its 1,450-watt motor, this difference in wattage didn’t hinder the Cuisinart’s performance in any noticeable way. Our most demanding test, kneading pizza dough, was handled with ease by the Custom 14-Cup. It kneaded the dough effectively without vibrating or moving across the counter, a problem we observed with some other processors.
Despite its powerful motor, the Cuisinart Custom 14-Cup operates at a reasonably low noise level. During operation, it emits a consistent, low rumble measured at 75 decibels, which is only slightly above the volume of normal conversation and significantly quieter than many other top-rated food processors. It’s worth noting that the sound level can vary depending on the ingredients being processed, with harder items like almonds naturally producing more noise when chopped.
The generous 14-cup work bowl is another significant advantage. It provides ample space for tasks like grating large quantities of cheese or shredding vegetables for coleslaw, making it ideal for both everyday meal prep and larger cooking projects.
The simplicity of the Cuisinart Custom 14-Cup is a feature we continue to appreciate. Initially, it might appear less impressive compared to models with multiple bowls, taller bases, and extensive attachment collections. However, after years of consistent use in our test kitchen and in home kitchens, we’ve grown to value its “less-is-more” design philosophy.
We particularly appreciate the straightforward control panel with just one bowl and two operating buttons: pulse and on. This model also includes only the most essential and frequently used attachments: a stainless steel chopping blade and two disks for shredding and slicing, covering the majority of food processing needs.
Although earlier versions of the Custom 14-Cup included a dough blade, which is still available for purchase separately, we’ve found it to be unnecessary. The standard chopping blade has proven to be perfectly capable of handling dough preparation effectively over many years.
Cleaning the work bowl of the Cuisinart Custom 14-Cup is remarkably easy. Throughout our testing process, we meticulously cleaned each bowl after processing every ingredient. This rigorous cleaning routine made us acutely aware of how easily food can become trapped in the more intricate lids of some other models. In contrast, the Custom 14-Cup’s bowl consistently proved to be easier to clean than most of its competitors.
The bowl’s hollow handle is another thoughtful design element, minimizing the trapping of food particles and moisture, a common issue we encountered with the enclosed handle design of the Breville Sous Chef 16 bowl.
For efficient storage, all the blades and disks can be carefully placed inside the work bowl. This space-saving design helps keep your kitchen organized and prevents accidental cuts from loose blades stored in drawers. Conversely, models like the Breville 16-Cup Sous Chef, with their numerous disks and accessories, demand significantly more storage space.
The Cuisinart Custom 14-Cup boasts a relatively compact and aesthetically pleasing design. Standing at just 15 inches tall, it should comfortably fit beneath most standard kitchen cabinets. Its subtly retro, sleek appearance is appealing, and the base is available in a variety of colors to match different kitchen aesthetics.
Cuisinart offers a three-year warranty on this food processor, which is commendable, though not the longest available. However, Cuisinart food processors are generally recognized for their robust durability. Anecdotal evidence suggests that many units last for decades with regular use. Replacement parts are also readily available for purchase on Cuisinart’s website, further extending the lifespan of this appliance.
Long-Term Performance of the Cuisinart Custom 14-Cup Food Processor
Our long-term testing of the Cuisinart Custom 14-Cup, ongoing since 2013, confirms its status as a reliable kitchen workhorse. Year after year, we’ve used it extensively for chopping slaws and nuts, grating cheese, blending dips, and kneading pizza dough, and its performance remains consistently excellent. The bowl remains leak-proof, and the controls are precisely what you need without unnecessary complexity. While the bowl has accumulated minor scratches from storing the sharp blades inside, its overall condition is remarkably like new. Cleaning around the on/off buttons can be slightly tedious, but using a damp sponge or paper towel simplifies this task.
One Wirecutter staff member, initially skeptical of the large 14-cup bowl capacity, has found that it’s been perfectly sized for all their culinary tasks, neither too small nor too large. Another staff member, who admits to being somewhat hard on kitchen appliances, replaced her Cuisinart 14-Cup after an impressive 11 years of regular use. Moreover, Marguerite Preston, a senior editor on the kitchen team, still uses a decades-old Cuisinart Custom 14-Cup inherited from her parents, a testament to its longevity.
Minor Imperfections, Not Deal-breakers
While the Cuisinart Custom 14-Cup is our best food processor pick, it’s not without minor drawbacks.
It may dice delicate ingredients less consistently than some higher-end models. For instance, achieving a fine parsley dice took slightly longer compared to our upgrade pick, and some larger parsley pieces occasionally remained. Also, when shredding soft mozzarella, the Custom 14-Cup tended to grind it slightly, whereas our upgrade pick managed to shred it more cleanly. However, it performs well with harder cheeses, and even with soft mozzarella, the blades didn’t get clogged.
The lid locking mechanism, with the feed tube positioned at the back, is another minor quirk. Some user reviews mention disliking this rear placement, as most models have the feed tube in the front for easier access. However, we actually find that the rear feed tube position offers a clearer view of the ingredients within the bowl during processing.
The slicing disk is not adjustable, unlike the Cuisinart Core Custom 13-Cup and Breville Sous Chef 16 models which offer multiple slicing settings similar to a mandoline. While the included slicing disk produces approximately 5-millimeter slices, suitable for most tasks, additional slicing disks with different thicknesses, such as a 2-millimeter disk for potato chips, are available for purchase separately through the Cuisinart website.
Lastly, the Cuisinart Custom 14-Cup does not include a dedicated storage case for its attachments. If you prefer not to store the attachments inside the bowl and have extra kitchen storage space, a separate storage case can be purchased.
Despite these minor imperfections, the Cuisinart Custom 14-Cup Food Processor remains the best food processor for its exceptional performance, durability, ease of use, and reasonable price, making it an excellent choice for any home kitchen.
