Cuisinart Classic DLC-XPBC 20-Cup Food Processor, Brushed Chrome

The ability of this machine to chop, shred, slice, etc., is amazing. One of the Cuisinart tricks I've used for years to save time is the practice of mixing up a salad dressing, then shred and slice the remainder of the salade, finally inverting the whole thing into a large bowl where the dressing drains over the salad.

Being an appliance freak, I bought all the accessory disks, which on this machine are the size of 45-rpm records, and the whisk attachment. This attachment fit on the center shaft and rotated a small set of twin beaters around counter to the attachment rotation. It worked well for whipping cream, but I broke the gears in two of them doing mashed potatoes and a fairly sticky candy. As these were running about $75 each back then, I never replaced it.

In my opinion, the greatest design weakness is the plastic lid with its engagement mechanism on the back side. I've been through three tops because the Lexan eventually cracks and breaks. No, I don't abuse the lids or use the mechanism as an on/off switch, it just seems to happen. Perhaps in the newer ones they've strengthened this area, hopefully so. The feed chute is a pain to clean but Cuisinart was trying for max flexibility. Nothing, certainly, that I can't live with.

My other regret is that Cuisinart hasn't made the flat lid w/o tube available for this model. I'd buy it in a heartbeat.

My cooking style has changed somewhat over the past ten years. I don't use my 'X' as much as I used to, but am glad to have it waiting for me when I need it!

By the way, I discovered that a generic case made for a sewing serger accommodates my machine like it was made for it! This makes it very easy to transport the machine and not have to worry about breaking something off.


A bust   October 20, 2001
Mark B. Anstendig (San Francisco, CA United States)
21 out of 22 found this review helpful

Mine arrived broken.

After much aggravation with the customer service, which gave wrong info and wanted me to send it in at my own expense, Cuisinart finally told me Ca law made them pick it up for nothing. It took two months and lots of Cuisinart mistakes to get it back to me. And I was also billed for the repair and went through hell getting them to find that it was under warranty.

Then, too, I received this repaired, top of the line product back with a broken plug.

Then a really nasty cusomer service sup., without apologies and a truly hard-nosed ugly manner lays down the law...I have to send it in at my expense and they will take another 3 to 4 weeks to fix it and there is nothing I can do about it (she said that).

Finally an upper level supervisor, whom I insisted on speaking with, realized none of this was my fault and, while still making me send it for yet another repair and refusing to exchange the twice wrecked unit, at least agreed to pay shipping, etc.

I am sorry I ever did business with Cuisinart (Conair), and never will again, if I can help it.

Mark


A life-time purchase   March 27, 2001
12 out of 13 found this review helpful

I purchased this wonderful food processor about fifteen years ago and it continues to be by far my favorite kitchen appliance. I used it more often when my children were at home but even now use it almost every day and always for party preparations. It will quickly mix 5 pounds of bread or cookie dough. It's very sturdy and the only replacement needed was a new cutting blade after about 10 years of use - pretty good! I'm not a professional chef but using this wonderful machine makes me feel like one. Hooray!


EXPENSIVE BUT WORTH IT!   September 25, 2000
M.Williams (Holmes Beach, Fl United States)
28 out of 29 found this review helpful

I'll preface this by saying that I have cooked professionally for almost 15 years. Before ordering this massive processor, I checked out almost everything comparable. I am delighted with my selection. This processor is very powerful. If you have a large family or do a lot of entertaining, this one is for you. The work bowl is massive, and batters don't slop out. The motor can handle multiple batches of cookie dough. You can turn out cake batter in no time, and in big quantities. I went for a big processor as I have a large family. Several years ago I catered my daughter's wedding reception, and how I wish I had this processor at that time. Now it's easy to produce huge amounts of pesto, knead multiple recipes of bread dough, and slice tons of veggies. This product is a TOTAL WINNER!