Cuisinart DLC-8S 11-Cup Pro Custom 11 Food Processor, White

Comment: I've used Cuisinart processors for probably 30 years, but unfortunately the quality has gone to hell. I purchased one about 2 years ago, and even though I have used this one infrequently, usually just for grating cabbage for slaw or for making mayonnaise and aioli and only occasionally for slicing potatoes, the bowl is already cracked. The company that now makes Cuisinart is the old Ronco manufacturer. Apparently to bolster their corporate bottom line they have taken steps to cheapen the product and diminish its quality. And to add insult to injury, replacing the bowl, lid, chute and pusher--just the Lexan pieces--will cost you about $100, not significantly less than the cost of a whole new food processor. It's a shame, really, because I've read that the processors made by Kitchen Aide slosh liquids like oil and purees out of the bowl. So the bottom line seems to be that in the USA there are no high-quality, well-designed food processors being made. Kind of sucks, really.

Comment: What is it with food processors that no one can design a unit without a serious flaw? The feed slot and interlock mechanism are on the rear of the unit and the bowl handle and controls are on the front. Like the engineer could not decide if he was coming or going. Maybe they bench tested it with two operators? Also, you better place your unit within 12" of the outlet as the cord is ridiculously short. The cusinart bowl still has the same, easily broken, interlocks that my old unit had.

Comment: I bought this product to speed-up the dinner process, particularly salads. It has worked very well. The biggest problem was in learning how to assemble the system; that is, learning which direction each piece turns to snap into place. That was a very minor inconvenience that was eliminated after using the device a few times. (It is explained in the instructions, but who likes to review instructions every time.) As they say, practice makes perfect.

The device is solid and doesn't move around when in use. The noise is at an acceptable level.

I very much like the ease of cleaning the device. After each use I spray and rinse with water and throw the parts in the dishwasher. My part of cleanup takes about fifteen seconds.

I would recommend getting a blade storage device with this product. The blades are VERY sharp. You do not want to be fumbling around in a drawer for them. I chose the Blade and Disk Holder which holds the parts nicely. Cuisinart Blade and Disc Holder I would recommend this product to others.

Comment: I used it twice with no problem, but the next time, the white tab on the cover which pushes down a white piece in the side of the bowl did not depress it enough to start the motor. Since I do not use the processor frequently, I did not make this discovery until a few days ago...several months after the purchase. I will attempt to contact Cuisinart to arrange a replacement.

Comment: This is an older, very basic Cuisinart model. I have owned this model for some years and just purchased the same model as a replacement. I did a lot of research, including checking out the new Cuisinart Elite line. I ultimately concluded that the Pro Custom best met my needs. The greatest feature is the additional, flat top. No other food processor out there seems to have one. If most of your processing is mixing or chopping, you don't need the large feed tube. The flat top takes up minimal room in the dishwasher and is a snap to clean by hand. In contrast, the Elite bowl(s) and lid took up most of the top shelf of my dishwasher, and even then it was a struggle to get them to fit. A number of reviews of that model also note that it is difficult to clean the gasket that seals the top, by hand or in the dishwasher. I returned the Elite and bought the ProCustom -- which, I might add, cost more than $100 less.