Cuisinart CH4BCU Mini Food Processor Review

What’s the Cuisinart CH4BCU Mini Food Processor?

If the considered dragging out a whole meals processor to arrange only a small quantity of meals fills you with dread, the Mini Food Processor is a perfect answer. Dinky sufficient to take a seat out on the worktop, its double-sided blades are suited to a spread of on a regular basis prep, from chopping small portions of nuts, greens, cheese and meats to grinding espresso beans, seeds, spices and chocolate. In addition to fundamental blitzing, making sauces and dips can be a part of its repertoire, with recipes for hummus, pesto and mayonnaise included, in addition to concepts for making cocktails and compote.

Cuisinart Mini Food Processor – Design

The Mini Food Processor may look each inch like a conventional meals processor, but it surely’s not merely a sized-down equipment. As an alternative of a number of attachments, it comes with one set of central blades that serve two capabilities – the sharp aspect spins one technique to chop meals whereas the blunt edge spins in the other way to grind. Its entrance panel buttons are additionally pared again to those twin capabilities, with each the Chop and Grind spinning at a single velocity.

Whereas its processing capabilities is likely to be slim in scope, there are some design options that broaden the Mini’s attraction. Comprising simply three components plus the bottom unit, it’s assembled and cleaned way more rapidly than a big meals processor, whereas a pair of holes within the lid permits liquids to be poured in because the machine runs with out having to cease the blades.

An included mini spatula makes scrapping down the bowl after chopping or grinding easy, whereas its blades keep in place even when the bowl is tipped up, so there’s no have to take them out each time you pour – ideally suited in case you’re processing a number of batches of the identical meals. It’s additionally extremely gentle at 1.2kg and simple to maneuver across the kitchen or retailer in a cabinet.

Cuisinart Mini Food Processor – What’s it like to make use of?

Whereas placing the machine collectively is uncomplicated, it’s not solely intuitive. The bowl and lid lock into the bottom utilizing an anticlockwise rotation, with the deal with sited on the entrance and the lid slotting into the again of the bottom unit. The blades are simpler to suit and push and click on into place in a single movement.

We began by chopping celery. The dimensions of the bowl, whereas a beneficiant dimension at 900ml for a compact equipment, is a bit limiting. Its directions additionally advise that greens are pre-prepared by chopping them into 1.5cm chunks – which feels such as you’re nonetheless having to do some work beforehand. This does, nonetheless, guarantee a extra even end result and one that might be onerous to realize with guide chopping.

The celery was processed very finely in just some pulses of the Chop operate. Subsequent, we tried mushrooms, a softer foodstuff. Right here, the outcomes had been much less constant, with bigger items extra proof against processing and smaller items tending to clump on the backside of the bowl. Attempting it once more with a decreased quantity of meals within the bowl gave a extra constant chop however nonetheless not as profitable as with a more durable vegetable. Having the ability to differ the velocity for onerous and comfortable meals could be a helpful possibility.

Lastly, we tried crushing espresso beans with the Grind operate. This takes a bit longer and is finest achieved with a number of longer pulses. Even so, after a couple of minute, the grind was nonetheless comparatively coarse, which is appropriate for gentle espresso however not in case you prefer it stronger. Confusingly, whereas there’s a recipe included that requires ice cubes, crushing ice within the Mini isn’t really useful because the blades might break. We tried it with skinny shards, nonetheless, and it carried out properly.

Cleansing is simply so simple as utilizing the Mini Food Processor. It takes seconds by hand, so it may be used for consecutive duties, or all of the components that come into contact with meals could be popped within the dishwasher and are available out glowing.

Ought to I purchase the Cuisinart Mini Food Processor?

It’s not a substitute for a bigger, extra highly effective meals processor, however the place the Cuisinart Mini Food Processor excels is ok chopping. Twin capabilities give it an additional edge over related home equipment, which are inclined to solely provide one, whereas the benefit of cleansing means you’ll be capable to use it for quite a lot of meals as you cook dinner, with only a rinse and a wipe in between.

Whereas the grind operate is a helpful possibility and it handles some meals properly, it’s not as quick or thorough as an computerized grinder when processing espresso beans, so be sure you’ll get use out of it as a chopper, too.

Verdict

You’ll by no means have to purchase pre-chopped herbs or mayonnaise once more, because of this useful helper. Handles some duties higher than others, although.