Customer Reviews

Cuisinart DLC-2014N PowerPrep Plus 14-Cup Capacity Food Processor, White

5 star:		(32)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Edit, September 12, 2011: Just have to note that I have replaced the workbowl once but this machine is still going strong, and continues to get daily use. Its blades are as sharp as the day they came out of the box. The plastic over the buttons is worn from use... no big deal. When (or perhaps if) this food processor dies, I'll get the next-gen Cuisinart 14-cup and get multiple bowls in different sizes.

Original review (Jan, 2002):

I bought this machine using a gift certificate from my last place of employment plus a little of my own dinero, and have been absolutely thrilled with it. It has flawlessly and effortlessly kneaded pasta dough, mixed a double batch of heavy gingerbread cookie dough, grated parmesan cheese to a fine powder, rescued slightly lumpy gravy, whisked together cornbread in seconds, and most recently sliced a variety of vegetables for tossed salad for 25 people (which I was requested to bring to a party--I am not a "salad person," so I was tickled when everyone praised my contribution!). I had never used a food processor for slicing, but it did a beautiful job with bell peppers and cucumbers--artfully thin, but not too fine a cut. As promised, it even did a fine job mincing just a couple of garlic cloves and also a handful of parsley, meaning that I could do a dinner's worth of food-processing in just one machine.

The accompanying video can only be watched by people who take food equipment seriously; other family members had to be asked to leave the room during the viewing, as there was much giggling about the over-earnest instructions. Nevertheless, I picked up some fabulous tips about using the Cuisinart, and recommend you sit (alone, or with a true believer) and watch it beginning to end.

The surface of the machine is very easy to clean, and Cuisinart recommends the dishwasher for the bowl and blades. Do be careful with the latter--Cuisinart should really include the disk holder, as it is dangerous to leave these accessories lying around in a kitchen drawer.

This is the third food processor I have owned, and though I mourned the demise of my trusty Panasonic (rated highly by Consumer Reports ten years ago), with this high-end Cuisinart I have "been to Paree" and have no intention of going back to the farm. If you do any industrial-strength cooking, or if you (like me) are sold on using a food processor as a high-powered, self-contained unit for basic mixing duties, this is a wonderful accomplice in your prandial ventures. Bravo Cuisinart!

When shopping for a new food processor, this one looked good, but I hesitated at first because of the price. I went ahead and splurged, and I'm so glad I did. This machine is unbelievable. I use it almost daily. It is easy to use, easy to clean, voluminous, and sturdy. Plus all the pieces stack nicely inside the bowl, so it really does not take up much space. My favorite uses: chop herbs (which I HATE doing by hand), make bean dips, make veggie spreads, slice carrots, shred cabbage, puree soups (careful -- it can splatter and leak through the middle hole, out so don't fill it too much with liquid), and puree tofu-based sauces and pie fillings. If you're looking for a machine that does mostly liquids, (soups/smoothies), opt for a blender. If you only prepare small amounts of food, this machine is not for you. It does not chop small amounts evenly; it is made for large jobs and really comes through beautifully. It also kneads dough, but I use my bread machine for that.

I bought my DLC-2014 when replacement parts for my 15-year-old Bosch became too hard to find. I was encouraged by the Cuisinart reputation and the outstanding reviews it received, and wasn't disappointed when it arrived.
The machine is heavy- no more posting a kid by the counter to make sure it doesn't walk off if I have to step away for a few seconds. It's aerodynamically smooth on the outside, so it's a snap to clean. I don't buy many things that I have to wash by hand and everything but the base can be put into the dishwasher. I use it very frequently, and often find myself making, for example, 3 batches of bread dough in quick succession rather than pull out and assemble my big mixer. (I feel that the processor does tend to heat bread dough up a little, so I might recommend adjusting the temperature of the water in recipes.)
I was devastated the one time I had problems with it - my 7 year old was mixing cookie dough in it and it just stopped and simply would not start again. I suspect she must have put in ingredients in the wrong order. I felt a little better when I looked in the manual and saw that there is a 10-year warranty on the motor, and was overjoyed later when, after I gave it sufficient time to cool off, it worked as if it were new.
My biggest complaint about the processor, and this did not keep me from giving it a "5", is that with normal household use, the cover and pusher assembly have developed some cracks which, so far, have not affected performance. The white plastic piece on the work bowl handle is loose, too, and if it comes off completely it may end up causing me to replace the bowl, as it shields the locking mechanism. A friend has commented that she has been similarly disappointed with her Cuisinart processor. I don't coddle the parts; perhaps they were dropped at some point or had some heavy dishes placed on top of them in the sink, or it could have been stress cracks caused by the heat of the dishwasher (though I always place them on the top rack). Whatever the reason, I never expected the Lexan parts to show this much wear so quickly. After looking unsuccessfully for replacement bowls and covers at various online sites, I finally found that I could order them directly from Cuisinart. The price for a complete bowl and cover assembly shocked me- about a third of what I paid for the whole processor. Will I buy the parts, at what I feel are too steep prices? Of course. I have to. I won't even wait until the ones I have now become unusable, because that might mean going for a week without it, and I am just too dependent on it to take chances.

Update: My Cuisinart is now about 10 years old and I'm going to have to replace it. The plastic membrane button covers have been cracked/worn off for about 7 years; though unsightly, this did not affect the machine's performance, at least until now. I have noticed that over the last six months or so that it would make small switching noises, as if it was turning itself on - very creepy, particularly in that I only notice it late at night, when the house is dead quiet. I now leave it unplugged when not using it. The buttons have stopped working. The machine still works, but not to pulse or at the slower dough speed; my options are limited to plugged in (on) and unplugged (off). In retrospect, it has been a solid, useful appliance. I know there are people who talk about their Cuisinarts lasting for 20 years or more, but, having used it on average every other day for more than 10 years I have to say I got my money's worth out of it.

After looking around a lot, I've decided to replace it with a (drumroll, please) DLC2014! I have a nice collection of optional slicing/grating disks and a bowl, cover and pushers that are almost new. The cost has come down so much that I would be foolish not to. I suspect that replacement parts will be around for a while, as the Limited Edition Metal(tm) 14-Cup Food Processor MP-14N uses many of the same parts. As much as I long for a new toy, I think I'd be just as happy with 10 years with another Power Prep Plus.

Oh My God! I love this machine!! I researched and researched til my fingers were numb and found this little beauty to be top of the line. I have literally used it every single day since then. I have no complaints except that the machine moves a little when pulsing- but that is just because of it's exceptional power, so there really is no complaint there. I have sliced, diced, mixed dough, chopped my way into several recipes and they have been outstanding.
The DLC-2014 comes with a new feeding system, wider mouth, which is fabulous....there is a new dough button which has proven to be exceptional in mixing dough in (literally) SECONDS!!! It is a little tricky to make sure not to overprocess onions and such because it is so powerful, but once you get the hang of it is is simple. I DEFINATELY recommend this processor to everyone. I also recommend the blade/disc holder since storing the blades is literally impossible. They are so sharp and abnormal shaped to store in any drawer, and protection is a consideration. Have fun with this baby!

I received one of these a year ago for Xmas to replace an 18 yr old DLC7 (same as Cuisinart Custom 14). As everyone says, the features of this new model are great - much more convenient. HOWEVER... I now have to return it for warranty service because of NUMEROUS defects.

There are cracks in both feed tubes, the lid, and one is starting on the bowl, all along stress points that didn't exist in the old model. Worse, the plastic coating over the soft touch buttons cracked and developed a large hole, so I've had to cover the buttons with tape to keep junk out of it. Since I have every confidence that these problems will return, be on the watch for a factory-reconditioned version for auction in the near future so I can get myself a Custom 14 :-)

Cuisinart is supposed to be the top of the line. I got a 2014 14 cup processor and liked it until the tiny "plastic" part broke on the work bowl that engages the motor when clicked shut.
To replace, you have to buy a whole new bowl for over $30. One would think a quality conscious company would not use so cheap a part. Look closely at it, because I'm sure it will break again in the future.

I've enjoyed using my 14 cup Cuisinart for at least 3 years now. I still use it on a regular basis even though we are a 2 member household. You may wonder why I chose the large capacity with such a small family... I like the ability to slice large quantities of veggies at once for fajitas. I can slice all the onion, and 3 kinds of peppers I need without having to open and empty the bowl between vegetables.

Also this model comes with the extra wide feed tube. Depending on the size of my onions or peppers, often they'll fit whole inside the wide tube. At most, I may have to cut them in half to get them to fit. What's the point of a mechanized food chopper if I have to cut and re-cut to get it to go down a skinny feed tube? With this model, that's no problem.

Other features I like:
Chopping Blade - to chop onion or tomato

Dough blade - nice for pizza dough (although for bread I use my bread machine, if you don't have a bread machine already, you may really like the dough blade and dough setting on the machine)

The included discs: slicing disc (for making beautiful lime slices - or tomato and onion slices for sandwiches)
shredding disc (shred your own cheese or cabbage for cole slaw)

The two-piece pusher: You can remove the inner piece to add ingredients while the blades are turning - drop garlic down the chute while the chopping blades are alreading moving and watch it mince before adding the rest of your salsa ingredients!

Dishwasher Safe - i've always thrown my bowl, lid, and blades in the washer and they still look great after 3 years. In fact they encourage you to dish wash the blade to avoid cutting yourself on the blades.

Ability to purchase additional discs: all of the earlier 14 cup discs fit this model too - I found some great deals on ebay and could order new discs from other small appliance parts dealers. I got a thinner slicing disc so I could have thinner potato slices. I also got a french fry disc, but I don't seem to use it as much (although if you like to make your own french fries, you might like this disc).

My favorite uses:
Besides slicing veggies and fruits and shredding cheese in quantities to cook with for the entire coming week... I like to use this machine to shred/chop chicken for enchiladas, shred/chop left over roast beef for tamales and burritos, make salsa, make pizza dough, chop nuts with the pulse button for toppings (and I guess you could even add butter and make your own nutty butter spreads), herbed cheese spreads, home-made bean dips (hummus and black bean).

What I wasn't so crazy about:
The price - quite expensive, but I had previously burnt the motor out on a cheaper Sunbeam chopper that was smaller capacity.
The plastic coating on the touchpad buttons - my pulse button has partly worn through after 3 years of use - although it is still usable and barely noticable, it bugs me that an appliance this expensive has this problem.

So, for the performance and motor durability I rate this appliance 4 stars. I count off for the wear on the button in light of the price of the machine. That fact keeps me from whole-heartedly recommending the appliance. However, at the time I purchased my machine I was unaware of any other processor with this capacity, with the wide mouth feed tube, and such an array of slicing/processing discs. Given that it still works like new (except for the minor flaw with the button), I feel it is worthy of 4 stars.

The Cuisinart PowerPrep Plus is a beautiful workhorse! It is large enough to handle large jobs in one batch, rather than having to make things in repeated batches as has been my experience with other machines. I love this processor and am finding more and more uses for it. I use it practically daily. The accompanying video demistifies the machine and also gives some good cooking tips. All pieces fit comfortably in the dishwasher so clean-up is a snap. I have not encountered any negatives as yet!

I have owned and used other food processors. I complained frequently. However, I have problems with my hands and require a food processor in order to prepare the dishes my family enjoys. When my last processor "died", I read all of the reviews on various food processors. I finally selected the DLC-2014 based on the specifications of the motor. After reading a few negative comments, though, I expected I would dislike this food processor, too.
I can say truthfully that the DLC-2014 PowerPrep Plus 14-Cup Food Processor eliminated my food processor frustrations and complaints the first time I used it. My husband and I have one comment when either of us uses the DLC-2014: "Wow!"
I tried to duplicate the negatives I read in reviews. I failed. This particular food processor accomplishes my tasks with ease. I recommend it to anyone who requires a serious food processor.

With the dough mixing capability, you do not need a food mixer. This processor is a heavy duty all purpose device every working kitchen needs. The plastic parts are heavy duty and well designed with operator safety in mind and dish washer safe. I highly recommend buying the parts caddy to protect the sharp blades of the chopper and slicers. The only thing I would like to buy is a larger diameter veggie feeder top so I can slice larger tomatoes and onions.