Customer Reviews

Hamilton Beach 70610 500-Watt Food Processor, White

5 star:		(45)
4 star:		(23)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(8)

 

 

I have been through four food processors in the last few years. The Hamilton Beach 70610 is my latest. Not only do I like it the best of any I have used, it is far less expensive than my last one. Prior to the Hamilton Beach 70610 I purchased the very highly rated (by Amazon reviews) Braun K650. I think the Braun is well made. And it is said to be a bargain compared to the Cuisinart and KitchenAid models that cost twice as much. I wanted to love the Braun. However, in my experience the Hamilton Beach 70610 tops the Braun in many critical areas. And the HB costs a small fraction as much as the Braun.

Advantages of the Hamilton Beach 70610:
---------------------------------
1. Easier to clean than any other food processor I have seen.

2. Does a much better job chopping the vegetables I frequently use to the size I want them to be. I prepare a lot of leafy greens. Many food processors never get them right. One is left with either large unchopped pieces or, in another instant, a complete mush. This unit gives me a nice uniformly processed result that I can control. I do not tend to end up with a mush. BTW, the Braun was one of the worst food processors for leafy greens.

3. Processes small quantities well. Many food processors have a tendency to splatter the veggies to the sides of the container where they are not chopped. All food processors will do this to some degree. But the Hamilton Beach 70610 is the best of any food processor I have used at minimizing this issue. I was absolutely amazed at how well it chopped up a small bit of ginger, a single clove of garlic and a slice of onion. On this task it not only out-performed every other food processor I have used, it topped my more expensive Wolfgang Puck Variable-Speed Immersion Blender.

4. The slicer disk seems to have an almost magical ability to not suffer from the usual problem of food getting stuck on the top. My unit is still very new and the disk is very sharp, so we'll have to see if this great functioning continues. But even the highly rated Braun with a brand new slicer disk doesn't match the Hamilton Beach 70610 in this area. Today I dropped potatoes down the feed tube while the food processor was running. Even without using the pusher, the potatoes were completely sliced and nothing (absolutely nothing) was left on top of the slicer. I have never seen another food processor do this so well.

5. It has a clean, nicely styled look.

6. The 10-cup-capacity work bowl is effectively larger than competitors's 10-cup bowls because the center tube is taller.

7. It is not burdened by ridiculous, problematic breakage-prone safety devices on the lid. I thoroughly enjoy the simplicity of the lid. It twists easily into position and it provides the needed safety switch -- without the hassle of most other modern food processors. Both the bowl and the lid must be locked in position before the motor will operate. But getting them into position is so easy and simple that other food processor designers should be embarrassed to produce the cumbersome designs they ship out. Even the high end KitchenAid and Cuisinart models could learn a lesson from the Hamilton Beach 70610. This unit proves that it is indeed possible to design a safe food processor that is also simple to use and is free from the fiddly little parts that tend to break off.

8. Good built quality. I would not expect it to be on a par with the Cuisinart and KitchenAid models (and I can't speak from experience), but it is a very close runner up to the Braun I owned. Some people feel the Braun is of superior quality to the Cuisinart and KitchenAid models, so maybe this model holds a higher position than I realize. Certainly it is far, far better quality than similarly priced competitors. And I am totally pleased with its build quality so far. It feels solid. It sounds solid. It looks nice. It doesn't give off funny odors or make strange sounds. It doesn't shake or rattle. The pieces all fit together nicely. It looks like it will last (time will tell).

9. The parts do not stain from processing colorful foods such as carrots quite as easily as other food processors. My other food processors, including the Braun, quickly stained. The plastic around the chopping blades and disks on the Braun stained after one use. This one isn't stain-proof, but it is better than average.

10. It is fast! It processes veggies in no time.

11. Fantastic price for what it delivers.

Disadvantages:
--------------
1. Only one slicer disk. It doubles as both a slicer and (by reversing it) a shredder. I would prefer a few more choices. I would not mind paying for the accessories because I saved a bunch of money with this purchase. I read that an optional crinkle cut/fine shredding disk is available separately. Unfortunately, I am not yet able to location any optional accessories for sale. I would like a course shredding blade. Maybe I will find some accessories if I keep looking. However, the high end models such as the Braun, KitchenAid or Cuisinart have a plethora of accessories. I'm sure this unit won't match the high end models in that regard, so if accessories are important to you, consider other options.

2. The feed tube is a bit narrower than competitors. This issue hasn't proven to be a problem for me. I mention it because it may be important to you. From another review, "The feed tube is 1.75x2.75 inches -- not quite large enough to fit a whole cucumber, but certainly large enough for a half cucumber, several carrots or even a block of cheddar cheese."

Could go either way:
------------------
1. the suction feet. Some people seem to love them. I could take them or leave them.

The Hamilton Beach ChefPrep 500 Watt Food Processor 70610 simplifies basic food preparation with its super fast, efficient chopping, slicing and shredding capability.

Basic description partly copied from other sources:
---------------------------------------
Clean white styling with a single silver dial control with three settings: 1, 2 and P (pulse). The pulse setting keeps the power activated only as long as you hold the dial at the P setting. Very easy to use.

This model comes with a transparent work bowl, lid with feed tube and food pusher, stainless steel chopping/mixing blade, reversible slicing/shredding disc and motor base.

This is an excellent food processor. It has two speeds, plus pulse control so it allows for better precision when chopping. Some processors turn everything to puree, but with this one you have better control over how finely things are chopped. The grater/slicer disk produces very uniform pieces and is really fast! While running it's not too loud either. I highly recommend this processor, especially considering the reasonable price.

This is excellent with every processing task, and I compared it to both my KitchenAid and Braun models. The motor is very powerful, the design is simple, and all the parts are very easy to clean. Check your local WalMart if you have one closeby because this sells for only $34.96 there.

This is a great food processor.
It really gets a workout from me.
I used it this Thanksgiving to mince onions, celery and carrots for my stuffing.
Since I've used it so much and it's still in ''brand new " shape, I definitely give it 5 stars.
Highly recommended.

I had just gone through about the 4th Cuisinart in my life when I decided it was time to change brands. I bought this one and am very happy with it. It slices and chops like no tomorrow. Faster than the Cuisinart at that and easy clean up. No cumbersome "safety features" to make you stop and try to reassemble the machine just when you want to chop a garlic clove! The switch has all the speeds you could possibly want and there is only one disk which makes for a lot less stuff to take care of. The feet are sucker cups which keep the machine firmly stuck to the counter when it's running.

There is only one thing wrong with this FP, and that is the shredding side of the disk leaves some food unshredded. A lump of whatever will ride around and not be processed at the end of the run. But, other than that, I love this machine. If I had it to decide again, I would still get this one.

From a ease of use and features, it is an ok food processor. However, the reliability is not stellar, to say the least. The motor shaft is made out of cheap plastic and one day just shattered while in use (right outside of the warranty period - although we bought it at target and didn't really keep a receipt - note to self, that's another advantage for buying from Amazon or online in general - you always have your receipt). Not mentioning the safety hazards - from splinters flying in your face or your food - this was a pretty crappy experience with Hamilton Beach customer support. Instead of saying oops, let us replace this for free and sorry about all the trouble, they wouldn't even sell me the part, which is removable and looks replaceable and said instead "Unfortunately the drive sleeve is not a replaceable part and the whole unit will need to be replaced". Well maybe, but not from Hamilton Beach anymore.

I am by no means a novice cook, but I do enjoy preparing meals and making Pimento Cheese. This food processor works perfect for me! It is very cut and dry, even the simplest person can manage it. It has two speed settings and 1 pulse setting for easy control, it is rather difficult to puree too much or not enough with this processor.

The parts are very simple to clean and dishwasher safe. You can fit an entire block or cheese or decent amount of veggies easily into the chute for processing which makes things so much easier. I have to say I love this processor and the size is perfect, it doesn't take up too much space so I can leave it on my counter 24/7 for easy access.

If you're looking for something at a decent price that's good quality, I would recommend this processor. It has to be the cheapest good quality one I have found, and I researched for months before I chose my processor.

For years I owned a different type of food processor I had bought at an auction, I decided to replace it with a this one, after reading the reviews on this model, I purchased one. All I can say is WOW what a big difference, this thing is so much better, and the ease of use is fantastic compared to my old clunker I honestly didn't know what I was missing. Anyone who owns an older type food processor that don't use it because of the difficulty get this one u won't be sorry, I'm not.

I like it. I've made cakes, all sorts of salad dressings, and other things. It annihilates what I tell it to.

I really like this food processer. All the blades work well and perform exactly as they should.

Shredding carrots was never so easy! Nor was slicing onions (without the tears). And making mashed potatoes with the main processing blade results in the perfect consistency everytime!