The Cuisinart Custom 14-Cup Food Processor has consistently earned its place as our top recommendation since 2013, and for good reason. It embodies everything you need in a high-quality food processor, without overwhelming you with unnecessary bells and whistles. This appliance excels at the core functions: chopping, shredding, slicing, and kneading, performing these tasks with remarkable consistency and efficiency. It stands shoulder to shoulder with, and often surpasses, more expensive machines burdened with superfluous attachments.
Stability is a key feature, and unlike some competitor models we evaluated, the Custom 14-Cup’s base remains firmly planted on the countertop. Even when tackling demanding tasks like processing double batches of dough, there’s no unwanted wobbling or movement. Cleaning is a breeze with this model, and the thoughtful design extends to storage – the attachments fit neatly within the bowl, minimizing kitchen clutter.
Our rigorous testing confirmed the Cuisinart Custom 14-Cup’s prowess in chopping, shredding, and emulsifying a wide range of ingredients. From delicate, juicy tomatoes, handled without turning them into mush, to soft mozzarella cheese, shredded flawlessly without any sticky residue clinging to the grating disk. It even produced mayonnaise with a superior texture and stability compared to other full-size food processors we tested.
Power and stability go hand-in-hand, and this food processor delivers both. Weighing approximately 18 pounds with the bowl in place, the Custom 14-Cup maintains its ground during operation. While its 750-watt motor might seem less powerful on paper than some competitors, like the Breville Sous Chef 16 with its 1,450-watt motor, this difference didn’t translate to any performance deficit in our evaluations. Pizza dough, typically a demanding task for food processors, was kneaded effortlessly by the Custom 14-Cup, without the machine creeping across the counter, a problem encountered with other models.
Despite its robust motor, the Cuisinart Custom 14-Cup operates at a surprisingly reasonable noise level. We measured a deep, low rumble of 75 decibels during operation, which is only slightly above the level of normal conversation and significantly quieter than many other food processors in its class. It’s worth noting that the sound level can vary depending on the ingredients being processed, with harder items like almonds naturally generating more noise when chopped.
The generous 14-cup work bowl is another major advantage, providing ample space for tasks like grating large quantities of cheese or preparing substantial batches of coleslaw ingredients. This capacity is ideal for both everyday cooking and larger meal preparations.
The beauty of this machine lies in its simplicity. Initially, compared to models boasting multiple bowls and a vast array of attachments, the Custom 14-Cup might seem basic. However, years of consistent use in our test kitchen and in home kitchens have solidified our appreciation for its minimalist, yet highly functional design.
The intuitive operation, with just one bowl and two straightforward buttons – pulse and on – is a testament to its user-friendly design. It comes equipped with only the most essential attachments: a durable stainless steel chopping blade, a shredding disk, and a slicing disk. While older versions included a dough blade, which is still available for purchase separately, we’ve found it to be unnecessary, achieving excellent dough results with the standard chopping blade for years.
Cleaning the work bowl proved to be remarkably easy. During our extensive testing, we meticulously cleaned each bowl after processing every ingredient, becoming intimately familiar with the nooks and crannies where food can accumulate. The Custom 14-Cup’s bowl consistently outperformed most other models in terms of ease of cleaning. The hollow handle design of the bowl is another thoughtful detail, preventing food particles and moisture from getting trapped, a common issue with enclosed handles like the one found on the Breville Sous Chef 16 bowl.
Cleverly designed for storage efficiency, all blades and disks can be safely stored within the work bowl itself. This space-saving feature not only reduces kitchen clutter but also minimizes the risk of accidentally cutting yourself on loose blades stored in drawers. This contrasts sharply with models like the Breville 16-Cup Sous Chef, which comes with a multitude of accessories requiring significantly more storage space.
Its compact size and appealing aesthetics are further pluses. Standing at just 15 inches tall, the Custom 14-Cup is designed to fit comfortably under most standard kitchen cabinets. Its slightly retro, sleek appearance is visually appealing, and the base is available in a variety of colors to complement different kitchen styles.
The three-year warranty provides solid coverage, although not the longest available on the market. However, Cuisinart food processors are renowned for their long-term durability, with anecdotal evidence suggesting lifespans extending for decades. Replacement parts are readily accessible through the Cuisinart website, ensuring longevity and continued performance.
Long-Term Performance of the Cuisinart Custom 14-Cup Food Processor
Our long-term testing of the Cuisinart Custom 14-Cup, ongoing since 2013, confirms its status as a true kitchen workhorse. Year after year, it has consistently delivered exceptional performance in chopping slaws and nuts, grating cheese, blending dips, and kneading pizza dough. The bowl remains leak-free, and the controls are perfectly intuitive and responsive. While minor scratches have appeared on the bowl from storing the blades inside, the machine otherwise maintains a like-new appearance. Cleaning around the on/off buttons can be slightly tricky, but a damp sponge or paper towel effectively addresses this minor point.
Even initial skepticism about the large 14-cup bowl capacity has been dispelled by Wirecutter staff. One staff member initially questioned the size but found it to be perfectly versatile, neither too small nor too large for various culinary tasks. Another staff member, admittedly somewhat rough on kitchen appliances, replaced their Cuisinart 14-Cup after an impressive 11 years of consistent use. Remarkably, kitchen team senior editor Marguerite Preston continues to rely on a decades-old Cuisinart Custom 14-Cup inherited from her parents, a testament to its enduring quality.
Minor Drawbacks, Not Deal Breakers
While the Cuisinart Custom 14-Cup excels in most areas, it’s not entirely without minor flaws. Dicing delicate ingredients can be slightly less consistent compared to our upgrade pick. Achieving a fine parsley dice took a bit longer, and some larger parsley pieces remained. Furthermore, instead of shredding soft mozzarella, it tended to grind it up, although it handles harder cheeses flawlessly, and even with soft mozzarella, blade gumming wasn’t an issue.
The lid locking mechanism, with the feed tube positioned at the back, has been noted as a quirk by some users in online reviews. Most food processors have the feed tube at the front for easier access. However, we actually find the rear placement advantageous for visibility, allowing for a clearer view of the ingredients being processed within the bowl.
The slicing disk is not adjustable, unlike the Cuisinart Core Custom 13-Cup and the Breville Sous Chef 16, which offer multiple slicing settings similar to a mandoline. However, additional slicing disks for the Custom 14-Cup are available for purchase separately through the Cuisinart website. The included disk produces approximately 5-millimeter slices, suitable for most common tasks. For specialized needs like making potato chips, the optional 2-millimeter slicing disk is recommended.
Finally, it’s worth noting that the Cuisinart Custom 14-Cup doesn’t include a dedicated storage case for its attachments. If you prefer not to store the attachments within the bowl and have extra kitchen storage space, a separate storage case can be purchased.
