I've had a Cuisinart for 40+ years. The first one lasted 30+ years and was still working, but the shaft had become worn and the blade kept getting stuck; the second one lasted less than a year, they repaired, broke again and they replaced it. It's worked fine for 6 or 7 years. I just don't think it's going to be a 30 year machine. I use it for EVERYTHING. I hate to chop and don't make many things that need an attractive or perfect chop. If I could find a machine that did an attractive julienne, I might switch, but otherwise, I am happy with it. I don't have much experience with other brands, but know the few I've tried to use at friend's houses seemed clunky and hard to assemble, but that is probably just because I wasn't familiar.

I'd look at restaurant/chef supply places. The stuff made for the general public now tends to be expensive and shoddy.

That's a great idea, tibbix. I have two (!) restaurant supply places nearby. I think one only serves the industry but the other is open to the public.

Oly, thank you for the recommendation. I'll put cuisinart on my research list.

The lid on mine doesn't stay completely sealed and food, particular flour, flies out. What a mess. I've finally had enough and I'm treating myself to a new one. I'm living large!

I bought my Cuisinart in 1981. It was made in Japan. If you can find one of the old DLC models made in Japan, buy it. Mine is DLC-8F, which I think is an 8 cup. They made a larger model but I never bake bread or do batters in mine. Mine sold for about $150 new and has a lifetime warranty on the work bowl and motor IIRC.

I have one of the early Cuisinarts. Still works fine. Truthfully, I don't use it that often. It always seems hard to clean for the time it saved me chopping or grating.

look on eBay for a "vintage" Cuisinart

Another owner of an old Cuisinart DLC, I've had it for about 33 years and I hope it never dies. I don't even mind paying $$$ for quality appliances - it's just that hardly anything you purchase today will last.

Mine is only a 20+ year old DLC 5-made in China. It's been pretty fail safe. But best of all I've been able to buy spare parts (blades) when needed.

If you like the size (volume) of your last one, I would be very conscious of buying the same size for your next one. I did have a smaller model, I loved it smaller footprint but it was just too small.

Neither the smaller model nor the DLC-5 were designed to handle much liquid. If I want to make something that has a lot of liquid in it I need to use my ninja.

What I would personally like to find is something variable speed motor that I could put on any attachment. I believe that is the logic behind both the MEK and the KitchenAid giant mixer, but in both cases their base unit cost is so high you can actually get separate machines for each of the functions they would be replacing.

hhireno - thanks for posting this question as I almost posted about food processors the other day.

I've never had one. Never used one. I guess I am a late adopter...;0

I am really suffering with the arthritis in my hands over the past few months so I guess it's time I consider a few modern conveniences.

Do you all just use them to chop up stuff?

We have a cuisinart. It's very quiet which I like. What I don't like is the way it's configured, you have to do 3 things to get it to run...turn this, lock this, engage that...some of which make it hard to stuff the channel for shredding carrots and cabbage and stuff. I end up having to cut it into such small bits it seems like I might as well just go ahead and shred it myself.

We use it for cutting butter into flour when making biscuits and crackers. We use it for making things like coleslaw that require a lot of shredding. We use it for making dips for appetizers and pesto and such.

Ditto Annie -- except we don't use it for as much slicing, grating and shredding. We use it for cutting in butter and chopping nuts the most. I sometimes chop a large quantity of nuts very fine, so that make it easier. Some pesto and such, but I have a stick blender I use for small quantities and pureeing. The three steps to start is annoying but I try to remember there is a reason (back when they first came out, some people did some stupid stuff and lost fingers so they had to add idiotproof measures). Still annoying, but I suspect they all have similar issues. I had one Cuisinart for 15 years or so. I passed it along to someone else so I could justify replacing the yellowing white plastic with a stainless look one about 8 years ago (each give or take a year or two -- should add up to roughly 25)?

Won't let me edit -- forgot to say what I like, which is that it has reliably done what ever I have asked it and done it well. The darned thing works like a champ. And they go on sale regularly and aren't too expensive.

Thanks, everyone. Clearly Cuisinart is the winner.

I'm not sure what other places have, but they are on sale at Macy's this weekend. Bed Bath & Beyond (with the extra 20% off), Sam's Costco and Mazon would be the other places I would look.

I have an older Cuisinart (maybe 15 years old) and like it but don't use it often. They are nice.....but there is a Kitchenaid model that has a large bowl AND a small bowl. Supposed to be a really nice model......it's something I would look into if I ever replace mine....I will look for a model to link to.

Hoo-boy am I getting old! The model I am thinking of was KFP 740CR and its no longer made! D'oh!

I just saw a food processor attachment for the KA mixers.

I have a KA and it's great. I would buy another.

I have an old that works great. I recently saw a demo of a KA that has a dicer attachment. I covet the dicer! Am thinking of buying but still trying to mentally justify.

I have had a Cuisinart for years that I never use. The one I use all the time is my black and decker. It's a work horse.

I love Cuisinart-the paddle version which I've used for years.

Cook's Illustrated's 2016 top recommendation is the Cuisinart Custom 14.

I used a 20% coupon at BBB to get mine.

I have the Cuisinart 14-cup that's about 5 years old. It got relegated to the pantry when my KA stand mixer took over the coveted counter corner. It seems I only use it these days for pesto or cutting butter into flour for pie crust. It's a nuisance to haul out and wash all the parts each time. Since I'm only prepping for one, it's actually easier for me to do everything by hand.

When I'm cutting butter into flour (3 cups of flour), there's always a bit of airborne flour that escapes at the top.

From my standpoint -- thanks all for these recommendations, too. Currently I have a mini-food-processor, from Cuisinart -- since my current kitchen is overcrowded. When I move, I'll check above to find a suggestion for a real working kitchen!!

I have a 5-cup KitchenAid and a mini Cuisinart. I've never used either for anything except to puree ingredients. I actually enjoy doing things by hand ... using a knife or hand grater/shredder. Decided to pull out the extra blades tonight and will try grating cheese tomorrow. Who knows maybe I'll be a convert, but I sort of doubt it.

I have an old chopper - an Oskar- that holds several cups, and I use that often. But the KA 12 cup fp is another story and does much more. For small amounts, however, the Oskar is preferable as the cup and lid are small and fit in the dishwasher easily and I hand wash the KA fp to keep the bowl looking nice.

I use the KA mostly for large portions of grated, sliced or chopped things and pie crust and such. I frequently cook for largish groups- 30+- and it is a handy tool.

But so is a small chopper.

When the Oskar dies, I will buy a 2-3 cup similar chopper. The KA does have a small bowl but using it requires cleaning the large bowl and lid too so I never use it.

I spent a lot on a Viking and I would not recommend it. I think they've discontinued production, but if someone offers you a deal on a gently used one don't take it. I've had mine for 8 yrs. & I should just bite the bullet and buy another model. Mine's like new because I avoid using it.

I had better luck with KitchenAid.