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Customer Reviews:- Ok for what it is
I've owned this product for 6 years and it was my introduction to food processing. First, the blender is awesome. Great. Wonderful. Very effective and fast. Great quality. Sturdy.
The food processor is where the quality tends to drop. I haven't had problems with anything breaking. It's just that the chopping isn't very consistent. It tends to either leave lots of over sized chunks, or to change everything into an absolute puree. There's no in between. For the longest time I thought I was using it incorrectly, but after purchasing a larger food processor that also includes a prep bowl that works perfectly and with precision, I think it's just this product. I did successfully use this small food processor to make biscuit dough, and it did a nice job.
The shredding disc works fine. The only limitation of course is the size of the bowl. As long as you don't mind doing your shredding for potato pancakes or cheese for lasgana in batches, it's not a problem.
It is decently easy to clean, though I find that my larger food processor is actually easier with less stuff getting caught in corners.
The final blow against this product is the food processor noise. It's incredibly loud, to the point where I've pondered ear plugs if you're processing anything for more than a couple of pulses.
While trying to pick out my new food processor, a cuisinart sales person tried to explain away these faults that this is simply part of the product being small, and that the craftsmanship as compared to the larger cuisinarts cannot is inferior. So if you're doing light cooking in very small quantities, this is probably an ok purchase for you. If you do more intermediate to serious cooking, I would definitely not recommend this....more info - Cheap plastic!
The plastic food processor bowl broke WAY too easily. And it's proving very hard to find a replacement. Skip this one....more info - Very Good!
I bought this from Big Lots as a reconditioned unit, so I did not pay much, nor did I expect much. I was surprised to pull a very heavy blender glass out of the box - good quality like my Oster. The processor is very loud - consider ear plugs, but that is my only complaint. I use it for both processing and blending, and am really blown away with how good the quality is. I would not have purchased my Oster had I known about this one. One base on my small kitchen counter performs two functions. Great! After reading some of the other reviews, one wonders if reconditioned is the way to go with these. I couldn't have paid more than $25, maybe less for a unit that I use daily....more info - Good combo but LOUD
This is not a bad product for the price. The blender works well, and chops ice like a champ. The processor does its duty as well - I use this attachment more than the blender, actually.
It's also very easy to clean. I've had this blender/processor for about three months now, I use it just about every day.
But in any combination product like this, one side tends to lose out. In this case it is definitely the food processor - made of all plastic, it seems like it could break easily (though mine has not). The "food processor" speed is no different than the others, really, and ends up pureeing everything you put in. You can't get a dice or fine chop out of anything.
The motor is also very loud - I feel bad using it in the evenings or mornings sometimes because I worry that I'm waking up or annoying my neighbors.
Overall, though, I'm satisfied with it, and will continue to use it regularly....more info - Great Small Food Processor~
I've had this for a few years and I love it! It is just the right size for 1 person for most things. Once in awhile I do something I would have liked a bigger one, but I don't really have room for one.
The blender is heavy and solid. The plastic base that attaches to the blender and processor are a bit flimsy so I'm careful with them.
The cheese grater and slicer attachment are also great. Wouldn't have minded a dough hook or something useful, but guess with the small bowl I wouldn't need it anyway....more info - Stinky!
I was happy with this blender, but now it makes a stench and heats up when I try to use it. Something must be wrong with the motor. It's not as if it's over-worked...I've probably used it about a dozen times....more info - Cuisinart's service has been the biggest problem.
I've had mine for about two years, and use it about once/week. It worked OK (when it worked)--not too powerful, and I found the shape of the blender jar to be awkward--no funnel-type shape, just flat, doesn't mix well. Cuisinart's service is scary. Their website is of no help. I just needed a replacement rubber gasket, made three requests online and got no response. I finally called, and they sent me one gratis, but it took a month. Last night it finally just stopped working, though I'm not sure why or how. All I know is that it took everything I could muster to get it to chop tomatoes. I considered looking for a place to get it fixed, rather than just throwing it out and starting over, but coming by this info. is hard and I'm not sure it's worth it. So now I'm on the lookout for a new blender and a new food processor, and I'll stay clear of Cuisinart if I can....more info - Another broken part
As mentioned by others, after less tham two weeks use, the black plastic piece above the motor that interlocks with the jar bottom broke. I also bought the Cuisinart name after years of using a Cuisinart food processor. Given the number of people who have had problems with breakage, I will not be buying again....more info - No Parts
Check with the manufacturer! No parts available for this model. The lid for the processor broke! Out of luck!...more info - Got the reconditioned model and was happy
I have yet to try out the product, but since I only plan to use it occasionally, I opted for the factory reconditioned model. It arrived in brand new packaging with all the packing and instructions you would expect with a brand new appliance. It looks brand spanking new in every way. I plan to choose factory reconditioned again!...more info - another story of a broken blender ...
Add me to the list of folks with a broken blender. I've been very unimpressed by Cuisinart quality. I've replaced the same part on my food processor twice, and now the drive on my blender broke, exactly as described several times below.I'm buying a new blender, but it won't be a Cuisinart. In fact, I won't be buying any more of their products....more info - mine broke as well...
Yes, my blender also broke on the same place...the black piece on top of the engine decided to give up...Cuisinart will replace for 10 dollar in shipping IF you are under warranty...which I'm not :( I hardly used the blender so I'm pretty disappointed (not sure if that is why it sells for 50% off now)?...more info - Versatile, but breaks easily
I have owned the duet for approximatley one year. I use the blender mostly for milkshakes. The food processor is small, which is ok with me, except I do not like the feed tube. With a processor this small, it's unlikely one would use it to slice or shred, so why bother with the slicing disk and therefore the feed tube? Also, the feed tube makes it too tall to work with right under kitchen cabinets--you must pull it out to use. The motor is loud for both appliances. And the biggest problem is that mine broke this morning while I attempted to make a milkshake rendering both applicances unusable, since now the blade will not rotate. There is a small black plastic disk that fits between the base and the jar that has shattered all on its own. After reading your other reviews, I see I am not the first person to experience this. Buy this item with caution....more info - Great Until It Breaks
I've purchased two of the Cuisinart blenders (a SmartPower Seven-Speed- broke after about 45 uses and a SmartPower Duet - broke after about 30 uses) and both have the same the problem with the black plastic gasket on the bottom breaking. (Call me dumb for purchasing the second one!) Really a cheap part for the Cuisinart product. (All I've used these blenders for was fruit smoothies! I doubt the Duet would have made it throught the first challenge of food processing!) The Cuisinart product may be smart but they sure aren't very strong. I certainly would not classify them as heavy-duty! An improvement would be making the gasket either metal or a plastic with more give. (I won't be going back for thirds!)...more info - an excellent and versatile appliance
I was excited to get this Cuisinart a month or so ago because I love to cook, but I'm a college student who lives in an apartment. I don't have tons of space (or money, for that matter) to blow on two appliances. I have done many things with the SmartPower Duet, and it hasn't failed me yet. I've made deliciously smooth and thick shakes (including one with rum for a party - it was a hit.) I've made amazing salsa. I've made gazpacho. For some of these, I used the recipe book that comes with the machine. There are a lot of good recipes, indeed, but as an added bonus, the recipes give you helpful hints about how to use the appliance the best way - like, which ingredients to add first, instead of just shoving everything in.Just last night I made a pasta salad with about twenty ingredients, most of which had to be chopped or minced or sliced, so I used the food processor with the chopper to pulverize the garlic and other spices into a nice smooth blend (thus avoiding the dreaded clumps of pungent garlic). Then, I took the spices out and added red and green peppers and other vegetables and chopped them up coarsely, like salsa. Then I put the slicer attachment on to the food processor and sliced perfectly thin slices of cucumber and red onion. I added this to some pasta, provolone cheese, and some olive oil, and voila, I had a great pasta salad in less than half of the time it would have taken me to prepare all of those veggies by hand. I certainly haven't had any complaints about the workmanship. I love how it feels so sturdy without being bulky - the base is a little wider than most and not flimsy like most other blenders I've used, and the thick, glass blender jar is squat instead of tall and thin, which seems to make blending things a lot easier because the ingredients can easily move around near the blade. The keypad controls are enclosed so it's incredibly easy to clean up splatters and spills. The processor bowl doesn't seem to be flimsy to me (perhaps they've fixed the problem ?). In other words, this thing is great....more info - We like it so far!
We've had it for a little while now. We've made smoothies and used the cuisinart blades to chop veggies. The blades are super sharp so be careful! The time savings by using this unit versus chopping by hand can be somewhat diminished because you then have to spend time cleaning the unit. However, when doing large quantities of chopping, it's very useful. When using the product as a blender, it seems to perform just as well as any other blender we've owned. We still experienced the smell of the motor as we were trying to get all those chunks of frozen fruit blended. It's definitely not a powerhouse such as the type they have a Jamba Juice but it will work fine for our occasional smoothie making times.
All in all, it's a decent product for the price paid.
...more info - Cuisinart Red Blend/Mixer
Again RED to match my decor, perfect. But the functions of this blender/processor are unlimited. I love it....more info - Extremely Loud
My only complaint is that its LOUD AS HELL - seriously, I read other reviews that mentioned it was noisy, but I wasn't expecting this level of noise. I used the food processor the other night around 9:00 PM and felt horrible for my neighbors who I am sure heard it - my dog was terrified. If noise level is important to you, look for another product. Otherwise, its pretty great....more info - Absolute piece of Junk
I thought this was going to be the most wonderful thing in my tiny apartment, but it blew out on 3 weeks, the blender was working but the food processor part wouldn't even chop garlic. I was luckily able to return it to the store I purchased it....more info - chunky smoothies, blade assembly seizes
Somehow stuff gets missed by the blades. You get big chunks of banana in your smoothies, and big rocks of ice in your margaritas. Unless you blend it for a way long time (like two minutes).
The first blade unit seized in about 4 months. 15.00 plus shipping to replace. The second seized in about a year and a half. I may give up before I buy the second blade unit. I have had other blenders that were way more effective. The overall idea is great, a dual purpose unit with a wide glass jar, and an easy to clean control panel. If they would redesign the blade unit, it could be a great blender....more info - Take a Pass On This One
I wished I would have seen these reviews before buying, was at Kohl's and made a spur of the moment purchase, figured it was a Cuisinart, that it would be good, now I know better. I haven't had the unit long enough for it to break on me, but I am definitely disappointed with the ability of the blender, and it does Smell during operation, and the food processor unit, which seems to work decent, is Very Loud. The blender carafe is too wide at the base for proper mixing. I bought this to make smoothies, added the ice cubes last and they would not crush very well, have to crush the ice before adding any other ingredients, then you still end up stirring the smoothie to get it completely mixed. Made hummus with the food processor, per their recipe, and it wasn't able to process the garlic very well, ended up with big chunks in the final product. Shredded carrots halfway decent though. I would definitely reccommend you take a pass on this unit....more info - Mine broke after 2.5 months
I used this blender to make homemade baby food. After only 2.5 months, the motor smoked and broke. I have contacted customer service twice, but nothing has been done yet. Before the blender broke, it leaked liquid occasionally through the bottom although it was tightly twisted in place. Before this blender, we used a very cheap smoothy-maker as a blender. Although that blender/smoothy-maker leaked a little through the spout, it never broke after 4 years of use. I simply wanted to "upgrade". This product was a poor choice for an upgrade....more info - Great unit but loud.
It's easy to own: easy to use, easy to clean (most parts are dishwasher safe), and easy to afford. I remember when a Cuisinart food processor cost 300 bucks, so this seems like an impossible bargain.
It does what it claims: the work of both a blender and a small food processor. Smoothies and pestos come out great.
And it's nice and compact, great if your kitchen has limited space.
There must be a catch, right? Sure is. Unless making something thick & dense like a smoothie, this thing is REALLY LOUD. Like standing next to a freaking jet engine loud. Like go get your concert earplugs loud.
If you can accommodate that quirk, you'll be happy with it. If you can't, then most blenders aren't for you anyway......more info - great value
I love love love this appliance! We make a lot of frozen drinks and have never found a blender that crushes ice the way this one does. As for the food processor- this is a bonus- I have never had one before so this is very excitng for me and I'm looking forward to using it for so many recipes that call for its use! This was by far my favorite Christmas present I received this year. I will be aware of the potential problem with the black "ring"- but I'm happy to see that if it breaks I can receive a replacement part from the company and fix it myself. In this day and age of if its broken throw it out and get a new one- I'm glad to see that this ia an appliance most people say is worth fixing if it breaks....more info - Poor product
I have owned two Cuisinart products. One was a coffee maker that ground beans and brewed coffee. Great concept, but the grinder always got stuck in the coffee maker. I would have to use pliers and screwdrivers to pry it out. I tried to grease the grinder- nothing worked. I threw away the coffee maker.
Today, I used my Cuisinart blender's food processor for the first time. The chopping blade is now stuck half way inserted into the preparation bowl and will not come out. Nor will it go on. Nothing will dislodge the blades, and I cannot use the food processor. This is exactly the same problem.
Long story short- I can recommend staying at the Cuisinart Spa in Anguilla in the West Indies, but I cannot recommend any kitchen products made by them....more info - Don't bother
I thought I was so smart when I registered for this blender/food processor as a wedding gift. Two machines for the price of one, right? Well I'm about to purchase a new food processor because this one is so LOUD I hate using it. (The person who said they wear earplugs is not exaggerating. I have to cover my ears. It makes my kids cry.) Also, it only holds 3 cups of food - way too small for most jobs. It's ok as a blender. I've only used the blender to make smoothies and it's done in a few seconds, but still pretty loud....more info - My New Blender
The blender was perfect. Nothing damaged at all. The box was a little ripped but that was it and it came in record time. I will definitely purchase from Amazon again...more info - Pure Junk
Plastic clutch makes this unit a joke. You're better off with a $30.00 Oster....more info - Broke 2 of 'em in less than 1 month!
This is the fist piece of junk that we've purchased from Cuisinart! The second was a "Smart Stick" immersion blender that also broke (though it took almost 6 months to break). We purchased this food processor from them on July 23, 2007 and 3 weeks later it broke! We returned it, received a replacement and it broke 4 days later. The lights went on, but there was nobody home and nothing moved or could be heard! Ok, you're probably wondering what are we chopping up with this thing, BRICKS?!? Oh, contrar, we used this to chop up my infant sons baby food, rather than purchase any of the suspect ready made stuff. The only reason that I gave them 1 star is because Amazon doesn't do fractions! I am satisfied that I will not buy anything EVER again with the name Cuisinart on it! To us, Cuisinart stands for stuff that you want to give to people that you really don't like. Because with normal usage, they will be buying a replacement in less than a year!
...more info - Good Smoothie Machine
I just use it for making smoothies. I had one since Spring 2005, and needed a 2nd pitcher rather than waiting for the other to come out of the dishwasher to have a 2nd smoothie in the same day. The price of an additional pitcher, cover & chopper base was not much different than buying the whole blender w/ the motor base, so I got a 2nd blender.
Now I have a back up if I ever burn up the motor on my first one.
I don't have alot of experience w/ blenders so can't say if it's louder than others or not.
But I like mine and 2 years later it's still working. ...more info - WOW, Loud!
The capabilities are evident, but it's the noisiest blender/food processor I've ever owned! It is fine without the pitcher or processor attachments in place. Once they are assembled as a unit, the noise fun begins. I thought it may require tightening, or perhaps the bearings might need attention. It doesn't seem to be the case; it's just noisy! Every other aspect is what I expect from a Cuisinart. The red is great!...more info - Bad quality, bad service....terrible noise ....
HORRIBLY loud, when I use the food processor my baby is so scared that i have to put him in another room. I myself can not stand that terrible screech! I definetely will NOT recommend it to someone with a baby. The cutting assembly broke. I bought it thinking Cuisinart is a great company. Now i am doubting it. Specially after calling customer service. The service was very slow and the rep was trying politely to get rid of me. First he said that these food processors are loud in general, so unless you see a smoke coming of the motor there is nothing really wrong (???). then he said that i am not eligible for a warranty based on the manufacture date, but since i bought it 1 year after manufacturing he might consider it after i fax lot's of papers.... I am thinking should i waste my time and do all these steps or just go and buy another one ??? But which one? Most likely not Cuisinart......more info - Two machines in one--love it!
For small to medium jobs, this blender/food processor is great. Easy to change from one function to the next. The red color is cool. Much better than everything in the kitchen being stainless steel: boring. Food processor is not for big jobs though. Retractable cord is nice. Overall it's just what I wanted for everyday cooking....more info - Low quality
I was disappointed in the quality of this item. From the first time I turned on the unit, I could smell something like the motor burning. The exterior housing looks very cheaply made. I would have expected a little more from a name like Cuisinart....more info - Great for Smoothies & Baby Food!
I own the SmartPower Duet Blender/Food processor in the while color. It works great for smoothies & shakes when you add enough liquid, and the food processor is quick and easy for making baby food. Suggestion: If you're going to use this to make berry smoothies or tomato based recipies, go with the red color! I stained the lid of my white blender, and now it's pink :)...more info
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