Cuisinart FP-12DCN Elite Collection 2.0 12-Cup Food Processor, Die Cast

Update 12/2/21: this unit is still going strong and I still love it! No problems have arisen.Cuisinart FP-14DCN Elite 14-cup Food Processor vs Breville Sous Chef 16-cup Food Processor:I have tried both of these machines and they both had their pros and cons and I really wrestled over the decision. I'm happy I ended up with the Cuisinart machine for numerous reasons:1) The Cuisinart has a Dough button. The Breville does not and it just processes too hard and fast to make a decent dough with ease. Having the ability to make dough was very important to me.2) The Cuisinart is substantially more affordable. True, it does not have the extra blades that the Breville has - French Fry, Julienne, and Whipping Disc, but I didn't think I would use those discs very often anyway. In fact, I felt the Breville did a very poor job of cutting french fries. I personally wouldn't probably use a whipping disc. The only one I might miss is the julienne disc, but I can buy that separately for the Cuisinart. The Breville really overprocessed the julienne strips anyway. It didn't do a great job.3) I like the lid on the Cuisinart better. It's really easy to put it on and take it off (took a little bit of practice to learn how to do it right). It seals tightly and now that they have redesigned it, you can remove the rubber seal for cleaning. But there are also holes in the other plastic part of the lid that allow for water to get in and to help clean it out. So, I only occasionally feel the need to remove the ring for deeper cleaning.4) I like the retractable cord better. The Breville had a cord which could be stowed by pushing it back into the housing, but it wasn't retractable.5) I like the oval shape of the smaller feed chute pusher better than the round shape of the Breville6) The Cuisinart has a higher wattaage7) The Cuisinart has a longer warranty8) I preferred a slightly smaller machine. 14 cup is plenty big for my purposes.The Breville did have some things I liked better - the design was slightly more attractive, with rounded edges. Sometimes I feel the Cuisinart design is sharp on those corners - not enough to cut, but just a bit uncomfortable. And the housing isn't weighted evenly which makes it a little cumbersome to pull it out from a cabinet (the Breville was heavier but more comfortable to grab from a high spot). I thought the Breville accessory case was much nicer and seemed of higher quality and it had those extra accessories. The Breville has a taller feed chute. I feel the slicing and shredding of the two units is comparable. There might be a little bit more waste (unprocessed bits) in the Cuisinart vs the Breville, but the difference is minor (plus I like the smaller shredding of the Cuisinart better. Breville made my parmaggiano reggiano cheese too fine and powdery). In the end, Cuisinart's Dough button, affordability, and longer warranty helped make the decision between the two units and I'm very happy with that choice.

This is the same machine I saw on a PBS cooking show. It has the two baskets, both large and the small basket inside the large one. I have now used both baskets and that is why I waited to review the product. I read the directions before I used it to make sure I was using it machine correctly. It works extremely well whether you are using the small basket or the large one. If you are looking for a food processor, even if you are not looking for a dual purpose one, this is a great option to have in your kitchen. There are two brands I love to have in my kitchen one is Cuisinart and the other is Kitchen Aid.After reading some of the other reviews I have decided to edit mine to add a bit more information. While I don't use this processor every day and to the to the intensity of some of the other reviews do, at this time. I am disabled and awaiting both back surgery and hip replacement surgeries for both of my hips. First, the intensity of how much I cook and bake is, yes, much less than what I used to, at this time, but I purchased this machine to last for the rest of our ( my husband and my) lives. We selected this one because I have other Cuisinart products in my kitchen that have never let me down. For example, I have a Cuisinart blender that I have owned now for more than 25 years and has only needed one small $30.00 part to correct and issue we have had with it. I too don't like it when product manufacturing is moved to China. I am an an American, a veteran and have been, until I retired, and a successful business women. I like things made here or in other developed nations where manufacturing is historically high quality. I am also from the Motor City area.So, we chose this machine because of the die cast base, which makes it heavy. Does anyone out there know what die cast is? I do, I ran the human resources for a aluminum and magnesium die cast company here in Michigan. While the Chinese don't have it down like we do here in the US, they do a very good job, I have to admit it. Plus manufacturing quality is always run by the OEM. So if you have a problem with the machine it is on Cuisinart. So, I like it because It does not move when you use it. While I used to bake and cook more than I do now. I use it two to three times a week and it gets a workout. I pick it up and carry it myself, so does my husband, who also needs back and knee sergury.I have not had problems with water collecting in the handle of the large basket. I have washed it both by hand and in the dishwasher, so for now this is a moot point with me.I have used the top basket for cookie crust and the bottom for pie crust and other items. I have not used it for slicing vegetables because I typically do that by hand so I have fewer items to wash, however, I think I will use it next time I make vegetables to cook, eat raw for for salad slicing next time. I usually use my Ktichen Aid mixer for bread, I would not use my processor for that, because I rise it and and kneed it in the bowl. You can't beat a Kitchen Aid for making bread.So, overall, even though, it is made in China, I love this machine. Every time I go to use it I have a ready and steady machine. If I ever have a problem with it, you will be the first to know. From the motor city girl.