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With so many household kitchenware brands competing for your attention and your money, it can be hard to really know what kitchen appliances are worth buying and what is actually going to help you cook delicious home-cooked food. The last thing we all need is another useless appliance sitting at the back of the cupboard gathering dust. What we do want are kitchen appliances that are reliable, easy to use, and functional for family cooking. Well for the last 50 years, that is exactly what Cuisinart has been doing.
Originally Cuisinart was founded to produce one of the first food processors for America in 1973. Since then it has continued to innovate and design, meaning that you can now rely on Cuisinart to provide any kitchen appliance, cookware, or kitchen tool you need. Cuisinart products are now sold all over the world and they continue to promote home-cooking as a way to "savor the good life".
Video by Cuisinart on Youtube
WHAT MAKES CUISINART A GREAT BRAND?
When compared to other household American brands, namely Vitamix and Cuisinart (see our Ultimate Buyer's Guide To Vitamix and The Best KitchenAid Mixers & Blenders articles), Cuisinart is still quite young, having only been around for the last 50 years. However, it has quickly gained the reputation for producing reliable, reasonably priced food processors, as well as a wide range of other kitchen appliances, that continue to encourage people around the world to cook more at home.
When the Cuisinart food processor was first invented, it was definitely unusual for many people and may have seemed unnecessary for a household kitchen. To combat this, the company worked with TV chefs to demystify this new appliance and encourage people at home to use a food processor in their own kitchen. During one of Julia Child's many appearances on the Dick Cavett Show, in 1978, she showed a variety of ways a Cuisinart food processor can help you chop vegetables in a matter of seconds. In the same year, Cuisinart also created a recipe book with James Beard to be a perfect guide to help home cooks utilize their food processor to create delicious home-cooked meals.
Nowadays, Cuisinart still upholds its ethos of encouraging people to cook at home by continuing to collaborate with popular figures and media streams. Working with the Buzzfeed Youtube channels Tasty and Goodful, Cuisinart has created lines of branded kitchenware for these channels. The most interesting appliance being the uniquely designed OneTop: the perfect one-ring plug-in induction stove that works great for those seamless quick iconic cooking videos you find on the Tasty and Goodful channels.
Through social media and their hashtag #savorthegoodlife, Cuisinart remains connected with customers by offering recipes and ideas on how to use their appliances. Recently, they have also started collaborating with social media influencers and companies to have them share their favorite recipes and how they like to use their Cuisinart appliances. Keeping customers engaged and enjoying the brand is what has kept Cuisinart relevant and still a popular choice for many American households.
Overall, Cuisinart is a great brand because it is accessible. Not only do they offer a range of reasonably priced appliances and cookware, but they also focus on creating appliances that are easy to use for people with impaired vision or mobility. Just another reason that people can rely on and trust Cuisinart to create products that are useful for any kitchen.
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Image by Cuisinart
CONS OF CUISINART
Unfortunately, being known for producing reasonably priced, medium-quality appliances and cookware can also be a slight downfall. Nowadays, more and more people are looking to buy more investment pieces for their kitchen that will last a lifetime, and for that Cuisinart might not cut the mustard.
When comparing Cuisinart to brands such as Le Creuset, Vitamix, and KitchenAid (see our Buyer's Guide To Le Creuset, Ultimate Buyer's Guide To Vitamix and The Best KitchenAid Mixers & Blenders articles), who all offer a lifetime warranty on their products, you can see that Cuisinart simply doesn't offer the same high quality, long-lasting kitchen equipment. If longevity and durability are important to you then Cuisinart's limited 3-year warranty on their more substantial kitchen appliances may not be ideal. However, the positive to lower-priced appliances is that Cuisinart allows home cooks of all kinds to invest in home cooking.
IS CUISINART WORTH THE MONEY?
Most of the appliances that Cusiniart sells could be seen as luxury kitchen items that aren't necessarily required in an everyday household kitchen. Ultimately, who buys what from Cuisinart's diverse range of appliances and products depends on a person's enthusiasm for cooking and getting creative in the kitchen. For example, not everyone needs or wants an ice cream maker but if you do, Cuisinart’s model is reasonably priced and easy to use.
Cuisinart's simple universal design with all their products means they fit well in any kitchen. Compared to the iconic KitchenAid stand mixer or Vitamix blender, a Cuisinart appliance might fade into the background. However, if paying extra for brightly colored, professional-level equipment isn't for you, Cuisinart offers a much more humble, home-chef style of appliance that is maybe slightly less intimidating for some people.
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Image by Cuisinart
CUISINART PRODUCT LINES
Cuisinart has a wide range of air fryers, including a selection of combined air fryer toaster ovens. With the improving innovation, these air fryers are designed to be more practical and useful versus the original air fryer design which was small and mainly built for just cooking healthy potato fries. These air fryers are bigger in capacity and power, and therefore offer a more practical solution to air frying.
Every coffee lover has their own preferred method of making their favorite brew. For fans of drip coffee, Cuisinart offers a wide selection of filter machines, espresso machines plus a range of coffee grinders. You should be able to find your perfect coffee machine amongst the Cuisinart collection as their variety of machines offer different levels of automation, size, and preset options to choose from.
From mini choppers to the largest 14-cup food processor, Cuisinart has a food processor ideal for you and your kitchen. No matter how little cooking you do, having some sort of motorized chopping appliance can make your cooking experience that much easier, even Julia Child says so! Cuisinart also has a range of blenders but possibly the most useful is the complete dual set with a food processor and blender attachments with a multi-functional motor; ideal way to reduce clutter and equipment in the kitchen.
Possibly one of the most useful Cuisinart appliances is their multi-functional slow cooker. It is Cuisinart's version of an Instant Pot (check out our article The Best Instant Pot Models: Here's Why Every Cook Loves Them) and it allows you to make one-pot family favorites in advance as well as perfectly steamed rice or slow-braised meat. Like the other Cuisinart ranges, there is a selection of sizes so you can choose the one that will suit the size of your kitchen and the quantity needed for your household.
If you find yourself cringing at the price of a KitchenAid stand mixer, then Cuisinart has a great lower-price solution for the occasional baker. Plus, with a range of attachments such as a pasta maker and ice cream churner, this stand mixer can be turned into a more multifunctional tool in your kitchen. The Cuisinart mixer range also includes a number of hand mixers more suitable for smaller kitchens or for smaller tasks like whipping cream or egg whites.
Cuisinart grills are large enough to cook for a family and offer a variety of uses from grilling burgers, toasting sandwiches, or making pancakes. They also have a selection of grilling tools and gadgets for outdoor barbecuing as well as neat portable gas grills for camping and picnics.
Specialty Machines
As you may have established by now, for any kitchen item you want, Cuisinart can probably help you out. The company also has a wide variety of specific use machines including waffle makers, toasters, ice cream makers, and juicers to provide you with even more reasons to get you excited about home cooking.
Pots and pans will be the most used items in your kitchen so buying quality sets from Cuisinart will ensure you can cook with ease. Compared to All-Clad (check out our article The Ultimate Buyer's Guide To All-Clad), which offers premium ranges of 5-ply aluminum and copper core pans, Cuisinart offers more reasonably priced cookware sets made from 3-ply stainless steel or hard-anodized aluminum.
To fully complete your kitchen with Cuisinart ware, you can also sift through their large range of tools and utensils that will help you make the most of your Cuisinart appliances. They also have a selection of kitchen knife sets, grilling tool kits, and other useful gadgets to inspire more creative cooking.
CUISINART PRODUCTS WE RECOMMEND
With so many Cuisinart products on the market, it can be hard not to show you everything they have to offer. Here are just some of our favorite Cuisinart appliances.
AIR FRYERS
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This neat little air fryer could be a great way to incorporate more oil-free healthy meals in your home. It can cook up to 2.5 pounds of food which allows you to cook a small family meal or even batch cook healthy snacks for the week ahead. Product Highlights:
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TOA-60 Convection Toaster Oven AirFryer The combined toaster oven and air fryer setup makes this appliance very versatile for the home kitchen. As well as being able to air fry up to 3 lbs of food, it can also roast a 4-pound chicken or bake a 12-inch pizza. Consider this a small and cheaper alternative to a more conventional oven. Product Highlights:
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COFFEE MAKERS
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Perfectemp 14 Cup Coffee Maker This large filter coffee machine has been designed to make sure you have hot coffee without compromising on flavor. It also has a permanent filter plus adjustable strength control so you can decide how strong or weak you want your morning brew. Product Highlights:
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Fully Automatic Burr Grind & Brew Coffee Maker For the freshly ground experience, this machine grinds the beans directly into the filter right before the coffee is made. To avoid waste, you can also choose to adjust the quantity of coffee made between 4 and 12 cups and the machine will grind the exact amount of beans required. Product Highlights:
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Automatic Cold Brew Coffee Maker For fans of cold brew coffee, this machine will make it very easy to enjoy with minimal fuss or time. It can make your cold brew in as little as 25 minutes and with the glass carafe, you can then store your coffee in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. Product Highlights:
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FOOD PROCESSORS & BLENDERS
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This mini-prep processor is suitable for chopping up nuts or seeds as well as making small batches of curry pastes, pestos, and other sauces. The pulse setting allows you to have full control of the texture and while the 3-cup bowl and lid can be easily cleaned in the dishwasher. Product Highlights:
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Elemental 8 Cup Food Processor Having a standard-sized food processor in your kitchen can be useful for so many things and makes cooking family meals or entertaining a breeze. Cuisinart's most recent 8-cup food processor model is now easier than ever to use with only four large soft top buttons and the front-facing click-in lid; very suitable for visually or mobility impaired home cooks. Product Highlights:
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Velocity Ultra Trio Food Processor/Blender Kit To minimize clutter in your kitchen, buying an all-in-one blending/processing kit can be a better choice rather than buying separate units. This Cuisinart kit also comes with two travel cups that you can directly blend into before screwing on the portable lid and taking your freshly made smoothie to the gym or in the car. Product Highlights:
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FOOD PROCESSOR COMPETITORS
As Cuisinart is best known for its food processor, we have reviewed a few of the competitor’s models to show the variety that is on the market.
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KitchenAid 7 Cup Food Processor Similar to Cuisinart, the KitchenAid food processor is extremely simple to use with minimal settings, though arguably a more sleek design. This food processor is a more reasonable price compared to the KitchenAid stand mixer, meaning the price is comparable to the Cuisinart 8-cup food processor. |
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Breville 12 Cup Food Processor This premium food processor has the price tag to prove it. With almost double the motor power of the Cuisinart, this heavy durable food processor is more suited for someone who uses a food processor daily rather than weekly in order to validate the price tag. |
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Ninja 9 Cup Professional Food Processor Interestingly, this Ninja processor has the same power as the Breville processor but comes in at the same price as the KitchenAid and Cuisinart models. The Ninja design is unique with a 4 blade chopper and its own smart preset technology but that can make it feel a bit more complicated to use. However, it does claim to offer professional quality suitable for home kitchens. |
COOKWARE & BAKEWARE
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MulitClad Pro Stainless Steel 12-Piece Cookware Set The 12-piece Cuisinart cookware set provides you with every pot and pan you need to cook wholesome home-cooked food. Included are two sizes of saucepans, two sizes of skillets plus a sauté pan, and an 8-quart stockpot with a steamer insert. All the pans are 3-ply with an aluminum core, meaning they have effective even heat retention and are compatible with induction hobs. Product Highlights:
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GreenGourmet Hard-Anodized NonStick 12-Piece Cookware Set To offer more eco-friendly cookware for conscious home cooks, Cuisinart has released their Green Gourmet collection which includes this 12-piece hard-anodized cookware set. The handles and lids are made from 70% recycled stainless steel and the pans are all coated with PFOA and PTFE free non-stick ceramic. Product Highlights:
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This bakeware set is ideal if you are looking to get into home baking as it comes with all the standard trays and pans needed for traybakes, layer cakes, muffins, and bread. With the thick rolled edges to prevent warping and the non-stick interior, you can rely on this bakeware to help you get more confident with baking at home. Product Highlights:
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COUNTERTOP COOKERS
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3-in-1 Cook Central MultiCooker Having this multi-cooker allows you to slow-cook, sauté and steam with minimal effort. The basic settings make it easy to use compared to more complicated multi-cookers, plus it can be programmed up to 24 hours in advance meaning you could have dinner ready as soon as you walk in the door. Product Highlights:
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PSC-650 Programmable Stainless Steel SlowCooker The Cuisinart slow cooker offers a simple solution to home cooking for any busy household. With the 24-hour cook time and keep warm setting, you can make dinner in advance and allow your morning oatmeal to slowly cook overnight so that you can have healthy home-cooked meals without spending hours in the kitchen. Product Highlights:
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CRC-800 Stainless Steel RiceCooker Owning a Cuisinart rice cooker means that you can get perfectly cooked rice every time and with the non-stick inner coating the rice doesn't get stuck, making it very easy to clean. It also comes with a tray meaning you can steam vegetables or meat while the rice is cooking as an easy all-in-one method of making a healthy meal. Product Highlights:
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MIXERS
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Purchasing a stand mixer will assist you with any baking task and even knead your bread dough for you. The Cuisinart stand mixer is also compatible with 5 extra attachments, including a pasta extruder, spiralizer, and meat grinder, making it a useful versatile tool for any creative home cook. Product Highlights:
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HM-90 Power Advantage Plus 9-Speed Hand Mixer A hand mixer is a very useful tool in any kitchen and a great alternative to having a bulky stand mixer. Also the perfect appliance for whipping up heavy cream, egg whites, or cake batter. This new and improved Cuisinart model has longer attachments and a slow start function both helping to avoid splattering. Product Highlights:
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SPECIALTY MACHINES
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Similar to the air fryer, the Cuisinart indoor griddle is an appliance ideal for healthier cooking as you can sauté, fry and grill without lots of oil. Digital controls and adjustable temperatures give you a more automated grilling experience while the double cooking plates give you the option to use it as an open grill or as a sandwich press. Product Highlights:
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ICE-70 Cool Creations Ice Cream Maker There is something particularly special about making your own ice cream. This intuitive machine has three different settings so that it creates the right texture for ice cream, frozen yogurt, gelato, or sorbet. With a newly designed paddle and turning motor, this machine can produce your favorite frozen dessert in just 20 minutes! Product Highlights:
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THE BOTTOM LINE
If you are looking to get more creative in your home kitchen or just looking for ways to simplify your home-cooking experience, then Cuisinart is here to help. With an endless list of Cuisinart products now available, you can be sure to find the right appliance or tool that will suit your kitchen and your budget.
The information provided in this article is not nutritional or medical advice. Please read our disclaimer.