Cuisinart Duet Blender Food Processor

The Cuisinart Duet blender and food processor system brings together both of these indispensable kitchen taskmasters onto a single versatile base driver unit. This eliminates the need for an extra dedicated unit altogether and could potentially declutter your kitchen counters and free up those power outlets!

The Cuisinart BFP-10CH PowerBlend Duet Blender and Food Processor can crush ice and make smoothies when using the blender feature and can chop and shred ingredients in the food processor mode. This unit has a powerful 500-watt motor and comes with a 56-ounce glass jar for blending, a 3-cup work bowl for food processing. There are two types of blade assemblies for the food processor: lower s-blades are for chopping and a reversible shredding and slicing disc that mounts high and is used in conjuction with a feed tube and pusher. The seven different speed settings make it easy to find the right speed for any task. The model is 15 inches in height and weighs 13 pounds.

If this seems too large or powerful, there is also the BFP-703 SmartPower Cuisinart Duet Blender/Food Processor which is a smaller and lighter unit when compared to the BFP-10CH. This little brother has a smaller 350-watt motor and comes and only a 40-ounce glass jar for blending which can sometimes prove to be too narrow towards the bottom, hampering smooth blending operation. The SmartPower Cuisinart Duet comes in chrome with black and is 16 inches in height weighing 10 pounds.

The food processor unit for both Cuisinart Duet units is identical, however. It is important that a special food processor button needs to be pressed when using this attachment, as food processing typically occurs at a lower speed (rpm), so it is necessary that the unit ratchets down the speed in order to operate as intended. Potential buyers should note that the 3 cup capacity offered is slightly smaller than traditional dedicated food processors which typically run around 5-7 cups in volume.

Report of frequent trouble with the motor of the Cuisinart Duet units is a very common source of sour reviews from many users. These reports range from a strong electrical odor being emitted during use to total unit failure. Considering the frequency of these issues, as well as more minor grievances about unsatisfactory general performance makes this unit difficult to recommend, despite its merits of being a kitchen multi-taskmaster.

• Saves counter space and reduce kitchen clutter.
• The BFP-10CH has cord storage.
• All the removable parts are all dishwasher safe.
• Clearly marked and diverse speeds allow the best operation for the task.
• The BFP-703CH is quieter (but smaller) in comparison to the BFP-10.

• Emits a strong electrical smell when in use. Cuisinart said the smell dissipates with each use and is an indication of the strength of the motor. We have tested blenders with three times the power of the stronger unit without any electrical smell.
• The chrome is merely plastic with a chrome finish.
• The 3-cup food processor is relatively small compared to that of a dedicated unit.
• Generally loud operation.
• The narrow blending jar of the BFP-703CH is so tight at the bottom it may impede blending.
• If this unit fails, you lose two kitchen appliances.