ProductReportCard Editors' In-Depth Review
Specifications
Performance Comparison
Functionality
With 11 cups of dry capacity, we thought the Cuisinart Prep 11 Plus was a great size for most households. However, the liquid capacity was only about 2.5 cups, which was on the low side considering its size. This could be an issue if you like to use your food processor for large liquid projects like soups or salsas. Honestly, we weren't very impressed with the work bowl. It seemed cheap, flimsy, and squeaky compared to other Cuisinart models we tested. In terms of controls however, we thought the touchpad buttons on the Prep 11 Plus were great - responsive and easy to clean. They were far superior to the stiff touchpad buttons on the KitchenAid 11-Cup with ExactSlice System, but we still prefer the paddle switch on the Cuisinart Pro Classic 7 Cup.
The control pad on the Prep 11 Plus.
Credit: Mary Griffin
The Cuisinart Prep 11 Plus only comes with very basic attachments. It has a universal 'S' blade, a 4mm slicing disc, and a medium shredding disc. In terms of feeder tube size, we found its "Supreme" feeder tube accommodates a whole tomato. However, similar to other Cuisinarts, the pusher must be locked into the safety mechanism to engage the motor. This means that you won't be able to continuously process through the main chute and will have to pare down larger food items. For instance, our russet potato had to be cut in half in order to slice it.
The small feed chute offers continuous processing for long, narrow foods.
Credit: Mary Griffin
Processing Quality:
Overall, we thought that the Cuisinart Prep 11 Plus performed well on all of our tests. With a base weight of 11 pounds and a 625-watt motor, it is slightly lighter and less powerful than the Cuisinart Custom 14 Cup. However, we thought it was stable and sufficiently powerful during our tests. We found that the processing quality was what you would expect from a Cuisinart. It did an excellent job shredding both carrots and parmesan.
The Cuisinart Prep 11 Plus shredding test results.
Credit: Mary Griffin
The slicing disc also worked well. Even when using a ripe tomato, it was able to produce consistent slices with little waste.
We were generally pleased with the slices produced by the Prep 11 Plus.
Credit: Mary Griffin
We were also pleasantly surprised with the chopping test performance. We found that it did a better job with onions and parsley than most other models we tested. The parsley was not too wet or bruised, and the onions were chopped instead of pureed or left in large chunks.
Chopping results on the Prep 11 Plus.
Credit: Mary Griffin
The Prep 11 Plus also did an excellent job whipping/emulsifying. Our whipped cream came together quickly with the desired peaks as you can see below.
Quick and easy whipped cream.
Credit: Mary Griffin
With heavier projects the Prep 11 Plus also did well. It was exceptionally fast at turning out smooth and creamy almond butter-though it was a bit louder than some other high-priced food processors we tested.
Homemade almond butter.
Credit: Mary Griffin
It also did a nice job kneading dough, and, although it shook a bit near the end, it shimmied much less than the Cuisinart Custom 14 Cup model we tested.
Perfectly formed pizza dough!
Credit: Mary Griffin
Ease of Set Up and Clean Up
Initially, we found the Cuisinart Prep 11 Plus to be the hardest food processor to assemble. The work bowl was incredibly difficult to snap in and out of the base. It took two hands and some oomph. Although this was hugely annoying in the beginning, it did loosen up significantly throughout the testing and wasn't nearly as noticeable at the end. Another thing that can be confusing at first is attaching discs to the stem piece. However, once you figure it out, it's really easy and secure. In terms of cleaning, this model was decent. The work bowl was relatively easy to clean out, but we found that moisture did get into the handle. That being said, we hand washed everything. You can use your dishwasher (top shelf) if you prefer, although it will dull your blades over time.
Storage Options
The Cuisinart Prep 11 Plus does not have blade storage, although you can buy it separately. It also doesn't have cord storage options.
Best Uses
The Cuisinart Prep 11 Plus did a good job on all our food processing tests and would be a great addition to any mid-size home.
Value
For $180, the Cuisinart Prep 11 Plus is a very good value. It works well and comes with a great warranty. Cuisinart guarantees material and craftsmanship on the entire unit for 3 years and the motor for 10 years. They will replace or repair your Prep 11 Plus free of charge. However, you are responsible for shipping and handling costs.
Conclusion
Overall, we found the Cuisinart Prep 11 Plus to be a very good food processor for a mid-size home. It performed well on all of our tests, was relatively quiet, and comes with an excellent warranty. Given the glowing online reviews, we expected this Cuisinart to blow us away, but, of the four Cuisinart models that we tested, it just wasn't a standout. Although the dough function is nice, it did not seem to improve the quality of our dough. Honestly all of the Cuisinart models did really well kneading dough. If you are looking for a mid-size model, and want the specific dough function, this may be the right choice for you. However, for $20 more, you can get the Cuisinart Custom 14 Cup that has a stronger motor and more dry/liquid capacity. For $80 less, you can get our Editor's Choice Award winner, the Cuisinart Pro Classic 7 Cup. It has all the same functionality with less capacity. In our opinion, you can't really go wrong with any Cuisinart food processor, but we felt like this wasn't the best bang for our buck among the Cuisinarts we tested.
Alternatives:
Cuisinart Custom 14 Cup
- $200
- 720-watt motor
- 14-cup dry capacity and 3-cup liquid capacity
KitchenAid 11-Cup with ExactSlice System
- $200
- 360-watt motor
- 11-cup dry capacity and 3-cup liquid capacity
- Adjustable slicing disc
- Only has a 1-year warranty
Cuisinart Pro Classic 7 Cup
- $100
- 600-watt motor
- 7-cup dry capacity and 2-cup liquid capacity
- Simple paddle control
- Flat top work bowl
We suggest that you check out our Buying Advice for Food Processors to get an idea for what machine will best suit your needs.
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