Anyone have personal experience of a DECENT food processor (eg for cabbage shredding)

[Arky]

Hi, does anyone have any experience of high quality food processors capable of shredding cabbage?

I appreciate that a high quality one is expensive (just look at the price of Robot Coups, for example! Ouch!). I am not a wealthy person at all. But I understand that quality costs money and there are certain tasks that are not suited for cutting corners in terms of engineering quality.

Putting price to one side for a moment, then, I'd be interested to hear from any of you who have personal experience of light-commercial, or commercial grade Robot Coup. or Waring-Cuisineart, Magimix etc. processors. Above all else, my specific interest is for shredding quantities of cabbage, carrot, beet etc. on a regular basis.

The problem with cheap consumer-grade machines is that the spinning grater disc invariably tends to be poorly engineered, so it rattles, doesn't have good longevity, and...well... basically, a poorly engineered machine is substandard for this task in a great many ways. Any of you who've tried shredding vegetables with a lower quality machine will immediately understand the various shortcomings I am referring to. I've looked at the upper-consumer/light-commercial grade Kitchen Aid and CuisineArt offerings and they're not bad, but still don't inspire me with longterm confidence for this particular task.

I am interested in hearing people's experiences, findings, suggestions, etc.

Please understand that I am not being 'snobby', when I say the above, I'm simply being honest that this is a food processing task which requires decent engineering if the job is to be done frequently and for a number of years without poor performance or poor reliability.

Thanks; I'm all ears...

[Dirkg]

I use my Hamilton Beach (it was ~$50-65, so its consumer grade) for making salads and have used cabbage, carrots, radishes etc. Sometimes a bigger piece will get stuck in the top between the disc and the lid, I don't mind. But have only had it for a short while, so I can't speak to longevity.

My guess is the best bet will be a used model manufactured a while ago. Even the Cuisinarts and KitchenAid's made today tend to be value engineered and not as robust, going by the reviews. Of course it all depends. The Braun Multiquick K650 looks built pretty well - http://www.amazon.com/Braun-Multiquick-K650-Kitchen-Machine/dp/B000NO12QE/

[MysticTree]

Over the years I have used lots of variously priced machines. I can't remember anything recently which I would especially recommend. Looking in the shops - branches of Kitchens usually have a good selections - a hands on look is always helpful :)

[Arky]

My guess is the best bet will be a used model manufactured a while ago. Even the Cuisinarts and KitchenAid's made today tend to be value engineered and not as robust, going by the reviews. Of course it all depends.
Thanks Dirkg, I think you're probably very accurate with that statement. I have noticed that even the premium brands such as Waring/Cuisinart and KitchenAid seem to be manufacturing a lot of stuff in China these days, whereas they used to manufacture in France, the USA etc.



The Braun Multiquick K650 looks built pretty well - http://www.amazon.com/Braun-Multiquick-K650-Kitchen-Machine/dp/B000NO12QE/

I have mixed feelings about Braun - in their own pricebracket they have always seemed to be at least as good quality as competitors within the same pricebracket, so I respect your recommendation, on that level, but I have had 2 blenders from Braun, when I first started into raw foods, and both of them failed within less than 6 months, so I won't buy Braun now - in fact I won't buy anything from lower price brackets. Again, please let me stress that I am very definitely not wealthy at all, nor do I have any delusions of grandeur or anything. Sincerely, it's just that I've come to realise that if I want a machine, of any type, that will last me for several years of almost daily use, it is actually more economical for me to save for several months to spend several hundred bucks, than it is to immediately buy something for less than a hundred bucks. It's just pragmatism and a willingness to be patient and save in order to avoid longterm disappointment and hassle. Boy did it take me a few years to learn that the hard way, and I still have to fight the urge to 'buy now', without saving for something better.
I will look into pricing of reconditioned/refurbished light commercial gear, although of course that always carries with it the risk that the equipment may already have had a very hard life...



Over the years I have used lots of variously priced machines. I can't remember anything recently which I would especially recommend. Looking in the shops - branches of Kitchens usually have a good selections - a hands on look is always helpful :)

Again, I think, like Dirkg, you're accurate with your appraisal, Mystic. It's all about profitability rather than pride in engineering prowess these days, when companies are putting out products to consumers. And yes, Kitchens are a particularly good store for premium-consumer and (to a limited extent) light-commercial grade kitchen equipment.


You've both basically comfirmed what I'd already reluctantly concluded - for me to avoid being disappointed, I really think I'm going to have to dig deep, save very hard, and bite-the-bullet... ...and get a Robot Coupe. I have seen these firsthand and they are truly built like tanks. All die-cast chassis etc. Proper old-skool engineering values.

Thankyou both for your input.

[DebB]

I don't have anything to compare it to, but my Cuisinart has worked just fine for shredding cabbage, etc. It's all I've used for over 10 years now. My Cuisinart is an 11 cup. I'd love to have a larger one, but I get along fine with this one. I have had to replace the work bowl once so far. I think it was around $50 to do that. Now, I always wash it by hand whenever possible. I think the dishwasher hastened its demise.

[Arky]

Can you do me a favour, please, Deb?

Can you look on the underside of your Cusinart and find it's place of manufacture?

Thanks

[DebB]

Sure - it's made in (wait for it....) China ;)

[Arky]

LOL!

Well, I'm glad it's been a good workhorse for you. There's nothing inherently wrong with Chinese manufacturing (for example, I myself have an ultra-high-quality digital audio player from a small manufacturer in Shenzhen, China, and it absolutely stomps all over players from more famous names).

Apple have a lot of their gear made in China and it's generally considered to be very good quality - especially the Macbook Pros.

It might be that your Cuisinart was made in the early days following transfer of production to China.

Either way, as things stand at the present time, I think I will save for a Robot Coup, though goodness knows, it will surely hurt to shell out that much cash.

[MysticTree]

Cabbage shreds very well on a spiraliser. I have a very well made one from Japan which I got on amazon. I would recommend that over any if the electrical gadgets I've shredded cabbage on. Maybe though you are planning mass sauerkraut production? I use it to spiral carrots and other veg but things like cabbage, onion and any other "headed" leaf veg actually shred. Everything else goes to spag and tag type sizes.

[Arky]

Cabbage shreds very well on a spiraliser. I have a very well made one from Japan which I got on amazon. I would recommend that over any if the electrical gadgets I've shredded cabbage on. Maybe though you are planning mass sauerkraut production? I use it to spiral carrots and other veg but things like cabbage, onion and any other "headed" leaf veg actually shred. Everything else goes to spag and tag type sizes.


Yes and No.

I currently can't tolerate sauerkraut, which disappoints me a great deal because I've experienced, in the past, how positively it has affected me, on a surprising number of levels.

However, I wish to be able to make it for my parents, currently, and I wish to be able to make it for myself in future. I don't forsee making it into a business but I can foresee potentially making it for friends, too. The thing is, shredding cabbage doesn't seem like a big deal but actually, I know from past experience that it's really gruelling shredding sufficient cabbage to make several large jars of sauerkraut - seriously not something I'd wish to go through again (upwards of a dozen cabbages). And I don't think slicing the cabbage is anything like as good as shredding it, even though some people do do it sliced.

I could spend £350 on a Magimix and end up wishing I saved and spent on a Robot Coup which could literally last me a lifetime.. A decade ago, perhaps I woudn't have been so concerned about longevity of Magimix, Waring, Kitchenaid etc.


.

[MysticTree]

My spiraliser was £40 and does a fab job but if you want it at a grated size then it won't do that. I love kimchee and coleslaw done with the spiraliser - carrot though, I use the grater.

[Dirkg]

Speaking of manual labor, when I was a kid I remember m mother used to make a dish that required a lot of shredded carrots. It took a long time, cleaning each carrot, then shredding it using a hand box shredder, and I remember I used to help her sometimes, but it was still hours of labor. We didn't have any electrical appliances, and just 1 knife. I can't help but think with today's tools, you can't form those kind of memories.

[MysticTree]

Speaking of manual labor, when I was a kid I remember m mother used to make a dish that required a lot of shredded carrots. It took a long time, cleaning each carrot, then shredding it using a hand box shredder, and I remember I used to help her sometimes, but it was still hours of labor. We didn't have any electrical appliances, and just 1 knife. I can't help but think with today's tools, you can't form those kind of memories.

Even with these tools, I wouldn't (even when I DID have electricity) get the processor out to to grate a few carrots or cabbage. I still use a grater. If I was making tonnes of pickles etc then I would have done but I rarely did. I am amazed at the number of recipes that call for a processor when the quantities don't justify it. I can have 2 or 3 carrots grated in less time than it takes to get a processor set up and a grater is quicker to wash afterwards too.

[Aleesha Sattva]

Speaking of manual labor, when I was a kid I remember m mother used to make a dish that required a lot of shredded carrots. It took a long time, cleaning each carrot, then shredding it using a hand box shredder, and I remember I used to help her sometimes, but it was still hours of labor. We didn't have any electrical appliances, and just 1 knife. I can't help but think with today's tools, you can't form those kind of memories.

Nope they don't. Now I can make stuff faster so I get to spend more time playing board games, going for walks or sitting and talking with my kids. It's not like you miss out on experiences with your kids simply because your labour is easier. If anything, I have more energy for them because of the assistance I get from my food processor.

Mystic, you'd be surprised at how much a food processor can speed up dinner - especially if you are making for more than one person. My food processor (and two juicers) live on my counter top so it's not a matter of pulling it out of a cupboard, it's there, waiting to be of service.

[Arky]

Even with these tools, I wouldn't (even when I DID have electricity) get the processor out to to grate a few carrots or cabbage. I still use a grater. If I was making tonnes of pickles etc then I would have done but I rarely did.

Well, I hear what you're saying, but I really am talking about grating 12-20 large cabbages at a time. That's taken me half a day or so in the past and it's not something I have any desire to put myself through again!





Mystic, you'd be surprised at how much a food processor can speed up dinner - especially if you are making for more than one person. My food processor (and two juicers) live on my counter top so it's not a matter of pulling it out of a cupboard, it's there, waiting to be of service.

The mark of a serious raw-foodist! LOL

But I'm just the same. My blender and juicer live permanently on the countertop. Let's face it, many people leave a deep-fat frier, toaster, or coffee maker living permanently on their countertop, so why not replace them with a juicer, blender, or food processor, and use them just as frequently? :-)

You made a good point, Aleesha - if 'healthy' appliances are kept in the cupboard (not that Mystic was actually implying that, specifically), then they just gather dust and don't serve their owner very much. It's just human nature. But if they're right there on the countertop, they'll get used frequently, paying for themselves and promoting the good health of their owner. In fact, food processors are an absolutely classic example of this - how many of us have parents who own a food processor which has been used literally less than 10 times within the 5 or more years that they've owned it? Definitely the case with my parents.

[ReneeH]

Me too... I have a counter snd cabinet just for my raw tools. I LOVE gadgets!!!! When I teach classes I ask my student to get out their gadgets and we use them! Makes for a fun Class!!!

[DebB]

I just remembered about these videos. Kevin Gianni (Renegade Health Show) with Donna Gates about fermenting veggies. For some reason, my computer is not giving me sound on YouTube (time to restart I suppose) - but it seems to me Donna or the other lady talks about the high-zoot processers for doing large amounts of cabbage.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5qjzlS0U4h0

This is part 1 of 3 in this video series. Wish I could narrow it down, but impossible without sound..

[MysticTree]

I'm very rarely preparing food for more than just me to be fair and where appliances can be kept on the work surface that's great. Even if we got solar power and wind power or even a generator I would not be able to have appliances on the work tops permanently. There just isn't space enough even for one small one.