Buying guide for best cuisinart products
One of the premier companies for kitchen countertop appliances and machines, Cuisinart has made cooking, baking, eating, and drinking fun and easy for decades. Since the early 1970s, when founder Carl Sontheimer introduced the food processor to the United States at a show in Chicago, Cuisinart has been a trusted name in effective and affordable kitchen cookware and devices.
The company’s product line has grown in depth and breadth since then, blending new technologies and innovation with changing diets and trends. Today, it offers everything you need to cook and serve any meal you desire.
Cuisinart’s comprehensive product lineup means it has everything you need to stock your kitchen, but it also means there are a lot of choices to sort through. Our guide offers a primer on popular and useful Cuisinart products while also highlighting items that make great gifts for others and indulgences for yourself.
Cuisinart basics
Below are some appliances required for the most basic of cooking needs, but they probably aren’t the only kitchen equipment in your lineup. There is some crossover with these items, so you likely won’t need all of them, but each is a powerful and useful addition to any kitchen.
Toaster
This classic appliance hasn’t changed much over time, but that doesn’t mean you don’t have a lot of options when it comes to purchasing. Cuisinart offers toasters that hold either two or four slices in stainless steel, white or black plastic, and even red. Cuisinart also sells a high-end toaster that support thicker artisanal breads that may not fit in standard toasters.
Price: Most Cuisinart toasters cost around $50. You can find less-expensive two-slice plastic models that cost about $30 and four-slice stainless steel models that cost as much as $250.
Microwave
Microwaves have come a long way since their introduction in 1967. Today’s microwaves provide an efficient and effective solution for cooking and reheating meals that still keeps food tasting fresh. Cuisinart’s stainless steel microwaves are easy to clean. Some Cuisinart microwaves have a heat sensor to determine when an item is reheated so you don’t have to keep checking. They range in size from 0.7 cubic feet up to 1.2. Most feature 1,000 watts, though inexpensive models boast 700 watts.
Price: Cuisinart microwaves cost between $100 and $200, with the higher price reflected in advanced options like grilling, baking, and roasting.
Food processor
Cuisinart came onto the scene with a food processor nearly 50 years ago, and it’s been the company’s signature item ever since. It’s also become a kitchen necessity for every home cook. For those cooking for one, working in a small kitchen, or adhering to a budget, Cuisinart offers a Mini-Prep Processor that is compact yet powerful.
Processors range in capacity from as little as 4 cups to as much as 14 cups. (The Mini-Prep options may be as small as 2 cups). While smaller appliances require less energy with motors of just 100 to 200 watts, larger appliances feature motors of 600 to 800 watts. Cuisinart also sells accessory kits that specifically focus on tasks like dicing or spiraling.
Price: Smaller Cuisinart food processors cost around $80, while larger, more powerful models cost over $150.
Air fryer
These devices have grown in popularity over the last few years as a healthier, tastier, and quicker alternative to deep frying food. Air fryers don’t use oil but instead circulate hot air around the food to make it crispy and crunchy. Cuisinart’s air fryer models serve multiple purposes to toast, bake, and broil your favorite items.
Price: Cuisinart’s least-expensive air fryer costs about $100, while the most expensive costs closer to $300.
Pressure cooker
These popular products have taken kitchens by storm in the last several years by making a lot of elaborate and tasty meals much quicker and easier to prepare. Cuisinart offers several pressure cooker models. One of the latest has 12 settings, including options for cooking meat, beans, rice, and stock, among others.
Price: Cuisinart’s pressure cookers cost from $100 to $150, depending on capacity.
Coffee maker
For coffee lovers, Cuisinart has you covered with nearly three dozen coffee makers, as well as some grinders to prepare your favorite beans. Options include single-serve machines and coffee makers that brew up to 14 cups. Most machines are programmable so your coffee can be ready for you in the morning. Some have a thermal pot to keep your coffee hotter longer. For added convenience, opt for a machine that includes a grinder.
Manufacturers commonly describe power in terms of watts or horsepower. Smaller blenders may have around 600 to 700 watts, while high-end models may boast 1 to 2 HP. (750 watts is equal to 1 HP.) The more power a blender has, the more quickly and easily it can pulverize large, strong items. Most Cuisinart blenders feature jars with a capacity of 48 to 60 ounces.
Price: Cuisinart’s coffee makers range from $40 to $230, depending on the size and features. Coffee grinders range from $30 to $100.
Juicer
Juicers separate the fibrous parts of fruits and vegetables from the juice. These powerful appliances can grind carrots, beets, and other foods with ease. Cuisinart makes juicer models ranging in jug capacity from 20 ounces to 1 liter. The largest model features 1,000 watts of power.
Price: Cuisinart’s electric juicers range in price from $30 to $150.
Blender
Cuisinart makes over 30 blenders, ranging from hand (stick) blenders to powerful 3.5-horsepower countertop models. A blender is ideal for making smoothies, dressings, and sauces. Some blenders come with travel cups. Certain blenders may also perform as food processors, but they aren’t as large or powerful as some food processors.
Price: Cuisinart blenders range from $30 for a stick blender to $330 for a 3.5-horsepower countertop blender. There are many models in the $100 to $150 range, with the price depending on size and power.
Specialty items
Ice cream maker
Though they’re called ice cream makers, these machines can make a range of frozen treats including sorbet, gelato, and frozen yogurt. Some of Cuisinart’s machines specialize in making frozen fruity desserts, while others can make soft-serve ice cream or both.
Price: Cuisinart’s ice cream makers range in price from $10 to $300.
Waffle/pancake maker
Make decadent and tasty breakfast treats with a Cuisinart waffle and pancake makers. These may be vertical or horizontal, round or square, Belgian or regular, and make from one to half a dozen at a time. Some machines feature an option to make omelets or pizzelles.
Price: Cuisinart’s waffle and pancake makers range in price from $30 to $130.
Griddle
You can grill vegetables, meat, and make panini and other sandwiches on a griddle. Cuisinart makes large outdoor griddle stations and griddle pans that span one or two burners for indoor cooking.
Price: Cuisinart’s griddle pans start at $25. The most expensive outdoor griddle station is $400.
For your safety
Safety first! Some of the products can get very hot, particularly a toaster oven or griddle. Make sure to always use oven mitts and take precautions when using.
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Tips
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Activate your warranty. After purchasing a Cuisinart appliance, go online to register your product and activate the warranty, some of which extend for the lifetime of the item. You’ll also get news and discounts.
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Download the KitchenSync app. Cuisinart’s app allows you to discover, share, and save recipes specific to the product or products you own
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Experiment! Cooking is an art as well as a science, so don’t be afraid to test new recipes and tinker with settings on your new appliances.
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Consider appliance overlap. A lot of appliances serve multiple functions. Think about the overlap before you buy. A slow cooker might not be necessary if you already have a pressure cooker.
FAQ
Q. What’s the best product for preparing meals for a large family?
A. A pressure cooker is one of the easiest and fastest ways to make a lot of different meals. It’s great for making soups, steaming rice, cooking beans, or simmering stews. You can even make pasta and lasagna in it. That said, it’s important to assess your family’s eating and cooking habits before buying something that you may not use. Whatever appliance you choose, make sure it’s the largest Cuisinart offers so you have plenty for all to enjoy.
Q. How should I clean my Cuisinart products?
A. Each purchase comes with specific instructions on how to clean it. Most are simple to clean. Some parts of food processors, for example, disassemble quickly and are safe to put in the dishwasher. The same goes for parts of some coffee makers. Always read the instructions before cleaning your appliance.
Q. What’s the best product for someone who doesn’t have much time to cook?
A. A food processor is the ideal item to help with quick and easy meal prep. An air fryer is great for those who like crispy chicken or vegetables but don’t have the time or energy to pan or deep fry. And nothing beats a microwave for push-button convenience when you need to reheat food or cook a frozen meal.
Q. Should I get a Cuisinart stand mixer or hand mixer?
A. Cuisinart has a range of both stand mixers and hand mixers. Stand mixers have more strength and capacity and take up more space. They’re also more expensive. Stand mixers are ideal for those who cook often and for a family. They’re useful for a variety of kitchen tasks such as making bread dough. Hand mixers are useful if money or space is limited or if you don’t cook often or prepare large meals.
