The Breville 12 Cup and 16 Cup food processors are both high-quality kitchen appliances, but they cater to very different needs based on capacity, power, and price. The 12 Cup model is a more compact and affordable option ideal for smaller households and daily tasks, while the 16 Cup version boasts a significantly larger bowl and more powerful motor for large batches, frequent entertaining, and heavy-duty jobs like kneading dough.
Here’s a detailed comparison to help you decide which Breville food processor is the right fit for your kitchen.
Breville 12 Cup Food Processor
The Breville 12 Cup food processor is a versatile workhorse designed for the everyday home cook. It offers a balance of power, precision, and compact size, making it a great choice for kitchens where counter space is at a premium. This model handles daily prep tasks like chopping vegetables, shredding cheese, and making salsas with ease.
- What it is: A mid-sized food processor suitable for preparing meals for small to medium-sized families.
- Key features: 12-cup (1.4 liter) capacity bowl, powerful 650-watt motor, stainless steel blades, and safety interlock system.
- Price: Typically costs between $200 and $250.
- Dimensions: Approximately 8 x 7 x 12 inches, making it relatively compact for easy storage.
- Materials/Construction: Features a durable, BPA-free plastic work bowl and a sturdy base often finished in brushed stainless steel.
- Style: Sleek and modern, with clean lines that blend well with contemporary kitchen decor.
- Pros: More affordable price point, smaller footprint saves counter space, powerful enough for most everyday tasks, easy to clean and operate.
- Cons: Smaller capacity isn't ideal for batch cooking or large families, less powerful motor may struggle with very tough ingredients or thick doughs.
This model is perfectly suited for couples or small families who need a reliable, high-performance machine for daily meal preparation without sacrificing too much space.
Shop this product: breville.com/us/en/products/food-processors/bfp680.html
Breville 16 Cup Food Processor
The Breville 16 Cup food processor is engineered for serious home chefs, large families, and anyone who loves to entertain. With its extra-large capacity and robust motor, this machine excels at large-scale food prep, heavy-duty tasks like kneading bread dough, and batch cooking for the week ahead. It’s a premium appliance designed for power and high-volume output.
- What it is: A large-capacity, high-power food processor designed for heavy use and batch cooking.
- Key features: 16-cup (2 liter) capacity bowl, a powerful 1000-watt motor, multiple attachments including a dough blade, and a wide feed chute.
- Price: Generally ranges from $300 to $400.
- Dimensions: Approximately 9 x 8 x 14 inches, requiring more counter and storage space.
- Materials/Construction: Built with high-quality, BPA-free plastic for the bowl and a heavy-duty stainless steel base for stability and longevity.
- Style: Professional and streamlined, with a larger but still sleek aesthetic that matches other Breville appliances.
- Pros: Huge capacity is perfect for large families or entertaining, extra-powerful motor handles any task with ease, versatile enough for doughs and large quantities, saves time on big prep jobs.
- Cons: Significantly more expensive, larger and heavier design takes up more kitchen space, can be overkill for small, simple tasks.
This processor is the top choice for frequent cooks who prepare large meals and need a no-compromise machine for power, capacity, and versatility.
Shop this product: breville.com/us/en/products/food-processors/bfp800.html
Breville 12 Cup vs. 16 Cup Food Processor Comparison
Dimensions & Capacity
The most obvious difference is capacity. The 12 Cup model is generous enough for daily prep for a family of four, like chopping a few onions or shredding a block of cheese. Its smaller footprint (around 8 x 7 x 12 inches) is a major advantage in apartments or kitchens with limited counter real estate.
The 16 Cup model is built for volume. This extra capacity is critical for meal prepping, Super Bowl chili, or making multiple pie crusts at once. However, its larger size (around 9 x 8 x 14 inches) demands a dedicated spot on the counter or significant cabinet space for storage.
Power & Performance
Power is another key differentiator. The 12 Cup model is equipped with a capable 650-watt motor that’s more than sufficient for everyday slicing, dicing, and puréeing. It can handle most jobs without any issue.
The 16 Cup model steps up to a formidable 1000-watt motor. This additional power isn’t just for show - it allows the processor to power through dense bread doughs, large batches of firm vegetables, and other tough ingredients without straining the motor. For heavy-duty bakers or cooks, this power is a necessity.
Materials & Construction
Both models reflect Breville's high standards for quality. They are constructed with durable BPA-free plastic work bowls and sharp stainless steel blades and discs designed for longevity. The bases are solid and typically feature a non-slip design to keep the machine stable during operation. While the 16 Cup model feels a bit more robust due to its sheer size and heavier base, both machines are built to last.
Price & Value
There is a price gap of about $100 or more between the two. The 12 Cup processor delivers excellent value for its price, providing professional-grade performance for typical household needs. For most people, it's all the food processor they will ever need.
The 16 Cup model is a clear investment. The higher price is justified by its superior capacity and power. If you frequently cook in large quantities or find your current processor too small or underpowered, the extra cost is well worth it for the time and effort it saves.
Which One Should You Choose?
Both Breville food processors are excellent choices, but they are built for different types of cooks and kitchens.
Choose the Breville 12 Cup if:
- You typically cook for one to four people.
- Your kitchen has limited counter or storage space.
- Your primary needs are slicing vegetables, shredding cheese, and making sauces or dips.
- You're looking for a high-quality machine at a more moderate price point.
Choose the Breville 16 Cup if:
- You have a large family or frequently host dinner parties.
- You enjoy batch cooking or preparing freezer meals.
- You need a processor that can powerfully knead bread or pizza dough.
- You have ample kitchen space and are looking for a top-of-the-line, heavy-duty appliance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the main difference between the Breville 12 Cup and 16 Cup?
The primary differences are capacity, motor power, physical size, and price. The 16 Cup model holds four more cups, has a stronger 1000-watt motor (vs. 650 watts), is physically larger, and costs about $100 more than the 12 Cup version.
Can the Breville 12 Cup knead dough?
While the 12 Cup's motor can handle some light dough tasks, it's not its strong suit. For frequent bread or pizza making, the 16 Cup's powerful 1000-watt motor and included dough blade are specifically designed for the job and will deliver much better results.
Which model is easier to clean?
Both models come with bowls, lids, and blades that are generally dishwasher-safe (top rack recommended). The cleaning process is very similar for both, though the smaller components of the 12 Cup model may be slightly easier to fit in a crowded dishwasher.
Is the 16 Cup model too big for just one person?
Yes, for most individuals or a two-person household, the 16 Cup processor is likely overkill. Smaller tasks can become inefficient in such a big bowl, and processing tiny quantities can be difficult. The 12 Cup is a much better fit for smaller-scale cooking.
Are the attachments interchangeable between the 12 Cup and 16 Cup models?
No, the blades, discs, and other attachments are sized specifically for their corresponding bowls. You cannot use 12 Cup accessories with the 16 Cup model or vice versa.
Is the Breville 16 Cup worth the extra cost?
If you regularly cook in large volumes, entertain often, or require a machine for heavy-duty tasks like dough making, the investment is absolutely worth it. The extra power and capacity will save you significant time and effort. For average daily use, the 12 Cup offers better value.
What safety features are included?
Both Breville food processors prioritize safety with a lock-in mechanism that prevents the motor from starting unless the bowl and lid are securely in place. They also feature non-slip feet to ensure the unit stays put during operation.
Which one is louder?
All food processors make a considerable amount of noise due to their powerful motors. The 16 Cup's 1000-watt motor will be slightly louder than the 12 Cup's 650-watt motor, especially when working on tough ingredients, but both operate within a typical range for high-end kitchen appliances.
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