The Breville Sous Chef 12 and Cuisinart 14-Cup Food Processor cater to different needs in the kitchen, primarily distinguished by price, design, and performance features. The Breville is a premium, high-performance machine with a sleek metal build and versatile attachments aimed at serious home cooks, whereas the Cuisinart is a larger-capacity workhorse that offers excellent value and simple functionality for budget-conscious families and batch cooking.
Here's a detailed look to help you decide which food processor from Breville or Cuisinart is the right choice for your kitchen countertop.
Breville Sous Chef 12
The Breville Sous Chef 12 is a powerful and meticulously designed food processor for home cooks who prioritize precision, versatility, and a premium aesthetic. Its powerful motor and extensive set of accessories make it a top contender for those who frequently tackle a wide range of culinary tasks and are willing to invest in high-quality construction.
- What it is: A high-performance 12-cup food processor with a die-cast metal base and a secondary mini-bowl for smaller tasks.
- Key features: Powerful 1000-watt induction motor, 12-cup main bowl, 2.5-cup mini bowl, adjustable slicing disc with 24 settings, and multiple blades and accessories included.
- Price: Typically $400 - $500.
- Style: Modern and minimalist with a brushed stainless steel finish that complements contemporary kitchens.
- Materials/Construction: Features a heavy-duty die-cast metal base, high-impact BPA-free plastic bowls, and stainless steel blades for lasting durability.
- Pros: Extremely powerful motor handles tough jobs like dough and dense vegetables. Includes a mini-bowl for small batches. Premium, sturdy build quality. Highly adjustable slicing disc provides superior control. Sleek and attractive design.
- Cons: High price point puts it in a premium category. Smaller 12-cup capacity compared to the Cuisinart model. Can be complex for beginner users with its many attachments.
The Breville Sous Chef 12 is ideal for detail-oriented home cooks who see their food processor as a long-term investment and demand precision and power in their culinary tools.
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Cuisinart 14-Cup Food Processor
Cuisinart's 14-Cup Food Processor is a classic kitchen workhorse, known for its reliability, large capacity, and straightforward operation. It has been a staple in home kitchens for decades, offering consistent performance for everyday chopping, shredding, and mixing tasks at a very accessible price point.
- What it is: A large-capacity, budget-friendly food processor designed for simple and effective everyday use.
- Key features: Large 14-cup work bowl, powerful motor (typically 720 watts), simple on/off/pulse paddle controls, and includes standard stainless steel slicing and shredding discs.
- Price: $150 - $250.
- Style: Utilitarian and functional, featuring a classic appliance design with a plastic base that comes in various color options.
- Materials/Construction: Made with a durable plastic housing and a sturdy motor built to handle regular use. Bowls are made from strong, BPA-free plastic.
- Pros: Excellent value for the price. Large 14-cup capacity is perfect for families and batch cooking. Incredibly simple to use with paddle controls. A dependable and proven design that lasts for years.
- Cons: Basic features compared to the Breville. The plastic body feels less premium than metal. Fewer included attachments and less slicing precision. Can be quite loud during operation.
The Cuisinart 14-Cup Food Processor is built for anyone needing a large, reliable, and no-fuss machine for daily food prep without breaking the bank.
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Breville Sous Chef 12 vs. Cuisinart 14 Comparison
Capacity & Size
The Cuisinart takes the lead with its single, large 14-cup work bowl, which is ideal if you're meal prepping for the week, making large batches of salsa, or preparing food for a family. In contrast, the Breville has a 12-cup main bowl, which is slightly smaller but still very generous for most tasks.
However, the Breville Sous Chef 12 includes a 2.5-cup mini bowl that fits inside the larger one, giving it more versatility for smaller jobs like chopping herbs or making a small batch of dressing. In terms of countertop footprint, both are fairly similarly sized, though the Breville's heavy die-cast metal base makes it significantly heavier.
Materials & Construction
This is where the Breville stands out. Its base is constructed from die-cast metal, giving it a premium feel, added stability, and long-term durability. Cuisinart uses a sturdy plastic housing, which is functional and durable but lacks the high-end look of the Breville. Both use high-quality, BPA-free plastics for their bowls and strong stainless steel for the blades.
The Breville also boasts a 1000-watt induction motor, known for its power and reliability, while the Cuisinart's motor is typically around 720 watts - still powerful enough for almost all home tasks, but the Breville has more torque for challenging jobs like kneading stiff dough.
Price & Value
There's a significant price difference here. The Cuisinart 14-Cup model retails for a fraction of the price of the Breville, making it an exceptional value. For shoppers on a budget who need a large, reliable machine, Cuisinart is the clear winner.
The Breville justifies its higher price (often double or more) with its premium materials, more powerful motor, and a much wider array of included accessories like the adjustable slicing disc and mini-bowl. Its value comes from its performance, precision, and longevity, making it a better choice for someone who views this as a long-term, high-use kitchen investment.
Style & Aesthetics
For design-conscious buyers, the Breville is hands-down the more stylish option. Its brushed stainless steel finish and sleek, modern lines make it a beautiful countertop appliance that you’ll want to display. The Cuisinart has a more classic, utilitarian design that is focused purely on function. While it’s certainly not unattractive, it doesn't have the same "wow" factor as the Breville.
Who Each One Works Best For
The Breville Sous Chef 12 is best for the serious home cook who demands precision, power, and versatility. If you frequently make everything from fine sauces to doughs and want an appliance that looks as good as it performs, the Breville is worth the investment.
The Cuisinart 14-Cup Food Processor is perfect for budget-conscious home cooks, large families, and anyone who primarily needs a food processor for large-volume chopping, shredding, and pureeing. Its simplicity and reliability make it a practical workhorse for everyday kitchen tasks.
Which One Should You Choose?
Both food processors are excellent choices from reputable brands, but they excel in different areas.
Choose the Breville Sous Chef 12 if:
- You prioritize a premium build and a sleek, modern design.
- You need precise control, like the ability to cut slices of varying thicknesses.
- You often switch between large and small tasks and would benefit from a mini-bowl.
- You are willing to invest in a high-performance machine for long-term use.
Choose the Cuisinart 14-Cup Food Processor if:
- Your top priority is getting the best value for your money.
- You often cook large batches of food for meal prep or a large family.
- You want a simple, no-fuss machine with straightforward on/off/pulse controls.
- You need a durable, reliable workhorse for everyday chopping and shredding.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the main difference between the Breville Sous Chef 12 and Cuisinart 14?
The main differences are price, build quality, and features. The Breville is a premium, higher-priced model with a die-cast metal body, a more powerful motor, and more attachments (like an adjustable slicing disc and mini bowl). The Cuisinart is a budget-friendly workhorse with a durable plastic body, simpler controls, and a larger 14-cup capacity.
Is the Breville motor really that much more powerful?
Yes, the Breville's 1000-watt induction motor generally provides more torque than the Cuisinart's 720-watt motor. While both can handle most tasks, the Breville will perform better under heavy loads, such as kneading thick dough or processing hard vegetables without bogging down.
Which food processor is easier to clean?
Both models feature dishwasher-safe bowls, lids, and blades, making cleanup fairly easy. The Breville’s design has fewer nooks and crannies where food can get stuck around the base, which can make wiping down the main unit a bit simpler.
Which is better for a small family or couple?
The Breville Sous Chef 12 is arguably better for smaller households. Its 12-cup bowl is sufficient for most meals, and the included 2.5-cup mini chopper is perfect for small quantities of dips, sauces, or chopped nuts, adding a layer of versatility the Cuisinart lacks.
Does the Cuisinart’s larger bowl make a big difference?
Yes, if you regularly cook for a crowd, make large batches of soup, or meal prep for the week, those extra two cups of capacity in the Cuisinart are very noticeable and can save you from having to process ingredients in multiple batches.
Can they both knead bread dough?
Both models come with a dough blade and are capable of kneading dough. However, the Breville's more powerful motor is better suited for handling heavy, stiff doughs more efficiently and with less strain on the machine.
Is the adjustable slicing disc on the Breville worth it?
For cooks who value precision, absolutely. The Breville disc allows you to choose from 24 different thickness settings, from paper-thin to thick-cut. The Cuisinart comes with a standard disc that offers one thickness, so you have much less control.
Which one offers a better warranty?
Both Breville and Cuisinart typically offer strong limited warranties on their food processors, often 3 years for the entire unit and longer for the motor. It is best to check the specific warranty information at the time of purchase, but both brands are known for standing behind their products.
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