The Cuisinart 77-17N and the MCP-12N are both popular food processors, but they cater to different kitchen needs. The 77-17N is a compact 7-cup model with a single speed, designed for basic, everyday tasks like chopping and mixing, whereas the MCP-12N is a larger, more versatile 9-cup appliance with a stronger motor, multiple speeds, and a variety of blades for shredding, slicing, and even kneading dough.
Here’s a complete look at these two Cuisinart food processors to help you decide which one is right for your kitchen.
Cuisinart 77-17N Food Processor
The Cuisinart 77-17N is a dependable, no-fuss food processor that excels at fundamental kitchen prep. Its straightforward design and compact footprint make it a great choice for smaller kitchens, single cooks, or those new to using a food processor for daily chopping, grinding, and pureeing needs.
- What it is: A classic 7-cup food processor designed for everyday kitchen tasks.
- Key features: A 7-cup work bowl, a 550-watt motor, a simple push-button control panel with a pulse function, and one stainless steel mixing/chopping blade.
- Price: $70 - $90
- Capacity: 7 cups, suitable for small to medium-sized households and recipes.
- Materials/Construction: Durable plastic housing with a stainless steel multi-purpose blade. All removable parts are dishwasher-safe.
- Style: Compact and modern with a simple black and stainless steel finish that fits easily on most countertops.
- Pros: Affordable and budget-friendly. Extremely simple to use with one-touch controls. Compact design is easy to store. Dishwasher-safe parts make for quick cleanup.
- Cons: Limited versatility - comes with only one blade for chopping and mixing. The single-speed motor offers less control over food texture. The smaller capacity is not ideal for large batch cooking or families.
This model is ideal for anyone who needs a reliable appliance for basic food prep without the complexity or cost of a multi-feature machine.
Shop this product: cuisinart.com/shopping/appliances/77-17n/
Cuisinart MCP-12N Multi-Prep Food Processor
The Cuisinart MCP-12N is a robust and highly versatile kitchen workhorse designed for cooks who need more power, capacity, and functionality. With its larger bowl, more powerful motor, and array of attachments, it can handle everything from delicate slicing to tough dough-kneading, making it suitable for enthusiast home cooks and small commercial kitchens.
- What it is: A versatile 9-cup food processor for a wide range of kitchen tasks.
- Key features: A 9-cup work bowl, a powerful 600-watt motor, multiple speed settings plus a pulse function, and several included attachments.
- Price: $150 - $200
- Capacity: 9 cups, well-suited for larger families, entertaining, or meal prepping.
- Materials/Construction: Heavy-duty plastic base with reinforced components and high-quality stainless steel blades for chopping, dough, and slicing/shredding.
- Style: Substantial and powerful-looking, with a standard black and stainless steel finish. Its larger size gives it a more commanding presence on the counter.
- Pros: Excellent versatility with included discs for slicing and shredding, plus a dough blade. The larger 9-cup capacity is great for bigger recipes. The 600-watt motor is powerful enough for tough jobs. Multiple speeds provide greater control.
- Cons: Significantly more expensive. Takes up more counter and storage space. More attachments mean more parts to wash and store.
The MCP-12N is perfect for frequent cooks who need a multifunctional appliance that goes beyond basic chopping and tackles a variety of prep tasks.
Shop this product: cuisinart.com/shopping/appliances/mcp-12n/
Cuisinart 77-17N vs. MCP-12N Comparison
Capacity & Size
The most immediate difference is capacity. The 77-17N holds 7 cups, which is perfect for everyday salsas, pestos, or chopping vegetables for a family of two to four. Its compact base saves countertop real estate, a major plus for those with smaller kitchens.
The MCP-12N’s 9-cup bowl offers a noticeable increase in volume, making it much better for preparing larger quantities of ingredients, shredding a whole block of cheese, or mixing batter. This size is better suited for meal preppers, larger families, or anyone who entertains regularly. The tradeoff is a larger footprint that demands more storage and counter space.
Power & Performance
While the jump from a 550-watt motor in the 77-17N to a 600-watt motor in the MCP-12N may not seem huge, it makes a significant difference in performance. The 550W motor in the 77-17N is more than capable of chopping onions, grinding nuts, or making smooth sauces.
However, the MCP-12N’s 600W motor provides the extra torque needed for more demanding jobs. It handles thick bread or pizza dough without straining and shreds hard vegetables like sweet potatoes with ease. If you plan to work with dense or sticky ingredients, the extra power of the MCP-12N is indispensable.
Features & Versatility
This is where the two models diverge the most. The 77-17N is a specialist - it does one job (chopping/mixing/pureeing) and does it well with a single blade and simple pulse/on controls. It's built for speed and simplicity.
The MCP-12N is a multi-tool. It comes with a reversible disc for both slicing and shredding vegetables, a dedicated dough blade for kneading, and the standard chopping blade. Combined with its multiple speed settings, this allows you to achieve precise results - from thinly sliced cucumbers to perfectly grated carrots and evenly mixed doughs.
Price & Value
The Cuisinart 77-17N typically sells for under $100, placing it firmly in the budget-friendly category. It provides fantastic value if you just need a reliable machine to handle the most common food processor tasks instead of doing them by hand.
The MCP-12N usually costs twice as much, reflecting its superior power, larger capacity, and multiple attachments. For the serious home cook, its value lies in replacing the need for a separate mandoline, dough mixer, and grater, consolidating several kitchen tools into one powerful appliance. It’s an investment in efficiency and culinary creativity.
Which One Should You Choose?
Both food processors are great performers, but they excel in different kitchens for different cooks.
Choose the Cuisinart 77-17N if:
- You're often cooking for one or two people.
- You have a small kitchen with limited counter or storage space.
- Your primary needs are chopping, grinding, and making sauces or dips.
- You value simplicity and an appliance that is incredibly easy to use and clean.
- Budget is a key factor in your decision.
Choose the Cuisinart MCP-12N if:
- You often cook for a family, entertain guests, or enjoy batch cooking.
- You want the versatility to slice, shred, and knead dough with one machine.
- You frequently work with tough ingredients and need a more powerful motor.
- You appreciate having multiple speed options for more precise control.
- You see your food processor as a long-term, multi-purpose kitchen investment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the main difference between the Cuisinart 77-17N and MCP-12N?
The main difference is functionality and capacity. The 77-17N is a basic 7-cup food processor for simple chopping and mixing tasks. The MCP-12N is a larger 9-cup model that is much more versatile, with extra attachments for slicing, shredding, and kneading dough, plus a more powerful motor.
Which Cuisinart food processor is better for a small kitchen?
The Cuisinart 77-17N is much better for a small kitchen. Its compact footprint takes up less counter and storage space compared to the bulkier MCP-12N.
Can the Cuisinart 77-17N knead dough?
No, the 77-17N is not designed or powered to knead dough. It lacks a dough blade and its 550-watt motor may struggle and overheat with heavy doughs. The MCP-12N comes with a specific dough blade and has the power required for kneading.
Is the Cuisinart MCP-12N worth the extra cost?
If you'll use the extra features, yes. For anyone who regularly grates cheese, slices vegetables for salads, or makes bread or pizza dough, the MCP-12N consolidates several prep jobs into one machine, making it a very worthwhile investment.
Are the parts for these models dishwasher safe?
Yes, all removable parts - bowls, lids, blades, and discs - for both the 77-17N and the MCP-12N are dishwasher-safe, which makes cleanup quick and convenient.
How much of a difference does the motor power (550W vs. 600W) make?
The extra 50 watts in the MCP-12N provide noticeably more torque for tough jobs. While the 550W motor of the 77-17N is sufficient for standard vegetables and nuts, the 600W motor of the MCP-12N handles dense ingredients like hard cheeses, firm doughs, and root vegetables more efficiently without straining.
What attachments come with the MCP-12N?
The MCP-12N typically includes the primary chopping/mixing blade, a dedicated dough blade, and a reversible disc that offers medium slicing on one side and shredding on the other.
Which model is easier to use for a beginner?
The 77-17N is the simpler model for a beginner. With just a pulse and an "on" button, its operation is very intuitive. The MCP-12N has more settings and attachments, which might take a bit more time to learn but ultimately offers more control.
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