Vintage Appliances: Electric Food Processors - Cuisinart, Sunbeam LeChef, General Electric and More!
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- čas přidán 5. 06. 2024
- This video follows up on the Manual Food Processors episode of a few weeks ago and looks at some of the vintage electric food processors in the Cavalcade collection. Let's go back to the 1970's when the food processor really took foot in the appliance marketplace with examples from Cuisinart, Sunbeam LeChef, General Electric, and even low cost examples sold at K-Mart and Korvettes discount department stores.
#vintage #vintageappliances #cuisinart #foodprocessing #foodprocessor #cavalcadeoffood #vintagekitchen - Jak na to + styl
Love the vintage appliances series!❤
Thanks so much, MoonLily!
I have a cuisinart 7c I use mine for bread with the dough blade. My dad worked for the electric company and back when they had home economists. Ours was a good friend since he worked with her, and she taught me a lot.
Hi jlight! What a great opportunity to learn from a home economist! I wish we still had people like that around - many companies employed them to develop recipes. Thanks!
Hi Kevin, I discovered your channel a few weeks ago while researching vintage Farm Journal cookbooks.
Subscribed because I am fascinated with your old Ben Franklin store full of vintage kitchen items!
I love that you tell the history of the items too!
Thanks for bringing such a unique channel to CZcams!
Hi Southernladyasmr! I'm so glad you found my channel and I'm glad you are enjoying the videos. Thank you!
As always , good show 😊
Thanks, Charles! Appreciate you watching!
Thanks Kevin, I enjoyed seeing this video this morning! Ive been waiting for the electric processors episode and wish I had seen it one day earlier as I was in a consignment shop yesterday, four hours from home, that had a big Cusinart for sale. I sent the shop owner a message requesting a photo and more info and waiting to hear back from her. I wish I had taken a closer look at it and all the accessories! 😊
Hi Eileen! Glad you liked the episode. Sounds like there was a nice big Cuisinart at that shop! Thanks!
Thank you for the history of electric food processors. In 1985 I bought a Cuisinart with money left to me by my Great Uncle--Thank you Uncle Arthur. I have used it for bread, shredding veggies and cheese, grating pecorino and parm and making chocolate cookies. It is indispensable. I didn't know about the other models. I don't have the really big one--mine is DC-10.
Hi Bluehill - Your DC-10 machine is one of the best they made. You put those funds to good use! Sounds like you have used it a lot over the years. Thanks!
I could listen to you all day Kevin !
I often do, no matter how many times i have already watched. 😀
Thanks so much, Lauren! I so much appreciate you watching! I can easily get carried away when talking about vintage appliances!
Moulinex made an early French food processor that was sold here in the U.S., along with Kitchenaid back when Kitchenaid was made by Hobart.
The Robo Coupe
The Moulinex was called La Machine. Robot Coupe was the first food processor with an induction motor. The Cuisinart and Magimix food processors were based on that one IIRC.
Thanks, SummitHill!
The first KitchenAid food processors were imported from Robot-Coupe-Cuisinart.
Love watching all your shows. Have the large Cuisinart and a Kitchen Aid, they're both good but Cuisinart has always been my favorite. My first food processor was a huge blessing for coleslaw but nowadays I use it for anything that requires blending butter or fat with a dry ingredient, grating blocks of cheese, making hummis, blending cookie dough (does a great and super fast job), not so much for bread dough because of quantity. Best wishes💟💟
Thanks, Lauren! Once my mom got her first one, she found it a miracle for making cole slaw! I didn't know it would work well for cookie dough, but I'm going to give that a try. Thanks!!
I just inherited my Mom's 44 yr old La Machine. She got it as a wedding gift. First up I will make some homemade hummus.
Homemade hummus is the BEST. I used to make it quite often, and not that hard to whip up.
Hi Toots! You will like how easy it is to make hummus in your LaMachine! Thanks!
Hi, Kevin and Mary Ann! I do have one that is made by HamiltonBeach. I use it mostly to shred or slice cheese these days. I used to make salsa in it back when we ate a lot of salsa. Thanks for the video. I always enjoy seeing what you have to offer. By the way, I really miss your weekly radio show! Have you considered a podcast? Have a lovely day, Kevin and Mary Ann!
Hi Nancy! These are excellent tools for shredding and slicing things like cheese! The Cavalcade Radio Hour is coming back starting on Saturday, July 6 at 9am (Eastern) - same station! You can listen live online as before! The format of the show will be slightly different, but will feature the same mix of music. Hope you can tune in! Thanks!
I held out for years on buying one because I wanted a Cusinart and only a Cusinart! Even at estate sales and such they would be too expensive for my budget. Then one day, my local Habit Restore had a standard sized one, with attachments, for near to nothing. I almost wet my pants! Then about a year later, also at Habitat, I found the larger size! Not appliances I use terribly often, but I certainly enjoy having them. Not sure if you're familiar with Natalie Dupree, but she's had several cooking shows on PBS in years past. I adore her and through her, I learned many things but also gained a love for food processors! As always, thanks for this appliance tour! Cheers!
Hi Adam!! Sounds like you got a couple of great deals on the standard and large Cuisinart! It's always nice when you experience a find like that! I've seen Natalie Dupree - and always enjoyed watching her! CZcams has a lot of clips from her previous shows. Thanks so much!! Hope your summer is going well so far!
Kevin, this is one of my favorite episodes! I have 2 cuisinarts myself. I have the same 14 cup 'Big Boy' and 11 cup. I don't have the smaller 7 cup like the 2 you have. Quality machines! Sadly, the amber bowls and lids are nla but you can buy clear replacement bowls still. I use mine all the time especially in the summer. I grow basil and make lots of pesto. My grandma had the cheaper GE version and I remember she would shred potatoes to make hashbrowns. It didn't like shredding potatoes as it would shake violently. Grandma was a riot and fabulous cook! Kitchenaid had a food processor in the early 80s that was made by robot coup. Not quite as good as cuisinart but was just one step down. The frugal gourmet had that version. Remember him? I would watch him with grandma as well. Thank you for thr trip down memory lane
Hi Corey - the Cuisinarts you have a wonderful machines. Perfect for making pesto! I heard that they no longer make the amber bowls, but only clear ones now. I can see how your grandma's GE struggled with the potatoes. They didn't have the power of a Cuisinart. I remember Frugal Gourmet - I think he was on PBS. Glad you enjoyed the video!
@@cavalcadeoffood that is correct. They no longer make the amber color bowl. They still offer it in the clear however. If you keep the bowl out of the dishwasher they last a long time. I learned that the hard way.
Back in the early eighties we had a JC Penney model that actually did a very good job . It gave many years of service until the bowl broke and couldn't be replaced. Now I have a KitchenAid that I have had for twenty years and I love it. This video was so fun to watch. When I was eight years old in 1978 Consumer Reports did a huge spread on food processors with ratings and I was fascinated. If I remeber corrextly the Cuisinart was top rated, two seperate models, and the Sunbeam was a very close second. Sad to say your American was at the bottom. It mangled the pepperoni in their slicing test and there was a sad picture as an example, So maybe save your peppeoni slicing for the Sunbeam or Cuisinart. Wasn't aware of the Kmart one. Thank you for sharing your collection, I love these videos!
Hi bdh - I think you JC Penney model might have been a General Electric in disguise. I'm not surprised about the American model being low rated. It works alright, but it really can't compare to the power of the Cuisinart. Glad you enjoy the videos! Thanks!
Dear Kevin: Thank you for your videos! I just searched E-Bay for the 'Best Food Processor' ever made. Found your favorite Cuisinart DLC-X Plus for $75 and another for $680 (definitely a jokester). I purchased it decades ago at a charity shop for $5.00, and it lasted for years (almost cried when it finally quit). I purchased a new Cuisinart 7 after that, and just don't like it as much as the vintage models (it's not as tough). Although have to say, food processors are so much better for making homemade butter than a KitchenAid mixer.
Hi Millicent! You got a great deal on you DLC X for $5! I think the older ones were more heavy duty than the new models. I've never tried making butter in one, but will have to give it a try! Thanks!
Hey Kevin! Get the processor cook books by Jean Anderson. She has written three. The two I have are "Jean Anderson's New Processor Cooking". 1985, The most recent is "Process This!"
Her recipes work first time every time. She is a Cornell food and nutrition graduate. All of her many cookbooks are excellent. Big hug to Mary Ann, Ralph, and you 😂
Hi Lawrence! Thanks for the tip - I'll check out her cookbooks! Thanks for the hugs!
I have the Kitchen-Aid food processor. It came as a freebie with my Kitchen-Aid dishwasher in 1985 and both are still running strong. The smoked plastic bowl is getting brittle and has a crack or two but it still makes wonderful coleslaw and chops pecans for holiday baking and cheese balls. I've made piecrust once in a food processor and it's not any better than pre-made piecrust you just unroll, so that's what I use now. I have a spare bowl if mine ever cracks open. It also came with a spatula and slicing and shredding disks, but I just use a hand-held grater that's much easier to wash up.
Hi Jonathan - the older Kitchen Aid machines are great - they were well made. These really make cole slaw a snap. I've not yet found a pre-made pie crust that I really love. Pillsbury is probably the best one I've tried. It's okay but if time allows I feel I can make a much better crust myself. Sometimes it's easier to use a hand grater or a knife than dirty up the food processor. Thanks!
Great video. I never knew that the hole in the pushing plunger was for oil . That's what you get for never reading the manual. You always have some great videos. 👍🏻
Thanks so much, Joe!
My mom had one as a wedding gift, it was an oster kitchen center, she used that all the time.
Thanks, abcd! I recently did a video on the Oster Kitchen Center - that appliance did everything!
I have a kitchenaid. It has a box for the attachments. I’m with you on using a knife and cutting board when I can to avoid all that. I got a set of protective gloves, so I can use a regular grater. Be careful washing those blades or knives if you go that route.
Hi Anna! I learned years ago - the hard way - just how sharp the blades are on these food processors. While the machines work beautifully, sometimes for small jobs a knife and a cutting board are the best way to go. Thanks!
Love these videos, I use it for pie crust also.
Amazing tool for pastry!!!!!!
Thanks, Bambi! These make excellent pie crust!
Cusinart several years ago did a major recall on their blades. On the large blade that you show, you will see the four bolts near the stem of the blade. Apparently, faulty metal and piece of the blade come come off. They have since issued replacement blades or one might have to go out and buy new ones. If anything, it is always a good idea to check to make sure the blade is fully intact after use when preparing food. One can also update their food processors with new work bowls to make the whole thing like new. Have been using a 14 cup machine for well over 20 years and still going strong. The bowls are replaced every few years.
Hi Ken - I remember when Cuisinart had the blade recall and one of my machines were impacted by that recall. They did issue a replacement blade. But I'm sure many people, especially if you purchased the unit second hand, didn't get a recall notice. Glad to hear yours is still going strong! Thanks!
Hi Kevin. Cuisinart did recently make a Heritage Edition food processor that has the tinted plastic. I think they did offer it in more contemporary clear as well.
Thanks, Robert! I wasn't aware of the Heritage Edition!
Wow! The chute on the GE didn’t catch until now!!! Cuisinart has just released thier newest model with a chute!!
I recently came across an amazing, stylish Toshiba from the 70’s or 80’s- almond and brown. Had never heard or seen one before. I needed it like a hole on my head, but I guess Kevin’s collecting is contagious!
I bot the DCL10 many years ago when a friend showed me I could finally conquer pie crust. Love it still!
Hi SK - I didn't know the Cuisinart came out with a shoot feature. I guess GE was ahead of their time. The Toshiba machines were not as common, but I understand they were well made. A couple of friends swear by making pie crust in their food processor. Thanks!
Just did a bit of research: The original Cuisinart (Made in France) by Robot-Coupe was the model CFP-9
Hi Ken - thanks for sharing that information!
I’m on my third Cuisinart! The first were fine but I wanted a big one. The weight of the machine has always been the most helpful feature. Stability is so helpful! The paddle controls are also nice on my current 14 cup machine!
Hi Jacob! The large Cuisinart really has the weight and it doesn't move when it's running. Very stable! Thanks!
I would love to see episode where you made tabbouleh using the american food processor. Love this video on food processors
Hi Kim - here's a link to the tabbouleh episode czcams.com/video/z81BPNyxwMs/video.htmlsi=eyTgVgdslKAHg5Ug
I have two Cuisinart food processors - big boy, and the little one cup, and use both of them quite often.
Hi Toni - glad to know you get good use from your food processors! Thanks!
I have a small Cuisinart. I’ve only used it a couple times. It was to make pesto. Did a good job.
Hi Donna - these are great for pesto making! Thanks!
Thank you for the video, I really enjoyed your history lesson and presentation. It is a little scary to realize that I have owned 4 of the first5 food processors that you hallmarked. My first was the Sunbeam LeChef, which actually was a well built and a pretty good unit. I upgraded to a model very similar to the DC-X, which was 12 cups. I now regularly use the Cuisinart 7 cup that you show on the far left. I like to test machines and gadgets so I have bought (and given away) several cheaper food processor units. Despite their claims of high wattage motors, most disappoint. BTW, my sister had a very cool, but very useless, unit that was a combination food processor, blender, and mixer (and probably some other stuff too). It was either a Sunbeam or an Oster unit. Great idea? No... it had so many fiddly parts that it became an appliance of last resort.
I have the Oster Kitchen Center , which might be what you described. It was my mother in law's. I am still learning how to use all the attachments (mixer, dough hooks, blender, food processor, food and meat grinder) I would like to get an ice cream attachment
Hi Dr. Mike! Sounds like you have experience with a lot of different food processors. It is fun to experiment but I also always come back to the Cuisinart. I think it's best. Sounds like your sister had the Oster/Sunbeam Kitchen Center, which was designed with all kinds of attachments to do everything. I did a video on one a few months ago. Thanks!
Thanks Kevin! Another FANTASTIC one!!!
Thanks, James!
I had a Cuisinart that my mom gave me. It worked for about a half a dozen times and died. I had a Kitchen Aid one that worked for a few times and then it kept going out, and finally never came back on. Now I have a cheap Hamilton Beach, it's simple, only a few blades, easy to clean, and most of all it hasn't died yet.
Hi Scooter - sounds like you had bad luck with a couple of these machines. The Hamilton Beach you have sounds easy to use - and it works! Thanks!
Hello Kevin,
Nice round up on food processors. I was given good friends old Omni Chef in I think 2009-10, then I accidentally broke the shredding disc by trying to grate Parm cheese too cold (Oops) so that machine went away, then found the DLC 8, the 11 cup model, made in 1981, complete at an estate sale in 2010. It did yeoman's duty until I think 2018, or 19 when the lid broke at the front tang that held the lid on. Tried to get new bowls, but the amber bowls were no longer available, and the new clear bowls were not to fit the older models due to a slight reshaping of the bowls (base would not fit newer style bowls). It's similar to the DLC X PLUS you have, but in the 11 cup size.
Mom had the 7 cup size you have there with the 2 DLC 10's.
Before the Cuisinart, she had I think a Magic Chef or something machine that had the motor on the side, it was OK, until the gear or belt broke, then got the Cuisinart back in the 80's.
Used to make pizza dough a lot in mine but haven't done so in at least a couple of years but still use mine at least semi regularly, in fact, ground up some beef cubes I had in the freezer to make spaghetti sauce recently.
Hi John - glad you are still using yours, at least occasionally. I haven't seen an Omni Chef in many years. The one you found at the estate sale served you well! I never tried it for making pizza dough but that's a great idea. Thanks!
Hi Kevin, Great video, I also love my collection of Cuisinart food processors, my favorite is the Dlc 7 pro model, it is a 14 cup size, it also had the most options in attachments including a very complete set of slicing and shredding plus julian and a grater disk something like 10 different ones total, they also produced a juicer attachment with three reamer sizes as well as a pasta maker to fit on the motor base. This is also the model with all the optional funnels for the feed tube and a beater attachment for use in the bowl with two mixer blades, all these are fun to use. I found a dlc X like yours at an estate sale $20 complete with an extra new work bowl as well as everything that came with it when new and some extra disks, this machine is a 20 cup model and amazing.
Hi Brett! Thanks for the information on the attachments! I don't think I've ever seen the juicer or the pasta maker attachments. You got a great deal on the DLC X ! That is an incredible machine! Thanks!
@@cavalcadeoffood Hi Kevin, I will send you pictures if you let me know how to get them to you. e-mail or?
@@brettster3331 Thanks, Brett! I'd love to see them! Please email me at cavalcadevintage@gmail.com. Thank you!
Nice, My Mom has used a Cuisnart 🥰 since the 1980s
Hi Michael! Your mom has the best one! Thanks!
@@cavalcadeoffood 🥰
Back in 2018, I bought one used it quite a bit, dropped the container once, and a piece broke off and was a nightmare to try and use after that so I pitched it. I was able to store the blades in the container which was great.
Hi bbymks - sorry yours broke. As it ages, the plastic does get more brittle and is prone to cracking. I love how everything can be stored in the work bowl. Thanks!
I believe the very earliest Cuisnart food processors were rebadged Robot-Coupe machines and that in time Cuisnart started to produce their own machines. There was a bit of a legal snarl between Robot-Coupe and Cuisnart in the 1970's.
Hi Ken - I seem to remember there being some relationship between Cuisinart and Robot-Coupe, but I didn't know the details. Thanks!
If you mix your own nut butters or suasages/hot dog blends you definitely want a powerful motor. I mix them up in small batches using the S blade.
Hi Mike - The older Cuisinart machines had powerful motors, which is why I think they were the most successful. Yes, perfect for nut butters! Thanks!
I have a Cuisinart Prep 11 Pro (11 cup) food processor. It has separate buttons for Off, On, Pulse, and Dough. It came with a slicing disc, a shredding disc, the chopping blade, and a dough blade that is metal but with plastic blade edges on it. Frankly, if I was forced to give up one of my kitchen appliances, this would be the one I would choose to give up. I use it only about twice a year. As you noted, it is often faster and less clean up work to just prepare the food manually. I generally only use the food processor when I need large quantities, such as for entertaining on holidays.
Hi aerocoaster! That's a nice Cuisinart you have! Yes, these are machines that make sense when you are doing big jobs or things that require a lot of hand cutting, grating, etc. Thanks!
My sister and I had a "la machine" when they came out. They had 3 different blades
Hi Kim - the LaMachine was fairly popular when it came out. Nice to know about the three blades. Thanks!
I have a Cuisineart “Little Pro” food processor.
Good size for cooking for one or two.
Hi wmalden - the smaller food processors are handy - and much easier to clean. Thanks!
Fantastic video! I bought my first Cuisinart in college in the seventies when they didn't have removable stems. I still own a DLC-10 though in the eighties and nineties I had the huge DLC-X with the gallon bowl because I'm a guy who loves to cook. I owned 3 of the GE processors in the past (never own just one appliance when two or three will do!). I have owned Bosch Universal mixers since the seventies and also have the low and high speed processors for those. I used to own at least a couple of dozen fp cookbooks.
You know the problem when these came out? Just like blenders in the forties, fifties and sixties, and like microwaves in the seventies and eighties, when they were a fad the foodies and some chefs tried to use them for everything. I mean, c'mon, there's no reason to dirty any fp just to slice an onion or two, or a tomato, etc. It took some time for these to find their way in the kitchen, sharing with trad blenders and then the stick blenders like Bamix and the early single speed Brauns (which of course I owned also). I love your channel, Kevin, and I know when you come out in my subscriptions it's gonna be a better day. Best wishes from a fan in the Houston area!
Hi Loveisall! Sounds like you have lots of experience with food processors! Why not have a few on-hand? I totally agree! Especially if you love to cook. I think some people became overwhelmed with these machines. They really make sense for larger jobs or things that require a lot of hands-on work. You're right about new technologies coming out and people figuring out how to best use them. Thanks!
@@cavalcadeoffood I really preferred the DLC-X over all the smaller ones; I still have the 'Classic' which is just my old DLC-10l. I have always ground my own flour since college in the seventies; it's why I loved kneading in a hurry with that massive 'X' model. It's why I never had any time for the Kitchen Aid mixers; not when I could knead up to 10 loaves of w.w. bread at a time. Not when I could make enough cookie dough in one batch for 300 pb cookies. I still have my first Bosch that I starved to buy in college in 1977! It was tuned up about five years ago and works like new. Though I'm a guy with a 4-bed room house (and still have around 25 vintage blenders in one bedroom closet!) the kitchen is not large so I've just given away so much. I've owned at least a couple of dozen vegetable juicers. I've owned a bunch of grain mills. I've owned a bunch of hand blenders, including two Bamix models and the original single speed Braun. Let's face it, Kevin, like you, I just love small appliances along with the big ones! Best wishes from the Texas Gulf Coast, where the weather is sunny and beautiful today!
@@loveisall5520 It's wonderful that you still have your first Bosch! You sound like me with your collection and you put these appliances to the test over the years! Vegetable juicers and grain mills are appliances that I don't have much experience with, but I'm impressed that you milled your own flour - that's wonderful! Great hearing from TX - it was cloudy and rainy in Michigan today. Thanks!
I have a 20 year old KitchenAid mini processor, it's actually made in France!
Hi David! That's a good one! Thanks!
@@cavalcadeoffood scary sharp!
Hi Kevin, im weird, I like a GE best of all!
Hi Hans! I'll have to spend more time with the GE and maybe I'll like it more. The Cuisinart is my go-to machine. And I wouldn't say you're weird, just unique! LOL I wouldn't want you to be any other way!!
A complete Cuisinart DLC-X Plus in good condition sells for hundreds on ebay. It's good to own something valuable, but if you need to buy parts it can be very spendy.
Hi Mike - the replacement parts for Cuisinarts can be expensive. It's nice to find one that didn't see a lot of use and the parts are still in good shape. I've noticed that the plastic tends to get brittle with age and is more prone to cracking. Thanks!
I use a small cuisinart to make hummus.
Hi Jim - these are excellent for making hummus and other dips, spreads and sauces. Thanks!
Hi Kevin. Thank you for this episode on Food processors. I love my vintage Cuisinart DCL seven. I regret that I passed up a mint condition Cuisinart made in France at Goodwill. Something told me it was probably rare but my storage space is limited. I’m enjoying learning how to use my Vintage DCL 7
Hi John! Glad you have a DCL 7 - that is a fine machine and I hope you get a lot of good use out of it. Thanks!
You'll never be without the ability to chop......I have an old GE. It runs fine but the locking mechanism has broken. I like to make super fine sugar and chop carrots for carrot cake. One negative for me, if you don't have a dishwasher they are pain to clean.
Hi TW - there are a lot of parts to clean on some of these, that is a downside. Making super fine sugar is a good use for a food processor. Thanks!
🙂
Thanks, Carolyn!
Omg you keep pushing out the vids! You're a powerhouse. Don't give yourself a stroke/heart attack.
LOL! I think posting one video a week isn't too much stress on me. It's actually a lot less work than my job :-)
Moulinex made an early French food processor that was sold here in the U.S., along with Kitchenaid back when Kitchenaid was made by Hobart.
Thanks, SummitHill!