The Cuisinart Mini-Prep Plus: Be Careful What You Wish For
Written: Apr 22 '03
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Pros: good basic results; cheap; cute!
Cons: small size and lack of chopping options
The Bottom Line: The Mini-Prep Plus is good for basic, occasional use, but for anything more frequent or advanced, choose another model.
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| lernerj's Full Review: Cuisinart Mini-Prep Plus DLC-2BC Food Processor |
About a year after I moved into my first apartment, I was becoming increasingly interested in cooking, and I decided it was time to add a food processor to my kitchen arsenal. But in a one-bedroom apartment with very little counter or other storage space, I knew I needed something small. Further, with no previous experience with a food processor, I wanted something simple. I remembered my mother’s food processor, which seemed to have about 50 buttons that all said the same thing (basically, cut it up, right?), and I wanted something that wouldn’t be so complicated.
When I found the Cuisinart Mini-Prep Plus, it seemed to meet all of these requirements. It is quite small, measuring only 8.5 inches tall, 5 inches across, and 7 inches deep. And it is certainly simple, offering only two buttons: Chop or Grind. It was also cheap enough to ask for as a gift—I believe it cost less than $30. Finally, it is completely adorable, especially in the blue color I chose. I received compliments on this cute little appliance nearly every time I had a new guest over.
Be Careful What You Wish For
Of course, in the end, what matters is how the machine performs, and it is here that I’ve come to realize the downside to my initial requirements. First and foremost, the Mini-Prep Plus is small. Sure, I wanted it small, but I didn’t realize how much that would impact the cooking process. The 21-ounce bowl seems to hold practically nothing, and I’ve found only one recipe where I did not need to break up the processing into several batches because the processor couldn’t hold the whole batch. So while food processing is supposed to be a great time saver, I often feel that it might be just as fast to chop things by hand rather than spending so much time processing the food in three, four, or even five separate batches. And don’t try to fill the bowl up as far as the instructions say you can; the food will not mix well and you’ll end up with even more work, sorting out the parts that did not chop so you can include them in the next batch.
Second, the Mini-Prep Plus may be a bit too simple. With only two settings, there simply isn’t much room to finesse your chopping results. According to the instructions, the blade has a sharp and a dull side and rotates in opposite directions depending on whether you choose Chop or Grind. It also gives instruction on the proper technique to use with each button (for example, pulsing versus continuous chopping). I must admit that I’ve never paid much attention to this guidance and nearly always use the Chop function and a pulsing technique. The results are adequate. Food seems to get small and mushy a bit faster than I’d expect—for example, it’s very hard to get anything like shredded carrots in the Mini-Prep, at least using my technique. But it does the job of basic food processing.
Other Facts
The Mini-Prep Plus offers some additional features worth nothing. The handle on the lid forms a small bowl-like space with two holes in it, and you can add liquids during processing by pouring the liquid through one of these holes. I have never had occasion to do this, but it seems like a useful feature. The base offers four non-skid plastic feet, and while holding the lid during processing, I’ve never had any problems with the machine jumping or sliding around the countertop. The bowl locks securely into the base, and the lid then locks securely into the base as well, which is a useful safety feature.
The Mini-Prep Plus is as easy to clean as most food processors. Of course, with such a sharp blade, some care is necessary, but the three pieces (bowl, lid, and blade) come apart easily. Bowl and lid are dishwasher safe, although I have always washed mine by hand. The cylinder on which the blade sits is made of white plastic that, like any light-colored plastic, can pick up stains. (For example, mine picked up an orange tinge after I chopped carrots, although the coloring did fade over time.)
The processor comes with an instruction booklet that includes about 10 recipes, including baby food, Chicken Salad, and Dijon Vinaigrette Dressing.
Final Thoughts
I’ve had the Mini-Prep Plus for nearly three years now, and with only occasional use, it’s still working as well as when I first got it. I’ve had some regrets along the way when I feel frustrated by having to break my food up into several batches or when I wonder if I’d get better results if I had more chopping options. If you plan to use your food processor often, even if you’re faced with a space problem, I’d recommend choosing a bigger processor. The small size of the Mini-Prep Plus would just be too frustrating—and too much of a time waster—for regular use. Further, if you’re a gourmet at heart and really care about the intricacies of your chopping results, you likely wouldn’t be happy with the Mini-Prep Plus. But for anyone who wants the benefits of a food processor without taking up a lot of space or money and doesn’t expect to use it often, I’d recommend this model. It has served me well despite these frustrations. And it’s just so darned cute, every kitchen could use one!
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): gift
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Epinions.com ID:
lernerj
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Member: Jennifer
Location: Vienna, VA
Reviews written: 141
Trusted by: 99 members
About Me:
Sociology professor, reality-tv watcher, and kitty lover
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