Food

If you’re stuck between a Cuisinart and a KitchenAid food processor, you’re choosing between two different ideas of what a food processor should be. Cuisinart’s flagship Custom 14 is a simple, powerful, three-part machine. KitchenAid’s 13-cup line is lighter and more accessory-rich, with adjustable slicing and, on one version, a dicing kit.

The short answer: Cuisinart is the stronger pick for dough, heavy batches, stability and a longer warranty. KitchenAid is the better fit if you want adjustable slice thickness, optional dicing, and easy storage. The right choice depends on how you cook, not which logo is “better.”

This comparison focuses on two exact models:

• Cuisinart Custom 14 (DFP-14BCNY), the 14-cup flagship
• KitchenAid 13-Cup Food Processor (KFP1318), and its sibling KFP1319, which adds a dicing kit

Below you’ll find a spec table, a task-by-task performance comparison, and a decision guide for different kinds of cooks. [ADD INTERNAL LINK: general food processor buying guide / “Best Food Processors for Home Cooks”]

A note on sources: specifications come from manufacturer and retailer listings. Performance statements come from published testing by America’s Test Kitchen, Consumer Reports and Reviewed. I haven’t tested these machines myself, and the interpretation sections are labeled as such.

---

Cuisinart vs KitchenAid Food Processor: Quick Comparison

Feature	Cuisinart Custom 14 (DFP-14BCNY)	KitchenAid 13-Cup (KFP1318 / KFP1319)
Capacity	14 cups	13 cups
Motor/power	720 W	500 W as listed by retailers and testers (confirm on the current listing)
Main blade	One-piece chopping/mixing blade	Multipurpose blade (ATK described the blade assembly as multi-part)
Slicing	Standard slicing disc, 4 mm (fixed)	Adjustable slicing disc, thickness changed from outside the bowl
Shredding	Medium shredding disc	Reversible shredding disc (fine/medium)
Dicing	Not included	Included on KFP1319 (dicing kit with cleaning tool); not on KFP1318
Feed tube	Extra-large tube with large pusher/sleeve plus small tube and pusher	3-in-1 feed tube
Controls	Two levers (On, Off/Pulse)	Low, High, Pulse buttons with LED indicators
Dough	Chopping/mixing blade kneads; a separate dough blade is sold as an extra	Dough blade included
Storage	Detachable disc stem; parts store in the bowl per testers	In-bowl storage caddy
Cleanup	All parts except the motor base are dishwasher safe (per Cuisinart)	ATK: top rack only, avoid high-heat cycles
Warranty	Limited 3-year on the unit, full 5-year on the motor	1-year full warranty with replacement (per the owner’s manual)
Best for	Dough, big batches, simplicity, stability	Adjustable slicing, dicing, tidy storage

Cuisinart’s official Custom 14 product page confirms the 14-cup bowl, 720-watt motor, included accessories and warranty terms in the table.

Specs can differ by model year and country. KitchenAid sells different accessory bundles in different markets, so check the listing’s model number before you buy.

---

Cuisinart Food Processors: What They Do Best

The Custom 14 is one of the most widely recommended full-size processors in the U.S. It’s the top pick in America’s Test Kitchen’s current food processor roundup.

Simplicity. Two levers control everything. ATK praised the control layout, the smooth bowl, and the one-piece chopping blade on a single stem that also holds the slicing and shredding discs. Fewer pieces means fewer things to lose, assemble wrong, or scrub.

Capacity and footprint. At 14 cups, it’s the larger bowl on paper. ATK noted it takes up less counter space than most processors despite its size, and Consumer Reports described it as one of the quietest models it has tested.

Power and stability. Cuisinart lists a 720-watt motor. Consumer Reports gave it a top rating for shredding and strong marks for chopping and slicing. The base is heavy: Cuisinart lists the unit at about 15.7 lb, and ATK weighed the base alone at 12.45 lb. That weight pays off during heavy work.

Dough. Reviewed said the Custom 14 kneads pizza dough into a smooth ball without stalling or walking across the counter.

Potential disadvantages:

• The slicing disc is a fixed 4 mm thickness, so you’d buy extra discs for other thicknesses.
• No dicing kit is included.
• ATK found that a redesign of the chopping blade left slightly larger gaps than before. It couldn’t incorporate egg yolks in a single-batch mayonnaise, though it handled a double batch.
• The liquid maximum is modest (3 cups, per ATK), so it isn’t a soup machine.
• The 14-cup bowl is overkill for tiny jobs, and there’s no mini bowl.

[Check the current price of the Cuisinart Custom 14 on Amazon: AFFILIATE LINK]

---

KitchenAid Food Processors: What They Do Best

KitchenAid’s 13-cup machine is built around convenience features: adjustable slicing, a tidy storage caddy, and an optional dicing kit.

Adjustable slicing. The slicing disc changes thickness from outside the bowl, so you can go from thin slices for a gratin to thicker ones for a stir-fry without swapping discs. ATK reported that the KFP1318 sliced potatoes and tomatoes perfectly and that adjusting thickness was easy.

Dicing. The KFP1319 version adds a dicing kit with a cleaning tool, which makes uniform cubes. I did not find independent lab-style testing of that specific kit in the sources reviewed. Treat dicing performance as manufacturer-described, not independently verified.

Feed tube and chopping. The 3-in-1 feed tube is designed for different ingredient shapes. For chopping, Reviewed named the KFP1318 the best chopper it tested, citing even results on onions and herbs plus good hummus and pesto. Consumer Reports said the KFP1318BM mastered its chopping and shredding tests.

Accessories and storage. The caddy nests inside the bowl, which suits small kitchens. A dough blade is included.

Potential disadvantages:

• ATK rated the KFP1318 “Recommended with Reservations.” Its lightweight base moved around the counter while kneading, and its pulse kept running for more than three seconds after release, which over-chops.
• Dough oozed into the multi-part blade, making cleanup harder.
• The bowl rim traps bits of food.
• ATK had to trim potatoes extensively to fit the feed tube.
• The warranty is one year.

Results differ between publications. ATK was more critical of the KFP1318 than Reviewed, Consumer Reports or Taste of Home. That’s normal: different tests weigh different tasks.

[See the latest Amazon price for the KitchenAid 13-Cup: AFFILIATE LINK]

---

Cuisinart vs KitchenAid: Performance Comparison

This section blends published testing with practical interpretation. Interpretation is labeled.

Chopping

Both brands chop well. Consumer Reports and Reviewed rated the KitchenAid KFP1318 highly for chopping, while ATK and Consumer Reports praised the Cuisinart’s chopping, precision and pulse control. ATK specifically noted the Cuisinart’s quick, responsive pulse.

Interpretation: pulse response matters more than raw power for onions. A pulse that stops promptly gives you uniform pieces. One that coasts leaves mush. That detail favors the Cuisinart’s levers over the KitchenAid’s slower-stopping pulse in ATK’s testing.

Slicing

KitchenAid has the edge on versatility, with adjustable thickness without opening the machine. The Cuisinart’s fixed 4 mm disc slices cleanly, but you can’t change thickness.

Interpretation: if you slice often and want thin cucumbers one night and thick potatoes the next, adjustable slicing saves real time and extra storage.

Shredding

Consumer Reports gave the Custom 14 a top rating for shredding. KitchenAid’s reversible disc offers two coarseness levels. ATK found the KitchenAid shredded quickly but left some food trapped near the feed-tube base and sprayed carrot juice, which suggested a slightly dull shredder.

Dicing

KitchenAid wins by default, because only the KFP1319 includes a dicing kit. Interpretation: a dicing kit is useful if you regularly make big batches of diced potatoes, onions or peppers, because it replaces a lot of knife work. For occasional dicing, ATK’s general view is that dicing attachments add cost and cleanup and are overkill for prepping a single onion.

Pureeing

Neither is a blender. ATK advises using a blender or immersion blender for smooth soups. Within food processor limits, KitchenAid’s much larger liquid maximum (9 cups, per ATK) beats the Cuisinart’s 3 cups, which matters for wet sauces and soups.

Dough

Both knead pizza dough. Reviewed and ATK found the Cuisinart steadier. ATK said the KitchenAid produced a smooth, elastic double batch but jumped around the counter. More on this below.

Cheese

Hard cheeses like cheddar and Parmesan shred well in both. Reviewed noted the Custom 14 didn’t shred mozzarella evenly, a common weakness of food processors with soft cheese. Chilling soft cheese first helps.

Nuts

Reviewed reported the KitchenAid ground almonds into a soft, fluffy texture. The Cuisinart handles nuts for pesto and dips well, but I didn’t find specific independent nut-grinding results for it in the sources I reviewed.

Meal Prep

For high-volume prep, capacity and stability matter most. See the next section.

---

Cuisinart vs KitchenAid for Meal Prep

Large batches. The Cuisinart’s heavier base and strong motor make it the steadier choice for heavy loads. Vegetables and salads. KitchenAid’s adjustable slicing and optional dicing kit reduce knife work for chopped salads and slaws. Sauces. The KitchenAid’s larger liquid capacity helps for wetter sauces. Cheese. Both are fine for hard cheeses; the Cuisinart earned a top shredding rating from Consumer Reports. Weekly prep. If your routine is “slice and shred a lot of veg on Sunday,” KitchenAid’s adjustable slicing fits. If it’s “double batches of dough, burger mix and shredded cheese,” Cuisinart fits.

[ADD INTERNAL LINK: meal prep appliance guide or kitchen prep appliances roundup]

---

Cuisinart vs KitchenAid for Dough

Both machines can knead dough, and both are fine for pie crust, pizza dough and cookie dough in normal batches.

• Cuisinart: Reviewed’s testers found it kneaded pizza dough without stalling, repositioning or manual adjustments. ATK said it easily handled a double batch. Cuisinart’s own materials say the chopping/mixing blade kneads dough.
• KitchenAid: Includes a dough blade, and ATK’s KFP1318 produced a smooth, elastic double batch. The tradeoff was the light base moving on the counter and dough working into the blade assembly.

Where a food processor should not replace a stand mixer: long, high-hydration bread doughs, large batches of heavy dough, and anything requiring extended kneading. A food processor kneads in seconds and can overheat or strain with heavy dough. If you bake bread weekly, a stand mixer is the better tool. A food processor is a useful backup for pizza, pie dough and biscuits.

---

Which Is Easier to Clean?

Factor	Cuisinart Custom 14	KitchenAid 13-Cup
Parts count	Fewer: bowl, lid, blade, two discs, stem	More: blade, discs, caddy, plus dicing kit on KFP1319
Dishwasher	All parts except base are dishwasher safe (Cuisinart)	Top rack only, avoid high heat (ATK)
Blade	One-piece	Multi-part; dough can work in
Bowl/lid	Smooth, simple	Rim ridge traps food; hinged lid in the way
Storage	Compact; fewer extras	Caddy keeps parts together

Cuisinart is easier to clean, mainly because it has fewer parts and nooks. ATK specifically credited the smooth, simple design. Reviewed said Cuisinart is the only manufacturer in its test group that actively encourages dishwashing. ATK still recommends washing sharp blades by hand to avoid dulling them.

---

Which Food Processor Is Better for Families?

Capacity and batch size are the deciding factors.

• Family of 4–6 cooking daily: Either works. The Cuisinart’s 14 cups and sturdier base suit double batches of dough, meatballs or shredded cheese.
• Family that preps vegetables heavily: The KitchenAid’s adjustable slicing and optional dicing kit save time on large quantities of veg.
• Smaller households: Both are bigger than you may need. ATK suggests 11 cups or more is the most useful range for most cooks, but a smaller machine is fine if space is tight.

---

Cuisinart vs KitchenAid: Price and Value

Prices change often. Both brands are frequently discounted, and the dicing-kit KitchenAid and the Cuisinart have overlapped in street price at different times. Check current pricing rather than relying on a number in an article.

What you get for the money:

• Cuisinart: Strong motor, heavy base, longer warranty (3-year limited, 5-year motor), few parts. You’ll pay extra for additional discs or a dough blade.
• KitchenAid: More accessories out of the box (adjustable slicing, dough blade, storage caddy, and a dicing kit on the KFP1319), but a shorter 1-year warranty.

When paying more makes sense: if you’ll use the dicing kit weekly, the KFP1319’s extra cost pays back in time saved. If you mostly chop, shred and make dough, the extra accessories add little, and Cuisinart’s longer warranty is the better value.

[Compare current availability on Amazon: AFFILIATE LINK]

---

Pros and Cons

Cuisinart Custom 14 (DFP-14BCNY)

Pros

• Strong 720 W motor and heavy, stable base
• Simple two-lever controls, quick pulse
• Fewer parts and easy cleanup
• 3-year limited warranty plus 5-year motor warranty
• Top pick in ATK’s current roundup

Cons

• Fixed 4 mm slicing disc
• No dicing kit
• Low liquid capacity
• Dough blade is an extra purchase
• Doesn’t fit very small jobs well

KitchenAid 13-Cup (KFP1318 / KFP1319)

Pros

• Adjustable slicing
• Dicing kit available (KFP1319)
• Dough blade and storage caddy included
• Good chopping and shredding results from Consumer Reports and Reviewed
• Higher liquid capacity

Cons

• Light base can move during kneading
• Pulse runs on (per ATK)
• More parts to clean
• 1-year warranty
• Tall profile

---

Cuisinart vs KitchenAid: Which Should You Buy?

Buy Cuisinart if…

• You make dough, burger blends or big batches regularly
• You want simple controls and fewer parts
• You value a longer warranty
• You want the model America’s Test Kitchen currently ranks first

Buy KitchenAid if…

• You slice a lot and want adjustable thickness
• You want a dicing kit (choose the KFP1319)
• You want everything stored in one caddy
• You make wetter sauces and want more liquid capacity

Consider another brand if…

• You want a very powerful, feature-rich machine with a large accessory range (ATK’s upgrade pick was the Breville Sous Chef 16)
• You only need to chop small amounts, in which case a mini chopper or smaller processor is a better fit
• You need a machine that handles heavy bread dough, in which case a stand mixer is the better tool

[ADD INTERNAL LINK: related comparison, e.g., another appliance comparison on the site]

---

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Cuisinart better than KitchenAid for food processors?

Not universally. Cuisinart’s Custom 14 is the top pick in ATK’s roundup and has a longer warranty. KitchenAid offers adjustable slicing and a dicing option. Choose by task.

Which is better for chopping vegetables?

Both chop well. Consumer Reports and Reviewed rated the KitchenAid KFP1318 highly for chopping, and ATK praised Cuisinart’s precise pulse control.

Which is better for slicing?

KitchenAid, if you want adjustable thickness. Cuisinart’s fixed 4 mm disc slices cleanly but isn’t adjustable.

Which food processor is better for dough?

Cuisinart, based on Reviewed’s and ATK’s testing, mainly for stability and power. KitchenAid works but its light base moved during kneading.

Does KitchenAid have better dicing capability?

KitchenAid includes a dicing kit on the KFP1319; the Custom 14 doesn’t include one. I didn’t find independent testing of the KitchenAid dicing kit, so performance claims come from the manufacturer.

Is a higher-wattage food processor always better?

No. ATK’s science editor explained that wattage alone doesn’t determine motor performance, because torque, design and the load matter too. Wattage is a useful clue, not a verdict.

Which is easier to clean?

Cuisinart, thanks to fewer parts and a simpler bowl and blade design.

Which is better for large families?

Cuisinart for heavy batches and dough. KitchenAid for lots of slicing and dicing.

How long should a food processor last?

Manufacturers don’t guarantee a lifespan. A longer warranty (Cuisinart’s 5-year motor warranty versus KitchenAid’s 1-year) is one signal of confidence, but not proof of longevity. Careful use, hand-washing blades, and avoiding overload all help.

What size food processor should I buy?

ATK says 11 cups or more suits most home cooks. Go smaller only if you have limited space and cook for one or two.

---

Final Verdict

Choose the Cuisinart Custom 14 (DFP-14BCNY) if you want a simple, stable, powerful workhorse with a longer warranty, especially for dough, big batches and easy cleanup. Choose the KitchenAid 13-Cup (KFP1318 or KFP1319) if adjustable slicing, a dicing kit, and tidy storage matter more to you than raw stability. For most home cooks who mainly chop, shred and make dough, the Cuisinart is the safer all-round buy. For vegetable-heavy cooks who value slicing control, KitchenAid is worth the tradeoffs.

[ADD INTERNAL LINK: closing link to your food processor roundup or kitchen appliance guides]

---

Notes for you (not part of the article):

• Internal links: kitchencraftershub.com blocks automated crawling, and search turned up no verifiable pages, so I left five labeled placeholders instead of guessing URLs. Swap in your real food processor roundup, blender, comparison and buying-guide URLs.
• External links: exactly five are used: Cuisinart’s official product page, KitchenAid’s owner’s manual, America’s Test Kitchen, Consumer Reports, and Reviewed. I loaded the Cuisinart and ATK pages directly. The other three came from search results and I couldn’t open them in a browser, so click them once before publishing. In the text above, only the Cuisinart, ATK and KitchenAid manual links are placed inline; add the Consumer Reports and Reviewed links on first mention in the Performance section.
• KitchenAid wattage: I couldn’t find it on KitchenAid’s own U.S. pages. The 500 W figure comes from retailers and testers, so it’s flagged as such.
• Amazon links: I left affiliate placeholders and no prices.
• Word count: about 2,700.