Features & Ease of Use
Base, Motor & Controls
The Cuisinart Elite houses a powerful 1000 Watt motor in an attractive cast metal base. The base alone weighs 15.2 pounds, making it the heaviest processor we have reviewed to date. During our testing we observed that the 16DCWS performed effortlessly and (a surprise given its power) quietly. Only when processing white bread dough at the stated maximum of 7 cups of flour did we ever feel that the unit was breaking a sweat, so to speak, and even then we never felt that it was under great strain.
The unit’s controls each have a bright blue LED indicator which lights up when a function is in use. In addition to the standard ON, OFF, and PULSE buttons, the 16DCWS features a DOUGH button. This feature enables the unit to process bread doughs at a reduced RPM to reduce motor strain. The DOUGH button works in conjunction with both the ON and PULSE buttons. Our testers found that the buttons were easy to operate and provided excellent control and feedback, especially of the PULSE feature, which has been a strong point of Cuisinart processors.
With all its new features one small detail that is easy to overlook is the 16DCWS’s self-winding power cord that retracts, like a vacuum’s cord, when tugged. This allows the unit to be stored on the counter top without having to deal with an unruly cord.
Bowl and Lid System
The 16DCWS has, simply, the best designed bowl system currently on the market, providing easy bowl changes and exceptional liquid handling. Provided in sizes of 16, 13, and 4 cups respectively, the SealTight bowls are constructed of high quality rigid plastic. Both smaller bowls nest neatly into the next larger, a process which is fuss-free thanks to the presence of obvious visual indicators. All bowls have clear, easy to read volume markings.
The largest bowl has a black ‘soft touch’ handle which locks easy into the base by twisting counterclockwise. Both included discs can be used in conjunction with this bowl, as can both the chopping and dough blades: the dough blade can only be used in this bowl. If the size of this bowl seems like overkill to some users, we would point out that for many tasks, bigger is, in fact, better.
Most manufacturer’s medium bowls (often called ‘chef’s’ bowls) are used only in conjunction with slicing and shredding discs. The 16DCWS is presently unique in that it allows the user to use the discs as well as the full size stainless chopping blade, a feature that enhances the model’s ability to multitask.
The mini bowl is used with its own mini chopping blade: the mini bowl must be nested inside both larger bowls to operate. We liked the sloped sides of the mini bowl which seemed to help better circulate ingredients for small chopping tasks. The fact that it is leak proof (see below) expands the capabilities of the mini bowl to include tasks like making pesto or salad dressings.
Perhaps the most innovative feature of the Cuisinart Elite is its lid, which, with its rubber gasket, locks down over the SealTight bowls to provide a waterproof seal. Attaching the lid takes some getting used to, since rather than turning to lock, as is traditionally done, the user simply aligns the lid relative to the large work bowl and presses down. A tab in the back and a latch mechanism in the front will engage with a click. To release the lid, a pair of buttons on the front are depressed to release the seal.
The 16DCWS’s ability to handle liquids in each of its bowls was something of a revelation after years of frustrating experiences with other models. It enabled us to process a full batch (48 ounces) of butternut squash soup with considerable room to spare and then pour it neatly from the curved spout. Not only does it handle liquid’s well, but the sealed bowl design insures that larger bowls do not get dirty when using the smaller, an experience we have encountered all too often with other units.
Feed Tube
Cuisinart’s “Supreme Wide Mouth” feed tube, included with this unit, was much preferred by our testers over the “Extra Large” feed tube, found on most other Cuisinart models, such as the Cuisinart Custom-14. The Supreme feed tube measures approximately 5 3/4″ (14.6cm) long by 2 5/8″ (6.8cm) wide, allowing for large ingredients such as blocks of cheese or cabbage to be loaded with little prep. In contrast, the Extra Large feed tube is only 4 3/8″ (11 cm) long. Moreover, the newer design allows taller ingredients to stand vertically in the large feed tube without the need to cut them into short sections.
The small feed tube and pusher are also conveniently configured, measuring 3″ (7.6cm) long by 1 7/8″ (4.7cm) wide). We have been critical of the narrow, cylindrical inner feed tubes of the Cuisinart Custom-14 and the KitchenAid KFP760, as they made feeding taller ingredients, such as carrots or zucchini more time consuming. The 16DCWS’s inner feed tube is more rectangular and similar in scale to the standard size feed tube of 10 or 20 years ago. The pusher has a small opening which allows oil or liquid to feed slowly into the work bowl.