Cuisinart BFP-703 SmartPower Duet Blender and Food Processor, White

Cuisinart BFP-703 SmartPower Duet Blender and Food Processor, White

Great Until It Breaks
I've purchased two of the Cuisinart blenders (a SmartPower Seven-Speed- broke after about 45 uses and a SmartPower Duet - broke after about 30 uses) and both have the same the problem with the black plastic gasket on the bottom breaking. (Call me dumb for purchasing the second one!) Really a cheap part for the Cuisinart product. (All I've used these blenders for was fruit smoothies! I doubt the Duet would have made it throught the first challenge of food processing!) The Cuisinart product may be smart but they sure aren't very strong. I certainly would not classify them as heavy-duty! An improvement would be making the gasket either metal or a plastic with more give. (I won't be going back for thirds!)

Versatile, but breaks easily
I have owned the duet for approximatley one year. I use the blender mostly for milkshakes. The food processor is small, which is ok with me, except I do not like the feed tube. With a processor this small, it's unlikely one would use it to slice or shred, so why bother with the slicing disk and therefore the feed tube? Also, the feed tube makes it too tall to work with right under kitchen cabinets--you must pull it out to use. The motor is loud for both appliances. And the biggest problem is that mine broke this morning while I attempted to make a milkshake rendering both applicances unusable, since now the blade will not rotate. There is a small black plastic disk that fits between the base and the jar that has shattered all on its own. After reading your other reviews, I see I am not the first person to experience this. Buy this item with caution.

a versatile appliance, although the parts are easy to lose
I was excited to get this Cuisinart a month or so ago because I love to cook, but I'm a college student who lives in an apartment. It fit the bill because I don't have tons of space (or money, for that matter) to waste on two appliances.

I have done many things with the SmartPower Duet: I've made deliciously smooth shakes (including one with rum for a party - it was a hit), I've made amazing salsa, I've made gazpacho. For some of these, I used the recipe book that comes with the machine. There are a lot of good recipes, for sure, but I found it even more helpful that the recipes give you helpful hints about how to use the appliance the best way - like, which ingredients to add first, instead of just shoving everything in.

Just last night I made a pasta salad with about twenty ingredients, most of which had to be chopped or minced or sliced, so I used the food processor with the chopper to pulverize the garlic and other spices into a nice smooth blend (thus...

The Cuisinart name is synonymous with innovation in the kitchen, and this SmartPower Duet blender/food processor is truly a revolution. You'll save counter space and enjoy the best food preparation available. Easy-to-read, 7-speed touchpad offers pulse at any speed, from high to low. The food processing function with stainless steel chopping blade lets you chop raw or cooked foods, including meat, to any consistency. Slicing/shredding disc shreds cheese quickly and produces perfectly sliced vegetables. The blender's patented stainless steel blades are strong enough for ice crushing yet precise enough to chop delicate herbs. Work bowl holds 3 cups; 40-ounce glass jar has a 2-ounce removable measuring lid and dripless spout. All parts are easy-clean and dishwasher-safe. Includes instructions and recipe book. Two powerful kitchen appliances have been brought together in this blender/food processor by Cuisinart. The heavy-duty motor base is up to both blending and processing tasks, and won't "walk" on the counter, even when it's crushing ice. Use the blender with its dripless pour spout to make and serve 40 ounces of frozen drinks or to purée baby foods or soups; use the processor to prep up to 3 cups of vegetables, cheeses, nuts, and meats. With one motor base, it's simple to keep the blender out on the counter and then bring out the processor attachment for special tasks.

This is an amazingly sturdy product, with tight fitting lids, a heavy glass blender jar, and a motor that chops meats or ice with equal aplomb. Most attachments go in the dishwasher, and the flat touch pad, which has seven settings, including "ice crush" and "pulse," is easily wiped down with a sponge. This dual appliance comes with a booklet detailing how to use all the features, and 48 recipes, from cranberry-orange mimosas to classic mayonnaise. --Maria Dolan

Editor's Choice: This blender/food processor combines two kitchen appliances into one useful package. It is heavy-duty, can both blend and process most things, and sits on the counter without shaking around. The processor has 350 watts of power and seven speeds, and the plastic bowl size is 3 cups -- it also has a 40-ounce glass blender jar. It comes with one standard blade and one slicing/shredding disc. Most attachments go in the dishwasher, and the flat touchpad wipes down with a sponge.

• 350-watt combination unit saves space and tackles wide range of cooking tasks
• 3-cup food processor bowl, 40-ounce glass blender jar--great for parties
• User-friendly, 7-speed touch pad control with indicator lights
• Includes 1 standard blade and 1 slicing/shredding disc
• Measures 16 by 6-1/2 by 6 inches; 3-year limited warranty