What to know first
- 14-cup bowl is sized for real batch work, not just occasional sauces.
- Simple two-button control: On for continuous run, Off/Pulse for short bursts.
- Includes the core trio of attachments: chopping/mixing blade, slicing disc, shredding disc.
- Extra-large feed tube means less pre-cutting before slicing and shredding.
- Cuisinart lists a 720-watt motor and a limited 3-year warranty on the unit.
What the Cuisinart Custom 14-Cup Food Processor is
The Cuisinart Custom 14-Cup Food Processor is a full-size countertop food processor built to replace a lot of repetitive knife work. It is meant for the everyday stuff (chopping onions, shredding cheese, slicing vegetables) and the bigger weekend projects (big dips, slaws, soup prep, dough).
The headline feature is the 14-cup work bowl. In practical terms, that is the difference between doing a big batch of shredded carrots or cabbage in one go versus stopping to empty the bowl and restarting mid-recipe. It is also a size that makes sense for family cooking and weekly meal prep, not just special occasions.
Cuisinart keeps the design classic and simple: one bowl, a small set of stainless steel blades and discs, and a basic control layout. If you want a machine you can walk up to and use without thinking too hard, that is the point.
Why it stands out
The biggest reason to buy the Cuisinart Custom 14-Cup Food Processor is that it hits the sweet spot for most households: a genuinely useful bowl size without pushing you into an extra-large, accessory-heavy, premium-priced machine. If you are buying one “main” food processor, 14 cups is a practical everyday capacity for family meals and batch prep.
It also gets the attachment mix right for normal cooking. You get a stainless steel chopping/mixing blade for chopping and mixing, a standard slicing disc (4 mm) for slicing vegetables, and a medium shredding disc for shredding. That covers the jobs most people reach for a food processor to do, without paying for a bunch of niche discs you will store forever.
The feed tube is extra-large, which matters more than most specs. A wider chute lets you load bigger pieces before slicing or shredding, so you spend less time pre-cutting ingredients just to make them fit. That is one of the clearest ways a food processor actually saves time.
Cuisinart lists a 720-watt motor, and the overall positioning of this model is “workhorse” rather than “fancy.” For shoppers, that translates to a machine designed to take on regular prep and dough work without needing multiple bowls or complicated settings.
What it is like to own
Day to day, the appeal is how little there is to learn. The controls are straightforward: On runs continuously, and Off/Pulse gives you short bursts. Pulse is what you use when you want more control, like when you are chopping onions and do not want them to turn into mush.
The bowl is large enough that small batches can look a little lost in there, but the upside is you can scale up easily. If you are the person who doubles soup recipes, makes big slaws, or shreds cheese in bulk, the 14-cup bowl is the reason you will keep pulling this machine out.
Cleanup and storage are part of why this model makes sense as a long-term kitchen tool. The machine is dishwasher-safe, and the included accessories can be stored inside the bowl when not in use. That is a small detail that keeps the processor from becoming a pile of sharp parts in a drawer.
Physically, this is a substantial appliance. Cuisinart lists dimensions of 11 inches long by 7.9 inches wide by 14.8 inches high. That height matters if you plan to store it under upper cabinets or in a cabinet with a shelf.
What to know before you buy
A 14-cup bowl is a real commitment. It is great when you actually use the capacity, but it can feel like more machine than you need if you mostly cook for one or two and rarely do batch prep. In that case, a smaller processor can be easier to justify and easier to store.
Do not confuse “14-cup” with “you can fill it to the brim for every job.” With food processors, usable capacity depends on what you are making. Liquids, dough, and bulky vegetables often have practical limits that are lower than the headline bowl size, simply because food needs room to circulate and process evenly.
This model is intentionally not feature-heavy. You get the core discs and blade, not a big suite of specialty slicing options. If you know you want very thin slicing or lots of disc choices built in, you will be happier with a different style of machine.
The specs that matter
A bigger bowl means fewer batches for meal prep, family-size recipes, and big shredding or slicing jobs. It is also physically larger to store, so it makes the most sense if you will actually use the capacity.
More power helps a processor keep moving through tougher jobs like dense vegetables, shredding cheese, and dough work without feeling strained.
Simple controls make it easier to get consistent results. Pulse is especially useful when you want to stop short of over-processing.
A wider feed tube reduces pre-cutting before slicing and shredding. That is one of the most noticeable time savers in daily use.
These are the attachments most people use for everyday cooking. If you want to slice, shred, and chop without buying extra parts, this set covers the basics.
The height and footprint affect where you can store it and whether it can live on the counter. Measure your cabinet clearance if you plan to tuck it away.
A longer warranty is useful on a full-size appliance you expect to keep for years, especially if it becomes a weekly tool in your kitchen.
Who this product fits
You meal prep once or twice a week
The Cuisinart Custom 14-Cup Food Processor lets you knock out big chopping and shredding tasks in fewer rounds, so prepping onions, carrots, cabbage, or cheese feels like a quick step instead of a long project.
You cook for a family and want one dependable machine
Instead of juggling a mini chopper, a box grater, and a mandoline, this gives you one full-size bowl and the core discs to handle most prep for weeknight dinners and bigger weekend recipes.
You want to keep dough on the menu without buying a specialty appliance
With a large bowl and a strong motor spec, this model is positioned to handle dough tasks along with everyday chopping and slicing, so you do not need a separate machine just for baking projects.
What else to compare
If the Custom 14 is not the right fit, these options make more sense for specific priorities.
Cuisinart Custom 14-Cup Food Processor FAQ
Is the Cuisinart Custom 14-Cup Food Processor too big for everyday cooking?
It depends on how you cook. If you regularly prep vegetables, shred cheese, or make big batches of dips, soups, or slaws, the 14-cup bowl is the reason it feels efficient. If you mostly make small portions, a smaller processor can be easier to store and quicker to pull out.
What attachments come with the Cuisinart Custom 14-Cup Food Processor?
It includes a stainless steel chopping/mixing blade, a standard slicing disc (4 mm), and a medium shredding disc. It also comes with the disc stem, pushers for the feed tube, a spatula, and an instruction and recipe book.
Does the Cuisinart Custom 14-Cup Food Processor have multiple speeds?
No. It uses a simple two-button setup: On for continuous processing and Off/Pulse for pulsing. That simplicity is part of the appeal if you do not want a lot of settings.
Is the Cuisinart Custom 14-Cup Food Processor dishwasher-safe?
Yes, it is described as dishwasher-safe. That helps a lot with whether a full-size processor becomes a regular tool or something you avoid because cleanup feels annoying.
How wide are the slices from the included slicing disc?
The included standard slicing disc is listed as 4 mm. If you want a wider range of slice thicknesses, you will want a model with an adjustable slicer or additional discs.
Should you buy the Cuisinart Custom 14-Cup Food Processor?
Buy the Cuisinart Custom 14-Cup Food Processor if you want one full-size machine that makes everyday prep faster and also handles bigger batch jobs without drama. The 14-cup bowl, extra-large feed tube, and core set of discs and blade are exactly what most home cooks need.
Skip it if you know you will rarely use the capacity or you want a more feature-rich slicing setup. But if your goal is a straightforward, do-it-all food processor you can lean on for years of chopping, slicing, shredding, and dough, the Cuisinart Custom 14-Cup Food Processor is the clear place to start.