The Cuisinart Mini Prep Plus Processor DLC-4CHB has a four-cup-capacity -- twice that of most standard mini choppers. Styled in brushed stainless steel, this model comes with a 250-watt motor, a clear 4-cup work bowl with lid and a specially designed stainless steel chopping blade. Two pushbutton controls activate the motor in either Chop or Grind modes. In both cases, the power is pulse activated and will remain on only as long as the function button is depressed. Quickly touching and releasing the buttons creates short bursts of power, which is ideal for obtaining uniformly chopped herbs, celery, onions, garlic and other delicate foods. For grinding spices and hard food items, you can hold the button down for continuous action. This unit is so powerful that all types of foods are processed in just seconds.

We loved the large work bowl, which provides extra room for processing ingredients. Even though the stated work bowl capacity is four cups, for best results, you should not overcrowd the work bowl. We achieved great results chopping 1-2 cups of ingredients at a time. The motor is so fast you can do multiple batches in succession. You still need to do some initial prep work, such as cutting foods into manageable-sized pieces before placing them in the work bowl.

The unit's two touchpad controls provide quick, easy operation. The Chop button works great for chopping soft foods, such as onions, herbs or celery. The Grind button works best with hard foods, such as chocolate and nuts. The auto-reversing blade is sharp on one side for slicing cleanly through soft foods and blunt on the other to grind hard foods. Its only limitation is its inability to slice or shred ingredients.

The motor on this model is more powerful, yet surprisingly is no noisier than smaller, less powerful units. We found it to be sturdy on the counter, and appreciated the fact that the work bowl has a handle, which makes it easier to remove and insert on the base. The unit is incredibly lightweight and easy to store in a cupboard or pantry.


Pros: Extra-large 4-cup work bowl, auto reversing blade, touchpad controls
Cons: No shredding/slicing capability

Warranty
18 months, limited