Introduction
The Cuisinart Elemental 13-Cup Food Processor with Spiralizer (Model: CFP-26SVPCFR) is designed to streamline your kitchen tasks. This versatile appliance offers a 13-cup capacity, powerful 950-watt performance, and includes a spiralizer attachment for creative culinary endeavors. It is capable of various functions including chopping, mixing, shredding, slicing, and kneading, making it a multi-functional kitchen essential for efficient food preparation.
Components Overview
Your Cuisinart Elemental Food Processor comes with several key components designed for various food preparation tasks. Familiarize yourself with each part before use.
- Motor Base: The main unit housing the 950-watt motor and control levers. Features suction cup feet for stability.
- 13-Cup Work Bowl: A clear, durable bowl with a sturdy handle, designed to hold up to 13 cups (3.1 liters) of ingredients.
- Work Bowl Cover (Lid): Features a feed tube and pushers for safely adding ingredients during operation.
- 3-Piece Pusher: Consists of small, medium, and large openings to accommodate various food sizes and keep them upright in the feed tube.
- Multipurpose Chopping/Mixing Blade: A single blade designed for chopping, mixing, pureeing, and kneading.
- Adjustable Slicing Disc: Allows for slicing thickness from 1mm to 7mm, adjustable via a dial on the underside.
- Reversible Shredding Disc: Provides options for fine or medium shreds, depending on which side faces up.
- Stem Adapter: Used to set the discs at the correct height for optimal processing.
- Storage Hub: Designed to store all accessories neatly inside the work bowl when not in use.
Figure 1: Cuisinart Elemental 13-Cup Food Processor, fully assembled.
Figure 2: Cuisinart Elemental 13-Cup Food Processor with included blades and storage hub.
Setup and Assembly
Before initial use, wash all removable parts (work bowl, lid, pushers, blades, discs, stem adapter, storage hub) in warm, soapy water or on the top rack of your dishwasher. Ensure all parts are completely dry before assembly.
- Place Motor Base: Position the motor base on a clean, dry, and stable countertop. The suction cup feet will help secure it.
- Attach Work Bowl: Place the 13-cup work bowl onto the motor base. Turn the work bowl clockwise until it locks securely into place. The handle should align with the front of the base. The unit will not operate if the bowl is not correctly locked.
- Insert Stem Adapter: Place the stem adapter onto the drive shaft in the center of the work bowl.
- Attach Blade/Disc:
- For chopping/mixing: Carefully place the multipurpose chopping/mixing blade onto the stem adapter.
- For slicing/shredding: Carefully place the desired slicing or shredding disc onto the stem adapter. Ensure the correct side of the reversible shredding disc is facing up for fine or medium shredding. Adjust the slicing disc to your desired thickness using the dial on its underside.
- Secure Lid: Place the work bowl cover onto the work bowl. Turn the lid clockwise until it locks securely into place. The feed tube should align with the handle of the work bowl. The unit will not operate if the lid is not correctly locked.
- Insert Pusher: Place the 3-piece pusher into the feed tube. The unit will not operate unless the pusher is fully inserted and locked.
Safety Note: The food processor is equipped with safety interlocks. It will only operate when the work bowl, lid, and pusher are all correctly assembled and locked into place. If the unit does not turn on, check that all components are properly secured.
Operating Instructions
The Cuisinart Elemental Food Processor features simple lever controls for various functions.
Control Levers
- Mix: Lowest continuous speed.
- Low: Medium continuous speed.
- High: Highest continuous speed.
- Pulse/Stop: Provides short bursts of power for precise control or stops any active function.
Using the Multipurpose Chopping/Mixing Blade
This blade is ideal for chopping vegetables (e.g., onions, carrots), mixing batters (e.g., cake, bread dough), pureeing ingredients, and kneading dough.
- Assemble the work bowl, stem adapter, and multipurpose blade as described in the Setup section.
- Add ingredients to the work bowl. Do not exceed the maximum fill line.
- Secure the lid and pusher.
- Select your desired speed (Mix, Low, High) for continuous operation, or use the Pulse button for controlled bursts.
- Process until desired consistency is achieved. For dough, note that softer doughs may accumulate under the blade, requiring manual scraping.
Using the Adjustable Slicing Disc
The slicing disc allows for precise slices from 1mm to 7mm. It is excellent for potatoes, carrots, cucumbers, and other firm vegetables.
- Assemble the work bowl, stem adapter, and adjustable slicing disc. Adjust the thickness using the dial on the underside of the disc.
- Secure the lid.
- Prepare ingredients to fit into the feed tube. For best results, use the appropriate pusher size (small, medium, or large) to keep ingredients upright and stable.
- Select a continuous speed (Low or High).
- Feed ingredients through the feed tube using the pusher. Do not force ingredients.
Using the Reversible Shredding Disc
This disc is perfect for shredding cheese, cabbage, carrots, and other vegetables. It offers both fine and medium shred options.
- Assemble the work bowl, stem adapter, and reversible shredding disc. Ensure the desired shred size (fine or medium) is facing up.
- Secure the lid.
- Prepare ingredients to fit into the feed tube.
- Select a continuous speed (Low or High).
- Feed ingredients through the feed tube using the pusher.
Maintenance and Cleaning
Proper cleaning ensures the longevity and hygiene of your food processor.
- Unplug Before Cleaning: Always unplug the food processor from the power outlet before cleaning.
- Dishwasher Safe Parts: The work bowl, lid, pushers, blades, discs, stem adapter, and storage hub are all dishwasher safe. Place them on the top rack only.
- Hand Washing: For hand washing, use warm, soapy water. Exercise extreme caution when handling blades and discs as they are very sharp.
- Motor Base: The motor base should never be immersed in water. Wipe it clean with a damp cloth.
- Drying: Ensure all parts are completely dry before reassembling or storing.
Storage
The Cuisinart Elemental Food Processor is designed for compact storage.
- Utilize the included storage hub to stack all blades and discs neatly inside the work bowl.
- Once accessories are stored, place the lid on the work bowl. Note that with accessories stored inside, the lid may not sit flush or allow the pusher to be fully inserted, making the unit taller for storage.
- Store the assembled unit in a dry place, away from direct sunlight or extreme temperatures.
Troubleshooting
- Unit Not Turning On: Ensure the work bowl, lid, and pusher are all correctly assembled and locked into place. The safety interlock system prevents operation if any component is not properly secured.
- Dough Accumulation Under Blade: For softer doughs, ingredients may accumulate under the multipurpose blade. Stop the unit, unplug it, and carefully scrape down the sides of the bowl and under the blade using a spatula.
- Uneven Processing: Ensure ingredients are cut to appropriate sizes to fit the feed tube and are fed slowly and evenly. Use the correct pusher size to keep ingredients stable.
- Overheating: If the motor stops during heavy use, the unit may have overheated. Unplug the unit and let it cool down for at least 15-20 minutes before attempting to use it again.
Specifications
- Model: CFP-26SVPCFR
- Capacity: 13 Cups (3.1 Liters)
- Power: 950 Watts
- Speeds: 3 (Mix, Low, High) + Pulse/Stop
- Special Feature: SealTight Advantage System
- Product Dimensions: 18"D x 11.9"W x 24.6"H
- Item Weight: 21.5 pounds
- Care: Dishwasher safe (top rack only) for removable parts; wipe motor base clean.
Warranty and Support
The Cuisinart Elemental 13-Cup Food Processor with Spiralizer comes with a 3-year limited warranty. For warranty claims, technical support, or replacement parts, please contact Cuisinart customer service directly. Refer to the official Cuisinart website or the product packaging for the most current contact information.
