ConsFirst / Food processors

Hamilton Beach

Hamilton Beach Stack & Snap 12-Cup Food Processor: the downsides first

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#7 of 8
$Full-size12 cupsScore 2.8/5
Amazon 1–2 star share
not available

A cheap, big-bowl processor with no-twist assembly that slices cleanly, but it skates around with dough, has hard-to-clean lid and handle cavities, and many owners report the motor dying early.

Top complaints

  • Motor or latch fails early

    Many 1-star Walmart reviews describe units that stopped working after a few uses or a few months, a dead motor, and a spring mechanism in the handle that broke after about two weeks.

  • Cheese gets trapped in the lid and handle

    Wirecutter found that grated cheese gets stuck inside the plastic walls of the lid and in the bowl handle, areas it calls impossible to clean.

    Source: Wirecutter
  • Moves around with dough; one thickness only

    Wirecutter says it shook and moved quickly across the counter when kneading. Food Network notes there is only one slicing and shredding thickness.

What owners love

  • Cheap and efficient

    Food Network's best budget pick: efficient and consistent, it sliced a zucchini with almost no waste.

    Source: Food Network
  • No-twist assembly

    Walmart's review summary praises the simple setup with no twisting and the easy operation.

  • Clean dicing and shredding of firm vegetables

    Wirecutter found it diced onion and shredded carrot cleanly.

    Source: Wirecutter
Good for
  • Tight budgets
  • Slicing and shredding vegetables
  • People who dislike twist-lock bowls

Scores (tap for why)

  • Chopping & slicing3.5
    Why 3.5?Clean slicing and shredding (Food Network, Wirecutter), but Wirecutter rated it only okay on tomatoes, parsley and almonds.
  • Dough & purées2.0
    Why 2.0?Wirecutter: it shook and moved quickly across the counter when kneading dough.
    Source: Wirecutter
  • Ease of use4.0
    Why 4.0?Walmart owners praise the no-twist setup and easy operation.
  • Easy cleaning2.5
    Why 2.5?It is dishwasher-safe with a pour spout (Food Network), but Wirecutter found lid and handle cavities that trap food and can't be cleaned.
  • Durability2.0
    Why 2.0?There are many Walmart reports of motors dying and handle mechanisms breaking within weeks or months.

What experts say

  • Food Network: Best budget pick: efficient and consistent, with a combined slicing and shredding disc. It offers only one thickness.
  • Wirecutter (NYT): Not recommended: it is okay at chopping, but cheese gets trapped in uncleanable lid and handle cavities, and it skated across the counter with dough.
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