The Breville BFP800XL is certainly not the cheapest food processor on the market, but definitely worth its price once you figure in all its functions and attachments.
Heavy duty and capable of a variety of tasks other processors simple can’t handle, it also comes with a smaller 2½-cup work bowl with its own S-blade for small batches.
Not many people ever need to make more than a cup or so of mayonnaise at a time, yet a food processor that’s underfilled often performs poorly. The inclusion of a smaller vessel for whipping up small batches of sauces and garnishes is therefore a major plus that saves you from having to buy a separate, smaller food processor.
You’ll also find this bowl-in-a-bowl system in the KitchenAid KFP1466ER, which is unfortunately underpowered compared to the Breville.
Good for Jobs Large and Small
This machine’s large capacity allows you to chop up to 8 cups of vegetables at once. In case you can’t be bothered to rinse out the larger bowl after using it, you can place the smaller one inside; its flared lip will catch food falling from the disc.
Unusually for a food processor (or at least cheaper ones), the feed chute is large enough to accommodate whole vegetables, while the powerful motor will have no problem making short work of them. You can also feed thinner items through a narrower chute to keep them upright. With a feed chute this large, it makes sense that a safety mechanism shuts down the motor when either the plunger or the small feeder isn’t in place.
In terms of processing options, your go-to tool will probably be the variable-thickness slicing disc that can be adjusted to cut from 0.33mm to 8mm (0.13 to 1/3“) in 24 increments (plus another adjustment that conceals the cutting edge for safer storage).
This is backed up with a reversible shredding disc, a julienne (matchstick) disc (though this is not designed to slice vegetables lengthwise but rather at a slight angle), a wavy emulsifying disk which seems better than the general-purpose S-blade at whisking sauces, cream and eggs, and a french fry disc can cut fries of up to 5 inches in length (the width of the triangular feed chute). Finally, a plastic dough kneader transfers energy from the powerful motor to enable you to knead even stiff, dense types of dough.
The figure of 1,200 watts specified here is actually this machine’s peak power output, its average consumption will not be nearly as high. Different manufacturers measure power in different ways, but in this case, it refers to this food processor’s ability to unstick its blade and keep going even during tough tasks. If it does encounter something it’s unable to move, the machine will cut out rather than risk overheating and damage.
Look and Feel
The Breville’s modern-looking interface includes buttons outlined in blue or red light. There’s only one speed, but the range of attachments allow you all the control you really need.
On much the same subject, the control panel includes a timer which can can count either up or down. The idea behind this is to let it count up the first time you’re making some recipe, then set the timer to however many minutes it took the first time on future occasions.
Considering that there are enough accessories to occupy a small drawer, it’s nice that you get a cool storage box for all of these. This measures about 10 by 11½ by 7½ inches. In other words, it’s not as compact as that of the Hamilton Beach 70820, but it’s organized more intuitively. Instead of just a post around which you can wrap the power cord, this food processor has a dedicated space for it inside the base.
Can Go the Distance
Unusually for a modern appliance, the base is solid metal rather than a mainly plastic frame with stainless steel exterior parts. The colored versions, namely red and black, seems to be metal with some kind of plastic coating.
The lid is securely sealed, leading to less mess when preparing soup or other liquids. Also, instead of a central column that’s open at the top, a sealed bearing passes through the bowl’s base. It won’t leak as long as it’s intact.
The warranty on the machine as a whole, including the plastic parts, is only for 12 months, but the motor is covered for an inspiring 25 years.
Like with practically all food processors, you should expect to have to replace the bowl after a year or so, and they are not cheap. It’s probably best to keep it out of the dishwasher. On the other hand, it feels much more solid than any cheaper competitor’s, with parts slotting together firmly without any special effort.
Worth the Price?
This machine is certainly capable and lives up to both its name and this brand’s reputation. Experienced cooks with limited time will love it, but if you’re not going to use accessories like the emulsion/whipping and julienne discs, this is probably overkill even if you’re able to afford it. Also, at 26 pounds, you may prefer to leave it on your counter full-time.
- Powerful enough for tough kneading
- Large or small capacity
- Dedicated emulsion disc
- Heavy
- Only one speed
- On the expensive side
