Black & Decker Ergo 3-Cup Food Chopper

Why I keep a mini chopper on the counter

I reach for a compact chopper when I want faster prep without dragging out a full-size food processor. The Ergo chopper fits that slot well: small footprint, simple controls, and enough capacity for the everyday jobs I do most—onions for a quick sauté, herbs for vinaigrettes, a handful of nuts, or a small batch of salsa. After several weeks of daily use, it’s earned a stable place on my counter.

Design and build quality

At roughly 9 inches tall with a 5 by 5 inch footprint and weighing about a pound, the Ergo chopper is genuinely compact. It tucks into a corner of the counter and doesn’t dominate a drawer if you prefer to store it. The soft-grip handle is more than a cosmetic touch; it gives you a firm anchor hand while you pulse, which helps tame the tendency of light appliances to skitter during aggressive chopping.

The bowl holds 3 cups at maximum, made of clear plastic that lets you see texture changes easily. The blade is a single, stay-sharp unit—simple to seat, with a sturdy feel. There aren’t extra discs or inserts to manage, which keeps setup straightforward.

Setup and safety

Assembly is intuitive: blade on the spindle, ingredients in the bowl, lid on, and you’re ready. The safety locking lid matters. The motor won’t engage unless you’ve aligned and clicked the lid into place. It’s a small thing, but it makes quick prep feel more relaxed. I’ve had no accidental starts, and the lock mechanism hasn’t loosened with repeated use.

One tip: don’t overfill. With a 3-cup bowl, the working capacity is closer to 2 cups if you want even, controlled chops without pushing ingredients up the sides. For onions or carrots, I aim for roughly 1.5 cups per batch, and the results are consistent.

Controls and performance

Two pulse buttons—Hi and Low—cover most tasks. Low is great for delicate herbs, shallots, and fine breadcrumb work. High handles harder items like carrots, nuts, and chocolate. The responsiveness of the buttons is good; short presses produce noticeable texture changes, which helps avoid overprocessing.

Chop quality is the headline here. With a few quick pulses, I get a coarse chop; a few more and it moves into a uniform mince. For onions, five to eight pulses on Low yields neat, even pieces without turning to mush. For salsa, I stage ingredients—onions and peppers first, then tomatoes—to keep things from liquefying. The blade’s edge has held up; after a steady diet of nuts, aromatics, and herbs, I’m not seeing ragged cuts.

This is a chopper, not a blender. It can handle small purees (pesto, chimichurri, a quick garlic-ginger paste) but it isn’t the right choice for silky hummus or large, watery blends. Expect fine chopping and mincing first, light pureeing second.

Results in the kitchen

Here are a few tasks where the Ergo chopper has been most useful for me:

• Aromatics: Garlic, onion, and chili peppers come together quickly into a consistent mince. Short pulses prevent overprocessing.
• Herbs: Parsley, cilantro, and basil chop evenly on Low with a few pulses, especially if you add a teaspoon of oil to prevent bruising.
• Nuts: Almonds, walnuts, and pecans break down evenly without turning to nut butter if you pulse in short bursts.
• Breadcrumbs: A few slices of stale bread become fresh crumbs fast. For panko-like crumbs, process dry and stop early.
• Salsa and dips: For small bowls, the combination of Low and short High pulses produces a balanced texture. Add tomatoes last to avoid a watery result.

The included storage lid is genuinely handy. If I prep onions or a sauce base ahead of dinner, I can pop the lid on and move the bowl to the fridge without dirtying another container. It’s not airtight like a dedicated storage container, but for short-term holding during meal prep, it’s convenient.

Cleaning and storage

All removable parts are dishwasher-safe, and they’ve come out clean with no warping in my experience. Most of the time, a quick rinse and a drop of soap are enough. The blade lifts out easily, and there aren’t many crevices for food to hide. The motor base wipes down with a damp cloth. Because the unit is light, it’s easy to move in and out of a cabinet, but I’ve left it out most days because I use it so often.

Noise and stability

Noise is moderate for a compact chopper—noticeable, but not ear-splitting. The motor tone changes as load increases, which I use as a cue to stop and scrape if needed. Stability is good for such a light machine, especially if you keep a hand on the soft-grip handle. On a perfectly smooth countertop, it stays put in normal use; for denser loads, anchoring with your non-dominant hand is smart practice.

Durability and warranty

The construction feels solid for a small appliance in this class. The blade has stayed sharp and free of chips. The lid lock continues to engage cleanly. With a two-year limited warranty, it sits above some budget competitors that only offer one year. I can’t speak to multi-year longevity yet, but early signs are positive.

Limitations and wish list

• Capacity: Three cups is ideal for singles, couples, or side dishes, but it’s not enough for big-batch weekend cooking. Expect to work in batches.
• No drizzle feature: If you make mayo or aioli often, a small drizzle hole would be helpful for slow oil incorporation; you’ll need to pulse and add in stages.
• Single blade: One blade keeps things simple, but there’s no dedicated whisk or dough accessory. That’s fine by me—this is a chopper—but worth noting.

These aren’t dealbreakers. They’re boundaries that help you use the tool for what it’s best at.

How it compares

Compared to larger mini processors, the Ergo chopper trades capacity and accessories for simplicity and a smaller footprint. It’s easier to clean than bulkier, multi-blade models and faster to set up than a full processor. If you often cook for four or more and want to do batch prep or smooth purees, you’ll still want a larger machine. If your goal is everyday chopping without fuss, this hits the mark.

Best practices

• Work in short pulses and stop early; you can always process more.
• Cut produce into 1-inch chunks for even results.
• Fill the bowl no more than two-thirds for uniform chopping.
• For herbs, add a little oil to prevent bruising.
• Scrape the bowl halfway through for dense ingredients like nuts or chocolate.

Recommendation

I recommend the Ergo chopper for anyone who wants a compact, reliable helper for daily prep. It’s easy to assemble, safe to operate, and produces consistent chops and minces with simple, responsive controls. The soft-grip handle and safety lid add confidence, the dishwasher-safe parts make cleanup painless, and the storage lid is a thoughtful touch for meal prep. It won’t replace a full-size processor for large batches or silky purees, but that’s not its job. For small, frequent tasks, it streamlines prep and earns its counter space. If you can find it at a reasonable price, it’s a smart, low-hassle addition to a busy kitchen.