Black & Decker 8-Cup Food Processor

Why I reached for this processor

I like simple tools that earn their space on the counter. This 8‑cup Black+Decker processor is one of those—basic, straightforward, and ready to tackle everyday prep without a learning curve. After several weeks of using it for weeknight dinners and weekend batch prep, I’ve got a clear sense of where it shines, where it’s limited, and how to get the best results from it.

Design and build

• Capacity and footprint: The 8‑cup work bowl hits a sweet spot for small families and meal prep without feeling bulky. At 15.7 inches tall with a 7.8 x 11.2‑inch footprint, it fits under most upper cabinets and stores easily.
• Motor and drive: The 450‑watt motor is modest by food‑processor standards, but well matched to the included stainless chopping blade and reversible slice/shred disc.
• Feed chute and pusher: The chute is wide enough for halved cucumbers and chunks of cabbage or cheese. The pusher is snug and secure.
• Controls: You get On/Off and Pulse—no programs, no speed toggles. That simplicity is part of the appeal.
• Safety: The interlock prevents the motor from running unless the bowl and lid are properly seated. It’s firm and reassuring.
• Stability: The base uses grippy feet with a slight suction effect, which kept the unit planted on my quartz counter during heavy shredding.
• Extras: A storage lid is included, handy for stashing salsa or pesto in the bowl after processing.

Build quality is better than I expected at this price. The bowl walls are reasonably thick, the lid locks with a positive click, and the disc and blade feel like they’ll survive years of honest work as long as you treat them as sharp tools (because they are).

Setup and controls

Assembly is intuitive: bowl on base, blade or disc on the spindle, lid on, twist to lock. The reversible disc is clearly labeled for slicing on one side and shredding on the other. With only On/Off and Pulse, you’ll rely on pulsing for control and run the machine continuously for purees or big shredding jobs.

If you’re new to food processors, this is about as friendly as it gets. Within a minute, you’ll be slicing cucumbers or pulsing onions like you’ve done it for years.

Performance in the kitchen

• Chopping: For onions, peppers, herbs, and toasted nuts, pulsing produces an even chop without turning everything to paste. For a quick salsa, I quartered tomatoes and onions, added jalapeño and cilantro, and pulsed in short bursts—clean, uniform pieces with minimal liquid pooling. Expect to scrape the bowl once or twice for best results; that’s normal with an 8‑cup bowl.
• Slicing: The slice side of the disc handled cucumbers, potatoes, and firm tomatoes consistently. With softer produce, chilling helps keep slices clean. Thickness isn’t adjustable beyond the disc itself, but the fixed thickness is a practical everyday cut for salads and gratins.
• Shredding: This is where the machine earns its keep. It shredded a pound of carrots in well under 30 seconds and dispatched a block of cheddar quickly. For best results with cheese, work with cold blocks (not pre‑shredded) to avoid smearing.
• Pureeing: Hummus, pesto, and sauces are well within its wheelhouse. My hummus reached a pleasantly smooth texture after a minute or two with a few pauses to scrape down the sides and a drizzle of ice water. For thicker spreads (e.g., a very dense bean dip), be patient; add liquid gradually and use Pulse to keep things moving.
• Pastry and crumbs: For pie dough, pulsing cold butter into flour took less than a minute to reach pea‑sized bits. It also makes quick work of cookie crumbs for cheesecake bases. There’s no dough blade, and I wouldn’t use this motor for heavy bread doughs.
• Batch prep: The feed chute allows continuous feeding for slicing and shredding, so you can move through a stack of produce quickly. For giant meal‑prep sessions, you’ll still be working in batches, but the workflow is efficient.

The short version: it’s fast and competent for daily tasks, with enough power to handle dense veggies and cheese when used properly.

Capacity and workflow

Although the bowl is rated at 8 cups, practical capacity depends on the task:
- Chopping: Fill no more than halfway for an even chop; scrape once to prevent over‑processing the bottom.
- Shredding: You can fill the bowl closer to the top since the disc keeps product moving, but expect to empty the bowl mid‑task during larger jobs.
- Purees: Plan on 4–6 cups of finished puree per batch to avoid splashing and to maintain good circulation.

The included storage lid is surprisingly useful—process, scrape, and pop the bowl in the fridge for short‑term storage without dirtying another container.

Noise and stability

It’s not whisper‑quiet, but it’s also not blender‑loud. On a typical countertop, the tone is more of a steady hum with a sharper pitch when slicing firm produce. The grippy feet keep the base planted even when shredding dense items like carrots or cabbage. No walking or wobble in my testing.

Cleaning and maintenance

All removable parts are dishwasher‑safe. I often hand‑wash the bowl, lid, pusher, blade, and disc to keep them looking new and to avoid heat‑cycle wear. A few tips:
- Rinse immediately after processing starchy or sticky foods to prevent residue.
- Use a bottle brush to clean around the lid’s safety channels and the bowl handle.
- Dry blades and discs right away to avoid spotting; store the disc in a sleeve or towel to protect the edges.
- If you notice fogging over time, switch to hand‑washing and avoid very hot water.

Cleanup typically takes two to three minutes by hand, which is quick enough that I don’t hesitate to pull it out for small tasks.

Durability and warranty

The stainless blades have stayed sharp through repeated batches of slaw, salsa, and hummus during my testing period. The interlock continues to engage crisply, and the base shows no play. There’s a 2‑year limited warranty, which is reassuring at this price point.

Limitations and how to work around them

• Single‑speed motor: Without multiple speeds, control comes from pulsing and managing batch size. It’s not a drawback if you’re comfortable with pulse technique.
• Uneven chopping at the top of the bowl: Scrape once or twice for uniform results; don’t overfill.
• No adjustable slice thickness: You’re limited to the disc’s fixed thickness. If you need paper‑thin or multiple slice settings, you’ll want a higher‑end model.
• Heavy doughs: There’s no dough blade and the 450‑watt motor isn’t intended for kneading bread. Stick to pastry, cookie crumbs, and quick‑mix batters.
• Very soft cheese: Fresh mozzarella will smear; chill it thoroughly or slice by hand.

Tips for best results

• Cut produce to uniform chunks before chopping; it improves consistency and reduces processing time.
• For nuts and chocolate, pulse in short bursts and stop early to avoid turning them past the texture you want.
• Chill cheese, then use steady pressure on the pusher when shredding.
• For purees, add liquid slowly through the feed tube with the machine running; scrape as needed.
• Don’t force oversized items into the chute; trim to fit to protect the disc and motor.

Who it’s for

This processor is ideal if you want:
- A reliable, no‑frills machine for daily prep (salsa, slaws, shredded cheese, sliced veggies, dips).
- A compact unit with enough capacity for family meals and modest batch prep.
- Simple controls and easy cleaning without extra attachments to manage.

If you need adjustable slice thickness, a broader set of discs, or the muscle for kneading dough or making large batches of nut butter, you’ll outgrow this model quickly.

The bottom line

The Black+Decker 8‑cup processor is a straightforward, capable kitchen workhorse. It doesn’t try to be everything; it focuses on the fundamentals and does them well. The slicing/shredding disc is efficient, the chopping blade is sharp, the interlock is solid, and cleanup is painless. Its single‑speed design and modest motor set some limits, but with good technique and sensible batch sizes, it comfortably covers the everyday jobs most home cooks do.

Recommendation: I recommend this processor for anyone who wants an affordable, dependable tool for routine chopping, slicing, shredding, and pureeing without extra complexity. It’s an easy machine to live with—simple to use, quick to clean, and sturdy enough for regular use. If your cooking regularly demands adjustable slicing, heavy doughs, or specialty discs, you’ll want to step up in class; otherwise, this model is a smart, budget‑friendly choice that earns its keep.