Breville Sous Chef 16 Pro Food Processor
The most capable home food processor at any reasonable price. 1200W motor handles 10–14 minutes of continuous nut butter processing and full batches of stiff bread dough without stalling. Variable speed slider, 16-cup main bowl, and 2.5-cup auxiliary bowl. The definitive food processor for buyers who need maximum capability — and overkill for buyers who primarily chop and slice.
What buyers praise
- 1200W motor — handles nut butter, stiff dough, and extended continuous runs
- Variable speed slider — more control than standard on/off/pulse
- 16-cup main bowl + 2.5-cup auxiliary bowl (replaces need for mini processor)
- Includes multiple disc attachments (slicing, shredding, julienne)
- 5,000 reviews at 4.5 stars
What buyers flag
- $350–$400 — 60–80% premium over Cuisinart
- Larger machine with bigger counter footprint and more storage volume
- More accessories to store and clean
- Overkill for buyers whose heaviest task is hummus or vegetable chopping
The 1200W difference in practice
At 720W (Cuisinart), the motor draws a fixed amount of current. When resistance exceeds what the motor can sustain — typically at 7–10 minutes of nut butter processing or when kneading a full batch of stiff dough — the thermal overload protector trips and the machine stops. This is a safety feature, not a defect.
At 1200W (Breville), the motor has 67% more power to draw on under high resistance. Nut butter batches that would stall the Cuisinart at minute 8 complete fully in the Breville without triggering thermal overload. Buyers who specifically switch from Cuisinart to Breville cite the nut butter stalling problem as the trigger.
The auxiliary bowl in practice
The 2.5-cup auxiliary bowl fits on the same base as the 16-cup main bowl. For buyers who previously owned a Cuisinart Mini-Prep for small tasks and a full-size processor for large tasks, the Breville consolidates both into one machine. The auxiliary bowl is useful for:
- Mincing garlic and herbs (2 cloves to a small handful)
- Making a 1-cup sauce or dressing
- Processing a single onion without the overhead of the 16-cup bowl
Buyers who primarily own the Breville for nut butter and large tasks report the auxiliary bowl as an unexpectedly practical daily-use bonus.
Who should buy it
Right for: regular nut butter makers (weekly or more); bread bakers who process dough in the food processor; cooks who process large volumes and want a machine that won’t stall; buyers who want to consolidate mini and full-size processor into one machine.
Look elsewhere if: your heaviest task is hummus or vegetable chopping (Cuisinart DFP-14BCWN handles this for $170 less); counter space is limited; or the $350+ price is not justified by your use pattern.
Cuisinart DFP-14BCWN review · Best food processor for nut butter · Best food processor for dough