4
TIPS FOR PROCESSING FOOD
Preparing the Food
Size
Always cut large pieces of food into smaller pieces of
even size – about ½ to ¾ inch (12mm) or as specified in
the Operating Techniques Chart on pages 6 and 7. If you
don’t start with pieces that are small and uniform, you
will not get an even chop.
Quantity
Do not overload the work bowl. Overloading causes
inconsistent results and it strains the motor. As a rule
of thumb, remember most foods should not reach more
than
2
⁄3 of the way up the work bowl. Use the quantities
given in the chart and recipe section as a guide.
NOTE: Due to the powerful motor provided with this
unit, it is recommended to use one hand to support the
Cuisinart
®
Elemental
™
Series 4-Cup Chopper/Grinder
during operation.
Selecting the Right Operating Control
Use the Chop function for chopping, puréeing and
mixing. It is the right choice, for example, for chopping
soft, delicate foods such as herbs, celery, onions, garlic
and most cheeses. It is also the right choice for
puréeing cooked vegetables, making mayonnaise, and
mixing salad dressing.
Pulse action is best when you are using the Chop
function. Two or three pulses are often enough. Be sure
to check the food frequently to prevent overprocessing.
If you overprocess, you are likely to get a watery paste
instead of a fine chop.
Use the Grind function for grinding spices, and for
chopping hard foods such as peppercorns, seeds,
chocolate and nuts.
Continuous-hold action is best when you are using the
Grind function. You may have to operate the Cuisinart
®
Elemental
™
Series 4-Cup Chopper/Grinder for several
seconds with some foods to achieve the desired results
– or as long as 20 seconds for some seeds.
When you operate the unit for more than 10 seconds, use
a pulse action every 10 seconds or so to allow food to
drop to the bottom of the work bowl. This provides more
consistent results.
Never operate the Cuisinart
®
Elemental
™
Series 4-Cup
Chopper/Grinder continuously for longer than 1 minute
at a time.
NOTE: The work bowl and cover may become scratched
when you use them for grinding grains and spices.
This does not affect the performance of the Cuisinart
®
Elemental
™
Series 4-Cup Chopper/Grinder. However, you
may want to reserve the original bowl for grinding, and
purchase an additional bowl and cover set for other uses.
These are available from the Cuisinart Consumer Service
Department, which you can reach by dialing our toll-free
number: 800-726-0190.
Adding Liquid
You can add liquids such as water, oil or flavoring while
the machine is running. For example, you might want to
add oil when making mayonnaise or salad dressing. Pour
the liquid through openings in the cover.
IMPORTANT: Add liquid through only one opening at a
time. The other opening must be left free to allow air to
escape. If both openings are blocked, liquid cannot flow
smoothly into the bowl.
Removing Food from the Sides of the Bowl
Occasionally, food will stick to the sides of the bowl
as you process. Stop the machine to clear food away.
AFTER THE BLADE HAS STOPPED MOVING, remove
the cover, and use the spatula to scrape the food from
the sides of the bowl back into the center. Do not put
hands into bowl unless unit is unplugged.
NOTE: HANDLE WITH CARE – the blade is razor sharp.
PROCESSING FOOD
1. Place the work bowl firmly on the motor base.
Opening at back of bowl must face column at back of
the
Cuisinart
®
Elemental
™
Series 4-Cup Chopper/
Grinder. Turn bowl counterclockwise to lock in place.
2. Insert the SmartPower
®
Blade. Carefully pick up the
blade by its hub and place on the center stem until it
drops to the bottom of the stem. Firmly push to lock
the blade into position. NEVER TOUCH THE BLADE
ITSELF AND NOTE THE BLADE IS RAZOR SHARP.
3. Place food in the assembled work bowl. Be sure
the food is cut into even, small pieces, and the bowl
is not overloaded.
4. Lock the cover into position.
5. Press the appropriate Chop or Grind control,
depending on the food you are processing.
6. When you have finished processing the food,
stop the machine by releasing the control
button.
7. WHEN THE BLADE STOPS MOVING,
unplug the unit.
8. Remove cover and work bowl.
a. Turn work bowl cover clockwise to remove.
b. Turn work bowl clockwise to unlock it and lift it
off base.
9. To remove liquids and sauces from bowl:
Simply pour ingredients out of work bowl. Our
convenient BladeLock System keeps blade safely in
place.
10. To remove thicker ingredients from bowl:
Carefully remove the SmartPower
®
Blade by holding
the stem on the top and gently pulling up to
disengage blade lock. Remove food with spatula.
You can also remove ingredients while the bowl is
still on the base.
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