Kenwood Chef and Major AT320A Mini Chopper/Mill Attachment with 3 Additional Glass Jars

When I splashed out and replaced my very old Kenwood Chef with a superb new top of the range machine I also bought a food processor, mincer, and liquidiser jug attachments - but didn't get a Mini Chopper Mill simply because I had a small electric "Mouli" - which inevitably soon died!

So when I spotted an offer on Amazon for a Mini Chopper/Mill at the same price as a stand alone electric variety I thought why not save space and add another Kenwood tool to my collection.

When the little Mini Chopper/Mill arrived I was amased at how heavy the box was, and when I opened it I discovered why. Althouhg the base of the mill is plastic the jar on the top is extremely thick glass, absolutely bomb proof - typically Kenwood! The fact that you also get 3 spare jars, with lids, is a real bonus. You can process ingredients and then simply pop them on the shelf until you need them - in very neat stylish jars!

I was also delighted to discover the mill was extremely compact, well made, and the blades extremely sharp. Initially I was concerned that it would not perform as well as my old stand alone electric machine - until I tried it!

In just a couple of seconds it reduced a jar full of full "raw" garam masala to a fine smooth powder, a couple of tablespoons of coffee beans into beautiful filter coffee, and in even shorter time it chopped a handful of fresh herbs perfectly.

I then enjoyed quite a few minutes experimenting [or playing] with ingredients raging from granulated sugar to nutmeg and the Mini Chopper/Mill handled them all with extreme ease - very efficiently. Hardly surprising when it has the huge power of a Chef underneath it!

Cleaning the unit is far simpler than an electric variety as it instantly comes apart into three easily handled components - the base - the blade assembly - and the jar. Obviously you do have to be careful when washing the blades -when Kenwood say "sharp" they really mean it.

Overall I am delighted with my new Kenwood accessory but, as you can see, I have not given it five stars for one simple reason.

When using a small chopper/mill, of any type, you inevitably invert the container to add the ingrediatents you are working on, and then lock on the base whilst still inverted, to stop anything falling out. Then, when you've processed the contents you reverse the process for the very same reason.

With my old electric machine this was an extremely simple if not cumbersome manouever [although cleaning it afterwards was not]. However the Kenwood seems to have no way of retaining the blade unit into the base whilst inverted so you have to get used to handling three loose components, not just two. Although the Kenwood is so much easier to clean than a two piece electric machine it would have been much nicer if the blades and base stayed firmly together whislt inverted. Perhaps it's just that I'm an old engineer but I do think Kenwood could have found a simple solution to this minor annoyance.

Notwithstanding the Mini Chopper's slight design error it really does precisely what it says on the box, and a lot more, and instantly became a very welcome addition to my kitchen, and my Kenwood collection. In a "disposable world" it's really good to find something so substantial - I have absolutely no doubt that the Mini Chopper together with its Kenwood Chef power source will probably outlive me, and then be passed onto a very gratefull offspring.

The mill is designed to chop small quantities of food, such as herbs or coffee beans.

Everything is designed around a glass jar and four are supplied with the mill (one is attached to the Mill on arrival, with three extras in the box), along with four lids (so whatever you process can be kept inside the jar).

Assembly of the product is straightforward - put the ingredients in the jar, insert the blades, then screw on the base and insert onto the outlet on the Kenwood Chef. I have a couple of issues with this; I am not keen about having to handle the blades quite this intimately and frequently, plus the mill itself is fiddly to attach to the outlet on the machine.

In terms of results, it manages to finely chop herbs quickly, as well as small quantities of things like tomatoes, but did not do so well with biscuits - it appears as though the blade mechanism gets clogged with crumbs.

Overall, I am reasonably happy with my only true reservation being the fact I have to handle the blades as much as required.

Kenwood Chef and Major Multi Mill Attachment with 3 Additional Glass Jars AT320A

This is a great additional piece of equipment for your Kenwood Chef/Major.

I bought this to go with my Kenwood Major Titanium so that I could make my own pesto sauces; grind coffee, herbs or nuts.

I used it to blend curry spices last weekend to make my own curry powder. So much quicker to measure them out into the jar, fit the blades, screw on the attachment then 'blitz' it on the machine. Perfect mixing without the powders making you sneeze!

I love the fact that it comes with 4 jars and lids as it means that I can make double quantities and use one/keep one for next time. Much easier to batch bake as a working mum.

Highly recommended product.