Kenwood Multi Pro FP250 2.1 Litre Food Processor, Brushed Metal

This food processor is compact enough, so I can leave it out easily on a worktop and get maximum use from it. The attachments are enough for basic chopping, mixing, and grating. The controls are easy to use and it has 2 speeds and a handy pulse function. The bowl is a bit difficult to fit and you need a bit of muscle power to engage it properly. The bowl is smaller than some other models, but adequate for us. The liquidiser has a removable blade which you twist out from the base, which makes cleaning easier. Had this about a month and used several times and I have not had any problems with marking on the chrome finish so far. For the money and the needs of 2 adults, it is really good value and a useful addition to the kitchen.

When you buy the Kenwood FP250 you're not just buying a food processor. It comes with so many accoutrements that it's like buying a box of goodies.

The appliance weighs 3kg, and considering its petite appearance this is rather hefty. Saying that, it is ideal if you have a small kitchen and/or are looking for a device that will not be overly noticeable. I have seen many food processors that are graceless in appearance, with their long funnels and awkward ledges. The FP250 is of a different calibre, aesthetically at least. It is comprised of a sleek chrome body that is mounted on a heavy-duty plastic base. The base is weighted to prevent movement when the processor is in use, so there are few safety issues there. Similarly, it is equipped with a textured rubbed coating on the bottom for extra security, and I have found this to be useful when you are carrying the device and require a little extra support. The body is fitted with a large chrome dial, which I appreciated as I often find that during use my hands can become slippery when I have been handling food, and this makes operating smaller dials problematic. The body of the machine is finished with a nice wide hood so you can see what is going on inside. The handle too, while it appears somewhat insubstantial, is deceptively solid for a plastic component.

The numerous tools and accessories that come as part of the package slot on to the main body of the processor with ease. This is a very simple procedure, and most of them merely need to be twisted on to the slot on the chrome base. The accessories include a double whisk, a blender, a juicer, a variety of slicers, a liquidizer, a dough blade and a rasper. I must point out that while the stainless steel slicers are extremely efficient, they are able to be so because the blades are exceptionally sharp, and thus care should be taken to store the machine out of reach of children. A downside of having so many accessories included with the appliance is that they must be stored somewhere, but many of them, such as the juice cup, are so versatile they can be used for other things too. With a capacity for 1 litre of liquid/1kg dry material, this is ideal for a small household.

The processor has a working power of 750 watts, which is very impressive for a machine of so small a size. I found this to be a little too powerful on occasions, particularly when using some of the smaller accoutrements. But if you are looking to process foods efficiently and within a short time frame, you will find that you are able to achieve a lot. The juicing mechanism does not, of course, match independent juicing machines in terms of efficiency, but I have found the capabilities of the FP250 to be more than adequate if you just want a glass of juice now and again and don't want to purchase a separate device. Interestingly, the juicing attachment is considerably less noisy than some other juicing machines I have used, so that is another bonus.

I have found this to be a reliable appliance than is both versatile and robust. Many of the tools are adaptable depending on your needs, with the only real downside being storage of the various components. For the price the machine is super high quality and is built to last. If you are looking for something discreet it is particularly impressive. Recommended.

I've had this processor for a couple of years and am just needing to replace it. The motor is starting to smell very bad and am worried that it might catch fire, so am getting a replacement.

The unit is compact and takes up a small amount of cupboard space. The blender attachment is good and it's easy to make things like smoothies. But the larger bowl is disappointingly small. Trying to make soups for a family of four and there just isn't enough capacity so you have to work in batches and this is rather messy.

Another somewhat irritating feature is the drive shaft which comes up the middle of the main bowl. If you are doing something like creamed potatoes, it's very difficult to get all the food out of the bowl due to it's size and design. I've also found the machine isn't very good at consistently chopping items up. The blades whisk round and tend to not 'suck down' the larger pieces which float above the blades. So then you have to stick a wooden spoon in the top to press the larger items down and this feels risky.

If it was just for cooking for a single person or couple, I'd say it is sufficient. But I don't think this unit is good for family cooking and i won't be buying another.