Magimix 18334 3200XL Food Processor Satin Finish

I'm a keen cook but I've never previously owned a food processor. I've got a blender that I use for making sauces and rough chopping, but it tends to sit at the back of the counter doing nothing. Then, a couple of months ago, I bought a hand blender that came with a "mini processor" attachment that I found to be very useful for chopping small quantities of vegetables but not large or powerful enough for chopping bigger batches.

So, I started doing some research into larger food processors that would be suitable for a family of 3 who like to entertain quite regularly. The Magimix processors seemed to be well reviewed on many sites and the 3200 models seemed to have the right batch size.

I opted to buy the Magimix 3200XL, rather than the Magimix 3200 because the larger feed tube appealed to me and it was still just tall enough to fit on my kitchen counter under an overhanging cupboard.

The processor arrived the morning after I ordered it (thanks, Amazon Prime!) and I unpacked it and rinsed the 3 nested processing bowls as per the instructions.

Things I have made using the processor in the 10 days since I bought it include:
* Pico de Gallo (see my photo attached to main product page) - Chopped onion and chillies in the smallest bowl, chopped deseeded tomatoes and coriander in the largest bowl, combined and added lime juice. The chop was perfect for pico de gallo, which should be fine but not mushed or liquidised. The quality was better than I could manage by hand chopping and it only took a few minutes to make.
* Crisps - I used the 2mm slice to process a potato into the middle bowl. I found that a really thin slice can be obtained (certainly less than 2mm) if you don't press hard on the feeder tube while processing. The slices were dried on kitchen towel and then fried in small batches. Some of them were a little moist at one end but the majority were properly crispy crisps.
* Long Island Coleslaw - chopped a red onion in the large bowl then swapped the blade for the 4 mm slice to process half a head of red cabbage. This was braised in a wok with red wine vinegar, black pepper and salt and then removed from the heat to cool. I made a blue cheese dressing in the middle bowl using the mixing blade (sour cream, mayo, lemon juice, stilton, black pepper) this was all combined along with a hand chopped head of Romaine lettuce.
* Kofte kebabs - We had half a pack of chipolatas and a pack of lamb mince in the fridge. I first finely chopped garlic in the large bowl, then added an onion and coriander and 2 green chillis and finely chopped again - this was reserved in a mixing bowl and the sausages were put in the large bowl (raw) for 5 or 6 pulse chops before adding the lamb, dried mint, black pepper, garlic salt and sumac and pulsing again 5 or 6 times to combine. This was added to the onion, coriander and chilli mixture and combined. I formed it into individual kofte patties and shallow fried until cooked through.
* Guacamole - put a clove of garlic, half an onion, a chilli and 2 tablespoons of coriander into the large bowl and blitz until very fine - almost puree. Remove and reserve. Now remove the flesh from 5 avocados - put half into the large bowl with the juice of a lime and blitz to a puree. Then add the remainder of the avocado plus the onion/coriander/chilli mixture and pulse to your preferred texture. I like it to have a bit of bite. This made a *lot* of guacamole and is far superior to the tiny tubs of shop bought guacamole.

TIPS
1. Don't overfill the dishes (especially the smallest one) as they can overflow and you end up having to wash them all.
2. Plan the order of processing and which bowls to use to minimise the complexity of the task.
3. If using the large feeder tube and the machine refuses to start check that you haven't overfilled the tube as there is a safety switch inside the tube that must be engaged by having the feeder far enough inside.
4. Wash soon after use to make life easier for yourself.
5. Be very careful with the various blades as they are very sharp.

Note: the Satin Finish is metallic looking plastic - it isn't brushed steel. Worth noting if you are after a proper metallic finish.

I hope this review has been helpful to you.

I deliberated and cogitated a long time before committing to buy a food processor, so thought that for those of u who were like me, wondering if it is worth the extra money, I should let you know that: - I am SO Happy with my choice - it is just the right size, good to look at and has a great storage box. So far, (its only been a week) I've chopped using the large and small blades, just grated a load of cheese, whipped cream for a great mango and lychee trifle, whizzed up lots of onion and garlic & coriander pastes for freezing& of course whizzed up loads of cake mixtures...going to try pesto now....still feeling my way through all the accessories. The blendermix attachment was a bonus for me, I have used it to make pancake batter - so far, so good......The Magimix seems sturdy and so far has been easy to use and wash up.......& no, I am not a foodie, but a reluctant cook for kids. This has def. inspired me and made my life easier - go for it!!

We bought this on the basis of reputation and quality of build, and so far have not been disappointed. Powerful motor, simple controls, good range of attachments. Extra large feed shute is helpful. Works well, and feels like it will last for decades.