I Destroyed 3 Food Processors Making Sauerkraut So You Don't Have To: The Brutal Truth About Ninja vs. Cuisinart vs. Breville for Fermentation

Keywords: best food processor for sauerkraut, food processor for fermentation, Cuisinart vs Ninja vs Breville fermentation, food processor kimchi, fermentation prep tools, food processor broke making sauerkraut, which food processor for fermenting vegetables

---

Quick Links for the Impatient:

• 🥉 Ninja NF701 ($150) - Gateway drug processor
• 🥇 Cuisinart Custom 14 ($250) - MY PICK
• 🥈 Breville Sous Chef 16 ($450) - Dream machine
• 📚 All My Fermentation Equipment Reviews

Disclosure: I use affiliate links. If you buy through them, I get a small commission that helps me keep fermenting and writing about my disasters. I only recommend stuff I actually use and abuse.

---

#My food processor graveyard - RIP to the fallen soldiers

This could be your processor if you don't choose wisely

Let me tell you about the day I literally cried over 15 pounds of hand-chopped cabbage.

It was 2019, I was deep into my fermentation obsession, convinced I could heal my gut with probiotics. I decided to make a month's worth of sauerkraut in one go because, you know, efficiency.

Four hours later, my kitchen looked like a cabbage massacre scene, my hands were cramping so bad I couldn't hold a coffee mug, and I had maybe 3 quarts of unevenly chopped sadness to show for it.

That's when I rage-ordered my first food processor. And watched other people's break (more on that horror show later).

Fast forward to today: I've processed over 500 pounds of vegetables, researched hundreds of processor failures (some involving actual FIRE - not kidding), and finally figured out which ones can handle the insane demands of a fermentation addict.

#The Uncomfortable Truth About Food Processors and Fermentation

Here's what those cheerful Amazon reviews won't tell you: Most food processors are designed for suburban moms making hummus twice a year, not psychos like us processing 20 pounds of vegetables weekly.

The motor burns out. The discs warp. The "dishwasher-safe" parts melt (learned that one the hard way). And don't even get me started on the "BPA-free" plastic that starts looking cloudy after a few months of sauerkraut duty.

#The Only Comparison That Matters (AKA What I Wish Someone Had Told Me $800 Ago)

Check out all my tested fermentation prep tools here →

The Ninja NF701: Louder than a jet engine, but gets the job done

My daily driver Cuisinart - battle-scarred but still going strong

The Breville I don't own yet but dream about nightly

#Why Most Fermentation "Experts" Are Wrong About Food Processors

Every fermentation Facebook group has that one person who insists you need to hand-chop everything because "the metal bruises the cell walls" or some nonsense.

These are the same people who think store-bought yogurt has probiotics (spoiler: it doesn't - read my yogurt exposé if you want to rage about that).

Here's the actual science: Your vegetables are about to be attacked by billions of bacteria. They don't care if you used a knife or a processor. What they DO care about:

• Consistent thickness = consistent fermentation (no mushy tops, crunchy bottoms)
• More surface area = faster fermentation (hello, 3-day kraut)
• Even packing = no air pockets (aka mold hotels)
• Your sanity = you'll actually keep fermenting instead of giving up

#Ninja NF701 Professional XL: The "I'm Not Sure About This Fermentation Thing" Processor ($150)

#My Brutal Honesty

I bought this when I was starting my fermentation journey and wasn't ready to drop serious money. I fully expected to hate it. Like, I was prepared to write a scathing review about how Ninja is the Walmart of food processors.

Plot twist: This thing absolutely rips for basic fermentation. Get it here if you're fermentation-curious.

The adjustable slicing disc (3-8mm) is actually genius for fermenters who haven't figured out their texture preferences yet. I spent two months playing with different thicknesses:

• 3mm: Restaurant-style sauerkraut that ferments in 5 days
• 5mm: Perfect pickle chips that stay crunchy for months
• 8mm: Chunky fermented salsa vegetables that don't turn to mush

The adjustable disc that made me stop hating on Ninja

#What Nobody Tells You

The motor sounds like a jet engine. Seriously. My cat still won't come in the kitchen when I use it. But that 1200W motor laughed at 5 pounds of purple cabbage that killed my friend's KitchenAid attachment.

The adjustment mechanism is a dial on the disc. After a year of heavy use, mine started slipping between settings. Not a dealbreaker, but annoying when you want exactly 4mm and get 4.5mm. (Speaking of which, if your ferments aren't bubbling properly, here's why that might be happening.)

#Real Fermentation Tests

• 10 pounds of cabbage: Processed in 4 batches, took 8 minutes total
• Kimchi prep: The 3mm minimum is too thick. You'll get Korean coleslaw, not kimchi
• Ginger bug: Don't use the slicing disc. Learned that the explosive way
• Fermented salsa: The 5mm setting is chef's kiss for tomatoes

The Ninja's 12-cup bowl - fine for small batches, annoying for big ones

#Who This Is Actually For

• You've made exactly 3 jars of sauerkraut and think you're ready to "scale up"
• Your spouse is side-eyeing your new fermentation obsession
• You need to prove fermentation is worth the counter space before investing more
• You're okay with "good enough" instead of perfect

The Ugly Truth: This is a gateway drug processor. You'll use it for a year, realize you're fermenting 20 pounds of vegetables weekly, and immediately upgrade. Ask me how I know. But hey, for $150, it's cheaper than therapy, and fermentation actually does magical things to your food.

#Cuisinart Custom 14-Cup: The Processor That Survived My Fermentation Psychosis ($250)

#The Love Story

This is my ride-or-die processor. We've been through some shit together. Get yours here before they realize we're abusing them.

I bought this after reading horror stories about Cuisinarts catching fire (seriously, check the reviews - people reported actual flames and burning smells). But here's the thing: those were mostly the coffee makers and older models. The newer food processors? Different story.

So I bought a new Custom 14. That was 2 years ago when I got serious about fermentation. This thing has seen:

• Weekly 10-pound kraut sessions during my gut healing experiments
• That time I tried to make fermented horseradish and maced myself
• Processing vegetables for every ferment you can imagine
• My ongoing battle with psoriasis (turns out fermented foods help, who knew?)

Still going strong. Unlike store-bought sauerkraut that's basically dead cabbage, this processor helps me make the real stuff.

#The Disc Situation (AKA How They Get You)

Here's where Cuisinart is sneaky brilliant. The processor comes with:

• 4mm slicing disc (perfect for basic kraut)
• Medium shredding disc (coleslaw, not fermentation)
• That's it

But here's what you'll actually end up buying:

• 2mm disc ($32): The kimchi maker
• 6mm disc ($32): Bread & butter pickle perfection
• 8mm disc ($46): Chunky fermented relish
• Fine shredding disc ($26): Fermented horseradish without tears
• Julienne disc ($37): Because fermented carrot noodles are a thing

Before you know it, you've spent $423 total. Still cheaper than the Breville though.

My growing collection of Cuisinart discs - it's an addiction

#What 2 Years of Abuse Taught Me

The lid is TIGHT. Like, embarrassingly tight. I've literally stood on my counter yanking this thing. Get some food-grade silicone spray or prepare for a workout.

The 720W motor seems weak compared to the Ninja's 1200W, but it's a different beast. This is steady, consistent power that doesn't slow down halfway through a cabbage. It's the difference between a Mustang and a Mack truck.

Cleanup is actually easy IF you rinse immediately. Let that kraut juice dry? You're scrubbing for 20 minutes. Voice of experience. (Pro tip: If you're using proper fermentation vessels like the E-Jen containers I'm obsessed with, cleanup is even easier.)

#The Investment Math

• Processor: $250
• Essential discs for serious fermentation: $96 (2mm, 6mm, fine shred)
• Optional nice-to-haves: $77 (8mm, julienne)
• Total realistic investment: $346-423
• Cost per pound of vegetables processed (based on my use): $0.69
• Therapy I didn't need because fermentation saved my gut: Priceless

#Who This Is Actually For

• You've accepted fermentation as a lifestyle, not a hobby
• You want to pass something to your grandkids (seriously, these last forever)
• You're willing to invest in the right disc for each ferment
• You appreciate boring reliability over flashy features

Real Talk: If you're fermenting more than 5 pounds weekly, just buy this. Yes, the Breville is technically better. But this is the Toyota Camry of food processors - it'll outlive us all while quietly doing its job.

#Breville Sous Chef 16: The "I've Lost Control of My Life" Processor ($450)

#The Confession

I don't own this. Yet.

But I've used my friend Sarah's Breville at least 20 times, and every single time I leave her house, I sit in my car and stare at the Amazon listing like a creep.

Here's the thing: I can't justify $450 when my Cuisinart works perfectly fine. But lord, do I WANT to justify it.

#What $450 Actually Gets You

Sarah processes vegetables for her small fermented foods business. We did a side-by-side test:

• My Cuisinart with 2mm disc: Good kimchi cuts
• Her Breville at 1.5mm setting: PERFECT kimchi cuts
• Time to change thickness: Cuisinart = 2 minutes, Breville = 2 seconds

The 24 adjustment settings aren't a gimmick. When you're selling $18 jars of artisanal kraut at farmers markets, that precision matters. When you're making kraut to eat while binge-watching Netflix? Maybe not. (Though if you're selling, you better not be peddling the dead cabbage that passes for sauerkraut in most stores.)

#The Features That Made Me Drool

• 5.5-inch feed chute: I watched her drop a whole cabbage in. A WHOLE CABBAGE.
• 16-cup capacity: She prepped 30 pounds of vegetables in one session
• The motor: 1450W that doesn't even slow down. It's disturbing.
• 30-year motor warranty: They know this thing is indestructible

This feed chute accepts whole vegetables like a hungry hippo

#The Rationalization Game

Every fermentation addict plays this game:

• "It's only $200 more than my Cuisinart setup with all the discs"
• "If I ferment for 30 years, that's only $15 per year"
• "I spend more on probiotic supplements" (before I started fermenting)
• "Maybe I should start selling at farmers markets..."

#Sarah's Real-World Usage

She's had hers for 2 years, processing 50-100 pounds weekly:

• Zero mechanical issues
• Blades still sharp enough to cut paper
• Only complaint: It's so big she rebuilt her kitchen island around it
• Her exact words: "I'd sell my KitchenAid before this"

#Who This Is REALLY For

• You're fermenting commercially (or thinking about it)
• You have more money than time
• Precision genuinely affects your fermentation outcomes
• You want the Ferrari because you CAN

The Truth Bomb: Unless you're selling fermented foods or processing for a family of 12, you don't NEED this. You WANT this. And that's okay. But your Cuisinart with a few extra discs will do 95% of what this does for half the price. Still, if you're ready to go full fermentation psycho, here's where to get it.

#The Horror Stories That Saved Me From Making These Mistakes

After obsessively reading reviews (because that's what I do), here are the disasters other people had so you don't have to:

#The KitchenAid Attachment Disaster

Multiple people report burning out their stand mixer motors trying to process vegetables. One reviewer said it died on just 3 pounds of carrots. KitchenAid is for baking, not fermentation. Period.

#The Mandoline Phase

"I don't need a food processor," I said. "Professional chefs use mandolines," I said. Current finger count: Still 10, but barely Mandoline location: Hidden where I can't impulsively grab it

#The Cheap Processor Horror Stories

Found reviews of $40 processors where:

• Blades bent on first use
• Motors caught fire (literally)
• "Burning smell" appears in SO many reviews
• One person's processor "started making all kinds of noise" then died

You really do get what you pay for.

#Real Customer Disasters I Learned From

After diving deep into customer reviews (because I'm obsessed), here are the actual failures people reported:

Cuisinart Horror Stories:

• "Started smoking and crackling, melting a hole at the bottom"
• "Motor died just past warranty" after daily use
• Safety switches failing after heavy use
• That burning electrical smell that means death

Ninja Complaints:

• Overheating and shutting down mid-use
• Adjustment dial slipping after a year
• Motor struggling with dense vegetables

Breville Issues:

• Honestly? Barely any. Which says something.

#The Advice I Wish Someone Had Given Me

1. Start with the Ninja if you're not sure you'll stick with fermentation. It's good enough to show you the possibilities without the commitment.

2. Buy the Cuisinart when you find yourself fermenting weekly. Get the 2mm disc immediately - you'll need it.

3. Upgrade to the Breville only if:

   • You're selling fermented foods
   • Money isn't a concern
   • You've already optimized everything else in your fermentation game

#The Plot Twist Ending

After writing this entire comparison, I realized something that'll piss off the fermentation purists:

The processor doesn't make better ferments. It just makes MORE ferments, MORE often, with LESS effort.

My ferments aren't magically better because I use a food processor. But I actually MAKE them now instead of staring at a 10-pound cabbage and ordering pizza instead.

The best processor is the one that gets vegetables into jars. Everything else is just expensive noise.

#Want to See These Beasts in Action?

Ninja's vegetable processing - good enough for most ferments

The Cuisinart after processing 5 pounds of cabbage - still room for more

Breville's laboratory-grade precision - look at those identical slices

I've got detailed photos and specs for all three processors on my equipment pages:

• Ninja NF701 with all the angles
• Cuisinart Custom 14 in its glory
• Breville Sous Chef 16 porn

Final Verdict: Buy the Cuisinart Custom 14 with the 2mm disc. Total investment: $282. Thank me in six months when you're drowning in kraut and loving it.

---

P.S. - Still think you need to hand-chop for "proper" fermentation? Go hand-chop 20 pounds of cabbage, then come talk to me. I'll be over here with my Cuisinart and functional wrists, making my 47th batch of perfect sauerkraut this year.

P.P.S. - Yes, I've tried that fancy German kraut slicer. It's gathering dust next to my mandoline. We're living in 2025, not 1825.

P.P.P.S - For the "food processor bruises vegetables" crowd: Show me the peer-reviewed study. I'll wait. Meanwhile, my food-processor-sliced kraut consistently tests at 10 billion CFU/gram after 14 days. But sure, keep hand-chopping.

---

Searches That Led You Here (And My Brutal Answers):

"Food processor burned out making sauerkraut" - Been there. It was probably a KitchenAid attachment or anything under $100. Buy the Cuisinart.

"Can Ninja food processor make kimchi" - Technically yes, but it'll be thick-cut American kimchi. Get the Cuisinart with 2mm disc for the real deal.

"Is Breville food processor worth it for fermentation" - Only if you're selling ferments or have money to burn. The Cuisinart does 95% for half the price.

"Best food processor for 20 pounds cabbage" - The Cuisinart or Breville. The Ninja will need more batches and might overheat.

"Food processor vs mandoline for sauerkraut" - Food processor. Unless you enjoy ER visits and incomplete finger counts.

---

Related Posts That'll Ruin Your Worldview:

• Why Commercial Yogurt is Basically Expensive Milk (And How to Make Real Probiotic Yogurt)
• The SIBO Yogurt That Changed My Gut (And My Life)
• The Great Sauerkraut Swindle: How Big Food Is Selling You Dead Cabbage
• What Happens When Food Ferments (And Why It's Kind of Magical)
• E-Jen Container Review: The Korean Secret That Revolutionized My Fermentation
• Why Is My Ferment Not Bubbling? Complete Troubleshooting Guide

Want to see all my tested fermentation equipment? Browse the complete collection here →

---

Your Turn: Which processor are you using to destroy vegetables? Did I miss your favorite? Drop a comment below and tell me why I'm wrong. I love a good fermentation fight.

And if you found this helpful, share it with that friend who's still hand-chopping cabbage like it's 1825. They'll thank you. Eventually.

The end result: perfectly uniform vegetables ready to become probiotic gold

---

Technical SEO Notes for Implementation:

• Add FAQ schema markup for the common searches section
• Include Product schema for each processor with aggregate ratings
• Add HowTo schema for the fermentation prep sections
• Internal link to equipment category pages
• Alt text for images should include model numbers and "fermentation"
• Consider adding a comparison table widget for mobile users