Straight to the Point:
The Hamilton Beach Food Processor is a 10-cup Bowl Scraper designed for home cooks who want efficiency, versatility, and value. Its signature feature is a built-in bowl scraper, which reduces the need to stop and manually scrape the sides.
Powered by a 450-watt motor, this model handles slicing, shredding, chopping, mixing, and pureeing. It is affordable, easy to use, and suitable for most kitchen tasks.
However, it is loud and has a few design limitations. This review covers every aspect of the Vegetable Chopper based on real-world testing and user feedback.
Hamilton Beach Food Processor (70730) Overview
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The Hamilton Beach is marketed as a multi-function food processor and vegetable chopper. It features a 10-cup BPA-free bowl, a large feed chute for less pre-cutting, a reversible slicing/shredding disc, a stainless steel S-blade for chopping and pureeing, and two-speed settings plus pulse.
The standout is the integrated bowl scraper, which allows users to keep ingredients close to the blades without stopping the machine.
Key Features:
- 10-cup work bowl
- 450-watt motor
- Built-in bowl scraper
- Reversible slicing/shredding disc
- Stainless steel S-blade
- Large feed chute
- 2 speeds plus pulse
- Dishwasher-safe parts
- BPA-free food zones
- 1-year limited warranty
Technical Specifications
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Motor Power | 450 watts |
| Bowl Capacity | 10 cups |
| Dimensions | 7.5 x 9.5 x 13 inches |
| Weight | 6.9 pounds |
| Controls | Dial: Off, Low, High, Pulse |
| Feed Chute | Large, fits whole block of cheese |
| Attachments | S-blade, reversible disc, scraper |
| Materials | BPA-free plastic, stainless steel |
| Warranty | 1 year limited |
Design & Build Quality
The 70730 has a compact footprint and a lightweight build. Its exterior is mostly plastic with stainless steel accents. The design is practical for small kitchens, fitting easily under cabinets.
Four suction cup feet help keep it steady, though the unit can rock during heavy mixing. The large feed chute reduces prep work by fitting bigger ingredients, but some items, like potatoes, may still need to be cut in half.
The control dial is intuitive but can be slippery with wet hands. The bowl and lid lock securely, and assembly is straightforward, though some effort is needed to align and lock the parts.
The overall build feels sturdy for the price, but the plastic components are not premium.
Hamilton Beach Food Processor (70730) Features
Built-In Bowl Scraper
The bowl scraper is the most notable feature. It allows users to scrape the sides of the bowl while the processor is running or off, keeping ingredients close to the blades for even results.
This saves time and improves consistency, especially for sticky mixtures like hummus. However, the scraper does not reach the bottom inch of the bowl, so manual scraping is still needed for some recipes.
Versatile Attachments
The processor has a reversible slicing/shredding disc and a stainless steel S-blade. These attachments cover most kitchen tasks, from slicing vegetables to shredding cheese and chopping nuts.
The lack of a dough blade limits its use for bread dough, but it adequately handles cookie and pie dough.
Large Feed Chute
The feed chute accommodates larger foods, reducing the need for pre-cutting. It fits a whole block of cheese and most vegetables, though some trimming may be necessary for oversized items.
Hamilton Beach Bowl Scraper Performance Testing
Testing Methodology
The 70730 was tested across common kitchen tasks: chopping, slicing, shredding, pureeing, and mixing dough. Each function was evaluated for speed, consistency, and ease of use.
Chopping & Mincing
The processor chopped onions in three seconds with consistent results. It performed very well with almonds, though some fine dust was produced. Carrots were chopped evenly, with only a few larger pieces remaining.
Slicing & Shredding
Slicing potatoes and carrots took three to four seconds. Slices were consistent, but the disc offers only one thickness. The reversible disc shredded cheese quickly and evenly, handling a third-pound block in five seconds. Shredded carrots were slightly wet but uniform.
Pureeing
The 70730 pureed hummus smoothly, with the bowl scraper reducing the need for manual scraping. It also handled tomato sauce and nut butter well, though the lid can splatter with wetter mixtures. Pureeing peas and carrots were rated fair, indicating some limitations with certain textures.
Mixing Dough
Despite lacking a dough blade, the processor mixed cookie dough easily. The motor was not strained, but the machine rocked during mixing, and flour sometimes escaped from the lid. The scraper helped with upper bowl ingredients, but manual scraping was needed at the base.
Noise
The processor is loud, reaching around 93.9 dBA in tests. This is higher than many competitors and may be disruptive in quiet kitchens.
Performance Results
- Speed: Fast processing for all tested tasks; onions chopped in three seconds, cheese grated in five seconds.
- Consistency: Even results in chopping, slicing, and shredding. Pureeing is smooth for dips but less so for some vegetables.
- Bowl Scraper: Saves time but does not reach the bottom inch of the bowl.
- Feed Chute: Reduces prep but may require cutting large items.
- Stability: Suction feet help, but the unit can rock with heavy dough.
- Noise: Louder than most food processors.
- Cleanup: The bowl, lid, and blades are dishwasher safe. The motor shaft is non-removable and tricky to clean.
User Experience & Practical Use
The food processor is easy to set up and operate. The dial control is simple, and the bowl scraper is a real-time-saver for sticky or thick mixtures. The large bowl handles big batches, making it suitable for families or meal prep.
The compact size and light weight make storage easy.
Users appreciate the dishwasher-safe parts and the BPA-free materials. The lack of variable slicing thickness and a dough blade are minor drawbacks for most home cooks. The loud operation and some cleaning challenges are the main complaints.
Alternatives: Hamilton Beach 70730 vs. Other Budget Models
- Black+Decker 8-Cup Food Processor: More affordable but lacks the bowl scraper and has fewer attachments5.
- Cuisinart Core Custom 10-Cup: Offers more premium features, variable slicing, and a sturdier build but at a higher price.
- Ninja Professional 12-Cup: More powerful and versatile but significantly more expensive.
The 70730 stands out for its price, bowl scraper, and overall value. It is best for users who want a simple, reliable food processor.
Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Built-in bowl scraper saves time
- Fast and consistent performance
- Large 10-cup capacity
- Large feed chute reduces prep
- Simple controls
- Affordable price
- Dishwasher-safe, BPA-free parts
Cons:
- Loud operation
- The scraper does not reach the bowl bottom
- Only one slicing thickness
- No dough blade
- The motor shaft is hard to clean
- Can rock during heavy mixing
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Does the bowl scraper work while the processor is running?
A: Yes, you can move the scraper during operation to keep ingredients close to the blades.
Q: Is the 10-cup bowl big enough for family meals?
A: Yes, it handles large batches for meal prep or family-sized servings.
Q: Are all parts dishwasher safe?
A: Yes, except for the motor base. The bowl, lid, and blades can go in the dishwasher.
Q: Can it handle dough?
A: It can mix cookie and pie dough but lacks a dough blade and may rock during heavy mixing.
Q: Is it noisy?
A: Yes, it is one of the loudest food processors tested.
How We Tested
Testing included chopping onions, carrots, and nuts; slicing potatoes and zucchini; shredding cheese and carrots; pureeing hummus and tomato sauce; and mixing dough.
Each function was timed and assessed for consistency, speed, and ease of use. Cleaning was evaluated by hand and in the dishwasher. The noise was measured with a decibel meter.
➡How We Pick Products and Services
Final Verdict
The Hamilton Beach Food Processor & Vegetable Chopper (70730) is a strong choice for home cooks who want a reliable, affordable, and versatile food processor.
Its bowl scraper is a unique feature that saves time and effort. While it is loud and lacks some advanced features, its performance in chopping, slicing, shredding, and pureeing is impressive for the price.
If you need a food processor for everyday kitchen tasks and value convenience, the 70730 is an excellent option.
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Price History
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Engr. Hm Jamal is the creator of Kitchen Depot, a Kitchen Appliances expert and water treatment specialist. An electrical engineer by trade, he's a thinker, problem solver, and innovation enthusiast.
