If you want fresher salsas, faster prep, and fewer dishes than a full-size processor, the KitchenAid KFC3516ER (Empire Red) hits a sweet spot. It’s a palm-sized workhorse for daily chopping, mixing, and quick purées without hogging counter space.
At-a-Glance Specs (What You’re Getting)
- Capacity: 3.5 cups
- Speeds: 2 speeds + Pulse
- Blade: Stainless-steel, locks in place for pouring
- Drizzle basin: Add oil/liquid gradually for dressings & mayo
- Cleanup: Work bowl, lid, and blade are dishwasher-safe
- Footprint & Weight: ~5.95″ D × 7″ W × 8.74″ H; ~2.7 lb
- Power: 240W, 120V
These core specs—including the drizzle basin, two speeds with pulse, dishwasher-safe parts, locking blade, dimensions, weight, and wattage—come straight from the product listing.
KitchenAid’s product pages also highlight the small, easy-to-store footprint and the included parts: (1) 3.5-cup bowl with handle and spout, (1) multi-purpose blade, (1) lid with drizzle basin.
Why This Little Chopper Works So Well
Speed & control for everyday prep. Two speeds plus a pulse button make it easy to go from roughly chopped onions for salsa to smooth hummus or sauce. The locking blade keeps things secure when you pour—no blade tumble into the sink.
Dressings without the mess. The drizzle basin lets you stream in oil while the machine runs. That’s clutch for emulsified dressings, mayo, or tahini sauces.
Genuinely easy cleanup. Pop the bowl, lid, and blade on the top rack of your dishwasher and call it a day.
Real-World Use: What It Nails
- Salsa, pico, and chutneys: Pulse to a chunky texture—stops you from over-processing.
- Hummus & creamy dips: Small batches blend smoothly (use the drizzle basin for oil).
- Aromatics & nuts: Garlic, herbs, and nuts are its home turf; cut larger veg to ~1-inch chunks for best results. The manual recommends cutting larger items and explains capacity guidance by food type.
Pro Tip: Avoid very hard items (e.g., coffee beans, hard whole spices like nutmeg) that can damage small choppers; that caution appears in the official manual.
Credit:Amazon
Who It’s For (and Not For)
Great for:
- Small kitchens and apartment cooks who want a tidy, lightweight helper
- Quick nightly chopping, dressings, dips, and baby-food purées
- Meal-preppers who don’t want to clean a 13-cup processor for a tiny job
Skip it if:
- You routinely process big batches (consider a 7–13 cup food processor instead)
- You need grating/slicing discs or a dedicated dicing function—this model chops/purées only.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Compact, easy to store, and simple cord wrap
- Two speeds and pulse for texture control
- Drizzle basin for foolproof emulsions
- Dishwasher-safe parts; locking blade for safer pouring
Cons
- No slicing/shredding/dicing attachments (it’s a chopper, not a full processor)
- 3.5-cup capacity suits small batches only
Care & Safety Notes You’ll Actually Use
- Cut ingredients to about 1-inch pieces for best results.
- The manual advises not to process coffee beans/hard spices (risk of damage).
- The bowl, lid, and blade can go on the top rack of the dishwasher.
FAQ
Q1) What comes in the box?
A: (1) 3.5-cup work bowl with handle/spout, (1) stainless-steel multi-purpose blade, and (1) lid with drizzle basin.
Q2) Can it make mayo or vinaigrettes?
A: Yes—the drizzle basin is designed to stream in oil/liquid while processing for stable emulsions.
Q3) Are the parts dishwasher-safe?
A: Yes, the work bowl, lid, and blade are dishwasher-safe (top rack).
Q4) Can it crush ice or grind coffee?
A: It’s not intended for very hard items; the manual specifically warns against coffee beans and hard spices, which can damage small choppers. Use a blender or burr grinder for those jobs.
Q5) Does it have a pulse function?
A: Yes—two speeds plus pulse for coarse-to-fine control.
Q6) How big is it really?
A: About 5.95″ D × 7″ W × 8.74″ H and around 2.7 lb—small enough to live on most countertops.
The Bottom Line
The KitchenAid KFC3516ER is a “use-every-day” chopper: small, simple, and surprisingly capable. If you mostly prep for one to three people and want faster, fresher dips, sauces, and chopped veg—without hauling out a full processor—this is an easy win. For bigger batches or slicing/shredding, step up to a larger model.
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