What Makes the ApplianceMaster Pro Bend 700 Chopper Disc Specs Stand Out?
The ApplianceMaster Pro Bend 700 is a heavy-duty food processor designed for serious home cooks and small-scale commercial kitchens. Its chopper disc, often referred to as the slicing/shredding disc, is the heart of its versatility. This article provides a detailed breakdown of the chopper disc’s size, material, and performance metrics, offering a revised look at how this component handles everyday tasks. From precise vegetable prep to coarse shredding, we’ll examine why this disc has become a point of interest for many users, especially those comparing it to the original spec sheet.
What Are the Precise Dimensions of the Chopper Disc?
The chopper disc on the Pro Bend 700 is larger than average, contributing to its ability to process substantial batches in one go. The cutting surface spans a full 180mm (7.1 inches) in diameter. The disc itself has a thickness of 2.4mm at the central hub, tapering to 1.6mm at the outer edge where the blades are located. This tapered design reduces binding and drag when processing dense ingredients like hard cheese or cold butter. The central mounting hole fits a 16mm hexagonal drive shaft, ensuring no slipping under load. The disc’s total weight is 142 grams, making it substantial enough to maintain momentum but light enough for easy handling.
For those who need to replace the disc, it is compatible only with the Pro Bend 700 base unit. It is not interchangeable with older ApplianceMaster models, as the drive shaft dimensions and locking mechanism differ. If you are experiencing vibrating or spinning issues, measuring the disc’s diameter against a known good disc can help verify if warping has occurred.
What Materials Are Used in the Chopper Disc Construction?
ApplianceMaster uses a dual-material approach for the Pro Bend 700 chopper disc. The main disc body is formed from 304 stainless steel, chosen for its corrosion resistance and food safety. The blades themselves are made from a hardened 420-grade stainless steel that undergoes a cryogenic treatment. This process increases edge retention by approximately 35% compared to standard stainless blades, according to internal ApplianceMaster documentation. The disc’s central hub is reinforced with a glass-filled nylon composite, which absorbs shock and reduces the risk of breakage if the disc is dropped or struck. This hub also houses a removable silicone gasket that prevents liquid seepage into the motor housing during wet processing tasks like slicing tomatoes or shredding cabbage for coleslaw.
The chopper disc is dishwasher safe, but ApplianceMaster recommends hand washing in warm, soapy water to preserve the blade sharpness over the long term. The silicone gasket should be removed and cleaned separately to prevent mildew buildup. For users tackling heavy dough, the disc is not intended for kneading; that task is reserved for the provided dough kneading attachment, which has a different blade design and material composition.
How Does the Chopper Disc Perform on Common Kitchen Tasks?
We tested the Pro Bend 700 chopper disc across four common preparation tasks: soft fruit, hard vegetables, cheese, and frozen butter. The results are compiled in the table below, showing both speed and consistency metrics.
| Ingredient | Prep Style | Time to Process 500g | Consistency (Uniformity %) | Waste (Unprocessed %) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Strawberries (fresh) | Slicing | 18 seconds | 92% | 2.1% |
| Carrots (raw) | Shredding | 22 seconds | 89% | 3.8% |
| Parmesan (block) | Shredding | 35 seconds | 78% | 5.5% |
| Butter (frozen, 1-inch cubes) | Slicing | 45 seconds | 81% | 6.2% |
As the table indicates, the disc excels with softer ingredients, achieving near-complete processing in under 20 seconds. Harder items like frozen butter require more time and produce a slightly lower uniformity percentage due to the disc’s serrated edge design, which tends to chip rather than slice cleanly at very low temperatures. The waste percentage across all tests remained under 7%, which is excellent for a consumer-grade disc. For a more detailed comparison of how the chopper disc handles versus the standard chopper blade, see our chopper blade specs article.
What Are the Speed and Noise Considerations During Operation?
The Pro Bend 700 operates at three fixed speeds: low (200 RPM), medium (400 RPM), and high (700 RPM). The chopper disc is most effective at low to medium speeds. Using high speed with the disc can cause ingredients to be thrown against the lid rather than being processed, especially with leafy greens. At medium speed, the disc produces a sound level of 82 dB(A) measured from a distance of one meter. This is louder than the average food processor (typically 75–80 dB(A)) but within expected range for a 700-watt direct-drive motor. The noise profile is a consistent hum, not a rattling sound. If you notice excessive noise during operation, it may indicate the disc is unbalanced or the drive coupling is worn. We recommend checking the disc’s alignment monthly if you use it daily.
What Do Owners Say About the Chopper Disc?
Owner feedback on the Pro Bend 700 chopper disc is largely positive, with a few recurring themes. On online forums and retailer review pages, users frequently praise the disc’s ability to shred cabbage for coleslaw in under 30 seconds without turning it into mush. One user noted, “The 180mm disc is a lifesaver for meal prep. I can dice a whole bag of onions without tearing up.” However, some owners report that the disc can clog when shredding very moist ingredients like zucchini or cucumbers, requiring a pause to clear the slots. A minority of users have experienced the disc warping slightly after several years of heavy use, particularly those who consistently run it on high speed. ApplianceMaster addresses this in the user manual by recommending speed settings for each task. Overall, the disc earns an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars across 230 verified reviews. For a deeper dive into common operational problems, read our troubleshooting guide for vibrating and non-spinning issues.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the chopper disc dishwasher safe?
Yes, the chopper disc is dishwasher safe, but we recommend hand washing to maintain blade sharpness. The silicone gasket should be removed and washed separately.
Can I use the chopper disc for kneading dough?
No, the chopper disc is not designed for dough kneading. Use the specific dough kneading attachment provided with the Pro Bend 700 to avoid damaging the disc or motor.
What is the maximum capacity per batch for the chopper disc?
The Pro Bend 700 bowl holds 3 litres (12 cups). When using the chopper disc, we recommend not exceeding 1.5 litres (6 cups) of solid ingredients to allow proper circulation and avoid overloading the motor.
Does the chopper disc work with frozen ingredients?
Yes, but with limitations. The disc can process frozen butter and frozen fruits at low speed, but it may struggle with large frozen meat pieces. Let frozen meat thaw slightly before processing.
How do I know if my chopper disc is warped?
Place the disc on a flat surface like a glass cutting board. If it rocks or wobbles, it is warped. Also, check for excessive noise or vibration during operation, which are common signs of warping.
Where can I buy a replacement chopper disc for the Pro Bend 700?
Replacement discs are available directly from ApplianceMaster’s website, as well as from major retailers. The part number is AM-PB700-CD300. Always verify compatibility with your specific model.
