Is the Breville Sous Chef 800XL Still the King of Food Processors?

You know that feeling when you buy a kitchen gadget and it just... sits there? It's too heavy to move, too annoying to clean, or frankly, just isn't powerful enough to handle a tough dough. Most food processors are like that. They promise the world and then stall the moment you throw in a handful of chilled butter or a dense block of parmesan. But the Breville Sous Chef 800XL has always felt different. It’s a beast. Seriously.

I’ve spent years looking at high-end appliances, and this specific machine—often called the BFP800XL—is basically the gold standard for home cooks who actually cook. It’s not just a blender with a wider base. It’s a precision tool. If you’re tired of your current processor "walking" across the counter while it’s running, you’re in the right place.

What the Breville Sous Chef 800XL Actually Does (and Doesn't)

Most people think a food processor is just for chopping onions without crying. While the Breville Sous Chef 800XL does that exceptionally well, its real value lies in the details that cheaper models ignore. Take the feed chute, for example. Breville uses a 5.5-inch "Super Wide" feed chute. Why does that matter? It means you aren't standing there for twenty minutes pre-cutting your potatoes into tiny cubes just so they fit into the machine. You can shove a whole russet potato or a massive cucumber in there. It saves time. A lot of it.

Then there’s the motor. We’re talking about a 1200-watt induction motor. Unlike the universal motors found in budget models, induction motors are quieter and significantly more durable. They provide high torque at lower speeds, which is exactly what you need when you're kneading bread dough or slicing through a hard sweet potato. If you’ve ever smelled that "burning plastic" scent from a cheap motor, you know exactly why people shell out the extra cash for this one.

But honestly, it’s not perfect. No machine is. It is heavy. I mean, really heavy. We are talking about 26 pounds of die-cast metal and high-impact plastic. If you have back issues or very little counter space, this might actually be a dealbreaker. You aren't going to want to pull this out of a low cabinet every day. It needs a permanent home on your countertop.

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The Disc System is Kind of Overwhelming

When you unbox this thing, you’re greeted by a literal suitcase of accessories. It’s a separate storage box that holds all the blades and discs. Some people love the organization; others find it takes up way too much room in their pantry.

The standout is the adjustable slicing disc. This is where Breville leaves Cuisinart in the dust. Most processors give you a thin slicing disc and a thick one. The Breville Sous Chef 800XL gives you one disc with 24 different settings. You can go from paper-thin 0.5mm radish slices for a fancy salad to a chunky 8mm potato slice for a gratin. You just turn the dial. It’s satisfying. It’s precise. It works.

Real-World Performance: Testing the Limits

Let’s talk about dough. Most food processors struggle with yeast doughs because they heat up too fast. The friction of the blade spinning at high speeds can actually kill the yeast or ruin the gluten structure. Because the 800XL has so much torque, it handles heavy doughs without breaking a sweat. I’ve seen this machine turn out pizza dough that looks like it came out of a professional Hobart mixer.

And then there's the "S-Blade" system. The Breville Sous Chef 800XL uses a micro-serrated blade. Most competitors use smooth blades. The serration means it grips the food better, leading to a more consistent chop rather than just smashing the bottom layer into a puree while the top stays chunky.

• Small Batch Processing: It comes with a 2.5-cup mini bowl that fits inside the main 16-cup bowl.
• The Timer: There’s an LCD display with a count-up and count-down timer. Sounds like a gimmick? Wait until you’re trying to follow a specific recipe that requires exactly 60 seconds of emulsifying.
• Safety First: The machine won't even think about starting unless the bowl, lid, and large pusher are all locked in. It’s great for safety, but it can be a little finicky if you’re in a rush.

The Longevity Question: Is It Worth the $400+ Price Tag?

Let's get real about the money. This isn't a casual purchase. You can buy a decent Hamilton Beach for $50. So why pay eight times that?

Durability. The Breville Sous Chef 800XL is built like a tank. While the plastic bowls (BPA-free, by the way) can eventually crack if you're throwing them in the dishwasher on high heat every day, the motor itself is basically immortal. Breville even offers a 25-year warranty on the motor. That’s a massive statement of confidence. Most appliances these days are designed to be replaced in three to five years. This is designed to be passed down.

However, a common complaint involves the "drive sleeve." It’s the part that connects the motor to the blades. If you're constantly over-processing incredibly hard materials or not seating the bowl correctly, that's the part that might fail. Replacing it isn't the end of the world, but it’s something to watch out for.

Comparing the 800XL to the Peel & Dice

You might see the newer "Peel & Dice" model and wonder if the 800XL is outdated. Honestly? Unless you are making fruit salad for fifty people every weekend, the 800XL is still the better value. The dicing attachment on the newer models is cool, but it’s a nightmare to clean. The 800XL focuses on the fundamentals: chopping, slicing, and kneading. It does the "big three" better than almost anything else on the market.

Maintenance Tips Most People Ignore

If you want this machine to last twenty years, stop putting the bowl in the dishwasher. I know, I know—the manual says it’s dishwasher safe. But the harsh detergents and high heat will eventually make the plastic brittle. It’ll go from crystal clear to cloudy, and eventually, tiny "crazing" cracks will appear.

Just rinse it with warm, soapy water immediately after use. It takes two minutes.

Also, pay attention to the seal on the lid. If you're processing liquids (like a gazpacho or a big batch of salsa), don't fill it past the "Max Liquid" line. Even with the silicone seal, if you overfill it and turn it on high, you’re going to have a mess. It’s a food processor, not a vacuum-sealed blender.

Common Misconceptions and Issues

One thing people get wrong is thinking this can replace a Vitamix. It can't. If you want a perfectly smooth green smoothie with pulverized kale seeds, you need a blender. The Breville Sous Chef 800XL is for texture. It’s for mirepoix, shredded cheese, sliced veggies, and dough. If you try to make a smoothie in this, it’ll be grainy.

Another "issue" people report is the machine not turning on. Nine times out of ten, it's because the large pusher isn't inserted into the feed chute. The safety interlock is extremely sensitive. You have to have the pusher in for the motor to engage. It’s annoying when you’re trying to add oil slowly for a mayo, but there’s a smaller hole in the pusher specifically for that.

Where it Wins:

1. Consistency: Every slice is the same thickness. No "tapered" ends on your carrots.
2. Speed: It turns a block of cheddar into shreds in about five seconds.
3. Stability: The weight means it doesn't vibrate or move, even under heavy load.

Where it Struggles:

1. Weight: It’s a literal workout to move it.
2. Storage: The accessory case is the size of a large briefcase.
3. Cleanup: There are a few "nooks and crannies" in the lid that require a brush to get perfectly clean.

The Verdict: Who Should Actually Buy This?

If you cook once a week or mostly eat frozen meals, do not buy the Breville Sous Chef 800XL. It is too much machine for you. You’ll regret the counter space it takes up.

But, if you’re the person who makes Sunday gravy from scratch, bakes your own bread, or preps meals for a family of five, this machine will change your life. It turns hours of prep into minutes. It’s for the enthusiast who values precision and doesn't want to replace their appliances every few years.

Honestly, the 800XL is one of those rare products that actually lives up to the hype. It’s expensive, yes. It’s heavy, definitely. But it works with a level of authority that you just don't find in the aisles of a big-box store.

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Next Steps for the New Owner

If you’ve decided to pull the trigger, or you already have one sitting in the box, here is how to get the most out of it immediately:

1. The "Dry Run": Before you cook anything, practice locking the bowl and lid. It’s a specific "click" that you need to get used to so you aren't frustrated later.
2. Calibrate Your Slicer: Grab a single potato and run it through the adjustable slicer at three different settings (1, 4, and 8). Seeing the difference will help you understand how to use it for recipes.
3. Hand Wash Only: Commit to hand-washing the clear plastic parts from day one. Your future self will thank you when the bowl still looks brand new in 2030.
4. Organize the Case: Keep the accessory case nearby. If you hide it in the back of a deep pantry, you’ll never use the specialty discs like the julienne or the french fry cutter.

The Breville Sous Chef 800XL isn't just a kitchen appliance; it's a statement that you take your cooking seriously. Treat it well, keep it on the counter, and it’ll likely be the last food processor you ever need to buy.