The Bottom Line
Pros
- Lots of different functions
- Easy to clean
- Handy storage drawer holds some of the parts
- Thoughtful details, such as measuring marks on feeder tube pusher and blender cap
Cons
- Flimsy materials used in construction
- Lots of parts to keep track of
Description
- Works as a food processor, a blender and a citrus juicer
- 550-watt motor
- Two speeds and a pulse control
- The food processor bowl holds 12 cups and the blender jar holds 40 ounces
- Comes with two cutting disks, an emulsifying disk, a metal blade a plastic dough hook and a plastic spatula
- Built-in drawer for accessories
Guide Review - Emerilware BAM! Machine by T-Fal, designed by Emeril Lagasse
I love kitchen tools that perform more than one task. And, it seems, so does celebrity chef Emeril Lagasse. His BAM! Machine works as a food processor, blender, citrus juicer and juice extractor.
I'm used to the rugged build of a Cuisinart or KitchenAid food processor, so I was taken aback with how lightweight this machine was. The plastic seems brittle and cheap, and there's some give if you squeeze the food processor bowl. Everything survived my testing, but I wonder if the plastic might break if you dropped it. Also disappointing was the storage drawer in the base, which only stores a few of the many (I count 25!) parts that come with this machine; something is bound to get lost.
Flimsiness aside, I was impressed by the performance. I was particularly wowed by the emulsifyer, which can make mayonnaise or whip egg whites and cream. If you don't have a stand or hand mixer, it'll come in handy. I was concerned that the motor would strain while I used the citrus juicer, but it didn't. The juicer catches pulp and seeds, and funnels the juice right into a glass. The blender, too, worked just fine, although it only has two speed choices.
The addition of a fruit and vegetable juice extractor is terrific. It might not be quite as effective as an actual juicer, but for occasional uses, it is sufficient.
Figuring out how to use all of the parts is a little daunting; it takes practice to assemble each component properly. It's also hard to get used to the way the BAM! Machine opens and closes; when you release the lid, the bowl also unlatches from the base (the idea is to be able to change components quickly, but it can result in your having to hold the bowl in place if you just want to add ingredients or scrape down the sides).
The Emerilware BAM! Machine is around $160.
