Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

Our family's been using the original Kitchen Aid RVSA slicer / shredded attachment for several years (17), so we were excited to use and see if this new version improved on some issues. And = yes this 'Fresh Prep' KSMVSA slicer / shredder is improved in some ways, but - some changes created other drawbacks. (Both compatible with any Kitchen Aid stand mixer) Can't find any statement - either version has stainless steel cones / blades. Below - describing both products - which includes both PRO's & CON'S together. 1. >>> Describing the ORIGINAL RVSA ---- (for pointing where 'Fresh Prep' is & isn't better) > Design issue --- food hopper / and lid/pusher - sits off center of power hub, and if one uses this attachment often, the pressure cracks a key area of stability of the housing. --- (next to & last photo) After it cracks, it feels iffy to use. Kitchen Aid is good about replacing the housing. (in warranty period) - Used ours several years before cracking. 1. >>> FRESH PREP > Housing sits centered on top of power hub, centering placement of pressure. --- (photos) > After a bit of use, the housing 'sit screw' loosens up a little. Need to keep an eye on this. (ORIGINAL housing doesn't loosen) > The Lg pusher is curved to press food better against the curve of the blade, therefore - the feed tube has a guide to keep this correctly positioned in use, which can be tedious to line up every time, and is hard to get unstuck if you don't. > The large pusher has a 1/4" space between it's two walls - can't be dried without knife & paper towel. Small pusher - inside void - 1 1/4" - same thing. --- (photo) > Housing is to be 'Hand wash only'. I'm guessing - to be extra careful with the sonic weld of the two piece housing. (photo) ----------------- 2. >>> The ORIGINAL'S larger size food hatch of approx 3" W by 2 3/4" L is much preferred. (Can start an entire round of Kraft Colby cheese without cutting) And the split / two section pusher results in more uniform slices. --- (photo) 2. >>> FRESH PREP - Food feed tube --- Large opening - 2 3/8" dia - (5" deep) / Small - 1 3/8" dia. (4 1/2" deep) Need to cut food width to fit the feed tubes. (All carrots in 5 lb fit the small tube) --- (photo) Obviously can be longer pieces then tube depth, but then I experienced difficultly keeping the pusher from slipping off end of food. (It's not pleasant to repeatedly smack ones hand on the top of the tube) (Holds one cup of nuts, etc) (Run mixer on speed 4) ----------------- 3. >>> ORIGINAL - Includes 4 solid metal cones - course & fine shredder / thin & thick slicer. Housing and cones dishwasher safe. Easy to clean and dry. > Changing or removing cone form housing usually requires pliers. > The cones do a smooth, fair job cutting a large variety of vegetables, nuts. BUT does better if the blade is occasionally sharpen a little, which we do ourselves. > The larger 3 1/2" opening of the cone throws food out in a wider path, so can be a little messier. 3. >>> FRESH PREP - Includes 3 blades - medium slicing blade - medium & course shredding blades. > Blades are two sections of metal, held together / surrounded by plastic? which has a seam on both sides of the blade. These humps cause your hand to continually bounce up / down during use, which can get quiet annoying. --- (photo) > Food fills in, under the edge of the humps - adding to the cleaning job. - (photo) > Extremely easy and quick to change blades > Blades cut better (for now). But the slicer cuts potato's thin (from 0 on one side to 1/8" thick" on the other) So thin that they break apart like country home fries, when fried. --- (photo) > Has a smaller opening (2 5/8") which more directly targets the container. BUT it also get packed full and needs dug out more often. (photo) > Housing - hand wash only - (don't immerse in water) - Blades & pusher - dishwasher / top rack only. ----------------- >>> We sliced / shredded several vegetables and nuts for the freezer. >>> Kept track of how long it took to slice / shred the already cleaned food. > Sliced 5 lb potato's in 4 min. - 1/8" thick > 3 1/2 Lb carrots in 5 min. - 1/8" thick > Cuts celery pretty well. --- (photo) > One cup pecans 6-8 seconds --- but altogether, chopped approx 8 lb of pecans - walnuts - almonds - in a few minutes. (photo) >>> If you've not used Kitchen Aid RVSA slicer / shredded attachment from previous years (still available), KitchenAid RVSA Slicer & Shredder Attachment OR - you have a dishwasher = you may be completely delighted with this 'fresh prep shredder / slicer kit. >>> Personally - I don't like the small openings - harder to clean & dry - and the continual bumping up/down during use. Feel 4 stars is generous. (Only real issue with the original is if it happens to crack - We won't be abandoning it any time soon) >>> Warranty - one year - Comes in sturdy storage box. The registration card is more intrusive then usual. Asks for (among other unnecessary questions) - occupation - info of spouse - annual income - level of education - what credit card you use the most - personal & hobbies - (own a PC - study the Bible - hunt & travel) = there's not a chance.