Not sure if there are any foodies lurking on here (there should be really, seeing as how it's called the Barbie!), but if you are:

Any recommendations for an lowish priced food processor? Friends in the UK have been raving about their new Magimix, but over here they cost nearly GBP100 more (around $600!!!).

What are Sunbeam products like? Not keen on the look of Kambrook, it seems very cheap!

I've seen a Braun model which looks very ugly, and Kenwood apparently are sold over here but haven't seen them in the shops.

In-laws are going to buy me it for a Christmas present So it can't be too expensive

Sunbeam is good - and Australian made.... Depends what you're going to use it for really... some are better than others.

Ive bought a few Sunbeam electrical appliances, and no complaints

Yes, me too... Seem very good.

I would probably buy a food processor from them without any qualms.

Breville, Sunbeam, Kenwood.

Oh, and for occasional online shopping... wishlist.com.au

Sunbeam is an excellent brand; good quality and always reliable.

It's one of the very few American brands I will buy.

I thought Sunbeam was Australian made

It's originally a US company but it's Australian made.

Have a look at their history on their website.

Right on the money.

If they weren't Australian made, I probably wouldn't buy them.

So did I - it says on its website (thanks Vash for the links):

A fully owned subsidiary of Australian diversified industrial, GUD Holdings Limited, Sunbeam has been manufacturing quality small appliances since 1921. Throughout our history, we've been responsible for some of the most innovative products to hit the Australian market.

I've been looking some Sunbeam models, nothing fancy as it will be my first one and although I think it will be useful it may end up sitting in the box! I'm not really sure what are the most important features to look for - I've been going by wattage, bowl size, number of functions, number of speed settings, number of blades and accessories etc.

These are possibles - but is the extra $150 worth paying or will the basic model suffice? It will be used for the evening meal during the week and baking / more elaborate dishes etc at the weekend.

http://www.sunbeam.com.au/products/p...=229&sec_id=11

http://www.sunbeam.com.au/products/p...=412&sec_id=11

Most important is ease of cleaning... Nothing worse than a fiddly machine regardless of what it does!

No probs.

Australian made, but not Australian owned. It's a reasonable compromise, though not as good for the economy as Australian owned and made.

Best to ask yourself what you will be using it for, and look for the most appropriate features.

iPom - I'm very lucky in that I have my partner to do the washing up (that's the deal - I slave over a hot stove, he cleans up) but I think he'd prefer something that was easy to clean What kind of things should I be looking out for / avoiding?

Vash - I've never had a food processor before. I've got a blender and hand held beaters, but now I want something that will:

1. cut up vegetables
2. make breadcrumbs
3. make dough
4. gone blank - there are other things I want to do with it!

At the moment, if I'm cooking the majority of time seems to be spent on food preparation which I don't mind as such, its just that it means that I'll start making something and an hour later, I still seem to putting it together!

It would be lovely to think that in the future I'll be able to use it to make exciting dishes every day, but I think it'll be more of a handy aid to help with the boring tasks.

iPom - I'm very lucky in that I have my partner to do the washing up (that's the deal - I slave over a hot stove, he cleans up) but I think he'd prefer something that was easy to clean What kind of things should I be looking out for / avoiding?

Vash - I've never had a food processor before. I've got a blender and hand held beaters, but now I want something that will:

1. cut up vegetables
2. make breadcrumbs
3. make dough
4. gone blank - there are other things I want to do with it!

At the moment, if I'm cooking the majority of time seems to be spent on food preparation which I don't mind as such, its just that it means that I'll start making something and an hour later, I still seem to putting it together!

It would be lovely to think that in the future I'll be able to use it to make exciting dishes every day, but I think it'll be more of a handy aid to help with the boring tasks.

Re Sunbeam not being Australian - that's a shame, but I suppose even if the company isn't Australian, the products are Australian-made so the company is contributing to the economy and giving people jobs. So still worthy of my support!

The more pieces a thing has, the worse it is, ime. Avoid lids which have 'lips' or cavities you couldn't get a washing up brush into for example. Avoid blades which have a long spindle as these can break easilly ... you want short fat spindle (the bit up the middle of the bowl which turns the blade).
Take the thing apart in the shop... If it needs a degree to get it apart, then avoid it. It should have one bowl, one lid, one plunger for lid, possible other hole in lid for letting in other liquids and base unit.
Don't let them fool you with anything more than that. It doesn't have to be complex to be good... good chopping, good whipping, good liquidising (if you make soups, make sure it's got a large bowl capacity as doing things in two lots is a pain)