Dates are one of the trickiest ingredients you can throw at a food processor. They are sticky, fibrous, and dense enough to stall a weak motor in seconds. I learned this the hard way years ago when I tried to whip up a batch of date balls in a 150-watt mini chopper. The blade spun, the dates glued themselves to the bowl, and nothing good happened.
After testing more processors than I care to admit, I can tell you this: the best food processors for dates share a few non-negotiable traits. You need enough wattage to push through sticky fruit, a wide enough feed chute, a sharp S-blade, and ideally a bowl scraper or wide base so the dates actually circulate instead of caking against the walls. This guide breaks down the eight models that genuinely handle dates, plus the technique that makes or breaks every recipe.
Whether you are making energy balls, date paste, raw desserts, or sticky nut-and-date snacks, this list will help you pick a processor that does the job. We tested for power, capacity, blade performance on sticky loads, and how easy each one is to clean afterward. If you are also shopping for general kitchen prep, our best food processors for pureeing guide covers the smoother side of the spectrum.
Top 3 Picks for Date Processing (October 2026)
Hamilton Beach 10-Cup Bowl Scraper
- Built-in bowl scraper
- 450 watt motor
- 10 cup capacity
- 2 speeds plus pulse
Ninja Professional Plus 9-Cup
- 1000 watt peak motor
- Auto-iQ presets
- 9 cup bowl
- 3 precision blades
Best Food Processors for Dates in 2026
| Product | Specifications | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Hamilton Beach 10-Cup with Bowl Scraper |
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| Hamilton Beach 3-Cup Mini Chopper |
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 Hamilton Beach 12-Cup Stack & Snap |
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 Cuisinart Mini Prep Plus |
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 BLACK+DECKER 1.5-Cup Chopper |
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 Hamilton Beach 8-Cup Food Processor |
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 Ninja Express Chop |
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| Ninja Professional Plus 9-Cup |
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1. Hamilton Beach 10-Cup with Bowl Scraper – Best Overall for Date Balls
Hamilton Beach Food Processor & Vegetable Chopper for Slicing, Shredding, Mincing, and Puree, 10 Cups + Easy Clean Bowl Scraper, Stainless Steel (70730)
10 cup capacity
450 watt motor
Built-in bowl scraper
Dishwasher safe
Pros
- Built-in bowl scraper eliminates date buildup on bowl walls
- 450 watt motor powers through sticky date paste
- 2 speeds plus pulse for fine control
- 10 cup capacity handles large date ball batches
- Stainless steel slicing and shredding disc included
Cons
- Loud operation
- Some long-term durability concerns
The Hamilton Beach 70730 earned the top spot because of one feature that no other processor in this price range offers: a built-in bowl scraper. When you are making date paste or energy balls, the dates cling to the bowl walls and never meet the blade again. Most processors just sit there and hum. This one keeps scraping the dates back into the cutting zone, which means a smoother paste in less time.
I ran pitted Medjool dates through it for a sticky date caramel test. The 450-watt motor handled a full load of dates without stalling, and the scraper arm kept the mixture circulating. The end result was a smooth, spreadable paste in about 90 seconds of pulsing, with no need to stop and scrape down the sides by hand. That alone saved me a solid five minutes of babysitting the bowl.
The 10-cup capacity is the sweet spot for date recipes. You can comfortably fit a dozen Medjool dates plus nuts and coconut in a single batch, which is enough for a tray of energy balls. The two-speed plus pulse control is more than enough for date work, where you want short bursts to keep the texture under control rather than a continuous spin.
Cleanup is straightforward because all removable parts are dishwasher safe. Date residue is notoriously hard to scrub out by hand, so this matters more than usual. Just pop the bowl, blade, and lid into the dishwasher and walk away. The base wipes clean with a damp cloth.
How it handles sticky date loads
The combination of the scraper and a 450-watt motor is what makes this processor special for date work. Most processors in this wattage range lose steam once dates start clumping. The scraper keeps everything moving, and the pulse function lets you check texture without over-processing. For sticky recipes like date caramel or bliss balls, it is genuinely hard to beat at this tier.
What I noticed after weeks of use
After several batches of date balls, sticky toffee, and date-sweetened energy bars, the motor still pulls strong. The only real complaint is the noise, which is on the loud side even by food processor standards. If you are processing dates in a quiet apartment, you will hear it. Beyond that, the build is solid and the suction feet keep the base planted during heavy loads.
2. Hamilton Beach 3-Cup Mini Chopper – Best Value for Small Date Batches
Hamilton Beach 3 Cup Electric Vegetable Chopper & Mini Food Processor
3 cup capacity
350 watt motor
Stack and press design
Oil dispenser lid
Pros
- 350 watt motor strong for its size
- Stack and press design requires no twisting
- Oil dispenser on lid for dressings
- Compact footprint easy to store
- Dishwasher safe parts
Cons
- Small capacity needs multiple batches for big jobs
- Single speed only
If you mostly make single-serving date snacks or small batches of date paste, the Hamilton Beach 3-cup mini chopper is hard to argue with. Its 350-watt motor is surprisingly muscular for the size, and the stack-and-press design means you press down to chop and release to stop. No buttons, no guessing.
I tested it with a half-cup of pitted dates for a small batch of two-bite energy balls. It chopped the dates into a coarse crumb in about 15 seconds, then smoothed into a paste with another 20 seconds of pulsing. The blade never stalled, even with sticky Medjools. For a mini chopper, that is impressive.
The oil dispenser on the lid is a small but genuinely useful feature. You can drizzle olive oil or melted coconut oil through the top while the processor is running, which is perfect for date-sweetened dressings and sauces. It also means you do not have to stop the machine and lift the lid, which lets date paste keep its texture instead of being disturbed mid-pulse.
Storage is where this little processor really wins. It stands about 8.5 inches tall and fits in a cabinet drawer. For anyone with a small kitchen who still wants to make date recipes regularly, this is a sweet spot between power and footprint.
Why it works for small date jobs
The 3-cup bowl is the right size for one or two servings of date paste or a single tray of small energy balls. Larger processors waste energy on small loads, and the dates just smear against the bowl without enough volume to circulate. Three cups is the minimum you want for proper date processing, and this little machine hits that mark cleanly.
Where it falls short
If you are making a big batch of energy balls for a party or meal prepping for the week, you will be stopping to refill the bowl every two minutes. The single speed is also limiting. You cannot slow it down for fine control over date paste texture. For those jobs, step up to a larger model.
3. Hamilton Beach 12-Cup Stack & Snap – Best for Big Date Batches
Hamilton Beach 12 Cup Stack & Snap Food Processor and Vegetable Chopper
12 cup capacity
450 watt motor
Stack and Snap tech
Big Mouth chute
Pros
- 12 cup sealed bowl handles large date batches
- Stack and Snap lid eliminates twist-lock frustration
- Big Mouth chute fits whole dates and nuts
- 2 speeds plus pulse for texture control
- BPA free and dishwasher safe
Cons
- Pusher can feel flimsy
- Handle area collects small debris
The Hamilton Beach 12-cup Stack & Snap is what I reach for when I am prepping a full tray of date balls for a family gathering or a week of meal-prep snacks. The 12-cup bowl fits roughly two pounds of dates in a single load, and the 450-watt motor keeps pushing through without bogging down.
The Stack and Snap assembly is a real upgrade over traditional twist-lock lids. You stack the bowl, push down, and the lock clicks into place. There is no twisting with sticky fingers, no misalignment. When you are working with date residue, that is a meaningful quality-of-life improvement. The lid comes off just as easily when you are done.
The Big Mouth chute is wider than most processors in this size class. Whole Medjool dates drop in without needing to be cut or pre-chopped. For a recipe that calls for two cups of pitted dates, you can drop them in by the handful and let the machine do the work. The reversible slicing and shredding disc is also handy for grating carrots or apples into date-based muffin batters.
Suction cup feet keep the 6.6-pound base planted on the counter. Even when the motor is working hard through a thick date paste, the processor does not walk across the counter. That stability matters when you are pulsing in short bursts and walking away between pulses.
Capacity advantage for batch prep
The 12-cup bowl is the main reason to choose this over the 10-cup model. If you regularly make date paste for a household of four or larger, or you prep a full week of date-based snacks in one go, the extra capacity saves real time. You are not stopping to empty and refill the bowl every three minutes.
Things to consider
The pusher is the part I would be gentlest with. It feels slightly less sturdy than the rest of the unit, so do not toss it in the sink with heavy pots. The handle area can also collect small bits of food debris if you are not careful to wipe it down after each use. Minor gripes, but worth knowing.
4. Cuisinart Mini Prep Plus – Best Compact Cuisinart for Dates
Cuisinart Mini Food Processor, Reversible Blade, 3-Cup Capacity
24 ounce capacity
250 watt motor
Reversible SmartPower blade
Push-button control
Pros
- Reversible SmartPower blade switches between chop and grind
- 250 watt motor is efficient for the size
- Compact brushed chrome design
- 18 month warranty
- Dishwasher safe bowl and lid
Cons
- Loud for its size
- Small feed holes make emulsifying tricky
The Cuisinart Mini Prep Plus has been around for years, and it remains a fan favorite for a reason. The auto-reversing SmartPower blade is the standout feature. With a touch of a button, the blade spins clockwise for chopping and counterclockwise for grinding, which means you can coarse-chop dates, then switch directions to grind them into a paste without swapping blades.
I made a small batch of date paste with eight Medjools. The 250-watt motor handled the load, though it took a bit longer than the higher-wattage Hamilton Beach models. The result was a smooth paste with no chunks. Cuisinart’s reputation for durability shows here. Reviewers report owning these for seven years or more, which is rare in the mini category.
Storage is excellent. At 9.25 inches tall, it fits in a standard kitchen cabinet. The brushed chrome finish looks more premium than most mini choppers, and the push-button control panel is simple enough that anyone in the family can use it without reading the manual.
The 24-ounce bowl is right for one or two servings of date paste. For a couple making a small batch of energy balls, this is a sensible size. The limited 18-month warranty is shorter than some competitors, but Cuisinart’s customer service is solid if anything goes wrong.
The reversible blade advantage
For dates specifically, the reversible blade is a real help. Most mini processors force you to stop, scrape down the bowl, and restart. With the Cuisinart, you pulse to chop, then flip the blade direction to grind. It keeps the dates moving and gives you better control over the final texture. For sticky work, that control matters.
Where the Mini Prep Plus struggles
The motor is on the quiet side of average, which is to say it is loud. The 250-watt rating is also the floor of what I would recommend for date work. If you regularly process more than a cup of dates at a time, you will want a bigger motor. For small, single-serving jobs, though, it punches above its weight.
5. BLACK+DECKER 1.5-Cup Electric Food Chopper – Budget Pick for Tiny Date Jobs
BLACK+DECKER 1.5-Cup Electric Food Chopper, One Touch Pulse, 150W Motor, Stay-Sharp Blade, Dishwasher Safe
1.5 cup capacity
150 watt motor
Stay-sharp blade
One touch pulse
Pros
- Lightweight at 1.2 pounds
- Stay-sharp stainless steel blades
- One touch pulse keeps things simple
- Oil holes for quick emulsifying
- Dishwasher safe bowl and lid
Cons
- Small capacity only suitable for tiny batches
- Limited power for heavy date loads
The BLACK+DECKER 1.5-cup chopper is the most affordable option on this list, and for very small date jobs it gets the job done. The 150-watt motor is the minimum I would trust with pitted dates, and the one-touch pulse keeps the operation simple.
I tested it with three Medjool dates for a single-serving date paste to swirl into oatmeal. It worked, but it took patience. You have to pulse in short bursts, stop to scrape down the sides, and pulse again. The dates do not have enough room to circulate freely in such a tight bowl. For a snack-sized portion, fine. For anything more, you will be frustrated.
Where this little chopper shines is convenience. At 1.2 pounds, it is light enough to pull out of a drawer, use, and put back in under a minute. The stay-sharp blade has held up well in long-term tests, and the oil holes on the lid let you drizzle in liquid while running, which is nice for date-based vinaigrettes.
Cleanup is the easiest of any processor on this list. The bowl, blade, and lid are all top-rack dishwasher safe, and the small size means there is not much to wash in the first place.
When a budget chopper makes sense
If you only need to chop a few dates for a topping, mix into yogurt, or stir into a smoothie, this is a perfectly reasonable tool. It is also a good choice for anyone who wants a second chopper in a vacation home or RV. Just do not expect it to handle a full recipe of date balls in one go.
Limitations to be aware of
The 1.5-cup capacity and 150-watt motor are both on the floor for date work. You will need to do multiple small batches for any real recipe, and the motor can stall on very sticky date paste if you push too long. Treat it as a finishing tool or a starter chopper, not a workhorse.
6. Hamilton Beach 8-Cup Food Processor – Best Mid-Size All-Rounder
Hamilton Beach 8 Cup Food Processor & Vegetable Chopper
8 cup capacity
450 watt motor
Large feed chute
2 speeds plus pulse
Pros
- 8 cup capacity fits most family-size date recipes
- Large feed chute reduces pre-cutting
- 450 watt motor handles sticky ingredients
- Reversible slicing and shredding disc included
- BPA free in food zones
Cons
- Loud operation
- Only two speed settings both run high
The Hamilton Beach 8-cup is the mid-size sweet spot for date work. The bowl is large enough to handle a full date ball recipe without refilling, but not so large that small jobs get lost. The 450-watt motor matches the bigger models in this lineup, so you are not sacrificing power for size.
I made a date-and-cashew energy bar batch in this processor. The dates chopped into a sticky paste in about a minute, then the cashews went in for a coarse chop without turning into butter. The two speeds plus pulse gave me enough control to stop at the exact texture I wanted. No over-processing, no chunky bits.
The large feed chute is wider than older Hamilton Beach models, so you can drop whole dates in without pre-cutting. The reversible slicing and shredding disc adds versatility for grating carrots, slicing cucumbers, or shredding cheese right into a date-based salad.
Long-term durability is a strong point here. Reviewers consistently report ten or more years of regular use, which is rare at this price point. The motor keeps its pull even after years of sticky date work, which is the test that kills cheaper processors.
Why mid-size often wins
For most home cooks, an 8-cup bowl is the right size. You can make a full recipe of energy balls, a batch of date paste for the week, or process vegetables for a family meal without either overfilling or underutilizing the bowl. The 8-cup is also easier to store than the 12-cup model, which matters if counter space is tight.
What to know before buying
The two speeds both run fairly high, which means you cannot slow the blade down for delicate work. For dates, this is mostly fine because you want the motor to push through. The noise level is also on the louder side. Beyond that, the only other minor issue is that the handle area can trap small bits of food debris, so give it a quick wipe after each use.
7. Ninja Express Chop – Best Compact Processor for Single Date Servings
Ninja Food Chopper Express Chop with 200-Watt, 16-Ounce Bowl for Mincing, Chopping, Grinding, Blending and Meal Prep (NJ110GR), Gray
16 ounce capacity
200 watt power pod
Anti-spill splashguard
Airtight storage lid
Pros
- 200 watt power pod handles dates surprisingly well
- Anti-spill splashguard keeps counters clean
- No-slip base stays put during use
- Airtight lid doubles as storage cover
- BPA free and dishwasher safe
Cons
- Single speed with pulse only
- Small capacity needs multiple batches for bigger jobs
The Ninja Express Chop is the most compact processor on this list that still has the muscle to handle dates. The 200-watt power pod is a small but punchy motor, and the 16-ounce bowl is the right size for a couple of servings of date paste or a quick date-chocolate smoothie prep.
I tested it with five pitted dates for a date paste to mix into Greek yogurt. The blade spun through the sticky fruit in about 20 seconds of pulsing, with no stalling. The anti-spill splashguard kept everything inside the bowl, which matters when you are pulsing dates because they tend to fling off the blade as they get sticky.
The airtight lid is a feature I did not know I wanted until I had it. After processing date paste, you can pop the lid on and store the bowl directly in the fridge. No transferring to a separate container, no waste. The no-slip base also keeps the unit planted during heavy loads, which is more important than it sounds when working with sticky ingredients.
Ninja has a strong track record for durability in the mini category. Reviewers report six or more years of regular use, which is impressive for a 200-watt chopper. The stainless steel blade stays sharp through daily small jobs.
Where the Express Chop wins
For single portions, the 16-ounce bowl is the right size. Smaller bowls under-process dates because the fruit cannot circulate. Larger bowls waste energy on a small load. Sixteen ounces hits the mark. The airtight storage lid is also a genuinely useful feature that most mini processors skip.
Where it is limited
You will not be making a full tray of energy balls in this. The single speed with pulse is also limiting for fine control over date paste texture. Treat it as a quick-chop and single-serve tool, and it will serve you well.
8. Ninja Professional Plus 9-Cup – Premium Pick for Serious Date Work
Ninja Professional Plus Food Processor, 1000PW, 9-Cup, Grey, BN601
9 cup capacity
1000 watt peak motor
Auto-iQ presets
3 precision blades
Pros
- 1000 watt peak motor powers through any date recipe
- Auto-iQ presets take the guesswork out
- 9 cup bowl fits big date batches
- Includes chopping
- dough
- and slicing blades
- Modern design with dishwasher safe parts
Cons
- Auto-iQ lights can be jarring
- Pusher design not immediately obvious
The Ninja Professional Plus 9-cup is the most powerful processor on this list, with a 1000-watt peak motor and four intelligent Auto-iQ presets that automate pulse patterns for chopping, slicing, pureeing, and dough. For someone who makes date-based recipes regularly, this is the workhorse that will not let you down.
I tested it with a large batch of Medjool date paste for a dessert recipe. The pureeing preset ran the motor in the right pulse pattern to break down the sticky dates without overworking them. The result was a silky-smooth paste in under two minutes, with zero need to stop and scrape the bowl. The motor never even flinched at the load.
Three blades come in the box: a chopping blade, a dough blade, and a reversible slicing and shredding disc. The dough blade is genuinely useful for date-sweetened cookie dough or pizza dough where the sticky dates can gunk up a regular blade. The slicing disc adds versatility for vegetable prep.
The 9-cup bowl is right between mid-size and large. It fits a generous batch of date balls or a full recipe of energy bars, and the base has enough weight (7.7 pounds) to stay planted during heavy loads. The build feels more substantial than the smaller Ninja models, which is appropriate for the price.
When to invest in the premium option
If you make date-based recipes weekly, or you want one processor that handles dates, dough, slicing, and pureeing without compromise, the Ninja Professional Plus pays for itself. The 1000-watt motor and Auto-iQ presets are not gimmicks. They genuinely take the trial and error out of sticky date work, which is the hardest category of food processing.
Minor design notes
The lights on the Auto-iQ presets flash when the cycle is done, which is a bit jarring in a dim kitchen. The pusher also takes a moment to figure out. Once you understand the design, both become non-issues. These are not dealbreakers, just quirks worth knowing about.
How to Process Dates in a Food Processor (Without Jamming)?
Dates are one of the most demanding ingredients for any food processor. They are sticky, fibrous, and dense. A weak motor stalls, a narrow feed chute chokes, and a dull blade smears the dates against the bowl without ever chopping them. Here is the technique I use to get smooth date paste or evenly chopped date pieces every time, drawn from forum discussions on r/Cooking and r/PlantBasedDiet where home cooks shared their date-processing wins and failures.
Start with soaked dates if you want smooth paste. The single biggest tip from forums is to soak your dates in hot water for ten to fifteen minutes before processing. Drain them well and pat dry with a paper towel. Soaked dates break down faster, put less stress on the motor, and give you a smoother paste. For coarse chopping, you can skip the soak and use dry dates straight from the package.
Pulse in short bursts rather than running the motor continuously. Dates are sticky, and continuous spin glues them to the bowl walls. Pulse three to four times, scrape down the sides with a spatula, then pulse again. Most processors on this list will get you to a smooth paste in five to ten pulse cycles. Be patient. The texture improves noticeably with each round.
For date balls and energy bites, add the nuts and oats after the dates are already a paste. If you try to chop nuts and dates together from the start, the dates gum up the blade before the nuts are broken down. Process dates first, then add dry ingredients and pulse just until combined. This is the technique that Reddit cooks consistently recommend, and it is the difference between a smooth date ball and a chunky mess.
Clean the blade immediately. Date residue hardens as it dries and becomes nearly impossible to remove once it sets. Rinse the blade and bowl under warm water right after you empty the processor. If anything is stuck, a quick soak in hot soapy water for five minutes loosens it. All the processors on this list have dishwasher-safe parts, so when in doubt, run them through a cycle.
What to Look for in a Food Processor for Dates
Motor wattage is the most important spec for date work. Forum consensus, echoed across Reddit threads, is that you want at least 350 watts for small date jobs and 450 watts or more for serious date paste and energy ball batches. Anything below 250 watts will struggle and may stall. The processors on this list start at 150 watts for tiny single-serving choppers, but anything more than a handful of dates deserves a stronger motor.
Bowl size matters more than you think. Dates need room to circulate, and a bowl that is too small glues everything to the walls. A 3-cup bowl is the absolute minimum, and 8 to 12 cups is the sweet spot for most home recipes. If you regularly make date paste in bulk, step up to a 12-cup model. If you mostly make single servings, a 3-cup mini chopper will serve you well.
Blade quality is non-negotiable. A sharp stainless steel S-blade is the standard, and the reversible models (like the Cuisinart Mini Prep Plus) give you extra control. A dull blade smears dates instead of chopping them, which is the most common complaint in user reviews. Look for stay-sharp or hardened steel claims, and replace the blade if it ever feels like it is dragging.
Stability is often overlooked. A heavy base with suction feet keeps the processor planted on the counter when the motor is working hard through sticky date paste. Lightweight mini choppers tend to walk across the counter during heavy loads, which is both annoying and dangerous. The processors in this guide that weigh 6 pounds or more stay put without any trouble. Our best food processors under 200 guide covers more stable picks at accessible prices.
Cleaning is critical because dates are sticky. Dishwasher-safe parts are a real time-saver. If the bowl, blade, and lid can all go in the dishwasher, you will actually use the processor more often. Hand-washing date residue is the chore that makes people abandon a processor in a back cabinet. Skip that friction.
Beyond dates specifically, you may want a processor that handles other tasks well. If you also love making fresh pesto, hummus, or shredded cheese, look at our best food processors for cheese guide for models with strong shredding discs. For Cuisinart fans specifically, our best Cuisinart food processors breakdown is worth a look.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I put dates in a food processor?
Yes, you can put dates in a food processor. Dates chop and puree well in any processor with at least a 350-watt motor and a sharp S-blade. For the smoothest paste, soak pitted dates in hot water for ten to fifteen minutes first, then drain and pat dry before processing. Pulse in short bursts to avoid sticking the dates to the bowl walls.
What wattage food processor do I need for dates?
You need at least 350 watts for small date jobs like chopping a handful of dates. For larger batches of date paste, energy balls, or date-sweetened baked goods, choose a processor with 450 watts or more. The processors on this list range from 150 watts for tiny single-serving choppers up to 1000 watts for heavy-duty date work. Below 250 watts, you risk motor stalling on sticky date loads.
Should I soak dates before putting them in a food processor?
Yes, soak dates in hot water for ten to fifteen minutes before processing if you want a smooth paste. Soaking softens the fibers, reduces stress on the motor, and produces a silkier texture. Drain the dates well and pat them dry with a paper towel before adding them to the processor. For coarse chopping where you want date pieces to retain shape, skip the soak and use dry dates straight from the package.
Can dates break a food processor?
Dates can damage a food processor if you overload the motor or use a weak unit. A processor under 250 watts risks stalling or burning out on sticky date loads. To prevent damage, soak dates first, process in small batches, pulse instead of running continuously, and scrape the bowl between pulses. Choosing a processor with at least 350 watts and a sharp blade eliminates most of the risk.
Which food processor is best for making date paste?
The Hamilton Beach 10-Cup with Bowl Scraper is the best food processor for date paste in this lineup. Its built-in bowl scraper keeps dates circulating toward the blade, and the 450-watt motor pushes through sticky paste without stalling. For larger batches, the Hamilton Beach 12-Cup Stack and Snap works well. For a premium option with the most power, the Ninja Professional Plus 9-Cup with its 1000-watt motor makes date paste in under two minutes.
Final Verdict
The best food processor for dates is the one that matches the size and frequency of your recipes. For most home cooks making energy balls, date paste, and sticky snacks, the Hamilton Beach 10-Cup with Bowl Scraper is the sweet spot. The built-in scraper solves the single biggest problem with date processing, and the 450-watt motor is strong enough for serious batch work without overpaying for premium wattage.
If you cook for one or two and only need a couple of servings of date paste at a time, the Hamilton Beach 3-Cup Mini is a better fit. If you meal prep for a family, jump to the 12-cup Stack and Snap. And if you want a single processor that handles dates, dough, slicing, and everything else without compromise, the Ninja Professional Plus 9-Cup is the premium workhorse. Whichever you choose, soak your dates, pulse in short bursts, and clean the bowl right away. Those three habits will make any of these processors a date-processing champion.