Introduction

The Hamilton Beach Stack & Press Food Chopper 72861 is a compact and efficient kitchen appliance designed to streamline food preparation. With a 3-cup capacity, this chopper features a unique stack and press design that allows for easy assembly and operation—simply press the lid to chop and release to stop. Its powerful stainless steel blades make quick work of chopping, mincing, and pureeing various ingredients. The price for this food chopper typically starts around $29.99, making it a practical addition to any kitchen.

Parts and features

Hamilton Beach Specifications 

• Stackable Design: Allows for easy storage and organization.
• Press-Down Operation: Reduces mess and effort while chopping.
• Versatile Blades: Includes multiple blades for chopping, slicing, and pureeing.
• BPA-Free Containers: Safe for storing food and dishwasher safe.
• Compact Size: Fits easily on countertops and in kitchen drawers.

Description

Stack & Press Food Chopper 72861 features a sleek and compact design that is perfect for modern kitchens. The stackable containers and interchangeable blades make it a versatile tool that can handle various kitchen tasks. The press-down operation ensures that ingredients are chopped evenly without the need for manual effort, reducing the risk of accidents and making the process more efficient. The BPA-free containers are safe for storing food and can be easily cleaned in the dishwasher.

This chopper is ideal for busy home cooks who need a reliable and easy-to-use tool to prepare meals quickly. Its durability and ease of maintenance ensure that it remains a valuable asset in the kitchen for a long time.

How to use the food chopper

IMPORTANT: Before first use, follow instructions in “Care and cleaning.”

1. Make sure chopper is unplugged. Place bowl onto base.
2. Carefully place blade in bowl over center shaft. Turn until blade slips down to bottom of bowl.
3. Place food in bowl.
4. Place lid on bowl.
5. Plug into electrical outlet. Press lid to chop. To turn off, release lid. Do not remove lid until blade has stopped turning.
6. Unplug; remove lid. Remove bowl from base. Carefully remove blade.
7. Use cord wrap on bottom of unit for easy storage.

Chopping tips

• The bowl has a capacity of 3 cups. For liquid ingredients, do not exceed 1 1/2 cups (MAX LIQUID FILL line on bowl).
• For more control, process by pressing lid briefly, then releasing. Check consistency and continue if desired.
• Tear bread into pieces; then process to make bread crumbs. Break crackers or cookies into pieces; then process into crumbs for use as recipe ingredients or pie crusts.
• To chop carrots, celery, mushrooms, green pepper, or onion, cut into 1-inch chunks and place in bowl. This will result in more uniform consistency.
• Chop nuts; mince parsley, basil, chives, or garlic.
• Do not process raw meat, coffee beans, or whole, hard spices in the food chopper. This could damage the chopper.

Setup Guide

To operate the Food Chopper, follow these steps:

1. Choose the appropriate blade for your task (chopping, slicing, or pureeing).
2. Place the blade into the chopper container.
3. Add your ingredients into the container.
4. Press down on the lid to start chopping. The pressure will activate the blades.
5. Release the lid to check on your ingredients and continue pressing until you achieve your desired consistency.
6. For cleaning, simply disassemble the parts and wash them in the dishwasher or by hand.

Food Chopper 72861 Care and cleaning

WARNING: Electric Shock Hazard. Do not immerse base, cord, or plug in water or any other liquid.

1. Wash lid, bowl, and cutting blade in hot, soapy water or in top rack of dishwasher. Cutting blade is sharp; handle carefully.
2. Reassemble for safe storage.
3. To clean the base, wipe with a damp cloth. Do not use abrasive cleaners.

Processing chart

IMPORTANT SAFEGUARDS

When using electrical appliances, basic safety precautions should always be followed to reduce the risk of fire, electric shock, and/or injury to persons, including the following:

1. Read all instructions.
2. To protect against risk of electrical shock, do not put cord, plug, or base in water or other liquid.
3. This appliance is not intended for use by persons with reduced physical, sensory, or mental capabilities, or lack of experience and knowledge, unless they are closely supervised and instructed concerning use of the appliance by a person responsible for their safety.
4. This appliance shall not be used by children. Keep the appliance and its cord out of reach of children.
5. Close supervision is necessary when any appliance is used near children. Children should be supervised to ensure that they do not play with the appliance.
6. Turn the appliance OFF(), then unplug from outlet when not in use, before putting on or taking off parts, and before cleaning. To unplug, grasp the plug and pull from the outlet. Never pull from the power cord.
7. Avoid contacting moving parts.
8. Do not operate any appliance with a damaged supply cord or plug, or after the appliance malfunctions or has been dropped or damaged in any manner. Supply cord replacement and repairs must be conducted by the manufacturer, its service agent, or similarly qualified persons in order to avoid a hazard. Call the provided customer service number for information on examination, repair, or adjustment.
9. The use of attachments not recommended or sold by the appliance manufacturer may cause fire, electric shock, or injury.
10. Do not use outdoors.
11. Do not let cord hang over edge of table or counter, or touch hot surface including stove.
12. Keep hands and utensils away from the cutting blades while chopping food to reduce the risk of severe injury to persons or damage to the food chopper. A scraper may be used but must be used only when the food chopper is not running.
13. Blades are sharp. Handle cutting blades carefully when inserting or removing, emptying the bowl, and during cleaning.
14. This appliance is intended for processing small quantities of food for immediate consumption. This appliance is not intended to prepare large quantities of food at one time.
15. To reduce the risk of injury, never place cutting blade on base without first putting bowl properly in place.
16. Be certain lid is securely locked in place before operating appliance.
17. Do not attempt to defeat the lid interlock mechanism.
18. Do not use appliance for other than intended use.
19. Do not place on or near a hot gas or electric burner, or in a heated oven.
20. Check that the appliance is OFF () before plugging cord into wall outlet. To disconnect, turn the control to OFF (); then remove plug from wall outlet. To unplug, grasp the plug and pull from the outlet. Never pull from the power cord.
21. Do not remove cover until blade has completely stopped rotating
22. Be careful if hot liquid is poured into the food processor bowl as it can be ejected out of the appliance due to a sudden steaming.
23. CAUTION! In order to avoid a hazard due to inadvertent resetting of the thermal cut-out, this appliance must not be supplied through an external switching device, such as a timer, or connected to a circuit that is regularly switched on and off by the utility.

SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS

Other Consumer Safety Information
This appliance is intended for household use only.

WARNING Shock Hazard: This appliance has a polarized plug (one wide blade) that reduces the risk of electric shock. The plug fits only one way into a polarized outlet. Do not defeat the safety purpose of the plug by modifying the plug in any way or by using an adapter. If the plug does not fit fully into the outlet, reverse the plug. If it still does not fit, have an electrician replace the outlet.

The length of the cord used on this appliance was selected to reduce the hazards of becoming tangled in or tripping over a longer cord. If a longer cord is necessary, an approved extension cord may be used. The electrical rating of the extension cord must be equal to or greater than the rating of the appliance. Care must be taken to arrange the extension cord so that it will not drape over the countertop or tabletop where it can be pulled on by children or accidentally tripped over.

Troubleshooting

Common problems and solutions include:

• Blades Not Turning: Ensure that the lid is pressed down firmly and that the blades are properly aligned.
• Food Getting Stuck: Avoid overloading the container. Clean out any stuck food before continuing.
• Lid Not Fitting Properly: Check that all parts are correctly aligned and assembled.

Instructions and warnings: Always handle the blades with care as they are sharp. Do not operate the chopper with wet hands or while standing on a wet surface to avoid accidents.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Versatile: Can chop, slice, and puree a variety of ingredients.
• Easy to Use: Simple press-down operation minimizes effort.
• Compact Design: Saves space in the kitchen.
• Durable and BPA-Free: Safe for long-term use and easy to clean.

Cons

• Blades May Dull Over Time: Requires occasional sharpening or replacement.
• Noisy Operation: Some users may find the chopping process noisy.
• Limited Capacity: Best suited for small to medium-sized chopping tasks.

Customer Reviews

Many customers have praised the Hamilton Beach Stack for its ease of use and versatility. Some reviewers have noted that while it is effective for most tasks, it may not handle extremely hard ingredients well. Common complaints include occasional issues with blade sharpness over time and the noise generated during operation. Overall, it is well-regarded for its value and performance in everyday kitchen use.

Warranty

This product is warranted to be free from defects in material and workmanship for a period of one (1) year from the date of original purchase.