PREPWORKSby Progressive Fruit and Vegetable Chopper,White

I have had this chopper for over a year now and just love it! In the summer it makes quick work of salads and ceviche, in the winter it's great for veggie prep in soups and stews. There is a very slight learning curve when starting to use it...applying the right pressure, quick blows work but slow pressing will squash any soft veggies. I find that you have to ensure that the veggie fits within the size of the grate and if not, I cut it to size. For summer salads I cut my plum tomatoes in half and then put on a half, cut side down on the grate and get the most perfect little cubes for my salads.As soon as I'm finished I run in under warm water with the attached comb and have never had a problem. I find I don't need to put it in the dishwasher, but I sometimes do anyway just to sterilize it.This not only cuts prep time to a fraction, but the uniform pieces look very professional in it's presentation. I have bought the other two sizes as well, the smaller grate I use for finely chopped peppers and onions and the smallest for garlic that you want minced, not pressed. If you like egg salad, chop your eggs, onion, celery and whatever else you like in it and stir in the mayo for a salad in 60 seconds! You don't even have to empty between chopping (unless of course your using the veggies for different dishes).The storage case is handy and keeps everything organized and easy to find.Pay attention to the blades that say soft fruits and veggies only...I think this is why some people wrote negative reviews...they really need to read the directions...bet they are mostly guys ;)Addendum: It's been nearly two years and it still works like new, I still love it, still easy to clean and I haven't lost or broken any parts...I was sure by now I would lose the comb but because of the case, I still have it. On a slow week I'll use it twice in a week, on a busy week, several time during the day. I have more recently been using it for fruit...apples, melons, pineapple...and it is the best for strawberries. I have the hardest time using it for yams and turnips but still use it...just requires a little more muscle and no stacking of slices. Summer salads are a breeze and what would take me an hour for a large bowl or two, now takes minutes. I've learned never to leave a cut end of a juicy fruit or veggie facing you...it will squirt juices on you...instead if possible I put the cut side down or face it away from me. I still use the other two smaller units but not as often as this one...it is truely a staple in my kitchen.UPDATE: it’s been 11 years now, and my bin just cracked. I thought about looking for a replacement bin. I have tested other units and I just don’t like them as well. Since I’ve had this unit for 15 years, I think it’s well worth the money to buy the same unit all over again… May I get another 15 years out of it. The blades never dulled in all of 15 years! Other than the bin cracking from my forceful, slamming down over the years no other parts were ever lost or broken. Thanks to the plastic holding bin. Most of the other units that I’ve tried had smaller surface areas. Most did not have the feet on the bottom to keep the unit from sliding and it’s likely what kept it from breaking for 15 years. It went in and out of the dishwasher for 15 years with no issues. Very few units have the little fork that can clean out that upper great and it’s so important! And Very few units have the little fork that can clean out that upper grate and it’s so important! And no other unit has a holding bin to keep all of the parts intact. And although I have two other similar units from other brands, I’m gonna spend the 40 bucks to get this again. I give this unit my highest recommendation!

As I've aged my arthritic hands have gotten weaker and more painful. Having a bum left shoulder adds to the problem. A session of chopping while cooking would result in pain that lasted longer than my food does. Sometimes the pain included nicks on my fingers and hands. I tried a "As Advertised on TV" one but it took too much effort to use and clean. After reading lots of reviews for several of this type chopper, I crossed my fingers (ouch) and ordered this one. My 10-year-old neighbor helped me try this out and she was delighted to be able to do some prep work and I was relieved that she didn't cut herself or me. We both enjoyed whacking the top down and decided to dub this "the whacky chopper". This chopper (for convenience, that's what I call it; it also dices and slices soft foods easily) makes short work of vegs, fruits, etc.. Cooking is once again fun and safe. Clean-up is quick, if you wash it immediately, and takes such little effort that I haven't put it in the dishwasher yet.As I am writing this review, my favorite zucchini casserole is baking. I used the whacky chopper for the onions and zucchini and got both chopped in at least half the time it would take by hand. This also makes it easy to keep the chopped food from spilling onto the counter or floor, so that cuts cleaning time, too.RECIPE: (no amounts given; how much you use depends on how much you want to make and this isn't rocket science) I use a little less onion than zucchini (about 2/3 the amount).ZucchiniOnion (sweet, I love Vidalia when available)Bread crumbs, panko recommendedShredded cheddar cheeseButter or margarineSalt, if you really must have it; the cheese and crumbs have salt in themChop the zucchini and onions. (I "pre-cook" the chopped zucchini for 1 minute in the microwave, because I like it well cooked.) Lightly grease or spray a casserole dish (I've even used a loaf pan and disposable baking pans.) Put a thin layer of bread crumbs ( the first time I made this, I used enough to completely cover the bottom and that was was way too much). Layer the vegs, cheese and bread crumbs; zucchini first, onion, cheese, bread crumbs. Make as many layers as you have ingredients for; each layer shouldn't be too thick. Dot the top of the last bread crumb layer with diced butter or margarine. Bake at 350 degrees for at least 40 minutes, adjusting the time upwards depending on how big you make the casserole. Makes a great side dish or a meatless entree and leftovers, if there are any, are great reheated in the microwave. ENJOYGreat timing....my oven timer just went off and the smell of this cooking combined with writing about it has my stomach growling! Thanks to Progressive and Amazon, now I can enjoy cooking again!!!