More convenient than ever, the Cuisinart elemental collection 4-cup chopper and grinder effortlessly handles a variety of food preparation tasks such as chopping, grinding, and pureeing. The SmartPower blade has a patented auto-reversing ability with a sharp edge for delicate chopping and pureeing soft foods, while the blunt edge grinds through spices and harder foods. Additionally, the revolutionary bladelock system keeps the blade secure during processing and pouring. It's cutting-edge food prep Cuisinart. Make sure the blade is locked into the proper position and that the lid is locked in place too otherwise it will not turn on or operate.