Friday, January 31, 2014

Buy Rachael Ray Tools 5-Piece Soft-Grip Tool Set

Rachael Ray Tools 5-Piece Soft-Grip Tool Set, Orange
Customer Ratings: 4.5 stars
List Price: $34.99
Sale Price: $31.49
Today's Bonus: 10% Off
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Beautiful well made addition to my blue and white kicthen and it goes with my blue cast iron enamel cookware. Nice long handles so i don't get steam burned.

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I was glad to see these, I had been looking for them in the blue, but could only find the orange. I am very happy with them. They are exactly what I wanted, they seem to me more durable than other tools that I had purchased. The look good and are sturdy. They are also larger than other tools. I am very happy with them.

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Great set. I am pleased with my purchase. I ordered them tp match my Rachel Ray pot set. They do not scratch my pots.

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From the picture they looked like a darker orange but they match my other rachael ray cooking items. They are very tough but won't scratch your pans. They are a great price and the silver accents are very nice.

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They are really nice and they match my kitchen color, orange and brown. They get the job done and that is all that matters to me.

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Cheap Farberware Millennium Stainless Steel Soft Touch Nonstick Skillet

Farberware Millennium Stainless Steel Soft Touch Nonstick Skillet, 10-Inch
Customer Ratings: 5 stars
List Price: $67.00
Sale Price: $29.99
Today's Bonus: 55% Off
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I bought this skillet for use with my induction burner (and it works well with that) but the nonstick coating is so much better than expected, I've ended up using it on my standard electric stove as well.

I'm an All-Clad user and have their nonstick skillet, but after a short time stuff sticks, coating or not. With this pan, after two years of pretty constant use, everything still slides out perfectly as though it were brand new. I'm not a gentle cook and have managed to scratch it a little. It doesn't matter; it is still perfectly nonstick. That makes clean up so easy I rarely bother to put it in the dishwasher. A quick swish with a soapy sponge and it's clean.

On the down side, it's almost impossible to keep the outside bottom of the pan shiny because of the ridged pattern so I can't hang it for display, but that's a small price to pay for omelets that slide out easily or grill cheeses that brown beautifully (even the cheese doesn't stick).

I have the 8-inch version too, which I use often for single servings and crepes. If I'm trying for a nice sauté, I usually use a regular non-coated pan, but this does work for that. It just takes a little longer.

Since I often use it on my regular stove, the temperature can get pretty high and I have been known to burn things--but they still slide out and clean up is easy. If this pan ever gives out, I'll buy another. I'm really sold on it for nonstick cooking.

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We love this skillet! It has a great non-stick coating, which is hard to find in skillets that can be used on induction ranges, especially at this reasonable price. It's perfect for making omelets and other egg dishes. It heats up quickly and is easy to clean. I'd recommend it highly for all types of ranges, but it works especially well on an induction cooktop.

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I've had this pan for about six months and I really like it. It is nicely balanced and the non-slip handle fits my hand perfectly. The non-stick surface is very good and the pan cooks evenly.

Cleaning the bottom is a bit tough due to the fine concentric rings. There is a noticeable crevice where the disk meets the pan that is a gunk magnet, and damn near impossible to clean out. If you are anal about such things this will drive you nuts. Otherwise the exterior is no harder to clean than any other polished stainless cookware. The interior is almost self-cleaning. Farberware says you can put in the dishwasher, but we don't.

Unlike my other Millennium cookware, this one is not tri-ply, but stainless with a disk bottom. The disk is big enough so under normal cooking on a gas range the flame does not extend beyond the disk.

The only unknown is longevity. If I get at least two years out of it I'll be happy. If not, I'll update this review.

Update July 3, 2011: While the interior surface looks nearly perfect, it has started to lose its non-stickness. Unless I use oil or butter my eggs stick to the surface. I am starting to look for a replacement. Downgraded from 4 stars to 3.

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I purchased this frying pan after being disappointed by so many others. The biggest problem I have with large frying pans is that they don't stay flat on the stovetop. I have a flat top stove. I LOVE THIS PAN! It's heavy duty. Heating is EVEN. The handle is very comfortable and it's super thick stainless steel has remained very flat. Clean up is a breeze. No problems at all with this one. I highly recommend it. Like the old saying goes: You get what you pay for. I would definitely purchase this pan again.

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I did not purchase this from Amazon as I found a better price elsewhere. I also bought this glass lid, (Farberware 12-Inch Glass Lid, http://www.amazon.com/Farberware-58038-12-Inch-Glass-Lid/dp/B00006IFQT/ref=pd_bxgy_k_text_c) which fits it perfectly, and as a bonus, fits another of my older stainless skillets that has a metal lid.

I was searching for a non-stick skillet for quite a while and had researched and read reviews until I was about ready to give up. I pondered the "teflon question", but decided I would risk it as the carbon in burnt, stuck-on foods isn't good for you either. I've had it a few weeks now and absolutely love it! It is a very useful size, both for grilled cheese, omelets, french toast (4 pieces!) and pancakes, and large enough for my home-made pasta meals. After the experiences I've had so far, I have to say that this skillet ROCKS!

I have a electric stove with a ceramic cook top so it was imperative that the skillet I chose would stay flat. The stainless enclosed, thick aluminum base assures this and gives it a hefty feel and weight that I like, while not being "too" heavy. It also heats evenly so that whatever I'm cooking turns out like it should. I have used oil and butter in it for flavoring but it has remained miraculously stick-free without it as well. One thing I've picked up in my research is that you should not use the sprays like "Pam" on nonstick teflon coatings as it will damage them. This may be the reason the one reviewer has had problems...or not?

The silicone "enhanced" handle is comfortable to hold and strong for safe lifting. I've had no problems with it becoming hot during cooking. It is rated for 400 degree oven cooking but I've not used it in the oven yet.

The sides of this pan are gradually curved so that the bottom area is still very useable as a griddle. The flat area measures 10 inches on my pan, and then begins the upward curve. The sides are not so tall that you can't get in with a spatula to comfortably turn your food, a problem I've found with some of the larger skillets. It is rated for use with metal utensils but I have only used non-metal utensils so far. It is also rated as dishwasher safe but I hand wash all my stainless cookware. It's an investment to me and I like to keep it in the best condition that I can. This skillet cleans up extremely easily with a bit of soap and water so it is not a daunting task to hand wash.

This 12 inch skillet is one of the millennium stainless steel collection and the ONLY one with the silicone enhanced handle. Be careful if you are purchasing this online because there is another 12 inch skillet that looks different but is still in the millennium collection. This one has a MSRP of $90.00 on the Farberware website but is on sale at this time. I recommend that you check around to get the best price.

In summary, I highly recommend this skillet, and the lid if you're looking for a nonstick set. I love mine and hope the love lasts. I will update as time passes if I have more to share.

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Review of Le Creuset 4 Piece Cast Iron Cookware Gift Set

Le Creuset Cast Iron Cookware Gift Set, Marseille
Customer Ratings: 5 stars
List Price: $315.00
Sale Price: $274.95
Today's Bonus: 13% Off
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While I only purchased this pot a week ago, I can verify that Le Creuset is excellent cookware. In the mid 1980s, my mother found a set of Le Creuset cookware on clearance for a little over $150. My dad nearly had a cow, until he ate things cooked with it for a few weeks. Then he calmed down a bit. He still made comments about the cost every now and then for the first year or so, but when my mom went five years without purchasing a single piece of cookware (and this was a huge record for my mom), he stopped complaining. After another few years, he was so impressed with the durability, that when "his" pot (the one he used for boiling peanuts, chili, and the few other things he did in the kitchen) was pretty worn and needed replacing, he started considering buying a Le Creuset. Mind you, it was about 8-10 years after my mom's purchase, but he nearly had a second cow when he priced it and the single pot was more than my mom had paid for her set! It was at this point he started regularly remarking about what a great bargain my mom had gotten.

I took the time to tell that story because it gives you an idea of the perspective I had when I started buying cookware. I had no money, so I started with the cheap junk from low end stores. It was quite a let down to go from using my mom's Le Creuset to Walmart generic. So I was really happy the first time I found my first really good bargain at a Le Creuset Outlet and was able to start my own set. I never found as good a deal as my mom, but I slowly built up my collection. I expect that mine will continue to be used as much as my mom's have been, and I fully expect my set to still be getting heavy use in 27 years, just like my mom's does. I've used other Le Creuset wannabes before I found my first bargain, and they weren't nearly as good.

I now own a lot of Le Creuset pretty much all of my bakeware and most of my pots are those. The exceptions are some All-Clad stainless, mostly sautee pans, frying pans, and skillets. IMO Le Creuset is still a little weak in that area and All-Clad excels in it. (I am not a fan of hard anodized and non stick cookware, and a lot of Le Creuset in this area tend to be those).

It's hard for me to explain. (To quote a well used line from a movie, "I don't know; it's a mystery.") But food just seems to taste better when it's cooked using cast iron. (I now have my grandmother's 60+ year old skillet I received in trade for an All Clad fry pan; with her arthritis she wasn't using the heavy cast iron anymore. It's my favorite piece of cookware after only a few weeks of having it). If you can't use your grandmother's 60 year old well seasoned skillet, this is the cast iron to get.

PS: I can't resist adding that after all that, my favorite thing about this particular purchase is it's purple. :) The rest of my set is cherry red, but if the purple had been out when I started, I would have picked that. The color is as beautiful as the cookware is durable and a pleasure to use.

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Le Creuset all I have to say....always great stuff. The blue is a very pretty blue the pictures don't do it justice!

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I procrastinated about getting a Le Creuset Dutch Oven because of the price, and was ecstatic to find this as a Lightning Deal. In the almost two months I've had this, it's been in almost constant use. The color is a warm orange that shades darker on the bottom (you can't really tell that by the pictures). The interior and exterior finish cleans up fast and easy with regular soap and water. I haven't tried the cleaner that came with the set, but it's not intended for everyday cleaning. The serving trivet is very pretty, and really makes this a perfect oven-to-table piece of cookware.

I know that with Le Creuset, you pay a premium for the name. But, after buying this piece, I consider it a worthy investment. I store this with other orange kitchen items that my grandmother gave me, and I feel confident that if my daughter has children, I can pass this Dutch Oven on to them. I'll be using this until I'm too old and feeble to lift it off the stovetop.

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This is an investment but it will last you a lifetime. The finish is superb and the quality of the cast iron is unmatched.

This is a very high quality product and you won't be disappointed with it. It goes in the oven and yes even the black cap on the lid can sustain oven temperatures.

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Got this for my wife and she just adores it. Even on our electric stove it just heats up so much faster. Easy to clean too. Can't wait to get this on our new gas stove.

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Reviews of Whirlpool W10187336A Universal Microwave Crisper Pan

Whirlpool W10187336A Universal Microwave Crisper Pan
Customer Ratings: 4.5 stars
List Price: $41.99
Sale Price: $39.06
Today's Bonus: 7% Off
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The item works as described. Nice for crisping up the left over pizza. I even cooked eggs on it. The pan absorbs the microwaves and cooks food from the hot pan bottom. Most the microwaves are going into the pan and not necessarily the food. So it cooks like a fry pan in that way. You do have to place it in the microwave for at least 3 minutes before you can use it. It is a little pricey, but is solid and works.

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This pan is moderately successful in crisping food in a MW. It removes the slimy surface often found on MW'ed food, but it also toughens the food. My main complaint is the odor the pan gives off during cooking. I believe it is coming from the synthetic gasket found just under the upper pan lip.

OK I have now used this pan for a while and can up my recommendation to a four star. The smell is now gone and once I determined the amount of time needed for cooking the food is much better. I can take out a batch of frozen chicken wings and in 15 to 20 minutes have properly prepared snacks for all. Cleanup is a snap as the surface is anti stick and quickly rinses off. Can't imagine not having after using it for an extended period.

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We fry mostly frozen hamburger patties using this crisper pan and it works very good. We're using it in a medium size LG microwave and have not noticed any smell coming from the pan, but we did wash it once before using. Takes 3 minutes to pre-heat pan at 100% power then another 4 minutes to fry the burgers, turning once. We had an older Whirlpool microwave that came with this pan type (then called a Sizzler) that we loved and used for years.

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Not what I expected. I thought it would work like the crisper that comes with a small microwave pizza or sandwich, but it won't crisp like that -it mainly cooks, and it takes a considerably longer than the suggested time listed on the item's package. Pizza comes out better than if you were to just microwave it without this device, but it's not crisp.

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The KitchenAid Crisper Pan is a great microwave cooking tool. It expands what you can do with your microwave oven. This pan is great for cooking oil free frozen french fries and frozen sweet potato fries as well as for reheating rotisserie chicken. I am sure I will discover many more ways to use it. It cleans up easily and the helper handle makes it easy to remove from the microwave. It's a big pan so it might not fit in a small microwave oven. I highly recommend this pan.

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Reviews of Gourmet Chef Copper Pro 8-Piece Cookware Set

Gourmet Chef Copper Pro 8-Piece Cookware Set
Customer Ratings: 3.5 stars
List Price: $395.00
Sale Price: $195.80
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My wife and I needed a new set of cookware. So we found this set and bought it. First impression was good. The cookware was heavy enough and sturdy; they used a real copper for outside. Then I tried to make spaghetti and used a medium pot. Boiled water in it for 18 minutes and after hand washing was surprised to see small brown-reddish spots on the bottom that looks like rust. Couldn't believe at first that 18/10 steel can rust so easily and used magnifying glass for better view. It was the rust. Unfortunately, needed to return the set. Looking at present for a better quality cookware.

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This set has poor quality plating and is already starting to look a little worse for wear. I would not recommend.

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I ordered these pans and decided to try the small sauce pan first. I boiled water in it and the copper color immediately faded.

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Not a bad price for this set. Pans are a heavy metal with the copper look. Clear Lids have a vent hole. Love these!

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I am ever so happy about getting these pots n pans. They are lovely and in great shape. TYESM I am sure I will enjoy cooking with them :)

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Best FancyCook Enamel Cast Iron Green Round Dutch Oven 10-qt Deals

FancyCook Enamel Cast Iron Green Round Dutch Oven 10-qt
Customer Ratings: 4.5 stars
List Price: $167.99
Sale Price: $139.99
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This product exceeded my expectations. It cooks as well as our more expensive smaller

Dutch Oven that we paid over $100 more. The gumbo and soup we've made in the Oven were superb. I'd recommend this product to anyone. My only regret is that we didn't get a larger pot. However, the 10 quart unit weighs over 20 pounds and adequate for now.

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I've used mine several times now. It's fantastic at cooking up about 8 quarts (if you simmer you need to leave some room at the top). That's a lot of chili or soup, both of which I've made in here. I've also done sauces that need a long simmer. This is one of my favorite items in the kitchen.

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Review of Calphalon Unison Nonstick Cookware Set

Calphalon Unison Nonstick 10-Piece Cookware Set
Customer Ratings: 4 stars
List Price: $1,000.00
Sale Price: $499.97
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Heres my honest review on the Calphalon Unison Cookware.

First a little back ground, I attended Johnson and Wales Culinary and I have been a professional chef for 22 years.

I was in the market for a new range top set {frying, saute, boilers, and grill pans}, all of which I prefer to have non stick. Now I am not going to lie and say we use non stick/anodized pans at the restaurant, because we dont, to be honest with you I run a 4 star kitchen and there isnt a "name" brand pan in the place... The pans are old commercial banders, that are dented and burnt on the out side. Dont let anyone mislead you in thinking commercial cookware is good for your home, the pans are very thin so they will heat quickly, they are plain no fancy coatings, handles, or glass lids, we replace them when they start to leak, clean them every night with steel wool and scrapers when needed, and throw them around like they are free... Most things that can stick will be cooked on the griddle which is built into the commercial stove and is just a piece of steel with burners under it, and them item dont have a shot of sticking because we use enough lard/butter that they couldnt stick if we wanted them to. So I hope you get the point, you dont want "commercial" cookware and I wouldnt use any expensive cookware in a commercial kitchen, just cast iron and cheap pans...

Now onto my review, I was in the market or a new set of pans, for my new home kitchen. I prefer non stick pans at home. When most people cook at home there doing other things all over the house {I often cook from the couch}, so the attention you need to pay a set of stainless pans with a chicken breast in them is a lot higher than with non stick pans. Plus at home cooking for my family I use as little butter and oil as possible, non stick is the only way to achieve this...

I have always liked Calphalon products, and there warranty for those of you that dont know is incredible, lifetime with no proof of purchase required, you can buy a pan at a yard sale and it is under warranty, not to mention there customer service is the best in the business...

I initially got scared by the numerous bad reviews on amazon. But since I have used Calphalon pans before and always had good results, I figured I would figure it out for my self, I only bought a 10" fry pan {they call it an omelet pan}, a 4qt saute pan, and a 1 qt sauce pan... As soon as they came a started cooking, first night was pork chops in the fry pan, eggplant, squash, and zuk in the saute pan, and a white cream sauce in the sauce pan... It worked great, I wouldnt change a thing, the sauce pans have a smaller opening so you dont get as much condensation and the evaporation is minimal, plus the non stick worked so well It looked like the sauce wasnt touching the pan. The fry pan seared the pork chops well, they didnt stick at all and they heated fast and evenly, the saute pan, did what it was supposed to I used my olive wood turner to shuffle around the pan and was not being careful, just normal stirring and turning... After I was done cooking, I let the pans cool, and took them to the sink, I hand washed them and inspected them, no a scratch and they were super easy to clean.... All in all a nice set of pans, I like the weight, although if you get a 6 qt pan full of food, its going to be heavy.

I have since purchased 8 more pans, and love them, I have had the first 3 pans for over a year, and they look new, I hand wash and dont bang them around but there like new..

Some tips for the people who want to cook professionally in there home with these pans { or any for that matter}...

When possible, get your foods to room temp {60 degrees or so, surface temp, not internal} I take a steak out of the cooler and put it on the counter for an hour before cooking}, I cant explain what it does but the results are noticable.

Use the correct temperature, the unison pans, will cook better at lower temps because they conduct so well, so if you used to cokk a pork chop on med high in stainless, med will due with these pans.

Never put cold food in a cold pan and let it cook {exceptions for stocks, water, and sauces}, get your pan up to temp and then add the food, once you add it to the pan dont touch it untill that contact area is cooked... Exampleput a hamburger patty on the pan, leave it for 3-5 minutes depending how thick it is, and them flip it, dont swuash it down or move it around the pan, just leave it alone...

In closing I love the pans, there expensive, but there nice, look and perform well, easy to maintain, best warranty around, and have some nice pans available....

PS: nothing is going to replace, having a le crueset skillet, 5qt dutch oven style pan, and oven roaster.. but in conjunction these pans are nice...

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Purchased 4 items of Calphalon Unison cookware, Used them just a few times and now I'm addicted. I now own the complete offering of Calphalon Unison cookware, including Utensils, Towels and Pot Holders. What a difference good cookware can do for your cooking. Also save on the amount of cookware you use. I seared a small roast on the stove top, than put it in the oven in the same pot. Also made homemade gravy (sauce) in the 8 quart stock pot, had it simmering for over 6 hours and there was no burnt sauce on the bottom of the pot. Clean up is a breeze, alittle Dawn dish detergent and a Dobie pad a couple a swirls around the inside and the outside of the Pan/Pot/Lid, rince it off, towel dry and back into the cabinet. They are also dishwasher safe. I am so glad I decided to go with the Calphalon Unison. If you are looking for a good set of cookware, don't look any further.

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My first Amazon review ever. I had researched many sets of cookware before deciding upon the Unison set. A previous a loyal Calphalon customer. I even recycled my old Calphalon (in the box provided with this set)sending it back to the company. I was sorry I did. I should have kept my old pot and pans. After almost 15 years they looked much better than this set did after only a few months. Let me state, I read the directions,care instructions, use the recommended type of utensils and cleaning products to the letter. I could not believe my eyes when the non-stick finish came off! I figured maybe I got one defective pan. Sorry to say that was not the case.

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I've had Cuisinart 66-14 Chef's Classic Nonstick Hard-Anodized 14-Piece Cookware Set before but after a few years of use the Nonstick coating had worn off and the pans were rusting. I decided to take the plunge and invest in cookware which I hoped would last a lifetime. After doing some research I came to the conclusion that stainless steel, triply was the way to go so I bought Calphalon Tri-Ply Stainless Steel 13-Piece Cookware Set last year and it's nice but my husband and I hate how difficult they were to clean and foods such as eggs, pancakes and rice would stick. They cleaned up well enough but it takes a bit of elbow grease and products such as Bartender's Keeper to do so.

After 6 months of trying to work with the stainless steel set we broke down and looked for a non-stick which we could use to cook those foods we found were sticking frequently to the stainless steel and decide to try two of Calphalon's NonStick brands. We purchased one pan from Calphalon's Unison and Calphalon's Bronze collection and we loved them both!

We found clean up to be a breeze with these pans. Eggs can cook with NO oil if I wanted and they slide right off. We found ourselves using the two pans over and over and avoiding the stainless steel set. Finally my husband just took all the stainless steel cookware and put them in our pantry.

I decided at that point that the two pans, great as they were, weren't enough to handle all of my cooking needs to we invested in the Calphalon Unison set and couldn't be happier.

I have been using the two nonstick pans from Calphalon for about 5 6 months and If these pans hold up as well as those two I purchased for trial then I know I'm going to continue loving this set.

A few notes. I have only been using wood or rubber cooking utensils and we hand wash the pans. I know Calphalon says these are dishwasher safe but they clean up so easily we haven't found a need to stick them in the dishwasher.

Another note: The lids for this set has a good weight, they make a tight fit on the pans and steam doesn't leak out.

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I purchased Calphalon Unison because I thought Calphalon was the best cookware around. Was I wrong. I purchased the Unison because it was rated diswasher safe. I was very careful with my new cookware... I had paid ALOT of money for it and wanted to treat it well so it would last a long, long time. I had the cookware about two weeks when I noticed the exterior of the pots that I used the most was wearing off and the pots now have no finish left on them. The interior, the non-stick part is fine... but the exterior of the pots look like I picked them up, used, at a garage sale or something. I will never purchase Calphalon again. For the most part I wash them by hand because I use them more often than I run the diswasher, but I occasionally put them into the diswasher... maybe once or twice before the finish wore right off. I can't articulate how disappointed I am in this cookware.

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Discount Tovolo Spatulart Gingerbread Girl Nylon Flex Turner

Tovolo Spatulart Gingerbread Girl Nylon Flex Turner
Customer Ratings: 4.5 stars
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I love you so much ! Made out of a good strong material. Haven't used it yet, but I believe it will do just fine. For now it makes the kitchen quite cheerful!!

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It is very big , but it has a good material and it is a very nice product also. Great for pancakes

Review of JK Adams Slate Tray with Cheese Name Border

J.K. Adams 12-Inch Round Charcoal Slate Lazy Susan
Customer Ratings: 4 stars
List Price: $58.00
Sale Price: $54.95
Today's Bonus: 5% Off
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Love the trays and the fact that they were mined in New England, but Amazon was lax about shipping. I ordered 4 to use in a grouping. They were sent in 4 separate shipments--each tray sliding lose and unprotected on the bottom of its box with plastic air bags on top. Thus, one arrived with a big chip off its corner. Amazon did replace it, but the replacement was thinner than the original one and does not match my other 3.

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This slate is big, heavy and wonderfull to look at. The reason for going with slate is to try and keep the cheese cooler (put this in the fridge the night before a party, that way it's nice and cool when it's time for use) which will prolong the life and taste of the cheese, and it's very easy to clean with no scratching or discoloration. I would recommend, but keep in mind this is a big Cheese Tray.

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I purchased this item with the intention of pairing it with the J.K. Adams 9 by 9 by 2-1/2-Inch Slate Riser because I thought it might make a very attractive tabletop presentation for not only cheese, but for various condimenti i antipasti. However, just like another reviewer four months previous, my oversized and under-protected shipping carton arrived with no external visible damage, but the slate cheese tray was quite broken due to the absence of adequate packing materials, save the crumpled brown paper substituted for the more protective (and more expensive) bubble wrap. I did order a replacement item, so, until further review... only THREE STARS until I can experience the item in its entirety.

After further review... [updated 11/14/09]

After my initial unpleasant experience with receiving the original order in TWO pieces, I must commend Amazon.com for their speedy and efficient care in replacing the damaged item. Within minutes after alerting Customer Service, the replacement product was en route to my home. Upon opening the parcel, I found the slate cheese tray intact with plenty of protective packing material assuring its safe journey.

Now to the product itself: The slate is of a very high quality, quarried in New England. The surface texture is unfinished and natural, allowing for the beautiful grain of the slate to be enjoyed. After cutting the raw slate to size, the entire edge perimeter is hand-knapped to give a very natural and smart appearance. The underside of the cheese tray is thoughtfully lined with a thin felt material to protect any surface upon which it is placed. The 12 x 24-inch dimensions are accurate within an 1/8". THICKNESS of the item is where I have concerns and is the reason I give the product only FOUR and 1/2 STARS. At only 5/16" thick, the length of the tray combined with the relative softness of the material demands the user take great care to avoid breakage. I would highly discourage using the tray to carry items weighing more than a combined weight of 5 pounds unless it is supported directly underneath the tray and not carried from the edges. To be safe, you should place the empty serving tray where it will remain for the entire event, and then place the items to be utilized on it afterward. Clean the tray only by wiping it down with a soft, damp cloth and avoid the use of harsh solvents and cleaning chemicals. Minimal use of a plastic scrubbie or soft-bristled brush could be used for heavier deposits. In my estimation, the use of a dishwasher is out of the question.

I use this product on my kitchen as a centerpiece paired with the J.K. Adams 9 by 9 by 2-1/2-Inch Slate Riser for my finishing salts, aceto balsamico and olio nuovo cruets (Chef's Planet 5 oz Glass Cruet and Chef's Planet 8 oz Glass Cruet) , cheese dome (Cheese DomeWalnut w/hand-blown glass Sagaform Inc.) and utensils, as well as a small plant arrangement.

With common sense use and precaution, this slate cheese tray will provide years of enjoyment and elegance.

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I use it for presenting cheese and crackers pair it up with some unique cheese knives; use white chalk to write the names of the cheeses on display.

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I have this slate cheese board and bought 2 for friends as presents. They absolutely love them. Every time I use mine, I get compliments on it. Would definitely recommend this item.

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Reviews of T-fal Initiatives Nonstick Inside and Out Oven Safe Dishwasher Safe

T-fal A8210264 Initiatives Nonstick Inside and Out Oven Safe Dishwasher Safe 8-Inch Fry Pan / Saute Pan Cookware, Grey
Customer Ratings: 3.5 stars
List Price: $16.99
Sale Price: $12.22
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I have used the T-Fal skillet pictured in the past and was very pleased with it, but it is NOT what I received. The pan with the red dot heat indicator is shown. The one received did not have the red dot feature, more importantly it is much thinner and has a cheaper handle attachment than the one pictured. I suspect this is due to carelessness on Amazon's part, rather than an effort to cheat customers, never the less, it is effectively a case of "bait and switch," Note that this product comes from Amazon, not an associated seller.

My first bad experience with Amazon I hope my last!

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i agree that the pan does have a certain limited life expectancy, especially under heavy use...but for those moderate cooks, it will hold up for a few years. I have had mine for about 2.5 years and i am a moderate cook myself. It is a great pan at a great price. Good heat distribution and light-weight materials, yet rather sturdy. The handle does wobble a bit, but its stayed in place just fine. This is my pan of choice for browning or caramelizing onions and garlic!! C'est magnifique!! Great pan at this price!!!

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First, I think expensive non-stick is a waste since the cookware has to be resurfaced or replaced once it's scratched or worn. I was looking for a super slick inner surface for not a lot of buck. The T-Fal pans were it.

The inside of the pans are very slick. They are not heavily textured like other pans. This seems counter-intuitive to me; expensive pans want to last longer so they texture their surface yet that adds more surface area for the food to stick to. As an example, I have a harder time cleaning the bottom of the pans than I do the inside.

The thickness of the pan is thin. It is thick enough to even low and medium flames but it cools very quickly. It's a very nice egg pan.

My only complaint is the handle. Even as tight as the screw will go, two of my handles still move slightly side-to-side. It's not enough to affect cooking, but it's annoying.

Overall, I'm very happy with spending $10 for a super slick pan.

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I expected to receive a pan similar to the photo displayed, with the red heat sensitive dot in the center of the pan, but it is not the same product. Product is actually called "Initiatives Total Non-Stick." I bought it as a gift and may need to return it.

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T-Fal is an excellent quality and a good buy. Nice, heavy pan and very "non-stick". Now I just have to find a lid to fit it's large size!!

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KitchenAid 5-Speed Hand Blender, KHB2561 Review

KitchenAid KHB2561CU 5-Speed Hand Blender
Customer Ratings: 4.5 stars
List Price: $130.00
Sale Price: $99.00
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I had been looking at immersion blenders for a while, checking prices, reading reviews. I had also had been looking at food processors, because mine hit the wall (figuratively. Literally, it hit the floor) and I rely on it heavily. I decided to get this little beauty because I am easily coerced into buying things based on brand recognition. I had no idea that I was going to kill two birds with one blender (not really "birds." More like one soup, one salsa). It works great. The carrying case makes me feel important when I take it out, and I have the urge to say something like, "step back. I'll handle this."

We have a smoothie blender for smoothies, so I haven't tried it for that, but I've done soups, salad dressings, sauces, chutneys and salsas and it works like a dream. Clean up is easy, it feels sturdy, and it gets the job done.

The cord is slightly annoying, it completely gets in the way of me pretending it's a magic wand, but it isn't, it's a kitchen tool, so I'll just suffer that one out in relative silence.

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I recently received this as a gift and it is amazing! I haven't used an immersion blender much in my cooking life but given that this one has so many uses and utensils, I will be able to use it for many purposes. I have already used the chopper and immersion blender attachments for various tasks. They worked perfectly. I also love that it has a tool box to hold all of the components. I don't have to worry about parts getting lost or forgotten in the cupboard. I highly recommend this small appliance.

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I had to replace our KitchenAid immersion blender because it burned out while mixing some Almond Butter. This new set seems to be a much cheaper design compared to KitchenAid's their last generation. The wand locks on to the motor in a partial turn instead of a snap on lock like the last design which seems destined to crack one day. The variable speed is a 5 step turn knob instead of continuously variable knob. One real annoyance is that it is more difficult to grip this knob. It's a flat, low profile disk and very smooth finish making it tough to grip while cooking/mixing if you need to change the speed. The switch also feels very cheap and not solid like to tall, round knob from their last design which worked great.

What is new is the 2 additional choices on the mix blades. However, I tried using the batter mix blade head but it did not do a very good job on simple corn bread batter. I needed to move it all around the batter and didn't pull in the dry mix to the wet very well. It was a lot of lifting and re-plunging to get the dry mixed included.

The other annoyance is that the chopper lid/top no longer locks in to the motor housing. It just sits on top which make it easy to lift off the chopper while working. The whole design of this new set seems like a step backwards from the last set I owned from Kitchenaid.

I realize that here are some trade offs in manufacturing to make a product come in a price point / offering more features to outsell the competition. The trade off in this new set seem to be to offer more immersion head choices (that don't seem to work well) while compromising the quality of the overall product. What I'd prefer is a good, well made immersion blender with a good wisk and chopper.

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I bought this a couple months ago and have used it for a number of things, including chopping nuts for fudge. I even used it to chop frozen nuts and it performed quite well.

It has worked great in everything I have used it for; cauliflower mash, fudge, whipped cream, mayonnaise, gravy, liver pate etc.

I have arthritis and my hands are fairly weak but this unit gives me no trouble at all, it's comfortable to hold and operate. The cord is a little stiff but not so bad that it interferes with use. It cleans up easily as well.

The different blade make it a very flexible unit, I have made whipped cream with one blade and then mixed fresh liver and tomato paste with another and both came out great without lumps or unmixed parts.

There is only one problem I have had and that is with the chopping unit, it has a part inside the stem of the blade unit that got stuck up in the center when we first used it and it never came back down, since this worked as a sort of shock absorber the chopper container, lid and blade ground against each other when we used it and caused the plastic to be ground away in places.

But I called KA and they were happy to send me replacements at their cost. I believe since this is a new unit for them there are a few kinks to be worked out but KA is aware of that and will replace my entire unit free of charge and restart my warranty from the date I receive the new unit, can't argue with that.

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We opted for the more expensive Kitchen Aid blender with attachments and containers so far it very adequately replaces my 45 year old blender, and newer little food processor, so I can get rid of at least two space-takers. We were very pleased with the cream of broccoli soup and very smoot home-canned tomato/vegetable soup. The winner is smooth and frothy hot cocoa, instead of just an okay hot drink with sediment in the bottom.

The food processor easily chopped a head of red cabbage for Swedish winter salad I'm very pleased!

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Starfrit 093079 Stainless Steel and Silicone Spoon, Black Reviews

Starfrit 093079 Stainless Steel and Silicone Spoon, Black
Customer Ratings: 5 stars
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I purchased this spoon and was so impressed with the quality for the price that I came back the same day that I received it and purchased each of the other pieces. I now have the complete set...they look very classy in my kitchen but more importantly....they are comfortable to hold, easy to use...not heavy. Each piece of this style from Starfrit measures about 13.5".

If you are looking for a flexible spoon, then you probably would not like this one. It is stiff.

Also, because it has a stainless steel handle, I hand washed and dried it after use (washed easily) so I can't comment on how it will do in a dishwasher.

Give this Starfrit style a chance. I purchased mine without seeing a review and was scared that I was wasting my money until I saw it and felt it....love! love! love!

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Thursday, January 30, 2014

Review of Vollrath 61250 Stainless Steel 4.75 Qt. Baking / Roasting Pan

Vollrath 61250 Stainless Steel 4.75 Qt. Baking / Roasting Pan
Customer Ratings: 3 stars
List Price: $54.54
Sale Price: $45.67
Today's Bonus: 16% Off
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...and in not a particularly hot (350) oven. Considering the description touted the gauge of the steel, I was hoping for better.

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I purchased 6 roasting pans because I needed something very sturdy, easy to clean, but primarily of the right size to fit my oven. This product met all of these requirements, plus was cheaper than what I could have bought at my local store. I have been using them for about a month now and would recommend them to others with the same need.

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