Discount Arc International Luminarc Working Glass, 14-Ounce, Set of 12

Customer Ratings:

Somewhere I found a comment from somebody wondering if these glasses had "500" molded into the bottom of the glass, YES they do. The font style is not an exact match to my old glasses, and the new ones say "Made in France", but the rest of the appearance is identical. I also ordered the taller (21 oz) working glasses and the plastic lids that came with the short ones, also fit the large ones. Totally satisfied with my new "French crystal" ;-)

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I just received these glasses 11/9/2012. They DO NOT have the 500 on the bottom of the glass. I bought them after reading the review that said they have the 500 on the bottom. These glasses are riddled with imperfections such as large streaks and tiny lines that look like cracks. Now I really don't want to use them. While I believe these glasses are technically by Luminarc they are a cheaper lower quality glass. I'm going to find them in a physical store next time I buy. Buyer beware, these are not the Luminarc glasses I'm used to buying!

Best Deals for Arc International Luminarc Working Glass, 14-Ounce, Set of 12

My daughter said, We had those when we were little. I said yes because they are tough to break. She said drop it, so I dropped it on the hardwood. It just bounced. Great glasses!

Honest reviews on Arc International Luminarc Working Glass, 14-Ounce, Set of 12

I was hoping to replace a few of the "French 500" glasses that I've had for so long. These are not those. These are the same generic ones you can find anywhere. They are solid, but green in tent and not as well made as the "French 500" version of old.

Unfortunately, one of the glasses shattered during shipping. As there was no return label included, it would have been more of a hassle to return than to just forget about the one broken glass.

If you're looking for a decent all-around glass, these are fine. Just don't expect the great ones you're used to.

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These glasses did not have the "500" stamp on the bottom, but they still serve the purpose. Probably would still purchase them, but it would be good to know it.

Discount Spt 5-Liter Stainless with Multi-Temp Feature

Customer Ratings:
List Price: $102.00
Sale Price: $68.99
Today's Bonus: 32% Off

I had TWO Zojirushi hot water dispensers. Both failed after less than 2 years on each. One was a manual pump and the other a 3L one touch. This SPT has everything that the Zojirushi units don't. Best of all, it is very inexpensive--about 1/2 the price! Here is my run down:

PROS:

-stainless steel tank: the non-stick on my zojirushi gradually deteriorates (in your water?) and actually sloughed off on one of my units making it useless. No such problem with stainless steel! Just descale it once a month and you are golden.

-pump: there is a safety button you press to unlock the unit and then you just press the dispense button. The water flow is so much stronger than either of my Zojirushi units--score another win for SPT.

-capacity: I went with a larger 5L size this time around. I drink a lot of french pressed coffee and also tea. Refilling a 3L unit was becoming an every 3 day affair and I just wanted to extend that a bit.

-water level display

-reboil feature: have it on 185 degrees but when I want it extra hot, I hit the reboil. Sure you can have it on the hottest setting all the time but that also means more energy.

-3 temperatures: unit will blink on selected temperature and will be a solid light when temperature is reached.

-easy to clean

CONS:

-large size means more energy wasted and also more time to reach desired temperature and even for the reboil. On the outside you can feel heat so there is definitely some heat loss that must be restored by the heating element. How much energy to keep this thing running 24/7? I wish I knew. I guess convenience has a cost.

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Most of my experience with these kind of hot pots was with the Zojirushi brand, which is truly a great product thought admittedly quite expensive. The SPT pot is considerably less expensive and is a great alternative if you want to save money on the front end. Nevertheless, my rating comes in at 3 stars because the unit is very poorly insulated. It is hot to the touch on the outside. All that heat escaping into your kitchen has to come from somewhere, and it's not cheap. I'm exchanging for a Zojirushi to save that money in the long run (and get the small LCD Temp display to boot).

Best Deals for Spt 5-Liter Stainless with Multi-Temp Feature

I ordered a 3.5 Liter hot water dispenser from SPT company for a friend. Within 6 months the product stopped working. It appeared to be an electrical problem. I was unable to contact the manufacturer by telephone, but was given an email address which I utilized to query as to repair or replacement. I never received an answer. My friend really enjoyed this item, and used the product daily while it worked, so I ordered another one, however, I increased the size to the 5 Liter model, hoping the size difference might prove to be an improvement. When my friend received the 5 Liter model and placed water in the dispenser, it immediately began leaking from the bottom of the dispenser. Since the product was just purchased, I contacted the seller (not the manufacturer) and the seller immediately replaced this new unit with another one, which worked dutifully for almost 11 months. Now, as of today, this product no longer works. It appears that there is another electrical problem. Since it has been 11 months, the seller is requiring me to contact the manufacturer, and they gave me a telephone number this time. So far I have been unable to get anyone to answer the telephone. I would not recommend this product to anyone, due to the quality of the product. If it worked, and worked for several years, it may be well worth the high price, but with problems in 3 of 3 products, it is my opinion that either there is absolutely no quality control in the manufacturing process, or the parts that are used are of such low quality that one may expect this product to fail within 6 to 12 months, every time.

Honest reviews on Spt 5-Liter Stainless with Multi-Temp Feature

We received the Spt 5 Liter pot and liked it so much that I am just ordering another one while I am logged on to my account. It has a nice stainless steel interior and holds the temperatures great. My only complaint is that everything is in English. There is not Japanese or Chinese labels on the pot and the directions must have been written by someone with English as a first language, because they are easy to understand. This was my only disappointment, no challenge deciphering humorous Asian instructions.

I would recommend this to anyone who used lots of hot water and wants it on demand. In addition to tea,the ideal temp for pour over coffee making is 192F-204F. The high temp setting of 208F on this pot pegs it perfectly. I selfishly bought this unit because I am a coffee drinker and my family are tea drinkers, so everyone in the family is happy.

========= Later =========

I just received my second SPT 5 Liter pot. It also works great out of the box. I love it. My wife loves it. Again I recommend the appliance.

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I use this daily and love it. The only downside is if you run low on water, it can evaporate and the unit will shut off. Make sure you keep it full so this doesn't happen. Other wise this is perfect for all my tea needs.

Buy paula deen 12 piece cookware set red color

Customer Ratings:

They r the best pans ever I had! Paula deena is so awesome lady and everyone should give her a second chance. To keep her busy stay business as long as she still live. Thanks for wonderful pans ever I order and buy then love it already and my daughters try used mine and they love it . Want me to get my daughter's Christmas gifts it is sound good ideas for me doing tht. Have a wonderful day Paula deena

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Discount Global GF-33 8 1/4-Inch, 21-cm Heavyweight Chef's Knife

Customer Ratings:
List Price: $164.00
Sale Price: $140.84
Today's Bonus: 14% Off

I bought this knife almost three months ago, and have been nothing but impressed. I am a professional chef and have used this blade almost non-stop since its arrival. Despite daily use and infrequent passes on a global ceramic steel, it still remains near razor sharp. The feel, the balance, the way the blade will hold an edge, everything about this knife is amazing. It has quickly grown to be my favorite knife, surpassing even my ceramic knife which cost me three times as much and hasn't held up nearly as well. Only complaint I have is because of its heavy weight, delicate cutting such as basil julienne (which I do frequently) are exceptionally difficult without bruising the herbs. Its possible to do the job with the knife, but not really what it was designed for either in my opinion. Every knife has its purpose, this is the best general purpose knife ive ever used.

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If God's mighty Hands are big enough, He definitely uses the 8 1/4" heavyweight Global. If not He wields a mighty regular 8".

These knives appear at first like Pacific Palisades yuppie display pieces, purchased to never be used, highly crafted but without mind towards function. Nothing could be further from the truth, however; these knives mean business. Built with Japan's modern chefs in mind, they have the balance of a Katana, highest quality steel and a wicked edge. They're suitable in construction and balance for everything from sashimi to butchery.

This heavy knife (Global actually refers to the heavier knives as "forged", probably because their lighter knives have ground hollow handles) can deftly mince shallots or rip apart a chicken in the same breath. The balance is so perfect that it really feels like nothing at all in your hand.

Care and feeding are trickier than a Henckels or a carbon-steel knife; the molybenum/vandium alloy is extremely hard and hard to influence outside of a full grind. I'm using a ceramic finishing stone to hone the edge (which does slip around; a downside of the extremely acute angle of grind), and I expect that I'll have a professional grind it when needed, something I don't do with my Henckels knives.

I'm buying the lighter 8" knife as well, now that I've had my hands on it. I really think that between the two of them there's nothing you can't take down.

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I've been a professional chef for almost a decade now, and I've tried dozens of high-end and mid-priced knives including Shun, Calphalon, Henckels, Wusthof, Furi, and plenty of others. This is the best. Hands down. I had previously purchased the G-2 chef's knife and really loved it, but it just wasn't quite beefy enough to take down things like sweet potatoes, butternut squash, or cleanly cut through a chicken spine. The extra blade thickness (and weight) at the hilt is a huge advantage for tasks like shredding cabbage for slaw or finely chopping herbs. That being said, the knife is balanced so well it feels like a part of your arm, and is sharper than some of the ceramics out there. the steel is harder than all but the most expensive german lines, but it flexes more than the folded japanese knives. The result? The Global cuts smooth as buttah, stays sharp longer than a Pro-S Henckels, but doesn't chip or crack like a Shun. It's also just a really beautiful and elegantly designed piece of steel. Showroom-quality, as they say. The one real caveat is that you really need a ceramic honer to keep the blade in top form. Standard chrome or diamond steels just don't hold up. I recommend the Wusthof Ceramic Honing Rod. 5 years in, and it hasn't lost a bit of its grit.

Honest reviews on Global GF-33 8 1/4-Inch, 21-cm Heavyweight Chef's Knife

Invest in this knife (and a good sharpening stone). It is heavy but with experience, that's a good thing. "Let the knife do the work" and all that. I got used to the weight quite quickly.

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I have regularly used German, Swiss, and American steel blades and this Japanese Global puts them all to shame across the board. A bit higher on the price scale than some of it's "competitors" (if you can call them that), but it MORE than makes up for it in performance, durability, ease of use, comfort, and craftsmanship. Hands down the sharpest blade I've ever worked with. I highly recommend that you hone this knife on a soaked wet stone rather than a traditional steel though, as it takes a 10 degree angle on the blade edge, where most every steel is designed for a 40-45 degree edge. Probably the last chef knife I will ever need to buy.

Best Chef's Choice 838 Waffle Cone Express Ice Cream Cone Maker Deals

Customer Ratings:
List Price: $70.00
Sale Price: $49.99
Today's Bonus: 29% Off

I recently bought a really great ice cream machine and I happened to be browsing the internet and I saw this waffle cone maker. At first, I thought, "O.K., not another gadget!" but after reading several descriptions of the machine I decided to buy it. Thank God for going with my first mind!! This machine is incredible. After reading the brief instructions, I mixed up my batch of waffle cone mix (Chef's Choice) and set out on my adventure. Spraying a small amount of olive oil onto the heating pads (I always spray oil for the first time of each use) I poured my first coaster-sized amount of mix onto the machine; closed the lid and waited for the appropriate time to elapse. After opening the lid, out came this good smelling circular cone. Immediately, I lifted the cone using a rubber spatula; used the cone roller as indicated and Viola!! A great cone!! Not to mention the wonderful smell permeating my house!!

It took me two tries to get the right amount of mix to make the perfect cone. I had some of the mix slide out the sides of the machine...no problem, just wipe it off. When making your cone fold a small amount at the bottom before you begin rolling the cone; or pinch the bottom of the cone when rolling so that your ice cream will not come out at the end; or put some melted chocolate, butterscotch or caramel at the bottom and let it get hard...a tasty plug!!

The only thing I can think of that would make this one package complete is if the company would supply a rubber spatula, the towel (they mention using) or perhaps a pair of cotton gloves to help roll the cone...it is hot!! However, I really use just my hands. I get a better feel of the roller this way. And, please do not let these couple of items dissuade you from purchasing this machine. That would be terrible. We should all, hopefully, have a rubber spatula and towels!!

Cleaning the machine is a breeze. The non-stick heating pads are greatly appreciated.

I highly recommend this machine. What a great addition to any household that loves ice cream!!

Be Blessed!!

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My husband has been wanting a waffle cone maker for some time. We finally broke down and bought one. We read all the reviews and compared different models and this one was by far the best. It works great, it's easy to clean and provides great fun for our nieces and nephews. The browing control feature is great!!! I highly recommend it.

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Elegant Wafer Cones

A bit lighter than our gourmet cones, this batter makes a delicate wafer cone. Cake flour ensures the best results. If you use all-purpose flour, you may need to add a small amount of additional oil to the recipe.

Yield: About 8 cones

2 whole eggs

1/4 tsp. salt

2/3 cup granulated sugar

2 tbsp.vegetable oil

1 cup cake flour

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1. Preheat the WaffleCone Express(tm). Start with Color Control setting of 2 1/2 to 3, but change as necessary for best results.

2. Beat the eggs and salt in a small bowl with a fork until well blended. Beat in the sugar and beat until sugar is incorporated and the eggs have lightened in color slightly, about 1 minute. Stir in the oil. Add the cake flour and stir slowly until all flour is moistened. Beat another 15 seconds to incorporate the flour and remove all lumps. Stir in the vanilla extract.

3. Spoon 2 tablespoons (1 ounce) of batter in the center of the iron. Bake for 1 minute then check for proper color. Cook and additional 5 to 10 seconds if necessary.

4. Quickly remove the waffle from the WaffleCone Express(tm) onto a clean cloth towel. If the waffle is too hot to handle with your bare hands, use the cloth to help lift and roll the waffle around the cone form. Hold the cone a few seconds to set its shape then place on a wire rack to cool.

Honest reviews on Chef's Choice 838 Waffle Cone Express Ice Cream Cone Maker

This waffle cone maker was very easy and fun to use. There are numbered settings to determine the color of the cone. There are red and green lights that tell you when to add the batter, how long to cook it, and when to remove the finished product. The waffle cones come out beautifully only after two minutes.

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It is small in size, great for storing away. It is easy to follow the directions and create your own cones. Very easy and fun to make. The clean up is a breeze. I highly recommended this product to my party guest.

Best Wooden Sushi Oke Hangiri 14in #ck36 Deals

Customer Ratings:

Don't be fooled by the price as I was. First off this Sushi Oke is made in China!

I have no problem with items made in China, practically everything is, however, I was looking

for a genuine Oke from Japan.

I ordered this item because it had copper bands, which by the way, are used to hold the

Oke together because you they don't use glue on a genuine Oke. I even took the time to

email Amazon and have them verify that is was copper bands and not the cheap plastic bands used

in the twenty dollar Okes. The picture shows the the thick bands as used in a genuine Oke.

What you actaullay get are loosely fitting, non-functional, super thin copper band. These are nailed on one side.

I can fit both blades of a scissor on the other side (see pics). I can only conclude that because they are non-functional

the sides are glued. With what? Who knows, but I don't want my food touching it.

If you are looking for a genuine Oke to make Sushi, this isn't it. I am definitely returning this item

and spending twice the price for a real one.

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My husband makes sushi rolls, and has found this bowl a great help. It helps keep the rice aromatic, and when prepping the rice, it helps it to bind yet stay fluffy.

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I bought this item for my roommate it a great wooden sushi maker we use it often it great if you are having a Sushi dinner party.

Honest reviews on Wooden Sushi Oke Hangiri 14in #ck36

I haven't used it yet and didn't see anywhere on the item stating the material it was made from. I specifically ordered this bowl because it descripbed as being made of spruce and not of pine, I hope that's the case. I was hoping it would be a genuine Japanese made bowl, but I'm not sure of that either.

I would recommend shopping around and reading more about the product if you're looking for a more specific bowl.

Gno

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Pretty nice Hangiri for making Sushi rice. The copper rings are more for accent than for holding the bowl together. It was attached pretty loosely to the sides. I felt it was a little overpriced, but when looking at the prices for professional hangiri bowls, found this to be a deal. Have used it three times and am happy with its results.

Buy OXO Good Grips LiquiSeal Thermal Beverage Container

Customer Ratings:
List Price: $29.99
Sale Price: $29.95
Today's Bonus: $0.04 Off

By chance, I had borrowed an OXO Goodgrips travel mug from my brother in law, and really liked it--not to mention it was the only travel mug I've ever used which didn't leak or drip whatsoever. I was going to buy one for myself but really wanted something just a little bigger than 12.5 ounces. So, I bought the LiquiSeal Thermal Beverage Container which I believe is approx 24 ounces. It's perfect! The only thing which I noted when I first bought it was the need to "exercise" the button a number of times, as it seemed like it wasn't opening or sealing totally at first, but it's working fine now. A word of caution: As it states in both the packaging and on the bottom label, DO NOT put this thing in the dishwasher. The heat will shrink and harden all the seal and cause it to leak. Great product!!

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I got this mug for fathers day 2011 and within a few weeks of use the lid was hideous and had water stuck in it that could not be removed. It would appear that i had gotten the mug with the old single-piece lid even though recent reviews make it seem like the lid was redesigned earlier this year to be a two-piece system that allows for easier cleaning. So i called the company to ask about the situation since it was such a recent purchase and they told me to immediately throw away the lid and that they would send a replacement lid to me. The replacement lid arrived within a few weeks and sure enough it was the new redesigned two-piece system which is much easier to clean. I love this mug but I cannot give it 5 stars because it is not dishawasher safe....

To anyone having issues with your lid, please call OXO because they apparently do care about what you think. (800)545-4411

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Had a difficult time finding a travel "mug" with this much capacity (about 24 oz) but this fits the bill perfectly. It doesn't keep the beverage steaming hot as long as a thermos when you are actively drinking from it but it keeps it warm enough for a good couple of hours.

Only issue is you have to be fastidious about cleaning this after beverages such as coffee because the sipping mechanism is complicated and has lots of nooks and crannies where having dried up coffee would not be a good thing.

Honest reviews on OXO Good Grips LiquiSeal Thermal Beverage Container

In general, the vessel is well built.

It just needs a simpler mechanism for allowing fluid flow through the cap so all surfaces are cleanable in the event that it sat for a couple of days and got moldy as did mine. So I don't use the flow-through button cap anymore. But while attempting to thoroughly clean it, I soaked it in dishwater and now, that dishwater has infiltrated the hollows in the cap and does not drain. It does, however, lend a smell of dishwater to my coffee.

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I got this to take on my bike (just barely fits in a Topeak Modula Ex) since I was getting tired of having cold coffee halfway through class. It's a great size and the cap and button system work great. Unfortunately that same button system ruins the thermal insulation and greatly decreases the amount of time coffee stays hot. You can feel the rubber section in the middle start to heat up almost as soon as you fill it. It stays hot long enough for my purposes, but I'd go somewhere else if you're looking to have a hot cup of coffee 8 hours after filling it.

Discount Ecolution Heavy Weight Eco-Friendly Saucepans

Customer Ratings:
List Price: $22.90
Sale Price: $21.96
Today's Bonus: 4% Off

I run a small restaurant. This purchase was to replace a pan that was ruined with a stainless scouring pad. No fault of the pan.

It's size and shape are excellent for making small batches of sauce, or reheating. The guage of the metal is excellent for retaining heat. The quality meets those pans that are highly advertised and overpriced. Quality does not have to cost a fortune.

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I have had this saucepan for several weeks. Its appearance is very attractive, which is nice since we keep our cookware on a pegboard. The saucepan has a solid feel of heavy aluminum. I have used it exclusively for cooking oatmeal. The non-stick quality is important for such cooking and has been excellent. While I find this to be a perfect saucepan for my purposes, my wife says that she finds the slightly curved handle to feel a bit strange and the saucepan somewhat heavy to lift.

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doesn't have a lid, but i just put a plate on top, love cooking and knowing i'm not harming my family

Honest reviews on Ecolution Heavy Weight Eco-Friendly Saucepans

I use it for so many things. It's also very easy to clean. I hope it holds up well

JB

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This is another choice I picked out as a help to supply my son's kitchen; Out of the four I gave him one handle was not staying tight. He had to constantly tighten it in able to get good use. I cannot for sure say which of the four had the problem, but this is a very good looking pan, but comes without a top.

Discount Ironwood Gourmet Circle Cutting Board

Customer Ratings:

The wood on this board looks nice. But it reacts strangely to water for a cutting board. The grain swirls, so some of it is end grain on the surface, and after the first washing it is fairly rough for a cutting board. Either this is a property of the wood used, or the finish.

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I keep this on my stove and use it all the time! It is durable and has even been under hot temps from my flat top stove.

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I ordered this hoping for a normal size cutting board. After receiving it, I wanted an immediate refund (and got one). It is about 8-10 inches in diameter and less than one inch thick. It looks very cheesy and is more appropriate for a picnic or tailgate party. I would not recommend for anyone looking for a usable kitchen item

Best Chantal Copper Fusion 1-Quart Reduction Pan Deals

Customer Ratings:
List Price: $145.00
Sale Price: $89.93
Today's Bonus: 38% Off

I was disappointed

I used this pot on an electric glass top stove for making cereal.

However, the cereal sticks to the bottom of the pan.

I thought with the price I paid, the quality of the pot would have been better.

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This is great cookware. It's great at even heat distribution and at induction cooking. But it's much heavier than most cookware.

Tramontina Gourmet Cast Iron Saute Pans Review

Customer Ratings:
List Price: $49.99
Sale Price: $34.95
Today's Bonus: 30% Off

I'm in a process of ridding my kitchen of all Teflon pans. I wanted a large cast iron pan in my collection but my glass cooktop would not permitt... until I found lines of enamel coated cast iron pots and pans. However, most the prices were out of my budget range. That's when I ran into this great deal. I have been using this pan for over a month and I love it! (still getting use to the extra weight associated with all cast iron cookware). $40.00 and free shipping. . .two thumbs up as a GREAT BUY.

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Every household should have at least on cast iron pan. This is why; they are great for searing meats: steaks, burgers, tuna steaks and the like. Bacon in the morning: Somehow bacon cooks up well in this pan, probably because of the even heat distribution and retention. Anyways, this is a good sear pan. My only criticism is the inside surface is gritty, so it is not good for cooking eggs or pancakes. These items tend to break-up when you try to flip them. This is not a good general purpose pan, consider it a specialty pan. But what it does it does well!

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I got this at a local shop specializing in close outs for $25. This was an absolute steal, probably the buy I have had all year. This is a very heavy enameled cast iron pan in a pretty red. The pan is a very thick cast iron with a thick handle. It easily weights more than similar LC, Staub, Lodge pans. It has a much needed helper handle. The inside is a black enamel that easily washes up and you don't have to worry about re-seasoning it. (you do have to season the rim, which is no big deal). I cannot speak for longevity yet, but this one cooks wonderfully, nice and even. I bought one and was so impressed I went back and bought the next size up. Get one while you can!

Honest reviews on Tramontina Gourmet Cast Iron Saute Pans

Takes a while to get hot but holds its heat beautifully. The porcelain chips easily so have your husband wash it. The porcelain is smooth and flat for ceramic top ranges.

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I have never had so much difficulty cleaning a pan after cooking scrambled eggs! Food clings to this pan with impressive tenacity.

The interior of this pan is very rough and the material is not smooth at all. This is in no way a non-stick pan, in spite of the porcelain enamel coating.

After spending more time cleaning the pan than cooking scrambled eggs and eating them, I will in the future use this pan only for cooking food that is very unlikely to stick.

I bought a Bialetti Aeternum pan at the same time, and I'm very happy with the Bialetti.

Maybe my pan is defective, and not actually enameled? I have a Tramontina dutch overn that has a white enamel interior, and it works great. This Tramontina saute pan has a black interior, so maybe the factory forgot to enamel this pan....

Best Le Creuset Signature Enameled Cast-Iron 3-1/2-Quart Round Braiser Deals

Customer Ratings:
List Price: $305.00
Sale Price: $239.95
Today's Bonus: 21% Off

I decided to try my first Le Creuset around 6 months ago because I had heard such great things about the cookware: lasts so long you pass it down, great results, easy to clean and take care of for cast iron.

They were all true and then some. I started with the almost 11.75 inch skillet. It worked fantastic. It is fairly non-stick to start with and then it just gets better. I know some people season their Le Creuset. Following the instruction booklet, I don't. I then got a dutch oven for whole chickens, pot roasts, stews, soups, and that has been fantastic.

To round out my collection I was looking for a casserole. Now you can get 'bakers' and casseroles from Le Creuset that are not cast iron. I specifically wanted cast iron because of my previous great experiences. I was pleased to find this and the cover was a big plus. I bought the previous version of this item with the plastic knob that only go to 350. If you get one of these at a sale and you are not sure I would replace it with the stainless steel knob that goes to 500 plus degrees.

I would recommend this over the skillet for a few reasons. It has deeper sides and holds a greater volume. A regular meal at our house has become roasting bone in chicken breasts with potatoes, carrots, and other vegetables. The extra depth and sloped sides holds more and holds liquid in. The cover adds more versatility.

Using this is fantastic. Super easy to clean. If anything is sticking just soak in warm water for 10 minutes and it falls right out. If really tough a little soap will work. Distributes heat so evenly I never burn anything. Inherently a 'green pan', you will never have to worry about additives or coatings or chemicals. These are pricey. But our food has never tasted better. Can pots and pans make food taste better? Yes. We just get more flavor cooking in these. As an added last bonus the lid fits well on our skillet. I never thought I'd be a 'cast-iron' guy but I hadn't used these. I will be trying more braising and will probably try fried chicken soon. I am sure it will be fantastic. This is a skillet plus and can fry, bake, braise, or probably any cooking method you can think of. Pricey but worth it and it will last a lifetime or more.

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I absolutely adore this cookware. My friend told me how often she uses this multi-purpose brasier, so I bought one. It's so beautiful that I leave it out on my cooktop. I use it several times a week. It's perfect for sautéing and one pot meals. After my disastrous relationship with All-Clad, I am enjoying using a quality piece from a company that you can count on.

You can sear, then use the seasoned brasier to cook other vegetables and it cleans up quick and easily.

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Below is my original one star review. After speaking with amazon and explaining that I had received this cookware damaged three times they gave me a 40% discount as a credit. In the end I feel the problem is Le Creuset packaging specifically of their braised. Dutch ovens packaging includes pieces of cardboard that prevents the upside down lid from being scratched by the pot rim. I appreciate amazons willingness to find solution that I was pleased with. So, in the end its kind of like getting my much wanted pieces of cookware as a second but in the special order color I wanted. What are the chances of that!

I highly recommend not ordering Le Creuset from Amazon. I've sent the same piece back more than a few times because of damage. It appears that plastic tabs that should protect the tops from the bottoms are often missing in shipping. This causes the enamel side of the lids to scratch against the top of the pan or pot section. Some areas of the Le Ceuset are not fully enameled. Amazon are you selling seconds or has Le Creuset's craftsmanship gone down hill? Regardless there is no excuse for the plastic protective tabs to be missing. I'm very disappointed especially considering these are very expensive pieces expected to last more than a life time. I love you Amazon but please do better insuring that your partners check merchandise. Dear Le Creuset, please provide better protective packaging for you beautiful cookware and step up your quality checks in manufacturing!!!! Some of us poor saps work really hard to save our nickels and dimes to buy your classic cookware.

Honest reviews on Le Creuset Signature Enameled Cast-Iron 3-1/2-Quart Round Braiser

UPDATE 8/29/13 I am giving an update because of the few negative reviews posted stating that they had trouble cleaning Le Creuset. Last night I made a Potato/Kohlrabi Gratin which really turned out excellent in spite of my mishap. I don't know what I was thinking, but I filled the liquid/cheese mixture up too high in my 3.5 Qt. Braiser which caused an overflow in the oven. I started the gratin out with the lid on so that the potatoes and kohlrabi would steam in the liquid so when it bubbled over not only was the sides and bottom of the braiser a mess, but so was my lid. I took the lid off so that the dish could continue to cook and brown, however, that made the overflow on the outside of the braiser also brown and stick more to my pan. Since I was browning at 415 you can imagine the browning on the outside of the braiser. My pan had quite a crust on it inside and out and especially on the rim. I let it soak for about 15 minutes in hot water with Dawn and then starting the cleaning. For what the pan looked like I really did not have that much trouble cleaning off all of what was stuck on it. I used Dawn and a Doobie scrub pad and before I knew it my pan was like new. Maybe I worked on it for about 5 minutes or so...on and off. Many pans would require allot more elbow grease for such a job and much more time. This overflow took the most time to clean up of any of my cleanups on LeCreuset enameled cast iron cookware. Also, yesterday, I roasted a major batch of our fresh picked tomatoes in my 5 qt braiser where again I had a good amount of browning (no overflow) which I want. Again, I am roasting at about 425 for a good hour + and my cleanup for that was minutes. I soaked the pan for a few minutes in hot water and Dawn. I suds up and rinsed several times and the pan was like brand new. I don't know what could be easier. The Le Creuset line of enameled cast iron cookware is just a gem. It is not delicate or difficult to clean. Anyone who likes to cook should consider at least trying one piece and then go from there. I warn you that more than likely you will want more and they are pricey, but well worth it!

FIRST REVIEW: I purchased the 3 1/2 quart LeCreuset braiser in December, 2009. I have had the 2 1/4 quart for many years and love it. Since purchasing the 3 1/2 qt I am using it constantly and don't even put it away, but leave it on the stovetop. I've done eggs over, omelets, roasted vegetables, baked pasta dishes, caramelized onions and allot more and the pan is wonderful. As far as roasting veggies in the pan you won't get a better flavor to the vegetables. Even after caramelizing onions over a flame for quite a while the pan required barely any effort to clean. There is a previous review stating that LeCreuset is delicate which is ridiculous. This line is far from delicate and the truth is that the line is a workhorse. If you have sticking you are cooking at too high a temperature. Should you have sticking just soak in hot water with a little Dawn and the pan should wash right up. The style of the braiser is invaluable and I can't imagine anyone not using this pan constantly. I have at least a dozen pieces of LeCreuset and the line is wonderful. If you can spring for the money give it a try. If you are able to purchase LeCreuset and All Clad you won't be disappointed. Check out the new All Clad d5 line which right now is only sold at Williams Sonoma.

1/11/13 Updating my earlier review. Basically...I am reviewing all 3 of the LeCreuset Braisers (a/k/a buffet casserole). At the risk of sounding uppity, I would say all that know me would regard me as a extremely good cook. I have all 3 sizes of the LeCreuset braiser with my latest being the 5 quart which is great. These braisers are invaluable. Yes..the 31/2 & 5 qt carry a little weight, but afterall...they are cast iron. I cannot understand some reviewers of LeCreuset calling these products "delicate" & "hard to clean" as it makes no sense. There is nothing delicate about LeCreuset. Although I mention that I have all 3 of the braisers, I have many other pieces that I constantly use for all kinds of things. These products are work horses in the kitchen and clean up beautifully. I don't care what gets stuck to them...a little soaking with some Dawn dish detergent and you barely have to wipe. If you have heavy duty browning stuck to this cookware you may need to give a slight rubbing, but nothing of any consequence. As an example...yesterday afternoon...1/10/13...I roasted allot...and I mean allot...if sliced up beets in my 5 quart braiser to which I add many other ingredients to the beet mix. I roasted at 410 for about two hours...because I had so much....with the lid on until the end when I then do the last 20 minutes with the lid off. Yes...there was significant browning on the bottom and sides of the braiser which one would have looked at and thought that it would be time consuming task to get all of this off. Truly...after removing the beets I soaked the braiser in hot water with Dawn detergent for maybe 5 minutes at the most and then with the rough side of my sponge I was easily able to lift all that had stuck and my braiser looked like brand new again. I would suggest not to listen to the reivewers who give LeCreuset negative comments and at least give one piece a try and a good piece to try is one of the braisers. I would start with the 3 1/2 quart or if you like to roast high quantities of food go for the 5 qt. Also, the dutch ovens are fabulous. Remember, there are people who nothing can please them....nothing....so I would not pay much attention to the negative LeCreuset reviews. Chefs all over the world use LeCreuset and Chefs are not investing in very expensive equipment that is delicate and is a problem to clean.

Find helpful customer reviews and review ratings for Le Creuset Signature Enameled Cast-Iron 3-1/2-Quart Round Braiser

I absolutely love this pan. It cooks evenly, is a great size for the oven as well as the stove top and I will be cooking with it often. But my favorite thing is the color. My entire house is in purples and it matches my kitchen perfectly.

Cheap Kitchen Classics 188-549LIB 12-Inch Heavy Gauge Aluminum Non-Stick

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I purchased this 12-inch Saute, the 8-inch Saute and the 3 Qt Saucepan from the Kitchen Classics cookware line. After doing extensive research online and in-stores, I decided to try my luck with these pans. I am amazed with the look, feel and performance of these products and at these prices!

The saute pans feel "heavy" for their size, but not in a bad way at all. They are very thick-walled aluminum and stainless steel construction, which helps evenly distribute and control the heat so my food doesn't burn.

I can tell that the Teflon nonstick coating is very durable and has been extremely effective every time I've used it. No need for any spray at all, so my cooking is healthier too.

I love the feel of the handles they have a bit of a rubberized grip, but with a soft touch. The rivets are very strong and high-quality, one of the features I really wanted in my new cookware.

What sets this cookware apart from competitors of similar quality is the PRICE. There is no way I could buy a national brand piece like this 12-inch saute pan at this price, AND get all the features and quality that are important to me. I plan to purchase the rest of the items in this line to complete my new cookware set!

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All-Clad Stainless 7-Quart Stockpot with Pasta Insert Review

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List Price: $375.00
Sale Price: $310.00
Today's Bonus: 17% Off

I have been eyeing this pot for years! I thought it could be replaced by the All-Clad 12-Quart Stainless Multi Cooker with Steamer Basket, but no dice. The multicooker has an aluminum base and takes a while to heat up. Also, unless you're cooking for an army, it's really big. I had been using the All-Clad Stainless Asparagus Pot with Steamer Basket, but it only works for 1-2 people. I needed something in between those two pots!

The pasta pentola is perfect. The seven quart size is nice. I love that it's tall versus wide. Because it is fully clad (aluminum on the bottom and sides), it heats more effeciently than the multicooker and asparagus pot.

The insert works beautifully. It drains well and after draining, you can tilt it over the pot to keep the pasta warm as you finish other items for the dish.

I love that everything is dishwasher safe. You can use Bar Keeper's friend to keep everything shining like new. All-Clad Stainless cookware will last you a lifetime. If there are ever any problems, these come with a lifetime warranty.

If you often cook pasta for a crowd and are an avid soup maker, this pot is worth the investment. I suggest purchasing it over the 6-qt stock pot and the multicooker. If the choice is between this and a Dutch oven, get the Dutch oven and put this on your wish list.

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I love this pot. I expected to use it for pasta, but I seem to have it out all the time for a wide variety of things. I use it just as often without the insert as with it, maybe more. It fits easily in the sink for washing greens. It fits nicely in the dishwasher. It's great for making pickles. It's a good size for soups and sauces, especially those that sputter and make a mess because the tall sides contain the mess well. I use it with the insert for good-sized batches of pasta (for small batches I love the Fasta Pasta) and it does a really nice job with corn on the cob standing up in the insert because you can take the corn-filled insert out and set it in the sink to cool a bit before plating the corn.

I'm an All-Clad user and know how great these pans are, but anguished a bit about buying yet another since they're expensive. I have a larger pot of this type but have found it's really too large for some things, where this pot is a more manageable size. I just finished 7 pints of sweet pickles, made tomato sauce to freeze, a great vegetable soup and will be washing the garden chard for dinner. It's a great multi-tasker.

One thing to note is that the cover is a tad bigger than the 3 and 4 qt saucepans so they are not interchangeable. Not a big deal, though. I am really happy with this purchase and it will last a lifetime (or more).

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If you are perfectly organized, focused and prepared, you don't need one of these. What's the problem, you think? While the pasta is cooking, you get the colander ready and your potholders in reach.

And then there's people like me. You know who you are. Does any of this sound familiar? You put your pasta on to cook and the phone rings. It's a friend considering dumping her boyfriend. You help talk her through it while the pasta timer ticks (Does he make your life better or worse, overall?). The timer rings...your pasta is done (He cheated on you??? Are you SURE?). Balancing the phone on your ear, you sprint to get your colander ready (How do you know he wasn't working late? He might have really had a big project at work.) Darn, the sink is full of dirty dishes...you rush to get a pot to drain the water under the colander. Good. Now where's the potholders? You stumble over the cat. You carry the water to the colander....(What...you think he's sleeping with your SISTER?). You dump the water too fast...it splatters and burns your arm. Ouch! You cross the kitchen again to get an ice cube to soothe it (He's a bastard. You TOTALLY need to dump him.) Your pasta is at least a minute overcooked and your arm is burned...but hey, a friend in need....

Consider the same experience with the pasta insert. You're gabbing away and the timer rings. You stroll over to the pot, turn off the heat, wrap your hand in your sleeve, grab the handle of the pasta insert and lift it slightly and tip it, letting it perch at an angle over the hot water. Water drains into the pot and your pasta stops cooking. You throw some olive oil on it so it doesn't clump, and you finish your conversation. Simple.

And when it's time to clean up, you have only one thing to clean: the insert. The outside pot, kept separate from the pasta, needs only a quick rinse. In the traditional method, the colander and the pasta pot both need a scrubbing. And you need to at least rinse the pot you drained it into.

In summary, if you are organized, hardworking and focus on only one task at once, a pasta insert is a waste of money and cabinet space. If you are lazy and distracted, and make a lot of pasta, you need one of these NOW.

Honest reviews on All-Clad Stainless 7-Quart Stockpot with Pasta Insert

AllClad makes two kinds of these pots. There is the cheap one that you can get for ~100 and there is this one. The cheap one has a large aluminum disk on the bottom and the sides are VERY thin stainless. This pot is like all of your other AllClad with 3-ply sandwich for the entire pot.

The water drains well and there is minimal dripping after you pull the insert. The pot is small enough diameter that you don't have to use too much water if you are making a small portion but the capacity is enough to use as a stock pot at other times.

I have read some comments about spitting/sputtering around the edge. I haven't experienced this problem but I can see where you could have the problem if you overfill the pot. When the water level is higher than the strainer holes, bubbles could come up and cause water to spit around the edge.

Anyway, it is worth the investment and is a good choice over the cheaper version. The versatility and multi-purpose ability of the pot make it a clear winner.

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This is a favorite cookware item of mine. It is the perfect pot for so many different recipes besides pasta. I have found it to be perfect for candy making. It is durable, maintains an even temperature, cleans easily and maintains its beautiful appearance. Although the price may seem high, once used, it is clear that it is a quality product that is worth every penny.All-Clad Stainless 7-Quart Stockpot with Pasta Insert