Kuhn Rikon Duromatic Family Style Pressure Cooker Braiser Reviews

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List Price: $270.00
Sale Price: $203.68
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This pressure cooker is probably the best on the market and a perfect size for a family. But, watch what you are purchasing, there are 2 separate types of lids on the Duromatic pressure cooker. This is the superior lid as it is easier to see the pressure, and turn it down to appropriate settings-fast release, slow release, with minimal effort. The other Kuhn Rikon's are awesome too. As far as I can tell, they are the same, with the exception of the lid/release. If you have the extra money, this is worth it--especially if you are a beginner. I regret that I bought the duromatic set without realizing the difference in the lids. I guess on the bright side, it means that I have pressure cookers in different sizes now.

If you are nervous about pressure cooking, there are awesome books out there to help lead the way-including pressuring cooking for dummies. My favorite is Miss Vickies Book of Pressure Cooker recipes, also found on amazon. She also has a website that offers a lot of free information as well as free recipes (although some have a small charge).

So, cook your food faster, save energy, retain more nutrients, and serve delicious homemade meals that seem like you have spent all day in the kitchen.

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My wife recently mentioned that most people have pressure cookers. I don't know about that... but, now that we bought this Kuhn Rikon 7.4 quart pot, I have to say that I am very impressed and I feel I've been strangely uninformed all these years about the capabilities of a pressure cooker.

I've organized my thoughts into two categories: pressure cooking in general, and this Kuhn Rikon product specifically.

Regarding the magic of pressure cooking, we've tried a variety of items, including mashed potatoes, ribs and one-pot meals. They turned out very well. They were quick. They were simple. The pot cleaned up easily. The flavors seemed to be more "sophisticated" than I've typically produced on the stove. The flavors were all blended together as if they'd been simmering for hours. All in a matter of minutes. Pressure cooking authors Lorna Sass and Vickie Smith each offer pretty good cookbooks with plenty of good advice and recipes to newbies like myself.

One thing I would point out... I was skeptical about cooking something in a mere 4 or 6 or 8 or 10 minutes. And in a way, I was right. The cooking times associated with pressure cooking refer to the time once pressure has been reached. For me, on our gas stovetop at fairly high heat (I never use the highest setting), it takes about 10 minutes plus to get "pressurized". Then, after the cooking time has elapsed, you have to take the time for the pot to depressurize. This pressure reduction can take just a few minutes to about fifteen, depending on the method used. So, it is true you can throw a bunch of ingredients into a pot, close the lid and be completely done in a half hour, but I wouldn't tell anyone that dinner will be ready in eight minutes as you secure the lid and turn up the burner!

Now, my thoughts on the Kuhn Rikon 7.4 qt cooker... At first, before I understood the product, there were two things that bothered me. I have resolved both issues without having to contact Kuhn Rikon customer service. First, on the cosmetic side, the brand label was all bumpy and wavy. I thought something this expensive should be perfect and I couldn't bring myself to accept that the label wasn't applied with care. It turns out that the problem was with a plastic, transparent, static cling protector over the label. Once I figured this out and removed what amounts to packaging, the label was beautiful.

Secondly, when I tested the product with a few cups of water, I couldn't get the cooker to come to pressure until I tinkered with the pressure gauge. After 29 minutes of heating, the pot just sat there with steam released from the lid. After spending time reviewing the owner's manual, I decided to dissemble the pressure valve and reassemble it. That's when I noticed that the valve's screw (which allows you to dissemble and clean food out of the valve) was loose. I tightened this screw, the cooker works flawlessly, and I now know how to easily clean the valve if I should ever have to.

Beyond my first two "newby" problems, I have to say that this product is very simple to use. A clear gauge tells you when you reach either a middle pressure or high pressure, the lid is secured and removed easily, the parts are easy to clean and probably because of quality design and materials, I haven't had any scalding/burnt food issues. The relief valve apparatus works well, allowing you to simply turn the top knob and it depressurizes on its own without any heat on hand or arm. No holding under tap water in the sink. It appears to be built for many years of use and claims that Kuhn Rikon is the jewel of pressure cookers just might be true.

I wondered about what size would be best. I am glad I have this size. It isn't unreasonably large. It is tall enough that no food has reached anywhere near the top. Just steam. So... cleaning is easy, and I am very sensitive to difficult cleaning chores after preparing a meal.

Overall, I have to say that I wish I had had this years ago. I think it will revolutionize cooking in our home. I always thought the microwave was the best tool to increase speed over conventional cooking, but pressure cooking seems to produce better results. I highly recommend this product, it is well worth the seemingly high price.

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I grew up watching my mother use a pressure cooker with a balancing weight on the lid and constantly terrified that it was going to explode.

It has taken me 20 years to get over that fear and after doing a lot of research, I finally bought a Kuhn Rikon Duromatic Pressure Cooker. As a working mother with two young children, I have NO IDEA how anyone survives without a pressure cooker. I use mine almost every day. Unlike a slow cooker, I'm not worried about whether my house is burning down because I left the slow cooker .... cooking.

I started with spareribs, which after 15 minutes tasted like they had been braised for 3 hours. Then I moved on to risotto, which after 6 minutes is delicious, creamy, and tastes like I slaved over the stove stirring it constantly for an hour. I have also made soups, which are quick and easy.

The pot is easy to use, easy to clean, and safe. Rather than wasting gas/electricity simmering a dish for hours, it's finished in literally a fraction of the time. And it doesn't sound like an airplane's landing in your kitchen.

This is by far the wisest kitchen appliance purchase I have ever made.

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I use this pot at least once a week, particularly for risottos (try a butternut squash version!) and tougher cuts of meat, which cook to fork-tenderness in a trice. It's also fantastic for cooking dry beans (try the heirloom beans from Rancho Gordo) -no need to soak overnight.

You have to keep an eye on the pressure indicator, but over time you learn how to adjust the burner to maintain high (but not too high) pressure for the recipe time. You can't really walk away from the kitchen, but then the cooking times are pretty brief.

Lorna Sass' cookbooks -Cooking under Pressure and Pressure Perfect: Two Hour Taste in Twenty Minutes Using Your Pressure Cooker -are invaluable. I haven't had a bum recipe yet.

I also have a smaller Fagor model, but I prefer the larger size as well as the simpler Kuhn-Rikon controls. For lots of dishes, you're not supposed to fill the cooker more than halfway, so anything smaller than four quarts is often too small, and the bigger size can handle everything.

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Although I love this pressure cooker, I wish I had purchased a larger size. That is entirely my fault. Clearly I'm not going to make a huge soup in a 3.7 quart pot. Potential buyers should think about what it is that they expect to cook and how much, and then select an appropriate size. 3.7 quarts sounded big enough to me, but remember that the pressure cooker can only be filled half way for pressure cooking soups, grains, beans, and foods that expand, or 2/3 full for other foods.

The pressure cooker comes with a recipe book, however all the recipes are for size 4 quart or larger pressure cookers (except the frying pan recipes).

The instruction manual says it is NOT suitable for apple compote, cranberries, porridge (oat flakes), barley, peas, pasta, macaroni, rhubarb, or some cereals because those foods tend to foam and froth and could block the valve.

Otherwise, this pressure cooker is great! I have no problems with it. It works wonderfully. I will happily use it to make my dried beans, brown rice, and veggies.

Someday I may even buy a bigger one :)

Discount Vollrath 4008 10-Guage Aluminum Wear-Ever Fry Pan with Natural

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List Price: $26.30
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perfect for what I wanted, I'm going to order more for all the sizes that I need for cooking they are easy to clean too because you don't have to worry about none stick coating

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Imusa Victoria Cast Iron Tortilla Press, 6-1/2-Inch Reviews

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My husband is Mexican and is very picky about tortillas. We only eat corn tortillas and don't eat the preservative-laden tortillas in supermarkets. With a bag of Maseca, you can make as good tortillas as it is possible to obtain in the US outside of a huge Mexican enclave with a real tortilleria. We were stuck with an aluminum tortilla press for years and it's a total waste of time -you cannot get thin tortillas with it at all, because the press is simply too light. This one is terrific. You must use some type of liner, like a slit plastic bag ( a filmy produce bag works great) or wax paper to place the dough between, but you can get super, super-thin tortillas with it. If you have an aluminum tortilla press, give it to a kid to pretend making tortillas with Play-Doh and buy this one. You will not regret it. This is one of the best kitchen purchases I have made in the last ten years and it's an essential in our house.

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I bought this item from target yesterday and couldn't be happier with my purchase. I use this to make Indian chappati/roti bread.

All you have to remember is to keep the dough ball inside the plastic sheets. This is also written on the box and the reason is very simple ... this is made of cast iron and if it is exposed to moisture it will rust.

Just remember that this is basically 6 inches in diameter !

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This thing WORKS. My big drawback is it arrived in a HUGE box and arrived BROKEN the handles had been knocked off. HOWEVER, Amazon replaced it rather quickly, and the second one is great. As everyone else says, it is coated in oil, and that is all right. I washed it off and coated with with olive oil, like all my cast iron stuff (living in a humid environment, everything here needs a good coating of oil :-)). It works, and using the plastic bags is a good thing.

So, if you need one, and cannot live without fresh tortillas, get one. I missed Texas for a looooong time because of the tortillerias there....fresh tortillas at all restaurants and the food but now, I have learned to make salsa, fajitas, and a myriad of other good foods, so I am not so homesick :-)....especially since I can have my OWN corn tortillas!

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I received my press yesterday and went right to work making tortillas. This was exactly what I needed.

Taking the advice of other reviewers here, I used a cut zip lock back with all sides split except for one to line the press.

The little dough balls need to be slightly to the back of the center of the press, closer to the hinge than the center.

Close the press, and wiggle the handle a bit from side to side to get them even thinner than just by pressing. I made both corn and flour tortillas and was very happy with my results.

The press had some sort of black grease on the inside of it, so when you first get it, wash it and carefully dry the edges that contact the plastic lining or any possible food! I'm sure they did that to keep rust down.

Perfect size for making chips or tacos or rolling up an enchilada. I think it should make nice pastry circles too perhaps for small pot pies. I played with one tortilla and one of the small corning rounds. It fit well.

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I received my Imusa Victoria Cast Iron Tortilla press and it was in good condition. It seems like a high quality, well constructed item made of durable iron which looks to be chrome plated or coated with something because its a lot shinier and nicer looking than natural iron. I tried it out immediately after receiving it and was very impressed with how it worked. I saw other reviews that said people broke it when pressing tortillas but I'm really not sure how they did that. Its well made of solid iron with good hinge pins and takes practically no pressure at all to press even the thinnest tortillas. I knocked out about a dozen or so tortillas and it worked great on all of them. I would recommend washing it before use as it does arrive coated with oil or something but you should do that with any food prep devices anyway. I highly recommend this product. Definitely well worth the $$$

Reviews of Presto 05100 PowerCrisp microwave bacon cooker

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List Price: $17.99
Sale Price: $13.99
Today's Bonus: 22% Off

As I rapidly roar toward middle-age, I have not been paying as much attention to my diet as I should. Then on my forty-something birthday, my friend gave me this Presto 05100 PowerCrisp Microwave Bacon Cooker. It was one of the best gifts I've ever received. Besides removing unhealthy grease and fat from my bacon, it actually is neater and more convenient than using a frying pan. But health, convenience and neatness be darned! The bacon tastes great! This is a great product.

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This Presto bacon cooker is GREAT! I have tried several in the past and was never happy with any of them. I love this one. Cooks the bacon well and clean up is wonderful. This is what I'll be giving as Christmas and wedding gifts this year.

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You can fit 10 slices at once, which is important to us. Hot bacon is easy to remove 5 slices at a time with a knife. Thick or thin cut works well. The cooked strips are bent but easily flattened when you lay them on a plate. If the bacon edges stick together, let them cool for a minute and they're easily seperated.

Cleanup is a minor task.. take apart the racks and place them in a dishwasher. Next dump the grease from the pan (there's a lot!!) and place that in the dw as well. Its well worth the effort since the bacon comes out perfectly!

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I've found this product to be so-so. After using it several times, I've concluded that traditional pan fried bacon tastes much better with a more satisfying texture. The best thing I can say about this bacon cooker is that it is a relatively simple process and the bacon doesn't sit in grease at any time while cooking. The results, however, have varied from poor to mediocre so I'll probably stick with pan fried bacon for 5 or less rashers or bake it in the oven when I need lots of rashers at the same time, which has always come out great. Also, this product is less easy to clean than either a fry pan or a baking tray, which are each a single surface. With this, you have to clean 5 separate components.

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Although I only eat bacon a few time a year, this is the "bomb" as a product, it is great. Put the bacon on the rack and set the microwave for about 1 minute per slice and you get perfect crunchy well drained bacon in record time. Next pour the fat out of the tray into the trash and put the whole thing in the dishwasher and it's clean and ready for the next use. Imagine your bacon is done before the toast and eggs . . .

Buy Magefesa Delicia Non Stick Stainless Steel Fry Pan

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We have a bed and breakfast, so good quality cooking tools is very important to us. We bought this pan last year, only one because that is all they had at the time. We liked it so much for making our omelets that we decided to replace our other pans with two more if this one. Sadly, when we received these, and have since used them, we were very disappointed with their change in quality. The metal is thinner and the handle is different. The nonstick surface is different as well. They are a much lower grade of product then before.

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Extremely well pleased with this skillet. Infact I have purchased two more of the same in larger sizes. I would highly recomend these skillets and the prices are great.

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My husband wanted a new non-stick skillet for eggs. After reviewing several, I decided onthe Magefesa. I have not been disappointent and neither has he!

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I cook mostly on a INDUCTION stove and have tried a couple of Stainless Steal non stick fry pans and had a hard time getting even cooking. I tried the 10" Magefesa Pan and am delighted. It is made in Spain and has that European quality.

Best Cuisinart MultiClad Unlimited Dishwasher Safe Skillet Deals

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List Price: $70.00
Sale Price: $35.18
Today's Bonus: 50% Off

Basically you have 4 options for buying a pan: Nonstick, Cast Iron, Copper and Stainless Steel. This one beats them all.

Why? Because this is "multi-clad" stainless steel, Here's what you can do with it:

1. Take a room temperature steak. Pat dry and season with course salt/pepper. Heat pan on high.

2. Oil pan. Wait until just before smoke point. Sear steak 2 min each side.

3. Add aromatics (garlic, rosemary) and PUT THE ENTIRE PAN IN THE OVEN to finish it. 350 degrees -> rare/medium rare.

4. Remove steak, set aside to rest. Cover meat loosely with foil

5. Return pan to stovetop DEGLAZE pan with red wine, reduce by half

6. SIMMER add 1/2 cup beef stock. Reduce. Add butter (optional). Taste. Strain & pour over steak.

^ ALL WITH ONE PAN

You usually can't do the oven step with a non-stick. Plus their kinda dangerous. I don't trust them with liquids. They're easy to scratch too. A cast iron? Can't handle the simmering. Big no no. Plus those are kind of annoying to take care of. Copper? Waaay to expensive. Regular stainless steel? Usually not broiler safe. Most don't even have oven safe handles. Plus stainless steel by itself is a slow conductor of heat.

But this pan? it heats well, and as you can see it can pretty much do anything (oven and BROILER SAFE up to 500 degrees!). Basically this is going to be your best friend in the kitchen. It'll last forever. The only thing it lacks is a lid. To get around this i use the flat lid from my stock pot. You could also just use aluminum foil. Honestly pan lids are really only worth taking up kitchen space if you use them often. Lids are really more of a sauce pans if you ask me.

Oh and 10 inch is a perfect everyday size for 1-2 people.

Worth the money. Get one of these, a set of tongs, and a wooden spoon. Then find a cheap saucepan for spaghetti and your set.

Sneaks

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TeChef - Blooming Flower 11" Wok / Stir-Fry Pan, with Teflon Reviews

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List Price: $99.99
Sale Price: $40.99
Today's Bonus: 59% Off

First of all, this wok is a little more compact than I visualized. It is 11" across the top, 3" high, and the base measures just about 8 1/4". So this is smaller than my other stainless steel (but stained) Cuisinart wok. It came in such a small box I first thought I had been shipped the frying pan instead and was about to return to Amazon, but whoops, it was the right item. That said, I'm very happy with the feel and looks of the TeChef wok. It is solid, but not too heavy. It works well on my gas stove (this says it is suitable for all cooktops). I will be purchasing the other TeChef frying pans soon to replace my Cuisinart teflon pan set that everything sticks to. I wish they sold a complete cookware set on Amazon! However, the individual prices are still equivalent or cheaper than what I paid for my other brands. I tried to fry an egg right away (to see if it looks just like the video I found on YouTube) and found that you do need a tiny bit of oil. It was a breeze to clean up though. I'm very excited to have this new wok! I plan to do a lot of sauteing and stir fry with my summer CSA veggie share in this.

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This product is a true pleasure. I had been looking for a pan that wouldn't heat up far too quickly and burn my food. This pan has the most even heating I've ever seen. Plus it's well-made and beautiful looking to boot. Would definitely recommend.

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I purchased this pan because the one that came with my induction cooker wasn't very good..

This pan feels sturdy, non-stick, and cleans well..

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Got it on time, works every well! It is very easy to clean and you will save a lot oil which is good to have health life!

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First impression: it is elegant, and you can tell they put a lot of work into it.

I have been looking for that perfect pan, but so many disappointments so far. Until I saw this one with so many good reviews. So far, I love how slippery it is. Nothing sticks. So easy to clean, most of time you can just wipe it with paper towel. I really like how they made the handle, because there is no round screws inside the pan, which prevents the stuff stuck in there. My mom loved it after I showed her. Now I am buying her one too.

Hopefully it will last me a long time. If it will, I will buy more products from the company. Good job TeChef!

Spiegelau Classic Bar Longdrink Glass, Set of 2 Reviews

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List Price: $21.00
Sale Price: $20.11
Today's Bonus: 4% Off

These glasses, though nothing fancy, have a classic feel to them. They are a great weight, though the rims up top feel slightly thin. Despite this I feel certain that these glasses will last many years to come, as long as I don't drop them. The bottom of the glass is weighted, and the bottom is not flat, so it is easier to stir things into drinks and make sure all the sediment is taken care of, but at the same time, there seems to be enough space to muddle a mojito inside these glasses, since to me mojito glasses are simply these glasses anyways. These glasses are perfect to serve up any member of the Collins family, or serve many other cocktails into these glasses that don't call for cocktail glasses (martinis, e.g.) or margarita glasses. I would recommend these glasses for non-cocktail use as well.

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the rim of the glass is super thin (a little less than 1/16" thick) which i like very much... makes the glass feel very delicate... it's also nice and tall and fills a good amount of water... it is beautifully made and has a tiny 1/8" tall frosted "spiegelau" name branded upside down at the bottom of the glass which you can see right side up when looking down through the top of the glass...

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This is a very nice glass for water, cocktails, juice, etc. It is not so ideal for 12 ounces of beer because it has no capacity for foam. The Amazon site lists the capacity as 13 ounces, however the product's box states 12.3 ounce. The 12.3 ounce statement from the manufacturer appears to be correct.

Not much room for foam, even a 12 oz. soda pop is on the verge of overflow. It takes very careful pouring and waiting for the head to subside to get the entire contents of a beer (or pop) into the glass.

The overall quality of the glass is excellent, and it a pleasure to drink out of this glass, the thinner edge adds to the effect. The bottom is extra thick, and holds a lot of coolness in the drink, so I usually have two of these glasses in the fridge, The beverage stays colds longer that way.

The glass appears to be durable. We do not use the dishwasher for these normally, but they have survived at least 2 inadvertent full cycles. Usually a drop of liquid dish detergent and hot water gets them sparkling clean. The package mentions a new, more durable design; I have accidentally banged these around more than a couple of times, they took a licking and I kept on sipping.

4.5 stars for quality, 3.5 stars for cost ($9 per glass)

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The glasses look nice and were purchased at a good price. No true complaints so far, just nitpicky observations. The glasses are not very heavy and definitely don't have the thickness and presence of some of my other barware. Weight is a preference, so this may be a pro if you want a lighter glass. I'm not impressed with the hand feel, and the rims are thin and don't instill confidence, either. Manufacturer claims the "platinum finishing process" makes the glass harder, so I don't know if this is advertising fluff or a legitimate assertion only time will tell. I may or may not run them through the dishwasher. As mentioned prior, I have my reservations due to the perceived fragility of the glasses, but I may be willing to take one for the team to test their resilience. My honest opinion spend a little more for something more substantial, or spend less and buy the same design from a different manufacturer. At least I can tell my girlfriend the glasses were Made in Germany, for what it's worth (more advertising fluff?).

**Update 2/28/13 I've run these glasses through the dishwasher multiple times, with no issues. They've held up for the almost 3 months we've owned them. The physical glass is still crystal clear, with no annoying soap scum issues or wear-and-tear imperfections. Upgraded to 4-stars based on this. I'll update again, maybe after a year of ownership.**

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I bought eight of these, and in the first six weeks I owned them they ALL broke in the dishwasher. Every single one. They're very good-looking, and I've had good luck with other Spiegelau glasses, but these were the worst. Ended up getting a refund, which was nice, but would recommend other glasses instead.

Reviews of Cuisinart 44-10N Contour Stainless 10-Piece Cookware Set

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List Price: $420.00
Sale Price: $159.95
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This is the 2nd cuisinart set I have owned. This one is better then the last because the are dishwasher safe and they clean up like new. It took me a couple of weeks to get used to the fact that less heat is better and now I am totally enjoying my set.

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Discount Cuisinart 445-22 Contour Stainless 5-Quart Dutch Oven with Glass

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List Price: $80.00
Sale Price: $39.95
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This is great sauce, stew soup, chili and steamed corn/clam pot> ( I have the 6 qt. with steamer insert.)Great looking and a professional style/quality with it's unique contour shape it is well worth the money @ about $ 40.00. I have used it constantly for five months now. It does not require high heat settings for most cooking applications and cleans up like new. I do recommend a good stainless cleaner to clean the underside periodically.

In fact, I like Cuisinart's Contour line so much that I have most of them from sauce thru 6 quarts. I know they have a larger 8 quart, but that is more than I need with a five and six quart pots.

Highly recommended.

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This is a very attractive pot. Beautiful mirror finish on the outside, polished on the inside. It speaks to a good quality stainless used in manufacture. Also has a heavy bottom plate. I've only used it a little to date, but it works well on the stove top.

Caveat: I expected a 'Dutch Oven' to be fairly substantial in weight, to promote even heat-transfer in the oven. This pot is not. While the bottom is thick, the walls are quite thin.

I haven't tried to use it for baking or roasting anything yet, and maybe it will work OK. I'm just saying I was surprised when I opened the box; none of the reviews had noted this.

By way of comparison, an ordinary KitchenAide pot I bought last year has almost double the thickness of material compared to this 'Oven'. It provides very good performance in or out of my oven. Just my observation, FYI.

For ordinary use this Cuisinart is a beautiful pot, especially if you find it on sale. As a 'Dutch Oven', I'll let you know later.

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Because of its large size, and the fact that I only cook for two, I mainly use this pot for boiling lasagna noodles, or when I make a big batch of soup or stew.

The bottom is very thick, which is good for my gas stove. Also, the lid is attractive, and sturdy. I do wish the handles did not get so hot. I always have to use mitts to pick it up when cooking, which gets annoying.

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I purchased the basic set of Cuisinart stainless steel pots and pans (and love them), and this new Dutch Oven addition to the set is delightful. Easy to use, cleans up well, and I am loving using it.

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I got this as a freebie promotional when I ordered my 17 piece Cuisinart set and I just LOVE IT. It of course is great quality being Cuisinart. It is the Contour series and I do like the design of it.

Cheap All-Clad 3021 Hard Anodized Aluminum Nonstick 11-Inch Square

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List Price: $155.00
Sale Price: $48.05
Today's Bonus: 69% Off

I am not a big fan of the All Clad LTD line but I do love this pan. I much prefer the All Clad polished stainless steel line (I have almost every piece and love it) but at time I was making this purchase I didn't know they made a stainless griddle and I also wanted the nonstick surface, I am pretty sure the stainless griddle is not nonstick. This griddle is a perfect size for pancakes. I debated on the grande size, I decided that since I don't make pancakes everyday it didn't make sense to spend the extra money and deal with storing the larger size. Also, I prefer smaller pancakes and this size is a better price and much easier to store. It is a great size for 4 small/medium-sized pancakes. I imagine it would also be more challenging to keep up with more than 4 at a time, particularly of you are making eggs at the same time.

This pan is not dishwasher safe due to the nonstick surface, but don't worry it is a breeze to clean. This pan is very, very well made and is backed by a lifetime warranty. Sometimes this pan is sold {at a special price} if you see it grab it. It is a steal at that price. Once you try All Clad you will be hooked too! Highly recommended! A+!

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Part of the cachet for me in purchasing an All-Clad product was that their factory is less than 50 miles from my home. I always try to support American MANUFACTURERS, and was quite shocked to find this particular piece labeled "Made in China for All-Clad."

Damn. You can't trust anybody. But as for the product---

It is a solid performer. The non-stick surface is very effective, and remember to follow the directions and cook on a lower heat than you normally would. The thick aluminum transmits heat well, and also holds the heat, so when your item is done, get it off the pan.

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I have had this pan for two years. I have probably used it more than 100 times, usually to make pancakes or french toast. It does a very good job, better than the Calphalon griddle that I had before. I downgrade it because it scratches too easily -and I have made an effort from day one to take very good care of it, using only nylon spatulas, promptly washing it gently by hand, and storing it so it won't be scratched by other pans. Still, after all that care, it has become scratched. So my verdict is that the griddle does a good job but it requires a lot of TLC.

Honest reviews on All-Clad 3021 Hard Anodized Aluminum Nonstick 11-Inch Square

I love this pan! I have the All-Clad stainless line, and bought this pan when my youngest daughter started to like grilled cheese sandwiches. You just can't cook more than one sandwich at a time in a regular fry pan. This pan has plenty of space to cook 4 sandwiches at a time, or 4 pieces of french toast, or 4 eggs... the list goes on and on.

My dad came to visit, and was coerced into making pancakes. He had always used a square electric griddle at home, but he gave my griddle pan a try. He liked it so much I gave him one for Christmas! Once again, plenty of space to cook 4 pancakes at a time.

The non-stick coating is durable, the food slips right off, and it is easy to wash. That is important, because this pan can't go into the dishwasher. It is also rather heavy, but since I just set it on the burner and cook, that isn't an issue either.

Bottom line is that both my father and I are very happy to make room in our kitchens for this pan.

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Not a great griddle. The finish requires alot of maintance to keep it non-stick. Have to clean it with baking soda after each few uses. I've had it about a year & it is so warped that it's un-usable. I called All Clad because it it supposed to have a warranty but they require you send it to them & they have to check it out & approved it & possibly in a few months they would do something but they said more than likely it was user error from using it on too high of heat. So in short, I'm out of luck. So don't waste your money on a cheaply made product. Spend a little more & get a good product.

ManPans Fry Pan Skillet Reviews

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Like most customers, I researched my pans and decided on ManPans because of all the great features: PTFE free, non-toxic, non-stick (as best as possible). I purchased a 12" and 10" pan back a while back in 2012 to add to my stainless steel collection hoping these would be much easier to cook with and clean. I started my ManPan cooking test with my 12" frying pan starting with eggs.

It worked as advertised for the first few eggs, then after a while the right side of the pan started sticking in an unusual manner. The left part retained most of the anti-stick properties. I e-mailed support and continued to follow directions: oil the pan, use lower heat settings, use a metal spatula, etc. I followed their directions and the pan suffered. I cooked several eggs throughout the week and noticed a pattern of stickiness in the pan and took several pictures that revealed a section of the pan that lost its non-stick ability.

I e-mailed all the pictures to warranty and they sent a replacement pan free of charge citing that the manual coating of the pan was unusually worn. Okay, I get a new pan to start again. After repeated cooking the same thing happened...and get this...in the very same right side of the pan. What a disappointment. After a few weeks the issue remained.

This pan sounded too good to be true and it is. I'm sure mileage may vary by users, but my mileage on these pans were short lived. I love the lightweight design and the handle. Otherwise, not a spectacular pan. I still use my stainless steels.

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not non stick. nothing about these pans is non stick. no non stick coating. I can not believe the other reviewer would even state such a thing... you need to use oils and still everything sticks! I purchased these pans over a year ago and in my opinion, overpriced and really unhappy with pans. when I contacted the company, The company didn't care that their claims did not hold up. pans were not flat surfaced at all. would not work on my flat top stove so I actually went out and purchased a new stove. The pans looked like crap within 30 days. then my dishsoap which is grapefruit base, actually ruined the surface of the pan. I used to have a review on amazon stating ALL my grievances about these pans including detailed photos but it looks like the company pulled the entire listing off the web and relisted the product again without my review. The only other review on here for these pans looks pretty fishy to me. regular amazon reviewers are sure to notice the usual tricks that appear to be from someone who possibly is affiliated with the company. It still ticks me off that this company didn't care one iota that their claims of flat pans were untrue. If anyone wants to stick their neck out on these pans and a company who didn't care, I've got an entire set of really crappy looking pans that I can sell for way too much money and all your food will stick.

Update: 9/26/13

After spending almost $400 on an entire set plus additional pieces from the manufacturer with nothing but problems, I had to make do and use this set for the past 2 years. The husband didn't want to shell out more money for a new set after I begged for these horrible manpans. I can't stress how terrible these pans are. I now have shiny metal showing directly through the bottom of these pans. After showing my husband the shiny metal showing through, he finally agreed to let me purchase a new set of cookware. for the $400 intial investment I expected great pans that performed as the manufacture stated and pans that last. They didn't. Buyer Beware. I have now switched to WearEver . If purchased in champagne color but if you like red, they have a wonderful set of 15 pieces for a low price.

WearEver C944SA64 Pure Living Nonstick Ceramic Coating PTFE-PFOA-Cadmium Free Dishwasher Safe 10 Piece Cookware Set, Champagne Gold

Don't make the same mistake I did in purchasing these worthless pans.

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Understand that these are NOT Dupont non-stick pans! I wanted pans without the harmful non-stick coating. These pans are great! I add a tiny bit of butter or canola oil (as directed) and my omelets come right out. They clean up in a breeze, just don't let them sit forever or you'll need a bit of elbow grease. We use metal utensils on the without any issues. These are a great complement to any set of pans! We cook everything from pancakes to stir fry with ease. I am very happy with this purchase and its a great alternative to traditional non-stick pans!

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this is a great pan! good non-stick pan, good size! and made in the USA! would highly recommend this pan!

Review of Steaming Thermometer 1" Dial & Thermometer Clip - Espresso Milk

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The steaming thermometer works great. I got perfect mochas every time. (The secret is Nestle's chocolate syrup. It has no High Fructose Corn syrup and yet it's delicious and sweet.)

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Cheap (pricewise) product. Thermometer works as described, but had to spend some time adjusting the clip to fit the relatively thin-walled frothing cup. Easy to read display with a marked zone on the dial.

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Fine thermometer. Works well for frothing. Just wish the face of it was larger so the temperature was easier to read.

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I purchased this for our Coffee Machine at Church and it works beautifully. I am very satisfied with the quality and price.

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I use this little thermometer to steam milk for lattes and cappuccinos. It works great. Easy to clean.

Cheap Alligator Mini Cutter

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List Price: $27.99
Sale Price: $20.16
Today's Bonus: 28% Off

I've used one of these for a couple of years and find the tiny dice essential for garlic and other things as well. I have other garlic tools, but this is my favorite because it is easy to clean and the results are so consistent. None of the other dicers on the market have this fine a grid, so it's the best choice for things you want in really small pieces. I use mine for garlic frequently, but also for pickles or olives I'm adding to a salad, radishes that are especially tangy, herbs and sometimes small onions or shallots when I want the small dice.

The unit is small so the item placed on the grid has to be small, but the dice is beautiful and exactly right for tuna salad, for example, where you want small pieces of things. I still use the bigger sized unit for the celery I add to the tuna salad, and in fact often use both units for most preparations since the tiny pieces of garlic are ideal even if I want the bigger dice for other things.

I never put either of mine in the dishwasher because they are so easy to clean under the faucet and have ready for the next concoction. The little grid that fits down over the `teeth' is by far the easiest solution for removing any embedded pieces. I highly recommend this gadget for its ease of use and reliable results--the perfect fine dice.

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I have found that for me, the best way to immediately get the little diced cubes I want is to first slice the garlic, shallot, or small onion into uniform slices, then put them into the cutter and hit it -in one stroke, the cubes are there. Very nice! Note that if the item is juicy, a bit of spray can result, so don't keep your face right over it when you hit it. If necessary, put just a few slices at a time into the slicer and hit it; remove them and carry on with more. For final clean up, it is handy to have a toothpick to finish the cleaning between the blades during washing.

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I agree with all the kudos, with one reservation. The little plastic insert used to clean out the device after using the dicer has started to split and it will eventually break apart. That piece is very helpful in keeping the dicer clean so it looks as if I will need to order a whole new unit even though the part probably costs pennies to replace. I am not sure if I mishandled it or not! I will be interested to see if others encounter the same problem. Otherwise, it is great!

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I will never use a messy garlic press again! I get 100% of the garlic I put into the alligator and the clean up is amazing and so easy. What a brilliant idea!

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Great for mincing garlic for uniform sizes for all kinds of recipes! Don't forget to put the little mesh square in before you mince the garlic or it is impossible to get all the garlic out of the teeth or to clean it well.

I melted the little square in the silverware basket of my dishwasher and I had to immediately buy another mincer. Can't do without it!