Showing posts with label marble cookware. Show all posts
Showing posts with label marble cookware. Show all posts

Saturday, January 3, 2015

Best Lodge LCK3 Pre-Seasoned Country Kettle, 1-pint Deals

Lodge LCK3 Pre-Seasoned Country Kettle, 1-pint
Customer Ratings: 5 stars
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They look very nice and are great for serving soups and stews. We pre-heat them in the oven for a while to help keep the soup hot when serving guests, but to avoid unpleasant surprises we do not pre-heat the lids (Lodge Logic L5MIC3 Miniature Lid). Be careful with what you put under these kettles if you pre-heat them, though; placing them straight on a plastic tablecloth may be a bad idea. (We use coasters we make from boards the kids break at tae-kwon-do.)

As is usual with this cast iron stuff, wash them ASAP and put a thin coat of vegetable oil on them to keep the seasoning healthy and the rust away.

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This is my favorite bowl for serving soup. It keeps the soup hot down to the last spoonful. It is good for finishing onion soup in as it can handle being baked in the oven. It also can be used for small sides such as pork and beanson the grill. I have made individual round loafs of bread, individual meatloaf etc. My daughter has food allergies so I have even made her own personal serving of a hot dish minus the offending food and we all still get to eat the same meal. Wonderful dish. I have used mine for 20 years and still love it. Want to purchase some for my now married children.

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I have two of these 1-pint iron pots (or "kettles," as Lodge calls them), having won them in a pizza recipe contest. The durability and longevity of cast iron is well known: as long as I keep them oiled and seasoned, they'll last for the rest of my life, and more. I live in an apartment upstairs from a family that has two little girls, and I love using these kettles to serve them desserts. A hot apple crisp is the perfect dish to make in these iron pots: fill each one with apple slices, sweetened with brown sugar and cinnamon; top with a crisp of mixed sugar, crushed walnuts or pecans, and butter; and heat it for 20 minutes in a 375 degree oven. Then you take the pot out of the oven, add scoops of vanilla ice cream on top, and you have a dessert that can't be beat. The girls devour them right out of these iron bowls.

Honest reviews on Lodge LCK3 Pre-Seasoned Country Kettle, 1-pint

We bought a few of these, and instead of making a big pan of chicken pot pie, I made individual servings in these pans. It didn't look like a very big serving until you started eating it. It was more than enough for one person. I put dough both inside and on the top of the pie. The only thing to watch is the legs. It's a little tricky to arrange the legs on the wire racks in the oven!

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This thing is perfect for a cup-sized bean dip cooker/heater-upper. Super easy to clean. Nice addition to the kitchen and outdoor cooking supplies.

Definitely watch your level, though, as if you put an exact pint in this, it's likely to spill-over.

i.e. If using a standard 12oz. can of beans or soup, you should only put about half of the can (in) at-a-time.

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Saturday, December 27, 2014

Reviews of Lock & Lock Large Shaker, 2.9 Cups, Colors may vary

Lock & Lock Large Shaker, 2.9 Cups, Colors may vary
Customer Ratings: 3.5 stars
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I like Extend ShakesExtendShake, 3-Flavor Variety Pack, 5-Count Servings (Pack of 3), but mixing them can be a problem. I make them with either cold water or cold skim milk and I have a tough time removing the "lumps." But the Lock & Lock Large Shaker solved my problem.

I do not use this as a drinking vessel. It is a "shaker", so I use it for blending liquids and powders. The Lock & Lock Shaker mixes the powder into the liquid. First, it has a top that seals so well that it is water tight (so no spills). Second, it has a gyro like removable mixer that fits into the shaker and helps the ingredients to blend.

One of the better features is the patented 4-hinge lock. When in the lock position, the lid is air and water tight, which makes it perfect for storing in the refrigerator.

I like this product.

I highly recommend the Lock & Lock Large Shaker for anyone who mixes drinks, makes shakes, or blends other liquids.

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I ordered two of these because it's a great idea to have a snap on lid. The tops are not at all what is pictured on the site. The hinge is recessed and the top only opens half way. It is impossible to drink out of!!! Do not buy this!!!

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does it mix? yes. does it secure well? yes. is it airtight? yes. could a three year old come up with a better design for a mixer? yes.

it is not what is pictured, the plastic cover of the drinking apparatus only goes back half way. acceptable for people who dont have a nose, but if you do have a nose, you have to drink from it sideways.

just poorly designed, constructed well though.

Honest reviews on Lock & Lock Large Shaker, 2.9 Cups, Colors may vary

I purchased this shaker to serve as a slightly higher-capacity salad dressing shaker than my long-used, beloved Tupperware Salad dressing shaker (2 cups). Yes, it does have slightly more capacity but there is a design flaw in that the center disk, that is supposed to assist with mixing, does not stay in place while shaking. It flips sideways and will not stay seated horizontally (like my Tupperware one does). Needless to say, I find this quite aggravating I would return it; however, it would cost more to ship back than the initial item cost. So, off to the "donate" box it goes! I purchased a different product at Target which has more capacity and a different design. Hopefully that one will do the trick!

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These shaker cups are great, but a little over kill. We bought these to make salad dressings and mix powdered shakes. They work great for both purpose, quite capable of ensuring all powder is dissolved. We have had no issues with and leaking from the seals or the pop top lid. My only complaint is the heavy duty hinges on the lid. While they do create a water proof seal, we also have a few comparable shakers using screw top lids. The hinged design is wonderful, but makes the shaker top heavy and prone to tipping when nearly empty and also takes up a lot of space in the dishwasher and cabinet shelves.

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Wednesday, December 10, 2014

Review of Rachael Ray Porcelain II Nonstick 12-Piece Cookware Set

Rachael Ray Porcelain Enamel II Nonstick 12-Piece Cookware Set, Red Gradient
Customer Ratings: 4.5 stars
List Price: $268.00
Sale Price: $159.99
Today's Bonus: 40% Off
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Customer review from the Amazon Vine Program I had a previous set of Rachael Ray cookware, and by month three the inside of the pans were flaking, so I disposed of them. Not a satisfied customer, at all. Let's see how this cookware fares in three months.

This set of cookware on first inspection is quite attractive. The set arrived very well packaged, the lids well protected, the pots and pans encased in sturdy, heavy cardboard. All cookware and lids are encased in plastic. I washed each piece in soapy water as instructed before use. The set includes 1-qt covered saucepan, 2-qt covered saucepan, 6-qt covered stockpot, 3-qt covered saute pan, 8-1/2" skillet, and a 10" skillet. All come with tempered glass lids. Two-tone gradient porcelain enamel exteriors in orange. Not my favorite color, but I was surprised how attractive this set is. The interiors are non-stick. Upon reading the helpful hints, the use of non-stick cooking sprays is discouraged. The sprays leave a build up that will impair the non-stick properties. The cookware set is oven safe to 350F.

The 3 qt. covered sauté pan is going to be my favorite pan. It is large enough to sauté any type of meat, and/or vegetables. I can make sauces and, the best part is to sauté onions and peppers. The 1qt saucepan is not something I will use often. The rest of the cookware are all of sufficient sizes that will be very useful. I used the 10"skillet to fry bacon for BLT's for lunch. I used medium heat, and the bacon was crisp, just as I like it. The addition of two cookie sheets are excellent. They are heavy and of a good size. The handles will make it easier to remove the pans from the oven. This cookware set will be used often, and that is the best test of a set of pots and pans.

Recommended. prisrob 07-30-13

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Customer review from the Amazon Vine Program This is a wonderful set of cooking pots and pans with two baking sheets thrown in as well. The baking sheets are a nice touch and really help to make this set everyday workable. I couldn't find information on the size of the baking sheets on the product page, but my calculations show that the pans are 14 1/2 x 10 1/2 inches. Everything works really well on my gas stove, the pots are heavy enough to keep them balanced on the grates without tipping over and they heat up well. My vegetable saute slipped right out after gently braising.

I love the color orange as it brightens up my small kitchen area and I'm keeping the pots out just to show them off. This set gives me just the right amount of everything, including the deep dish frying pan along with two other frying pans and a big tall pot for making spaghetti sauce and soups, etc.

I have noticed that Rachael Ray's products come extremely well packed and are sent in the original packaging. Unfortunately, the large pot I received has a small dent on top where the lid sits and two of the lids are dented. Although it doesn't effect the cooking, I wasn't happy to see that. If I had ordered this set myself, I would have been disappointed and would have contacted the company about this problem. If I had bought this set as a gift, I would have returned it. I don't expect everything to be perfect these days, but another may not appreciate the lack of inspection during the production process.

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Customer review from the Amazon Vine Program Well, let's start with the "pros" shall we?

The color is vivid and doesn't fade.

The handles stay cool while you're working.

The lid and pan are both a comfortable weight. Neither too light nor too heavy.

The lids do fit securely without a lot of steam pouring out the edges.

The pans all wash very easily due to the non-stick coating.

They are light weight, so an older person wouldn't have a hard time working with them.

The CONS:

The actual "saute" area on the bottom is a very small portion of the pan. Over half of the surface area is the sloping side, which makes it difficult to turn out a decent sized omelette or fry 4 small portions of meat simultaneously.

It dents and loses shape easily. Hypothetically speaking, if your child were to pretend they were Rapunzel and swing said skillet at say...Flynn Rider...the lid may not ever fit securely again.

The pan can go in the dishwasher, but if you do so frequently, it will destroy the non-stick lining, which is rather thin.

They are not as sturdy as the Farberware brand I used to have for around the same price.

Overall, I'm not unhappy with the pan, and I will be using it again, but I don't feel that it's of any superior quality to a much less expensive brand that I could have picked up at Walmart. No regrets, but not highly recommended.

Honest reviews on Rachael Ray Porcelain II Nonstick 12-Piece Cookware Set

They are beautiful and durable. No hot spots. Fast cleanup. Bought them for my daughter.Now I want a set for myself.

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Love, Love this cookware. I have already purchased items from this line, durable, lightweight and since the lids are clear I don't end up ruining recipes trying to peek inside. I also love the fact that I can purchase single items instead of only being sold in these sets. It is like having the best of both worlds. Not to mention the resonable price.

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Monday, November 3, 2014

Buy Mauviel M'cook 5611.24 3.3-Quart Saute Pan with Cast Iron Handle

Mauviel M'cook 5611.24 3.3-Quart Saute Pan with Cast Iron Handle
Customer Ratings: 4 stars
List Price: $200.00
Sale Price: $199.95
Today's Bonus: $0.05 Off
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I purchased this pan along with a lid from a different website than Amazon, and have had it for about three months. Overall, I'm very satisfied.

This pan has a great heft to it, which means that you can stir or manipulate the food inside one-handed without the whole thing sliding around.

The interior stainless, while a little bit stickier (because its slightly less finished) than other clad cookware, performs great and cleans up wonderfully. I always hand wash my cookware, and this item looks brand new on the outside. The inside shows use from metal utensils, but that's part of the life of a stainless pan.

The cast iron handle will (slowly) heat up as the pan is left on a burner, but I actually find it to be a good indicator of the pan's heat. Also, I find the handle super comfortable and easy to maneuver when pouring. The only disadvantage is that it's important to dry the area around the handle well to completely avoid rust. You can also season it like a cast iron pan to help the issue, though it'd be best to remove the protective coating on it first.

The pouring lip is a wonderful touch. So much of what I cook in a saute pan has a liquid component, and it's great to be able to avoid dribbles.

Aside from the slight tendency toward rust around the handle (which is more of a cosmetic issue than structural, really), the only other thing I find a little annoying about this pan is how it is prone to heat discoloration. Almost everything I cook in it seems to leave heat rings inside, and any heat above medium slightly discolors the bottom of the pan. A little vinegar after washing cleans it up to sparkling again, but it's a step that I don't have to do with all of my cookware. Oh, and though not related to the pan itself, the sticker that comes on the inside is really tough to get off. I soaked it in hot water and then used some vodka to get it loose, but I don't think such steps should be a prerequisite to even cleaning a pan.

Essentially, this is a high-performance pan with great aesthetics. When you've decided to enter this price range while buying cookware, I think the biggest differences are in appearance and feel, whereas performance will be pretty reliable no matter what the brand. I chose this brand mainly because of its great history, awesome style, and induction compatibility, though I'm equally happy with some of my pans that were half the price. Other brands that I considered were All-Clad, Demeyere, Fissler, Sitram, and Viking. I recommend holding a pan before you buy it; no amount of research can replace that.

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Wednesday, October 22, 2014

Best Revere Copperclad Bottom 1-Quart Covered Saucepan Deals

Revere Copperclad Bottom 1-Quart Covered Saucepan
Customer Ratings: 4 stars
List Price: $24.99
Sale Price: $24.97
Today's Bonus: $0.02 Off
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The difference in quality and weight of newly manufactured (overseas) Revere saucepans and those made in America half a century ago is obvious when placed side by side. I am STILL using several 1960's pans, and they remain in BETTER shape after all these years of use than the "new" ones I bought that dent so easily. Young owners of the "new" Revere will not know the difference, making "ok" or "acceptable" the new standard. How sad is THAT?!

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I have used Revere Ware copper clad pots and Farber aluminum pots for 42 years of marriage and two young girls who were hard on the pots. The Farber aluminum clad pots all buckled from the differential expansion of the aluminum cladding relative to the steal body of the pot. This took many years of use before all the aluminum clads became useless. My Revere Ware copper clad pots are all as good as the day we got them in the 1960s! So two weeks ago I decided to replace the worst of the buckled pots with new Revere Ware copper clad pots. What a mistake that was. Niced and shiny steel pots with a copper cladding for even heating. After a few day I finely used them both, I put two inches of water in the two quart pot place some frozen vegetables in also. Within minutes of heating the pot it suddenly buckled worse than any of my aluminum clad pots and of coarse heating took a long time due to the uneven base of the pot. Unfortunately, I discarded the boxes etc before ever using the pots and now have to determine if Revere will replace. On the bright side my three quart Revere Ware pot has not buckled yet.

Here are two observations, the China made pots from Revere are made of thinner copper and steel components and Revere has lost its reputation for producing quality products. It is my fault for not having read the prior reviews before considering purchase of these pots. If Revere is willing to degrade its flagship product of the last century for a little extra profit then how are we to trust any of their products. It is sad to see fine American brands degraded like this.

With the above said, lots of excellent products come from China, so this is not a China versus US made issue, its about what US manufactures are willing to do in order to make a bit more profit by sending proction oversas and reducing quality standards. All my current computers and many other high tech items are made in China and they are excellent, this is about Revere Ware and its loss of quality. Revere 3514027 2-Quart Covered Saucepan

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Our older Revereware pans are great, and part of the reason they're great is the really heavy bottom, which distributes heat evenly and extends the life of the pan.

This pan has a nice copper bottom, which is good for heat distribution I guess, but it's disappointingly thin. It's not the quality it used to be, or so it seems to me.

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This pan is not good quality. It is much lighter than the olds ones that were made in the USA! This is made in Indo-China and that should explain it all. Too bad that a product named after an American Patriot left the US to save money.

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While I will agree, my 20 year old pan is a bit heavier, this is still a very nice pan. It is fairly heavy. The lid fits nicely and the handle is firm. While we long for the past quality of goods, we can still recognize a quality item.

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Thursday, October 9, 2014

Metrokane Citrus Power Professional Juicer Reviews

Metrokane Citrus Power Professional Juicer
Customer Ratings: 3 stars
List Price: $125.00
Sale Price: $93.99
Today's Bonus: 25% Off
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So far it's been great! It's much faster and cleaner than the electric citrus juicers. It also seems to get a lot more juice out than the traditional juicers. Unlike the more powerful rotating juicers it does no get any bitter rind into the juice.

Based on the reviews I read before purchasing it, I've been careful not to apply too much force too quickly, and so far it has not broken. So far, it's thumbs up!

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after 2 months of almost daily use, the parts are loose and the crusher does not come down straight anymore. also if you have a orange that is thick skinned, this will not work as well as a machine which you can spin a orange on. this only crushes, so you need very thin oranges, like tangerines.

i would rather get a $15 juicer from walmart i think. it will work with every kind of orange

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being mechanically inclinded i had to repair it because the cone ended up sliding up the shaft, which was a major pain to get back off the shaft, but i went to home depot looked for some THICK washers to put above the cone before i put it back on the shaft, since then it works good and has done 100s of citris fruits.

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The juicer is a big disappointment. First of all, it's not big enough to do a grapefruit, which is a big flaw in something designed just to juice citrus fruits. Secondly, the quality of construction is actually fairly poor. The gear box is not holding together tightly after only a single use. I'm not actually sure it was tight when it arrived. I would keep looking if I were you.

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I read the reviews and was pleasantly surprised when I received this juicer, I like the form factor as I do not have a large kitchen and the next mechanical juicer up looks much bigger than this one. I have squeezed oranges, grapefruit, limes and tangerines this unit gets a lot of juice per squeeze. A decent sized red grapefruit barely fits and you have to guide the plunger down. I am fairly mechanically inclined and decided it would be wise to pick up a 7/16 (12 mm) flat washer to place between the shaft and the plunger head. The plunger head is easily unscrewed from the shaft to make the entire squishing assembly easy to clean. Clean up is simple and takes a few seconds to remove rinse and return. Without a doubt Metrokane could make this unit superior with a few minor changes to their design... I am happy with this juicer. If you intend to squeeze a lot of grapefruit you should consider the slightly larger mechanical juicer as you do have to pay modest attention and guide the plunger for large fruit. If you intend to be sloppy and mindlessly crank hard as you can you should get the larger mechanical juicer.

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Tuesday, September 30, 2014

Review of Swiss Diamond Induction Nonstick Soup Pot - 5.5 qt (10")

Swiss Diamond Induction Nonstick Soup Pot - 5.5 qt
Customer Ratings: 5 stars
List Price: $275.99
Sale Price: $219.95
Today's Bonus: 20% Off
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Perfect size, easy to keep clean, cooks evenly on stovetop or in oven. Expensive but well worth the price!

I highly recommend this soup pot and plan on acquiring more Swiss Diamond products!

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While expensive, the pans are almost worth the price. They are truly non stick, very well made and if they are not toxic, then they are worth the price. The pan is sturdy, yet manageable, and the right size for making pots of chili, stew or homemade soups. The Swiss Diamond pans (of which I have 5) are quite easy to use and can be used on gas, electric or induction. I hope to one day switch to induction as it is much more efficient and responsive than electric or gas so I have to be careful what new pans I buy and it is very difficult to find non-stick induction ready cookware. Swiss Diamond has solved my problem. Any new pans I buy will be Swiss Diamond.

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Bought this for GE Profile induction range. Love non-stick; and steaming vent.

Love this pot. Perfect size for many uses.

Like the lid; can see my food.

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Saturday, August 23, 2014

Discount Scanpan IQ 12-3/4-Inch Fry Pan

Scanpan IQ 12-3/4-Inch Fry Pan
Customer Ratings: 5 stars
List Price: $266.00
Sale Price: $199.95
Today's Bonus: 25% Off
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exactly as described. performs perfectly. also, i had a problem with a previous scanpan product after a few years of use. returned it and it was replaced--no questions asked.

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Friday, August 8, 2014

Review of Stansport Cast Iron Cooking Tripod

Stansport Cast Iron Cooking Tripod
Customer Ratings: 4.5 stars
List Price: $70.89
Sale Price: $28.15
Today's Bonus: 60% Off
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I recently had the opportunity to use this on a camping trip over Thanksgiving weekend. The shipping was timely, and the tripod worked as expected. The Tripod and chain was sturdy and held the weight of my 12 quart dutch oven and its contents.

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The tripod is made of durable steel and is a perfect height for using my dutch oven over a campfire. The chain is adjustable to hang various types of pots. I bought it to take on our next camping trip.

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This is made of heavy steel rods and chain as well. It can hold heavy pots. It will out last my life time.

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Looked at many other tripods but a lot of them were of questionable quality. These are truly cast iron and will last you a life time as long as you take care of them. The storage bag is a huge plus so that you can store it nicely without losing the chain.

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Received item completely different than described. Much cheaper item. Should be 45" tall cast iron but instead was 18" tall stainless steel shock corded poles such as a tent would use. http://www.stansport.com/index.php/outdoor/stoves-and-grills/15997-77.html

Item had barcode label stuck over correct bar code with "cast iron" typed on it. Hopefully really stupid human error but had an air of deception to it.

Amazon has promised to resolve, customer service very helpful. I will add to this once/if I get correct item.

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Saturday, July 19, 2014

Winware Professional Aluminum Stock Pots Reviews

Winware Professional Aluminum 40-Quart Stockpot
Customer Ratings: 5 stars
List Price: $79.99
Sale Price: $47.02
Today's Bonus: 41% Off
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I used this bad boy for the first time 4 weeks ago on a homebrew kit from Northern Brewer. The size was more than enough for a 5 gallon batch of beer (obviously), but it is always always always a good idea to overshoot your size requirement. This thing is beastly, and very very heavy duty. The handles absolutely will require mitts as they have no integrated wooden handle or anything. I do not have a very high tech kitchen, and this still fit on my stove and beneath my shelves.

IMPORTANT!!!!! When using this for the first time, fill it completely with water and boil the heck out of it! No matter how hard you clean it, you will not get the metallic taste out of the inside of this pot unless you boil it first! Yes it is hard to boil that much water, but do it. Otherwise I guarantee it will taste metallic. Once boiled, you will even see the difference on the inside of the pot. This is not an issue with the pot, just something you must know, whether you're brewing beer or cooking lobsters or whatever. You have been warned!

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Seriously, it's a pot. It is a very NICE pot, great price, thick walled, handles seem sturdy...ummm...aluminum...errrr...pot.

I use it for home brewing and am very happy with it. Got some jealous looks from my brewing buddies. A five-gallon batch (starting with 6 gallons of water) leaves plenty of head space for your boil.

I do wish it included a cover, or at least that covers didn't add another 25% onto the overall cost, but I won't dock it a star for that.

It arrived very well packaged with no dents or scratches.

So there you go. Have at it.

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I brew beer and need to boil 7 gallons at a time. This allows me to do so with ample head space. This kettle saved me a ton over a comparable steel one, and is very heavy-gauged aluminum with sturdy handles. I move this around with 6 gallons in it after my boil, and there is never a buckle or wiggle. There has been some discoloration which can be expected with aluminum but is not harmful. -1 star for not having a lid included.

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i needed a pot large enough to boil 5 gallons of liquid and still have room to spare. this pot did the job perfectly.

the pot has two heavy duty handles on each side of the pot. the handles are large so that you would have no problem handling this pot with gloves on.

this pot is thick and heavy duty and worked flawlessly for what i needed it for. it sat on my propane burner nice and level with no wobble. great quality at a great price.

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Purchased for home brewing. It's a pot that works fine for this purpose. I used it with an open flame propane cooker and it worked very well.

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Thursday, July 10, 2014

Anolon Advanced Hard Anodized Nonstick 9-Piece Cookware Review

Anolon Advanced Hard Anodized Nonstick 9-Piece Cookware with 2-Piece Bakeware Set
Customer Ratings: 4.5 stars
List Price: $400.00
Sale Price: $299.95
Today's Bonus: 25% Off
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Customer review from the Amazon Vine Program This is our second Anolon set and we are very pleased with the quality of the product. The first set his running strong since last 6 years. The non-stick quality of Anolon is nowhere less than the other top brand names which are a lot more expensive. The coating is consistent all across and it provides a uniform heat to the food inside.

The weight of each of them is appropriate for their size and doesn't feel too heavy in everyday use.

Overall, it is a great value for money if you are looking for a long-lasting product and don't want to spend on it again and again as with the cheaper store brands.

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Customer review from the Amazon Vine Program I'm really pleased overall with the quality of this set. It's thick and has a weighty feel to it, unlike cheaper sets I've used (such as Rachael Ray 87593 Hard Anodized II Nonstick Dishwasher Safe 12-Piece Cookware Set, Orange). Food releases easily, no scratches yet, and I've had no problems washing everything in the dishwasher.

If I have one complaint it's that the set doesn't include a small frying pan, and I don't care for how tall the 8-quart covered stockpot is (I prefer something shorter and wider). Nevertheless, it's worth it to spend a little more and buy this set over cheaper brands.

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Customer review from the Amazon Vine Program I had a set of Meyer pots and pans that were sold via infomercial, and they didn't last within a year or so, they warped and handles became loose. This set is MUCH better. The pans are nice and heavy, and so nonstick that food practically rinses off and water beads right up.

I love the tall handles even if it means the fry pan lid won't fit upside down in the pan as a result (I hang the lids up instead). The silicone part is quite grippy and the metal ends of the pan handles don't get hot.

All the pans are very useful for my cooking needs. The flat-bottomed fry pan is a tad small for family-sized meals; I use the larger T-fal A9108274 Specialty Nonstick 5-Quart Jumbo Cooker with Glass Lid Fry Pan Dishwasher Safe Cookware, Black for that purpose, but the smaller Anolon pan is fine for couples or singles and is easier to store.

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Customer review from the Amazon Vine Program We have used this set for about a month now and my family is very impressed with the quality. The quality of the non-stick surface is great. I have reviewed cheaper sets that had issues with melted cheese or other creamy textures. The Anolon set works flawlessly.

I like the heavier weight of the cookware. Many sets I have seen feel very lightweight. These guys feel heavier, which usually translates into longer heat retention and more even cooking.

The handles are comfortable and the set is asthetically pleasing. If I had one gripe it would be that I wish the saute pan was larger. A 5 quart saute pan would be nice. But since no cookware set provides that I really can't complain. While the set is not cheap, I believe it represents a good value when you look at the quality you are getting.

Find helpful customer reviews and review ratings for Anolon Advanced Hard Anodized Nonstick 9-Piece Cookware

Customer review from the Amazon Vine Program I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of this cookware set! I've stayed away from nonstick cookware for close to a decade now as I was constantly frustrated by how frequently they needed to be thrown out and replaced. My Stainless Steel cookware i still going strong and look good as new; however, I've come to accept that there are times where having some nonstick cookware would be ideal.

To start; each piece in this set is of solid construction and posess a nice weighty feel. The nonstick surface seems to be of excellent quality and I have high hopes that it will last longer than sets from my past. The nonstick surface is supposed to be metal utensil safe, which is a huge plus for someone like me who occassionally uses the odd metal spoon to stir/scramble/saute(probably why I so quickly destroyed so many cookware sets in the past). I've used the skillet and covered saute pan about a dozen times now and even with my rough handling, the nonstick surface is not showing any signs of even minor wear and tear. I've also cooked sticky rice in one of the smaller sauce pans and it was a breeze getting the browned rice from the bottom out without having to chip away at it.

I really appreciate the silicone handles for stove top cooking. This is something that is lacking from my stainless steel set and mits are needed when lifting the lids or transporting pots over to the sink for straining out hot water. It's so much more convenient to simply be able to lift the lid with my hand to stir, or simply grasp the pot directly in order to transfer. I do wish the lids had a built in vent (helpful when cooking rice) but they do seem to vent just fine on their own from around the rim.

Overall, I think this is an excellent buy for anyone in the market for a nonstick set. This would also make a lovely gift for a new couple, assuming they have no qualms about nonstick cookware. Personally, I see myself getting the most use out of the skillet and saute pan and would have likely purchased those separately for specific use (like for cooking eggs) but overall, I am pleased to have this entire set as part of my collection and would recommend it to family and friends.

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Friday, July 4, 2014

Buy Pedrini 6-Inch Non Stick Aluminum Fry Egg Pan, Red

Pedrini 6-Inch Non Stick Aluminum Fry Egg Pan, Red
Customer Ratings: 4 stars
List Price: $9.50
Sale Price: $8.68
Today's Bonus: 9% Off
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I bought a Pedrini frying pan, and after just 3 weeks the non-stick coating on the inside of the pan started to peel off. This while only using a wooden spoon with it. Cheap China crap. Don't buy. "Made In China" label conveniently hidden under a tag on the bottom of the pan that can't be seen unless you rip it off.

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Love the size of this pan, perfect for 2 eggs, etc. No stick,very good, will order more when needed, good brand

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Got this for sister, and she loves it. No sticking! Cleans up nicely! Perfect for those small frying needs & don't want to use a large pan!

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I Was concerned about the other reviews stating the pan had a smell, or the inside started to peal. Glad I didn't listen. I have had no problems at all.

I ordered this because it's only me, so now I don't have to get out the large frying pan to cook 1 egg, and clean up is a snap.

Could not beat the price.This little pan is just right for 1-2 eggs, a hamburger, pancake, grilled cheese etc.

Received it in 2 days free shipping with Amazon Prime.

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Used for over a year. Excellent pan for 1-3 eggs. Just a little butter before cooking and cooks quickly and evenly and superb non-stick and very easy to clean. Only drawback is that the colored under-surface became discolored quite quickly and bottom of pan looks terrible.

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Tuesday, June 24, 2014

Discount KRUPS EA8250001 Espresseria Full Automatic Espresso Machine

KRUPS EA8250001 Espresseria Full Automatic Espresso Machine with Built-in Conical Burr Grinder, Black
Customer Ratings: 4.5 stars
List Price: $1,200.00
Sale Price: $612.98
Today's Bonus: 49% Off
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Customer review from the Amazon Vine Program I just received this Krups Espresseria automatic machine. I have a Jura ENA 4 at my work so I will try to make some comparisons to them. The Jura is about the same price and they both have very similar features. I was so excited when I found out I would be receiving this Krups machine so that I can make my cappuccino at home too! I am a coffee fool so I make alot. With winter coming up this will be well used. Ok I have been using the Jura for some time at my work and it has been a very nice machine and is easy to setup, clean, and use. The Krups is no exception here as it is very easy to setup. Just fill the water container, bean hopper, set language, ML or OZ for liquid measurement, water hardness and ready to go. I use beans I buy here on Amazon. They are eight Oclock brand 50 % decaf. I chose the fine grind setting and brewed my first Cappuccio in less than a minute and the froth was superb. The coffee taste and strength is every bit as good as the Jura maybe alittle stronger with the Krups. I like that the machine is fully programable for different fill levels of coffee. You can fill one or two cups at a time. The nozzle height can be adjusted for taller cups but will not accommodate tall cups without sliding the drip tray out. The Jura can accommodate tall glasses no problem. The steam wand worked very well with no mess and produced a very nice froth and is fully adjustable for many positions. I really liked the spill tray as it has a float in it that rises to let you know when it is full. The Jura does not have this. Both machines come with a water filter to help reduce the bad flavors and reduce machine descaling frequency. The both come with a starter pack of cleaning tablets. As with any coffee espresso machine it will need cleaning to keep the flavor and machine working properly. It looks like the Krups requires less frequent cleaning. Both the frothing nozzles need cleaning frequently. All in all this is a very nice machine that will see alot of use. Oh yeah I was kind of surprised when I opened the box and noticed a small amount of coffee grinds in the machine. I called Krups customer service and was promptly advised that the machines grinders are tested during the assembly. I found no mention of this in the owners info so I was surprised but it is very nice to know that the machines are quality tested before shipping them out. Oh I should note that Jura does mention in there instructions that small traces of coffee grinds may be found in there machines for the same reason. Well I will try to make some comparisons now.

The Krups you can only use whole beans and no preground coffee.

The Jura has a bypass doser that allows you to use preground coffee.

The Jura does not come with a milk container and must be bought separately for about 80-100 dollars.

The Krups does come with its own stainless steel milk container even though it is not mentioned or shown in any of the pictures. I was really hoping it did come with it. Yeah!!

The Krups is made in France and not Mexico or China.

The Jura has a removable bean container.

The Krups does not have a removable bean container so no quick swapout of beans. Must run them all trough machine.

They both hold about the same amount of old grind cakes at 14.

The Jura needs to be cleaned every 180 cycles.

The Krups needs to be cleaned every 360 cycles. Big plus here!

The Jura takes about 44 minutes on the cleaning cycle.

The Krups take about 22 minutes on the cleaning cycle.

Both have an energy saving mode that is programable.

Both can be changed from ML to Oz for fluid measurement.

Both Krups and Jura come with a 2 year or 6000 cup warranty.

My likes about the Krups are slightly stronger coffee than the Jura.

Less frequent cleaning demands with the Krups.

Krups comes with its own Stainless milk container so you can fill it and put back in fridge when not using. The Jura you must purchase the milk container for 8-100 dollars.

Krups has a drip tray float to remind you when it needs cleaning out.

The Krups costumer service department was very quick and responsive when I called them. Oh yeah and they were all American so I could understand them.

The Krups has a better look for a home than does the Jura in my opinion.

I like being able to see how full the bean container is on the Krups without looking down in it unlike the Jura.

My dislikes abouth the Krups are no removable bean container. So when you want to change coffee beans to another brand you must cycle them through where as the Jura you can remove the bean container and empty it out.

Cannot use preground coffee as an option where as you can on the Jura.

The Krups nozzle does not raise as high as I would like to accommodate taller cups but can if you slide the drip tray out first.

So bottom line would I recommend the Krups Espresseria machine??? Yes I defiantly would!!!

UPDATE:

Ok so I have been using it for some time now and love it more than ever!! My wife too!! When just making a good old fashioned coffee the creama is so rich and yummy. I love it. I am still experimenting with all the minor adjustments you can make to custom tailor it but so far I like the grind set on very fine for a very robust flavor but not bitter at all. I am also loving the included milk container for the milk froth. It is very nice to be able to just fill it, use it, then put back in the fridge when done. Jura makes you pay extra for there milk container so nice job Krups!! Well just wanted to give an update as to how things are going here. Thanks

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Customer review from the Amazon Vine Program We're a 2-3 cup a day coffee household. This doesn't include all of the weekly trips to the coffee shop while at work for more specialized drinks. Prior to getting this espresso maker we simply brewed flavored coffee at home with cheap and disposable coffee makers. We were of course overjoyed to welcome the Krups EA8250001 Espresseria Full Automatic Espresso and coffee Machine into our kitchen. Here are my thoughts;

Pros

+ All in one unit. Stores, grinds, brews and disposes of your coffee. No outside water lines needed.

+ Stainless Steel milk frothing bottle provided. Very nice!

+ Auto clean/rinse cycle. Only needs complete cleaning once every 360 cycles!

+ Modern and sleek black look. Also, very compact in size for an espresso machine.

+ Easy to use digital interface and quick set up.

+ Water proof service guide stored inside a side slot of the machine.

+ Steamer nozzle also dispenses hot water for tea/hot chocolate drinkers.

+ Extremely quick brew time. Less than 2 minutes.

+ Energy efficient and has an auto-off timer.

+ Made in France (not Taiwan or China like many products today).

+ 2 year or 6,000 cup warrantee.

+ Machine alerts you on all cleaning/replacement functions.

+ Tool provided for easy installation of the unit's water filter. Especially useful if you have larger hands.

Cons

Incredibly expensive.

Milk frothing bottle and attachments are a bit cumbersome to use and clean.

Water filters are $18-20 each and need to be replaced every two months.

Unable to use flavored or pre-ground coffee. There's no bypass chamber to change beans. Once your coffee is in the machine it's in there until you use it.

Frother is rather rigid and has limited flexibility. It's also difficult to use on a countertop, especially with larger mugs. You need to have it on the counter edge to even get a larger cup out.

Can be rather noisey, especially early in the morning. Water tank can rattle quite a bit when brewing the coffee.

Clock display doesn't stay on when you're not using the machine.

Water dispenser tray platform is a bit small and while the coffee nozzles do raise, it's not really enough for larger coffee mugs.

Some crucial pieces of the machine are plastic (coffee nozzles, parts of the frother etc.). I would prefer them to be metal as the plastic feels like it could crack from the heat.

The Krups EA8250001 Espresseria Full Automatic Espresso and coffee Machine is something most people would never buy but would love to receive it as a gift. I'm sure there are many of these machines on wedding registries from couples with crossed fingers. For the price this machine should definitely be considered an investment. Spending this much on an espresso machine is difficult to justify. However, if you can afford the purchase price it definitely does what it's supposed to. I can absolutely say that I'm the envy of all my coffee drinking coworkers and friends. I know our household will get many years of use out of it.

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This could seriously be the best thing I have ever purchased. It is expensive, but man, it is great to wake up and push 3 different buttons a total of 5 different times and have an excellent cup of cappuccino. It could not be easier. Set up is a breeze. The machine tells you when you need water or a new filter. You can see the coffee beans. There is no mess to clean up. When it is time to empty the spent grounds (about every 10-15 cups) a message comes on, you pull out a side drawer, dump it in the trash, empty and rinse the water tray and ... voila.

We bought this assuming that it would not replace our regular drip coffee maker. But we completely stopped using the coffee maker and instead have cappuccino or cafe creme every day. The automatic cappuccino foamer is really quite clever and easy to clean. We have found that you need milk fat to make a decent foam so use whole milk or add a little 1/2 n 1/2 to whatever reduced fat milk you use and it will make a good foam. It takes a few experiments to see how long you need to let the steam run to get the right amount of milk foam to mix with the strong espresso. We have finally landed on 15 seconds. The machine always comes back to whatever setting you used last, so once you get a setting you like you can pretty much just push a few buttons and your coffee is ready in less than 2 minutes from the time you power up the machine.

It pays to experiment with beans also. We use a mix of 1/2 decaf cafe Britt which is nice and dark and adds an earthy flavor, and 1/2 regular caf Lavazza Super Crema because that seemed to be a consensus good espresso bean. The Lavazza is a medium roast. So now we have the coffee we like, and cappuccinos better than any we can get in a restaurant or coffee shop (always way way too much milk). I am confident we would never use a manual machine. My hats off to people who do. If you are like me and want a great espresso, cappuccino or cafe noisette every day, you will love this machine

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This is the best super automatic espresso machine out there based on my own, super-nerdy formula: "(rich flavor * ease of use) / cost." Dorky, yes, but you're talking to someone who came up with decisionking.com and previously has used a one-touch Tassimo machine in USA, one-touch Philips machine in Spain, and a few other cheap espresso machines including the manual kind. I am a resident of Spain and a US citizen, so I appreciate a good european style "cafe con leche."

The advantages of this Krups machine are that: 1) it's the most compact machine, 2) it's very simple to operate 3) it has the lowest cost of the different super automatic brands (as of 10-26-2011), 4) and it can use oily beans unlike the other different brands of machines. 5) Also, it runs the longest between cleaning cycles (360 cycles) compared to the other brands. The resulting coffee is, of course, rich and smooth and full of flavor. That being said, it is important to note that coffee flavor seems to be more related to the quality/freshness of coffee beans used rather than the machine itself.

The disadvantages of this Krups machine are its high cost (relative to my cheap coffee machines before) and no bypass doser. But both of these disadvantages are minimal especially when you compare the Krups cost to the other super automatic espresso machines. On the other hand, a bypass doser is important for that quick decaf, one would want to make for late night after dinner.

Bottom line is: I'd give this device 4.5 stars since it does not have the bypass doser. But if you want an easy to use, minimal maintenance, one-touch espresso machine, that is compact and costs the least of the super automatics then I think this Krups is the machine you want to invest in.

Find helpful customer reviews and review ratings for KRUPS EA8250001 Espresseria Full Automatic Espresso Machine

Customer review from the Amazon Vine Program First of all when you get this espresso maker it is intimidating. Fortunately it is smarter than you are.

Sitting here sipping my cappuccino while writing this review, I would have to say, using this device and clean up after using it, is wonderful. Having owned simpler less expensive Espresso makers, I would have to say this is the simplest to use of the bunch.

USER'S MANUAL IS SCARY

I brought the user's manual to work to show a co-worker and they laughed at my trepidation around this device. The user's manual is scary, the device is not. There are only 20 pages in English, but since it is a multi-lingual user's manual, you get the impression of a tome as it is 60 pages to include 2 more languages. It looks like a lot of steps, but it isn't.

SETUP

This machine has you check your waters hardness (it provides the means to do this as well) and program this into the coffee maker. If you have a filter install this goes in first. When you first turn on the system it has a lot of questions, date, time, etc. Simple enough. They then suggest you prime the filter and then do a rinse of the system before your initial use as well. All really simple. Add coffee beans choose your coffee type and then you are in business. It really was that simple. I keep repeating that word because, quite frankly as intimidating as the user's guide the coffee maker itself was not.

NOISE

Wow, is this thing noisy. Between the grinding and the steam sound, and clunks closing this valve and that, this makes a racket. It startled me a few time. Having previously had an espresso machine, I was somewhat prepared, but the grinding and automatic aspect of the espresso dispensing, were new to me.

WELL HOW WAS THE COFFEE

So much of this is subjective. I read that you don't want an oily coffee or one with any flavoring and a colleague suggested donut house blend rather than an espresso blend, so this is what I chose for my first few cups. I thought the Espresso was a bit sour, the long coffee was pretty good and the Cappuccino spectacular. I need to experiment a bit more. But, hey, this was my first bit of coffee and I used another person's recommendation.

AUTO CAPPUCCINO MAKER

This was included with the coffee maker I got... I'm in love. I never cared for holding a metal cup under the frother of previous machines, so I dove at this. Took me a minute to figure out how to hook it up. Mind you, I had not taken everything out of the box and did not see the connector hose, so that wasn't the device's fault. However once hooked up, this device performed seemlessly and I ended up with perfectly frothed milk in my cup and topped that off with some Espresso. MMMMMMMMMM. The manual then suggests running a steam cycle after, so then all you really need to clean thoroughly is the container that held the milk.

AFTER A WEEKS USAGE:

I have used this every day this week, alternating through all the coffee types. Mostly Long coffees and Cappuccinos. Imagine making a Cappuccino on a rushed work day morning. It was so easy I had to.

A few times the machine prompted a rinse cycle for it's own maintenance and let me know when I needed more water. The coffee beans you can see, so I never ran out of those. Easy to add too. You just pour them in. I had to empty the water tray and the coffee grounds when prompted. Simple easy and only a few times after about 5 uses.

To compare this with my previous machines, I don't even handle the coffee, except to pour beans in the top, and then empty the nearly dry grounds when the machine prompts me. I just pull out the drawer and flip over in the trash. There is no measuring, no rinsing of little hot parts.

For the Cappuccino maker. I pour milk in the container, put the lid on and hook this equipment up to the steam line. I put my cup under it, wait for it to heat up and then with no interaction from me, other than to push the button, it fills my cup with frothy hot milk. I then, put the up under the other nozzles and tell it to put two shots of espresso in it. After that, while I'm drinking my Cappuccino, I run the steam cycle on the Cappuccino maker, clean out the milk holder and I'm done. I think it is more work to get one from a barista!

UPDATE AFTER 1 MONTH OF USAGE:

Though I have a Keurig and a regular coffee maker besides, this coffee maker is used for my daily coffee. That tells you, I really like it. I alternate between long coffees, cappuccinos and espressos. Only when I want a flavored coffee, do I opt for the Keurig these days. The rich flavor of the long coffees and the crema have me preferring what this machine can do.

I like the fact the machine prompts you to empty the coffee discard drawer and the water trough, as well as filling the water reservoir. It can do this mid cycle with apparently no harm. I'm still experimenting with what type of coffee I like best however. I had used a friend's recommendation to start and I'm working through the various coffee roasts to find what works best for me.

Even though with one month of use I have not yet been prompted to do a major cleaning routine. I should look into a new water filter, but I understand using one is not mandatory. Will update again, once a major cleaning is needed.

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