Weston Restaurant Quality French Fry Cutter Reviews

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List Price: $111.94
Sale Price: $64.98
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Having tried any number of wimpy french fry cutters, I finally bit the bullet (premium pricing) and ordered this one.

It is the bomb.

When I opened the box, I was stunned at the durability promised by the quality of the components. The cast iron parts (lever arm, feet and frame) are covered with a nice soft green finish so thick that I can't tell whether it's a really good powder coating or baked enamel. Most important, the cutter heads and their heavy metal frames are strong enough to cut yams with no sign of flexing that might otherwise threaten a broken frame. However, yams may mush up before they will pass through the cutter. I wound up with one yam that yielded only two-inch-long shoestrings, even when I used a series of full-body presses on the armature in trying to force the yam through. Better to use a mandoline and/or a chef's knife for yam fries, I've concluded.

But never fear: potatoes work fine in the Weston, particularly if you've left Russet spuds in a cool dark place for a month or two before cutting. That way, some of their starch will convert into sugars that will make your fries tastier and crisper.

Cutter heads are a snap to change, using three hand turned wing-nuts. The pusher head can be replaced by undoing two large and relatively accessible Phillips-head screws. Another great feature is the availability of important optional accessories, like different size cutter heads and huge suction cups that attach to all four feet for a great grip on granite counter tops. These suckers are even made of a green rubber that matches the color of the frame.

Nobody's perfect, nor is this product. The suction cup feet are attached by poking protruding bolts through the feet of the cutter and screwing on their locknuts. Trouble is, the bolts I got were too short to rise above the holes in the feet. I solved that one by shaving an eighth of an inch disk off of the top of each suction cup using a paring knife, to make the bolt protrude far enough for the nut to "grab."

Other problems were a bit more vexing. The two screws that held the pusher plate to my machine were tightened to the point where the thick lockwashers behind them had totally flattened out. These folks must have gorillas working on their assembly line. It took a brace and bit to loosen the screws to the point where I could remove them and replace the pusher head. Also, proper assembly of the unit called for the use of a couple of wrenches to properly tighten the bolts holding the armature in place.

Big deal. This product is a joy to use, really does work splendidly with spuds up to six inches long, is easy to operate and clean up when done. If you can afford it, accept no substitutes.

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Without going into too many of the boring details...I suddenly found myself researching and shopping for the best French fry cutter that I could afford. Sort of an impulse buy. I bought this machine as a luxury item. From now on, as long as I have a couple of russet potatoes in the house, I can make French fries that rival those of the best fast food restaurants. And here's a kick...One large fries at a world famous fast food place in my area currently costs $1.29 + tax. Also currently in my area I can purchase an entire 10# bag of russet potatoes (russet potatoes are the ones most commonly used for French fries) for $1.39. After all is said and done a 10# bag of potatoes around the equivalent of 20 large fries. You do the math. This baby will cut up 10# of potatoes in less than 5 minutes. I should mention that there is a secret to making those perfect fast food fries. You have to rinse and soak your cut potatoes in ice water and then double fry them to get that perfect texture and taste. Do a search on the web for double fried French fry recipes for more detail. I usually do an entire bag of potatoes at once and freeze the excess on cookie sheets after the first two minute fry. After they are frozen I place them in zip lock bags for easy cooking later on. And of course you can reduce the sodium and season them any way you want or not at all. I have always thought that the fast food fries were way too salty. I could go on and on, like carrot sticks, diced potatoes, diced onions, sweet potato fries, zucchini strips for battering and deep frying, etc, etc... This machine is well built, Saves a huge amount of time and will last a lifetime.

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We have owned several of the lesser quality and lesser cost cutters from Wal_Mart, Target, Outdoor World, etc.... They all worked well for a while but this thing is a brute. All I can say is, BUY IT, you will not be disastifed in any way.

The feet are metal and slide around on the ceramic counter tops. I added some small squares of neopreme to the feet to keep it from scratching the counter tops and to help hold it in place while using it, but other than that very small fault, it is great.

Honest reviews on Weston Restaurant Quality French Fry Cutter

Suction cup feet are recommended to hold this thing in place while using it, and they run about $16 shipped. Do not order them! They are included with the fry cutter. Apparently this is something new, but I do not believe it's been made common knowledge yet. As for the unit itself, love it. I can cut up a 5 lb bag of potatoes in about 2 minutes, amazing. Yes it takes some arm strength but not that much if you weigh 75 lbs or are 85 years old you may have issues, most people are going to be able to do it just fine.

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This is a great product if you must slice a large number of potatoes for French fries. However, pushing potatoes through the cutting blades does take a large amount of strength in spite of the long handle.

The feet are metal. This means that I cannot use it directly on my tile counter top. I would have preferred that they included rubber feet.

The cutter blades are very difficult to clean. The little bits of potato and the starches delight in hiding in the nooks and crannies. A bit of time with a good stiff brush is in order. The cleanup time dictates that one must need to slice a number of potatoes in order to break even.

Nordic Ware Superior Steel 12 Inch High-Sided Skillet Reviews

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List Price: $40.00
Sale Price: $35.99
Today's Bonus: 10% Off

Nordic Ware Cookware is the best cookware I've ever owned! Would definitely buy this product again and again! Highly recommend!

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We ordered it from Amazon.com directly as having 1 or 3 unpleasant experiences with other vendors while buying some items. The skillet is ok for daily use. It produce nice and tasty food. I cooked Indonesian style seafood spicy fried rice, fried noodle, grand ma style pan fried batter coated chicken in it. It searing chicken breast nicely right before I put them in the oven. My only concern, it doesn't produce heat evenly so I have to watch any food situated in the middle. I tried all my gas stove burners but still the same. I don't think my stove is the problem as my other pans and pots from All-Clad and American Kitchen/Regalware we bought from Amazon.com turned out just fine. This is the reason why I gave you 3 stars.

It is OK daily use skillet for price and end result. I don't find any problem cleaning it but the bottom scratch easily with the kind of gas stove typically installed in Singapore. What I like the most from this pan as it is made in the USA. Yes, I'm in a mission avoiding items made in China. Not that I dislike China but their products most of the time produce odors/smelly, hardly long lasting and not meeting health standard.

April 2012 Updated = The pan already broken many months ago. The nonstick come of already. I won't buy this pan anymore. Yes, we prefer not to claim what so ever as we are sure pretty hassle. We wish American product has certain quality. Please, improve Nordic Ware as we love American product.

Reviews of Hamilton Beach 72600 Food Chopper

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List Price: $29.99
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I am extremely pleased with this product. I had a 1.5 cup chopper that worked ok for very small amounts of food, but things like a large bell pepper, cut into finger sized pieces, would get tangled up and not cycle through the blades. This 3 cup chopped fits a lot more stuff in it's bowl, and so far, has worked perfectly for me. It is much easier to clean than a full sized food processor, and takes up a lot less space. Ideal for making small batches of guacamole, salsa, soup, stir fry, ect. It's noisier than my full sized food processor, but quieter than the cheapp 1.5 cup chopper I bought.

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Buyer beware and take a very close look at the shape of this chopper. The blades are very small and the cylinger is much too tall. Hence, you get minced product in the bottom area and large chunks on top. I have to shake it to try and get even chopping, but it still doesn't help. I will need to find another with wider blades and better bowl to get the even cuts I like. It may work okay if you are doing 1/2 cup, but you may as well do it by hand if that's all you need.

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I love this 3 cup food processor! I use this for my everyday family meal cooking. Very helpful in chopping carrots in small bits. I always add carrots or any vegetable to ground meats so that I can sneak some vegetables to my kid's meals. This chopper do a good job in chopping carrots that my kids dont even notice the veggy in their meatballs, burger, spaghettie sauce, etc... To get better results, I chop the carrots first into cubes and then toss them in this chopper and I do shake the chopper to get better results because it does not do a good job when you dont shake them. For the price of this chopper, I dont have complains and dont mind at all preping the carrots and shaking the chopper because I hate manually chopping hard raw carrots into tiny bits, it is very tedious and dangerous! I do have the very much expensive and 'state of the art' cuisineart food processor which I use very rarely because it takes a lot of time to set-up and clean afterwards. So for everyday-family meal-chopping chores, I will definitely recommend this. It's cheap, convenient, and very useful.

I tried using this once to chop bell peppers and celery and it turn into a juicy salsa, so not recommended if your NOT making salsa. But if you want salsa, this machine is great! My sister makes salsa and shrimp cocktails all the time and she uses this chopper all the time.

So definitely recommended. By the way, I had mine for three years already and it is still working!

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I can't believe I wasted $20. As another reviewer remarked, the tower is far too tall. My onion is liquefied on the bottom and there are two huge chunks on the top. That was after I already cut it to one inch cubes.

I had an Oster blender with the chopper attachment and was heartbroken when it wore out. I'll be ordering another of those now.

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Not impressed:

I bought this chopper to replace my B&D 2 speed that I had for 5 years. (the bottom of the container broke) I read good reviews on the Food Chopper and decided to purchase. The first time I used the product it turned my veggies into mush. I tried again on a slower speed and again soup. I tried small bursts of slow speed and still all squishy. I tried small bursts of fast and again mush. I tried different foods as well and it just didn't chop. I read the instructions, just in case operationn of a small chopper has changed in 20 years.

My B&D chopper would only turn the food into soup/mush if I made it that way by keeping the highest speed on for several minutes. It always chopped the food evenly too. Unfortunately, B&D doesn't make that model any more. I would not recommend this to anyone I know.

Unfortunately I waited to long to return the item (32 days) so I am stuck with the "soup-maker".

Discount Cuisinart MCP-12N MultiClad Pro Stainless Steel 12-Piece Cookware

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List Price: $670.00
Sale Price: $229.85
Today's Bonus: 66% Off

Navigating the cookware maze? Boil it down to 3 key decisions:

1) Non-Stick vs. Anything Else

Non-Stick = Not dishwasher safe, average life of 2-8 years, some believe there are health concerns, a million color/style options. If you do decide to go nonstick, Anolon is arguably the best right now and at least a solid starting place to look.

Anything Else = Ultimately you go stainless. There's a bevy of reasons stainless is mandated in commercial world, sanitation and longevity being two. You can buy a stainless set that lasts, in theory, for life. Dishwasher safe. A lot of the latest offerings stick very little... and perform on par w/non-stick when using a light coating.

Face it, you buy non-stick out of laziness. Well, I'd rather my dishwasher clean off the "stick" than my hand have to clean off the "non-stick".

2) Ok, so I'm going stainless! What now?

Once again you have two choices... All Clad brand or Cuisinart brand. Anything else is at best "close", or worse "nowhere near as good". These are the two top brands, and are what you'll typically find in people's homes who cook for a living.

All Clad is an excellent choice, but ultimately you pay a little more and get fewer "nice touches" like lids and design elements. Some claim All Clad is harder to clean up as well. While I don't advocate letting a small price difference sway you on something that will last decades, in this case you really get a slightly better product with Cuisinart. If you fancy a particular offering from All Clad though, you won't regret your choice.

3) OK, so you've sold me on Cuisinart. What should I choose?

You've found this listing so you're in the right place. There are three tiers:

MultiClad Pro Widest selection, utility in mind. The pro line you buy to use for a generation. Has about every pot/pan permutation you can think of available.

MultiClad Unlimited Like MultiClad Pro but with anodized finish that I like better. Unfortunately has fewer options (e.g. only a 2 & 4 quart saucepan). Ultimately this is a tool so I go with the more varied pro line. The Pro has stood the test of time and is clearly the more popular choice for a reason. (**Update I think I've found why Unlimited is less popular on cuisinart's site it appears the anodized unlimited dose not work on induction whereas pro does. Pro works on induction, halogen, glass ceramic, gas, and electric which covers everything.**)

Chef's classic Tier below Unlimited. Don't be tempted, the price difference isn't that great.

Note that back in the day there was copper clad, but that's basically a gimmick. Copper heats quickly, but there isn't enough on the pan to make a functional difference so you'd only buy them because they are prettier on the outside. (They aren't offered anymore so you won't be tempted.)

Other points:

*Price: Currently as of 10/2012 it's around $275. (**Update 11/2012 Looks like Amazon is pricing this cheap for the holidays, currently at $243. That's the same price as the older MCP-12 and a pretty good deal. Normally I would expect to see this price at around $260.**)

*If you haven't heard of it, buy some "barkeeper's friend". Even the cookware manufacturers recommend it. This stuff will fix virtually anything that you can't otherwise clean away. (Only need to use it when all else fails.)

Bar Keepers Friend® Cleanser & Polish: 12 OZ

*If you're still wavering, check out the reviews on the previous version of this set (MCP-12). At time of this writing it was 572 reviews and averaged 4.5 stars. A ton of people own this set and are happy with it. That means you are very likely to be happy too. Here's a link to the previous model where you can read reviews to your heart's content:

Cuisinart MCP-12 MultiClad Pro Stainless Steel 12-Piece Cookware Set

*Differences between the older MCP-12 and this set MCP-12N:

About $15 bucks as of 10/2012

Handle Design

(Yep that's about it)

*If this is all the pots/pans you'll ever need and you want to save a few bucks, I'd suggest watching the MCP-12 set for a deal as it phases out. If you have dreams of adding to this set over the coming years then you're going to have to get the MCP-12N as you don't know how much longer the MCP-12 model offerings will be available and you'd wind up with a mismatched set.

*Cooking an egg on stainless is still a pain... you just can't beat non-stick for that. Go buy a single non-stick skillet if you just have to have that. I did.

***---Update 11/22/12 based on the 18/10 question I keep getting---***

I keep seeing comments and questions re: "Is this stainless really 18/10?" and "Rumor has it they went cheap and this is no longer 18/10 stainless". Allow me to address in a single reply here...

1) Yes these are 18/10. Amazon even updated their description to say so now. You can also call Cuisinart to be 100% sure (they are usually very customer friendly).

2) That being said, realize that there are 3 components. The pans are "clad" pans. First you have the outer stainless, then the middle aluminum core (for heat distribution), and then the interior stainless. Realize that the outer stainless layer is NOT 18/10. Nor should it be. This is because that would make the pans unsuitable for induction ranges. That outer stainless is more likely to be 18/0 ("magnetizeable" stainless), but I'm not exactly sure what it is and can only guess.

3) This isn't something manufacturers do to save money. Pure 18/10 pans would suck and not heat evenly. It's just something that they have to do because of the laws of physics. Aluminum in the core layer for heat distribution and non-18/10 on the outer layer for induction ranges. All-Clad does it the same way and shows such illustration on their site.

4) I think that's the reason this weird rumor is circulating about various cookware not being 18/10. All the makers that have been making their gear 18/10 are still doing so. It's just that the outer layer isn't 18/10... only the inner layer, handles, lids, etc. The 18/0 is good stainless, it just has different physical properties.

5) Last, just in case anyone is bored enough to care about the metallurgy: In 18/10 the 18 = the % chromium, the 10 is the % nickel. 18/10 is "Austenitic" or 304 grade stainless. If a magnet sticks to your pan there's a layer somewhere that is not 18/10 nor aluminum (neither are magnetic). In 18/0 stainless it's 430 grade, the chromium still provides strength and corrosion resistance but the nickel is swapped out making the alloy magnetic. 18/0 is cheaper, and the absence of nickel makes the steel alloy more susceptible to pitting. That's the tradeoff. Otherwise the pan would not work on an induction range since it would not be magnetic. (More than even I wanted to know, but wikipedia is so addicting.)

Maybe that helps.

***---End of 11/22/12 Update based on the 18/10 question I keep getting---***

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Pros:

+Really good looking (I greatly prefer the brushed exterior over polished)

+Set includes a lid that will fit each pan (not all at the same time, though)

+Curved lip for easy pouring

+Includes exactly the pieces I'd want

+Overall build quality rivals that of sets costing 2x the price or more

+Will probably last a lifetime

Cons:

-Does take a bit of work to get used to and maintain (proper preheating and use of oil as well as a bit more elbow grease to clean over non-stick)

-Questionable warranty (representative placed strong emphasis on the word "LIMITED" before "Lifetime", customer pays shipping BOTH WAYS).

After doing quite a bit of research, I decided to purchase this set of pans over any set I found locally or online. At 209 bucks, I really feel like this was a bargain (it's worth 300, realistically), especially with its excellent and beautiful construction. It's try-ply CLAD, which means three layers (Magnetized Stainless, Aluminum Core, 18/10 Stainless) are used throughout the pan, including up the side walls. Note that not all tri-ply cookware is like this; be careful of "try-ply BASE" cookware which only uses this setup on the bottom of the pan (they're easy to spot because they have a seam around the base of the pan).

I almost went for the Tramontina Tri-Ply Clad pieces you can pick up for a reasonable price at Wal-Mart, but decided against it as this set looks better visually and includes all the pieces I wanted; finding all the Tramontina pieces I'd need looked like quite a chore.

I didn't believe that I'd be able to cook on such low heat given the fact that my glass electric cooktop has taken so long to cook things in the past, but it really does work great. I pre-heat on level 5 (out of 10) until a water drop "skates" on the cooking surface, then back the heat off to 3.5 for a consistent cooking temp. Works great, seems to cook faster than my previous cookware at higher heat, PLUS no warping on any of these pans so they actually lay flat on my range.

If you understand the pros and cons of cooking in stainless and decide to go with it over non-stick, this set is the one to look at if you want something to last a lifetime.

The biggest negative for this set is the questionable support. Half of this assertion is based on other peoples' experiences I've read about, and half is for my own experience. I received my set with a dented lid (probably put in the package dented), and Cuisinart's support told me I'd be better off working with Amazon to resolve it since I'd have to pay shipping BOTH WAYS on a defective-out-of-the-box product. He also made sure to place emphasis on the word "Limited" in "Limited Lifetime Warranty", strongly implying that they reserved the right to not cover certain aspects of failure. Interesting, considering mine had arrived with a defective piece straight away. If you end up needing to use your warranty, be prepared to pay nearly as much in shipping (two ways) as a brand new replacement for the piece.

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I ordered this set due to a great deal that was offered a few weeks back, making the set more affordable than the older model. This model, MCP-12N is the new version (with improved handle shaping and placement-I contacted Cuisinart to ask about the difference) of the MCP-12. I've always had cheap model Revereware, or bought scratch and dent pans from stores. This is the first nice set of cookware I've ever purchased. I was skeptical because I read ALL reviews on the older model. There were some negative ones, and I was leary. While affordable, they are still priced higher than what I'm used to buying. Oh-about price; I checked several places and Amazon's price has yet to be beat.

I was provided an estimated delivery date between the first and second week of November. Then Amazon sent me an email last week stating the pots would be available sooner. They arrived this past Monday, and I LOVE them! I've only cooked 3 meals so far, but I've used quite a bit of the pots to do so. The lids are awesome--light, easy to hold because the handle bends high (your knuckles don't touch the hot lid), and they seal wonderfully while cooking. I have a smooth-top stove and these are working great. On other reviews from the older model, I saw complaints about sticking but I have not had that problem. I have cooked eggs, sausage, veggies, I've steamed veggies in the steamer insert...etc. I have experienced no problems, and only use a light spray of olive or canola spray. I have no spots, no stains, no discoloration so far. I did grab barkeepers friend from the store (sorry Amazon, but that stuff is much cheaper in the stores than online) based on other review suggestions but I don't need it yet. These are so easy to clean.

The construction of this cookware is wonderful. They are sturdy, the handles are very sturdy (and the long handles really do stay cool on the stove top, but the "helper" handles get hot if you are boiling/steaming with a lid on). They are heavy enough to show their great construction and material, but not too heavy to handle and move between stove, sink, cabinets, etc. I highly recommend this set especially if you are looking for a higher quality cookeware, but can't pay $600 over $1000 for some. I was fortunate to grab these at a lower price than currently showing today. I will definitely purchase add on cookware from the Multi-Clad Pro line to add to my collection as I need. I see there are nice multi-use pots/pans from this line and I can't wait to build my set. The set in this offer is wonderful and has everything you need.

Honest reviews on Cuisinart MCP-12N MultiClad Pro Stainless Steel 12-Piece Cookware

Bought this set for myself on Mother's Day. :)

The set arrived about one week earlier than the Amazon-specified delivery date. (I shipped it overseas.)

The set is very beautiful and heavy. The first time I used it (10-inch skillet), the food got stuck a bit, but it's because I wasn't very good at using stainless steel to cook. I actually started to learn how to deglaze my sautee pan and so on, and it's been great experimenting and learning new recipes. I also made small omelets for my 2 year-old son with the 8-inch skillet, and they do not stick to the pan at all. (Note: heat the skillet first, then add some butter and heat it, then add the eggs.... Cooks beautifully.)

Cleaning is very easy and fast. I wash with warm water and soap with a wash cloth, nothing abrasive, then towel dry. There are some mineral spots (the water in my area is quite mineral-heavy), but it's a minor issue. I do not use Barkeepers Friend. So far I've not had any reason to do so.

I'll update my review after I use the set for a while.

UPDATE AFTER 1 WEEK OF USE:

I'm reducing the rating by one star because the set scratches so easily. I don't use any metal utensils, just wooden and plastic spatulas, and I can see scratches all over some of the pots and pans. I can't decide what I want to do about it yet. A part of me wants to return, but another part of me wonders if the replacement set will scratch easily as well.

UPDATE AFTER 2 WEEKS:

I have no choice but to return this set. I can't believe the pots are pitted after only a couple of uses -mostly to boil water or to heat cream-based soup! I have no idea if it's normal or not. I always used medium or low heat w/ the set. I'm very disappointed. Cuisinart CS was not helpful. I'll buy a set from a different maker.

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Good value. Compares well to my several year on All-clad set. Works on the new induction we installed. Arrived in perfect condition.

Cuisinart CBM-18N Programmable Conical Burr Mill Review

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List Price: $185.00
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I recently had to replace my Capresso Burr grinder (which I had had for over 5 years) and wanted to make sure the replacement would make me as happy, if not happier, than my old grinder.

The Cuisinart Programmable Conical Burr grinder was my ultimate choice, after reading several reviews and doing plenty of research. I love the light-up LCD display, the start/stop switch (for those mornings when I'm not quite awake and start the grinder before I realize there's not enough beans in the hopper), the ease of adjusting the grind, and the overall design. While I had considered purchasing a cheaper product, (my Capresso was only around $40 afterall) I am very glad I went with this product. We grind our coffee fresh every morning, and thus far have been very pleased with how this unit performs.

The only reason I did not give this unit 5 stars is b/c it, like other Burr grinders, has a problem with static. I live in Houston, a VERY humid climate, but even the moisture in the air doesn't keep the static down enough, which can be bothersome. It means a bit of clean-up after every use, but the extent of the static is SIGNIFICANTLY less with this unit than my Capresso grinder, and the clean-up on this unit is far easier.

I highly recommend this product to anyone who wants something more reliable and consistent than a simple grinder, but doesn't want to spend a million dollars on a burr grinder.

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Excellent coffee mill! Much quiter than any of my previous 4 mills/grinders. Also works faster and less "burn" taste from grounds. Very concsistent grinding. Also the top lid with the fill slot make pouring into filter easier versus my other mills had the window or slot on the side of the bin. Nice improvement

2 comments that are not issues but to be aware of. As it has an Blue LCD display there is always a blue light on, so for some this could be good and others a nuisance. Also you must keept the bin and slots clean as any slight grounds in the bin area will cause some minor leakage

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I enjoy whole bean coffee. I replaced a blade type grinder with this one and am VERY happy with the taste of the brewed coffee. I use drip grind. I have had my best ever cup of coffee this morning with the same beans that I have been using for months on the other grinder.

ken

Edit added 15 FEB 2011: Loving it more

Since I purchased this device, I also acquired a stove top espresso maker and an old fashioned stove top coffee percolator. I have experimented with different grinds and mostly use the setting #3 'espresso' for both my drip and espresso brewers. I weigh (ounces) rather than measure (spoons) of the coffee and have found about 1.4 ounces of #3 grind will make a very good 10 cup pot of drip coffee. The percolator still needs a coarse grind, I use #12 setting for that. I first tasted coffee before drip coffee makers were widely available and sometimes miss the taste of old fashioned percolated. You cannot hardly purchase coarse ground coffee any more, I find the selectable grind settings a big plus.

k

Honest reviews on Cuisinart CBM-18N Programmable Conical Burr Mill

I don't typically review products, but since I poured over countless reviews before deciding on this grinder, I decided to add my thoughts.

I've realized that the problem with turning to any Internet reviews, be they for products or restaurants, is that people are way, WAY too picky. Maybe it's just me, but it isn't helpful when people find it necessary to highlight anything and everything that could be seen as a possible flaw, thereby picking apart what is probably a suitable option for most people. So I want to begin by addressing to of the biggest complaints I've seen in these reviews: the unit makes a mess, there's a static problem with the grounds cartridge, and it's too hard to clean. I've also noticed a lot of people don't really understand why one would buy a conical burr mill as opposed to a plain ol' blade grinder (which are way cheaper.)

I've had the grinder for about 8 months now, and I have not experienced any of those issues to the extent that many people describe. If you give the unit a little tap on the side before removing the grounds cartridge after you grind, you're not going to have surprise grounds coming out of the chute. I have not found the static issue to be that big of a deal. The grounds cartridge is plastic, so yes, there is some sticking of the grounds to the sides of the cartridge, but it's usually the finer bits and dust (which I don't want anyway), and it really isn't that much. The cartridge is very easy to rinse out and dry. I brew using a Chemex, so uniformity of the grounds is really key for me. I brew every day, sometimes twice a day, so as long as I clean the burr every few days, the grind stays really uniform. It's not that difficult to clean. The hopper comes right off when you turn it all the way to the coarsest setting, and the inner burr pulls right out. I use the brush that comes with the unit and a lightly damp paper towel.

Regarding the functionality of the unit: the LED screen is nice (I haven't had any problems with it.) I weigh out my grounds, so I haven't used the cup presets that much. The variable grind settings are pretty accurate, especially for a coarser grind (as long as you make sure to clean it regularly as I've said.) I've noticed that some people don't think it can grind fine enough for espresso; unfortunately, I have speak to that since I don't have an espresso machine. Overall, I've been very happy with the basic functionality of the unit.

You buy a burr mill primarily for two reasons: uniformity of the grind and no inadvertent heat imparted to the beans from rapidly spinning blades. If you use an auto-drip machine, the first reason isn't that big of a deal. If you're using any other method (i.e. French press, Chemex, vacuum, etc.), it matters a lot so that the coffee isn't over-infused, to keep your coffee from having too much sediment, and so on. Blade grinders chop the beans, creating all different sizes of grounds, and creating a lot of very fine dust which can be a problem for non-autodrip methods. (Burr mills crush the beans.) From what I've found, this burr mill provides a good uniformity especially for the price. I have two friends each with conical burr mills that were over $200 (a Baratza Virtuoso and a Breville Smart Grinder) and I really feel like my Cuisinart is quite comparable in ground uniformity. The second reason for a burr grinder is important no matter how you brew your coffee. The beans are quite sensitive to temperature, and blades spinning at the speed necessary to chop the beans (20k 30k rpm) imparts heat to the grind. If you brew one or two cups at a time, chances are you're not running your grinder long enough for this to be a problem. But if you're doing a 10 or 12-cup pot each morning, the amount of aroma you lose using a blade grinder is significant. A conical burr mill runs at under 500rpm, imparting a negligible amount of frictional heat. This ensures that you're tasting your coffee the way it was meant to be tasted (assuming your brew is good.)

As the title says, this is a great grinder for the price. If you've been looking to get a conical burr mill, you've probably noticed that you can spend anywhere from $40 to over $450. So if you're new to this, it can seem like you could be spending $80 on a unit that isn't as good as ones that are more expensive but also might not be any better than one of the cheaper grinders. I'm pretty confident that this grinder is comparable to others that cost twice as much and (given reviews of cheaper burr grinders), it's worth spending the extra money for it.

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I am NOT an aficionado i love coffee though. i am not the guy that is going to check that all of the grounds are uniform what i see when i pour them into the coffee maker look uniform to me. The coffee that i make using this grinder make better coffee than i have ever made. Prior to this though i just had a little blade grinder though. there are still issues with grounds sticking to the plastic holder but i don't' think you can get away from that there is a static issue and i don't know how one would get around that.

i dig this purchase i have had the grinder for 4 or 5 months now and still dig it it is easy to use and like i said it make YUMMY coffee.

July 2010 it pooped out! i am calling Cuisinart today. They are really good about their warranties and i have no doubt they will send me a new grinder. will update after that!

Didn't get around to calling Cuisinart until August found out that it only carries an 18 month warranty guess what? that was August 2nd they won't do anything for me. I was once a huge fan of Cuisinart recommended their products was impressed with their warranties they replaced a coffee maker for me anyway after looking on the website and seeing that it carried a 3 year warranty i didn't think i had to get right on it. . . i guess i did they claim that is a misprint and i guess they expect a $100 coffee grinder to poop out after 18 months (or right about that). too bad i guess they aren't as great as i thought. I wouldn't buy this again. wish i could remove stars. . .

19 Pc Surgical Stainless Steel Cookware Set Reviews

Customer Ratings:
List Price: $199.95
Sale Price: $119.98
Today's Bonus: 40% Off

The set is at a terrific price maybe is because even if you get it new its been in a warehouse long time ago and it is not the newest set you can get. I recieved one piece damaged from a handled but even with that it is a good alternative to the current expensive sets. It does not have a valve but an indicator of current pressure but without making noise when ready. Still I would buy a nother set for $200 USD or less.

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We have not used them yet as they are a Christmas present for my husband as he is an avid cook. I know that he will love them, just has to learn how to use them.

Review of BergHOFF Harmony Whistling Kettle 11 Cups

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List Price: $100.00
Sale Price: $67.99
Today's Bonus: 32% Off

I got this as a Christmas gift, and I christened it right away with a cup of tea! It whistles wonderfully, and it is absolutely beautiful. It heated very quickly and silently, with none of the popping or clicky noises that cheap kettles make. I wish I knew where Berghoff's products are manufactured, because I'm hoping it lives up to the company name. For now, it is very nice, and appears to be well made. The only tiny problem is that the removable whistle can be a bit awkward to get in, but you get used to it. I feel that this is worth the money, and I hope I can keep it in the family for a long while.

EDIT: On May 15th, not even 5 months after recieving this kettle, the handle on the lid snapped off. I'm not sure if this is just one faulty piece or if they are all badly welded, but I am quite upset as I really did love this kettle. Trying to contact the company is extremely difficult, and I don't know if I'm going to be able to get a new one.

EDIT #2: Tried very hard to contact the company, but none of their phone numbers work! I called Amazon customer service, and even though the product is 4 months past its return date, they sent me a new one and a return label because it qualifies as defective merchandise. Thank you so much, Amazon!

EDIT #3: The replacement kettle broke in the exact same way. That little handle on top is does not even have enough surface area to hold a good weld, and it just snaps right off with a little bit of force; how are you supposed to get the kettle open? It's ridiculous. Called Amazon support, but since it's almost a year past the return date, they could not do much. Got a little help for the purchase of a new one, but I'm very sorely disappointed in Berghoff. Will not be buying anything from their company in the future.

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This is a beautiful tea kettle, like a work of art on your stove. I had purchased one of these several years ago (I think from Costco) and had a love/hate relationship with it. My biggest complaint was that the handle gets very hot, hot enough to where you really should use a pot holder to pick it up. I also didn't like that you needed two hands--one to remove the whistler before pouring. And the whistler was a pain sometimes to put on the spout because if it isn't aligned just right, it doesn't snap in. The plus about this kettle (still talking about the first one I owned) was the high handle. We use purified water for our hot beverages and fill up the tea kettle from a large jug with a spout. It fit easily under the spout and I never even thought about it. So after several years, I saw another tea kettle at Costco that had a silicone-coated handle and a lever for lifting up the whistle. I'm not sure if it is this very one --> Primula Soft Grip Stainless Steel 3 Liter Tea Kettle with Silicone Handle

Cheap Kinetic Glasslock Series 3-Piece Square Glass Food Storage

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List Price: $48.99
Sale Price: $29.45
Today's Bonus: 40% Off

I've been in the process of switching from plastic to glass storage containers because of the health risks associated with plastic. Last winter I purchased two sets of cheaper glass containers at a discount store, thinking they would be fine for freezer and microwave use. All of them have chipped along the edges and the plastic tops are cracking.

These are very well made and the lids fit securely. The containers have a thicker edge around the top and they are a nice weight without being too heavy. Definitely worth every penny.

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This is the perfect container to replace your old plastic ones. I never found anywhere where it stated exactly what size these were. So anyone who is looking they are 2 cup, 5 cup and 11 cups. They rectangular set comes smaller. The lids have 2 clips on either side so make sure you lock evenly. Over all great product. Don't hesitate with this one.

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Pros: Durable, tight seals, no plastic, silicone lids, freezer and microwave safe.

Cons: Price, weight, mostly unstackable so hard to store lots of them.

What I mean about unstackable is that although these three particular sizes do fit inside each other, if you buy a whole lot of them the same or similar sizes, they will not fit inside one another at all.

Overall, however, we are grateful to be rid of our BPA plastics and are using these new ones all the time for food storage. We thought Kinetic GlassLocks were a better choice than the Pyrex glass containers because of the tighter seal of these lids (very, very secure seal) and the Pyrex lids were still plastic (not silicone), last time we checked.

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I picked up two of the 3-container rectangular sets and love them! The 3-dish sets nest nicely in my cabinet, and were packed well and compactly. It's clear from handling the dishes and lids that these are quality products, not el cheapo imitations or knock-offs.

Another nice feature is that the company stands behind its products. One of my sets arrived with a lid's tab snapped off, so I called the phone number in Iowa that's printed right on the packaging. The phone was promptly answered by an Iowan (as I later found out) who quickly helped me figure out what size new lid I needed and arranged to have it promptly shipped to me at no cost.

These are awesome containers that do well in my dishwasher (unlike the cheap plastic ones which ended up flung around the inside of the dishwasher), in my refrigerator, in my freezer, and in my microwave.

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Like other reviewers here, I too was looking to switch from plastic food storage containers to glass. I'm a fan and subscriber of Cook's Illustrated, and I like to read their unbiased equipment reviews. I've made purchases based on those reviews before and found I agree with their findings most of the time. So when I started researching glass food storage containers, I learned that the Kinetic Go Green GlassLock line was Cook's top choice for glass food storage containers in the test they conducted in May 2010. Their testing methodology was impressive, and because I wasn't interested in having containers that could go in the oven too, I decided to give them a try.

Once again, I agree with Cook's findings. I love these containers now, and have since bought another set of different sizes. Glass containers require something of a commitment from the user, and can be a real change for folks who've always used plastic. Yes, they can break, so you need to be as careful with them as you would your dishes and drinking glasses. Yes, same-sized pieces don't stack, but graduating sizes can and do "nest" quite nicely in the cupboard, and for me anyway, the two sets that I have now require no more space than all the plastic pieces did. The extra little effort is well worth it the containers simply do not leak, there are no odors, the non-toxic, non-reactive tempered glass does not scratch, does not take on the flavors or stains of the food that's stored in them, and the easy-to-use lids are airtight and waterproof. With all the concerns now about the potential health hazards of plastic storage containers, this is one less thing to worry about, and I'm very glad I made the switch.

If you're looking for glass containers that are oven safe, look elsewhere. But if you're looking for the best glass food storage containers with the best/easiest sealing lids, I can highly recommend these.

Review of ProCook Gourmet Saucepan & Lid

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List Price: $38.00
Sale Price: $26.00
Today's Bonus: 32% Off

This is a great nonstick pot. It is heavy but very well built. Like the glass see through lid, although since it is a standard size other lids fit this pot. But the vendor said they shipped the product the next day (with no tracking number). When I got the package by USPS, tracked it, and it was sent the day I received it two weeks later! Makes me not want to trust the vendor.

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Cheap KitchenAid 5-Quart Glass Bowl

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List Price: $79.99
Sale Price: $69.99
Today's Bonus: 13% Off

I have a 4.5 qt mixer and checked with kitchen aid to see if this 5qt bowl would

fit. They said it would and it arrived yesterday. I made my first cake in it and

was very pleased. The bowl is easy to put on and doesn't hit the pedestal.

I loved being able to see the ingredients through the bowl. The bowl

looks fabulously swanky on the stand mixer. They bowl is a bit heavy, but

that is minor.

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This is a great second bowl that makes baking go faster when you need 2 bowls for one recipe or multiple baking. It's microwavable and sturdy. My children love watching the batter mix around through the glass. (I used to have to pick them up to let them peer into the bowl while mixing.)I also did not have to adjust the height of my beater blade (although the manual says you may have to). Thus, I can switch from my stainless steel bowl to my glass bowl without any hassle. The only negative thing I can think of is that this bowl is heavier than the steel bowl, and I have wrist injuries. Nonetheless, I still can use it easily for baking and love it! So I give it 5 stars for fun, easy, practical baking!

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Love It! Love It! Why didn't KitchenAid think of this product years ago? The bowl has measurements which makes it easy to see how much batter you actually have for a recipe. The bowl is wide enough to pour ingredients in without the pouring shield. Also, it has a pouring spout! Dough and batter doesn't stick as much to the bottom of the bowl, less stopping and scraping (yea!) I am impressed with this product so much that I am purchasing another one from Amazon in a few minutes. I haven't seen this product in any of the major stores yet! Amazon has a great price for this bowl, believe me it is worth every dollar!!!

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I am the owner of a KitchenAid K-45 bought new by me in 1979. It has been well used and is in great shape. The new glass bowl is beautiful and fits perfectly.

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I bought this for my wife for Christmas and she wouldnt use it because she said it didn't fit right. She was right, it wouldn't get tight on her mixer because either the handle or the spout would hit the back of the mixer. If you look at the base of the mixer, there's 3 screws that hold on the socket thing that the bowls screw into I had to remove these screws, and rotate the socket 1/3 of a rotation (1 screw-hole over), and put the screws back in to get the bowl to fit correctly.

Now my wife loves her new glass bowl =)

Rachael Ray Hard Anodized II Nonstick Dishwasher Safe 8-Quart Review

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List Price: $200.00
Sale Price: $99.95
Today's Bonus: 50% Off

Let me first say that my husband is the primary cook in our house. Over the years we had assembled a variety of pots and pans, including some rather expensive ones, but we are both getting older and the enameled cast iron pans are very heavy and hard to handle. We decided it was time for new ones so we did our research and ordered Rachel Ray's 12 piece set and my husband also wanted this pasta pot. We absolutely love all of them. They are great quality, very easy to clean up and not so heavy that we have to worry we will drop them. At first I wondered how often we would use this big pot and the answer to that is "often"!

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Please ignore the previous reviewer, nothing anywhere in the description says that you don't need a colander to cook pasta in this pot. If you watch Rachael's show, you can see that she drains the pasta in a strainer when using this pot.

The oval shape of this pot is not only good for spaghetti, but it provides more of a surface for browning meat for stews, chili and such than a tall 8 quart stockpot would. This pot also heats evenly. The handles do not get hot. I liked this so much that I bought the skillet version. Very good quality, and extremely versatile!

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Customer review from the Amazon Vine Program Even though this is marketed as a pasta pot, and it does have a "pour spout" on the side, there is still no real convenient way to drain pasta completely. Another thing to realize is that 8 quarts is VERY large. For family cooking, this is great but for one or two people the size might not be practical. The design is very solid and high quality. I have used this product for five months already, and noticed no scratches or deterioration of the nonstick coating. Instead of using it for pasta, I typically use it for pot roasts and turkeys. Since the shape of the pot is oval, not round, it is better suited for oven use and the handles are safe up to 350 degrees.

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If you want open stock cookware this is an investment you will not regret. It really is the best. Rachael ray plz make sum even larger ones!

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This is absolutely the BEST. It's my second one, I use them both and would not be without. It is perfect for all types of pasta or anything else you may need a large pot for, but don't let the large size discourage you, you don't have to fill it, just use it for everything. Super ease to clean. Well worth the money!

Mauviel M'stone2 8229.20 Frying Pan, 8-Inch Reviews

Customer Ratings:
List Price: $115.00
Sale Price: $84.95
Today's Bonus: 26% Off

The 8-inch, nonstick skillet is an often used pan in my kitchen. I use it for quick, little meals such as a grilled cheese sandwich, a burger, an omelette, even for making pan sauces. I usually buy good quality skillets but try to get them on sale for around $20-40. I think that may be why I go through them in about 2 years. Although this one is more expensive, I believe that it is worth it. Mauviel is a French company that has been making kitchenware for many years and they are used by tons of professional chefs.

I thought that this short video of the Mauviel frying pan in action might be helpful to potential buyers. Thanks for looking!

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Awesome little breakfast pan. Great for a single serving of eggs, scrambled or over-easy, sunnyside-up.

However, I bought the pan for omelettes. It is a little too small and the sidewall slope is too abrupt for the ideal rolling action required for classic French omelettes. I am going to go with the next size up and I think that ought to do the job.

Nevertheless, this is an extremely well made piece of cookware.

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The first few months this pan was marvelous. After about 4 months of use, fried eggs started to stick in a certain area. There appears to be a manufacturing flaw in the non stick coating. Since this product is over 30 days old, we now have to go through the hassle of returning it to the manufacturer. Thankfully, due to the price, proof of purchase and UPC were saved for such an issue. Hopefully, the manufacturer will stand behind the product as promised. However, they did not respond to our first email inquiry.

1-20-13

They stood behind their product. Customer Service was helpful and courteous. I was offered a replacement or a store credit of equal value. This time I went with a stainless steel interior pan. To date, the product performs as expected for superb browning and pan drippings.

Joseph Joseph Lotus Folding Steamer Basket Reviews

Customer Ratings:

This is an attractive-looking product that I initially saw in the MOMA design store. Unfortunately, it is much less attractive after it melts in the pot. The packaging claims that it is heat resistant up to 210 degrees, but it's not. Don't buy this if you plan to use it.

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It melted on the first use while steaming some broccoli. Didn't run out of water or anything, it just melted under completely normal use. What a shame, cause it's really pretty.

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Had it on the top rack of the dishwasher, and it was touching a metal tong and it deformed slightly. Weird, but no big deal. Steamed some broccoli and two of the flaps completely melted.

I guess its too much to assume a steamer can handle high temps. Piece of junk.

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I bought this after reading the 5-star reviews and do not understand how it could be rated so highly. The first time I used it to steam some fingerling potatoes, it melted! Not just a bit but pretty much completely. (I posted pictures of it). I am returning it & returning to my stainless steel steamer.

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This is the best steaming basket that I have found in many years. The old metal ones that I used at one time barely held enough veggies for two. Not this one. Yes, it is somewhat taller than those old steamers for three reasons: it's bigger, has longer "legs," and has a taller handle. The first provides more capacity, the second allows for more water at the bottom of the pot (you don't have to worry so much about running out of water before the steaming is complete), and the third makes it easier to lift it out of the pot without burning your fingers. On top of all that, it's pretty!

With all due respect to the previous reviewer, the problem was not that it's too tall. It was that your pot is too small. The dimensions are listed on the item's page on amazon.com.