Discount simplehuman Flip-Top Dishrack with Bamboo Knife Block, Stainless

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List Price: $79.99
Sale Price: $49.99
Today's Bonus: 38% Off

Expensive at $80 but one usually gets what you pay for...the problem? Appears that the wire grids are thinly coated with plastic; once that flakes off (took about 45 days of use) then the metal is exposed and then its Rust City. Very surprised because we've owned several of this manufacturer's products over the years without problems. Their newer drainers have different wire covering material so perhaps the problem is now corrected assuming you get a newer model.

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The design is great, especially with the flip-up expandability. The dishes stand up perfectly in the rack, and we like the utensil holder. At first we didn't think too much of the knife-block cover, but it actually works very well to help the knives dry faster (and more safely). I would have given a five-star rating, except for the poor quality control. One of the hinges for the flip-up section was bent, hindering the movement of the shelf. A plastic cover had to be removed to bend it back into shape. The nice part of having to do this was that I got to test the quality of the welds. I've seen too many spot-welds break when adjacent pieces had to be bent, but the welds on this unit are very high quality. The other negative was that the wine glass hanger (which we don't use anyway) is unusable because poor alignment when the plastic holder was molded onto the stainless wire. Again, a very nice design, but manufacturing quality is pretty bad.

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We've had this dishrack for a little under 2 years and while it is the right design and size for our needs, the build quality of the plastic and rubber hole seals just isn't up to par.

The plastic area that holds the drain spout is now cracking and the rubber hole seals are now yellow and hard.

This is likely why they offer replacement drain boards for $20.

I definitely recommend spending your money elsewhere as this dish rack is not a good value when you consider cost and longevity of the product.

Honest reviews on simplehuman Flip-Top Dishrack with Bamboo Knife Block, Stainless

I got this recently, after moving to an apartment without a dishwasher. So far, I love it.

A few people here have asked why there are 3 hinges. This is why:

There is a drain on two sides of the plastic base. You can use one on the long side of the rack, as shown in the picture, or on the short side of the rack (next to the cutlery/knife holder). The bottom of the plastic base has legs on three corners (the hinges). These come folded up into the base. There is no leg in the corner between the two drains.

The legs on the bottom of the draining base are meant to tilt the base (and rack) so that it drains more easily. It's designed for only two to be used at one time: if you're using the drain on the long side, you fold out the two legs on the opposite long side. If you're using the drain on the short side, you fold out the two legs on the opposite short side. Either way, the whole thing is slightly tilted so that the side with the drain is lower and water will flow down to the sink instead of gathering on the base. That's why there's no leg on the corner in between the two drains: it's not about raising the whole rack, it's about tilting it.

By the way, this is one of the things that sold me on this rack. The plastic base for my last rack had a slight built-in tilt, but not enough for the water to drain well. I agree with somebody's comment about directions, though. It's funny to think of a dish rack needing them, but a picture could easily clarify the purpose of the legs. We bought this at a store that specialized in these sorts of things, so an employee told us about its various features.

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Although the most expensive dish rack I have purchased, well worth the price. Had I purchased this 2 years ago, overall I would have saved money as I have thrown away so many inferior racks (mold and rust after very little time). Plenty of space available. The flip up shelf is great. A huge plus is the knife block. The ability to change the direction has opened up counter space. Because of the orientation we only use 2 of the cup "prongs". The only con is that it doesn't always drain without a little manipulation, but I think it has more to do with my counter not being level than the construction and design of the dish rack.

Highly recommended!!!

Cheap Shinkansen Minosharp Universal

Customer Ratings:
List Price: $45.00
Sale Price: $40.86
Today's Bonus: 9% Off

This is a great aid to sharpen Global knives. I disagree with the review that said it dulled the knives. The tool has ceramic wheels set at the proper angles to get the correct Japanese set to these knives, which have different angles to each side of the blade. After 8-9 passes with no pressure on the knife through the rougher and then the finer wheels, the knife is ALMOST back to factory condition. Then, it is necessary to use a fine DIAMOND hone to get that last degree of razor sharpness. And make no mistake, a properly sharpened Global knife is that sharp, and this tool makes it easy to keep them razor sharp. Instead of a diamond hone, you can also use a very fine waterstone to hone them, but trust me, the diamond hone is easiest, although it does not leave the edge quite as polished as the finest waterstones. This tool and a diamond hone let me return my Global knives to scary sharp in less than 5 minutes each. They are so sharp that whenever I sharpen them, I warn my wife that they are super sharp (as opposed to very sharp!), just to make sure that she is extra-careful when she uses them.

Now, having said that, the package states that it is recommended for Global knives, and no one should use this tool on anything other than Global knives, or similar Japanese-style knives. It is not meant for European-style knives, whose blades have a different set.

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I'm not sure how people are banging up their knives using this simple, effective sharpener. Slow down, folks. Take your time.

I own a number of Global knives, and sharpen them all using the MinoSharp with tremendous success. I've even had luck sharpening Henckel and Wusthof knives with this. I enjoy using it, and when I'm done, my knives are like new.

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I picked this up as a quick and easy knife sharpener for work. It managed to scratch up the side of the blade of one of my Global knives with the plastic guide.

the slots/guide to run your knife blade through are narrow, some larger knives may not fit into it if the blade is thick.

after about 1 year one of the stones broke, however you can buy replacements.

For the home user, this will suffice. If you use your knife all day long like I do, I recommend the good old tri stone instead. Ok to have as an emergency knife sharpener in your knife bag.

I was never was able to get a good enough edge with this product to do fine chiffonade and other cuts that require good knife skills.

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Before you buy the Shinkansen Sharpener for your Global knives you must understand that it doesn't return the blades to their factory sharpness.

When I first bought my Globals I was warry of using my old ceramic stone on their extremely acute edge, so I bought the Shinkansen Sharpener to go with them. When they arrived, the knives' sharpness lived up to everything that's said about them, but after I ran the chef's knife through both slots several times... the knife got DULLER! Repeated use did not do any more harm to the blade, but it never improved either.

It seems that, because of it's simplicity, the Shinkansen Sharpener is best for returning very dull blades back to a servicable edge, but it will never get them really sharp.

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I bought this to sharpen several Global knives after comparing it to the confusing and expensive arrays of sharpening stones out there. The sharpener is easy to use and made of high quality materials. To operate Simply fill the small tray with water and run the knife thru the offset grooves over a course and fine ceramic wheel. After a minute i was done with several knives. Comparing the globals afterward I had mixed feelings because the knives were already pretty sharp to begin with. The revelation though was how well it worked on my Wusthof Grand Prix Knives. In fact they restored them to better than new as i was always dissatisfied with them because they were never very sharp which led me to Globals to begin with. Now the Wusthof's are of comparable sharpness. This is a great item and well worth the price.

Discount Wallace Dark Walnut Single Drawer Chest, 14.7 Inches

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List Price: $90.00
Sale Price: $63.79
Today's Bonus: 29% Off

I looked at a lot of other chests before deciding on this one and am so glad that I did. I think it's a beautiful chest at a bargain price. A lot of the others I looked at were basically the same exact thing for twice the price.

The finish however is a little different looking than the photo; in the picture it looks very very dark, almost black like a wenge finish, but it's a very dark brown with a very small hint of a cherry-like finish to it. Still very nice looking though.

*Note* Amazon has updated this photo, so it's now an accurate picture of the finish/color of the chest. At the time I purchased and wrote this review, it was a different/inaccurate photo.*

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This silverware chest is sturdy, nice, and fits the silverware well. My butter knives were big and bulky but fit fine in the butterknife slots. The finish is just nice too. The drawer slides well. Would reccomend. Worth the $47 I paid.

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I ordered this chest to store my antique silver flatware in. The picture does not correctly depict the chest I received. The finish on the chest is much lighter than pictured and it is cheap looking. The appliances/hardware on the chest is not what is in the picture either; they are cheap and very rough with corrosion of some sort. The inside of the chest is decent in size and adequate for the most part -but the rest of the issues make it not worth the price. If your wanting something of good quality, this is not it. I will be returning it.

Honest reviews on Wallace Dark Walnut Single Drawer Chest, 14.7 Inches

Excellent buy for the price. Fits flatware for 12 comfortably. Room in the lid for knives, room in the base for dinner forks and spoons and the drawer has room for small forks and tea spoons. There would still be room left for a hostess set also.

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I contacted many of our local furniture and jewelry stores trying to find a silverware chest for my grandmother's silverware that was recently passed down to me. I had no success until I tried Amazon. There were dozens available. This chest is just beautiful, very well made with a high quality finish. The lining is plush and grandma's silverware fits perfectly. And the cost is very reasonable. I would highly recommend this silverware chest.

Cheap Metrokane Wine Drip Stop Ring

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List Price: $11.37
Sale Price: $6.26
Today's Bonus: 45% Off

I purchased this in hopes that I wouldn't have to continually wipe the wine drop sliding down the bottle and prevent wine stains on my white counter top...it works great! For the price, you can't beat this gadget. There are alternatives however. I have seen the round discs that you can curl and insert halfway into the top of the bottle, which creates a thinner edge, preventing the "run down" effect.

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I gave this as a gift for Christmas, and it worked like a charm at dinner. Not a drop on the table!

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I bought 8 of the rings for gifts. Everyone who drinks or serves wine agrees the drip stop ring helps when pouring wine and keeping the wine running down the bottle. Simple, inexpensive and so practical.

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CONS: The silver trim popped off during the first use & it doesn't look very sophisticated.

PRO: It does fit on many different size bottles.

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This does the job. No more drips on fancy table cloths. Just remember to take it off before you recycle the empty bottle.

Discount Brabantia Roll Top Matte Steel Bread Bin

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List Price: $50.00
Sale Price: $44.28
Today's Bonus: 11% Off

I have a small galley kitchen and didn't think I had enough room for a bread box. But the Brabantia Compact Bread Box came in a great small size that allows for two loaves of bread or several rolls, muffins, wraps, etc. You can also put some items on top. I am very happy with its size, functionality and looks. It's pricey but there's no other one available in a petite size. Believe me. I have checked!

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The "stainless" steel it aint...

I saw the bigger, made in Belgium, version of the Brabantia bread box at local store, and it felt like a well-made product.

The stainless-steel material was strong and did not retain any fingerprints.

This Chinese-made, smaller version of the "the real thing", is another story. While it gets the job done in keeping the bread fresher than it would be if left on a kitchen counter, it better not be touched or your fingerprints will be proudly imprinted on its surface. It looks terrible, and I don't feel like cleaning it every day. I am returning this one and getting something else. Hopefully, you won't make the same mistake I made.

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I find it puzzling that some other reviewers feel this box is too small... Based on those reviews, I worried until it was delivered only to learn that it is the perfect size for our household which includes a kindergartner who eats 3-4 slices of bread per day so I keep 2 loaves in this box at all times. Admittedly, I do need to place one of the loaves on its side to fit both. However, it is worth including that the loaf I place on its side is from the local bakery, and quite wide. I imagine that two commercially prepared loaves would fit in the box with ample room (considering I'm storing one of these along with the aforementioned wide bakery loaf and experience no trouble closing the box.) It is a beautiful bread box that provided an instant upgrade to the look of our counter. I am now able to place my Mac Book on top of the box while cooking (so that I may glance at a recipe online. Prior, I was placing it somewhere on the counter where it took up additional space.) Of course, a computer need not sit atop the box as in our house; my point is: this box has a little shelf that could be quite useful for many purposes... Little fingerprints (and large ones) wipe off easily with a damp cloth sprayed with a small amount of vinegar. Most probably, glass cleaner would work just as well... Overall, I can't state enough positive things about this 'compact' box that is seemingly compact, yet stores 2 loaves easily.

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My objective in looking for a breadbox was primarily to keep our counter top tidy, without having to resort to keeping bread in the cupboards, which are already filled with other pantry items. This bread box meets my needs perfectly. Most bread boxes are a lot larger than this one, and I thought that they would be somewhat of an eyesore. This one is shallow enough to run fairly flush with our cookbooks, which we keep next to it -and it fits within the overhang of the cabinets. Also, the design (matte stainless steel, with just a small row of black for a handle) is low-key and blends in so you don't really see it. Definitely reduces clutter rather than adding to it!

You can't keep a full size baguette in it (unless you cut it in half), but it is roomy enough to fit at least one loaf of fresh bread from the farmers market, plus a few additional items. In addition, although it is a roll-top, there is a small flat surface at the top where I have put a few pastries that might get crushed if I put them in the breadbox with everything else. Although they are 'visible', I think that having them on top of the breadbox still makes for a more tidy appearance.

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When the space for your large bread box suddenly becomes unavailable and you must adapt, then this small bread box is the answer. It is small but it will hold a box of Club Crackers and a small loaf of bread or two small loaves of different kinds of bread.

It seems well constructed, the roll back cover works smoothly and, other than its diminutive size, is a great product.

Discount KitchenAid Gourmet Essentials 10-Pc. Cookware Set

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This set is not only sleek and beautiful for any modern day kitchen, but it cooks wonderfully! At first I thought the non-stick would deterrent me from any type of `roasting', but I was surprised. This set gives you amazing `even' heat distribution. It will cook an egg delicately if need be, yet, you can actually roast vegetables over high heat. It works better than my wok!

It does all this and cleans in an easy manner! No fuss! I love it! I defiantly recommend this set to any moderate cooker.

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very nice, practical set. cooks evenly, cleans easily and they are beautiful. the sizes of the pots are sensible. Not just a bunch of little pots like the 10 piece gourmet essentials set. They are a pleasure to cook with, just make sure that if you make a mess on the exterior of the pots you clean them asap to avoid staining.

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We got this set for Christmas and love them. Looked at the high price stuff, which we own some of, but thought why not try this one. It cooks better than my expensive pans!! In the oven and stove top have been great. The handles stay cool on the stove top as promised, a really good deal for the amount and size of pans you get. We would buy them again in a second-

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I have looked at reviews over reviews before I purchased this cookware set. I am happy with the purchase for $109. It is attractive and is truly non stick. However, from where I stand, it is not really designed for rough handling and very frequent, prolong cooking at very high temperatures. This will erode the nonstick coating inside and strip the outer color. For instance, I do not use it to fry chicken, I use a calphalon pot but will steam fish or vegetables with it. One must be mindful of different times of cookware for different functions. I opined, it is more suited for young professionals, students etc, not for very very regular use. I do not place it in the dishwahser, as it is easily washable. After a while, I have noticed little black buildup on the bottom and sides which is proving a little challenging to remove without damaging the color.

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Good,but handles and lids get really hot when cooking. Use towels or hand mits. Starting to see scratches here and there but we use them every day. We do not put them in the dishwasher at all only a little soap and hot water. Should last another few years...I hope

Discount West Bend 84915 5-Quart Oblong-Shaped Slow Cooker with Tote

Customer Ratings:
List Price: $69.99
Sale Price: $49.99
Today's Bonus: 29% Off

I've been slow-cooking since the first CrockPots (in the 1950's? -time flies). I've used a couple of dozen or more during that time. Settings were all Low-High-Off, later adding Warm. No bells and whistles. Most of these cookers were very unreliable on temperature control. Except for programming capability, little else has changed in 50 years.

The West Bend Versatility series is a quantum leap forward: non-stick metal pot that can be used to brown meat (any experienced slow-cooker knows what a convenience that is!); converts to a griddle if you don't have one handy; and has an infinite heating control from barely warm to just-short-of-boiling.

Because I'm a gadget geek, I made some tests. (First, please be aware that most slow-cookers typically peak at around the same point --somewhere between 180-210 degrees F, regardless of the heat setting. The main difference between Low, Medium, and High is how quickly the peak temperature is reached. Some of the more sophisticated cookers (the Versatility is one) have lower or higher peaks related to the setting. For the serious cook, these types are preferable).

My tests started with the pot 2/3 full of room-temperature water. I used a calibrated thermometer probe in the center of the pot. I put the cover on, but it wasn't seated where the probe wire exited.

TEMPERATURE SETTING #3 (LOW) HOURS MEASURED TEMPERATURE

1:00 157

2:00 176

3:00 180

4:00 182

5:00 183

6:00 183

7:00 188 (Flatlined)

TEMPERATURE SETTING #4 (MEDIUM)

1:00 170

2:00 188

3:00 194 (Flatlined)

TEMPERATURE SETTING #5 (HIGH)

1:00 155

2:00 198

2:45 209 (Flatlined)

I didn't do a time series on the #1 and #2 settings, but they topped out at 149 and 160 degrees respectively.

Remember that the Versatility setting is infinitely variable, so in-between heating speeds can be used. Also, bear in mind that these temperatures were measuring water only -cooking food may be different.

These ranges were relatively the same on both the 5-quart and 6-quart cookers.

Speaking of quarts, be aware that the "5-quart" has an actual maximum capacity of 4.3 quarts at overflowing. West Bend Customer Service still maintains that it's 5 quarts. The "6-quart" model is an actual 6-quart capacity. Practical capacity for cooking is, of course, less.

As other reviews have noted, there's no "off" setting, so you havee to unplug. However, the cooker end of the cored is unpluggable, so no big deal.

Other reviews have complained about the non-stick coating deteriorating. I refer them to the instructions in the manual, under the heading "Using Your Slow Cooker--First Use" wherein it describes how to avoid damage to the coating. I won't repeat it here -it's in the book. Also, note that while the coating is dishwasher-safe, it will last longer with hand-washing --a breeze due to the non-stick finish. Because so few users actually read directions, West Bend does not cover the non-stick under warranty.

All this said, the Versatiltiy is an incredible value for its price. It's a good example of how excellent design, engineering, and production can result in a quality product at very low cost. It's far and above any cooker I've used before.

4 stars only because it lacks an "off" switch, and the "5-quart" capacity is inaccurate and misleading.

Outstanding product and value!

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This is my third West Bend Slow Cooker in 20 years. I got rid of my oldest one and now have two I use regularly. I ordered this one because it had a carrier tote; I take my slow cooker with me to covered-dish dinners and church socials. This is a nice extra feature, but I would have bought a West Bend anyway; I like the adjustable heat-not just high, medium and low. I use my slow cookers to thaw and reheat frozen foods,cook turkey breasts, and make soups.You can put ingredients in the cooker in the morning and come home to a hot dinner. This is a good product, easy to clean and can be used on the stove top or even in the freezer. I highly recommend it.

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I got this because of a friend's recommendation about a year and a half ago. I was expecting more of a Rival Crockpot type of device and when I first opened it I thought this just is not going to work well.

I am really surprised. It cooks well on the range top, the griddle part also works well as a griddle, and when you put the two together it also works just fine.

I made a pot roast a couple of weeks ago. I first browned onions, garlic and carrots on the stove top. Then I browned the meat an all sides as well. Took that out and tossed a little wine in to mix it all up and then put the meat, the onions, garlic and carrots and bay leaves, rosemary and thyme in the pot. Added beef stock half way up the roast, set it on the griddle base, turned it to low and let it go for about 6 hours. It came out just right. Everything done in the one pot and just the way I like it.

Way better than the old type of crock pot in my opinion. Lots of uses in one device and easy to clean up as well. Could not do better and it was not expensive.

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The only reason I can't give this product a 5-star rating is the color. (The picture on Amazon appeared white, the product box used for shipping definitely showed white, but the product is a matte-finish grey. I'm dubious about how it will hold up over time.)

I ordered this product to replace the same thing, received over 30 years ago for a wedding gift. And the only reason I needed a replacement was because the lower portion (element/grill) was lost in a move! All of the original item still worked when last used. I can't say that for any other electrical item that old in my house.

This product has been so reliable and convenient over the years for me that I love to give it for wedding gifts! It's the best way I've found to both brown a roast stove-top, forget it while cooking low on the grill with veggies or beans, and still take the dish to another location. The additional tote I now have with the new cooker will just make transport that much easier. And I frequently refrigerate the leftovers in the pan with lid. Reheating on stove-top is so easy.

Great product!

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I have two and I love them...It gets used 2-3 times a week....Easy to clean. Put your meal on in the morning and walaa, its done for dinner..

The best slow cooker, I like the oblong the best...

Buy Bella Flame 12" Green Ceramic Coated Nonstick Fry Pan w/ Glass Lid

Customer Ratings:
List Price: $59.98
Sale Price: $32.95
Today's Bonus: 45% Off

I have discovered Ceramic coated fry pans and LOVE , Love < LOVE them.

So easy to use and no hard cleanup , just a quit wipe out and there you go!

I have several brands and this one is one of my Favorites..You cant go wrong with this Fry pan.

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If I could rate more than 5 stars on amazon, I would rate this Fry Pan 6 stars!!

This is one excellent fry pan, heats up quickly, cleans easy, looks delicate with all the etching inside and outside of the pan.

Not only do they look artistic, they also help disturbing heat evenly all over the pan.

I am so glad I bought this fry pan.

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This pan was falling apart within a couple of weeks. The green part of the handle fell off and a lot of pain chipped off on the back. It works well otherwise but I think it should have held up longer than a couple weeks.

Honest reviews on Bella Flame 12" Green Ceramic Coated Nonstick Fry Pan w/ Glass Lid

This pan is so much prettier in person. It has hearts on the bottom and a nice pattern on the nonstick coating. The best part is it's so easy to cook and clean with. Even scrambled eggs can rinse right off. I'd buy all my kitchenware by this company.

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We've used this pan for about a month and LOVE it so far. I was skeptical about its non-stick abilities before receiving it, but its non-stick abilities are far superior to a more expensive non-stick pan we purchased from Williams Sonoma.

I'll try posting an update in a few months for an update on how the non-stick has been holding up.

Best Calphalon Gadgets Vegetable Peeler Deals

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List Price: $8.00
Sale Price: $7.99
Today's Bonus: $0.01 Off

I'm quickly becoming a big fan of Calphalon. I picked this peeler up because I couldn't find the one we had. I just used it and I must say, I'm pleasantly surprised at how easilly it peels. The blade is long and freely rotates. I'm no engineer, but I think the shape really helps. I paid about the same amount for my last peeler, but it got the peel stuck in it constantly because it peeled so thick. This peeling is refreshing to use. The peels are very thin and it works very quickly. This is probably the last peeler I'll ever own.

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I'm typically a fan of caphalon products; they are usually well-made and well-thought out. But this peeler just doesn't work easily. It's very sharp so that's nice. but it's hard to get the right angle of the blade on the produce you're trying to peel. It took me at least twice as long to peel with this peeler than my old one. Sure, it's got calphalon quality, but quality is sort of irrelevant when it's so difficult to use the thing.

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I've had many other veg peelers thru the years and seems they all hurt my forefinger when using them for any vegetable except carrots. This one cost a little more but well worth it. Finally a peeler that makes peeling sweet potatoes a breeze! I haven't tried it on Butternut Squash but feel it will work as well. Thanks Calphalon!

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This peeler is hard to get to peel. You have to peel TOWARD you -you are supposed to peel AWAY from you. I now have a nice cut on my finger. I really miss my old cheap peeler I bought at the grocery store, will need to buy another this weekend.

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I've had this peeler for about a year now. It is comfortable in your hand, sharp, and overall does a good job peeling. However, not too long after I bought it, the blade started pulling out of the handle. I always hand wash it, so it's not that I'm abusing the product. That said, I jam the blade back in the handle and continue to use it. It works fine, but I sure wish the blade didn't pull out of the handle. I expected more from you Calphalon!

Review of Formaticum Cheese Paper with 30 Adhesive Labels, Package of 15, 11

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List Price: $8.59
Sale Price: $8.53
Today's Bonus: 1% Off

First I have to say that I love cheese and I purchase a lot some very expensive. I have tried various cheese "keepers" for storing cheese, tried many types of wraps and packages and except for my "antique" glass cheese keeper that requires the use of diluted vinegar in the bottom, I have not been happy with any.

I came across this product a while back, in the catalog of a cheese retailer, and ordered a package to try because I hate losing even a small amount of an expensive cheese.

It works! I used it to wrap some cheeses that are notorious for rapid hardening and/or molding (undesirable mold) and I was very pleased to find that this product works better, with less mess and less waste than anything else I have tried.

I'm ordering more, so I won't run out and also have sent some to my daughter, also a fan of cheese.

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I love cheese.

I mean I really love cheese... specifically your clothbound cheddars and your wensleydales.

The worst thing is to go to Whole Foods, take your time picking out a $20+ cheese only to go home and have them harden, deteriorate in texture and taste the very next day because of the whole foods butcher paper.

Cheese paper works. My Jasper Hill Cabot Clothbound Cheddar stays frim and craggly, just like it was meant to.

My only minor complaint is that now that I label my cheese, I can see how much cheese I eat and how quickly...it aint pretty folks.

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I am so pleased with this item. I am a big cheese lover and this really does solve the storage problem associated with cheese. It keeps the cheese fresh and flavorful. The sheets can be easily adjusted to the size of your cheese, so you can use one sheet for more than one block. In doing so, the sheets last a long time and you get a lot for your money. I highly recommend this product!

Honest reviews on Formaticum Cheese Paper with 30 Adhesive Labels, Package of 15, 11

I CAREFULLY WRAP MY EXPENSIVE CHEESES IN THE FORMATICUM PAPER AND THEY KEEP MUCH LONGER THAN SARAN, WAX OR OTHER PAPERS.....MY REGGIANO PARMESAN IS 4 MONTHS IN THE FORMATICUM AND IT IS AS FRESH AS JUST BOUGHT....AND I EFFECTIVELY USE THE SAME PAPER OVER AND OVER, MAKING SURE TO SEAL PROPERLY.

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Before I bought this cheese paper I would do the cheese search in the refrigerator. After buying cheeses, opening them, and then rewrapping them in heaven knows what--namely plastic wrap, aluminum foil, plastic containers, it was always the same result, moldy cheese. Not only that, but unless it was an identifiable cheese, like Brie, I didn't know what I had wrapped because the label was no longer there. This paper is similar to what Kerrygold cheese is wrapped in--it's a lightweight paper lined with a porous type of plastic. The box contains the paper in sheets plus some stickers that you can write on with the name of the cheese and the date it was wrapped or even sell by date. There are also pictures of a sheep, cow, and goat so the source can be identified by circling or checking one of them! What I also like is that the cheeses can be rewrapped after use and amazingly the stickers still stick! The paper can also be cut to size to wrap smaller cheeses. So far I have noted that the cheeses have stayed fresh with not a trace of mold. I found this product advertised in Cooks Illustrated and was delighted that I could order it here on Amazon! I highly recommend this product to all cheese lovers!

Just a note: I've also discovered that deli meats keep very well in this paper as well.

Charolles 26cm Shabu Shabu Pan Review

Customer Ratings:

works good maintains the temperature better then a regular pot for Shabu Shabu slightly expensive though. Stainless Steel easy t o clean.

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UPDATE-

2/21/12 I've used this now for Shabu Shabu a number of times, and I must say that my only complaint is that I'd like it to be slightly larger, but that's really not the fault of the pan, but more how much crap I throw in the pan when I make it, so this is an individual difference that shouldn't apply to the rating of the pan. Also, because the pan has an opening in the middle to allow heat to pass through the pan, it does make it slightly difficult to get solid items out if you don't have the right kind of spoon.

However, with all that said, this is a great and attractive pan for use with Shabu Shabu or Sukiyaki. Purchase without hesitation. I marked my review up from 4 stars to 5, especially considering the other pans out there look like doodoobutt.

7/16/11 Have yet to use this pan, but since there was a lack of reviews, thought that I would share what I thought about this pan. First, the instructions are in Japanese. Second, the pan is relatively nice, but a little light. I'm not sure how well it will retain heat, but it shouldn't be too much of an issue. It does have metal handles on both the lid and the pan itself. They aren't super cheap, but they aren't also super heavy. This pan seems to be pretty middle of the road in terms of quality. Not too bad, not too amazing. Again, just a review without use.Charolles 26cm Shabu Shabu Pan

Reviews of Chefs Secret? 4-Cup Heavy-Gauge Stainless Steel Espresso Maker

Customer Ratings:

I received this espresso maker as a gift. I am very pleased with this product. It makes good espresso and for less than $15! Of course, if you want to get nit-picky about how it's made and how cheap it looks, well I could see that. Mine didn't come with instructions, but that was easy enough to find on the manufacturer's website. But it works, and it's less than 15 bucks! This is for people who are looking for something that is small and simple. If you want something fancy-shmancy, go buy one with the fancy-shmancy price tag. Just sayin'...

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This steel Espresso maker works great and there is no unwanted flavor associated with the metal. Also, this size will give you two decent large cups.

Best Deals for Chefs Secret? 4-Cup Heavy-Gauge Stainless Steel Espresso Maker

You do not need to spend a whole lot of money, nor buy a named brand, to get a good cup of coffee. People have been making coffee on stovetops for a long time before electronic models became available. If you follow their instructions they can be quite good at the job.

I like this pot. It is nice to have a non-electric model around. After experiencing a major hurricane and earthquake, these items come in handy when things get rough.

With regard to some of the complaints I have read on this product, honestly, if you do not know how to make coffee or specifically how to use a moka pot there is a learning curve. It is fairly straight forward, but it just may take you 4 to 6 pots to figure it out.

For the many who complained, and did not understand the measurements, 1 cup in the espresso world can be anywhere, usually from 1, 1.5 to 2 ounces (depending upon whom you ask). So in the moka pot world, 4 cups could easily be 4, 6 or 8 ounces. But this moka pot does not make 8 oz., the lower chamber will only hold 6.5 oz. (for safety reason you are never to fill this above the little brass safety valve), then with water staying in the boil chamber and wetting the grounds, it will yield me around 4 espresso cups (using the 1 oz./cup unit of measure).

It is NOT made by A MAJOR BRAND NAME, but it is made perfectly well. The metal is stainless, making a cleaner cup than aluminum of many other brands. There are three pieces; the upper brewing chamber with a hollow rod the coffee arises from, the coffee filter/basket with a hollow rod to the bottom, and the lower boil pot. Only the bottom is labeled stainless steel, but the other parts look and feel stainless too. The threads between the pots are smooth and work perfectly well. Both the handle and the top knob seem perfectly soldered and stable for many years of normal use.

New it had a stinky metallic smell that leaves when you prep the pot. The instructions state to first wash all pieces with ½ cup of white vinegar. Regardless, for any of these stove top espresso makers, make and THROW OUT THE FIRST 3 POTS OF ESPRESSO. I threw out my first three pots of espresso, drank the fourth which was okay. But my fifth was very, very good.

To me this is espresso-like or good coffee, depending upon how it is used. That being said, to me, this generated espresso and previous to this pot, only made 15 psi (via a pump) with one of my at-home espresso makers. But for me, looking for a good coffee in a cheap stovetop espresso maker, this works more than fine.

1)fill filter basket with medium to fine (not espresso) ground coffee

2)fill water to the brass valve, DO NOT put water over that valve, for SAFETY (you can use preheated water, it makes the process much faster)

3)put filter basket on top of water chamber, KNOCK OFF ALL COFFEE ground, this must be clean to seal

4)screw on upper chamber, fairly snug

5)put on heat

6)within minutes you will have a concentrated coffee (some cool the pot to keep steam or heat from degrading the oils in the coffee)

No Soap! Just rinse and dry it after you are through. Make sure to rinse under the coffee pot area where there is a gasket. Coffee grounds accumulate there too, and if they are not cleaned it will leak steam and hot water the next time you try to use it. (If you happen to wash it (with soap) you need to re-season it again, by making a few pots and throwing the away.)

Good luck!

Honest reviews on Chefs Secret? 4-Cup Heavy-Gauge Stainless Steel Espresso Maker

The espresso maker is great, works well and I love that all of it is coated. My last pot was only coated in the water area.

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Makes an espresso! Simple, no funny metallic flavors. I'm worried it won't hold up for too long, but so far so good. Grind your beans finer than drip, but not as fine as espresso.

Cuisinart 77-10 Chef's Classic Stainless 10-Piece Cookware Set Reviews

Customer Ratings:
List Price: $400.00
Sale Price: $131.25
Today's Bonus: 67% Off

Let me preface this review with the fact that I am Italian and raised 5 children on daily home-cooked meals. The kitchen is the center of my home. So when my daughter got her own apartment out west and asked for a set of pots for Christmas, I wanted to make sure I got her a quality set that would last her for years and years. I knew what I wanted for her, but didn't know which brand to purchase. Non-stick was out (I have never liked it). The pots also had to be both dishwasher/oven safe, and I wanted the pot handles to be riveted into the pot. Off I went to the mall with my "specifications" in hand to look at the different brands and sets available. Boy was I amazed at how many there were! I took my time and examined each set. Not only did I look at the sets, but I also handled the sets. This is VERY important. Many of the quality sets were so heavy that I needed two hands to lift the larger pieces, and although I could lift the smaller saucepans, I had difficulty tilting them to the side to pour. Others had handles that were very uncomfortable to use. Then I came upon the Cuisinart Chef's Classic Stainless 10-piece cookware set. I was very impressed by the quality. They were heavy grade yet easy to handle. They also met my other specifications listed above AND they looked really nice as well. The price of $149 was quite unbelievable. I drove home and ran straight to my computer and ordered the set through Amazon. I got free shipping and had the set delivered directly to my daughter. I also used the holiday bonus coupon for $25 off my order. I was so impressed with the set and the deal Amazon was offering, a few days later I purchased a second set through Amazon for myself. I LOVE them. They cook beautifully on my gas range and clean up well in the dishwasher. The handles DO NOT get hot while cooking, which totally surprised me. Do be careful with the lid handles though. They will get hot if cooking on higher heat. I haven't had a problem with delicate foods burning due to the high thermoconductivity of the pans; however, my stove is a professional grade 6-burner unit. I don't know if that makes any difference or not. All I can say is this set looks great, cooks great, handles great, and sells at a great price. What more can you ask for?

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After comparing major cookware lines, All Clad, Emeril, Wolfgang Puck, Jamie Oliver online, as well as in major stores, Williams Sonoma, Macy's, Linen n Things, etc., I purchased Cuisinart's Chefs Classic set. Quality, features, and value could not be matched! The price (with free shipping), also included a kitchen tools set, a nice bonus.

Thanksgiving was my big "road test". The quality is outstanding! The mirror finish stainless kettles have a nice weight, well-fitting lids, classy sturdy riveted handles, flat bottoms that fit nicely on the burners, and stay-cool handles. They heat evenly. I do not like nonstick cookware, and by adding a little water to the pan after cooking, cleanup was a breeze. I put them all in the dishwasher and they come out sparkling.

I bought a chrome potrack and display them proudly. They indeed look and perform like very high-priced cookware. This was indeed a great purchase!

Any minor spotting or discloration from use, disappears like magic with the use of a small amount of Barkeeper's Friend powder.

I am so pleased with my set that I have already added to it; I purchased a 2qt. and 3qt. saucepan, and the 5 1/2 qt. saute pan. The saute pan is a work of art; especially good for those big pieces of meat on Holidays, and at $39.99, an unbelievable value. I plan on purchasing several as gifts.

It is also ovenproof to 550 degrees; something not found in the plastic-lid products.

You will not be disappointed.

Best Deals for Cuisinart 77-10 Chef's Classic Stainless 10-Piece Cookware Set

The day after Thanksgiving, "Black Friday" is the official kick off of the Holiday shopping season. I have never participated in this event, however those 20% coupons to shop between 6AM and 11AM enticed me. I needed a new cookware set, since my old pots and pans dated back to before I was born.

I am known as the "Research King" & "The Negotiator", so yes I did my homework. I was going to purchase a non stick set for $300.00, however you have to "feel" the set before buying. Is the weight even, do the covers fit right you know what I mean. NOTE: I cook every night and have for years. I am not a Chef, but can cook a great meal.

Right next to Anolon at Macy's Dept. store, was the Cuisinart 10 Piece Classic Stainless cookware. It looked good, the weight was even, the lids fit great, but why so inexpensive? I researched Cuisinart and knew it was a good brand, so after playing around with the pots and pans for 20 minutes I bought the set! So this is what I got:

8" & 10" Skillet

1.5 QT & 3 QT Saucepan with covers

3.5 QT Saute with helper handle and cover

8 QT Stockpot with cover

FREE Gift with purchase: 2 QT Saucier

Extra Purchase: 5 1/2 QT All purpose pan with cover.

So, all in all, I got a 13 piece set for the grand total of: $130.75

Yes, I took advantage of a 20% coupon and then an additional 10% coupon. All 13 pieces are part of Cusinarts's Cheft's Classic line.

My Experience: (Rate by school grade A through F)

* Appearance: All the pieces looked great. The set looks as if it should be worth $500.00 (Grade A )

* Weight: The weight of each piece is solid and even. An important point because I flip my food and move the pans a lot while cooking. Note: These pieces do not feel cheap. Very good solid feel. (A-)

* Covers: The lids are a little light in weight, however they create a vacum seal when the heat is turned down. They do a better job then I expected. Normally with lighter lids you think they would wiggle and pop off, but these hold tight! (B )

* Handles: Solid Stainless steel, riveted handle. Solid feel and yes they stay cool. Also long enough to get a good grip. (A)

* Heat Distribution Cuisinart recommends cooking on lower heat. Yes, this is true. The aluminum bottoms heat quickly and there are no hot spots. Trust me, use low heat. (A )

* Sticking Well, these are not non stick. I used most of these pots and pans already to reheat our Thanksgiving dinner. Some things really stuck to the pots even when using PAM. Mashed potatoes, stuffing, stuck like glue. Next morning: Bacon stuck, but eggs did not. Go figure.... (B-)

* Clean Up: Water and soap in pan right after cooking. Yes this works well, but I have always done this. (B)

* Dishwasher: Yes, they are dishwasher safe, however after one cycle, the inside bottoms of a couple of pans had a purple tint to it. So, I have decided just to hand wash these for now. (Until I get lazy). (C-)

Final grade: B

Honest reviews on Cuisinart 77-10 Chef's Classic Stainless 10-Piece Cookware Set

I recently got a new ceramic top stove when our old electric stove's oven caught fire while reheating thanksgiving leftovers.

Since I had the new stove I decided that it was time to buy the new cookware I had been wanting for some time. I looked at a local retail store and liked the Cuisinart best for quality and price. Then I saw this bigger, nicer set on Amazon.com with the free utensil set and ordered it on the spot.

I have had the set for a week now and like using it. This cookware is well designed, has a good solid weight to it but not too heavy, it transfers heat evenly and efficiently. Cooking with it takes some getting used to, if you are used to using cheap pots and pans like me you will find that a lower heat setting is needed than you are used to using. Clean up is easy too. Just put warm water with a drop or two of dish soap in the pan when you are done cooking, leave it until the meal is eaten and the water is cool, then wash and dry by hand or put them in the dishwasher using non lemon detergent, and heated dry. They come out of the dishwasher shining with no spots.

Overall I think this is a excellent value in quality stainless steel cookware. I would recommend it to any one tired of using cheap cookware and cookware with coatings that always peels off in a year or two.

May 16, 2005

I still love this set. I now have them on a pot rack so they can be seen since they still look so good. I have added the steamer insert that works with both sauce pans, it works great for veggies and was around 20 some dollars. I would like to get the larger saute pan. this is the best set I have had ever and guest and family are impresseed when they see it. I was shopping at the local mall a few weeks ago and saw this same set at a fancy department store for $400!!! It's worth that much but thankfully Amazon sells it for way less.

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Ups:

-They are decent pans, looks great when you first take them out.

-They are sturdy and I use metal utensils to cook, I like that.

-The attached aluminum plate in the bottom helps spread and retain heat, if your stove isn't that powerful.

Downs:

-I like to sear and stir fry a lot with hot pans, so they will discolor a little with heat. Overheated oil will cause black oil spots on the pan that are hard to remove.

-You need the pan to be hot so that it doesn't stick, and you will need to use a little more oil than typical. If you don't do either of these, your non-greasy food WILL stick to the pan.

-The aluminum plate takes some time to heat up.

-The aluminum plate reduces the responsiveness of "lowering the flames" on your stove. Less control.

What this set needs:

Large Pan

Non-stick omlette pan

Wok