Reviews of Swisspro Vegetable Peeler

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And anyone can use it, whether you are right handed, left handed, or -like a politician -underhanded. It's Swiss quality! See that loop on the side? That gets the eyes of your potatoes, and cleans up pineapples without wasting any fruit! It even slices cheese into wafer thin slices, effortlessly!

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I have 3 years buying this peeler and absolutely love it and will never use another as long as I can. It peels everything so easily, quickly and slices thin as well. Like coleslaw? Well this makes thin slivers of cabbage a breeze.The handle can be turned around to scoop out the guts of a melon, pumpkin etc... The notch on the side pulls out the eyes of potatoes easy as well.

I have arthric hands and cannot peel without causing me much pain but with this wide handle, I can for long periods of time without effort. I gift these to all the cooks I know and we are all in awe of this great product.

I will be honest and state that it does rust easily if you do not oil the hinge after every use (cooking oil is all that is needed), and is not dishwahser safe but it is worth the effort.

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I've had this for over a year, and I love it. Everyone that ever used it in my kitchen also loved it.

Just be careful and don't use it for peeling small or round things like apples for example, or you'll cut nice thin pieces of your holding thumb just like I did.

This peeler is perfect for big potatoes, squash, carrots, cucumbers, or anything that's elongated.

Also, do not wash it in the dishwasher, or leave it in water. Just rinse it right after use and hang it to dry. You don't want rust on it, do ya?

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I've been using the same peeler for at least 10 years. It is finally starting to die slowly. I never oiled it, washed it in the dishwasher all the time. It just kept working like it was new all these years. I bought it at a flea market in Stormville, NY for about $2.50. I sure have gotten my money's worth.

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You know when you peel a pineapple with a knife and you leave all the bits behind? Use the eye, you pull the bits out the back. Use the same eye, you're gonna make really good french fries. You know why they're so good? They've got three sides, not four (that's how the French make them). They use less oil, and they cook quicker. And if you want to make them taste great, you leave the skin on the potato. You don't peel it, you wash it. Cook them like that with the skin on. And if you cook these yourself without trans-fat, you wash them down with red wine, you'll never die. You'll live forever.

Chicago Metallic Non-Stick Large Tortilla Shell Pans, Set of 2 Reviews

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List Price: $15.00
Sale Price: $9.49
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I purchased a set of these over ten years ago and use them often. When we have guests, I simply bake as many as I need ahead of time. When dinner time rolls around, I place them on plates, set out dishes of ingredients, and let everyone fill theirs the way they want. Now I am buying sets as gifts for others because of the rave reviews I received. A wonderful gift for anyone. If you do not like tacos, try filling them with some of your other favorite ingredients. Lemon pie, chocolate, etc.

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This is a great set of Tostada Salad Shell / Taco Salad Bowl Pans.

I used burritos size flour tortillas

I brushed both side lightly with oil and baked

They tasted Wonderful!

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Used these for the first time last night. The bowls turned out even better than I had hoped.

Perfect size for burrito size tortillas with enough room to spare where you could use the super size wraps.

I used multi-grain flour tortillas and olive oil spray. I think "Taco Salad" night will replace Pizza night.

Honest reviews on Chicago Metallic Non-Stick Large Tortilla Shell Pans, Set of 2

I knew I would love these tortilla bowls the first time I saw them. I always skipped tostadas because of the shell being fried. These make the most tasty and delicious shells, and much better for your health because they are baked. Spray the pans with oil, then steam the tortilla in the microwave for a few seconds to make it soft. Lay in your pan and press it around the curves. Tear a couple really small holes in the bottom so it doesn't puff up like pie crust does (I don't use a fork because I don't want to scratch the non-stick coating). Then bake at 375 degrees for about 8 minutes. Cool for 5 minutes and fill with your favorite fillings. I am making the dessert one today! Before you bake the shell, brush with orange juice, sprinkle with sugar and cinnamon, bake, and fill with ice cream or yogurt, fruit, anything you like.

Highly recommended !!!

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This is a great way to make a taco salad. They are great even cold. I had a party for 24 and made them ahead of time. They were still crisp and everyone loved making their salads from the taco bar that included two types of meats, two types of beans, two types of lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, olives, jalapenos, etc.

Cheap Wusthof Classic 6-Inch Sandwich Knife

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List Price: $115.00
Sale Price: $89.95
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I just added this knife to my Wusthof collection. I arrived extremely sharp, and is nice for semi-fine work. Activities like dicing shallots, which are too small for a large 8 inch knife and to big for a paring knife, are nice with this knife. Be careful though, the tip of the blade is quite thin, and will not stand up to abuse.

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My old favorite for almost 30 years was the 6" chef's knife until this one moved in a year ago.

One reviewer opined that the 4" and 8" blades take care of either end of the spectrum, so who needs this knife? Me. Think of it as a broad spectrum knife! I use it and skip the 4" and 8" knives. Even though the other knives are available, this is the one I go for most of the time. I also prefer it to our beautiful Santoku knife.

Another reviewer thought it too expensive. Well, not when it's my favorite knife! It's a comfortable and capable tool, with an edge that won't quit. The shape, length and weight of this slightly slimmer blade as well as the overall balance in my hand are perfect for me.

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There are really two main competitors in the high-end mainstream kitchen knife market: Henckels and Wusthof. Those who have used both usually have a preference. My preference (and therefore bias you should know about) is for the Wusthofs.

The Wusthof Classic line is the more conservative counterpart to the Grand Prix line. The only difference, however, is the handle style. I personally prefer the Grand Prix, but this is an issue of personal preference. The balance and grip of these knives are as close to perfect as I have found. For those wondering what benefits a higher priced knife provides, one benefit is that the blade (or tang) is one piece all the way through the handle. This makes the blade much stronger, and less likely to snap.

This particular model is the 6 inch sandwich knife. I don't find this knife to be particularly useful in everyday usage. The 8 inch chef's knife, or 4 ½ inch utility knife work just fine for jobs on either end of the spectrum. Do you really need this expensive of a knife to cut baloney? I don't.

Don't get me wrong; this is a good high quality knife. However, for the mainstream chef, I think its usage will be minimal, and thus it is overkill.

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My most used knife in the kitchen in my Wusthof 4" paring knife. The next most used knife is my Wusthof 6 3/8" Sandwich knife. This knife stays incredably sharp. It's blade is thinner than most other knives in its size, including the Henkle. The blade taper starts almost from the very edge. These two factors helps it slice through what you are cutting easier that thicker knives. I have found the blade thickness to be a very big factor when cutting. I have Henkle knives also, but they do not hold their edge anywhere as long as my Wuthof knives. My teenage kids refer to this Wusthof knife as the "death knife" because it is always so sharp, and scarry to them. I use it for cutting bread (works better than a serrated knife), vegtables, mellons, and carving meats. The only use I have for my 8" knife is lettuce and carving turkeys. I get much more use out of this 6" knife. I never use my knives as a screew driver or to pry anything, so the thinness is not a problem. Wusthof knives last a life time and are worth every cent you pay for them.

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I bought this knife for my dad a few weeks ago (for fathers' day). He uses it almost exclusively in place of his older knives now! The 6-inch design is a perfect length for almost any job, too.

When I was researching, a good number of people said that it was not multi-functional enough to be worth the price. I found that the knife definitely has some things it does better than others, but it still does a fine job cutting vegetables; the taller blade does optimize it for sandwiches and such, but does great with many utility knife jobs.

Review of Mauviel M'Passion 4180.55 Canele 2-Inch Mold, Tinned Interior

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If you wish to make the French pastry Canele de Bordeaux (also spelled/called Canneles Bordelais), the proper way to do it is using these traditional, tin-lined copper molds. Copper molds produce results that are far superior to that which can be achieved with Silicone molds by creating the requisite, carmelized, exterior "crust". Copper is an excellent conductor that is why copper pots and pans distribute heat so evenly and quickly. It is also why electrical wire is made from copper. Silicone is not a good conductor and accordingly does not transmit heat readily that is why oven mitts are often made from silicone and why, in electrical applications, silicone is sometimes used an insulator. As a result, silicone molds can produce a blonder or unevenly carmelized crust. In addition to that, copper molds are simply more fun to use than a floppy, synthetic mold. After all, the act of cooking can be enjoyable as well as eating what is created and these beautiful, copper molds help make it more so.

These molds are the traditional 2.1 inch (height) size. Smaller, copper molds are available, but this is considered the appropriate sized mold for Caneles. Be sure to season the molds before the first use coat interior with vegetable shortening (e.g. Crisco) and heat in oven at 350 for one hour; flip upside down and heat for five minutes to drain oil; leave molds in oven as it cools down. Then find a good recipe and create these wonderful, handheld desserts. Martha Stewart's "Baking", Paula Wolfert's "The Slow Mediterranean Kitchen" and Pascal Rigo's "American Boulangerie" all have recipes, each of which differs slightly from the others. It is worth noting that Martha Stewart's recipe for caneles in the book "Baking" is different than the Stewart recipe found online. Try using the "Look Inside" feature for the Stewart and Wolfert books on Amazon and run a search for "canele" to get a peek at the recipe.

Wash using water only so as to ensure the tin surface stays seasoned with oil (soap would remove it). Soak if necessary to remove hardened sugar crust from Canele batter. When the molds have been properly seasoned as noted above and are then oiled before each use with a mixture of beeswax and sunflower oil or just oil, the Canele should release, but if does not, gently go around the top edge and/or down the ridges with a toothpick or wooden kebab skewer to release any part of the crust that is sticking to the mold. Do not use metal since this will eventually scratch the thin coating of tin from the copper. If after much use the molds smell rancid, boil the molds and season then them as done when new.

The molds are expensive and given the long cook times (up to two hours), you will most likely wish to have at least eight molds, and possibly twelve or more, but after you produce your first batch of Caneles, you will quickly forget the cost. Pictures I posted in the customer Images section provide an idea of the results that can be achieved with these molds.

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When I first tried Caneles, I was studying abroad in Bordeaux. Several years later, I ran across Paula Wolfert's recipe for these tasty treats and decided to try making them myself. Originally, I tried to make them with the silicon molds as $20 a piece seemed a high price (even with the Mauviel name attatched). I had a modicum of luck with the flavor of my French pastries made in silicon molds, but to be excellent, I knew that I had to use beeswax and real copper molds; otherwise the outer shell was neither crispy nor did they have the almost bitter taste of burned sugar.

I bought 10 of these molds as a serious investment in my favorite dessert and have been more than pleased with them.

I have made several batches in the past few weeks and every batch has been as good as those I remember tasting in France.

Be sure to properly season the molds before first use and equally important is to not use soap and water to wash out the inside after use.

These are a great buy and worth the money if you love caneles.

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I really love this copper mold then the ones that I bought in a local store which the seller claims that it came from France. I bought 4 of them from Amazon and it works like wonders, it doesn't stick and my cannelés turn out nice and perfect~~even i am thinking about buying more to replace my other set~~A MUST BUY!!!!

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Best canele mold. Tried silicone one and was very dissappointed with the texture. This mauviel mold makes the outside of the canele crunchy and the inside creamy. I own 12 of them and it's an investment but well worth it.

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My son gave me four of these molds as a wonderful birthday gift! They are beautiful and their use resulted in a perfectly crisp, carmelized crust, with a creamy, custardy interior. As for baking with them, I highly recommend watching Albarock's YouTube video on making cannelés! (It is in French, but there are some English translations and you can get the gist of what he means, by watching.) He says to use lots of non-stick cooking spray on the molds and to be sure to tap the cannelés out while hot from oven. (Use oven mitt!) That technique worked perfectly for me! I didn't season the molds, the cannelés popped out and nothing was left behind. But go watch the video -it will make you confident and lead you on the path to making amazing cannelés!

Tramontina Gourmet Domus Fry Pan with Tri-Ply Base Size: 12" Reviews

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List Price: $90.00
Sale Price: $59.95
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Works like All Clad, made in American, is best 12" fry pan other than All Clad just great hand wash, easy clean up, just love it, have ordered other items from Tramontina

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Mauviel M'Heritage M150B 6526.22 8.6 Inch Round Frying Pan Reviews

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List Price: $215.00
Sale Price: $214.95
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Beautiful, impeccable quality. A perfect size for a good fried steak (or anything) or a spanish omelette, which is what I use it for most of the time. If you live alone, this is your perfect frying pan for quick, single serving foods.

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Sometimes I just have to cook on medium heat. When I do, I reach for a pan with a high copper content. I finally decided to turn the copper content all the way up to "11." So I bought a Mauviel M'Heritage M150B 8.6" Round Frying pan.

The Mauviel M'Heritage M150B 8.6" Round Frying pan works great for a little light duty cooking. These pans are a decent compromise in that they are copper pans that have a thin stainless steel liner. Stainless steel and copper have wildly different reactions to salts and acids, so you'll want to watch what you are doing. Just read the directions that come with the pans and it'll last forever.

Best KitchenAid Gourmet Stainless Steel 10-Piece Cookware Set Deals

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List Price: $260.00
Sale Price: $179.99
Today's Bonus: 31% Off

Customer review from the Amazon Vine Program OK, I am a bachelor, I live alone with the cat. OTOH, I am actually a fair hand in the kitchen. However, my pots and pans are a collection of thriftshop bargains and hand-me-downs, no two of which match, and several of which aren't in very good shape.

So, when I had a chance to get this cool new cookware set from the famed KitchenAid folks, I jumped on it.

And, I am glad I did. This is a pretty "cool" set (and "cool" has a double-meaning here). Each piece is well crafted and solid. No thin cheapo stuff here.

You get two saucepans, a stockpot and a sauté panall with good solid glass covers with the neatest silicon rubber seals I have seen. And, two fry pans.

The glass covers allow you to watch your food, while sealing in the heat and steam when needed. They also don't rattle.

They also come with a silicon rubber pad under the heavy handle. This means that a heavy pot doesn't cut into your hand when lifting, it decreases fatigue. It also protected my hand from getting burnt when I forgot the potholderNICE! That's the other "cool" part.

(Still, one should always use hand protection anyway. "Important safety tip. Thanks, Egon.").

They also clean up just fine, just about as well as "non-stick". Just a spritz of oil spray and they were spotless with little effort. I even "torture tested" one, leaving stuff overnite and it still cleaned up spotless.

Now, in this paean of praise, I do want to say one thingI still like my old inherited cast iron frypan (It's older than I am!). I think it does a better job even than these stainless steel & aluminum marvels for certain fry jobs, like steaks (And I do like a good steak!). But of course, seasoning and maintaining good cast iron is a long term process, and not for everyone. However, for me, for this set, I would have preferred one more saucepan and one less frypan.

Gorgeous set, perfect for as a giftwedding, housewarming or that bachelor you may know.

I have dropped off all my old stuff to the Salvation Army folks.... except my cast iron, of course!

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Customer review from the Amazon Vine Program We were really excited to get this set.

Unpacking them, we thought these will be great to use:

The handles are sturdy and easy to grip

The handles have hard-rubber like material underneath that make them easy to grab and not so hot

The steel is brilliant and the finishing fantastic

The thickness of the metal makes them feel high class and very sturdy

The problem...

We were cooking some vegetables and put the lid on the skillet. Not an uncommon thing to do, but when we checked the pot, the lid was stuck!

It wasn't that easy to work with when the pan was so hot, so we let it cool thinking that the pan and the lid would come unstuck. Nope.

Big problem, we were going out of town the next day. So not only did we not have the food we cooked, we had to put the pan in the fridge to try to work on it when we got back from our trip.

This was not a good way to get going with the set.

Even when the pan was completely cooled, we couldn't get the lid off. We tried running it under cold water, hot water, we were pulling very hard to try to get the lid off, and no go.

Finally after getting back from our trip, we were able to fit the edge of a spoon between the rubber part of the lid and the pan and pry the lid off.

Whew. We'd be careful to not let that happen again...right?

Well, it happened again with one of the pots and the lid. The lid got stuck and wouldn't come off and we were trying to watch for to prevent it from happening!

The trick to getting the pans and lids unstuck, in case it happens to you, is to get the edge of a sturdy spoon, and to place it at the rubber part of the lid just over the handle of the pot, then you can use the pot's handle for leverage to pop the top off.

It wouldn't be such a big deal, but these are very nice cookware pieces. You'd think that this sort of thing would have been tested for.

So if lids suctioned to their pans is something you don't mind, go for. If not, get ready to pump some iron, er, steel.

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Customer review from the Amazon Vine Program I couldn't be more pleased with this cook set. As I continue to use it I will update this review. There are a couple other sets out there that are close competition so I wanted to be clear on what makes this set different for me. I'm a single guy who doesn't always cook daily, but is not afraid to tackle "advanced" cooking techniques and real homemade from scratch food when I get the urge. I want to give a complete review so you understand what kind of cooking I do and how I use the cookware to best understand if it may fit your needs.

My background with cookware:

I'm normally a Farberware and T-Fal user, not the cheapest, not the most expensive and I've been eyeing upgrading my essential cookware for some time. Specifically-as my cooking skills advance I could use pans that can also go in the oven-which my current T Fal and Farberware cannot. Doing dicing in the pan is a no-go on the nonstick surfaces (I've ruined some, knowing I shouldn't do it, but needing to), so the French skillets in stainless in this kit was very welcomed.

What you get:

The description is accurate on "what & how many", but I wanted to outline the experience. From opening the box I was struck by the beauty of this cookware-very visually appealing, and could easily be displayed in your kitchen. If you have no option than to hang pans, these look really really nice. It's all very thick and durable, but at the same time does not feel too heavy at all. The weight seems just right, and well balanced from side to side. Even from sight, a pan on pan comparison left me ready to donate my old cookware for this set. Of course I didn't, and will continue to use th new set to see how well I like it.

The aluminum disc in the bottom of the pans is really a step up from what I'm used to (I attached a picture)-quite thick, and does do a great job of even heating. The handles and lids have silicone rubber seals and grips, which not only looks but feels premium and keeps the lid from "rattling" during heavy boils. Looking back, the T-Fal and Farberware were quite basic with hard plastic handles and lid handles that couldn't go in the oven. I guess you don't know what you're missing until you've experienced better!

The handles are extremely comfortable to use (picture attached), and I hadn't realized how this would make a difference over what I am using currently. The curve evenly distributes the weight of the pan across the whole palm of your hand as you grip it, as opposed to my current T-Fal which puts most of the weight at one end of your hand due to the straight through construction. With a straight handle you pick your shoulder up in the air so your hand accommodates the handle, instead of the handle accommodating to you. Very appreciated and easily overlooked feature.

The sauce pan and stock pan are wide topped to make it easy for in-pan whisking, as well as quicker reductions. I believe the kit calls this "windsor shape" which I wasn't familiar with.

Cleanup has been great so far, and as a kit you can fit every piece in a standard sized dishwasher in one washing (picture attached). I always say the real test of a pan is how well it cleans up when something gets a bit burnt on, or potatoes fog up the bottom of a stock pot. Neither has happened to me yet, so I'll have to report back in after that happens.

Comparison to other close matched 10 piece kits Amazon sells:

The Cuisinart 77 kit is 10 piece also, and can go 150 degrees higher in the oven, but does not have silicone grips or lid seals and windsor leans.

The Farberware Classic set is similar 10 piece, and is essentially what I own. The non stick pans scrape easily, handles are hard and can only oven to 350 degrees. Pans are thinner and lids rattle.

The Cuisinart Chef kit is well rated, but doesn't have premium handles, as deep of a frying pan, or rattle free lids.

The Rachel Ray kit is really nice, but hand washing is recommended. Major bummer in my book.

Warranty & Value:

The warranty with this kit is similar to others-to your door replacement first year, and send in for a similar replacement for life. A normal expectation with premium cookware. An interesting bit of research I did-the instruction and warranty envelope said "Thank you for purchasing Meyer Gourmet Cookware". Meyer Manufacturing makes Anolon brand cookware, which, if you compare, would yield this to be the best value Anolon cookware set available!

In summary, I've been pleased with the set and some premium features it includes over my existing collection of cookware. It looks nice, cooks well and cleans up well. It would make a great kit for the aspiring cook, for your first set of cookware if the price is ok for you, as a gift, or for someone who really needs to replace several items in your cookware collection. Of course if you're a professional chef, you'll probably prefer to build your cookware set piece by piece, but if you're in the market for a really nice set, I couldn't recommend any other options more than this one.

*I've attached several photos that have additional comments beyond the review.

Update 1: After some use, two new discoveries: The large stock pot and the skillets use the same size lids, so that's one less "trial" you have to do when reaching for one plus a lid. On the downside, the "tops" of the metal handles don't stay as cool as I want, and actually can get pretty hot. The normal grip of a lid is around the handle, so you have to learn to lift with the flat part of your hand and not grip around it. I disliked this feature enough that I docked it a star, down to 4 stars.

Update 2: Some more weeks in, I've had some food stick and it washed right away... no stains, no problems. Still just as pleased as I was originally. After update 1 above, I've mad just a tiny adjustment to how I grab the lids, and it's proven no problem again at all. I've left the review at 4 stars instead of 5 because I'd suggest a design modification for the handle style but other than that I'm still far more pleased with this kit than the Farberware stuff I had before.

Honest reviews on KitchenAid Gourmet Stainless Steel 10-Piece Cookware Set

(2008 HOLIDAY TEAM) Customer review from the Amazon Vine Program This KitchenAid Gourmet Stainless Steel 10-Piece Cookware Set is a good solid product and a good value for what you get. Over the past year I have evaluated a lot of cookware and used pots and pans from 3 new cookware sets. Good cookware is a big investment. While this set is reasonable, it will be worth it for some people to invest a little more on an alternative.

PROS:

++ Good value for a stainless steel set

++ Variety of pots allow you to prepare many types of meals

++ Glass lids allow you to monitor your food without slowing down the cooking

++ Handle grips are cushioned to add some comfort when moving skillets or pots

++ Skillets have high walls for splatter or for turning omelets

++ Riveted handles provide greater strength and durability than the screws used in many entry level sets

++ Saucepans are functional

++ Awesome oversized stock pot is great for stews and soups

++ Non-stick surface heats up quickly and cleans easily, though clad performs better

++ Warrantee allows for free replacement within the first year

++ After the first year, you have to send in the cookware at your own expense if it fails

CONS:

-Does not specify the grade of stainless steel, which means it's likely not 18/10

-Thick aluminum core bases add a lot of weight

-For a little more, an entry level clad set offers much more in terms of quality and features

-Alternatives have metal lids instead of silicone ringed glass (could be a positive if you like this feature)

-Skillets are on the smaller side, limiting functionality

-While functional, saucepans are on the smaller side as well

-Pan walls are on the thin side

-Touted as "dishwasher safe," but the fine-print states dishwasher use voids the warrantee

-Many other warrantee limitations, so read carefully before first use

-Also touted as "oven-safe" though I advise against this (low heat rating, handle grips, etc.)

PERFORMANCE VS PRODUCT CLAIMS

Only a quick clean-up was required before the initial use. I found that cleaning up the pots and pans took longer after each use than my clad cookware. But the pans all heated up evenly, if a little slowly. One other note about this product is that despite the product description, plan to clean every piece by hand if you don't want to void your warrantee. While the set is technically "dishwasher safe," the fine-print on the included pamphlet states in no uncertain terms that they are not responsible for damage caused by dishwashers.

The skillets worked well, though the 8.5 inch skillet is a little small for my use. Even the 10 inch is about the smallest I would ideally use. An ideal set would include one 10 inch skillet and one 12 inch. The 8 inch is good for preparing single portions at a time, and is certainly good enough for omelets or small portions of pan seared meats. But I try to make as many meals using single pans, which is why I would tend towards larger skillets. Just one note: the product description includes the claim that these are perfect for making crepes. If anybody has the skill to make a decent crepe in a skillet, I bow down to you.

The large stock pot is really the nicest pot in this set. It's normal for sets to include slightly smaller stock pots, and the added size means this will be immediately useful as an addition to my many different pots. It's not oversized, but this is a great size for stews and soups.

THE ALTERNATIVES

This set is aluminum core cookware, which is why there are thick disks at the base of each piece. That helps them to heat evenly, but it also adds a lot of weight.

There are many advantages to a fully clad set such as the Cuisinart MCP-12 MultiClad Pro Stainless Steel 12-Piece Cookware Set I've been using over the past 6 months. Clad cookware heats up much quicker, has a higher temperature threshold, and is lighter to use. It's also a little bit easier to clean, though that distinction only shows up over long term use. The Cuisinart 77-10 Chef's Classic Stainless-Steel 10-Piece Cookware Set or Cuisinart 77-17 Chef's Classic Stainless 17-Piece Cookware Set are also worth consideration, though I don't own that version.

Also, there is bound to be some concern about leaching from the silicone rings on the glass tops. I am not super concerned about that, as this material has come a long way. There is tons of silicone bake-ware that has to withstand much higher temperatures than this set. Still, Kitchen Aid has a number of similar sets that have metal rimmed glass or stainless steel lids. The KitchenAid Gourmet Distinctions Stainless Steel 10-Piece Cookware Set, KitchenAid 75826 Gourmet Essentials 10-Piece Brushed Stainless Steel Cookware Set and KitchenAid Gourmet Essentials Stainless Steel 12-Piece Cookware Set all deserve consideration. I would definitely review them if that is an issue for you.

CONCLUSION

If you are looking for a gift for a housewarming or a young graduate getting their first apartment, this has to be high on the list of sets to be considered. But if you are looking for yourself and this is your first foray into stainless steel cookware, you may want to evaluate your options. Paying a little more now can help you avoid having to buy another set in the future. The Cuisinart Multiclad Pro is my favorite.

Happy shopping.

Find helpful customer reviews and review ratings for KitchenAid Gourmet Stainless Steel 10-Piece Cookware Set

I didn't buy this set on amazon. As others have noted, the lids can stick due to the formation of a vacuum. A reviewer even had a lid shatter, but another counters that it only happens if a pot lid is used on a frying pan. NOT SO! If cooking pasta in any of the pans with a lid, the water can foam up. To avoid a boil-over, I took the pan off the stove and it instantly cooled forming a vacuum preventing the lid from being removed! I pryed the lid off with a screwdriver and placed the lid on the counter and instantly the lid is vacuum-locked onto the counter! Yikes! Not only is this super annoying, it can be dangerous. The distracted cook could pull hard causing a spill of hot liquid.

Update Partial Solution:

I love the set otherwise and would give it 5 stars, but this is a major issue. Kitchen-Aid could have a steam hole in the lid as does T-Fal. If you are handy, there is a homemade solution to modify the rubber lid edge. The rubber is easily cut with a razor, but this will leave an ugly cut mark. Instead, take a wood dowel and wrap with 150 grit sandpaper.

1. Prevent lid from sticking to the counter. Observe where the lid contacts the counter top. Abrade a small section removing about 1/16 inch. Check by placing the lid on the counter to see if there is now a small opening to allow air in. The result is invisible.

2. Prevent the lid from sticking to the pan. Observe where the lid touches the pan edge. Using the sandpaper abrade a small depression in the rubber at that point. This a little more awkward, but can be done with patience. The result is almost invisible.

3. Although the same process can be used to prevent the lids from sticking to the frying pans, a larger cut is necessary which will be easily visible. Or just remember to not use the lids there.

Discount Bialetti Aeternum Saute Pan

Customer Ratings:
List Price: $29.99
Sale Price: $27.99
Today's Bonus: 7% Off

I have used these nano-ceramic, eco-friendly non-stick, supposedly non-toxic types of pans that are now becoming more popular. They are in fact wonderful for the first few months, until the nano-ceramic coating starts to wear off and IT DOES. The first one I had cooked eggs beautifully with no oil, they'd slide off and the pan was a dream to clean. After a while the shiny surface becomes matte and everything starts to stick. Which is inconvenient, yes. But worse is that the nan-ceramic particles must be going somewhere (into the food?) and the material underneath increasingly comes into contact with the food. I had the first one replaced by the store (Bed & Bath) and a second one did the same thing. No more nano-ceramico for me.

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I bought these pans mainly because I had health concerns regarding the Teflon on my non-stick pans (Chalpalon). After reading several articles about more health concerns, I decided not to take the risks and look for alternatives. I saw an Ad in La Cucian Italiana (I'm a subscriber and I cook A LOT) and went to Amazon, read (few) raving reviews and bought three pans. I was persuaded by the fact that ceramic is non-toxic and this who-ha-ha so cool nanoceramic technology and I said to myself this is the real future of pans. Ceramic is a great cooking material for 1000s of years. Those Bialetti scientists had found a way to attach ceramic to Aluminum [that we all know how great (but toxic) it is for cooking)

I'm writing this review a month and a half into using these pans.

The good

-Great looks

-Heat evenly and fast!

-real non-stick

-lightweight

The bad

The nano-ceramic coating on the Aluminum is really "nano". it is so thin that i don't think I'm familiar with a measurement unit to describe it. It is thinner than a paper. it is thinner than a hair. it is as thick as...I really can't find any familiar object that is this thin. If something will come to mind, I will add it later in the review.

Now, you probably ask yourself, how do I know that?

Because after two weeks or so, i started to notice small gray dots on the rims of one of my pans. at first I thought that this is a small grain of something. When I took a closer look, I realized that it is a small hole in the nanoceramic coating that covers --->> Aluminum.

Since it was on the rims of my pan I used the pan more until today, when I found a small hole in the coating in the middle of my pan.

Now I can tell you that the coating is so thin that you can hardly feel the hole in it with your fingers (you have to try hard to identify the hole by touch).

The holes are 10th of a millimeter in diameter, but they are there. On the rims (the top circle) I have many of them by now but I have only one hole in one pan in the center of the pan.

Now a word about me and how I handle my kitchen tools:

I never wash pans and pots in the dishwasher. I wash them always the same night after they cool down. Same is true for my knifes.

In addition, nobody washes my dishes! moreover, I only use wooden spoons when I'm cooking.

I can't believe that I was the cause for these mini holes in the pans.

One more thing to emphasize it is not a scratch just tiny holes. After say 30 days of real use. The real concern here is the Aluminum under the coating which is surely toxic.

There goes ~$100 down the drain.

I will not recommend this product to anyone.

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As many reviewers have said, this pan looses its non-stick qualities in a few months (3-4) even using low to moderate heat settings. This particular item is a waste of money...

Honest reviews on Bialetti Aeternum Saute Pan

I purchased the 10.25" version of this pan and for the first few weeks loved it. The nonstick coating is very easy to clean and I loved the color of the pan. However, less than a month after purchasing I too began getting chips in the middle of my pan. I emailed Bialetti's customer support to comment on this to them. I did not ask for a new pan, but simply was offering feedback, as well as inquiring about the safety of the now-chipped pan. The Bialetti representative acted as if I had demanded several free pans, asked for pictures of the defective pan (as if I would just troll the internet for unsuspecting cookware companies) and firmly stated that I would get a one-time replacement and that's it. She also stated I would have to ship my pan back at my own cost (!), although thankfully that at least went away when I sent pictures.

I did receive my one-time-only replacement pan, and it is not the same color (I really liked my black pan) AND it also has a chip, right in the middle of the pan. The poor customer service and the horrible longevity of the pan make this a no-buy.

Find helpful customer reviews and review ratings for Bialetti Aeternum Saute Pan

This is the greatest most convenient saute pan I've ever used by far. It cooks completely evenly and has a very solid feel to it. The insulated handle never gets warm. Nothing ever sticks to the surface, making clean up an absolute breeze. It doesn't have any of the chemical coatings whose safety has been called into question either, simply a ceramic nanotechnology--which I would call almost magical. All the starchy foods that were sticking to my other pans--potatoes, tofu, etcetera--get a brown crust but never stick. I rarely write reviews but this is the most useful piece of cookware that I own and I'm so pleased that I bought it after seeing a mention of it in my local paper.

April 18th 2013 I have virtually abandoned these pans--I now use only the wok out of the set I bought. Instead, I use the Wearever ceramic pan set. They seem much more durable and less prone to staining, retaining their white properties for a much longer period of time.

Reviews of Circulon Cookware Espree 10-Piece Hard Anodized Set

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We've had this set for about 8 months now and we have no regrets. I just cooked an omelet this morning with no butter or oil and it slid right out of the pan. The non-stick surface is not only slick, but it's strong as well. I've had teflon pans in the past that scratch very easily. I know I shouldn't but sometimes I'll use a metal fork or spoon to flip bacon or stir sauce, etc, and I still see no scratches on any surfaces.

A feature that interested me when I bought it but wasn't quite convinced it would work are all of the grooves/rings on the bottom interior of all of the cookware. They are supposed to reduce utensil contact with the non-stick surface, and at the same time create more even heating of the food. I've found both of these claims to be true. Also, the instructions said I would not need to use a temperature above 5 (out of 10) on the stove top because the special design amplifies the heat. I didn't believe this at first but found it to be true too. I cooked Taylor pork roll on 3 (electric stove) and it was done in a few minutes, nice and brown, VERY evenly cooked, a bit crispy and very hot. With my last pan set I would have been using a 6 setting, so I suppose I am now using less electricity too. The only time I use a temperature above 5 is when I am using one of the pots and a recipe tells me to get a rolling boil going.

The only down side is that because it has a grooved surface, food sometimes will stay between the grooves, but this easily slides out when I wash the pan with soap and hot water, which you need to do anyway to clean the pan.

Also, I wish the set came with a 12" skillet. It does not, and as far as I know, there is no 12" skillet in the Espree collection, so I bought the 12" Infinite skillet. The only difference is that it has a steel handle, otherwise it seems to be just the same as the rest of the Espree collection.

Oh, and one more thing, the bottoms of the cookware are very thick, hard and durable. When my wife and I were deciding between the Circulon and Calphalon sets, we chose the Circulon because she thought the bottoms looked sturdier. It was 50/50 up until that point, and that's what sealed the deal for the Circulon.

I think they have a lifetime warranty too. It's a great set and I am very impressed. I recommend it highly.

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Buy Bialetti Aeternum Easy Non Stick 10" Saute Pan in Purple Passion

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I bought it at my local groceries store. I had the aeternum red pans I got at bbb and really liked them but I like the purple color more. It cooks fast and clean up is a breeze! I don't put it in the dishwasher because the detergents are so so abrasive. After coking let it cool down and wash it by hand, it is amazing, just one sweep and its clean. For heavier cooking fill it w water and let it seat for a while. Keep in mind ALL aluminum metal pans warps if submitted to drastic temperature changes, so use water according to pan temp to soak it.Don't use metals utensils to cook on it, use plastic or wood.

I read one review mentioning bialetti having a good reputation in italy.(?)

When storing it, don't stack one on top of other. Use a pan rack or like me I kept and cut the piece of carton that wrapped it' creating a protecting liner between the ceramic pans I have.

if you are a rough cooker and your teflon is all scratch up, maybe you don't have the extra 1.5 minutes it takes to take care of these. I sugest you don't buy it, stick w stainless steel.

seems other buyers had peel off or chipping of the ceramic. I have not, but I am sure there are always some bad products even in among good brands. I had had good experience with amazon customer service

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We choose this pan to go with a similar 12" pan we had. It works great. Never needs oil, except for flavoring and nothing sticks to it. Be sure not to use any metal utensils in it as they will scratch the finish.,

Review of Vinaroz Vitoria Series Hard Anodized Fry Pan, 11-Inch

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List Price: $70.23
Sale Price: $26.97
Today's Bonus: 62% Off

I got this pan as a gift and it is amazing. I've had other non stick pans before, ranging from cheap to expensive, and this is by far the best one I've owned. I only wish it came in more sizes, because I would buy the whole set.

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I love this pan, but this is not an induction cooking pan.

It does what is says, non stick, easily clean and wash.

Too bad, the first time I used the pan, a tiny piece of ceramic coating chip off.

I returned it to Amazon and will try a different brand.

I did buy a wok (same brand as this pan), it works so far so good and see no ceramic coating chip off for this time being.

That wok is good on induction cooktop.

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Don't pay any attention to the sour grapes, competitor's funded negative reviews. This is the best pan I've ever owned, and the most healthiest. Don't waste anymore time...order it now! You' won't be sorry!

Honest reviews on Vinaroz Vitoria Series Hard Anodized Fry Pan, 11-Inch

The problem with traditional non-stick pans is that the non-stick wears out after 6-12 months of use, no matter how much you spend. This is why I started looking into ceramic coatings instead of the traditional non-stick. I originally purchased this pan from another on-line company and had to return it due to manufacturing defects. The pan from the other on-line company was very scratched up on the outside, and the non-stick ceramic coating had a big chip on it, then it looks like they just tried to re-coat the ceramic right over the chip. This left a large divot and was very ugly. So, I sent that one back, and decided to purchase the same pan here on Amazon. My new pan is flawless. There are no defects on this one. The pan works well and really is non-stick. I have no idea how long it will last, but I have hopes that it will for much longer than the standard non-stick surfaces on all the other pans out there. I also purchased the 3-Quart sauce pan too, it also is excellent. Now, I wish they made a smaller fry pan and I would also get that. The only reason why I am giving one less star is because I know that this company does have manufacturing & quality control issues, but, at least buying it on amazon means you can get your money back. The other company I had to pay for shipping to send it back and they only got an in-store credit for the hassle.

***** Update *****

After having the non-stick fry pan now for 3 months I will say it works about the same as when I purchased it. However, the white ceramic coating on the fry pan has stained a bit, and is not as attractive as when I purchased it. Also, I wanted say that the way that these pans conduct heat is much greater than my other pans.

Find helpful customer reviews and review ratings for Vinaroz Vitoria Series Hard Anodized Fry Pan, 11-Inch

At first glance this is a sharp looking pan. It is light and has a nice design. I like the look of the white ceramic coating, and there were not many ceramic on Analon to choose from.

However, when I unboxed it I noticed a raised pattern in the inside of the pan that looked wrong. I turned the pan over and saw that this raised area on the interior is caused by the stamping of the logo and other words on the bottom of the pan. This seems wrong to me. I don't think words stamped on the bottom of a pan should push up on the interior ceramic coating, creating an irregular raised area. I am guessing this area will wear out faster than the rest of the interior.

I don't know if this is how they all look from this manufacturer or if this one was a mistake.

Cheap Cuisinart 2-Slice/4-Slice Metal Classic Toaster

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List Price: $90.00
Sale Price: $48.89
Today's Bonus: 46% Off

I don't think there's a toaster made that is perfect for everyones taste. For years I'd use a toaster oven with a toast timed setting because I could not only do more than two slices, but I could usually get even browning. Now I have this, and have had it for nearly two years. I bought it here on the Zon. One of those kitchen specials they frequently have giving me a good price overall.

The problem with toasters is that not only do some of them vary because of cheaply made or defective thermostats (trust me you ain't paying for a furnace quality control here), but because of the bread. The key to toaster is know your bread. Standard Sunbeam or Wonder bread needs about a 3 on this thing, premium breads do well at 3.5, muffins using the bagel button and so on. Your's may toast a bit different. Realize the science of toasting has to do with both the moisture and fat content of the bread or bagel, or muffing being toasted.

Dry Bialy bread has little fat content and little moisture but takes a 5 or six to get it toasted. Dry grocery store brand standard white will toast using a 1.5 to two setting. It has fat content and no water, probably the best combo to get a fast toast browning. You will also see a big difference in one or two slices, since the overall heat goes up in the toaster a lower setting is typically needed when doing two slices at once.

For features this has a number of simple but useful items. The slide out crumb tray in the back makes for easy cleaning. The button array contains not only the standard toast setting, but settings for defrost and reheat. This helps overcome the problem with stand alone toasters. You need to remember to dial down a little on repeated toastings. My toaster oven used to sense what temperature it was and then adjust the toast time, even though the setting never changed. I know that because it had a digital time readout. It first confused me when I did repeated toastings and the time would decline by maybe fifty percent or more. I noticed later that it always had the same time when cool and much less when it was warmed up. Toasters typically don't do that, so you must. There is also a bagel button which works well on English muffins too.

Additionally I like the feature that allows you to "pull up" on the set bar to remove "short" slices of bread after toasting. One of the old household dangers of toast was people putting in metal knives to remove toast, and getting shocked. Here you just raise it up, and then pluck it out. I toast almost daily, so this has held up two years without any complaints, so I'd say its durable. It comes in colors, but I like the all stainless model, it shines up so nice.

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We have toasted bread, bagels, and frozen waffles. It works just fine, toasting very evenly. This is the nicest toaster we have ever owned.

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Put in 4 slices of toast and each slice comes up done to a different degree. Worse, for a given piece of bread one side may be done while the other is nowhere close.

When you look down into the 4 slots and see different glow intensities on each of the faces you see why this happens. Another reviewer wrote about getting one bad one, then replacing it with one that worked just fine. I just took back my 3rd one and gave up.

Its looks alone are worth a couple of stars. But I sure wish it worked.

Honest reviews on Cuisinart 2-Slice/4-Slice Metal Classic Toaster

Believe what you read...the reviews don't lie...its a TERRIBLE toaster. Toasts only on one side I mean really...in this day and age, how hard is it to make a toaster that toasts both sides of the bread??? I assumed my first one was broken, but the second one behaves just like the first one. What a waste...wish I had checked these reviews first. I just didn't think I had to for a toaster.

Find helpful customer reviews and review ratings for Cuisinart 2-Slice/4-Slice Metal Classic Toaster

This is a great toaster if you are looking for a multi-purpose appliance. A few months after purchasing this product, ours no longer just toasts. Two slots have become places to store bread, one is now a burner, and the fourth actually does toast.

This toaster has never cooked evenly. We are very disappointed in this particular Cuisinart product.

Graniteware 16 Quart Steamer with Insert Reviews

Customer Ratings:

We used our 16qt steamer last night for the first time to make tamales. We loved it! The steamer we had previously was only 8 qts, and didnt have a very deep insert, so you coudn't cook very many tamales at one time. This product has a deep insert which is perfect for making tamales.

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Product was as advertised, good value, and shipped promptly. Favorably impressed with the company and product.

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I bought this as a present for a close friend and like it so much that I will be purchasing one for myself in the near future. The price was right and I have no complaints about it. It is very good quality also.

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Sometimes we don't catch enough crabs to pull out he big 80 qt pot, this one is perfect or 2 dozen blue crabs.

Find helpful customer reviews and review ratings for Graniteware 16 Quart Steamer with Insert

I gave the pot two stars because it does work for steaming crabs and crab legs. But my pot came with a large area on the side without any coating just gray base coating. No way any post-manufacture QA inspection would have missed it yet someone in the Graniteware factory or the Amazon reseller's shop slapped a sticker on it and shipped it anyway. I decided to use it (I had crabs to eat) and of course now it's starting to rust. I'll sand it and spray some enamel on it as a repair but that shouldn't be necessary after just one use. I'll avoid Graniteware and this Amazon reseller (River Road) in the future.