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

Tuesday, January 6, 2015

Discount Enclume PR13wg-CP Low Rectangle with Grid Premier Ceiling Rack

Enclume PR13wg-CP Low Rectangle with Grid Premier Ceiling Rack, Copper
Customer Ratings: 5 stars
List Price: $1,728.99
Sale Price: $1,209.99
Today's Bonus: 30% Off
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Expensive, of course! Worth it? Absolutely!

I LOVE this copper pot rack! I especially enjoy having the warmth of copper in my kitchen, which adds a "decorator touch" like no other.

I also enjoy having the extra, new-found storage in my cupboards, that this pot rack has freed up!

Would I buy this item again?

In a word, ABSOLUTELY!

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Monday, December 8, 2014

Proctor-Silex 26500Y Durable Belgian Waffle Baker Reviews

Proctor-Silex 26500Y Durable Belgian Waffle Baker
Customer Ratings: 4.5 stars
List Price: $32.99
Sale Price: $26.00
Today's Bonus: 21% Off
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Well, we wanted waffles and that's what we got with this waffle maker. It works as advertised. Nothing fancy here. Plug it in, make the batter and by the time you're done mixing the batter, the ready light is off and you pour your first waffle. Takes about 4 minutes per waffle and they come out moist on the inside and crispy on the outside. And they don't stick. I don't use any spray or butter on the non-stick surfaces. So, we are happy with our waffles.

UPDATE 11/8/09: It's been eight years and this waffle maker is still going strong. We use it about once a week and it has never failed to delight us with great waffles. And it's easy to clean too.

UPDATE 8/12/12: Still working great although my doctor says I should cut back on the waffles. I don't think so.

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I've had this waffle maker for several years and it makes THE BEST waffles! They are crispy on the outside and melt in your mouth moist on the inside. It also is great for people who don't have a lot of space in their kitchen. It stands upright for storage. Also, what makes this waffle maker rate above others is the fact that it is VERY easy to clean! Other waffle irons can be hard to clean because the batter will ooze out and into little hard to reach spots and then you have to wait for it to cool and try to wipe it out somehow. I've owned other waffle makers before that did this. There's still dried out, old batter from places that were impossible to clean out! The Proctor Silex one does not have this problem. I practically don't even have to clean it! After I'm done, I'll wipe it gently with a paper towel, and that's about it! This combined with the fact that the Proctor Silex waffle maker also makes better waffles than other brands makes this the best one on the market.

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This is a great basic waffle iron. It does have an indicator light to tell you when it's ready for the batter. I've seen other irons with timers or lights to indicate when the waffles are done, but I've used this one dozens of times and never burned a waffle yet. The non stick surface is easy to clean and the waffles turn out perfect, crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. I actually use this much more than I thought I would...the kids love them!

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I bought this exact waffle maker more than 10 years ago, and it's still working! We use it about 2-3 times a week, and it has cooked well over 4,000 waffles. This is a big statement to quality, in my opinion, in a world where almost all products are manufactured to break just after their warranty ends. My model doesn't have any fancy bells and whistles -just a light to indicate when it's heating, no settings other than "on" and "off" via plugged in or not, and crispness level is achieved by how much time you leave the waffle in the maker. But, given how these bells and whistles like to break on other gadgets, simplicity is sometimes better. If you want a good, simple waffle maker, this one is great.

My only complaint in all the time I've used it is the white part (the main body) gets hot when in use. I've actually used the closed waffle iron to melt chocolate wafers in a small glass dish set on top the iron (see how it's abused, poor thing!). It's never been hot enough to cause a burn, though. If I put my hand on it, it's hot, I take my hand off, end of story. I've never considered it to be a safety issue even with children. By virtue of proximity, the blue handle sometimes gets a bit warm as well, though not as warm as the white part. I've not had experience with other waffle makers, but it would make sense to me that the body of the iron gets hot, so I hesitate to even call this a flaw.

The only reason I'm even on Amazon looking for a new iron right now is because this one is just about worn out. There's a small crack in the back (my fault for dropping it, but yes, it has still worked for many years after that accident), and the spring connecting the two halves popped out from its channel in the hinge (again, probably due to dropping it on my part). Plus, after so many years the iron has lost its non-stick properties, and there's gummy residue in places where I can't reach it from so much use. But, all in all, these are minor issues -for a waffle iron that's been through 10 years of very hard work in our family, it's unbelievable how it's held up. Even after I replace it, I'll keep this one in my cupboard, because I just can't part with it.

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We recently were searching for a replacement waffle iron since our broke, so I started my search by reading all the on-line reviews. I was tempted by the higher priced waffle makers with all their features, but figured they probably won't make any better waffle when a cheaper one. I liked the reviews on the morning baker belgian waffle maker, so I bought one (found it at a different store for less money though). We have made waffles many times with it, and it really does make good waffles. It is also really easy to clean up. One thing I don't like about it though is that the handle gets really hot while cooking. I have to use a pot holder to lift up the handle every time I make waffles. Besides the handle getting too hot, we are pleased with our purchase.

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Wednesday, November 5, 2014

Cheap Vollrath 67520 Wear-Ever Classic Aluminum Stock Pots, 20-Quart

Vollrath 67520 Wear-Ever Classic Aluminum Stock Pots, 20-Quart
Customer Ratings: 5 stars
List Price: $80.50
Sale Price: $45.55
Today's Bonus: 43% Off
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I wanted a stock pot that wasn't stainless steel. All stainless steel pots burn the food onto the bottom of pot. Try cooking apples for applesauce or a large batch of tomatoes for spaghetti sauce. They all stick to the bottom of stainless steel an burn fast, resulting in black pieces in the sauce. I didn't have this problem with aluminum stock pot.

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Monday, November 3, 2014

Reviews of Swiss Diamond Nonstick Double-Burner Griddle

Swiss Diamond Nonstick Double-Burner Griddle
Customer Ratings: 4 stars
List Price: $290.00
Sale Price: $179.95
Today's Bonus: 38% Off
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I have looked for a double burner griddle for a long time. I researched many of the other brands, Le Creuset, All Clad, Caphalon to name a few. I needed one to work on my glass top electric bridge element. I took a chance on this one, although very expensive, I doubt I will be throwing it out any time soon. I cooked for a crowd at Christmas and made, bacon, eggs, pancakes, sausage, grill cheese, paninis and more. Loved it. Only used a medium to med high temp. Cooked great, cleaned up great. Did not warp and stayed very flat. I even used it as a cookie sheet and baked scones, sausage balls, cookies...I dont always go for the most expensive stuff, but this is worth the money. Perhaps if you have a gas stove you could use another brand, but for those with smooth glass top electric with a bridge element, this is the one.

Oh btw, I did not see any black stuff when I washed. Wash by hand with soapy warm water. No complaints about clean up. And didnt really need too much effort to clean. Just a wet towel would have sufficed but I like to use dish soap.

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This is a non-stick PFOC free griddle you don't need to season it in fact, you really can't. My pancakes were golden. My bacon crisp. My eggs came off without any scraping. Wiped the surface clean. Super.

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I wrote the Swiss Diamond company and asked for an explanation of what the nano-composite material was made of.

After a week or so, I received a polite reply from Allan Wolk, an employee in the U.S. His email informed me that, "Our patented nonstick surface uses a nano-composite of real diamond crystals and PTFE; it is applied using a computer controlled plasma gun at very high temperatures."

Naturally, my attention was immediately drawn to the PTFE. The acronym sounded familiar. What was PTFE?

A quick search of Wikipedia provided the answer: (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PTFE)

As Wikipedia explains:

Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) is a fluoropolymer discovered by Roy J. Plunkett (1910-1994) of DuPont in 1938. It was introduced as a commercial product in 1946 and is generally known to the public by DuPont's brand name Teflon®.

Huh? Teflon? Wait a minute. Didn't the Swiss Diamond website just claim that the product contained no Teflon?

If you look back at the Swiss Diamond website screen capture, the careful wording of their answer now becomes clear. It states, "The Swiss Diamond coating does not contain any Teflon taking into consideration that "Teflon" is a trade mark, made and owned by DUPONT."

So the pans don't contain Teflon, they just contain the chemical called Teflon. It's like saying a nuclear warhead doesn't contain any plutonium, it only contains nuclear fissionable material.

For the manufacturer to insist the Swiss Diamond pans contain no Teflon whatsoever when it is made primarily from polytetrafluoroethylene, the chemical widely known as Teflon, is extremely deceptive. In fact, the intent of the Swiss Diamond company seems to be to deceive consumers by omission of the facts. The FAQ document on the Swiss Diamond website, for example, does not bother to say something like, "But our pans do contain PTFE, the chemical known as Teflon." It simply insists they contain no Teflon and moves on to the next question.

It seems that Swiss Diamond goes out of its way to give the impression that this product is free of Teflon chemicals and is surfaced primarily with diamonds. That's the impression I got, anyway, and I read the promotional materials several times before purchasing the pan.

Consumers have been hoodwinked yet again, in the name of BIG MONEY and corporate interests, PUT AHEAD of human beings, health, and safety.

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Although this griddle costs a pretty penny, it's really worth the expense. Clean up is a breeze, I've been washing mine by hand and it cleans up quick and easy. Very heavy pan so be careful when moving it. When I win the lottery I plan on buying one for everyone I know :).

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I love this griddle. Wash's up great. The instructions say NOT to season it. I've cook pancakes and bacon so far and no stick at all what so ever. Hope to buy more pieces of this cookwear.

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Thursday, September 25, 2014

All-Clad Stainless 2-Quart Saucepan Review

All-Clad Stainless 2-Quart Saucepan
Customer Ratings: 5 stars
List Price: $150.00
Sale Price: $120.95
Today's Bonus: 19% Off
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I have read people's comments about the relatively small diameter (6") of All-Clad's 2-quart saucepan. I find that the narrow diameter of this pan maintains a very hot, moist "atmosphere" in the upper region of the inside, even with the lid off. Because of that, the top of the food in the pan benefits from the radiant heat above it as well as from the physical-contact heat of the bottom and sides of the pan, even as you are adding ingredients and stirring, and with little loss of moisture from the food. The narrowness of the top of the pan helps prevent the wafting away of heat and moisture. (Using a long-handled stirring tool helps to protect your fingertips from the steam!) If you find that you are filling this pot with food, you really should transfer the food to a larger pot. In the 2-quart pan, leave enough space above the food for the "head of steam". A truly wonderful design!

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I recently purchased the All-Clad 2Qt. Stainless Saucepan. The pan is heavier than most saucepans I have used in the past, but the added length of the handle more than compensates for the additional weight.

I found the pan to be extremely adept. I found that the heat transferred evenly throughout the cooking process. My ingredients did not scald or burn.

I have purchased premium cookware (I thought) in the past, but the All-Clad is by far superior to what I have. This was my first purchase, but not my last.

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This is another of the workhorse pans in my kitchen. The AllClad Stainless 2qt pot is marvelous for cooking sauces that will bubble or foam; for sauces involving fruits that may need to boil. The height allows for ingredients to grow, and the small diameter means you are not waiting for items to heat up. The pot heats quickly and evenly.

Try it for cranberry sauce at the holidays, or any small sauces involving milk or cheese. Remember that the pan does not have a great surface area, so timing and delicacy in preparations is key. Leaving the pot unattended on a high heat is not a smart idea. Keeping the pot with a good warmth, slowly working up the heat of your sauce or fruit is one of the best ways to use it.

The only downside of this pot is that yes, it is difficult to pour from, and the small surface area of the pot (=smaller open area) means that ladles are often too unwieldy for it. So be prepared beforehand to know how you're going to get your sauce out of the pot without making much of a mess.

Have fun in your kitchen!

Honest reviews on All-Clad Stainless 2-Quart Saucepan

This 2-qt saucepan is one of the most versatile things in my kitchen (along with a Le Creuset Enameled Cast-Iron 7-1/4-Quart Round French Oven). Most of the time, I am cooking for 2 people and this pot is perfect for most jobs. I can make a quick pasta or tomato sauce in minutes and a large 32oz can of plum tomatoes barely fills the pot halfway. I also sometimes use it to boil small quantities of pasta, boil a couple potatoes or eggs, blanch vegetables, or simmer a sauce. It gets just as much use when I'm cooking for a crowd, in the preparation of side dishes or sauces. I use it for most several-step meals and a few one-pot meals. It cooks rice beautifully if you do it correctly and pay attention to the heat setting. All-clad pots in general are more sensitive to the stove setting so I always start lower than I might with other pots and increase the flame from there. I use a gas stove and I can generally use it on low to med-low with these pots, instead of med-high to high as I might with other cookware.

They also clean up beautifully and look wonderful on a pot rack in my kitchen. I always wash them by hand and usually use Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day Liquid Dish Soap, though occasionally stuck-on foods or stains will require a little Barkeepers Friend and scrubbing. I find this mostly happens with fry pans for me, and is almost never necessary with saucepans and stockpots. Usually a little Mrs Meyers does a great job.

Great investment piece... I've collected my cookware a bit more slowly than I might otherwise as I try to buy quality pieces I love and this saucepan is no exception. Most of my All-Clad pieces are stainless steel, as I like the look and price point. I do have two copper core pieces but I don't find the extra copper cladding and increased heat conductivity essential for most types of pots and cooking needs. The stainless steel is a great option for most pieces, if not all. I may add a 1 or 1.5 qt saucepan to my set in the near future but it's hard to justify when the 2-qt fills so many needs.

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I just discovered All-Clad about six months ago, and ordered two of their less-expensive items. I was so impressed with the quality and the functionality -not to speak of the elegant appearance -that I've gone on to replace almost all of my old (VERY old!!) set of pots and pans. I've kept a few that I find useful -a cast iron griddle, for example -but I've bought a new All-Clad piece or two about once a month, and now have almost everything I need, but not all I want. I LOVE this stuff!!

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Wednesday, August 27, 2014

Le Creuset 10 Ounce Mortar and Pestle Set Review

Le Creuset Stoneware 10-Ounce Mortar and Pestle, Cherry
Customer Ratings: 5 stars
List Price: $50.00
Sale Price: $34.95
Today's Bonus: 30% Off
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I can't say this is misrepresented. It does hold 10 fluid ounces at it's capacity. It will not hold 10 oz. with the pestle in it. I bought it for making pesto and it's not going to be big enough for that. It is pretty and for grinding spices it will be fine. I wish they would make a larger one and I would buy it.

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I have two very large spice gardens and in fact, grow various spices under lights during the winter. What I do not grow, I buy, either fresh, or when appropriate, dry. This is the perfect mortar and pestle. As one reviewer pointed out, it does hold 10 oz. but wit the pestle in it; that simply is not true, so beware of this. For my purposes though, it works perfectly. It is heavy and can take a lot of bashing and crushing. It is extremely attractive (I chose the cobalt as it goes with my kitchen) and is quite easy to clean up. It may seem a bit pricy, but trust me, if you have ever used a cheap set, then you know that this one is worth ever cent you spend. If you are into fresh spices, and you really should be as they make all the difference in the world in your cooking, then it would be difficult to go wrong with this one.

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I've owned this for about 6 months and use it mostly for making spice or herb rubs. The piece cleans easily and the flavors from one use don't linger for the next use.

It is small so it won't be great for large batches. But, it's perfect for getting the best flavor from whole spices one meal at a time.

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Le Creuset PG4050-0470 10 ounces Mortar and Pestle Dijon. I really like this product and part of the reason is just snob appeal. Most mixed items that require a mortar and pestle in a recipe do not require a quantity as large as 10 ounces--usually just an ounce or two, so actually a much smaller mortar and pestle is quite adquate. BUT, I do like the roughness built into this product. It makes breaking items apart for mixing very easy. You can grind something into a very coarse, or a very fine mix depending upon what you need. Also, I am a nurse and sometimes a patient has pills that need to be ground as the patient cannot swallow a whole pill.This does the job perfectly. Rough or fine grinding of medications is easily available. Also I needed this color which is is a bit odd--not a bright, pure yellow, but a bit mustardy to go with my decor. This way I can justify the cost by putting it on display while it is not being used. It is not stuck away in a cabinet, but is on display with other pretty kitchen items to make the kitchen look used in wondrous ways. Any half way honed mortar and pestal can do the job, but this does several jobs and then becomes a decorating item. Just what the cook ordered.

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looks nice, and is made of quality. i had no idea a mortar and pestle was so much work, though. took 1/2 hour to mash up a tablespoon of caraway seeds!

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Reviews of Le Creuset Heritage Stoneware 1 1/2qt Loaf Pan, Flame

Le Creuset Heritage Stoneware 1 1/2qt Loaf Pan, Flame
Customer Ratings: 5 stars
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I've used other loaf pans, metal ones that were good quality, and others not as good. This one beats those hands down. I received mine yesterday and made a turkey meatloaf. Came out great! Cleanup was a breeze even though it looked like it was burned on the sides. After cleanup, it looked like new. And the feel of this is very nice and hefty, it certainly feels like a quality piece. I am thrilled with it and look forward to making banana nut bread and other delicious loafs with it. Oh, and the flame color is just gorgeous!

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wish it was available in the old cobalt color ~ but love the item. We only use Le Creuset. Have collected it for years.

Used to use the old metal loaf pan ~ but this works so much better. My specialties are banana bread and a very special meatloaf. Perfect!

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A beautiful piece of ceramic bakeware. It is perfect for making those loaves and the banana nut breads. Heads up chocolate chip sour cream bread :)

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very good pan we have been making bread alot with this pan. you should make a pan shaped like french peasant bread

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I haven't used it yet because when it came in, my wife started making bread all the time. It is beautiful though, and I think I can get creative and make a Shepherd's Pie in there or something.

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Friday, August 22, 2014

Calphalon Electrics 3 in 1 Immersion Hand Blender Review

Calphalon Electrics 3 in 1 Immersion Hand Blender
Customer Ratings: 5 stars
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I used to use immersions blenders with plastic shafts and cages because I have non-stick and porcelain-covered cast iron pans. I didn't want the surface scratched by metal immersion blenders. Of course, the problem with the immersion blenders with plastic shafts is that they are sensitive to temperature and, eventually, they crack and need to be replaced. "Why," I wondered, "did no one make a little silicone protector that could be slipped onto the edge of the blender cage?" Eventually, metal blenders started to come with these silicone protectors, but only for the very expensive models. That is, until Calphalon came out with their immersion blender.

This is an amazing tool. I've made hummus, tomato puree, soups (pea, bean, and roasted red pepper), and mayonnaise. All came out with just the right texture without having to pull out the regular blender. Cleanup is amazingly easy. Just buzz the shaft into some soapy water and rinse (if you're using the silicone ring, remove it first). Just dry it off and slide it back into the drawer. I used the whisk attachment for quickly incorporating eggs into pate choux. That was just an experiment, but it turned out really well. The texture of the puffs wasn't affected at all, and it was a LOT less effort than doing it by hand. Using the cup with the blade, I minced chicken for homemade chicken sausage. There was a lot less cleanup than there is when I use the food processor. Calphalon created a real winner that works as well as immersion blenders that cots hundreds of dollars, and at a cost most people can afford.

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This is the third type of immersion blender that I've owned over the years, and it is, by far, the best. It's easy to hold, easy to control, and the ability to put parts of it in the dishwasher is certainly a plus.

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updates based on a couple of recent encounters:

Tried grinding some whole spices in the chopper but was unable to get it to a powder form, was still a bit coarse after 3 minutes on high turbo guess that's why its called a chopper and not grinder!

Not sure if I was doing it right but using the whisk was a big disaster definitely needs a surface with depth and needs a certain volume to be whisked

Otherwise is great for everything else I've been trying out new!

*****

Since Braun no longer makes hand blenders for 110V, I narrowed it down to the Cuisinart Smart Stick vs the Calphalon 3 in 1 Hand Blender.

Although it was more expensive Calphalon emerged a winner due to its nonstick guard, multi speed, turbo option, larger measuring cup and chopper attachment.

I've been using it for slightly more than 2 weeks and can say the following:

Pros

Powerful! I use the chopper regularly for grinding coffee beans. It starts off noisy but with a mix of multiple speeds (regular and turbo in the 3-5 range depending on quantity), I get perfectly ground coffee in less than 90 seconds

works great for all types of ingredients other than the usual soups and veggies the blender has worked great for different types of paste cilantro, spinach, chillies, ginger, garlic, onion etc.

all parts are extremely easy to clean and particles do not get stuck on the detachable chopper blade or on the blender non stick protection

blender works great on all surfaces

Cons

the buttons need to be pressed hard and fingers can start hurting if pressed for long

the chopper lid has one big opening, which if aligned to the mouth of the chopper container can lead to a major spill (had to deal with ground coffee all over the place the first time)

it is prone to a noisy start especially for dry items in the chopper

Overall its a great buy and definitely add to my versatility in the kitchen!

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The blender seemed confusing when I opened the box, but the manual explains all of the parts & operation well and I put it together to see how it works. I washed it and let it dry, found a space in a cabinet for it and used it a few days after it arrived. I used it to puree the contents of a can of diced tomatoes that I was using to make pizza sauce. This method makes a much better sauce than regular canned tomato sauce that is finely blended. This was a little more coarsely blended & had a great texture on the pizza. I also like the plastic guard to that you can use it in a pan or pot that has the kind of surface that scratches easily. A very good product.

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I managed to break my Braun immersion blender that I've had for years and went looking for a replacement. I wanted to find an exact match to what I had but couldn't so I decided to try the Calphalon Immersion blender instead. All-in-all, I'm fairly happy with my purchase.

Pros:

* It's more powerful than my older immersion blender.

* Whipped cream great with the whisk and blended soup well with the immersion blender attachment. I've only used the chopper once so far but that seems to work well too.

* Has multiple speeds, which my old one didn't.

* Calaphon Custom service was responsive when I reported a problem with the product.

* It has a cord. I don't have a good place a cordless immersion blender could charge.

Cons:

* The button to make it run is smaller and harder to press than my old one. I have fairly strong fingers but had to switch hands before the cream was whipped.

* It's taller than my old one -I'm 5'3" and my counter is probably about 1/2-1" taller than standard. This combination makes it easiest to use when standing on my tiptoes.

* It's 6oz heavier than my older immersion blender. I think this probably has to do with a more powerful motor and less plastic but that never was a problem for me so I'd prefer the lighter weight

* The "nonstick-safe guard" came cracked (ordered from a different site than Amazon) and seems cheap to me. I was expecting something a bit more flexible and silicone-like and this is pretty stiff plastic. However, I emailed Calaphon about my cracked guard and they replaced it immediately.

* The chopper is wider than my old Braun chopper. It might be bigger too, I'm not sure. My old one was perfect for me but while I don't prefer the larger Calaphon size, it'll probably work ok.

I haven't seen any other immersion blender currently available that I like better so I'd buy this one again. I do find it a lot more convenient than pulling out my blender or trying to whip smaller amounts of whipped cream in my mixer.

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Tuesday, August 12, 2014

Review of de Buyer Mineral Pan, Fry Pan

de Buyer Mineral Pan, Fry Pan: set of 3
Customer Ratings: 4.5 stars
List Price: $179.85
Sale Price: $119.95
Today's Bonus: 33% Off
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I recently purchased the 8" and 14" pans to replace a couple cast iron fry pans my daughter took to college. (Note that these pans are measured by their diameter across the top lip.) First off, I love these pans. They have significant thermal mass, the included directions got them moving the the right direction getting seasoned and non-stick. These pans are closer to carbon-steel than stainless. You will need to treat them like your cast-iron cookware. Bottoms are flat and smooth, which is nice if you have a glass-topped electric range. The one area that I have very mixed feelings about are the handles. I like the angle the handle is set in relation to the pan. I think it helps keep it cool, out of the way, and can even be used for a little extra leverage with the larger plans. In spite of that, the handle poses one limitation.... the ability to use the pan under a broiler.... The 8" pan's handle sits 4 inches above the cook surface. This one just fits into my broiler. But the handle will be very close to the heating elements/flame and so will get very hot. The handle on the 14" pan sits 7 inches above the cooking surface. This will work in my broiler only if I leave the broiler door open. I have worked with commercial stoves which don't have doors on the broiler compartment and I think these pans would work without limitation in that situation.... Myself? I will use them with the broiler door open....

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Doing most of my stove top cooking on my various iron skillets, I decided to try the mineral fry pan out.

After some seasoning according to the instructions that come with the de buyer pan, it works wonderfully.

Few points:

works just as well as my well seasoned iron skillet in terms of non-stick properties

for those who have been afraid to use iron skillets, try this: better than Teflon coming off onto your food

probably just as heavy as my iron skillet

does need some maintenance, including seasoning, and is not dishwasher safe.

unlike my iron skillet, i can cook sauces in this (traditional iron skillets are averse to acidic sauces and liquids in general)

Other notes:

the handle does angle high: this means that the entire pan will not fit into most oven broiler racks (top rack) with the door closed. door must remain open while broiling. not the end of the world.

cannot leave soaking in the sink. must clean and store.

heavy but that is a good thing for heat retention

Very satisfying to use. Great sear. VERY non-stick. Multiple purposes with great effectiveness: sear a steak, fry a delicate egg, make potstickers where you have to fry first then steam out with water. Extremely versatile.

Highly recommend.

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I now own two types of de Buyer pans carbon steel and mineral. The mineral fry pan is at least twice as heavy as the carbon steel and takes forever to develop a seasoned patina (black film). The 99% mineral pan is more eco-friendly and nutritious, but it is still prone to rust and some stickiness. The mineral pan also develops small pits over time, so I now have new pitting on the sides and corners of the pan (which becomes covered with patina). This pitting appears to be exclusive to the mineral pan because the carbon steel does not form pits. There is also a silicone logo on the handle of the pan which seems unnecessary. The patina develops slowly compared to the carbon steel (wiping with paper towels actually "sands off" iron until fully seasoned), and the weight is equivalent to cast iron, but I like the fact that it's 99% iron which is a far healthier option. The long handles are useful for stove top use (it fits in the oven on the middle rack, but there's little room for anything else). You can toast a panini sandwich on a de Buyer mineral pan as opposed to the stickier mess with Chantal enamelware or a stainless steel pan. Also, you have to use these pans frequently (like carbon steel or cast iron) in order to maintain the patina and avoid rust. Expect the pan to get used several times a day, expect a rustic black patina/film, expect to keep it dry and rust free, and you will be satisfied. I am now considering the mineral grill pan because I want grill marks on some foods.

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I really like these pans they are very heavy and great for searing meats and I have good experiences with some pan frying. I read one review where they did am involved seasoning method with different fats and oils in stages of baking in the oven and cooling. I tried this method, it seemed to work well initially. The outside seems to have kept the same seasoning but the inside season finish flaked off the first time I seared some burgers. The burgers cooked wonderfully in the pans it is just that the finish reverted back to more of a bare metal. If I had it to do over I would just follow the instructions that came with the pans. That is boiling potato peels in water etc. It is amazing how dark that potato water gets. Then just heat up the pan with some Crisco or lard or peanut oil and heat it up let it cool and put it away. The seasoning is coming back the more I use them I will have these pans for the rest of my life. They are very thick and heavy.

Just follow the instructions and clean with hot water, scotch-brite or similar and no detergent and wipe dry with paper towel and coat with oil before you put them away. Treat them almost like a crepe pan. The largest pan I haven't found that much use for so far.

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I'd been using hard-anodized aluminum pans for years but was never satisfied with them. Food would stick no matter how hard I tried to season them. Finally, when the anodized finish on them began to wear away, I decided it was time for a change. I did not want to use a non-stick pan because of concerns about posible toxic properties of teflon. What I wanted was a good quality pan that would not stick and would last for years.

I did a lot of research on different types (stanless steel, aluminum, cast iron, etc) and different brands (Calphalon, All-Clad, Cuisinart, etc). Based on my research and product reviews the De Buyer Mineral Steel pan seemed intriguing. It's made of iron and is supposedly eco-friendly. And compared to other higher end pans the price was quite reasonable so, even if the pan wasn't that great, it wouldn't be a major investment.

I purchased a single 10 inch De Buyer fry pan. I was really excited when it arrived after just a couple days. I seasoned it (by the way, check the review by adx442 for an excellent method for seasoning. It can be found here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R3NKFHCDJWZXBP/ref=cm_cr_pr_viewpnt#R3NKFHCDJWZXBP ) and was ready with my first experiment, sauteed chicken breasts.

I was absolutely shocked at what a difference this pan made! I didn't need a spatula to flip the chicken; I could turn them with a fork. Not only that, but they developed a delicious brown crust that I never achieved with my old pans.

And the next experiment? Scrambled eggs. I slid them into a hot pan with a little butter, waited, and stirred them with a spatula no sticking! And clean up was easy. Just swish the pan with a sponge with hot water (no soap, of course), dry, coat with some crisco, and the pan's ready for its next use.

After I'd used this pan for a couple weeks, it developed a lovely patina. I was so pleased that I went ahead and ordered the three piece set of De Buyer Mineral Frying Pans.

I've been using my De Buyer Mineral Pans for a couple month now and am very happy. (My Calphalon pans, in the mean time, are accumulating dust!) The surfaces are consistently non-stick and, unlike mentioned by another reviewer, there is no surface pitting. The only minor complaints I have are that

the pans, especially the largest one, are rather heavy. Transferring food from the larger pan to a dish can be challenging

the interior dimensions are smaller than expected, Pans from other manufacturers with similar external diameters have larger surface areas. So please take this into account.

Overall, I am extremely pleased with my de Buyer pans and I expect that I will never need to purchase another pan again!

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Saturday, August 9, 2014

Cheap Jessie Steele Bib Gigi French Toile with attached Towel

Jessie Steele Bib Gigi French Toile with attached Towel
Customer Ratings: 4.5 stars
List Price: $32.95
Sale Price: $31.99
Today's Bonus: 3% Off
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I bought this for my friend as a housewarming gift. She is a ShopBop girl and she seemed to really like it. It is more of a 'topper' type thing--definitely not a thick, serious apron. The towel that is included is also pretty thin. It arrived 20 minutes before I was leaving for her party and was really not able to get a thorough inspection--those are first impressions. I'd buy one again for other gifts, and maybe down the line, one for myself.

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It's a cute apron that I feel is more for show than actual work. I love the idea of having a towel attached but as other reviewers have found, it is a thin terry towel. I have been using the Angela's Garden Full Aprons so I may just be used to a heavier construct. What I do like is the pattern...very chic for a hostess apron. It is well made except for the button that holds the towel is loose already from use but I can just sow it back on if it falls off so it's not a problem for me. I think it just depends on what you are looking for and what you will use it for. I still use it from time to time if I'm having people over for dinner because it is cute!

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This set is really cute and sewn well. I gave it a four because I expected the fabric to be thicker. It is a "light" canvas. The apron is still nice and I don't regret the purchase. The little towel attaches to a button on the side and is very handy for wiping hands. The towel is very thin but matches well. The design of the apron is very pretty and more like you are wearing a cute dress! Can't beat that! It also comes all folded up in a small square plastic bag...not appealing to open, yet it is attractive and fun for an apron.

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I love this apron! Its adorable! The material is quality and protects my clothing from the oils I use in my products!

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I bought this to wear as a hostess for a wine and cheese tasting party. It is so cute and looks good with any outfit.

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Monday, August 4, 2014

Discount Joseph Joseph Twist 2-in-1 Silicone Whisk

Joseph Joseph Twist 2-in-1 Silicone Whisk
Customer Ratings: 4.5 stars
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Now, here is an example of innovative Joseph Joseph company at their best. This is a fantastic, thinking outside the box product that any person that cooks will appreciate.

First it is a very nice, light silicone whisk. With a light flick of the wrist it quietly functions effectively either opened or closed. The non-stick, non-scratching silicone is easy to maintain and seems resistant to deforming also.

The twist and fold feature adds wonderful extra value by making it storable in a flat drawer with most other kitchen utensils rather than upright and handle down in a tool bin where whisks inevitably tangle with other implements. The mechanism is so simple, yet ingenious!

It comes in a nice lime green and white colour, which matches my kitchen decor, and the handy end cap which is the rotation control also pops out which disassembles the whisk for cleaning. This is a something that I daresay most other whisks cannot do, which has been a minor peeve of mine, thinking of the unwashed residue that must accumulate in other whisk handles.

Should you wish to hang your whisk, for example for drying, the end cap also has a pass-through hole for that.

Ok, it's not rocket science, but heck, nobody else had improved on the basic whisk design for decades. It even looks quite beautiful, graceful... organic, and could almost be a piece of modern art.

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I received it and noticed it was bigger than i expected this also made it flimsier.for some thing so spousedly space saving, it takes up a lot of drawer space. I was hoping to get rid out my other whisks and have more room in my drawer, but this won't allow that to happenjust from a size standpoint.

It also doesn't seem strong enough to whip whipped cream too stiff point the way I like it.

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This is a great utensil and very versatile. However, $23.00 for a whisk? This product is available in the stores and online for $10. I got the same whisk online, to give as a gift, for $10. and even got free shipping. I love the whisk but it is not worth $23.

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It's nice that you can use this whisk on any type of cookware. It doesn't scratch. And it is really nice that it lays flat for easy storage. And it cleans up very easily.

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This is a great idea for a wisk. I am able to not only use the wisk flat or round but it is easy to store in the drawer while it is flat. I like it so much that I will order another one when my other wisk wears out.

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Sunday, July 27, 2014

Discount Tramontina Gourmet Hard Anodized 5.5 qt. Covered Deep Saute Pan

Tramontina Gourmet Hard Anodized 5.5 qt. Covered Deep Saute Pan
Customer Ratings: 5 stars
List Price: $120.00
Sale Price: $79.95
Today's Bonus: 33% Off
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I own other Tramontina products and heavily depend on the quality and dependability of this brand. I have owned other lesser quality products and paid premium price for them in the past. Tramontina is the real deal. You do get more than what you pay for with these products. Properly maintained they will most likely last you a life time. This is my brand of choice ! You can't go wrong...

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This is our 4th Tramontina product. Three are skillets of varying size and all well worth the money. I did warp the bottom of one by overheating it. My fault.

This 5.5 qt. was purchased at Costco. It came with the clear lid and a third piece that is a splash screen. Paid $30, not 70 or more.

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Monday, July 14, 2014

Cheap Ginsu Essential Open Stock Series 9-InchJapanese 420J2 Stainless

Ginsu Essential Open Stock Series 9-InchJapanese 420J2 Stainless Steel Slicer with Triple Riveted Full Tang Handle 4850
Customer Ratings: 4 stars
List Price: $9.99
Sale Price: $9.72
Today's Bonus: 3% Off
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OK, here it is. I had 3 ginsu knives that all came up missing after I moved. Thats why I ordered 2 more of them. I have had them since the 1980s. Seen them at the state fair being demonstrated. Believe me they have performed exactly as they claimed they would. I have sliced frozen meat with them many times and yes, they will slice a thin tomato perfectly after slicing the frozen meat. I am 66 years old and will have one till I die. They are worth every penny I have spent on them.

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this is a great buy for the price. I would buy another one when needed. I got this for a chrismas gift.

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I had this type in the 80's and it got lost this is a fantastic knife and would recomend to everybody

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We still have our original Ginsu set from the 80's which includes this slicer. I Think it has sliced 1,798,326 slices of bread, 965,231 slices of tomatoe and 3,569,212 slices of celery. It still looks like new, is sharp and gets plenty of use. Who would have thunk that this gimmicky, inexpensive knife was for real back then?... I didn't.

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Wonderful knife, they are the best on the planet. Do yourself a favor and get one.

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