Swiss Diamond Nonstick Wok with Lid - 12.5" Reviews

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List Price: $260.00
Sale Price: $179.95
Today's Bonus: 31% Off

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!!!

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This isn't the first nonstick wok I had purchased, but it might be the best one I ever need. Beside I like the Swiss Diamond customer service on their replacement service. So, if you can affort it, just buy it.

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Great a first. We stir-fry and pan-fry 2-4 dishes each day. After a couple months use, it began to change color. It's no longer non-stick now. Also, the product came with the lid missing and was never sent after a couple of email exchanges with seller, who blamed the manufacturer for the mistake.

Honest reviews on Swiss Diamond Nonstick Wok with Lid - 12.5"

I got this beautiful wok as a gift, which is the most wonderful one I even had. After six-month use of the wok, I am surprised that it does not change color like any other wok did. I basically use it every day. I only use a kitchen towel to wipe it clean and never use dish detergent or dish washer. The condition of the non-stick surface is just like the first I got this perfect gift!

Although its non-stick surface is strong and is allowed any material of utensil to be used on it, I use only wood or nylon type. I believe that using softer material would avoid deteriorating the non-stick surface.

I will post a following review if any condition goes worse. Let's see how long it will persist. And by the time, it may be a good change to test their limited lift time warranty though.

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Never use such a great nonstick pan :D After used this & I bought the other sauté pan with same brand.

Review of Universal Housewares Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Camping 5-Quart Dutch

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List Price: $59.99
Sale Price: $41.99
Today's Bonus: 30% Off

I am very happy with my new Dutch Oven. It is well made and I love the way the lid is made because the lid not only acts as a lid but, if you turn it over and set it on its legs, which are normally on the top of the lid pointing up in the air, and put some coals under it, you can use it as a frying surface to fry eggs, hamburgers etc, or, while acting as a lid on this Dutch Oven you can put hot coals on the top of the lid and set another pot or frying pan on the lid's legs and you have a double decker pot, another pot or frying pan on top of this Dutch oven, and you can be cooking two things at one time and that takes up less cooking space because one is on top of the other.

Putting legs on the top of the lid, as well as on the bottom of the Dutch Oven body, was a great idea and makes the Dutch oven able to multi task cooking.

The Dutch Oven is well seasoned and with a wipe out with cold water it is ready to cook. I am well pleased with it and would recommend it to others.

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I can not tell you how shocked I was when I recieved this item. It is very heavy, well constructed and is more than it was advertised to be. You will not regret buying this dutch oven. I own several others and paid much more for each of them Now I suppose it was for the brand. This brand is just as good if not better than the other ones I paid much more for.

Best Deals for Universal Housewares Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Camping 5-Quart Dutch

First I'll mention that while my oven came with no damage, the lid fits fine, there are no thick or thin walls, but it was made in China. I do not trust the Chinese to have used a safe oil for the preseasoning. They may have used burnt motor oil, lead based paint, or Heaven knows what(?)

I elected to burn off all the oil and re-season everything before eating from it just to be safe.

The oven is well built and very heavy. I give 5 stars since I have no proof that the seasoning is unhealthy and the lid is a dynamic plus feature.

In addition to having 3 legs on top, the inner surface of the lid is perfectly flat with a nice 1 inch rim when used as a griddle. No center dip, as with all others I've seen. This is truly TWO pieces of cookware. The lid also has two side handles to aid in using it as a griddle / fry pan.

The 3 'extra' legs on top also allow for placing another pot or pan on top while baking or roasting in the oven.

While I could have bought a less expensive D.O., the photo of the lid and other good reviews steered me to the Universal. I was very pleased when it came and I saw the inside of the lid was a flat griddle / fry pan.

What puzzles me is that the lid is not complex, yet, as far as I know, this is the only D.O. with such an ideal lid. It seem like someone would have done this long ago(?).

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I ordered a camping dutch oven, when it came, one of the legs was broken off. Amazon replaced it and the replacement was here 2 days later. It arrived in perfect condition. The DO is a great oven, I used it twice so far. The lid fits perfectly, doesn't rock or is not warped. I highly recommend this DO.

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I was searching for a reasonable pot for my Girl Scout Troop, but didn't want to spend all our cookie money on a Lodge pot. I found this one online, and based on exceptional reviews, and a much more reasonable price, I took a chance. Now I don't have anything to compare it too,as this was my first time using a Dutch Oven, but it worked perfectly. We made a dump cake and I had the pressure of 19 girls watching me, so I was praying it would come out well. And it didn't disappoint me! It cooked evenly with charcoal, even inspite of the windy day cooling my coals. The girls were thrilled and so was I. I love the dual function of the lid, how clever is that lid, and will definitley use that on our next campout for breakfast.

I would only suggest that you wash the interior first with cold water and dry well. Then heat it first, probably as long as an hour, to burn get off the smell of the oil used to preseason it, which will taint the smell of your food. (The second time I used it the smell was gone) I also suggest lining the pot with aluminum foil to ease the cleanup after use. Good luck and enjoy!

Best OXO Good Grips 3-Ring Trivet Deals

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Customer review from the Amazon Vine Program When I unwrapped the OXO Good Grips 3-Ring Trivet, my wife said, "That's not going to work!" Her concern was the large opening of even the smallest of the rings, which she thought would allow a hot pan to transfer too much heat to the countertop or other surface, despite the little nubs of feet on each ring. Seemed plausible, but I needed to test it. So I did.

I took a small cast-iron pan and heated it in the oven to 400 degrees for 10 minutes. I took it out and measured its temperature with an IR thermometer to make sure it was up to temp it was. Then I sat it on the trivet (using all three rings for a minute, then measured the temperature of the surface in the center. The surface only got to about 100 degrees, which is fine. I'm glad to see that our fears were misplaced.

As others have mentioned, the three rings are of slightly different shades of red, darker on the outer ring. This didn't bother me. I did find that small bowls could be unsteady on the smallest ring. The silicone isn't particularly grippy, but it's enough to help keep pots from sliding.

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Customer review from the Amazon Vine Program Good Grips Three Ring Trivets Set has three rings that can be used as a single trivet (which makes them easy to store), separately, or apart but used side by side to hold items such as roasting pans or baking sheets. They have raised silicone feet and can stand heat up to 600°F.

There are some things I can never have enough of in my kitchen and trivets are on the list. I especially like the versatility of this set it may seem somewhat small when you first look at it but when you take it apart you realize it can hold large pots and pans and bowls the pots and pans and dishes fit nicely on the trivets. I also like the fact that they fit together (although it takes some effort to get them to fit together) because they take up less storage room (my other trivets are scattered all over the place). I like the color of the trivets and they are nice and sturdy.

I am very pleased with the Good Grips Three Ring Trivets Set.

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Customer review from the Amazon Vine Program These three rings snap apart to provide 3 separate trivets. The bottoms have small silicone feet to prevent slipping. I also use these to fit into small pots when I do canning, and just have one or two jars. It fits several sized pots and serves as a base to keep the jar off the bottom. I would recommend it.

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Customer review from the Amazon Vine Program What a great idea to have these three trivets fit into each other. They can even be hung on a hook for convenience and to save even more space. Spreading them out allows you to put even large pots, pans, and casserole dishes on them. We've taken things right from the oven and plopped them down on the trivets, and the heat doesn't seem to affect the rubberized surface at all. These are highly effective and a great addition to your kitchen, and at a very low price. Highly recommended!

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Customer review from the Amazon Vine Program The good grips three ring trivet set deliver what they promise. When you need a trivet quick they are ready in three different sizes and grip the hot pots in a level manner.

Other Pros: The rings snap together easily for less clutter during storage. They advertise being heat resistant up to 600 degrees. I set a pot directly from the stove on the largest ring and the ring was slightly warm to the touch when I picked it up afterward but there was no problem handling it and it served the purpose of protecting the wood table surface. All three trivets kept their color after being used. They wash easily and drip dry.

Neutral: They are not "pretty", they are functional. If you have a modern décor they are even a nice accent. They are a bit pricey but since they are durable, it seems like an investment in a sturdy product that you'll have around for years.

Overall, it you need extra trivets handy for large meals, gatherings etc. these are easily stored and available. I liken them to my small rubber grip circle. When I'm having trouble opening something up, I'm very happy I have it and the rest of the time, it is in the drawer. That is what you will find with these trivets, when you need them, they are great to have and the rest of the time they don't take up much storage space.

Review of Lekue 2-pc. Citrus Sprayer Set

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I bought this for my friend more as a gag gift because we both love lemon and lime juice. I didn't expect it to work, but then it did! I'd guess you won't get as much juice out of it as you would by squeezing, but it was certainly fun!

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Like it but I never seem to remember I even have it. It often sits in a cabinet not being used.

Best Cuisinart CSO-300 Combo Steam/Convection Oven, Silver Deals

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List Price: $545.00
Sale Price: $299.00
Today's Bonus: 45% Off

I just got this today, tried it out and love it!! So easy to use, so very quiet when running and I love the steam option. Cuisinart you did it again!! Great outside finish and beautifully made!! Highly recommend this product!!

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ALTHOUGH THIS CUISINART STEAM AND CONVECTION OVEN (MODEL #CUICSO-30) IS A WONDERFUL ADDITION TO MY KITCHEN, IT IS NORMALLY PRICED AT $300 AT www.cuisinart.com. not $500+ AS STATED HERE.

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WELL WORTH THE MONEY. LOVE THE STEAM BAKE. DOES NOT DRY THE FOOD OUT. OVEN DOES NOT GET THAT HOT ON THE OUTSIDE. HAVE IT UNDER MY CABINETS.

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I am extremely happy with this oven. The steaming is absolutely perfect whether you simply steam, steam broil or super steam. It is small in capacity, but fine for one person.

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

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

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

1) Non-Stick vs. Anything Else

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Other points:

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

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

Bar Keepers Friend® Cleanser & Polish: 12 OZ

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

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

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

About $15 bucks as of 10/2012

Handle Design

(Yep that's about it)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Maybe that helps.

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

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Pros:

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

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

+Curved lip for easy pouring

+Includes exactly the pieces I'd want

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

+Will probably last a lifetime

Cons:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Best Deals for Cuisinart MCP-12N MultiClad Pro Stainless Steel 12-Piece Cookware

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

UPDATE AFTER 1 WEEK OF USE:

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

UPDATE AFTER 2 WEEKS:

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

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

Best GSI Outdoors Spice Missile Deals

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List Price: $109.95
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I shoulda' got a bunch more of these! and will. didn't know each one is dual chamber too. so I have one rocket setup like this:

cinnamon / dillo dust

chili flakes / garlic pepper

salt / sea salt

imaging next rocket setups to include saffron, curries, sugars, etc.

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I wish I'd been able to see the size on this before buying.. there are not very good specs listed anywhere for this. I realize now that it must be meant for backpackers more than family camping. It's only about 1" in diameter (wider at the base) and only holds about a 3/4 of a teaspoon (maybe less, but it holds more than 1/2 of a teaspoon) in each compartment... which is not very useful for anything I'd want to use it for unfortunately.

I'll just keep using small plastic baggies for my spices when camping.

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It's sturdy, waterproof, has 6 compartments, allows you to use all 3 levels at once, and comes with 3 different types of caps for different sized spices with one extra stashed at the very bottom inside the orange section (small holes, medium holes, and completely open). I went ahead, and used the completely open one while loading it up with spices, to prevent filling the other side up as well. Worked wonders. Also comes with stickers to use as identification, but I don't know if I'll keep using the same set-up, so I held off on using those. This can be used practically anywhere, and can fit in anything. Take it to work, carry it to school, anything! A great idea, and a great product. I might just start buying these as gifts!

My setup Salt/Garlic/Curry/Lemon Pepper/Sumac/Oregano

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This spice missile contains six compartments so you can bring along a variety of spices on your backpacking or camping adventure. The nice thing about this design is that you can go with only four, or even two, if you really want to pare the weight and space down. The 'missile' breaks down into three different sections, including the cap. Each section has two compartments and screws into the bottom of the section above it. Each section also has a shaker cap that rotates, so you can use one spice compartment at a time.

In addition to salt and pepper, we've loaded ours with garlic powder, paprika, curry, and even parsley flakes. Though small, the compartments will even accommodate small pills in case you want to use this to keep essential medication safe and sound.

The unit is very compact and while it will only hold so much of any one spice in each compartment, it is usually plenty enough for two to several days. Compact, inexpensive, and functional, this spice container makes every meal feel a bit more special whether you are in the back country or just car camping. This is a well made and practical item and while not essential, it certainly makes backpacking and camping more comfortable.

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The GSI Spice Missile is one of those outdoor items that seem to be "love-it-or-hate-it." For my part, I really love it, and won't go hiking or camping without it. Back when I was in the service, we were always looking for ways to spice up (horrible pun, I apologize) our MRE's. I would have loved a Spice Missile back then.

A few random points about the Spice Missile...

1. The Spice Missile is about 4" tall and just over 1" across. It is made up of three sections, each of which is divided in 1/2. So you could carry six different spices. Since each section & the lid use the same screw threads, you can remove sections if you want the Missile to be shorter, or just don't need to carry six different spices.

2. Personally, I tend to use a lot of spices, so I fill each section with its own spice--so I only have three types of spices, but more of them. I use Lowry's Seasoned Salt; McCormick's Hot Shot; and McCormick's Garlic and Onion Medley. Filling the Missile with these three spices gives me more than enough spices for a week long trip, while also providing a nice variety.

3. The Spice Missile is made of plastic, but feels very sturdy. I have dropped it on the tiled kitchen floor, and it did not crack or break. I think with even minimal care it will last a long time.

4. Even fully loaded with spices, the Missile is not heavy. You could stick it in any size pack, and not notice it is there.

Finally, I would add the following warning--not about the item itself but the price point...The price range for this item is broad. I've seen them sold for less than ten dollars, and more than fifteen. In the local big-box hunting store near me, they were selling for fourteen dollars. The Spice Missile is a great product, but please make sure you get the best price you can.

Best Joie de Vivre Mini-Fry NonStick Egg Pan Deals

Customer Ratings:
List Price: $14.99
Sale Price: $7.80
Today's Bonus: 48% Off

I would have never bought this pan if I had seen the reviews here, but I bought it on an impulse at a cookware outlet and I'm so glad I did! My pan doesn't have any of the problems (hot handle, peeling nonstick) that the other reviewers here have experienced. I suspect that since those earlier reviews the pan has been redesigned by the manufacturer.

Whatever the reason, I absolutely love it! It's the only pan I've ever found that is the perfect size (4") for english muffins and orowheat sandwich thins. Honestly, I'm a rather practical person, so I generally don't buy things with little characters on them, but this pan has ended up being the most-used pan in my kitchen. It's perfect for making scrambled egg sandwiches, so I use it several times a week.

If the handle starts heating up or the nonstick peels off, I'll update this review, but in over six months of weekly use, it's performed like a little champ! And, over time, the cartoon egg on the handle has grown on me, it seems kind of shocked or amazed... perhaps because it has to watch me cook an egg!

BTW-The secret to light, fluffy scrambled eggs is to use a low heat and stir constantly. It takes a little longer, but it is so worth it.

Enjoy!

Claire

PS It always makes my day to know that people find these reviews helpful. If you'd also like to ask a question or leave a comment I usually respond the same day, so if you have a question or comment (even if it's just to say, Hi!") feel free to post it below.

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I must admit, I'm shocked at all of the one-star negative reviews on this pan. This little thing is great! Firstly, I'm certain that 99% of the perceived issues with this pan are because people aren't using it correctly. For starters, LOWER your heat. This is a really small pan and heats up very quickly. As such you can't expect it will act the same as a much larger pan. The first time I used this I made the same mistake and put the heat where I would for a larger pan.

I had the same problem with the egg sticking. But then I lowered the heat and presto the pan worked great! Now I realize the pan heats very quickly and only minimal heat is necessary. I spray some cooking oil in the pan, let it heat for a minute and then add the egg. It slides off easily every time now. Realize, too, that non-stick coatings will deteriorate quicker under extreme heat.

The only issue I've found is that it is necessary to have a narrower plastic spatula so you can get under the food to turn it.

Once you learn to use the pan, it is really a joy to use. The design seems to have been modified to correct the handle issue and I haven't had that problem at all.

For the money, it's a good buy !

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Although somewhat of a novelty item, it does produce perfectly round shaped fried eggs. I have had the best results by spraying it with oil and when I want to flip the egg, I loosen the edges with a spatula, slide it out of the pan and on to the spatula then flip it back into the pan.

Honest reviews on Joie de Vivre Mini-Fry NonStick Egg Pan

Not only is this pan unbalanced (the weight of the handle tips it over), it is terribly made. The first time I cracked an egg in it, after a few seconds of cooking I noticed black flecks in the egg it was the non-stick coating on the pan! The coating had chipped off and was floating in the egg. Don't waste your money.

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My wife loves for me to make her an "Egg McMuffin" kind of sandwich, except with egg whites only, and on a bagel, and with Virginia ham intead of Canadian bacon. I make one for her almost every morning befoe I go to work. I had been using these egg rings, which you lay down on a hot frying pan. They work sorta ok. But egg always leaks out because either no frying pan in completly flat, or the rings are not. I have not ever figured it out. Then along comes this pan. Seems to be the perfect size for the pefect round egg. And really, it is! The egg cooks up fine, especially if you keep the flame on low, which on most gas burners give you a flame ring the size of the bottom of the pan. This also seems to be just the right amount of btu's for proper cooking. Turning the egg over is a problem, but not a huge one. Best option is to let the egg do 90% of it's cooking on the first side, then use your smallest spatula to turn it over for the last 10 or 15 seconds of cooking. There is one fatal flaw to this pan. It is the handle! For starters, it is of an almost useless shape, too wide and too flat to hold comfortably, were the second problem not evident-the handle gets just about as hot as the pan! Now the makers have seen fit to afix a goofy egg character on the end of the handle, I suppose to insulate your hand from it's cooking temperature surface , but alas, it gets just about as hot as well. Having said all that, I still use the pan every day because it is the only one of it's size I have been able to find. And it does make perfect round eggs for that morning sandwich my wife must have!

Addendum: 7/11/2012 The makers/importers of this pan seem to have read my complaint! ' The pan now comes with a re-designed , insulated handle which is so much better. I can now say the pan is just about perfect!

Kinetic Kitchen Basics Series Stainless Steel Covered Sauce Pan Review

Customer Ratings:

I like the weighted bottom and it seems to heat evenly. However, stirring with a metal spoon produces scratches.

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Ever look at your dishes in the sink and wonder why you used that big pot to heat your leftovers? For small tasks this pot cannot be beat. Nice even heat and easy cleanup and it doesn't have a nonstick coating. Great buy at the the price.

Best Deals for Kinetic Kitchen Basics Series Stainless Steel Covered Sauce Pan

Small stainless steel pan perfect for a couple hard-boiled eggs or warming a baby bottle. Since its stainless steel it will scratch if you use a metal utensil on it (this is true of any stainless steel pan) so take that into consideration.

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Great pan for the price. Very sturdy. Glad I bought it (them. I got two!)

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The Innova cookware is great as far as I'm concerned. And, it's doesn't cost a fortune. It's heavy and the lids are stainless rather than glass -an important feature for me. They cook evenly and clean up easily. Don't really know what else people want in cookware to make them pay for that really expensive stuff.

Best Meyer Cookware 71229 Skillet Set, Stainless Steel, 8 & 10-In. Deals

Customer Ratings:

Great buy. I love Farberware. Just spray with non-stick and it comes pretty clean or use a little baking soda when cleaning it and you can get it clean out really well. I prefer these than non-stick since the non-stick coating wears off (into your food) eventually and that worries me.

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The skillets are an incredible value for the price, and they look and feel really nice. In regards to cooking, they are easy to use and clean (I use baking soda for the stuck on messes). However within a few days of use, a metallic charcoal or dark gray colored fluid started seeping out onto the exterior from inside the rim each time the pans heated up. The fluid wipes off with a paper towel while it is still hot, but every time the skillets heat up, it leaks out again. When it cools down, the fluid solidifies, and I cannot wipe or clean it off with a soft sponge (don't want to scrub hard and scratch the stainless finish). I don't know what it is and if it will ever stop, but I decided to keep the pans anyways because I just need them for cooking and it does not interfere with that.

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I prefer stainless steel to Teflon because of all those health concerns and these are just great for everyday cooking. No need to worry about scratching them. Very sturdy and good sizes! I only wish they came with top lids, which you need to buy separately. Very useful.

Honest reviews on Meyer Cookware 71229 Skillet Set, Stainless Steel, 8 & 10-In.

I really love this set. I don't really like the non stick surfaces that come off with the food. These stainless skillets really perform very well. I like the nice even heating and the great cleanup, it is also dishwasher safe.

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Here is your opportunity to make a healthy decision.

If your non-stick surface is scratched and/or peeling then get rid of them and purchase thsi set.

Outstanding value .... top quality product .... healthier for you.

Nifty Adjustable V-Rack Reviews

Customer Ratings:
List Price: $9.99
Sale Price: $9.95
Today's Bonus: $0.04 Off

This is the best way to cook a chicken or turkey, at home. With this v-rack, I was able to cook a 20 lb. turkey for Thanksgiving that was juicy and flavorful, without any of the muss and fuss of basting or brining.

Your white meat will come out very juicy, since cooking your bird upside down will let gravity pull the fatty juices from the dark meat down into the breast. However, this means the breast will not brown. I recommend flipping it over to let the breast brown for the last 15-30 minutes of cooking. Otherwise, this product works very well, and I am very happy with my purchase. Easy to clean!

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This chicken rack is really the most intelligent invention. So easy to just pull the chicken out of the package and directly onto the rack. There's no way I am spreading possible salmonella around my kitchen with this simple step. The back of the chicken gets a really nice crisp skin on it and that's delicious, but the breast is not getting the same crispness, although it is extremely moist. I am going to start turning the chicken over for the last 15 minutes or so and see if I can really brown it.

The only worry I have is the appearance of a non-stick coating on the rack, that isn't all that non-stick, and seems to be peeling off in some areas. The entire rack is black so it's hard to tell, but I'm not finding any specks on the chicken itself so am hoping everything is okay.

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Well made. Easy to clean. Arrived on time and does exactly what its suppose to do. Hold a bird ( turkey or chicken ) in perfect smoking position.

Honest reviews on Nifty Adjustable V-Rack

grilled an 11 pound turkey with this. worked just as expected. cleans easily. not much of an expectation for this item, but it certainly fits the bill.

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I couldn't find a product locally for use on the grill, so I checked on Amazon and found exactly what I needed. Thanks!

Orgreenic Flip Jack Ceramic Non-stick Pancake Maker, As Seen On Tv Reviews

Customer Ratings:

I have seen the ads on TV saying just how good this thing is so, when I found one at a local Walgreen's, I bought it. I used it a couple of times and, as of today, I tossed it in the recycler because it is useless.

OK, the good news is that it cooks well and I never had a problem with food sticking BUT to keep it from sticking you HAVE to apply some cooking spray to both pans before you start to heat them.

The bad news is just about everything else. First and foremost--it leaks. When you try to flip the pan over if there is anything that is even slightly liquid inside it will leak out the joint between the pans. It could be egg white or batter, if it is still liquid it will leak. Second, and something that the commercials never mention, you cook in the lower pan while the upper pan is still upright. You close the upper pan and flip the thing over. Now you have to wait while the (used to be) upper pan heats up and begins to cook. Also, in the commercial they show a woman blowing on a pancake to make it slide out of the pan and it is nowhere near that easy. While the food doesn't stick badly. at least for the few times I used it, it often has to be nudged with a spatula to make it slide out. On top of everything else it is VERY cheaply made, the handle broke the fourth time I used it. This needs to be re-engineered so that the edges of the pans overlap rather than just meeting. That would help stop the leaking. The heating of the second pan is something we would just have to live with. Do I recommend it? Absolutely not!

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I bought this hoping that it would be good at making eggs over easy. Unfortunately, it's not so good. The non-stick just doesn't work and the eggs end up stuck to the upper lid of the pan. Even after i seasoned it like the instructions say. Eggs definitely don't slip around the pan as in the commercial. Well it's only $20. i'll try it using cooking spray.

UPDATE:

Having used it for a few weeks now, I've figured a few things out. First, I have to use cooking spray. Without question. And I need to spray it on while the pan is cold. Spraying it on when hot just makes a mess. Second. I need to flip the pan and pre-heat the top before putting anything in it. Third, I think this pan will completely fail when the hinge fails. It's made with very small rivets. They don't look like they will stand up to a lot of use or abuse. So I think there is a life expectancy that I have to look forward to.

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I followed their seasoning instructions and tried to fry some eggs. I had to use a spatula and they still stuck to both sides.

Honest reviews on Orgreenic Flip Jack Ceramic Non-stick Pancake Maker, As Seen On Tv

I saw this on TV and thought, hey great concept. I actually don't have much trouble cooking eggs or pancakes, but if you can make it easier, hey, why not, right? My next trip to WalMart, I saw it on the shelf, and bought on impulse. I wish I hadn't.

ON the informercial, you see them all happily cooking their eggs and pancakes, and nothing sticks, and just simply blowing onto the pan slides the food right off! WOW! Right?

Wrong.

My first thought, as I opened the package, was, hmm, this looks extremely cheap and flimsy, and will probably leak out the sides, and likely break in time. Not worth $20. You can get a really nice skillet for $20 that will LAST. My next thought was, hmm, is this dishwasher safe? Probably not, with my luck... so I look, and I'm right, it recommends hand washing. Okay, no big deal, this thing is supposed to be as slippery as a banana peel, so it won't need much washing, right?

Wrong.

Next, I read the instructions, and it tells me I have to season the pan. Seriously? This isn't cast iron, it's not a wok, why do I have to season it? It's supposed to be non-stick, right?

Wrong.

So I dutifully seasoned the pan, exactly as instructed. And I'm not new to seasoning pans. I just so happen to have some cast iron, and a fancy wok, and both need seasoning. So I season. Season, to my hearts content, and deciding that season doesn't really stick to this pan, I decide to season it once more for good measure. Afterward I wipe the excess oil as the instructions say (which shouldn't exist if it were seasoning!) and I feel like all I've done is waste oil, but I figure, maybe some of it soaked in there and did the trick. I decide to test my shiny new contraption by making a fried egg. Over medium, my preferred way to eat. And this egg, it comes out perfect. I'm somewhat impressed, though worried about the edges should I try more than one egg, or runny crepe batter. I wipe the pan out with a paper towel, and not much is there to wipe. I'm happy. I think, cool, so far so good. Will test more tomorrow. I put the pan away, and the next day, I decide to try 2 eggs. On TV you see them doing 3, so surely you can do 2, right?

Wrong.

I'm thinking my earlier success with 1 egg coming out perfect will mean success with my second attempt, too, right?

Wrong.

I grab my handy-dandy flip jack pan, and heat it up, I even put a light coating of oil on it first just to be safe, because I always use a bit of oil with other seasoned pans. Not much, just enough to make it shine. I crack 2 eggs into the heated pan. I cook it until the point of needing flipped. I flip. I lift the lid, and what to my wondering eyes should appear? 2 egg yolks spattered onto the bottom of the pan, while the whites hang out happily on top. I grumble, I scrape my eggs out, and kind of have this not quite scrambled eggs thing but certainly not overmedium. I choke them down and ponder what went wrong. After the pan cools, I clean it out. It's a bit harder this time as there is some egg stuck to it. But I clean it, and get it spic and span, and try the seasoning process over again. Repeat what worked the first time, right?

Wrong.

I tried again. Two lovely eggs cracked into the freshly seasoned heated pan, and cook until time to flip, and flip, and... same thing as the second attempt. Yolks on one side, whites on the other. Again I scrape up my egg mess, and this time just toss it out.

I haven't tried a 4th time. 2/3 failed egg attempts really make me question the validity of the non stick claims of this pan. I am not a novice in the kitchen, I am quite the expert at most things culinary, and as I said, I certainly know how to fry an egg. I'm not sure I'm going to try and 4th time, because it seems that unless I'm just cooking one egg, it's not so great, and with a family of 4, I'm usually going to be cooking more than one egg at a time. And for all I know it's a one and done kind of pan and that very first egg was the only one that will ever work out. I will forever have fond memories of that one perfect egg. Meanwhile, this pan is going to the back of the cabinet and likely not be used again. I will just stick to my normal skillets with my awesome spatula, which by the way, only cost me $4, and flips a perfect egg every time.

Save your money, and frustrations. This pan is just all kinds of wrong.

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I was very excited when I bought this, but upon getting it home I realized it had to be seasoned just like any cast iron skillet. When did nonstick surfaces need to be seasoned? It was also cheaply built. Upon cleaning after seasoning it, the rivets on one handle popped loose and the handle was floppy after one cleaning.

When I finally did test it out by cooking eggs, upon flipping it over, not only did the eggs stick to the top I now had a real mess as i had eggs on top and on bottom. I grabbed a plastic spatula to slide the remaining egg into my old cast iron skillet and had to actually scrape to get the egg from the orgreenic pan. They were not burned they were just stuck to it as they would have been to a non greased iron pan. I finished cooking the mess in my properly seasoned cast iron skilled, to which they did not stick, and tossed the Orgreenic pan in the trash.

Discount Charles VIANCIN Hibiscus Lid - X-Small (4"), Medium(9.5") & Large

Customer Ratings:

Bought this for my sister for Christmas. She LOVES them! I purchased this set because I LOVE the ones I bought locally.

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These lids do not stick to stainless steel or glass. i had to push down really hard to get them to stick. i am about to return them back to Amazon. Very unpleased.

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4 stars because they absorb odors...otherwise 5 stars! Watch out for red onions. Try leaving overnight with a baking soda paste (baking soda and water).

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These work really well and keep many of the bugs away while enjoying a picnic of family gathering in the yard.

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These covers really seal and fits any bowl. Great for going from refrig to table or oven to table. Wow