Discount KRUPS XP5280 Pump Espresso Machine with KRUPS Precise Tamp

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List Price: $399.99
Sale Price: $279.95
Today's Bonus: 30% Off

I have used Krups espresso machines for over 25 years. This is my third Krups and it is stunningly superior to the previous models I used. (The last one lasted 18 years and was still in usable condition when I upgraded to the XP5280.) The taste of the espresso made by the XP5280 is vastly superior to that produced by the previous Krups model I owned, and to the espresso made by other brands of machine that my friends own. The coffee also arrives in the cup with a wonderfully thick crema. The taste is, I'm guessing, a result of the way the machine carefully controls the water temperature and way the pump and the head work together to control rate of flow of hot water through the coffee grains, in combination with the effectiveness of the auto-tamping mechanism. The auto-tamping is a great feature. (With my prior machine I was lazy about tamping and somewhat deterred from doing it properly by the way the pump seemed to be 'laboring' when I over-tamped.) The auto-tamp gets the tamping just right. The milk-frother is a huge improvement over the one on the earlier model. It makes more than enough froth. (I had to get a bigger frothing jug to accommodate the froth.) It is also much easier to clean.

I see that other reviewers have had problems with the plastic latches on the frother breaking. I agree that they do look a bit fragile, so I am being careful with them. The unlatching process requires a bit of practice: you have to make sure the latch-locking ring is pulled all the way down before trying to pull the frother off the plastic thing at the end of the pipe.

[Update, July 14, 2012: Krups has taken note! A re-designed frother was released a few days ago, part number MS-623107, and it's is a huge improvement. There are no fragile latches. It is secured by a twisting action. The kit ($11.99) includes the frother and a replacement plastic connector, to which the frother connects, that you screw onto the steam pipe. If your original frother has broken Krups will, I hope, send you the kit for free. My original frother hasn't broken yet; but I bought a new kit just in case.]

[Further update, January 11, 2013: One of the latches on the original frother just snapped off as I was using it. It was rather alarming as the frother detached suddenly and steam exploded out of the naked pipe in a scary manner. I can see why Krups re-designed this. I attached the replacement twist-on frother and it is much easier to put on and take off, and much less likely to break and cause injury. If the machine you receive is older stock, with the old-style frother that has with three claws, immediately call Krups and insist that they send you a free replacement.]

Overall, everything about the machine exceeds what I had expected and I recommend this top-of-the-home-line model without reservation.

Some small observations (I hope Krups Product Development team will note these):

(a) The instruction manual could be improved. For example:

When periodically doing a full cleaning of the brewing head, and removing the plastic part with the nozzles, the manual says "replace the black plastic part and turn to the right until the two arrows line up", whereas it should really say "replace the black plastic part, making sure that it is positioned with the arrow on it close to the arrow on the metal part, and turn clockwise until the two arrows line up". (If you replace it in poor lighting conditions, getting the arrows about 180 degrees apart, it will get badly stuck and extremely hard to pull out without damaging the plastic.)

The "Problems" table in the manual says that all three button-lights flashing means that the steam knob is in the steam position. What it should stay is "Either the steam knob has been left in the steam position (or is maybe just a little bit off the "O" position), or the water tank is empty."

(b) With respect to the comment above, about the steam knob, the "feel" of the knob as you get to the "O" position is a little odd: it feels as through you might be straining something when you apply enough turning force to actually get it all the way to the "O". I'd prefer a much more solid stop sensation.

(c) It would have been nice if the steam knob had been designed with a "hold" position, at which the steam is shut off but the machine remains in steam mode (i.e., does not go into the cool-down cycle to prepare for coffee-making). If you need to pause steam making (e.g., to cope with overspilling froth or to change over to frothing a second jug of milk) you have no choice but to turn the steam off, wait while the cool-down cycle finishes, press the steam button again, and wait until the machine reaches steam temperature again -all a needless waste of time, water, and electricity.

(d) The turning force you need to apply to turn the brewing-head handle as it is auto-tamping (note: I am not trying to turn it too far), is quite a lot relative to the weight of the machine. If you put the machine on a very smooth surface or on a plastic drip mat, the machine will tend to rotate as you operate the handle (particularly when the water tank has very little water in it) unless you place a steadying hand on the top of the machine. The machine would have felt a lot steadier if Krups had put some weights in the base.

However, these are small points that just have to be noted and do not diminish the pleasure of using this excellent machine.

A frother-cleaning tip: after using the frother (whether or not you plan to remove it to give it a proper cleaning), with the machine in the ready-to-make-coffee state (= left three lamps lit, steam lamp not lit), put a cup or jug under the frother and turn the steam knob a little way for a few seconds. This will cause hot water to squirt through the steam outlet, clearing any milk residue from the steam channel of the frother. This prevents the frother becoming clogged by dried milk residue.

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Being fairly new to Espresso machines I researched reviews on Amazon and elsewhere, and decided on a Krups XP5280. Too bad, no review ever mentioned the fact that, and this was confirmed to me by Krups Customer Service, you need to wait at least 15 minutes between successive cups of espresso, even longer if you used the steam wand! If you don't wait this long the water is diverted to the drip tray instead of the filter holder. WHAT!! Before this was confirmed by Krups itself I could only think I had a defective unit. Upon hearing that this is "normal", I promptly returned it to the seller, of course at my own expense. I didn't like that the machine couldn't be used under cabinets that don't give you enough space to fully pull out the reservoir which needs to be pulled out upwards. But I did like the Krups automatic tamping, the set amount (programmable) amount of espresso delivered, and the puck ejector in the filter holder. I only wished someone had mentioned in a review the problem with needing to wait so long between successive cups using the Krups XP5280, it would have saved me the wasted time, and cost, to return it to the seller! If you only need to make one cup, or are willing to wait 15+ minutes between cups, then perhaps the Krups XP5280 is for you. It was not for me.

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I purchased this machine at the recommendation of a knowledgeable salesperson at a local cooking store called Great News (Pacific Beach). I really liked the programmable feature, after returning a different model that did not have the preset for espresso pour duration. I also like the "precise tamp" feature as it saves a step and works well. I find that by using a Cuisinart Conical Burr grinder to freshly grind the beans(I use illy beans exclusively), and by following the directions for proper priming(1st use), cleaning, and operation the resulting espresso and latte drinks are excellent. It consistently turns out great tasting espresso with generous amounts of "crema", and steams milk well(I recommend getting an instant read thermometer for steamed milk which indicates proper heating temerature between 150 and 170 degrees mine is from a company called CDN). One minor issue is the steam nozzle. Mine did break after about 4 months one of the clips that hold the nozzle to the steam wand broke I called the company and they sent me a new one. Pluses when used properly this machine turns out great and repeatable results for both espresso and steamed milk. Minus Steam wand nozzle must be handled with care and cleaned often. By the way folks make sure you read the directions on how to disassemble and clean the nozzle if you don't it gets pretty disgusting inside.

Honest reviews on KRUPS XP5280 Pump Espresso Machine with KRUPS Precise Tamp

I've owned this expresso maker since July of 2011. I am on my 3rd nozzle. Since I can't find nozzles for sale on the internet anymore, I finally decided to call the Krups warranty hotline since everything is still under warranty. First they told me that the expresso maker is warrantied for 2 years instead of the 1 year in the manual. Then they notified me that the nozzle is being redesigned. They will send me the "older style" (that is, the one I have now) to hold me over until the new one comes out in Summer 2012. Then they put me on their mailing list to get the newly designed nozzle when it comes out. The hotline person was helpful and acknowledged that there was a design problem with the existing nozzle (in so many words), so I am glad Krups is not in denial of the facts. I like the expresso maker -especially the auto tamping feature and the pre-measured pulls. So if you already own one of these, don't despair. I recommend you call Krups and get your name on their list for the new nozzle.

5/3/12 Just received the newly redesigned nozzle from Krups. It is much heftier than the original. Still made of plastic but much, much thicker. The nozzle body is now a single piece with a stainless steel outer tube which simply presses onto the front of the nozzle; looks like it mostly for show. Gone are the 3 flimsy tabs which are prone to breakage. The new nozzle now locks onto the steam arm with a twist. Because the new nozzle attaches differently, you also have to replace the plastic base which screws onto the steam arm.

It is now 1 year since purchasing this machine. I just replaced the filter holder because of corrosion. The plastic handle started to crack and the button which locks the filter holder started sticking, preventing the holder from locking into place on the expresso maker. Now the button doesn't pop up like when it was new. Looks like pewter underneath the chrome plating. I make 2 cups, double shots, every day. It would be nice to have a stainless steel filter holder but you would have to buy an expresso machine which costs twice as much to get that. And as I examine other machines in this price range, they all seem to be made of the same materials. So I understand the shortcuts made to sell a machine at this price point. And I like the expresso it makes.

12/19/12 I have been through 2 of the newly designed nozzles. They both have cracked from the heat and eventually leak along the centerline of the tube. Lasted about 3 months. I called the Krups customer service center again and the person said she'd never hear of this before. However, she quickly said they would send me another replacement. I think I'll keep doing this until the 2-year warranty runs out.

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I have owned this unit for 16 months. During that time I have gone through 7, count them 7 frothing wands. Three before the "new design" and 4 after. Had to wait over 2 months, for the new frothing wand, because they were out of stock at the factory. That tells me lots of people were having the same issues. Not spending one more penny on a new frothing wand. I am going to buy a "real" unit and once agsin relax with my morning latte. The customer service department acted like I was bothering them. GOODBYE KRUPS. NEVER AGAIN!

Review of Breville BEW600XL Hot Wok

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List Price: $159.99
Sale Price: $129.95
Today's Bonus: 19% Off

Customer review from the Amazon Vine Program It comes in the factory box, so if it is a gift, be aware of this as it might ruin the surprise. The quality and sturdiness of this appliance is evident immediately out of the box.

The instruction book has a bit of a recipe book in the front of it, so you might check that out if you don't normally read instruction books.

It is very straightforward and easy to use. It heats up very quickly, and sears to perfection. The directions say to let it heat for 10 minutes before using but I've not waited that long.

I love the way the plug has an "O" in it so you can hook a finger in to unplug it. I wish all appliances were like that! It's a cord of decent length too, and it's well insulated. The top detaches from the base. I had no problem detaching mine. Reattaching, now that was a bit of a problem until I realized you have to PUSH DOWN on the turning handle and then turn, like a childproof capTHEN it was easy.

Clean up is greatit is highly nonstick. The only potential problem that I see is that there is a bit of space between the handles and the wok that food could fall or drip and that could be hard to clean if it dried. Of course, the WHOLE thing detaches from the base and it can be put in a dishwasher.

To store you can put a couple of paper towels in it, and place the cord on those, then put the lid on upside down. It is BIG though, so storage could be a problem.

We plan on using ours outside a lot this summer, as it will be perfect on the picnic table on hot days when we don't want to heat the house up cooking. I'll prep early in the day, then cook and serve from the wok itself for evening meals by the pool.

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Customer review from the Amazon Vine Program Generally dinner time at my house is our adult son, our teenage daughter, my husband and myself. This wok is perfectly sized for a nice amount of stir-fry with lots of veggies and leftovers to pack in lunches.

Pros:

It easily fits 2 lbs of cut-up chicken and 3 bags of frozen vegetables.

Good non-stick surface, use wood or bamboo utensils.

The base detaches the pan very easily for cleaning up.

The lid has a vent, turn the knob to open it.

The knob doesn't get too hot to handle while you're cooking which absolutely thrilled me.

The probe fits in easily and securely.

The cord itself is long enough that you don't need to be right on an outlet to use it.

It's a grounded plug

The plug has a hole in it to put your finger through and pull it out. Even better, that design feature is big enough for my husband's fingers.

It heats up fast.

Heats to 425 degrees on the sear setting

Very easy to clean using a soft dishrag, even after cooking something like teriyaki with sugar in the sauce.

Cons:

It's big. That's a plus for a family like mine but could be a storage issue for people with less kitchen storage space.

The lid is a bit heavy, which shouldn't be an issue for most people, but I do wish it had more than just the knob to pick it up with.

The cons aren't enough to make me dislike this. Cooking with it was very easy, and with it's size and temperature range, I was able to cook a meal fairly fast. I know that my family will use it often, especially in the summer when I don't want to heat up the whole house with the stove. It's a good, reliable brand, and it's a great size for family cooking.

EditedAfter 6 months of use, I still love it. Also I'm doing things like frying donuts for my family more often because it's so easy to clean up and doesn't take as much oil as a pan with straight sides. The temperature control and how hot it gets makes frying food in it really easy. I wouldn't have anticipated that, I just thought about stir fries when I got it.

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Customer review from the Amazon Vine Program I don't even like to cook, but I love Asian food so much so I was delighted to get a wok. I wanted to try out all the recipes that I go to Thai, Chinese and Japanese restaurants to buy. I'd never heard of Breville's brand name, but the product looked pretty easy to use. In person, it's pretty good quality and lighter than it looks.

Cons: The screw on the top came off way too easily. It swirled around to open and close, but I didn't really see the point of it having the little tip in the top. At one point, the screw came out altogether, and I had to guess my way back to putting the accessories for the top back together. I'm not quite sure if I did it right because the instructions don't guide you through it.

The lock on the bottom of the wok is a pain. Once you cook something, you either have to lift the entire wok in order to pour the food into a dish or tip the wok to the side to unlock the wok. However, the instructions say to turn the wok over completely to unlock, so be careful with banging it if you choose the latter. If the wok is pretty full, this can be a bit of a task. I wish the lock was on the side instead of the bottom so cooks can easily unlatch it.

Pros: The wok bowl is easy to clean and is even easier to cook with. I was very happy with the appearance and texture of the stir fry with soy sausage I made. It was fresh. The soy sausage was slightly crispy like I like it. The latch on the temperature control probe is easy to maneuver, and setting the temperature is just as simple.

Cooking with the appliance is a breeze. It's assembling the product and getting the food to the plate that needs some work.

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Customer review from the Amazon Vine Program The manufacturers offer this wok as an alternative to a gas range and a traditional wok. Since I have the latter, I thought it would be fun to do a side by side comparison.

The electric wok is far more efficient than the traditional wok (uniform heat), however it does not lend itself to tipping and flipping of cooking food...which is part of the fun. You definitely need the correct cooking utensils to stir food. If you have a laminate countertop, you will need to protect it from radiant heat. The electric wok is more difficult to wash and store, but for the right household, it can make a great culinary addition.

Happy cooking!

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Customer review from the Amazon Vine Program UPDATE as of 7/19/2011: The rubber bumpers on the bottom of the base that keep it raised off the counter have long past gone. This means that the knob that attaches the base to the wok itself is now in direct contact with the counter. It's really sexy (NOT) to be in the middle of a searing hot cooking session, to have the base pop right off. Meanwhile the size and clunkiness makes attaching the base an exercise in awkwardness. It can only be done when said wok is completely empty, and clean, and cool to the touch. Else, you're in for a world of hurt.

Over time, the base has become more and more onerous a job to attach to the wok, making me seriously have second thoughts every time I need to heave it out of the cabinet. It's come to the point where I do use it when I literally have no other choice, but sincerely wish that I had a better option that didn't cause me so much strife. In fact, the base + wok issues are enough to tell me that buying one is a Very Bad Idea.

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ORIGINAL REVIEW:

Nonstick surface: It is so nonstick that the sticker on the inside of the pot did not stick. Very nonstick. I barely needed a scant few drops of oil.

Speed of heating: Takes about a minute to get up to full, screaming hot heat. I do a lot of South Indian cooking, which requires the same dome shape of the wok, and high heat that Chinese wok cooking requires. When I threw the oil into the pot (to pop my spices in), the oil got up to heat very quickly. My mustard seeds, cumin seeds, and coriander seeds all popped beautifully without burning. Then I threw in the stems of 1 1/2 pounds of collard greens that I bought earlier that evening. Perfectly wilted down in about three minutes. I added the leaves. Perfectly wilted in another two minutes or so. In less time than it took to boil my pasta, the collard greens were done to a turn. Also, I didn't need to put the greens into the pot in stages. The wok would have comfortably accommodated the greens, stems and all, without a problem. All you have to do is cover the lid so the whole thing wilts a bit, an then you're back in business.

THE BASE STAYS COOL. This means that if you have finicky counter tops, you can still use the wok on them, because the base doesn't heat. Too awesome!

There's a reason this piece of equipment costs what it does: because every single penny of the purchase price is worth it.

EDIT: Made popcorn in it. It takes longer than when I do it on the stove, but I didn't have to stop and dump out the popped kernels in the middle of cooking, like I do with my other pots. Also, it kept the kernels from burning. Very nice.

Down sides: The base and pot itself are large and taking charge. This means that if you're used to traditional Asian cooking techniques, which involve you lifting the pot up off the flame to fine tune the heat, you're out of luck. This also means that if you plan on serving the food in a container other than the wok, you're going to need two people: one to hold the wok up over the serving dish, and the other to transfer the food itself. It's way too big to do it on your own. The cap to unscrew the base is directly on the bottom of the wok, making it impossible to do anything while the wok has food in it. Instead, you have to wait for the whole contraption to empty, cool a bit, flip the whole thing upside down, then undo the base. Putting the base on can be a little awkward.

The temperature dial is not written in degrees, but rather in arbitrary numbers. This means that unlike other electric cooking pots (friers, woks, pans), you're not going to get fine tune control of the heat by adjusting the temperature on the dial. On the other hand, my stove also has the same arbitrary numbers on, so it's not like I don't know how to adjust the heat based on said arbitrary numbers.

All that said, I'd still say that the wok is worth the purchase price, because it does such a fantastic job. At home, I have a four burner gas range, but sometimes I have really big pots on the stove, rendering the other two burners useless. This wok is big enough to feed an army, and doesn't take up huge swaths of my stove.

Staub 5 Quart Round Cocotte, Graphite Grey Reviews

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I finally broke down and bought my second Staub. I love this piece! I swear my meals cook better in it due to the self-basting spikes. I did my first true pot roast in this, versus my normal crock pot. It was fabulous. Everything comes out just a bit more tender. The weight is heavy, but it is cast iron, so I am not sure what people are expecting. The color is a nice complement to my Analon Bronze skillets if you care that your pans match while cooking on the stove.

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Discount Bialetti Arte Collection Cookware Deep Saute 5-1/2-Quart with Lid

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This saute pan is an excellent and durable piece of cookware for the price. This is my second one. Following four years of heavy and constant use the old pan finally began to show signs of wear and tear. I could not afford to replace it with a more expensive pan so I searched for this particular pan as it is the only pan in this price range that has ever stood up to the use that I give it. It is used almost daily and even withstands high heat and a lot of stirring and scapping.

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We have had a first Bialetti Arte Deep Sauté pan for 5 years, but it was time to replace it. The teflon at the bottom had worn out and food stuck to it. The old one was "made in Italy" and I was hoping the company still had it made there, but it is very unlikely. The new pan has the same markings underneath except for that "made in Italy", so I can only assume that it was made in China.

The pan does not come with the packaging like on the picture, so there is no information about coating, materials, care, where it was made, etc. While the old pan had teflon ("slippery" non-stick), this one seems to have ceramic non-stick, which is "rough" non-stick. Food will not stick so that's fine. I am glad we bought this pan instead of a more expensive Calphalon pan. The size is just right and the performance/price ratio cannot be beat.

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This is my 10 set purchased over the years for myself and as gifts, perfect!

Was cheaper at COSTCO until they stopped selling this item.

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Just what we wanted. This is our second one. We wore out the first one. Great size, easy to use. On time delivery

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Skillet was damaged. The skillet is usable but is out of round and lid doesnt fit like it is suppose to. More like a scratch and dent item. Seller issue not a product problem.

Review of J.A. Henckels International Classic Forged 5-Inch Santoku Knife

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List Price: $84.00
Sale Price: $49.95
Today's Bonus: 41% Off

This has become my very favorite knife, and I have taken it all over the country when I've been invited to cook at friends' houses. So far, it's enjoyed Honolulu, New Orleans, Calistoga/CA, and parts of the San Francisco Bay Area. I was introduced to it by my cousin in Utah. The size is perfect for a small hand; it's well balanced and keeps its sharpness; and it's very rugged. I have purchased several copies of it as gifts, as well.

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This knife is a wonderful addition for you kitchen. I have bought it as a gift for my parents and my brother and they both really love the knife. My dad even asked for another one for Christmas! I highly recommend this knife.

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I only have a hand full of knives. I only keep around what I need not a whole block of unsued ones. That being said I am a fan of this knife. It is just about the right wieght and hold an edge well. I will slice through everything form whole onions to tomatoes to cheese with ease and the hollow blade really does aid agenst items clinging to the knife. For a middle class knife I beleive that this is a soid purchase and would do it again.

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This knife is my go to blade. I have a full set and rarely use anything other than this and a paring knife anymore. It sharpens easily with little effort. fits comoftably, has good balance. Slice tomatoes in a single stroke. I can feed a family of four on one radish, thats how many slices I can make with this blade. Had I known about this knife 10-15 years ago I would have not bought a set, thats how good it is!

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We purchased a knife set which included a 7" Santoku, but we needed something shorter/smaller. The 5" is perfect -we use it all the time. The quality is great.

Review of Primus Litech Ceramic Non-Stick Surface Frying Pan with Silicone

Customer Ratings:

Overall, this is a great backpacking pot for the money. It's comparable to other pots that cost $15 more. The 10 oz. weight works well for me.

Pros:

Was able to fit a bowl, alcohol stove, pot stand, and fuel bottle inside. I've really found the pour spout to be very helpful, especially when pouring boiling hot water! With the silicone handles, I don't need a pot grabber, which is one less thing to lose. Also, like that the stuff sack is part mesh because it decreases weight.

Cons:

No measurement markings on pot. Could not fit my Light My Fire spork inside with the other items.

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Got my stove today, but i bought it on basegear.com since Amazon says it takes 2 to 3 weeks to ship... anyway, got in it 2 days. So, first of all, the dimensions are wrong. Here are the real ones ( all are in inches):

Frying Pan Diameter: Bottom: 4 3/8 Top: 4.75

Frying Pan Height: 1 3/16

Pot Diameter: Top 4 13/16 Bottom: 4 5/8 Including Spout: 5

Pot Height 4 7/16

Combined Height 5 3/8 ( they overlap a little)

Total Diameter 4 13/16

Volume: 5.16 cups, 1.222 Liters, or 74.55 cubic inches.

It weighed in (the pot, pan, and carry sack) at 10.11 oz or 287 grams.

I would definitely get the Snow Peak Trek 900 because though it doesn't have a non-stick coating, it wins in every other aspect, and the non-stick coating didn't really work anyway...

oh yeah, I fit 1 8 oz MSR IsoPro canister, My optimus crux stove, and matches inside.

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The Trek Ketle is both kettle and fry pan and works well with little added weight to your pack. Metal heats quickly and evenly and is truly nonstick. Fuel packs inside and handles fold for easy packing and stay cool when in use. great for trail breakfast or lunch.

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This cookset is light and durable, distributes heat well and is well balanced which is necessary as it's on the larger side. Both pots and the fry pan are non-stick and cleans up easily.

I have used all three pieces and they can handle just about anything you throw at it. I have made pancakes, stir frys, and even stew on an alcohol burner. All delicious.

Although it spreads the heat well, you may need to stir your food while cooking a little more often as it may burn in spots due to the thinner gauge of the metal used in order to keep the weight down.

Perfect for camp cooking, or car camping but light enough for backpacking. They are 3-4 person size.

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this trek kettle is GREAT! my stove,fuel,bowl,sponge,fork and wind-guard all fit within the kettle.

the top acts not only as a lid to the pot but also a great single serving frying pan, great for meats or eggs.

there is a small pour spout on the kettle that acts as a great strainer when combined with the lid. there is only a small space for the water to escape so you wont have to worry about losing noodles when dumping your water.

TRULY NON STICK! make sure you never use metal utensils as it with scratch the coating.

*THE BAD

the only reason i did not give this 5 stars is because the lid has nothing to hold in place. i plan on buying a small tie down strap to hold it all in place. so keep in mind that even though they include a bag you are going to want to secure the pot because the half mesh bag they include is of mediocre at best quality and i do not see it lasting long

i will be using the bag for clothes or other light supplies that will not put stress on the seams of the bag.

If they would have found a way to make the frying pan lid lock onto the kettle i would have given this product 5/5

Stansport Non-Seasoned Cast Iron Dutch Oven with Legs Reviews

Customer Ratings:

The unit itself is nice. Well cast. Legs are solid, lid fits well. Although the lid pictured was not the one I received. The one that came with it was move of a 'domed' with the handle not the one pictured with the lip around the edge. The lip can be important for some due to putting and keeping hot coals on top for more even cooking. If I hadn't needed it for a trip, I wouldn't have seasoned it and would have returned it for one with the lipped lid. So if you're going to purchase one, ask questions first to see which you're going to get.

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LID IS COMPLETELY DIFFERENT THAN PICTURED! I WANTED THIS WITH LIP ON LID LIKE PICTURED. VERY DISSAPOINTED! Do not buy if you need lip on lid! Domed lid no good!

Discount Trademark Innovations Pop Up Food Covers

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List Price: $23.00
Sale Price: $9.99
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Worked great and is perfect for desserts (we have the larger ones for the food dishes). Folds nice and flat. Good buy.

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I used esefor family babecue and they were great. Kept our food free of flies, bees, etc. I would recommendteseto everyone.

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these items were just what I needed

3 good sizes and a great height

easy to use and to store

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I purchased the pop up food covers right before a Labor Day cook out we had this year. They were a total hit. The prolific bug population was kept at bay and I was able to continue setting the table and cooking more food instead of standing over the table waving of the offenders. ;-)

Thanks for a good product.

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The company made a mistake on our order, they rapidly corrected the error and we still received our order on time. Although these are much cheaper than most of the others offered, they appear to be just as well made and they are exactly as described. They do not have bottoms they simply sit over the food dishes or bowls.

WMF 1 1/2-Quart Stainless Steel Ball Shaped Tea Kettle with Infuser Reviews

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List Price: $145.00
Sale Price: $83.10
Today's Bonus: 43% Off

This is a wonderfully designed kettle and feels like a valuable piece of kitchen equipment.

Unfortunately, beyond boiling water and looking nice, the kettle misses the mark in a few places.

--The whistle is extremely faint and cannot be heard when out of the room. A family member remarked, "Is there a baby bird in the kitchen?" If you do not mind not relying on the whistle, then this is a great product otherwise.

--The overall whistle-removal system of having to grab and oven mitt to remove it is slightly inconvenient. But you could also remove the whistle complete and then you wouldn't have to deal with taking it off when it's hot.

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This kettle is beautiful and looks great with my stainless steel appliances and cookware. The whistle is great and the handle stays cool to the touch after the water boils. At first I thought the 1 1/2 quart size would be too small, but it is just big enough to fill a large French press for coffee (my intended purpose) and anything larger would be awkward to lift when full. The price tag is a little high, but the design is so much more attractive than the others in this range that it's worth the extra money.

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I gave up coffee and started heavy on tea. This fits what I wanted perfectly--teapot and kettle in one. I tested it for lead, no lead. Very helpful customer service from WMF when I contacted them with a simple question. The whistle isn't loud, but I didn't need one that was loud, we have an open house plan and I'm usually nearby. Plus, I hate loud noises. I do need to use a potholder to handle the lid, basket and whistle right after I take it off the heat, but that isn't a big deal for me either. And I like the look of it.

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I had seen a kettle just like this one at a friend's house---but a 3 quart size---and was inspired to order one. . When I received the 1 1/2 quart kettle, I was disappointed at first. Then after checking the WMF website, I discovered they no longer make the 3 quart size. My friend had bought his from a dealer and it was obviously an older model. I have realized know that 1 1/2 quart is large enough for most requirements of boiling water.

If I need more, I can just bring out my larger kettle. This kettle is a work of art and looks great on the stove.

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The tea pot was too small for even the smallest burner on most stoves. I did not like the way the handle was exposed to the heat and surely would get too hot to the touch. Amazon was nice enough to take it back as unused. I only hope that it does not cost me to return the item. I strongly suggest a pot at least twice its size or larger?

Reviews of J.A. Henckels International Eversharp Pro 3-Inch Stainless Steel

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List Price: $15.00
Sale Price: $8.95
Today's Bonus: 40% Off

When I first saw this knife featured for a nominal price, I had to rub my eyes to be sure I was seeing right. The word Henckels for cutlery is synonymous with top quality...like Mercedes or Jaeguar is for automobiles. I own some of their premier line of cutlery, the Pro S series, and am spoiled for life. I have paid a young fortune for some of my Henckels knives. (By the way, Amazon is offering several Pro S series knives at a very sweet price right now. Check out their chef's knives.) Since I did not own a 3-inch paring knife, I decided to give this little guy a test drive and am happy to report that it went through the cones with flying colors.

Henckels simply does not make junk, so even with this knife, which is one of their lower end models, you are still getting a good knife. It fits nicely in the hand (especially if you have small hands), and it has good balance. The handle and rivits appear to be the same or very similar to my Pro S series knives; the only difference I see is that the blade is a little thinner. Since paring knives aren't intended to replace the larger utility or chef's knives, just be sure not to tackle large or thick objects with it and you'll do just fine. For the price you get a big bang for your buck. Oh, by the way, invest in the Henckels stone honing tool. Always hone your knife before each use, and clean it (by hand) immediately after use. This is essential to keeping your knives their sharpest and insuring their use for a lifetime.

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This is a great knife. I had one for 5 years before the tip broke when my boyfriend used it to pry apart two frozen hamburger patties (which was "user error" in my mind). It stays sharp and was inexpensive enough that I don't fret about putting it in the dishwasher, which I would never do with higher quality, more expensive Henkles.

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I have never bought a paring knife before and have always used a steak knife for small jobs. I decided to try a paring knife after trying one at a friend's house.

I am very happy with the performance and convenience that this knife affords.

The construction seems excellent with the blade running all the way through the handle and the sharpness is excellent. Only time will tell how long the sharpness lasts.

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Used to be Eversharps paring knife was smaller and it fit in my hand better. These work well for a larger paring knife. Love the fine serrations in the smaller knives in this line. The Chefs knife size was a tosser. The serrations were too rough.

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I have several of these knives as they never need sharpening and are nice paring knives. I received them promptly and they were securely wrapped.

Buy Norpro Small Canning Rack

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Neat little canning aid. It was great to not have to break out the big canner and just do a few jars of tomatoes that I picked from the garden. The handles are a little difficult to use. They don't raise up evenly. Norpro Small Canning Rack

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The design is great, ....just do not leave sitting in water when you are through, as all the joints rusted on 2nd use when we left sitting in the pot of water overnight. This, of course, should not have been left in the water overnight by us, but I really did not expect that to cause it to rust at the joints. Will now need to buy another one.

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I needed a canning rack for small jobs (3-4 jars) and this seemed to fit the bill until I realized that I'd still need a rather large (in circumference) pot, since the handles get in the way if the pot is too small. A better choice is the Ball Home Canning Discovery Kit, which comes with 3 jars, complete directions and some great recipes.

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The smooth cook top only has a 9 1/2" burner and a regular water bath canner is too large. Besides it says on the canner 'not for use on ceramic cooktops'. This is great since it fits in my tall pasta cooker. I can actually do more than on jar at a time, which is great because at altitude processing takes sooooooo long!!!!

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I love the little thing! It fits in my stock pot and I can process 4 or 5 little half pint jars from my fresh preserve jam maker.

Frieling Catering Frypan Review

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List Price: $194.00
Sale Price: $126.30
Today's Bonus: 35% Off

I was surprised at the weight of this pan; I have been a devotee of "Calaphon" for over 20 years. I am starting to convert to stainless little by little. I have some Cuisinart that is also very good, but I like this better.

The handles are angled up which keeps them out of the way and lets them clear other pans on the stove if you have a major cooking project going. The handle also has a gap where it is welded to the pan which lets fluids drain down rather than collect in a pocket. It can make your stove a little messier, but it is easier to keep the pan clean.

The interior is silky smooth and requires just a small amount of oil to keep food from sticking. The recommend that you use non-metalic utensils to keep from scratching it. The heavy layer of copper bonded between two layers of stainless on the bottom works great to distribute heat accross the pan. The side are a single layer of heavy stainless, so they do not get hot and cause food to burn on.

This pan is very well made and should last for a lifetime.

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This pan is the BEST frying pan I've ever used. I am blown away by Sitram's commercial line. I compared this pan side-by-side with the All-Clad 11-incher, while baking dutch-style pancakes a great test in how fast the pan fries, as well as how well the heat is distributed and retained.

The Sitram fries more evenly, more quickly, and stays "smoother", i.e. it's easier to clean. I can only conclude that the copper-sandwich layer must be much thicker in the Sitram than the All-Clad. The Sitram (1770 grams) is 20% heavier than the All-Clad (1478 grams), which probably accounts for this.

Pancakes (and since that test also steaks, caramelized onions, sauces etc.) fry about 40% quicker. So upon first use of this gem, watch out, and turn the heat down if you're unprepared! It is just astonishing how much better this pan is, and that's while I was satisfied with the All-Clads. This pan will spoil you. Like me, you may never want to go back to anything else.

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After going through a set of Revere Ware and then Calphalon with some Magnalite along the way, I am happy to discover Sitram. This cookware is everything a person could want--takes less heat than others, cooks evenly, and looks beautiful. I wish I had had it fifty years ago. Cleanup is a breeze and although I use an oil spray, there is no problem with sticking, as one might expect with stainless steel. This is less expensive than All-Clad and just as efficient. A person with good equipment can always do a better job.

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There's something about fry pans or skillets that do not make them universally useful. Unlike a saut? pan or a saucier that can hold lots of food, by design you just can't overload a skillet and expect it to work. Its angled low sides are engineered to release as much moisture as possible when frying so you can get a crispy outer layer.

Also, you can't seem to be happy with only one kind of skillet. For example, for frying chicken, chops, steak, hamburgers or the like, you can't beat a well seasoned cast iron skillet. For frying eggs or delicate food, you'll probably reach for a non-stick skillet (sometime called an omelet pan). So, when does one need a stainless steel frying pan? In my case, I use one when I need to fry or sear something crisp and when I want to build a sauce from the flavorful stuff that`s stuck to the pan. I just can't do the same thing on a seasoned cast iron skillet, because the sauce will taste different; besides you really are not suppose to cook anything too acidic or too alkaline on cast iron. On the other hand, since nothing sticks on a non-stick pan, you won't have the good stuff stuck on the pan which will be the base for your sauce.

In all probability, you'll have a cheap iron skillet and a non-stick skillet hanging around and will ask yourself why spend money on a stainless steel skillet when you can buy a more versatile cookware such as a saut? pan or a saucier or even a rondeau? I am not reviewing one's necessity for a stainless steel frying pan. I shall review this 11" fry pan based on its merits and perceived value.

This 11" fry pan is very well constructed. It shares the same benefits (e.g. heat conductivity, heat capacity, heavy weight, and very flat bottom) that other Sitram Catering cookware offer. However, there is one design limitation you must be aware of. The copper disk at the bottom does not cover the entire bottom. The inside diameter of the cooking area is 9 ? in. while the copper disk only covers less than 8 ? in. What does this mean? If you are frying a piece of fish that is wider than the diameter of the copper disk, the sides of the fish not placed over the disc will not cook as well as the part of the fish that is over the disk. Hence, you must be careful not to have food near the sides of the fry pan. IMHO, you do not have the same limitation with a pan that uses a straight gauge or fully clad conductor (instead of a disk). For this reason, I cannot give this frying pan 5 stars.

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* March 2011 Update still getting great use out of this product French cooking equipment is superb!*

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I worked in restaurants for many years before going into the federal gov't, and good pans or bad pans would show their true colours over time.

For those w/ any arm/wrist/finger troubles, know that this pan is comfortable to handle, but still may be a little heavy (a good sign actually), The handle is rounded is easier and "softer" to handle than the Sitram Commercial line. This pan is a powerhouse, if you will, and can handle and endure heavy use in the kitchen, which is why it is "commercial grade" in both name and quality.

I would recommend using only wooden spoons and spatulas in this pan. Pure virgin olive oil is the best to use to get the pan going when sautéing, but extra virgin oo is good for lighter cooking or when simmering. Using a wooden spatula (never metal) will keep things from sticking just fine -scrape when necessary w/ the wooden spatula. Do not forget to keep your wooden spatulas/spoons/cutting boards oiled too. (See my other reviews for suggestions on this topic)

Oil sprays are not necessary and only last so long anyway. This pan will become a valued partner in the kitchen. It is a joy to use knowing that you are using a high quality item. It is good to hand wash these pans and to use a little bit of "Bartenders Friend" to keep them shining like new. It is also good not to use high heat, but rather middle heat zones for smooth cooking.

The bottom line is that this pan is perfect, and beats a tephlon or other nonstick pan in durability without trouble. In addition, unlike the nonstick pans, you do not have to worry about scratching it, no peeling of the coating, and best of all no chemical concerns leaching into your food -there has been much debate/concern about this. I do not use nonstick pans for anything.

I hope this is helpful.

Cheers,

Neil

Thank you.

Cheap All-Clad Master Chef 2 5-Quart Casserole Pan

Customer Ratings:

This pot has been a welcome addition to my kitchen for serveral reasons.

It's a great size for making soups. The tall sides and relatively narrow width assure minimal evaporation; the heavy All-Clad bottom means that there are no hot spots. Some of the recipes I use begin with "blooming" spices in a bit of oil and softening onions and/or garlic, too. There's no worry about scorching.

For our empty nest, it's just the right size for preparing pasta, too. Smaller pots don't hold enough water to cook the pasta without it sticking or becoming gummy; larger pots -well, who wants to boil eight to twelves quarts of water just to cook less than a half pound of spaghetti? This pot is the perfect "between" size.

I'm not sure why All-Clad calls it a casserole pan. Casseroles are one thing I don't imagine cooking in this pot. But I'm glad I ignored the name and decided to give it a try for the tasks I've described. It's perfect.

One other thing. Finally I've begun acquiring heavy, GOOD pots and pans. What a difference these make. It's wonderful to be able simply to cook without having to fight one's equipment. I never realized how much difference it would make, not only in the quality of the results, but also in my enjoyment of the process of cooking. Buying a cheaply made pan or pot is a false economy, one that will never again tempt me.

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I like the "Master Chef 2" line of All-Clad products. They have an attractive brushed aluminum exterior with stainless steel interior and lid. They have a solid aluminum core that not only fills the bottom but also extends up the sides, so you get even heating of your food. The lids fit well, you can use metal utensils on the cookware without damaging it, and the smooth interior cleans fairly easily. The cookware is durable and will last for years without incident. If you drop it, you're far more likely to hurt your foot or the floor than the pot! The handles are riveted on very strongly, and we've never had a handle show signs of giving way or pulling loose. We've had our All-Clad items for years and they're in fantastic shape.

Technically you could put your MC2 cookware in the dishwasher, but it isn't recommended. Not only would the 5-quart casserole not really fit very well (it's a bit tall) but this can eventually ruin the nice finish, causing discoloration. This is one of the real down-sides to All-Clad cookware in an age when most new cookware is dishwasher safe.

I also find that the 5-quart casserole (I actually think of it as a stockpot because it seems closer to that in shape) isn't the most useful size. It seems like most of the things we make need to be in a smaller or larger pot; there are few things that fit perfectly in a 5-quart pot. The one thing this pot does have going for it, however, is that aforementioned shape. The tall, comparatively narrow shape of it means that if you're cooking something that you want in a large pot due to spattering worries, but that you want in a narrow pot because you aren't cooking much of it and don't want to burn the bottom of it, this is one pot that'll do the job well.