Review of Kai Wasabi Black Bread Knife, 9-Inch

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List Price: $50.00
Sale Price: $34.54
Today's Bonus: 31% Off

The last time i bought a bread knife, it was 5 bucks at some general store and it was so aggressively serrated and its edge so wide, that it tore up my cutting board and destroyed whatever i was slicing. I think i used it two times before i stopped using it. What a waste of 5 bucks! So for about three years, i used my global santoku for cutting bread (which, let's not lie to ourselves, actually works pretty well *once* you penetrate the crust). Where i was having problems, though, was with slicing up consistent slices of more fragile breads like brioche or really wide loaves of ciabatta that i was buying. For fresh sourdough loaves, a sharp chef's knife works pretty well, though.

I still own a wasabi santoku that i bought in 2006 when i did a stint as a line cook. The knives aren't fancy, but i've definitely put mine through its paces and it's still my go-to knife even though i have much nicer ones at hand. This bread knife is no different in quality. It actually looks like with the Wasabi Black they really went upscale, so you have a bread knife with the aesthetic and engineering of a Shun proper, but with the nondescript stainless steel of those restaurant style bread knives.

In particular, the edge is sharp, but it's not wide, so you can actually get really accurate and thin slices of bread in once slice, if that's how you roll. I noticed other people here talking about using it for carving, which, now that i think about it, makes sense. The knife definitely handles like a slicer, but it's serrated *just enough* to grip bread, but not enough to saw away at whatever you're cutting, so you really have a sharp knife that's serrated enough to poke through really aggressive crusts. I haven't tried carving a bird with this knife, but i'm not surprised that others have had good results.

I had originally considered a more expensive bread knife, but now that seems criminal. I can imagine a more expensive knife would *look awesome* in some way i can't even imagine, but i can't imagine it performing any better than this one.

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Some breads have a very hard crust.You can use a bread knife with sharp pointed serrations.But if the inside of the loaf is soft and moist, this kind of knife will tear the bread.The Kai Wasabi black bread knife has sine-wave style teeth that are very sharp,thus it cuts beautifully no matter what texture or mix of textures your dealing with.This is the best one!!

Best Deals for Kai Wasabi Black Bread Knife, 9-Inch

I have a 20-year-old el-cheapo laser-cut bread knife that I have dreaded replacing, as it cuts the smoothest of any bread knife I've ever had. I have tried various replacement knives over the years, but all have had those huge serrations and mangled the bread more than cut it. However, I do believe I've finally found a reasonable replacement! This knife cuts fresh bread quite nicely, and doesn't leave a million crumbs all over the cutting board.

It has a very unusual serration style which is a series of flowing curves instead of sharp points, and a plastic oval handle that is just rough enough so that it doesn't slip in your hands as you use it (a kind of rough velvet texture). My only concern is that if I ever have to have it sharpened, I will probably have to send it away, as the serration style is so unusual. Unlike my Shun knives, nothing came with the knife to say where I could get the knife resharpened if needed, so I would be at a loss. This concern is the reason I did not give 5 stars for the knife.

Even with that taken into account, for the price this is probably the best bread knife you'll find, so I recommend getting it.

Honest reviews on Kai Wasabi Black Bread Knife, 9-Inch

Very large knife 14 1/2 " with handle. And a 9" blade. Extremely sharp. Cuts through crusty bread with no problem. Will handle any job you need a serrated knife to do. I have the Shun Classic knifes , but figured a bread knife didn't need to be $129. Very glad I bought the cheaper version.Highly recommend!

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The Kai Wasabi bread knife is an absolute steal of a deal for the knife-obsessed foodie and less-nonsense person alike. From its long-lasting, well-cutting serrations to its dishwasher-safe construction and low price-tag, it outperforms other stamped-steel bread knives while costing less and often looking better.

A very light steeling on the non-ground side will keep the edge fresh for months on end when it eventually needs sharpening, the corner of a hard sharpening stone or using a Spyderco Sharpmaker will bring it back for several more months of service.

If you don't own a bread knife and don't want to spend the massive bucks on a Gude or instruct every user to hand wash and hand dry the knife after every use to avoid harming the steel or handle, but you still want to impress yourself and all other consumers of baked goods, this is the knife to use.

Best Update International SDF-10/SS Stainless Steel Fine Double Mesh Deals

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This is the best quality double mesh SS strainer that i've found. I use this for brewing mash or full grain beers at least once every 2 weeks so it can definitely stand up to multiple uses.

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So I bought this to strain homemade yogurt. I already have two strainers but the mesh isn't fine enough to stop the loss of solids. So I researched it online and found I needed to have a "fine mesh" strainer, such as a bouillon strainer. Anyway, long story short... I bought this. It seems very durable and is really big... the mesh, however, is no different than any other strainer you'd find in any grocery/department store (save, that it is reinforced by an even bigger mesh).

As it stands, I'll never use this. Free to anyone who wants it I guess...

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Great product. Well made. Worth the price. This is sturdy and will meet all requirements of serious cooks. Love it. It's a large circumference so you will need large bowls and receptacles to strain contents into.

Reviews of All-Clad Copper Core 12-Inch Chef's Pan

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List Price: $375.00
Sale Price: $374.95
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When I started law school, I moved into a studio apartment with only microwave pots to cook in. After a year, I decided that some better form of food was necessary. I first got an All-Clad 1-quart saucier, and then I got this amazing pot/pan. I need nothing else. It warms quickly and evenly and cleans beautifully. At first I choked over the price but I bit the bullet and got it. The cost is, granted, about the same that one can pay and get a whole set, but I've had those inferior sets before. They've gotten thrown out in a year or two because they're worth exactly what I paid for them. Should I ever actually need another pot, I won't look at anything but All-Clad cop-r core.

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This pan is of top quality. Heating is rather even due to its special constraction. The 12 inch size is perfect for preparing meal for 1-4 persons. The handle will never be hot however the handle of lid could be hot if cook long.

CON: When stirring fry eggs or meat, this pan is really sticky. I changed from high heat to medium heat and added more vegetable oil and these won't help that much.

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I bought this pan five months ago and have not regretted it. It was the first piece of All Clad Copper Core that I purchased and I have purchased five more pans since! First of all, the pan looks beautiful and you can put it in the dishwasher. I clean it with powdered Bar Keepers Friend (sells for $2 in Publix) and then put it in the dishwasher. My dishwasher has a sanitize cycle, so I prefer to put as many things in it as possible that do not require hand washing.

I have cooked a variety of things in this pan: Fried items, sautéed items, marinara sauce, stews, soups, etc. Basically, it is a great multi-purpose pan and unusual. You will never find this style of pan in a set that you would buy. I am not into Asian food, but obviously if you like that, this pan would be perfect for stir frying. It holds quite a bit of food and the loop makes it easy to move from the stove to other areas of the kitchen if you need to. The lid is high doomed so moisture will stay in as well. I really do not think you can go wrong with this pan. I own the 10 inch fry pan, but find it's not necessary to purchase the 12 inch since I have the Chef's Pan.

Honest reviews on All-Clad Copper Core 12-Inch Chef's Pan

Also known as a Sauteuse Evasee, this type of chef's pan is probably the most versatile piece of cookware one can buy. It can boil, steam, stir fry, deep fry, braise, blanch, slow cook, pan fry, blacken, saute, and perform pretty much any other task required of cookware. In my opinion, there is no better pan for making large amounts of roux based sauces, it effectively functions as an extra wide 4qt saucier. Using a whisk couldn't be any easier, there are no hard to reach areas whatsoever.

All Clad's version of this pan is particularly convenient because it can be placed in the dishwasher. Not everyone has the time to hand wash their pans, especially if you cook on weekdays.

Please do not buy this pan thinking it will replace a traditional Chinese carbon steel or cast iron wok. The heat distribution is much too high to achieve the high temperatures around the edges that are required to produce "wok hay", that great smoky, umami-packed wok signature flavor. For everything, and I mean everything else in the kitchen however, it is great!

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I recently received this pan as a gift and, though I have not used it much yet, I think it is necessary to mention that the Amazon product description is wrong--this pan is not a wok, or "wok-like" in anything more than a superficial sense (it has rounded sides). It is much shallower than a standard wok, and has a much larger flat portion on the bottom than a standard flat-bottom wok (it is more like a deep skillet with a lid than it is wok-like). Yes, one could stir-fry in it, but that means little (one could try to stir-fry in a skillet or sauce pan also).

Stir-frying will certainly be easier and better in an actual wok that is deeper and more rounded; I have one made by Calphalon and it is great. As far as this chef's pan goes, I plan to use it primarily for fricassees and braises.

Wusthof Classic 8-Inch Carving Knife Reviews

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List Price: $130.00
Sale Price: $99.95
Today's Bonus: 23% Off

As a longtime knife collector, I've amassed a large assortment of knives, including over 40 from the Wüsthof-Trident Classic line. I own a few carving sets and an electric carving knife, but this Wüsthof Classic 8-Inch Carving Knife is my old stand-by for carving roasted meats, poultry, and game. The reason I prefer this carving knife over all others is that it holds its sharpened edge beautifully, and it has the perfect heft and balance for my hand. For specialty carving and slicing needs, however, I do use my Classic knives with the Küllenschliff edges, such as the ham, salmon, and roast beef slicers. When carving, I pinion the roast on the carving board with my straight carving fork, then slice alongside it, and use the knife tip to carve around bones and lift off the carved meat slices. I've found that this carving knife is ideal for all general purpose carving. It's very easy to keep it well sharpened by using Washita Arkansas whetstones and honing oil or by using a Chef's Choice 3-Stage Diamond Hone Professional Sharpener. Before each use, I always hone it with a honing steel. I hand wash and dry it, as I do with all my Wüsthof knives, and keep it stored in a wooden block.

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

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

This particular model, the 8 inch carving knife, is a good knife, but I find its uses to be few. For chopping, the chef's knife or utility knife are more useful. This knife is too long and thin for chopping; its balance isn't right. Therefore, this knife is really limited to carving meats. For most cooks, this is an expensive knife for a rare job. If you are completing your collection, I recommend this knife. If you are starting a collection and looking for an all-purpose knife, I would recommend the 8 inch chef's knife or the 4 ½ inch utility knife.

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I have used this knife for years and now, my daughter will be able to use one just like it! It has many uses and always keeps a sharp edge. I rarely have to sharpen it. Versitility and strength.

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I ordered this for a friend who has other Wusthof knives. She was pleased with its quality and would order more.

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Typical Wusthof Classic quality. Well balanced, nice feel in the hand, and cuts through meats with the lightest of downward pressure.

Cuisinart FP-14 Elite Collection 14-Cup Food Processor Review

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List Price: $500.00
Sale Price: $279.00
Today's Bonus: 44% Off

I was planning to buy the Kitchen Aid food processor, but the store was out of the model I had researched. I desperately wanted to walk out of the store with a food processor in hand after fighting traffic in freezing rain for an hour to get there. The Cuisinart FP-14DC Elite was in stock, a bit higher priced than I had budgeted, but it was huge and shiny and promised a tight seal over the 3 working bowls that, putatively, would allow me to process liquids with minimal collateral damage. The Kitchen Aid model I thought I was going to buy had several concerns expressed online about leaks and spills, which may or may not have been accurate. This Cuisinart model had numerous issues posted online about food getting stuck inside of the lid and toothpicks, toothbrushes, power washers, and steam-powered carpet cleaners being required to remove all the little particles. There were also some ancillary comments about the dough blade not picking up all the ingredients and food getting stuck under the blades. Every product has some pluses and minuses when used by a large enough percentage of the population, so I decided to brave the reviews, not let perfection be the enemy of the good, and give it a whirl, or a slice.

I spent twelve hours on my birthday making a five course very extended meal for my family with frozen drinks, fruit smoothies, home made peanut butter, peanut butter cookies, turkey pot pie, hummus dips, fried falafal, very low fat turkey burgers ground on the processor, spinach mashed potatoes, shrimp-stuffed homemade ravioli, served with homemade pesto, and all manner of goodies that I couldn't make with any consistency or flair in my old blender. I assumed that a food processor would perform some miracles that the blender just didn't have the oomph to accomplish and so far could not be happier. I can't imagine that I've been cooking for 30 years without one--what a dunce.

Given that this new toy is fast becoming my best friend, I wanted to provide this review to allay some of the concerns others may have with two specific issues: cleaniness and dough mixing.

All the big issues about cleanliness were associated with the rubber seal around the lid of the machine. The three bowls on this unit nestle together and the spring loaded rubber seal keeps everything in place. The blades lock into the base of each bowl and processed food can be poured out of the work bowl with the blades still in place. From the mixed drinks to the honey flavored peanut butter I had ice, flour, herbs, nuts, and juice flying everywhere and never experienced a problem getting one course cleaned out and the next course loaded up. Many people said that they had to resort to toothpicks to get all the food out of the lid that slipped past the rubber seals. Food particles, particulary parsley and chopped spinach, do slip up past, around, between, and above the rubber seal. However, I found no need to clean this by hand. There are open slots cast into the top of the lid that allow hot water to cascade throughout the lid and down past the rubber seal. Just a quick spray from the sink did 99.9% of the work. The tiny pieces of finely chopped carrots or spinach that slipped between the upper lid and the inner seal flushed away by raining water down on the lid's top while manipulating the rubber ring with your fingertips. The manual suggests just rinsing the whole thing down and throwing it in the dishwasher. But I tend to go on marathon cooking sprees when the family is together for a whole day and I'm not going to run the dishwasher every 30 minutes when I'm cooking 5 to 10 courses. Flushing the lid seemed to take care of the problem so I'm less worried at this point about the online comments regarding the difficulty of cleaning the unit. I may not be processing the same foods as the people experiencing the difficulty, but my limited experience to date suggests that the rubber sealing mechanism in the lid is a big benefit, not a problem.

The other issue raised in the online reviews was the effectiveness of the dough blade. I only made a pie crust, a pizza, and some raisen bread, but, here again, I didn't experience the same issues reported by others. I had to scrape down the sides of the bowl a few times to get a dough ball to form and pick up all the flour off the side of the bowl, but this still seemed like massively less work than kneading by hand and throwing flour all over the kitchen while making fresh pasta. Kneading the pasta dough in the machine for a few seconds beats the heck out of the 10 minutes of hand kneading that my cookbook demands.

So, I can't speak to all the features (I haven't even taken the shredding blade out of the case), but I did want to address those two issues. People reading about food processors online may be unduly scared off by those two concerns. I'm no expert, but I intend to become one. I have to say, my kids absolutely flipped over the taste of homemade peanut butter and homemade hummus compared to the store bought versions. I can make peanut butter in less time on this machine than it takes me to grab it off the shelf at the store and it actually tastes like peanuts, not some homogenized version of Soylent Green that has had the flavor reinjected chemically after it was all removed in processing.

Enjoy.

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I had the original Cuisinart for home use and have been using a Custom 11 for at least 15 years. The multi-bowl, locking blade, and reversible/adjustable discs on the 14-cup Elite totally hooked me. After seeing a TV ad and doing some online research, I just couldn't order fast enough. While those features are nice, the most important thing is how the machine functions as a FOOD PROCESSOR and in that regard....what a disappointment. The ONLY thing I did before boxing it up to return was shred carrots for a salad. While filling the large feed tube, a couple of baby carrots fell right through the finger hole of the shredding blade into the large bowl. Okay. Reposition blade, try again. Use small feed tube, assuming that will make fallout less likely. I might as well have taken a weed-whacker to a bowl of carrots. There were many nearly-whole carrots left around the rim of the blade (over 1/2 cup) and the contents of the bowl ranged from crumbs to nearly whole baby carrots. Nowhere near the uniformity I've been accustomed to with my Cuisinarts since the mid-70s. Great concept, poor execution.

And by the way, Amazon...it is REALLY reprehensible for you to display this item with a list of $545 or even $350 when MSRP is $299. I'm noticing grossly exaggerated list prices and "discounts" more and more here. Sad trend.

Best Deals for Cuisinart FP-14 Elite Collection 14-Cup Food Processor

First let me say that it is disappointing that Amazon has only one page for both the 12 and 14 cup Elite processors as they are very different machines. Having said that, I purchased both the FP-12DC Elite 12-Cup and the DLC-2011CHB Prep Plus 11 Cup. I did this because Consumer Reports rated the DLC-2011CHB Prep Plus 11 very highly (it is currently their second highest rated processor), but did not rate the FP-12DC Elite 12-Cup at all. I was interested in many of the features of the Elite 12, but not at the cost of functionality. Having tested the machines for a week now, I can say that I am pleasantly surprised and quite taken with the FP-12DC Elite 12-Cup processor.

The Motor:

While there is little information from Cuisinart regarding motor in the Prep Plus, I believe it to be the same as that in the Elite. Other places have said the Prep Plus has a 768 watt induction motor, and the Elite box states it has a 1000 max watt induction motor. In addition, the motor warranty on both is the same 10 years. They also sound very similar. They are both quiet, with the Elite perhaps edging the Prep Plus here, only because the base is bigger and is able to muffle the noise a bit better. This is not by any means scientific, but they are at least very similar motors and have avery similar amount of power.

The major difference between these two motors is that the Prep Plus has a dough feature and the Elite 12 does not. This does not mean the the Elite is incapable of dough. It is and it is heavily marketed for it in the sales materials and the included recipes. In fact the Dough button on the Prep Plus (and others including the Elite 14 cup) seems to be largely about product differentiation, or at the very least, it has limited utility. It is supposed to slow the motor so that the dough mixes better. In my testing though, it did not slow the motor significantly, and certainly slowed it less than the actual dough did. I also think a stand mixer does a much better job for this purpose. Having said that if you have limited space, both machines will happily punch up a dough for you.

The Work Bowls:

The Prep Plus has a Lexan bowl, the Elite has one made of Polycarbonate. Lexan is a very light weight plastic, but it is also somewhat flexible. This gives the impression that the Elite polycarbonate bowl is sturdier, and would last longer. Whether or not that is actually the case is difficult to say. In any case the Prep Plus bowl is undoubtedly lighter, so if you are an elderly person, or have some other infirmity, the Lexan will be better for you.

Both Elite bowls have a pouring spout, the prep plus does not. That's right, the Elite 12 comes with two nesting bowls. The Prep Plus comes only with one standard 11 cup work bowl.

The Elite bowls utilize the Sealtight lid, the Prep Plus uses a standard lid. Some have complained the Sealtight lid is hard to clean, but I have not found that to be the case. A rinse with the sink sprayer, and a run through the dishwasher (top rack) is all that I needed to get either of the work bowls and lids clean. The Sealtight lid does take some downward force to close, but I found it needed no more pressure than the Prep Plus bowl required laterally (sideways). In fact I found the Prep Plus bowl was inferior in use, in almost every way. The Elite bowl can be removed by twisting it left and lifting it from the motor with the lid still closed. The Prep Plus bowl, however, must have it's lid loosened before you are able to remove the work bowl from the base. In practice this is a real pain. I also found the button release of the Sealtight lid to be much more agreeable than the twisting function of the Pre Plus.

The Prep Plus has a widemouth plunger opening, and so does the Elite. Oddly, though the Prep Plus opening is very slightly wider, because of the way the slicing and shredding blades mount on that machine, it is a solid inch more shallow. This means you will be doing more chopping before you can get your food processor to do your slicing. In my tests with carrots, it meant four fewer cuts over 5 total carrots. Not a huge difference, but if you were going to do a lot of slicing making pickles or the like it would mean quite a bit more prep work.

The smaller plunger on the Prep Plus is a circular one, that can lock inside the larger plunger. The Elite has a wider elongated small plunger that does not lock. At first I thought this was a falling of the Elite, but in reality the extra real estate in the smaller opening is appreciated, and the need for a locking smaller plunger in negated by the fact that you have to press down on it as well as the larger plunger when using the large opening. The only real failure I saw in the Elite plunger system, was that it was missing some drainage holes that the Prep Plus version had, and these cause the plunger to collect water in the dishwasher.

The Blades:

This is where the Elite comes out head and shoulders above the Prep Plus. The Elite slicing blade is adjustable, creating 6 different widths for slicing 1mm to 6mm. While I can't imagine a circumstance where you would use a 1mm blade since the power and speed of the machine would render whatever you were slicing into mush the rest of the widths are very usable and make very good even slices. The slicing blade on the Prep Plus, on the other hand, is fixed. In addition, because the slicing and shredding blades have a smaller circumference, they do not cut as well. more about this for the shredding disk.

I have read people complain that food falls through the finger holes in the Elite disks. This did happen some for me, but over all the slices were far superior with the Elite blade. So much so that fully a third of the Prep Plus slices were uneven, where only 8 slices did not pass muster in the Elite machine (out of about 1.5 and 2 cups respectively). That included one piece that must have gotten through the finger holes. To be sure the finger holes are an unfortunate design decision. They are completely unnecessary given that the hubs provide a more than adequate place to grip the blades without cutting yourself. However, I found that their impact, when the machine was used as directed, was negligible.

The shredding disks were another place for the Elite machine to shine when compared to the Prep Plus. Both disks for the Prep Plus are an inch smaller in circumference. This combined with the odd design of the shredding ridges on the Prep Plus blade gave wholly uneven shreds. Some were very short at around 1/4 inch, some quite long at 1.5 inches. I can't think of a situation where this would be desirable. Even and long shreds should be a no brainer, and the Prep Plus blade can not deliver. When I first looked at the Prep Plus shredding disk, I wondered if it wasn't trying to accommodate the small blade circumference, but even if it is, it's a design that is faulty.

The chopping blades were much closer in performance. Both produced an even, fine mince, with a slight edge going to the Elite design. It took two additional pulses to get the same evenness and size in the Prep Plus. Not a deal breaker to be sure, but when you put that together with a far more functional slicing disk, and far better shredding performance, the choice is becoming clear.

Additionally the Elite chopping blade has a locking blade design, that allows for both more liquid in the work bowl, and for pouring the processed food out without losing your blade into the receptical, splashing food everywhere. This is a far better feature than all of the others combined. The Elite is a food processor that could legitimately be used for making smoothies, or milk shakes, because it can actually hold liquid.

So in the end I can confidently say that while both machines are very good, the FP-12DC Elite 12-Cup processor is the winner hands down, and the Prep Plus will be going back from whence it came.

Honest reviews on Cuisinart FP-14 Elite Collection 14-Cup Food Processor

I have owned two previous Cuisinarts (DLC-8 and DFP-14) over the past twenty years. I generally loved them but as a serious home cook I had two big complaints: liquids would overflow (when pureeing tomatoes, for instance) and you had to be careful when pouring contents out not to spill them or dump the blade out as well.

Those two issues along with a number that I hadn't thought of have been addressed by the FP-14-DC Elite. It is more powerful and does a better job overall of chopping, cutting, slicing and all of the other basic tasks. The blade lock function frees up a hand in the kitchen which is always important. Having three bowls is also a big deal we have been able to retire our mini-processor which required some hand cleaning. The nesting bowls helps with space in our Manhattan apartment and we appreciated the blade/disc storage unit that came with this processor (we had to buy them for our previous units).

When I was buying this processor I was very concerned by a couple of comments that other people left and I would like to address them:

1. CLEANING THE LID The lid has a silicon gasket, which is why it doesn't leak fluid. A number of people complained that it's difficult to clean. This is true if you try to clean it by hand. In my experience, though, it gets fully clean in the dishwasher (top shelf only).

2. Leaking some people complained about leaking. I think I understand why. With the old system of closing the Cuisinart (twisting), the machine would not operate unless the base and top were both locked in and the pusher was inserted. In the new system (where you press directly down on the lid to shut it), it is easier to close, but you have to make sure it snaps shut at the front AND back. I like this system better, however and my wife also finds it much easier to remove the lid.

3. Leaking between the three bowls we haven't had any problem with this and we frequently use the smaller bowl to prepare foods for our toddler. If you use the pour spout as the reference it's easy to align the bowls correctly to nest them inside the machine. We've used all three bowls in succession several times.

My overall impression is that this is a really thoughtfully designed product which was actually created by people who cook frequently. It has made our home life just a little bit easier. Cuisinart probably should have introduced this product a little sooner, but it is welcome in our kitchen.

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I have been using a Cuisinart since they were first introduced in the USA. From day one I have been a fan and kept two for everyday use. A 14 cup and one of the small ones for chopping. I thought that this would be the answer in combining the two but it is messy beyond belief. Everything seems to wind up in the rubber ring around the top or in the lid. I have to take it apart and manually clean those areas to get all my food. Lots of wasted time and effort. You can actually operate the machine without having the top totally engaged. I will stick to making bread dough in a Zojirushi. This machine seems a bit "over thought". It would be wonderful if it wasn't so messy. The idea behind the reversible grater and the graduated slicer is great. I had every disk made for my old processor and this certainly makes it easier and storage much less. The woman who does the video demo acts as if this is the first time she has ever turned on a food processor! I am not returning it but I definitely won't get rid of my older machines.

Best Circulon Contempo Hard Anodized Nonstick 9-Inch Frittata Deals

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List Price: $79.99
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Customer review from the Amazon Vine Program I don't know why, but I was fascinated by the idea of the Circulon Frittata Pan and simply had to have it. It's not like a frittata pan is a kitchen essential. I've lived my whole life without experiencing the joys of a specialized pan for eggs. But as an American consumer, I love unnecessary gadgets as much as the next person. I don't mean to downgrade this Circulon pan because, in at least one major way, it exceeded my expectations. As the two halves of the pan are detachable, they can be used independently as 9" skillets. So even if you aren't whipping up the perfect omelet, you can still get daily use from this set. In truth, I'll probably use the two parts separately more often than I use them as they were intended.

Pros:

Detachable pans (as previously mentioned)

Sturdy Construction

Quality Non-Stick Surface

Oven safe to 400 degrees

Cons:

User error still applies. Okay, this might not be the pan's fault. In truth, though, I'd have hoped to make the flipping motion more seamless. You can still make quite a mess if you're not at the top of your cooking game. As I've practiced with various dishes, I've definitely seen an improvement in my performance. Just realize that you can still make a mess (and not a lovely showcase of an egg dish) if you aren't a skilled flipper technician.

Still, though, if you've got to have a frittata pan--this seems to fulfill all the major requirements. So as a practical device that does exactly what it should, it's a solid recommendation. KGHarris, 1/13.

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Customer review from the Amazon Vine Program I've always liked egg dishes, so I was pleased to be able to order this interesting stove top concept. I find it to be a bit difficult to use, easy to clean, but with some quality issues.

Design:

A frittata is classically made by beginning the cooking on the stove, then transferring the pan to the oven to cook completely. This set uses a bottom and top pan (essentially two pans) which interlock at one end. The idea is to start the cooking, attach the second pan via a special locking handle on the side opposite the holding handle, and flip, causing the frittata to cook without the oven. The pans have a sturdy handle that does a good job of keeping cool, and a non-stick coating that is rated for metal utensils (one does not have to use plastic). It did not seem to have any trouble with nonstick and metal utensils. This is not really surprising, since the top pan has to touch the bottom pan; so having a "platic required" coating would not have worked.

Recipe:

It took a lot of tries to get a decent frittata out (they tended to be underdone due to not enough care with step 7 below). There is only a tiny print recipe included, so I'll repeat what worked for me here.

1. Assemble the vegetables and anything else you want to sauté. I also like to use a little cheese.

2. Beat 5 eggs or so together.

3. Heat both pans on medium heat, using two burners on the stove.

4. Place butter or other oil/grease in the deeper pan. This will be used for cooking the vegetables.

5. Place a small amount of butter or oil in the second pan.

6. Cook the vegetables until they are tender. You can season them at this point, or later.

7. Once the vegetables are cooked, pour in about 3/4 of the eggs.

8. As the eggs get more cooked, uses a spatula to raise the edges of the eggs to allow uncooked eggs to go underneath. This step is critical, or the dish won't get cooked through. It usually takes about 4 minutes for this step.

9. Once the eggs are pretty well cooked (just a little runny on top), add the cheese. Then pour the remainder of the eggs over the cheese and blend it together (so the cheese doesn't burn when flipped).

10. Remove the shallower pan from its burner, fit it into the interlocking end of the bottom pan, and carefully but rapidly flip it over. Shake the pan a bit after flipping to ensure everything settles. It will get a bit of egg out of the sides of the pan, but not much. I found it less messy to simply hold both handles together, rather than trying to flip with a hand on either side of the combined pans.

11. Continue cooking for about 5 minutes. At this point everything should be ready to go!

Construction:

While the pans seem sturdy, one of the two sets I received had a loose handle on the side that interlocks the two pans together. It is supposed to be permanently fixed, so I can't just screw it in. Hopefully it will work, but having one out of two with a problem like this causes me to reduce the score to 4 stars.

Cleaning:

Very simple. The nonstick really works.

Summary:

A bit messy, but it works once you get the hang of it. Hopefully my second set was a rare problem in construction. Recommended.

Best Deals for Circulon Contempo Hard Anodized Nonstick 9-Inch Frittata

Customer review from the Amazon Vine Program This is marketed as a Frittata Set, so I'll address that first. A regular frittata starts in a skillet and finishes in the oven. It's sort of a thick, puffy baked omelet. This set allows you to make a frittata completely on the stovetop: you cook the eggs and filling in the larger skillet, then lock the other (preheated) skillet on top and flip the whole thing, to allow the frittata to finish cooking stovetop. I don't really see the point in this. For one thing, how often do people make frittatas? As a Mom, I regularly cook weekend breakfast for a passel of teenaged boys, and I make a frittata maybe once a year. Secondly, I'm not sure that flipping it stovetop is any easier than baking it in the oven. So this pitch is gimmicky to me. (Somewhat of note: Some reviewers state that they used the flipping interlocking pans to make omelets. I guess it's splitting hairs, but from my perspective, omelets by definition are folded over their ingredients, frittatas are open faced -and so if you're flipping your mixture of eggs and filling it's more a frittata. Potato-Potahto.)

But as skillets, this set is very nice. It's 2 nonstick Circulon skillets (one slightly larger). I had Circulon when it first came out, about 20 years ago, and it has evolved this surface is much better. (The grooves are much smaller.) These pans are a handy size for smaller kitchen needs (you could do an omelet in one). I use them for things like sauteeing tomatoes for bruschetta, cooking up shrimp for pasta and shrimpthey're great for those 'smaller burner' jobs that you need to do while using the big burners for the main course. They're also good for grilled cheese, fried eggs, etc. They have an even heat conductivity and they're easy to clean. I like the helper handles and I love that they are safe for metal utensils. They're very handy pans.

PROS:

+ 2 pans

+ Handy size for small to medium jobs

+ Non stick

+ Easy clean

+ Helper handles

+ Safe for metal utensils

+ If you feel it's important, you can in fact interlock them and flip eggs over to cook a frittata stovetop

CONS:

Metal parts of the handles get hot

How often do you make a frittata anyway?

BOTTOM LINE: Frittata or not, these are nice pans to have at hand.

Honest reviews on Circulon Contempo Hard Anodized Nonstick 9-Inch Frittata

Customer review from the Amazon Vine Program I jumped at the chance to get this because I am a huge lover of egg dishes; they're not just for breakfast for me. When I got this, there were several things I immediately liked:

-The pans were well made. Everything was tight and well designed. The handle grips were comfortable, everything looked solid.

-I loved how they could be used independently.

After using them five times, I've discovered that no matter how hard I try, there's always leakage when I flip. I've tried varying my flipping technique, and my husband has tried as well but we haven't been able to accomplish it. When making multiple frittatas, my stove top looks a mess but the frittatas themselves look lovely and taste delicious.

The pans need to be hand washed but they clean up very easily, both the interior and exterior. Overall, they do help but I just wish these pans really did "tightly seal in ingredients" like the advertising claims.

Find helpful customer reviews and review ratings for Circulon Contempo Hard Anodized Nonstick 9-Inch Frittata

Customer review from the Amazon Vine Program This set of skillets is nice. I like the fact that there are handles on both ends. I have used these so far to make omelettes, eggs, and crepes. The non-stick surface performs well, but make sure that the pan is pre-warmed before adding eggs, batter, etc. (not really different than most other pans that way). At least the non-stick surface works better that way. I also REALLY like that you can use metal utensils with these skillets without damaging the non-stick surfaces.

I have to admit that I was worried that the small concentric grooves on the cooking surface of these skillets might be a food trap, but that didn't happen.

The skillets work really well for smaller jobs like omelettes or 1-3 eggs, but they are just a bit too small for bigger jobs, like making crepes. Of course, they weren't made for that, but I wanted to try using them for a variety of things before I submitted my review. I guess what I'm saying is that they are excellent for what they were designed to do, but they are not large enough to be full-sized frying pans.

All in all, I found them to be well constructed, and that they work well for their intended purpose. I will give them 5 stars, but, frankly, I wish that at least one of them was a bit larger. So it's a weak 5-star rating.

I hope this review was helpful to you. Happy New Year!

Norpro Nonstick Omelet Pan with Removable 3 Egg Poacher Review

Customer Ratings:
List Price: $19.99
Sale Price: $13.96
Today's Bonus: 30% Off

I have purchased many things on Amazon and this is the only one star I have ever given.

The very first use I cooked on medium high and it produced the worse smell I have ever smelled while cooking. The non stick cooked right off and a three inch chunk peeled off. It made my whole first story smokey and ruined the meal. Needless to say,i won't be using that pan again.

Do not buy this product!

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I am pretty handy and consider myself a good cook, but didn't like how the poached eggs turned out. Very hard to use and smells like plastic is burning when I use it.

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I have had one of these for several years and like it so much that I bought two more of them, on for my daughter and one for my sister-in-law for Christmas.

It is easy to sue and clean and makes perfect poached eggs!!

Honest reviews on Norpro Nonstick Omelet Pan with Removable 3 Egg Poacher

Speciality pan and we no longer eat many eggs...lol. I use it for pancakes and other things too. Hard to clean...my only issue.

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very cheaply made and even with greasing cups eggs still stuck to cups.getting cups out of pan is tough.afraid coating will not last

Buy Progressive GT-3470 Measuring Spoon Set, Magnetic, Plastic, 5-Pc.

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List Price: $9.49
Sale Price: $7.68
Today's Bonus: 19% Off

What could be better? You won't lose them in your drawer (because they stick together magnetically), they're easier to handle and separate easier than spoons connected by a ring, and you can save on clean up because you won't need to use 2 different teaspoons if a recipe calls for, say, 1 teaspoon of this and then another teaspoon of that. You can use the same spoon because there are two separate ends to use. (I should seriously buy stock in Progressive Int'l. They make the best and most useful kitchen items! And, no, I don't work for them.)

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A great idea. I bought these about a year ago (an all-white set from Crate and Barrel, but same brand) and tossed out my stainless attached-with-a-ring set. I can grab the spoon I need and not have to wash the whole set. And the oval-shaped end is great for fitting into the mouthes of spice jars. A lovely gift for your favorite baker.

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Trying to get through baking with a single set of measuring spoons had become a pain in the neck. If I needed a teaspoon of something dry after measuring out a teaspoon of something liquid, I had to stop and dry the spoon before using. I decided I needed a second set of measuring spoons -right up until these spoons arrived. Now I don't use my original set because these offer a "dry" and a "wet" spoon for each measurement. Furthermore, the dry spoons are superior to my old set because they are specifically designed to fit the mouth of a small jar, which my old round spoons often failed to accomplish.

The magnetic attachment of the spoons is a nice touch, too, although I'm sometimes bemused to find one of the spoons stuck on another utensil.

Honest reviews on Progressive GT-3470 Measuring Spoon Set, Magnetic, Plastic, 5-Pc.

Oh my god, I will never need another set of spoons ever. Before I got this set, I had three other sets kind of floating around in the utensil drawer. I have since thrown them all out. This is by far the best set of measuring spoons I have ever owned.

First of all, they're magnetic, so they stack neatly in a drawer without taking up any space at all. Even when you're knocking things around, looking for that particular spatula, (as one does) these spoons still remain attached as a set, so you don't ever have to hunt them down. If you need a spoon, you can just pluck one off, you don't have to wrestle a spoon off a 'key ring'. Also, because they stack in order, you can find exactly the spoon you need with no fuss.

Second of all, they're double ended. Big spoon bowl on one end, narrow spoon bowl on the other. The narrow spoon is perfect for spice jars, and having two spoons on one handle has been a total lifesaver. Need to measure 1 tbs of flour and then 1 tbs of corn starch? (*not an actual recipe, just an example, that would make horrible cookies). You don't have to wash the spoon in between, just flip it around! That alone has saved me so much work.

I am immediately buying the cup set. I can already feel my life improving dramatically. I have a new found sense of confidence and I think I may even have lost some weight. :-) Seriously though, these spoons totally rock!

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These spoons are great for the price.

Even though the package says "Dishwasher Safe",

I would not recommend putting them in the dishwasher.

They do not hold up in the dishwasher.

Discount Chef'n SleekStor Collapsible Colander Large 11-Inch Diameter

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I bought this colander for myself several years ago at Target. I love that it's collapsible, making it easy to store, and that I can fold out both legs, 1 leg, or neither, depending on what I have going on with my workspace. My mom was looking for a new colander so I bought her this one for Christmas. She loves it, too!

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I bought this to replace a similar one that brooke after many years of use. It works very well and takes up only a small amount of cabinet space.

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This item is very sleek for storage yet opens up to a huge colander. I love the fold out legs. Only good things to say about this product.

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Very well made. Really folds down just as advertised. Saves so much space in the cabinet, washes easily, drys well.

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I like that it collapses and that I can set it in my sink and pour my cooked pasta over it easy without worrying about burning myself since I have both hands free.

Buy Le Creuset Stoneware 12 Ounce Petite Garlic Casserole

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This does what it's supposed to do. Love it. Beats using tin foil to wrap garlic in and having oil leak out everywhere. I loved it so much I bought one for my newly married daughter. She loves it too.

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This little guy is great for making roasted garlic in the oven, and cute to have on the counter top for decoration, too!

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Great quality, too cute! Very usable, it sits on my counter holding 3 cloves of Garlic and a small piece of Ginger comfortably.

Honest reviews on Le Creuset Stoneware 12 Ounce Petite Garlic Casserole

As an Italian-American, it should come as no surprise to anyone that I love garlic in almost anything, and when I saw this I just had to have it. I've had it now for over a year and it looks as good today as it did when I first brought it home. A really great bit of whimsey for the kitchen, and a really versatile piece for the cook to use and enjoy. Hope you enjoy it as much as I do. :)

Reviews of Vinaroz Die Cast Aluminum with Ceramic Coating 28-Cm Fry Pan

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List Price: $59.95
Sale Price: $26.13
Today's Bonus: 56% Off

I love this pan, BUT after less than a dozen uses, I've noticed small holes in the ceramic coating! There are already knicks on the rim, and one in the middle of the pan. I can't imagine why, because I only use wooden and non-stick safe spatulas and spoons. I wash it gently by hand, never using anything abrasive. I'm so disappointed because I spent a lot of time searching for this after choosing to switch to ceramic cookware. :(

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Nonstick and easy to clean but does scratch very easily. Real Porcelain or ceramic is like glass and would be extremely resistant to scratching. Made in China. UPDATE: After two months of use, this pan nonstick qualities are greatly diminished. I would not purchase again.

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Well, if I didn't have to make this 20 words, I'd just say I LOVE IT! Non-toxic, easy to clean, even heat, retains heat, non-stick, pretty, lid is heavy weight with steam vent, what else can one ask? Can't think of one "con". I've had it for about 2 months, and have used it almost daily since.

Honest reviews on Vinaroz Die Cast Aluminum with Ceramic Coating 28-Cm Fry Pan

The first two times I used this pan I was totally satisfied. The third time, I noticed some discoloration and the non stick quality was somewhat lessened. Now, after only about 7 uses, the pan is practically impossible to cook with. Even if I use oil, the food sticks to the surface and clean up is difficult. The center portion is discolored and can not be restored. Sorry I bought it, and will probably throw it out.

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I absolutely love this pan!! It heats up quickly with lower heat than a normal frying pan. Nothing sticks to it and it cleans up easily with a paper towel. There is no more mess to go down the drain and clog your sink just throw the paper towel away and wash it. I have even cooked bacon in the pan and it came out very crispy. Even cheese doesn't stick to it. It is amazing and I have been cooking for over 35 years.

Review of Tupperware Chef Series 9.5" Stainless Steel Frying Pan

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List Price: $155.00
Sale Price: $49.95
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This is a fabulous frying pan, heats evenly and doesn't require excessively hot heat to get the job done! It's a bit expensive, but well worth the price if you truly enjoy your time in the kitchen. Hadn't realized Tupperware was in to cookware.....well done!

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everything was fine in that product. the product was original and simply very, very good. thank you very much very happy with the deal!

Buy Adcraft Countertop Stainless Steel Pizza Snack Oven, 120 Volts -- 1

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List Price: $134.98
Sale Price: $82.94
Today's Bonus: 39% Off

Bought this for my son. He says it works great, no complaints. We would recommend it to others for a good home pizza oven.

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My in-laws have one made by Tombstone, and while this one isn't as heavy as theirs, it makes the pizzas in the same time and quality. This was well worth the money.

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Bought it for our break room so it gets used every day and has performed well up to this point.