Delonghi Model CS-14GE Cookware Set, Genoa, 14-Piece Reviews

Customer Ratings:

I did not buy these through Amazon but bought them from my credit card rewards programs (used points) and I love them!! They heat evenly but I find I need to use lower heat then my previous pans (electric stove). They clean up very easily, if something sticks to them I let them soak for 20 minutes and everything wipes right off. I even forgot one of them on a burner, with oil in the pan (I could have had a fire) and the pan turned black!! I thought it was ruined but after it cooled down I used a bit of cleaner on it and it looked perfect (food stuck to it for about a month then it was fine again). I do not put them in the dishwasher even though they say they are dishwasher safe. With just a little oil and the correct temperature they work as well as my Teflon pans (which I still use from time to time for fried eggs) and they clean up much nicer than my previous Revere stainless steel, copper bottom pans.

The only negative thing I can say about them is the rivets take extra cleaning time when I make something that covers them, like my homemade pasta sauce.

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The Pampered Chef Medium Scoop #2540 Review

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If you want your drop cookies to look like Mrs. Field's cookies, then use this scoop. Easy to use and each cookie comes out a uniformed size. Easy clean up, dishwasher safe, and they last a long time. I've had mine several years and they are still good as new. I did buy an off brand once and it kept getting stuck. You will not be disappointed with the Pamper Chef brand. Great gift for your favorite baker.

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Buy Norpro 10-Piece Wok Set

Customer Ratings:
List Price: $39.99
Sale Price: $38.33
Today's Bonus: 4% Off

First off, this is a carbon steel wok so you do have to season it and keep it seasoned. I like that because I think it adds more traditional flavor to the food. The wok is very durable; I baked it in the oven for almost 10 minutes and the wood handles were still OK. =) The only thing that seems a little flimsy is the wok cover but it's still OK. I use my wok everyday and I cook almost everything in it I steam, fry, boil.. I've even made steamed desserts in it (Malaysian recipe). Love it!

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I like this set. The wok is pretty standard, which is a good thing, and the set includes a nice compliment of pieces.

The most important part is the wok itself, and it is a good quality carbon steel wok that should last many years.

The cook book is a joke, but everything else is ok. The quality of the ladle and spatula isn't that great, but they are certainly usable. When you figure in what you will spend for a decent carbon steel wok and lid, you are basically getting the other items for free. I will probably wind up replacing them at some point but it's nice to have them now.

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This wok set is great for a beginner or experienced cook. It is easy to use and to clean. Well made and durable. Areal pleasure to use. I will probably buy more as gifts for friends and family who love to cook. The price on Amazon was great (a real buy)

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Good deal on this. The wok is great when taken care of, the rest of the pieces are usable but flimsy.

I got this set over 10 years ago from a friend who'd received it and never used it. First thing outta the box I used it, washed it and it showed signs of rusting.

Well duh, it's "carbon steel" not stainless steel. I have a nice carbon steel chefs knife that'll do the same thing if not treated correctly.

Remembering my time working as a busboy in a Chinese restaurant, I always noticed that the woks the chefs used were heavily blackened and seasoned and the chefs themselves were the only ones to wash them with boiling water over high flame. Problem solved.

It needs to be seasoned like all carbon steel and iron cookware does. So I scoured it out really good (yes it was scratched up a bit in the process but for this procedure that doesn't matter) then proceeded to give it a nice coat of shortening and stuck it on top of a hot charcoal grill (being sure to remove the wooden handles) until it was nice and cooked on to a brown/black patina. The result? An almost ceramic-like nonstick coating. Browns nicely and handles the highest heat my old stovetop can muster. Wash it out with a plastic scrubby using only water or just paper towels, dry immediately by hand and give it little coating of food-grade mineral oil. Treat it the same as an iron skillet and it should last a lifetime. No more rust problems here. We use it for most stir-fry but found it quite adept at deep frying all sorts of goodies.

I know most people won't understand (or care to bother) with this process since it requires some care, but for those of you who actually enjoy learning and cooking in new ways with new tools rather than just looking cool in the kitchen with the latest gadget, I hope this sill point you in the right direction.

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Since I received this wok I used it a couple of times and I am really happy of this choice. The only thing to be careful it's the wok needs to be cleaned quickly in order not to damage too much the surface.

Cheap Gold Plated Receipt Check Spindle Holder #N001

Customer Ratings:

Received the product and could tell what it was without opening it because the poker was all the way poked out side of the box. Went ahead and opened it and it was bent almost at 90 degrees. I wouldn't recommend this seller due to their packaging.

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i have had one of these before and i loved it. i guess the difference is that i bought it from an actual store. the one amazon sent me was a dud. one of the legs was so crooked that the spindle couldn't stand up. the seller banked on me being too lazy to send it back for a refund and he was right. it ended up in the garbage.

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this check spindle doesn't have rubber feet..as indicated in picture...just slides around the desk, makes this product pretty much useless.

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It was cheap. It holds receipts on it's spindle. It has small manufacturing flaws (small), but.... it was Cheap! Works!

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love it! very helpful, love using it to organize my bills, I like that it has the top cap :)

Buy Nordic Ware 46900 Cake Pan, Round, 9-1/2 x 9-1/2-In.

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List Price: $14.99
Sale Price: $8.97
Today's Bonus: 40% Off

I am replacing all my bakeware with the Nordic Ware aluminum pans like this one. I always thought non-stick was the best for baking, but they never hold up, food sticks even when the non-stick is greased, and now all the warnings about health concerns is the final negative. I bought the Nordic Ware muffin tin to try and now have bought the round cake pan, the pie tins, and the square cake pan. I will be replacing all my pans with the Nordic Ware. It is beautiful, very heavy-duty, well-made bakeware that doesn't warp or discolor (I do hand-wash it and dry it in the oven). I grease it and nothing sticks, everything cooks evenly and comes out perfect. I am so impressed with this line of bakeware it really is the best I've used, and I've bought far more expensive pans from Williams-Sonoma and other high-end stores that cannot come close to the quality of these pans. Highly recommend them!

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I recently found these pans and bought two. They have a wonderful heavy weight to them unlike other pans made elsewhere. I made an upside down pineapple cake in one and it came out perfect! (Never made one before). I am so in love with these pans. They are big so I will be using these to bake tall cakes. Don't be put off by the three star reviewer, a little harsh!... Buy these pans if you want beautiful cakes made in affordable pans. Enjoy!

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I'll have these cake pans for years, because I've used them a bunch already, and, being heavy duty, they cook evenly. I have two for stacking layers. I bought them for the vertical sides to layer cakes. They are NOT non-stick, but that's why I bought them.

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This pan is just great. It"s the perfect weight, not too heavy, but it's not lightweight either. I baked cakes in it and I don't need to line the pan. Cakes are removed from the pan very easily.

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no frills, heavy, well made. spray the bottom and sides with pam, line the bottom with a circle of baking paper. run a knife along the perimeter when the cake is cool and voila! comes out clean every time. a great product. can't do any better, in my opinion.

Handy Gourmet 2 Tier Microwave Steamer Reviews

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List Price: $22.99
Sale Price: $10.77
Today's Bonus: 53% Off

I found that the Jobar steamer does a great job in steaming vegetables. I used it right away and made some great broccoli and carrots, vegetables were steamed and crisp and full of flavor.

I find that the size is good for large and small microwaves. Likewise, I loved that you can unstack it to a smaller size for storage.

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The instructions said I wculd wash the steamer in the dishwasher. I put the steamer in the cup rack at the top of the dishwasher, away from the heating coils. Sadly, the base melted. Its shape no longer matches the upper baskets. So, it goes back to Amazon for a refund.

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I PURCHASED THIS STEAMER FROM A LOCAL DISCOUNT STORE AND WAS SO HAPPY I BUMPED INTO IT! IT STEAMS PERFECTLY! I HAVE STEAMED CRAB LEGS, VEGETABLES, AND SHRIMP! GET IT, YOU WON'T BE DISAPPOINTED!

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I ordered this for steaming vegetables etc. for typical usage.

I am quite disappointed with this product. The quality of plastic is very cheap and extremely flimsy. The overall look is also poor.

I've used it only three times and have noticed that the base, which holds the water, is actually now misshaped. Therefore, the steamer trays don't fit in there. So, I have to spend several minutes to set the steamer up, with many spills etc. since nothing fits with the base!!!

To me, this is the quality and performance you see in products you buy from a Dollar store. So, this thing is bad and quite a waste of money. Any minute, I expect this steamer to break or even melt in the microwave! So, I have several questions about the steamer now. Why did it get misshaped? Does it mean that it can't stand these high temperatures?

You'd probably be better off buying a good baby bottle steam sterilizer and using that for steaming vegetables etc.!! It's exactly the same product and function, just uses the steam differently! And most are certified BPA free.

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After reading the positive reviews I bought this. I've only used it twice but several negatives are now apparent compared to simply using a pan with 1/2 inch of water on the bottom:

a lot more work to wash & dry (4 large parts) vs. 1 small pan & lid

you can't taste test the food during cooking like with a pan. With the steamer you have to remove it from the microwave to taste (more work than it sounds like), and then the steam/boiling has died down by the time you restart it.

included list of cooking times is far from complete so there would clearly be lots of trial & error involved. For example the first time I used it I cooked cauliflower on one level & carrots on another. The carrots of course cooked much faster, but since there's no easy way to reach in & taste you won't check this steamer more than maybe once. With two levels full it's even more trouble to taste test and you loose even more steam/heat so it will take even longer to restart again.

The only positives to me are:

-no water to drain off of cooked food

-ability to cook two different veggies at once (but different cooking times do present a major problem.

Discount Wusthof Classic 7-Inch Fillet Knife With Sheath

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

This has worked very well for filleting Chinook (King) salmon and Dolly Varden -takes and holds a nice edge, balances well; perfect blade shape for filleting large or small fish. If you aren't in the habit of keeping a sharpening steel handy, the included little sharpening tool works well, too. Insert knife into sheath carefully as the blade is thin and flexible and can slip between leather and liner. As ever, I suggest a mesh protective glove if you are doing lots of fish or are particularly tired or a bit of a klutz like me.

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I am dating a chef at a fine dining seafood and steak restaurant and he had mentioned that he needed a fillet knife so I got on line and with the help of these great reviews I chose this one. He was very surprised and happy when it shipped to the restaurant. He said that I could not have done any better, that guys he has worked with would try and carve their knifes to look like this one. It is a very sexy knife and gets right under the skin. Anyway, one of the servers comes in the kitchen, sees the knife and runs his finger down the blade lightly to test the sharpness and it nearly cut his finger off. All the way into the bone! Yes he had to get stitches. Thus comes my title, this knife is for big boys only. It is sharp! My chef loves it!

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I AM A NEW JERSEY ANGLER , I FILLET 100 + FISH A MONTH , I FINALLY BIT THE BULLET AND SPENT THE MONEY FOR THIS KNIFE , AFTER YEARS OF CHEAPER KNIVES . I FILLETED 25 SEABASS IN LESS THAN 5 MINUTES ,USUALLY TAKES 20 MINUTES. THIS KNIFE HAS GREAT BALANCE AND IS RAZOR SHARP . ( BE CAREFUL , I NICKED MYSELF , DID'NT EVEN FEEL IT UNTIL THE BLOOD CAME). NO MORE STOPPING TO SHARPEN FOR ME , THE EXTRA COST IS WELL WORTH IT.

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This knife is thin, flexible and unbelievably sharp. Excellent for filleting fish. Gave it as a gift and the recipient was incredibly impressed.

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This knife is definately made with quality and balance in mind. It is very comfy in the hand and very flexible for even the most delicate fish. This knife is super sharp and one should respect that, if you are accident prone I would recommend some fillet gloves. I have bought $20 fillet knives all my life, but they just don't last. This knife has the look and feel of knife that will last for generations to come. AGAIN-this knife is very sharp!

Review of Calphalon Unison Nonstick 12" Round Griddle

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List Price: $150.00
Sale Price: $44.00
Today's Bonus: 71% Off

I purchased this Calphalon Unison Nonstick 12 Inch Round Griddle Pan along with the Calphalon Unison Nonstick 12 Inch Round Grill Pan and cannot be happier. We use this pan for everything: eggs, bacon, French toast, pancakes, vegetables, dumplings (pot stickers), I even made a batch of one-pan brownies (preparing the recipe in the pan on the stove, then sticking the pan in the oven to bake) and they came out great!

The main points for this pan are:

* Nonstick (I mean REALLY nonstick)

* Oven-safe

* Easy to clean

* Handle stays cool while cooking (except when used in the oven)

* Large size with steep sides allows for cooking almost anything but crepes

At around $50 (I paid $100 for the set of two pans) this pan is an incredible bargain. It outperforms every nonstick pan I've used in the past, and I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys stove-top cooking. Even if the only time you use a frying pan is for bacon and eggs in the morning, you will fall in love with Calphalon's Unison nonstick coating.

Note: As with any nonstick cookware, avoid using metal cooking utensils. I bought a heat-resistant silicone-coated spatula and set of tongs and they work perfect.

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This is a perfect pan for what I feel it was designed for: eggs and pancakes! I can not imagine a more perfectly designed griddle. The new unison slide surface is truly amazing and does make pancakes and eggs easier than I've ever experienced. This pan is a fabulous value if you like to make breakfast items or other griddle items. I rarely use it during the week but it has made weekend breakfasts a snap for me. It heats evenly and quickly, requires little or no butter or oil, and cleans like a breeze. Since it's not for everything and has a large flat surface with space for up to 4 eggs at a time it's not for every kitchen. But if you have the space for it when you're not using it, boy it is fabulous. The handle Calphalon pans have is well-designed and what draws me to Calphalon before all-clad or other more expensive options.

Re: all Calphalon Unison... If you're considering All-Clad and have't felt the handle, I recommend you try their handles in person before going with All-Clad. I feel they are uncomfortable. I really love the shape of the Calphalon handle and very much dislike All-Clad's

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I received this pan as a Christmas gift. At first I loved the pan, but after a few weeks, the pan became warped such that it no longer sits flat on my glass, radiant stove. Since I pay meticulous attention to letting my pans cool before hand washing, I was quite surprised when it warped due to regular use. When I contacted Calphalon about the defect, Calphalon refused to replace this product because the company does not warrant against warping, even due to normal use.

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I have been using this pan at least twice a week for about 6 months. I have a smooth-top stove and this pan has warped so much that it is almost useless. At first it was a great pan. I used it to make pancakes, french toast, pork chops, cube steak etc and I was very pleased with the way it cooked food and cleaned up in the dishwasher. However, over time the pan no longer sits flat on the stove. Also, the nonstick lining is looking quite worn. I have used only nylon coated utensils. I am grateful I purchased this pan on sale. It is definitely not worth its full price.

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This pan heats unevenly to the point where it simultaneously burns and undercooks food. We have not had this problem with our older Calphalon or All-Clad pans. The uneven heat distribution is undoubtedly related to the thickness of the aluminum. The bottom of the pan is 3.9mm thick. Our older Calphalon pans are 5.5mm thick--40% thicker! Indeed the pans feel lightweight and cheap, similar to non-stick pans you buy at the local supermarket. I suggest you avoid this pan and either buy a cheaper item of similar quality or hunt for better quality.

This review is based on 6 weeks experience with this pan.

Cheap Natural Home Products 9pc Cookware Set

Customer Ratings:

I wanted to wait a while before posting a review, as somethings the flaws in these things are not readily apparent on the first few uses. First, the cookware nests perfectly and has helped to get back some much needed space in with all my pots and pans. For me, these pans have essentially become my go to pans for cooking. I only occasionally use the other non-stick pans that I have.

The two skillets are solid and have good bottoms to them. I like the additional little handle on the opposite side of the skillet which makes having to maneuver it around the kitchen very easy. The pots are also easy to use and to nest. There were some complaints in the previous posts about the handles and overflow of boiling through the handles. I understand what people mean, but its mainly a concern when the lid is aligned so the gap there for the nesting is aligned on the handles as well. However, I actually like the design, because when there is overflow, it travels through the handle and out the hole at the end of the handle which is away from the burner and prevents the flare-ups that you get when you are boiling something. I see that as a not bad feature. This is either a design flaw or feature depending on your personal view of it.

Overall the pots are all solid, well made and work well. They also are a great set of basic pots for anyone needing to stock a kitchen, and they are great space savers!

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This pan set works with a portable induction top hot plate, which we use for camping and in our home. My wife would rather use these than go to her new electric stove. This pan set takes up 70% less space in the storage, which is important for traveling and use in a motorhome.

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I love that everything stacks and only takes up the space of one pan, especially since my only place to store them is in the oven. They are stainless steal, so they require a little extra care than non-stick if you aren't used to them. The only drawback is that the skillets don't have lids, but if they did the other pans wouldn't nest, so I understand why they left them out.

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This cookware LOOKS well-designed; good features like OK to use on induction burners, SORT OF stackable, uses recycled metal: Those few good features don't redeem it... it goes badly wrong from those.

We've been using these for several months; they are badly designed & can be hazardous:

===Lids APPEAR nice, but try to clean them! Inside edges have about 1/2" recess between edge where glass is held & the actual rim of the lid. That has fairly sharp edges to the metal rims: shreds cleaning cloths & sponges used to wash them, & can cut one's hands. Because that recess inside lid rim is so deeply inset, & just narrow enough, it's tough to clean hand.

A really good dishwasher might help; but be VERY careful when hand-washing these lids, to prevent getting cut!

===Lids seal poorly: steam escapes; cooks must watch that foods being cooked do not get too dried out, & prevent themselves being steam-burned.

===Plastic lid handles also go inside lids, in order to allow some lids to stack, therefore, heat from cooking can put VOC's into foods, which MIGHT be a toxicity problem. ALSO, since handle-plastic is inside exposed to heat, heat can excessively transfer to outside handle, making picking up the lid by a hot handle a safety issue.

===EZ-Store pots & pans have micro-grooves in metal interiors due to cheap manufacture. ALL pans with micro-grooves cause foods to stick & burn, makes cleaning some things a nightmare! Micro-grooves collect microscopic residues, which can form potential vectors for infection.

ONLY pans machined very smooth inside, will have non-stick capability;

IF Non-toxic, Non-stick is what you seek, look for OTHER cookware with surface like those inside classic Revere-ware pans:

To make non-stick metal surfaces, those MUST be very smoothly cast or machine polished: EZ-Store pans are NOT.

===And no, they don't ALL stack together.

The pans stack, but the lids don't all stack, & pots don't stack with the pans very well.

You'll need to make 2 or more stacks, at least one large lid must be by itself--a 3rd stack?

===Stainless steel pans must have something magnet-attractive inside their bases to work with induction burners; at least EZ Store pans have that.

Bottom line: The company needs to correct the design flaws--at least correct the safety issues!!

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I purchased this for our RV and I can totally see using this in our home too. The stacking feature is a great way to save space and the quality of the cookware is excellent! The only minor concern I have is that when I stacked them without anything in between them as a buffer, the metal on metal caused a dark mark on the pans. I now have a paper napkin in between each pot to prevent it from rubbing on each other. This may not be an issue if you plan on using it at home, since there won't be much jostling around from bumps in the road while traveling in an RV.

Best Kuhn Rikon Duromatic Top Model 3916 5 Quart Stainless Steel Deals

Customer Ratings:
List Price: $250.00
Sale Price: $218.95
Today's Bonus: 12% Off

There's a good reason why the New York times reviewed this product and tagged it "The Mercedes of Pressure Cookers". This efficient piece of cookware is precision engineered and made in a modern Swiss factory where the best cookers have been made since the safe Durotherm was first developed here. On a visit to the factory we saw a clean, efficient facility which employs re-settled Tibetan refugees and uses robotics to shape these precision pots. The Duromatic factory adheres to high standards of European green manufacturing methods while producing a product as precision made as a Swiss watch.

The proof is in the cooking. We love our Duromatics, and have several in our home. For one thing it is quiet compared to older versions of pressure cookers, and safer due to several safety-release valves. When we cook things like split pea soup and roasted chicken we get perfect results with much less energy, heat, and cooking time than any other method of cookery. Once you cook artichokes this way you will never go back to your old method.

This particular size is ideal for most households and produces a family size meal in minutes. At the end it is all dishwasher safe.

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WOW! have been using our Kuhn Rikon for about 5 years & can't imagine life without being able to make bean dishes anytime I want after work. Goodbye soaking, goodbye planning ahead. Hello spontaneous & speedy black-eyed peas, split pea soup & hummous from scratch.

Had been scared of pressure cookers. Lived in France in high school & remember ours exploding every couple of months spewing soup everywhere. Heard they'd "modernized" the cookers & then researched the heck out of all the ones on the market. Took the leap w/ this one because of the redundant safety features. Was terrified to try it the first time, but have never ever ever had it explode even when I've forgotten to turn it down after it got up to pressure (thanks to the automatic safety pressure-release).

And when you first taste how deeply spices penetrate curry dishes, soups and beans -you'll be hooked. Not one ounce of regret for spending the extra $$ for this ultra-safe "BMW-quality" cooker.

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So, I've never used a pressure cooker (PC) and was a bit afraid. I read about the electric PC's and decided the stovetop model was better because 1) gas is cheaper than electricity 2) no circuit board to break one week out of warranty and 3) I can brown meats in this monster before sealing the top. This is the Rolls Royce of pressure cookers from everything I read so I splurged and spent the money. Over 10+ years, what does $80 mean in all honesty?

Regarding the electric PC's. I read all the reviews and continually found people complaining about sealing problems, faulty buttons, the machine switching from pressure to warming mode, etc. Kuhn Ricon (KR) models have consistently received the most positive reviews, which sealed my decision. I've got enough electric appliances anyway.

As for safety, there is no way this thing is going to blow up unless you are clueless and don't follow simple instructions. If the pressure builds up too much, it automatically releases some steam through the spring-valve, the top of the line technology for PC's. Further, if it gets REALLY high, the rubber gasket is designed to bow outward and allow steam to escape through the side of the lid. In all, KR has five (5) safety features to protect you. Plus, you can't open it when even the slightest pressure remains. I tried to open it early, and no matter how hard I turned the lid, it wouldn't budge. This made me feel safe.

I prepared my first meal last night, lamb, and it turned out perfectly in just 12 minutes. Of course, you have to include 1) prep time (which is true no matter what method you use to cook a meal); 2) time to get to 15psi (about 5 minutes with 1/2 cup of water) and 3) natural depressurization (take it off the heat and let the pressure fall naturally) (this recipe warned against quick or even slow release) which took about 10 minutes. Still, given all this, it still was quicker than a slow cooker, range top, or regular oven (which I don't think would have worked for this recipe anyway).

Once I had the ingredients prepared, I browned the veal on the bottom with a little oil, dumped in the rest of the ingredients, added 1/2 cup of water (mandatory to build up the steam) and sealed it. Sealing is EASY, just line up the arrows, twist, and you're done. Now, I know KR makes models without the long handle and replaces it with two smaller grab handles at either side (model 3403 for example), but the long handle (it has a small grab handle on the other side) provides leverage to help in closing the top. This long handle also helps lift the cooker, as it is quite heavy (this is one solid sucker to be sure) and lifting it takes some effort, especially when full of food. It takes a little extra space to store, but believe me, it's well worth it. I've got plenty of pots with small grab handles, and they always get very hot and provide no leverage for lifting or closing.

This model (3916) has the Duromatic twist top vs. the pop-up type (model 3342 for example). I chose the 3916 because it is designed for people like me, who know nothing and want a little more flexibility in pressure release and pressure monitoring. It is super easy to see when one, then two, lines appear, even from across the kitchen. One line is 8 psi, two lines 15 psi, and if it goes over that, you can easily see that, too, and you know it's time to turn down the heat or remove it altogether until the two lines are exactly even with the top of the lid. Then, place it back. I'm sure with experience I'll learn exactly how low to turn my flame so I don't have to fuss with it. Until then, it's fun experimenting.

It is not Teflon, which is not a big deal to me because 1) Teflon always wears off and 2) it seems to flake when suffering at the higher pressure/temps a PC thrives on. So, it's probably better that it NOT be present. Read reviews of the electric PC's and you'll read a lot of "...the Teflon flakes and is worthless..." comments. Well, as stated, that's because at the temp/pressures achieved, Teflon seems not to hold up very well.

I just soaked mine overnight with soapy water and it cleaned up with a plain sponge.

The instruction manual is very good, with cooking times (general), how to use, and contact information. It has a cookbook with limited recipes, so if you're in this for the long haul, I would suggest Lorna Sass' books, or Miss Vickie's, although something about her irritates me (personal opinion obviously). But strangely, MV did recommend the KR or Fagor brands, so maybe I'll learn to love her.

In summary, this is a quality PC that is easy to use, that you can start cooking/browning/sautéing in (can't do that with an electric model, no matter which brand you get), and that is so safe NASA could take a lesson from KR.

Is it more expensive? Yes, it is. Is my health and safety worth the extra cost? Yes, they are. When you get right down to it, KR makes the best PC in the world (not me speaking, that's the NY Times, Miss Vickie, two independent websites, and even cookware stores I called to discuss different brands). If you want a quality piece of cookware, this is it. If you want to worry about buttons breaking, plugs to trip on, warming cycles when you should be in cooking mode, then spend $100 less and get the Cuisinart 600 series (lousy customer service from personal experience). The choice is yours.

Tonight it's lentil soup. Why not join me?

Honest reviews on Kuhn Rikon Duromatic Top Model 3916 5 Quart Stainless Steel

OK maybe not "life altering," but "diet altering," for sure. I purchased a Kuhn Rikon 3916 Duromatic Top Pressure Cooker, 5-Quart, on December 31, 2011, and have intended to write a review of the thing since the 2nd week that I owned it; the additional experience I've had with this pressure cooker (PC) since then has only reinforced the positive nature of my initial impressions.

Prior to my purchase, I'd developed a fairly long-standing taste for rice and bean dishes of different sorts, and always seemed to be opening [BPA-lined, it turns out] cans of heavily salted, precooked beans. As for the rice, I always seemed to be tearing open boxes of the rapid-cooking stove-top variety (seasoning packet included). I'd also depend on frozen meals for ready-made suppers after a particularly long day. Sure, I tried to pick the healthier brands, but have you seen how much salt those things contain? Eventually, I decided to look into a rice cooker, or slow-cooker for one-pot meals, and accidentally came upon a pressure cooker website. Turns out they're not used solely for canning jams and jellies!

After enthusiastically researching the subject, I ordered this item, and was pleased with the speed and condition it was delivered in very well and securely packaged. I immediately rinsed it off/out, and dove into the instruction manual in preparation for cooking a small roast with the usual vegetable suspects, to be cooked in two stages (roast first, then the vegetables). Please note that PCs hiss, spit, and whistle a little bit as small amounts of steam are released in order to maintain the correct pressure, but I didn't know that and thought something was wrong with the unit. I immediately called the manufacturer using the US-based "help" number provided in the manual, and had a very pleasant and humorous conversation with a Kuhn Rikon representative, who patiently answered all my questions. Thirty minutes or-so later, I was having a relatively decent meal.

I overcooked the roast; the vegetables were perfect.

Approximately 6 months later, and I can report that I've neither purchased nor consumed a frozen meal, or opened more than a few cans since I began using the KR Duromatic Top PC; on average, I probably cook with it at least 3 times/week, if not more so. It takes me longer to chop up a cabbage than it does to cook it same w/ various types of squash and root vegetables. I do still get carryout Thai food from time to time don't get me wrong but for quick meals/meal components comprised of various vegetables and/or legumes, this pot cannot be beat in terms of ease-of-use, speed, and convenience, and I'm probably eating healthier. More often than not, I'll cook-up enough of everything for several meals; I will say that folks at work have been impressed with the quality of my leftovers.

I have a ceramic-topped electric range, and though it takes a little experimentation to find the proper temperature settings and control response times, I can comfortably walk away from the kitchen once I've reached pressure, though I do set a loud timer and am always within hearing of the stove-top. So far, the seals and everything else are holding up fine, and about the only maintenance I've had to perform to date has been regular washing, the occasional oiling of the main gasket, and a light scrubbing on the inside of the pot with a steel-safe cleaner to remove mineral deposits. The item itself seems just as solidly constructed as the day I received it, and I view it as one of my better purchases; in fact, I'm sometimes a little embarrassed at how enthusiastically I recommend this product and method of cooking to my friends, family, and colleagues.

A couple of quick words of advice to any first-time PC users, if I might humbly offer them: since you're usually dealing w/ short cooking times, especially for vegetables, it's far better to err on the side of cooking something for too short a time rather than too long, and it helps to take notes once you've discovered the right times/settings. Also, there are lots of helpful websites out there offering preparation guidelines just execute a search for "pressure cooker timing" and you'll be led to some quality resources. I'll sometime cross-check the food I'm preparing from one site to another, then start with the shortest cooking time listed, if there's any variation. Finally, I find that the 5-quart size is perfectly fine for a good meal for 2-3 people, or for several meals for one person. It seems that it's far easier (and safer) to cook a small amount in a large pressure cooker than to cook a large amount in a small one, so it's best to "size up" rather than to purchase one that's too small.

Alright enough. I apologize for the interminable blathering on my part, but as I mention above, my enthusiasm for this PC and the method of cooking in general sometimes makes me carry on a bit.

Bottom line: for what it's worth coming from me, I wholeheartedly recommend the Kuhn Rikon 3916 Duromatic Top Pressure Cooker, 5-Quart size.

Find helpful customer reviews and review ratings for Kuhn Rikon Duromatic Top Model 3916 5 Quart Stainless Steel

We have three Kuhn Rikon pressure cookers that we use almost every time we cook this is the main cookware we use. It's fast, easy, and it save energy because it takes less time to cook. And the food's great I like eating at home better than any restaurant.

Review of Le Creuset Stoneware 8-Ounce Petite Round Covered Casserole

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This little pot is perfect for warming just a bit of something, Becuase it is so heave it is perfect for melting butter. I leave it on the stove all the time because it adds a cheerful touch. Cute, bright and useful.

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We use this for salt and work very well

Color is very similar to the picture

I would purchase the item again

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I purchased two of these for sugar and artificial sweetener, and they are serving my purpose great. Too small for much else.

Buy One Pair Stainless Steel Portable Travel Chopstick 8034

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I bought a pair from JapanBargain so that they could fit inside my bento box, which is 6 inches long, too small for regular sized chopsticks. They shipped promptly the next day.

The first thing I noticed when opening the package was a strong, aluminum/metallic smell--not a big deal for me. What bugs me though is my OCD-nature and the fact that the two pairs do not match up evenly. One chopstick is a bit chunkier than the other, and I know they are not a perfect pair because the ringed edges do not match up either, one starts farther up and has deeper ridges, whereas the other has faint ridges that start closer from the tip. I've posted pictures if anyone is interested in seeing this.

They screw in nicely with its' counterparts however, and are sturdy so I'll keep them for now. Will not buy again, however.

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I love my chopsticks and use it all the time when I go out for sushi. Everyone wants a pair.

Rachael Ray Hard Anodized II Nonstick Dishwasher Safe 8-Quart Review

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List Price: $200.00
Sale Price: $99.95
Today's Bonus: 50% Off

Let me first say that my husband is the primary cook in our house. Over the years we had assembled a variety of pots and pans, including some rather expensive ones, but we are both getting older and the enameled cast iron pans are very heavy and hard to handle. We decided it was time for new ones so we did our research and ordered Rachel Ray's 12 piece set and my husband also wanted this pasta pot. We absolutely love all of them. They are great quality, very easy to clean up and not so heavy that we have to worry we will drop them. At first I wondered how often we would use this big pot and the answer to that is "often"!

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Please ignore the previous reviewer, nothing anywhere in the description says that you don't need a colander to cook pasta in this pot. If you watch Rachael's show, you can see that she drains the pasta in a strainer when using this pot.

The oval shape of this pot is not only good for spaghetti, but it provides more of a surface for browning meat for stews, chili and such than a tall 8 quart stockpot would. This pot also heats evenly. The handles do not get hot. I liked this so much that I bought the skillet version. Very good quality, and extremely versatile!

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Customer review from the Amazon Vine Program Even though this is marketed as a pasta pot, and it does have a "pour spout" on the side, there is still no real convenient way to drain pasta completely. Another thing to realize is that 8 quarts is VERY large. For family cooking, this is great but for one or two people the size might not be practical. The design is very solid and high quality. I have used this product for five months already, and noticed no scratches or deterioration of the nonstick coating. Instead of using it for pasta, I typically use it for pot roasts and turkeys. Since the shape of the pot is oval, not round, it is better suited for oven use and the handles are safe up to 350 degrees.

Honest reviews on Rachael Ray Hard Anodized II Nonstick Dishwasher Safe 8-Quart

If you want open stock cookware this is an investment you will not regret. It really is the best. Rachael ray plz make sum even larger ones!

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This is absolutely the BEST. It's my second one, I use them both and would not be without. It is perfect for all types of pasta or anything else you may need a large pot for, but don't let the large size discourage you, you don't have to fill it, just use it for everything. Super ease to clean. Well worth the money!

Certified International French Olives 4-Quart Oval Baker Review

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List Price: $58.75
Sale Price: $32.96
Today's Bonus: 44% Off

Certified international French olives: What does "certified" mean? What does "international" mean? How does "French" have anything to do with this item? And lastly, is this really hand painted? The answers are: a company named Certified International had these made and painted by Chinese workers with a pattern called "French olives."

The item itself is pretty, and the fact that it's dishwasher and microwave safe adds to its versatility. It seems like a decent quality item, so I have no real complaints there. However, I find the advertisement a bit misleading, and I was a little curious as to why it arrived without any documentation or its own box. In other words, most things come in printed boxes and a little pamphlet or something describing it. Though well-padded, the only thing in the package was the item itself. I learned from the Amazon page that you can't bake this higher than 400 degrees F. Otherwise, I wouldn't have known that important info. Just seems a little odd.

But what really pisses me off is that this item went down seven dollars two days after I bought it! Ha.

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The colors in the bowl were exactly as depicted in the photo. The bowl is well made and very functional for many different types of dishes. I bought several bowls of the same line and I love each one. They can be used for everyday, but with the right table linens, they also look fantastic on my holiday tables.