Zojirushi NHS-18 10-Cup (Uncooked) Rice Cooker/Steamer & Warmer Reviews

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List Price: $77.00
Sale Price: $64.95
Today's Bonus: 16% Off

i just wanted to add my two cents to help offset some of the negative reviews. i bought this particular cooker due to the positive reviews both here and on some other websites. i wanted a cooker due to being tired of cooking potatoes with most meals and getting tired of them. i received the unit very quickly and immediately tried it out. i wanted to try brown rice first, so i washed it briefly and put it in the machine to cook. shortly, a mass of bubbles filled below the lid and started 'sputtering' through the steam hole. not happy about the mess it was making, i endured it and ended up eating some fairly good rice with my first meal. i thought "yeah, they were right, it's messy, what a bummer". so, round two and three, i cooked some more, this time trying varieties of white rice and both resulting in a repeat of the first messy attempt, along with some 'browning' of the rices on the bottom of the pan. again i thought "this is no fun, friends or guests are going to think this is a piece of junk". by this time, i had been reading quite a bit on the 'net about rice, and concluded that a more thorough rinsing of the grains were in order, so my fourth round started off with such, along with an accurate measurement of rice and water, and....a pat of butter thrown in......i thought maybe it might help it from sticking or browning in the bottom. the result......perfect rice! i'm now making that my preparation regimen and i'm getting better results each time. i'm convinced that the errors others are reporting are not the machine's fault and i'm also convinced that, like most other machines, the user needs to figure out how to use it. in a short time a person should be able to make perfect rice repeatedly. to help the bottom-sticking, i'm also now opening the lid and giving a couple of stirs a couple of times through the cooking cycle. also note, like others have said that washing the rice is a must (maybe up to and including soaking, but i haven't tried that yet), as you are washing off a lot of the starch that helps make the mess in the first place. take note of the type of rice you buy. some rices have been stripped of their vitamins and have them 'sprayed back on', the bags will have instructions on them telling you to NOT wash the rice. i would avoid those types. i have yet to steam veggies or whole meals in it, but i'm sure i can get good results from it just as well.

good luck and good health!

update: 3 years later...... absolutely one of the best electronic kitchen gadget purchases i've ever made. we use it quite a lot and it's consistent!

ok, 4 years later and it's still the bomb! yes, i DID try some veggies in the top tray, along with some fish and they worked out just fine!

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I love my rice cooker and use it several times a week! But you need to wash your rice thoroughly before cooking. This will help with the "spitting water" problem the cooker has.

I enjoy using the steamer for kale, broccoli, cauliflower, or carrots. The only trick is learning when to put the veggies in while the rice is cooking so that the veggies don't overcook.

My brown rice tends to clump and stick on the bottom, even when the rice is washed. That's one problem that keeps me from rating this as a 5 star machine. The other problem is that the instruction booklet is poorly done. Brown rice needs to soak for 30 minutes before starting to cook.

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I've been using this model for just over two years now with no problems at all. We routinely cook brown rice and have had none of the problems that others have called out. The one thing you must remember though is that you MUST rinse the rice (white or brown) before cooking it. We put it in a screened collander and run cold water through it for about one minute. Shake the excess water and you're ready to go. The reason for the rinse is to keep the rice from foaming while it cooks. Evidently, the rice packers dust the rice with a talcum-like substance to keep it dry. This will cause the water to foam when it boils if you don't rinse it off before you cook the rice.

Cleanup couldn't be easier. Just rinse and wipe with a soft towel. Don't use metal scrubbers becuase the pan has a non-stick coating that you don't want to scratch. After two years of moderate use, our cooker still looks new and works perfectly.

This is a premium brand, and the product has lived up to my expectations. Five stars for this one.

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I spent quite some time doing research on rice cookers. I ended up selecting this one based on it was a cooker/steamer. On the first try the rice was PERFECT! Rinse rice as specified. Go light on the water for sticky rice and add a little more water for fluffier rice. The next morning I used the left over rice in the steamer capacity to make the rice pudding recipe included with the cooker. There was no left over rice pudding. The already cooked rice with the milk/eggs/vanilla had a beautiful custard like quality. I did not have a problem with the brown rice water/rice ratio. The warmer function served me well as the rice was kept warm until everyone was ready to dine! I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS rice cooker/steamer for the cook that demands the best versatility from their appliances.

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This is an upgrade of a smaller capacity Zojirushi I bought through Amazon a year or two ago. I loved it, and the only reason I am replacing it is that my brother loved it as well. Since we have a family of six and eat rice every day, I figured I would just buy a bigger one and give him the smaller. He is happy, I am happy. My husband is Thai, so we cook only Jasmine rice. To make Jasmine, I use the ratio of one provided cup full of rice to one and a quarter provided cup of water, and it comes up perfect. Definitely rinse your rice, otherwise you will have white stuff spitting everywhere. Also, when the rice is finished cooking and it clicks over to warm, make sure to stir the rice first, otherwise it will brown a bit on the bottom. I have made brown rice as per the directions and it was great, though I discovered I prefer mine a little undercooked. I cannot fault this machine at all, it is a breeze to clean, doesn't take up an inordinate amount of space on my counter, and lets me get everything else done without having to risk a burnt pot on the stove. I see no need to spend more money on the fancier rice cookers with AI or fuzzy logic or whatever it is, and the price here for a basic rice cooker is even cheaper than our local Asian market for similar products. I recommend it to people all the time, and if you are like me and feel that a pot on the stove works just as well, upgrade. I still use the pot on the stove for browned rice, but if you mostly eat just plain rice like we do, you will not regret the purchase.

Discount Cuisinart GG23-24 GreenGourmet 10-Inch Round Griddle and Crepe Pan

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List Price: $70.00
Sale Price: $28.23
Today's Bonus: 60% Off

We have had the 10" griddle for 2 weeks. My husband uses it almost every morning. How do I clean it? Rinse it out with a little dish soap! This is the best piece of non-stick cookware I have ever owned. It is so much better than the old Teflon, and easier on the environment.

07-24-09: Here's an update, Gang. We have two of these now, and they are still going strong. Do not put these in the dishwasher. My son made that mistake, and ruined his little griddle.

04-15-10: Another update. We still use these almost every day. The surfaces are still great.

09-10-11: RIP Little Griddle. After about a thousand uses, the thing finally developed a rough spot. My son told me it's because I washed it while it was still hot. So, won't make that mistake again.

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My reason for purchasing this plan was as to replace a so-called green-pan sold by a "celebrity" chef from one of the shipping networks that ended up being a piece of junk. I cook primarily cook with stainless steel but wanted one or two non-stick pieces for cooking items like eggs, pancakes, and the occasional crepe. I purchased this griddle/crepe pan first and really felt like it was a good decision.

I have read some reviews regarding complaints about the nonstick wearing off on the GreenGourmet pans. I think the problem is a few issues:

1. Users are using too high heat with these pans.

2. I would recommend hand washing these pans only.

3. Do not let food or oils dry in this pan. Its best to wash immediately after the pan has cooled.

So after several months of learning how to use the pan and cooking with it I went ahead and purchased the 10-inch skillet. I think these pans should have a good life cycle but using them with care is key...this is not stainless steel.

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We bought a full set of these, and we are not thrilled with the results. The surface becomes impossible to clean if you ever use oil to cook the food. I understand not using cooking spray (which we haven't), but sometimes you need to cook with oil for flavor and texture. I agree with the commenter who complained about the warranty we called the company and when we found out the cost to get the pans replaced, we decided it would be better to buy new ones NOT very "green" or functional.

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Initial Internet posting were wrong about these green ceramic pans.

The glazed-like surface can be heated quite hot to brown (even blacken) steaks and toasted cheese sandwiches. The hard annodized surface heats way more evenly than cast iron.

I also love the Analon Allure series which has a hard "marble" glaze surface on the exterior but a Teflon derivative inside. Since unsealed hard anodized aluminum stains over time, the ideal pan would have the Cuisinart ceramic interior and the Allure marble finish outside. Until then, this is my primary cooking pan.

I got mine after it was marked down $10 and then used a 20% off coupon. This skillet works great with a common 10" high dome lids, unlike the non-standard sized 10 1/2" cast iron skillets.

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***** I bought this pan as my "try me pan" at Bed,Bath & Beyond. I was so impressed with it after 6 months I bought the 12 in fry.

Friends also have bought them now and really give them a workout in the oven at very high temps. We all love them.

I have seen some very high end companies now using this coating, which Cuisinart has the patent on, called Ceramica.

Just remember it's a nano ceramic coating so you can chip it,like Le Creuset cast iron enamel, if not careful.

Should last a liftime with proper care.

Buy Nordic Ware Specialty Bakeware Pan

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Many of the comments refer to issues removing cakes from the pan. If you use Baker's Joy or Pam for Baking spray you will have NO problem. Place the pan on the open dishwasher door and spray away... you will have no mess to clean up either. i have many shaped pans including this one and the secret to easy removal and clean up is the spray.

Also, many of you are using cake mixes as the box instructs. these pans work best with a denser cake such as a bundt or pound cake recipe. there are many recipes/books for modifying mixes into such cakes, or you can start from scratch. see

when you put the batter into the pan you also need to tap the pan on the counter or run a toothpick through the batter to remove the air bubbles that get trapped at the bottom of the mold, hence distorting the shapes.

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I'll admit I like tiny things and when I saw this pan, I just had to think of an excuse to try it. It took a while, but when I needed something quick and easy for our school bake sale, inspiration struck! I bought a cake mix and made two panfuls of teensy-tiny cakes in about an hour. Given that it only takes about 15 minutes for the little cakes to bake, about the only "baked" treat I could have made faster is Rice Krispy treats.

WIth the first panful, I just sprayed the pan with canola oil. I ended up overfilling the pan a bit, but I was able to slice the tops off neatly with a bread knife before I turned the cakes out onto a cooling rack. The patterns weren't quite as distinct as I would have liked, but once sprinkled with powdered sugar, it was pretty easy to tell them apart. I did overfill the pan a bit, so to get nice, even cakes I sliced the tops off before turning the cakes out onto a cooling rack.

For my second panful, I used a pastry brush and then floured the pans. I was a little sloppyI didn't wash the pan after the first use (but just brushed out the crumbs instead) and I probably didn't do a good job getting into every nook and cranny. When I turned the cakes out, about 1/2 of them stuck in the pan. Rigorous shaking got all but four out, but I had to use a toothpick to pry out the last four and one of them did not survive the process. However, the ones I got out had MUCH crisper detail and were really lovely without any embellishment at all.

I'll need to experiment a bit more to find the perfect grease/flour technique to preserve the details and get the cakes to release. All in all, though, I'm pleased and I expect that this pan will make lots more teensy-tiny cakes for bake sales and little girl tea parties.

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This is a fantastic pan, that with the right method makes perfect little cakes and truffles.

The Nordic Ware website has amazing tips, and if you follow the instructions, it works. Baker's joy or shortening and super fine flour gives you the detail you should have with this pan.

The reviewer with the thicker batter idea is correct, and I would never use an "ez-make-insta-batter" with this gorgeous pan, the nasty additions they put in it may gum up your pan (lecithin, fats).

Worth the extra mile!

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I like the idea of this bundt pan. I made 3 batches of chocolate truffles on it. The recipe that comes with the pan is awesome. HOWEVER, I have yet to figure out how to get the chocolates out easily. The first time, I used a non-stick spray (not vegetable oil). I thought that might be my problem because the company recommends vegetable oil. On the next two batches, I poured vegetable oil in the little holes and spread it around using a pastry brush. Again, I had to fight to get the chocolates out. I kid you not -my husband pounded on the pan with a big rubber mallet to get the chocolates to come out! I must be doing something wrong. I will call customer service tomorrow -but if there is a trick to this, they should have told you on the instructions on how to make the truffles! Other than that, the chocolates turned out beautifully and I will use this pan again, even if I have to call my husband to help me out with his rubber mallet!

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okay. there is a secret to using this pan. cake batter doesnt work. all of my little shapes got stuck. but i used gingerbread batter and they came out beautifully (with the help of a greased pan of course). so the secret is to use a thicker batter. muffin and bread batter anyway.

Tovolo 14-Inch Silicone Solid Spoon Review

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Love this spoon! Easy to clean as almost nothing sticks to it and it won't absorb water like a wooden spoon, so it's easier to sanitize and it's dishwasher safe :)

Also, the edge acts like a squeegee which is perfect when you're trying to get that last bit of sauce out of a pan-a nice feature previously unknown to me :)

I should note that the handle is, in fact, conductive of heat and can get uncomfortably warm if left in the wrong area on the stove. Given that the handle *is* metal, this should be a no-brainer. That said, I should clarify that heat does not transfer at all through the silicone end of the spoon.

I plan on replacing all my spoons with these :)

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I finally found a great spoon to use with non-stick cookware. It works like the old wooden spoons did --but a lot easier to clean & you can put it in the dishwasher. It stirs heavy stiff foods just as easily as light fluffy things. It doesn't bend like a lot of plastic spoons. It's heat proof so I don't have to worry about it melting. I have thrown out all my other "plastic" spoons. They were worthless. Give this one a try -you won't be sorry.

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These spoons are great for mixing, stirring, scooping... I used to use wooden spoons in the kitchen but have replaced them all with these spoons in all 4 colors!

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So my title and rating don't seem to quite mesh. But in my mind they do.

You can't knock a product because it wasn't designed for what you want. This is a quality spoon. The metal is sturdy. The head is heat resistant (although I've seen it start to blister during really hot stir frying) and pliable enough to scrape the last bits of liquid and goodness from a pan. Cleanup is easy with the dishwasher.The weight is great and it generally feels pretty good in my hand.

The one major thing it lacks is any depth to the head of the spoon so it is not ideal for scooping or serving especially things that don't stick together like brussel sprouts, broccoli, and fruit salad. I don't think that was the aim of the product so its not something I would rank down for, but it is something you should probably consider before purchasing.

Similarly I don't think this spoon was designed for scraping burnt on bits. Its head is a bit to soft for that. It can scrape some burnt on things a bit, but its not going to do as good of a job as a hard metal or nylon spoon. This of course will protect your non stick cookware in the long run, but its another thing to think about when you're purchasing cooking utensils.

With those concerns intact, this product is deserving of a 5 star ranking because it is absolutely stellar at what it was designed to be and thats a non abrasive stirring spoon. The spoon is perfectly stiff and not too, too heavy. Its head is flat allowing you to have more stirring control and its slightly soft as to not scratch the surfaces of your expensive cookware.

With that:

5 stars

I'd buy it again

Just don't expect it to be the only spoon in your drawer

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Although I enjoyed using this spoon in the beginning, at the ripe old age of 6 months the silicone edge cracked numerous times, making them now useless. The cracks gathered numerous bits of food in them (not to mention bacteria) before I discovered them which I'm sure wasn't healthy! These spoons are for show, but not for use. They simply don't last.

Garcima 18-Inch Stainless Steel Paella Pan, 46cm Review

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This is the second paella pan I have purchased. The first one was smaller and was carbon steel because I didn't want to make a big investment on a pan that I wasn't sure I was going to use. I have been making paella for the past 5 years every few months and I serve it at an annual Christmas dinner party that my friends and family always look forward to attending. My old pan was getting worn out and was no longer creating a beautiful Socarrat on the bottombut was burning it instead. I finally bit the bullet and purchased this gorgeous stainless steel pan that is 3" larger in diameter than my old one. I tried it out as soon as I got it. Absolutely perfect! I thought it would be really heavy once it was full of ingredients but that is not the case. Once again the Socarrat is perfectly toasted and the cleanup was painless. I used a little bit of barkeeper's and a spongeit came clean very quickly. I can't wait to use it this weekend so our party guests can once again experience a perfectly cooked paella!

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I had a pan I used for making paella for years and it was not the right tool for the job at all. Then I was asked to make one for a family dinner and I borrowed a real paella pan that was made of carbon material and it did a great job. So I have been looking for years to find the right pan and then I saw this one granted a little pricey, but it was what I thought the pan should be and once I used it that's when I realized that it was the best pan for the job. It did the job right and it's size is great, clean up was no problem I just love the pan it's great I recommend it 100%.

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This was birthday gift for my daughter. This was on her short list of must haves; she loves it and has cooked some amazing meals with it.

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I actually cook my paella in the oven. This pan fits quite nicely and the paella I made it in fed 10 people, so I was very pleased.

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My wife and I had our first taste of Paella a year ago at a winery dinner party. We were really taken by surprise on how great this feast is! On researching Paella, I came across a lot of recipes, videos and supplies for making Paella. This La Paella Kit was reasonably priced, had the authentic rice, Saffron and Paprika, which is the base of any Paella. The stainless steel pan cleans up fairly easy and the ingredients really add vibrant flavor to the Paella. This 14" pan will serve 2 people with sufficient left overs, but, may be a bit skimpy for 4 people, depending on the appetites. Generally I find that food that tastes this good are heartily eaten. Might want to consider the 16" pan if you're going to cook for more that 2-3 people. I cook my paellas on a weber Summit Grill using the center burners plus the searing burner. Recommend you measure your grill to ensure the pan you buy will fit.

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MIU France Set of 2 Silicone Pot Holders, Red Reviews

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List Price: $15.99
Sale Price: $15.37
Today's Bonus: 4% Off

Be aware that under high temperatures silicon hot pads become very slippery, almost teflon like.

I've always liked silicon hot pads, largely because they are easy to clean. Last night I learned that they have a dark side.

I was pan broiling a couple of thick filets in a cast iron skillet...sear side one for five minutes, turn, sear for another minute and then put the skillet in a 500 degree oven for five minutes for a medium rare fillet (something I've done many times). Moving the cast iron skillet from the cook top to the oven with the silicon hot pad was completely comfortable and I felt totally in control. Five minutes later when I attempted to remove the skillet from the oven it was if the hot pad had been oiled. There was no way to control the skillet and I could not avoid dropping it. I recovered the hot pad, assuming I had just lost my grip, and found myself in exactly the same situation as I picked the skillet up off the floor, juggling a blazingly hot mass of iron with no hope of getting a stabile grip on it and trying to avoid burning myself and the kitchen floor. In the end I did a better job preserving the kitchen floor than I did my thumb and forefinger. Strangely, the silicon did a good job of insulating me from the heat (when it hadn't yet slipped away leaving me holding a 500 degree iron handle), it just didn't allow me to hold on to the skillet in anything close to a controlled fashion.

Bottom line: Silicon behaves differently at high temperatures and looses its ability to grip a hot surface. Don't attempt to use silicon hot pads to handle truly hot materials.

I pitched the hot pad because I don't want my wife or children to ever find themselves in that position.

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I absolutely love these potholders!!!! I have four sets of them. They are great as potholders but they also have other uses. I place them under cutting boards to keep them from sliding on the counter when I am chopping. I also use them to keep bowls firmly on the counter if I am whipping cream. I also use them as trivets when placing hot pans on my counter top.

My only caution regarding this product is that you need to be aware of the location of the hole in one corner of the potholder. I didn't pay attention one day and got a nasty burn pulling a very hot pan out of the oven. If you are a bit of a klutz, like me, best to keep 100% aloe in the house just in case you do what I did. Repeated applications of aloe took the burn out of the fingertip in a few hours. I was very fortunate. I hope this doesn't happen to you.

I highly recommend this product.

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I love these. Yes, they are a bit stiff compared to fabric potholders, but they are much sturdier and more useful. They offer complete protection regardless of the heat of a pan; they don't conduct heat when damp or wet as a fabric potholder does; they don't burn or stain; they can be quickly washed and immediately used again. They can be used as a temporary trivet to protect a countertop. And they have a bonus use, as a very good way to get a grip on jars or similar items that are hard to open. (I use mine to unscrew the faucet water filter when it needs to be replaced.) Mine are a true fire-engine, primary-color red, neither dark nor orange. I'm more concerned about function than making my entire kitchen matchy, but if you are looking for a subdued shade, these might not be to your taste. I like red because they are easy to spot on my countertop and they remind me that the pan will be hot.

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As previously mentioned, while they call this red, it is really a burnt-orange. If you are trying to match some other red beware!

The potholders themselves are very functional and if color isn't an issue, then buy these!

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These are very good for larger pots and pans, not so much for things you might need more dexterity for (say, holding a metal spoon, adjusting a folding roasting rack, or picking up a pot lid by it's knob.) They're about the thickness and have about the same flexibility as a weekly magazine. I've found that placing my thumb against the 'hang-up hole' provides a bit more gripping control. I recommend having a conventional (thinner) pair of potholders at hand as well.

I really do like these, though great for dealing with large pans, and best of all they clean very easily and don't absorb water (ever take a pan out of the oven with a potholder that's been sitting on a damp part of the kitchen counter? Ouch!)

I wish my silicone cake pans were as thick as these, and that these were as 'flexible' as my wiggly cake pans...

Review of Norpro Canning Lid Rack

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List Price: $11.49
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After too many times of having my hot lids stick to each other and have to handled, struggled with, or just give up until later, I bought this gadget. There are some things we don't need when canning. We can live without the funnel. We can probably live without the lifter tool. I'm not sure I want to live without this item. You can slide your rings down the handle while you are getting organized. you can even put the whole thing, with rings, down into your hot water. You pick up the lids by the edges, never have to touch the inside of the lid. A great and useful tool.

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Have been making jelly for 40 years. Used to use one of those magnetic sticks to get the lids out of the hot water. Bought this exact model a couple of years ago. Love it. Will never go back. Don't have to stand over the steaming pot to locate the lids, and the wooden handle never gets hot.

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Let's face it, we can sterilize our canning lids without this. But using tongs is slow, and can be a pain when you have a dozen lids to pick up. This sturdy, well-made little device makes sterilizing lids quicker and frustration-free, at a very fair price. Highly recommended.

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I canned without one of these last year, and while it can be done, this thing was worth the money. I no longer have to mess with the tongs and the lids sticking together in the pan. I used to boil a kettle of water seperately on the stove to use in my pressure cooker while I was sterilizing my lids in a shallow saucepan. Then I'd basically waste the water out of the "lid" pan and dump the boiling water from the kettle into the canner. This took two of my burners and valuable canning space. Now I use a larger pan for my lids (especially for wide mouth) since you need about 2-1/2 quarts of water to cover this thing with lids in. Now I save myself a step by simmering the lids, capping the jars, and then dump the water from the "lid" pan into the canner. Water saved as well. The color of the metal does darken with use, and I wish this was stainless steel. I think it will last awhile anyway since all you do is dip it in water, but stainless would have been nice. It holds more than enough lids for a full load. Everyone who cans with me wants one. Great item. Not a necessity, but it gets the job done faster and easier with less burnt fingers!

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Not the greatest quality and it doesn't work with the Tattler lids. Still works with the disposable lids though. I think I like the magnetic wand better.

Reviews of Mauviel M'Heritage M250C 6501.00 5-Piece Copper Cookware Set, Cast

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List Price: $1,230.00
Sale Price: $884.95
Today's Bonus: 28% Off

COMPARISON BETWEEN FALK AND MAUVIEL:

Falk and Mauviel are the top two copper cookware competitors available in the US, and both manufacture 2.5mm thick copper cookware (please note Mauviel does manufacture some lines of cookware with much less copper; see my notes below). Falk only sells directly to the public via their US distributor's website (you can search the web, and find their direct sales online at their website).

I purchased a 1.3qt Mauviel saucepan with a lid and a Falk Sauciere 1.4qt with a lid. This was not a scientific test, nor was it a comparison of equals the sauciere is 7" (almost 7.5") in diameter, and the Mauviel saucepan is deeper and narrower, with a 5.5" diameter. I filled each with 3 cups of cold water, and timed their boil on low heat (warning high heat will discolor the copper!) on a large gas Jenn-Air cooktop (propane gas). With lids on (but checking frequently after the first 10 minutes), the Falk boiled at 14 minutes and the Mauviel at 14 minutes 30 seconds essentially a tie, since the Mauviel was deeper.

The Mauviel boiled more evenly throughout the pan, while the Falk boiled in only three spots. I did not wait for a roaring boil from either (I needed to boil the water to make iced tea, not just test the pots). I was impressed by the even heating of the Mauviel ... not just the bottom of the pot, but the sides of the pot were heating and producing bubbles evenly, as well. Very impressive, and shows the Mauviel experience in producing chef-level copper cookware.

EASE OF USE: Both items are HEAVY. You will build upper body strength just lifting these saucepans and I'm speaking of the smaller pots! If you have any physical limitations (e.g., slipped discs in your neck), then consider buying a lighter set of pans, such as the non-stick Calphalon. With these copperware makers, you're paying for the heft which will ensure even, constant distribution of heat. These pots are professional quality items.

COPPER FINISH: This Mauviel saucepan has a mirrored or brightly burnished copper finish, unlike Falk which has a brushed or matte finish. I GREATLY PREFER FALK'S MATTE OR BRUSHED COPPER FINISH EASY TO CLEAN, and NO FINGERPRINTS OR MARKS! Mauviel's bright finish, so subject to fingerprints and smudges although brand new it is a typical bright beautiful copper makes me wince to even look at, much less use. I gave the pot only four stars because the mirrored copper finish is so difficult to keep looking nice, unlike the Falk. Falk is a copperware you won't mind using on a daily basis.

EXPENSE: All copper cookware, if the copper is 2.5mm in depth which is what you should buy due to the greater conductivity is expensive. Falk is no different. My comparison shopping for Mauviel at Amazon showed similar prices, but look closely I'm sure it's intentional that the pan/pots offered by Mauviel and Falk are NOT the same size, varying by .1 to .3 quarts in most cases, to avoid direct price comparisons. Word of warning: If you find inexpensive "copper" pots, you can rest assured that the copper is applied in such a thin sheet over stainless steel that the copper is for aesthetic (looks!) reasons only, and will provide little or no conductivity improvement.

BIG PLUS FALK HAS ONLY ONE COPPER COOKWARE LINE, unlike Mauviel, which has started at least one (and maybe two) less expensive (which equals less copper) cookware lines. If you want Falk you have to buy from Falk directly, so you know you're getting the "real deal," not a knock-off AND not a less expensive line of copperware. If you buy Mauviel from Amazon, BEWARE and be careful to pick the correct pieces if you want the top of the line 2.5mm Cuprinox. I found many Amazon listings to be confusing as to Mauviel line/copper thickness.

Good luck and Happy Cooking!

Update as of 6-23-09: The Mauviel pot tested in this review has developed serious water spots on its surface. The Falk still looks great even though we use it more often than the Mauviel. We only handwash our copperpots, we never use a dishwasher on them. The spots mostly disappear when the Mauviel pot is polished, but who wants to handwash AND constantly polish? I continue to prefer Falk for aesthetic and practical reasons.

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Copper cookware is a luxury, not a necessity. Having said that, there is definitely a difference in how it performs compared to all other cookware. I'm not going to pull out a copper pot to boil water or heat soup, but for sauteeing, sauce-making, or slow roasting I've found it unbeatable. All of my copper is Mauviel 2.5 mm (purchased in France when the dollar was at its strongest) and it performs flawlessly. As for cleaning, a little Barkeeper's Friend on a very wet sponge maintains the interior and exterior in like-new condition, although some people like the look of well-used copper (like an old penny). In short, if you plan to splurge, you really do get extra performance for your money with 2.5 mm copper.

Best Deals for Mauviel M'Heritage M250C 6501.00 5-Piece Copper Cookware Set, Cast

Working through an issue with customer service. With a lifetime warranty (and high price) I'd expect the process to be smooth as silk. It's not.

**UPDATE**

They did eventually 3 months (with biweekly emails/phone calls) after I requested they honor their lifetime warranty agree to repair the pan, that has an MSRP of $300

Apparently they have one american based representative who has to get approval from their manager before they can honor the warranty. The representative stated, we'll be glad to send you a product equal to what you paid. I purchased my pan from an upscale store that discontinued the brand (for obvious reasons). So basically my pretty but defective copper pan, would be replaced with a non-defective stainless steel lower quality pan. I highly recommend you either 1 find defects within the return period and return if needed, or 2 avoid Mauviel cookware.

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This professional cookware [2.5 mm copper clad] from Mauviel is of superb quality and functionality. It is heavy as it should be, so for some this might create a problem requiring the lighter 1.5 mm copper thickness. The stainless cook surface cleans easily. The decorative appearance hanging in the kitchen is very pleasant. The product is expensive and worth the money. Amazon pricing was excellent. If you want quality which will last forever consider Mauviel. The French should definitely be proud of this product.

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I got this set for my wife for Christmas. She is super happy with the set and cooks with it every night. It is amazing what a difference high quality cookware makes. These seem pricey, but you definitely get what you pay for. Very high quality, unbelievable craftsmanship. Its nice to know that there are still some things that are well made. Amazon was perfect as usual. The set at Williams Sonoma was not as nice.

Review of Berndes Tradition 8-Inch Glass Lid

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List Price: $42.07
Sale Price: $31.16
Today's Bonus: 26% Off

Matches exactly the other lids of this set. Fits tight and nicely made. One precaution: the lid knob is attached with a screw which seems to come loose too often. Keep an eye on it, or you might be fishing the screw out of your soup.

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Berndes Tradition 8-Inch Glass Lid

Amazon made it easy to order the exact lid that I broke from the set of Berndes cookware. Perfect fit, perfect service.

Cheap Amco Nylon Soup Ladle

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Best nylon tools out there are Amco. Stainless handle, nylon working bits are safe on non-stick cookware. Most nylon tools melt and degrade, leaving bits in your food. NOT these ones. Buy Amco, be safe and happy. I have two whole sets just in case.

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Needed more, so we got 4 or 5 more spoons, ladles, etc.

They work well and hold up in dishwasher after many years of use.

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A lot can be said about books,music,computers etc. But honestly what can you say about a soup ladle? Except of course that it looks nice,has a pleasing design and performs the function of transferring the liquid--be it soup,chili,spaghetti sauce or whatever in a smooth and efficient manner. And my Amco ladle is pleasant to the eye and performs all of its' tasks in a workmanlike fashion. And the price was right. Oh,I also stuck a nail in my kitchen wall and hung the ladle among a gaggle of kitchen utensils--and you know what--it looks pretty cool.

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While not in this particular item description, here on Amazon and elsewhere these Amco nylon utensils are described as stainless steel with nylon coated business ends, be it spoon, spatula, or ladle. None of them are in my experience. The business end here is small and flimsy nylon mold with a thin metal handle stuck into it. Even so I find it useful and for the price and not worth bothering to return.

If there actually was a sturdy, full stainless steel utensil with a nylon coated working end I would be interested in trying it out on non-stick pots, woks, and pans.

Amoco (and/or their distributors) get a big fat zero for deceptive advertising even though this utensil is not complete junk. The thin handle is uncomfortable but this utensil is still useful and dirt cheap.

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I purchased this with the Nylon Pasta Fork and love them both. I use them when my husband cooks an Asian style noodle soup in our Teflon wok.

Buy Wilton Silicone Dipping Bowls, Set of 2

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I have found these cups to be great for condiments & sauces. Easy to clean and sturdy. Oval shape does make decorating cookies & biscotti easy. I also used them to make dome shaped ice-cream floats for a Easter punch.

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Best Rack It Up Accessory Shelf Pot Rack Deals

Customer Ratings:
List Price: $85.99
Sale Price: $59.99
Today's Bonus: 30% Off

I bought this rack based on the limited amount of space I have in my apartment. Some of the reviews mentioned the instructions were hard to follow. I thought the instructions were clear, to the point, and in the proper order.

There's nothing magical about the "state of the art" fastening system for drywall. It's nothing more than a toggle bolt for drywall that can be purchased at any hardware store.

The rack looks good and hold my pans well. It says it can be painted, but I like the color as is.

The only problem I actually found is that the allen wrench supplied only fit the wall anchor screws. It did not fit the screws used to assemble the rack, so I had to dig through my tool box for one. Not a big deal but I thought worth mentioning.

I definitely think the product is worth the $35, especially if you have limited space like I do.

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I wanted to edit this (28-Feb-2011) after using it a while:

1. The price has almost doubled from what I paid for mine. I paid $35 and today it is $60. I'm not sure why it's so high now, but maybe I bought mine on sale?

2. I wish I kept the instruction sheet to re-read. I keep reading these reviews that it is hard to assemble and the instructions are hard to follow. I did not think it was hard to assemble nor the instructions hard to follow. It has a total of six screws to assemble the rack. 2 of these screws are used for the support strap. Then there are 3 screws to anchor it to the wall.

My advice for assembly: Start all the frame screws into their holes and make sure they all screw in and out easily (BEFORE YOU TRY PUTTING IT TOGETHER). Assemble this on a flat surface to make sure you get the thing relatively flat. Mount the back strap (part that screws to the wall) to the 3 sided frame. DON'T tighten the four screws until they are all started and a little snug. This will allow for minor adjustment to make sure the frame stays flat. When you install the support strap, make sure it is perpendicular to the frame, then tighten it.

The biggest part of mounting this to the wall is to make sure you pre-drill the holes for the anchors (the right size bit is important). Also, don't use a drill to screw the thing to the wall, do it by hand. It's easy to break the anchors if you don't. Use a level to make sure it's level and a pencil to mark the hole locations for drilling. Install the shelf to the wall first. Then install the support strap to the wall. One thing I did was flex the support strap a little before I marked the hole location. When I had the shelf secure to the wall, I flexed the strap toward the shelf slightly (not enough to make the shelf become unlevel). Then mark the hole location for drilling. You can remove the strap to get it out of your way while you drill and install the anchor.

Tools required: Drill (with correct sized bits), allen keys, pencil for marking the wall, and a level. Maybe a hammer to persuade the anchors into the wall a little, but I don't remember needing one. The key is using the right sized drill bits for the anchors.

I think my total time for installation (including unboxing, assembly, and wall mounting) was about an hour.

I did have one small problem about a month after I installed it. I put the hooks in a position that allowed the shelf to tip when I removed a pan from the back. The front pan basically pulled the shelf over. This was my mistake of where I positioned the hooks. Make sure the hooks are on the inside of the shelf supports. As an added precaution, I added a couple of black cable ties to make sure the shelf stays put.

So far I've had this about 5 months and I love it. Be sure to give enough clearance for your pans to hang, but as far as I am concerned, it was a good investment for me. I'm not doubting the other reviewers that had problems, but I still think it was easy to assemble and install. I've put together entertainment centers that I thought were more difficult. I don't have an assembly video, but I've attached a short video of the finished product. I hope some find it helpful.

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I have a nice kitchen but its very small with not much wall space. The biggest empty wall for a pot rack was 23" next to my window and it was hard to find something that fit. Voila this little pot rack fit the bill! My husband installed it and said it was very easy to do. It holds my everyday pans/pots (8" pan, 10" pan, small pot, xoxo splash guard, and my clad 10" pan). Looks great and I would high recommend it!

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This was shipped quickly. It Is sturdy and comes with more hooks than I need. I am hanging 4 pans of different sizes, all very heavy. The included anchor was key.

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Do NOT listen to any negative reviews on this item. I KNOW. If you aren't handy enough, just find somebody to help you put it up that knows what they are doing. And, if your gut tells you that you want something larger, then just don't buy this one. Having said that, I have a small kitchen and I can't believe how many frying pans of all sizes that we have hung on this thing (even doubling up stuff on the hooks), not to mention a huge soup pot. It's exactly what we needed to free up space in the kitchen cabinets and, once it's properly hung, it's solid as a rock. If you have always wanted something like this but don't have much space to put a larger one, just get it. Besides the amount of stuff that it holds, it just plain looks cool and adds a nice touch to our kitchen. I've had it for a few months and I still love it as much as when I first got it. The only thing I'd like to point out is that the top shelf is sort of useless, but that doesn't matter to me! :)

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This is a sturdy rack that has a bit of top space plus plenty of hooks for a tight space. Great for someone that has a kitchen with not a lot of room!

Discount Compact Infrared Thermometer

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List Price: $48.00
Sale Price: $29.50
Today's Bonus: 39% Off

This device might just be the best portable thermometer ever. It's small and pocketable and will tell you the temperature of almost any surface in just one second. No need to reach equilibrium temperature.

Go outside and point at a wall that's been in the shade or in the sun and you have the range at that moment. Pointing it a large wall from across the street gives you a quick average. Point it a surface up close and you can actually do a pretty good temperature mapping , like what is the hot or cold spot on your computer, air conditioner, etc. Don't point it at the sky unless you want to know that it's really, really cold up there. :-)

I take it with me everywhere.

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This is the best infrared thermometer for kitchen use, based on it's compact size and the temperature range. Fit's very neatly in a drawer or along side the stove and not nearly as cumbersome as the gun-style infrareds available.

Word of warning the item is no bigger than a minute, but the shipping costs for this item was over 30% of the total cost when I order it. It was worth the price of shipping to get the compact size for me, but not all may agree.

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I bought this because the price was right however, you get what you pay for. You basically have to touch the object you're reading and even then it gives varied readings. On the positive side it's tiny and quick.

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I use this little dude when making soap. It provides instant temp readings without contact. It is perfect for my application. If it breaks, I'll buy another.

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CDN Infrared and Thermocouple Probe Thermometer

Very useful in the kitchen and more. Great for measuring temperature of hot grease. Compact size is a plus.