Review of Cuisinart Power Advantage Plus 9-Speed Hand Mixer with Storage Case

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List Price: $145.00
Sale Price: $72.88
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This hand mixer is an upgraded version of the Cuisinart HM-70 Power Advantage 7-Speed Hand Mixer, Stainless and White which is recommended by Cook's Illustrated. That version, however, does not have dough hooks, which I specifically wanted in a mixer, since there are increasingly more and more recipes out there that assume the baker has a stand mixer these day and it's not easy to configure all of them to hand kneading. I currently don't have the budget for a stand mixer so I thought this would be a good compromise.

PROs:

Quiet. On lower speeds (1 to 5), it makes merely a vibrating noise. Even when I work with particularly stiff doughs, it still doesn't make a whole lot of sound. This is a giant relief for someone who is upgrading from a Black and Decker model which shrieks horribly on the lowest speed.

Powerful. I've made bread doughs with this machine, some of them quite dense. It always plows through them.

Wide range of speed. The number 1 speed is significantly lower than number 5 which is significantly lower than number 9. This is good for when you just want to combine ingredients without overmixing or having flour splattering every where. Also, stand mixer recipes that call for, say, "put the mixer on medium-low speed" can be easily adapted to this mixer as opposed to my old one, where all the five speeds are kind of the same.

Storage case. I appreciate the extra feature that helps me organize all the components.

CONs:

Dough hooks not very effective. Like I said, I bought this mixer specifically for the dough hooks, and they turned out disappointing. To make them work ideally, you would have to have two sets of hands, one to hold the bowl in place, and one to guide the mixer, imitating the actions of a stand mixer. I've managed to knead a number of dough with the hooks, but it does take understanding and knowledge of how the ingredients are combined to make it work. In lieu of fifteen minutes of hand kneading, you would have to run this hand mixer through the dough for fifteen minutes, so no improvement here. It might be helpful for a new baker intimidated by hand kneading, but it is no less difficult or laborious.

Cord is a little difficult to fold into the storage case. This is a very minor agitation.

Overall, this hand mixer is okay. The Cuisinart HM-70, $20.00 cheaper, may have been a better purchase. If you are looking to buy this mixer for the dough hook feature, I would advise against it.

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This is my 3rd Cuisinart hand mixer in the past 5 years and you're probably wondering why I went back to this model after the problems with the first two. First, I liked the form and fit. Second, I had extra blades that would fit (after the first one broke). Third, I assumed the problem was a glitch (each time). On the first and last mixers, the motor just quit without any reason or problem that I can determine it didn't happen because of "bogging-down" in heavy batter. On my second one, the soft tab speed button tore and water leaked in it quit working. Also, I don't think the wire blades "do" mashed potatoes as well as flat blades that actually cut through and break potatoes up into a smoother, less lumpy mix. Another problem that no one else has mentioned is that even though it has a slow start setting, it takes a couple of seconds to kick in! So, initially it starts at a medium speed and flour is all over the counter before it slows down and behaves as advertised. I've finally learned to hold it out of the bowl until it gears down.

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We have owned and used this Cuisinart mixer often during the last 4 months, but have become so aggravated with it that we will not use it again. The problem is that rather than having a "slow start" feature, it instead has just the opposite -an annoying "fast start". The "slow start", which Cuisinart's older models (no longer sold) actually implemented very well, is supposed to let you begin mixing without your ingredients being thrown out of the bowl. However, this model (HM-90S) does exactly the opposite -when you turn it on it instantly surges to a fast speed, and then slows down to speed #1 as you marvel at the mess that it has made of your kitchen.

Others have pointed out that you can avoid this problem if you turn it on before you put the beaters in the bowl. However, our frequent use has revealed the true source of the problem: It appears that Cuisinart has implemented a "cruise control" feature, attempting to keep the beaters spinning at the currently selected speed regardless of the load on the mixer. The consistent behavior of this mixer is that if the actual speed of the beaters is ever below the currently selected speed, the mixer automatically tries to compensate by strongly surging the beaters to try and catch up. This is why it surges when initially turned on. As well, the mixer will similarly surge (and surge again) throughout the mixing process if you attempt to mix anything that is unevenly thick (like mixing something thinner into something thicker) -the mixer will instantly surge and throw your ingredients out of the bowl. While the mixer certainly has a strong motor, and the attachments and storage case are nice, its behavior is so aggravating that it is useless.

To see the supposed "slow start" feature for yourself (and to prove that our unit is not defective), watch the video on the product page here on Amazon for this mixer. The woman from Cuisinart demonstrating the mixer has the nerve to brag that it has a "smooth start" feature, as she turns the mixer on at it instantly surges to the fast speed and then slows down to speed #1.

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I got my hand mixer almost a year ago as a Christmas gift. I use it at least weekly and it is still going strong. Here is what I like

*9 speeds makes any job possible

*Beaters thin but strong and not placed too close together so that thicker batters can move their way through and things like bread dough are less likely to climb up.

*Motor is strong. It doesn't whine and powers right through tough things like cream cheese (even when you don't let it soften as long as your suppose to.)

*Nice storage area. This doesn't make or break the deal for me. It's been nice not to rummage through the drawers looking for both beaters though.

*The latch release So glad I have to deliberately lift the leaver to release beaters. I don't accidently remove them by pressing the button like on other beaters I've had.

* Cord It is a decent length and it swivels around. I have lots of little helpers in the Kitchen and the cord is long enough and rotates around so I can maneuver the mixer with all the extra hands helping me mix. I'm not saying the cord is long but not too short.

*The appliance is solid feeling. Nothing flimsy about it. That means that it isn't exactly light weight but it isn't cheaply made.

Wisk I've used it to make whip cream and a meringue. It did a wonderful job.

Here are a couple observations/complaints I have.

* The kneader hooks They don't work at all for me at all. When making bread I use the beaters until I have a nice soft dough then knead in my last cup or two of flour by hand.

* Slow start not so much. It starts up at like a 3 speed then quickly goes back to a 1 speed. I still have to make sure my beaters are firmly planted in whatever I don't want to have fly around.

Why did this mixer still get a 5 star when I have complaints? I cook for 5 boys everyday, I make dinners for teachers at the school, I make treats for friends and neighbors...and this appliance has absolutely made doing that much easier. It is simply the best mixer I have ever used!

I've read a couple more reviews and just want to add a couple comments. I am almost always cooking with kids and don't feel it is dangerous at all. When using any mixer you have to watch those little fingers. Also about the beaters falling out...there is one hole that is fitted different. That is so the wisk fits in properly. You will notice on your beaters that their tops look slightly different. This determines which hole they go in. If you put the beaters in and they fall back out...you did it wrong. Switch it around. I've done that and the beaters have fallen in the batter, bummer, but it just made me be more careful inserting them the next time. It wasn't a big deal at all. Also, I have never noticed the beaters not mixing at a consistant speed and I have had many awesome smooth batters (which made very delicious treats too!). Regarding one more review, I don't have any problem fitting everything in the plastic container. I do have to organize it somewhat not just cram it in but it all fits. That's it, the end, I'd still buy this mixer...infact right now I'm looking at it for my sister because I love mine so much!

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These are the best beaters I ever owned. I like the "no splash" start on the number 1 setting and the digital display to advance in increments all the way up to a powerful number 9 setting. Pretty light weight to handle yet very powerful. Does a wonderful job and the self contained see-through storage case is extremely attractive and convenient for storing everything neatly in one place. I highly recommend purchaing this product.

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this is a fantastic set of cookware the handles are large and easy to hold and cant get hot. the handles are riveted onto the pots so no screws to loosen. cleanup is a breeze too. the metallic grey color of this set is exactly what I was looking for.

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Airbake Ultra by T-fal Insulated Mega Cookie Sheet Dishwasher Safe Review

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List Price: $13.49
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We make a lot of cookies. Consequently, the comments, about these cookie sheets, have been interesting. For the record, we do not own any stock in AirBake or any related company and just added 7 more AirBake insulated cookie sheets to our stash, although we didn't buy them here.

We've read the negative, as well as the positive, comments. Each is correct and each is wrong, to a different extent. Everyone seems to be missing the same points. A cookie sheet is a cooking vessel, just like any pot or pan.

You would not, for example, complain about a double boiler, because it wasn't good for making fried eggs; nor would you complain about a cast iron frying pan, because it wasn't good for making soup. The point is that different types of cooking vessels are made, for different purposes, just as different types of cookie sheets are made, for different types of cookies.

Let's see if we can examine at least some of the problems, then try to shed some light on some of the possible cause(s), maybe even suggest some solution(s).

Those who like crisp, firm cookies, such as ginger snaps, sugar cookies or short breads, should not be using insulated pans. For them, the best cookie sheet is the uninsulated one, since it crisps better.

Those who prefer chewy, gooey or cake-like cookies, such as chewy oatmeal, fruit-based or fruit-filled cookies or similar items, should be using the insulated cookie sheets. The insulated sheets create a cookie which is evenly browned, top and bottom, definitely best for thicker cookies.

Those who like a darker bottom, on their cookies or pastry, should be using cookie sheets with darker colors (insulated or non-insulated, non-stick coated or otherwise). Remember, the darker the pan, the darker will be the bottoms of the cookies or pastry, relative to the tops.

Those who like their cookies with lighter colored bottoms should be using cookie sheets with bright, shiny, light-colored surfaces, insulated or otherwise.

If your cookies are spreading too thinly, the fault is not the cookie sheet but the recipe. Cookies, which use only butter or oil, as the fat, will spread much faster, because oil starts as a liquid and butter melts at a much lower temperature, thereby giving up its water content, much sooner. Crisco or other vegetable shortening melt at a much higher temperature, thereby holding moisture longer. That, in turn, allows the cookies to rise, higher, moister and for a longer time.

So, if you like thin cookies, use butter or oil as your only fat. If you like thicker cookies, use only vegetable shortening. If you want something between the two, use a mix of vegetable shortening and butter/oil.

Those who say their cookies are burned and/or sticking, because they used butter, to lubricate the cookie sheets, are correct. The problem is the butter, not the cookie sheet. Cookies are baked at high temperatures, 400'F not being unusual. The milk solids, in the butter, burn, at much lower temperatures than that. If the milk solids burn, that will, also, cause the cookies to stick and burn. The solution is to grease the cookie sheets with a vegetable shortening (such as Crisco) or a neutral-flavored oil (even the spray oils work fine), such as canola, safflower or sunflower, which will not burn, at those temperatures. That applies, even if your only fat, in the cookies, is butter or oil. In fact, if you're making peanut butter cookies, try using peanut oil, as the lubricant, which will impart a more robust peanut taste to the finished cookies.

No matter what you else do or what recipe you use, you must lubricate these and all other cookie sheets, properly, to avoid sticking. We use the bright, shiny versions, without the so-called non-stick coatings. Scratching isn't a problem, because there's nothing to scratch. We've found that only "non-stick" cookie sheets, of anybody's brand, easily scratch.

Also, if you use insulated cookie sheets, do not allow the cookies to cool on the cookie sheet. The insulation holds the heat, causing the cookies to continue cooking, often over-cooking, if they're left on the sheet. Transfer them to a wire rack, as soon as possible. Then, cool the cookie sheets, before reusing them. Adding cold dough, to a hot cookie sheet, is not good for the cookies. You can quickly cool insulated cookie sheets, by running the back side under cold water or spraying the back side, with your kitchen sink spray attachment.

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I've owned this pan for about 8 years. Mine was warped and worn out. I ordered 2 of these new pans through Amazaon to replace my worn down old one. The new ones arrived packaged well and unblemished. They have a dimple design on the bottom which is a improvement over the old design. I've used mine several times since Christmas and they yield superb results. I always line my cookie sheets with parchment paper. This will greatly extend the life of the pan and ensure no accidental sticking. They are a large size that fits and fills both oven racks perfectly. No more wasted space in the oven with undersized cookie sheets! You'll save time baking on these pans that offer so much space. Always be sure to stand them at a angle when dying (one corner pointing directly down) so all the water from hand washing drains out thoroughly. They will not fit in the dishwasher, but it's easy and more gentle to hand wash them anyways. Be sure not to sit anything heavy on the pans or they will warp due to the weight. I hope you love using your cookie sheet as much as I do!

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The airbake works very well, there aren't any hot spots and cookies turn out great. The size is perfect, and shortens the time baking. The items were packaged well with no damage upon delivery.

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Another point of view on Airbake baking sheets...

I do a TON of Christmas cookie baking for 'treat trays'. After trying my first Airbake sheet, I built my supply up to eight of them! Here are some things to consider:

*They work best on cookies with high shortening or butter content. Peanut butter, choco chip, Russian teacakes, all come out perfectly on these pans. DO NOT GREASE THE PANS. The pans do not handle biscuits (for example) well.

*You may have to increase the baking time (don't increase temp with a conventional oven)slightly when using Airbake.

*Never ever ever put the pans in your sink to wash. If they get water in them, the air compartment is destroyed. I usually wash mine (they clean up in a flash with rarely a need to use a scrubber) with just a dishcloth in the 'empty' sink compartment. To get them cooled off in a hurry (yes, I run out even with eight of them), just dry them off and stick them in the freezer for a few minutes.

*Mine have some scratches on them from use and stacking. It doesn't affect their performance at all.

*I just got a convection oven, and don't know how they'll perform in there (I chickened out & used the conventional bake on my first baking effort). I sent an email to Wearever, and within an hour got a reply: 'Our Airbake products are safe to use in a convection oven. However, you may find that you will need to adjust the cooking temperature by increasing it 10-25 degrees depending on what you are cooking.'

Treat the baking sheets with care, and you may find they're the FIRST sheets you reach for. Oh, and I won't make cakes or brownies in anything BUT my (5) airbake cake pans they're sooooooooo much more moist!

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This is an awesome pan! I bake a lot around the holidays, especially, and I love that I can typically bake a minimum of 18 cookies on these huge pans. They are big, but they fit perfectly fine in my standard 30" oven range. Even though this is not non-stick, it's a great pan and I highly recommend it for any/all bakers out there. (I also have this pan in nonstick, but it doesn't appear to be available on Amazon any longer.)

Anolon Advanced Bronze Hard Anodized Nonstick 3.5-Quart Covered Review

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List Price: $80.00
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This is a wonderful sauce pot. i just love it. I had been looking for one that i could easily pour soup in a thermos and this is it. Good, Heavy, strong durable pot. fast ship and arrived in perfect condition

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I love this pot. The straining lid is very handy and cleanup is a piece of cake.

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The saucepan is the best I have ever owned. Holds the heat and doesn't burn sauces. Heavy, but not unmanageable. Love the color!

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A very good pan at this price point: exceptional, in fact. Heats evenly, top grade non-stick surface, stay cool handle, useful depth to pan and flexibility of steam retained or released by a twist of the lid that also provides a drain option when pan is tipped.

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I ordered the Anolon Advanced Bronze cookware for a gift, and the recipient is very pleased with it it's attractive and functional and all that she wanted. As for me, my experience with Amazon and the seller was very good; the product was fairly priced, arrived promptly, and in perfect condition. I would recommend this type of shopping for everyone.

Discount Kuhn Rikon 4th Burner Pot

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List Price: $35.00
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This is the most handy pot I have! As they say, it is just the right size. I originally purchased it to make my hard boiled eggs. I have chickens, so I have a lot of those!

It easily holds a dozen eggs. I stack them up in the basket and lower them into the pot and add enough cold water to cover them sufficiently. Then I take the basket out and put the water on to boil. When the water comes to a rolling boil, I again lower the basket into the pot and time it for 14 minutes for large/extra large eggs. I don't wait for it to reach another boil before starting the timer. I have found this method to be the best for peeling hard boiled eggs, especially the "farm fresh" ones that are more difficult.

When they are done, I take out the basket and rinse the eggs with the coldest water I can get out of the tap. Meanwhile, I allow the pot to cool somewhat and then lower the eggs back in and fill it with very cold water. I drain the cold water and add new cold water a few times and then let the eggs stay in the cold water a while. Ice can also be added to the water, which eliminates the need to change the cold water. When the eggs are sufficiently cool, they are so easy to peel! And I have never cracked an egg doing this!

I have also used it with the basket for boiling carrots and they were so easy to lift out and dump into a bowl. Without the basket in place, I have made pasta sauce that cooked perfectly.

The height of the pot worried me a bit, thought it might not cook evenly. Well, there is no problem at all. I find I need to leave the heat lower than with my other pots, which are also good quality. Even with the small base, nothing has stuck to the bottom or scorched, not even the pasta sauce.

The cool touch handles are great and make the pot easy to handle. I always keep it on my stove as it is so handy. I use it frequently and don't know how I ever did without it!

I just ordered a second pot for a gift for my neighbor, who loves to cook. I know she will love it, just as I do!

This pot is not only extremely handy, it is made of high quality stainless steel and cleans up beautifully. I just wish I could give it more than 5 stars, it is that good!

Edit 3/26/10--Since there is no image for this pot, I thought I should add a little description. Overall, I would say this looks like a gourmet pot. It is shiny stainless steel with a wide brushed finished band around the middle. It is tall and looks like a large sauce pitcher made into a pot. It has a pouring spout with a long curved handle (only curved at the top, from there on it angles down) at the opposite side. The glass top lid has two sets of draining holes, one small on one side and another larger set at the other side.

The strainer basket (which features a convenient lift up handle) has rather large openings, so I wouldn't plan on using it for noodles and so on. But that's where the strainer lid comes in very handy. With the strainer in place, this pot would be great for cooking asparagus, broccoli, carrots, corn on the cob and, of course, eggs (as previously mentioned)! And even though it can easily be referred to as an asparagus cooker, it is very versatile and has many uses.

All handles (pot, strainer, and lid) are covered with red silicone to keep them comfortably cool--I believe that is the only color it comes in. To me, it has a very contemporary, European look. It looks very elegant on my stove, which is where I keep it all the time.

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Seriously, this is one of the handiest pots ever for your small burner. It quickly became my favorite for 4 reasons. #1 It's so handy, you can steam veggies (basket is large enough to steam enough for 4), cook pasta, steep tea, sanitize, and the list can go on and on. #2 The handle is covered with a coating that just doesn't get hot if correctly placed over my gas burner. #3 It's small enough that it fits perfectly when I am using my 12" skillet on the front burner!! #4 It's so darn cute! Bright shiny stainless steel with just a touch of color on the handles and clear glass lid make it eye candy just doing it's job. You will not regret this purchase and will wonder what you EVER DID WITHOUT IT!

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Product description reads

1. 18/10 stainless steel and aluminum sandwich base for optimum heat distribution, suitable for cooking on all stovetops including induction stoves

2. Silicone covered handles on pot and steamer basket

3. Pouring spout on pot with strainer lid

4. Interior fill marks

5. Dishwasher safe

What I got

1. Nonstick coated red aluminum pot! Will not work on induction cooktop!

2. Bakelite handles on pot and lid. Basket handle is bare stainless.

3. Pouring spout on pot with strainer lid

4. No interior fill marks

5. Not dishwasher safe according to the use and care instructions

I bought this because of the good reviews and to use on an induction cooktop. I was going to give this a 3 because it's not a bad pot pot, but it is not what was described or what the other reviews seem to have reviewed. If what I got is the pot Amazon is selling you need to change the picture and the descrition or in my opinion it's false advertising.

9/27/12 I see they have changed the picture and description. It is still not stainless!I kert the pot because it is still a goood pott for what I wanted other than using on induction.

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Love this pot perfect size easy to manipulate. I just bought a portable induction burner from Amazon and was sooo happy to discover that the magnet stuck to this pot sure enough it is Induction friendly very, very important. I love the thoughfulness of the silcon on the handle and on the strainer. Well made pot, you will find so many uses for this pot!! Too bad it is made in China :(

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The height of this little pot is 8 inches, not 10.5 listed here and elsewhere. If only it were 10 inches, or even 9, it would be perfect for canning in small batches. Hopefully, Kuhn Rikon reads these reviews. Still I am keeping it because almost perfect is pretty darn good.

Fox Run Black Marble Cheese Slicer Reviews

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Product arrived on time and packaged perfectly...no issues with cracking or damage. Works great with enough tension in the wire for very thin slices if desired, plus the extra wires taped to the bottom are a nice bonus.

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This is a excellent product! It works very well, exactly as described in the ad, and comes with two extra wires.

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New I'd love the slicer, have used them before. Ordered one a few months ago & recently gave it to my elderly mother, so I needed a new one for myself. I think it's much easier for her than a hand held slicer. If you entertain or go to a potluck or picnic & slice cheese, you absolutely need this type of slicer!!

My friend's mom has a similar one (not marble) & she thought the marble would be a nicer/better looking option for just about the same price.

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Just as described and I was so happy to know the good quality. I would buy again because it was a good buying experience.

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I read the bad reviews and ordered it anyway. It arrived with the wire broken and a crack in the marble. While Amazon cushioned it well in the mailing box, Fox Run needs to secure the handle so that it does not jiggle during shipment that is what breaks the wire in my opinion. A small piece of tape should do the trick. Even so, I replaced the wire and still found that the design does not work well the handle does not stay in and the wire is not taut. I also ordered the Prodyne butcher block cheese slicer and it appears to be better made. I will use it a while and write a review later.

KitchenAid Gourmet Distinctions Stainless Steel 10-Piece Cookware Reviews

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List Price: $299.99
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Really beautiful on the stove. The shining, sloping sides add a very elegant and sophisticated air. Extremely quick and even heating. Handles stay cool. Just all around a great cookset! We almost didnt get it for 2 concerns: we were concerned the handles would get too hot (they stay cool!) and difficult cleaning ..we were looking for non-stick (these still clean quick and easy with a swipe of a brillo pad). We've since realized that non-stick would wear out in 5-7 years but without it...these should last almost forever! Great purchase.

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I almost did not buy this cookware set because of the reviews that mentioned leaking rivets. But here's the real deal.

The rivets that attach the handles to the pans are located high on the sides of the pans. If you fill a pot clear up to the rivets, you'll have lots of splashes and spatters as you cook and stir. The easy solution? Use a bigger pot! No spatters, and no leaks.

Out of curiosity, when I was washing mine prior to use I did fill them up over the rivets, and no leaks on my set.

So, a little more on the set in general. I purchased this as a replacement for my 35 year old Revereware, which was wobbly on my new glass induction stove. Also wanted to get rid of the nonstick stuff for health reasons. This is perfect, very stable, great heat conduction, glass lids fit well and make it easy to monitor cooking. A joy to use, and on top of that they look gorgeous.

My suggestion is to notice the cooking hints in these reviews, and to google "cooking with stainless steel cookware" for more hints. With a few minor tweaks to my cooking techniques (which admittedly had gotten sloppy over the years), clean up is a breeze. The basics: heat it dry on 5 for 5 minutes, add butter or oil to hot pan, turn the heat down to 3 and cook more slowly than you may have been doing. Perfect eggs, veggies, grilled cheese sandwiches etc. Then when you're putting the meal on the table, let the pans cool a bit, give a quick swish with a nylon scrubbie, and add warm soapy water before you sit down to eat. After the meal, they clean as easily as nonstick cookware. So easy!

I also ordered the 1.75 qt pot and 4.75 qt pan with helper handle, and these will probably get more use than some of the items in the 10 piece set.

Absolutely love my new cookware!

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This cookware set is visually appealing, though it discolors with even low heat from a gas stove. Successive uses, though, tend to remove the discoloration. It distributes heat nicely around the base and allows boiling liquids inside to circulate well from top to bottom.

This said, my experience with Meyer's customer service (Meyer Corp. out of Vallejo, CA produces and provides support for KitchenAid-brand cookware) has been far from stellar. Three items in the purchased set contained bubbles in the copper/steel base visible from the bottom.

I contacted Meyer to return the defective items and was put through quite a bit of hassle. The representative first gave a stock answer without reading my message. Then I had to quote KitchenAid's "Hassle-Free Replacement Warranty" to get Meyer to pay for shipping the defective product as it is within the first year of ownership. When the replacements finally arrived about five weeks later, one item was dented. I have requested another warranty replacement for the remaining item. It is now over two months since my initial purchase and I still do not have a complete set.

Conclusion:

Physical product: 4 out of 5

Warranty service: 2 out of 5

Total: 3 out of 5

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Update: 6 years later and I still love the set! They work great. They're holding up well. No issues at all. They work great with my induction burner/hot plate thing.

Original review:

This cookware is wonderful! I purchased it after going through my second set of anodized nonstick that didn't stay nonstick. I wish they had more pieces available that match. I've already bought the saute pan and the roaster separately. Unfortunately, I had to get a nonmatching KitchenAid saucier.

I'll admit I wasn't thrilled about the sloping sides at first. But they've grown on me -they work. The lids don't get as hot as other pans I have.

It heats evenly and holds the heat forever. They're easy to clean a few minutes soak for the worst mess works and you can use brillo pads. You can use metal utensils (wisks, spatulas, *SPOONS*) in it. Folks, there is a reason that you never see the real chefs on Food Network using nonstick!

But for me personally, the best was when my mother-in-law came to stay for a few weeks and realized she had made a mistake paying big bucks for her All-Clad set. All-Clad is nice and great for the status conscious, but if you're actually planning to cook with your pans, why don't you get a set that leaves you some money to buy the great ingredients to match. (Don't get me wrong. My MIL is a great cook -but I think a salesman convinced her to buy the A-C for her new induction cooktop.)

If you're looking for a great set -this is it.

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These are wonderful pots and pans. They have a nice heft without being too heavy, excellent even heat conduction (and they stay hot a long time--if you have electric stove you can turn off burner before cooking is complete, and don't forget to use medium heat). Also very sturdy. (I accidentally dropped an expensive Calphalon lid in the store when shopping, and it easily dented--I was NOT impressed). Handles stay cool, but you should know that the lid handles will get hot with prolonged cooking.

FYI: the lid to the 4 qt saucepan fits the 8" skillet-otherwise, lids are not interchangeable and the 10" skillet doesn't come with one--too bad, I could use one. Also, I find the 10" skillet a bit small (and the 12" that you can buy separately a bit big and heavy, such that it has a helper handle)

I've had mine long enough to use them every day in every cooking situation, and find them very easy to clean. I rarely have to use anything stronger than a "tuffie" or scotchbrite pad with a quick soak. As for the other complaints that they stain, my experience with stainless steel is that they all stain some. The vinegar and baking soda trick works, as does boiling a little auto dish detergent and water in the pan.

But I don't care if my pans are perfect. The outsides stay nice and shiny and the style of these are beautiful and a pleasure to use.

I also purchased the large saute pan(wonderful capacity) and the 10" nonstick skillet(for eggs) to round out my set, both of which I love and use all the time.

For anyone who loves to cook, a real winner! This set should last a lifetime.

Cheap Wedgwood Sterling 5-Piece Dinnerware Place Setting, Service for 1

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List Price: $140.00
Sale Price: $87.53
Today's Bonus: 37% Off

You can't beat the price of this product at Amazon.com, however, quality can be a problem. Of the 10 sets that we ordered, 2 had cracked and/or chipped pieces when they arrived. Great product, great price, just be prepared to send back a defective set for a refund.

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Like new and very nice in original boxes. Lovely to get Wedgwood Sterling 5 piece dinnerware at such a low price.

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The Wedgewood place setting was fine. However, the shipping material was not adequate to eliminate breakage. Amazon responded quickly and efectively to rectify the situation.

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We registered for these at another store, but have received several sets from people through Amazon. Of the three received so far, one arrived broken and must be returned.

Discount Farberware 20555 Cook's Kitchen Glass Covered Skillet, 11-Inch

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List Price: $39.99
Sale Price: $24.95
Today's Bonus: 38% Off

Excellent cookware. Having had Farberware before, I chose this skillet because of previous good experience with the product. The heat distribution over the cooking surface is even and the non-stick coating works perfectly. The skillet is therefore very easy to clean. The domed glass cover fits well and also is easy to clean. Add the fact that this skillet is reasonably priced, and you have a bargain for sure. Highly recommended.

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This this is so durable and reliable. It gets hot fast and cools down fast. I recommend this product to anyone looking for a good skillet to cook with. My only recommendation is you do not use a metal spatula/spoon or any cooking utensil with this pan because it will chip and any food you cook in the chipped pan will be tainted with metal.

Reviews of Grillex US-10 Indoor Brazilian Portable Barbecue Grill

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List Price: $99.99
Sale Price: $38.40
Today's Bonus: 62% Off

This grilling device is everything the product description says and more! I bought it thinking I can make churrasco, but I've since made chicken tikka, Middle Eastern lamb kabobs and more. Everything so far has come out very tender and moist, and best of all, the cleanup is a breeze--no splatter at all! Anticipating that I'd probably need more than the 5 skewers provided, I ordered an extra set of 4 when placing my original order. Turned out it was a smart move on my part, very proud of myself! This piece of cooking equipment is definitely more than just a curious gadget, I will be using it over and over again, for sure.

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I purchased this back in April and it sat in a box until July, when I used it for the first time. I didn't have high hopes for it but I thought, "What the heck. Let's see what it does."

Since I dine at Brazilian Churrascaria restaurants (Fogo de Chao, Espetus), I decided to do the traditional Picanha, with the salt-garlic brine. I cut each piece to be around 2" x 5" x 1" and fold each piece to a "C" shape. Each skewer can fit 3 to 4 pieces. Shewer the meat so that the flat side is parallel with "C" shape --it makes it easier to slice later on.

Here's what I did:

After washing all the parts the first time, assemble the grill and place it on your biggest burner. Turn the heat on high (for beef). Make sure you put in 2 cups of water. Brush the brine on the beef and lower the skewers in. Place the skewers in with the "C" shape side facing the center. Rotate 180 once it's brown. Serve when both sides are golden brown.

When you slice off the cooked pieces on each side. The center should still be rare. Brush more brine on and put the skewers back in.

Result:

"Amazing!" is the first response from my taste tester. It tastes great! Nice smokey taste --must be from the fat drippings.

Did not produce too much smoke --I had the fan on low but didn't see any smoke come out. The house only had a slight food smell.

Easy to set up. Okay to clean up --it's like cleaning up a couple of pots but it wasn't any harder than that.

Looking to do lamb and shrimp (in addition to beef) next time.

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I LOVE to eat and I LOVE my local Brazilian churrascaria steakhouses nearby, but times are tough and I need to stop indulging. I have to admit, I bought this Grillex Indoor Brazilian BBQ grill on an empty stomach dreaming of all the scrumptious meat I'd be able to partake of at any hour of the day. When it arrived and I set it up, truly my eyes were bigger than my stomach.

This product comes with 5 skewers, a basket accessory and a double prong skewer along with the stove-top apparatus; but to be honest, I've only used the 5 skewers and even that is too much food. I started by grilling 3 skewers of meat and 2 with vegetables. But of late, I find myself grilling 2 skewers of vegetables au natural with just salt and pepper and one skewer of meat and I find myself satisfied. I've left marinating meat and vegetables and just cooking them from raw to roasted with minimal seasoning.

Darn if I didn't lose 5 pounds in 1 week (In the interest of full disclosure: I made a pact with myself now to only eat meat for dinner; Breakfast and Lunch mostly consists of coffee, oatmeal, eggs, potatoes, soup & salads(sometimes with but mostly without chicken/beef/bacon depending on my craving at the moment of truth).

I experimented with making Armenian Beef Lula kabobs along with the vegetable skewers and they came out great on the first try! It's given me the confidence to try my hand at making Tzatziki (Cucumber Yogurt Dip) and Armenian rice pilaf to go along with the skewered goodness!

If and when I lose 20 lbs. with the help of this product, I'm treating myself to a Brazilian Steakhouse Dinner night out. I'll do it again if I drop the full 50 lbs. I'm ultimately trying to lose. I may even post my weight loss updates in the future. Hope this helps!

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I bought this from HSN where it came with some extra skewers. Anyways, I was looking for a way to get that grilled/char flavor indoors. I know you can put a charcoal briquet in the little burner, but can only do that outdoors. I tried cranking up the flame to max, but it just burned some of the stuff without cooking them. Also, it isn't as fast as claimed. The plus is that if you are eating healthy/low fat, this is better than steaming. Also, I did find it bulky to store, despite some parts pack into itself. I had returned it and am looking for a better alternative.

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First night with the Grillex was way better than expected. It's much easier than I thought and the recipe times are spot on.

I made the following:

Marinated chicken strips (sliced thin and then overnight marinated in Newman's Sesame Ginger.) Skewered up. 8 minutes over medium plus heat and then rotated. Best, most tender chicken ever.

Pork loin. Marinated. (Basque sauce) Sliced and skewered. 10 minutes, rotated then like 8 minutes. Amazing!

Salmon in the cage. Lemon pepper and rosemary. Forgot the times but again, prepped perfectly.

Pros:

Easy to use. SUPER easy to clean. SUPER GOOD FOOD!

Cons: I wanted more skewers but it appears I can buy more.

This is a great gift if you or someone you know loves Brazilian BBQ but cant afford Fogo de Chao.

Review of Waring WO50 Cordless Wine Opener

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List Price: $75.00
Sale Price: $54.00
Today's Bonus: 28% Off

This works very well. I got a Rabbit at the same time and used this more. It really is effort free. That said it does have a significant design flaw. If you let the battery die (drop below 2V) it will not recharge. This is what Waring told me. Since it is still under warranty they will replace it, and they now recommend keeping it on the charger when not in use. If they fix this stupid design flaw I would give it 5 stars.

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This is the next best thing to sliced bread! We've had ours for about a month now and open wine every evening to have with dinner. I was successful the very first time I used it, and I've never looked back! One literally holds it vertically on top of a bottle of wine, after using the handing foil cutter that comes with it, push down gently to make sure the bottle neck is seated in the opener, push the "down" arrow and wait until its quiet whirring stops. Presto! The cork is gone. Push the up arrow while holding your hand under the device and the cork is released into your hand. I love the this item. We have not had to recharge it since we got it. The box says it will open 80 bottles without a recharge, and I believe it! You won't be sorry if you buy it-good price here at Amazon too!

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I purchased this for professional use at a tasting bar. I open dozens to hundreds of bottles each week, and have sustained a fairly serious repetitive stress injury to one of my wrists as a result. This bottle opener does alleviate much of the stress on wrists and forearms that do a lot of twisting (dominant hand) or clamping (non-dominant hand.) It's also compact, lightweight, and easy enough to keep charging if you have an electrical outlet behind your bar. The included foil cutter easily makes a nice, clean cut all the way around. The action of the mechanism is quite simple and very cool: when it works, it's fast and easy to use.

There is, unfortunately, one thing this product is not: reliable. Customers love it, but I no longer open bottles in front of them, because if you do not get the machine aligned EXACTLY with the cork, it will not work. It will, instead, chew up your cork, get itself stuck in the neck of the bottle, and require you to use your handy waiter's corkscrew to rescue the situation.

Bottom line: if you need something to help take the stress off tender joints, it's worth your money. (Just don't use it when you're in a hurry.) If you're a gadget freak, skip this one.

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I bought this item for my husband for Christmas. While it was a hit for the first 3 weeks of using it, it no longer works. It's fully charged but it won't unscrew a bottle. I initially liked it and so did he because he's a gadget guy and we drink a lot of wine. Sadly it's going to have to go to the landfill since I doubt I can return it in amazon. Oh well.

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And then you will have to return this product or throw it away.

This opener works great until you have your first broken cork. you will not be able to extract the part of the cork inside the unit. It is designed so that it cannot be opened to extract the cork.

Our first one lasted a couple of weeks until we had a broken cork. The replacement suffered the same fate.

As most wine drinkers know, it is only a question of "when," not "if" you have a broken cork. When you do, this product is toast.

Cheap Zojirushi CD-FAC22 Zutto Micom Electric Dispensing Pot

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List Price: $159.00
Sale Price: $115.99
Today's Bonus: 27% Off

I've used this pot for some months now on a near daily basis and had absolutely no problems. It is a must for the tea enthusiast. Not only is it more stylish than most dispensing pots, it is in a league of it's own for selecting temperature and sustaining temperature over time. It is quick to boil, and can silently keep your water ready for tea for all-day use.

The cost of this pot is higher than your average boiling pot, but it shows in the extra features and in the build quality. The pump action is a much-loved feature, as is the break-away safety cord (all appliances should have such a cord in my opinion). You can just tell that the people that designed this knew what they were doing and cared.

On the downside, I wish for 3 things: 1) the ability to set the temp to more degrees (such as between 160 and 180 for green tea instead of 140); 2) an on-off switch instead of always just disconnecting the cord; and 3) a slightly deeper indent behind the spout so that more tea pots can easily fit under the spout.

If you are serious about tea, buy this unit.

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I like the looks and the feature set -3 temperatures, autolock with "unlock" button -is just right.

Boiling a full fresh 2-L pot takes several minutes. I tend to keep mine topped up whenever it gets down to about half, and that takes much less time to bring up to temperature. It does seem to re-boil the water whenever the top is opened, rather than only bringing it up to the set point. That's probably a very good thing, as far as keeping it from becoming a microbial breeding ground.

I used to unplug it when I left the house because I was worried about fire hazards; I stopped after the first few weeks because the outside barely gets warm to the touch, except at the top near the vent, where it's quite warm. When it's boiling water, it does let off a bit of steam through the top vent. When not running the boil cycle it lets out very little steam I can comfortably cup my hand over the vent for several minutes; the plastic is warmer than the air above the vent so I usually leave it shoved under a cabinet except when I've just added water. The underside of the cabinet is about 4 inches away and I cannot feel any temperature difference between that surface and the other cabinets nearby.

I do wish I'd bought a larger one. When I purchased this, I thought I'd use it for a cup of tea or two a day and 2 liters would be plenty. Now that I have plenty of hot water on demand, and at just the right temperature, I drink a lot more tea and my roommate has joined me. I also use it for all sorts of other hot-water needs (instant soups and cereals, for example) so that it needs refilling daily.

With that note about the heavy use it gets, it functions beautifully with minimal cleaning. Every now and then when it runs empty I wipe out the interior. Beyond that, I've only descaled it once in over 2 years, and that was because the calcium build-up on the heating element was making it take too long to boil my water -there was no clogging or pressure/volume reduction.

I didn't review this when I bought it because as much as I loved it, I expected the calcium in the local water to clog it in a matter of weeks to months. Now I have something more valuable to say: it keeps working, month after month, with minimal attention, for years.

___________________________________

Edited to add: I've now owned this dispenser for just over 4 years, and I still use it daily and love it every bit as much. It might be time to descale it again (the second time since I bought it), and again that's due more to scale insulating the heating element than to any clogging or loss of dispensed volume. I'm considering buying a second one, not because anything is wrong with my first one, but because it still works _so_ well that I've become thoroughly spoiled to piping hot water on demand and now feel put-upon needing to go all the way downstairs for a cup of bedtime tea or a bowl of instant miso soup in the morning. This dispenser kept on my nightstand, filled with filtered water, plus my Aero Press coffee maker, would be the best coffee-in-bed-first-thing solution ever.

Edited again to add: At almost 5 years, I need another. Not that this one has stopped working admirably -it's never malfunctioned in any way -but I need a larger one. I've been cooking more of late, and the just-below-boiling water is the perfect thing to clean cast iron cookware -splash some hot water into the hot pan, swirl a brush around it, empty it, and put it back on the hot burner/oven rack to dry. No sink, no soap, no drainer, no dishwasher, and the cookware is clean before the food is cool enough to eat. It would be perfect if it didn't mean filling the dispenser twice a day when I cook. This is the last-straw added demand for hot water that renders my poor 2-liter dispenser an annoyance. I'm tired of filling it so often. I'm moving it into the bedroom for morning/bedtime coffee/tea, where I can love it again, and buying a 4-liter one for the kitchen. If I could give this little trooper six stars, or ten, I'd do so gladly; the worst thing I can say about it is that it performed so well it created more demand than it's sized to handle. Wow.

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I originally purchased this item in July of 2006 and in November of 2011, it's still working well. I've only had to descale it twice, and I leave it plugged in all the time. It's definitely a well engineered product.

My review from 2006: I've been pretty pleased with this little water heater. It lets you select three different temperatures (though I wish that it provided more options than that), has a handy water gauge on the front, a magnetically attached power cable, and a set of two buttons to hit so that you don't accidentally engage the water dispensor. I'm pretty pleased with it.

Honest reviews on Zojirushi CD-FAC22 Zutto Micom Electric Dispensing Pot

Unfortunately the Zutton line of products bombed out in Japan so they sent them over here to try. Zojirushi is normally known for its quality products (and you can't beat the longevity on their "Made in Japan" potto dispensing pots) however, the entire Zutto line was tested by me and found to be less than promising (if you go to Japan and visit a department store, you will see the Zutto line in a quiet corner drawing no attention). The problem is that it tries to present itself as trendy and perhaps even metallic in nature. When you get the actual product you discover that it is in fact plastic and flimsy (just lift the lid on the Zutton Dispensing Water Pot and you can feel the quality or lack thereof). None of the Zutto products have any substance. To make matters worse, they must sell in this country for more than they sold in Japan. This reason is unknown other than the fact that they are trying to promote it as a high-end item when in fact it is plastic. Stick with the high-end rice cookers other than Zutton line (Made in Japan only)... For more information in Japanese see

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I use this exclusively for baby formula at 140 degree. The water at 140 degree is still kind of hot, so I still add cold water to mix the formula. Very solid and easy to use. The lid come off for easy pour of water and cleaning. The electrical cord is magnetic so fells off with slight pull, which is good to prevent tripping of the cord and pulling of the pot with hot water in it. This is a good safety feature, if you have toddler or baby, they might tug on the cord and if the cord is fixed on the pot it will spill hot water all over, which is dangerous. But not this one. FYI, this is made in China.

Discount RSVP International Endurance Stainless Steel Multi-Purpose Stockpot

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I bought this from a thrift store for 7.00 it is one of my very favorite pots, you can cook and steam so many foods, I love it so much I am buying my son one.

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