Discount Simply Calphalon Nonstick 14 Piece Set

Customer Ratings:
List Price: $390.00
Sale Price: $254.99
Today's Bonus: 35% Off

I was given this set a year and a half ago and so far have had to send back three pieces because of the nonstick finish. I will say I like cooking with the anodized it heats faster and retains heat well so it is easier to cook with. But the nonstick finish they put on this cookware is terrible. It flakes off and scratches easily. I baby them, follow all directions, etc. only use silicone or wood utensils. In my opinion the surface should not scratch if you are using an approved utensil. Calphalon has been good about honoring their warranty and have replaced everything I sent back so far but I am getting tired of having to keep sending things back. As money permits I am gradually replacing mine with Le Creuset. I don't know if the higher end Calphalon is better, but I can't bring myself to spend the money on it with the experience I've had with this set.

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I've had nothing but excellent results and experiences with this cookware. For the money, I think it's the best you can get. I may use silicone & wood utensils to cook with, and the blue scotchbrite pads to clean them, but I sure as heck don't baby them, and I don't put anything between them when storing. I honestly don't know what some of these other reviewers are talking about. I've had no difficulty cleaning around the rivets, either, and I don't make any superhuman efforts to do so. I've had this set (plus additional pieces in the Simply Calphalon line) for almost a year, use them everyday, and I love 'em to pieces.

*Update January 1, 2012: Still in use, still doing a great job. So much so, that I've added additional open-stock pieces. Love this stuff!

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We have had these for about 5 months and already two of them are scratched. I completely agree with the review by M. Forrester. We have completely babied these and the surface just scratches and starts coming off. Hand wash only with mild detergent and soft nylon scrub. Only silicone utensils. They are stored by themselves and not nested; actually nothing in them at all. One of them scratched while I was washing it with a nylon scrub. While they do work great as far as cooking goes, I have no confidence they will last based on current experience. Do not bother buying these at all. What is the point of buying non-stick cookware if it does not last? What a waste.

Honest reviews on Simply Calphalon Nonstick 14 Piece Set

When my wife and I were married 10 years ago, we received a set of Calphalon pans that over the 10 years have stood up great to repeated washing and cooked some fantastic meals. So naturally when they began to deteriorate (almost 10 years to the month!) we decided to purchase this set. In comparing the two, the newest version feels cheap and lightweight compared our set from 10 years earlier. The pots and pans heat up VERY quickly due to their thin construction, and lose their heat just as quickly. I guess this has pros and cons, but we prefer a heavier pan that heats up slowly and retains its heat. The handles on our new set are too narrow to grip properly, and without two hands on the largest frying pan, it could easily twist in your hand and spill hot food or liquids on to you or your kitchen. Maybe the most disappointing issue is that the Teflon coating is already showing nicks after one month's use and not from using metal utensils either. We know to use plastic religiously with Teflon pans and wash with soft sponges. Too bad that Calphalon's quality seems to be slipping...they used to make great pans.

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We have been using these approximately six months now, so I thought it was time for a review. I cook pretty much every day, so this set has received a lot of use. So far, it's holding up nicely. I did go and buy a few special silicone-coated utensils to use (silicone-coated whisk, silicone-tipped tongs, a silicone turner, and a silicone-coated ladle) for when I would really be "getting down in there" and scraping against the pan pretty hard. If I am just stirring some vegetables or something, I use a wooden or nylon utensils, no problems so far. The only pan that has shown any wear on the nonstick surface is the frying pan, which my husband uses pretty much every day to fry bacon and cook eggs, and I think he doesn't always use the silicone stuff but just grabs whatever is handy. We don't put them in the dishwasher, but it's honestly not that big of a deal...I rarely use more than two pots and pans at a time (occassionally three), and I would think unless you're a gourmet chef, you wouldn't, either. I have also put a couple of them in the oven, although not at 400 degrees yet, which is their top rating, but haven't had any issues with the handles bubbling or anything like that (which was my main concern). They hold heat very well, so when I first got them I had to adjust to cooking stuff on medium-high heat vs. high, which tended to make the pots too hot and burn stuff. All in all, we're satisfied. There are nicer pans out there, I'm sure, but they also cost $500 and up for a comparable set. I would recommend this set over a stainless steel set because you don't have to add fat to cook stuff with these, which is a major selling point for me. Just take care of them and they should last for many years!

Onesource 8-Piece Deluxe Stainless Steel Measuring Cup Reviews

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I agree with K. Lambert. For $9.95 this set is a steal definitely better than plastic but it's not without flaws. As shown in the photos I uploaded, there are brownish discolorations in all the cups, right where the handles were welded on. I tried scrubbing the stains but they wouldn't come off. I guess it's alright as long as it doesn't spread to the entire cup. The cups themselves aren't that thick and actually give a little bit when squeezed (but who would do that)? The cup handles, on the other hand, are quite sturdy and don't bend. I just hope they never come off since they're just attached onto the cups. The spoons are better, I think. I compared them with my old plastic spoon set and they hold the exact same amount of liquid. I have yet to try washing them in the dishwasher. I don't expect this set to last long but by the time they break I'll probably be ready for an upgrade. Product is made in India.

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UPDATE 4-30-2013: I was right about the welds being weak, one came loose. Also, the one cup measuring cup has developed a rust ring around the outside bottom. The measuring spoons still look like they did the day I bought them. I have never had a recipe not turn out due to inaccurate measurements when using anything from this set. I have also not had anything negatively effect my husband's blood sugar when using these. I am still happy with this purchase.

Original Post: For the price that Amazon is selling this set for it is a steal! I absolutely love that I was able to get stainless steel for less than most plastic sets. I received exactly what is pictured and described and am very happy with this. I don't think these are the highest quality stainless steel, but I am no expert. I have exactly what was pictured and described and no better. I am not able nor willing to pay a lot of money for a measuring cup and spoon set, and in exchange for the cheap price I know that I am not getting top of the line. I feel that for this set being made of metal and not plastic the price is wonderful and I am sure that this set will serve me for many years. My husband is type 1 diabetic and you cannot have enough measuring spoons and cups when you are cooking and trying to keep track of carbs. Hopefully these will be less likely to fall off the counter unnoticed for the dogs to grab than my old plastic set (I am missing measuring cups and spoons and have found many marred by little teeth). The only thing that is worrisome to me is how long the welds will hold up for on the measuring cups, the welds do seem sturdy so they may not even be a concern. I may order another set or three!

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Do not buy, the edges of the measuring cups are super sharp, I wouldn't let my kids near them. The measurements are way offa US standard cup corresponds to 236 ml and these cups measure 250ml, it is the same for the half cup, 1/3 cup and 1/4 cup, useless for baking. I took them out of box and had a couple of cuts as I was opening the packaging. I contacted the seller immediately, and was told that I couldn't return the item because I had already used them!!!

Honest reviews on Onesource 8-Piece Deluxe Stainless Steel Measuring Cup

These started to rust after one washing. No matter how dry I think I got them, I find a new spot of rust every time I go to use them.

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I am SO disappointed. They should not describe them as "stainless steel". They rusted after the very first time I washed them (hand washed-rack dried)and have a rusty residue after every wash. I'm throwing them out; what a waste.

Best CORNINGWARE StoveTop 4-pc PYROCERAM Blue Cornflower Casserole Set Deals

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I didn't think I would ever find any new pieces of the CORNINGWARE CORNFLOWER BLUE pattern. So I was thrilled to locate these two sizes on AMAZON. I have owned several pieces for many years and I love the fact that they can go from freezer to oven and the table and are very easy to clean. They are so durable and they last forever.

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The perfect cookware as you can safely use the Corningware Pyrocerm cookware on the stove-top, in the oven, in the microwave or underneath the broiler without fear of breakage.

If you have a small kitchen, with limited storage space, Pyroceramware will help maximize your cooking as it can be used in so many different cooking applications.

Highly recommend.

Penmouse

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Corningware is an excellent product and I would recommend it to anyone needing a casserole. I have used these items for may years and they are the best.

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I have heard so much about corning ware and so i decided to get one. But was very disappointed to see it chipped when it arrived. The 2 quart casserole was chipped. And it does not give me the replace option. I guess i have to wait a little longer to get my hands on them. They look super cute. I will order them from corelle site directly i guess.

Discount Totally Bamboo 20-7930 3-Piece Cutting Board Set

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I have a set of these cutting boards. However most boards need proper care. Never put them in the dishwasher. I clean mine with a qt size spray bottle with 1/2 teaspoon bleach in it. I spray the board then sprinkle my cheapest salt on the board and then scrub rinse with warm water and then dry well with a towel. After dry once a week I wipe them down with food grade mineral oil on a cloth wash cloth. Not to worry as they have mineral oil in every grocery store or drug store. This will keep all of your cutting boards in good shape. I use certain boards for meat and others for veggies. I write with a marker on the side so I am never confused which is which. They will last for years and years. I have a board that was my Great Grandmothers that I use for veggies only and it still is a good board. I also have a board that I use for making bread pizza dough an pastries. This set I use for fish and one for sandwiches, one for one meat. They say we should do this and that is why I bought this set. Thinking of getting a few more sets to give as gifts. Hope this helps everyone.

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I had never used bamboo cooking boards...so I used it for the first time...and the wood started peeling off! I washed it...and it shed worse. So I did some investigation. You have to cure the wood with mineral oil. When I say have to...I actually mean HAVE TO. BEFORE USE and often for the first month. Monthly after that. Wood is better for knives, which is why I got them, but be prepared. Use the mineral oil on it....before you use it.

Follow up: Over a year later...

I've had these for over a year now. They are doing well and holding up well. The first month was a little bit of work...but you can tell when they are starting to dry out and need to be re-oiled, I don't find it to be very high maintenance. I researched and from what I discovered, mineral in the drugstore section is the same things as the expensive ones made for curing bamboo. So I buy the cheap stuff and it works just fine. Just be sure to not leave the board submersed in water(my daughter did that on accident and the board warped, after a couple months it dried out and flattened again), and wipe off the extra oil after curing it.

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We bought these and were pretty excited to get them. We are always cutting fresh vegtables and fruit and ended using these daily for a few days. We loved the handles and strudiness. However, after washing them a few times, they began to crack and spilt. Then they even deformed so they didn't lay flat. We ended up having to return them. I do agree with another customer review that the smallest cutting board is too small to really do anything with also.

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After a single use all the third boards started peeling off. Even when mineral oil was applied they continued to have small fibers coming off. I returned them.

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I liked it when I first received them. Light weight and the sizes are perfect for my small kitchen. But after only two weeks of use, the largest one has changed shape and it's not flat any more. I am very disappointed. I am returning them.

Reviews of simplehuman Slim Dishrack, Stainless Steel

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Overall we loved this dishrack at first... very sleek, and didn't find the problems mentioned in other reviews (size of rack vs. plastic sheet that catches the water and directs it to your sink). But after about 10 months we ran into what we consider the BIG problem with this rack: the drainage "gutter" underneath, which directs it to the stainless steel lip that directs the flow of water into the sink is IMPOSSIBLE to clean adequately. YOu can removed the stainless steel piece to clean it, but the gutter-type think itself is hidden under the plastic grooves. Gunk and mold have built up, forcing us to buy a new one after less than a year!! I even tried using an old toothbrush to carefully clean it out, but after a while the build up is disgusting. Very disappointing and an incredibly stupid design choice. When considering a new one, we like some of the newer designs by simplehuman, but they all seem to have a similar drainage system, which will lead me to buy something else.

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Funny that I am SO excited to write a review on a dish drain, but this is really a fantastic design. I hand wash my pots & pans, so the flat bottom base works terrific for me. It has full length ridges to hold cookie sheets or trays, plus deeper cut-outs for your plates. Now, with that said, it was almost an instant fail as initially it did not drain properly as my high sink-lip made the water collect back into the middle of the rack. A simple solution has it draining beautifully and working like a charm! I used the packing "twist-ties" that came with it and tied them in the two outer corners. I laid back the plastic bottom/base and it now had a great slope and it was actually FUN to first see the water flowing so quickly and neatly into my main sink! Do note: this fix did however effect the fit of the utensil tray on the "higher" raised side, but my preference was to keep the interior empty for the pots & pans, so I put it on the outside (sink side) and to my delight, it naturally sat with a perfect slant so the water of the utensil rack drained right into the sink too! I did secure it with a separate twist-tie as it would have been a bit unstable otherwise. I did not use the knife slot although it was a nice idea (just my preference). It is easily removable if you too didn't want it. I cannot imagine a better design for a dish rack...unless of course they factored into the design "adjustable sloping" to accommodate various sink types.

Click/enlarge on the above photos to bring up all of them! (I posted many)

AND SIDENOTE: To the poster that wrote about "scum" build up.... you may not have enough slope with your unit. If you try my modifications, you should not encounter such problems.

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Overall, this is a solid, if pricey, dish rack. We've had this rack for almost 2 years now and there are no signs of rust anywhere. It has held up well, with the exception of the drainage spout (more on that later). I like the knife holder and the dish rack is solidly built (mostly) and is plenty big for holding a good load of dishes.

However, I echo the comment about the drainage "canal" which is a mold/mildew breeding ground since it tends to take a very long time to dry. We need to do a major cleaning every few months, but because the slats and the bottom tray are glued together, you can't really get into the "canal" to clean it properly. This is clearly a design flaw and the bottom tray and slats should be separable to allow for proper cleaning.

My biggest complaint is that after a few months the plastic bracket that holds the metal spout in place started to loosen to the point where the metal spout would fall out. Eventually one side of the plastic bracket broke completely. Now the metal spout just sits on the counter underneath the rack to catch as much of the dripping water as possible and redirect it into the sink. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. Why the spout is made of a heavier and stronger material than the bracket that holds it in place is beside me? It seems almost guaranteed to break over time.

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This is a fantastic small dishrack EXCEPT that it has poor drainage. Scum tends to build up in the drainage canal/spout. Because the pieces are connected, it is very difficult to clean. The only method I've found is to use a butter knife and paper towel to wipe the scum out of the drainage canal. It works sort of...

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The design is wonderful. The water really does flow through a channel directly into the sink, eliminating the standing water that gets moldy and discolored in the bottom of the rubber drainers. It's bigger than I expected which is great since I don't have a dishwasher.

One picky thing because the bottom of the drainer is solid, which is what directs the water into the channel, there isn't the airflow that's present in the wire ones and the dishes need a little swipe with a dish towel where they touch the bottom.

However, I wouldn't go back to the wire type for anything I love this drainer because of the way it drains directly into the sink, even a sink with a lip. It's also great looking and very sturdy.

Buy Mauviel M'Heritage 1.2 mm 16-by-12-Inch Rectangular Roasting Pan

Customer Ratings:
List Price: $620.00
Sale Price: $395.00
Today's Bonus: 36% Off

There's bad news and (sort of) good news on this item, the "Mauviel M'Heritage 2.5 mm 16-by-12 inch rectangular roasting pan." I purchased this through Amazon, and when the pan arrived, I could immediately tell there was a problem: not NEARLY heavy enough. My wife and I have a lot of older Mauviel professional cookware (2.5 mm), and it was clear that this wasn't the same stuff. I went to the trouble of measuring the pan thickness with a Starrett micrometer, and found it to be 1.15 mm, less than 1/2 the advertised thickness. Looking at the product number supplied with the pan (6509.41), and doing some research on the web , it turns out that this pan is from the Mauviel 150 series instead of the 250 series; that is, it should be more like 1.5 mm than 2.5 mm. Most vendors who sell it do so for about $400, which is reasonable; however the price I paid (thinking I was getting the thicker copper) was an unreasonable $509. I suspect that Amazon was misinformed on this one by their vendor (they can't check every detail).

The good news on this? Amazon was exemplary with respect to the return: they paid the return shipping costs and gave me a full refund. And, they dropped the price of the pan on their site from $509 down to $400 (though the pan is still being erroneously described as 2.5 mm thick). With the new price, this pan would be well worth considering: I'm sure it's very good, and for the copper/stainless steel combination the $400 price is reasonable (it's just that the original $509 wasn't). If the item had been correctly described as the 150 series Mauviel and sold for $400, I likely would have given it a 4-5 star rating. As it is, I'm giving it a 3 star, for inaccurate description, and because even if it were described as the 150 series, the copper would only be 75% what you'd expect (1.15 vs 1.5 mm). Amazon service gets a 5.

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Orgreenic Flip Jack Ceramic Non-stick Pancake Maker, As Seen On Tv Reviews

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I have seen the ads on TV saying just how good this thing is so, when I found one at a local Walgreen's, I bought it. I used it a couple of times and, as of today, I tossed it in the recycler because it is useless.

OK, the good news is that it cooks well and I never had a problem with food sticking BUT to keep it from sticking you HAVE to apply some cooking spray to both pans before you start to heat them.

The bad news is just about everything else. First and foremost--it leaks. When you try to flip the pan over if there is anything that is even slightly liquid inside it will leak out the joint between the pans. It could be egg white or batter, if it is still liquid it will leak. Second, and something that the commercials never mention, you cook in the lower pan while the upper pan is still upright. You close the upper pan and flip the thing over. Now you have to wait while the (used to be) upper pan heats up and begins to cook. Also, in the commercial they show a woman blowing on a pancake to make it slide out of the pan and it is nowhere near that easy. While the food doesn't stick badly. at least for the few times I used it, it often has to be nudged with a spatula to make it slide out. On top of everything else it is VERY cheaply made, the handle broke the fourth time I used it. This needs to be re-engineered so that the edges of the pans overlap rather than just meeting. That would help stop the leaking. The heating of the second pan is something we would just have to live with. Do I recommend it? Absolutely not!

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I bought this hoping that it would be good at making eggs over easy. Unfortunately, it's not so good. The non-stick just doesn't work and the eggs end up stuck to the upper lid of the pan. Even after i seasoned it like the instructions say. Eggs definitely don't slip around the pan as in the commercial. Well it's only $20. i'll try it using cooking spray.

UPDATE:

Having used it for a few weeks now, I've figured a few things out. First, I have to use cooking spray. Without question. And I need to spray it on while the pan is cold. Spraying it on when hot just makes a mess. Second. I need to flip the pan and pre-heat the top before putting anything in it. Third, I think this pan will completely fail when the hinge fails. It's made with very small rivets. They don't look like they will stand up to a lot of use or abuse. So I think there is a life expectancy that I have to look forward to.

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I followed their seasoning instructions and tried to fry some eggs. I had to use a spatula and they still stuck to both sides.

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I saw this on TV and thought, hey great concept. I actually don't have much trouble cooking eggs or pancakes, but if you can make it easier, hey, why not, right? My next trip to WalMart, I saw it on the shelf, and bought on impulse. I wish I hadn't.

ON the informercial, you see them all happily cooking their eggs and pancakes, and nothing sticks, and just simply blowing onto the pan slides the food right off! WOW! Right?

Wrong.

My first thought, as I opened the package, was, hmm, this looks extremely cheap and flimsy, and will probably leak out the sides, and likely break in time. Not worth $20. You can get a really nice skillet for $20 that will LAST. My next thought was, hmm, is this dishwasher safe? Probably not, with my luck... so I look, and I'm right, it recommends hand washing. Okay, no big deal, this thing is supposed to be as slippery as a banana peel, so it won't need much washing, right?

Wrong.

Next, I read the instructions, and it tells me I have to season the pan. Seriously? This isn't cast iron, it's not a wok, why do I have to season it? It's supposed to be non-stick, right?

Wrong.

So I dutifully seasoned the pan, exactly as instructed. And I'm not new to seasoning pans. I just so happen to have some cast iron, and a fancy wok, and both need seasoning. So I season. Season, to my hearts content, and deciding that season doesn't really stick to this pan, I decide to season it once more for good measure. Afterward I wipe the excess oil as the instructions say (which shouldn't exist if it were seasoning!) and I feel like all I've done is waste oil, but I figure, maybe some of it soaked in there and did the trick. I decide to test my shiny new contraption by making a fried egg. Over medium, my preferred way to eat. And this egg, it comes out perfect. I'm somewhat impressed, though worried about the edges should I try more than one egg, or runny crepe batter. I wipe the pan out with a paper towel, and not much is there to wipe. I'm happy. I think, cool, so far so good. Will test more tomorrow. I put the pan away, and the next day, I decide to try 2 eggs. On TV you see them doing 3, so surely you can do 2, right?

Wrong.

I'm thinking my earlier success with 1 egg coming out perfect will mean success with my second attempt, too, right?

Wrong.

I grab my handy-dandy flip jack pan, and heat it up, I even put a light coating of oil on it first just to be safe, because I always use a bit of oil with other seasoned pans. Not much, just enough to make it shine. I crack 2 eggs into the heated pan. I cook it until the point of needing flipped. I flip. I lift the lid, and what to my wondering eyes should appear? 2 egg yolks spattered onto the bottom of the pan, while the whites hang out happily on top. I grumble, I scrape my eggs out, and kind of have this not quite scrambled eggs thing but certainly not overmedium. I choke them down and ponder what went wrong. After the pan cools, I clean it out. It's a bit harder this time as there is some egg stuck to it. But I clean it, and get it spic and span, and try the seasoning process over again. Repeat what worked the first time, right?

Wrong.

I tried again. Two lovely eggs cracked into the freshly seasoned heated pan, and cook until time to flip, and flip, and... same thing as the second attempt. Yolks on one side, whites on the other. Again I scrape up my egg mess, and this time just toss it out.

I haven't tried a 4th time. 2/3 failed egg attempts really make me question the validity of the non stick claims of this pan. I am not a novice in the kitchen, I am quite the expert at most things culinary, and as I said, I certainly know how to fry an egg. I'm not sure I'm going to try and 4th time, because it seems that unless I'm just cooking one egg, it's not so great, and with a family of 4, I'm usually going to be cooking more than one egg at a time. And for all I know it's a one and done kind of pan and that very first egg was the only one that will ever work out. I will forever have fond memories of that one perfect egg. Meanwhile, this pan is going to the back of the cabinet and likely not be used again. I will just stick to my normal skillets with my awesome spatula, which by the way, only cost me $4, and flips a perfect egg every time.

Save your money, and frustrations. This pan is just all kinds of wrong.

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I was very excited when I bought this, but upon getting it home I realized it had to be seasoned just like any cast iron skillet. When did nonstick surfaces need to be seasoned? It was also cheaply built. Upon cleaning after seasoning it, the rivets on one handle popped loose and the handle was floppy after one cleaning.

When I finally did test it out by cooking eggs, upon flipping it over, not only did the eggs stick to the top I now had a real mess as i had eggs on top and on bottom. I grabbed a plastic spatula to slide the remaining egg into my old cast iron skillet and had to actually scrape to get the egg from the orgreenic pan. They were not burned they were just stuck to it as they would have been to a non greased iron pan. I finished cooking the mess in my properly seasoned cast iron skilled, to which they did not stick, and tossed the Orgreenic pan in the trash.

Johnson-Rose 8 Quart Stock Pot Set Review

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List Price: $109.99
Sale Price: $55.99
Today's Bonus: 49% Off

This is the fifth Johnson-Rose stainless steel pan I have purchased. As pieces of my other set wear out, I replace them with this brand. It is both budget friendly and extremely sturdy. It takes abuse and continues to look good. The bottom of the pan is very heavy so maintaining a constant temperature is easy to achieve.

The eight quart stockpot is a replacement for my five quart (same diameter but lower sides) pan that I used for cooking pasta and soup. Although I took pains to keep the flame on medium, after four years the bottom of that pan warped it simply wasn't heavy enough to withstand the heat. I returned to this brand knowing how pleased I've been with the other pieces I've used in my kitchen for the last two years.

The exterior has a shiny stainless finish under the lip about 3/4 of an inch in height and also about a 1/2 an inch on the bottom edge where the heavy bottom base begins. The remainder of the pan -the exterior middle -is brushed stainless. This is a subtle yet attractive design feature, and practical.

The stainless steel pans with mirror finishes are beautiful, but over time, scrubbing eventually mars the sheen. After a year of scouring and cleaning, the Johnson-Rose pan with its practical brushed finish still looks beautiful. The pan has a definite commercial cookware appearance but the style is enhanced with its textural variation. A note about cleaning Bar Keepers Friend is the perfect product to use to remove any stains or discoloration and keep the pan looking spotless. And remember to keep the heat at medium high or below.

The lip of the pan flares out so the solid lid that rests on that lip forms a good seal. The pans I own with glass lids usually splatter boiling water out of the pot. These lids keep the pot contents in the pot not on my stovetop, reducing clean-up.

The handles on the pot and lid are not insulated, so be careful to use a pot holder because they do get hot. Based on my experience with this brand, I know that it will be in service in my kitchen for many years to come. It is nice to find quality at a reasonable price.

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Discount PaperChef Culinary Parchment 30 X-Large Baking Cups

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I have previously used paper baking cups and have had a horrible time getting them separated. Even though I purchased them in bulk, I eventually gave up and decided to purchase the PaperChef Culinary Parchment Baking Cups. I'm glad I did. They are super easy to get separated and are worth every penny. That are a bit thicker feeling than the standard plain white paper cups. The size was perfect for jumbo muffin tins. Definitely recommended.

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Love these XL muffin cups. They fit the Texas size muffin tin from Bakers Secret perfectly and don't stick or pull off lots of muffin! These are a staple at my house as we make Gluten Free Almond Flour Zucchini Muffins twice a week! It's a recipe that we adjusted from Elana Amsterdam's cookbook. We doubled the zucchini, cut the sugar to 1/3 and added 2 level scoops of vanilla protein powder (Life's Basics). These are amazing tasting, moist, high protein muffins without a sugary carb crash! But, I digress, the parchment muffin cup liners are the only ones we'll use to get every last bite!! Just bought the Large size to use for regular sized muffins as well. I guess the sizing might seem a bit confusing but the product is great!!

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I love these but am confused about the price. I didn't see anywhere that this is for more than one box. I thought this was a little pricey so bought mine at Alice.Com where the price is #1.73 per box. I bought 25 and got free shipping. If this is the price for more than one then Amazon needs to add more details. I sent them the info for the price I got.

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These muffin cups are .40 cents each! I assumed that this was a few boxes of muffin liners, but it came and it was one tiny box with 30 liners. The parchment was great for my Paleo egg muffins, but i can use regular parchment paper for 1/10 of the price :(

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I recently started making muffins again. Not only are they quick, and convenient, but they are (can be) healthy, and a great 'fast food'. They pack well in your purse or briefcase, and they are a great eat and run food. They freeze well and they are perfect for sharing (smile), so what's not to love?

So, when I started baking, I used the regular muffin liners from the grocery store and got frustrated that much of the muffin was stuck to the paper.

When I saw these parchment cups, I was very excited to not only not have that problem, but to have a 'prettier' presentation for sharing.

But, much to my dismay, the paper didn't even stick to the muffins at all. They just slid right out of the paper! I was planning to bring a dozen to a neighbor but I couldn't bring these. It was hideous!

So, I'm not sure what went wrong, and will still experiment after all I ordered THREE boxes of these so I will update if necessary, but you need to know that they are really slick. I expected the paper to completely adhere to the muffin as normal, but it didn't. It's completely loose.

*********************************************************************************

Updated 6/26/2011 review

Ok..I'm not sure what I did. These are the X-Large size. Did I mistakenly order them, thinking they were just the regular size? I honestly don't know. I looked at My Wish List and what I had saved was the regular size.

I make muffins in various sizes and when I had made them in May for my first review, I DID make half of the batch in the larger size yet they were too big.

Now, I make the same larger muffin size BUT I really fill up the muffin cup quite full, so now they are perfect!

So, I would recommend these be aware that this is the X-Lg size and they are available in the smaller size also. And you might have to experiment.

I apologize for the confusion!

Review of Paderno World Cuisine 11-Inch Forged Aluminum Fry Pan with Ceramic

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List Price: $99.00
Sale Price: $92.57
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met my expectations,was as described,so easy to use and cleans up in a breeze.

the ceramic surface performs better than my scanpans.only wish that paderno had a greater range of it's ceramic cookware,avalible

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Reviews of OXO Good Grips Cookie Press with Disk Storage Case

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Customer review from the Amazon Vine Program

UPDATE, Sunday, January 6 Snowing in Vermont today, so my youngest daughter and I spent the afternoon baking cookies with the new OXO Good Grips Cookie Press. While we were at it, we made a video to show you just how easy this is to use! Here's the cookie recipe we used:

Cream Cheese Spritz

1 cup butter (sticks)

3 ounces cream cheese

1 cup sugar

1 egg yolk

1 teaspoon vanilla

1/2 1 teaspoon other flavoring (orange, lemon, almond are all good), optional

1/4 teaspoon salt

2 1/2 cups flour

Directions: Beat room temperature butter and cream cheese together until softened and well blended. Beat in sugar, then beat in the egg yolk, salt and flavorings. Stir in the flour until well combined and dough holds together. Use immediately. Makes about 8 dozen.

NOTES: You can substitute baking margarine for the butter &/or lowfat cream cheese for the regular. If you want to make the dough and then hold it overnight in the fridge, allow it to soften and come back to room temperature before you attempt to use it.

LINKS FOR OTHER RECIPES IN COMMENTS

ORIGINAL REVIEW:

I love spritz cookies little buttery, crisp cookies that are perfect with tea or lemonade or even just by themselves. They're easy to make too as long as you have the right cookie press.

For many years the "right" cookie press in my house was the Mirro that I got as a teen. You filled the barrel with your cookie dough, stood it on your sheet pan on little feet and twisted the top dial to make the cookies. Worked like a charm for many, many years but then somewhere along the way in one move or another I lost my Mirro cookie press and couldn't find another.

Since then, I've gone through many a cookie press trying to find THE one. One cookie press split right down the middle of the barrel the first time I tried to make cookies with it. The "trigger" style are usually too hard for my hands to work. Most of them don't have little feet to rest on the cookie sheet so you're trying to press out cookies in midair. Frustration Level Over the Moon! I can't count the number of cookie presses I've returned to the store or shipped off to the thrift store bin.

I cannot tell you how delighted I am that this OXO Good Grips Cookie Press with Disk Storage Case has solved all of those problems! It arrived this afternoon just as I finished a batch of homemade cream cheese. The very last of the Cream Cheese Spritz are in the oven as I type. The press is easy to assemble and disassemble and easy to clean. Most of it can go into the dishwasher if you want to bother with that. Like that old Mirro, the bottom of the press rests on your baking sheet as you form each cookie by simply depressing the handle, which works by lever action rather than being a "trigger" easy even for my old hands to use. If you are using a standard half-sheet sized baking pan, you'll get two dozen cookies on each pan 4 across, 6 down. Most recipes will fill the barrel (see through!) about four times and make about 8 dozen cookies (Do pay attention to the bit in the directions that tells you to use an ungreased cookie sheet. Don't use a parchment liner either your cookies won't stick to the surface correctly and so won't pull away from the press.) Learning curve about 2 minutes.

The press comes with a dozen different discs for various shapes teddy bear, butterfly, daisy, fleur de lys, buttercup, heart, leaf, shell, snowflake, sunflower, tree, wreath that store away in a specially fitted box that allows easy access to the discs. (Yes, you can change the disc without having to wash the entire cookie press first.)

The included instruction booklet contains recipes for three different kinds of spritz (Cream Cheese Spritz have always been my favorite use the included recipe but leave out the cinnamon) and you will find many more recipes on line. Be sure to look up a recipe or two for savoury spritz as they make nice quick-to-produce nibbles for an appetizer selection or cocktail party.

Spritz cookies are great keepers they'll stay fresh for several weeks in a tightly covered container. Ideal for little girls tea parties, feel free to color the dough or dress the spritz up with sprinkles, sparkly sugar or bits of candied fruit.

I'm off . . fantastic cookie press that will have pride of place in my kitchen for many a year to come . . . anybody want a cookie?

PS I found it easiest to fill the barrel using a small rubber spatula about an inch wide.

UPDATE, May 15, 2013 I recently came across this OXO Good Grips Cookie Press Springtime Disk Set, featuring a half-dozen designs especially for spring cherry blossoms, a rose, twin hearts and more. My set is on the way. Can't wait to try them! I wonder if they'll do another series later in the year? Pumpkins and bats would be nice. September ,2013 Why yes, yes they did! Pumpkins, bats and more. The Autumn set is available from the same link as the Springtime set.

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I love this cookie press. I bought it to replace one I had for about 10 years that was always a pain to use. There was a high fail rate, and the press would rock as I was trying to put the cookies down. With my new Oxo, the only cookie fails I had was with the first one or two cookies each time I refilled the cylinder. Each cookie after that came out perfectly. And the silicone on the bottom of the press kept the press firmly on the sheet as I was pressing out the cookies. I love the little plastic container that holds the discs. With my old press, the discs were always in a heap in the baggie I stored them in, but with the Oxo, they're neat and organized. I also like that this press has cookie shapes that are not seasonal -fleur d'lys, daisy, butterfly, etc., which will certainly encourage me to use it at times other than Christmas. As opposed to another reviewer, I did not find the cookies small at all; I do not like big cookies and find these to be the perfect size. I made a batch of cookies using this to bring to my son's game, and they were absolutely inhaled. People were shocked that they weren't bakery cookies.

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Customer review from the Amazon Vine Program I tried the Good Grips cookie press using the chocolate shortbread cookie recipe in the instrucion manual. The manual is easy to understand and includes three recipes and two variations in all. The recipes did not include any hard to find ingredients, were simple, and easy to follow. The design disks included are snowflake, heart, buttercup, shell, wreath, tree, sunflower, daisy, fleur de lis, bear, leaf, and butterfly. I used the shell, buttercup, fleur de lis, bear, and butterly disks. They all worked well with the exception of the butterfly disk. The dough seemed to stick to the bottom of the cookie press and not release well using the butterfly disk. I loved the other disks so much, I consider this a small issue.

The quality of the disks were very nice and stainless steel, not as thin as the disk set that came with my previous cookie press and I did not have any issues with warping. The barrel of the cookie press is a thick plastic material that is listed as BPA free. I am not impressed by clear barrels myself as I do not find it impossible to tell when the cookie press is near empty using the plunger depth as a guide but I love, just love, the plastic disk storage case and new to me disk designs.

The disks are dishwasher safe but the cookie press itself is not so I just wash them all by hand. A bottle brush would be nice to have and make cleaning easy peasy. The barrel was comfortable to hold, the plunger much easier to use and I never had to fiddle with it because it never twisted the wrong way. Much simpler to use than my other presses simply because the plunger does not rotate due to the release button that is used instead. Love that! One hassle gone! My old cookie press had a rotating plunger and it rotated when it wasn't supposed to therefore my cookies did not ratchet out of the press properly leading to a problem this design does not have. A headache solved.

As a scout mom, I am so delighted with the fleur de lis and the bear is so adorable, and the shell is so pretty. So much nicer than the disks in my other cookie presses. I am really pleased with the press. I am far fom a spritz expert and if anyone has any tips on getting a better result with the butterfly press I would really love to hear it. The ones that did come off were nice but overall it really did not work well for me. After swapping the disk to a different design I was back in business again. The other disks worked for me much better and really did not depend on a chilled cookie sheet. The bear worked so well, it stuck onto an unwashed cookie sheet from a previous batch and the instructions say to use a clean, ungreased cookie sheet, washing between batches.

Overall, I am very pleased with the product and would recommend this cookie press to friends. My one very minor gripe, aside from the butterfly disk, would be my wish that they showed the finished cookie along with the design disk images inside the product manual and not just on the box. The disk images are labeled inside the back of the manual but the finished cookie image is not included with it. They are all so pretty and inspiring it would be nice to not have to save the box in order to see the finished cookies as the box is larger than the box for my other two cookie presses. I am sure I can photocopy it. Overall, I love it.

Honest reviews on OXO Good Grips Cookie Press with Disk Storage Case

This is the easiest to use cookie press I have ever used. The old ones would stick not OXO. It was so easy it took me several tries just to believe it. I kept squeezing and didn't even realize the cookie was on the sheet. So easy your hands don't get tired and the recipe is accurate to a cookie and did I mention they were delish and adorable. I used the daisy pattern for a wedding shower and added a chocolate chip to each center to make black-eyed Susan's the young crowd had never seen cookie press cookies. The compliments actually made me blush, because it was so easy I felt guilty. This press will last for years. Well built easy to clean so easy. After all the rolling and cutting I've done this was a blessing. If you have children they will love the teddy bears, and it comes with several recipes. This is not a gadget it is a must if you do any baking at all. I love it so mush I'm ordering another one just so I could have one for vanilla and one for chocolate. Happy Baking!

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Customer review from the Amazon Vine Program I've never had a cookie press, but always wanted one. Due to my infrequent baking sprees I never got one. When I saw this one come up on the Vine review list--lets just say I did a happy dance.

The cookie press arrived very quickly--on Christmas eve in fact. We all know how busy Christmas eve can be doing last minute shopping, baking, arranging, entertaining and whatever! However, I couldn't wait to use my cookie press. It was kind of like the proverbial kid in a candy store analogy. I don't bake frequently, but found a recipe I liked online--in this case one provided by Martha Stewart's site which featured lots of vanilla (my favorite flavoring). I printed off the recipe, got the ingredients out and went to town with my very very new cookie press.

I had read the one-star review about the cookies being uneven and yes the first one was, but the directions had mentioned the first one or two might be. The author also had trouble with the dough coming out of the cylinder. So before I used mine I did an Internet search on how to use one and looked for tips and hints that would avoid the one-star reviewer's experience. After using the cookie press, I noticed the cookies got less 'pretty' and the dough was less malleable as it got warmer. I put the dough in the refrigerator for ten minutes or so and that seemed to solve the problems.

The OXO Good Grips Cookie Press contains the cookie press, 12 stainless steel disks, a holder for the disks (I really liked this feature--no searching in a junk drawer for your disks), and an easy-to-use instruction booklet. The booklet also contains a couple of recipes. I ended up using the Martha Stewart online recipe which is very much like the Butter Cookie recipe.

Anyhow, I really had fun using the OXO cookie press and making all sorts of shapes with the 12 disks. Like I said earlier--I was like the kid in the candy store. I'd make a tree or a sunflower or bear and call everyone over to "LOOK AT THIS!" Soon the house began to empty out as everyone left tired of my constant exclaiming! However, they came back in plenty of time to sample the cookies. The kids loved the teddy bears and butterfly shapes.

Soooo happy I am now a proud owner of a cookie press!

Review of Anolon Chef Clad Stainless Steel 4-Quart Covered Dutch Oven

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List Price: $110.00
Sale Price: $90.82
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This is a very sturdy pot. I love it. It cleans up nice. It is great for boiling pasta or making a sauce. I wish i had another one just a bit bigger.

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Discount Wusthof blade guard 8 carver

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I really have to wonder about the review that says the Wusthof Blade Guard falls off the knife. Certainly not my experience! It slides easily onto my Dexter-Russell Chinese Cleaver (8" x 3 1/4), stays put, doesn't scratch the knife thanks to the velvet lining, protects the edge from damage, and avoids accidental cuts when rummaging in the drawer where I keep the cleaver. What more could anyone expect from this product?

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I purchased this blade guard for my electric fillet knife blades. I had trouble keeping the blades loose, it was hard to take the knife on trips because they would cut through bags and keeping them loose dulled the blades. Now I can transport the blades safely and they stay sharp. The guards are tight and do not slip off, I would recommend these blade guards to anyone.

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the only sheath I would recommend for a high end knife as it doesn't scratch the knife when putting it on and off

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This is a beautiful, well constructed blade guard. It holds my 7 inch Victorinox Santouku knife very securely in the drawer. I also like the smooth red interior felt feel much better than the typical hard plastic blade guard offerings, which would seem to wear down the blade over time (as do knife blocks). The only drawback to this solid product is that there is no way to clean the blade guard. The guard does not open like Victorinox blade guards, so unless your knives are very clean, you will probably have to rinse you knife a every time you take it out of the guard (no big deal for me, because I don't use my Satouku knike all the time). Overall, another fine Wusthof product, just no way of cleaning it.

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I almost bought another brand until I read a review left by someone else. These blade guards are simply the best!! The #1 reason these are lined with a soft felt type material which is much kinder to your cutlery than the simple hard plastic walls that you find in every other version. I looked for a long time and these may be the only lined blade guards. Truly worthy the extra few cents.

Discount CorningWare French White 2-1/2-Quart Oval Dish

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I bought a set of these years ago, and used them almost daily...freezer to oven to table, on the range..never a problem, and wanted to replace the same sized casserole. As the previous reviewer stated,the rough and unfinished bottom of the dish was coarse and gritty, and scratched my table and counter. What a disappointment! I don't believe the older set I have was made in China, but here in the USA. Save your money!

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i was not happy with this purchase because the dishes had an oval raised ring on the bottom that is very rough. this will scratch my counter and microwave. i would have returned this purchasehad had i not thrown the boxes away. sorry for the unfavorable reply. tom milan (age 73)

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The original Corningware cookware hasn't been manufactured since the late '90's after the brand was sold to another company. The original could be used on top of the stove, under the broiler, and in the freezer. The new company altered the cookware and eliminated the flameware properties and begin production of the Corningware products that we have today. According to the Corningware website, these products can still be placed in the freezer, but are not to be used on the stovetop or under the broiler. However, the use and care guide for this dish does not mention anything about freezer use or from freezer to oven use. It says pretty much that the Corningware stoneware bakeware can be used for baking, serving, and re-heating food. I intend to go by the instructions in the guide and not use mine in the freezer.

I just bought the 1 1/2 & 2 1/2 oval baking dishes. I also have the au gratins, and the round souffle French White dishes, which I have had about 6 years. Being curious about the comments about the coarse and gritty ridge piece under the bottom of the oval dishes, I took a peek and saw that it's just an unglazed piece of ceramic that is probably there for heat diffusion or to prevent the bottom of the dish from getting scratched up, maybe both. The unglazed piece is not gritty and certainly not rough enough to scratch up countertops and tables. Mine aren't anyway.

Having said all of that, I really like my Corningware pieces, and I think they perform very well for their intended purpose as bakeware. My older pieces are still like new, free from chips or rough edges. I always spray mine with a little cooking spray before using them so even baked on cheese is easy to remove. I bought the plastic and glass lids, which have to be purchased separately, unless buying a set, so I could have the glass one for baking use, and the plastic one when storing the food in the fridge.

If interested in ceramic bakeware that can be used in the oven as well as under the broiler then this is not the cookware to purchase. The Emile Henry and Le Crueset lines would be better suited to meet those needs.

For those looking for bakeware that can be taken from the oven to the table at an affordable price, then I recommend the Corningware line which includes a variety of pieces, sets, and colors to choose from.

Honest reviews on CorningWare French White 2-1/2-Quart Oval Dish

The original "French White" Corningware was made of their famous pyroceramic glass, which could be used on the gas stove, put directly in the freezer, put under the broiler right from the freezer, and oh yes, also used in a microwave. And it was very unlikely to shatter if dropped. If you pounded on it with a hammer and nail you might have gotten it to break.

When World Kitchens bought the license from Corning, they decided to halt production of a line of cookware that would take anything and last forever, and dupe customers, especially brides, into thinking the stoneware "French White" was the same thing as the wonderful French White pyroceramic cookware previously available.

The pattern is attractive and can be used with any decor, but this stuff is not, repeat, really not, what people mean when they say "Corningware."

Le Creuset can do most of the above mentioned, but it being metal you cannot use it in the microwave. Stoneware cannot go on top of the stove, and repeated trips from the freezer to the oven will eventually cause it to craze and crack. And being stoneware, it will also chip, and break if dropped, etc. Pyrex glassware cannot go on the gas stove although you can take it from the freezer to the oven, and also microwave it.

The only product which could do anything was pyroceramic, and World Kitchens has chosen to remove it from the market because it is "too good."

They have recently brought back a few of the old square shapes, with the Cornflower, or plain white, calling it "vintage," but the French White shape is not making an appearance yet. If you want it, email them and ask for it!

Meanwhile, don't buy this stuff. Get Le Creuset for cooking and roasting (yes it is expensive but it lasts forever and cooks beautifully), and reheat things in Pyrex in the microwave.

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It appears that I should have read the reviews before purchasing. I too have several french white pieces that I purchsed years ago that I'm very pleased with. Seems the quality and construction has declined dramatically (over the past few years). From what I can tell about Amazon's return policy, I'd have to pay to return the item. Maybe I'll buy a dog and use it as a feeding dish ;-)

P.S., (I won't be buing any more corningWare)!