Proctor Silex 32oz Hot pot Review

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List Price: $16.99
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I ordered this hot pot to replace the Proctor Silex K2070 1-Quart Automatic electric kettle I had bought a couple of months ago because I discovered that the kettle was not designed for liquids other than water, and I had expected to be able to reheat all sorts of beverages or soups and keep them warm. The little kettle is perfect -just as efficient as the automatic kettle, but without the limitations. I plugged it into a heavy duty grounded power strip with a illuminated on-off switch. That solves the problem with the lacking switch other reviewers noted. Obviously, it should not be left unattended, since there is no automatic shutoff.

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I've been using this for a little over a week, and while it does rapidly bring water to a boil, the temperature control is useless. It boils water on even the lowest setting, which is not what I am looking for when making coffee with my Aeropress which calls for a temp between 175-185 degrees. If all you need to do is boil water cheaply and quickly, this would do the job, otherwise pass on this.

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Having used virtually every brand of Hot Pot manufactured in the past 20 years I never expected to encounter such a flawed product. The temp control malfunction was mentioned in numerous reviews.

Instead of temp setting dots which increase in size/diameter, from small (warm) to large (boil), there should be question marks. I cannot fathom how any manufacturer could put such a faulty design on the market. You MIGHT be able to tolerate this thing IF the only chore is boiling water, but as mentioned in one review you risk a scalding burn since it may erupt/bubble like a unpredictable volcano.

The video illustrates the unpredictable manner the temp control functions. The hot pot goes into FULL heating mode on the lowest setting. This is UNACCEPTABLE, particularly if you are attempting to warm up soup (or anything but water) since it will immediately scorch the contents. This item might be acceptable as a $1 garage sale purchase but certainly not $14. If the ONLY substance you intend to heat is water you could find it tolerable.

Honest reviews on Proctor Silex 32oz Hot pot

This robust hot pot concentrates on bringing water to a rolling boil with single-minded focus like a Zen master. Little bubbles sizzle at the wide bottom within seconds. A rolling boil surges two minutes twenty seconds later for a typical sixteen ounce load, half of the ample capacity. Never mind the absence of an on-off switch; fewer moving parts mean less cost and longer life; my unit has been used reliably many times a day for more than a year. Never mind the tight-fitting lid; stow the superfluous lid in a drawer; nothing splashes out due to the large capacity and an uncovered pot can be monitored better. While the pot concentrates on the water, you concentrate on the pot or else just listen to its progress. Never mind the short cord; the entire assembly including the cord can be lifted up and poured out safely without risk of tangling with anything else on a crowded counter. Never mind the initial indifference to temperature settings; this is not a timid servant but rather a bold agent asserting manly control. The hot pot seems to have built-in thermal overload protection which kicks in after reaching a boil if the dial is set on simmer; on the one occasion when I forgot the pot and came back after half an hour, it had not boiled dry. Instead, it recovered fully without permanent damage. I have experimented with boiling Ramen noodles in it or soup or coffee grounds or tea leaves with success but prefer to reserve it for water only to keep it clean even though it is easy to rinse out. This hot pot is better than a microwave for boiling water for more flavorful drinks because a microwave does not raise all of the water to a high uniform temperature.

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This water heater is a good, quick heater but it boils even on the lowest setting...which it should NOT do. It should SIMMER on the lowest setting.

It holds a decent amount of water compared to other hot-pots I've had.

The worse thing about it is the LID. There is no easy way to remove it! The "recessed hole" provided does NOT work to remove the lid.

The only way I've found to get it off is to slide my fingernails between the lid and the body of the pot and pull up.

If I had a choice, I would have picked a different pot ! Its a big hassle to box it up and send it back...especially since I bought TWO. One for me and one for my husband.

Lodge CRS15 Pre-Seasoned Carbon Steel Skillet, 15-inch Review

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List Price: $90.00
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This pan is the same design and manufacture of the smaller 8", 10" and 12" Carbon Steel pre-seasoned skillets from Lodge. Formerly only producing cast iron-only cooking utensils, Lodge adds these carbon steel pans which are a hit with professional chefs already and will add to your cookware collection with great benefits.

This 15" pan mimics the Spanish-style Paella pan with the wide cooking surface and sloped, shallow sides, making it easy to sautee meats and vegetables. The two handles make it easy to carry from stove to table for direct serving.

Heat the skillet slowly, add a generous amount of cooking oil (I have started using only light olive oil or EVOO and sometimes with a combination of a pat of butter; Do not use spray...the soy lecithin leaves that nasty, brown gunk-like residue) and enjoy a great pan. Wash with hot water and a brush. Try not to use dish detergent unless absolutely needed and for goodness sakes, keep it out of the dishwasher. Re-heat the pan on the stove, drop some light olive oil (or flax oil) in the pan, get it hot, wipe it down with a paper towel and let it cool. The pan's seasoning will continue to develop over the years, just like the cast iron pans.

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I purchased this skillet through Amazon's MyHabit site. I was happy with it taking it out of the box and anxious to use it, but unfortunately mine arrived warped. The center is convex shaped, rising above the outside edges. All oils and liquids run to the edges and pool there, scorching what is in the center. After three attempts to cook various things with it, I've deemed it unusable because it is impossible to heat evenly and, therefore, cook evenly. Maybe I just received a lemon. Too bad.

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We grilled veggies on this pan this weekend. Some grill seasoning, fresh herbs, basalmic vinegar, olive oil and voila! This pan sizzled and brought out all their awesome flavors. The pan is large enough for a crowd, or we put enough on for about 4 people and there was plenty of room to spare. Of course, you need good oven mitts to take it off the grill as it will be very hot. I always look for versatility when I buy my kitchenware and this pan meets my standards! I can use it on the grill, in the oven or over a camp fire. Roomie enough for meat and veggies for a one skillet meal. For my oven, the pan is a bit large for one burner, but it could be done--but why cook on the stove when you can use your grill?

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Arrived within time frames as promised. Very satisfied. Will work very nicely at camp site for making meals for the family and friends over the camp fire. So everyone could get hot food at same time

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I was looking for a pan to replace my non-stick frying pan because of the research I have seen that shows the non-stick surface is a health hazard. I have used cast iron in the past, but even seasoned, cleaning was difficult it seemed. This pan cleans easily with a stiff brush. I cooked scrambled eggs and didn't get to clean the pan until it was cold. I put a little water in the pan, heated it just 3-4 minutes, used the stiff brush, and good as new!

I read that spraying with Pam was a good idea before each use, and I have done that.

I am definitely going to be buying more of these pieces,

Buy Wusthof Silverpoint II 2-1/4-Inch Bird Beak Peeling Knife

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This knife is just what I needed. It is well balanced and engineered to fit in the hand offering exceptional control. I highly recommend it. Price was excellent and the seller shipped it out promptly.

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Wusthof Silverpoint II 2 1/4" Bird's Beak Paring Knife 4033

I have a lot of fruit trees, and a lot of processing to do. This knife is nicely sharp, and fits my hands well for long sessions. It facilitates cutting out bad areas of my organically grown fruit, too. Reasonable price, good quality.

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Just as all my Silverpoint ll knives its a great value. At under $10 nobody should expect it to be similar to Wustof"s high end series which are way more expensive. Yes its thin and light with a small handle but its also very sharp and nimble and it gets the job done and after all that's what its all about. I started with the 10 piece block set and have been adding to it since and use them daily and they all perform very well. I also have heavier forged knives but really prefer these now since its almost effortless to use them. Happy cooking!

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I've had two of these knives about 1 1/2 years now. I use them almost every day for peeling and trimming produce. They're still sharp and have never yet needed sharpening. I'm an average-size woman, and I love the size and curvature of the blade and the handle size and shape. I find it very comfortable to use, with great control and very little fatigue. Handwashing is recommended but I put mine in the dishwasher with no ill effects.

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high quality steel. good handle. i liked it!

Recommended!

If anyone has any questions about this please don't be afraid to ask me. I'd be more than happy to answer any and all of them.

Zwilling J.A. Henckels Twin Four Star 2-3/4-Inch High Carbon Reviews

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List Price: $50.00
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A little known tool outside the world of the kitchen obsessed, this little jewel and a fine quality chef's knife are all any aspiring cook neeeds to get the party started. It easily replaces a paring knife and the downward sloping blade enhances the ability to perform small detail oriented tasks. Buy this knife and elevate your kitchen experience to new heights. Call your friends, wake the neighbors!

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This is my favorite knife. It is well designed and "sits" comfortably in my Carpal Tunnel affected hand. I had this same type of a knife before and used it so much that the blade totally wore out. Great knife!

Sofia

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My only recommendation here, is to avoid using it in case you are a beginner in the kitchen. This knife is built to be used cutting while holding the vegetables / fruits / etc in your hand rather than on a cutting board.

Do yourself a favor, and in case you are not comfortable cutting while holding the subject in your hands, stick to normal knives.

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Ths little knife is remarkably handy. Be aware that it is razor sharp and needs to be treated with respect and care.

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Out of the 30 + Henckels I have this is my favorite knife. I use it everyday, 2 or 3 times a day. I keep reading about other knives being better than Henckel, but I haven't any complaints in my 40 years of using them. The secret with any knife is to run it across the rod several times, each time you use it. IF you do that, they will rarely need sharpening.

Buy 6 Pc Flat Bottom Wok Set - Taylor & Ng

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I used this on an electric stove that aparently got too hot for this type of non stick wok and burned off the non stick coating. I am now trying to figure out if it can be restored.

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Discount Victorio VKP1014 4-Tray Kitchen Seed Sprouter

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I decided to get the Victorio 4-tray sprouter after looking at all the available options (sprouter cup, all the other brands of sprouters with stacking trays). Based on the price and the transclucent nature of the trays, I settled on this one and am really glad I did. My seeds (from the Sprout House, ordered on Amazon) sprout in 4 days, growing upright in this sprouter. My sprouts really flourished with this sprouter. This compared to a mason jar, which yielded me significantly fewer, less vigorous sprouts.

I love the convenience and functionality of this. It's got a tiny footprint-This is a must since I have literally four sq ft of counter space in my apartment's kitchenette. Yet, the four trays will accommodate the growth of more sprouts than I can eat in a week. On the design.. The water drains quickly, usually within 10 minutes. I've had a couple problems with water not draining, although that is probably because the mature sprouts have a root network that tends to hold in water, so it's a problem inherent in how sprouts grow rather than a flaw with the sprouter. At any rate, I've had 0 problems with mold. Some unsprouted seeds may also find their way into the holes. While two or three clogged holes won't impede draining much, they are difficult to get out. A simple solution is to have a floss pick handy, as the pointy end will easily unwedge the stuck seeds.

If you're looking for a cheap, simple way of sprouting sprouts, I highly recommend this. While bulkier than the sprouting cup, it has 4x as much space for sprouts than a sprouting cup. I have not personally tried using the cup, and while one advantage of the cup is that the hulls are easily removed, I'm glad I went with this as I'm sure I would be eating more sprouts with the tray sprouter. Bottom line.. This item might seriously be one of the best inventions in kitchen gardening.

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WHY WHEATGRASS?

Dr. Ann Wigmore on wheatgrass:

Wheatgrass contains the greatest variety of vitamins and minerals and trace elements, and 15 pounds of fresh wheatgrass is equal to 350 pounds of the choicest vegetables.

The molecular structure of wheatgrass closely resembles hemoglobin, the oxygen-carrying protein of red blood cells, which may be the reason for the effectiveness of chlorophyll. The only difference between the two is that the metallic atom in the molecule of human blood is iron, while the metallic atom of chlorophyll is magnesium

[Wheatgrass juice]. . . has helped to eliminate cancerous growths, and helped many other disorders, including mental health problems.

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My takeaway from Dr. Wigmore's information is that wheatgrass juice is equivalent to blood, except for the difference in iron and magnesium, and that wheatgrass juice is an excellent way to ingest the benefits of 'vegetables'; in fact 23 times the benefit of equivalent weight in vegetables; and due to the oxygenating properties, wheatgrass juice both cures and prevents physical as well as mental problems.

A good source of quality wheat to sprout in #10 cans (56oz. $10 + $6 shipping) or 42 pound 'superpails' ($44.95 + $6 shipping): can be ordered from beprepared.com Only drawback is a 4 week delivery time. Fantastic shipping rates: $0-60 order ships for $ 6; $61-$120 order ships for $9; $120+ order ships for $12.

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REVIEW:

This is a round 4-tier tray set that equals 113 Sq. Inches, (equivalent to a 10½" x 10½" tray) of grow space. BUT it has a 6" footprint! The grow height between trays is 1 9/16" so I like to separate trays into individual planters once the sprouts are large enough.

Each tray = 28¼ square inches. Start seed in one tray, wait 2 days, another tray. . . Keep the first tray on top and there's continuous fresh sprouts in a 6" footprint.

My average wheatgrass juice yield taken during 40 harvests of each individual tray equals 4½ fl. ounces! 1 set of 4 trays yields 18 fl. ounces of wheatgrass juice! Cool. I use 2 sets, planting wheat seed daily for a daily harvest (The grass stores extremely well in the refrigerator for a week until as many trays as you want to juice are harvested. Or, grow all at once & . . .)

Love the "Healthy Juicer Wheatgrass Juicer" It comes complete with spare parts for the wear areas!

This system is scientifically designed with high and low rings in the bottom of each tray with drain holes to prevent over-watering of the seed. The roots can rest on top of the ring, or grow down into the bottom if it is hungry for water. Point is that the design makes it very difficult to over-water.

I grew several different types of seed beyond the sprout stage with outstanding success using this system for hydroponics without soil or any soil substitute whatsoever.

The root system interlocks into a mass that holds the plants erect and the 6" diameter supports the root mass; so there is no need for soil or soil substitutes to support the crop. I grew thick robust wheatgrass to 11" harvested it; juiced it and it regenerated a second crop with no messy dirt!

Second growths' will not be as thick as the 1st as some plants die during harvesting. The third growth is not worth it when a fresh, thicker planting of fresh seed will yield much more juice.

I even let green peas, soy beans, and several more seed types grow to around 8" to test the results for soil-less hydroponics growing with success for all seed. No dirt, no mess, better, faster growing, healthier plants. Just add nutrient formula below and watch your sprouts explode!

These trays grow heavy yields, without soil or dirt, and hydroponics is extremely simple. It even allows root inspection and cleaning.

Here is a very effective hydroponics nutrient solution formula:

1 gal. container with tight cap to shake and mix following solution.

4 quarts tap / city water if available (prevents mold, mildew) 337 ppm

Add each item below to 2 quarts water and shake vigorously, add remaining water and adjust pH.

1 good teaspoon Peter's Special or Miracle Grow 100% Water Soluble fertilizer. est.582 ppm

¼ heaping teaspoon calcium est. 400 ppm (Easy source is Damp Rid)

¼ heaping teaspoon Epsom Salts est. 150 ppm (magnesium & sulfur)

1 teaspoon household grade USP peroxide. 0 PPM 0 pH change

1 rounded teaspoon Azomite trace minerals (optional) est 10ppm & raises ph 0.5

(pH down acid: 1/16th to 1/8th teaspoon will drop pH est. 0.4 > 0.8 & slightly raise ppm.)

Yields an excellent nutrient measuring approx. 1,500 ppm > 2.000 ppm

Azomite: Read analysis report to decide if you want to use Azomite or not. It has 66 trace ingredients. Azomite is available from Amazon.com and other sources such as sevenspringsfarm.com (best price).

Test pH, adjust to 6.5 to 7.0 for wheatgrass. General Hydroponics pH Down Dry Mix or liquid is an excellent acidifier. Baking soda will raise pH.

Once you have the right pH the wheatgrass is explosive with this formula! Most plants grow in the 5.5>6.5 pH range. In other words, you may need several pH nutrient mixes, depending on your crops. Generally 6.0 is acceptable for most crops.

I feed my crops with the Nalgene LDPE Economy Wash Bottle (from Amazon) by inserting the spout in the center of the growth or shooting straight down while making circles. The bottle eliminates splashing and delivers a steady stream where wanted.

The Milwaukee Instruments PH600AQ Ph Tester that I purchased from Amazon.com does an excellent job. For valuable crops, also purchase a pH control solution to test your meter's accuracy.

Wheat seed: Approx. 3/4oz. per 10 square inches of growing area. Use 3 4 tablespoons (liquid measure) seed for each 6" round tray. Err to the heavy side if your wheat does not have a high germination rate. In other words; adjust seed volume to germination rate of your seed. Low germination rate causes problems. See below about discarding un-sprouted husks & seed.

Sprouting. Soak 4-6 hrs. Use hydroponic nutrient solution. See Tips below about peroxide.

Feeding: When using as a grow tray, each tray will be separated (not stacked), and needs to be put into a suitable collection container to facilitate collection or reuse of the nutrient solution. I use soup bowls to catch nutrient runoff. Use about 3 ounces nutrient each feeding. 3oz. is plenty of liquid to wet the roots.

Provide nutrient as often as appropriate for the heat, humidity and crop size. The tips will lose a little color and may get droopy (depends on crop) if there is not enough water. If your tray drain holes are open and the tray is above the nutrient level it will be very hard to over-water.

TIPS: If you suspect any unsavory condition such as mold, mildew, or odors; simply turn the crop over into your hand and rinse the roots under the faucet and wash loose seed and husks away. Husks cause a lot of mold and rot slime. Replace into the tray, rearrange any awkward plants, feed it generously and watch it grow!

Homemade nutrient is so inexpensive that it is great to mix a fresh batch each planting and use the leftover nutrient on other plants. This saves a lot of monitoring and adjusting pH & EC/TDS because most sprouts and wheatgrass will be harvested within 10 days of initial soak.

CX Hydroponics has a great explanation on pH, EC, CF, PPM.

GO| cxhydroponics.net/faq (The HM COM100 Waterproof EC/TDS And Temperature Combo Meter is an excellent tool to read the EC/TDS/PPM value directly as it automatically compensates for temperature No need to consult a chart!) Customized and accurate nutrient mixes can be obtained by use of this tool.

Sunflower seed is a 'lettuce substitute" and has a high volume yield and generally an extremely high germination rate of huge, fat sprouts. 40pounds for $10 is an outstanding survival food to stock. Shelf life is for more than a year.

Wheatgrass harvest: Cut tips off top. Turn over into hand and use scissors to cut sprouts above root line, pick off any husks and weak or discolored plants. Rinse vigorously & put in a glass of water to allow capillary action to swell the blades, shake excess water off & juice, or refrigerate. Root mass can be replaced in tray and 2nd generation will grow, but not as large.

Peroxide is used as both a nutrient additive or cleaning agent that is helpful. Claims are made that the extra oxygen molecule is released, making nutrient solution better for roots & thus growth.

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This seed sprouter works surprisingly well. All the water drains quickly to the bottom and the seeds start sprouting within a couple of days. I liked it so much that I ordered a second one.

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I decided on this sprouter after a lot of research and have had numerous successful crops. It arrived sooner than I expected and in perfect condition. It is small and does not take up a lot of space on the counter and is easy to clean. I soak the seeds overnight before putting them in the trays. After most of the water has drained, I empty the bottom white tray and tip all 4 clear trays a bit so they sit securely on the bottom tray and they drain thoroughly ..... it looks like the Leaning Tower of Pisa. I put them in a warmer part of the house if I want them to grow faster. I have used small seed mixes like alfalfa, clover and radish and bigger ones like lentils, peas and mung and they all do well. If it is really humid, I put the smaller seeds on top and tilt the individual trays as needed to give extra air circulation. If it is hot, I give them a spritz of water between waterings. I use a toothpick to get the small seeds out of the drainage holes, but there are not a lot of them.

The amount of sprouts from 4 trays is about perfect for one person who eats a lot of sprouts. I like them in all stages of growing, from 2 6 days. I need to remember to put some of them in the sun, so that I also get the benefits of the chlorophyll. I have saved so much money on sprouts in just one month and know that they are grown with good water and positive energy.

I would love to find an inexpensive source for getting seeds delivered, there is no big city very near to where I live.

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I VERY rarely review products but I think this sprouter is great enough I felt obligated. Over the years I have used at least 6 different types of sprouters ranging from a jar with a nylon or screen lid to the easy sprouter and the Sprout Master mini sprouters. I much prefer this new sprouter. I have tried alfalfa, mung beans, and several seed mixes and they have all turned out beautifully! I have found it is faster if I presoak the seeds, even the alfalfa, and they mature faster in the trays with not a sign of problems. I rinse with good water twice a day and wash the trays in the top rack of the dishwasher (mine does not have a drying cycle)and the sprouts have been wonderful. I bought a second set because I wanted extra trays and I have sprouted 6 trays at a time successfully (I have not tried more because we do not consume more than that). I have learned that unless I have some fairly well started sprouts in the top tray I prefer to put an empty tray on top and put the water into that so it does not disturb the seeds on the next tray. ENJOY!

Onigiri Mold Shaper (Flower & Bear Shape) Reviews

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These are so cute! A little smaller than i expected but a great size! Kiddos love it when i make them the bear shaped rice! :) Thanks!

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These were much smaller than I expected them to be. I can eat about 5 or 6 of them for lunch. Other than that they are wonderful! I love putting them in my lunch. The bear doubles as a frog if you put the pupils of his eyes on the bears ear.