Wednesday, October 16, 2013

Sitram Catering 1.5 -quart Commercial Stainless Steel Saucepan



high quality and made in France
I worked in restaurants for many years before going into the federal gov't, and good pans or bad pans would show their true colours over time.

For those w/ any arm/wrist/finger troubles, know that this pan may be uncomfortable to grip the handle, and may be a little too heavy. The handle is not rounded, but thin and rigid for lack of a better word. The Profiserie Sitram line is easier and "softer" to handle. However, this pan is a powerhouse, if you will, and can handle and endure heavy use in the kitchen, which is why it is "commercial grade" in both name and quality.

I would recommend using only wooden spoons and spatulas in this pan. Pure virgin olive oil is the best to use to get the pan going when sautéing, but extra virgin oo is good for lighter cooking or when simmering. Using a wooden spatula (never metal) will keep things from sticking just fine -- scrape when necessary w/ the wooden spatula. Do not forget to keep your wooden...

Good value
This is a very nice saucepan for the price. The copper disk provides even heating across the bottom, and rapid response to changes in the flame. The handle, which does not stay particularly cool during cooking, is welded to the pan, so there are no rivets to complicate cleaning. The top of the pan is rolled into a lip for pouring, which works well. The saucepan seems durable and well-constructed.

Because the copper is confined to a disk, and does not extend up the sides, there can be some trouble with scorching at the bottom circumference of the pan, where the disk ends. This resulted in some minor sticking when I cooked risotto. Still, I recommend the pan as a good value in professional-quality cookware.



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Tuesday, October 15, 2013

Graphite Nonstick Kitchen Cookware 7 Piece Pot Pans Set



Functional
Items took over a week to arrive. Basic set with thin bottoms,very functional. Lids are the best parts of the set. Non-stick coating began to come off after first wash.

Great POt set for an even better Price!
This Pot set was a great deal. Easy to clean, and the non stick coating didnt come off after washes.

bad quality
You better save some money and buy something that has good quality. You will cook on this the food you are eating. So, care about your health

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1 Qt. Anodized Non-stick Coated Aluminum Sauce Pan w/Pour Spout *NSF*



Pour spout is too shallow
The reason I bought it was for the pour spout but the pour spout on the pan is not very effective, too shallow. If I could return it, I would . Sorry





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Lodge Porcelain Enamel on Cast-Iron Grill Pan: Island Spice Red



Does what it says on the tin
I bought this for those rainy days when it's too wet to BBQ on the deck but I wanted a steak. And it works fine for that. It can be a bit of a bear to clean up afterward - I suggest adding some soapy water as soon as you are done cooking. The red looks great - I chose it only because it was cheaper at the time but now I really like the splash of color.

Great Pan
Delivered in a timely manner, it makes great hamburgers! Have yet to try anything else, as it's still grill season. Looking forward to great steaks and chicken breasts this winter. It is heavy, though.



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Primula Stove-Top Espresso Maker, Aluminum, 9-Cup



Just like we had in Rome!
We fell in love with the coffee we hd in Rome, so we learned to make it there and then looked all over for an Expresso make here at home. After much searching we found one on Amazon. We ordered it and it arrrived in two days. We had an unfortunate experience with Williams-Sonoma and their wait list.





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Art and Cuisine Austral Series Aluminum Ceramic Coated Deep Frypan with Lid, Grey, 11-Inch



I wanted to love this
A friend of mine bought an Art & Cuisine pan but it was a different model. He really liked it so I figured I was safe in trying to find a nice pan of the same brand for my father for Christmas. Out of the box the handle was loose. We tightened it a little and it was fine. Then my brother prepared some bacon in the pan. I watched him like a hawk: he didn't have the heat up too high and only used the silicone utensils I got specifically for this pan. Before cleaning the pan, my brother let it cool completely. He then used a wet paper towel with a bit of soap to clean it out. The ceramic chipped. We treated it very gently and it still chipped. Also, the handle got loose again. I was really hoping that this would be a great pan for my dad, but sadly it wasn't. We returned it.





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Monday, October 14, 2013

12 inch Carbon Steel Hand Hammered Wok (incl. wok ring)



Fantastic Wok.. Though seasoning is a problem
This is the first wok I bought after I went through a series of regular non stick varieties. I love this wok but it does have some drawbacks. First of all seasoning, I dont have a gas stove so I had to bake this wok in the oven four time with oil on it to season it properly. One time that set off the smoke alarm, and everytime there would be this horrible smell of burning oil and steel in the house.
But once I had finished with the whole seasoning process it was a fantastic wok, and Im sure its going to last me for years, it heats up really quickly and makes the most fabulous dishes and is practically non-stick.
Im soon gong to be switching to an electric wok though for two reasons, one I have a flat eletric stove and even though the wok ring helps, Im still afriad it might tip over (though in two years and once a week "wokking" it never once has). Secondly, the time has come for it to be seasoned again and I dont think I could take it again.
But if you have a...

Pretty good for the price...
I think, especially for the price, that this is not such a bad deal. The instructions on seasoning it were very clear and concise and I had no problems with this. The only thing I ran up against is that I have an electric stove and the wok ring that I received with the wok seems too big (the wok tends to wobble around) and the wok sits directly upon the burner (which I don't think it's supposed to do...). I sent an email inquiring about this to the company selling it and never heard back :-( However, with the shipment, they sent a couple of little "free gifts" -- I thought that was very nice.

excellent wok
just got my wok today , it was just as described. this wok is very light but very well made. I used the gas option for seasoning my wok. I used iodine salt and this cause my patana to turn blue, I think I was suppose to use non-iodine salt. oh well. in the end after doing the final seasoning I cooked the vegatables and burned them as the directions indicated. the seasoned wok was perfect. it has a beautiful color and the size is perfect for my grill side burner. I just stuck it directly on the gas side burner head without grate or ring . within 30 seconds my oil was sizzling. 12" wok is fine for a family of 4. the spatula handle needs to be hammered into the handle for a sturdy fit.

highly recommend this product, give 1 hour for seasoning it and playing with it to get a good color on it.

make sure you use a kitchen mit if you use the gas option , as the whole wok heats up very fast

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Winco Polycarbonate Scoop, 10 Ounce -- 1 each.



Great Ice scoop
This is a great scoop, i bought mine for ice, and it does exactly what its supposed to do, It scoops. it also seems well built and it should help you with all of your scooping needs.

Much larger than 10oz
I intended to use this scoop to measure roughly 10oz at a time, but this holds significantly more than a 12oz scoop I have.

Good
Compared to the metal scoop; supposedly stainless steel, that I rated on another scoop. Although this one is not made for popcorn it will do the the job and more safely that the other one.

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Nordic Ware Pro Cast 11 Inch Grill Pan



Not good for ceramic-glass cooktops
When I ordered this pan, I assumed that since it was cast aluminum, the pan bottom would be flat. However, it has indentations matching the grill protrusions on the pan's cooking surface. So it probably is not suitable for use on ceramic-glass type cooktops. The manufacturers of these cooktops usually recommend that the bottom of a pan should be perfectly flat when used on these type of cooktops. An irregular shaped bottom may create very distinct hot and cool spots causing irregular cooking and possibly damage to the pan or the cooktop.

Best Grill Pan!!
This is the absolute best grill pan. We use this pan to grill anything from chicken, beef to grilled cheese. The quality of the Nordic Ware grill pan is phenomenal. The grill pan grills meat perfectly while maintaining its juices and flavor. The non-stick coating makes it very easy to clean. This grill pan is perfect for anytime of year. I would HIGHLY recommend this product. It does not disappoint!!

Great Construction!
I truly believe I will have this pan for life, it is so well constructed and made in America. It has the perfect height of the grooves for grilling indoors. I grill chicken and vegetables and other things in it. I can't get enough of it. I live in Upstate NY where it gets very cold, so I love having the option of being able to grill indoors during the cold winter months! Can't say enough great things.

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Fagor "Elite" Pressure Cooker Set



Speed, meet Versatility
Buy a pressure cooker if you think you'll use it at least once a week.

Buy this Fagor Elite pressure cooker set and you'll use it a lot more often. At home on ANY kind of range (smooth-top or coil electric, gas, induction), the two pots and their interchangeable lids add versatility to speed, and that equals more bang for your cookware buck (pardon the bad pun). The glass lid turns the 8-quart pot into a handy stockpot or pasta boiler. Put the lid on the 4-quart pan and, voila, it becomes that extra saucepan you never seem to have when you really, really need one. When dinner's ready but you're not (pressure cookers are rocket-fast, you know), replace the pressure lid with the glass lid to keep it warm without overcooking or drying out.

The stainless steel basket isn't big enough to hold a pound of long dry pasta, despite the photo, but it's the vessel of choice for shorter cuts like penne and rotelle, and for blanching filled pastas like ravioli and...

A great set, and a good value
I own this set, and have used it a lot. I like the flexibility of having a large and small pressure cooker, so I can cook big amounts, such as soups or stews, or small amounts, such as risotto, just using the appropriate size base. It works well, heats up quickly, and releases steam quickly. Only complaint is that I would like to have some sort of raised basket and flat trivet rather than the pasta insert and wire trivet.

Amy K.
I bought this one as a gift for someone, I'm not sure whether or not they've used it yet, but I have 2 of these (different sizes) and I think they're great. They're easy to use although I'm sure that all pressure cookers are a little bit scary at first. I get great results every time I cook with them, and they're easy to clean.

Overall, I'd say that this item is great for people who are adventurous cooks who don't always have lots of time.

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Jiminox 10 Pcs Cookware Set - 5-ply with 18/10 Stainless Steel



Totally Pleased
This set is not only beautiful, it's sturdily made and well-performing! Though I haven't owned it for long, I'm completely satisfied with it's functionality. I find it heats evenly, and 2 of the lids fit the omelette pans as well. It's stated to be dishwasher safe but I haven't tried that, preferring to hand-wash. They're just so beautiful!:) Anybody looking to acquire a decent stainless steel set would be hard-pressed to find a better value in my opinion!

Stainless Steel Cookware Set
Quick delivery. Excellent cookware. Exceptional quality. Cooks evenly, cleans easily, and seller service great!

not completely satisfied
Pros: Able to make omlet on saute pan. thats good.
looked good. light weight.
Cons: Made in China, not made in Germany. I was under impression that these are made in germany
Total weight is advertised as 34 lbs,at the time of my purchase. But actual box weight is 25 lbs( 25 lbs for only inside box not entire shipment weight)
I doubt if they are 5 ply , they are not thick. ( when i compare them to calphalon or analon 5ply). i havenot used all the pieces yet, hopefully its worth the price
instead of 8'' , 9 '' pans they should have designed 8'', 12'' pans. same with 3,4 qt sauce pans
I am a keeping them. though i am disappointed with wrong information on this product.

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Marcus Tri-Ply Stainless-Steel 2-Quart Covered Sauce Pan



Solid pot made in USA
This pot is well made, made in the US, and good for ceramic stovetops. It is on the heavy side for its size, but that is because it has an aluminum core that extends up the sides of the pot as well. We like the fact that it is dishwasher safe. Also, the lid is made here, unlike the lid from our All-Clad fry pan, where only the pan is made here but the lid is made in China.

It's alright.
It's a solid saucepan, but there are a few things that keep me from loving it.

For one thing, the rivets are set fairly low, so that the food is almost always touching them. For another, I don't think the helper handle helps much at all. There's not really anything heavy enough that would require the extra handle, and it gets really hot from being so close to the element. As well, the long handle part of it is too hefty for the size of the pan. I'd say that it probably makes up more than half of the weight, so that it feels almost unbalanced when empty on the stove.

I generally don't use this unless my other saucepans are unavailable.



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Tupperware Silicone Non Stick Bakeware 10" Large Round Cake Baking Pan New Red



tupperware silicone non stick bakeware
I choose this because it was cheap and almost new. It's really easy to bake in and i recomend for anybody who loves to cook yummy cakes! :)





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Corning Ware Visions Visionware Amber Glass Dutch Oven/ Stock Pot - 3.5 L



Great for cooking beans or soup!
I prefer a non-toxic stock pots for cooking which is why I purchased this glass cookware.

For cooking beans or cooking soup, this piece has been great.

It cleans up nicely when you soak it and scrub it out with a plastic scrubber. I then place it in the dishwasher for a thorough cleaning.

I have used Visionware for about 22 years, including this dutch oven.

The pot has never failed or exploded on me.

However, there have been some complaints about exploding Visionware (Google is your friend).

Some incidents can be attributed to thermal shock such as running cool water in a hot pot, or placing the hot item on a cool surface, or putting the cookware on a heat source with no water in it.

Also, if you have chipped, cracked, or scratched cookware, it is recommended that you discard it. Be sure to check the tiny notches on the bottom of the pot. If there are any cracks emanating from the notches, I would advise...





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Harmony 2.7 Qt Whistling Kettle



Best kettle I ever owned.
Heats water in a jiffy, is well balanced and the removable whistle makes it easy to pour anything, these have been real issues with other kettles I have owned. The handle does not get too hot which is a plus.

A Wonderful Tea Kettle
This was a gift to us 12 years ago. It looks good on the stove top in our Open Concept home. Have never had a problem with this kettle. Easy to clean and fill.

looks good
Handle gets a lot hotter then described also it won't whistle no matter how little or a lot its filled.

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Basic Essentials 16pc Stainless Steel Cook and Prep Set



Not Dishwasher Safe!
This is a decent little set for the money. But the accompanying instruction sheet says "handwash only." That little piece of intormation should have been included in the product description. I wouldn't have purchased these had I known. (Who wants to wash their pots & pans by hand?!)





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EuroQuest Imports Bunzlauer Polish Pottery Deep Oval Platter in Country Blue Pattern



Beautiful pottery
Pottery was even more beautiful than pictured. It was a gift for my sister-in-law and she loved it. I would buy some of this pottery for myself if I had room to store it.

Bunzlauer Polish Pottery
I gave it a present to my mother-in-law and she loves it. Its a great present!!



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Sunday, October 13, 2013

Calypso Basics 3-Quart Asparagus/Vegetable Pot with Porcelain Enamel on Steel, Pink



Perfect Pink!
I originally spotted this cause the shade of pink is my favorite. I made some asparagus in it & it works great! The basket inside makes it easy to drain the water and you only have to add a small amount of water to cook it since it kind of steams the upper portion of the asparagus when cooking. Works so well, I bought one for my sister.

Beautiful and useful!
it takes a little longer to use since unable to use high heat but worth the wait. just wish the seller would not put the type of sticker used on the bottom of the pot. very difficult to remove before using without scratching the pot itself.



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Norpro Stainless Steel Glass Jar with Lid



good product, very reasonable price
This jar was designed for cheese but I used it for storing salt for cooking. It works very well. The price was much better than the other brand. It looks good next to my cook-top. The spoon that came with fits just right. I am very pleased this purchase.

salt jar
Bought this for my Executive CHef son in law. He LOVES it!!!! Keeps the salt dry, no clumps no debris falling into an open dish! This is the best.

ULTRA CHEAP CRAP! - There is a far better version out there!
I own several kitchen tools made by Norpro including their nice little 3 cup flour sifter, but this serving vessel is a junky knock-off of the TableCraft H357. I already own one TableCraft and while hunting for a second one I found this and thought that this was the same unit for a few bucks less. WRONG! Although it looks just like the TableCraft version in pictures, when compared side by side in person, the Norpro is merely a "Cheap Imitation". Ironically, it isn't that much cheaper in price, but a whole lot cheaper (read "lower") in quality.

If you like this design with the slotted top for the spoon to stick through then I would go for the TableCraft H357 this thing was made to copy.

If you truly want a "Salt Cellar" JUST LIKE THE ONE Alton Brown used on Good Eats, then you want the "sealed top" design by RSVP Endurance, NOT this slotted lid style. Links to both below. :o)

I returned the Norpro and bought another H357 instead. I use these as...

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Libbey 55952 32qt. Covered Casserole



3.2 quarts, not 32 quarts. Lid fits many crock pots, slow cookers.
I bought this same Libby casserole dish with the same Libbey product number 55952.
It is 3.2 quarts, not 32 quarts. 3 liters in metric. 32 quarts would be enormous; just picture 8 gallons.

Although 3.2 quarts, not 32, this may be the widest round casserole available in glass.
It is very heavy glass; maybe too heavy for some. It cannot be managed by one hand. It is the heaviest pan I have encountered (with exception of cast iron pans). Libby brand casseroles seem heavier than other glass brands. However, such comparisons may be apples to oranges, if some competing brands are a different type of glass, for example borosilicate glass. (This was not labeled borosilicate.)

I am glad that the casserole came with a lid; a feature we prefer in all bakeware. The cover helps keep the food from drying out in the oven. We don't want to hassle with aluminum foil.

Note that these casseroles have flat bottoms, with just a little rounding where the...





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Prestige Deluxe Stainless Steel Pressure Cooker, 4-Liter



It is no good
I would like to return it. Let me know how to do so. The product is no good at all. The pressure valve has fallen out and the liquid flows out every time the pressure indicator rises.
I am totally disappointed.

Makes cooking fast and easy
Prestige pressure cookers are known for their excellent quality. Since I started using it, it has made my cooking easy and fast. No more mess of food spill over and messing the cook top. The only reason I gave this a 4 stars is because the handle seems to be a bit difficult to open at times but other than that it works great!

Good cooker
This is a good and sturdy cooker. It has lasted me well past two years and I use it atleast thrice a week. The food is never burnt, and I can cook in larger quantities than my other 2 litre one. I would definitely recommend this to any person. Have never had a single issue with it. The lid closes well, and my food is never burnt! Using a pressure cooker is a skill which is learnt over time, don't blame the cooker if you can't operate it effectively! I am very happy with this and would definitely buy it again if the need arises.

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Paula Deen Signature Porcelain 'Red' 2.75-Qt Saute Pan



After I bought found for cheaper elsewhere but it was gift
price was a little high for what you got. Walmart sells for cheaper. But it was a gift and can't return now





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Art & Cuisine Chaudron Series Set of 5 Saucepans, Stainless Steel



Excellent Quality Sauce Pan set
I purchased these else where for about the same price.

This is a very nice, solid, weighty sauce pan set. The handles feel very nice in the hand, strong, durable with weight. I primarily use Lodge cast iron cookware but I am forever it seems, hunting for a sauce pan so I went online to hunt for a set of them. I was not familiar with this brand and if you're not, don't be afraid to go with them because they are very nice and should last a life time if taken care of.

The previous reviewer rated based on 'no lids'. I don't think it is a fair review because these are saucepans and nothing is stated about lids included, not in the image and not in the description. For the most part, I don't use lids with saucepans but I do have many lids which do fit them well enough should I ever need a lid.

Every saucepan in this set, has measurements on the inside. Also, all of them have the pour spout which I love. Very convenient to have pour spouts on...

Excellent construction. Spouts don't work.
Excellent construction. Runs from 0.5 qt to 2.5 qt with increments of 0.5 qt. Something to consider on gas stove is that since the bottom it thick it takes time to heat up. The handles remain cool. However, knocked 1 star of because the spout is terrible. It does not work and so you have to either ladle your sauce out, keep it in a sink with a wide bottom dish to transfer the sauce. Because of the spout I prefer to give 3.5 stars actually. If the spout is something you can adjust or work around, then I recommend this product.

Very nice
Well worth the price. Handle does a much better job than I expected at not getting hot. Very happy with them.

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Give What You Grow Jam Jar Decorating Kit | 40pc



GREAT FOR GIFTS
This makes the jam jars!!! We will see when I enter my jam in a contest this upcoming year. I would recommend this product to anyone.





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Rachael Ray Bubble and Brown 4.5-Quart Large Oval Stoneware Baker, Purple



The Best all round cooking item!!
I use it for everything!! I've replaced using bowls, Casserole dishes, etc. I mix, cook and serve in the same dish. What a life and time saver!!!





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Ceramic Marble Coated Cast Aluminium Non Stick Omelet Fry Pan 20cm (8 inches)



Good quality pans but...
I ordered both the 8" and the 10" with lid of these pans and really liked them when I got them. My order came with the warning about DEHP and lead content which caught my attention. After reading some nasty stuff about DEHP as well well as questioning the nanotechnology which lies behind these I made the decision to return them.

I give three stars here because of the quality of the pans. They have a sturdy feel, nothing sticks to them if you follow the seasoning instructions and the marble coating gives them a nice look to boot. If you want nonstick that represents an enviornmentally friendly and chemical free alternative to teflon these won't meet that criteria.

Pleasantly Surprised
I was hesitant abouth buying this pan. After all, it only had 2 reviews. Since both reviews were good, I decided to risk it.

I purchased this pan to make omlettes and over-easy eggs. Now, I don't flip my eggs, so I can't say how they would fare if they were. I put a lid on the pan and steam them.

When I got the pan, I washed and dried it and waited to try it the next morning. I did not "season" this pan. I used no oil or non-stick spray. I simply beat the eggs and seasonings for my omlette and poured it into the pan. I put the lid on and cooked it. When I went to turn it with the spatula, it almost slid out of the pan. Plus,the omlette was evenly cooked. With over-easy eggs, I use the spatula to lift them out. Sometimes there might be a slight sticking spot, but the spatula quickly releases them and they slide out.

So what can I say? I have not "seasoned" this pan once, and it continues to stay non-stick. I believe it is well worth the...

Modern non-stick cooking
I cooked my breakfast of bacon and egg this morning in my marble coated non-stick fry pan. I am so pleased that I am ordering another today for my wife; she is impressed too. For us, it's "goodbye" to teflon.

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Pillivuyt Porcelain Extra Deep Rectangular Roaster With Ears, Large - 13-by-9-by-2-1/2-Inch



Smaller than description.
I just opened the box I received to be disappointed. This pan does not measure 9x13 inches. The sides angle out. The inside base measures 6.5"x 11". The top measures 8"x 13". The depth is only 2.25". I expect the quality of the pan to be just fine, but I am going to return it because I was really expecting the dimensions to be 9"x13".





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Saturday, October 12, 2013

"Green Crack" Stash Jar Bundle



Its great! butttt
I really liked it but all of it was smaller than it shows and the logo on the jar is not made to well but for 8.99 it really worth it and the bags are alright





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Paula Deen Signature Porcelain 'Oatmeal' 6-quart Stockpot



Paula Deen 6 quart stockpot
Really like this pot. It is a perfect size, well make, and a neutral color. It is also a very pretty pot with the copper accent on the lid knob. The non-stick interior is nice and makes it easy to clean.





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EuroQuest Imports Bunzlauer Polish Pottery Rectangular Baker in Old Flower Gift Pattern



Love the Polish Pottery!
This piece is beautiful! And not only is it beautiful, it is very durable. Ovenproof, microwavable and dishwasher ready. I am so happy with my Polish pottery because of the attention to craftmanship and beauty!

Polish pottery
this is a nice size and cleans up like a dream --I use it often holds a batch of brownies perfectly.

Wonderful!
Beautiful color and easy clean up! I use it all the time!
Excellent clean up and looks great as a server!

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Calphalon AcCuCore 5 Qt. Saute Pan with Cover



Great Pan
I have a few of these pans and I love them all. Easy to clean and perfect for cooking. Start on the cool side of cooking so you dont mess up the pans. As you get use to them, you will perfect cooking in them.





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Glass Lid 34cm/13.275" Dia Guaranteed Quality



Hard to find -
Looked for a little larger than the regular size cover for my fry pan (13") no department store carried it until I found this. Perfect for steaming the ground beef.





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HIC Porcelain Square Quiche Dish 6.5- by 6.5- by 1-inch



Great for brownies
I bought this to use in my convection toaster oven. It's perfect for making a small serving of brownies.

Nice little dish
I don't do quiche either! But I do tarts and this little dish makes a great size individual tart. I worry about the fact it is from China and the lead problem with their products in the news. I need to get one of those lead testers!

Great little dish as far as size and clean up.

Hardy cookware
Very sturdy product and demonstrates the durability and service ability of porcelain which, one assumes, has been around since the late George Burns.

This customer does not do quiche, but product was obtained for baking at high heat. Heat is spread evenly and quickly. Finish on dish cleans easily.

Cannot beat price so two were purchased.

Only worry is that since the dish is made in old China, one hopes it does not contain lead!

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Le Chef Enamel Cast Iron Red Oval Dutch Oven 9 1/2 Qt



Excellent!
I knew for a while that I wanted an enamel cast iron Dutch Oven. What I didn't know was how much I would love it when I finally got it. The Dutch Oven keeps the moisture and juices in the meat while making it tender and succulent! It is incredibly easy to clean, so don't worry about browning the bottom surface while cooking. The only downside is the weight! It is VERY heavy by itself and when filled with a delicious roast or chicken, be very careful taking it out of the oven because you don't want to drop it!





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Lid for 16" Wok (flat lid 18 gauge) Made in USA



Works perfectly!
Got a new propane burner, plus a giant wok, utensils and this cover. Having a great time stir-frying on the patio.

Keep a lid on it...
Fits and works as it's suppose to. A little tricky putting the handle on, but no big deal. If you can work a screwdriver, then it won't be a problem. Very happy with the purchase.

It Is A Lid
It is a lid. It covers things. Especially food related things, even more especially if those things are cooked in a 14" wok. The kind folks at The Wok Shop let me exchange this for a stainless steel lid of the same size, This is very good, and I am a happy customer.

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Pasta Express



Another Pasta Express, Please
I used my PE for at least 2 years. It did a fine job & I'm no pasta expert. However, I noticed about a year ago, what appeared to be cracks. The cracks increased in number. I finally had to discard it because of water leakage. I reread the instructions and see that you must pre-heat the PE with hot tap water before adding the boiling water. I never did that. So, the PE failure was my fault.

I then used the smaller PE, which I had on several other occasions. I put it in the dishwasher, but it came out deformed. I do not believe these units are DW safe.

There are many complaints re: PE, but I think most of them are due to not allowing enough time for the pasta to cook. You cannot take the PE time as gospel. You need 13 to 15 min. I allowed 20 min. & the spaghetti was fine. I suppose, to get a better sense of time, watch when the (spaghetti in this case) collapses. That may be the time to empty the PE. I usually waited 20 min. Again, I'm no pasta expert, but the...

Making pasta much easier now
I got this for Christmas and tried it out first time with whole wheat rotini pasta.
The pasta turned out fine. This is also supposed to cook vegetables, shrimp and different types of pasta. It cut down on my cooking time and I didn't have to deal with the steam from cooking and draining pasta the traditional way. It may not work for a large pasta meal, the amount of pasta it will cook will probably serve 2-4 people.
I recommend this product for convenience and reduced cooking time. Now I just have to worry about one pot on the stove for the pasta sauce.

Pasta Exprss DOES crack over time
Like David Werner's review, I use this often and NEVER preheated it (never read the directions!). After about 2 years, it cracked. I found it SO useful for spagetti and asparagus, that I just ordered another one.

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HAWKINS 4 LITERS - ALUMINUM PRESSURE COOKER



Perfect size for a small family
This pressure cooker is a gem. Here are the features.

1. It's very sturdy aluminum. Much lighter than steel and strong enough for the purpose.

2. The lid is slightly oval. It fits down inside the pot and locks in place by twisting the lid handle to align with the pot handle. This takes some getting used to, but it works fine.

3. Unlike most pressure cookers, the gasket is a very simple one that should last just about forever and cost very little to replace. I believe you could make a new one out of leather and it would work since it's just an O ring.

4. The pot comes with a bottom spacer or steamer attachment to keep foods or other containers about 1/2 inch off the bottom of the pot. This allows worry free cooking of meats and other solid items without immersing them in water. Soups and stews etc don't need the steamer.

5. The pressure "weight" is normally locked to the pot lid by a friction lock so it won't fall off...

best pressure cooker
I've purchased probably about 4-5 pressure cookers in my lifetime, and this is perhaps the best one ever! I like how the lid fits inside, very tight and secure. Food cooks quickly... dried beans cook in about 30 minutes. I would recommend this pressure cooker to anyone looking.

Good
Quick easy
As expected
Have used Hawkins for 20 years
Never had a problem
I would recommend it to all

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Bakers & Chefs 14" Nonstick Restaurant Fry Pan



Great for a house full of growing boys
My spouse had one of these when I met her. It was very well used when she got it. We got this as a direct replacement because it is our favorite piece of cookware. It is not for the weak-wristed, this thing is pretty heavy in its own right, much less loaded with vittles. A helper handle on the other side would be great, but we love it just like it is. Durable and even heating.

Just what my wife wanted
We already had one of these pans...We wanted get a new one to replace it...My wife just loves it in her kitchen...

Bakers & Chefs 14" Nonstick Restraurant Fry an
I must admit, I ordered the wrong size, but I still kept it because I love this fry pan and have had this brand before in the past , and very satisfied with it.

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WMF Premium One 9-1/2 Inch Steaming Insert



Must Have Steamer Insert
Purchased this insert with the associated casserole, it definitely produces perfect steamed vegetables. Do you self a favor and spend on quality.





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Friday, October 11, 2013

Chicago Metallic Commercial II Traditional Uncoated 9-Inch Perforated Pie Pans, Set of 2



Best Crust Ever
I bought a set of these pans and a fancy glazed stoneware pan at a local store. The crust on the pies made with these pans was better than any other pan I've tried, hands down. Even my pumpkin pies have a crisp flaky bottom. I put the pies on a cookie sheet to bake, and have only had 1 leak from the perforation in several years of use. I bought a second set from Amazon (no problem with the order). I've been asked to send some pies to a relative's house for Thanksgiving, so I'm ordering some more pans.
My only criticism is that they discolored very rapidly. It doesn't seem to effect the performance, but they aren't pretty at the table. However, the crust turns out so much better with these pans that I never use the decorative pans I have.

Beware! A different item ships when you order this.
The item shipped to me by Amazon.com had a manufacturer's sticky label identifying it as "Chicago Metallic Commercial II Traditional Uncoated 9-Inch Perforated Pie Pans, Set of 2." That is what I had ordered. However, the pans I received were not perforated.

I arranged to exchange the pans I had received for the correct item, and I made the nature of the error quite clear in my phone conversation with the customer service person. I received the replacement item promptly, but it was identical to the one I had originally received - un-perforated and mis-labeled.

I have ordered Chicago Metallic products before from Amazon.com and been very happy with them. The company obviously mis-labeled this product. Moreover, Amazon.com obviously didn't check the product either before stocking it or before packing it for shipment to me, even when I had brought the error to their attention.

Who said, "Stupidity is doing the same thing and expecting a different...

Perfect pie pans
I know little about pie baking, but I know these pans are high quality and should last as long as you take care of them for a very long time.

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Lodge Elements SC90SET 8-Piece Cookware Set, Silver



Impressive Set
This 9-Piece Lodge cookware set consists of two sauce pans, a stock pot, two skillets, three lids and a "silicone hot handle holder."

Even as I was unpacking the box in which the set was shipped, I was impressed by the weight of the various pots. This gave me a hint of the quality construction of the set, an that impression was reinforced by a closer inspection of the three glass lids that are included. The lids are solidily constructed and each of them fits snugly into place, their weight ensuring a solid seal with the pot or pan they are designed to fit.

My wife and I first tried the larger of the sauce pans and the first thing we noticed was that the pan's weight seemed to be focused on its bottom. This means that stirring whatever is inside the sauce pans does not result in the pan spinning or turning on the stovetop's burner (a particular problem with the new "slick surfaced" electric stove tops). In preparation of this same meal, we used the deep...

Lodge Elements Cookware Set
Received this beautiful cookware set promptly and in pristine condition. These induction-ready cookware are easy to clean - rub with a little baking soda to keep them shiny and stainless. Have see-through glass covers, and easy-to-pour, drip-resistant edge. There are measure marks inside each pot and pan - sooooo convenient. This set looks and feels like a very expensive set. Truly an excellent value.

I am in love with this cookware set! <3
I could not WAIT for this set to arrive! I love cast iron, and I have been researching every cookware set I come across to try to make a decission. Part of me didn't like the prospect of comparing a new cast iron to my generational one that is well loved and well aged. This newcomer exceeded expectations. It came from the manufacturer pre-seasoned, and had instructions to wash and oil it before first use, and to re-oil it after every wash. I followed directions (Im good at that) :) and cooked my first meal in my brand new cast iron. My food came out perfectly done, evenly cooked, and didn't stick at all (I expected the worst)!

Department stores charge too much for too little, and my own indecission didn't help the issue. When I found a set that had a cast iron skillet IN it, I knew I had found the right one!

I did contact Lodge to ask some questions first. All of their cast iron is produced here in the USA, however, the stainless steel is from China. It is also...

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Cast Aluminum Caldero size: 26.8 qt.



26.8 qt Caldero pot
The pot was received badly dented, however the shipping box shows no sign of damage. The pot is damaged beyond use. I tried to contact the seller (through Amazon) but no answer. I could return the pot, but would have to pay return shipping charges. I do not feel that I should be responsible for the shipping charges. I also ordered the 17 quart pot, the covered doesn't fit, as it is warped.
Looks like I am out a little over a $100 dollars and Amazon will be out of a customer if they don't make it right.

Love my pot.
Excellent, I enjoy it. It's perfect. We cook outside with wood and we had like 30 people invited. They love how the food, and the size, perfect. Worth it for that price.

Great Caldero, please get more in stock!
Fast delivery, Caldero was as described, Very good quality product, would buy from seller again..... My mom has had a smaller Imusa caldero for about ten years and it still looks and cooks great. I got this one for my girlfriend and she loves it. I compared the imusa brand to other brands side by side at local spanish stores and the other brands seem to be made of cheaper quality materials. Hope they get more in stock, this is a great Caldero and everyone is asking me where I got one this big from.
Dave

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Viceroy regular clamp down Canning Jar Rubbers (red)



not good for Ball Ideal jars
These do not fit the Ball Ideal glass lid jars well. They do not have the little red tab and are a bit to thin so when you clamp down the lid it disorts the band and you do not get a real nice seal. Works for using the jars as cannisters but would not purchase again.

fit perfectly
This is just what I was looking for for my old style canning jars. I cant find them anywhere in stores near me.



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Cool Touch Microwave Bowl 3 Piece Set



love it
if your a microwave guy like me you will like it too. great for soups, the outside stays cool and its easy to handle. i already got another one...

Great Oatmeal Bowl
Now that I know how to use this bowl, I love it. Oatmeal does not spill out in the microwave. However, you need to reduce the power level to 5 and cook 3 min.

Save those tender finger tips from burns
would be 5 star if the unit were not "Top rack dishwasher only" because the pieces take up a lot of room. Otherwise, I'm pleased w/ it.

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New Rev2 Revolation 2 Chocolate Tempering Machine/melter Rev2 Lid Included.



Expensive but worth it.
Okay so this machine costs a lot of money. If you don't need a lot of tempered chocolate or coating you may just want to buy dipping chocolate. However if you are seriously into making truffles or chocolate coated anything a machine is a must. It was hard to convince myself to spend the money but I am glad I did. My friends are even happier about it than me.
When you get it out of the package it seems very light and cheaply made but it isn't and it works terrific!. The instructions are accurate but hard to figure out. So you take your chocolate and separate it into two piles. Have 1/3 of it in one pile (at least 4oz) and the other 2/3s in another. Chop both piles up. Plug in your machine, punch the icon button for the type chocolate you are going to use, milk, dark, or white. The bowl starts to turn. Put the 2/3 pile in BEHIND the baffle. It will slowly melt and ooze under the to the front side of the baffle. If this machine has a flaw it is that the chocolate pieces tend to ride...

This machine is WONDERFUL!!
I LOVE THIS MACHINE! I bought this three years ago from the manufacturer because I wanted to upgrade my home made truffles to real Belgian chocolate instead of that gritty, waxy stuff. In the process, I launched a small business. I have run more than 150lbs of dark and milk Callebaut (11lb blocks) through this machine and here's some notes.
I can not speak for the third party seller that had this at the time of my review.

1- Read an follow directions regarding PROPER ASSEMBLY. The scraper must be correctly positioned and the cold chocolate in the right place.

2- To speed up the process, pre-melt on a double boiler as directed ONLY. I usually put the next batch on the stove when I start the first. CAUTION: be sure to dry the bottom of the bowl before leaving the stove! WATER IS YOUR ENEMY!

3- A plastic or bamboo scraper is helpful for removing chocolate after use - it may leave fine scratches but no one sees it but me! Wooden toothpicks are good,...

Works great, but you have to follow the directions
I have tempered chocolate with it around 20 times. Works great, but you have to follow the directions. Instead of doing the tempering hokey-pokey (you put the pan on the double boiler, you take to pan off, you put it back on the double boiler, etc), you have the machine do it perfectly every time. I find that if I'm dipping chocolates with the hand tempered method, I'm on and off the heat every 10-15 items. With the Revolution, I can dip 100 or 150 pieces, one after the other. The chocolate is always right, if you follow the instructions.

There is a problem that the machine designers needed to solve, how do you get a consistent temperature information, while keeping the chocolate constantly stirred? They have chosen to put all of the machine's complexity into the center baffle. The baffle has the thermometer and bottom scraper, in one complex piece of plastic, that has another little plastic piece attached to it. The movement on the machine is created by rotating the...

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All-Clad Stainless 7-Quart Stockpot with Pasta Insert



A Pratical Cook and Mom
My family gave me this set for Mothers Day. I really love it. The heating is very even in this pan. I never need to use heat over med to cook. I can cook 1 1/2 pounds of pasta. The insert holes are too small for pasta to pass through. When lifting pasta out you have to do so slowly to allow the water to drain into the pan. I then leave the insert at an angle to serve from the pot this keeps the pasta warm. I was able to cook 6-8 ears of corn-on-the-cob by standing the ears on end. I can cook large quantities of vegetables and drain to serve without effort. The stockpot is great. It is deep enough to make jams without the jam splashing out of the pan onto the stove like my other stockpot. The set is too big to fit in the dishwasher with the dishes from the meal, but it does fit. I am able to clean it easily after cooking, even cooked jam without much effort at all. This set is a very practical addition to my kitchen.

Everything I Wanted
I have been eyeing this pot for years! I thought it could be replaced by the All-Clad 12-Quart Stainless Multi Cooker with Steamer Basket, but no dice. The multicooker has an aluminum base and takes a while to heat up. Also, unless you're cooking for an army, it's really big. I had been using the All-Clad Stainless Asparagus Pot with Steamer Basket, but it only works for 1-2 people. I needed something in between those two pots!

The pasta pentola is perfect. The seven quart size is nice. I love that it's tall versus wide. Because it is fully clad (aluminum on the bottom and sides), it heats more effeciently than the multicooker and asparagus pot.

The insert works beautifully. It drains well and after draining, you can tilt it over the pot to keep the pasta warm as you finish other items for the dish.

I...

Good idea but in practice not used much
I got this cool looking pot and insert thinking, Wow! I won't have to strain the noodles. But then after using it a bit, I realized that I don't need to heat 7qts of water to feed my family. And that the insert doesn't sit far enough down in the bottom of the pan to really hold enough pasta. I know this is a contradiction but that's what this pot combo is. It's really too wide for asparagrass, although if I have enough people it works. It's a bit too samll for steaming corn on the cob, as I tend to heat 2 ears per person. Also lifting the pot full of noodles isn't a thing to do over the stove. It's move the pot to the sink and lift there. 7qts of water is heavy and this isn't a task to be taken by smaller cooks.

On the great side, the 7qt pot turns out to make great soups. It fits the small burner at the back of the stove. The soups rarely burn even without stirring. And the steamer works for that big batch of clams I have once a year. So while I won't give it away, I'm not sure I...

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Frabosk 5 5/8" Induction Heat Diffuser Plate



Good Quality Poor Performance
I bought the Frabosk 8 3/4" and the 5 5/8" plate for use with my Electrolux Induction Range.

Pro's: They're very nice looking and very well made

Con's: Although they work, they don't work well. The heat transfer is v...e...r...y sloooooow! I could not get the toast for a grilled cheese to brown. I could boil water - slowly. And the handles go through and are unusable while heating which kind of makes the handles useless.

Induction Heat Diffusor Plate
This item is simply an attractive stainless plate which is made in Italy. The supplier shipped the item quickly and it was packaged nicely. I have used this item with both an induction cooker and with a hiking stove and it performed well using either.

Size matters
The diffuser plate is costly (which is why I got the smaller size though I wish I had the larger) but still cheaper than replacing all my favorite pots which otherwise couldn't be used with my induction cooktop.

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Plastic Microwave Vented Food Plate Cover #6016



Great microwave cover
This is a great item that works just as it is supposed to.
It arrived in a very timely manner and I am totally
satisfied with this product the seller.

My wife loves it.
Had not seen these in stores before. My wife loves it. It is not an expensive item but works well!!!



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Update International SPS-100 Stainless Steel Induction Ready Stock Pot with Cover, 100-Quart



Awesome Pot!
This is a great heavy, heavy duty pot. I use it for my home beer brewing as a brew kettle over a propane burner and it is awesome! It is big enough that I never have boil overs and the steel is so thick I had my valve fitting welded on instead of using a removable weld-less through fitting. The bottom is tri-clad and about 1/2" thick. It is a great value. The inside and lower outside of the pot is not finished to a high smooth gloss like some of the more expensive pots but I have not found any negatives to that as far as cleaning or cooking go. I use a Scotch Brite pad for cleaning it and have noticed it getting a smoother finish. The handles and lid are incredibly well made. I know I will never need to replace it. I just might buy another one.

EXCELLENT !
With that extra clad bottom, our stews and sauces never scorch or stick . I can bring them up fast with a 5 burner stove we have, then drop the fire to a single ring, #3, and just hold a boil all the way across the pot. We did 95 quarts of tomato sauce twice and one 90 quarts of elk stew. Perfect results. I just wish they made one larger, say 130 to 160 qt.

WOW what a pot
Nice and heavy duty stock pot. Large enough to handle all my soup and sauces. This appears to be VERY well made from the handles and rivets to the multi layered base. A steal at any price under $150 when compared to other products.

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Natural Wood Finish Stacking Hi-Chair (Knocked-Down)



Great for business.
These chairs are exactly the same as you see on most restaurants. I am a restaurant owner and I have customers asking if we had any child seats. I had looked at the prices in the "official magazine" and they were selling for a hundred plus shipping and handling (which is not cheap with these guys). I decided to look around before I made the payment and came across this. This is a 3rd of the price of the official ones. The chair is identical to any you might have seen in restaurants, same height, shape, and color. Took minutes to put together. I had checked the durability by putting my own body weight on it to make sure it is sturdy enough. Since other peoples children are going to be sitting in it, I wanted to be sure that it will hold. I put a lot of force and it did not bend or gave any sign that it will fall apart. Not the best for home use since it really is not that comfortable. It is all wood and straps, no cushioning for the child. If you are also looking for one for your...

wooden high chair
I have two of these chairs; one for each grandchild who visits on a regular basis. One child is 3 and we got the chair when she was a year old. The other child is 8 months old and he sits in his while being fed. I love these chairs and would highly recommend them. They wipe off easily, have safety belts, are a nice height for our dining table, and they look nice. We set them under our breakfast bar when not being used.

I purchased these chairs at Amazon.com.

love the chair
We really enjoy this chair because Addie can sit right at the table with us instead of being slightly removed like other highchairs. They work in restaurants for a reason. Plus the finish matches our table nearly perfectly. The only complaint is that the straps come from the side instead of the back.

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