Thursday, November 14, 2013

Set of 2 KIWI Brand deba Style Flexible Stainless Steel Knives # 171.



Great Budget Knives
These thin flexible stainless steel knives have a high carbon content making them easy to sharpen to a keen edge. These are affordable. The slight curved shape makes is easy to rock on the cutting board when dicing and mincing. The steep angle of the point makes segmenting vegetables easier.

love this kiwi brand knife
my mum bought this kiwi brand from a 2 dollar shop in sydney, hesitate at first. but then after using, love it so much that now i moved to US..i have been looking for this brand..glad that i found it here at amazon. happy purchase, you will definite would not regret buying it.

Wow
This knife is sharp. Cannot believe how good it is for the price. We use it all the time and have not needed to sharpen it yet. It's light, so if you like a knife that feels heavier in your hand, this is not it, but for the price you cannot beat it.

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The OriginalTM Dish Drying Mat XL Microfiber, Absorbent, Machine Washable, Fast Drying 18"X24" DUAL SURFACE (BLACK)



Love this Dish Mat!
I just had my kitchen redone with granite countertops and needed a black dish mat to match. This one is great! It is one of the biggest ones out there. Big enough for a large size load of dishes. Drys quickly and machine washes like a breeze. Highly recommend.

Does what it is designed for
The drying mat absorbs the water from the wet dishes. I can't say it does so any better than the towels i was using, but it looks better on the counter, so i like it. I bought a couple magnetic clamps and hang it on the side of my refrig to dry where it is out of sight and out of the way.

Very large dish mat
Works well for my large pots and pans that don't fit in a dish drainer. I really like the bold red color. Very nice item.

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Rachael Ray Dinnerware Little Hoot 20-Piece Flatware Set



Questionable quality
Cute little owls make this a very popular pattern. This set has been selling like mad since it was introduced earlier this year. It's something that would be nice if you have kids, since it's either whimsical or juvenile, depending on your point of view.

This is not expensive stainless, so the price point makes this attractive. You can find less expensive flatware, and also more expensive, so this is moderately priced. But I have questions about the durability of this over time according to my internet research.

Since this is 18/0 stainless flatware, I took a look at the differences between the various types of stainless steel:

18/10:

* Brilliant luster
* Rust-resistant material
* Durable construction
* Easy to maintain

18/0:

* Soft shine
* Zero nickel content
* Economical design
* Subject to staining

18/0 --- 18 percent chromium and 0 percent nickel
18/8 --- 18 percent...

Quality silver for the price, ergonomic feel, unique owl pattern
We find the owl pattern fun for use at our mountain cabin where owl and bear patterns fit in nicely.
All pieces of the set look good (shiny, solid, medium size) and handle well (balanced, shaped nicely, and with smooth edges).
These are dishwasher "safe" but came with a recommendation to hand wash if you want to keep the original smooth luster.
We've been putting them through the dishwasher and while they may not keep the "like new" luster, they continue to look good.

Perfect complement to the Little Hoot dinnereware
Of course these were meant to coordinate with the Little Hoot dinnerware collection and so they do! I thought at first the little owl was perhaps a bit too juvenile but I've received several compliments on them and directed people to them online.

I use these for my everyday flatware and run them through the dishwasher. So far so good. I tend to use the lemon detergents which can sometimes be a problem with flatware but I've noticed no ill effects.

I did get one spoon where the edge wasn't very smooth and I had to set that one aside for just stirring coffee and such. A little too sharp for eating but overall I'm satisfied with this cute set.

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Rachael Ray Dinnerware Round and Square Collection 14-Inch Oval Serving Bowl, Green



Simple yet stylish
The Rachel Ray serving bowl is a thing of grace and beauty. The outward flaring lip makes it simple yet stylish, and serves as a natural grip. It can go from oven to table to fridge, which is what I did the other day with a mac & cheese casserole. The only thing missing is a lid, because some recipes require a covered dish when baking.

The bowl washes up easily. I forgot to grease up my bowl before baking, but it didn't need it. Everything came off without much more than a soak. It's dishwasher safe, but I think it takes up too much room. I just handwash.

What a pretty bowl. It can dress up any meal. I like it.

Beautiful, Useful Casserole Dish
I received this bowl and it is absolutely lovely. Food prepared in an orange dish is so colorful. I have Rachel's dishware with in orange and all the meals I serve look divine on them.(when I decorate the plate with various colors)

The oval casserole dish is quite roomy; I spray it with Pam and it is a breeze to clean. Also, if you put the food on the table in this bowl it looks soooo brilliant. I love that as a catering chef once upon a time.

My only complaint is that it doesn't have a lid, but Reynolds Wrap to the rescue. Rachel Ray's wares are always sturdy and reliable.

Recommend.

Limited cooking capacity; inclusion of a matching lid would have been nice
Given that this attractive-looking Rachael Ray oval serving bowl is oven-safe up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit, I use this bowl not only for serving but also for cooking dishes.

The bowl has a depth of about 2.5 inches and a bottom that measures roughly 7 inches by 4.5 inches. The bowl's flared rim design, in my opinion, gives it a "serving" capacity that's a bit larger than its "cooking" capacity (e.g., you can serve several stacked pork chops with it, but only cook up to 2 unstacked pork chops; you can cook for more if you're cooking something like vegetables, but I doubt you can cook for more than 3 people in most cases).

The inclusion of a matching lid for this freezer-safe bowl would have been a value-add to customers who have a need to freeze foods they cook with this bowl for consumption at a later date. A bowl with a matching lid would have come in handy also for storing leftover foods in the fridge.

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Dexter-Russell 7" cleaver



Great especially for the price
Construction is very solid. I use it for breaking down chickens and other cuts of meat with small bones. Goes right thru bones well. Pretty sharp, you can slice meat with it pretty well. Holds its edge well. Just make sure to wash and DRY immediately by hand as soon as you are done using it. I got a small amount of rust on it first time using it, I washed it and let it sit in the drying rack. Water drops stained blade. I was able to rub them out with a scotch brite pad. Now I dry it right after washing, no problems since.

Solid product
Solid construction . Has decent weight to it. We gave this as a gift to my father in law and he loves it when making barbecue. There was a little discoloring on the blade when it arrived but the blade is really sharp and works great.

Pretty heavy, make sure you need a 2 lb cleaver
Wasn't crazy about the packaging but it needed to be run on a steel when it arrived anyway. A little burr on the cutting edge. This thing is heavy, and all of 4 inches high is actually large enough to make some cutting boards too high. Hacks through most bones and joints clean and quick. Price fluctuates but got it for around $36 delivered. Handle is on tight, definitely wood, not plastic. The grind marks on the sides soften after some steel wool cleanings.
It's razor sharp NOW. Doubles as Home Defense ;-) No Zombie Nut should be without.

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Paula Deen Signature Stainless Steel II 12-Piece Cookware Set



Overall Happiness MAY Depend on Your Cooking Surface
Thanksgiving dinner is an ideal time to put new cookware through a workout; my Paula Deen Signature Stainless Steel II 12 piece set arrived in time for the holiday. As a food writer and recipe developer who's been cooking for more than 30 years, pots and pans are heavily used in my kitchen.Over the years I've bought and reviewed many brands of cookware. I've cooked on gas stoves, electric, and even glass topped electric ranges. Different kinds of cookware work better depending on the type of stove you have *and* how you tend to cook.

For example, a gas stove heats immediately. It's never a good idea-unless you're bringing liquid to a boil-to set the range temperture on high. In fact, with a gas stove, I even boil water over medium-high heat with any kind of pots or pans, especially nonstick. With an electric stove, care must be taken with regards to how long you leave a pot or pan on the hot burner, and for traditional cookware (without nonstick surface), you'll have to...

Lightweight, Simple Design, Good Starter Set
The Paula Dean Signature Stainless Steel II 12-Piece Cookware Set is great for beginners, first-time homeowners, and as a general starter cookware set. The set is fairly inclusive with a couple of utensils, stockpot, three saucepans, four lids, and two skillets.

The skillets are very lightweight, which is good or okay depending on your desire. For those that need a lightweight set because of difficulty of lifting heavy items this is great. It's one of the lightest I've ever used. However, I personally prefer a thicker bottom for heat distribution and even cooking. The stockpot and saucepans are also fairly lightweight.

The lids are well made, however, some of the handles and screws were loose upon opening the box. They just needed a quick tightening, but it could be a question of quality in the future. The lids are glass and great for seeing what's cooking. The design is fairly simplistic with straight handles and gently molded stainless steel that curves...

Nice for the price...
For the current selling price, I think that this is a good starter set of cookware. I personally prefer my Calphalon Professional and Commercial hard anodized cookware, but it is unfair to compare the two because of the vast difference in price. I am currently using this Paula Deen cookware set at a weekend vacation cabin, and they are a big improvement over the old set of Farberware that I previously had.

The set comes with a nice variety of pieces, including:
1, 2 & 3-Quart Stainless Steel Covered Saucepan
6-Quart Stainless Steel Covered Stockpot
8 & 10-Inch Aluminum Nonstick Skillets
Slotted Turner, Slotted Spoon

The insides of the skillets have non-stick coating, but the saucepans and stockpot do not. The lids are glass, which is nice because I do not have to lift the lids nearly as often. The information included says that these can be used in the oven up to 350 degrees Fahrenheit, but I have not used that feature yet.

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Waring Pro WO50B Cordless Wine Opener with Vacuum Sealer and Foiler Cutter, Black



Wine bottle opener
The Waring Pro W050B Cordless wine opener is just fantastic. I received one when redeeming my points from my credit card. I was so impressed with it that I quickly got online to find where I could purchase more. Amazon directed me in the right direction. I have purchased 3 more openers, one for each of my sisters. All of them agree it is one of the better birthday gifts they have recieved. It works well, just as demonstrated on the Waring video I viewed before ordering. I did read reviews from other owners and that helped me make the choice of this product. I recommend this product for anyone looking for a wonderful gift or one for themselves.

Love and Hate
The Opener itself worked great. The Charging base quit working 2 months after I received it. Called Waring and they would replace it if I send the whole product back costing me at least another $10 to $12 in postage (very heavy) for an already expensive opener compared to others. I was willing to spend more for what I thought would be a quality product. They would cover the postage of the replacement back to me. Resulting in me having over $50 in a wine opener that as far as I know could suffer the same fate in a couple of months as the first one. I feel they should have covered the return postage so I would not have had more invested and they could show they FULLY stand behind their products.
Will not buy ANYTHING from Waring again and advise anyone to consider this when they are ordering. I threw this one away and bought an Oster. Warranties that keep costing me money on the same item is no good to me.

Great Product, but Vacuum Sealer not so good
This is an excellent product, no trouble to operate, but the vacuum sealer is not so good. When I first used the vacuum sealer on a bottle, and placed the bottle on a cooler, wine started dripping.

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Wednesday, November 13, 2013

Bialetti Aeternum 07206 Evolution Sauté Pan, 8-Inch



Definitely non-stick superiority!!
As it says on the packaging, always use a little bit of oil or non-stick cooking spray. For the most part this pan is pretty sturdy than what I imagined. The handle does get a little warm while using it on the stove, but not enough to bother. I always use it on medium to medium-low setting for a gas stove and it is definitely more than enough heat to cook what I like. The base of the pan is actually pretty thick, it helps retain heat and spreads out the heat evenly to create a uniform cooking surface. I am definitely looking forward to purchasing all the evolution series pans.

An Additional note to the purchasers of these pans, if you want your pans to last DO NOT use metal utensils, and a typical sponge (not the rough scrubbing portion) will do to clean them. If you stack your pans, think about the metal of the other pans scratching the edges or the inside of the pan. That will also ruin you pans faster.

Finally ordered this!
Easy clean up compared to most non stick surfaces and chemically safer. Read about it in cooking magazines. Will order the larger sizes soon.

Bialetti Aeternum 07206 Evolution Sauté Pan, 8-Inch
I really do like this pan - (so far) .

Most of my others develop a wear spot in the middle - probably due to too high heat - that's why I get new ones every year and make sure they are not so expensive -because it happens with them all eventually.

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Jura Ena Micro 1



Best coffee machine for caffeine addicts


Ultra simple to use, fast espresso machine without a steam wand


Great Machine....Update 3-12-13 (cleaning advice)
Update 3-12-13:
My first "system" clean.....It is a little intimidating when you don't know what you are doing and I honestly held off until I knew I had enough free time to fix any mistakes I made. Well, I have to report that it could not have been easier. I followed the directions and the machine did the rest. There are some things to keep in mind to make it go smoothly. First, make sure the water container is full. Second, make sure you have a big enough container to hold a mug of water. Also, the grounds container fills up to the rim with water, so when it is finished, CAREFULLY pull out the tray to avoid spillage. Keep in mind that it goes on and off many times while it is cleaning itself. The process takes about 15 minutes or so. Be patient.....and, because I am a little OCDish, I made a full cup and tossed it. That gives me 185 more drinks before I have to do it again. I have one more cleaning tablet left, so it looks like I'll have to get some more. If they are not too...

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Cook N Home 15-Piece Cutlery Set with Storage Block



Useful,reasonable price
This set is useful for daily meal. With the storage block, the knife can keep tidy and clean.
As a Chinese, this set has no knife like the knife we use in China, so you may be need another knife to get better with Chinese food.

Not sharp enough
I recently took up cooking and thought people who criticized these knives were kitchen knife snobs. "It's a 15-piece for $25-30! What a great deal!" Or so I thought. After spending 4 hours cooking a massive meal with much of that time cutting up veggies, I decided to try out another knife. So I bought a Pure Komachi 2 Series 8" Chef's Knife, Fuchsia. $11 for one knife seemed a bit steep relative to this deal, but it wasn't too bad. So what did I think? Yikes! Potatoes that used to require some effort cut like butter. I went back to the Cook N Home chef's knife and tried sharpening it. It was still way too dull to compare. Do yourself a favor. Skip the cheap 15-piece and get 2-3 really good Pure Komachi 2 knives for the same price. I wish I did. I also recommend the Vidalia Chop Wizard to further reduce time and effort.

15 Piece Cutlery Set
I am very pleased with this set of kitchen knives. They are quite sharp nicely balanced and solidly made. The kitchen scissors is heavy duty and easily cuts through chicken. The steak knives, my main reason for the purchase, are a perfect size, just what I was looking for. I also like the wood block very much and they look great in my kitchen. I highly recommend this set to anyone looking for a set of kitchen knives.

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Made in USA Can Opener (White)



5-Star+ Just Buy It!
My daughter purchased the old USA Swing-A-Way about 7 years ago and it has been a perfect piece of machinery.
When I decided to junk my third electric opener and go back to a manual one, my web research reported that Swing-A-Way had been bought and production moved to China.
This one is the real, made in USA, thing. It is literally worth twice the price in my opinion.
Don't hesitate to buy it.
According to web reports, John J Steuby Company (family owned and operated) of Hazelwood, Missouri, purchased the equipment used to manufacture the original, MADE IN USA, SWING-A-WAY can opener and now uses that equipment to manufacture this can openter and the EZ-DUZ-IT can opener.

Well Made 4.75 stars!
Very pleased. Opens cans smoothly and without that little tiny bit that most of these types of can openers leave still attached.

Inexpensive and made well.

Best Can Opener
I have purchased several hand held can openers by top brands and they all hurt my thumb to twist. This can opener is the best one on the market. It takes no effort to open a can.

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Zenport KS06 6-in-1 Multi-Sharpener for Pruner/Scissors and Knive, 8-Inch



NICE!!!!
easy to use, convenient to carry, as a professional landscaper this sharpener handles all my daily pruning equipment sharpening needs

Zenport Multi-Sharpener
This sharpener works very well. I liked the idea of being able to sharpen my pruning shears with very little effort or danger.

Quickly restored a sharp edge.
Was recommended by a friend who used it to keep his vineyards professional pruning tools sharp. I found it quickly and easily restored a sharp edge to all my garden tools and a collection of old dull Scissors..

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Prepara Roasting Laurel



I absolutely love it!
As happens with any completely unfamiliar new product, you tend to compare to the closest previous version that you are familiar with--in this case it's the wire roasting rack.

A point-by-point comparison tends to overwhelmingly favor the Prepara Roasting Laurel:

Versatility: with the wire rack, you have to have the correct size for each roasting pan (or pyrex) you have. With the Laurel, one size fits all. Should you want to, you can get it in a pyrex that is 8"x 8" by tucking the front leaf from one frond between the leaves of the opposite one. It reshape to fit your pan, whether is round, square, rectangular, wide or narrow.

Health and flavor considerations: No brainer. The fat doesn't touch the meat; the juices evaporate and concentrate flavors. Your meat really roasts: it doesn't `fry' or `boil.' (You may have to adjust your recipe if you want more liquid to serve as a sauce or make gravy.). The overall browning is more even since the sides of the...

Great tool for healthy roasting-bends to any shape needed
I hate wire roasting racks and hate washing them even more, that said I love this roasting laurel. I hate when I bake a meatloaf and it sits in the grease, this laurel holds the loaf above the grease...woohoo no more lifting the meatloaf out of the ecky grease pool and scraping the fat off. The laurel bends so I can shape it to what I am cooking, as a bone-in turkey breast has different needs than a beef/pork roast. I also like the example shown on the Amazon product page of holding up stuffed peppers.

This laurel goes right into your dishwasher and cleans up beautifully.

Per the limited instruction you can not use this in a microwave, or grill. Slowcookers/crockpots were not mentioned, I wish the instructions had more details. I will try more recipes and report back.

Update: Roasted rosemary chicken (bone in) breasts, came out perfectly. Browned all around, cooked evenly, and most importantly; did no sit in the grease.

Update 2-16-13....I...

Works well but retains odors
I have a few racks that I use for roasting foods like a whole chicken or piece of meat, that I don't want sitting in a puddle of fat. The problem with them is that they never quite fit the pans I have, so I was eager to try out the Prepara Roasting Laurel that I received from the amazon Vine program. You can bend this item to fit a variety of pans (big plus!) and the size of the item you are roasting. It worked as expected, and cleaned up easily in the dishwasher. I was jazzed about it until I opened the drawer where I have it stored a few days later and realized that it, and the drawer, now smell strongly (albeit deliciously) like the pork spareribs that I had marinated and cooked. Deliciously now -- I doubt whether the odor will be as pleasant in a few months, and after I've added a chicken or two, some lamb shanks and a hunk of grass-fed beef to the mix. I have used other silicone items that didn't retain odor, or so strongly. This, to me, is a real downside to an otherwise handy...

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Bodum Insulated Stainless-Steel Travel French Press Coffee and Tea Mug, 0.45-Liter, 15-Ounce, Green



Finally! No more hotel coffee for me!
I have used Bodum french presses for years, and it is the only coffee I like now. I was tired of drinking hotel coffee on work trips, so I bought this. It makes coffee just like at home and I love it. The mug is well made and sturdy. The lid fits nicely. The seal is great between the mug and lid. I get a little leaking from the drink spout if I shake it around, but not too bad. Even if a little coffee sloshes out, it just goes back into the mug since the drink spout is recessed. The mug keeps my coffee HOT for 2 hours and warm for about 5 hours. The mug stays completely cool to the touch. The size is great and fits my cup holders nicely without moving around. The plunger and filter are great quality. Very sturdy and easy to clean. Makes a great non-bitter cup of coffee.

Making coffee is a snap. Dump in a couple scoops of COARSE grounds, pour hot water in, stir and screw the lid on. Let it sit for 5 minutes and then depress the plunger. You can pour cream/sugar...

WONDERFUL travel press coffee tea mug
First Color. If you put things down and cannot find them, this fairly hideous color shines right out.
Second. Awesome. Easy to put about 1.5 cups worth ground coffee in cup, fill with some boiling water (I add a little cream after I start boiling water then wait about 3-4 min. Press "press" down, close the lid, and voila you will have very hot coffee or tea for about 6-7 hours. The grip keeps your fingers from burning and the outside steel seems to stay warm. Be prepared for very very hot coffee or tea for the first hour, however. I burned my tongue the first time I tried it. However, additionally there is no dribbling. It is very very tight fitting unlike other travel mugs I have used. This won is worth the price.

Did not get what I ordered!
This should have come with a regular lid as well. as shown online when i ordered it.
Had to send it back ; (

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Bodum Insulated Stainless-Steel Travel French Press Coffee and Tea Mug, 0.45-Liter, 15-Ounce, Red



Two tools in one--Awesome!
Caveat: I have only owned it for a few hours (of this writing). And please excuse my grammar, I didn't graduate with an English degree.

I like the concept of combining things to get a better product. I am referring to the combination of the French press and an insulating coffee mug. When I was first introduced to the French press, I was skeptical because it was different. After trying it, I loved it because the coffee itself taste better than what I was drinking before. Once making coffee in the French press, i would then pour it to the insulated coffee mug, which keeps it warmer than a standard coffee mug of yore. It got tiresome and seemed like a chore to make, drink, and clean. I hated the wait and the mess. Now Bodum has combined the two (French press and insulated coffee mug) and I am ecstatic with it.

I like this product because of the following:

* It is convenient. There are two tools in one to make a great cup of Joe!
* It's very sexy...

Beautiful Design, Great Travel French Press
Disregard the air head who rated this 1 star... This mug is not fully leak proof due to the PRESSURE! I have no doctrine in physics, but an air tight french press, wouldn't really press. ANYWAY, love this mug, I am a professor and this thing goes with me everywhere. And if you still are insulted by the un-leak proof design, Bodum's web page even warns you THESE ARE NOT LEAK PROOF!

Great for coffee lovers
I love this French press mug. The coffee at work is horrible, so when making my coffee in the morning, I'd grind a few extra beans and put them in the mug to take with me. When it was coffee time at work, I'd simply add hot water, wait 4 minutes, and voila! Fresh, amazing coffee. Sometimes I'll use it in the morning if I'm running late--fill it up when I leave and have my coffee on the train. The other poster said that the french press screen traps the coffee...she obviously doesn't realize how a french press works, because you're supposed to push the screen down after the coffee is brewed. I found that it only traps as much liquid as there is left soaked in the beans.

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Zwilling JA Henckels Spirit 12" Thermolon Fry Pan



Love this pan
This is my favorite pan and I have had it for at least a year. The trick to this product is to really not to wash as often as you can but to wipe it clean. Use a little oil if you must but it looks like the day I purchased it. I only wish it had a lid, but I make my own with aluminum foil then toss it after cooking. I have put it in the dishwasher and it comes out very clean and ready for use so please don't think I mean to not wash it often. I plan to purchase another one for sure.

Worth the price! My favorite pan!
I'm not sure about the reviewer who said the pan sticks. This pan is so easy and perfect to cook with. I have made fried eggs, fish, chicken, sauces, pancakes and more. I barely have to use any oil at all. Definitely love this and glad I took the chance to spent $100 on a pan.

The best pan you can own
I have bought all three sizes, they are fabulous to cook with, even heat distribution, cannot believe how slippery the surface is, food slides right out. If you never buy another pan buy at least the 12 inch if only one but the 10 inch is also awesome. Just frigging amazing ceramic coating. Don't wait!!!!!!!

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UST Wet Fire Tinder, Pack of 12



Don't waste your money, if you don't use them soon...
I bought a pack of these last year during camping season and they worked great. I had six left over and stored them in my warm & dry basement with my hiking gear till this years season. Last weekend, less than a year later, I took them hiking with me as my primary method of starting my campfire but they would not light. I tried them all and they would not even burn. Eventhough they are light in weight, which is awesome, they were worthless. Don't plan on storing them for next season because you will be wasting your money...

These will always light your fire.
I have made my own tinder from boxes and paraffin, dryer lint and cotton balls with some variety of combustible substance soaked into them then stored in an air tight container. Sure, all of them were a lot cheaper but none of them were as sure to make a fire for me as this stuff is and that is what counts. One cube will start a lot of fires, all it takes are some shavings off of one, which you can do easily with a sharp knife. Then a single spark makes these things go, even soaking wet. If all the wood and tinder is also soaked and hard to get going, use a whole cube, which stays burning a long time, and this will dry the wood a bit for you and make it all go.

Honestly, nothing makes you feel better when you are lost and lonely than a good, hot fire. Nothing I have found to date can assure me of making one like these little cubes. They are also compact and easy to keep a couple of in your kit, this means a lot of fire in a small space. These are well worth the money...

Don't risk your life on it!
If you plan on using WetFire to start an occasional campfire, it's probably adequate. But, if you have it as part of your Survival / Prepper / Emergency plans, have a backup. I pulled out some that I've had for over a year, and I couldn't get it to light. I literally held it in the flame of a lighter and it would not burn. I understand this product expires, but do you really want to count on having received a fresh batch? I wrote to the manufacturer about this, and they sent me 2 as a replacement. The replacements were not even solid, they were a light powder that blew away when I opened it. I have cotton wadding from 20 years ago that still works great, I have gel fire-starter from 10 years ago that is fine, and I have wood shavings from when I was a Boy Scout 40 years ago that light great. High tech is fun, I just don't want to be in the one situation where I really need a fire and have WetFire let me down.

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Bodum Insulated Stainless-Steel Travel French Press Coffee and Tea Mug, 0.45-Liter, 15-Ounce, Black



Pretty Amazing
Bodum makes the quality items, and I genuinely prefer this press to the plastic ones. Really, there is no comparison: if you like coffee and you don't mind waiting 4 minutes for coffee, you must own this.

Great Mug
Love this mug, easy to use and coffee taste great. This thing keeps your coffee hot for a while. I don't really like that you have to put your cream and sugar in the mouth where you drink. I sit in front of a computer all day so i make a pot, put sugar and cream in cum. I pour coffee in the cup. If it broke I would buy another one.

Excellent travel french-press
This mug is great - large enough size and keeps liquids hot for a long time. The top is very spill resistant and it comes in a sleek elegant design.

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Tuesday, November 12, 2013

Tasty Tortilla Non Stick Steel Tortilla Pans- Set of 4



~ GREAT TORTILLA BOWL MAKERS ~
I like Tasty Tortilla Non Stick Steel Pans, they are a Great alternative to frying Tortillas by Baking them in the Oven, I use the Whole Wheat and Corn Tortillas and they look Terrific. I use the Bowls to make so many different things from Tostadas, Salads all kinds of Mexican Food Variations and even Desserts, I Bake individual Apple Pies with Pastry Pie Dough you don't have to oil or spray the Tortilla Bowl, the Butter in the Pie Dough takes care of that

First I Blind Bake the Pie Dough lightly to create a Crisper Crust until it turns a little Golden, Chill, and spoon the Apple Filling, that I already Made and Sprinkle with Streusel Crumb Topping, back in the Oven to Bake the Topping. I also make my version of the Eclair Cake Dessert with Vanilla or Chocolate Sugar-Free, Fat-Free Instant Pudding also with Pastry Pie Dough, I Blind Bake Them, Chill and Spoon the Pudding inside, after the Pudding Sets I Top it with a Chocolate Glaze or Whipped Cream. I keep finding more...

Awesome
Thought it would be just a gimmick but these turned out to be helpful items. Great way to make dip bowls and even taco salads.

Tortilla Pans
They are a little smaller than I thought but they work just fine. It's nice to have a Taco salad in a nice crisp tortilla shell.

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1 Dozen Dinner Butter Knife Legend Flatware with Bright Finish! Heavy Weight Flatware *Great Quality*



stainless steel butter knives
Very nice quality and at a very nice price. They do not look cheap and perfect for what I needed.
Chanhassen woman

Individual knives
What can I say....
They were perfect!
They were just right...
They were nice, looked good, did the job !....
that is probably enough words for ya Huh?

Nice butter knives
They are not the typical long butter knives that I am used to but I knew that when I bought them. I was looking for something simple and these are perfect at a great price. Came individually packaged and they look really nice. I am very happy with my purchase.

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Hawkins/Futura Q41 Nonstick Flat Dosa Tava/Griddle, 13-Inch



very good buy
the description is correct and it makes for a good pan to have good dosa's. only con was the packaging which was sent with the old hawkins box for the world to see what i was buying. it should have been packaged well.

Awesome Dosa Pan
This pan is more than I expected!! Makes beautiful Dosas and love that it is a large size. Great find!

Finally a tawa!
I make rotis a lot and everytime I have had to go to India, to buy a nice tawa (griddle with no edges so I can slide the roti off).
So glad Amazon is selling a Real Tawa. Now I don't have to 'manage' with a griddle with edges.

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OXO Good Grips 4-Piece Mini Measuring Beaker Set



More Reliable Than Measuring Spoons
This Mini-Measuring Beaker Set is much easier to use and more reliable than traditional measuring spoons. We like that we can measure out a tiny amount of liquid or dry ingredients ahead of time during our mise en place and have it waiting at the ready once we're at the combining ingredients stage. Easy to handle, easy to read and we love the different colors denoting the four different sizes!

Great Little Item
I love to cook and bake. As I get older, I'm replacing much of my kitchen equipment with OXO Good Grips brand items. My most recent purchase was a set of these diminutive measuring beakers. These little gems greatly reduce my chance of spilling vanilla extract on my counter. The measuring marks are printed in red and are easy to read. Metric as well as Imperial make them twice as useful. I'm thinking of buying a set for my science experiments.

Accurate, convenient, easy to store
I bake a lot, so these are amazing. I also make lots of mixed drinks, and these are super handy for that as well. They do well in the dishwasher; they don't flip over and the writing stays on. My single complaint is that I would like all 3 measurement types marked on all of them. The smaller ones have mL and teaspoons, and the large one has ounces and mL, but no tablespoons.

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Shun VG0008 Blue Steel 10-Inch Kiritsuke Knife



Good knife, it is two side blade.
I am Experience Sushi Chef, I were collect a lot knife;Traditional Kiritsuke knife sashimi should be one side blade. Shun Kiritsuke knife showed photo looks just like one side blade, price only half even more less than sashimi kiritsuke knife. When I got this knife, I know that it is Shun kiritsuke knife AD photo let me made mistake . From testing, I recommend Shun Kiritsuke knife use for cut vegetable or sushi roll, it is very good sharp knife, can keep sharp longer than other same price knife. If you want use for cutting sashimi, one side blade sushi knife will be more better.

Awesome Knife
I'm a culinary professional with a major luxury hotel brand and I absolutely love this knife. It plows through almost anything it comes up against. Not to mention that it is stunningly beautiful. Well worth the money. The only minor downside is that it requires more care than some might want to take.
'

The best
It is hard to find a better knife. This is always being used at our house. It is costly and requirers extra care, but it is more than worth the cost.

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KitchenAid Candy-Red Stand Mixer KSM7586PCA , 7 qt.



best consumer mixer on the market
i purchased this mixer about a year ago when it first came out. the mixer is very well built, and i really like the bowl lift feature. i work in a kitchen, and have been around hobart mixers large and small. im more used to using the hobarts than the kitchenaids, so let me give you a little comparison with the 12 quart we have at work.

the kitchenaid is kind of loud...not terribly loud, and certainly quieter than all the other kitchenaid mixers on the market. still slightly on the loud side though. not a problem for me though.

this mixer will mix large amounts of dough for extended periods of time. i've kneaded quadruple batches for 10+ minutes and the kitchenaid did it without breaking a sweat. where this mixer is most like a hobart is in this. it will turn that dough without any hint of motor lag. it just motors right through it. there's no drop in RPMs, nothing.

it fits nicely under the cabinets above, and the red looks great against the cherry...

Quiet, yet powerful
This mixer replaced my old kitchenaid lift mixer. I've had it for about six months now, and it has performed perfectly for everything I've thrown at it. Small cake mix, four loaves of pumpkin bread, double batch of chocolate chip cookies, whipped cream frosting and more. The best part is that I can run the pasta attachment to make homemade spaghetti in a double batch, without overheating the motor, even at the highest speeds. Ditto for making orange juice with the attachment. The second best part? It's much, much quieter than the smaller mixers. I should have bought this years ago. It is taller and a little wider than my old mixer, so it just barely fits in my cabinet when not in use.

MUCH quieter than the 600 series
I owned the 600 series mixer for a handful of years, but it just wasn't powerful enough to handle the large quantities of bread dough I make, especially around the holidays. I decided to upgrade to this mixer when an opportunity to purchase with a discount arose. The best thing about this mixer so far is the fact that it is so much quieter than my older 6-qt mixer. Even the highest settings are quieter than the lowest on my old one. After making my first batch of bread dough I was more than happy I made this purchase.

The mixer itself is no bigger than the 6-qt mixer (which is nice because my ice cream mixer, purchased for the 6-qt, will work on this mixer as well), but the extra quart in the bowl makes a difference to me while dealing with my larger batches. The extra wattage is also incredibly wonderful. My previous (575 watt) mixer often overheated while running the dough hook for too long or after the 2nd or 3rd batch of dough. With the 1.3 HP of this mixer, I haven't...

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Joseph Joseph Elevate Knives Carousel Set with Rotating Knife Block, 6-Piece



Fabulous Joseph Joseph knives!
I bought this exact same set on Woot for half the price it is here when it was the home woot of the day, and I love them. First of all, these knives are super sharp. As I am a very clumsy cook, my hands can attest to their sharpness. :P Another nice thing is the coating which makes them VERY easy to wipe off. Nothing sticks to these suckers at all.

I was half expecting the carousel to be flimsy, so I was pleasantly surprised. It is put together well and holds the knives firmly in place. There is also a little lip on the outer edge that helps with that. If you're like me, clumsy, then you tend to cut yourself when you venture into the knife drawer. This keeps that from happening.

I threw away all of my mismatched knives a couple days after receiving this in the mail. I love them so much that if anything ever happens to them that I would gladly pay this price for them.

Clever solution - can function smoothly under upper cabinets
The design of the knife block works great for me. I had a traditional block, angled, but putting the knives back into the block 'sawed' the wood slots and dulled the knife edges constantly, inserting the knives with the back of the shank facing in didn't work either - it felt unsafe to pull knives up and out with the sharp edge facing up.

I like to cook, I use every knife in a block, but I am not a knife snob, honestly, knives that are too sharp are a hazard for me with phones ringing, tv on, hubby coming home etc (I have the scars to prove it). These knives might not stand up to the gold standard of super sharp knives, but for me to use domestically they are pretty darn good.

You know how an over-ripe tomato can get slightly squishy and the skin feels leathery and hard to slice? Not a problem with these knives, they just slice right through.

I love, love, love, the rotating aspect, I can turn the block to access a knife fast, and because the knives...

THANK YOU!!!!
These knives couldn't have come at a better time for my girlfriend and I. We like to cook a lot, and I've been using the same old knife I bought years ago. Without a proper set, I've been using it for everything (much to my displeasure), and now - being able to use this set - I'm able to use the right knife for a specific job. The knives are very well made, with an attractive dark metal, and the magnetic carousel makes me feel comfortable leaving it out on the countertop; I never have to worry about them. ...LOVE this product, and for the price, you get more value than you would elsewhere. I'll be back, Joseph Joseph line!!

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Joseph Joseph Nest 5-Piece Utensil Set, Grey



Great design with a tiny glitch
I ordered it right away when I saw it on Amazon. The product arrived quickly and well-boxed.

It's undeniably delightful to have such a COOL utensil set in your kitchen, for each utensil sticks to one another and stays put even if you try to lightly shake the set. There's an embedded magnet at the end of each utensil, so when you place each one on top of the other, they "attract and click" into place, similar to how an Apple laptop's power cord works when you plug it to the computer.

Colors are not as bright as pictured on Amazon. I've uploaded a picture of it under 'AngryBird'.

One glitch I'd like to point out: You may have to rest the other utensils on the counter or in a container when you use the purple ladle since as you can see, the ladle serves as the stand for the set. You also gotta keep in mind whether the surface of where you put the set is clean since again, the ladle is the stand. Ladle's pouch is flat, which feels a bit awkward at...

Dull Colors; Don't Believe The Pictures
I bought this set because I absolutely LOVE joseph joseph and because I thought the colors on these would be much brighter; they are not. The set I received had spice colors from the 70's: avacado green, maize yellow, pumpkin orange, brick red, and dull purple. If you like vintage colors, these are the spoons for you. Also, the other reviewer is correct. If you use the ladle, there's nothing to keep the other spoons from standing on their own.

Great space saver, with attractive presentation!
This has been a real blessing for us. With limited counter space, and even less drawer space in the kitchen, I was struggling to keep all of the normal kitchen utensils I would need for food prep. Not only does this look cool sitting on the counter, by the Knives Carousel Set (which I ALSO purchased, and LOVE), but it takes up virtually NO space on the countertop, which is precisely what I was hoping to achieve through this order. Well done, Joseph Joseph line ; )
I will absolutely be back for more of your items!

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Gerber Graduates Kiddy Cutlery 3 Piece Fork Set



Perfect lil forks!
Great size for my 16 month old's hands. And the tines are actually capable of stabbing food unlike some baby forks, making them much more practical.

Easy to use
My 17 month old son loves these forks and has no trouble using them. He's able to easily pierce food with the prongs, but they are not pointy enough to hurt him. Just perfect.

perfect
the forks are perfect, just what we were looking for.
easy to handle, not too small and have a good grip.
excellent

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Cuisinart CEC-10 Egg Central Egg Cooker



love this
i have chickens and so i get my own eggs from them each day. i wanted something that could poach eggs for my husband and i easily. also when i boil eggs i wanted something to boil alot at a time. i saw this on amazon and thought i would give it a try. oh my gosh i cant say enough nice things about it. i have only had it a short time and havent made an omelet yet but if it makes one like it does the poached and boiled then it will be great. by the time my toast is done in the toaster the poached eggs are done to perfection. and it turns off itself after the bell rings. love it!!

Best invention since the mouse trap!
I bought this at bed bath and beyond on the advice of my sister. I was really skeptical at first and my first batch of eggs turned out terrible. What a mess, cracked eggs, eggs boiled out etc. called my sis and asked her about where you pierce the eggs as the instructions say poke it on the top. Well,the top to my simple mind is the skinny part! Not so said my sis. The top of the egg is the fat part of the egg!!!!! So i tried another batch, poked them on the top (bottom in my mind) of the egg, put the eggs in with the hole facing down instead of up... And voila!! Perfect eggs in about 9 minutes. And i mean perfect, done to perfection! These eggs are cooked via steam vs. boiling and steamed eggs peel SO MUCH EASIER!! I can peel almost the whole shell off in one piece. Usually my eggs look like they have been through an MMA fight after peeling them. Yes the lid gets hot as its trapping steam (duh) so keep the kiddies away while its cooking. To address the negative reviews about the hot...

The new gift for everyone!!!
For people who love eggs everyday but have limited time. This is a fun and practical gadget. Easy to use, easy to clean. Follow the very simple instructions...SERIOUSLY! If it says use cold water, use it! If it says to position the egg a certain way, do it! Then the eggs will be perfect every time!! The only rule I am lax on is the distilled water. I have water stains in the unit, but I don't care. Stay near the unit. When the alarm sounds you need to turn it off and open it...otherwise your eggs just keep cooking simply from the trapped steam. The paper towel cleanup of the unit is what really does it for me. 4 perfect poached eggs in 9 min and wipe clean...so efficient.

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Monday, November 11, 2013

WMF Stainless Steel Deep Oval Roasting Pan, 16-1/4-Inch



Perfect roaster for almost all needs
Sure this isn't going to fit a 30lb turkey, but hey I have an old ceramic coated roaster, and it is nice, had it for 20 years. One of my biggest issues with this pan is that when carying heavy stuff with the handles it has a tendancy to want to spill. And of course the ceramic coating chips easy. Well if you notice in the picture the handles are offset, well pick this pot up by the handles, and you feel a perfectly balanced pot that is easy to carry. I always like it when a manufacturer makes somthing that you need, and didn't even realize you needed it. With that said no other roaster is ever going to measure up. I would not buy it at the list price, but this pan is worht what Amazon charged at the time of my purchase of just less than that recomended by manufacturer. Will follow up after this pan has been used several times or so.

wonderful
heavy, looks beautiful at the table, easy to clean, can cook either the bottom or the lid, size is perfect for me, altough a little small than others, I higly recomend it

Love this pan
By far one of my favorites. I have an induction stove and a huge burner that I haven't been able to use, until this pot came along. I use the lid as my favorite skillet, the offset handles are very useful. The pan can hold a large amount of veggies for sauteing without touching the others. I really haven't used the bottom yet as I'm not a meet eater, maybe I'll try it for pastas. Truly a beautiful finish and very easy to clean.

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Joseph Joseph TriScale Compact Folding Digital Scale, White



Great for a small kitchen!
Accurate and easy to use, I got a great deal on this so I had to buy it. It works well as both a kitchen and package scale. It's quite durable, you can feel the quality, I was worried it would be flimsy and breakable, but Joseph and Joseph did not disappoint!

Sleek
Very compact! Has the ability to measure in lbs/fl ozs/metric. Definitely recommend for anyone who is looking for a kitchen scale who doesnt have the space for a traditional scale.

cute design
at first seems problematic but then you realize that you only touch the control. don't press it or it will tip and spill your stuff. start with a container on the scale so it will set to 0, then add food. very cute. took away a star because of poor instructions and kind of cheesy plastic.

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Bodum Young Press Shock Resistant French Press Coffee Maker, 1.0-Liter, 34-Ounce, Red/Black



Stop Reading and Buy this
Seriously, although this is my first french press its amazing. I did a s*** ton of research before I bought this one and I'm glad I did.

Advantages:
-- Great construction
-- The plastic insulates the coffee so the second cup doesnt get cold.
-- I dropped it, it didnt break (may have gotten lucky, but still, I wouldnt want to drop those others)
-- Even though its insulated you can see the sexy through the clear plastic
-- The coffee is good, you wont realize how much better until you try it (compared to kerig/traditional)
-- Seriously, why are you still reading, buy it.

Disadvantages:
-- none that I can think of yet (will update if something comes up)

Even if this is your French Press (or maybe especially if it is) this is great. Im younger (20s) and my friends make fun of me for french pressing my coffee, until they try it. Everything has a quality about it and it was well designed. Appreciate the Design, Appreciate...

not as nice as the Chambourd, but still makes great coffee
as more and more stuff comes from the veins of China, the quality that goes into the design of things is based on $, not quality.
The Cham, my previous pot, had a nicer weightier metal top that felt sturdier.
For $30, I'd bet there is plenty of profit in this for Bodum.
This one also has a longer "wind up" to attach the screen and X support to the press assembly.
Obviously, it's a smaller quantity pot, roughly 2 1/2 US mugs as compared to the Cham's 4.
But I bought this one for the clumsy protection of the beaker.

A good, serviceable French press with one big plus ~
This is currently cheaper than replacement carafes for the Chambord press as well. I broke my Chambord carafe, but the other parts were fine. The price for a replacement carafe is around $29 currently (for Bodum brand in the 34 ounce size), so I bought a new Chambord press for $32. I then bought this press for $21. I thought the carafe was also acrylic of some sort. Imagine my surprise when it is the same borosilicate glass as the Chambord!

The main difference is that this press has a semi-shock absorbing outer casing. The glass fits snugly in this casing. The other difference is the lid. The press portion itself and the carafe are identical to the Chambord.

I'm not recommending this over the Chambord, the Chambord press looks GREAT! It's well worth putting out on a service tray rather than hiding in a cabinet. This press has a more modern look, and is equally presentable, but more in line with modern, urban decor (think Ikea and such). It's very...

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Joseph Joseph Chop 2 Pot Plus, Putty



Neat Kitchen Device
I bought one originally at a museum gift shop. It seems that it's an art object. This product works very well for cutting or chopping small pieces of food. Garlic or shallots are just right. Then, it folds so you can shovel the ingredients into a pan without spilling. The handle broke off of the first one after several years, so I purchased another from Amazon. It's a simple, neat device.

Great design, but poor choice of material.
I love the design of this -- it's just so clever. Though upon extensive usage, I've found that the plastic that they use easily becomes mangled from the knife blade -- you don't even have to use much pressure for this to happen. I feel like they went with a very cheap material that hinders longevity as a cutting board surface.

Inconvenient
We were very disappointed with these cutting boards. First, the "funnel" is too wide to do a good job of funneling food from the cutting board to the pot. Second, the cutting board will never lie completely flat; it always bends a bit in a funnel shape. As a result, it is very difficult to cut anything on these cutting boards. Third, these cutting boards are not very big.

I have had these cutting boards for 6 months now, and I never use them because they are so inconvenient.

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Bodum Spare Glass Carafe for French Press Coffee Maker, 12-Cup, 1.5-Liter, 51-Ounce



Strange to review this. When you need it, you need it. I wasn't going to turn one on my kitchen lathe.
I really liked that it can withstand boiling (or I guess 195 degree) water.
I don't like that my housekeeper keeps breaking them. (#firstworldproblems)

Perfect replacement carafe.
Perfect fit. Great Bodum quality and workmanship. Perfect replacement for you 12-cup Bodum French press coffee maker. Blah blah blah - three more words.

Keep 1-2 on hand for those grand-kids helping hands.
Need spares for the times when your kids/grand-kids helping with the dishes and it gets "Accidently" broken. Saves from having to use the old coffeemaker which is now kept in the basement or as a loaner.

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Capresso Coffee a la Carte Cup-to-Carafe Coffee and Tea Maker



A great coffee maker, better than my expectations!
I own or have owned MANY different coffee makers, always trying to find just the right one for my needs. I've tried just about every single cup maker on the market, couple different espresso makers, a couple different drip machines. I finally decided that what I primarily wanted was a single cup coffee maker but I also wanted the ability to make a full pot just every now and then. My wife drinks decaf, I drink regular and usually in the morning we'll both have just a cup. But we also have friends over pretty often so the ability to make a full pot was a necessity. My wife bought me a Breville YouBrew and initially I thought it was going to suit us great...with it's built in grinder and single cup or carafe modes. Unfortunately we went through 4 machines in 5 months...they just kept quitting for one reason or another. After the 4th one died I knew I had to give up on Breville and I started my search for the perfect coffee maker again.

Which led me to this...

Interesting concept; somewhat poor execution. Limited appeal.
Bottom line: While the overall concept of the machine is interesting, the execution is not all that impressive, especially for tea. It will fit the need of a few people, but for most there are better choices.

Full review:
I love coffee regardless of how it is brewed. So, I was really excited to be able to play with this new Capresso while I was staying at my sister's house (who got it for Christmas).

The overall concept of the machine is great - it allows you to brew one cup or a full carafe of coffee as well as tea. No need for pricy k-cups or pods - just plain old ground coffee.

It has a unique head system with two inserts: one for coffee; one for tea. Both are similar in styling in that they are, in essence, a screened cup that holds the grounds (or leaves) while hot water is dispensed from the pump. The coffee cup allows the shower screen (the part where the water comes out) to move on a spring and remain in contact with the grounds. That...

Excellent dual purpose system
Since I have only had this for a couple of days this review will serve two purposes. I will give my first impressions and address a couple of criticisms in other reviews. Keep in mind my solutions to the criticisms do not mean Capresso shouldn't fix the the issues, just that you can work around them.

The issue about tall cups not fitting is easily addressed by removing the metal grating and setting the cup down in plastic cup tray. I tried it this morning and it works fine. If you happen to have a cup that is wide enough so the handle won't fit down in the tray then you can put something down in the tray to raise the cup high enough so the handle won't interfere. As to having to brew a full carafe in that mode this is not strictly true. you can brew whatever amount you want into the carafe by simply watching it brew and then pressing the carafe button at the point you want to stop the brewing cycle. One other solution I haven't tried but suspect would work just fine is to...

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Sunday, November 10, 2013

Handy Gourmet JB6502 Red Cool Touch Micro Bowl, Red



Second one- minor issues, but still the best that's out there
I have one of these for my office and literally use it 3 times a week. You are not supposed to microwave your food in the plastic/ tupperware storage things (for health reasons) and I found it wasteful to dump leftovers or soup into a paper bowl to use once and toss. I leave mine and wash mine at the office, so I don't generally use the lid. However, I found out hubby was microwaving his food in the tupperware! A big no no. I bought him this immediately and he loved it. Minor problem- he actually takes his food to work in this (no place to wash dishes at his office) so the lid was a must have. His came with one of the 3 plastic "hooks" broken off. So it's not as secure as it should be. Just a minor quality control issue. No huge issue for us- we just switched and I gave him my lid- but worth mentioning as I try to create honest and accurate reviews.

Overall, I am very pleased with the product. It heats up well and cleans easily. The plastic portion means I can...

Wonderful bowl !!
This is THE best microwave bowl I have ever come across. The white bowl is glass so there is no worry of heating food in plastic containers. The red bowl does not get hot in the microwave so you are able to remove your food without oven mitts. The lid is made of a very good durable substance that does not wilt from the heat of the microwave like other plastic tops. I place the lid over my bowl when cooking, I don't lock it in place until I'm ready to store it in the refrigerator. It works beautifully. My food is hot in the white bowl and I can easily transfer the bowl from the kitchen to the table because the red bowl is cool. This would make a very excellent gift. I think I'm going to get a couple more just for me...soup in one, veggies in another, something like that. I highly recommend this Gourmet Microwave Cool Touch Bowl.

I love it
I was tired of trying to remove too hot to carry containers from the microwave! This works very well, in fact, I ordered a second one.

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Capresso Froth TEC Automatic Milk Frother



Delicious!
Coffee latte with strong espresso and frothed heated milk in the morning is one of life's great pleasures. However, it is not so easy to duplicate the product of a professional coffee shop at home. The high pressure espresso machine of the pros produces an intense brew which only the most expensive home machines can approach. And then there is the frothed milk.

This is a head to head comparison of two milk heater-frothers, by Capresso and Jura. They cost about the same. I used 6 oz of whole milk and followed the instructions carefully. My report:

-Design and build quality. The Capresso is a lovely precision design, with a glass milk container. It has a removable frothing disk that rotates in the bottom. The Jura is somewhat simpler, and the milk container is teflon. The capacity of the Capresso is larger, if you are trying to froth up your partner as well as yourself. So to speak.

-Frothing efficiency. They both worked well but the Capresso produced a...

Not as good as the Capresso Froth Pro
There is nothing I enjoy more than a cup of nice frothed milk or hot chocolate, and I've owned a number of milk frothers and espresso machines to use for this purpose. What I'm looking for in a milk frother is that it will make a nice cup of dense heated froth (not a lot of runny milk) be easy to clean, and not dangerous or difficult to operate.

I confess I thought this frother wasn't really up to snuff. The frothed milk it produced was low in foam (just a lot of warm milk with a very little foam on top) it took a long time to heat up, and it cooked milk onto the bottom of the froth container, which made it harder to clean There are lots of small parts you have to individually clean. Not good.

Compared to other excellent products like the easy to use, Capresso Frothpro, which this company also makes, with only 1 part you have to wash, and no problem cleaning, this machine was a pain. The milk I made in it was low in froth filled with air, and the scalded cooked...

Big, Slow, and Excellent


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Circulon Acclaim Hard Anodized Nonstick 10-Piece Cookware Set



Circulon Acclaim Cookware Set Keeps its Promises
Circulon Acclaim Hard Anodized Non- Stick 10 Piece Cookware Set is a nice, professional looking cookware set designed to make cooking and cleaning more trouble- free. The set includes three pots and three pans with see- through glass lids and has just the right number of sizes to satisfy most kitchen needs.

Cooking isn't really my thing but if I have to cook, I want something that will help make the task as simple and trouble free as possible. This cookware set satisfies these conditions on most all levels and the first thing consumers will notice is that the nonstick claim isn't exaggerated. The PFTE coating on this cookware really does prevent sticking and this makes cooking far less of a hassle due to the quick cleanup afterward. This reason alone is enough to consider this cookware set. I have used others that claimed to be non- stick, but did not work very well. This cookware set does what it says.

Cooking with this set of pots and pans is easier, too, and...

So... wow.. these are great!
I was really nervous & skeptical about these... mostly due to them being non-stick. Every single non stick pan, pot, etc I have used has eventually lost it's surface and ended up a half non stick / half regular pot. And usually where do those scrapped off fragment go? Probably into our food! So lately i have avoided buy any thing non stick.

But.. enter these babies....

Pro's:

They look great! Very stylish. Very sturdy feeling, I gave them a flex test - they seem very well put together.

We used these for thanksgiving and since they said "metal safe" I went to town on them with spatulas and spoons, etc.. guess what - no scratches! No loss of the non stick material! I will use plastic utensils in the future but I wanted to test them out.

I was dubious of the ridges, they say it helps to cook food faster, lets them release more flavor, etc.. I will say it does seem to work. I don't know the science of it but grilling soe chicken...

Pretty good non-stick set
There are a lot of great things about this set. All the handles are cushioned and insulated, meaning you can be pretty confident when grabbing a handle with a bare hand. In particular, the stock pot has nice handles that are far from the pot AND cushioned/insulated. My wife once had to go to the hospital because of stock pot handles burning her (leading to getting scalded by hot spaghetti water), so this is a big deal to us.

The pots & pans are nice sizes, with a lot of good variety. The tops fit securely, and everything is rated for a good amount of heat. (It's PTFE coated, so you don't want them getting too hot!) Just while writing this review, my wife has reminded me three times how much she likes the size of the stock pot!

The non-stick coating seems to work well, and the bolts attaching the handle to the actual pan appear to be very tight and haven't obviously collected any food thus far. That's been an issue in some pans we've owned, since those...

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Ninja BL660 Professional Blender with Single Serve.



Amazing Blender!
I got this blender for my wife for Christmas. She always hated how our cheap, $50 blender couldn't handle ice when making smoothies. I didn't know anything about the Ninja, but it seemed to be gaining a lot of popularity so I decided to look into it. The thing that really sold me on this blender was simply the fact that it could handle ice like it's nothing at all (it can quite literally turn ice into snow in a matter of seconds) and even though I wanted a Vitamix, I just couldn't justify spending $400+ if this blender could do what we wanted it to do.

I also liked that it came with the single serve option, because not only can we get rid of our Magic Bullet, but sometimes blending is a hassle because we don't feel like cleaning the pitcher. But with the single serve, it is a lot less hassle to clean, plus there isn't anything wasted because we can make just the right amount. Basically it has all the same benefits that the Magic Bullet does. And yes, even the single serve...

Best Blender Ever!
Quick update/note: the price seems to have increased here. Check out Bed Bath & Beyond. Last I checked, they had it for $129, less their 20% coupons, that's $103.

We got this several months ago and have used consistently it for at least two smoothies per day. Ingredients range from really tough (ice) to leafy and insubstantial (kale), and of course a plethora of fruit, and it blends it all down to tiny, consistent pieces within seconds. I think ten seconds on this blender with the small cup is overkill. It is very fast and very strong. Flavor is important to me, so if I could taste or had to chew on the kale, I wouldn't include it.

Before this, I had the Bella Cucina (a knock off of the magic bullet). I loved it until its untimely death but the contrast in quality is stark. The cups are much thicker and clearer, their lids taller and more useful, and they are worlds apart on their blending capabilities. Every piece in this thing just feels like great quality...

Love it!
I must have researched a dozen different blenders before finally deciding. If money was NOT an issue I def would have gone for the vitamix. But since money is an issue I needed a lower priced blender. I saw this in walmart and thought it looked perfect for my needs (daily smoothie and occasional cooking). I was very pleasantly surprised by this blender!! The small individual serving blender is perfect for my daily smoothies with soooo much less clean up. The power is amazing! I crush and blend ice, frozen fruit, and protein mixes with the individual. I use the big one for mixes and larger jobs. Ive had the blender now for about 2 months and I still love it. I highly recommend this for fruit smoothies. I havent tried green smoothies yet...(My body isnt ready for that)..but if/when I do I will update review.

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Cutlery and More 17-slot Universal Knife Block (Beechwood)



Beautiful Bamboo!
Just received this bamboo block and couldn't be happier. The coloring is perfect in my kitchen filled with oak cabinets. It is much richer looking than my old, pale butcher block style, and I love the size as well. I had wanted a "medium" holder so that I could put a convenient amount of knives on the counter without taking up too much space and this is an ideal size.

It holds ten knives on the top, plus my kitchen shears, and will hold my steak knives in the front, too. It's a solid, heavy weight (so no toppeling) and has a very professional looking semi-gloss finish and style. Definitely recommended, especially considering the value for such a nice piece.

Mostly Effective
There is not much to be said here; it certainly performs its function as a Knife block. 11 slots (17 including those for steak knives) is more than ample for all the knives you'll need in a well-equipped kitchen. I purchased mine in Walnut, and it is certainly a handsome color; other reviews have complained about stain missing in various places, but I see no evidence of that on mine. Well put-together, and heavy enough not to slide about on the counter. I noticed some folks complaining that the angle was too steep, but I happen to like that; it lets me leave the block far away across the counter, and yet still have the knives be reachable.

This all said, I do have two complaints:
1) The slot for the steel is very small. This is fine if you have a small steel, but I have a big thick calphalon one, and it simply does not fit. I am not sure how common thick steels are, but bear that in mind before you buy.
2) The slots are perhaps a little too close for comfort...

It's what I needed
My old knife block (the one that came with the Hampton Forge knives) was vertical. It wouldn't fit under my kitchen cabinets -- this does. And, it has a few extra slots for some of the other knives I had been keeping in a drawer. None of the slots accomodate my kitchen shears though. Nevertheless, it is the solution to the problem I had.

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Bodum Spare Glass Carafe for French Press Coffee Maker, 4-Cup, 0.5-Liter, 17-Ounce



Read all about it, people - the best glass carafe review EVER!
I like how Amazon forces me to review the most banal things in the world. One day I'll buy a spool of thread and will be forced to review that.

Here's the review you're all waiting on the edge of your seat for - woman (me) breaks glass in bodum coffee press. Woman (me) freaks out then proceeds to succumb to a caffeine-deficient coma for 2 weeks till woman finds glass carafe online as a replacement. The original one took some getting out (with soap) but was finally replaced with this new carafe. What can I say, I'm awake enough to write this review. It did its job. Pricey, though.

Exactly what it says it is
This is a replacement carafe for Bodum's 0.5-Liter French Press. It's identical to the original carafe, and all parts of the press fit just fine. Handles hot water without cracking. Easy to clean by hand or dishwasher.

Caution: this carafe will break if knocked off the counter onto the floor. However, this is not part of the usual coffee brewing process, so I advise you to avoid this situation. If you are unable to avoid knocking your replacement carafe to the ground (eg, due to small destructive children or an absent-minded flatmate), the good news is that you can buy a replacement replacement carafe and everything will be fine!

Bodum Replacement Carafe
Thank goodness Amazon started carrying this product again! I did not want the "unbreakable" plastic carafe that Bodum has offered as a replacement for the original glass. When my former roommate broke the original carafe, I thought it would not be a challenge to locate its replacement. However, around that time, the Chambord 4 Cup French Press was no longer on Bodum's website with a glass carafe replacement. The reviews for the plastic are mostly the same complaints about scratching and eventually breaking the "unbreakable" due to stress fractures. In addition, coffee oils are much better when they are fresh and plastic hangs onto the oils and most people do not like to use soap on their coffee equipment. Borosilicate is the king!

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Linden Sweden Osti Cheese Cutter, Black



Osti Cheese Slicer and Server


Ordered two of these - the cheese wire broke on both w/in 1 wk!
Years,ago, I bought a cheese wire cutter just like this from pampered chef. After 10 years of very frequent use, the wire broke, and pampered chef no longer carries this model.

So I went to amazon.com and found the Osti, which looked much like my old one. I have many different kinds of cheese cutters, but this style just cuts such nice slices for sandwiches for the husband's lunch. I was so excited to find something like what I had bought years ago, that I ordered two.

Very dissatisfied as that was only a month ago, and now, neither of them work. The wires snap easily. The first one broke the first time I used it. The wire is not up to the task of passing through a normal block of cheddar cheese. The other one lasted four time before it broke.

At $17 a pop plus shipping, well I guess I will go to my local kitchen store or bed and bath and see if they have something. These were a BUST.

Even if I buy replacement wires, I will pay shipping...

Huzzah!
I've finally found a "back up" to the original I've had for almost 15 years.... I was suprised to find them on the internet.... but very very pleased!
Now I can give them as presents to some of the younger chef's in training I know..... fantastic!

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OXO Good Grips Upright Sweep Set



Works great on tile and/or Pergo flooring to get tracked cat litter!
That's why I bought it. Just about any cat tracks some litter out of the box and we have 2 huge litter boxes and a multi-cat home. I don't always feel like getting the vacuum, even the Dyson hand-held one. Obviously this does not work on carpet/throw rugs, but it is perfect for a smooth surface. I can quickly sweep up the loose litter!

Works great, too, in the kitchen for crumbs on the floor after my husband has gotten cereal/made a sandwich/grabbed some potato chips...maybe we need a dog, too, to be a crumbcatcher :)

The OXO Sweep Set has it's limitations, but it's a great set for a quick, small job!

Lobby Broom set - A little flashy but it works!
I already owned the previous model of this broom set and this version corrects the major issue that I experienced previously. The red "teeth" do work to comb out the dust bunnies. If you have pets or long haired people who shed, this is invaluable. Without the teeth, it was difficult to get the dust bunnies to stay in the dust pan while I finished sweeping. It is also slightly sturdier than the previous version.

I notice that a lot of people complained about the size of the previous version - which is the same as this one. It is a standard size for what is called a lobby broom. It is designed to stand unobtrusively in a closet or corner and be available for small quick clean up tasks. I have a small uncarpeted area in my house and this works perfectly.

The only defect is that the color has been changed and the teeth are bright contrasting red. So I don't want it standing out in the open and have to hide it in the closet. Anyway, it's great to have a...

Nice but small
This broom & dustpan set has a small broom and a dustpan with an upright handle. There is a clip to hold the 2 pieces together, which makes for easy storage. They are light & convenient. The broom sweeps effectively and the rubber edge on the dustpan keep stuff from being swept under it, quite well. But the handle on the broom is very short (and I am not), which makes it awkward to use. So in sum, it does its job & is probably fine for a smaller person. But for me (at 5'8") it needs a longer handle.

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Ninja MC701 3-in-1 Cooking System



Decent Product
*** 1/2
There are numerous versions of this product, including, but not limited to, the MC700, the MC701, the MC702, the MC702Q and the MC703. There is no description of the accessories or the warranty that come with this product. While different model numbers may signify different accessories and warranties, the base cooking system is the same. The warranty is generally for one year (some stores and credit cards* offer a supplemental warranty) and the accessories may vary slightly from model to model.

The MC700 includes a six quart base cooking system, mounting rack roast/bake, multi-purpose pan, silicon mitts, silicon muffin tray, quick start guide, instruction booklet, 25 recipe cook book, and a one year warranty.

The MC701 includes a six quart base cooking system, mounting rack roast/bake, multi-purpose pan, inspiration guide, quick start guide, instruction booklet, 25 recipe cook book, and a one year warranty.

The MC702 includes a six quart...

So far we love our Ninja Cooking system!! RECIPES HERE!!
UPDATED Review 3/1/2013!!! Many more recipes have been uploaded to YouTube!! Subscribe to my channel for weekly recipes. Search on YouTube for im14pinball. My videos will come up. Thanks!!

We bought ours at a local departments store, it was around the $120 range with a coupon. We are very pleased with it so far.

We saved quite a bit over the TV price and I cant believe we purchased it cheaper than Amazon sells it. Very rarely does that happen!

Needless to say, we really enjoy our Ninja Cooking System.

The multiple settings allow this one appliance to be so versatile, so convenient that you will most likely never use another traditional crock pot again.

This has a StoveTop setting with low, medium, high settings. This can be used for simmering, sauteing, and searing meats. We often sear our meat on Stovetop high prior to cooking it to help seal in the juices.

It has an oven setting that is adjustable using the digital...

Sailor loves this item.
I have been stationed on a remote island and brought this cooker along as I figured I wouldn't have the kitchen stove and range that I had at home. I have used this to make many different things from Bread, dumplings to pulled pork butt, taco meat, spaghetti and meatballs, meatballs, meat loaf, fried rice, seared veggies and many other things. I have only used it for about 2 months and I love it. There are still things that you shouldn't do but that is common with all the products you buy. Please don't think you can steam something all day and not be there to attend to it, or think that the stove top setting will let you just walk away from it. I have other friends that have used my Ninja and they have decided they are getting their own as soon as they can. (once back in the states.) This product is great for a college student that wants to cook while studying, a busy family that wants to slow cook dinner for the evening without much fuss or even a great chef that might want to...

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