Sunday, August 31, 2014

Cover Only for 5 Roller Commercial Hot Dog Machine

Cover Only for 5 Roller Commercial Hot Dog MachineThere were absolutely no instructions shipped with the product. Took me a few tries to figure out the puzzle. In the end, the curved top cover is not flush with the two side panels leaving a gap. This ruins the aesthetics but it should serve its purpose.

Item also does not look as pictured (at least not the one I received). What I got was 3 glass pieces (the two side panels are glass and not the plastic/metal ones pictured) and four legs. An additional metal band holds the curved panel and ends together at the apex. The legs are attached with the self tapping screws already on the Roller and can be installed with just a Phillips-head screwdriver.

The glass is tempered. I accidentally dropped all three panels (glass is slippery) on the floor with a loud clang but no breaks.

Overall the cover is heavy duty, just don't expect it to also cook your dogs.

I was excited when I received this item. It was neatly packed and not broken upon opening it. The item was heavy glass, which I expected it to be plastic. The unfortunate part of this was it had 0/ none / absolutely no assembly instructions. the item was different than all the pictures of the productg so I couldnt use that as help. It was a total guessing game. I think I might have put it together properly but it appears that you have to drill holes in your hot dog cooker to attach it?? the item in the picture appears to have metal sides. the item I reveived has glass sides. it's nice but definately need instructions.

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his is just a splatter shield and it works fine. I can now place the cooker on almost any surface without worrying about damage to surfaces.

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Cuisinart Simply Grilling Nonstick Grilling Wok

Cuisinart Simply Grilling Nonstick Grilling WokThis product is unfit for its intended use. The first time I used it -to grill vegetables on a gas grill at lower than medium heat (two burners on medium, the third off) -the synthetic part of the "heat resistant" handle melted! Some of the melting "plastic" got all over the food. Even worse, when the entire mess cooled, it was virtually impossible to remove the small globs that had stuck to the body of grilling pan. There are very good products that serve this function. Stay away from this one.

We love to cook vegetables on the grill and this works great.We've used this a few times and had no probems at all. Cleans up easy as well!

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I bought this wok for my husband, and he loves it, he uses it at least once a week on the barbecue, he has tried different receipes and they all turn out really good, the price was right and it cleans up very well.

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The wok worked great until the handle melted and actually dripped on the grill. Look for a wok with a metal handle.

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Anolon Advanced Hard Anodized Nonstick 18-by-10-Inch Double Burner Griddle

Anolon Advanced Hard Anodized Nonstick 18-by-10-Inch Double Burner GriddleIt's so nice when a simple cooking device is done well. The heating is uniform, the pan is light (read: easy to hold while rinsing) but lies very flat (no runoff of liquids), and nothing sticks (we add butter for the flavor). I like the feel of the soft grip handles but it does get too warm to handle because our gas rangetop shoots heat across and around the edges of the griddle. It was a great way to get my husband to cook for me since there is next to no cleanup involved for his quesadillas and eggs. Lots of space for bacon too although the low rim will permit more splatter than a deeper pan. Enjoy!

Bottom line, you buy one of these mainly to make pancakes. The Anolon Double Burner Griddle is better than a traditional frying pan for pancakes because you can fit more on it at one time, which means less time in the kitchen and more time eating those tasty little crumpets while they're still hot. The kids also get less whiny when you can serve them all at once instead of doling out a few pancakes here and there or worse, serving them all at once when they've gone cold.

Turns out, it's also good at French toast, eggs, bacon, quesadillas and grilled cheese sandwiches. Added bonus: you only have to add butter or oil if you like the flavor, because after owning and using this thing for two months, I have to admit, it truly deserves to be called nonstick (unlike so many "nonsticks" that have disappointed me after the first few uses).

Some might point out that at 10 inches wide, this griddle is too narrow to fit all their breakfast items at once. Well get two, they're a slim profile and lightweight and at about fifteen bucks less than the Circulon, you can probably afford it.

My 22-year-old recipe for Frickin' Fantastic Pancakes:

1 cup Buttermilk, 1 cup flour, 1 egg, 2 Tablespoons oil, 1 Tablespoon sugar, 1 tsp. baking powder, ½ tsp. baking soda, ½ tsp. salt.

Heat your griddle to med-low. Mix ingredients in a large bowl with a balloon whisk until just a few lumps remain (no overworking allowed). Pour on the griddle (you know what size you like) and watch for the bubbles in the center of your pancakes to signal it's time to turn. Flip, cook a few more minutes, serve, and notice how much better this is than that mix stuff.

-Andrea, aka Merribelle

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Works perfectly. We have a Wolf ceramic cooktop and so a decent griddle must be perfectly flat. This is. We've had it for months. It wipes clean in hot water with a once-over with a soapy dishcloth. Nothing sticks. Of course, we take care of it. We don't overheat it and we don't immerse directly into water when it is hot. Our stove has a bridge element between the two round elements and we get perfectly even heat across the griddle within degrees when tested with an infrared thermometer. The handles have silicone or something to insulate them so you can position or move the griddle without grabbing for a hot pad. There is a pour spout at one end for draining bacon or sausage grease. Cook breakfast for a crowd in nothing flat. You can manage 6 hearty pancakes at once or 6 fried eggs can be done to a perfect over-easy without overlapping or crowding. Suddenly I look like a seasoned short-order cook for a house full of company. Solid value. Easily worth more in my opinion.

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This gridle is great looking and I leave it out on my 5 burner gas stove.

I use it all the time for everything I can think of. I can keep one side hotter than the other for cooking different types of foods. It responds quickly to heat increase or decrease. This is definitely a good nonstick finish. I haven't found anything that sticks to it yet. The handles make it easy to pick up and it has a pour spount that I haven't had to use yet. The handles don't stick up too high and interfere with cooking or washing. They are one reason I chose this skillet. It is very easy to clean also. I wouldn't advise using this skillet on a glass top. I had one of those and hated it for cooking everything. This is perfect for gas. The price is exceptional for the quality provided!!!

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I have owned two of these pans. The first wore out after several years of daily use. Note that the package says "non-stick" and not "non-stick forever". Eventually, all non-stick pans wear out. Out of the box, this pan is magic. Nothing will stick and it cleans up beautifully. The pan is also nice and thick. I have never had a problem with warping, however heating this pan really hot and then rinsing it in the sink could cause warping. To maximize the life of the pan, be sure to NEVER use aerosol oils such as PAM on the pan. The propellant in the can burns at a lower temperature than the oil, and ends up burning in the pores of the pan surface. It will not take long to destroy the non-stick finish. Also, allow the pan to cool COMPLETELY before washing it to prevent any warpage. No gritty cleaners either. The pan should last for many years and then you can buy another one.

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Smart Planet BBM-1 Brownie Bite Maker

Smart Planet BBM-1 Brownie Bite MakerYou REALLY need to coat the mini brownie cups with butter, flour, or SOMETHING when using this; if you don't, the brownie's will begin to crumble when you take them out. I find that using a fork to lift them out (from the sides) works best, and preserves the integrity of the brownie!

The only reason I did not give it 5 stars is because it does not make enough at one time. I have to keep refilling it too many times. Other than that it bakes well. Stores well. Cleans up very nicely.

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Gourmet Classics Pig Junior Chef Apron

Gourmet Classics Pig Junior Chef ApronI love this gift it was perfect for my friend, but didn't wash well. Not the most practice apron, but it was fuN!

My daughter loved this apron. She uses it every night to help me cook dinner. She is a pig fan!

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Got this for my niece for her birthday. She loves pigs and LOVED the apron. Seems to be decent quality and fits an 8 year old (though a wee bit big). Would likely fit a small adult but is perfect for the average kid. I'm happy with this purchase.

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My grand-daughter likes pigs so a pig apron was just what she wanted. She likes it a lot.

It seems well made.

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Saturday, August 30, 2014

CDN Digital Programmable Probe Thermometer

CDN Digital Programmable Probe ThermometerHaving burned out, drenched, accidentally kinked, and destroyed enough Polder probes to fill an oven, I finally threw in the towel and went elsewhere for a digital probe thermometer. CDN's Proaccurate may finally be the end of my search for a worthy successor.

Digital probe thermometers are a godsend for cooks who like to set it and forget it when cooking. You want that steak done to exactly 145 degrees? The probe thermometer will tell you. Just stick it in the meat, set the finished temp, and let the beep tell you when it's exactly medium rare. When it works, this kind of thermometer is indispensable.

Therein lies the rub, though. "When it works...." Most of the digital probe thermometers on the market suffer from the same chink in the armor--their probes are flimsy. Not only are the wires inside the probe itself thin when compared with the braided metal housing that holds them, but they can't take the heat, either. Most probes top out at a little over 380 degrees. You run the risk of burning it out when checking oil temperatures, something every probe should be able to do. And if your oven cycles its heat on and off, you could have it set for 350 but it may vary between 300 and 400 while cooking for twenty minutes or more. The result is a cooked probe.

But not with the CDN Proaccurate. The probe cord itself is significantly thicker (fifty percent or more, from my guess) and the temperature tops out almost a hundred degrees higher than the other guys at 482. Plus, unlike the other guys, this unit carries a full five year warranty--including the probe. You can't find that in any other digital probe thermometer I've seen.

Pros:

* Probe withstands highest heat I've seen offered--482 degrees F--and is far more hefty than competitors

* Meat selector settings (Chicken, Beef, Lamb, Turkey, Pork, Veal) with doneness levels

* Accurate. Approved for Food Service Industry usage

* Twenty-four hour count down and up timer

* Large display

* Includes wall mount, magnetic attachment to metal surfaces, and is free-standing

* Good price point

* Five year warranty

* CDN was swift in answering e-mailed questions I had about the unit

Cons:

* No seconds displayed on timer

* Design won't be confused with anything coming out of Europe :-)

* Non-intuitive operation on a couple functions

* Plastic case is not heat-resistant

* Tiny indicator makes it hard to tell if the unit is running when using timer

* Alarm is not as loud as other units out there

* Probe still prone to water damage (no dishwasher)

* Hard to read times less than ten minutes due to shadow of case on digits near the right side

Overall, as a new user my review is positive. Time will tell concerning ruggedness, but I am hopeful given the clear difference in probes between the CDN and other units out there. This CDN model is almost worthy of five stars, but the lack of seconds on the timer is a bad design decision from my point of view. I know from experience with other units that watching those seconds roll by gave me some assurance from a distance that the timer was running.

So for all you Polder and Taylor users who are exasperated with probe failures on your thermometers, this CDN may be what you've been looking for.

I am a big fan of probe thermometers, and I have owned and ruined several of them; each a different brand. The CDN is the most accurate and can withstand high heat best on the market in this price range. I have owned this thermometer for over a year now, and in this time it has:

1. Been rained on at least 5 times.

2. Dropped in our pool.

3. Been hidden in our sandbox.

4. Been dropped on hot coals and backing partially melted.

Each time this thermometer has miraculously come back to life and worked perfectly! The original battery is still going.

If I had to purchase a new one, it would be this thermometer!

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After much research into these devices, I decided to purchase the CDN brand for my husband as a gift. I chose this brand since it had a higher temperature range than that of the other brands available. This one goes up to 482degrees. So far he seems to love this thermometer. It seems very accurate in reading the internal temp of the meats. He loves that it allows him to program what type of meat and for beef the taste(rare,m.rare,med,well). The cable connecting the device to the probe seems to be pretty strong--braided wire. I have seen other devices by other brands that the cables "burn out". This was one of the deciding factors in purchasing the CDN brand. My husband loves the magnetic feature that allows him to stick it to the side of the oven! I am also excited to see the thermometer comes with a clip for candy making and frying. I havent had a chance to use it for this purpose yet, but it makes the device much more versatile & useful. The temperature display is quite large and easy to read...so it will work good for someone who cant read small print. I would actually give this product 4 &1/2 stars. The only reasons I would deduct half a star are: 1)the casing is plastic (cannot use on BBQ)and 2)the timer beeper isnt that loud (you cant hear it if upstairs or more than a room away, so you need to stay in earshot to hear the timer go off). All in all its a great product. I would recommend it. Buy it and you will never have dried out or undercooked meat again. Its well worth it! The chef in your life will thank you!

Read Best Reviews of CDN Digital Programmable Probe Thermometer Here

I found myself doing quite a bit of research before buying a digital probe thermometer... it seems that each brand and model has it's 'gotchas,' so unless you spend several hundred bucks on a laboratory grade thermometer, you're gonna have to deal with one or more disadvantages... unreliable probes, inaccurate readings, inconvenient menus, inadequate range, flimsy construction, etc. The questions I ended up asking myself were, what are the most desirable qualities, and what are the disadvantages I could live with?

First and foremost, I wanted one that was reliable. Unfortunately, every single model contained reviews from folks whose thermometers didn't make it a month let alone a year. So the next step was to look at the frequency of problems, and perhaps more important, the warranty. CDN was the only one with a five year warranty (one that they seem to cheerfully honor, judging by feedback), so that went a very long way toward making my decision.

Next was temperature range... most digital probe thermometers peak out at under 392 degrees. I didn't feel that was enough so there was another point in favor of the CDN, which is one of the very few that tops out at 482 degrees.

Finally, it came with a metal clip for use on the rim of saucepans, stockpots and so forth... why this cheap but useful little accessory is an optional extra purchase with many other models is a testament to the idiocy and greed of companies who want to get the product out there for the cheapest possible price and then hit you up later for things they should have provided in the first place.

Now that I've lived with the CDN Proaccurate a month or so, I have to say I'm pleased. Tested against two other thermometers the CDN seems accurate, and though it's response seems a bit slow, it's not really meant for instant readings anyway. Other minor gripes? Well, it's not very intuitive when it comes to setting some of the functions... but once you use it a few times you get used to that. Probably my major disappointment is that the timer counts only hours and minutes, no seconds... this coupled with the very small blinking indicator means that it's difficult to tell when it's running. As I said, these are minor gripes... overall I'm extremely pleased with this purchase.

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The thermometer looks really good at first. Great range for candy making (unlike one of the more inexpensive models that Amazon sells) and reasonable wire length. For the past two months its been great. Then it suddenly gave poor measurements (based on salt free ice water, fully equilibrated, and salt free boiling water). It is approx 25 degrees below what it should read. So I'm sending it back. The unit comes with a 5 year warranty. We'll see what type of response I get.

Update: ended up getting a warranty replacement. This too worked for a while and then failed. Stay away

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ROSHCO SMORES MAKER, INDOOR OR OUTDOOR

ROSHCO SMORES MAKER, INDOOR OR OUTDOORA coworker bought this fugly Hershey's one from Sam's Club and it was huge and very cartoonish. I wanted something fun for the kids that also looked nice enough to set out with adults. This smores maker works great, the whole thing is on a lazy susan which adds to its appeal. I'm very happy with it and so are my kids! We had Thanksgiving smores and they were a hit : ) I set out long bamboo skewers for kebabs instead of using the metal forks, then more people could use it without having to wash the forks between each person.

Music City Metals 90081 Stainless Steel Heat Plate Replacement for Select Jenn-Air and Vermont Cast

Music City Metals 90081 Stainless Steel Heat Plate Replacement for Select Jenn-Air and Vermont Castings Gas Grill Modelsvery pleased with the product and the service. Exact fit to my Vermont Grill. Great Price also. I will be back if I need anything else for this grill in the future.

I have a Vermont Castings grill I bought about six years ago at Home Depot. This is the first time I am replacing heat plates. I just wanted to say that although I think $50 is expensive for threee of these, they do make the grill hotter faster.

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Product was exactly what I was looking for, and at a reasonable price compared to other sites I researched. Very well made and fit my Vermont Castings gril perfectly.

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They fit and work well. Pricy to me. But that's everywhere not just here. Much cheaper then buying a new grill of this quality.

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I ordered these to replace heat plates on our bbq grill that had rusted through, hoping that stainless steel would NOT rust! FALSE advertising from this seller! What a waste of money on my part ... after only one year, they are rusted through, flaking and flimsy. Now I'll be searching for REAL stainless steel plates and definitely from a different seller!

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Zwilling J.A. Henckels Twin Pro-S 4-Piece Steak Set

Zwilling J.A. Henckels Twin Pro-S 4-Piece Steak SetOh, dear God, I love these knives. Their weight in your hand is hefty without being tiring. The blades are sharp, precise, and easy to handle. And do they slice? I mean -and do they SLICE!!!

After each meal, I hand-wash these instruments and give them a quick touch of the sharpening stone. I then gently, very gently, place them back into their case for safekeeping. Is it any wonder my fiancé is jealous?

I do have one complaint -I only have four of these knives. I'm going to need at least eight more for the grilling I plan to do next summer. I mean, it's going to take a big patio party to properly show off these fine blades.

The bogus MSRP price in this listing aside, the $99 is the typical street price for this set and it's not cheap but so worth it. Very good quality in blade and handle. The knives make eating steak a special event ... well, almost. But it's a serious step up from the Eversharp knives, where the serration is great but rips the meat rather than cut (as the smooth edged Pro-S). Would buy again, even if the price is a bit high.

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I've had these knives for a month now and like them very much. They cut very nicely and feel good in your hand. I've swiped them on my steel a few times and they keep their sharpness. I think anyone would be happy with these knives.

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Splurged three years ago and got 2 sets. Love em. They are still sharp and can draw a thin slice off the end of a New York Strip with ease. Guests love them too. That's why I need 8 more. Our backyard grilling events are getting more popular and I really hate to give some guests the second string knives. I am sitting here pondering the expense. Some things are worth the extra money though and this is probably one of them!

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Last year I bought these knifes for 149.00 I would love at least 4 more sets ,but have to wait for a sale. Great quality.No other compare.

Swissmar 8 Person Red Classic Raclette Party Grill with Granite Stone

Swissmar 8 Person Red Classic Raclette Party Grill with Granite StoneI only had raclette once before ordering this, so I don't have a connoisseur's understanding of it all, but I can say that this grill does a great job for my family and I. I like the idea of the granite top better than a metal one. It just seems cleaner and maybe healthier for you. The pans and scrapers are fine and it actually heated up for cooking in less time than the other raclette I had before. The granite seemed to stain a little and was somewhat difficult to clean, but I really don't mind. You only see the stains when it's heating up and before any food goes on it. After that, it's covered in meats and vegetables, and that's all that really matters!

My wife and I had dinner with friends who had a Raclette. We cooked steak, shrimp, melted cheese and had a great time.

So, we ordered one. This Swissmar Raclette is great. Has a nice stone top that looks great and functions great.

We've had friends over to cook on it and everything turned out wonderful. Can melt cheese in the bottom trays and we've put mushrooms and potatoes in the trays. I nuke the potatoes first.

A very nice product.

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Love the Swissmar Raclette. I purchased the stone party grill. To my surprise you can make a variety of things on this grill. We have done Raclette; fajita night, pizza night, quesodilla night and traditional meat and potatoes. This also makes wonderful breakfast. Omelet toppings, crepes and pancakes. Lekker!!!

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Really great material, works perfectly. We enjoy the meals everytime we use it. You only need to choose the right meat(diced cut, swiss cheese (sliced)and some veggies(medley potatoes boiled, roasted peppers, whatever you like)on the side. Easy to clean. Excellent buy. Delivery was super fast.

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This grill heats up quickly and does a great job cooking vegetables and melting cheese. We used this twice for different family dinners, and the experience of sitting around the table together (which is less and less common among families these days, it seems) and "cooking" our meal was wonderful. We chatted and laughed. Food as social and familial bond. Wonderful. The stone is relatively easy to clean, but I would recommend the scraper that is sold by Swissmar since you aren't supposed to use anything abrasive when cleaning up. Quality product that provides lots of enjoyment!

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Friday, August 29, 2014

Cadco PCR-1S Professional Cast Iron Range, Stainless

Cadco PCR-1S Professional Cast Iron Range, StainlessI love this single burner range...I serially bought one of several different models (of single burner ranges) locally, tested them, and returned them all. I was disgusted. Then I got this one. It was considerably more expensive, but its rock-solid and has been in use about 18 hours a day, 24 in some cases, for several months.

Its a great size for pans and regular pots, but a bit too large for the smaller pots, like 1-1.5 qt (or even a 2.5 qt, if the latter's got a windsor bottom).

It warms up very quickly, and cools off more gently. If you're used to cooking with gas, this will be a shock because it's cast iron and holds the heat. If you're experienced in cooking with cast iron (pots, pans, ranges :), you'll find it utterly predictable, or at least I do. Sometimes you just have to remove the pan for a few seconds and turn OFF (not down) the heat.

I consider it easy to clean. I've never done more than blow a few crumbs off on the cast iron burner, but I imagine it IS a sponge eater if you scrub it with one (as noted by another reviewer). The burner has a rough surface, but that's all good in my book. It keeps pots and pans from too easily or inadvertantly sliding off the range prevents potential disaster! The part of the range that I'm really concerned about keeping clean is what all surrounds the burner. That part is all brushed steel, with no seams or holes or "gingerbread", very sturdy, very professional, and a real breeze to keep clean.

Did I mention that I totally love this range, despite the hefty price? It was designed for working cooks, imho. If I ever need yet another burner, I won't bat an eyelash at getting this same model, or at recommending it to a friend.

Apr '09 ---->2 years after original review

Still in near constant use, still working perfectly, still loving it...

Jun '12 ---Still the most used tool in our kitchen, still find it a joy to own.

I was worried about ordering online and not being able to see the product in person. I was so surprised that it was so much better than I expected. I used it for canning and had a giant pressure cooker sitting on it. It performed perfectly and because it is so well made I expect that it will last me for years. Due to the fact the top area around the burner is metal you do not have to worry about a large pot extending out over the side of the burner and melting any plastic like other models on the internet. Well worth the price.

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THIS PRODUCT IS A GOOD BUY. I BOUGHT NEW CERAMIC TOP STOVE & BOUGHT THIS FOR MY PRESSURE COOKERS.I USE A PRESSURE COOKER OFTEN & I CAN WITH BIG COOKER EVERY YEAR.WELL WORTH ITS MONEY ,WORKS GREAT.JUDY IN TN.

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We bought this item as an addtional burner durign canning season, and it works great. Hits quickly, high heat too, not the run of the mill hot plate. Cast iron and stainless steel makes it a breeze to clean.

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This is a quality, substantial, well-built hotplate which is made in Germany. It is not a range. Ranges consist of several hotplates and at least one oven.

The cast iron surface is very well-finished, providing good friction to hold pots in place. The "slow-reacting" nature of cast iron burners renders them superb for many uses where constant even heat is required though less suitable for use where quick temperature adjustments are required. There is fine control of the heat output and it works superbly with cast iron dutch ovens. It also makes an excellent extra burner for those few times they are needed, and its portability makes it a good warming plate for use on or near the table.

This is NOT an inexpensive Wallymarket special. It is solidly built of stainless steel and is substantial enough to support and heat a full 14" diameter 30 qt. pot. though at 120v 1500w, it does take quite a long time to reach a boil. Great for an outdoor cookout (provided the long heat-up time is accommodated).

I am prepared to pay extra for quality products that are not made in China. This is well-worth the extra cost. I shall revisit this review if there is a problem with its longevity.

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Rome's #128 11 Inch x 16 Inch Pioneer Camp Grill, Chrome Plated Steel

Rome's #128 11 Inch x 16 Inch Pioneer Camp Grill, Chrome Plated Steelit fits on the backpack no problem, it is a little heavy which for me is a big plus , feels heavy duty and not overly heavy, perfect for backpacking , wilderness camping etc.Good product.

Just so you know, a hot dog wont fall through this (I was wondering that when I bought it). Not much to say about it otherwise, but sturdy enough & it helped me cook my burgers while camping & not on the nasty outdoor grills provided by the campsite.

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Just great to carry in the motor home. Takes up little space, cleans easily, and we don't have to use 'public' grills. Legs are easily adjustible to different size fire rings.

Read Best Reviews of Rome's #128 11 Inch x 16 Inch Pioneer Camp Grill, Chrome Plated Steel Here

i went camping over two nights/three days last weekend, and this was the one thing we did not have. found it, liked the reviews here, so i took a chance. IT WAS GREAT, with a few buts....we camped with about 10 people, so EVERYONE used this thing. we cooked probably 20 burgers, steak tips, hot dogs, everything. it held up like a champ. it's good quality AND no hot dogs fell through the grates which are a good size! it's a little wobbly, so you gotta make sure there's room in your fire for this. also, for this price don't expect the best quality of metal. by the end of this trip it was pretty unstable and the legs were not as confident as they were when we arrived (but we did beat the heck out if it!).

so yeah, for this price you really can't go wrong. if it's just a family trip you may get more than one trip out of it. we ended up leaving this one at the site for the next person to give a shot. will definitely buy another for next trip!

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I am a huge fan of this grill compared to most of the other heavier duty ones. It folds flat and takes up little space in our camping gear. The legs are long enough to give sufficient room underneath so that you aren't completely charring your food. And there is enough surface area to cook meat and veggies all at once. It's lightweight enough to carry in a backpack without effort. Not great if you are only backpack camping because of the size, but it's great for car camping.

Bayou Classic CI-7410, 10-Gal. Cast Iron Jambalaya Pot, Tripod Stand, and 2 Lift Hooks

Bayou Classic CI-7410, 10-Gal. Cast Iron Jambalaya Pot, Tripod Stand, and 2 Lift HooksSo I'm not your average consumer for a jambalaya pot. I'm a practicing pagan, and very active in my local faith community in Wisconsin. Cauldrons are a frequently used symbol and tool in our practice, and I was looking for one that would be big enough to actually hold warm cider for a fall celebration. When I tried to find one to purchase, however, I discovered that large cauldrons run in the $500+ range, so was very discouraged until I started randomly searching Amazon for cast iron products and found this! When seasoned all over, this jambalaya pot looks almost exactly like what we think of as a classic cauldron. I bought it, seasoned it and used it at our festival to much applause. I would highly recommend this product to other pagans. Why shell out an extra $300 just to buy a 'cauldron' when you can just rename a 'jambalaya pot' and no one will ever know the difference?

A few notes on the logistics of owning this product.

1)It is huge. I read over the specifications, but was still amazed at how big and heavy it really was. When I was transporting it I was glad I have a station wagon type car, as it wouldn't have fit in a normal trunk.

2) It is heavy. I was able to lift it with difficulty, but to transport it longer distances really needed either a strong man, or two people each holding one of the pot-hooks (Don't loose those!) When it was full of liquid I would not have even wanted to try to move it. That would have been impossible and dangerous when the liquid was hot. If you need to transport the cauldron off the fire for serving you'll have to empty it first.

3) Before using it you need to clean and season it. While I've seasoned cast iron pans before, preparing my cauldron what a whole other story. I had to wash it in my bath tub as it was much too big to go in the sink, and then clean off the scratches the legs left on the bottom of the tub. There is no way to season this in a conventional oven, it would probably break it. To season it you really need to use an open fire. I was lucky that there was a camp-fire at the event the day before I wanted to use it. I spent several hours carefully wiping Crisco over the whole thing, which turned it a really beautiful black. While purists will tell you to use bacon fat to season, I found that vegetable based Crisco worked just fine. There were vegans in the group would would be drinking out of it and I didn't want to offend anyone.

4) The stand it comes with is adequate, but I was a bit worried about how sturdy it really was when I had it full of liquid over the fire. I ended up not using the feet that came with the stand, and sunk the legs as deep as I could push them into the ash of the fire pit. The entire time I had it over the fire I watched it like a hawk for signs that it might be tipping. It did fine, but I'd monitor it to be sure.

5)It takes a while to heat up when its full of liquid, but not as long as you would think. I was really worried the cider wouldn't heat fast enough, so I built up the fire very hot. This resulted in me finding out how very well this pot heats liquid. In under 10 minutes the whole pot was scalding hot. I ended up having to damp down the fire and add more cider to keep people from burning their tongues! Cider is the only think I've cooked in it, but from that experience I would say it works VERY well to cook in. The 10 gallon model is so large I am sure you could feed 15-20 hungry people out of it.

My only complaint with the quality is that the stand could be more sturdy. The vessel itself is very high quality. Its very thick sturdy iron, and seemed to heat evenly. The protective wax coating it was shipped with came off fairly quickly, and when seasoned it was really a thing of beauty. I'm considering investing in another, smaller, pot from Bayou Classic so as to have a more reasonably size cauldron, and one I could cook with on camping trips for a smaller group. I would highly recommend this product for both jambalaya fans and for pagans in search of reasonably priced working cauldrons.

THIS POT IS GREAT FOR COOKING ANYTHING, HEATS UP FAST, GREAT FOR CRACKLINS, STEWS, CHICKEN&NOODLES& ECT.ONCE IT HEATS UP TURN THE FLAME ON LOW AND LET HER COOK.

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This 10 gallon pot was perfect for cooking large quantities of chicken pilau for various fundraisers. The thickness

of this pot insures that it will be around for generations to come. The carrying handles make it easy to transport.

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This is exactly what I was looking for! I was especially pleased with the free shipping. Screwing the legs onto the stand was a little difficult, but if you oil the threads first, it's a lot easier. I agree that it would've been nice for the feet to be welded on, but it's not that big of a deal to me.

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Excellent!! Have enjoyed cooking in it. Just what I had in mind when I ordered it.

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Farberware Specialties Aluminum Nonstick 18-Inch-by-10-Inch Double Burner Griddle, Platinum

Farberware Specialties Aluminum Nonstick 18-Inch-by-10-Inch Double Burner Griddle, PlatinumWe purchased our first Farberware griddle at a Sears store. AFter trying it out on our coal stove, we were delighted with the grilled cheese sandwiches (our first try on the griddle), then we tried hamburgers and potatoes. Again great. Later when the weather warmed, we used it on our electric stove and were just as happy with the results. We liked it so much we purchased one from Amazon for our daughter-in-law.

We love this griddle! Pancakes, french toast, eggs... all great!!! No need to spend twice as much on other brands... this one is great and it fits into cabinets with ease. Beware griddles with handles that are "up" instead of out!

The instructions say to use without oil and I tried it with pancakes... the release is fine! One note/correction: the instructions say DO NOT WASH IN DISHWASHER!!!!! Doing so will void your warranty. I always hand wash (honestly, I just wipe it down with a washcloth since it cleans up so easily) so it's not an issue.

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I have had this griddle about a month. The griddle does not clean up very well even though I always use olive oil. But the biggest problem is it warped after using it in a 200 degree oven. Otherwise the size is fine and the rubber handles are great for preventing burns. Other farberware pans I have are OK.

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Very disappointed after one use. All was going well, not warping, etc...until I took it off the stove. Some of the finish came off. I bought it at Sears and hopefully I can return it.

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I bougtht this a few weeks ago. I love the finish on this...it cleans very easily, and things cook very nicely on it. It would be prefect except for the fact that it did warp slightly after the first use. Other than that, it's great.

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GrillPro 00150 Cast Iron Smoker Box

GrillPro 00150 Cast Iron Smoker BoxI'm glad I ordered two of these for my Charbroil gas grill. The cast iron smoker box is measured 8"x5x1" -made in China of course. It works ! What I did I soaked wood chips, put them in the box and placed under the grilling rack -right ontop of the gas burners. The resulted smoked favored chicken tastes unbelivable! Can't wait to try with ribs and beef. Like I said the box is cast iron. Very solid so I'm expected to last longer than my grill, if not forever.

Great buy if you're a griller. Got some applewood chips for under 10 bucks, getting many uses of sweet smoking pleasure. Heat grill first, allow smoke to build.and enjoy the flavor of wood grilled with the convenience of propane. Good price, sells for more in stores.

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For use in a charcoal or gas grill for smoking 'meat' of any kind. Very well built and holds heat quite well. Place chips in box and place smoker box over indirect heat.

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I bought the smoker box from the local fireplace and BBQ shop for $10. It's nice and heavy cast iron should be durable. The instructions printed on its wrapper were clear and simple. I filled it with dry hickory chips, put it on the grill of my gas grill, put the grill on high and in 15 minutes there was a good amount of smoke. Then I turned the heat down and put some ribs in a rack over a water pan which sat on the half of the grill I had covered with heavy aluminum foil. Several hours and a couple of water refills later the ribs were done. They tasted great and we saw a well-defined pink smoke ring in the meat.

An added bonus was that when the cast iron cooled and the kid was removed, the wood chips had turned to charcoal and the inside of the box looked like a Louise Nevelson sculpture. Really kind of beautiful.

In the past I've used foil packets of wood chips. This box seems to work better, with more prolonged smoke. I read a suggestion to use two, one dry and the other with soaked chips, with the idea that the wet chips will take longer to start smoking, and between them and the dry chips there'll be a longer period of smoke.

Well worth the $10 it cost me and would have been worth $15.

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The cast iron and heavy lid do a good job to reduce the airflow to the wood chips so you get more smoke than flame. I use this with my gas-fired smoker and it works well with the flame on low.

After a couple weekends of using it, I will probably get another so I can swap out for new wood chips quicker and easier and let the box of coals cool down until it is safer to move around.

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Thursday, August 28, 2014

Porcelain-Coated Cast Iron Cooking Grid for Brinkmann Grills

Porcelain-Coated Cast Iron Cooking Grid for Brinkmann GrillsThe cooking grids are good, slightly loose fit but work great. I have rebuilt my Brinkmann Pro 2600 4 times now in 12 years. I'm just glad I can still cook with it. The newer grills do not seem as sturdy.

The grids arrived quickly and look great. The finish is fantastic and they are heavy weight, quality replacement grids. The size is as described.

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worked great. restored my grill to like new conditions. I would STRONGLY recommend this product. Fits like the original did.

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Looked everywhere, including the Brinkman site only to find nothing. Good old Amazon seems to have just about everything you need so wala, I found it. The price was reasonable, shipped quickly and is a perfect fit. Hope it lasts 10 years, like the original one did!

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Excellent part replacement, same as original equipment. Good delivery time. Parts are pricey but last for a long time. Recommend for Brinkman grill.

Chile Twister Pepper & Tomato Corer

Chile Twister Pepper & Tomato CorerThis product made cleaning the peppers for canning so quick and easy. I would recommend this product or anyone who want to make cleaning peppers so much easier.

The corer is okay--I have used better ones. I will not replace it with the same kind of corer if this one breaks.

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Cuisinart CGG-180T Petit Gourmet Portable Tabletop Gas Grill

Cuisinart CGG-180T Petit Gourmet Portable Tabletop Gas GrillI purchased my Petite Gourmet Portable Cuisinart grill in January. I am an avid barbenator and I needed something inexpensive (and what I had intended to be short term) after my larger gas grill fell apart. I liked the size and portability of the Cuisinart. I was thrilled once I put the thing to use. I find it cooks whatever I throw on there evenly and has that barbeque flavor. It heats up so quickly, that I have to have my sides prepared prior to even starting the unit. When I am at home, I have it hooked up to one of the larger propane cylinders from my old barbeque. But where this thing shines, is how small and compact it can become. I fold the legs in and take it wherever I want. I take along a couple of camping sized propane cylinders in the truck and barbeque where ever I want. I have made lunch for the guys at work, fed the family skiing, and had a couple of awesome tailgate parties thanks to my new grill. I am so happy with it's performance that I don't think I will even buy a new full size barbeque. I don't think it's performance would ever measure up to this little guy.Cuisinart CGG-180 Petit Gourmet Portable Gas Grill with VersaStand

I am an avid camper and a condo dweller, so I don't have a lot of room to store things and have limited patio space. This portable grill is perfect with its easy storage size and flexibility to be great for car camping or patio grilling.

Set-up = simple. I'm an engineer, so I read all directions, and it still only took me about 8 minutes.

I went with the Cuisinart because the other grills of this size felt cheap. This one feels solid. The grill grate is thick and durable. The legs click into place, and the temp control knob doesn't feel like it's about to fall off. The gas tank is also placed well, such that you aren't afraid of it falling off akwardly and breaking off the gas valve.

The trial run consisted with wings grilled on a 15 degree (f) day. The grill came through with BTUs to spare. The next run, on a more mild but still cool day, was Italian sausages and asparagus. Delicious (and nutritious)! The grill, despite its diminutive size had more than enough power to handle both the meat and the veggies. It allowed even cooking of the veggies when placed on the edges and showed great grill marks on the sausages.

When finished, clean up was easy (a quick wipe down of the grill grate), let it cool, folded it up, and tucked it into the corner.

Another great product from Cuisinart. I highly recommend for any bbq/grilling enthusiast with limited storage and a discerning taste!

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My husband loves to grill in the summer, but we're always waiting for the charcoal to heat up, so I got him this small portable gas grill as a surprise. We could not be happier with it's performance! Easy set up right out of the box, quick heating to high temps, and easy clean up, we've already grilled on it a bunch since we got it because it's so convenient to use. It's a perfect size for just the two of us, but we've been able to grill plenty on itsteaks to perfection, sausage patties in a snap and even shrimp kabobsenough food for us to have left-overs. I love the fact that it can be taken anywhere, and we're planning to bring it camping once the weather gets warmer. Light to carry and easy to clean, we've totally been converted from charcoal grilling with this little grill! My husband says it's so easy to grill on it he wants to cook outside all the time with it, and I don't mind that one bit. I think we'll even take it with us to the beach when we visit his brotherheck I love that we can take it with us anywhere. Very glad I made the decision to get this portable grill!

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I am a big reviewer before I buy items. This product had a lot of rave reviews and one that was not good that stuck out. I knew I was taking a chance. I have been very pleased, and feel the positive reviews have all been correct.

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I bought the CGG-180 model because of all the "glowing" reviews. Wrong. I purchased in March and now it has failed after less than one grilling season. The heat output has steadily dropped since the initial purchase(initially it was great but it has dropped to the point it couldn't sear anymore), the plastic lid lock melted and fell off and finally, the gas control valve will not rotate so the grill no longer works! And if you look at many of the awesome reviews, this is the only review this person has ever done!

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Chef's Choice 839 Krumkake Express

Chef's Choice 839 Krumkake ExpressVery good unit to make krumkakes. The recipes that ship with the unit are easy to make and taste excellent. In the weeks following the purchase of this krumkake maker I must have baked over 100 krumkakes and was never disappointed!

Pros: Looks and feels good. Makes cakes up to 6" in diameter and very thin. The barrocco ornament of the iron looks very pretty on the cake.

Cons: To achieve the unified golden color of the cake must use temperature setting no higher than 3, otherwise they come out with patchy color. Because of this, each cake takes approx. 2 minutes to bake.

I have not tried the VillaWare unit, which claims to bake two 5" krumkakes in 30 seconds, but if that's the case than it could be a better choice for someone who needs to accomodate a large party of people fast.

Update 10/17/2008: Friend of mine has the VillaWare maker and she is very happy with it, since she can bake two at a time in about 30 sec. But I have tried her cakes and they don't nearly have that texture and firmness that Chef's Choice unit produces. Some of the difference could be attributed to the recipe variations, but the fast-baked VillaWare cakes just don't get that crispy yet firm sensation that I crave. Just my 2c.

My family is from Norway, so every christmas since I was little we all gathered in the kitchen to make Krumkake, but with the old handheld iron, the kind you put over the burner and guessed at how long it took, and burned your hands frequently. It was still fun, but thank goodness with technological advances comes the Krumkake Express! Still just as fun as the old fashioned one, and this time you can have perfect Krumkake every single time.

It comes with the roller of course, and the pattern on the iron itself is beautiful. It also comes with a recipe just in case you dont have one! We fill ours with sour cream and lingonberries, ice cream, lemon custard and just eat them plain!

I have had mine now for almost 2 years and it still works perfectly.

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Makes thin krumkaker the way a Norwegian likes them.! The ability to select color intensity is very nice but you need to know what to look for! Too hot iron will bake thin batter faster than you expect. First time use, pay attention, but then you are set. Very convenient, easy to clean. This iron has become my best friend, since I can serve delicious krumkaker in no time. Well worth the money.

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First, let me admit that I don't know what an authentic KrumKake is. I had this item on my wishlist because I wanted to use it to make ice cream cones in the summer. After looking at waffle cone makers and other KrumKake devices, I settled on this one because the pattern was pretty and the size of the circle seemed just about right for a reasonably sized ice cream cone. When I got it for Christmas, I tried making cones and formed cups using the included recipe for German cookies. The cones were indeed a good size -not super-sized cones, but a reasonable size for a sensible dessert. And the recipe was quite tasty.

Then, I got the idea that the cookies would make interesting fortune cookies -a little larger than normal, and with a pretty pattern instead of the usual flat surface. Using the same recipe, but adding just a little almond extract, I made fortune cookies, and with custom fortunes, they were a big hit at a recent party.

It does take some time to make a big batch of cookies, but once I got the rhythm down, it wasn't so bad. And to be honest, if this thing was baking two cookies at once, it would be a race to get them formed before they cooled. Better to make them one at a time and be able to shape them better.

Overall, I'm pleased with this device. Yes, the cookies aren't always perfect, but home made products aren't always perfect. I'm fine with that.

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I've made krumkake with the traditional iron in the past, but recently moved to a house with a glass stop stove and the old iron just couldn't work right without the right kind of heat...

I just finished making TWO batches of krumkake, using two different recipes (one recipe is butter based, the other is cream based). The first batch didn't last long enough -I was having so much fun, I ran out of batter and made some more! This iron is so incredibly easy to use... Krumkake is perfect, both recipes worked wonderfully.

How it works: Heat iron for about five minutes until light is green. Wipe small amount of oil on iron. Put tablespoon of batter on iron, close lid. Close latch (latch puts slight pressure on lid for uniform cakes). The light turns to red, then green when it is done in about a minute (depending on how "golden" you like it). There is a small dial with numbers that act as a timer; remember your setting (I started at 3 1/2). When the light is green, open iron, peel off cake, and roll with cone (included with iron). Easy. Recommend putting iron on cookie sheet, as batter may spill out at times.

PROS:

Incredibly easy to use the lights, latch, and dial make it almost automatic.

Batter doesn't stick to iron.

Compact in size

Easy to clean

CONS:

Only one krumkake at a time (which isn't a con if you are baking alone)

All in all, an awesome product. I can make these cookies often, easier than a regular sugar cookie, and the settings on the iron make it fool proof. Strongly recommended.

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