Chef's Choice 839 Krumkake Express

Very 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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Little Griddle GK500 Deluxe Griddle Cooking and Cleaning Kit

The Little Griddle Deluxe Kit is certainly NOT Deluxe. The utensils are of the quality I would expect to find at the dollar store. I was so shocked and disappointed by the lack of quality that I immediately returned the kit. Fortunately, I did receive a full refund. The items in the kit in no way compare to the weight and quality of the Griddle-Q griddle. I would highly recommend against purchasing this kit. Rather, take your money to WalMart or Target and purchase better utensils for less money.

Recommended purchase with the Little Griddle Q. I found them to be just what is needed.

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We have a small stainless steel barbeque pit. The spatulas really clean the surface well when you're finished. Neat set to own!

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the spatula was a little short for what was pictured, other items were good, have not had the opportunity to use it yet, but think everything will work just fine

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Delivered kit came exactly as shown on amazon. No subs no missing parts. The wooden handles seem to go through the dishwasher very well. Good value for the price. Little Griddle GK500 Deluxe Griddle Cooking and Cleaning Kit

Bayou Classic 7442 14" Square Cast Iron Reversible Griddle

This is a very robust piece of cookware. I give it a 3 star because realistically, you'll only be able to use one side, so pick which one you will want to use and stick to it. The reason is, once you've got one side all good and seasoned, when you flip it to use the other side, that seasoning you worked hard to get will warp and you have to start over; Also, whatever you cook on the other side will taste like stove burner because that's where it's been all this time!

This seems to be one of those products where the idea is much better than the reality of it. While seasoning the product per the instructions, this griddle warped pretty badly. It doesn't seem like anyone else has had this issue, so maybe I received a defective one, but nonetheless after I researched reversable griddles a bit there seems to a be a general consensus that they don't perform as well. While you have one side established and seasoned, as soon as you flip it and apply direct heat, it will diminish the other sides seasoning and can also cause the grease/seasoning to drip right onto your heat source. It can blacken glass stove tops etc. The handles also are completely flush to the sides and this thing is impossible to pick up once you lay it on a flat surface. It's also very heavy. I returned and got 1 flat and 1 grill griddle made by Lodge, so far they have performed much better, are lighter in weight, are already seasoned and I am not risking damaging them or my stove top.

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I uploaded pictures of my Bayou Classic 14" square cast iron reversible griddle so everyone can see the very low quality of the product. This griddle is warped 1/4" and after calling the manufacturer they told me that this is normal. Just look at the pictures of what the manufacturer shipped me and you can tell they take no pride in the product they are selling.

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This product is really good for making dosa, chappatti and other indian dishes. You need season the product first time, after that it is great. At present i seasoned this product(not fully done) but still makes restaurant style dosa in minutes

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Like all cast iron cookware, not preseasoned, preseasoning is an absolute MUST. I use this product with the Bayou Classic Single Burner.It makes awsome eggs, bacon, and grilled cheese... whatever, with lots of space for cooking a bunch at once.

Great for camps, or just in the backyard for fun.

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Calphalon Unison Nonstick 12-Inch Round Griddle Pan

I purchased this Calphalon Unison Nonstick 12 Inch Round Griddle Pan along with the Calphalon Unison Nonstick 12 Inch Round Grill Pan and cannot be happier. We use this pan for everything: eggs, bacon, French toast, pancakes, vegetables, dumplings (pot stickers), I even made a batch of one-pan brownies (preparing the recipe in the pan on the stove, then sticking the pan in the oven to bake) and they came out great!

The main points for this pan are:

* Nonstick (I mean REALLY nonstick)

* Oven-safe

* Easy to clean

* Handle stays cool while cooking (except when used in the oven)

* Large size with steep sides allows for cooking almost anything but crepes

At around $50 (I paid $100 for the set of two pans) this pan is an incredible bargain. It outperforms every nonstick pan I've used in the past, and I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys stove-top cooking. Even if the only time you use a frying pan is for bacon and eggs in the morning, you will fall in love with Calphalon's Unison nonstick coating.

Note: As with any nonstick cookware, avoid using metal cooking utensils. I bought a heat-resistant silicone-coated spatula and set of tongs and they work perfect.

This is a perfect pan for what I feel it was designed for: eggs and pancakes! I can not imagine a more perfectly designed griddle. The new unison slide surface is truly amazing and does make pancakes and eggs easier than I've ever experienced. This pan is a fabulous value if you like to make breakfast items or other griddle items. I rarely use it during the week but it has made weekend breakfasts a snap for me. It heats evenly and quickly, requires little or no butter or oil, and cleans like a breeze. Since it's not for everything and has a large flat surface with space for up to 4 eggs at a time it's not for every kitchen. But if you have the space for it when you're not using it, boy it is fabulous. The handle Calphalon pans have is well-designed and what draws me to Calphalon before all-clad or other more expensive options.

Re: all Calphalon Unison... If you're considering All-Clad and have't felt the handle, I recommend you try their handles in person before going with All-Clad. I feel they are uncomfortable. I really love the shape of the Calphalon handle and very much dislike All-Clad's

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I have been using this pan at least twice a week for about 6 months. I have a smooth-top stove and this pan has warped so much that it is almost useless. At first it was a great pan. I used it to make pancakes, french toast, pork chops, cube steak etc and I was very pleased with the way it cooked food and cleaned up in the dishwasher. However, over time the pan no longer sits flat on the stove. Also, the nonstick lining is looking quite worn. I have used only nylon coated utensils. I am grateful I purchased this pan on sale. It is definitely not worth its full price.

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I received this pan as a Christmas gift. At first I loved the pan, but after a few weeks, the pan became warped such that it no longer sits flat on my glass, radiant stove. Since I pay meticulous attention to letting my pans cool before hand washing, I was quite surprised when it warped due to regular use. When I contacted Calphalon about the defect, Calphalon refused to replace this product because the company does not warrant against warping, even due to normal use.

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This pan heats unevenly to the point where it simultaneously burns and undercooks food. We have not had this problem with our older Calphalon or All-Clad pans. The uneven heat distribution is undoubtedly related to the thickness of the aluminum. The bottom of the pan is 3.9mm thick. Our older Calphalon pans are 5.5mm thick--40% thicker! Indeed the pans feel lightweight and cheap, similar to non-stick pans you buy at the local supermarket. I suggest you avoid this pan and either buy a cheaper item of similar quality or hunt for better quality.

This review is based on 6 weeks experience with this pan.

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CabCool1202 Dual 120mm Fan Cooler Kit with Custom Wood Grill/Thermal Controller

I went with this particular kit because I wanted to stain it to match the $1200 Pottery Barn media center I was going to disfigure in order to install it.

It took the stain well enough, but note that there was no template included. Measure twice, cut once. There was a little confusion as to the operation of the thermostat. Instructions are about 70% solution. An email or two later, I had it figured out. Overall, pleased, and recommend it to anyone with a media cabinet housing thermally-challenged components.

We have put all our electrical items in a cupboard in the hall this keeps noise down of all electrical elements and allows for easier distribution of sound and vision to all rooms in the house. The only downside is the cupboard gets quite hot when games stations and servers are running. The fan unit from the cooler guys solved this with an awesome product. Easy to install and the automatic control with the thermostat makes the unit effortless in use. We are very pleased.

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Nordic Ware Zoo Friends Pancake Pan

What can I say, my grandson loves these pancakes! They are hard to flip though, so I use 2 pans at a time. Once they are ready to flip over from the animal shape, I flip them onto a flat square griddle to cook the other side. Much easier, and after all you really only need to see one side of the pancake to see the animal face.

My daughter and I love to make fun shaped pancakes and this makes it so easy. A small spatula would be a good addition to this item.

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I used this pan for the first time this morning and it made really cute little pancakes. Even my two year-old liked them! My advice for flipping them is to use two wooden skewers. Use one to get under and lift up the bottom of the pancake and the other to stabilize the pancake as you flip it. Worked great for me!

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This pan is so fun for kids. We had a monkey-themed birthday party for my son,and the banana pancakes were so cute with a monkey face on them. You will become a very accurate pancake flipper with multiple uses of this pan. It cleans easily, but be sure to use a non-stick spray. I highly recommend it!

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Our 3 youngest grandchildren loved eating pancakes make on this pan. They made the animal sounds and asked for them by animal name. Too cute. The pancakes are a little tricky to turn over but worth the effort. I make these by lightly spraying the pan, putting it on the stove top burner and letting it heat up a little before putting the batter in the circles. It does not take much batter. We have made the pancakes ahead of time and simple put a batch in a zip lock bag and froze them.

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Toastess DLHG443 Health Grill and Griddle, Black

It's smaller than I was expecting and heavier too, but it does the job and the trick. My BF loves it too and I enjoy the option to use the grill side for fish as this is a hassle on our actual grill.

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Extra Large Paella Burner with Tripod and Regulator

Great for parties. My only issue was that they forgot to send me the tripod and regulator with the original order but they did send them right away when informed they were missing. I'm satisfied and made a great paella last week! Make sure you clean the pan well after using and wipe a thin coat of oil before storing. And use real saffron, it's not that expensive!

some of the reviews say the tripod is adjustable. it is not. the burner is very large. you will not be able to use it with pans smaller than 16inches.

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Texas Style Barbecue Mop Baster

THE BEST BASTER WE HAVE FOUND EXCEPT SOMETIMES THE MOP HEAD WILL PULL OUT OF THE HANDLE.SO WE CHECK THEM BEFORE WE USE THEM AND IF THEIR LOOSE WE FOUND THAT GORILLA GLUE WORKS GREAT TO FIX THE PROBLEM.JUST PUT SOME GLUE IN THE HOLE AND INSERT THE WIRE USED TO HOLD THE HEAD AND LET DRY

Nordic Ware Superior Steel Searing Grill

I purchased this pan while on holiday in the US and brought it home to India, where such pans are not yet available.

I was very pleased with the results when I cooked chicken, and especially relieved that it was compact and very easy to handle and clean.

My husband and I were a bit disappointed with the pan. We've only used it a few times but the non-stick coating seems to be deteriorating already and something about the spacing or height of the ridges makes it hard to cook large sausages evenly. I'd say steer clear.

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Ridges are not tall enough to keep the meat out of the juices. The pan bottom is not heavy enough to evenly distribute the heat.

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We received it after 1st attempt was chipped and peel off. 2nd one we bought directly from Amazon instead of other vendor who failed on handling and shipping it safely. I guess we just stay with Amazon.com directly from now on. We decided to buy 2nd Nordicware high sided pan from Amazon directly and it arrived ok too. Seems other vendors don't know how to pack or handling their products to be shipped and arrived safely. This isn't only defect product we received from other vendor but Amazon directly. It is waste of time to deal with defect or wrong item product so we decided to keep some wrong/defect items worth not more than 20 USD/each. Not only we are located outside USA but also have no much time as travelling a lot.

Any way, this grill pan is OK. I used it for cooking most of meat. I.e. hubby's steak, beef burger and turned out nice. Surprisingly it cooked great beef teriyaki with oyster sauce. I even tried the teriyaki even though I don't enjoy red meat as much fish/seafood. Is it the pan or my gas stove but it seem can't produce heat evenly so I have to watch any meat stationed in the middle after I tried any of my gas stove burners. If it is the stove I guess it will happen to my other pans and pots, All-Clad and American Kitchen/Regalware but they are just fine. This is the reason why I give you 3 stars. It is ok pan for daily use. It might be 3.5 or 4 stars if we don't have to deal with returning any.

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