Monday, September 1, 2014
Eastman Outdoors 19-Inch Gauntlet Cooking Gloves
Sunday, June 29, 2014
Black & Decker TRO420 Toast-R-Oven 4-Slice Countertop Oven/Broiler
I got this one at a local store on sale. It is a nice compact size for the counter, yet seems to have plenty of space inside. Toasts very even (several settings chose medium the first time and worked perfect). It has a timer so there is a bell when the toast is finished.
I also like the fact that when you use the oven, you also can set a timer. My previous one did not have this and many times I would forget to shut it off and it would run for hours (very dangerous).
I am very pleased with this toaster oven overall -it does the job it is supposed to and is a great value for the money. I've been using this model for a year now and am quite satisfied. I love the convex glass making it much more functional. I've had many toaster ovens over the past 40 years and have come to expect a certain lifespan. I do see that with this oven the upper heating element has been redesigned and your less likely to hit it and cause it to be useless. SO FAR SO GOOD. The integrity of the unit is good. Still looks bright and fresh. I do notice when I'm toasting 4 slices of bread steam/smoke leaks from the lower right corner of the door. Doesn't seem to be a dangerous condition. Toasts pretty well takes a tad longer than regular toaster. I'm satisfied. Bought it at Kohl's on sale at very good price and am watching for the next sale to buy a spare. But that's just me. I recomment this toaster oven.
Buy Black & Decker TRO420 Toast-R-Oven 4-Slice Countertop Oven/Broiler Now
Like others who have reviewed this product, I have had Black & Decker Toaster Ovens for 20 years...two others in fact, this is the third. After having two reliable toasters that I liked, I didn't hesitate to buy this one. Wish I had read the reviews BEFORE purchasing!It is impossible to make toast! Either it doesn't cook at all, or it is burned to a crisp. No matter how hard you try, you can not set that little dial well enough to be able to leave the kitchen! EVERYTHING burns! Also, in my last toaster ovens the oven turned off when you opened the door. Not so with this one...I don't like that either.
I also hate the little tray, when you open the door, if you open too far or too fast, the tray has to be re-aligned for it to slide back the oven, not so with my last ones.
There is a definite design flaw with the crumb tray. It can be put back in such a matter that it hits the bottom heating element. This was what happened to us. It could have started a fire, or destroyed the crumb tray at the very least.
Needless to say, I hate this product. I am afraid to buy a new Black & Decker Toaster Oven now, as the changes that they have made have NOT made the product better...just cheaper.
Read Best Reviews of Black & Decker TRO420 Toast-R-Oven 4-Slice Countertop Oven/Broiler Here
For some reason, we've always owned conventional toasters but have never owned a toaster oven before. So at 50+ years old and after using our son's toaster oven at his house, I read "all the reviews" and even though some reviews talked about it burning everything, I went out and bought this model. Here's the deal: there is a continuously variable temperature control and a continuously variable timer control. If you can't find a combination that works for you, you've probably got bigger problems in life than how dark your toast is. For the money, this oven works great on all items I've tried so far including from 1 to 4 slices of toast at a time, reheating pizza slices, and heating up chicken wings.Want Black & Decker TRO420 Toast-R-Oven 4-Slice Countertop Oven/Broiler Discount?
I read all the reviews before I bought this toaster...Many reviewers have said, and I agree, if you want to make perfect toast use
a "toaster" not a "toaster oven". I have a new Kitchen Aid toaster
that I use to make toast and it does a excellent job of making toast.
I have owned this toaster oven for five months now and it has operated flawlessly.
I can not tell you how PLEASED I am with this toaster oven. But
first let me tell you I DO NOT MAKE TOAST with it. I use it for baking and
I do not use the timer. I prefer to use a $3 wind up timer from Wal-Mrt.
Often, I use this toaster oven to bake pizza. I cut the full size pizza in half
and place half of the pizza on non-stick aluminum foil (by the way 1/2 of a full size
pizza will fit in this toaster oven).
------------------------------------------------------------------
Here are some of the things I REALLY LIKE about this toaster oven:
It's MINIMAL looking and simple to operate. It does not have a lot
of extra controls that I never use anyway.
Almost the ENTIRE DOOR is glass so it is easy to see inside and
surprise the door glass is clear (not tinted) so you can see your food without
having to use a flashlight !!!
It's ALL WHITE even the LEGS and the 3' foot CORD . I am a "color
monster" and really appreciate that cord and feet are NOT
black and actually color match the appliance's color.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
If you are looking for an ATTRACTIVE, SIMPLE and MINIMAL style toaster
oven do not over look this toaster oven. I love this toaster oven.
My hat goes of the Black and Decker engineers and designers
who created this wonderful toaster oven..
Saturday, May 31, 2014
Cuisipro Stainless Steel Narrow Grill/Fry Tongs
Would definitly buy again. I use them all the time.
Buy Cuisipro Stainless Steel Narrow Grill/Fry Tongs Now
Gave this as a gift and the recipient was pleased as he had seen these and since he cooks a lot wanted one.Read Best Reviews of Cuisipro Stainless Steel Narrow Grill/Fry Tongs Here
I need tongs that I could count on not having food slip out of. These work great, large enough area to hold the food and great gripping edges.Want Cuisipro Stainless Steel Narrow Grill/Fry Tongs Discount?
I rec'd these as a gift (with the larger/wider set as well) and have reached for them everyday since! I know, it's odd to be raving over tongs, I get that. But they are SO great and have a very high-end feel to them don't hesitate, you'll love them. The push/pull lock is fantastic, as well a very clever addition making these far and away one of my favorite gadgets in the kitchen.Thursday, March 20, 2014
Landmann USA 28925 Ball of Fire Outdoor Fireplace
The cons: It was missing the poker and it was missing the assembly instructions. Although we didn't particularly need the poker, we most definitely needed the assembly instructions. We went through every piece of paper and styrofoam in the box and they were simply missing. The internet came to the rescue and we downloaded and printed a set.
Originally, it appeared that some of the screws and nuts were missing. But, when we had finally unwrapped everything, including the handles that you assemble late in the process, we found more screws and nuts already mounted (which you have to unmount). In fact, most of the screws and nuts came in bags but they came screwed together, which is of no use and is ultimately a time-waster, since you've got to unscrew them all from one another to use them. Although some of the screws and nuts came assembled to the larger sections of the fireplace, we found several just floating around in the styrofoam when we were looking for the manual. I suspect that they had originally been attached to one of the rings or handles and worked themselves loose during shipping. They're easy to miss, so make sure to inspect everything before you toss out the packaging.
Because of the size and heft of the assembled pieces, this is a two person job. It all fit together reasonably well, but getting the last few screws and holes to line up was difficult since there was little play left in the metal pieces.
Also just wanted to echo a previous reviewer who said that you need to have sand for the bowl. That is indeed what the manual indicates, so we bought three one-pound bags of horticultural sand at the local hardware store. I think five pounds will probably be ideal, so we'll probably add a couple more soon.
Buy Landmann USA 28925 Ball of Fire Outdoor Fireplace Now
Listen guys, my back yard continues to be the place for my buddies and family to come in the coldest days here in NC to sit in front of the pit and enjoy a GREAT fire and some good southern grilling. The unit itself came in solid in the box, and everything was fine until we started assembling it an realized that they sent us 2 of the same panels. Hence, I drilled 2 holes and it was done. Due to the extensive use of this product, the hinges that open the lid with have to be replaced with steel but they are holding up so far. Again, I doubt anyone is putting this much wood through this pit like I am, am an outdoorsman and prefer to be in the cold burning a fire than looking at TV. When I say that we burn wood, I mean we burn wood. All of my buddies have pits and they said that this one is absolutely awesome. To give you guys an idea, we go out on Saturday and literally cut a tree a week, for all of us to replenish our supply. I'd say at least 4 times a week am burning my pit outdoors. You can put huge logs into this thing, without any problems at all. On weekends we go through at least 100 logs without any problems because the wood is still moist, and it take more wood to keep our circle of friends enjoying the heat from all the coals.This is my first review of many products that I have begun purchasing with Amazon. I got this pit for 179.00 about 4 month to this writing. And although am starting to see some rust from the original paint, it's because I did not use the cover due to having a bloodhound puppy in the yard that right now is destroying anything it can find. In summer when I give it a break I will paint it, replace the hinges, and get it ready for next season or for chilled summer nights. I saw the low scores on this one, and they are absolutely out of their minds on this product, maybe they just could not get around doing some minor things to it, but for me it was no prob at all to work on it.
2 of my buddies are saving up just to get this pit. BUY this product with confidence! Even though they missed matched one of the panels. Am giving this product a 5plus due to the amount of enjoyment that my family and friends have had with it. Remember to start your fire, and then setup the logs straight up tepee style with a 1/4 inch gap between logs even when adding new ones to let the coal feel the oxygen so that the logs light up faster; and you will be moving away from the heat trust me. My buddies bought some of the other pits here, and their wives never came out in the cold; with this pit there sitting outside in the coldest of days with a pad to warm up theirs buns :) us guys just get up and turn around. When this pit gets hot hot, it turns red with the amount of logs we put into it. The kids well they just put there hotdogs on a long S steal stick and cook them charbroil right of the pit. Enjoy this product as much as we have, it's worth the money even at the current price. Peace.
Read Best Reviews of Landmann USA 28925 Ball of Fire Outdoor Fireplace Here
In honor of Earth Day (April 22, 2011), Al Gore and saving the planet from global warming... I decided to help clean up mother earth by raking up a small portion of my yard's pine needles to fill and test out my newly assembled BALL OF FIRE. My only complaints are that Landmann apparently tried to help me by pre-assembling 6 of the approximately 50 nuts and bolts (the rest they decided to thankfully securely package). Thanks to the HDS Delivery Man, those 6 nuts and bolts managed to shake themselves lose and fall out of the half ripped open box during transit to my location. Of course I could not return it for such simpleton reasons because my celebration countdown was already underway. Nor was I dumb enough to buy the minimum replacement quantity of 250 nuts/bolts from my local hardware store, so I nagged my neighbor who saved me from calling the manuals 1-800 'please call us and don't return it' support by utter patience line. Anyways, what really drew my attention to this product was the name BALL OF FIRE, which I have been known for previously making. My Californian neighbors with dirty looks always seem to freak out around FIRE so I was pleased to be the new owner of a patio firepit nearly 3 times as tall as my previous neighborhood device of terror. So check out my picture I posted. Yeah, mine is THE BALL OF FIRE unlike the other posted photos... and by the way a big philips head screw driver and a long head socket set, ratchet and about 1-2 hours of boredom will help you assemble the kit. ENJOY :-)Want Landmann USA 28925 Ball of Fire Outdoor Fireplace Discount?
Not your typical firepit. The closing screen makes it very safe for kids and they love the way that it lokks like it is floating after dark. Nice and sturdy. Cool looking. FUN!!!! Amazon had the best price by far!Wednesday, February 12, 2014
George Foreman GR50VB Super Champ Vari-Temp Electric Grill - Non-stick surface - Variable Temperatu
Tuesday, December 31, 2013
Taylor Professional 9306 Dual Temp IR/Thermocouple Thermometer
The thing that distinguishes the Taylor from the popular and similarly priced Thermapen, though, is the infrared thermometer. This function reads the surface temperature of objects using IR (heat radiation). For cooks, the main use is to check the temperature of preheated frypans, woks, etc., a function I find myself using at least as often as I use the probe. With a little experimentation, you can figure out the ideal temperature for browning meat, sweating vs. browning onions, or cooking pancakes, stirfries, etc. This makes it much easier to avoid either steaming food you meant to caramelize or burning your good olive oil and smoking up the kitchen. The IR function is not perfect, however. It defaults to a reading simply of "high" somewhere around 500 degrees F., which is not high enough for blackened fish or many wok applications. A more serious limitation is that it does not read effectively off of highly reflective surfaces, such as most stainless cookware, presumably because the probe also reads the temperature of whatever cool surface you see in the reflection. The IR function has worked well with all of the cast iron, anodized aluminum, and non-stick cookware I have tried, and I would expect it to be useful on most dark surfaces. I have no idea how accurate the readings are, but they give about the right melting and smoking temperatures for butter and oils, so they are probably good enough for cooking. Instrument-grade IR thermometers often read much higher temperatures and are probably more accurate. I don't know whether they would also work better with stainless skillets.
Although the Taylor is more expensive than less capable meat thermometers, the combination of fast and accurate probe readings and the ability to calibrate pan-cooking temperatures should make it appealing to serious home cooks.I really like this product. It has a nice solid compact feel, the buttons are ambidextrous (though a little easier to use correctly in the right hand), its water proof, easy to clean, etc. The probe tip seems to be the same size as most of the other thermocouple thermometers (3mm diameter with a reduced 2mm tip that is 10mm long.
It seems to be fairly accurate, the probe shows the temp of boiling water around 211 and took less then 2 seconds to go from 65 to 211 which is really fast. The infrared part of it is a little harder to gauge. I pointed it at a few things along with my MicroTemp Pro and the Pro normally showed a few deg hotter then the Taylor. Nether gauged boiling water very well since it is "clear". I can't really find anything else that I know should have a defined temp to test it on. But the infrared is really only useful for measuring things like frying pans and the inside of your oven, neither of which require single degree accuracy. The other really (ok relatively) cool thing is they included a built in led light along with the infrared thermometer, while meant for aiming, this is also nice for checking things in a dark oven.
I have never used the Thermapen, which seems to be its chief competition. I could see where the Thermapen could be simpler to use since it is just a probe, and a little easier to read since it has just the temp on its display. But neither of those things seem to much of a draw back vs a built in infrared thermometer for about the same price.
Buy Taylor Professional 9306 Dual Temp IR/Thermocouple Thermometer Now
I received this thermometer as a gift, 2 years ago, when I had asked for a digital instant-read thermometer. Unfortunately the well-meaning gift-giver was not a chef, and chose this one based on marketing hype. It works as advertised, but the display faces the WRONG WAY. It looks like it should work, at first, but as soon as the probe is unfolded, it faces you, forcing you to hold the unit as though you were going to stab yourself instead of the expected probe-out position.Uh, sorry, that's dead wrong. I do NOT want to hold my arm over the boiling liquid, steaming oven pan, or whatever. It is inconvenient and unpleasant at a minimum; downright dangerous at worst. The display needs to face sideways (as it does on the Thermapen competitor). I've tried to like this unit--after all, it was given with love--but every time I use it, this one problem drives me nuts. I can't believe that anyone with serious kitchen experience was consulted as to the design.
Net: save yourself the hassle and potential injury by getting the Thermapen for the same price.
Read Best Reviews of Taylor Professional 9306 Dual Temp IR/Thermocouple Thermometer Here
Works, and is consistent which is more than I can say for any cheaper IR thermometers I've tried. Used it for tempering chocolate, and the IR reading was the same temp as the probe every time. Very convenient for chocolate use. The probe will resolve to a temp within a couple seconds of inserting it, and the IR is pretty much an instant read. Love it.Want Taylor Professional 9306 Dual Temp IR/Thermocouple Thermometer Discount?
I bought this one because it has dual readings and was told it took readings as quick as 3 seconds.Don't get me wrong this is a good product but, I'm a chef and two of my coworkers have the Thermopen. The thermopen takes readings almost instantly kicking the crap out of my Taylor 9306. My Taylor 9306 has never taken a temp in 3 seconds. my advice is if you work as a chef/cook and need temps really fast spend the extra money on the thermopen. If not this a good product and has worked correctly every time it just takes at least 10 seconds to get your final temp from the probe. The surface temp reader is accurate and instant.Monday, December 30, 2013
BergHOFF 11-Inch Scala Frying Pan with Ceramic Coating
Buy BergHOFF 11-Inch Scala Frying Pan with Ceramic Coating Now
Like some of the other reviewers here, I was very excited about this pan. It worked beautifully the first few weeks that I had it. Food would slide right off. Then almost overnight, food started sticking to the pan. Now a third of my food stays attached to the pan!This is in spite of treating the pan very carefully. I have Calphalon non-stick pans and they are still going strong after 2 years, so this is quite unacceptable quality
It seems that they have had a lot of complaints about this, because on their website they have a disclaimer that food sticking to the pan is not covered by warranty. Really? The product description spends a lot of time touting the benefits of the non-stick coating clearly deceptive marketing.
Also, as another reviewer mentions, the helper handle gets very hot. I burnt my fingers the first time that I tried to lift a full pan off the range with both hands. The handle is loose and rotates easily.
If you are looking for a non-stick pan, look elsewhere. This pan can only lead to frustration and pain!
Read Best Reviews of BergHOFF 11-Inch Scala Frying Pan with Ceramic Coating Here
I'm sorry to say I have several things against it. The helper handle gets HOT despite statement that it does not--I have burnt myself on it. That helper handle is one of the reasons I bought the skillet. The metal part between the skillet and the long handle gets HOT and burns skin. The long handle tends to come unscrewed--not funny when holding a hot skilletful of hot food.... The sloped-out side prevents the food from being turned easily--the food just climbs up the side. The sloped-out side is a pain because it is so hard to dish up anything--it goes up the side instead of on the turner or spoon. Disappointed in the finish--I was excited to try this new porcelain material, but it is not holding up very well.Want BergHOFF 11-Inch Scala Frying Pan with Ceramic Coating Discount?
I got this to compliment the 5 piece Scala set and it's amazing cookware. See my review on the 5-piece Scala set for more info.Friday, December 20, 2013
Harold Import 1814 "Toast-it" Toaster Bags
Thursday, December 12, 2013
Steven Raichlen 19.25-in. Grilling Spatula
Sunday, December 1, 2013
The sharper Image Super wave oven 4-piece baking set Accessory: Muffin Pan, Mini Muffin Pan, 2 Mini
It fits easily I the superwave oven and I also got the muffin recipe book by superwave and it's great
Sunday, October 27, 2013
Breville EW30XL Electric Gourmet Wok
I was VERY impressed with the excellent instructions that are provided in the book this comes with. I studied all their tips for an hour, and was amazed at the things I did NOT know, or had forgotten. Someone who never stirfried before could get first rate results by studying just a few pages. Little things are important I used to just turn it on, and throw in the oil and wait for it to get hot. WRONG! You are supposed to turn it on EMPTY, let it get VERY hot, and only then put in the oil. And I realized I had started to get lazy, and was not doing smaller batches of items at a time, which does end up with better results.
If I need to get things out of the pan, I just hold a big bowl or plastic container next to it, and slide stuff up the side and out or I just tip it up and dump it on a plate. Although it is good to know that once every few months I could actually take it apart for an old-fashioned cleaning, all you really need to do is wipe it out with a sponge. The non-stick surface is fantastic. The temperature dial is excellent, and it comes with the most heavy duty cord you ever saw!
Stir-fry is my teenaged son's favorite meal, and without a good wok, I hardly ever cooked it for him. Now when I tell him we're having stir-fry, he's thrilled. Remember this thing would be good for a lot more than just stirfry too. I was amazed that it could slow cook as well. I can make beef stew a one pot dish. Can't wait to try it out on tempura, which it will also be great for! There are also a lot of great recipes in the book.I bought this wok based on the reviews posted here. I have to say that I agree that it gets really hot and I am amazed at how well it performs. That being said, I have noticed that the non-stick surface has a lot of surface scratches and I use a plastic spatula. Yesterday, I made Beef Lo Mein and the pan was just as great as beforehand. However, upon washing it up in the sink, I noticed that a piece of the non-stick had peeled off. My experience with that coating suggests that this will continue to occur as I use the appliance more often. This is very disappointing as this is the best performing wok that I have ever used. I'm crossing my fingers hoping that the non-stick won't continue to peel. That would certainly betray the overall performance of an otherwise excellent appliance
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Solid, heavy gage construction cooks evenly. See-through lid is equally thick, which is good because it retains heat and doesn't cause steam condensation as as most others do.It appears non-stick coating will last -again, because heavier construction dissipates heat and won't sear the surface. Time will tell.
Would be great if base could be removed without turning over. Removing contents to a bowl for serving can be a trick. Removal for cleaning is good.
Size is smaller than Maxim? that I had previously. Not that the larger size is needed for large amounts (wok cooking tends to boil or steam large amounts instead of searing the food; rather, a larger size would make stirring easier.
Would have gotten 5 stars if larger and base were removable while cooking.
Read Best Reviews of Breville EW30XL Electric Gourmet Wok Here
This electric wok is fantastic. Just disregard all you've heard about how electric woks don't match up. The Breville EW30XL is different and it rates 5 stars by many people for good reasons. This wok is extremely well made and should last a lifetime. It gets so hot on the highest setting, that it melted the end of a plastic wok turner I purchased to use with it (use good quality hardwood and toss quickly). It's non-stick coating is there to stay and because of it, you use less or even no oil (be sure to use appropriate oils). Peanut oil is a perfect choice. This is a high quality wok that you will enjoy for years to come.I had originally purchased a Rival stainless W73 wok about 11 months ago. The legs loosened and the plastic BB bumps that sit in holes broke off. Those plastic bumps prevent the legs from turning. My wife was last stir frying with it sitting on a measuring cup. I love strir fry and knew that if that continued she would not want to use it so I called the company and their customer service responded by emailing me only one sentence. We have no more legs. To simply state that I was ticked is an understatement. I then read the above reviews on the Breville so I ordered one. I was impressed by the weight and the well thought about design and quality. It is not a light weight by no means. I used the Braise setting tonight and it seared the chicken immediately. I like the selector on the lid for the vent so I can steam vegetables and then after serving I can open the vent and put the lid back on to keep them warm and prevent further steaming. I liked the temp selector how it locks in when you plug it into the wok and then you grasp the side lever on the selector when you go to pull it out and it releases. The big knob on the bottom turns to remove the fry bowl to wash it. To put it back you simply set the temp plug housing into a cradle and then reach underneath to lock it. I also noted that because of the bowl shape I can put my serving plate against the outside of the wok and then drag the stir fry up the inside until it lands on the server plate. No spills and no picking up and tipping. I used very little peanut oil and it cleaned up great with a sponge. I'm already planning the next dish from my Madame Wong's Long-Life cookbook.Tuesday, October 8, 2013
Lodge Color ECSGP43 Enameled Cast Iron Square Grill Pan, Island Spice Red, 10-inch
I found cleaning to be very simple for both pans. If you are having difficulty I suggest soaking the griddle surface in hot water and detergent for an hour. This gives a chance for the detergent to break down and release fats. If you want to prevent burning try cooking with temperatures no more than medium high this is stated in the included manual. Be sure to give your pan a good coat of olive oil when cooking I use the pressurized spray olive oil as it is far easier to get an even coat.
Lodge Logic Grill Pan Review Summary:
Pros (Compared to Staub): Low Cost, Smoothness of Outer Enamel
Cons (Compared to Staub): Height (Approx 1/2" Shorter than Staub Grill Pan), Quality of Cooking Surface Enamel, No Pour Spout, General Appearance
Overall Stars Staub 10" Grill Pan: 5/5
Overall Stars Lodge Logic: 4/5
If both pans had been the same height I would have given both a rating of 5. The rest of the cons are outweighed by the difference in cost between the pans. At it's price point, the lodge pan is still a very good deal. If you have a modest budget by all means purchase the lodge pan. It works. If you are concerned about splatter and visual appeal and have the budget buy the Staub.
I have used both griddles twice now and am posting pictures and as you will see both appear brand new though they have been used.I have been attempting to switch to cast iron cookware for health reasons, and so when I pulled out a recipe for grilled romaine salad I decided to search for an enameled cast iron pan instead of going with cook's illustrated recommended nonstick version. This pan is an amazing deal, compared to the Le Creuset version at $83, and although I have only used it so far for the one recipe I look forward to using it over and over again. I bought an Oxo Good Grips stiff brush for $5.50 to use to clean it, and it cleaned up just as easily as any of my nonstick pans. I recommend it wholeheartedly. Happy grilling!Oxo Good Grips Kitchen Brush
Buy Lodge Color ECSGP43 Enameled Cast Iron Square Grill Pan, Island Spice Red, 10-inch Now
I purchased this pan, along with the matching Lodge Color Enamel Cast Iron 8.5 inch Square Panini Press, Caribbean Blue (in island spice red), about a year ago. No complaints, it works as advertised with consistent results. I use it at least three or four times a week, mainly making paninis but also to grill meats when I don't feel like going outside in the weather and even for home made quesadillas.I own lots of cast iron cook wear, all from Lodge, though this is my first enameled piece. Even with that I still had a bit of a learning curve which resulted in a couple phenomenal burnt cheese messes (the press is HEAVY and will squeeze out excess cheese/sauce/liquids, etc...), but everything cleaned up quickly and easily with minimal fuss. I've learned to use a bit less cheese and to concentrate it in the middle to help keep it in the food and off the grill, problem solved.
Quality of the finish isn't quite on par with the pricier brands, but works just as well and still looks great, especially considering the price difference.
Since most of the negative reviews cite issues that are more user-error than a problem with the product, here are a couple pointers for those inexperienced with using cast iron,
Use medium to medium-high heat and let the pan preheat for at least 5-10 minutes before use. Cast iron retains heat very well, but also takes much longer to heat up than the thin, chintzy pans inhabiting so many kitchens. You can preheat the press as well by placing it in the pan with ridges interlocked, but be sure to give it more time. Be patient, the results are worth it!
Use a good quality cooking spray, or a refillable liquid sprayer (I have this one:Misto Gourmet Olive Oil Sprayer, Brushed Aluminum, to get a nice even coating of olive oil on the cooking surface to help produce great sear marks and prevent sticking.
For cleanup use the same method you used to cook; add 1/4" to 1/2" of water in the pan and heat on medium-high to just before boiling. Once the water is hot keep the heat coming and scrub the pan with a stiff bristled nylon brush (I get mine at the local dollar store) till everything comes up. Works great on conventional cast iron pans as well. No need to apply a light coat of oil before storing, though, due to the enamel.
Cooking with cast iron, even when enameled, takes a little more effort than non-stick, but for me the results are well worth it. Enjoy!great grillpan, used it several times. the steaks, swordfish, sandwiches, chicken-
breast ect. all came out great.
using the matching panini press speeded up the cooking time on my marinated
chicken breasts.
Want Lodge Color ECSGP43 Enameled Cast Iron Square Grill Pan, Island Spice Red, 10-inch Discount?
I wanted this for so long and finally decided to buy it. Speedy shipping and it looked great! I got it on Nov 2, 2010 and used it the same night. I cooked chicken using silicone tipped tongs and then hand-washed it with hot water, plain Dawn and a non-scratch scrubber. My sink is cast iron also but I have protective mats on the sink bottom. All of that and it still chipped! I thought maybe I missed washing some spots but after looking closer, I saw that there were small chips on the inside of the grill and small chips on the bottom of the handle. I am so disappointed in this item. Have to see about a return. I have not even had it for 2 weeks yet. I have other enameled cast iron by this brand and they are awesome though.
