Hamilton Beach 25450 Gourmet Panini Press

You can't give this machine a bad rating. This Hamilton Beach Panini Press does one thing and one thing only, but it does it very well. If you enjoy pressed/grilled sandwhiches you will love this machine. As I write this I'm eating a feta/olive/artichoke/roasted peppers on pita sandwhich hot off the panini press, and it's scrumptious. I actually bought this as a christmas gift for my mother, but I probably use it more than she does.

The machine looks good on the counter, and has a large, non stick service. It's not on a hinge so it's designed to accept even the thickest sandwhiches without squeezing all the filling out. You can even "lock" the lid down to apply constant pressure, or lock it up to maintain minimal pressure or to not make contact with the top at all. It's great for quesidillas as well. Ignore the user that says it takes too long to heat up, it takes only a couple of minutes, about the time a waffle maker would take to heat. Even cooking on the stove you need to take a few mins to heat the pan! Also ignore the comment that this machine burns the bread before heating the filling, I've never had such problems, although I do wish there was a temperature control for further versatility. But my bread never burns... I find 2-6 min will brown the bread perfectly, from lightly browned to nice and crispy (depending on how you like it) without burning it at all. I've never burned anything on this machine. Maybe this would happen if you used the wrong bread, but I can't say for sure. I even once used it to grill some chicken, and it did the job nicely, though it's not really designed for that.

There are a few down sides. This is a no-frills unit. There is no included recipe book, just a few hastily thrown together ideas in the instruction booklet. That's not a big deal, as I'm sure you'll have plenty of ideas of your own. More disappointing is the lack of a temperature control. That might have helped the reviewer who had problems with bread burning, and would give better flexibility. The machine itself gets very hot on the outside, but that's to be expected. Keep youngin's away from this thing, though. There's no alternate "plates" or cooking surfaces for say a flat "griddle" style surfaces, so if you prefer that or find a need for one. I don't think that's a huge deal, but I do think I'd prefer a flat surface, as that means more surface contact and more browning (though you wouldn't get those nice brown grill marks).

This is a decent machine at a decent price. It could be better with a temp control, some added weight, and some extra features, but all-in-all, you can't complain too much there.

*Update*

After having this a while, we noticed the non-stick coating was beginning to a) lose its nonstick ability, and b) peel and flake off the cooking surface (and into our food!).

This was within a year or two of owning and using with only non-metal utensils. We only used the grill occasionally, so it's not like it was due to over use.

I've also since come to realize that nonstick in general, and PTFE (Teflon) in particular, make absolutely no sense in an application like this--the surface must get quite hot to do it's job well, and that both burns the coating and causes it to release harmful fumes into the air. I've reverted to using a pair of well-seasoned, cast-iron pans, one small enough to fit inside the other. I preheat the pans until they are very hot, and let time and weight to the rest. No harmful fumes, no limited lifetime, and cast iron holds and distributes heat as well if not better than even the higher end presses.

If you're looking for this kind of grill, you'll have these problems with almost any model, but I would recommend a plain cast iron model without nonstick if you can find one (I've never seen one). You may also want to just try doing it the old fashioned way. Honestly, I don't remember why I thought having a dedicated sandwich press was a good idea.

Mechanically, the press has a nice design and it works OK for a $40 item. The upper lid is not hinged, so it can be raised very high to accomodate thick sandwiches. Bread comes out nicely ridged and crunchy. It does take a while for the unit to heat to cooking temperature, however. The main problem seems to be how to cook the inside of the sandwich without burning the bread; for an average sandwich (3 oz. ham and 2 oz. cheese) after 1.75 minutes the bread is done, but the ham is not sufficiently warm nor the cheese melted. This may be an issue with all lower-end panini presses, I suppose; perhaps some experimentation with different bread types and cooking times will solve my little dilemma. In any case, so far the resulting sandwiches are better than if served at room temperature, but not as good as those heated in my toaster oven and then slapped together.

Buy Hamilton Beach 25450 Gourmet Panini Press Now

Excellent value because it's not just a panini press -you can also use it as a contact grill for vegetables, burgers, etc. You do this by using a set screw to lock the upper plate at the height you want. Bingo: buy one appliance rather than two.

The upper plate has about 3" to 4" of travel, so you can press fairly thick sandwiches. The size is nicely compact, with the overall dimensions not much bigger than the heating plates.

The plates have very fine ribbing, so you can't use this grill to fry eggs or pancakes. If you want those options, consider the Breville SG620XL panini press/grill (which has flat plates that lock into 6 positions), or the smaller Hamilton Beach 25219 Contact Grill.

Read Best Reviews of Hamilton Beach 25450 Gourmet Panini Press Here

First off:

1) I've used it now for over 6 months and not a single flake of the teflon coming off. My husband is a panini addict too. The machine is used every other day at the very least!

2) The plates are not flat because they are not supposed to be! I know one reviewer commented that they hated it because its not flat. This is a PANINI machine and not a griddle.

3) One reason people's sandwiches are not hot through out could be because we are used to eating HUGE sandwiches. Remember this cooks from the outside in, so if your sandwich is HUGE, the middle is going to be cold. That is just common sense. I like more meat than bread when I have a sandwich because I am not a bread person. (I eat my hamburgers with no bun or only half a bun.) But my sandwiches on the panini are hot throughout and they are not skinny whimpy ones. And if you are going to have lettuce and tomato, put it on after you cook the sandwich. I personally do not like cooked lettuce, tomato, pickle, etc. on my sandwiches...YUK!

4) Another reason could be because you need to put your ingredients on evenly. Don't clump a bunch of stuff in the middle and then expect it to be hot, it's not going to. Lay your ingredients evenly across the sandwich and there shouldn't be a problem with it heating throughly. Also remember the thickness of the cuts that you put on effects it too. Slice your vegetables thinner and there shouldn't be a problem!

5) It doesn't take a long time to heat up if you do it right. You go in the kitchen, get out the panini machine, and plug it in. THEN go to the refrigerator and get your items, wash your vegetables, slice things up, etc. By the time you have everything ready, your machine with be hot and ready to go!

6) It's plenty big! I have a big husband and son. Between the 3 of us it takes mere minutes to make our sandwiches. We fit at least 4 sandwiches at a time on our machine. So I'll make the guys their sandwiches, then plunk my sandwich on after theirs, put away all the fixings, and when I'm done so is my sandwich! Or we put the panini in the middle of the table and get all the fixings together. While someone enjoys their salad, another cooks their sandwiches. Good conversation and good panini sandwiches, you can't beat that!

We love this panini sandwich maker. I've seen many more units that are fancier and MUCH more expensive but I don't need all the bells and whistles for a sandwich for pete's sake! I have brunch or lunch dates with family and friends all the time and we make panini's. We set out the fixings and let everyone put together a sandwich and make their own panini! Seven people have bought their own machine since then! One of the greatest gifts this machine gives is an easy way to eat healthy. You don't need any grease, butter, margarine, Pam, or anything when you use it. That is so much healthier! By far, one of the best kitchen gadgets I have ever purchased!

Want Hamilton Beach 25450 Gourmet Panini Press Discount?

I've been using this press every day since it arrived at my doorstep. I love it! It does have a few issues:

1) The lever that secures the height of the press broke after 1 day of light use. Also, the black paint started to peel off in its first use. I just took the entire thing off and it still works just fine.

2) The surface of the press is not insulated. I have to keep my young children away from it.

3) It does not have an on/off feature. Just plug it in to turn it on.

4) The grill plates are not removable for easy cleaning. I would have given it 5 stars if it had this feature.

I still gave it 4 stars because I consider these issues to be minor compared to the great food this thing makes. Makes a killer grilled cheese sandwich. I have also made quesadillas with it. Yummy!

To address some of the other reviewer's comments:

1) Do not overstuff your sandwiches. There is a very popular, expensive deli in our area that makes terrific paninis. They dont put much in the middle but the fixings become hot, yummy goodness. I have gone to other deli that try to give you a big bang for your buck and put in tons of fixings. The fixings came out cold and the cheese not melted. If that happens with their commerical panini maker, you bet it would happen with this one.

2) I like the fact that the surface is NOT flat. It leaves wonderful grill marks. I think the food should look as good as it tastes.

Overall, a great panini maker especially for the price I bought it for ($39.54, not including the $25 off $125 promo discount). Target sells this thing for $49.99.

Save 32% Off

Cooks Fork, Forged, Extra Heavy

A nice fork for the money. Very solid but not as good looking as the picture. If the wood were the color as shown it would rate four stars from me. That could be my individual unit.

This a great fork for using on a HOT grill!

It heavy and stiff enough to flip the large pieces

of meat on the back of the grill and still control

how they are positioned and you don't get burned

while doing it :)

Buy Cooks Fork, Forged, Extra Heavy Now

Like the other review mentioned, this fork (I received the 14-inch size) is quite heavy -even more so than some other, more modern designs. The tines are sharp, the wood is real, and if you're looking for a heavy-duty, solidly-built carving fork, you really can't go wrong.

My one complaint: The rivets that hold the wood to the metal aren't all flush with the surface. It's a very minor complaint, but for the price I paid, I can't complain at all!

Read Best Reviews of Cooks Fork, Forged, Extra Heavy Here

Great forged cooking fork--this is not your modern, flimsy, plastic / nylon / teflon fork, but a substantial, well made fork. It comes in more than one size, so if ordering one, be sure you figure out what size you really need. I am very pleased.

Want Cooks Fork, Forged, Extra Heavy Discount?

I fry steaks, chops, anything, thanks to this thing. I like my meat rare inside and golden and crispy outside. The trick for this is to have extremely hot olive oil, put in your steak slowly, leave for three or four seconds, then lift, wait for the oil to get ultra hot again, and put it in again, switching sides. This method will deliver you the PERFECT steak or chop, but the hot oil can jump on your hand. This oversized fork will avoid any oil on your skin.

Save 29% Off

The Original Microwave Grill - PERFECT MICRO GRILL: Backyard Grilling Quality

The first time I used the grill the bottom plastic melted! The food was dried out, even my dog did'nt eat it. In my opinion this is a very inferior product. I wasted the price of the grill + shipping and had to throw the grill away after first usage. NOT GOOD!!

Anything between two paper towels in the mircowave does as good if not better. I thought from the description it would give grill marks........ no chance. Give it little more time in the microwave? ... it just drys out the food and overcooks. I used this product twice and threw it in the garbage.... worthless.

Buy The Original Microwave Grill - PERFECT MICRO GRILL: Backyard Grilling Quality Now

Take a look at a very similar product: Ronco ST8000WHGEN Showtime GrillWave Microwave Griller. This one has very bad reviews also. I wanted one so bad, but after doing my research, I think that I will pass

Read Best Reviews of The Original Microwave Grill - PERFECT MICRO GRILL: Backyard Grilling Quality Here

I don't have a lot of time for making main courses, so this is just perfect for a quick fish filet, chicken breast, pork chop or small steak in the microwave!!!

Want The Original Microwave Grill - PERFECT MICRO GRILL: Backyard Grilling Quality Discount?

Weber Genesis E-310 637-Square-Inch Grill

I had the earlier version of this grill. It survived nearly 10 years outside uncovered in the NJ weather before I moved it to NC. It survived another 8 years or so in NC before it became clear that it's time had come. During that time, I replaced the wooden slats (the slats are gone in the new model and the shelves are stainless steel) and the flavor bars once. I don't remember replacing the burner, but it is a possibility. Some time in this 18 or so years, the starter stopped working I bought a new one and never got around to installing it. This grill owed me nothing, but when the burner finally went and I noticed some bad rust on the slide that holds the bottom on, I decided it was time for a new grill.

I purchased the E310 grill as the replacement and it is great so far seems better than I remember the other grill when it was new. Gets very hot very fast and cooks evenly. I look for a long life out of the new grill too. Seems like a lot of money, but these guys are the real deal.

I also bought a large char-grill so called "professional" model a couple of years ago for another house at a local home center, and it seemed OK. But, the stainless steel housing is now deteriorating and I expect to get about five years total out of it max. I have replaced the flavor bars already and I had to do some rigging them in because the supports were deteriorated. I think I paid about 400 for that grill, so you do the math!

The only complaint I have about the Weber is that the cooking surface is a bit small compared to their competitors on a dollar for dollar basis, but it is generally plenty big unless you are having quite a big party or something. I also note that you should follow the in structions carefully in putting it together. Part of the top shelf is a little tricky be patient and all will go well.

I've had several grills, gas and coal. Gas grills seemed ok at 1st but would not get as hot, or even and then just be a pain to use.

I wanted to buy quality that would last and with research Weber seemed to be a top choice. They cost more, and seemed to have less size/btu specs than the competition costing hundreds less.

I've got to confirm that after building and using the new Genesis 310 LP, I'm convinced that I got what I paid for. This grill is pure quality. Every piece of the grill acts to make it a more solid construction. The Grill Tub itself is solid, thick and looks like it could last forever. Even the cleaning trays are well designed.

I snapped a bolt by over wrenching it when putting it together. It was a Sunday afternoon, so I registered my grill on the web site, then called support. I got a live person in less than 3 min. I gave him my name and zip code and he had all my information from the registration I just submitted. I told him the issue, and they have sent out two new bolt+nuts. He also asked if I had a Weber grill before. I hadn't so I told him such. He then gave me tips on how to clean it, how to light it, and directed me to the weber nation website.

This product was worth the money, and getting free shipping from Amazon just made it better.

Hope that helps anyone sitting on the fence because of price.

Buy Weber Genesis E-310 637-Square-Inch Grill Now

I have owned the earlier version of this grill for 12 years, and it has served flawlessly, with some periodic replacement of parts. We recently bought this unit, which has a slightly larger grilling area, and the knobs are on the front, instead of the side, which does provide for two large work areas on either side of the grill. It is a very solid unit, which I am sure will last for years also. However, the burners run from front to back, rather than side to side. Because of the rectangular shape, the result is less burner area, and bigger gaps between the burners. Indeed, this grill takes much longer to heat up, and will not heat past about 550 degrees. The older unit would heat twice as fast and easily reach 700 degrees, which is important for searing, and heat recovery after opening to add or remove food. Additionally, flavorizer bars, which are an important design feature, are not as effective because the flame, which now goes front to back, only touches three of the bars, as opposed to going across all flavorizer bars in the old unit with the flame going side to side, perpendicular to the bars. As a result, the grilling surface heating area is uneven, with some spots hotter than others. If you are interested in very hot grilling surface, you should consider sticking with the side to side burner units with the knobs on the side.

Read Best Reviews of Weber Genesis E-310 637-Square-Inch Grill Here

In the past 16 years I have owned 4 grills. The first was a Duquesne natural gas grill. It worked well but after 4 years multiple parts rusted and had to be replaced. After 200.00 in parts It lasted another 2-3 years (it cost 700.00 new). I then bought a stainless steel natural gas grill from Home Depot ( a charbroil for about 500-600 dollars) that rusted out after 5 years and had to be replaced. Three years ago I purchased a stainless steel grill from Lowes (a Perfect Flame It cost 550.00). The last one was the worst. The handles were rusted in less than a year and after three years it was literally falling apart. I did a lot of research before buying the Weber Grill. It cost 200.00 more than my last one. The difference in quality was immediately apparent. The steel is heavier and thicker than my previous grills. It gets very hot, very quickly and steaks are perfect on this grill. I expect it will continue to perform better and last longer than any of my previous grills. My brother is on his third Weber grill, but he bought his first one 30 years ago. Where was he when I bought my first grill 16 years ago?

Want Weber Genesis E-310 637-Square-Inch Grill Discount?

Like everyone else has said:

* it's solid

* it's heavy

* it gets hot really fast...and it gets REALLY hot

* it has remarkably even heating

I'm just trying to push you into buying it if you were like me, debating endlessly whether it was worth the price and in the meantime making due with a mediocre grill.

I had a $100 propane grill that I bought on a whim, and it lasted about a year before I realized:

* half of a piece of meat was cooked and the other half was raw

* grill times were inconsistent and abnormally long

* the grate coating peeled and rusted within months...cleaning with a wire brush just exacerbated this

Looking at the price/year, this one should ideally last 7 years. After a month using it fairly regularly, I think it just might. It's relatively easy to keep clean (the cooking surfaces...the inside is a mess but grills are always a mess inside, in my experience).

So really, what I'm trying to say is, if you like grilling and you grill at least once a week, this one is worth it. It eliminated all of the problems of the other grill for me, and it just feels like grilling should feel ("it just works").

If you make a lot of sauces to grill with that need to be heated up, look into one of the models with the side burner. I don't so I went with the 310.

If you're super serious about grill mark perfection, this one leaves fantastic grill marks effortlessly, but other reviews tend to make me believe the sear station in the higher models is not just a gimmick.

If you're trying to decide between stainless steel grates or coated cast-iron, people say the cast-iron retains heat better and has smaller gaps...beyond that my biggest fear was that it would be harder to clean, but its really not.

Hope that helps!

Save 18% Off

Wind Resistant Lighter, Safe for Camping/grilling/home, Adjustable Flame with 25% More Fuel

I have used many types of wind resistant and wind proof lighters. This falls under the category of wind resistant lighters as per the claims made by the vendor. But this is a scam!! Ha! ha! This is neither. It is a completely worthless lighter. It doesnt even light without 5 clicks. Once it lights, the flame dies away in 15 seconds progressively getting softer. I was stupid enough to buy 4 of them, and I tried all 4. No difference. If you are thinking of an outdoor grill or for camping, look elsewhere. This will not work.

Save your time and money.

This lighter works great when we are out on our deck. It is like a mini blow torch, the wind will not hinder the flame. Great product as we will reorder when needed.

Buy Wind Resistant Lighter, Safe for Camping/grilling/home, Adjustable Flame with 25% More Fuel Now

This is a good lighter for a bit of wind. Has a strong flame to light things in the wind versus the lazy flame of most lighters. Good for lighting my water heater in the R.V. when its windy.

Read Best Reviews of Wind Resistant Lighter, Safe for Camping/grilling/home, Adjustable Flame with 25% More Fuel Here

Nice lighter. It is a torch type flame......very nice flame. I paid about $10, after researching Zippos. People were having problems with Zippos.

Want Wind Resistant Lighter, Safe for Camping/grilling/home, Adjustable Flame with 25% More Fuel Discount?

I have tried this product twice the first time it worked as planned and I wanted to buy it again.

The second time I bought it it arrived in an un-opened package just like the first time but it only lighted one time. After that time which appears to be from fumes it was totally empty.

In other words, I lit a fire with it on day one after receiving it on day two when I tried it I found it empty. It was stored inside like always in the same way as the first one. It arrived to me basically empty and Las Vegas World Famous Brand Center declined to offer any replacement or refund. So I would not take the chance on ordering it again from them.

BergHOFF Scala Non-Stick 5-Piece Cookware Set

Amazing cookware. Wish the handles had a metal ring or hole (to be hung from a baker's rack), but I do like the removability and clamp area for using them in ovens.

It's an interesting, but very effective / durable (ceramic glass enamel type) non-stick surface. Similar to a more robust version of Grandma's "graniteware" but obviously reformulated for superior non-stick.

And the small 8" starter pan is really good for quick eggs and potatoes, although I suggest getting the 10" or 11" scala pan (in addition to this set) to give a medium sized pan option, otherwise you have a small 8" or very 12.5" large pan.

If one adds some bamboo utensils for cooking, you're all set! I also suggest amazon's deal on Cuisinart 2/3 quart stainless steel pots to compliment this set as well, then you're induction compliant across the board too.

Absolutely the best cookware I have ever used...

not unreasonably priced considering the lifetime warranty...

& NO TEFLON® to flake off into my meals!!!

High heat destroys TEFLON®...

you really can't hurt these unless you forget to remove the handles before placing in the oven.

Handles are replaceable though, so no real worries there.

Nice even cooking, even on low heat.

Just added the 4.2 qt casserole to this set.

5 STARS +.

Rated by JC in Big Bear CA.

PEACE!

Buy BergHOFF Scala Non-Stick 5-Piece Cookware Set Now

We recently moved into a house with an induction cooktop. Most of my cookware still worked, but I was not successful in locally finding a non-stick skillet that met my needs. Thank goodness for BergHOFF Scala Non-Stick cookware! This stuff heats quickly and evenly and cleans up more easily than anything "non-stick" I have ever used. It is without a doubt my most favorite cookware ever. Absolutely no complaints!

Read Best Reviews of BergHOFF Scala Non-Stick 5-Piece Cookware Set Here

Poor product Poor customer service Would not buy again for half the price

Warning: First time reviewer here, but I use the reviews of products exclusively on whether or not to purchase products on amazon.com. I do not want any other users to go through the same poor customer service I did only to gain nothing.

I have purchased a set of Berghoff Scala Ceramic coated frying pans. I used the main 12" pan for about a month. As time progresses the pan started to stick. I contacted the customer service dept. that told me to deep clean the pan with baking soda and water. After it was dry add oil to the pan while slowly reheating it. I did this several times to cure my pan as suggested by the customer service rep. He assured me that it would take some time for this to work. This took place over 4 months after purchasing the set. I then got preoccupied when moving into my renovated kitchen. After dealing with my renovation I found the pan again. It was now 12 months since purchase. I had a new representative that made it sound like the guy I was speaking to previously did a poor job and was let go, which he was very rude. She stated they needed to find my files and reopen the review of my pan. She advised me to send the pan in so the warranty dept. could look at the pan. I had to pay shipping both ways but I figured they would at least get my pan back into good condition. Berghoff never called or emailed that they had my pan even though I sent a letter with the pan. After waiting a month I decided to email and see if they received the pan. The last customer service rep I had was now gone and I had a new one again. She had to find the pan again and pull up the files. After a reply from the newest customer service rep she stated that my pan was not covered under warranty. WHAT?

She explained that due to the color of the bottom of the pan I had overheated the pan and that the warranty was now void. I the dirt she cleaned on the bottom of my pan was on all our pans we had. We have a glass top range that we cool all our meals on. It does get dirty at times. I simply took a nylon scrubber to clean one of the other pans I had just to see how hard it was. I emailed back stating that her suggestion was not the case and that I wanted to speak to a supervisor. Three weeks later still no response. I called and was directed to the same person I was dealing with my emails. She said she brought the pan to her supervisor and stated that she agreed while refusing to allow me to speak to her supervisor.

The facts: Not once did I ever cook with the pan over ½ heat on my range top. I primarily cooked eggs, sausage, warmed up veggies, and cooked some fish. Mind you that I only used the pan 1 month. I hand washed it after every use. At first everything would slide out of the pan. The pan got to the point where I had to scrape it each time after use and then let it sit in soap water. THIS SHOULD NOT HAPPEN AFTER 1 MONTH OF USE!

Due to the numerous customer service representatives, poor service, and average pans I would never recommend anyone buy from this company. They did offer me a deal though, 50% off their retail of a new pan. That was almost the same price I could buy it off of amazon.com.

Buyer Beware Stay Away Learn from my mistakes.

Want BergHOFF Scala Non-Stick 5-Piece Cookware Set Discount?

I'm so glad I purchased these... Very easy to put handles on, just read instruction. Pans are not too lightweight and not too heavy. They do not stick at all. I still use a BIT of oil for an egg, but a little oil is good for you!

Save 36% Off

Presto 07050 Cool-Touch Foldaway Griddle

The presto foldaway is a nice design with the large cooking surface and collapsable legs make it easy to store. Performance was way below what I expected. The heat is not evenly distributed at all. Even after letting it warm up for 10 to 20 minutes, the pancakes would come out with one half of one side nearly burnt, and the other half of the same side white. To avoid burning the pancakes you have to turn them before you should then the pancakes get puffy bumps on them because one side of the pancake is getting more heat on it, so the end result is a pancake that looks like volcano cake. Turning the temperature down didn't help either, it only took longer to get a pancake that looked the one I just described. While testing out the cooking surface, I was able to pour 9 pancakes, because of the uneven heating surface, the cakes on the outer edges cooked faster and the one on the top right nearest the control cooked much faster than the others. The one in the center had to be moved to the outside to finish cooking.

The only thing that folds is the side supports; when folded, it lays flatter but still takes up a lot of storage space. It cooks fairly evenly (a little hotter near the control) and really can cook 9 pancakes (or 9 eggs) at a time. It slopes slightly toward the front, which is great for bacon (drainage) but not so good for frying eggs (I sometimes shim the front sides to level it up). I haven't scratched the cooking surface yet, but I'm pretty careful with it. Overall I am very happy with it.

Buy Presto 07050 Cool-Touch Foldaway Griddle Now

I really enjoy this griddle. I don't have a ton of storage space so I needed a foldaway unit. The legs fold down so it's not more than 2" wide & you can easily slide it into a storage cabinet. The heating element works well there are a couple of less-hot spots, but nothing that makes the unit unworkable. The non-stick surface is also very easy to clean.

Read Best Reviews of Presto 07050 Cool-Touch Foldaway Griddle Here

We bought this griddle at Target for just under $40. We made 6 pancakes on it after we got it home, 4 in one batch, 2 the next. The pancakes turned out great, even better than when we used the pan on the stove. We didn't notice any cool spots. And it heated up quickly, while we prepared the batter. I believe we will get a lot of good use out of this. Also, the fact that it is fully submersible and dishwasher safe, after removing the plug in element, and has a catch tray for any grease, just makes it that much better.

Want Presto 07050 Cool-Touch Foldaway Griddle Discount?

I got this griddle for my birthday about a month ago as a gift. I'd been searching for a replacement for the old jumbo griddle I have because it's incredibly difficult to clean and too large for the number of people I normally feed. I've used this new griddle a couple times now and I have slightly mixed feelings for it. I really like how the plastic legs on the side fold under to make the storage profile a little smaller. The square shape also helps with storage because can fit into a cupboard easier. It's not as small as the griddles that fold in half for storage, but that's okay because I think the heating is more even this way. I wish that the control held the item/temp. equivalent chart that my old one did because now I have to look up what temperature I need for pancakes or sandwiches. The other thing that's unfortunate is that I wanted a griddle that would be easier to clean, but it turns out that the foldaway griddle is slightly wider than my sink is. I'm sure this isn't a problem if you have a dishwasher, but you might want to measure your sink before purchasing if you wash your electric griddle by hand.

On the plus side, the heating seems to be pretty evenly distributed if you let it warm up properly. And I was really surprised at how spacious the square design turned out to be. You can easily fit six good-sized pork chops on there without crowding them in the least.

(The reviewer was compensated for posting this review. However, the opinion stated in the review is that of the reviewer and the reviewer alone. Further, the reviewer independently selected this product to review and has no affiliation with the product maker/distributor, Amazon or the review requester.)

Save $0.01 Off

Mario Batali Panini Grill and Press, Pesto

I had been looking for a panini grill and press for a long time and was having a very hard time deciding between an expensive model or a cheap one. The reasoning being that the expensive models would probably last forever, as my Le Creuset dutch oven has. I thought that the cheap ones, if they failed, wouldn't be such a loss.

I read a lot of reviews and looked at different models at the store and ultimately decided on this model for a few reasons. First, it seemed solid and heavy. Second, it came in a nice color. Third, it was a good price compromise between the ultra expensive and the cheap.

Having now used it for a month and cooked with it more than 15 times I can say that it turned out not to be precisely what I was looking for. It has several issues that would have been hard for me to know from other reviews. First, and probably most annoying, the pan comes almost completely unseasoned. Seasoning cast Iron is a little bit time consuming and the process took the better part of two evenings before things cooked in the pan would release at all.

Second, the cast iron is very, very rough. I have several other cast iron pans and this is the first one I had that I couldn't effectively clean because of the rough surface. The pan tore several sponges to pieces (even the scrubbing side) and even the plastic scraper that I bought for it (also from Mario Batali and made specifically for this pan) was basically shredded after just 15 cleanings. The rough surface also makes it hard to oil it with a paper towel or a piece of cloth since it just shreds it. Your hand works fine, but I don't really like to cover my hand in oil after I just finished cleaning the pan in the sink.

Third, the pan has discolored quite a bit since I bought it. It started out a nice pale almost mint green but is now a yellow green color similar to a string bean. The top discolored first, followed by the bottom. I am not sure if this is because I have a gas range and not an electric model, but the change is distinctive. Others have spoken about cracks developing in the glaze, but there has been none of that so far. The discoloration is also in the glaze and soap and water make no difference (although you have to use soap very carefully to avoid unseasoning the cast iron).

Finally, the pan is really hard to clean. This is the result of several factors. First, although the cooking surface is a good size, when you add the handles, there is almost no way to get the pan in the sink and level. This makes cleaning it without sloshing greasy water out of the sink a bit difficult. Second, the roughness of the cast iron and the non-seasoned way it shows up make the first few cleanings really bad.

However, to spite all of these things, the pan is just and pan and serves it's purpose well. It may be a bit of a pain to deal with, but my wife and I are enjoying the paninis we've made and grilling stuff inside. I do wonder if I had spent $40 less would another pan have been the same or better and I definitely wonder if I had spent $60 more if the Le Creuset model would have any of these problems. I don't regret buying it, but if i had it to do again I would definitely at least get the darkest color available.

I really love this whole line. I made Cuban Sandwiches with mine and was really pleased with how they turnes out. I am also big on the aesthetic look of my cookware along with functionality, and this line offers both aspects at an incredibly reasonable price.

Buy Mario Batali Panini Grill and Press, Pesto Now

I bought this for a weekend away with friends and was very disappointed with the function of this beautiful product. First, it is dangerous. I found that the front loop touched the plastic knob on my cooktop and melted it a bit. I had to keep reminding myself that the knob on top was burning hot. It is natural to want to grab the handle or the top while making a panini. DON'T DO IT. I let the pan heat on medium for ten minutes and the sandwiches were beautiful on the bottom but only lightly browned on top so that I had to flip them. Needless to say, some of the interior parts of the layered sandwich fell out onto the grill and stuck like mad-very difficult to clean later. The final toasted panini still had to go into the microwave for a few seconds to melt the thinly sliced gruyere cheese so that I could serve it to my waiting friends. This was a stressful lunch as I had to go through this process three times to make sandwiches for six. I would prefer a press which does both sides of the sandwich at the same time. I thought this would and it didn't.

Read Best Reviews of Mario Batali Panini Grill and Press, Pesto Here

I've posted this review on several differently colored panini presses...though mine is red. I'm THAT passionate about the low quality of this product. It angers me every time I see it in my closet (won't fit in my cabinets). This press:

1.) Doesn't heat both sides equally

2.) Adheres to bread and fish like white on rice...even with oil/butter/nonstick spray

3.) has a cool colored finish that will chip and look hideous in no time.

Seriously, take my word, this is an utter disaster of a product. Either reevaluate whether you need a press, or try another line. If I could turn back time, I'd try Lodge (and they have new colors now to), All Clad, or one of the cheaper cheap pans. This is about the quality of one of those ones priced at $30 or $40. If you're going to lay out $90, go the extra mile and buy something made with quality in mind such as Le Creuset or All Clad or Lodge!

Want Mario Batali Panini Grill and Press, Pesto Discount?

I really wanted the Le Creuset but I went with this press because I have a ceramic cooktop. It works OK, I guess. I have had some issues with bread sticking to the inside, and have ruined a few sandwiches. You'd be wise to stick with actual paninis or a thickly sliced bread. As for clean up, I finally discovered that my wire outdoor grill brush works really well for quickly and easily cleaning off baked on cheese, etc. after a soak in hot soapy water. I do wish that the lid got hotter though -you really do have to flip your sandwiches to get them browned on both sides. Wish I could wax more enthusiastic about this pan....

Chefmaster 19pc Barbeque Tool Set

dont waste your money on this it is cheap and flimsy. the case broke after opening it twice, and the tongs bend and drop whatever you are trying to pick up, also the brush fell apart during first use and the spatula is too small to really use.

This set is okay. You get what you pay for. The wood looks a little cheap and the tools are kinda flimsy.

EDIT: While hand washing the tools the red wood color came off on my hands. I was able to wash it off my hands after a couple of minutes, but that's really annoying and makes me wonder what kind of dye they've put on these tools that you cook with.

Buy Chefmaster 19pc Barbeque Tool Set Now

This isn't the best grill set ever, but it is very good. The handles are nice and long and it looks like it will hold up well. The case is very nice to store everything in. The only part I dislike about it is that the skewers and corn cob sticks are wooden, so I worry when we do use those they will get nasty and will burn.

Read Best Reviews of Chefmaster 19pc Barbeque Tool Set Here

Ronco Showtime Standard Rotisserie and Barbeque Oven White

I have this same model. The rotisserie works well and if you follow the directions carefully, the end results will be delicious. Just understand that once purchased, you can't depend on any customer service at Ronco. They don't answer emails. They don't answer the phone. If you order an accessory, it may never arrive and you won't be able to find out why. If you want an extended warranty, buy the one offered through Amazon because I can't imagine shipping anything to Ronco; it will end up in a black hole.

I absolutely love my Ronco Showtime Rotisserie Oven. Now that I have it, I wonder how I ever cooked without it.

I am very picky about my kitchen appliances being easy to use and easy to clean! There is no point in having a delicious dinner if I have to spend hours cleaning up a mess afterward. I must say, this oven could not be any easier to clean. The pieces & accessories are all dishwasher safe.

The first night I used it, I cooked a chicken that was just under 5 pounds. It took exactly as long as the instructions stated it would for the internal temperature of the chicken to reach 180 degrees. The thermometer is included. The elastic food ties are ingenious! No more strings cutting into your fingers as you fight to get them around the chicken.

I could not believe how good this chicken was. I didn't do anything special to it. I only used salt, pepper, and garlic powder on the outside of the chicken. Then, I put it on the rotisserie, set the timer, and watched it spin around in amazement. Every single bite of this chicken was juicy! My daughter and I ate it for three days, and even when it was warmed in the microwave, it was still tender and juicy.

I highly recommend this item to anyone who cooks several meals a week. It does a lot more than just rotisserie chicken! The kabobs we made in it were just as delicious as the chicken.

Buy Ronco Showtime Standard Rotisserie and Barbeque Oven White Now

In 2000, I went through an unexpected divorce. During the separation, I asked the ex if I could have this machine, because my culinary skills were, shall we say, very limited. We had received it several years before as a Christmas gift from my mom, but had never really used it.

People, it prevented me from having to subsist on take out and frozen pizza! When I had weekends with my daughter, she was blown away by the dishes I was able to prepare.

Since then, I have learned a bit about cooking, but I still use the rotisserie several times a month. Living alone, I can't justify buying a whole turkey. But a turkey breast, properly seasoned, will come out of the machine tasting as if a master chef had prepared it. Believe me, good quality frozen veggies are delicious if the steaming tray is used. Using the basket, well seasoned chicken pieces cook in an hour, and all the marketing propoganda heard on the infommercial turns out to be true. Marinated leg of lamb? I'm making myself hungry, just typing this review! There have been family get-togethers at my sister's house where we have had both hers and my rotisserie going full blast.

It isn't expensive. It isn't high tech. It isn't terribly sophisticated. But...it works, very reliably. Anyone will be able to get excellent results with it in a short amount of time.

Very rarely, you get more than what you paid for. If you are "on the fence," trying to decide whether or not to purchase, go ahead and jump; you won't be sorry.

Read Best Reviews of Ronco Showtime Standard Rotisserie and Barbeque Oven White Here

This is an awesome product. Very easy to use and pretty much idiot proof. Everything I cook in this comes out great; chicken pieces, whole chickens, beef roast, pork tenderloin....you name it. I have been using mine for years now and I still think its great!

They reason I gave it a 3* is because the "Non-Stick" surfaces are NOT non-stick. Food sticks to EVERYTHING!!!! The lobster/vegetable rack is the worst. A nightmare to clean. The stuff used to coat the metal is more like a non-stick looking paint. It lasted about 4 months and it was gone. I have to use SOS Pads and a wire brush to clean my racks now. Even before the very sticky non-stick paint came off I had to soak the stuff for hours and it barely helped. Pam cooking spray didn't help either.

It works like a dream.....it cleans like a bad dream.

Want Ronco Showtime Standard Rotisserie and Barbeque Oven White Discount?

Ronco used to make this product (smaller), and I had one that did Roast Chicken better than anything so simply. That was years ago.

This model came defective when I opened the box. They are not useable because one end of the spit wheel had a detached hub. The rivet and the covering of the rivet were rattling in the box. I exchanged it as defective, and the SAME DEFECT was present. Frankly, it's a piece of junk, or did I just get TWO lemons in a row???????