Showing posts with label gas grill ratings. Show all posts
Showing posts with label gas grill ratings. Show all posts

Friday, June 27, 2014

All-Clad BBQ Tool Set in Carrying Case

All-Clad BBQ Tool Set in Carrying CaseBought this as an extra special anniversary present for my husband. When they came in I was overwhelmed at the absolute beauty of the pieces All-Clad outdid themselves with this set! The only way to describe them a work of art! I took them to a local jewelry store and had them engraved with his initials now, EVEN MORE AMAZING! Will be giving them to him next week-can't wait....he's going to LOVE them!!!

This is the set you buy for life. Can't express it any other way. All Clad makes incredible products. I am so impressed. There are no better words than THE BEST!!!!

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This is a really nice looking set which comes in a nice case. Unfortunately the tongs don't grip food too well as they are a bit slippery. I haven't used the other tools yet. I'm not sure I would purchase this item again but hopefully the tongs will improve with use.

Read Best Reviews of All-Clad BBQ Tool Set in Carrying Case Here

Ordered as a gift and didn't even unwrap the tools. The case was dinged and the handle broken off and loose in the box. Way to low quality to be given as a high end gift. A piece of garbage.

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I bought this for my boyfriend, thinking it was going to be an awesome gift. The tongs came all bent so that the ends didn't even meet up, so they are useless. And the brush keeps falling apart. The brush part constantly falls out of the handle. I do not recommend this product!

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Monday, May 5, 2014

Zojirushi EF-VSC40 1300-Watt Electric Gourmet Roaster

Zojirushi EF-VSC40 1300-Watt Electric Gourmet Roasterbeen on a zojirushi appliance kick lately. ... neuro-fuzzy, portable skillet, grill, and now the fish roaster. wife is japanese and says these things are commonplace in a japanese household but typically built into the oven and not a separate appliance. i wish that were the case here as well.

anyway, next to the rice cooker, which we use everyday, this item gets the most use. seriously...almost daily. usually we make some kind of shioyaki (sake, gindara, aji, or saba) and sometimes gindara misoyaki. but we also use it for burgers, pork chops, steaks, etc.

there are many complaints on here about the smoke. yes, it can be excessive at times, especially with oily things like saba, a well-marbled wagyu steak, or a burger. but we just set it on a wooden cutting board on the stove and use the exhaust fan, and problem solved. besides, the smoke is precisely one of the main benefits of this roaster...sure it goes all over the house. but it also goes all over the food, leaving a nice char-broiled flavor. outstanding.

regarding the floating reflector, the first thing my wife did the first time we used it was to put foil down. problem solved. it requires a total disassembly and cleaning about every 10 uses or so. 5 minutes on high (with nothing in it) after the meal has been cooked gets rid of a lot of the mess though. kind of like a self-cleaning oven.

I just ordered my 2nd zojirushi fish roaster today. The first one I had quit working after about 11 months of constant use I used it to roast Pike Mackerel, Steaks, vegetables, salmon, etc. For the amount that I used it, Im not too angered or surprised that it broke, but I wish it would last a little longer.

The roaster is awesome at cooking steaks and fish and it gets done VERY quickly. Somewhere around 10-15 minutes from a raw fish, all the way to it being nicely cooked, same with steaks.

When I first bought the unit, there was very little smoke, just a faint smell of fish or steak, and I was very pleased. I probably used this everyday, or every other day for 11 months, and towards the end of the 11 months, it started getting really smokey in the house ( I dont know if the filter was failing, or if it was just all the oil on the heating elements), and I had to start taking the roaster outside I live in a small apartment so its not a big deal, as I have a patio that is very close to the kitchen. And at the end of the 11 months, when I was cooking a steak, I realized that the top heating element just quit working... for 120 bucks, and the amount I used it, Im not happy that I have to buy another one, but I cant say I didnt get my money's worth.

Here are some annoyances that I found using this thing:

1) The bottome reflector tray needs to be covered by tinfoil or something because the oil that drips on the reflector tray is near impossible to get off, and you will ruin a sponge trying to clean it

2) The water you need to put in the bottom of the unit after a while will discolor the bottom. I left water in there overnight once ( I forgot to clean it) and I had some rust at the bottom not too big of a deal, but it makes the unit unsightly on the inside.

3) the Unit gets SUPER hot, so dont place anything on top of it or touch it during the cooking process Its common sense I know, but one of my buddies burned himself by touching it. Hes not the fastest fish in the pack, so maybe that was to be expected, but its something you should be aware of.

4) The grill inside is not very adjustable, and it gets a lot of burnt charcoal stuck to it. Had to buy a special sponge ethat gets the charcoal off. not a big deal, but still a very slight annoyance. i can deal with it.

Here are the good things:

1) You can plop a steak in there, or some tomatoes, fish, whatever, and it becomes nicely grilled. does what its meant to do, quite quickly.

2) makes me not have to use the stove or the oven BIG PLUS.

3) relatively small footprint for what it does.

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We use this for fish grilling. The dripping oil from the fish burns bottom heater and OH boy, it makes quite a smoke! Entire house gets very smoky so don't use it after you dressed up or expecting a guest. But top and bottom heater shortens grilling time and you don't have to flip a long or flaky fish so when you are in a hurry making dinners it's better than top heater only. We used Sanyo smokeless fish grill last 10 years and that only had a top heater, so we didn't have smoke problem (It makes a room a little fishy, but no smoke) This is very pricey plus we can't adjust the hight like Sanyo, so if I find Sanyo fish grill again (I didn't see it available when I was shopping) I'll go for it and I'll put this one away. As an every day fish eater Japanese, Zojirushi supposed to be very reliable brand, so I'm very disappointed in this product.

Read Best Reviews of Zojirushi EF-VSC40 1300-Watt Electric Gourmet Roaster Here

The Zojirushi Gourmet Roaster cooks quickly and thoroughly. Roasting produces little, if any, smoke. There is no variable temperature control all roasting uses the same temperature. The cook must control the amount of "doneness" using the timer. Like other Zojurishi products, such as the Gourmet Sizzler, the Roaster comes apart easily and quickly for cleaning. From beginning to completion of roasting, including cleanup, will require only about 20 minutes with most items. Meats and fish should be approximately 1 1/2 inches deep, or less, to avoid contact with the upper heat element. You may want to try covering the grill with foil to reduce drippings on the lower heating element.

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Bought this for my mother who had Panasonic's version which broke after 10 years or so. It is discontinued and not available anymore. Amazon had this Zojirushi for much cheaper price than local stores and I trust Zojirushi brand so I got this. So far so good. My mother has no complaints. First, this should be used outside the house because of the smell and smoke this produces. Panasonic was the same too. Works very well.

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Friday, December 13, 2013

Charcoal Companion Double Prong Coastal Grilling Kabob Skewers, Set of 4

Charcoal Companion Double Prong Coastal Grilling Kabob Skewers, Set of 4I requested and received this as a Christmas gift. I used it yesterday in the BBQ to hold marinated pieces of beef and lamb. They did a good job of holding the meat in place so that it would not spin when I flipped the meat. I used metal thongs to grab the handles to flip the meat, thus the fact that the handles are much too hot to handle was not a problem. The only problem occurred when I was using a fork to pull the meat off the skewers. One skewer pulled out of the handle. I pushed the skewer back into the handle.

Double skewers are the way to go, your food won't spin on the skewer...makes for easy flipping.

I bought two sets of these and I am pleased with the quality. They feel solidly constructed and will hold up on the grill for a lifetime. The skewers come out of the base...I think that they are made to do this? Not a problem for me because they go right back into the base with no issues and stay put while cooking. They will become discolored with use and require a bit of elbow grease to restore to looking like new not an issue for me.

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Really nice! Strong Steel and very detail on the handles which was what I was looking for. I like the double prong so the meat/vegetables won't spin while cooking. Makes a nice presentation for guests for a summer BBQ. Will buy another set.

Read Best Reviews of Charcoal Companion Double Prong Coastal Grilling Kabob Skewers, Set of 4 Here

I like kabobs and these are a new take on the traditional skewer. The double skewer system adds stability to whatever your cooking. The food stays in place and doesn't shift when you rotate the food regardless of what is on the menu. These clean up with little to no effort and make a nice presentation. They are nice quality stainless and they seem well made. I use these quite often and am very pleased with them.

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Can't believe I finally found these! I have spent years fussing with the single tong skewers, having the food drop off and roll around. These are wonderful the food stays on them perfectly and the handles are ample and easy to grip, (besides looking cool) and the food just slides off them when you are ready to serve. I am going to buy sets for Christmas gifts!

Monday, November 18, 2013

Ilsa 7-Inch Cast Iron Heat Diffuser

Ilsa 7-Inch Cast Iron Heat DiffuserThis device is worth it's weight in gold. I cook a lot of pasta sauce and like to simmer it for 2-3 hours. Without this diffuser I would have to stir and scrape the bottom of the pot every 15 minutes to prevent scorching now it is every 30 to 40 minutes between stirs. It evenly distributes the heat to the entire bottom of the pan.

We've had ours for over 20 years now, no sign of rust at all. There is some discoloration but doesn't affect it. I don't know if it's mentioned but the different sides are used for the type of stove you have. The glossy side is used facing down if you use gas, flipped over if you use electric.

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It works like promised. I have a gas stove that runs on propane, producing a high flame even on simmer. This takes care of the problem giving a true simmer. There is some discoloration after you use it and it can get VERY hot be careful after cooking.

Read Best Reviews of Ilsa 7-Inch Cast Iron Heat Diffuser Here

I've used this particular diffuser on my gas cooktops for more than 25 years. I dragged two back from Europe, where you find them in virtually every home, when they weren't yet available in the U.S. It allows you to control heat distribution under a pan with great accuracy. You wouldn't be able to make fine sauces, like a beurre blanc (yes we're still allowed), without it. Rice never sticks to the pot for those of use who just throw a pot on the stove instead of rummaging around for yet another 'groovy' appliance. Well, nothing burns to the bottom of your pots and pans with these cast iron heat diffusers. It's not needed on every burner most of the time, but when you're doing something with difficult ingredients or want a long, slow simmer, it makes the difference between garbage and gourmet. Like all the other reviewers, I won't live without it, period.

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For people with glass top stoves, this cast iron defuser is essential. I do alot of steam canning and this defuser keeps the canner from sticking to the stovetop. The only thing that i have found, though, is that the paint on the defuser began to bubble up and slough off onto the bottom of my canner. But, all in all, i like this defuser.

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Tuesday, September 10, 2013

Trudeau Oven Gloves, Set of 2

Trudeau Oven Gloves, Set of 2These are the oven gloves/mitts for which I have have been searching for years! All the others have come up short. The ones that insulate well enough are too bulky and awkward; the ones that have some dexterity do not protect well enough against the heat. Finally, these are the best by far I have found. The separate fingers allow very good dexterity. I can take a pan from a 400+ degree oven and hold it as long as I need to with no discomfort.

They seem to be a one-size-fits-most design. I have a moderately large hand, and the fingers feel a little snug at first, but the fiber seems to stretch a bit, and feel fine after a few seconds. However, they may not fit someone with a very large hand.

I loved these when I first received them although they were very big for my hands (i have small hands), but they sure kept the heat and steam away, but after two days the finger tips of one glove changed color to yellow, then the color started to change in all the fingers, I don't know why it happened, when I have only used it to shield my hand from water steam when making tea, but it showed that the quality of the product was questionable.

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The gloves are nice quality and fit well but you can't hold onto a hot pan for more than a few seconds without the heat coming through.

Read Best Reviews of Trudeau Oven Gloves, Set of 2 Here

If your pulling one thing and putting it down they are great. They do not hold the heat back if you have to hold onto something for awhile.

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Bought these for my husband and for myself. So much easier when we are both cooking to have two pairs handy to cover both of us.

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Sunday, August 11, 2013

Smart Planet PQM-1 Quesadilla Maker

Smart Planet PQM-1 Quesadilla MakerWe were eager to use the quesadilla maker since our othe one bit te dust. This one is smaller but we shall overcome I Love it easy to clean ! Use it more often.

This product looks good, is easy to use and makes great quesadillas. It is so easy that my 11 year old son makes his own. clean up is fast and easy. Very pleased with the product.

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Makes good quesadillas, but the clip that holds the quesadilla maker closed broke almost immediately. It still works, but won't close all the way.

Read Best Reviews of Smart Planet PQM-1 Quesadilla Maker Here

Thursday, July 18, 2013

Weber Stainless Steel Grill Pan

Weber Style 6435 Professional-Grade Grill PanThis received top ratings from America's Test Kitchen (Cooking Illustrated & Cook's Kitchen). I was skeptical because I have tried about a dozen different grill pans in the 18 months, but none have really worked. This is the best I have used yet.

One was a square-ish pan and the corners snapped and became unusable. A common problem with many pans; they are welded and not stamped or folded. The welds usually break due to the high heat in the grill.

My old favorite is a bowl style; it's decent, but the problem is the top is bigger than the bottom so there is not a lot of actual grilling space. As a result you either have steamed veggies or you have to keep stirring.

The biggest complaint I have about most grill pans is the holes. Either they are too big and things like cherry tomatoes and sliced onions fall through, or the holes are too small. Small holes have many problems: difficult to clean, too many and the food gets too charred, too many holes and the metal separating the holes breaks...etc.

This pan is the best pan I have used yet. It it made of one piece with NO welds; the sides are bent up to create a lip and give the user an edge to flip and turn food. Also, the holes are not actually holes, they are slits. This means that one does not have to worry about food slipping through the spaces; from time to time sliced onions get stuck, but not really a BIG deal. It works great for Portabella mushrooms though it is not just for veggies, it's great for fish. Another big seller is that this is stainless and easy-ish to clean. It's not going to be non-stick easy to clean, you will have to scrub, but with a Brillo pad and elbow grease it's not a big deal.

The only complaint I have is the size. I have a two burner grill (unless I can talk my wife into getting a new grill next summer) and the pan can be a little too big for this type of grill. This "complaint" is not that big of a complaint since I usually don't do veggies at the same time as the meat.

If Weber updates this pan, I would recommend making it available in a smaller size and upgrading the metal; it's a little light weight. It's not bad, a little more heft would be nice.

If you have a grilling fanatic in your family (even if it's you) then buy this pan. It's great! You won't be disappointed. Get this pan.



When I was growing up in the Midwest the outdoor grill meant only one thing, MEAT! Fortunately people are becoming more sophisticated in what they choose to grill. Now it is not unusual to find fish, shrimp, mushrooms, asparagus, you name it, cooking right next to burgers and steaks.

The only problem is, of course, smaller foods can drop through the grill and onto the fire. I have purchased screens and disposable grill pans before and they worked just okay. When I saw this pan and how reasonable it was priced I had to get it.

I like the build of this pan, very heavy-duty without being too thick. The raised sides keep the food from falling off and makes the pan easy to carry. It takes a little effort to clean (I use a SOS pad) but that is to be expected.

I use a small Weber--the Q200-and it is just big enough for cooking for 4-5 people. This grill pan fits perfectly on it but if I want to cook both meat and veggies at the same time I would need a bigger grill. I thought that I would make this little video to show the pan in action. Thank you!

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Best grill pan ever. Raised edges keep everything in the pan. Small openings in the bottom of the pan makes certain that nothing falls through. Big handles make it easy to move around the grill. I've been grilling for 37 years and this is the best grill pan I have ever used.

Read Best Reviews of Weber Stainless Steel Grill Pan Here

This pan saved our grill! We have a low-end gas grill that was given to me and my husband as a Christmas gift. No matter what settings we tried it would either burn the food or leave it raw. With this pan, we can turn the heat up to where it should be and the food doesn't burn! The only downside is that it is a bear to clean. Other people have recommended Easy Oven Off but I haven't tried that yet.

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At the time I purchased this, the product description on Amazon incorrectly stated the dimensions as 14 x 11 inches in one place, and 17 x 11 x 1 inches in another. These are both wrong. When I received it, it stated clearly on the package that this grill pan is 13.5" x 18.5" x 1.5", which incidentally won't fit on my grill. I've submitted the correction to Amazon, but in the meantime buyer beware.

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