Showing posts with label grilled steak recipes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label grilled steak recipes. Show all posts

Friday, July 25, 2014

Ceramic Marble Coated Cast Aluminium Non Stick Wok 34 cm (13 1/2 inches)

Ceramic Marble Coated Cast Aluminium Non Stick Wok 34 cmBest non stick WOK I have ever used. Perfect on a electric range and easy to clean. I use bamboo utensils to avoid scratching.

It is very good wok. It is warm up quickly and very hot which is excellent for Asian cooking. I would be it recommned to someone.

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I have had this pot for a month and so far I am in love. You don't even have to use oil for your cooked food to slide around. So far no pealing of the surface. When the pot cools I give a quick brush with soap but really there is barely any cleanup. I have to say, I thought this pot would be utilitarian looking from the photo, but actually it is very handsome. I leave it on my stove and guests also think it is good looking. Its pretty lightweight too, considering the size. Not feather weight, but I can lift it easily enough with one hand on the handle, tip the pot over a plate, and slide the cooked food off with just a little push from the spatula. The bottom of the pot has a fairly wide flat area for a wok. That's ok with me... I actually use it to fry a couple large chicken legs in it, or a couple pieces of french toast.

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Monday, June 30, 2014

Foreman Grill 3 Burger

Foreman Grill 3 BurgerSuper Champ Limited Edition First impression: We've cooked fish and chops so far. The grill officially heats up in 5 minutes but actually seems to heat up in 3 to 4 minutes according to the orange light on the lid. The owner's manual says to open the lid after cooking with a pot holder. We didn't need a potholder. You MUST put a kitchen towel under the grill to catch cooking splatters. The grease catcher does catch all of the grease coming off the bottom grill. I think the bottom grill gets hotter than the top grill. You are warned to not unplug the grill with the orange heat light on to avoid sparks. I unplugged the grill with the orange light on and didn't see any sparks. The book doesn't say to use or not use a product like PAM. My dear wife's attitude is if it doesn't say use it then don't use it. The little spatula is very handy. The grill cooks very quickly. The grill uses 800 watts.

I have been using this product for a few years. I keep meaning to replace it with a better one.

This grill does the job as far as cooking, but cleanup is a hassle. The juices don't drip neatly into the plastic collecting tray. The juices miss the plastic tray and flow across the bottom of the unit, dripping onto the counter. It makes a considerable mess.

For my next purchase I will pick one with cooking plates that can be removed for washing. It should have an efficient system for collecting drips. I've been looking at the Cuisinart. Not only does it have removable trays, it has a variable heat setting.

Update May, 2010: I ended up buying a Cuisinart grill at Costco. The ability to remove the trays and scrub them is a big improvement. Dripping juices are captured more readily. A temperature setting is great for my Trident salmon burgers. The cooking instructions specify 350 degrees at 5 minutes. The Cuisinart cooks them to perfection.

Don't be lazy about cleaning your grill. The grease tends to bake on, so cleaning after every use is best. Wipe down the unit. The special George Foreman sponges available at Target or on Amazon are perfect for scrubbing the plates. Run the plates through the dishwasher. Put the sponge in the dishwasher too. They'll stay like new.

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Just after you unplug the grill after cooking, pour a small amount of water across the bottom grill. Be careful; it will turn to steam quickly while it's loosening any stuck-on drippings. Then, using a wadded WET paper towel, wipe the top and bottom grills clean. Again, be very careful not to burn your fingers--those grills are mighty hot. The manufacturer would rather you wait until the grills are cool, but my way works fast and cleans thoroughly. I do love this appliance for the way it cooks burgers (80 percent lean), boneless chops and boneless chicken breasts (the latter two marinated first). Good size for two people. Would buy it again.

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We received this grill as a present and loved it at first. It was great for bacon, sausage and burgers. Trouble was, the non-stick coating soon started coming off. We took good care of it and only cleaned it with the plastic spatula and paper towels. Searching for a solution turned up lots of similar complaints too. Save your money and buy a different brand!

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I had been skeptical about all of the George Foreman grills until I tried this one. It works great. I've had it and used it every day for 6 months and the coating is fine. Not sure why one reviewer had trouble with the coating. I use Pam for grilling fish and it's great. In fact, it cooks fish faster and better than anything I've used before. The first time, I overcooked the fish thinking it would take longer. I followed the enclosed recipe for marinated veggies and they were delicious. For the price and size, it's great. I think removable plates would make cleanup easier. And sometimes I want to cook more than one thing at a time. So, I'm looking at the larger models right now. I'll continue to use the Champ for smaller items or one-item meals.

Saturday, May 10, 2014

Rome Wilderness Hamburger Griller

Rome's #1505 Wilderness Griller with Steel and Wood HandlesThis definitely makes it easy to cook a hamburger over a wood fire well made too. Burgers turned out great. The circumference is a bit small compared to some preformed hamburger patties, but if you're making your own patties you wouldn't encounter that.

Compared to other grillers, this one seems to over-enclose the meat. It is certainly well made. But the result is a sort of half-way point between roasting and grilling with very little of the meat exposed to the flame. For a guy with a preference for char-broiled burgers, I found the results less than terrific. I also found it awkward to work with compared to my other grillers. Even with the little hook to hold the handles together, turning the meat over often ended with the two handles separating. While that's not the worst thing in the world, it's not the best, either, especially around hot parts where sudden moves might not turn out so well. The result was that I tried it for a few times and then it sat, unused, for awhile, and now it's gone.

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Thursday, May 1, 2014

13433 BEC Slider Hamburger Grill Red

13433 BEC Slider Hamburger Grill RedUgh! Nothing about this product is even half way decent ~ it cooks terribly, cleaning is a mess and well... don't buy it. I hate to throw things away (waste is a sin), but I hate to even GIVE this thing away because it destroys good ground meat and CAUSES waste. Save the planet (and your money) and don't purchase, attempt use or even look at this item!!!

Cons... Where do I begin? It is difficult and time consuming to clean, it does not cook well... What else was this item supposed to do? Those 2 are really the only things that really matter in this product. I'm not asking it to give me a weather report or help my kids with Algebra.

P.S. I purchased this item at 75% off... Ummm...

This new item arrived quickly & in perfect condition. The slider maker is not a very good product in my opinion. You have to use so little meat in order for it to cook all the way through before burning on the outside which makes them really too small to put on slider buns. It was not hard to clean the grill itself but grease leaks out everywhere & that is hard to clean. We ended up throwing it away after a few uses. Barely worth the $20 we spent.

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I got this as a Christmas gift. I think it works well. I just wish it came with other plates so you could do paninies.

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Wednesday, March 26, 2014

George Foreman GRB48B G-Broil Electric Grill with 48-Square-Inch Cooking Surface

George Foreman GRB48B G-Broil Electric Grill with 48-Square-Inch Cooking SurfaceI've used a different sized foreman grill in the past (I believe the GR10ABWI which was more square shaped) this grill is really quite rectangular, so it seems like its width is too short. However, in most cases you aren't cooking large, square pieces of food. This gets the job done and has a nice feature of being able to suspend the top part over the food (without touching it) which is good for melting cheese. What George Foreman lacks in creativity for naming his offspring, he surely makes up for by inventing such a great grill!

The G-Broil is just like the other George Foreman Grills except it has the ability to lock the top hot plate 3inches or so from the bottom. This will allow you to broil smaller stuff. I would highly recommend you get a George Foreman with removable hot plates for easy washing. Putting the entire grill in the sink (cord and all) is very awkward.

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Its was on sale for a really good price and I picked it up. Wish it was more sturdy but it is not. So I just gifted it to some one else and will be buying another one

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Im very happy with my new grill. It comes in so handy especially for my sons who need to cook something quickly.

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Bought this thing for $50 at Walmart.

Pros:

Easy to use.

Adjustable heat settings.

Big surface area for grilling for the whole family.

Cons:

Timer broke down on me after 3 months of use. I looked at the owner's manual and I guess I committed the cardinal sin of forcing the timer dial off. It's kind of like resetting the trip odometer in a '73 Volkswagon while the car is moving--you'll break the odometer every time. Guess what, George, there's a reason they don't make 1973 VWs anymore. The grill (and the car) have to be smarter than the idiots like me who use them.

Conclusion:

Who knew that buying a fat reducing grill from an overweight boxer could be such a mistake? Like Mike Tyson said, "Yes, time flies. And where does it leave you? Old too soon. Smart too late."

Tuesday, February 18, 2014

Swissmar KF-77081 8-Person Stelvio Raclette Party Grill with Granite Stone

Swissmar KF-77081 8-Person Stelvio Raclette Party Grill with Granite StoneThis Raclette Grill has the granite stone top, and it is a lot easier to clean and more elegant for parties. Note: if you are vegetarian though not vegan, you can grill your cheese below and use Boca type veggie sausages, marinated tofu and vegetables on top for a very decent, meatless raclette. The stone lets you grill any of these items. After it cools, clean-up is quite simple. If you are serious about this, and want a party, the 8-person oblong set plus stone is a wonderful way to do this.

The cord is too short on this unit. You need a pretty decent extension cord if your table is not near a counter-height outlet, as the cord isn't so long. The extension cord should be able to handle the voltage requirements as this element draws a lot of power as it heats up. The shape is rectangular, so this doesn't work so well for round tables; there are raclettes that are shaped for round tables but they don't come with granite tops.

There are grills with teflon tops, but granite is more elegant, healthier (I think) and makes a beautiful party table along with the little divided dishes (raclette or fondue plates.) I discovered that it was inconvenient and cluttered to have so many custard cups of sauces (Bernaise, remoulade, etc) for the grilled items, so you may want to pick up a set of these if you get into raclette parties.

To serve raclette, get some good cheeses that melt well (fontina, butterkaese, raclette cheese if you can find it), some sausages, possibly shrimp and scallops, some cold meats (dried beef is a Swiss tradition but salami works well) and a selection of vegetables like sliced cherry tomatoes, sliced bell peppers, onions. Small whole boiled potatoes and cornichon gerkins are traditional. And you need a variety of sauces such as bearnaise, hollandaise, mustard sauce or any sauces you like with veggies and meats. Even ranch dressing works. Prepare a serving tray so each diner can select cheese, veg or meat and begin grilling. The cheese goes in the small tray under the element and the grill handles the fish, veg and meat.

One thing you might want to get along with a raclette grill is a set of fondue-type plates. This keeps the table freed up for your ingredient serving platter because the sauces and condiments go into each person's plate and you don't need a pile of little dishes for sauces. Raclette is traditionally cheese, potatoes and gherkins, but shrimp, scallops, sausages, and vegetables add a lot to the experience. Our friends typically use the raclette for birthday parties and informal gathering when fun and chatter keep everyone at the table.

This raclette grill is great. Cleanup of the granite is easy, just let it cool first. Another reviewer said to let it go overnight, but I've found leaving it for 2 hours is plenty of time for it to cool. The granite is not reversible and does have a ridge on the edge to catch any juices from the meat (or whatever you're making).

While I may not be a raclette expert, I got referred to this grill by a Swiss friend. We both love it.

Entertaining is fun with this grill. I would suggest that you have 1 grill for every 4 people, rather than the 8 that the specs suggest. It can be a long night if everyone only has 1 cheese tray.

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This is the second raclette i've owned and this one far exceeded my expectations! The stone is solid with a small drain that goes completely around it to capture the juice from meats and is extremely easy to clean after it's cooled down. The dishes are teflon coated and the front is slightly angled to slide your food unto your plate. Excellent for entertaining family and friends with a variety for all to chose from; beef, chicken, shrimp, turkey and vegetables. More fun than a fondue!

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Great seervice and great grill! Have used the granite top

to brown sausages, as well as to keep potatoes hot for serving.

Just don't drop this heavy granite stone on your foot! Cleans

up great but let the stone cool overnight first!

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Replaces a jerry-rigged raclette grill that we first bought in Switzerland (hence the jerry-rigging to change to US electric). This is a major upgrade--and we should have done it years ago.

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Saturday, November 23, 2013

Blue-lit Digital Meat Thermometer Fork

Blue-lit Digital Meat Thermometer ForkFrom first glance, the product appears great...different modes, nice backlit display, covers for the fork tips. However, when inserting into meat, it takes FOREVER to come up to temp. I've watched it go 85->87->90->92 and so on for probably 30 seconds to a minute before coming up to temp. The internal temp of the meat is probably changing as you leave the grill open waiting for it to read. Also, there isn't any indicator when it has come up to temp so you usually end up waiting to see if it is going to "bump up" anymore.

Save your money and avoid this one.

I does not work very good, I tried to use it on a new grill ,and I could have guessed doneness better.

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ditto on the review listed below. Additionally the product quit working 1 month into use. Thinking about trying to exchange, but I think I'll chalk this up to a waste of money, and buy a good product to replace this one.

From first glance, the product appears great...different modes, nice backlit display, covers for the fork tips. However, when inserting into meat, it takes FOREVER to come up to temp. I've watched it go 85->87->90->92 and so on for probably 30 seconds to a minute before coming up to temp. The internal temp of the meat is probably changing as you leave the grill open waiting for it to read. Also, there isn't any indicator when it has come up to temp so you usually end up waiting to see if it is going to "bump up" anymore.

Save your money and avoid this one.

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This was purchased as a gift. So far the thermometer has worked fine and think that it should work fine for how much it will be used.

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I can't actually give a review on the Digital Meat Thermometer Fork, because we returned it. It was larger that my daughter wanted. But, I do want to give a review on HomeWetBar, where we purchased the fork. Their customer service was excellent. They were very gracious about the return and very prompt with the refund. I would definitely recommend them and do business with them in the future.

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Vent Register Filters

Vent Register FiltersThese filters do exactly what the package claims: "Helps trap dirt, dust, smoke, and pollen size particles." They are not HEPA filters and do not claim to remove all allergens or dust. But it definitely helps, and I figure it can't hurt, especially at a price this low around $.33/filter!

The filters are easy to install, just remove your vent cover and insert the filter from the bottom. They can be cut to achieve a good fit. After 90 days or so, they can be carefully removed and you will see lots of dust and particles trapped in the filter, on both sides. This system is as effective at keeping particles out of your HVAC system as it is for keeping the system from spreading dust through your home, so I leave them in year round, even though we do not need to use our system in the summer months, just to prevent dust and dirt from entering the ducts. Last summer we did some renovation work. After running the system in the winter after the project, I found that the vents captured a lot of sawdust that had found it's way into the HVAC system. I'm glad these filters were in place otherwise that sawdust would be spread around my home right now.

You can even reuse the filters, lowering cost of use to near $.15 or even lower just wash them thoroughly with water, hang dry, and replace.

I use these vent filters in my window vents, which I made from plastic floor registers, placed sideways into a window, then close the window down on top of the registers. I used a strip of foam insulation along the top of the registers to make a good seal. I put three of these vent filters into each open plastic register, and by placing them in the window I get ventilation and the three filters take out all pollens and dust. I change the filters about every three months. They have been very successful for getting fresh air into the house, without dust or allergens.

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These catch vent debris very well. The problem we had was that they blocked air flow a lot and made our AC work harder. We took them out...just not energy efficient in our opinion.

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I purchased some of these last year in a store and installed them before the heat went on. I forgot about them until this winter. I pulled one out and couldn't believe how filthy it was. I couldn't find them in a store this year so I found them on Amazon. I noticed that in one room I forgot to put one in last year and the ceiling fan was very dusty. The fans in the other rooms barely needed cleaning, just a light dust, not even noticeable. As far as blocking air flow, as another user reported, I have not had that experience. I can feel the flow of heat quite well from the vents in the cathedral ceiling and I am a short person. I would recommend this item for cutting down on the dust that circulates in your home.

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I bought this because all my wooden furniture around ducts gets covered in dust. I suspect the ductwork has never been cleaned, and I didn't want to pay to get that done since I was planning on moving soon. I have two registers in one room about 12ft apart (on the same duct), I installed it on one and left the other open I have furniture by both. After about a month of not dusting I could see the one without the filter collected about twice as much dust on the desk right below it. This filter didn't get rid of/capture all the dust, but it definitely made a difference. If you have clean ductwork and a good whole house filter in theory you shouldn't need this, but for those who dont it might work well. It was porus enough to where i didn't notice any great loss in air flow through the registers. Definitely a good product.

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Wednesday, October 16, 2013

Haier MWM12001SCGSS 1-1/5-Cubic-Foot 1000-Watt Grill and Convection Microwave Oven, Stainless Steel

Haier MWM12001SCGSS 1-1/5-Cubic-Foot 1000-Watt Grill and Convection Microwave Oven, Stainless SteelBought this when my 1100 watt Sharp died after 10 years. Have been intrigued by the concept of convection microwaves. Now understand that this is, essentially, a countertop oven that also happens to microwave.

Dimensions of the product, out of the box, are 12.25 high x 20.25 long x 14.5 deep BUT it just barely fits on our 17 inch deep microwave shelf. Why? Because behind the microwave "case" there are about 2 more inches of metal for the oven AND our outlet is directly behind the microwave, which means the plug takes up depth. On our 17" deep shelf there is about a 1/4" inch between where the feet of the microwave are and the edge of the shelf. Microwave door is just over the shelf. Plan for a real-life depth of 20 or 21 inches because:

Another surprise we received were Haier's recommendations for clearance around the microwave. They advise:

. 3" clearance behind

. 3" inch clearance on one side

. completely open on the other side

. 12" clearance above the microwave so they want you to have a total of about 25" from countertop to bottom of cabinet (or anything else) above the microwave. In our kitchen, actual distance from countertop to cabinet bottom is about 19".

Why do they recommend this much clearance? While the microwave and grill portions of the oven work just fine without getting the unit too hot, if you plan to use the convection portion, watch out. The unit becomes EXTREMELY hot on the top and rear. For this reason, we're not using much of this feature, which kind of defeats the idea of getting a convection microwave. But for the price, looks, and other functions, overall we're pleased.

Some other cons:

. Cooking plates get H*O*T, even when you just use the microwave function. Definitely need potholders to handle when removing from microwave, even after as little as 2-3 minutes.

. Clock on the unit has a nice blue backlight, but this turns itself off and one cannot read the microwave clock without pushing a button to get the light to go back on. Don't plan on using your microwave as your visible clock in the kitchen.

. Must set the cook time using the dial or +30s button. If you want to put something on for, say 20 minutes, there are no number buttons to push. One just spins the dial until the time desired, or push the +30s second button 10 times. It's possible we'll eventually view this as a pro.

Pros:

. Cooks well. I find that the cooking speed is about the same with the 1000 watt Haier as it was with our 1100 watt Sharp maybe just a hair slower.

. Rotates food for even cooking, and changes rotation direction when you open the door to stir and then re-start.

. Defrost function works well for us. Even, without cooking the edges.

. Looks good.

. Like the combination feature can set microwave and grill with one setting.

. Could replace or be used instead of a regular oven.

. Good size for family. Easily fits 9x9 pan.

Given that we have a toaster oven and wall ovens, now that I really understand that a convection microwave is essentially a countertop oven, I might buy a regular microwave next time. But this is a good little oven that also looks great, and was a great price.

I bought this microwave after spending an entire day at retail stores trying to make sure of exactly what I wanted. I knew I wanted a handle and not a "push" to open the door. I wanted a stainless interior and exterior. And I definitely wanted convection. I love all the features I described above and am very pleased with the overall functionality and design of it. The price was better than any I had found in the big retail chains. The only negative for me personally is when the door is left open, the light stays on. I like to air out my microwave after use so it doesn't have a smell on the next use. By the time I clean my kitchen after a meal, however, the light reminds me to close the door anyway. This microwave is exactly what I wanted/needed!

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For a combo, micro/convection, oven, the price was very reasonable. The design is modern and, quite attractive, but it is way under-powered(1000W)compared to my previous microwave, which was Sharp Carousel (1500W). Which means, it will take more time to cook or re-heat things, e.g. a cold cup of water takes about 3 minutes to boil compared to 2 minutes in the Sharp. Also, the metal (very light weight) grate that came with for the convection cooking was broken (poor welding job) from the factory.

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I just took this unit out of the box and set it up for a shakedown of the features.

First, the unit is light for its size and functionality, but feels well constructed. The door opens and closes easily and with a good feel. The blue backlit LCD display is easy to read when lit (the backlight turns off after 3 minutes of the unit sitting idle) but it would have been nice if the backlight was extended to the labels for the keypad and temperature setting.

The first thing I did was set the convection function to 250°F to burn off any "new unit" smells and then ran it for about 10 minutes. Surprisingly the instructions advise leaving the turntable in place all the time, even for oven functions. The oven hit 250 pretty quickly and did indeed let out some nasty smells.

I then microwaved a few cups of water and it boiled fairly quickly, even though the microwave is only 1000w.

My last test is where the unit failed. I set the convection function to 425°F (the highest setting) and waited. And waited. The oven was not able to get to an internal temperature of over 360°F according to my oven thermometer; the LCD screen indicated a temperature of 350°F. I waited about an hour and then the oven shut itself off and declared the end of cooking.

Given that most baking I would do would be at 350° and I should lower that to 325° for convection, this may not be a problem in daily use, but it is the reason I dinged the unit a star. it is advertised and marked to achieve 425° so it should, that it doesn't is a failure.

I've yet to try the sensor cook function, but did re-heat my lunch in the oven after the high-temperature test. With the oven still hot (>300°) I put in my food and set the microwave at 3 minutes of 30% power. My chicken came out hot and juicy and the potato was warm with the skin not mushy.

I've emailed Haier about the maximum temperature issue and will revise here when they reply.

If you like the idea of a small oven with microwave functionality, this is a nice unit... even if mine doesn't get as hot as it should.

Update June 13, 2012

I've email Haier two times and never gotten a response from them regarding the temperature issue. I've twice tried to use the unit for baking and the results were disastrous. almost two hours to bake brownies to doneness is not acceptable.

The combo cook feature that heats the oven to a temperature and uses the microwave at 30% power is a nice way to re-heat leftovers but I would not recommend using this thing as an oven or a grill. Making toast in this unit is near impossible, you just get warm and dried out bread. I strongly suspect they designed this thing for the regions of the world with 220-240 volts where it happily gets to the indicated 400+ degrees and can actually get the heating element to glow red. In the US this thing is a poor oven and an okay microwave. The two features combined are occasionally usefully but in the end for what I use this thing for day-to-day, I should have just gotten a plain microwave and a stand-alone toaster oven.

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This is a great convection/microwave. If you used it just for the microwave ability you would have a great deal! The convection works well and cooks things like regular convection oven or add microwave to your cooking and it is faster. Simple to use and understand. Seems to be well constructed and is very fashionable. Bought it to keep from heating large oven in summer time. Hope this helps as I rely on your reviews all the time when contemplating a purchase. Thanks

Wednesday, October 2, 2013

Rösle 16245 Digital Thermometer

Rösle 16245 Digital ThermometerOn the practical side it is accurate. In boiling water it reads 212 deg F (exactly what it is supposed to at sea level), fluctuating only 0.2 deg above and below. It can display in degrees F or C. A backlight comes on when you turn it on, so you can read it grilling meat outside for diner or heating up milk for baby in the middle of the night. It shuts off by itself if you forget. Numbers are large and easy to read. It is fast, reading with a second or so. Temperature range covers both meat and candy temperatures. It is small, no bulky round dial on the end, so it takes up little space in the drawer. It has a loop on the end to hang it up. Stainless steel.

On the aesthetic side it is beautiful to look at and a pleasure to use.

It is expensive, but it cost less than the three cheepos I threw out that didn't work. They were the dial type and when the round part turned on the post it would move the temperature dial all over the place. Easier to justify the cost in terms of perfectly cooked meat, perfectly heated milk for baby, and creamy fudge.

A practical luxury. I use it everyday and love it.

The red backlight automatically shuts off in 10 seconds, but the LED temperature screen shuts off only after out of use for 15 minutes. The measurement time is 5 to 10 seconds. It uses 2 LR44 batteries. Temperature range is from -40F to 392F or -40C to 200C.

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Reads temperature quickly, in both C & F, and comes with a snug plastic tip to protect the sensor. Solidly build and even comes with a backup set of batteries. Just what I was looking for!

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Bought this thermometer because of my personal experience with other Rosle products even though there are less expensive thermometers on the market! I figured I probably would not be disappointed and so far I'm not! Excellent product, very easy to use, simple to clean and takes up very little space in a drawer I store mine in a cute little wooden box with my other Rosle tools on my counter. I have used it to check mainly meats on the barbecue and in the oven and it has been accurate every time and meats have been perfect. A bit pricey but then what in life isn't if you buy quality?

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I've owned about 6 or 7 of this thermometer. We've ruined a couple by mistakenly forgetting and leaving then in the oven, or, when we first started using them, leaving them too close to the side of an extremely hot pan.

That said, if treated with reasonable care, this is an accurate, attractive, handy little instant read thermometer.

The button placement could be better, but aside from that, it's a great little gadget.

Sunday, July 28, 2013

Waring Pro CIG100 Professional 1800-Watt Cast-Iron Grill

Waring Pro CIG100 Professional 1800-Watt Cast-Iron GrillOne thing I LOVE about this grill is that it has a CAST IRON grate so no non-stick coating to wear off and bubble up. It's a fantastic size and works beautifully. The three stars are mainly because I have now owned TWO of these and both of them were working great till the switch stopped switching it on. I've tried to fix the switch, because when I press the lever manually (with a small stick) it works fine. It just doesn't make contact with the switch anymore in order to trigger it. I've even been able to make it work again by gluing a spacer onto the lever so it is ALWAYS pressed against the switch, and thus always on, but even that stopped working after a while. I don't know if the contact just keeps shifting further and further away from the trigger or what. I just got tired of suddenly having no grill. Since it was such an odd flaw, I bought a second grill hoping that was a fluke, but no...same problem ultimately happened.

We have had the waring pro electric grill for 3 months, using it 1-2 times a week. It is durable, hot and easy to use. We get excellent brown maillard marks on everything, especially chicken. It is easy to clean with a wet wok brush and occasional steel sponge. Heat is impressive for an electric, and it has minimal smoke, though the food still smokes now and then. Overall, the best we found for heat and countertop grilling indoors.

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This is the best indoor grill on the market. I consider myself an expert on these things having used an indoor grill consistently for over 6 years. I had an old t-fal which came to and end after it simply wore out. This 2-3 years ago. Ever since then I have been keeping an eye on the market for a replacement. The critical requirement for the replacement to be the same method as the old t-fal, and that is, open slats/slots on the grill and water drip tray. This is the key to an indoor grill. The majority you see on the market are closed tops and are nothing more than "griddles". No way shape or form is it a grill when you're essentially frying the food in its own oil despite any method they devise to simulate a grill. It must have a proper bbq grill with slots /slots for the height to come up and the juice to drip down.

This product has it all. Super high / hot element 1800 watts. All others are toy like at 1000 to 1200. Cast iron grill which combined with the high element heats up to real bbq'ing temps. Drip tray that holds sufficient water that regardless of how long it is on, it does not evaporate the water before cooking is done.

I've done steaks (2 inch thick), chicken breasts (bone in, skin on), high fat content sausages, chops, pretty much ran it through everything I cook regularly and in quantity. Cannot express my satisfaction more with the way it cooked the food and operated as an indoor grill. The biggest shocker to me, was no matter what, there was zero smoke. I have a grill fry pan that the same things would cook in and what have to battle the smoke while cooking. This thing sits on the stove top under the vent, and so far I have yet to experience any smoke whatsoever even while cooking on high for half an hour. Unbelievable to me. This is of course due to the grill having slats / slots so fat and juice can drip off and down, and the large sufficiently sized drip tray containing the water. The water catches it all as well as keeps it cool(er) underneath. All works to perfection.

This is as close to an outdoor grill as you can get. Cast iron grill cooks hot and clean just like outdoors. So much so, a tip is to oil down the grill once it is hot otherwise some foods stick to it. Same deal as on an outdoor cast iron grill. Cleaning wise, I got a small wire bbq brush, and under 5 minutes under hot water have the grill cleaned for the next round. Another tip which had me quite worried the day I got it (2 weeks ago) after reading here, was after prepping it for the first time, completed that, then gave it a cleaning then set about to use it for the first time. Did not work!!! Panicking I read here that the on/off switch breaks immediate or something. However thankfully before buying I took the time to read the online manual and recalled that there is a safety mechanism built it. Phew. You have to push the drip tray all the way in, there is a switch there that cuts all power off, even if the drip tray is a 1/4 out, that switch will not allow it to switch on. Push the water tray all the way in.

Pros

super hot element 1800 watts

real heavy duty cast iron grill

grill has slats / slots so fat can drip off and food can get real heat from underneath as well as through the grill

good size and very easy to clean drip try doesn't even need wiping down, just pour out and rinse under hot water

good simple effective design, large size, works as advertised

Cons

super short power cord. after reading the manual it is stated by design to avoid people tripping or knocking it over. I had to buy an extension cord even though it sits on my stove with 2 banks out outlets, which were just out of reach.

Highly recommend this product.

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I'm hoping that I'm not jumping the gun and positively reviewing this too soon, thusly jinxing the whole thing.

I searched for a longgg time to find some kind of 'teflon-free/ non-stick coating free' indoor grill. In the Waring CIG100, I found the PERFECT electric grill, coating free, heavy duty cast iron AND high temp grill.

I'm a tough customer to please, but this grill has been used everyday (11) since it arrived and has performed flawlessly. It's very simple in design, easy to clean, definitely hot enough to sear things (I'm now grilling the perfect steak) AND 'non-stick coating' free!

I was dismayed by only 3 reviews, but paid close attention to them. I purchased the 'Square Deal' warranty, just in case there WERE any future probs.

The water pan/ drip tray switch DID stick once, preventing the unit from turning on but seems to have straightened out. Again... this grill is the answer to my quest for a GOOD, affordable, indoor grill w/ out the nasty stuff that goes with all the others.

If it's possible to update this review as time goes on, I'll gladly do so and hopefully be able to continue the high rating.

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Bought this as a gift and was only used once, now it will not turn on or heat up. Great idea for the cast iron grill and it worked great the one and only time.

Also had I known the seller would not refund since it was over the 30 days I would not have purchased it through them. It was a gift and I did purchase it ahead of time, but really only 30 days. What happened to the 90 or 60 day policies. I have learned.

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Saturday, July 27, 2013

Nordic Ware Microwave 10.5 Inch Spatter Cover

Nordic Ware Microwave 10.5 Inch Spatter CoverThese covers are great! No more using plastic wrap, paper, or anything else to cover the food we microwave. Works on any size plate, and our dinner plates are large. There is plenty of room above the plate which is good, because we sometimes heat 2 plates of food on one plate, then split, so having the higher cover is much better. So far there are no negatives except for this, and it isn't really a negative it is a question:

I've been trying to find some documentation online relating to possible toxins in this type of plastic/polymer. So far I've been only able to find good things about polypropylene, but have not been able to find anything relating to microwaving it.

The previous 37 mostly positive reviews point out the advantages of this product (Nordic Microwave Splatter Cover #65000). However, none of these reviews mention whether the cover is free of BPA (bisphenol A) and melamine, which are compounds in plastics shown to have neurological toxicity and other potential negative effects on health (see Wikipedia). The labelling on the cover itself as well as on the paper sticker are silent in this regard. However, Nordic's website specifics that the cover (#65000) is indeed "BPA and melamine free."

Two other points: (1) The cover should be hand washed with hot soapy water. It may not be dishwasher safe. (2) The cover may be purchasable in your local hardware store (Ace) or department store (Target) for about half the Amazon price.

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This large diameter cover works well on dinner plates and is easy to grasp for removal via the indented handle on top. The cover is vented, but not so much that all moisture escapes. This helps food remain moist during reheating, which I find enhances the quality of most things.

At approximately 3" high, it covers most things you'd be heating on a plate, and although it does cover a standard soup bowl, there is little or no room above the bowl, which is fine for soup, but not if the bowl is heaped with something.

When I purchased this cover, I also purchased the dome shaped cover, and actually like and use both. The dome cover is better for taller things, for example steaming vegetables in a serving bowl, but I can't remove it from the oven by the handle because it's so tall. It's not a big deal; I just have to use both hands to grasp it by the sides, but for standard plated fare, I find this cover easier.

Both covers are large and may not fit in a small oven, but certainly have improved the quality of my microwaved food now that I have a larger oven. They also reduce oven cleanup and are easy to rinse clean if they get splattered. I recommend them both, but I use this one the most.

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I am very happy with this cover. It works on small and large plates and bowls. I am saving a lot of paper towels these days. Best of all, it is made in the USA!!!!

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Interestingly, the covers look like something that you'd normally find atop a fruit arrangement at your grocery store-and would throw away after eating the fruit. I know plastic is all The Big Scare these days with BPA just waiting to leach out and cause us all horrible, painful diseases. Relax, as a chemist, I can assure you that anything leached out of these containers will drip down the sides and all over your hands when you take the plate and cover out of the microwave. I'm serious about that-condensation does form and it is often very hot, so pot holders are in order. Anyone who has ever cleaned a microwave after a potato detonated, despite the potato being poked in several places, will appreciate these covers. The covers sit nicely on standard dinner plates. Good product.

Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Weber Style 3 pc. Tool Set

Weber Style 3 pc. Tool SetMy husband and I both love grilling, so I wanted to get him a quality set of grilling utensils for our anniversary. I wasn't disappointed! These are stylish and very sturdy. I couldn't be happier! I think we'll probably have this set for years and years. I also purchased the matching fish turner, and I'm thinking about getting the vegetable basket too. Great line of products.

Best Father's Day gift we gave in a while! These are sturdy, well made grilling tools. Perfect starter set. Additional tools that match this set are available to expand your collection.

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Monday, July 22, 2013

Charcoal Companion 4-Piece Perfect Chef Barbecue Tool Set with Black Handles

Charcoal Companion 4-Piece Perfect Chef Barbecue Tool Set with Black HandlesI ordered these when my husband said he needed tools to take to our cottage. I was very surprised when they arrived they are wonderful quality especially for the price. Nothing flimsy here the tools are strong and long and a great choice for grilling.

I bought this set of grill tools thinking they would be a great starter set for me (at the price point). It turns our they are much better made than you'd think at this price. They came in a flimsy plastic box, that I do use to store them because I have nothing better, but I didn't want to pay a premium for a better box. The tools work as well as expected, and the extra-long handles ensures that I don't singe off all the hairs on my knuckles, which is always a nice bonus. I haven't used the fork quite yet, but I'm sure I will. The other four tools have a lot of grilling sessions on them already.

I run the tools through the dishwasher (with the exception of the grill brush/scraper) after each use, and they have yet to show even the slightest sign of wear.

I did find a single problem with these tools when they arrived. They all have little metal loops at the end which can be used to hang them up. Well, apparently they are more like C's that clamp down on the tool, into grooves. One of the tools had a loose metal piece that was more like an open C when the ends should be together within the handle of the tool. I placed it on a table sideways and applied some downward pressure, the piece has been sturdily attached to the handle ever since. 2 minutes of work max.

I'd highly recommend this product, only defect found was a 2 min, permanent fix!

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The build quality of this 4pc BBQ tool set was well above my expectations.

I was looking for an inexpensive BBQ set for now, and wasn't expecting the quality of the handle and utility portion of the tools for under twenty dollars.

I felt like I got a set worth several times more than what I paid, I couldn't be happier, I expected to buy a better set in the future, but honestly I think I will get many years out of this set.

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I did some research before buying this set because I wanted to get the most for my money. I did not want a case because I know that after the tools get used a bit, the case is rarely used so why bother paying for it.

The Tools are all sturdy and strong and work very well. We BBQ at least once a week, sometimes more, and so far I can't find one problem with these. I recommend them highly.

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Very good quality. The set is not at all flimsy! You really don't need any others & the price is great! I would definitely recommend.