Showing posts with label grills with smokers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label grills with smokers. Show all posts

Sunday, July 6, 2014

Bodum Chambord Enameled Cast Iron Grill Pan, Orange

Bodum Chambord Enameled Cast Iron Grill Pan, OrangeBefore I bought this pan I did my research and looked at the reviews. Most people liked the pan, but some thought it was to heavy, some the handle to long and some thought it was hard to clean... I bought it anyway! And I'm so glad that I did because it's the greatest grilling pan I have ever used or ever seen!

I love this little pan! It's perfect for 2 people (9 1/2 inches square), everything turns out fantastic and looks wonderful! I'm a small lady under 100 pounds and the pan isn't to much to handle, cleans up great and as far as the long handle, its great too! I've done fresh veggie's, chicken breasts and fish, which all came out great. I think the problem with others that they just didn't wait long enough before they tried to turn something before it was ready to turn on the other side. I wipe or spray olive oil on it before I use it and use olive oil, salt and pepper before I grill an item, needs nothing else. And in a very few minutes, you have the best of an outdoor grill! After you finish and while the pan is still hot, I put hot water in it, add some dish soap and then after the meal is over, the pan is ready to clean...simple and easy! Doesn't get any better! Wonderful food! Fantastic grilling pan! And it looks cute too!

i love bodum products. especially ones that have to do with coffee. this was my first non-coffee bodum product, however.

i used my grill pan for the first time today. but after reading the reviews for this color as well as the others, i honestly did not know what to expect. here are the things that i did to make the most out of the experience.

first, i cleaned it out of the box with soapy water. then, i heated it up really hot with a little bit of olive oil. i also seasoned my steak with olive oil along with salt and pepper. it did indeed splatter like people said. it also stuck a little bit so i kept flipping the steak. when it was done the way i wanted it to (medium rare), i was done. keep in mind that i have an electric smooth stovetop and i kept it on high. the residue wasn't bad. it wasn't completely non-stick but there was little bits stuck to the pan. and finally, i waited until the pan cooled but still warm to soak it with soapy warm water. i scrubbed it a little bit with a cleaning brush and it looks just fine to me.

the steak was delicious, perfectly cooked and seasoned. i will definitely use this pan again.

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Otherwise, very good quality, color is great and enjoying it. Handle gets hot closer to the grill and the handle is very long.

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There was one glowing review on Amazon when I ordered this pan. When I unboxed it I was very pleased with its look and feel. Maybe this was silly of me, but the box said it was preseasoned, so just washed it lightly with soapy water and tried to cook with it. The hamburgers immediately stuck like glue to it! Afterwards, I scrubbed it completely clean...not easy. Then I seasoned it in my oven. It looked good so I tried cooking with it again...same result. It's very difficult to scrub off the food that sticks to it. It hurt to do it but I threw it in the trash. Now I've started cooking with a new set of Tramontina stainless steel cookware. What a difference. Nothing sticks, as long as I cook at the recommended lower temperatures. Avoid the Bosum Chambord Grill Pan!

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Sunday, June 29, 2014

Taylor 1470 Digital Cooking Thermometer/Timer

Taylor 1470 Digital Cooking Thermometer/TimerWho would have thunk this would still be my favourite remote thermometer, 17 years later? I now even have four different brands, so I can compare them right here:

* This one, which I still use daily and think of in terms of "better the Devil you know..."

* The similar-looking but less well-thought-out Oneida 31161 Digital Thermometer & Timer, which is annoyingly loud and also scoots backwards when you press Start/Stop.

* The Oregon Scientific AW131 Grill Right Wireless Talking Oven/Barbeque Thermometer, which is a horrible "talking" design with a stiff learning curve that is utterly unaided by the manual, but has ONE feature that makes it worth learning and makes me forgive all its sins: its probe can survive 572 F.

* The Maverick Wireless Cooking Thermometer, which works well, but I don't quite get the point of the "iPod interface"

So, to this one. First thing you need to know is: buy a spare probe, because they don't last very long. They can be damaged by heat greater than 350F. That is just too low there are many times when hotter ovens are necessary. When a probe goes bad, there is no indication until an expensive roast gets carbonized. This, of course, always seems to happen when guests are present. Spare probes are available at a decent price from taylorusa dot com. Come to think of it: get two.

A recent new use for me is the foolproof production of world-class steaks, as thick as they are wide, to any precise desired degree of doneness: pre-heat the (salted, peppered) steaks in a 275 F oven until internal temperature is 90-105 F (depending on desired doneness) and finish by browning in cast-iron skillet. An even more precise technique does it the other way round, browning first, but that needs a 450F oven, which also needs the Oregon Scientific thermometer.

Here's my original review.

---------------

This is the best of the corded remote thermometers. Take it as a given that it is fairly short-lived. Now, don't hold that against it -it has a hard job to do, it does it very well, and (what none of the other reviewers seem to realize) it does come with a lifetime guarantee. If you take care to not expose the probe to temperatures above 350 F, it should last.

My first one lasted four years, and I was completely at a loss when it broke. Once you've cooked with a remote thermometer, you will not willingly go back to "guess-n-estimate," or supposed "instant read" thermometers that actually take 15 seconds while the oven quickly cools down and your wrist-hairs start to singe and curl.

I used to be anxiously uncertain about making roast beef. Now, I bring it home, trim a little fat off, stick the probe in the center. Two minutes elapsed time, and I can kick back until it's time to make the pan gravy. Perfect (let me emphasize that) PERFECT every time.

The buttons are well-made; the display is bright and clear; Setting time and/or temperature is a snap; battery life is about 1 1/2 years when left on all the time. I covered mine in olive oil/flour/fish sauce/raw ground beef/balsamic vinegar/whatever and it still worked (hint: the buttons are not water-resistant, so turn it upside down and wipe with a soapy sponge, then rinse the same way).

You can calibrate your unit by sticking the probe in melting ice (for 32 F) and briskly-boiling water (for 212 F), but both of mine were spot-on, so you might skip this step.

Uses you might not think of: Putting the probe in a big pot of water you're boiling for pasta. You can relax, knowing you'll be buzzed when it's finally boiling.

Sticking the probe out of a closed window in the late Fall to warn you to harvest your last tomatoes.

Sticking the probe in the middle of a swordfish steak, setting it for 125-130 F, and knowing that you will get utterly PERFECT swordfish by the time it is served.

Sticking it in the middle of the largest meatball you are simmering in sauce -you will feel completely secure that they are safe to feed to your children.

When I'm cooking at a friend's house, I bring my big shop apron, my knives, my "shovel" (it's a pastry scraper, but I mostly use it as a shovel), and this thermometer.

Even when directions are followed rigorously, the probes on these guys are prone to melting down. I've purchased one from all the major distributors, and they all work the same. Taylor or somebody needs to sell a 10-pak of probes, instead of me buying a whole new unit every 4 months... They do work great though. I use an older gas oven that has trouble maintaining proper cooking temperature. The secondary dial that I've installed inside can read as much as 50 degrees different from the digital dial on the oven. Because of this, I prefer to probe and track the cooking temp of the food instead so that I can provide a perfectly cooked product. I also use this for making tea, as 212 is too hot for good tea, and 185 to 195 is a better temperature.

Still, the probe does melt down as other have said. I typically get about 30 to 50 uses before I need to purchase another. The problem occurs mostly when the oven temp exceeds 350, as I lose most probes when baking breads. Still, I can't live without it, I just wish Taylor would start selling a package of probes for my dozen `timers' that I have sitting around the kitchen. It would be 5 stars if the probes didn't die.

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I got mine 3 weeks ago, used it twice, all the features works, except the main purpose of measuring temperature. Now I plug the probe at ambient temp of 90F and it shows HI all the time (above 392F).

If I put the prove in the freezer, It will show 180F.

I ended up with an expensive timer with a probe that does not work. Now I can't even return it, as I'm not in US. Shipping by mail will be more expensive then having the money back.

Read carefully the reviews before adding to cart.

Very disappointing

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This digital device is the ultimate thing of beauty. As everyone knows, oven temperatures are imprecise so how do you know when your food (esp. meat) is done. The answer is use this product. The metal probe is designed to be inserted into a piece of meat with the ovenproof wire connecting it to the thermometer which must stay outside of the oven. The magnetized base allows the thermometer to be stuck right outside of the oven. When the meat reaches the target temperature, it will let out an alert. The end result is beautifully cooked meat to the desired level of "doneness." I recommend undercooking by about 5-10 degrees since there will be carryover cooking time (assuming you rest the meat).

The device is amazingly easy to use. If you can program a digital watch, you can figure this gadget out. It also has a timer function in case you are working on two dishes at once.

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The best way to cook. I have been using them for years. Notice I said "them". I have tried Taylor, Polder & Accurite. ALL are made in China. All fail in 6-9 months. After 6 hours of my valuable time one day, I got a hold of Tech Support at an importer.

The problem is the probe. You can not wash it, kink it or expose it to temperatures greater than 390 F. (My Webber says to pre-heat grill to 550!) Plan on buying many replacements and a life of 6 months each. Not many Web merchants have the probe in their shopping cart.

Too bad no American company can do the technology right.

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Saturday, April 19, 2014

Rosle 14-Inch Curved Grill Tongs

Rosle 14-Inch Curved Grill TongsThese tongs are great for any meats except perhaps hamburgers. The ends are formed so they easily slip between the meat and the grille, and they work great!

No tongs like them for grilling brats or sausages. If you have a big number of brats or sausages to grill, do not attempt to do it without a pair of these tong.

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Sunday, April 13, 2014

Factory-Reconditioned Ronco Inventions ST4000R Showtime Indoor Rotisserie and Barbecue

Factory-Reconditioned Ronco Inventions ST4000R Showtime Indoor Rotisserie and BarbecueMany gadgets for the kitchen are less than essential. Some are pretty foolish. But the Showtime Indoor Rotisserie & BBQ from Ronco is a machine that our family uses, I would guess, about three times a week. Not only does it do a real job, it performs tasks that we can't otherwise accomplish in our kitchen. For example, a bread machine is a convenience, but not essential for baking a loaf of bread. The rotisserie grill, however, turns out food that I could not produce any other way.

Although we've mostly done chickens, we have also cooked chicken pieces, bratwurst, beef roasts, pork roasts and a leg of lamb. We successfuly roasted a 13 lb turkey. We even cooked frozen salmon filets in the basket after a quick basting with herbed mayonnaise and it came out delicious.

The food quality is, simply put, fantastic. The whole chickens are far superior to even the most conscientiously roasted poultry. The dark meat is tender and fully cooked, the white meat moist and savory, and the seasoned, crisped skin is a nutritionist's worst nightmare. A cheap, rather fatty pork shoulder roast came out with much of the fat rendered away and an even doneness that made for delicious eating.

Speaking of fat, Ron Popiel markets this machine on his informercials as causing the "fat to run off," thereby delivering some kind of health advantage. Well, the fat does drip continuously, but the poultry and meats cooked in the rotisserie are plenty greasy. Please be aware that this is certainly part of the reason the chicken is so good! I don't think there is any more or less fat in a rotisseried chicken than in a roast bird.

If you don't want to use the skewers or rods, you can cook foods in an adjustable basket. For example, we put in several bratwurst, set the top of basket down so that the links are tightly in place, set the timer for 20 minutes, and come back to sausages that are fully cooked, lighly crisped on the skin, and bursting with juices.

I really like the engineering on this machine. The controls are very simple. The setup is uncomplicated and intuitive. You have only one heat setting, and adjust the time to control doneness. A single timer dial works both to set time and turn the machine on and off. In an age where a TV remote comes with four dozen buttons, this kind of plain, understable usability is, I think, a real blessing.

I bought the reconditioned model from Amazon and haven't had any trouble so far. Hey, if a machine comes out of the factory with a defect (and some are going to), why not get one that has been diagnosed and repaired? At the price savings it's really hard to go wrong. I'd recommend the Showtime Rotisserie to anyone.

I have had my unit for over a year. It makes the best food even better, the problem is when something goes wrong as the company will never reply to their Emails. Mine first broke on Thanksgiving day. I Emailed them requesting information on replacement parts, No reply. 2 months ago the timer handle broke so I Emailed them again, 2 Emails 0 replies. If you buy the item you will enjoy it until it breaks.

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Well, I wanted this Ronco rotisserie that day I saw it on TV... But I never buy anything from HSN or any other shopping channels. I was watching birds rotating on the screen, drooling over those ribs... I didn't buy it because I felt it is too much money for something I can't see or touch. Then, I saw this same rotisserie on Amazon.com. What a deal! I bought reconditioned model and it came in perfect condition and I love it! Food comes out perfect every time. So far I made 6-pound chicken,

chicken and pork kebobs, salmon fillets, shrimp screwers. You cannot beat this price for such great product. Thanks Ron! I hope you will fix your Customer Service department like you reconditionned my rotisserie.

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Purchased the Ronco unit from Amazon after a couple late night informercials 'primed the pump'. Absolutely no problems with my reconditioned machine arrived as advertised in perfect condition.

I've had the machine for six months now & still use it frequently. My favorites? Pork loin roast & roast chicken. My local Costco sells a pre-marinated pork loin that rotisseries perfectly. Sliced thick, my now-famous roast pork has been the favourite of many events this summer.

Chicken: No marinade is needed; simply salt & pepper (or season with your favourite rub), skewer on the rotisserie wheel, set and forget. Chicken is cooked to perfection, tender & truly falls off the bone.

Finally, I'd suggest trying the following:

Halve and boil red potatoes cooking until tender. Drain and place potatoes in the wire basket. Brush with butter & sprinkle with salt and pepper (I add a little cayenne and minced garlic to the butter to 'kick it up a notch'). Rotisserie until browned & serve hot. Scrumptious.

I sincerely hope you find as much enjoyment from your machine as I have.

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Although the food cooked in this rotisserie (I bought one new but wanted to share my experiences with you) is flavorful and succulent, anyone who purchases a product should be prepared for extremely poor and occasionally rude customer. Be prepared on multiple occasions to be put on hold for a long time and then hung up on before you even hear the sound of a live human voice. After this kind of treatment and waiting more than a month for a response to my letter, I attempted to get a customer service representative to refer me to a supervisor. Her response was she would not refer me to a supervisor because all the supervisors were gone for the evening and besides they would give me the same response as she would. (Perhaps but I doubt that he or she would have screamed at a customer who had not raised his or her voice or had made every effort to be polite.)

As for the promotional nonsense about being able to "set it and forget it" as another reviewer mentioned, that could be a dangerous practice: I had a small grease fire in the rotisserie and had thankfully read all the disclaimers which come with the machine warning that one should not leave the machine unattended while on. I had a different rotisserie (which cooked 2.5 time slower and rotated vertically) which did not require such close monitoring because of the configuration of the cooking elements.

The only other criticism I have is that it is not quite as easy to find the proper placement for poultry on the spitrods as you might expect. You really have to make certain the spitrods go through the center of chicken and turkey.

In short: a very good product but a very unreliable company.

Saturday, March 1, 2014

Picnic at Ascot Portable Picnic Table Set

Picnic at Ascot Portable Picnic Table SetThis table looks so fun in the fotos, but save your money & grab a picnic blanket instead. I bought it to use for summer picnics, concerts in the park, etc. Can anyone spell S-P-L-I-N-T-E-R-S ?? Not only did it arrive damaged, but the quality could not be worse: flimsy construction, inferior, splintered wood, dented corners, gouges in slats, rough edges, gaps in slats (big enough for straws and olives to fall thru). If you wear shorts in the summer this table is certain to produce scratches and splinters on bare legs. It's rated up to 250 lbs, but I am half that and it creaked and groaned when I sat on it! I immediately returned it--happily, i was given a full refund for this ridiculous thing.

This is a very cool thing for my family, we go to the river a lot and this will allow us to be a little more comfortable. The wood is very attractive and sturdy, but we are on the small side of most Americans. If you are a large person, this may not be as comfortable for you. It is quite easy to set up and will pack away in the RV nicely. I imagine this would be a great thing for a kids table as well. I know this will come to a lot of concerts, festivals, river adventures, and camping trips for years to come. Don't forget the umbrella!

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Horrible quality; arrived damaged; way too small for adults (and I weigh about 120 lbs.); save your money and DO NOT BUY!

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cheap wood. Arrived cracked in the middle and was already damaged by humidity of the stockroom. not enough space for 4 people, feel yourself like a schoolchild at the desk. already sent it back and wait for a refund. even did not request replacement, not worth 100$

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I ordered this as a gift and when it arrived it had multiple deep scratches in the wood in various places but the packaging was untouched. This tells me that it was sent out knowing it was previously damaged. I immediately returned the item. Cheap wood, not well made, not going to last you very long. I do not recommend this product.

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Wednesday, January 29, 2014

Breville BSG520XL Panini Duo 1500-Watt Nonstick Panini Press

Breville BSG520XL Panini Duo 1500-Watt Nonstick Panini PressThe immediate comparison I made when I received this Panini press was to the Cuisinart GR-3 Griddler Jr, Brushed Stainless Steel, and the key difference between the two products (and the reason I'm giving the better constructed, perhaps even better performing press three stars rather than five) is you can remove the plates in the Cuisinart, and you cannot in the Breville. Convenience and ease of use are central considerations when it comes to just how much you're going to want to use these 'extra' kitchen devices, and if it's a headache to clean something like burnt/stuck preserves, then you're going to be less likely to want to pull it out and use it again.

I want to back up a little bit, because I think Breville generally designs and manufactures outstanding high-quality but still affordable products. This press is no exception. Having used both this Breville and the aforementioned Cuisinart, I would give the Breville the edge on almost every single front. It feels more solidly constructed of higher quality materials, it seems to heat more evenly, although the Cuisinart does allow a range of temperature settings as opposed to Breville's one-temp-fits-all approach. I actually like having one flat and one grilled plate in the Breville, compared to the two grilled plates in the Cuisinart -the flat surface providing a much more even and consistent heat that really radiates into the middle of the sandwich better than the more limited surface contact provided by just grill plates (but you still have the all-important texture and grill marks from the top plate). Both adapt to larger sandwiches. Both sport non-stick surfaces (although the Breville's is much smoother as the Cuisinart employs a grittier non-stick treatment). Both are perfectly sized for a couple good-sized sandwiches, without all the wasted space that comes with and from the larger models in each line.

I like this press enough that even as I wrap this review up I wonder if I should be giving it 4 stars rather than 3. Standing on its own, it deserves every bit of 4 stars. It's when it's held in contrast to a like-priced alternative like the Cuisinart that the Breville loses some of its luster, and then really only due to a question of pure convenience (in the form of removable plates).

If those removable plates aren't of particular importance to you, I actually recommend this press over the Cuisinart. For me, the convenience of cleaning the removable plates provide is what makes it an easy decision between the two when I want to grill a sandwich.

1. PERFORMANCE

First, I'd like to discuss the performance of the unit. It's brilliant! I honestly didn't have high expectations for a hot sandwich press, but I've been very happy with it over the past month. Here are some of the items that I've made the most and my remarks:

Sandwich Wraps: Absolutely fantastic results. I can tailor the cooking time for how firm I want the tortillas to be, and the internal ingredients are nice and hot. Having a flat bottom plate and ridged upper plate gives them a perfect combination of toasting and grill marks. The ability to set a minimum height between the top and bottom plates works wonders for veggie wraps because otherwise (at least with mine) the ingredients don't support the weight of the top plate and the wraps get smashed. The tortillas slide right off the non-stick coating, and any ingredients that spill out during cooking have cleaned up very easily.

"Grilled" burritos: Again, fantastic. Just like a sandwich wrap but with other ingredients. I've started to grill these with the fold facing upwards to help prevent ingredients (such as salsa or guacamole) from leaking out during cooking.

French Toast: Works pretty well. I have made it three times so far, each time with the lid down but locked in the second highest position (I haven't tried just cooking one side of the toast by leaving the lid up, yet). If the bread isn't too wet, then it works very well. If the bread is very moist, though, it doesn't cook through to the center very well. With the egg, this items does make it a bit more difficult to clean the non-detachable ribbed top plate.

Pancakes: Works pretty well. The two drawbacks are that the top plate is still being heated even though I'm not using it, and (more important for cooking performance) the temperature of the griddle portion isn't adjustable. Pancakes do come out pretty well, but not as good as on my other griddle that I use on the stove. Also, for some reason the first batch of pancakes sticks to the griddle a bit. I haven't run into that on any other food so far.

Ham: Cooked great, but I'll never do it again because of the mess. Because of the splatter from the juices, I closed the top lid. The bottom flat plate was pretty easy to clean off, but the ribbed top plate took a while because the nooks and crannies of the ribs make it more difficult.

2. WHAT I REALLY LIKE

The floating hinge. That is fantastic and makes cooking thick sandwiches and wraps easy.

The locking height adjustments. This works wonders for less solid foods like toast and veggie wraps.

The front handle. Might seem silly to mention, but the handle stays cool and opens the press easily.

3. WHAT I WOULD CHANGE

Add a power button. I would prefer to not have to unplug it to turn it off. When the unit is heating, there is a decent spark that gets generated at the outlet when I unplug it (same thing happens with my George Forman grill)

Make the heating plates removable, at least the top ribbed plate. These clean up pretty easily, so this is minor, but it can be a bit tedious trying to clean the top plate.

Add a temperature adjustment. This is pretty minor to me because it typically works great, but for pancakes (which are shown on the box as a breakfast item), an adjustment would be nice.

4. FIT AND FINISH

This is my third Breville appliance, and I was expecting the same level of fit, finish, and attention to detail on this press as I had with the other two (Breville BJE200XL Juice Fountain and Breville BKC700XL Coffeemaker). Upon opening the box, the packaging (at least of my unit) was a bit sloppy with the protective plastic bag around the press not fully covering it. After taking the unit out of the box, I noticed that the fit and finish aren't as nice as my juicer and coffee maker. For example:

Some of the bolt holes and rounded corners on the lever arms are sharp as if they weren't properly deburred.

The bottom plate has some rough patches on it

The power cord and cord-wrap on the bottom plate aren't very well design, IMO (but that's just personal preference)

I mention all of that for one reason if you are looking at this press because it is a Breville and you have a certain expectation of quality like I did, then those comments might be important to you. I did not remove any stars for this because the unit is nice it's just not as nice as I had expected from this brand (which I think actually speaks highly of the brand).

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Since 2006 I have owned and regularly use a Breville 800GRXL Die-Cast Indoor Barbeque and Grill for making panini, grilling, and more. Previously I owned and was greatly disappointed by the Cuisinart GR-4 Griddler with removable plates. The removable plates are a nice concept, but not an important feature for me. Knowing the quality of the Breville 800GRXL, I eagerly wanted to try the Breville BSG520XL Panini Duo. Even so, I didn't think I would want to use both over time.

The Panini Duo is a no fuss non-stick panini press. The top floating hinged ribbed plate and flat bottom plate are coated with non-stick Quantanium(tm) allowing for oil free cooking while resistant to scratching even when using metal utensils. The top plate features adjustable height settings for making open faced sandwiches or desserts.

At first I compared the Panini Duo to my 800GRXL and thought I would miss features such as the drip tray, plate tilt feature, or the ability to lay out flat. However the lack of features and versatility of the Panini Duo, by comparison, are by design. The purposes of these two appliances are not the same.

The simplicity of the Panini Duo is this appliances strongest feature. I can quickly make two paninis by plugging in the outlet, assemble the sandwiches while waiting for the green light, and placing the paninis into the press. Since oil is not required, I made panini without buttering the bread. I prefer the butter flavor; however the bread still came out a toasty brown and crisp. I have toasted buns for burgers by leaving the top open. Additionally I reheated pizza by using the adjustable height feature to heat from above and below. These are all tasks I could accomplish with the larger feature rich Breville 800GRXL, but not with the same ease and efficiency.

While I will use the larger more versatile Breville 800GRXL for cooking breakfast, grilling, and preparing larger meals, the Panini Duo has become my favorite appliance to prepare a quick hot sandwich. The compact size is perfect for making lunch for me and my other half while taking little counter or storage space. If you are looking for a simple panini press for two, the Breville Panini Duo is the perfect choice.

PROS:

Quantanium non-stick surface

Simple to use and care for

Adjustable height feature for melt and open face sandwiches

Oil/butter not needed for healthier cooking

Perfect for a family of two

CONS:

Lacks features found in many panini presses

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This is the third clamshell grill I've used and my second panini press. I also own the Cuisinart GR-4 Griddler Stainless-Steel 4-in-1 Grill/Griddle and Panini Press, which also works for paninis, and what I mainly compared this to. The Breville is designed mainly for paninis, but it can be used for most griddle functions like bacon, pancakes, The product states that you do not need butter or oil due to the surface of the grill plates. While this is true and I found that the sandwiches don't stick to the surface very easily, butter or a non-stick spray makes for an easier cooking experience and a better-tasting sandwich. I think the main thing you want to look for in a grill or panini press is how powerful it is. The Breville is 1500w, which is about as powerful as you're going to get for a panini press. Anything too low, like a George Foreman grill (which ranges from 700-11100 watts), and your sandwich will not cook evenly or quickly. The second thing you usually want to look for is a floating hinge, which the Breville also has. This means that the hinge is not static and rises and lowers in height so that it adjusts for whatever size sandwich you're cooking. The Breville rises up to 2", which is really all you need for a panini (anything higher than that and the inside of your monstrous sandwich will not cook). The hinge also has a lock on it with four different settings, so you can lock the top plate in place instead of having it rest completely on the sandwich. This is something that most other presses don't have. I noticed they recommended one setting for toast, and I did find it created some decent toast, but it was a pain having to watch it and I don't think it will be replacing my toaster oven anytime soon. You can also use this to cook an open face melt, which I tried and came out perfectly. This is great for open face tuna and chicken salad melts, which you can't cook on a regular panini press. The third thing you want to look for is an adjustable temperature setting. The Breville doesn't have one of those, although this is really more important for grilling and not as critical if you're using the press solely for paninis. There are times where you might want to use a lower setting; for instance, if you have a sandwich with a lot of cheese inside it, you would want it on a lower temperature to ensure the cheese cooks before the outside of the bread burns. The average home cook probably doesn't need this though. It appears that the single setting temperature on the press comes out to about 350°.

The size of the press is big enough to hold 2 sandwiches (even using larger panini bread) without having to jam them up against each other. Considering the size of the press, one of the best things about this model is that you can lock the plates and store it vertically. I have a small kitchen and my Cuisinart Griddler takes up a considerable footprint in it. This press is too big and heavy to really store in a cabinet, so you kind of need to leave it sitting out on the counter. Fortunately, it takes up very little room when stored vertically. I wish all presses did this.

My only real problem with the Breville, and the reason I can't give it five stars, is that the cooking plates are not removable for easy cleanup. I have no idea why they didn't do that. It would be so handy to snap off the plates and run them under the faucet with some soap. Given that the bottom plate is flat, it's not too difficult to clean if you cook a regular sandwich on it, but I like to use the press for things like fish and chicken, and they can make a real mess on the grill (especially the top plate which has grill lines). Snap off plates would have made this product perfect. Until they add that, I'd have to recommend the Cuisinart GR-4 Griddler Stainless-Steel 4-in-1 Grill/Griddle and Panini Pressover it.

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When the Breville Panini Press first arrived, I was skeptical that it would provide us with healthy meals or earn a permanent spot on our already clutter counter of small appliances. We already had a Smoothie Maker, a Quesadilla Maker, an Espresso machine, a Senseo, a multitasking Toaster Oven, a Food Steamer, an Electric Wok, a stand-alone coutertop Convection Oven and several more "Foodie" trends. We used the Panini Press right away and loved it but in the back of my mind, I wondered if our infatuation with it was just another passing fancy. I'm pleased to say that after a year of use, we still turn to our Panini Press at least 4 nights a week for either our main course or to prepare light snacks. Almost all the other small appliances I listed above have been swept OFF the counter and a special place of honor created for the Breville. Why? well, how about we start with the fact that since we've been using it both my wife and I have dropped over 20 Pounds? Yeah, that got your attention eh?

I admit, it took us a few days of experimentation to learn how NOT to overstuff a sandwich as well as which spreads to use in what amounts. Getting it right almost forces you to eat smaller amounts but we didn't mind because of the new variety of sandwiches and grilled wraps we could toast up. Once we got the size and portion issues down, we were making all manner of new, low fat, high nutrition hot sandwiches with smaller amounts of new, sharper cheeses, aged or smoked meats and savory condiments as well as adding in some marinated and/or freshly thin-sliced vegetables. The Floating Hinge is really great and allows you to use artisan breads made from many whole grains without worrying about breaking the machine. There is a limit to how big a meal you can make but our slederized waistlines like that. It's not a negative for us. We view it as "automatic portion control". The machine is very easy to use right out of the box and becomes even easier over time. You don't need to add any fat to the cooking surface which is great! In addition, once the grilling surface is hot enough, a "Ready" light pops on.

A big plus in my eyes is that you can adjust the top grill with the ribs in it that makes the "grill marks" so the floating hinge can handle different thickenesses of bread, or meats if you're using it that way. You can also set the top plate so that it radiates heat downwards like a broiler for wonderful open-faces melts. We like grilling meat on the Press almost as much as making a new Panini flavor! Finally, the bottom grill is flat and perfect for Sunday morning Lemon Ricotta Pancakes or Stuffed French Toast! Honestly, the Breville does so many thing that we rarely turn on a burner or the oven anymore which is a huge convenience for us since we live in a home in Los Angeles without Central Air Conditioning. It heats up quickly and cools down fast -long before the cooking heat from the grills have any time to turn my kitchen into a sweltering nightmare.

We love our Breville so much that we gave one to my parents for a Christmas gift along with a recipe book. They enjoy it as much as we do but more for the convenience of cooking for two people than for the reasons I mentioned. That actually is a big selling point. If you live alone or are a couple without kids, it makes grilling up a steak and serving a great salad about 15 minute affair from start to finish, including the easy cleaning y wiping it down with a paper towel. if you have kids of any age, it makes it easy for you to cook something up for them in minutes or allows older kids to just make what they want.

We are still using ours more than every other night and we haven't gotten bored or tired of the possibilities for it yet. That's saying something since our Quesadilla maker is back in it's box, the Smoothie Maker broke and the Breville and the Toaster Oven are the only two small appliances I still keep out on the counter. Since we got our Panini Press, we've both lost weight and we find we are enjoying a greater variety of entrees than we did before it arrived. It's just so convenient to use that even the fast food franchises close by and the Sandwich shops I used to love the indulge in on weekends no longer seem like viable options when we can plug in the Press and have something better, faster and in our own home without having to get in the car. Our Breville provides us with really fast food , but fast food of the nutritious variety!

We highly recommend this to anyone for themselves or as a gift. It's one of the few small appliances that earns what little counterspace it takes up. It's well-made, easy to use and can be a real help to someone trying to cook in a small kitchen during the heat of summer. If mine ever broke, and it shows no signs of wear & tear yet, I'd immediately buy a new one!

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Friday, January 10, 2014

Mr. Bar-B-Q Deluxe Non-Stick Burger Basket

Mr. Bar-B-Q Deluxe Non-Stick Burger BasketSubstantial and well made. The wooden handle stays cool even over a roaring blaze. I knew when I ordered that the handle was going to stick out of the side of my smaller OLD SMOKEY charcoal grill, but it worked out for the better. The grill cover just fits over the basket but with the handle protruding, and that creates some extra airflow that really gets the grill roaring, so the burgers cook quickly with a nice sear. The little ring that holds the sides together does sometimes slip loosely and could slide so the sides could open unexpectedly, but it has not really been a problem since I am careful to watch for it. The basket was easy enough to clean and I have had no problems with sticking, but I always oil it up first. I would recommend this item without reservation.

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Saturday, December 28, 2013

Dawn - Power Dissolver Spray - 12.8-Fl. Oz. Bottle

Dawn - Power Dissolver Spray - 12.8-Fl. Oz. BottleThis is has got to be the best products for dissolving and removing baked on or burnt on grease or food.

I recently had to clean the rings that hold the drip pans on my Aunts electric stove. The mess was many layers of heated baked on grease from years of build-up. In less than an hour of soaking under plastic wrap, I was able to wipe off most of the mess. Procter & Gamble 00632 Dawn Power Dissolver

I was introduced to this miracle product by my uncle. Now, there are many many products out there that make outlandish claims to be able to clean miraculously. I will say this -when it comes to baked on carbonified foods (like the muck that winds up on a grill or on your stovetop burners) there is no product out there that I have ever seen come anywhere near close to what this product can do.

My stainless steel grills for my outside grill had 3 years of baked on carbon. I really was considering throwing them away and buying new ones. I couldn't get the carbon off of them. I tried wire brushes, steam, pressure washing, wet towels, dishwasher, etc nothing worked. I brought the grills in and put them on my sink. I sprayed this product on them on both sides. Let them sit for 20 minutes. Came back and used the green side of a kitchen sponge and the carbon wiped away without too much fuss.

I stood AMAZED!

I don't know about the toxicity of this product, I do recommend gloves because this stuff is doing something!

This is the last product I will ever buy to clean my grill and when it comes to my stove, it does equally amazing work.

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My first bottle of this i received as a free sample. It's fantastic. I believe the reason it didn't survive in the resale stores was due to the fact that people did not read the directions. You apply this directly to DRY material you want removed the drier, the more backed on, even things left for long periods (like the ceiling inside your microwave) the better. I actually went hunting for this stuff again when my kid destroyed (or so i thought) my favorite pan by burning rice to the non-stick surface, two applications of this no scrubbing my pan is saved and better than ever.

I worked in a sign shop this stuff will take glue off anything, it will take grease off an engine, it will clean aluminum before powder coating like nothing you will ever find.

I cleaned an oven not cleaned in a year in a rental house and it sparkled in two applications. No fumes.

I love this stuff just remember NO WATER first or it wont work at all.

Read Best Reviews of Dawn - Power Dissolver Spray - 12.8-Fl. Oz. Bottle Here

This product is expensive when compared with most household cleaners, but wow, it packs a punch. I got this at the recommendation of my cleaning lady, who was unable to clean the dried, stained oil burns on the heating element of my gas stove with the normal cleaners I had on hand. I got it and applied it to those stained oil burns, let it sit for 2 hours and it really did the job. This is one of the most powerful household cleaners you can get. Worth the money!

I have to say this product is difficult to find. I searched all the grocery stores in my area and even Walmart & Target and just could not find it anywhere. It may be some of those places were out of stock, but wow, I was stunned by how much trouble I had finding it. So it's worth putting in a good word of praise about Amazon. I'm glad I can find so many otherwise difficult to find products here, whether it is shipped and fulfilled by Amazon or Amazon store operators. I'm not in the habit of turning to Amazon when I can't find something at a nearby store. Retailers churn through their inventory list often and drop low volume items frequently, so it's nice to have this option.

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We rent out our townhouse for part of the year. Our last tenant left the pots and pans with burned on grease and the cooktop had the burned on remnants of what I can only assume were many cooking disasters. Steel wool was no match for this mess so I went to Walmart for a solution and bought this purely on name value. Plain old Dawn works on plenty of things that are not related to cleaning dishes, etc. so I figured this might be the heavy gun needed. I sprayed this on the cooktop and forgot about it for over an hour. I couldn't believe how it dissolved the greasy dried gunk and left the cooktop glistening. Since then I have used this on the gas grill and other messes.

My only gripe with this product is that the local Walmart no longer stocks it and it is hard to find this elsewhere. I'd buy a vat of this if I could.

Wednesday, November 27, 2013

MaxiMatic EGL-3450G Elite Cuisine Countertop Grill with Griddle, 13-Inch

MaxiMatic EGL-3450G Elite Cuisine Countertop Grill with Griddle, 13-InchI had to send this same grill back to another store because the handle was broken. But when I saw this one with the griddle also included I had to try it again. This one also had a broken piece to the handle, but I managed to fix it, and happy to have kept it. It has been a pleasure to use.

I have grilled chicken, steak and fish in the first week, I liked it so much. This electric grill is slotted for air and it gets hot enough to give a nice browning like a gas bar-b-que does. The pan below it catches the drips. I added (as instructed) a half cup of water to the lower pan and everything was easy clean up. Easy cleaning and browning was my goal and this grill did really well.

I don't really like the G. Forman type grills, so was happy to find this electric open grill that can move inside or out, instead of gas grilling, yet on the sink indoors! I set it outside my door by a close electric outlet when grilling fish so the smells stay outside. Worked beautifully!

The griddle is an added plus, and they both will go in the RV perfectly. Lightweight also, and I hope it lasts because I really found what I was looking for.

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Wednesday, November 6, 2013

Deluxe 18-inch Grill Brush

Deluxe 18-inch Grill BrushThis brush is o.k. except that the scraper isn't long enough to really get between the grills of my Weber grill. Also, it only seems to last 1-2 seasons.

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Thursday, September 12, 2013

Steven Raichlen Best of Barbecue Grill Brush Replacement Head, Fits SR8114

Steven Raichlen Best of Barbecue Grill Brush Replacement Head, Fits SR8114So what can I say? It's a replacement brush head and it's the same as what's on the original product. I cannot tell any difference between it and the original. I've not worn it out like I did the original, but expect it to last at least 40 or so BBQ sessions. I typically clean before and after the grilling, so that gives you an idea of how long it should last. I scrub pretty hard. I didn't keep records, but I think this bush lasted about half again as long as the last generic brush head I had. Bristles have not come out after all my scrubbing either. Good product.

This is one tough grill brush. Not cheap but it will go the distance. I like the replacement brush option rather than throwing the whole thing away.

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Tuesday, August 20, 2013

Saeco Aroma - Espresso Machine

Philips Saeco RI9376/04 Aroma Espresso Machine, Stainless SteelThis machine works great, it is heavy duty metal case and does delicious creamy espresso. This machine does not leak like the gaggia I tryed before and for the price it is far the best I used. If you get it from Amazon you will get the best service ever! The water tank on the back is removable to fill and clean, the water retention tank for the coffee drops below is also removable, easy to clean, big enough and of very good quality. The metal grill does not rust and the portafila is solid. Saeco is the perfect Italian espresso lover's machine and it is so solid that it's like it was German made and not Italian :) I checked a lot of brands, models and review and that's from far the best I found for the bucks. I owned fully automatic machines for 10x the price paid here and that one is doing better espresso than any of them... This machine is a hit!

I am not a coffee aficionado however I do love good espresso. I have had the Saeco Aroma machine for 2 months now. My main criticism regards the milk steamer wand with panerello. Because of the configuration and compact size of the machine, the panerello is very awkward to use. To fit a pitcher of milk under it and remove it without spilling I set the machine at the edge of a table with the wand overhanging. I was not particularly happy with the quality of the foam so I completely removed the plastic panerello assembly from the wand and now steam milk using the bare stainless steel tube. This is a reasonable solution except that the tube is very short without the panerello. Regarding the espresso quality, although I have made many a good cup of espresso, I have yet to coax a superior shot out of the pressurized portafilter. In fact, I got equal results with my old $60 Krups that had a non-pressurized portafilter and lacked a steam pump, working on steam pressure only. I was also disappointed to find that the steam valve knob is of plastic, not stainless steel like the body of the machine and has a cheap feel and look. The jury is still out. Maybe for the price this is as good as it gets. I recommend checking this machine out at a store before buying on-line because the steam wand configuration may be a deal breaker for you.

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+ You wake up in the morning, feeling like quite "non-energetic".. Head over to the saeco aroma, turn it on, and by the time you have your milk outta the fridge and on the counter(20 seconds), your toast into the toaster (40 seconds), your shot glasses under the portafilter (4seconds), brought out your cappuccino cup from the cupboard (7.6 seconds), and then placed ground coffee in the portafilter, along with a little milk and your favorite all-natural latte flavoring into the frothing pitcher (63 seconds if your fast like me) :)........ the machine is ready to brew up two delicious espresso shots. How convenient! The local Sbux doesn't know what to do, was i kidnapped? did I move across country? where have I been? .......Yea well i'm at home making my own coffee treats from now on, I expect the machine to pay itself off in one year, best purchase I've made for quite a while.

+ This is a compact machine, I propped mine 2.5 inches off my granite countertop with a solid block of aluminum, anything will do, seattle coffee gear even sells actual espresso stands, however they can be considered expensive by some people.

+ Before pulling a shot, be sure to preheat the portafilter with 5 seconds of brew-button-time, the shot will be much more creamy...(crema)

Saeco Vienna Plus SuperAutomatic is convenient but will not last long, Gaggis classic has all the same features this has for a slightly unjustifiable price increase, Rancilio will do everything this machine can do with just nicer parts, Basically you can make an excellent coffee drink with either machine, it wouldn't matter..

+ Yes,, I have timed the Saeco Aroma. It takes EXACTLY 102 seconds from the time the switch is flipped until it is ready to brew. ( when the brew light is activated)

+ One of the most competitive machines in the sub $450 price range, if not the best..

+ Machine heats up very fast. I would say under 2 minutes and its ready to brew.. That's faster than I can boil a cup of water in my 800watt microwave! and much faster than brewing drip coffee__>__

+ Cup warmer is a nice addition, but actually by the time the water boiler is hot and ready to brew the cup warmer (which is heated by the water boiler) has only begun to start warming up, thus the cups really wont be warm unless the aroma has been on for about 20mins.. I usually preheat by brewing the hot water into the empty cups, (which the instruction booklet recommends)

+ None of the stainless parts will rust, including the grate under the cups

+ I myself think the frothing wand is fine out of the box, (please read up on milk frothing guides online to get the best out of this machine.) With a little skill and a good 20oz frothing pitcher, I was making sweet creamy cappuccinos with dense micro-foam in no-time at all. (Seattle Coffee gear sells a nice panarello upgrade on their site for around $40 usd).

+ Portafilter is very solid and heavy duty, I feel very confident using it.

+ Large water tank, big enough to fill once a week (one individual).

+ Solid, Easy to clean stainless steel housing.

+ Fashionable design, simple and modern.

Read Best Reviews of Saeco Aroma - Espresso Machine Here

Bought two of these. One in 2008 (under two bills for the stainless) which is still workign with some problems, and one in 2010 (about 10% more).

The first one died with multiple problems at two years: permanently leaking stream wand, profuse leaking above porta-filter (this despite filter being well cleaned with the tiny holes all open).

The second one, which is clearly a lower build quality failed at thirteen months with even more issues. The thermostat failed causing boiler to go to steam temps when set at brew temps and resulting in burned espresso. If you are curious about Seaco service, give them a call even before you buy, and describe one of the three or four known problems posted here. In essence forget about repair. In-warranty is bad enough with exorbitant handling charges; out-of-warranty, any repair will net cost you 3/4 the cost of a new machine.

Be VERY cautious about the well meaning early reviews here. My guess is that the reviews from over two years go are not revisited and that those machines are DEAD. You can see this on espresso aficionado forums where the glowing reviews on forums from two years ago now show people's machines died in very high number and Saeco was not helpful at all. Their attitude seems to want to squeeze even more moeny by charging just short of replacement cost for any repair, even the smallest. More alarming yet is that one can clearly see the build quality is lower and Saeco is coasting on the early good reviews it got and now shipping inferior made product. e'en the portafilter is a different cheaper material.

Al that said, if you go into expecting an average of one to two years this is a decent machine at about two bills that you can find it at from time to time.

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I've been looking for an espresso machine to replace a 12-year-old Krups steam-driven espresso machine which finally died (the steam wand gave out). None of the machines under $300 seem to get consistently good reviews on Amazon but the Saeco Aroma Espresso got the best reviews of the cheaper-end machines. So, I ordered it through Amazon. After it arrived, I was looking forward to enjoying good espresso coffee (but a little apprehensive about the steam wand problems other users reported). The first thing I did was to run a tank of water through the machine to clean it (recommended by the manual before first use). Well, guess what: the steam wand wasn't a problem no trouble getting my milk pitcher under the wand and no leaks! Ah, I thought this machine is going to work out after all.

But the next step was to run water through the pressurized portafilter and that's where I ran into problems. The portafilter leaked like crazy! Most of the hot water dripped into the cup under the portafilter but a lot of it leaked out above the portafilter and ran down the handle to my kitchen counter. I removed the portafilter and ran hot water directly into the cup with no problems. So the problem was with the portafilter water just wasn't getting through it as it should. I looked at the rubber gasket inside the portafilter and it appeared intact; so there must have been an obstruction somewhere else inside the portafilter. I wasn't going to disassemble it find out. It's a new machine, never used before, and it should have worked right out of the box.

So, I'm going to contact Amazon about returning this machine. I'm undecided about whether to ask for a replacement machine or just give up on the idea of being able to make my own espresso coffee at a reasonable price. Maybe a moka pot is the way to go to get an espresso-like coffee. It's certainly cheaper and simpler to use than these big machines, which take up a lot of counter space and break down at a remarkably high rate.

I'll update this review when I decide which way I'm going to go.

UPDATE: Amazon won't replace it only refund my money when I return the machine. That's too bad because I'll never know if the machine was badly made or just this particular portafilter was broken. I'm back to square 1 again.

UPDATE: I decided to call Saeco and ask for a replacement for the faulty portafilter and they agreed to send me one. I'll update my review when I receive and use it.

UPDATE: I received the replacement portafilter from Saeco (no charge) and I'm going to raise my rating to 4 stars, based on the espresso maker's performance with the replacement. It works very well and I've enjoyed several cups of espresso made with the Saeco Aroma machine. It is simple and easy to use and makes an excellent espresso with nice crema. I'm still a bit leery regarding its durability since some reviews on this site suggest it could fail at any time. I haven't tried the steam wand yet; since I drink espressos rather than lattes or cappuccinos. But I may try to brew some of those to try out the steam wand. In any case, if my experience with this espresso maker causes me to further revise my opinion to any great degree, I'll provide another update later.

UPDATE: I ran into an unexpected problem with this machine. The first month I used ground coffee to brew espresso but then I decided to see how it would handle E.S.E pods. I followed the instructions remove the ground coffee basket from the portafilter and insert the E.S.E. basket included with the machine. There's just one major obstacle: I can't lock the portafilter into the machine with the E.S.E basket in it. It looks like there isn't quite enough clearance for the portafilter to lock into place with pod basket in it. So, it seems as though I can't use E.S.E pods a major flaw! And an odd one, considering I'm using the E.S.E. basket Saeco provided. I don't know if it's a problem only with the machine I bought or a design flaw with the machine. So, if you plan to brew espresso using pods, you should be aware of this potential problem. I'll contact Saeco to see if they have a solution, e.g, replacing the E.S.E basket. If I get this resolved, I'll update my review.

UPDATE: I called Saeco and the company sent me a replacement rubber gasket for the E.S.E pod basket in the hope this would fix the problem. But it didn't. Either the rubber gaskets provided with the E.S.E pod baskets are too thick or some part of the brew head is projecting too far into the pod basket to allow the portafilter to lock in. I still don't know if this is a general problem or a problem peculiar to my machine. I doubt it can be resolved short of returning it to Saeco for examination and/or repair. I'm not willing to risk that since the machine works well otherwise. I suppose I'll just have to forgo using pods to brew espresso with this particular machine.

UPDATE: Thanks to a reviewer's comment, I've revised my rating and review of this product. I was using the equipment incorrectly and it was not at fault I was! Now I'm enjoying delicious cups of espresso using pods! Please read the instructions closely and don't make the mistake I was making. I highly recommend this product now!

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Monday, July 15, 2013

Grill King 16-Piece BBQ Set

Grill King 16-Piece BBQ SetThis set was really poorly made. The tongs were truly unusable, as they weren't even strong enough to hold a hot dog. They are probably worth about what you're paying, but it's very much worth it to buy a slightly more expensive set than this.

Saturday, July 13, 2013

Sportula Products 7014739 Sheriff Dept Sportula

Sportula Products 7014739 Sheriff Dept SportulaProduct looks nice and my deputy sheriff son-in-law seemed to really appreciate it.

Since it was a Christmas present and the weather here has not been right for outdoor cookout he has not used it yet.

Looking forward to spring and summer cooking.

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Saturday, June 29, 2013

Mr. Heater 75,000 BTU 12-Foot Propane Hose Assembly #F273702

Mr. Heater 75,000 BTU 12-Foot Propane Hose Assembly #F273702I bought this hose because I wanted to maximize the safety, usefulness and economy of the propane Portable Buddy heater by Mr Heater. You can't go wrong buying this hose!

1. It allows the use of a larger LP tank (I have a 20 lb cylinder). I am certain the savings from buying LP fuel in bulk will pay for the hose.

2. You can locate the bulk tank a good distance away from the lit heater. I use the heater primarily in my garage, and with the hose I can put the heater up on a shelf or on the workbench, off the floor, and still have the bulk tank in a convenient and safe spot.

3. The hose can be used with any propane appliance that uses disposable propane cylinders.

Here's an essential safety tip when using this hose: be sure to shut/close the valve on the bulk tank BEFORE you remove the hose from the tank. It's possible to remove the hose end from the bulk tank without closing the tank valve and you will quickly find out that liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) is another name for stinky, oily mess when it comes squirting out of the valve as I've done.

I bought two of these hoses to attach to two 20lb propane tanks. Attaching to 20lb propane tanks is a huge savings over using the individual 1 quart propane cyclinders. Hoses work very well. The only thing to remember when attaching the hose to 20lb propane tanks is that the couplings are left hand threaded (i.e. you must turn to the left to tighten).

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If you are buying the Mr. Buddy Heater, this hose (or the 5' model) are definately needed. By using the larger (20lb or bigger) tanks you have many more hours of operation without having to change the disposable tanks. This hose will also allow you to use bulk tanks with any propane appliance that accepts the disposable tanks (stoves, lantern, etc.).

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I bought this extended hose to keep the radiant heater hanging on the ceiling in my garage while allowing the tank to be a good distance away. While the POL style fitting worked fine for the 20Lb propane tank I have but the other end does NOT fit in the MH40LP gas inlet. It would've been nice to know what parts I needed before hand, now I will have to go to homedepot and do research on the parts I need or having to once again order off the internet and wait...

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This is the hose you need to hook up your Buddy heater to a larger (20 lbs) propane tank.

This hose is all you need. You don't need anything else. You don't need a regulator. However, adding a fuel filter wouldn't be a bad idea.

Both ends of this hose are suggested to be hand-tightened. Fine. However, I couldn't get mine to pass gas. The fitting going into the heater needed another 1/8" of turn at which point the gas flowed freely. Apparently the fitting is quite sensitive. This required a wrench as I had tightened it as much as possible, by hand. You may, or may not, need to do this.

The hose itself is of good quality, and so are the brass fittings. Nevertheless, the hose needs protection from abrasion and assorted abuse. As a reminder, recall that the fitting going into the propane tank must be turned counter-clock-wise to tighten, as opposed to normal threading which is turned clock-wise to tighten. Finally, remember to turn off the gas at the propane tank, and letting the heater burn off the gas in the line, so as not to turn the Plasticizer in the hose into gunk, which would clog up your heater.

(There is another hose, without the Plasticizer being sold by Mr Heater, but of course, having no Plasticizer, that hose will be stiff as heck.)

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Friday, June 21, 2013

Air King 9126 Commercial Grade Height Adjustable Oscillating Pedestal Fan, 16-Inch

Air King 9126 Commercial Grade Height Adjustable Oscillating Pedestal Fan, 16-InchThis is a good solid fan that has lasted a long time in a dusty room. Very easy to clean and runs fairly quiet. It is not a monster air pusher, so if you need maximum air flow, then you might want to get a bigger, faster, and more expensive (and noisier) fan. But if you want a quality, reasonably priced fan that will last a few years and push a lot of air, this is it.

Everything about this fan screams cheaply made. The metal grill appears to be aluminum rather than steel. The stand is moderately sturdy as it seems to be the only properly milled piece of steel the fan is equipped with. The motor is quiet but this is due to the fact that the 1/20th hp motor hardly seems to blow any air at all. Recently purchased this fan and am returning it for exactly these reasons.

Prior to this standing floor fan, I had a owned a Lasko 16", which worked flawlessly for a year plus. My Lasko was being run 24 hours a day during this period.

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So here it is 4 months and 7 days after i bought it and the fan has already begun to stop working... do not buy this fan its horrible.

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This fan was quiet as advertised. However, it didn't last through one summer even though we probably used it on average every other night.

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We've had this fan for a bit over a year now, and it's still going strong--even though it has been run quite a lot! (As in, has been used on most days, and left on 4 to 6 hours at a time, perhaps more, during hot weather.) It was not too hard to assemble, either. Over all, seems to be of decent quality.

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