But remember, it is necessary to use low/medium heat (low heat is most successful), and to preheat the griddle, as aluminum needs time to heat evenly all over. It is best to use the old test of a few drops of cold water to determine if the griddle is ready; if the water sizzles and dances around, the griddle is ready to use). An excellent product. And cleanup is a breeze.
Wednesday, July 2, 2014
Chefs Design Cast Aluminum Single Burner Reversible Grill/Griddle - Non-stick
But remember, it is necessary to use low/medium heat (low heat is most successful), and to preheat the griddle, as aluminum needs time to heat evenly all over. It is best to use the old test of a few drops of cold water to determine if the griddle is ready; if the water sizzles and dances around, the griddle is ready to use). An excellent product. And cleanup is a breeze.
Monday, June 30, 2014
Foreman Grill 3 Burger
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.
Buy Foreman Grill 3 Burger Now
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.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!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.Monday, June 23, 2014
All-Clad LTD Nonstick 12-Inch Round Griddle Pan
Unlike other nonstick pans I have purchased in the past, it has retained its' "nonstick".After using this griddle for about 6 months.....the results:
Pros:
-Nice Build quality.
-Easy cleaning.
-Even heat distribution.
Cons:
Non so far..
Note: For people like me who are planning to use this griddle for Chapathis and Dosas... This is the griddle...even heat distribution helps you to make awesome dosas and chapathis...you can't go wrong with this one...
Buy All-Clad LTD Nonstick 12-Inch Round Griddle Pan Now
I have used this pan extensively, mostly for pancakes. I think I have had it about two years now. Food now sticks to it and it is no longer easy to clean. I never wash nonstick pans in the dishwasher and try to avoid high heat with them, although I am sure there were a few burnt pancake and blackened toasted sandwiches (mea culpa). This pan is thick enough to heat evenly and not warp. Probably the worst mechanical wear my pan has had is storing one pan atop another.Read Best Reviews of All-Clad LTD Nonstick 12-Inch Round Griddle Pan Here
I mistakenly assumed that all All Clad pans would work on my induction cooktop. The LTD collection does not :( (For future reference, only the Stainless Steel pans will work on induction.) It's a gorgeous pan so I'm sad I cannot use it.Want All-Clad LTD Nonstick 12-Inch Round Griddle Pan Discount?
Being a cook that entertains a lot of guess. I found this griddle to be a delight. Nothing does stick to it. Just follow the simple rules about the finish and you'll have a pan for a lot of years.I only wish that it was made in the USA instead of China.
Sunday, May 11, 2014
Lodge SCRAPERGPK Grill Pan Scraper, 2-Pack
Just used them when the grill/griddle was slightly hotter than warm...melted. Thus the review is now one star.I've used cast iron for 35+ years and found these scrapers great to scrape away little crusty bits, esp. in the curves of a pan. Remember, no dishwashing liquid should touch a cast iron pan--just scrape and scrub with a stiff lodge brush, rinse and thoroughly dry. I then rub a little cooking oil on the inside, mopping up any excess with a paper towel.
Buy Lodge SCRAPERGPK Grill Pan Scraper, 2-Pack Now
I use these with a Lodge cast iron grill pan. The scrapers have two rows of scraping notches at different widths, presumably to accommodate the different pans in Lodge's product lineup. These are great for cleaning up grill pans without removing the seasoning just use them in the sink with hot water (no soap!) and soon your pans will be clean and ready for oiling. Before these I had been using those green scrubbing sponges which 1) didn't clean the pan very well, 2) sanded through the seasoning in some "hot spots", and 3) shredded the sponge in no time. These scrapers have no such issues. They're rigid but slightly flexible and comfortable to hold and use. And you can toss them into the dishwasher with impunity.I would suggest one improvement: put a narrow "U" shaped notch on the back edge of the scraper to scrub off the top edges of the ribs on the pan. As it is, these scrapers are better for cleaning out gunk that's fallen into the valleys between the ribs. But not a big deal. I've had nothing but outstanding experiences with Lodge products. Nice to see that continue even with a little item like this.
Read Best Reviews of Lodge SCRAPERGPK Grill Pan Scraper, 2-Pack Here
Do not order this if you plan on using it with the Lodge Logic LPGI3. The notches on this scraper do not fit hte grooves in the grill side of the Lodge Logic LPGI3. That was specifically why I ordered this product and the product description does not mention this at all. Maybe it will work for others, but it did not work for me.Want Lodge SCRAPERGPK Grill Pan Scraper, 2-Pack Discount?
This package contains two identical scrapers. Each has two grooved sides of different spacing, and a rounded edge. These work well for cleaning the Lodge L8SGP3 grilling skillet, and can be tossed in the dishwasher afterward. Alternatives would be using a wadded up paper towel or a stiff brush. This tool gets a big start on the cleaning and then you might have to pick a few remnants off.Inexpensive and useful. Give one to a friend!
Thursday, January 2, 2014
Electric Rotating Bundt Cake Maker
Sunday, December 29, 2013
Aluminum / Stainless Steel Porcelain Touch up Kit Repairs Porcelain and Enamel: Chips, Cracks, and
Tuesday, December 24, 2013
SKrAPr 2-Piece Ultimate Surface Scraper Set
Buy SKrAPr 2-Piece Ultimate Surface Scraper Set Now
Easy to handle, nice sharp edge, reasonable value, nice having both sizes. I used it to remove a window sticker in a tight spot on the windshield. I recomend it.Read Best Reviews of SKrAPr 2-Piece Ultimate Surface Scraper Set Here
Would rather soak whatever was burnt, left my spots with scratch lines. Wanted to use on my glass top stove, was terrified!I use it on my glass top stove , it is the perfect tool for the job. I also use it on the slate kitchen floor to scape up dried food spills. Fantastic!Monday, December 23, 2013
Kingsford KRU40 St. Louis Grill Brush
Buy Kingsford KRU40 St. Louis Grill Brush Now
I went through several grill brushes on amazon and chose this one in particular because of the reviews and because it claims that, "Replaceable head included". Not the case at all. Just a heads up for everyone out there.Read Best Reviews of Kingsford KRU40 St. Louis Grill Brush Here
Great brush with a nice handle and strong bristles. The brush I received did not come with a replacement brush head as promised.Want Kingsford KRU40 St. Louis Grill Brush Discount?
The bristles are indeed stainless steel, but the rest of the metal parts rusted within one month, so the whole thing now looks totally disgusting. Very disappointed.David Greenbaum. Clearwater, FL.
Thursday, December 12, 2013
55-Gallon Barrel Combo
I like the idea one buyer had about putting a dolly underneath it so you could move it around. I hadn't considered that, but now I will.
My only complaint about this product was the price. When I received the unit I noticed the packing slip said Costco.com. I thought that was strange. So I went to Costco.com, and sure enough they are selling this product. FOR $30 CHEAPER THAN WHAT I PAID FOR IT. That was a little dissapointing. Felt like I got ripped off a bit.
If I survive an emergency and use this thing I will be sure to post a re-review to let you know how it worked for us. Hopefully that doesn't ever happen.
Buy 55-Gallon Barrel Combo Now
This exact item is $109.99 at Costco, shipping included (as of the time of this writing 8-30-11)Yes, it's going to smell like plastic. No, it's not pleasant. Yes, it's theoretically safe as it's made from High-density polyethylene and does not contain BPA. Theoretically, no bad chemicals should leech into your water (at least none that we currently know of). Two of these barrels should hold a family of 3 over for a month (given the 1 gallon per person per day rule). If you take issue with the smell/taste of the water after it's been in this barrel, you could try running the water you extract from the barrel through an activated charcoal filter which should reduce the smell/taste. Either way, it beats scrounging the local pond for water in an emergency.
Read Best Reviews of 55-Gallon Barrel Combo Here
The water barrel is great quality. The plastic is heavy duty and BPA-free. I contacted Emergency Essentials before ordering to confirm this. I also asked what their recommendation was regarding cleaning before use and they suggested rinsing the barrel out with a bleach and water solution, which I thought was an excellent idea. I haven't tried the siphon yet but it appears to be good quality. It's coiled a little too tight in the plastic bag that it comes in and it did kink in two places but that shouldn't affect its useability. The Aquamira stuff was really simple to use. I'll update this review if I have to use the water or in 5 10 years when I change it and report how it worked.Want 55-Gallon Barrel Combo Discount?
Living in Southern California and being shaken by several earthquakes originating along the Mexican border, we decided that we really needed to put together an survival kit to prepare for the really big one. One important element of the kit is a large water barrel. I searched Amazon and there are many merchants selling 55-gallon water barrels. However, many of them may charge less for the barrel by itself, but their shipping charges were exorbitant. I liked the fact that Emergency Essentials includes a wrench and a siphon tube, so I didn't have to purchase them separately. What closed the deal for me on this purchase is that Emergency Essentials only charged $9 for the shipping. No other merchant even came close. I fully expected that it would take forever to get the barrel for a $9 shipping charge, but I was pleasantly surprised when the barrel showed up on my porch 2 or 3 days after I had ordered it.I am no expert on water barrel quality, but this one is obviously sturdy and well made. The wrench is a bit on cheap side but given the fact that I only expect to use it a few times, it is perfectly adequate for the purpose. I was impressed with the siphon hose. It is a simple device that is designed to start the water flowing without having to suck on the free end. Given the reasonable price for the combo and the extremely low shipping charge, I am very pleased with this purchase. Emergency Essentials also sells emergency food supplies and I in the process of wading through their extensive catalog (which came with the barrel). Given my great experience with this order, I plan to order our emergency food supplies from them.
Sunday, November 24, 2013
Weiman Stainless Steel Cleaner and Polish,12 oz
Buy Weiman Stainless Steel Cleaner and Polish,12 oz Now
This product was outstanding in cleaning my two stainless refrigerators...I found if you use a controlled application with a soft clothe you can accomplish a quicker wipe down...The product worked better than my expectation...Read Best Reviews of Weiman Stainless Steel Cleaner and Polish,12 oz Here
We have all SS appliances, and this works wonders! Returns the surface to factory finish quality. It works well with caked on dirt/food/water stains, gets them out no problem, and continues to polish. It works more like a traditional polisher and not just a cleaner. So you have to rub it with some elbow grease, and it takes a minute per area to get the polisher to really shine. I usually use two microfiber towels, one to wipe down the initial spot that cleans off the gunk, the second towel to go over each spot for about 30-60s to give it a good polish shine.I can compare this directly to the WOW stainless steal cleaner. Which, I'm not sure what I'd classify that as. It's a lot thinner of a liquid, so it doesn't really seem to polish to a shine as well. What's even more upsetting is the WOW cleaner DOES NOT clean at all. We'll get water drip stains down the front of the fridge from the ice maker, and the WOW can't even get out a water stain/spot, let alone anything caked on. If your SS is already clean and you just want a real quick semi-shine then maybe WOW would be the go to product. Otherwise I'd recommend Weiman hands down, every time.
Want Weiman Stainless Steel Cleaner and Polish,12 oz Discount?
This is the only stainless cleaner I have tried other than commercial stuff for restaurant equipment. With a microfiber towel it does what it claims, which is clean and polish my new stainless steel fridge. IT is supposed to keep finger prints from showing and it kind of does help some but do not expect it to make your appliances smudge proof.... not going to happen. I find I wipe mine down almost daily with my microfiber towel but only use the spray cleaner once or twice a week.Monday, September 30, 2013
Weber 7443 18-1/2-Inch One-Touch Cleaning System Kit for Grills
Pros: Parts appear reasonably durable and no tools are needed for assembly while following the pictorial instructions.
Cons: Carefully weigh whether you can remove the old parts without damaging the kettle before you buy this kit and find you can't use it. If the rest of your grill is in poor shape, it would be more practical to buy a new one before spending this much. Tools may be necessary to remove old parts.Instructions are simple but pay attention to the slots on the blade ends for proper alignment. May take 2 people to hold blades in kettle while applying sufficient pressure to secure and insert the handle outside the kettle. Your biggest problem may be in removing the old rusted blades and cleaning up the kettle for the new ones.
Buy Weber 7443 18-1/2-Inch One-Touch Cleaning System Kit for Grills Now
I'm thinking I will get 8 more years out of m grill now. Old one wore out it was this or a new grill. Love my 18 1/2 inch Weber.Read Best Reviews of Weber 7443 18-1/2-Inch One-Touch Cleaning System Kit for Grills Here
This little product saved me a significant amount of money versus buying a new grill because of one broke part. Getting the old part off was a huge pain, involving a drimel tool and some pliars. The new one installs differently from the old one, but the design makes since and should make it's replacement much easier than the original part. Overall, a great product.Want Weber 7443 18-1/2-Inch One-Touch Cleaning System Kit for Grills Discount?
I have given up because it sounds like getting the old one off is too hard. It probably involves cutting the old attachment. So this sits in my workshop and I use the grill with just 2 flaps.Wednesday, August 21, 2013
Primo 338 Porcelain Glazed Pizza Baking Stone for Primo Oval XL or Kamado Grill
The pizza stone works very well to get the crust done well if you use a good yeast crust.
Buy Primo 338 Porcelain Glazed Pizza Baking Stone for Primo Oval XL or Kamado Grill Now
Great stone. Arrived unbroken. However it was in a box large enough to hold a refridgerator. Be aware that the enamel on the stone stops at the edges and does not encompass the entire stone.My stone arrived intact and has worked wonderfully. It has made my Primo into a fantastic pizza oven. Really amazed by it, what comes off of it tastes just as good as any store bought pizzaWant Primo 338 Porcelain Glazed Pizza Baking Stone for Primo Oval XL or Kamado Grill Discount?
I ordered this stone and the first two were broken in shipment. I received the third one intact, however it is warped. I think this stone has the potential to be one of the best on the market, however for the price I would expect them to be completely flat. The stone handles very high heat without any difficulty and the ceramic glaze is a very nice addition over other stones.
