Saturday, July 5, 2014
Grip Beer Can Chicken Cooker
Thursday, June 5, 2014
Weber 586002 Q 320 Portable 393-Square-Inch 21700-BTU Liquid-Propane Gas Grill
I've bought a Weber Q several years ago, so I already know what the fuss is about. Cast iron grill, great cook platform, etc. I've never used a cover, so over the years, I've had to replace burners, etc. as they corroded and degraded. Not Weber's fault, but Weber customer service is the greatest, 24/7 etc., cheerfully helped identify what I needed and sent me the replacement parts.
I've been enviously looking at the 300 and when I saw the specs on the 320, I knew I was looking at my next Weber.
I thought I knew what I was getting, but I was pleasantly surprised at what I unboxed. This one is even cleverer than the original.
Stationary Cart is a well thought out design. Stable, with safety features I've never seen implemented as well. The Tank storage system that locks the propane tank in place so it can't shift and also provides the cart with a counterweight to help prevent tips is a marvel by itself. The collapsible shelf system is elegant and functional while feeling more substantial than the Q200's fixed shelfs.
The slightly larger cooking area is served by split cast iron grills instead of the single grill piece used by the Q200. This actually makes this grill easier to clean and service, while taking nothing away from the cook area. A stainless steel warming rack is a nice place to put up food from the grill surface. Just sits there but is totally substantial and stable.
A second burning tube, stainless steel to prevent rusting out provides the additional heat and controls to bring the grill up to the temperatures I need to cook in colder weather. 40degrees last night, and the grill still heated up to over 400 degrees in about 5 minutes.
Thermostat is simple, and will be easy to replace in the event of breakage or failure. This has an integral BBQ light that has a sensor that automatically turns it off when the lid is lowered. Very cool.
I have never been satisfied with the old style igniter on the previous Q models. The Q320 now has a electronic igniter that works great. Uses a AAA battery. Press a button and poof. Weber's lit. The outer burner ignites the center burner automatically.
Assembly was easy with two of us, but this could have been assembled easily by one person. Directions could have been better, but pictures worked fine.
Food tastes great. Looking foward to putting through it's paces this summer.
Already bought my grill cover. This time I don't plan on abusing Weber Customer service as much .I've owned every type of BBQ grill over my 70+ years. The Weber Q320 is the best of the lot. I switched from charcoal to gas grills about 35 years ago because gas grills are so much less trouble. The one thing I liked about charcoal grills is the flavor derived from the smoke formed when juices dripped onto the hot coals. Early gas grills I owned duplicatd that effect with lava rocks. But lava rocks were different sizes and sometimes fell through the supporting grate. Then ceramic briquettes became available. They were standard in size and easy to form into a pattern to catch the drippings. But ceramic does deteriorate over time so it wasn't a perfect solution.
I believe Weber was the first, or among the first, to provide "flavor bars" metal, triangular bars to replace lava rocks and ceramic briquettes. Flavor bars worked well for me for many years. Their disadvantages were that they did eventually rust out, but they did last a long time; and to clean the bottom of the grill occasionally, they had to all be removed.
The Weber Q320 uses no devices to create smoke from the juices. It has an open area under the grill surface so juices drip in three places: onto the burners, through the opening in the bottom into an aluminum drip pan, or onto the bottom of the grill enclosure.
I've found no noticeable difference in the taste of foods and the lack of the smoke is probably healthier since smoke must be loaded with all sorts of nasty things that are produced when things are burned.
The cast iron grill surface is terrific in several ways. Unlike stainless or porcelain covered grates, the cast iron grill has no wide open spaces for food to fall through. You can grill hotdogs in any direction without worrying about them slipping through. I've sliced various vegetables into 1/2 inch slices and they cook nicely on the cast iron grill without any worry of losing any. Potatoes, zucchini, summer squash, onions, carrots, etc. Spray some olive oil on them and put them on the grill to cook. Delicious!!
Meat gets the nice grill stripes that somehow enhances appreciation of the grilling experience. I've found that leaving the burners set to medium for most items produces the best results. The thermometer in the hood gives a nice correlation between your burner control settings and the heat being produced. I try to open the hood just once to turn the items at the halfway point. One nice feature is that by looking at the grill from either end, you can see inside the unit without opening the hood, so if you happen to get a flameup, you can see it and take action. Of course, with no rocks, briquettes or flavor bars, the chance for flameups is greatly reduced.
I sometimes grill in the evening and having the handle light is a nice feature. Where I grill in the winter, I have no overhead light so I have to hang something there. I haven't yet used the Q320 in winter, but the light will save me the trouble of hanging a light nearby.
Finally, I leave my grill outside all the time. The premium cover provides good protection, but one of the reasons I really like the Q320 is all the plastic used in the stand it won't corrode or rust.
This is the grill I've been waiting for. Maybe some time, some one may develop a better one, but I don't see how the Weber Q320 can be improved.
Buy Weber 586002 Q 320 Portable 393-Square-Inch 21700-BTU Liquid-Propane Gas Grill Now
Originally planned on gettin' the Weber Summit S-320 but at $980 (the cost of livin' in paradise), it was pricey enough to give pause. Decided on the Q 300 when I realized that I would only be cookin' for a dozen at most. Locally, the Q 300 was priced at $377. When I discovered that Amazon had the upgraded 300 series for $18 less, I jumped at the opportunity. And $0.01 shipping 2 day FedEx no less made it a sweeter deal.This compact grill heats faster and cooks better than any $300 big box model, even if said model is rated at > 40,000 btu and the Q 320 is "only" 21,700 btu. Sears steaks and veges like no one's business and also does great roasting with the burners turned down. A snap to assemble (no cussing required) and also pleasing to the eye.
If you're looking for your 1st grill, get the Q 320. If you're looking for a replacement grill, get the Q 320. If don't need a grill but have $359.01 lying around, get the Q 320.I just received my grill so this is not a performance review. For a performance review, check out the many positive reviews on the Q300 model. When I was reading the reviews on the Q300, people loved it. But a few mentioned that they would like a warming shelf, electronic ignition, or light. The great thing about Weber is that they quickly responded by adding those features to the Q320. I liked what I heard about the Q300, so with the improvements, I decided to move up. I put it together in about an hour using the easy to follow instructions. I look forward to a great grilling experience when the weather gets a little warmer. An update: I have now used the grill a few times and it is as good as others have reported the Q300 to be. I really like the electronic ignition. Turn on the gas, push the button, click, click, and you're in business. It heats up fast and leaves great grill marks. I also like the grill cover. It's designed for the Q300 but fits the Q320 just fine, in case you wondered.
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Weber once and again. We had a Weber Genesis for nearly 15 years before getting the Q-320. The Genesis was in need of some new parts and as an alternative to some re-build, we instead looked around to see what's available in new grills these days. At first we saw that stores were now carrying bigger and bigger grills and although we have a patio, we did not want a grill that large. Then, we came across the positive reviews on the Weber Q series, looked into these and finally choose the Q-320.Since we had the Weber Genesis before this, I can offer some comparisons. Simply put, we liked the Genesis and love the Q-320. Though the Q-320 has a bit less cooking area, it is enough for our family. Both the Genesis and Q-320 can take the same fuel tank size (5 gal / 20 lb). I think the Q-320 is more fuel efficient, though I haven't had it long enough to tell for sure. This would make sense because the inside volume of the closed Q-320 is less than that of the Genesis. Also, the Q-320 has only 2 burner tubes (one oval burner plus one in-line burner) instead of 3 in-line burners as in the Genesis has. But, the Q-320 seems to cook just as fast.
A big benefit of the Q-320 is that is actually browns much better than the Genesis. If you do it right, it can give you those picture-perfect grill stripes on meats with the flavor to go along with them. We also like the added features of the Q-320 including the electronic ignition (quick and quiet compared to the older model's ignition system), and the grill light built into the handle is a really nice touch. Both side surfaces of the Q-320 are available as tables because they are flat surfaces vs. on the Genesis where one surface had 3 burner knobs on top so only one surface was available as a table. The Q-320's burner knobs are front-mounted, larger and easier to turn.
And yes, the Q-320 actually looks quite nice!. It is clear that someone put design thought into it. You might or might not appreciate the Q-320's use of plastics in some parts (such as legs, side tables and handle). But, for instance, the thin plastic "tank skirt" helps to hide the tank from front view and is also is functional because it can help shade the tank from the sun depending on grill position.
Mobility is one area where the Genesis was a bit more convenient: Although the Genesis is larger, the weight of its fuel-tank weight actually helps provide some lift when you want to roll it. That is because the Genesis tank is mounted opposite the far axle from the handles that you must lift to roll it. However, on the Q-320, the tank is centered between its two axles. So, when rolling the Q-320, you lift more of the tank weight. Also, it seems that the Q-320's smaller size permits less "kick" space during movement, and that its plastic body can flex somewhat when moving it with a full fuel tank. On the other hand, since the tank weight is centered, a plus for the Q-320 is that I do not get the feeling that I might accidentally "up-end" it while moving it.
Assembling the Q-320 took me an hour or two, and I had no difficulties with it. For many of the connections involved, it is quite literally, a "snap".
Overall, we really like the Q-320. It is does a great cooking job, is a compact size, has a pleasing visual design and hopefully will even save some fuel.
Sunday, June 1, 2014
Outset QB68 Rosewood Silicone Sop Mop with Removable Twist-Off Head
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Sunday, May 25, 2014
Super Scrubs, replacement scrubbies for the GrillScrubber barbecue grill brush.
Buy Super Scrubs, replacement scrubbies for the GrillScrubber barbecue grill brush. Now
Monday, May 12, 2014
Cuisinart GR-1 Griddler Panini and Sandwich Press
This guy hangs out in the cupboard and is easy to pull out, just plug in and wait for the green light to come on. You can have a quick french dip dinner ready in 5 minutes that everyone will lovealso perfect for grilled cheese and tomato soup nightor just want to make some garlic bread to go with your spaghetti without heating up the whole oven? I LOVE my panini press.
It is really easy to cleanalthough I haven't tried grilling meats or anything beyond sandwiches and bread. Gooey cheese comes off easily and the whole thing wipes down quickly with a damp washcloth.
Elvis would have died over the peanut butter and banana sandwiches we make in this baby! The frying pan's got nothin' on our Panini Press.Normally I'm not one to go crazy over kitchen appliances but I am compelled to sing the praises of this little wonder. This is sad, but my wife and I eat grilled cheese sandwiches a couple of nights a week because we love them so much. It's sort of our dirty little secret. This little miracle has opened up a whole new universe of possibilities. Our old-style Salton grilled-cheese maker would invariable push the top slice of bread out from the rest of the sandwich because of the operation of the hinge, and forget about putting anything in there other than bread and a couple of slices of cheese because it couldn't handle the thickness. With the GR-1 though, you can put a Dagwood-sized sandwich (the floating hinge allows HUGE sandwiches) in and in just a few minutes, the weight of the top plate has compressed the whole thing into a critical mass of concentrated goodness. Anything I can put between two piecs of bread is becoming a panini these days. This will probably take five years off of my life because I have doubled my weekly consumption of molten cheese, but it's worth it.
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After reading the reviews of similar products and this one and knowing that I'm always disappointed when I go for the cheap stuff, I bought this one. I am SO glad I did. My son has been a big fan of grilled cheese sandwiches for 5 years now and it's not slowing down. I hate getting out the frying pan (and the butter) and making them the old-fashioned way. With the Cuisinart, I don't have to use butter. The taste is still great! My son gives it a thumbs up. Plus in less time than it takes me to make one the old-fashioned way I can make two. And my son can use it too. It's so easy, just put the cheese in the bread, wait for the green light, put the sandwich on the griddler and watch it do all the work. I've experimented with other kinds of sandwiches and they all turn out perfectly. I even use it to do quesadillas and heat up fish sticks. It works and makes them crunchy. Plus it doesn't heat up the whole house like the oven does.Read Best Reviews of Cuisinart GR-1 Griddler Panini and Sandwich Press Here
This panini press has two distinct advantages over larger and more expensive models--namely, it is smaller and less expensive! As panini are usually made one at a time anyway, getting a multi-sandwich sized machine is just a waste of counter and storage space. This press has room for two sandwiches if you want to cook more than one at a time, but it is compact and easy to put away. It heats up quickly, and works like a waffle iron--one light says ready to go, the other says wait a minute. Pretty simple.The floating handle provides even pressure on sandwiches, which come out warm and deliciously crunchy. One warning for households with small kids--the whole unit (except for the handle) gets pretty hot.
This is a satisfactory low cost panini maker that is perfect for singles, couples, or even small families.
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I looked at several panini presses before deciding on the Cuisinart. We have been very happy with the performance of this panini press. It heats quickly and the floating hinge allows the cooking of thicker sandwiches. The press is simple to clean, even if cheese has baked onto the grill surface. The only thing that might make this press better is a larger grilling surface. But, for the money, this press certainly does the job.Saturday, February 15, 2014
Chefmaster 13pc 13pc Barbeque Set Red Zipper Pouch Feature Stainless Steel Tube Handles
The case does hold a number of extra things, ie a long nosed lighter, a knife with protective cover, some foil and a dishtowel. Nice for storage if nothing else. I don't think i'd want to put the dirty utinsils back in the case without wrapping the used parts in foil or saran wrap of grilling at a remote location without the ability to wash things up first. The case is not meant to be cleaned easily, simply used for transport and storage.
The tools themselfs have a good feel to them. The brush was the only piece that was sub par and looked like a used broom. Probably won't last more than a few uses and may loose pieces of the brush onto the food. I replaced my with a silicone one that is of a similar look.
I have medium female hands. All tools felt comfortable in my hands and worked well on the grill. No complaints there. You can easily swithch things out if you're using it at a remote location and only transport items you plan to use. i.e. leave the kabab things at home and put in something else. The case really is nice for transport, just wish it were better made. So far it's lasted one season with fairly regular use.
Monday, January 13, 2014
Weber 41455 20 Pound Tank Adapter Hose for Use with Weber Q and Go-Anywhere Gas Grill
I've tried slowly turning on the tank valve waiting a bit before lighting the grill, but the flame is still too low. I'll have to wait til summer before I can use the 20# tank with adapter hose again.
EDIT: After trying the procedure below I'm up and cooking again with full force even with it being 35 degress outside.
BYPASS INSTRUCTIONS
GAS GO ANYWHERE, WEBER Q + BABY Q
Since 1995, all regulators on gas barbecues have a safety device which restricts the gas flow in the event of a gas leak. You can inadvertently activate the safety device without having a gas leak. Typically, this occurs if you open the LP tank valve too rapidly, or if the valve + regulator assembly is in a slightly open position when opening the LP tank valve.
Your must remember when you are grilling you should always do the tank valve first and then the valve + regulator assembly when you start grilling or stop grilling. Never turn off the valve + regulator assembly before the tank. Gas is trapped in the valve + regulator assembly and adapter hose and the next time you turn on the tank, that residual gas in the line will back up and trigger the safety device.
Also, when you start grilling, you should open the tank valve V-E-R-Y S-L-O-W-L-Y, about ¼ turn at a time until it is all the way open before you turn on your valve + regulator assembly to light the grill even is it takes 30 seconds to a full minute. If you've just had your tank refilled, it has a lot more pressure in it at first than after you use it for awhile. That may trigger the safety device sometimes, too. These conditions can be recurring. If it happens again, then you will need to go through the reset procedure again.
If you do activate the gas regulator safety device, the barbecue will only reach temperatures between 250 and 300 degrees, even with the valve + regulator assembly on the HIGH setting.
TO RESET THE GAS REGULATOR SAFETY DEVICE:
Open the barbecue lid.
1. Close the LP tank valve.
2. Turn valve + regulator assembly to the OFF position.
3. Wait at least 5 minutes if the barbecue had been lit
4. Disconnect the adapter hose from the LP tank.
5. Turn valve + regulator assembly to the HIGH position.
6. Wait at least 2 minutes, then turn valve + regulator assembly to the OFF position.
7. Re-connect the adapter hose to the LP tank.
RE-LIGHTING THE BARBECUE:
Open the barbecue lid.
1. SLOWLY open the LP tank valve 1/4 turns at a time all the way open.
2. With the lid open, turn valve + regulator assembly to the HIGH position.
3. Ignite the grill by pushing the crossover ignition button.
4. After the burner is lit, close the lid.
5. The barbecue should reach 500 to 550 degrees in 10-15 minutes.
WHEN YOU ARE DONE GRILLING:
Turn off the LP tank valve first
Turn valve + regulator assembly to the OFF position.
If you continue to have problems or questions, please refer to the "Support" section on our website at www.weberbbq.com and look under "gas grills FAQS" or "charcoal grills FAQS" or call us.I bought the Charbroil Model#4623 46" adapter hose from Home Depot for $17 (also at Lowe's @ same price). It is the same hose as Weber but much cheaper. I matched both hoses together and both were identical down to the tags and warnings, the only difference was the packaging and price. The hose works well with 20 lb LP tanks and last way longer than the 14.1oz tanks.
Buy Weber 41455 20 Pound Tank Adapter Hose for Use with Weber Q and Go-Anywhere Gas Grill Now
I'm very pleased that I purchased the 20 lbs tank adapter hose for my Weber Q grill. The Q is our primary grill. We've always used portable grills in this way, but we love the Q so well, we use it much more than other portables we've owned. Also, the Q takes the smaller 14.1 ounce propane tank normally used for torches rather than the 16 ounce camping tanks. It really didn't make practical and economic sense to keep using the small tanks on a grill with the Q's capacity. But still I purchased this item with some trepidation. I'd read AMAZON reviews reporting that squirrels will eat through the grease splattered hose. My property is in an Oak & Hickory grove, so I have squirrels in over abundance. These guys have been known to augment their diets with my garden plants, but gnawing greasy hose sounds much more like mouse & rat behavior. I took a chance. So far no trouble. I'm using a homebuilt grill table with a 2 X 3 granite top and a generic grilltofloor length vinyl grill cover. (The weber Q cover only encloses the top of the grill) These might be a factors. A little Capsaicin , (the element in peppers that makes them hot, fond in products like "Squirrel Away"), might help the folks with gnawing issues. The 4" hose is quite long enough to reach from the grill port, under the table to my tank with ease and installation is very simple. I bought the adapter and my very first 20 lbs propane tank the same day and I was grilling that evening. I do agree that it would only improve the adapter if the hose were enclosed in say, metal mesh. But that would undoubtedly increase the price. I think at the current price point the 20 pound hose adapter is a great addition that grants me more use and enjoyment of a great grill. I still think it was worth the risk of rodent interference to get this adapter compared to the cost of 14.1 ounce propane tanks over time. But I admit to hedging my bet, If the hose gets oily, I'm keeping a shaker of cayenne pepper handy to sprinkle on it just in case.....2011 Follow up to my earlier review:
After several years of good use, my adapter hose was finally taken out by rodents during winter storage. Fortunately, someone out there listened and in March of 2010, I was able to purchase a stainless steel adapter hose
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000THEZR8/ref=wms_ohs_product_T2
I used the stainless hose for a year have been very pleased with it. The hose fit the tank and grill ends fine and is a good length to reach from grill to tank. Just this month I replaced my Weber Q with a Weber genesis 320. (The Q still works great, but I wanted more BTUs.) The new grill has its own hose which is enclosed in a cabinet, so I'm not too worried about grease spills. I am however, hanging on to the stainless hose just in case the rodents get restless again. It looks like the hose I purchased is no longer available at the link above, but an Amazon search on "Freedom Grill FG-50HA Stainless Steel Propane Hose Adapter", brings up some other brands that might be worth checking out.Works great. Be sure to wait the prescribed time (~ 1 minute) after opening the valves otherwise the supply is reduced to pilot lite strength. I speak from experience. Duh.
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Excellent product, however, the directions are not clear as to proper hook up. Once the adapter is connected, you should turn on the propane tank and wait at least 5 minutes before igniting the grill. This step ensures that enough pressure builts in the regulator(the round thing on the side of the grill) and will produce a strong flame.Wednesday, January 1, 2014
CabCool 801 Lite Single 80mm 5V Fan Cooling Kit for Cabinet & Home Theaters
I didn't have any trouble with the installation. It was pretty straight forward. Happy with this purchase!
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Pins were loose in the 4-pin connector at end of wire coming from fan. When I connected the A/C adapter to the 4-pin connector, one of the pins fell out, and the wire came loose. I carefully reassembled everything (very carefully, as the wires are very thin), and everything is working fine. Other than this problem, I would say that I am very pleased with the operation of the fan (very quiet).I got 2 to Use in cooling my home theater cabinet, didn't use the fans that came with it, got 2 Nexus 12v for better air flow & have one blowing in & one out with the multivolt transformer and temp sensor.Want CabCool 801 Lite Single 80mm 5V Fan Cooling Kit for Cabinet & Home Theaters Discount?
Friday, November 22, 2013
22pc Stainless Steel Barbeque Set
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This set was all I expected and more. I purchased 2 set to give as gifts to Groomsmen standing in my wedding. The look of the case and utensils are nice. Craftsmanship doesn't look sloppy. And for the price, you can't beat it with a stick.Read Best Reviews of 22pc Stainless Steel Barbeque Set Here
I was weary of ordering this item because I was afraid it would look cheap.The box looks cheap, but I'm giving it as a gift and I just tossed the box. The case it comes in is very nice and the box is unnecessary. Tools look good, nice and heavy. I have no idea how well they'll workbut they look good so far!
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I don't appreciate getting emails from sellers asking me to write a review of their product. If I think something stands out, or is a great buy...I'll review it. I was going to save the seller a bad review by just not bothering, but since they've sent me TWO emails now asking for a review here we go:Cheaply made (in China) poor quality utensils that have rusted in the dishwasher.
The skewers were horrible the rubber that is inside the handle of the skewer melted inside our grill and leaked out everywhere, causing the handle to fall off, and ruined dinner.
The prongs on the corn holders bent when I tried to insert them into an ear of corn...rendering them garbage.
My husband only really cares for the grate brush so make your own assumptions from that.
Friday, November 15, 2013
Norpro Double Burger Press
You can't push down on two of these at the same time and get quality results.
You would have a better result making a ball and slapping it up against the wall. Bought one of these at Linens and Things for $14.99. The ground meat sticks and falls apart making it impossible to get a patty. We tried using Pam, that did not help. Just bad design.
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This is a great product for making 1/3 1/2 lb. burger patties. The slats that the press makes in the patty helps keep the burger nice and flat when cooking. I found that a small sheet of parchment (or wax) paper on the bottoms solves the sticking issues noted by other reviewers.Especially bad for people who like to make large burgers! Meat just oozes over the side. Any size burgers are impossible to remove once "pressed" if you don't use paper during said pressing.one of the best gadgets in our RV..use it instead of buying all the process burgers, no mess & best of all uniformity in burger size.Sunday, October 13, 2013
Procter-Silex 25218 Compact Grill
PROS: With a small cooking surface, it is perfect for single servings (or picky family members with different dinner preferences.) It cooks chicken and fish very quickly. No more than 5 or 6 minutes for a thawed chicken breast; less for fish fillets. I find steak to be juicier and more tender than frying or broiling.
Kinda easy to clean. Just wipe with a couple paper towels. When cool, clean around the rest of the components.
CONS: Small cooking surface. The cord is short. And, except for the plastic handle, it gets VERY HOT so you cannot move it or turn it around when hot. Depending on what you are cooking, the drip cup may need emptying during the cooking process, which can be messy.
Sandwiches do not brown well, due to the height of the internal grids.I've never owned a George Foreman grill, but if I were to believe the the reviews, then this grill is pretty decent in comparison, and much cheaper.
You can grill slices of meat, sandwiches, burgers, whatever. I used to have to cook things like frozen fishsticks, chicken tenders, and tator tots to feed this kid, and instead of using my oven, I used this. My frozen foods are usually cooked to crispy perfection at the time it takes to preheat my oven. It's kinda small though so you'll have to grill your burgers one at a time and despite the picture at the top, you probably won't be able to do kabobs. I love toasting my sandwiches on this thing and getting stripey grill marks. And I love watching all the fat drip off my meat and into the tray below.
Downsides include cleaning. The grill plates don't detach, and you're not allowed to submerge the thing in water, so that means you have to wipe the grill off carefully with soapy water while it's still warm before the fat coagulates. Then you have to wash the soap off and try not to wet the undetachable wire at the same time. Kinda tricky.
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Not a bad little grill if you're just making a snack or a sandwich but it's damned hard to clean since the plates aren't removable. If you're thinking about buying this to make burgers or anything else that requires actual cleaning (as opposed to just wiping the grill plates off) you probably want to keep looking.Read Best Reviews of Procter-Silex 25218 Compact Grill Here
I really like this little grill. It's very small, so it doesn't take up much room on the counter. But it cooks very nicely. I've cooked chicken, steak, pork chops and vegetables and it does a good job on everything.Want Procter-Silex 25218 Compact Grill Discount?
I received this as a gift in 2006 and use it several times a week. It still heats up just as hot as the first day I used it! I'd rather grill Chicken breasts and salmon on this than go to a restaurant and it only takes a few minutes. Grilled vegetables also turn out nicely. I haven't tried making sandwiches on this grill.PROS: The small cooking surface takes up very little counter space and is perfect for one or two people. It cooks quickly and evenly. I find cleanup to be really easy.
CONS: The unit does not have an on/off switch, so I sometimes get a little spark when I plug it in. It also has a rather short cord. The drip cup is not large enough. I have replaced mine with an empty frozen food tray which fits nicely under the feet catches all the fat and never touches the grill so there is no risk of overheating or melting the tray.
The only reason I don't give this 5 stars is because of no on/off switch, and I can't make pancakes on it.
Tuesday, October 8, 2013
Fashion Bed Group Doral Bed
I would highly recommend this bed!!!Exactly what I was looking for to match our existing oak furniture. Very easy assembly. The only negative is the frame is a little long so there is too much space between the mattress and footboard. I think this is due to the frame made to fit a king or CA king.
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Got the 3 boxes in great shape. You do get a metal frame (the Amazon description did not indicate this, I thought it was just the headboard/footboard and since I had a frame I didn't care) but now I have an extra frame for another bed for the guest room!! The frame instructions are a bit confusing (the support bar in the middle goes up/down instead of across..I spent a stupid amount of time trying to figure that step out..where it hooked etc..) Once the frame is in place, the rest was child's play to install. The posts fit perfect, hardware was all there and fit snugly. The bed is very nice and has a nice walnut finish on the posts. I do wish these were made in the USA but at least it wasn't made in China (it is made in Vietnam). Very happy with this purchase. The pieces are not overly heavy so installation can be done by anyone. The frame is the heaviest piece. The headboard is 4ft 2in high and the footboard is 2ft. 6in high. There is a gap but i found if you push the mattress to the top it leave a gap only at the bottom of your bed and you can tuck your sheets/comforter in easily.My husband and I have had our bed and box spring on the floor since we moved 2 years ago!!! My husband was deployed 8 months ago and I decided as a gift to ourselves we should get an actual bed frame! I was a little worried picking it out and ordering it myself especially on a military salary. I am so happy with this bed! I did have to get my brother to help me assemble it but it was quite easy in comparison to other build yourself furniture I have purchased. It seems really sturdy and is so pretty! It isn't bulky so it's perfect if you have a smaller room like us. The posts are solid wood so it makes you feel like you have extra support. Like other reviewers said, it does have some extra room in the length but I haven't had a problem with it. I'm very pleased with my purchase, especially for the price! Hopefully my husband enjoys it just as much when he gets home!!The bed frame is obviously made of low cost material, but it holds together well and is very stable. It is surprisingly quiet and does not creak at all.Monday, September 16, 2013
NFL Dallas Cowboys Sandwich Press
Monday, August 19, 2013
Grill Wizard Grill Brush China Brush with Hardwood Handle
Buy Grill Wizard Grill Brush China Brush with Hardwood Handle Now
No longer have to worry about metal bristles getting into my food.The stainless steel pads can easily be cleaned.
Made with a hardy treated wood handle that won't melt.
Read Best Reviews of Grill Wizard Grill Brush China Brush with Hardwood Handle Here
The Grill Wizard China Brush is the best solution for cleaning grill grates, particularly if combined with a squirt bottle filled with water. The materials used will stand heat and abuse. The hanging strap is sturdy and firmly attached. The wooden handle is comfortable and will not melt if it accidentally contacts hot parts. The dual folded scrubbies clean both the top and sides of the grill grates and the cutting action quickly removes debris, and is far superior to a single scrubbie or wire bristles. This is a quality product that works superbly and is very durableThe following summary gives my experience with many different brushes I own or have tested. The only way to know how they work is to buy and try them. I think I have now tried all the steaming brushes that are available.
Weber wood handle grill brush (Good mine has brass bristles, currently they have SS bristles)
http://www.amazon.com/Weber-6464-18-Inch-Bamboo-Grill/dp/B0045UBBO0/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1352813501&sr=8-2&keywords=Weber+grill+brush
Weber long handle grill T-brush (Fair)
http://www.amazon.com/Weber-6424-21-Inch-T-Brush/dp/B000WEMFSO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1352813617&sr=8-1&keywords=Weber+grill+brush
Grill Wizard China Brush (Excellent use with spray bottle for steam)Grate Chef Steaming Grill Brush (Very good but leaks See Amazon Review by Product Reviewer)
http://www.amazon.com/Grate-Chef-501-1100-Steaming-Grill/dp/B000WEKM5W/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1352813893&sr=8-1&keywords=steaming+grill+brush
Grill Daddy Pro (Fair, steaming See Amazon Review by Product Reviewer)
http://www.amazon.com/Grill-Daddy-GD12952S-Pro-Brush/dp/B00198IUKY/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1352813982&sr=8-3&keywords=steaming+grill+brush
Grill Dozer (Totally useless, steaming see Amazon Review by Product Reviewer)
http://www.amazon.com/Grill-Dozer-Steam-Cleaning-Tool/dp/B001RIY9HY/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1352814130&sr=8-2&keywords=steaming+grill+brush
Mr. BBQ Hydro Blaster (steaming). ABSOLUTE JUNK Doesn't work -returned to Amazon for refund)
http://www.amazon.com/06405-Hydro-Grill-Brush-Blaster/dp/B0043M5RJ0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1352814265&sr=8-1&keywords=grill+pro+hydro+blaster
GrillPro Steaming Grill Brush (Fair very poor instructions, mistakes are likely to destroy the brush)
http://www.amazon.com/GrillPro-77675-Deluxe-Steam-Grill/dp/B002B8REIA/ref=sr_1_12?ie=UTF8&qid=1352814568&sr=8-12&keywords=grill+brush+steam
Brinkmann Grill Scrubber (Excellent for use when grill is cold can also use regular ScotchBrite on it).Grill Stone (Terrible sheds lots of gritty fine glass dust debris)GrillFloss (Excellent for clearing hanging junk from grate rod bottoms)
http://www.amazon.com/Grillfloss-Barbecue-Cleaning-GFLXL-Stainless/dp/B000PAV28E/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1352846295&sr=8-1&keywords=grill+floss
I have not tested these brushes, but they are possible alternatives to the Grill Wizard although the scrubber design does not look as good in conforming to the sides of the grate rods.
Tool Wizard Grill Brush Recommended by America's Test Kitchen
http://www.amazon.com/Tool-Wizard-Grill-Brush-Scrubber/dp/B000216X6M/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1352898835&sr=8-1&keywords=tool+wizardCharcoal Companion Scrubber Brush Uses plastic head to hold the single scrubbing pad.
Want Grill Wizard Grill Brush China Brush with Hardwood Handle Discount?
This grill brush sets a new standard.Pros:
Replaceable steel wool cleaning heads
Steel wool gets into all the nooks and crannies
Long wood handle resists weather and stays cool over a hot grill
Durably made
Cons:
None
Tuesday, August 13, 2013
Cast Iron Grill Pan
Monday, August 12, 2013
Smart Planet PP-5 Waffle Cone Maker
The good: It heats up relatively quickly and its nonstick surface is easy to clean. Its instruction booklet comes with two recipes (original and chocolate). The original is pretty good. This appliance will smell pretty darn good if you don't leave the batter in too long. It makes for a good-sized cone, but can also do minis if you'd like. OR you can place a waffle over a tea cup or glass to make a waffle bowl.
Things to look out for with the APPLIANCE:
MESSY--as with most kitchen endeavors, waffle cone making is a messy process with any iron/method. With this product, make sure you have a towel or plate underneath it to catch any batter spillage. If you're putting in 1-2 tbs of batter, it should be pretty minimal.
HOT--Use a hot pad or towel to open the iron after it's done cooking. Have a butter knife or thin spatula on hand to remove the waffle from the iron and to place it on a towel on your rolling surface. Use the towel to roll the cone with the provided cone mold so it doesn't burn you.
Extra things about waffle cone making in general:
See above, because it's going to be true for most methods.
Try David Lebovitz's waffle cone recipe from The Perfect Scoop (available from Amazon) or Jeni Bauer's recipe from Jeni's Splendid Ice Cream At Home (also on Amazon). Finally, the best recipe I've done so far is actually Gluten-Free!
The above authors/ice cream makers give good tips on the process as well.
I'd recommend this product to anyone interested in making waffle cones for fun--it's definitely a hit with parties, family and friends. It is not, however, NSF-certified and if you're in the business of making ice cream, you'd already know that and be looking elsewhere.
Buy Smart Planet PP-5 Waffle Cone Maker Now
I used to work at an ice cream shop and love fresh waffle cones, so my husband surprised me with this appliance for my birthday. I was not expecting it to make restaurant quality cones, but I thought I would get some decent cones at least. The only thing great about this appliance is the batter recipe found in the booklet. After trying to roll over 15 waffle cones, I'm returning it immediately, and here's why:The lid isn't stable and will slam shut on you at the slightest touch (burning hot!)
The front handle/ lip that is supposed to be used for lifting the lid is burning hot and you have to use an oven mitt to touch it.
The indicator light does not click on and off consistently. Sometimes it indicates "ready" when the waffle is undercooked, and sometimes it indicates "ready" when the waffle is completely burned and inedible.
The waffles that I managed to cook okay were paper thin and tore easily, making it very difficult to roll into the cone shape.
The instructions were not very easy to follow and seemed disorganized.
Like I mentioned, many of the torn waffle scraps I sampled were delicious and the recipe is right on. But that's where the good ends and the bad begins. Please, don't waste your money or put anyone in danger by operating this appliance.
Read Best Reviews of Smart Planet PP-5 Waffle Cone Maker Here
One star for the machine, an extra one for the recipe. I bought one of these machines two months ago. I agree with the person who said it is a dangerous machine as it can very easily cause severe burns.The lid is unstable and the handle is searingly hot. Hot steam escapes over your hand when you open it, so always use a silicone mitt when using the machine.
If it hasn't already caused significant burns to users, I would be very surprised. The machine also has hot spots so that when one part of the cone is perfect, there are already burned spots elsewhere.
Howeverthe cone recipe is lovely. It is easy to roll and crisps up even if you stop cooking when it is pale, to avoid burnt spots.Still, there are recipes on the web so that is not a good reason to buy this machine.
I think it is worth spending the extra money to buy a better brand, which I will now do.I have always enjoyed a good waffle and this works well and was better priced than others we looked at.

