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

Saturday, August 23, 2014

Outdoor Leisure SH36208 Smoke Hollow 40-Inch Barrel

Outdoor Leisure SH36208 Smoke Hollow 40-Inch BarrelI never buy anything like this that doesn't require "modification". This was no exception. The box arrived destroyed. It had been wrapped in plastic wrap to hold it togethor. The delivery guy understood however that I wanted to check it out before I accepted it so he and I tore it apart to see if there was any damage. Amazingly, all the parts were there and there wasn't a scratch. Unreal considering the condition of the box but I will count my luck. Assembly -the firebox comes in two pieces (top/bottom). One of the holes didn't align at all (front left if looking down inside the top door)and I had to re-drill it. No big deal. The washers are entirely too small in the firebox as well and will press right through the holes here as you tighten them up.....so I put larger more substantial washers all the way around the inside of the fire box. The bolts for the firebox are realllllly looooowwwww grade and soft metal as well. Since the firebox flanges don't fit well togethor (ultimately leaving about 1/4 inch gap between top and bottom halves), it would be good if you could tighten it down all the way around to close the gap a bit......but the bolts are too cheap and will shear before you get there. If I had known this before getting most of them in, I would have replaced all of them with higher grade bolt, nuts and washers. Not sure why for $607 they couldn't spend another $8 for proper hardware here? The 1/4 inch gap is not a big deal however because it is in the firebox and allows a bit of air into the combustion chamber. If it were in the cooking chamber it would not be good. The other piece that had to be modified was the temp guage hole. It simply wasn't big enough for the temp guage to fit....so it had to be bored out before it fit snugly through the hole. (again, not a big deal). Smoking the fire box is good sized and got proper air flow (this is the absolute biggest and most important piece with these things). It could use a grate at the bottom that has smaller openings so it will hold charcoal (the charcoal slides right through it as it is). I will be fabricating a tighter screen to place on top of the current grate (which shouldn't be difficult). I ultimately used a mixture of charcoal and wood for the fire. This will take a bit of study as I go to get the mixture right but I feel I was on the right path. The unit does leak around the main door just a bit, but again, it appears maintaining temp is not going to be too difficult because of the large firebox and proper openings for air in/out. All of offset smokers leak air to some extent. As with all offset smokers, this one could also use a convection plate that carries the heat further down towards the center of the cooking chamber instead of most of the heat coming up on the right side where the firepit hole is. I will be fabricating one of these as well (againshouldn't be difficult). I also wish the smokestack entered the cooking chamber down near the cooking grates. This would help force the heat and smoke to exit at a lower level (thereby smoking/cooking the meat better). The tendancy with exit holes this high is that the heat goes straight up, then over to the exit, bypassing the meat to some extent. I have only seen one offset smoker that got this point right however. I will maybe see if I can fabricate an exension of the pipe inside the smoker to lower its entry point. I see all of these things as items that I would have to do to almost every offset smoker out there btw. It did smoke a shoulder to 180 degrees over about 7hrs. I was playing with the temp the whole time however trying to figure out the best combination. All smokers will require a bit of a learning curve. The smoker as a whole appears sturdy and looks like it will hold a good amount of meat. I am probably going to mount two more good quality thermometers to it....right at the cooking surface with one on the right and one on the left so I can try and even the heat out from one side to the other with convection plate design.

The grill showed up in a torn box.When I put it together the two haves of the fire bow did not match up very well and there is a small separation in it to the point that I think it effects the temp in the firebox. The thermostat was also broken and is off on the temperature by 50 degrees. The rest of the grill is well constructed but I expected a lot more for 600 dollars. I would send it back if it wasn't for all the hassles, this is the first Smoke Hollow grill I have owned and I am not happy with it.

Buy Outdoor Leisure SH36208 Smoke Hollow 40-Inch Barrel Now

You can get a smoker of equal quality for less money

MAIN DOOR doesnt fit snug

scratches on door through paint to metal

large smoke box but bad seals...

Save your money and go to next level of smoker

Read Best Reviews of Outdoor Leisure SH36208 Smoke Hollow 40-Inch Barrel Here

I love this smoker I just hope it lasts a long time..the only problem I had so far is the clean out box hinges got stiff..

Want Outdoor Leisure SH36208 Smoke Hollow 40-Inch Barrel Discount?

Wednesday, July 30, 2014

Mr. Coffee Automatic Burr Mill Grinder

Mr. Coffee BVMC-BMH23 Automatic Burr Mill Grinder, Black/SilverHaving had two Krups GVX Burr Grinder over the last 10 years. I wanted to try one that was different after the last Krup's on/off button bit the dirt. I noticed the just released Mr Coffee grinder had a nice large bin to keep us from having to refill it so often and they claim it holds a 1/2 pound of beans which is about right. It seems to grind the beans faster than the Krups and is a bit less messy. It comes apart easy for cleaning. It is as noisy as all grinders are and a bit higher pitched than the Krups. The settings are easy to use and seem to be a little less prone to moving accidentally. It is nice looking on the counter and my wife is happy with it as I am. It is also several dollars cheaper than the Krups and this was also a bit of a factor. I could say the coffee tastes better now, which is true, but perhaps I just hit the settings better than I did with the Krups. I would highly recommend this to a friend if they wanted a coffee grinder.

I've been using my new grinder for 2 days now and I am very pleased with it.

It is easy to use, looks good on the counter top, grinds fast and my coffee tastes great.

I'm glad I chose this one instead of one of the more expensive ones with good reviews, this one has all the functionality that I need to make delicious coffee.

I use it to grind coffee beans for espresso and french press, also for a drip machine (which I gladly tossed in the bin after getting a french press.)

**** UPDATE March 10th, 2012****

I've had this grinder now for about 7 months, and still going strong! Yes, it sometimes gets coffee grounds on the counter when scooping it out but I've never seen a grinder that doesn't do that.

However, I have regularly two problems with this grinder:

1. Sometimes the beans don't go through properly while grinding or get stuck, so I tend to shake it and hit the bottom gently against the counter top to get them to go on through. This is not a huge deal. Happened with my last grinder as well.

2. It likes to get clogged.

The opening where the grounds come out often just plugs up completely. This happens on a regular basis (every 6-10 weeks or so maybe), especially when I grind a lot of oily dark roasted beans. To solve the problem I unplug it, remove the beans, canister, and other parts. I take something to loosen the coffee grounds that are plugging up the hole. It'll work again after that, but to really get the job done I also make sure that the grinder elements are clear, and run some rice through the grinder a couple of times. The rice picks up a lot of those oils and residue that builds up on the inside of the machine. When I've done that it works like new again.

I will stick for now with my 5 star rating. We use our grinder twice every day and it is still working fine. For the really low price of this grinder I can't complain.

Buy Mr. Coffee Automatic Burr Mill Grinder Now

This is a great grinder for the price. It has a fairly consistent grind, and it seems well build and operates smoothly. It does produce some dust on the coarse settings, and it also does have some static/mess issues as any grinder with a plastic grounds container does -but for forty bucks... it is at least as good as anything close to its price range. As long as you don't try to compare it to a $100+ grinder I think anyone would be satisfied.

The integrated cord wrap under the base is a nice touch for keeping the counter uncluttered. One odd feature is that the scoop/brush combo actually lives in a grooved out area in the lid to the ground coffee container, which surprised me (and led to it falling out several times until I got used to it).

My only serious complaint about this unit is that it falls victim to the annoying-bright-blue-led trend of consumer electronics. There is an extremely bright blue LED on the grinder that is ALWAYS on. I dearly wish these companies would realize that shiny blue lights that are always on are stupid and actually rather annoying (if i lived in a studio it would be enough for me to return it... as it is, I will just grumble and get on with it).

Read Best Reviews of Mr. Coffee Automatic Burr Mill Grinder Here

Bottom line: this is an average burr grinder that produces consistent quantity grind-to-grind but it is marred by a flawed grinding chamber design that makes a uniform mess when opened to remove ground coffee.

Pros:

* consistent quantity is produced grind-to-grind,

* removing the grind chamber turns off the grinder, and

* inexpensive.

Cons:

* inconsistent grind consistency that is typical of burr grinders (finicky coffee consumers should pursue conical models),

* when the grind chamber is opened fine grounds that cling to the roof of the chamber fall out onto anything in the vicinity, and

* limited grind fineness settings on the fine end of the range (may not get fine enough for some espresso beans or machines).

Other appraisals:

* the amount of ground coffee is measured in arbitrary "cup" units that the manual says are larger for coarser settings and smaller for finer; they're not really "cups"

* the grind mechanism is made primarily of plastic (may not be reliable)

* the power LED is glaring blue and is on anytime the grind chamber is fully inserted, leaving the chamber partially hanging out when not in use turns the LED off

Want Mr. Coffee Automatic Burr Mill Grinder Discount?

This is a very inexpensive burr grinder. It's a first step up from the whirly blade type for those who want a better cup of coffee but don't want to break the bank. It can't be remotely compared to a Baratza, Rancilio (Rocky), Mazzer or Gaggia, which are primarily used for espresso, but do a perfect job for every other brewing method as well. If anyone expects that this grinder will grind fine enough, and the grind will be consistent enough, to use for an espresso pump machine, they will be very disappointed. If you're looking for a grinder for expresso, spend the money on one of the above brands. You will be amazed at the great pull you'll get.

That said, this grinder isn't all that terrible. I've read of the static mess it supposedly leaves, but I haven't had that problem, and my home is quite dry. A couple of sharp taps on the counter after grinding and the powder will drop back in the cup and not go all over. Dark roasted, oilier beans will plug up ANY burr grinder faster than lighter roasted beans, so the opening to the grounds cup needs to be cleaned on a regular basis, no matter what grinder you use. As for the "annoying blue light", that's easily fixed with a small piece of electrical tape applied over the light. Or, you can just pull the grounds cup out about 1/4/" and voila, the light goes off. No need to worry about grounds spilling out because you have the cup out. You can't run the grinder until the cup is properly seated. End of problems.

As for a bit of powder in the bottom of your coffee mug, if you use a metal mesh filter, that is inevitable, many times even with a mor expensive grinder, to a lesser extent. For drip pots, if it's a big deal to you, just switch to unbleached paper filters. No more powder.

Like I said, overall, if you want a step up from your whirly bird blade grinder, and you brew with an automatic drip or French press, for the price, it's a decent purchase.

Save 32% Off

Tuesday, July 8, 2014

Granite Ware 3-Piece Bake, Broil, and Grill Pan Set

Granite Ware 3-Piece Bake, Broil, and Grill Pan SetGranite Ware 3 Piece Bake, Broil & Grill Set

I suppose there is a more cheaply made broiler pan out there somewhere, but I can't imagine how any more corners could be cut...no pun intended, since all edges of the two painted steel sheets are knife sharp. The steel used to punch out those two pieces couldn't be thinner.

Package wrap indicates not to heat when empty! My intent was to pre-heat as a steamer for bread baking by adding water to the pan to create a crispy crust. Still searching for an at least a medium grade broiler pan.

Amazon's packaging was loose enough to cause the pan to bounce around freely in the shipping box, causing the chrome plated grate (not stainless steel) to scratch the paint off; looks like rust will follow shortly. Don't waste your $$ on this low end device.

This is a great pan. I use it for steaks and they come out juicy like they came off the grill. The best part of this broiler is the grates. They work much better than conventional broilers (metal with slits) by letting more of the drippings through. Easy to clean. Don't scrub, just get the pan wet and put some baking soda (not powder) on it and let it sit for a few minutes. Everything stuck to it will come off easily with a wash cloth or sponge. Anyone that complains that it is hard to clean doesn't know how to clean.

Buy Granite Ware 3-Piece Bake, Broil, and Grill Pan Set Now

Item was received like picture. I received the item fast. It is a good size, you can fit about 4 steaks on it. I had to use a spoon to scrape off the grease because I forgot to use aluminum foil and it did not scratch or chip it.

Read Best Reviews of Granite Ware 3-Piece Bake, Broil, and Grill Pan Set Here

This is a perfect little roaster. I have a much larger one that isn't suited for chicken or roasts. I like the insert especially. I put my meatloaf on top of it and the grease drops down thru the holes into the bottom pan. I put a little water in the bottom so the grease doesn't burn, makes for an easy clean up.

Want Granite Ware 3-Piece Bake, Broil, and Grill Pan Set Discount?

I bought this pan set about 4 months ago cause I was looking for something that I could use in my apartments oven. I actually priced the set before settling with the one from Amazon. I got this one cause I saw the exact same one at the Target store here but it was actually cheaper from Amazon. I have used it for grilling and broiling and I think it works for what I need it for. Only complaint would be that I think the pan could potentially cut you cause of the sharp edges.

Save 33% Off

Saturday, May 10, 2014

Electric Takoyaki Pan Pancake Puffs - 24 molds

Electric Takoyaki Pan Pancake Puffs - 24 moldsWe were a little nervous using this item in the United States since the voltage is different here, but we haven't had any problems. My husband grew up in Japan, and LOVES being able to make takoyaki right here in Kansas! Great product and easy to clean.

Great for making takoyaki, or even for making pancakes. I have brought it to work and made pancakes filled with bacon or chocolate chips or bananas or blueberries... Always a hit. Just make sue to use wooden or silicon instruments to turn the takoyaki so you don't scratch the nonstick coating.

Buy Electric Takoyaki Pan Pancake Puffs - 24 molds Now

I would be giving a 5 star rating but i did notice that there was a hot spot on 2 or 3 of the cups.

as long as you know where the hot spot in the pan is you can still produce great Takoyaki.

Read Best Reviews of Electric Takoyaki Pan Pancake Puffs - 24 molds Here

I received this as a gift from hubby (included in my wish list) last Christmas, and today (a snow day) if the first time I and my sons have used it (we had fun!). It really is a good family bonding time as teamwork is quite necessary to grease, fill these with the batter and filling, and flip (using chopsticks). We were like an assembly line. We made Æbleskiver, actually, as we don't have the ingredients for takoyaki, and we are not sure we will like them. We used different jams as fillings. Perfect bite-sized pieces. I did have to turn off the gadget at some point because we were too slow and some of the pancakes were burning. The pan is removable, and can be cleaned by wiping with damp washcloth.

Want Electric Takoyaki Pan Pancake Puffs - 24 molds Discount?

Its was a great gift for a friend how wanted to learn how to make some ebelskivers the easy way :p

excellent quality, still being used like new 2 years later, i would recommened this product

thanks

Tuesday, April 29, 2014

Inno-Labs 000900 Flexible Grill Skewer

Inno-Labs 000900 Flexible Grill SkewerOrdered these for part of a Father's Day gift last year. They work great and are easy to use and clean.

Love these. I bought 6 of them for a campout. I'd love to see the metal ring end coated with something to make it none heat conducting, becase taking the meat off the skewers was a very painful experience without having pot holders!

Buy Inno-Labs 000900 Flexible Grill Skewer Now

Saturday, March 15, 2014

Outset QT20 Stella Stainless-Steel Locking Barbecue Tongs with Soft-Grip Handles

Outset QT20 Stella Stainless-Steel Locking Barbecue Tongs with Soft-Grip HandlesThese things are constructed so closely with OXO tongs they have to be made by the same plant. The only things that distinguish these from OXO good grips tongs are:

1. An embossed logo by the handle

2. A larger ring at the end of the lock

3. Lock is a bit tighter, but that may be due to my OXO tongs being several years old

The similarities with OXO are:

1. The exact same size and scalloped shape of the gripping end

2. The exact same shaft dimensions

3. The exact same handle material

4. Handle design so exact that the rubber grips are interchangeable

5. The hinge design, down the the internal spring and lock are visibly identical

If there is any doubt remaining, the product image is actually of OXO tongs, these tongs have a larger end loop on the lock with a copper ring attached.

These are great tongs. They're made of stainless steel, and they have soft grip handles. They're very sturdy. The locking/unlocking feature works great. And the long handle (17 inches) make these tongs very useful.

Buy Outset QT20 Stella Stainless-Steel Locking Barbecue Tongs with Soft-Grip Handles Now

These are really nice....locking handle and extra length perfect for the bbq. Much longer and storage would be an issue. Great grip handle keeps cool even when tongs are hot.

Read Best Reviews of Outset QT20 Stella Stainless-Steel Locking Barbecue Tongs with Soft-Grip Handles Here

These tongs are nice and long, but the weight of the stainless is much less than what I had expected. It makes me feel like the quality is lacking. They'll do the job, but if I had it to do again, I would have chosen a different set of tongs.

Want Outset QT20 Stella Stainless-Steel Locking Barbecue Tongs with Soft-Grip Handles Discount?

Love these Tongs. They are long enough to reach the back of the grill without getting your hands hot. You can pick up a 6 lb. roast and not even strain these tongs. What more could you want.

Save 36% Off

Monday, February 24, 2014

Motorized Grill Brush with Steam Cleaning Power

Motorized Grill Brush with Steam Cleaning PowerI bought this for my husband. It is easy to use, cleans very effectively. I would recommend this for anyone who likes easy grill cleaning.

My husband said it works very well. I got it to make it easier for him to clean the grill.

Buy Motorized Grill Brush with Steam Cleaning Power Now

Just when you think they've invented everything, you find a new product that fills a need. Great idea!

I didn't like the idea of using soap or oven cleaner on the surface where I cook, so this is the perfect solution.

Bravo!

Read Best Reviews of Motorized Grill Brush with Steam Cleaning Power Here

Bought this for my husband. A grill fanatic. Looks like it will work great but have to try it was a gift

Want Motorized Grill Brush with Steam Cleaning Power Discount?

Wednesday, February 19, 2014

Nuwave 20322 Pro Infrared Oven With 3IN. Extender Ring Kit Black

Nuwave 20322 Pro Infrared Oven With 3IN. Extender Ring Kit BlackMy husband is the cook at our house, and he uses this every day for one meal or another. It cooks everything from Steak to potatos and greenbeans in no time. He just grabs the food from the freezer, layers it around the NuWave, and starts it up. 20 min later dinner is ready. You can cook the main dish on one level and the veggies on another so you have one "pot" to clean up after dinner. It comes apart easily for cleaning and has a beep to alert you that your food is ready that is loud enough to be heard on the next floor. You should also know that it is easy to get replacement parts for the body if you use it enough to wear them out.

We are getting my mother one for Christmas...

I bought this product primarily to cook foods that have been frozen. So far all the items that I've cooked have come out tasting good and very juicy BUT they have definitely taken LONGER to cook than what is stated in the reference guide. The actual cooking times are better represented in the accompanying Nuwave recipe book. I'm still happy with my purchase though since, as formerly stated, the food comes out tasting good especially steaks which I love. Also, cooking in the Nuwave oven allows me to avoid heating up a much larger oven which saves energy and it's easier to clean. Again, just be forewarned that the cooking time (for me) was longer than stated. Bon Appetit!

Buy Nuwave 20322 Pro Infrared Oven With 3IN. Extender Ring Kit Black Now

The oven does cook longer than the suggested sheet says but the food is juicy. Works great on frozen foods I love it for cooking frozen fish. My main complaint is NuWave customer service I hope you do not have to call them they are short with you and do not take care of the problem. I will never purchase anything from them again.

Read Best Reviews of Nuwave 20322 Pro Infrared Oven With 3IN. Extender Ring Kit Black Here

Great product! Cooks quick and everything comes out great. Only set back is there are not instructions for preparing meals for more than one person.

Want Nuwave 20322 Pro Infrared Oven With 3IN. Extender Ring Kit Black Discount?

I have had a NuWave for over 3 years and absolutely love it. Its great for roasts, potatoes, bacon, eggs, toasts. My girlfriend went out and got one after seeing me use mine and hasn't used her oven in years. A very good product.

Save 21% Off

Thursday, January 30, 2014

Rösle Chicken Roaster, Stainless Steel

Rösle Chicken Roaster, Stainless SteelThe concept of "Beer-Can Roasted Chicken" has been around for quite a while. A can of beer is inserted into the chicken's cavity, keeping it moist while the bird roasts in a closed grill. However, it is somewhat difficult to have the chicken in the proper vertical position without it falling over (especially if the chicken isn't the only one full of beer.)

This well-made, German gadget has a base that keeps the bird steady. The open cylinder can be filled with the liquid of your choice (beer, wine, orange juice, chicken stock, etc.) and the removable handle can be inserted after the chicken is cooked so it will still be cool and won't take up any unnecessary space in the grill (in case that you want to cook several birds at a time.) This is a well made, straight forward, quality product that should last for decades. I plan on getting one or two more.

I thought that a short video of it in action might be helpful. I grilled a chicken but this product would work for ducks or ever larger Cornish Game Hens. I hope that you enjoy the video!

This stainless steel poultry baster is the best! It hold chicken upright so grease rolls off, and infuses it with whatever liquid you put in funnel...fruit juice or beer. I LOVE IT!

Buy Rösle Chicken Roaster, Stainless Steel Now

This is the easiest chicken roaster to use and to clean. Also like the handle that comes with it to remove from BBQ.

Read Best Reviews of Rösle Chicken Roaster, Stainless Steel Here

Sunday, January 12, 2014

Coleman 2-Burner Dual Fuel Powerhouse Liquid Fuel Stove

Coleman 2-Burner Dual Fuel Powerhouse Liquid Fuel StoveThis stove is big, but well worth our money. It accommodates two full sized skillets at once. It boils water in a jiffy, lights easily and burns clean. We cooked under a canopy with ample overhead ventilation with no problems. No odor or discoloring our pans. I loved that the stove's bottom didn't get more than warm when cooking. We used it with a plastic table cover under it with no problem. It stayed lit in very windy conditions. As advertised, the auxiliary burner is less powerful than the main, but was still plenty hot enough to cook on its own. Downsides? Size if you're not car camping. It's the size and weight of a large briefcase, and even larger when in the box. Another issue: in broad daylight, it was difficult to tell if the burner was still lit -quickly passing a hand over the burner was sufficient to answer that question. To light the auxiliary burner you must briefly turn the main burner up to medium or higher -tricky if you're already cooking something on low over the main. Finally, it is difficult to empty the fuel tank of extra fuel when packing up, though it can be stored with fuel. We consider these minor detractions. Bottom line: the stove performs great and we love it and recommend it.

This stove works very well, with good wind protection. Most importantly, if you live in any area where a natural disaster could occur, such as earthquakes or hurricanes, this stove can really be a lifesaver! My sister used one after Hurricane Andrew and we have ours primarily because it is a valuable addition to our earthquake survival kit. The liquid fuel stores easily for years in a contained area, and it is very easy to use and control.

Buy Coleman 2-Burner Dual Fuel Powerhouse Liquid Fuel Stove Now

I have two of these stoves (one is over 20 years old and one is the model covered in this review and it's about 4 years old); they have seen a lot of use. Very easy to use and rugged, I take both of them along when car camping because my family loves to camp and this allows the ultimate in outdoor cooking flexibility for use with our drip coffee maker and griddle. The folded up stove encloses the fuel tank, cooking grate and windscreens and is about the size of a briefcase.

Liquid fuel is the most reliable and hottest way to do camp cookery because it's easy to start and keep running while requiring very little maintenance. The dual fuel model gives you the option of using unleaded gasoline which is cheaper and more universally available than the most common fuels: a. Coleman Fuel (naphtha) or b. propane.

You can depend on this appliance during the harshest conditions including those times when power goes out at the house; down through the years I haven't had to think twice about using it to melt snow, boil water or make coffee at home during a power outage.

Buy Coleman quality stoves with confidence and enjoy more of the great outdoors.

Read Best Reviews of Coleman 2-Burner Dual Fuel Powerhouse Liquid Fuel Stove Here

Our 21 year old Coleman stove, model 424, from 1991 (the date is stamped on the bottom, along with "Made in U.S.A."), has been on many camping trips, and has been extremely reliable over many years and through all kinds of weather. It has never been repaired, and still works fine to this day.

This summer, we're taking a group camping, so I decided to get a second Coleman stove to augment the first one. But after reading the reviews here, I almost didn't buy a new one. Don't let the negative reviews scare you from buying it.

It's important to read and follow the instructions that come with the stove.

I compared this one with our 21 year old model, it's the same good quality. The latch is the same as the old one. The gas tank holds in its slots just fine. The wind guards are strong, flexible, and lightweight. The burners are exactly the same as the ones on my old Coleman stove and work wonderfully. The only real difference I see between my old Coleman and this one is the pump of the new one uses some plastic parts, and might not be quite as sturdy. But the rest of the unit looks and works just fine.

The gauge of the steel may not be what it was 50 years ago, but it's the much the same as 21 years ago, with an added feature: the steel is textured, which adds strength and resists scratching. You cannot make a dent in it with your thumb. Yes, pressing down on the cover moves it, just like pressing on the side of your car does, but it does not dent it.

This stove is made in the U.S.A. Those who complain about cheap Chinese manufacturing may have a counterfeit, not a real Coleman. Are there counterfeit stoves out there?

This is a great stove. I recommend it. I've been using Coleman stoves for more than 50 years. The oldest one I now have is 21 years old, and this new one which I just received, looks and works just fine.

Want Coleman 2-Burner Dual Fuel Powerhouse Liquid Fuel Stove Discount?

Once a renown brand with good products, now lacking any sense of quality.

We bought that oven for 2 reasons

1. It's a dual fuel (unleaded Gas & Coleman fuel)

2. To use it together with the Coleman foldable oven

Pro:

YES, it heats up what you put onto it

Cons:

1. The gas tank does not hold in its slots (front side of the stove) and slips away meaning we have to put something in front or underneath the tank to keep it in it's designated position.

2. At the first use, one of the gaskets (underneath one of the burners) blew off. The authorized Coleman service in Bowling Green, Kentucky asked us to get in touch with Coleman directly because

a) we have not bought the product in his shop and

b) this gasket fails so seldom that he does not have any stock

....not to mention, that this gasket is not even listed in the original Coleman manual.

3. It's wet out there Using an outdoor stove means that there is a certain chance, that it gets wet. But it DOES NOT mean, that the oven has to start rusting immediately.

4. The jet on the tip of the fuel injection pipe got loose after the first use and produced a yellow flame. As the pipe is made of steel and the jet of brass or bronze, it goes without saying that this did not happen only once but several times (according to the user manual one should contact the Coleman service and not to operate the stove any further as a yellow flame is an indicator for a leakage)

Compared to our 25 year old Coleman stove (from a yard sales) this one looks pretty much like a more than cheap copy on which someone tried to gain the profit margins to the limit ..... and we talk here about a stove with a MRSP of $ 129,99 !!!!

Save $0.30 Off

Monday, January 6, 2014

Grill Life Basket With Detachable Handle

Grill Life Basket With Detachable HandleThis grilling basket is easy to use and makes grilling bonless skinless chichen a breeze to cook without sticking. The removable handle lets me cook with lid closed.

Doesn't work as well as I'd hoped. The handle doesn't attach and detach easily on the hot grill. Since we want to keep smaller items from falling through the grill and to be able to close the grill lid during cooking, that made it less useful.

Buy Grill Life Basket With Detachable Handle Now

Works great! One wire was loose upon opening, but it doesn't hinder the performance. It was a gift for my dad & he LOVES it!

Read Best Reviews of Grill Life Basket With Detachable Handle Here

I bought this as a gift for an avid griller. First off, the handle was made the wrong way and was very difficult to open and close which lead to a burn. Second, the grid slots are too big and doesn't hold cut vegetables. The company itself was nice enough and gave me a refund for the item.

Want Grill Life Basket With Detachable Handle Discount?

Wednesday, December 4, 2013

Nesco PIC-14 Portable Induction Cooktop, 1500-Watt

Nesco PIC-14 Portable Induction Cooktop, 1500-WattI've been a fan of induction burners since I purchased a Max Burton 6200 Deluxe 1800-Watt Induction Cooktop several years ago—at much greater cost than it's listed for now! Nothing beats the precise temperature control, the safety, and the efficiency of an induction burner. They are far safer and more sophisticated than hotplate-type burners for college dorms or residences for the elderly or disabled. They are also wonderful for an office kitchen or to use outdoors or on a table for Japanese hot pot cooking or fondue. Induction cooks by transferring heat to the pot itself, which then cooks your food; induction-ready cookware must be used, but you probably already have something suitable (see below).

Let me get the one thing I like better about my Max Burton out of the way first: it has a timer for auto-shutoff, which is a great boon when doing pressure canning using my Fagor Duo 10-Quart Pressure Cooker/Canner. When the canner comes up to pressure, I can set the timer for how long to keep it at pressure and then walk off and leave it, knowing that the burner will shut off and the temperature instantly be reduced to zero after that precise amount of time. With pressure canning, especially, timing is everything. So is auto-shutoff if you're easily distracted (like me) by other things. The Nesco does not automatically shut off unless it overheats, in which case it will shut off as a safety feature.

That said, I like the Nesco induction burner much better for everyday cooking and will probably keep my Max put away until I'm canning. The design of the Nesco is sleeker and easier to clean, and it's MUCH easier to use. The Max has three different functional levels (wattage, temperature, cooking time) and up to ten different levels of settings within those functions; it's hard to see precisely which function you are changing settings for, and once it shuts off, you have to go through the whole rigamarole again if you want to keep cooking at the same level. (Beep beep beep beep beep beep beep beep beep! Beep beep beep! Beep! Beep!) The Max Burton is 1800 watts as opposed to the Nesco's 1500 watts. That sounds good until you trip the circuit breaker every time you use it with something else plugged in if you don't take pains to lower the wattage to a non-default setting.

The Nesco, on the other hand, is simplicity itself. For many purposes, all that needs to be done is just press the On/Off button, then the Cooking Mode button, which autosets at the center/default Boil (C3) setting. The five cooking mode settings, printed on the front panel and shown in large red digital letters when in use, are self-explanatory and controlled by two buttons (Up and Down): Melt/Warm (C1), Simmer (C2), Boil (C3), Fry (C4), and Sear (C5). The Up and Down arrow buttons do just what you'd think: Up cycles up from Boil to Fry to Sear; Down cycles down from Boil to Simmer to Melt/Warm. The temperature adjusts instantly, so you get practically instantaneous feedback on your cooking level just by looking at what the contents of your pot are doing.

If you push the wrong button and "go the wrong way," you can just push the opposite button and take it back to "where you meant to go," which will never be more than four button presses in one direction if you're going from the very lowest (C1) to the very highest (C5) or vice versa.

Finding induction-ready cookware is as easy as taking a magnet with you to the thrift store or into your cupboards; Nesco thoughtfully provides a weak magnetic strip that you can tuck into a pocket for that purpose. (Be sure to stick it to the bottom of the pan, not the sides, because the bottom that comes in contact with the burner is what counts.) Cast iron definitely works, but (as with ceramic cooktops) you have to be careful not to scratch the cooktop with it. The bottom diameter of your pot or pan must be between 3.15" and 10" in order to work; larger skillets can cause overheating. All of the pieces of my Rachael Ray Stainless Steel 10-Piece Cookware Set, Orange work with this burner.

I love it.

I've owned a Max Burton 6000 induction (1800 watts) for over 2 years; it's a much better option. I mainly use a portable induction burner for cooking outside; if you are cooking something stinky like deep frying oil or it's summer & you're craving pasta but don't want to warm up the kitchen or your grilling and want to warm a sauce or side dish. We also like to use it on the deck in the summer for making pancakes. We eat breakfast outside frequently & it's really convenient to set it up on the table while cooking batches of pancakes.

So to test this Nesco (1500 watts), we took it out on the deck to make pancakes. We use a Lodge cast iron pancake skillet/griddle. This skillet is 10.5 inches outside measurement/10 inches inside cooking measurement so should be a good test. To test the evenness in cooking, we poured pancake batter to near the edge of the pan, leaving a little space for turning. This Nesco did a terrible job at cooking evenly. Even though the circle (cooking zone) is 10 inches, the pan did not get hot enough to the edge so we had a gummy/white pancake & a very overdone center where the element is under the pan. We tried again, fiddling with the temperature level & making a small pancake in the center. That was better but this would be annoying to make 1 small pancake at a time & it needed constant watching/adjusting of the temperature.

**See photo of pancake above.

There is very little fine tuning in the temperature selection. You choose between 5 "Cooking Modes"; Melt/Warm, Simmer, Boil, Fry & Sear. My Max Burton has 10 cooking levels which I discovered is important if you're doing anything other than boiling water. On level 2 (Simmer) it is too cool and on level 3 (Boil) it is too hot; the food burns. Having only 5 cooking levels is not enough for items that need specific heat control. Even though the circle (cooking zone) is 10 inches, the pan did not get hot enough to the edge to cook evenly. With a strong backlight, I could see and measure the induction element; it is approximately 7 inches in diameter.

When no pan is present, it beeps at you, a helpful feature. However, after initially beeping quickly at me, it behaved oddly and after I held a pan away from it for 30 seconds it never beeped. Either it wasn't actively heating (on level 2) or it decided not to beep. I started to question the beeping accuracy /effectiveness.

I also tested it boiling water & in that it does a very good/fast job. So if you're just using this to warm liquids such as water, soup, oil for deep frying; it will probably suffice. If you want to cook something evenly, look elsewhere.

Induction cooking requires a magnetic pan. To test your pans, put a magnet on the bottom. If the magnet sticks, your pan will work on induction. If it doesn't stick, it won't get hot & you need to choose another pan. A cheap refrigerator magnet is included with this cooktop. Handy if you're going shopping for new pans but most people probably already own a magnet or two so not really a selling point.

Max Burton 6000 1800-Watt Portable Induction Cooktop, Black A much better choice.

Lodge Logic L9OG3 Pre-Seasoned 10-1/2-Inch Round Griddle My cast iron pancake griddle; works great on other cooktops.

Buy Nesco PIC-14 Portable Induction Cooktop, 1500-Watt Now

I love the Nesco induction cooktop! It's compact and lightweight, so it is easy to store when not in use. When it is in use, it's a dream! It heats quickly, much quicker than I expected. A small fan runs while it's on, and it barely makes any noise. The five settings are easy to select, allowing heat variations from simmer to sear. The buttons are easy to push, but are not touch sensitive. This is important since you wouldn't want to accidentally change the settings. The appearance is sleek, and it's easy to clean.

I've missed using my cast iron skillet since I bought my glass top stove, which can be easily damaged by cast iron cookware and is not recommended. I can use the cast iron skillet on the Nesco without any problems. I suspect the surface of the Nesco will suffer a little from cast iron if I'm not careful, but it shouldn't damage it the same way as a glass top stove.

It also uses much less energy than a regular stove, so it's cheaper to use in the long run. It won't replace my regular stovetop, but I do plan to use this regularly.

Read Best Reviews of Nesco PIC-14 Portable Induction Cooktop, 1500-Watt Here

I have this DUXTOP 1800-Watt Portable Sensor Touch Induction Cooktop Countertop Burner 8300ST which is an utter piece of junk. And this Fissler CookStar Induction Pro Portable Cooktop which is really really nice (and really expensive).

So I did not expect this one to be good.

Amazingly, it is quieter that most induction cookers and it works really well. You have to be aware that with cheaper induction cooker the heating area will be smaller. So that was expected.

The one problem I have is that I can't find a setting for my pressure cooker.

C2 was too week and C3 was too strong.

It only has 5 levels. It works well if you happen to need exactly as much power as the 5 settings allow. But it will get frustrating when you need to be between 2 levels.

Most other induction cookers offer more levels for this reason.

Want Nesco PIC-14 Portable Induction Cooktop, 1500-Watt Discount?

I love this cooktop!

We BBQ at least three or four times a week and usually had to go indoors and use the stove for side dishes. We set up the induction cooktop right next to the BBQ and have used it two times so far with outstanding results.

We use a heavy iron skillet which heats up amazingly fast and the heat stays consistent. Its light which makes it easy to bring outside whenever we need it. This is my first time using an induction cooktop and I am so pleased that we were offered this product to review. It is so much easier to keep the kitchen cool in the summer with out the stove and oven on.

Highly recommended for outdoor use, excellent for camping and a boat or RV.

For those who have never used induction before (like me) you must use a metal pan such as cast iron, magnetic stainless steel or carbon steel. You can not use copper aluminum or glass.

Stats:

1500 watts

5 heating control settings

Glass top

Made in China

Save 35% Off

Monday, November 18, 2013

Steven Raichlen Best of Barbecue Stainless Grill Shield for Skewers

Steven Raichlen Best of Barbecue Stainless Grill Shield for SkewersPackaged well and delivered quickly. I would have liked to order two but there was only one in stock. I'll be ordering another one shortly. Constructed well.

Save 8% Off

Sunday, October 6, 2013

Maverick GL-03 Cordless LED Grill Light

Maverick GL-03 Cordless LED Grill LightI thought I was taking a leap of faith on this brand, etc, but then I found out that they supply one of the two best "gourmet" prep & supply store chains in the country with this exact same light. It's got a very powerful clip on that doesn't budge in wind or when I move the kettle grill. It's got a very bright, clear, targeted light that can completely illuminate my 22 1/2 inch weber grill cooking surface. I would highly recommend this light (and save about $20 from the aforementioned foodie store).

I researched extensively before buying this product and have to admit that this is one of the few times I've been "underwhelmed" by my final selection. Having four lightbulbs sounded like I'd practically have floodlights to see my food. Not so I can see the food on the grill, but had to take the steaks off and go into the house to see whether they were done. Maybe it's because the grill is located where it doesn't get ANY illumination after dark (no light spilling out of windows, street lights, or whatever), but the lighting from this product was definitely not what I was expecting.

I'll continue to use it, as it's better than nothing, but I wouldn't recommend it.

***Update*** I have to modify my review above if they had no stars, I'd select that. As it is, I can't change it from the 2 stars I initially gave it. After being disappointed in the quality of the lighting, this product lasted two more weeks and then died! What a waste! And of course it's more than 30 days from purchase, so that was $40 down the drain. Don't buy this one! I'll stick to my flashlight from now on.

Buy Maverick GL-03 Cordless LED Grill Light Now

I bought this for my husband. We use it all the time. Once he's finished grilling, we clip it to our umbrella for an overhead light.

Read Best Reviews of Maverick GL-03 Cordless LED Grill Light Here

I LOVE the idea of the light with flexible neck but was disappointed when I couldn't get the clamp to fit anywhere on the grill. I measured before I purchased it and it should have worked but it didn't. If the clamp would have opened up another 1/8 of an inch it would have fit. Because it was a early Father's Day gift to my husband, he made the best of it and attached it to a chair that we slid up next to the grill instead of sending it back. He didn't want to hurt the kids feelings. A word to the wise....great gift idea...but, make sure your grill tray is less then an inch thick....3/4" much better....ours was 1" exactly.

Want Maverick GL-03 Cordless LED Grill Light Discount?

This grill light is a very handy gadget. We grill alot in the late evening and even with our outdoor lights it was hard to see what was on the grill. This works great and throws just enough light. We have only used it for a few weeks-Father's Day present, but so far it is still working great.

Save 52% Off

Friday, August 2, 2013

Emeril by All-Clad PRO-CLAD Tri-Ply Stainless Steel Dishwasher Safe Fry Pans/Saute Pans

Emeril by All-Clad E9830764 PRO-CLAD Tri-Ply Stainless Steel Dishwasher Safe 12-Inch Fry Pan/Saute Pan Cookware, SliverI received this pan for free via a promotion here at amazon. If you bought $300 or over in emerilware, you received this and a 10" cast iron grill pan for free. The grill pan imediately went into my camp/survival kit since I can't use cast iron on my glass top stove, and since cast iron works amazing with a campfire. The 12" tri-ply pan this review is about, is the best pan I've ever owned. Let me share why!

I own the full 10 piece emerilware pro-clad set. This is a larger pan that the set does not include. The pan itself is flawless in construction. The handle is shaped right to divert heat so you do not need a hotpad holder while cooking on the stove. The full tri-ply construction seamlessly melds an aluminum core between two layers of stainless steel for optimal heat spread. it is priced very reasonable, considering this pan is made by all-clad, who sells an idenically constructed pan for far more money. You're essentially getting all-clad quality for a bargain price.

There's a lot of caveats to owning a stainless steel pan over a non-stick. There are also a lot of advantages. cooking on stainless steel is different than non-stick. You won't make eggs in stainless steel. anyone who tries A) doesn't own a nonstick pan, or B) is a stainless steel fan who can't admit the limitations of the pan. Stainless steel is designed to stick! that's why we make meats and other savory dishes in stainless steel. after its cooked, we have all those wonderful bits on the bottom! we deglaze with wine or broth, and can reduce the liquid and make a sauce or gravy out of it. You can't do that with nonstick. For making Eggs, flatbreads, corn and four tortillas, pancakes, and especially creppes, I still will use my old trusty 10" nonstick skillet. While I may be able to cook some of those items in stainless steel, I'd have to use a large amount of grease to prevent sticking. I can just pam spray my nonstick and go for less calories and less headaches.

Some people also complain stainless steel is harder to clean. high temperature paints a rainbow over your pan, and things that stick can be hard to unstick without using abrasives that will scratch the pans. It's easy if you know two great products.

1) distilled white vinegar. This will take off all rainbow effects and waterspots, and disifects as well! I always keep a spraybottle of the stuff in the kitchen for sanitizing surfaces and pans.

2) for restoring the shine to your stainless steel, and getting hard to get out stains, try barkeeper's friend: cookware version. This version can be bought from the barkeeper's friend website (just do a google, I don't think I'm permitted to link outside amazon in reviews even if amazon doesn't carry the product). The cookware version is formulated to not scratch your pans and makes them look new. leading stainless steel makers like allclad and calpheon all reccomend this product to clean. Infact, I just received a 4pack of the 12oz bottles in the mail today.

Overall, I think you can't go wrong buying any emerilware pro-clad pan. Its quality stainless steel at a great price.

I needed an 8" for omelets, I love this. 8" good for 1 egg ok for 2 egg Omelet, 10" good for 2 egg ok for 3 egg Omelet. New cooking info at bottom.

I copied this from the FAQ page on All-Clad website, the best cookware in the world;

20. What are the differences between All-Clad and Emerilware?

All-Clad bonded cookware is made in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania. All-Clad offers the best in professional cookware and utensils, for an ultimate cooking experience. Emerilware is the result of the successful collaboration between All-Clad and chef Emeril Lagasse, and offers high-quality colorful and authentic cookware. Emerilware is made in China.

New info, alot simpiler then what I had before.

Extra info: for Stainless Steel cooking which is very non-stick if done right. Never cook with higher temp. than 1/2 throttle, I usually dont need that much heat. Dry heat pan long enough. When you drop water on it, and it sizzles the pans not ready yet, the pores are opening and closing. When the water just rolls around evaporating slowly the pan is ready to cook on, get used to the warm up time. For eggs add a little oil, I prefer Coconut oil because its very healthy. For meat and Bacon, oil is your choice but not nessecary, it will stick at first so dont try to move it. After a few minutes it will release, if a little brown is left stuck to pan the heat was too high, but no problem scrape and fresh oil before the eggs go in.

Clean up is easy, a scrubbing sponge works nicely. Discoloration, and burnt resin usually on the bottom flame side, I use "Bar Keepers Freind, Cookware" about once a week

Buy Emeril by All-Clad PRO-CLAD Tri-Ply Stainless Steel Dishwasher Safe Fry Pans/Saute Pans Now

I have been using this pan almost a year now. Many reports say the food sticks. It will if not done right. If you preheat the pan to proper temperature before putting in the food, stainless steal pans do not stick. For info on how to preheat stainless pans go here:

I use it mostly for scrambled eggs and it works great.

Amazon did not show the link I reference. But you can probably do a web search on how to preheat a stainless steel pan and find it.

Read Best Reviews of Emeril by All-Clad PRO-CLAD Tri-Ply Stainless Steel Dishwasher Safe Fry Pans/Saute Pans Here

I own the 10-piece Pro-Clad set, and the 12-inch pan. It took me a couple of weeks to learn how to use these pans. At first, everything was sticking, and cleanup was a hassle. But, I didn't give up, and read up on how to properly cook with stainless steel pans. When the directions tell you to cook at a lower temperature, pay attention! that turns out to be the key properly managing the temperature. It turned out that even though I *thought* I was cooking at a lower temp, I really needed to drop the temp even more; about 20-30% lower than I was using for my older anodized aluminum non-stick cookware. Once I figured that out, I've had no problems. I cook fried eggs, scrambled eggs and even omelettes in these pans, using nothing more than some cook spray. When used correctly, these pans are very easy to clean up, too. Most of the time, a wash cloth or dish sponge is all I need. Sometimes, I need to break out the Bar Keepers Friend Cookware Cleaner. After a few months, these pans still shine. Other positives, they heat evenly, and react quickly to changes in heat (I have a gas stove).

Want Emeril by All-Clad PRO-CLAD Tri-Ply Stainless Steel Dishwasher Safe Fry Pans/Saute Pans Discount?

Emerilware is great stuff. Some of the best cookware you can get without going All-clad. Emerilware has two lines Pro-clad and Stainless. Pro-clad being a little higher on the quality scale. The picture for this item is the Pro-clad. You will receive the Stainless. Still a good deal, would have been a great deal for the pro-clad. A little deceptive.

Save 38% Off

Friday, July 26, 2013

Insulated Fashion Tote (set of 2)

Sachi Insulated Fashion 2-Tote Set Style, BlueI switched from a large black handbag to this bag, and I did so because I was frustrated with the other bag. Every time I needed an item it was so hard to find! That's not a problem anymore...I can locate whatever I want right away.

Save 4% Off

Friday, July 19, 2013

Charcoal Companion Nonstick Rectangular Basket

Charcoal Companion Nonstick Rectangular BasketThis item has two problems:

1 -Sliced vegetables slide out the sides. Even though this product is supposedly designed to hold vegetables, amazingly, the rails are too high on two sides to properly retain them.

2 -For gas grills with covers, the cover closes on the handle, causing (a) the cover not to close, and (b) the basket to stick up in the air inside the grill.

I am going to have to replace this with a useful product.

This is a piece of junk. Do not buy any of this stuff with a 'non stick' coating. It begins to degrade with the first use and after four or five uses you have to throw it away because it can't be cleaned. Buy only chrome plated or stainless steel. Scott

Buy Charcoal Companion Nonstick Rectangular Basket Now

Great shipper, fast shipper and great item. It makes barbequeing and grilling easier and safer. The basket is easy to use and clean. I may buy a third one.

Read Best Reviews of Charcoal Companion Nonstick Rectangular Basket Here

This is just what we have been looking for to cook the fresh Tuna steaks and Mahai mahai we caught off Hatteras NC. We have a porcelian cooker with holes in it but when you turn the fish over, it strips the outside off. This will be just the thing!

Want Charcoal Companion Nonstick Rectangular Basket Discount?

Thursday, July 11, 2013

Calphalon Everyday Nonstick Rectangular Grill/Griddle Combo

Calphalon Everyday Nonstick Rectangular Grill/Griddle ComboI use this grill/griddle in my business. It is great. I have had several of these and my employees did not read the care instructions...this time I read them and it is performing SO WELL.

Only wish there was an easy way to cook eggs without them running into the drop edge along the perimeter of Pan. But other than that, this is my new favorite end-all pan. Its great in terms of quality, and I'm very picky..It is perfect if you own gas, as it will cover both burners, and thus allow you dual temperature zones. Its great for having one heat zone for one item and another for other items to cook at varying temperature ranges.

ProsGreat, well made, sturdy, easy to clean

ConsI would not throw in Dishwasher, the backing is the type of backing from this company that has that grayish film that comes off if you throw it in the dishwasher time after time..

Buy Calphalon Everyday Nonstick Rectangular Grill/Griddle Combo Now

This Grill/Griddle combo is a good size for the stove top, the non stick is great and it cleans up easily. However it is no substitute for grilling on a gas or charcoal grill

Read Best Reviews of Calphalon Everyday Nonstick Rectangular Grill/Griddle Combo Here

Excellent quality. This is the perfect gift for anyone that loves to grill when grilling outside is not available. From breakfast items to steak and veggies, this is perfect.

Want Calphalon Everyday Nonstick Rectangular Grill/Griddle Combo Discount?

Sunday, July 7, 2013

Charcoal Companion Reusable Steak Button Thermometers, Set of 4

Charcoal Companion Reusable Steak Button Thermometers, Set of 4These are a nice idea but a pain to use. they smoke up right away and are hard to read to begin with without magnification.

These work well, you have to put then sideways into your steak. I would like the dial to be a bit larger, but that is my eyesight issue! One warning, do not use these in a frying pan with oil, they stopped working entirely as the oil penetrated the dial, use them on a BBQ grill only and you will be happy.

Buy Charcoal Companion Reusable Steak Button Thermometers, Set of 4 Now