Minden Grill Company MMC1000 Master Natural Gas Grill, Classic Black

I have mixed feelings about this purchase. I love the grill and the looks of it and its cooking. However, as of now (June 2009) this grill is not ready, in my opinion, for natural gas customers yet. It looks like it was a quick conversion from the propane version, but not well thought through. It is too complicated to explain here, but there is a kink that the gas pipe needs to make in order to stay within the grill that is actually scary. Makes you wonder if gas will actually flow through that kink. It does, hopefully safely... (see attached pictures)

I need to give 5 stars to the people of Minden for customer support! They promptly replied to e-mails and called me back immediately to walk me through setting it up and solving problems. They have also committed to replacing parts that need to be replaced and also to mail me an upgrade part for the natural gas grill, when it becomes available, so I will update this review as needed.

The setting up/assembly instructions (that are also apparently being upgraded) are not totally correct, have mistakes and seem to be not completely converted from the propane model.

Overall, I think this natural gas version was rushed out to the market, probably to meet a demand. The grill looks great otherwise, and cooks very well (only used few times). Small, light and very mobile, if you need to move it around.

This is a copy of my review for the exact same GREEN model of this grill. For some reason they are not listed as one item with color choices so I have posted the review for the other colors, having actually purchased the Green model.

*****See Update Below******

Having now had this grill for over a year, I would describe it as a decent quality grill for a fair price. I use this grill frequently, probably twice a week or more, even in winter. If you are an occasional user, you may find this a more ideal product.

The Good Points-

1) It looks great and is perfect if you don't want and over testosteroned massive stainless grill on your property.

2) The quality and functionality is decent.

3) If you get a hold of a real person at Minden, they are very nice and will go out of their way to help you.

4) Heats up very quickly.

The Bad Points-

1) You MUST purchase separately the stainless steel grate. The included enameled grate will wear out in less than one season.

2) The wood handle will also become moldy in less than a season. I extended it's life by using some spray varnish on it, but I would still prefer the stainless steel one (which I've seen at Williams-Sonoma on a version of this grill that only they sell).

3) The spatter plates become quickly rusty. Minden was nice enough to send me (essentially for free) 3 stainless steel ones.

4) Some of the bolts which hold the unit together become rusty over time, they should be made of stainless steel, but they aren't.

5) The grill does not evenly heat, and has hot and cold spots, which over time if you understand where they are you can compensate for them.

They really have the makings of a great grill with some small modifications, I would encourage them to change some parts to stainless steel (described above) and attempt to resolve the unevenness of the heating surface.

******UPDATE April 8, 2012********

After having this grill for about two years, I sadly have to conclude that it's not something I would buy again.

The rust has continued to the point where critical functioning parts are failing. The bracket for the trough which supplies gas from burner to burner has failed, causing the trough to fall off. I've managed to stick it back using some rocks so I can still use the grill.

The hot and cold spot issue seems to have gotten worse, and it's also now hard for me to get the grill started without pressing the start button 10 or 15 times.

Additionally, the threaded plastic gas tank hookup broke in half, and I had to replace it with a new one.

After doing some math, I've concluded that the cost of ownership of this grill is simply too high.

At 479, lasting two years, means 249/year (this does not include the MANDATORY cost of buying the Stainless Steel Grate)

***Conclusion: I've pretty much settled on purchasing the American Outdoor Grill Model 25PC (with back burner). It's basically the same physical size, but at 1650 is considerable more expensive. However, nearly every part on the grill is guaranteed for 10 years, with some parts being guaranteed for longer. Even if one figures that the all stainless steel, made in America grill will last for 10 years, the cost of ownership per year is only $165.

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Texsport Cast Iron Griddle - 9-1/2-Inch x 20-Inch

Great Griddle. Fits my coleman camp stove perfectly. Item was shipped in sturdy box. It had no cracks or defects of any kind. The coating came of fairly easy. I lite my charcol grill off and heated it up over a hot bed of coals. Using oven mitts, I wiped of the coating with a paper towel. Repated the process afew times waiting about five minutes between wipes. Then, while coals were still hot, seasoned griddle with several coatings of bacon grease and left on grill till the coals were out and griddle was cool to the touch. Have take camping several times and have no complaints.

This is a great product. It is NOT seasoned. I put mine on our grill, wiped away the wax sealant (not much at all), poured oil on both sides and let it cook. After 15 min. it was already getting dark. I turned it a few times, added a bit more oil. All in all it did not take long or much effort and it turned out great. It is large and I've cooked pizzas on it (though it's obviously not meant for that. An iron pizza pan is more expensive though).

Love it.

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Very nice and heavy. A bit longer than I thought, but fits well across the burners. I seasoned it on the grill outside like they said and it works great.

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We bought this for cooking when we go camping. We seasoned it a couple times and since then, it rocks!

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The first one I ordered was bowed, so I exchanged it for a new one. When the new one arrived, it was also bowed. Now it is being returned for good.

Cast iron is for even cooking if it is bowed, that's not going to happen.

It comes with a film of wax on it that it says to melt off, then clean it, then season it more work than any other cast iron items I've ever seen.

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All-Clad LTD Nonstick 12-Inch Round Griddle Pan

This is the best nonstrick griddle I have purchased. You only need to heat medium to medium-high to get the best result. I use a little oil to give flavor to the food I am cooking and everything slides right off! I use it to make a lot of chicken. The pleasant surprise is that I can now make eggs over easy on medium heat sets nicely to be able to flip without breaking the egg and without overcooking it. This is the first pan I have ever been able to achieve this. Since it is such a nice size, I cook eggs and ham and other items all at the same time.

Unlike other nonstick pans I have purchased in the past, it has retained its' "nonstick".

After using this griddle for about 6 months.....the results:

Pros:

-Nice Build quality.

-Easy cleaning.

-Even heat distribution.

Cons:

Non so far..

Note: For people like me who are planning to use this griddle for Chapathis and Dosas... This is the griddle...even heat distribution helps you to make awesome dosas and chapathis...you can't go wrong with this one...

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I have used this pan extensively, mostly for pancakes. I think I have had it about two years now. Food now sticks to it and it is no longer easy to clean. I never wash nonstick pans in the dishwasher and try to avoid high heat with them, although I am sure there were a few burnt pancake and blackened toasted sandwiches (mea culpa). This pan is thick enough to heat evenly and not warp. Probably the worst mechanical wear my pan has had is storing one pan atop another.

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I mistakenly assumed that all All Clad pans would work on my induction cooktop. The LTD collection does not :( (For future reference, only the Stainless Steel pans will work on induction.) It's a gorgeous pan so I'm sad I cannot use it.

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Being a cook that entertains a lot of guess. I found this griddle to be a delight. Nothing does stick to it. Just follow the simple rules about the finish and you'll have a pan for a lot of years.

I only wish that it was made in the USA instead of China.

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Tramontina Set of 3 Saute Pans

I got this 3 piece set for 20 bucks from a local store. It is the right kind of heavy in my opinion. The Cook's Illustrated highly recommends the 12 inch skillet. And I can see why. They cook evenly and are super easy to clean. I never wash them in the dishwasher though, so my skillets have very few scratches despite heavy use for past 6 months. Sometimes I get scorch stains on the bottom of the pan but they always come off with a little elbow grease. These are the best non stick skillets that I have ever owned.

These pans have heavy duty riveted handles, cook well, ez to clean. They are Made in the USA by your neighbors!

My wife likes having three sizes.

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I've been buying non-stick cookware since it first came out. I will say that I always use a tiny bit of oil in the pan, because food cooked without oil is not very tasty to me. MANY of the Teflon pans I bought years ago lasted less than a year before they began to discolor and get scratches in them. Even the high-dollar Calphalon pan began to stick and get a rough surface after about 2 months. The Emeril steel pans did not perform as promised and were like all others, requiring overnight soaking with baking soda to loosen the stuck food, followed by a rubbing with Barkeeper's Friend, to make it shine. I finally accepted the fact that non-stick cookware is like a cardboard box -it won't last forever, so don't think of it as the last pan you'll ever buy; it will have to be replaced frequently. My main objective became finding a non-stick pan that will last longer than a few weeks before it starts clinging to food. I bought my first Tramontina pan a couple of years ago, and it remained smooth and functional for over two years, and I used it daily. The exterior of the pan, coated with something amazing, also remained clean over that time. It finally got one tiny scratch in it, which didn't affect the efficiency of it, but I decided it was getting old, and who knows what happens over time to the chemical structure of the surface itself? So I bought this set of three a few months ago, and they still look like they just came out of the packaging. They do a wonderful job on everything I cook in them (and I DO use HIGH heat, even though instructions warn against it). They do not discolor over at least two years. The surface does not begin to get a sandpaper texture to it, like the Teflon pans always did. And the first one I had was still stick-free after two years. If you want a pan that you can hand down to your grandchildren, buy cast iron or stainless steel, but you will need to buy plenty of steel wool (for the iron) and a case of Barkeeper's Friend (for the steel). This is the best non-stick I have found. It cooks evenly, cleans easily, and outlasts any others I've tried.

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I bought these from a local store about a year ago...they are fantastic!!! I use the small one the most for breakfast everyday and it still looks like new. I even turned around and bought a set for a gift for my brother and sister-n-law. Best skillets I have ever owned!!

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I bought this set at Costco (Sorry, Amazon, but they had it cheaper) after reading reviews of the product. So far I have been very, very happy with the purchase. The pans are a nice size assortment and have a good feel to them; I also like the rubber handles. Granted the pans don't have lids, but you can purchase an all-sizes lid on Amazon or any kitchen-ey type place. Sure, I don't know how long they will last, but in their price range they seem to be of above-average quality. I'm more than content with them. Be sure to season the pans, as the manufacturer recommends, which takes less than five minutes.

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Weber 6495 Cast-Iron Brush

This is a short handled brush. It works well to clean the grates of my Weber 1810001 Summit S-420 Natural Gas Grill, Stainless Steel and my Weber 781001 Gold One-Touch 26-1/2-Inch Kettle Grill, Black. The bristles are very hard (not soft) and they adequately get off caked on grease and food particles. I only wish the handle were a tiny bit longer. I like to clean my grill when it is still hot and the short handle means that my knuckles get quite warm.

Works well in conjunction with the Weber 6424 21-Inch T-Brush.

good quality, seems it will last a long time and at the right price. It fits between the grates of the BBQ which is awesome!

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Non Stick Rib Rack

First off if you like to cook ribs, a rib rack is an excellent addition to allow for cooking of more meat in a smaller space. That said, this rack falls under the medium rating. It is able to get 6 racks of ribs in a small space, but it was unfortunately too large for my brinkman smoker. It did however work with my weber genesis silver b grill. Also the ribs are tightly packed and I ended up cooking the 3 ribs instead and spread them out a bit more to ensure adequate air flow. Also, it may say dishwasher safe, but I noticed rust on the first washing and it still had some of the soot from the grill on it. You really need to handwash this.

Pros:

Comfortable fit 3 (up to 6) racks in the space of 1

Pretty easy to handwash

Inexpensive

Cons:

Not dishwasher safe

6 ribs is a tight fit

Metal a little thin in the construction

That said, when I go to replace this, I probably won't buy the same one, but will give another brand a shot.

*** Update: July 30, 2007

This thing is horrible. Besides not being dishwasher safe, it really is impossible to get the rack clean. All things non-stick don't handle high temperatures well and grills get very hot. My 3rd time using it has left it with no non-stick and who knows what I have been eating with the ribs, maybe some chemicals. If I could, I would knock this down to a 1 star.

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Quik - Fold Side Table

OK BOUGHT FOR YARD but ended up using in my house...so handy, no need for coasters...i use in family room for lap top, the occasional ice water or coffee...folds up in a sec. and sturdy as wood...my only gripe is that i did not buy more!

(#1 REVIEWER)I purchased this folding table for my small deck, where I wanted to have a table but space is at a premium because I have a patio garden. This table works quite well as it is easy to fold up and store in the corner of the deck when I don't need it. The only negative is that if you want to move the table when it is in the open position it should not have anything on it. The table folds in the middle during any movement (see attached photo). This is a bit inconvenient when I use it on the deck to put down a cup of coffee or a lunch plate. It would have been better if the table had a latch on the side to stabilize the top when it is in the open position.

I am attaching a collage of 3 photos under customers photos to aid in this review.

Photo #1 shows the table next to a ruler, the table top is at 20" from the ground. The table comes in a nice clay color. I put a piece of white paper on top of the table, so you can judge the color better.

Photo #2 demonstrates the folding flaw I mentioned earlier. I just grabbed a side of the table to move it, and you see how it folds in the middle causing anything on top of it to slide or fall.

Photo #3 shows how the table opens from the folded position: first lift the two side of the top and then slide them together. As they slide the legs automatically extend.

This table works well when space is limited, and I have enjoyed using on my deck. If it had a latch to stabilize the open top position it would have been perfect. As it stands now it gets a 4 star rating: good but not perfect.

Ali Julia review

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I was happy with this folding table. Great color and very sturdy. Easily open and closes. not too short to use as a side table.

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They description of this table is accurate. folding plastic table. Anyone who expects a "folding" table to be durable needs to think again. I love that it folds flat for easy storage. We bought it entirely for use when entertaining and needing extra table space for guests. Not something that should be left outside 24/7. The pictures do make it look like Polywood, but the price is a dead giveaway that this is a lightweight folding table, not to be used for anything requiring durability.

It is also a short table, to be used next to a chair, not as a dining table.

It's just what I was looking for and I am glad I bought two. I bought the Desert Clay and I like the gray tone.

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Functional table easy to store and carry around. But it's lightweight property also makes it a little scary if left outside on a windy day or when placing delicate items on the table like wine glasses.

Steven Raichlen Best of Barbecue Insulated Food Gloves, Pair

I can't believe these gloves haven't been reviewed by anyone else yet! I've had mine for a year now and they are absolutely great for handling hot foods. I use them for pulling pork butt or moving hot chicken from the grill (or oven) to the cutting board (and then to hold onto it while carving it). When I can't smoke pork butt outside in the winter, I do pulled pork in my crockpot and with these gloves I can shove my hands right into the scalding liquid of the crockpot to remove the butt and then pull it apart. Another great feature is when you clean them, you just leave them on and wash your hands with soap and water under the faucet. I think they're great!

I do quite a bit of smoking meat and they do well with the heat issue but they are very slippery so handling greasy meat is not easy plus they stain. I throw them in the washing machine but some stains stay on them. I would not think you could use these on high heat grilling jobs but for real BBQ low and slow they work OK.

I just purchased similar gloves from TexasBBQrub and they are black so won't show stains as bad and they are textured so not as slippery and they cost the same as these.

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I didn't even know a product like this existed until seeing it on Raichlen's TV show. Before I had this, I would try to get all the meat off a freshly smoked chicken using bare hands, knives, and forks, which was an uncomfortable mess. With the insulated gloves, I can now just shred away and not burn my fingers. The outside of the gloves clean up instantly, too. The only downside is if you get food inside the glove by accident; cleaning that out can be a pain.

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These are a great pair of BBQ gloves. I've used them a few times on some things that I've cooked and while they work great I have found couple problems with them. One, they are a little big for my hands. I have medium to large size hands that these gloves are a little big in the fingers. Not usually a problem but it would be nice if they did fit a little better. The other complaint I have is that the material they are made out of is kinda stiff. Again, not a major problem but it would be nice if they were not quite as stiff. If I had to do it all over again I would probably still buy these even with the two minor problems.

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These gloves served their purpose where cloth/leather gloves were just not adequate. To put them to the test, I used them with my propane grill rotisserie. I could hold the hot metal shaft, unscrew the prongs holding the meat, and then slide the meat off onto a platter, neatly. The glove wasn't affected, and they are easy to clean. I'd give it five stars-but they are just a bit bulky-one size fits all; that and I'd expect them to keep my beer cold to earn five stars.

Man Law BBQ Series GrillSmoker Thermometer With Glow In The Dark Dial

excellent design. i had a 1/2 inch plate and the Man Law design was the only one i found that had enough threading to allow proper installation on thick walled steel. looks cool too.

Ilsa 7-Inch Cast Iron Heat Diffuser

This device is worth it's weight in gold. I cook a lot of pasta sauce and like to simmer it for 2-3 hours. Without this diffuser I would have to stir and scrape the bottom of the pot every 15 minutes to prevent scorching now it is every 30 to 40 minutes between stirs. It evenly distributes the heat to the entire bottom of the pan.

We've had ours for over 20 years now, no sign of rust at all. There is some discoloration but doesn't affect it. I don't know if it's mentioned but the different sides are used for the type of stove you have. The glossy side is used facing down if you use gas, flipped over if you use electric.

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It works like promised. I have a gas stove that runs on propane, producing a high flame even on simmer. This takes care of the problem giving a true simmer. There is some discoloration after you use it and it can get VERY hot be careful after cooking.

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I've used this particular diffuser on my gas cooktops for more than 25 years. I dragged two back from Europe, where you find them in virtually every home, when they weren't yet available in the U.S. It allows you to control heat distribution under a pan with great accuracy. You wouldn't be able to make fine sauces, like a beurre blanc (yes we're still allowed), without it. Rice never sticks to the pot for those of use who just throw a pot on the stove instead of rummaging around for yet another 'groovy' appliance. Well, nothing burns to the bottom of your pots and pans with these cast iron heat diffusers. It's not needed on every burner most of the time, but when you're doing something with difficult ingredients or want a long, slow simmer, it makes the difference between garbage and gourmet. Like all the other reviewers, I won't live without it, period.

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For people with glass top stoves, this cast iron defuser is essential. I do alot of steam canning and this defuser keeps the canner from sticking to the stovetop. The only thing that i have found, though, is that the paint on the defuser began to bubble up and slough off onto the bottom of my canner. But, all in all, i like this defuser.

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Charcoal Companion Explorer Stainless-Steel Grilling Tongs with Folding Rosewood Handles

Reason for Purchase:

The reason I wanted to buy these tongs was to be able to take them with me when I go backpacking on overnight trips because of how the design allows you to fold up the tongs into a compact fashion. I really liked the wooden design on the handle and the sturdy metal material they were reinforced with.

Pros:

Great overall design

Durable and sturdy

Compact yet not too "heavy" --> for backpacking

Cons:

When I opened up the package today in the mail, I immediately noticed scratch marks on the wooded handle and on the metal part of the tongs as well. The thing that really upset me was that the tongs didn't even work!! The release pins that lock the folding parts of the tongs were both broken and not only could I not open them easily without jimmying them but when I did, the tongs didn't stay open and were loose and when I tried to close them, they got stuck again and I had to use a flat head screw driver to release the release pins by prying them open. I'm not a picky consumer and don't like giving anyone a hard time when buying things and wouldn't have wrote this review for no reason but when I buy something, I expect them to work; not to mention that I bought them brand new! At the same time, even if I had bought used or blemished tongs or any item for that matter, I expect them to work correctly, the scratches were the least of my concern and would've let that slide if that were the only thing wrong with them (even though I bought them new).

In closing, I went to Bass Pro Shops here in Mesa, Arizona and looked at these same tongs in the store, they were a million times better in quality. Needless to say, I made up a story and was actually able to exchange them for store credit and ended up saving money since they were $15 more at BPS. It all worked out for me but a little word to the wise DO NOT buy these tongs from this company and find another one that is more reliable. I understand sometimes people have bad experiences with companies but I think this "exception" is inexcusable. In addition, there was no phone number to call on my order form they sent me with the tongs in the package so I didn't bother even trying to but in any effort to call them because if they're going to send someone a product like the one I received, I don't see why they'd be of any more help anyways; which is why I just went to BPS instead to try my luck there, fortunately it worked out for me.

I wrote this review for you, the consumer, to help and I wouldn't have taken the time to do this otherwise but I don't want anyone else to have to go through the same issues as I did. If you have comments or questions about other places to buy this product cheaply and reliably, just message me on the review and I'd be more than happy to help you out.

Thanks and I hope this helps,

Greg Boston, Massachusetts

These were a gift to my husband for Father's Day. I was looking for a fun set of grilling tools and scored with these tongs! (I also purchased the spatula and fork) I originally purchased them for the "fun factor" of being able to fold them up like a pocket knife and put them in a drawer; when I received them I found I got more than I bargained for. The rosewood handles are very nice and the stainless steel is very sturdy, they are very well made and easy to open and close.

However, if you have small or weak hands these will not work very well; you need a large, strong grip in order to wield these.

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Looked better than it even showed on the pictures. It works very well. good drip. I would recommend this product.

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I bought his along with the folding spatula and fork that are sold by the same company because I wanted something compact to keep with my gear. We do a lot of camping out of the trunk of our cars and don't have a lot of space for storage at home so I thought they would do the trick for us. They only take up 1/2 the amount of space that the old ones did.

They are a very well made item made with good quality wood and metal. I like that the fold in half and lock in place relatively easily. This also holds true for closing them as well. The curve in the handle makes them feel just right in your hand. About the only complaint that I have is that they feel a little springy. What I mean is that it doesn't feel like it really has enough torque so that you could pick up a really heavy piece of meat. They have done the job nicely with sausage and steaks which is about all I would use them for but I am definitely conscious not to drop the steak when I take it from the fire to the serving board.

I would definitely buy these again.

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Purchased this as a gift for an avid Griller and Smoker ... he was very happy with the tongs -they worked very well for him and could fold down for easier storage when not in use.

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Pizzacraft PC0203 13.75" x 4" Stainless Steel Rocking Pizza Cutter with Hardwood Handle

Yes, the blade has a flat edge. It cuts pizza in such a way that the pieces are pushed away from each other so they stay cut. The hot cheese does not weld the pieces back together......

However, if you prefer a sharp blade, this is worth taking the time to sharpen. This pizza cutter is made with a thick heavy chunk of steel with a nice wooden handle attached securely. It 3/16" thick so it is not flimsy. We see movies where a person, in self defense grabs a kitchen knife. I would grab this after sharpening. It is that solid. ....

Also, the picture showing it cut pizza is wrong. This will cut up to a 26 1/2" pizza.....

The idea is that you put one corner of the blade into the center of the pizza and roll it outward. This is especially handy for families with young children. Most kids do not like some of the toppings us adults enjoy, so we make pizzas half and half. Cutting from the center out makes for adult size pieces on the adult side, and little pieces for little hands on the other side. And, without an overwhelmingly large portion on a child's plate, they tend to eat better.

I was really dissapointed when I first received this knife. After reading some of the other reviews I saw they had some of the same problems. I almost packed it up and sent it back. After thinking about it a little I decided to keep it. The reason I was dissapointed was when itr arrived it was about as sharp as a wooden spoon. It had absolutely no cutting edge what-so-ever. I'm pretty handy. I put the pizza knife in a vise and put a file to it and it sharpened right up. I also made a "sheath" for it so the blade is protected. I don't know if they are all like this one or if they need to not sharpen it for shipping reasons but it did through my own efforts become sharp. It also could be 2 3 inches longer to make it an "excellant" knife. As it stands right now, I like the knife, the handle is attached firmly, it is now sharp, it cuts nicely but does not go all the way across a 16" pizza. BOTTOM LINE: Would I buy it again??? YES but only after more thouroghly checking into the other longer knife.

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I read the other reviews before I purchased this item and was concerned that it might need sharping before I used it. This was not the case. Mine arrived so sharp that I would not let a child handle it. Living alone I buy the my pizza in the 12" size. This cutter is just the right length to cut up my pizza without having to turn it while cutting (small kitchen). It pushes the cheese and sauce to the side while cutting and the cheese does not flow back. This leaves each piece seperate and none are stuck together. It is very well made and the metal is so thick that it will not flex. I HIGHLY recommend this item.

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I bought this more for cutting cheesecakes than pizzas...it works great for both and my family loves using it just as much.

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My husband is really hard to shop for when it comes to gifts. He has a tendancy to buy what he wants when he wants it which makes it difficult to get him something when the time comes. Our anniversary was coming up and I was having the same problem I have every year...what in the world am I going to get him?? Spending hours on Amazon trying to look at several different departments I came across the idea of getting him a rocking pizza cutter. I had remembered him once saying he used one at his first job and really liked it. So began my reading of reviews and narrowing down which one to buy. I finally settled on this one. Some of the reviews indicated it wasn't very sharp but that it was fairly easy to sharpen yourself. When my husband opened his gift this year he was very surpised and also very happy. This was something he didn't even know he wanted but now that we have it we'll never go back to a regular pizza cutter. As far as the sharpness of it, we have not had any problems. As my husband said the whole idea of how the cutter works is that the pressure of you pushing on it while rocking it is what is meant to be able to cut the pizza, not a crazy sharp blade.

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Charcoal Companion Porcelain Wood Chips Smoker Box

It's not like I'm reviewing a television or stereo receiver. It's a metal box. So far it's not rusted, caught on fire, poked my eye out, attacked my family, or killed my house plants. As such, it meets all of my metal box requirements.

I wanted something for my existing gas grill. Some chips and away you go.

Definitely not for some one who thinks they are getting a smoker

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Mr. Bar-B-Q Backyard Basics Eco-Cover PVC Free Premium Patio Chair Cover

Cover is adequate in keeping my outdoor chair dry & free of pollen at a reasonable cost. Although I needed 4, I ordered only 1 to test it. It passed my test; however, in the month since I purchased it, the price has doubled. I'll have to wait for a price decrease before I can purchase more.

Replaced a flimsier one from original set which blew away. It is sturdy and stays on. Good product for the price.

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Good product but the color fades quickly in the sun. Not too bad though because

it's beige.

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Napoleon 55027 Heavy Duty Marinade Injector

This is a great way to put the seasonings where you want them. IN the food. instead of just putting a bit of flavor on the outside or your meats you can now but flavorings inside. This one is well built and should last for years with a bit of care. There is a slight problem with the design so i can't give it the full five stars, as the little rubber o ring that seals the plunger tends to try to fall off when you take the end off to puur hot liquids inside. I know thats not the way it was meant to be used but thats the way it ends up being used if there is a bit of pulp in your marinades. Other than that this is a great product.

I liked this injector but it always seemed hard to pull the plunger out and as a result the handle pulled off the shaft rendering it useless! I will not be buying this one again!

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Romertopf No. 117 Clay Baker

I purchased the Romertopf 6 1/2 Quart Clay Baker to replace a smaller clay baker that I have had for years. Baking in clay pots is my absolute favorite way to cook roasts and chicken and this larger size allows me to cook plenty of vegetables and meat to feed by family of five at family dinners (and have leftovers). The flavors are outstanding and I highly recommend this method of cooking to anyone who hasn't tried it. You soak the clay pot, fill it up, and place it in a cold oven and turn up the temp -then you do nothing until it is done -it is the most tender, juicy meat you will ever eat.

The pot is exactly what I expected it would be, although my old one was glazed inside and this one is not. I have used it several times already and that has not been a problem.

I like it so much I am purchasing the same pot in a smaller size so I can cook dinners for two.

this thing barely fits in my oven so it can make a big big stew. i have loved my 4 quart schlemmertopf clay pot but sometimes it's a little small for what i wnt to cook. when i saw the romertopf 6 1/2 quart i had to have it. try this: 2pound roast, 1-2 inches of water, salt, pepper, garlic, basil. cook in oven at 350 for 1 hour. add two large russet potatos cubed, 1 pound carrots, one large red onion, one large bunch of celery, all chopped, and one 16 oz. jar of a good marinara sauce (h.e.b.'s 2 dollar version is great). add water to about 1 inch from top of pot. cook for another 2 hours at 350. you don't even have to check it. this is stew like mom used to make!!!!

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have cooked two turkeys in this since received. wish i had bought one of these years ago. easy and quick to use. meat falls off the bone and is moist and juicy. used a standard recipe, but increased the temp. by 100 degrees and reduced cooking time by 30 minutes. fastest i have ever cooked a turkey other than by frying.

easily handled a 14 lb. turkey. could go larger; specs say up to 17 lbs.

only minor complaint is that if you only have one oven, the temp. is so high and the clay pot so large that it is difficult to cook sides at the same time. i used my gas grill as an oven for the side dishes.

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I've been using this pot to make turkey for the holidays and it works brilliantly. I've just ordered a second one because these same ones from Mexico are not made any longer. The new ones will be shipped from Germany. The German web site for this pot says: "with porous inner glaze in the base", which concerns me. It doesn't appear that my current pot has any glaze in it. And I don't want to mess with perfection.

The max size bird I'd cook in this pot is 13 pounds. I prefer 12.5 pounds, which leaves a bit of room. I leave the thawed, naked bird on a wire rack in the fridge for 16 hours or so to allow the skin to dry out, which makes for crispy skin. I bring the turkey closer to room temperature by leaving it on the counter for 2 hours. I soak the pot for 30 minutes before placing the bird in it. I cook the 12.5 pound turkey for about 2.5 hours at 450 Fahrenheit. I don't use stuffing. Instead I chop a handful of veggies I like and place them in the cavity--leaving enough room for the heat to enter the cavity.

For those interested in the German page (slashes removed): roemertopf.de english roemertopf_klassik klassik.htm

The Romertopf Direct web site says: "All Romertopf by Reco products have been discontinued and our store is now closed."

[Update: 12-31-2012]: One source for these pots ( fantes [dot] com ) wrote to me that the new pots (i.e. non-Reco pots) will be arriving in mid-January. According to them the new pots "will be glazed on the bottom half, and the top unglazed, similar to the Schlemmertopfs"

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As a young mom, I noticed that my Italian neighbor used the Rometopf for everything she baked. I gave it a try. I think it is the only way to get a carefree turkey that has moist breast meat and nicely browned skin. Even my non cook daughter in law made a fantastic turkey with the clay baker. It is great for any meat you want to bake and bread pudding.

Remember to soak it in water before using. It is a life saver if you get a late start on a holiday dinner or important meal. I have used a Rometopf for over 30 years and still love using it. I put it inside my dishwasher with no soap or rinse agent and run a cycle. It comes out fresh and has no soap or rinse residue to worry about.