Showing posts with label outdoor kitchen grills. Show all posts
Showing posts with label outdoor kitchen grills. Show all posts

Tuesday, August 5, 2014

Taylor Temp Rite Disposable Poultry & Pork Thermometer Set of 9

Taylor Temp Rite Disposable Poultry & Pork Thermometer Set of 9These by far are quick and easy to use. Takes the guess work out of grilling. They are very accurate.

These sticks allow you to get exactly the degree of done-ness that you want. Important with pork and chicken it allows you to grill just to the point of done without overcooking.

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I haven't actually bought this. I'd sure like to know the temperature it changes color at. The description had absolutely nothing to do with the product!

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Friday, May 2, 2014

George Foreman Grill Cleaning Sponge

George Foreman GFSP3 Sponges, 3-PackThis is a great product. Cleaning the grill used to take at least 5 minutes, now it is about 1 minute. I cook about 5-10 meals a week on my George Foreman Grill and these sponges make cleaning it a breeze. I also use the sponges on pots, pans, dishes and have found them to be excellent for those uses as well. They last as long as a regular sponge and when they start to show their wear, I use them in the bathroom.

These are the perfect sponges for the George Foreman Grill. They have a scrubby side and a spongy side. There are grooves made into them to get every nook and cranny. I keep them stocked up, but one sponge lasts a long time. I always warm up the grill and, of course, wet the sponge before I clean--makes it very easy.

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These are the only sponges that can hold up to the heat and clean this grill right. I love them.

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This product worked as described. It is very useful & better then a regular sponge or paper towel to get the grease off the grill.

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*****

I just bought my first George Foreman grill and after cooking a hamburger, tried to clean it using a plastic scrubber. I couldn't get it clean. So I tried a paper towel and scrubbed and scrubbed. Still didn't work. Then (finally) I remembered the sponge (this sponge) that came with it. I tried it and instantly the grill came clean---easily---no fuss! Both sides are really helpful. And of course, a warm grill with the wet sponge makes the job super quick. I immediately ordered this three-pack.

There are other sponges without the grooves in them that may work too, but these really get into the grooves so well that I doubt that anything could work as well as they do. If you have a Foreman grill, they are an essential accessory.

Even though they are pretty expensive for a little sponge, it does look like it is sturdy and will last a long time if cared for, and more importantly, it's a huge time-saver that makes the whole grilling and cleanup process easy instead of a hassle. So to me this means I'll look forward to using the grill and actually use it instead of storing it in the back of my pantry :)

Highly recommended.

*****

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Thursday, April 17, 2014

Campfire Fire Place Tender Tongs, Extra Long 36-inch

Campfire Fire Place Tender Tongs, Extra Long 36-inchWe used this at our bonfire and they are definitely long enough but a little weak in the sturdy department. Everybody at the bonfire selected to use other tongs and not ours. They worried that they would break. They didn't break however.

These tongs are a little lighter weight than some of the other tender tongs I've seen, but it works for me since I use it in the backyard fire pit. Super fast shipping!

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Good for picking up twigs, not heavy logs. So light it bends. Not much more to say. It is a cheap made product.

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This was a gift for my son and although it will be fine, I had hoped for a bit sturdier. We have a pair that are stronger.

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Saturday, March 22, 2014

Boston Warehouse Spreader, Set of 4

Boston Warehouse Wine and Cheese Spreader, Set of 4I love these. They are so cute. And the detail on the cats is great. I can't wait to use them.

This is an item that not only cat lovers must have. Besides the fact that they are very useful, they are very well made, with nice details and sooo cute!

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I actually bought these for my 4 year old granddaughter to use as flatware. Of course with the cats, they are not flat...haha. They are really cute though. She likes to use my fish spreader when she visits me, so I thought I would put these in her Christmas stocking to take home and use at mealtime. They do make a nice spreader for adults also...especially those cat-loving friends of yours.

Read Best Reviews of Boston Warehouse Spreader, Set of 4 Here

These were cute, but cheaply made. One handle broke the first time I tried to cut some room temp monterey jack. And instead of saying "handwashing recommended" they should say "NOT dishwasher safe" , as all of the paint came off in the first run in the dishwasher. I would NOT recommend or purchase this product again, and am disappointed.

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These spreaders are great for Halloween. The finish on the handles is nice. The painted features are also good. The only thing that is not up to snuff, is the blades. They are very thin and the finish is a little spotty.

It's a small thing. I have Christmas spreaders that have the same problem. I guess it's just part of the deal when you get cheap holiday themed spreaders from China but since the blades will be covered with "spread" they won't really be seen. What will be noticed is the cool handles.

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Wednesday, March 12, 2014

Fissler CookStar Induction Pro Portable Cooktop

Fissler CookStar Induction Pro Portable CooktopI have been using my Fissler Cooktop for about a year now. Clean-up is easy it took me a while to master the settings to avoid boil-overs. It's all good now. (I cook everything at either a setting of 3 or 4 after an initial warm-up using the 30 second Booster button).

Let me back-up a moment and describe this unit. This is a self contained counter top cooking device. It plugs into a standard wall outlet and requires the type of cookware that a magnet would stick to the base. This requirement rules out copper and aluminum bottoms. I believe iron may be used, but I am not totally sure.

The device uses inductive power to induce heat into the pan, not by a traditional heating element. Part of the advantage of this is when the unit is shut off after use it has no heat of it's own. When the cook surface warms up, it is from heat induced in the pan sitting on top. This unit will not operate or create any heat without a steel bottom pan sitting on top. This is a nice feature if you live in a hot climate (like me in Phoenix). The range in my apartment (Whirlpool) has a black glass top with with what looks like rings of red LED's below the glass to heat pans. This large range takes forever to boil water and stays hot for almost an hour after shut off. Compare to the Fissler unit that boils water fast and does not retain any heat when shut off. With this Fissler cooktop I can make spaghetti in less time than my whirlpool range can even begin to show visual signs of warming in the same pan of water.

The controls are all touch spots on the top near the front. To operate you need to enter an intensity number (1-9) and a countdown duration in hrs:mins. Touching the spots to enter the settings is slow, the unit cannot accept rapid touching, a measured pace must be used perhaps one touch per second. I believe the unit starts to operate before all the settings are entered, which is a nice feature. There is also a quiet internal fan that starts once the power button is touched. You can change the intensity setting while running. If you wanted to enter a large cooking time number you press and hold down the up button and the numbers rapidly scroll upwards. There are other button features not covered in this review. I suspect it may be a bit fragile, as it came packed in a box in a box in a box. I doubt it would survive a quick trip from counter to floor. It appears to be designed so boil-overs will not penetrate the unit and destroy the electronics. It is not dishwasher safe, cleans up with almost anything.

This cooktop is larger than it appears in photos. Three inches tall, 14 inches front to back and 11 inches wide.

Pros: fast, economical, good looking, no residual heat when shut off, count down timer, easy to clean, short burst booster mode.

Cons: slow button input, easy to boil over, don't leave anything sensitive to magnetic fields nearby (credit cards, cellphone, TV, prosthetic arm or hand, etc), pan must stay on the unit when cooking or it shuts off.

Would I buy it again? Yes! There's two reason for not giving it five stars; too expensive, and button entry is slow and frustrating at times.

UPDATE: been using this for a while longer now. Boil-overs are rare for me now and I am still amazed at how fast it is compared to my whirlpool range, which hasn't been used since this arrived. With this unit I can have a bowl of spaghetti cooked and on the table before my range would even have tiny bubbles show, using the same sauce pan and same amount of water.

Update 2012: I have been using this for about three years now. Not much has changed. I am still very pleased with this counter top cooker. I use it a couple times a week. I clean mine with windex wipes and it comes out shinning with little effort. It functions the same as it did the day I got it. When I moved into this apartment I went into the breaker panel and killed the power to the 220v outlet for the stove, placed this one over the top of one of the heating elements and have never used the large appliance! I also use a broiler oven and Cuisinart soup maker. I prefer these smaller appliances to the large one because living in Phoenix makes you aware of how much heat you create in your apartment.

This portable induction stove is near perfection,the looks are a wow from everyone who sees it.easy to clean..i scrub it hard without worries..still not one scratch,must be some new ceramic,glass,crystal?still looks brand new,amazing quality.Fast,fast,fast,steady temps,fan is quiet.. hold down the buttons and your flying thru the temps and times.I have this feeling from the way it's been designed and built that the manufacturer CASO and Fissler will be around to honor the warranty if i ever need it.This definitely isn't engineered to be a throw away product like some.

I also have a Fissler pressure cooker that works a treat on this induction stove.I'm looking at other fissler products,

i'm impressed with this company.

Well it's March 11th 2012 and the Fissler induction is still going strong..i use about 3x per week.no problems.Very impressed.

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I've had my cooktop for about a month and use it as much as possible. It's not entirely perfect, but I prefer to use it over my gas range.

THE PROS: It heats up quick, does not remain hot to the touch after use, and boils water like lightening (less than a minute for 2 cups). It is easy to clean and is stylish. I really like the keep warm feature. If you have a dish that has gotten cold while trying to prepare the rest of the meal, you can put it on the cooktop and reheat it in literlly just 1 minute. It has a couple of safety features which are both pros and cons. The dish must remain on the cooktop for it to work, if you lift the dish up the cooktop turns off. Kind of annoying but prevents anyone from getting burnt since the dish heats from within and the surface does not remain hot. It also has an automatic shut off for boil overs. Again, good feature but then you have to reset the temperature and time.

THE CONS: It only works with ferrous pots/pans, meaning if a magnet sticks to the bottom of the dish it will work. The temperature is controlled by numbers 1 through 9 and the buttons are slow to respond when increasing the temperature. When you put a pot on the cooktop, you have to first set the temperature and then set the amount of time you want the cooktop on. It would be nice if you didn't have to always set a time but on this setting you can hold the button down and it will speed through the numbers quickly so it doesn't take as long to set as the temperature.

Overall, I would recommend this cooktop. I have never used another cooktop so I can't compare it to other models but it's a nice alternative to my stove. It has made it easier to time my dishes so that everything gets done at the same time. By setting the time for each dish you prepare, you become more aware of how long it takes to cook things.

Read Best Reviews of Fissler CookStar Induction Pro Portable Cooktop Here

I ordered a first one and it had a chirping sound to it. The sound was irritating. Other than that the unit worked fine with all the advanatages of induction cooking. I returned that unit and received a replacement one from Amazon in less than a week. The 2nd unit did not work at all. I returned that one as well. I guess if you are ok with a buzzing or chirping sounds coming out of your cooktop you might be ok with induction cooktops. That seems to be a consistent with other reviews from different brands. I was using Fissler or WMF pots which were labeled "induction".

I contacted Fissler customer service and they were very helpful by the way and offered replacement as well. I decided to send it back to Amazon , however , for a refund.

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I had been looking at various induction cooktops, and this one seemed the most durable and built to keep. I know the company Fissler and their pots and knives are professional-grade. So, I though the CookStar Pro would be what I'm looking for. Sure, some of the others were cheaper but I wasn't sure they were up to the quality of Fissler, who I trust. Now that I've used it, I find it really easy to use, easy to clean, and it looks great on the countertop! It hides away easily when I'm not using it and is super fast.

It sure beats the old griddle that I had before!

I'm so glad that Fissler makes an Induction cooktop. You will be totally blown away by it. Much much better.

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Tuesday, March 4, 2014

Tools of the Trade Belgique Hard Anodized 11" Grill Pan

Tools of the Trade Belgique Hard Anodized 11' Grill PanI love to cook so when I first saw this Grill Pan I thought I'd give it a try, and I'm very glad that I did. It's a good size can hold at least 6 pieces of chicken comfortably with space left over. Cleaning up is a breeze. Give this Grill Pan a try especially if you're into preparing meals with your good health in mind. I will certainly purchase for both my sisters for Christmas.

Monday, January 27, 2014

Siege 63001 Stainless Steel Sink and Cookware Scratch Remover

Siege 63001 Stainless Steel Sink and Cookware Scratch RemoverI had no idea how well this product would workthere were no previous reviews to even make an educated guess. Well, to quote the people on the informercials: "I was very skeptical"....

However, with a double staineless steel sink SEVERELY scratched up, I thought I had little to loose, so I placed an order. I received it in a very timely manner. Most importantly, the process WAS NOT COMPLICATED OR PROTRACTEDeasy to follow instructions that actually made sense!

To make a long story short, the end result is a double sided stainless steel sink that does indeed look brand new!!!!!

$25 bucks ( including shipping ) well spent.

I have to say I was a bit skeptical. I tried it out first on my frying pan and it was okay. It didn't look brand new. It removed some of the scratches but also added some along the bottom side rims. I guess from the rubbing back and forth with the scratch pad. Then I tried it on my stainless steel sink. The scratches were not all that much but to my amazement it really did work. It looks better than my frying pan. Most of the scratches disappeared. My sink looks pretty much new. I suggest testing it out on something else first before using it on your sink.

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I used this on a badly-scratched, dull stainless steel sink. It turned out great. It took a lot of scrubbing, and you have to follow the directions carefully but the results are worth the effort.

Read Best Reviews of Siege 63001 Stainless Steel Sink and Cookware Scratch Remover Here

I was pleasantly surprised to see the scratches in my sink slowly disappearing with every level of sandpaper I used. It takes a bit of finess to keep your hand and arm going straight and accuate with the grain of the stainless for hundreds and HUNDREDS of strokes (and that's if you start on the green level 4 and work your way down more if you start on level 6 for the deeper scratches). I would suggest just stopping if your arm gets tired and come back to it later; otherwise you start cutting corners trying to use different arm muscles and then the pattern gets off. But the bottom line is that although it's a lot of work, the products work well. I would recommend this to friend.

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Really works and was very easy to use. My stainless steel sink look new again!

Wednesday, January 15, 2014

Weber Style 6446 Professional-Grade Fish Turner

Weber Style 6446 Professional-Grade Fish TurnerOk folks, it's a spatula, turner, whatever. It is definitely a very high quality product that feels good in your hand. You will never need to replace it.

I bought this because the last time I grilled trout it broke up on me when I was trying to flip it with a much smaller spatula. Well mission accomplished with this bad boy. I had ruby red trout a couple of nights ago and had no problems getting the job done.

Of note, the leading edge is fairly sharp. If needed it does a great job scraping the fish off the grill.

Now get out there and start grillin'

We had gotten a fish flipper as part of a BBQ tool set way back. So when my brother reequested a set of tools for christmas, I got a basic Weber set with tongs etc, and also got this which matched the set. He still tells me how much he loves the whole set, and uses the flipper. It's something you don't know you need until you have one! And the Weber style set is very nice looking and good quality

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The product is made really well and I do not think I will ever need to buy another one. Which is what you expect for a fish flipper. I grill whole trout and this product makes that process much easier.

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This is a high quality turner and I was happy to find that it has a grippy surface on the back of the handle. However, we are returning it because it's MONSTROUS. Pay attention to the dimensions listed and make sure that is what you want. Just seems a little big for the purpose! Wish they made a smaller one.

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It's a perfect addition to my grill. I like it a lot, now I don't need two spatulas to turn the big fish. I just wish they make the neck a little stronger since mine bends now or maybe I am just too strong. Not bad at all!!!

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Friday, August 23, 2013

Weber Q 120 Gas Grill

Weber 516501 Q 120 Portable 189-Square-Inch 8500-BTU Liquid-Propane Gas GrillFirst off I have a huge Kenmore Elite (6) burner grill made by Weber. Which is a great grill. However most of the time I am grilling just for myself or up to 3 people tops. To run a grill as big as the (6) burner makes no sense. Last summer with the Big Grill I went through (6) or (7) 20lb propane tanks!

So this year I bought the Weber Q-120. What an amazing grill. It gets up to 400 deg. quick & with the cast iron grill. It makes beautiful sear marks; With 189 sq. inches there is enough room to easily cook for 6-8 people. It uses a single burner which is "conservative" when it comes to propane use. About TWO hours out of a 1 pound tank. If you buy the Weber hose adapter you can hook it up to a 20lb tank & grill al summer off ONE tank!

It puts together easy about 15 minutes. And has many wonderful accessories. i.e.: portable cart (well worth looking into)

Pros: * Sears meat as good if not better than a big grill.

* Very Well Made

* Electronic Ignition (immediate fame FIRST push)

* Cast iron cooking gril

* Cast aluminum body (won't rust)

* Very Portable

* Conservative when it comes to propane use.

Cons: Only 1 minor one. I wish the side tables were metal, so you could fold them away before the grill completely cools. (very minor issue) They probably did not due that due to cost & weight.

They make (6) models 100, 120, 200, 220, 300 & 320 The 100 series is the most compact, 200 series is mid size but still quite portable & the 300 series is plenty big enough for serious entertaining. By adding the "20" at the end of each series you get the fold up & in side tables (which are awesome), A temp. gage & Electronic Ignition!!!! (really awesome)

I highly recommend any of the Weber Q Grills

In typical character for me I over-analyzed this purchase. I carefully looked at various models and got to know the different manufactures. I was really convinced I wanted one of the snazzy stainless ones like the Cuisinart CGG-200. Then I got interested in the extendable legs of the Cuisinart Petite 180. There were other brands I was looking at, some look even snazzier than the Cuisinart. I didn't particularly care for the pac-man look of the Q series.

Then I ran across a store that had most of the others on display Fry's in Portland. After about 5 minutes of looking at all the different models I'd researched on websites such as Amazon I knew they were all cheap, thin gas burners and would be adequate but not great. I went to Lowes and looked at the Q100. I knew after looking it over that this is the RIGHT grill.

DO NOT buy the Weber Q 100 !! It's really worth the little bit extra money to get the Q 120. You get the fold out side shelves, an electronic ignition and the temp gauge. Any one of those items are not worth it but all together it really makes it the right one to get.

Amazon offers a bundle with the Weber 6507 cart DON'T GET IT! The Weber 6549 is only a few bucks more but is a newer design. You don't save much money by getting the bundle. I also ordered the vinyl 6550 cover and 6401 mitt.

The Q 200/220 are significantly larger. The Q 100 is good for 4-5 people which is perfect for me but if you want to be able to cook for more then get the 200 or maybe even the 300 size. But for me it was important to be able to carry in my RV. The 100/120 size fits in the storage compartments of my Jayco with ease. The 200 size might also fit in there but it would be bulky and cumbersome. Bottom line they are significantly different in size. If you are not sure which one you want find them in a local store so you can see the size yourself.

Cooking steaks and burgers on this grill is great. Nice sear marks and great tasting. Night and day difference from the $20 black square tin can style portable grill it replaced.

Amazon pricing on the grill, cart and accessories was great combined with the great shipping due to the Prime account I signed up for.

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If it were possible to fall in love with a grill then I am in love. The Weber Q120 Portable Gas Grill exceeds all of my expectations and the Weber Rolling Cart that I ordered to go with it is the perfect companion for it. I have owned many grills in my life since I am 67 years old but this grill is by far the best one I have ever had. I did quite a bit of research on Amazon and other sites before making the decision to buy this one. I had decided that I didn't want a large grill with multiple burners this time and didn't want to have to deal with the big propane tanks since I would only be grilling for 1 to 4 people at a time. I would be storing it in the garage and wanted to be able to easily wheel it out when using it and then wheel it back inside when finished. The grill did require some assembly that took maybe 20 minutes to complete but the Rolling Cart came totally assembled and only required unfolding. I was impressed from the beginning with the heft and quality of the materials used to construct this grill and how well it fit together. I ordered the Q120 model because it has two fold out shelves, a thermometer and an electric starter that the Q100 doesn't have. The little extra cost for the Q120 is worth it. The Q 100 and Q120 will both fit securely on the Weber Rolling Cart so you don't have to mess with having to rig up a table to set the grill and your supplies on. The small canister tanks are very convenient to deal with and the electric starter on the Q120 lights up the grill on the first touch every time. The cooking grate is very heavy, makes great grill marks and cleans easily with a wire brush. I have had this grill for about two weeks now, have used it six times and everything has turned out perfectly with it. The rolling cart also folds down to make this whole outfit portable for tail gating and camping. I highly recommend the Weber Q120 Gas Grill Weber 516501 Q 120 Gas Grill and Rolling Cart. Weber 6507 Rolling Cart

Read Best Reviews of Weber Q 120 Gas Grill Here

I hate to say it, but since buying the Q-120 I now use my old grill more than ever..... because the Q-120 sits just right on it's side table. I literally have not used my big grill to cook with once since I got the 120. I read all the reviews on it and the Q-100, and was still hesitant to spend the money on a portable grill, and even more undecided between the 100 and 120. Boy was I ever suprised at how well it cooks. It has no problem searing perfect lines, and retains enough heat to flip the meat onto the same spot and still get great searing. The grating has built in burner protection from dripping grease, and so far I haven't had a single problem with flare-ups. The grating itself is very heavy porcelain-enameled cast iron, and looks like it will last for many years. The body of the grill is cast aluminum, and also seems very well made. The burner is stainless steel, lit by an electronic ignition powered by a AAA battery. The grill is very stable on it's feet, even with the lid open. The only time it's not as stable is when you are cleaning it with the grating out, but it's still not a problem. You may have to adjust your cooking technique a little because the grill cooks pretty quickly compared to the grills i've used before, but it's not a problem, and i've yet to cook anything on mine that wasn't good. I find it so much easier to cook on with good results that it is now my primary grill, cooking for a family of four. I have tried many new recipies since getting this grill because it does so well, and am planning to get the Q-320 later for a larger permanent location grill. If you regularly cook for more than four people, you will need a bigger grill than the 120, but the occasional meal for 5 or 6 is not a problem if you are careful. The easily usable grating size is 12" X 16" although it is probably roughly a half inch or so bigger all the way around.

If I had to find a con, I would say that the inside surface of the body could be smoother in places. There are a few spots on mine that will tear paper towels if I'm not careful when I'm cleaning it off. Yeah I know that's minor and I probably can fix it in a few minutes with some sandpaper, but that's all I find wrong with this thing. If you clean it while it's still warm you can wipe most of the grease right off, and the catch pan system works great. I usually line my pan with foil, and just throw it away when done.

As far as the Q-120 vs the Q-100 goes, I would buy the 120 over the 100 again. I think the taller lid with the thermometer is very nice compared to the 100, and the side tables and electronic ignition are just icing on the cake. The tool hooks on the side tables are great to hang stuff on, but your tools will hang below the feet of the grill, so they will need to be near the edge of what ever the grill is sitting on if it's wide like a tailgate or something. The grill is not cheap, but it's NOT CHEAP, and I would say it's a great value because of it's quality. Also, you are supporting an American company. To me it's worth the extra money over the cheaper portable grills out there.

I hope this helps, and if you have any questions ask and I'll try to answer them. Thanks!

EDIT to add: I have read many reviews of the weber Q series having regulator issues with refillable propane tanks. I am using mine with a 20lb bottle with no issues at all. I can hook the bottle up, open both valves, and light the grill immediatly, so I am assuming that any issues they may have had are resolved now. I have a 4.25lb bottle on the way and will test throughly with it also, so if I have any issues with it I will update this.

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Designing a good gas grill is tough; there are enough bad full-size gas grills out there to prove this point. However, to get good results with a travel-size version is even tougher. That being said, the best bet is to go with anything made by Weber, as their reputation for innovative design and quality materials are exactly what is needed to succeed in this arena.

Before purchasing this grill, I already owned a Weber Spirit E-310. The E-310 is the best grill I've seen and has made me a "Weber Guy" through and through. Its flavorizer bars create a sizzling sound that is downright therapeutic and, by the way, also actually enhance the flavor of the meat. The grill-marks created by its cast iron grate create perfect grill marks. However, this grill is big, bulky, and by no means portable.

I bought the Q-120 to fill this void, primarily for tailgate parties. I know that comparing this portable grill to the full-size E-310 is apples to oranges, so please don't treat these as "negatives", but instead, more as "trade-offs" for the portability:

1) The Q-120 has no flavorizer bars The description hints at having a "flavorizer system", but I don't see it. The grill is mostly silent during operation (no sizzle unless meat is being added/flipped). The flavor of the meat doesn't show the evidence of the flavorizer treatment either.

2) Indirect cooking is not possible on the Q-120 I like to cook hot dogs on indirect heat to prevent over-charring. Needless to say, you will need to get creative with the meat layouts in order to simulate indirect heat. I have also heard of some people using aluminum foil to create this effect.

3) The Q-120 generates a lot of smoke. There are two large openings on the sides; it looks like the openings were sized for the tables that flip-in, not sized for the required air-flow. Because the openings are so big, it leaves more space for air to exit, which results in longer pre-heat and more smoke being exhausted.

That being said, the Q-120 cooks the food very well. It preheats quickly enough and does cook the food evenly without flare-ups. The porcelain enameled cast-iron grate creates great grill-marks and is easily cleaned. All of the materials used on the grill are high quality and it's obvious that they will remain in working order for a long time. The only real negative I have about the Q-120 is that the drip-pan isn't secured to the grill. It slides in place without effort, but unfortunately it slides out just as easily; which creates an unneeded hassle when traveling with it.

As far as the Q-100 vs. Q-120 debate goes, there is no doubt that the Q-120 is worth the extra money. The Q-120 has three differences to discern it from the Q-100:

1) Thermometer Cooking without a thermometer makes no sense to me. There are some ways of estimating the grill's heat without a thermometer, but unless you're a pro, you're mostly flying blind. Sure, you can use a meat thermometer, but that's just another thing to take with you during the trip.

2) Electric ignition Way more reliable than what is found on the Q-100.

3) Flip-out side tables When I bought the grill, this wasn't a big selling point. However, in practice, I was surprise to find how much I actually needed them. If you are buying a Q-1X0 for its versatility, these are a must-have.

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Monday, August 19, 2013

Norpro Cast Iron Round Bacon Grill Press

Norpro Cast Iron Round Bacon Grill PressPerfect size and weight for a 12" skillet. Keeps the bacon, chops flat for even frying while preventing any splatters. High quality materials. You won't cook bacon again without this indespensible utensil. Easy 5 stars for this great product.

W. Hooper's review is right on! Bacon cooks faster, flatter, and with much less spatter. This truly is the perfect size for a 12 inch pan ... wouldn't want a different size/shape! Clean up is a sanp. Proper care (seasoning before first use, and oiling) is required, but it's easy enough to do. Also great for grilled cheese/panini sandwiches.

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Well made. Useful size and weight, although it could be just a little larger in diameter. This thing gets really hot and holds that heat for awhile, as you would expect with cast iron. However, it would have been nice if designers had provided some insulating material around the top of the metal supports for the wood handle. Really need a glove when using this to avoid coming in contact with the very hot metal handle supports.

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It's round, it's firm, and it's fully packed! Consequently it was delivered in fine condition. You can tell it's a bacon press because it has a raised relief pig on it. Without the pig it would just be a press. And we all know that the press is biased these days. Whereas a bacon press should be unbiased. And this one is nicely flat, with ridges on the bottom to promote appropriate grease expulsion during the cooking process.

I had carefully selected this item based on extensive measurements of my main bacon frying implement, "Old Reliable". Old Rel is a 10 inch cast iron frying pan of uncertain provenance. Amazon.com carried three bacon presses, but this one would make a perfect partner to Old Rel, based on the principle of similar diameters.

I seasoned the bacon press according to directions. I must say that the seasoning directions did not work. After following them twice, the bacon press still had a raw cast iron smell to it. The directions appear to be a compromised attempt to season the bacon press without having to burn the handle in a hot oven, or take the handle off. I may need to remove the handle and submit the rest to the fiery depths of my oven for an extended time -suitably anointed for the ordeal (the bacon press, not me). Meanwhile I shall endeavor to persevere, and hope that over time the succulent bits of bacon fat will provide the perfect seasoning through normal use.

I lay the cold strips of bacon into the cold frying pan. I turn the heat on. I lay the bacon press gently over the bacon. I wait. Soon, the sizzling sound begets an odor, and the odor a salacious longing for my favorite breakfast treat. After several minutes of cooking (and longing), I lift the bacon press. Lo! There be flat cooked bacon! As if by magic it transfers to a plate already draped with paper towel for drainage. The bacon cools and dries for 60 seconds. I admire the bacon's flatness, its planarity, evenness, flushness with the plate. The bacon is flat as a pancake, flat as a fluke, flat as a flounder, flat as a board, flat as my hand! But my rapture ends as I cannot stand it anymore. I devour the bacon! And it was good. (No cast iron taste.)

Stay tuned for further adventures in pressed sandwich land!

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I've had mine about 8 months...works great.

Made of cast iron with wood dowel handle.

8 5/8 inch diameter

Handle attached with 2 screws

I took the handle off and seasoned mine in the oven a few times using bacon grease.

Only gripe is the handle.

It should be more securely attached.

If you don't grab the handle in the middle you can hurt yourself.

I'd buy it again.

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Saturday, July 6, 2013

Elizabeth Karmel's 15-inch Super Silicone Angled Barbecue Brush

Elizabeth Karmel's 15-inch Super Silicone Angled Barbecue BrushWhy did no one think of this before??!! The angle to the brush lets you baste your food without burning your fingers, duh. Plus it reaches to the back of the grill and if you're cooking a big roast it's easier to get behind it. And I LOVE that you can put it in the dishwasher & don't have to worry about a wood handle or bristles burning and/or trapping bacteria my old brush always kindof gave me the heebie-jeebies, basting raw meat with it and then having to hand wash and air dry thoughts of salmonella were never too far from my mind. Definitely an improvement over standard brushes (which trap either too much or not enough sauce usually anyway this one picks up just the right amount.) This is one grilling tool that is going to get some use in my oven cooking, too!

The silicone brush was a great gift for my Grilling Master husband. I was tired of replacing the bristle brushes, which were very hard to wash. This new silicone brush is awesome and so easy to clean.

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The Grill Friends Silicone BBQ Brush works great, almost. Over the years I have used a variety of BBQ brushes and mops, some working better than others. Friends, and various articles, have sung the praises of using silicone brushes and mops, especially in regard to clean up. The clean up is fantastic and quick. The angle and length of the Grill Friends brush is good, although a little longer would be nice. My only negative observation is that a bristle brush provides better coverage and holds more sauce. Recognizing that this is the nature of the silicone beast, I really shouldn't gripe. I use it and like it, and feel it works well. I have recommended it to friends, so all-in-all, it's pretty darn good, and it's at a great price. How it holds up remains to be seen, but if you are looking for a silicone brush, you should consider this one.

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My wife was getting a little tired of me torching my arm hairs every time we wanted to have BBQ chicken so I decided to get this item in hopes that it would save me from my own ineptitude. Luckily, in this case machine has proven smarter than man again (or at least smarter than this man) and I could not be more pleased with this high-quality grill tool. I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to grill without the trips to the ER.

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I finally found a basting brush that works! No more shedding brush bristles leftover in my food. The silicone bristles are perfect for basting and clean easily. If you've shared my frustration, let me reassure you that your search is over.

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