ROSHCO SMORES MAKER, INDOOR OR OUTDOOR

A coworker bought this fugly Hershey's one from Sam's Club and it was huge and very cartoonish. I wanted something fun for the kids that also looked nice enough to set out with adults. This smores maker works great, the whole thing is on a lazy susan which adds to its appeal. I'm very happy with it and so are my kids! We had Thanksgiving smores and they were a hit : ) I set out long bamboo skewers for kebabs instead of using the metal forks, then more people could use it without having to wash the forks between each person.

DCS BGA-GTRH Grill Scraper Replacement Head

I bought this because I own a DCS 36" grill. The brush and scraper are designed to fit the shape of the DCS grates. They do a great job cleaning out the grates. I bought instead of the 5 piece DCS grill tool set in order to save money. I just attached a wooden handle to the head.

Landmann USA 28240 Halo Fire Pit

It's true! I like s'mores. This little workhorse of a fire pit yields both excellent s'mores and excellent conversations. You need to make sure you keep the fire small or it'll scorch the top of the grating, but all in all I can't complain. Before you buy please note that the item requests sand in the bottom or the ashes will corrode the metal. For two people who only own a scooter it would've been beneficial to know this before we opened it up just in time for our housewarming. ;)

Since we live in dry Southern California we were concerned about having a fire pit, but it works wonderfully and doesn't make us overly concerned about embers flying around. We do caution against large pieces of wood, and instead we opt for the little tiny pre-cut logs that you can get at the grocers.

This is a fantastic fire pit as I have seen many less quality ones at higher prices especially during this time of the season. This is sturdy, large and made to last because it is very solid. It is a 3 piece set (made in China); the base, the lid and the fire rod are all included. The pictures online don't really do this justice. Just keep in mind Amazon ships it in the original manufacturer's box so if you're ordering a gift and doing bill-to/ship-to just know that the recipient will know what's included.

Buy Landmann USA 28240 Halo Fire Pit Now

The outer ring and legs are made from hollow tubing. The bottom is thin metal but sturdy. The design is simple and well engineered for strength and should hold up if taken care of. The finish seems to be some type of black powder coating which is good for preventing rust but I don't yet know how well it will handle heat. Assembly is easy and self explanatory. Although I don't recall seeing it in the directions for this item, I've read that putting sand in the bottom of a fire pit will help prevent the bottom of it from rusting out. I would also store it upside down on wood blocks if kept outdoors as there is no drain hole for water. Allowing standing water in any metal fire pit will likely cause it to quickly rust out.

If you are looking to buy American made products, don't let the name "Landmann USA" throw you off. This is "Made in China".

Read Best Reviews of Landmann USA 28240 Halo Fire Pit Here

I was excited about this product due to the price and the high rating of 4 stars, but I was surely mistaken and regret this purchase. Obviously it works as much as a metal bowl would for keeping fire, but this thing is not much better than that: a metal bowl. Where the legs are attached, fire spills out, so I had to move the sticks on the ground near the pit so that they wouldn't burn. Then, the entire outside of the bowl lit on fire as the paint melted away. Essentially the black paint on the bowl is not fire proof and just burned off. Then, to stop embers from hitting my guests, I put the top on, but it melted and deformed. The paint on that also immediately burned off, and the metal grate starting melting after about 30 seconds, so I took it off. After one use, the Fire Pit looks like a scraped, scratched, and mistreated fire pit.

Want Landmann USA 28240 Halo Fire Pit Discount?

This fire pit was just what I wanted, the quality is excellent and the right size I need. The shipping was fast , surprised I received it so fast. Very satisfied. Sincerely, Robert

Save 31% Off

T-fal FR4046002 Filtra Pro 2.6-Pound / 3-Liter Deep Fryer with Stainless Steel Waffle and Filter Sc

this fryer is easy to put togeter, easy to use, and makes the best french fries ever. i previously had a fry daddy and this fryer shamnes the fry daddy. everything comes out so clean and crisp. i love it, also you can filter out the oil which i think is way cool. the temp goes up to 370f, which i thought would be a problem because french fries call for somehting like 375f, but it works great. i don't even like going out for french fries anymore because the ones i make at home are way better. i have one of these and so does my sister and we both love them.

A costly product for less than a year's seldom useage and it was not abused. It was easy to clean. What stuck me as odd was the magnetic electrical connection. I sincerely think mine went bad at the electrical point. It never seemed to make a solid contact, therefore wouldn't work.

Buy T-fal FR4046002 Filtra Pro 2.6-Pound / 3-Liter Deep Fryer with Stainless Steel Waffle and Filter Sc Now

Not a bad fryer, wish it was a little larger, but the size is listed in the description. Heats up quickly, and returns to temp quickly as well. Basket handle is a little odd, but works. Great entry level fryer.

Read Best Reviews of T-fal FR4046002 Filtra Pro 2.6-Pound / 3-Liter Deep Fryer with Stainless Steel Waffle and Filter Sc Here

There is NO dial to turn to filter the oil and there is NO slide out container for the oil to filter itself into.

You CANNOT raise and lower the basket with the lid on as the basket hooks to drain the food only attaches over the top of the oil container and this would allow the oil to drip off the hooks onto the counter top.

NONE OF THE DESCRIPTION IS TRUE!!!

Who do I call to talk about these issues with? I still want the deep fryer that is described for the price that was listed...NOT SOME SUBSTITUTE!!!

Want T-fal FR4046002 Filtra Pro 2.6-Pound / 3-Liter Deep Fryer with Stainless Steel Waffle and Filter Sc Discount?

Calphalon C1210P Commercial Nonstick 10-Inch International Griddle/Crepe Pan

I have upgraded my rating after using the pan every day for a month. I am giving it five stars because it is a tremendous value. I was too critical in my initial review.

This is my first Calphalon pan. I purchased it primarily to use as an egg and breakfast fare pan. I wanted a good non-stick pan, because most of my other pans are stainless steel.

I consider it a very good buy for the price. It has a very attractive design and the interior non-stick cooking surface appears to be very durable. However, the pan is slightly heavy and slow to reach the proper temperature compared to stainless steel. The manufacturer's enclosed brochure says the slow warm-up is due to the non-stick surface (true of most non-stick pans). Once it arrives at the required temperature, it performs very well. This aluminum pan is the equivalent of a permanently seasoned cast iron griddle. It produces foolproof omelets and the food never sticks. I use it to warmup chicken breasts and make grilled sandwiches too. It is the most used pan in the house, because of my passion for eggs.

This product, like a few other Calphalon products I have examined, slipped past the quality control inspector. On my pan there is an interior area, smaller than a grain of rice, that was not sprayed with the non-stick coating. It is high enough on the pan where no one will ever cook on that spot, but it is there in plain sight. The lack of quality control may have something to do with the Calphalon pans being manufactured in third world countries no offense intended. This pan is made in China. You would probably not have any trouble forgiving the stray blemish. Especially, when you consider this pan's beauty, functionality, and price.

Here is my list of PROS and CONS for this purchase.

PROS:

Good price.

Excellent non-stick surface appears to be very durable too.

Excellent stain resistant exterior.

Cool & comfortable handle.

Attractive appearance.

Lifetime warranty.

CONS:

Slow to warm up, because of the non-stick surface.

Fairly heavy pan you won't flip anything without a spatula think griddle.

Quality control at Calphalon could be better.

The handle is beautiful, but the finish on the handle and rivets are not as refined as some of the more expensive cookware brands. However, it has no impact on the cooking.

Conclusion: Excellent pan for the price.

I picked up this Commercial Nonstick skillet along with several other pieces of Calphalon's open stock collection, and I have been impressed with every piece I've gotten. This is great for burgers as well as omeletes and pancakes. About the only "problem" with it is that I'm not accustomed quite yet to the high quality found in Calphalon, and I didn't expect the burgers to brown on a non-stick surface as quickly as they did, so I wound up with two rather rare burgers as a result of fearing that I would burn them. Now that I see how Calphalon's nonstick line cooks, I have had more success, and now I have beautifully cooked hamburgers every time.

This is nonstick, so you do have to treat it with kid gloves, but as long as you use nylon or wooden utensils, do not overheat the pan, and don't run it through the dishwasher, this pan should last you a lifetime. I'm so glad I bought this, because I know that Calphalon's line of Collector's Edition products are only available for a limited time each year. I'm glad I didn't miss out on this beauty before it was gone forever!

Buy Calphalon C1210P Commercial Nonstick 10-Inch International Griddle/Crepe Pan Now

This Calphalon Commercial Nonstick "Collector's Edition" 10-Inch International Griddle/Crepe Pan is from the newest line of Calphalon's nonstick cookware. The "Commercial" nonstick finish on the inside of these pans is very durable as long as one uses wooden, nylon, or good plastic cooking utensils with them and keeps the heat below 400 degrees (medium-high). This 10-inch pan is the perfect size for making crepes, without any need for butter in the pan. The crepes cook quickly and evenly, so it is easy to prepare a lot of them for blintzes or crepes suzette. Also you can make buckwheat blinis or use it as a small griddle for silver dollar pancakes or a grilled cheese sandwich.

Since this pan has a beautiful stainless steel handle, it will stay cool to the touch. Calphalon recommends hand-washing of this pan. It will make a wonderful addition to your collection or a nice gift for a friend.

Read Best Reviews of Calphalon C1210P Commercial Nonstick 10-Inch International Griddle/Crepe Pan Here

I have several Calphalon pots and pans that I've purchased over the years that have been just great. All of which were manufactured in Ohio.

This pan became useless after three months of gentle care using only nylon utensils made for non-stick pans. The non-stick coating on this pan lived up to its name. It does not stick to the pan's cooking surface, but instead peels off in big flakes.

This skillet, and two other Calphalon pans that I've purchased from Amazon in the last year were made in China, and are terrible as to quality, endurance, and finish. This skillet did a good job for a month or so, but then started slowly losing its non-stick surface.

The other two pans received from Amazon were of such poor quality right out of the box that I returned them the same day for a refund. No such luck with this pan.

The brand name Calphalon does not mean a quality product anymore if it was made in China.

Want Calphalon C1210P Commercial Nonstick 10-Inch International Griddle/Crepe Pan Discount?

I have some of the finest cookware and lots of it being a former chef, but this is by far the best little pan I have.

I use this one everyday. I can tell you that this pan is a little workhorse. Don't let the title fool you. This is more than a griddle/crepe pan. You can do Bacon, Scrambled Eggs, Cornbread, Omelettes, Pancakes, Sausage & Peppers, Fry Pork Chops, Steaks: Any thing without a lot of sauce/gravy works perfectly. I've done stir fry, hamburgers, steak, hot dogs, everything -you name it. I reach for this pan time and time again. The clean-up is fabulous. Nothing sticks to it at all. You won't go wrong with this sweet little pan, if fact you'll be sorry you didn't buy two of them.

Save 15% Off

Weber Genesis E-310 637-Square-Inch Grill

I had the earlier version of this grill. It survived nearly 10 years outside uncovered in the NJ weather before I moved it to NC. It survived another 8 years or so in NC before it became clear that it's time had come. During that time, I replaced the wooden slats (the slats are gone in the new model and the shelves are stainless steel) and the flavor bars once. I don't remember replacing the burner, but it is a possibility. Some time in this 18 or so years, the starter stopped working I bought a new one and never got around to installing it. This grill owed me nothing, but when the burner finally went and I noticed some bad rust on the slide that holds the bottom on, I decided it was time for a new grill.

I purchased the E310 grill as the replacement and it is great so far seems better than I remember the other grill when it was new. Gets very hot very fast and cooks evenly. I look for a long life out of the new grill too. Seems like a lot of money, but these guys are the real deal.

I also bought a large char-grill so called "professional" model a couple of years ago for another house at a local home center, and it seemed OK. But, the stainless steel housing is now deteriorating and I expect to get about five years total out of it max. I have replaced the flavor bars already and I had to do some rigging them in because the supports were deteriorated. I think I paid about 400 for that grill, so you do the math!

The only complaint I have about the Weber is that the cooking surface is a bit small compared to their competitors on a dollar for dollar basis, but it is generally plenty big unless you are having quite a big party or something. I also note that you should follow the in structions carefully in putting it together. Part of the top shelf is a little tricky be patient and all will go well.

I've had several grills, gas and coal. Gas grills seemed ok at 1st but would not get as hot, or even and then just be a pain to use.

I wanted to buy quality that would last and with research Weber seemed to be a top choice. They cost more, and seemed to have less size/btu specs than the competition costing hundreds less.

I've got to confirm that after building and using the new Genesis 310 LP, I'm convinced that I got what I paid for. This grill is pure quality. Every piece of the grill acts to make it a more solid construction. The Grill Tub itself is solid, thick and looks like it could last forever. Even the cleaning trays are well designed.

I snapped a bolt by over wrenching it when putting it together. It was a Sunday afternoon, so I registered my grill on the web site, then called support. I got a live person in less than 3 min. I gave him my name and zip code and he had all my information from the registration I just submitted. I told him the issue, and they have sent out two new bolt+nuts. He also asked if I had a Weber grill before. I hadn't so I told him such. He then gave me tips on how to clean it, how to light it, and directed me to the weber nation website.

This product was worth the money, and getting free shipping from Amazon just made it better.

Hope that helps anyone sitting on the fence because of price.

Buy Weber Genesis E-310 637-Square-Inch Grill Now

I have owned the earlier version of this grill for 12 years, and it has served flawlessly, with some periodic replacement of parts. We recently bought this unit, which has a slightly larger grilling area, and the knobs are on the front, instead of the side, which does provide for two large work areas on either side of the grill. It is a very solid unit, which I am sure will last for years also. However, the burners run from front to back, rather than side to side. Because of the rectangular shape, the result is less burner area, and bigger gaps between the burners. Indeed, this grill takes much longer to heat up, and will not heat past about 550 degrees. The older unit would heat twice as fast and easily reach 700 degrees, which is important for searing, and heat recovery after opening to add or remove food. Additionally, flavorizer bars, which are an important design feature, are not as effective because the flame, which now goes front to back, only touches three of the bars, as opposed to going across all flavorizer bars in the old unit with the flame going side to side, perpendicular to the bars. As a result, the grilling surface heating area is uneven, with some spots hotter than others. If you are interested in very hot grilling surface, you should consider sticking with the side to side burner units with the knobs on the side.

Read Best Reviews of Weber Genesis E-310 637-Square-Inch Grill Here

In the past 16 years I have owned 4 grills. The first was a Duquesne natural gas grill. It worked well but after 4 years multiple parts rusted and had to be replaced. After 200.00 in parts It lasted another 2-3 years (it cost 700.00 new). I then bought a stainless steel natural gas grill from Home Depot ( a charbroil for about 500-600 dollars) that rusted out after 5 years and had to be replaced. Three years ago I purchased a stainless steel grill from Lowes (a Perfect Flame It cost 550.00). The last one was the worst. The handles were rusted in less than a year and after three years it was literally falling apart. I did a lot of research before buying the Weber Grill. It cost 200.00 more than my last one. The difference in quality was immediately apparent. The steel is heavier and thicker than my previous grills. It gets very hot, very quickly and steaks are perfect on this grill. I expect it will continue to perform better and last longer than any of my previous grills. My brother is on his third Weber grill, but he bought his first one 30 years ago. Where was he when I bought my first grill 16 years ago?

Want Weber Genesis E-310 637-Square-Inch Grill Discount?

Like everyone else has said:

* it's solid

* it's heavy

* it gets hot really fast...and it gets REALLY hot

* it has remarkably even heating

I'm just trying to push you into buying it if you were like me, debating endlessly whether it was worth the price and in the meantime making due with a mediocre grill.

I had a $100 propane grill that I bought on a whim, and it lasted about a year before I realized:

* half of a piece of meat was cooked and the other half was raw

* grill times were inconsistent and abnormally long

* the grate coating peeled and rusted within months...cleaning with a wire brush just exacerbated this

Looking at the price/year, this one should ideally last 7 years. After a month using it fairly regularly, I think it just might. It's relatively easy to keep clean (the cooking surfaces...the inside is a mess but grills are always a mess inside, in my experience).

So really, what I'm trying to say is, if you like grilling and you grill at least once a week, this one is worth it. It eliminated all of the problems of the other grill for me, and it just feels like grilling should feel ("it just works").

If you make a lot of sauces to grill with that need to be heated up, look into one of the models with the side burner. I don't so I went with the 310.

If you're super serious about grill mark perfection, this one leaves fantastic grill marks effortlessly, but other reviews tend to make me believe the sear station in the higher models is not just a gimmick.

If you're trying to decide between stainless steel grates or coated cast-iron, people say the cast-iron retains heat better and has smaller gaps...beyond that my biggest fear was that it would be harder to clean, but its really not.

Hope that helps!

Save 18% Off

Cooked Per'fect Thermometer Temperature Sensor

I bought this as a replacement for an almost identical temperature probe that I'd had for years, but had finally worn out. I was a little disappointed that this one is of a lighter weight construction (less metal), but it still works just fine.

We have one of these for 3-4 years now and use it all the time. Very quick and easy to use. I just got 2 more for gifts for my sons.

Buy Cooked Per'fect Thermometer Temperature Sensor Now

I have been using this product for years on chicken and steak and it is great! My daughter has grown up using this and now is moving out and wanted her own! She loves this because it takes the guess work out of whether the chicken is done or not!

Read Best Reviews of Cooked Per'fect Thermometer Temperature Sensor Here

We purchased this after seeing it in use at a relative's house. It won't tell you the exact temperature of the meat you're cooking, however if you're looking for a quick, easy way to determine when your meal is ready to eat, this will do the trick. Works like a charm!

Want Cooked Per'fect Thermometer Temperature Sensor Discount?

This was my 1st food thermometer purchase, so I cannot compare it to others. The item is ok. It gives a reading with colors, but it can be confusing, as when the meat is rare it does read red, which is ok, but when it is med, it seems all the colors appear, not sure if that is ok with me. But I just started to use it. Perhaps I might prefer something that gives a readout with actual temperature

Elizabeth Karmel's Silicone-Coated Steakhouse Burger Press

I have over half dozen burger presses....plastic, aluminum, non-stick, etc.

This is the first one that the formed patty slides out of the base, so quickly and so easily. All of the non-stick presses that I have tried simply did not work....same for the plastic ones. The meat whether cold or at room temperature, would always stick. I'd have to pry the meat out of the press, destroying the patty shape in the process.

This Grill Friends Press is absolutely awesome. Burgers form easily, with little pressure, and are not overly compressed. The meat does not press out of the sides, as in other presses. After forming the patty, all you have to do is remove the top, by pulling up on the side of the upper body of the press. Don't pull by the red cap. I weigh the meat portions for uniformity of patties. The red cap, and the black parts of the press are made of plastic, while the red inner part of the base is made of silicone.

I recently disposed of all the old useless plastic hamburg presses that I have accumulated, over the years. Each one of them could have been a good

press if they only had that silicone lining in the base, as does the Grill Friends Steakhouse Burger Press.

This has a lot of good things going for it.

The silicone coating is thick, resilient, and releases the hamburger patty (intact) with little effort. This is such a good idea that I'll very likely never buy another press that doesn't have a silicone lining. Those of you who have tried other presses, particularly the metal ones, and had the patty stick and fall apart after the press is opened probably know what I mean.

The ram allows very firm pressure for a tight, round patty.

The size is really good for a quarter-pound burger. I tried third-pound burgers with mine, but I think a larger diameter would be better for those as they came out thicker than I wanted them. It would be nice if they offered this in two sizes, with a larger diameter for heavier burgers. That way the heavier burgers could be made bigger (in diameter), without getting thicker.

The thumb print seems like a gimmick, but does work, particularly when using meat that has a lower fat percentage. I've found that the higher fat meats, like the traditional 80% meat/20% fat chuck, still tends to end up more like a meatball than the lower fat alternatives like 93%/7%, especially when using more meat. This is because the higher fat content meat shrinks more, and a small diameter with a thick middle will turn out looking more like a ball than a burger.

The little silicone cap, which comes off for cleaning, is nearly impossible for me to get back on. The tolerances are so close that it sometimes takes me longer to get that thing back on than to make the burgers themselves. Perhaps individual units vary a bit, but the one I have needs either a little larger cap, or a little narrower post. I tried drilling a small hole in the post in case air pressure was the problem, but it didn't help. Eventually I'll probably try sanding the post to reduce the tight fit, but I haven't done that yet.

I make the burgers by purchasing 2-3 pounds of 93%/7% ground chuck that is very cold (but not frozen). I use a digital kitchen scale to measure out four ounce balls of meat. I put them in the press one at a time, flatten them with my hand, then press down on the ram with all my weight. This makes crisp, round burgers that won't fall apart later when cooked. The soft silicone lining means you can rap it against a cutting board and it will pop out in one piece. (Hint: if yours is leaking around the edges, try using colder meat. Warmer meat is more likely to flow around the gaps and also to stick.)

As I make each patty, I put it on a foil lined baking sheet, thumb print side up. When I've finished all the patties, I put a sheet of wax paper over them and put them in the freezer for a few hours until they are hard. Then, I take them out, put them in foodsaver bags (ziplocks will work too), separating them with squares of wax paper cut from the sheet that was over them while they froze. Then the bags go into the freezer, and I can pull one or more patties out whenever I want to cook them.

To cook them, I put them on a hot, preheated cast iron grill pan, or outside on the grill, thumbprint up. After around 4-5 minutes (time will vary depending on the temperature of the pan or grill), juices will appear on the top. That means that the burger is now thawed all the way through, because as long as ice remains in the center, the top will stay cold and juice-free. At this point I usually carefully lift and turn the burger about a quarter turn and leave it for another minute for nice looking grill marks. Then, I flip it and leave it for about the same amount of time (including the quarter turn). I use an instant-read thermometer to check the center for doneness, around 160 degrees for well done. If it is close to 160, you can go ahead and take it off as the internal temp will rise around five more degrees after you take it off the grill. Just don't cut it for a few minutes or the juices will all run out due to the heat.

I put the buns on the grill for a short time to toast them on the side that faces the burger. It makes the bun stand up to the burger and condiments better, and lends a nice warm fresh taste to the whole thing. I also use field greens instead of standard lettuce for a more upscale taste and look, but other lettuces, like romaine, also work well.

Overall, I've found this to be a very cost-effective way to make my own, lower-fat burgers for much less money than buying the premade frozen versions.

Recommended, with a few reservations. It isn't perfect, but this is probably the best press currently on the market.

Sean P. Logue, 2008

Buy Elizabeth Karmel's Silicone-Coated Steakhouse Burger Press Now

Pluses

Easy to clean (dishwasher safe)

Burgers come out easily

Makes "perfect" burgers

Minuses

Plastic top comes off when "separating" after making a burger.

Hard to pull apart after making a burger.

Overall a nice product and I'm very happy with it.

Read Best Reviews of Elizabeth Karmel's Silicone-Coated Steakhouse Burger Press Here

This press makes pretty good burgers as long as they are on the large size. Making thin patties is very difficult as they tend to fall apart when trying to get them out of the press. Also, after the first patty or so, the meat begins to stick in the press and one must turn the base over and pound to get the burger out. It is also important to centre your meat in the press and have it rolled in a uniform ball else the finished patty will be misshapen and an uneven thickness. I think the press is ok but my search will continue for something better.

Want Elizabeth Karmel's Silicone-Coated Steakhouse Burger Press Discount?

This burger press does what it was designed to do. I have had no problems with it. I would recommend it.

Save 26% Off

Steven Raichlen Best of Barbecue Cast Iron Tuscan Barbecue Grill

I received this yesterday and tried it out on my Weber Kettle grill today. I preheated it as directed and placed some rib eye steaks on the Tuscan grill. Giving each a quarter turn after two minutes produced a very distinctive diamond-shaped pattern that makes your food look very professionally-grilled. At 14" square, you have a fair-sized grilling surface as well. It is heavy to be sure, but cast iron is one of the best grilling surfaces imaginable and the V-shaped grates will assure you that your food will not only taste great, but look really appetizing too!

NOTE: Make sure that you season this accessory before using it or you will probably get a very unpleasant metallic taste. I coated the entire surface, including the removable legs, with a light film of melted shortening. I placed two baking pans lined with foil into a 350 degree oven and stood the grill upright on the sheets. I baked it for an hour, shut off the oven and went to bed. In the morning, it was cool and completely seasoned. After using it, I let it cool down and soaked it in hot water in the sink. Then I scraped it down with a plastic brush and repeated the seasoning process. This really isn't necessary but I do it just to add a stronger finish.

The legs screw off for easy storage, but I leave the legs on mine all the time. Keep in mind, this is not for delicate cuts of meat and the like. However, with it's simple design, it's open to one's own creativity. Stack some cement blocks/bricks around the grill... and wind issues won't be much of a problem....... And for me this is half the fun of this gizmo... seeing what all I can get out of this thing....... I guess it's the caveman, primal, lower-life form in all of us........It's fun and simple, and only limited to ones own bravery and talents on a open flame grill...... Heck.... throw a cast iron skillet on the top, and bada-bing.... a stove!!! Genious!!!

Buy Steven Raichlen Best of Barbecue Cast Iron Tuscan Barbecue Grill Now

I have a flat bottom, terra cotta clay, fire pit. This tuscan grill sits in it very nicely. With some mesquite wood burnt down town embers, it make great flavor for steaks, burgers, about anything you can think off. And since it's cast iron, it can handle the heat. And with some protection from the elements, when not in use, this grill could last for ever.

The only reason I gave it 4 stars, instead of 5 is because the legs, are slightly uneven... very slighty. With that said, the grill still works great. On a camp fire, the legs wouldn't even be an issue. And even in my fire pit it works very nice.

Just being nit-picky.

Read Best Reviews of Steven Raichlen Best of Barbecue Cast Iron Tuscan Barbecue Grill Here

Not able to use these grills , the legs don't stay on, and at least one doesn't even attach.

Poor quality control on the screws and threaded holes that are supposed to allow legs to attach to grill.

Want Steven Raichlen Best of Barbecue Cast Iron Tuscan Barbecue Grill Discount?

The size is perfect for camping. It's small enough to throw in the car and take with you, but big enough for grilling steaks for 4 people. The bars come to sharp peaks and make professional looking grill marks. It can also be used as a surface for cooking with pots and pans. Cast iron is the absolute best for grilling, so it's worth it to me to put in the extra effort caring for it. I suggest removing the feet for oiling so that the space between the feet and the grate stay in good shape.

About the feet: A couple of people complained that they fall off when cooking. First of all, I can almost guarantee you that they had a habit of screwing them on too tight and they stripped the threaded inserts. Just screw it on until you feel it starting to resist and then stop. That will prolong the life of the threading. What they failed to mention in their poor reviews is that the threaded inserts can be removed with a hex key and easily replaced with new threaded inserts. You can buy stainless steel threaded inserts at a good hardware store for less than $1 each. If your hardware store doesn't have them, then grainger.com has them, but you have to buy in packs of 100 for things like this for about $20 total.

For the price of this grill, it's not a bad design. I would have liked to see a more robust foot system, where you insert a rod into a slot and secure it with a pin. But, there's is nothing better than this grill available on the web (I looked a lot). Because it's cast iron and because you can replace the threaded inserts, with proper care this grill can live longer than you ever will. Everything else I've seen that is small enough to take camping is a piece of junk that won't get you the same cooking results because they are made of enameled iron or some other inferior metal that can't transfer heat properly and can't handle high heat when you want to sear meats. Plus, most other products won't last for more than 3 or 4 seasons at best.

Save 32% Off

Char-Broil TRU Infrared Patio Bistro Infrared Gas Grill

First, I will provide a brief description of my previous grill, which is as a basis for comparison in case you are debating this grill versus other larger and more traditional grilling systems. Then, I will provide a summary of my findings related to the other comments you see throughout the review thread. Sorry for the long thread, but I'm hoping folks will find the confirmations and/or rebuttals of the findings of others to be helpful.

I bought this grill to replace a commercial series stainless char-broil gas grill that I had for five years and used extensively. While the older grill was good as compared to grills in its class/price range, it was subject to the typical ills of long-burner systems with flavorizer bars to reduce flareups. It was only moderately effective, so costco steaks (1" thick with a 1/4" fat edge) tended to cause massive flare-ups and if not managed carefully, burned the steaks beyond recognition. I am not exaggerating when I say that I had 1.5 ft high flames coming out the back of the grill one time when I wasn't paying close enough attention. The fat melts and flares up horribly. While I really liked the cast iron grates, they were rusting pretty badly at the five year mark. The grill did do a good job of imparting that gas grill flavor, and was perfect for ribs and other long-cooking items at low temperature.

Now for the Patio Bistro. First, a summary of the other comments you may have seen, and the ones I saw commonly stated all turned out to be true.

1. Assembly is not difficult, but is time consuming. Took about and hour. Lots of parts. Some people complained about parts not fitting together well, but mine were perfectly aligned and no problems. One trick, and I do this with everything I assemble after lots of ikea assembly experience, is to wait to tighten all the nuts until everything is together. One annoying design feature is that the wire lead for the ignitor partially blocks the drip tray. Also, as another customer mentioned, the caps are already installed on the wheels. I broke one of the caps trying to get it offthey are super tight. Very annoying. Char-broil would probably replace it if I asked, but I don't care enough to spend the time to do so.

2. You can't see the flame, so the first time I used it, I thought it was lit and didn't realize for sure it wasn't until I smelled gas. To turn it off, you have to turn the knob past the ignitor. It ignited with gusto, displacing the grate. Kinda scary. But now I know to hold the ignitor in the on position until I see the flames flare out around the round burner protector, and there is also a hole on the back of the grill you can look in for confirmation. I don't see it as a problem once you get used to it.

3. The grill is 'not infrared'? I don't know what the technical definition of infrared is, so I don't know if this is true. I previously thought infrared grills used those white ceramic flat burners with little holes in them. This grill does not, and instead uses a round gas tube that is covered by a round metal shield to prevent flare-ups. Some sites describe infrared as a technology that uses high heat and high efficiency, without referring to physical burner characteristics. The grilling surface is stainless and has a flat bottom with many small holes. So far, following the manufacturer instructions and burning off the junk after each use has kept the holes clear and functional.

4. The heat is intense. (Some people alternatively claim that they have not enough heat, but surely those grills are defective). This thing gets up to 700 degrees in less than 15 minutes.

5. Food is cooked fast and evenly. Definitely true to me, almost to a fault. Heats up way faster and more evenly than my previous grill, and cooks burgers the best I've ever had. Back to our Costco steaksthe good news is no flare-ups (a huge benefit). The bad news is that the recommended instructions left the outside seared beautifully and the inside bloody. Had to cut the steaks in half for the second round to get decent results. This technology is awesome for your standard grocery store steaks and burgers, but is a little tougher to use for thick cuts of meat. I've only had it a week, so it may be possible, but I haven't had thick steak success yet. Burgers and thin steaksawesome. One catch is that the 'gas' flavor is not as intense as my previous grill, but the flavor is still excellent.

6. Some people complain that the cover (available for purchase separately) is poor quality, and it's about $30. I purchased a different Char-broil cover Char-Broil 2186140 Patio Caddie Grill Cover for $10 and it seems to be decent quality and good fit.

7. The grill is heavy, especially with the tank. There is a handle under the control knob, but moving it with that handle is not easy, especially if the surface is not perfectly flat (like, say, my patio).

8. FYI, this does not come with a gas tank. Factor this into the cost. The good news is that as a result, it can be shipped at a reasonable cost.

Overall, this is an excellent grill. I would buy it again. Small, efficient, and although it is relatively thin and not as sturdy as my previous commercial series grill, it is built for a small family and would probably last 3-4 years. I kinda miss having shelves, but I have a small patio and I'd rather have the patio space.

If the feature that brought you to this grill was size, but you want higher quality, check out the Weber Q series such as the 320 Weber 586002 Q 320 Portable Outdoor Propane Gas Grill(at double the price). I would personally prefer to spend less and replace a little sooner than go super-fancy and then hang on to one a long time. If that is not also your mentality, then this may not be your grill (but the Weber may be).

I had been on the search for a small grill that wouldn't take up space with cheap plastic shelves and accessories I will never use. This grill is the perfect fit.

It took some effort to assemble, but not as difficult as flat pack furniture. Surprisingly metal! I thought everything was plastic these days, but the only plastic here is found on the handles and the wheels.

Just under the control knob there is a handle that makes it easy to move even when it's hot. The grill heats up real fast making it good for quick grilled meals. My first meal included 4 ears of grilled corn and two large steaks with a bit of room to spare.

My only criticism is that the grease trap underneath seems to conflict with the wires for the electric ignition.

Buy Char-Broil TRU Infrared Patio Bistro Infrared Gas Grill Now

This was a replacement for a 9 year old Char broil that quit. Assembly went really well. The parts were well laid out and all the hardware parts were in a packet with individual parts held together in groups of each type. I like the hand screw to hold in the propane tank to the grill. My old one did not stay on so I used bungees to hold it to the old style Char Broil we had replaced with this one.

I did the initial 15 minutes on level 5 to burn off oils from manufacture. I then grilled some Costco burgers @ 4-5 minutes on each side and they turned out really juicy. Then afterwards I cleaned the grate and sprayed if with nonstick grill spray. The main thing about these infrared grills is to make sure that you keep all of the little slots clear for heat to get to the food; otherwise the cooking can get uneven. Now I will order a cover since the generic one I brought got shredded in a high wind storm. I will have to remember to remove the cover during high winds. We are very happy with this grill and I am hoping that it would hold up well over time.

UPDATE 3-24-11

We are still really enjoying this grill. Its small size is great. I have cooked Boneless skinless chicken and boneless country pork ribs. The chicken turned out really juicy although you will need to turn the chicken that is thicker for one more 5 minute go around to completely cook. Otherwise it would still be a little raw on the inside top. The ribs were 1/2 hour per side and they turn out perfect on level 2 per the instructions. I have learned to setup a timer that runs for 10 minutes after I turn off the gas so that it would be cool enough to clean. The temp has been around 200 after 10 minutes of 40 Degree temp outside, but it cools fairly fast after opening the lid, so cleaning it is not too hard. I then spray with Pam after it is cleaned off. The actual Char Broil grill cover for the Bistro is really nice. It has a strap to help hold on the cover and it is very well made and has held up in 25 mph winds without the problems I had with the cheap generic cover that got shredded per my initial review.

Read Best Reviews of Char-Broil TRU Infrared Patio Bistro Infrared Gas Grill Here

Taking my time, it took me a little over two hours to assemble this grill, but it was worth it, for the large skinless/boneless chicken breasts that I grilled on it came out crisp on the outside and very juicy moist in the inside very delicious. Amazing taste from only using sea salt and Malabar pepper corns from a ginder to season the chicken. Of course, I sprayed avocado oil on the grill and chicken too before grilling, which kept everything from sticking. Turning the knob to the lightning bolt automatically starts the grill, which I set to no. 4 to pre-heat for 15 minutes before laying the chicken on the grill at 600 deg. F. With the lid up, the temperature dropped to 500 and increased to 550 with lid down for cooking until done when the internal temperature of the chicken reached 165. Once the chicken was removed, the control knob was moved to the no. 5 position to burn off any residue at 700 degrees for 15 minutes. After shut down, the grill took 20 minutes to cool down. It is the perfect size to take with you in the trunk of your car to do offsite grilling. I am very satisfied with this gas fueled product.

Want Char-Broil TRU Infrared Patio Bistro Infrared Gas Grill Discount?

This was the best cooking grill I have ever used. Unfortunately, just as another person posted, I had a couple of instances where the grill had minor explosions upon ignition.

The first was once when the flame blew out while I had stepped away for a minute... so I opened the lid, took out grate and and blew into burner. Put grate back in and turned the burner to ignite... big flame -POOF-... scary but no harm done.

A few weeks later. The grill would not lite, so I used a long nosed striker to lite it... per the instructions.... -POOFagain... singed arm hairs that time.

The third time... after working perfectly for months, I went to start the grill and turned on the gas and moved the valve to ignite. Ignite it did, the whole grill became engulfed in flames. Had to use an extinguisher to put it out.

Needless to say after 25 years if grilling and no experiences like this... I finally chose to blame the grill.

Save 19% Off

Libbey 4-1/2-Ounce Spice Jar with Lid, Set of 12

Cooking is one of the few hobbies that I still enjoy regularly. (If we didn't have to eat every day, I probably wouldn't find time for that, either.) Correspondingly, I maintain a large spice collection, and frequently hunt for new additions when I travel. Over time, my spice cabinet has become virtually unusable, owing both to the number of spices, and the various sizes/shapes/languages/etc. of the bottles, boxes, bags, and other containers.

For several years, I have been seeking a solution for organizing my spices that:

o Is uniform (for functional and aesthetic reasons)

o Fits in a drawer, rather than a cabinet or rack

o Travels well (I often cook with my own spices when visiting family)

o Is inert (e.g. glass, stainless; no plastic)

o Looks nice

I am happy to say that the Libbey Vibe spice jars meet all of the criteria above, and have been an excellent addition to my kitchen over the past few weeks.

Some additional features that I particularly like about these jars:

+ I can see through the glass lids when looking down on the spice drawer

+ The lids fit very tightly, for freshness and while traveling

+ The wide mouths accommodate standard measuring spoons

+ The wide base is very stable; I haven't tipped one yet

+ There are matching, larger jars (12, 27, 42, and 64 oz) for other dry goods storage

Also, either the jars are very strong, Amazon does a great packing job, or both. When one of my orders arrived, the outer box was so visibly crushed that the UPS driver actually asked if I wanted to open the box before he left. I said yes, assuming that I would find a box full of glass dust. Surprisingly, every jar and lid was intact. Kudos to Libbey and Amazon.

These jars are not perfect, however. They have one major flaw, and a few minor ones. Most importantly:

The jars are too small to hold a full, "standard" bottle of spices

By "standard" I mean the types of bottles that you find in a typical U.S. grocery store, such as for McCormick or Morton and Basset spices. For powders, I can whack the bottom of the Libbey jar about 20 times to compress the contents, then typically force the rest of a store-bought jar into it by carefully pouring and squashing with the lid. This is a REAL pain, and makes a real mess.

I have added a bunch of 12 oz Libbey Vibe jars to my collection (which also fit into a drawer) to handle bulk spices. Still, I should be able to buy a popular spice in the grocery store and just dump the contents into the Libbey jar without so much fuss. If the Libbey spice jars weer 33% larger, I'd give them 5 stars instead of 4.

Two more minor complaints:

As indicated by others, the plastic seals are a cheap addition to an otherwise quality product. I would pay extra for real silicone seals

The sticker on the bottom of each jar is paper, and the glue is very sticky; consequently, every single one that I tried to remove tore and I had 52 chances to perfect my technique. This is a one-time hassle, but still, it took me about 2 hours to peel, soak, and clean the jars when they first arrived.

Overall, after much searching, I can say that these are probably the best spice jars to be had, at least for my needs. With a few improvements, they'd be outstanding, but I can grudgingly live with their shortcomings. I would recommend these jars to others seeking a functional and stylish solution for organizing their spices (and the larger jars for other dry goods).

These little jars were chosen for the qualities below:

unobstructed visibility of contents from top and sides

glass construction (minimal/no scratches and odor transfer)

tight enough seal (lifting by lid only does not spill contents)

functionality (can store spices/sugar and oil/honey)

shape and size

moderate price when bought as a set

However, the modifications below would make them perfect:

stackability, or rubber-like "feet" for improved stability

true silicon seal rather than a plastic seal

availability in a darker colored glass for items sensitive to light

Buy Libbey 4-1/2-Ounce Spice Jar with Lid, Set of 12 Now

I looked for a long time for the right spice jars, I wanted something with a wide mouth, big enough for measuring spoons and I did not want a spice rack with it. These are perfect little jars, holds whole bay leaves, I plan on purchasing more sets for christmas presents.

Read Best Reviews of Libbey 4-1/2-Ounce Spice Jar with Lid, Set of 12 Here

For several years I have been buying spices in bulk and reusing the jars the spices came in originally, which meant I had an assortment of brands, sizes, and shapes. After moving to a new place with a smaller kitchen, we decided it was time to organize the spices to take up less space. I didn't want jars that came with a spice rack, I just wanted nice looking jars. After reading reviews about many different products I found the Libby jars which had outstanding reviews overall and we decided to start with one set of 12. After buying the second set of 12 I am now ready to review them.

Things I like:

They arrive well packaged -almost wastefully packaged -so there is no chance of breakage during shipping. The jars are a nice weight and the lids seal tightly. The size is great and holds a nice amount of spice (or whatever you're storing), and with the wide mouth I can measure straight from the jar with measuring spoons. With a labeler (I bought Epson LabelWorks LW-400 Label Maker (C51CB70010)) they just plain look great -I can label both the spice and the tare weight so I can easily refill it with bulk spices. The wide base means I won't accidentally knock over the jar (though it might mean it won't fit on your spice rack).

Things other reviews have mentioned as cons that I disagree with:

The lid seal being too tight. -It's great to grab a jar by the lid and know it's not going to come off and the jar fall and break. Also, it's great knowing that my spices are sealed away from other scents. If you're having trouble opening a jar, try pulling the lid at an angle.

They don't hold a "full-size" spice bottle. -Another review mentioned this, but it depends on what you think is a "full-size" spice bottle. During my conversion I easily dumped many "full-size" McCormick spice bottles into the jars with no problem. Another consideration: spices lose their flavor quickly so try buying in bulk so you can pay less and have smaller quantities on hand.

The labels on the bottom don't come off. -As other reviewers have mentioned this can easily be solved with rubbing alcohol or, my fave, baking soda. For the baking soda method, soak all the jars in water mixed with baking soda. After a few minutes the labels will just slide off.

Overall, these are 5 star jars. I will be buying a third set of 12 to round out the spice collection, and maybe even some of the larger ones because I like their look.

Want Libbey 4-1/2-Ounce Spice Jar with Lid, Set of 12 Discount?

I bought these to organize a spice cupboard that was out of control. I can't cook worth a darn, but I keep trying and trying, and trying, and trying. And all those recipes require spices. So, in an effort to produce something edible, I buy those spices and end up never using them again. I vowed to toss old (some as much as 10 years!) and rarely-if-ever-used spices, and get down to the essentials. I bought 24 of these jars from Crate & Barrel. After receiving them, I stood in my kitchen and ruthlessly threw spices into the garbage. Ground Galangal Root? NO MERCY! Spanish Anise Seeds? HIT THE ROAD! Chinese Five Spice? I HATED THE TASTE OF YOU FROM THE GET-GO!

I then filled these little jars with the spices I actually use, placing stickers on the bottoms indicating which spice was which. Alas! 24 bottles weren't enough! Luckily, Amazon came to the rescue with an additional 24. Cheaper than Crate & Barrel, free shipping, and no tax! End result? A spice cupboard that's a delight to look into. Added bonus: that skinny little cupboard is now so organized that I can prep my various slumgullions and culinary disasters more quickly than ever.

Cautions:

1. There are no perforated inner lids allowing you to daintily sprinkle spices. Personally, I don't care, but it may be a deal breaker for some of you;

2. As noted in other reviews, the bottles don't hold an entire "supermarket" bottle of spice. Again, I don't care because I won't use up an entire bottle of most spices before they need to be tossed anyway. For those spices I use a lot, I bought six of the 12-1/2 oz. Libbey bottles; and,

3. The price stickers on the bottom are the devil to get off.

I am very happy with the purchase. And, final comment, they're MADE IN AMERICA.

Hipe Digital Programmable Grilling / Barbecue Probe Thermometer with Taste Settings and Alarm - Nev

Got this product and set for medium-rare beef roast. Put to probe into the roast and put roast into oven. Withing one minute the alarm was going off (an awful sound, by the way). Opened oven and examined and the temperature was just reading "HI" and overcooked.

I may be missing something, but this doesn't add up. If anyone can point out what I'm doing wrong, please do. Otherwise this is going back ASAP.

UPDATE: I tested the probe in boiling water and it seems pretty accurate. We're at ~5,600 feet above sea level and probe read 202-03 in boiling water--which is almost exactly what I expected. When the roast was done and OUT of the oven I inserted the probe again and the temp came up to about 138-degrees, which also made sense. Maybe I pushed the probe too far into the roast and hit the pan??? I'm going to see if I can figure this one out.

UPDATE-Feb 13, 2013: I contacted the company via email about my difficulties and they responded quickly by sending out a replacement. Can't complain about that. I didn't get any advice about anything I might be doing incorrectly, so I'm assuming the symptoms point to a faulty unit. But I'm still puzzled about why it reads the correct temperature on boiling water and worked OUTSIDE the oven OK ??????

I haven't had a chance to try the new one yet, but will do so soon and report back. In the meantime, I'm upping my score to 3 stars, based on the quick response with a replacement unit.

UPDATE: Feb 20: Finally got a chance to retry the replacement unit, sent by HIPE. I still had the original so I thought I would try them both at the same time. Same drill: prepared a small tri-tip roast, although I was worried it might be too thin, and inserted both probes into the raw meat and popped into the oven. As in the original test, the first unit just went nuts almost immediately with a loud squawking alarm. Nothing from the second (replacement) unit. In fact, the replacement seems to have functioned properly. I had the alarm set to 135 and it went off when the meat hit that temperature. My wife thought that it didn't look cooked enough, so we raised the target temp to 145 and the alarm functioned properly at that temp.

I can't attest to the accuracy of the target temps, but that's not a major concern since we can learn to adjust to a temp that cooks the meat the way we wish.

So overall, I'm going to jack this up to 4 stars. It's a good value. The HIPE company has demonstrated good service. I still have to knock at least one star off for the fact that the first unit was a dud and that you cannot (at this time) buy replacement probes. Reliability/longevity are still to be determined. I'll update this review with any relevant info that comes up.

I was amazed at how easy it was to use and set up this digital meat thermometer. The unit operates on a single AAA battery. It is easy to select the correct settings for the type of meal you are cooking. By touching the Meat Alert button you can select beef, pork, chicken, turkey, veal, lamb, ham, duck, ribs, or a PGM mode to set up a custom setting of your own desire. By touching the Taste Alert button you can quickly select temperature settings for rare, medium rare, medium or well done. Using the memory button you can also set up a custom temperature to suit your taste. There is a reset button on the back of the thermometer to set the unit back to factory defaults.

The unit can read out in degrees C or degrees F. It has a nice bold display that also indicates the final result to expect with the temperature you have selected and it has a moving bar graph to show where you are in the cooking process. The unit will set off an alarm of three different styles. An alarm will go off when the meat is 10 degrees below the set temperature as a pre-warning (Stage 1). A different alarm will go off when the temperature is at the temperature you selected (Stage 2) and a third alarm will go off when the temperature is 10 degrees over your set temperature (Stage 3).

Overall I found the product to be very good but there are some considerations to keep in mind.

* It is designed to measure the core temperature of the meat in the ranges of 32 °F to 212 °F and it should not be used to measure the temperature of the oven or barbecue grill.

* Do not submerse the temperature probe in water and ONLY wash the probe tip and shaft with warm soapy water and do not get the end of the probe where the wire comes out wet.

* Do not let the probe or the sensor wire get into the flames of a grill.

* If you are cooking with the lid of the grill closed then make sure that you only cook at low to medium temperature settings.

I rated this as a five star product for the ease of use, accuracy and price.

I was supplied with a sample for test and evaluation and I promised to provide a fair and honest review.

Buy Hipe Digital Programmable Grilling / Barbecue Probe Thermometer with Taste Settings and Alarm - Nev Now

The temperature is off by 30 degrees. I have several analog units and they all agreed (within a few degrees) so I pulled a beautiful Rib Roast out just in time to save it. The only good thing is that this unit is consistently off by 30 degrees. So to use it effectively I have to subtract 30 to get the real time temp. One would think that Quality Control would notice that is a 70 degree room when this unit is turned on, it says it is 100 degrees and they would realize the unit is defective

Read Best Reviews of Hipe Digital Programmable Grilling / Barbecue Probe Thermometer with Taste Settings and Alarm - Nev Here

As a chef, I have access to some wicked tools at a food manufacturing facility..although I deck out my own kitchen in all gadgets you can imagine, I have access to even better ones.

So for my review on this item, I decided to compare it against a professional thermometer, commercial grade, that sells for over $400 and is used in daily food manufacturing and even tested for accuracy via the FDA inspection visits.

I couldn't imagine a more precise test than that.

To my surprise, the most this was ever off from that digital thermometer was 2 degrees. To me, for the value, this makes it exemplary.

Now let's get down to all it can do...I see this as a staple for the griller, but also for cooking inside, and a good Father's Day gift quite frankly.

I like that it's digital and the numbers are very easy to read. Especially because we sometimes grill without the outside lights all the way up.

My husband is the meat eater of the family, but I'm the chef so these duties are passed onto me. This takes all the guesswork out of the cooking with no memorization. In other words, you don't have to memorize what temperature beef should be internally because it tells you automatically when you set it on the "beef" setting if you are cooking steak, for example. Better yet, you can walk away from the steak and go have a beer...an alarm will tell you when it reaches the proper internal temperature!

Whether you are cooking a holiday turkey for 12 and need to know if it's ready, or whether you are cooking steak for one, this means you can't be a bad cook.

It has the settings of "rare, medium rare, medium, and well done." and will tell you when it reaches that point. simply by inserting the very small probe.

This can be set to C or F

And you can also program it to your own temps desired rather than the ones preprogrammed.

There are two magnets on the back to keep it near your grill or on your fridge or even just attach it to the inside of a cabinet or pantry with steel.

LOVE IT!!

This product was sent to be with a request for honest (not positive) and unbiased consumer feedback. It has passed my tests.

Want Hipe Digital Programmable Grilling / Barbecue Probe Thermometer with Taste Settings and Alarm - Nev Discount?

I'm typically a very harsh critic of BBQ thermometers. I've gone through dozens of these things and they almost always disappoint. They are cheaply made and the buttons and controls are confusing.

I was pleasantly surprised by this one. First of all, it worked. That shouldn't be a surprise, but sadly it is. It worked and it worked well. (I verified the temperature reading with another thermometer, and it checked out.)

I also like the readout settings. I like the fact that it displays the current temperature and the target temperature. It also has a graduated display at the top where it shows the progress through the lower temps. For example, if you are cooking well done beef, the display at the top indicates the progress through rare, medium rare, and medium.

I only have two complaints about this thermometer: first, there's no way to shut off the beep. Every time you press a button, it beeps. Personally I find that maddening and I wish there were a way to shut that off, but I'll get over it. Secondly, you have to keep pressing the Meat button a million times to get through all of the different types of meat (goat, hippo, unicorn, chupacabra, etc.). Maybe it's just me, but it seemed like the number of meat choices was exhaustive and took too long to scroll through. And of course, me being me, I missed the one I wanted and had to loop back through them to get to the one I wanted. Cry me a river.

Once I had it set up and ready to cook, it worked flawlessly and my meat turned out perfect. Nicely done.

I was provided this item for review.

________________

EDIT:

I used this again last night to grill some chicken breasts. My local market sells huge boneless breasts (over 2" thick on the thick end). I cook these on my grill toppers called ManGrate (shop around for deals if decide to use them). The ManGrates are awesome, but it's hard to judge the doneness of the meat. I used this thermometer after the final turn of the meat last night and then let the chicken rest for ten minutes after removing them from the grill. They turned out PERFECT. My wife and son both commented about how good they were. They were charred perfectly on the outside (but not burned) and cooked to a perfect juicy doneness inside. This thermometer really helped to put the finishing touch on these cuts of chicken. Nicely done!

Save 51% Off