Showing posts with label swiss grill. Show all posts
Showing posts with label swiss grill. Show all posts

Tuesday, August 26, 2014

Steven Raichlen Best of Barbecue Extra Long Suede Gloves, Pair

Steven Raichlen Best of Barbecue Extra Long Suede Gloves, PairThese are excellent gloves for both the grill and fireplace. They are long (18"), so they cover the entire forearm, and they are heavy duty (thick leather). Also, they are gloves, not mitts, and that makes a huge difference. Mittens give you no ability to grip or pick up items; gloves give you all the flexibility of, well, gloves!

My husband has used these everyday for both grilling duties and stocking his fireplace.

He is super picky about quality, and these meet his exacting standards.

The two 1-star reviews here are not based on this product, but rather on the manufacturer and the shipper. I hope those customers followed up, got their products, and then review the actual gloves.

I bought these for my husband who barbeque's a lot. He's always complained about getting burned and that normal oven mitts just don't do the job.

He barbequed a "Bud bird" chicken and was very happy with the heat resistance of these glove. Then he lifted the pan off the grill and carried it into the house. About three feet away from the grill, the heat from the pan started to burn through the gloves.

So for a short time span, the gloves are great at resisting the heat, but the heat resistance for a longer period of time is not so great.

We didn't expect him to be able to hold super hot things indefinitely, but we were hoping that he could at least carry a hot pan 20 feet to get into the house.

The gloves are great at keeping the heat off his hands and forearms while grilling though.

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My husband used it. He said they are not for direct contact to any hot iron trays from the grills. They are to protect your hands and lower arms during grilling.

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I already owned a pair of these gloves purchased about 3 years ago. They were starting to get warn so I decided to replace them. I ordered them and was surprised when they arrived that I couldn't get my hand into them. The old pair fit fine. I measured them and they were 3/8 inch smaller. I contacted the company and they sent me a pre-paid mailer to return them. The gloves they returned to me were a tiny bit larger (maybe 1/16 inch) and I could get them on my hand with a bit of force. I will keep trying to use them and hope they will stretch a bit.

The company was great about trying to solve my problem but there was nothing they could do since the design of the glove had changed. They said they were going to pursue this further with the company that makes the glove. I hope they do because they are great gloves.

So, if your hands are on the small to normal size, these are great gloves.

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These are essentially fancy leather welding gloves. Welding gloves have to protect you from being burned by spatters of molten metal, that cool almost immediately upon landing on a surface at room temperature. Cooking mitts, on the other hand, need to be able to hold a 400 degree object for many seconds without transmitting the heat. They also need to insulate even if they're wet.

I found that this glove, despite being well made and attractive, is no good for holding hot items. At best, it protects hand and arm while grilling, if you're using tongs, lets say, over a very hot fire. Just don't expect to be able to hold a hot pan for more than a couple of seconds before the heat is conveyed directly to your tender skin and you have to put it down immediately or drop it.

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Sunday, August 24, 2014

Dcs Griddle For Drop In Cooktops - Ctgp

Dcs Griddle For Drop In Cooktops - CtgpI recently purchased a new home that has a DCS cooktop. While I was always tangentially aware that DCS is a "premium" brand of cooking appliances, I failed to comprehend the expense associated with acquiring, maintaining, and occasionally, repairing the appliance. By no means is this an implication of the appliance I'm just saying that it's just a costly investment. My cooktop is a large 5 burner; I often waxed nostalgic about working as a "short order" cook on my Saturday mornings. I fancied myself cooking omelettes, pancakes, hash browns, French toast and other breakfast items. Whereas (I thought) a simple frying pan can and should do the trick, I considered dedicating some of the cooktop to a griddle surface.

I first considered some "aftermarket" applications like the Lodge double griddle, but I convinced myself that I should invest in the DCS product. Nearly $150.00 (its not Prime eligible) and 3 weeks later, the griddle arrived in a large, flat carton. It appears this griddle is made specifically for the CTGP line of DCS cooktops. The instructions were pretty straightforward: 1) season the surface with oil, 2) position griddle on to the existing burner grates and 3) never turn the burners past medium.

I found myself experimenting with various foodstuffs on the griddle: pancakes, grilled cheese sandwiches, omelettes. However, I found that the best application for the griddle is use as an incredible surface for making burgers. Form the patty, freeze for about 30 minutes, and cook gently over medium heat for 5-7 minutes per side. Cover each burger with a stainless steel bowl for the first few minutes of cooking for a convection effect. You'll be rewarded with some of the juiciest burgers ever.

The griddle surface is nonstick (so exercise caution when using metal spatulas or aforementioned steel bowls). It wipes down very easily even after the surface has cooled slightly.

This is a great product. Its a bit costly, but I suppose other DCS owners know/expect that it comes at a cost. I am not altogether certain that one couldn't just obtain a lower cost griddle there's no magic to the DCS name on this griddle, other than the fact that the "feet" on the griddle line up with the cooking grates; still its a relatively small investment in the larger scheme of things. I do wish DCS made a "grill pan" type of drop-in product such as this griddle, but I suppose I will start saving up for one, in case it ever happens.

If you have the cook top this unit matches up with you will be pleased. Fits over two burners and makes great pancakes among other things. The nonstick cooking surface has also been quite durable so far and the size is adequate to cook for for 4-6 people. Manufacturer recommends using on medium heat or lower which has not been a problem.

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Friday, July 25, 2014

Le Creuset 26CM Round Grill Cerise

Le Creuset 26CM Round Grill CeriseAt the time I'm writing this, there are three reviews already.

One says it heats up quickly on medium or low heat. Um, no, it heats up pretty slowly, because it's a massive hunk of steel. Only 10 inches though, so you can't fit two T-bones on it, but it fits anywhere. The mass of this grill helps achieve outdoor BBQ style. It's a grill, not a griddle or frypan, so using it on medium heat is counterproductive. Throw it on a High flame for a few minutes before you try to cook. Yes, it will smoke. But you're trying to cook, not worry about air quality!

Another review says things stuck to it because it was not coated. Yes, it is. But things still stick to it because the cast iron surface under the coating was evidently pretty coarse. Oh, well. You don't scrub it with a sponge, you heat it up and plunge it under running water and the "deglazing" will lift off most of the gunk. Give it a scrub with a brush (no soap) and return it to the heat to dry. Total time about 45 seconds.

The third review said that fish stuck to it. This is possible. They used nonstick spray, which isn't all that ideal with nonstick or cast iron surfaces. But mostly I suspect the grill wasn't hot enough.

I, however, did ribeye steaks last night and they were perfect. Look on foodtv.com for Alton Brown's method and follow that. It's great. But remember: HOT!

This is the first grill pan I have had that has not warped after the first use. The thin ridges leave a nice looking sear mark on the food and the valleys between are deep enough to allow the oils to run off so you are grilling and not frying. It is a fairly easy pan to clean and it looks great too boot. The one down side: it is a bit on the small side. A tad expensive but it is worth the cost.

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I purchased this item as a "bonus offer" to another Le Creuset item I purchased, even though I didn't think I'd get much use out of it since I already had the Le Creuset double burner grill. Turns out though, I use this little grill more often than my larger grill, or any of my other Le Creuset pieces. It's the perfect size for grilling up a couple of chicken breasts, salmon fillets, or steaks when I'm cooking for just my husband and myself. I can also grill up to four burgers on it. Just like my larger grill, I love the cooking results I get from using this little grill, but it's especially handy when I need access to my other burners on my stovetop. It's also much easier to clean than the double burner grill.

If you are just starting your Le Creuset collection, this is a definite "must have" item to your kitchen. And especially at the price Amazon.com is offering it, you can't go wrong!

Read Best Reviews of Le Creuset 26CM Round Grill Cerise Here

I bought this for quick grilling. For cast iron, the weight is fairly light and it is very managable in the kitchen. It was a bit sticky on the first use, but it has improved tremendously with use. I don't find it necessary to use the highest flame on my stove to get this hot. I am using closer to a medium flame, so I do wait a couple of minutes or so for the pan to come to temperature. I have no problem with getting the grill marks on the food. I used to own an electric Jenn Aire stove, and the grill on it was always wimpy. This little pan beats the old grill completely. I am very happy with this addition to my kitchen.

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This little grill is great for those who don't have access to an outdoor grill. My wife and I received one as a gift, and it cooks very well. We've tried eletric grills before but they did poor jobs with both cooking time and cooking evenly. This grill pan, on the other hand, cooks quicker (15 minutes for a 12 oz steak cooked medium) and evenly.

I would recommend using something to cover the food while cooking to help with heating (to simulate the effect of a lid of an outdoor grill). We have used a piece of tin foil while cooking burgers and steaks and that works well.

Cleaning is not bad, so long as you don't procrastinate. Remove to the crud before it has a chance to completely cool and it comes right off. Just read the instructions and you'll have no problem.

It is much smaller than an outdoor grill, but if you're cooking for two, it's plenty big enough.

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Saturday, July 19, 2014

4" Polar Array BBQ Grill, Smoker or Pit Air Venting Damper Kit

4' Polar Array BBQ Grill, Smoker or Pit Air Venting Damper KitShipping was great. Buyer should be aware that disc is totally flat and is cut out of 1/8" steel. My application (modifying an ECB el cheapo brinkman vertical smoker) required a convex contour for proper fitment. So I spent a fair bit of time pounding on the backside of the disc with mallet to get a shape that worked for me. After shaping and painting with black heat paint the part is great. It may be easier and cheaper to find comparable aluminum disc's as an alternative.

Maybe a bit pricey for what it is, but worth it if you really need one. I would recommend, too.

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The part was a little rougher than I expected. The edges were broken but still bit jagged. Not a big deal for me but this part wasn't as finished as I hoped. Functionally, it is perfect.

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Friday, July 4, 2014

Budweiser "Grill Master" Apron Kit

Budweiser 'Grill Master' Apron KitThis apron is a great gift for the man who has everything. Insulated pocket to hold your beer. To a bottle opener that looks like a big zipper. comes with a mitt and towel. Big pockets to hold all your tools. My only complaint was the 7 dollar shipping I think that is a little too much. It comes in a huge box but an envelope would have been just fine.

Saturday, June 28, 2014

Charcoal Companion Stainless Steel Chimney Charcoal Starter

Charcoal Companion Stainless Steel Chimney Charcoal StarterA great way to start charcoal, get rid of newspaper and reduce petroleum dependency. Simply use two full newspaper pages to bottom of chimney then fill with charcoal or wood. Light newspaper, go prepare your food for the grill and when you return (about 15 minutes) a nice flame reaching the top of your chimney signals the coals are ready. Especially nice in winter when lighter fluid fails to evaporate and permeates the taste of the food. You'll get instant satisfaction from this charcoal starter and will never return to lighter fluids again!

I wish I'd read the review about this not being "real" stainless before buying. The idea of making a starter in stainless is so that it doesn't rust. Why did they bother?

Look closely at the handle design and you will see that it is simply bent tabs pressed into a wood dowel rather than screws into wood. The recess that accepts the tabs will also fill with water and cause those tabs to loosen and the wood to split. The heat shield has about 1/2 inch play up-and-down and rattles, doesn't really fit the handle. The unit I have has one poorly bent tab, didn't quite go in all the way and is bent over at a strange angle. An $8 black steel unit I bought at Home Depot has a better handle and heat shield design.

There is some assembly required, attaching the handle and heat shield to the body. The screws provided are of two different types, one a flat-head, another round head. The screws are 300 series (non-magnetic) stainless and shouldn't have a problem with rust.

On the positive side, the box is pretty. The copyright on the box is 2005.

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The stainless is magnetic, so probably it is 18/0 stainless. It shows rust sitting outside after one rain:(

After two months use, I upgrade it to 4 stars. I now keep it indoor in the garage. Functionally it works well and the handle never gets hot even when the steel tube glows red.

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If you are going to barbecue you must have a charcoal chimney. It eliminates the need for starter (which is both unsafe and leaves a nasty aftertaste on quick-cooked foods). Starts your charcoal quickly and brings it to cooking temperature. It's easy, too. And this particular one is a great one.

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I was looking for a small chimney starter but this is as small as I could get. Construction is good but I have some doubts about he aluminum rivets.

Works very well though.

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Sunday, May 18, 2014

Oxo SteeL Kitchen Tool and Utensil Rack

Oxo SteeL Kitchen Tool and Utensil Rackmy cooking space, including the cabinet drawer space, is small so this product has been a blessing. i especially love the streamlined design and the functionality of sliding hooks. i have my 10 inch splatter screen, mesh strainer, and favorite nylon and wooden cooking utensils hanging from the rack. with the rack attached to the side of my stove's vent hood, i now have my most used cooking tools within easy reach (i attached the rack with a pop riveter so that the rack can handle more weight than would be possible using the pre-packaged double-sided tape). a second plus is the brushed vs. mirror polished surface. also, due to the design of the rack's "end caps" (AND with the proper cutting tool--a dremel would work!), it is possible to cut the length of the rack to fit your needs. to date, i'm leaning very strongly towards saying this tool rack is a bargain, a best buy.

I really like this tool rack. It's sturdy and simple to attach to the wall. The metal hooks slide so you can adjust them to fit the width of your hangable cooking tools. It comes with 6 hooks. I have a set of measuring cups hanging, two sets of measuring spoons on one hook, and my can opener and Oxo y peeler on the other. I like being able to get to my measuring cups and other frequently used items without having to rummage around in the drawer looking for them.

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...and easy to install. In fact the package is intended to be used as a template for drilling the screw holes. Beautiful and beutifully smart.

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I have a small kitchen in a downtown apartment with about 3 feet of counter space and only 4 drawers. I could only spare one drawer for my cooking utensils and it filled up really quickly. I started searching around for kitchen storage tools and stumbled on this gem. It holds 6 of my larger utensils and clears up a lot of room in my drawer, meaning I can get even more cooking stuff now!

The bar seems very solid and the finish is wonderful. The hooks slide easily along the length but do not lock (I haven't had a problem with them moving though.). I'd like to see an optional expansion pack that gives you 3 more hooks so that if you would like to hang narrower items, you can still use all the space.

The bar is meant to be mounted with two screws (provided, with anchors) in the end pieces. The face plates slide off and let you access the screw heads that way. In my case however, my back splash was a metal panel that I can't drill through (lease issues). Instead of screws then, I used a piece of 3M Scotch 4011 Exterior Mounting Tape, 1 in x 60 in on each end piece and pressed it against the back splash. The tape is really strong and should be able to hold the utensils without a problem.

*Update (5/16/2011) The utensil rack is still as wonderful as ever. I just wanted to say the tape isn't working as well as I hoped. While it does work, the stress on the tape causes it to creep. As a result, after about a month the tape will sag enough that everything on the hooks will slide off. Nothing wrong with the rack I just with my mounting situation was better.

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My kitchen is thimble-sized, and a rack like this is vital to my apartment survival. Installation was simple. I bought a stud-finder, a 3/32" drill bit, and made the two necessary holes. I hung a few pots and pans on my rack, and the unit seems to hold them without issue. Steel over a white wall looks modern and slick. This rack will most likely work for you.

Saturday, May 10, 2014

Tayama Hot Pot

Tayama Hot PotThis is a very functional and well made pot. It works well with my induction cooktop, which was my biggest uncertainty prior to buying the pot. Yes it's thin steel, but all induction style hot pots I've seen seem to be constructed that way. For its purpose, I think it's a great product and an excellent value.

I really can't complain about this pot..... I mean, it's a metal pot with a divider in it for different soup broth. It's not exactly that complicated. I put the lid together in about two minutes and one of the two minutes was trying to find my screw driver. The only con I would say about this pot is that it could be slightly thicker but other than that it's a pretty decent pot for hot pot night.

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Works as it is supposed to and love my pot! Had a hot pot session last week and am so happy with my purchase. We dont get a lot of good Chinese food here so this will be used at least once a month, works well with a camping stove on my table.

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I think other reviewers had different experiences based on who they purchased it from. I bought directly from Amazon, and the product was precisely as pictured. Yes, it's thin metal, but compared to the heavy, cast-iron Dutch Oven I was using on our induction tabletop unit, it heated up water much faster, which is what you want. The divider worked fine, as did the lid. It may warp or give after a while, but for this cost, I wouldn't object.

And, yes, despite a magnet only weakly sticking to it, it worked *just fine* on our induction unit.

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This pot is very flimsy. They are poorly constructed, thin metal, and there are food particles stuck on the edges of the divider after lots of scrubbing and washing. Tamaya products have not worked out for us. We also own a Tamaya rice cooker, and it is also very bad quality because the rice will get watery and bad after just a few hours of sitting in the rice cooker on "warm" setting. I will avoid all Tamaya products after having bad luck with these 2 Tamaya items.

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Thursday, April 24, 2014

Continental CE23721 Small Electric Grill

Continental CE23721 Small Electric GrillThis little skillet is not meant to replace something larger, but it's a great convenience and useful to take traveling. It took preparing two batches to make bacon and eggs for two, but they turned out perfectly, along with the fried potatoes that followed. I have even made complete meals fried a cup and a half of vegetables (they cook down), emptied them out and scrambled eggs, mixing together in a bowl when done. It's really a very versatile little pan for one or even two people. It would probably make good French toast and grilled cheese sandwiches, tho I have not tried them. It maintains a decently high heat so you can fry things well.

However, the handle is really not easy to remove. So I don't, which means some danger when it's on the counter with the cord hanging down. If you have kids, this pan is probably dangerous not only dangling parts if you don't want the effort of removing the handle, but it looks like a toy. You can't set a regular temperature, but you get used to using the tiny dial. I agree with the other reviewer that it would not work well with arthritis. The little glass lid works, but does not fit very well. Don't try to carry it with the lid on it it wobbles off. If the pan was hot, this would be an additional problem.

The non-stick coating has worked so far in terms of holding up, but it does stick a bit over the area that has the heating ring, and sometimes requires paying attention to keep from burning. Still, at the price, it's a very useful little tool for small, quick jobs like caramelizing a few onions for a dish that doesn't otherwise require frying, scrambling up an egg for a snack, reheating a serving of something that needs a birt of browning, and as a traveling companion. Despite its quirks, I love mine and would buy it again.

I am very satisfied with my grill. As others have said, the lid is not snugly fit, but then, I do not carry it around. It stays pretty much on counter when cooking. Thank you

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I found that while the skillet does work, it is awkward to adjust temperature setting and the removable handle is not easy to work with. Anyone with arthritis in their hands and fingers would have a difficult time with this. And even with the handle removed, the skillet is not immersible. I will continue to use it, but would not buy another one.

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Works just like it is supposed to. Small convenient low wattage and works good. Of course,I have no intention of cooking large meals or expecting it to replace a stove or oven. Fast and easy for small things.Great.

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This small electric grill is just perfect for my needs. I would highly recommend this

for everyone especially RVers, doesn't take up much room and is just great!!!!

Saturday, January 4, 2014

Gourmet Classics Dad Design Grill Apron

Gourmet Classics Dad Design Grill ApronI bought this for my husband for Father's Day this year. I put our three kids' handprints in paint on the front, under the embroidered words. The apron is adjustable around the neck, which is great. My husband is on the shorter side (5'6"), and the apron fits him just fine. It seems to be good quality. A great gift!

This arrived very quickly, and I am so excited to give it to my dad for Christmas. For any dad's that love to grill, this is a great gift!

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Monday, December 16, 2013

Charcoal Companion 5-in-1 All Purpose Grilling Spatula/Tongs 17.25-inch

Charcoal Companion 5-in-1 All Purpose Grilling Spatula/Tongs 17.25-inchI had been looking for a set of tongs like this for a while now. My parents used to have a set like this, with a spatula on one side and the tong on the other, and it gave the griller far more control over flipping cooking items. One of the great things about it was that it could handle a wide variety of foods, from your standard burger patties to smaller items like vegetables.

This set, however, gives zero control over those smaller items. They are only good for large, flat items. The main problem is that the tong portion, for whatever reason, doesn't extend to the end of the spatula. So forget about picking asparagus up. I also don't like the large angle at which the spatula and the tong come together. I'd prefer if they came together flatter than they do.

Anyway, I haven't been able to find my parents' tongs, so this is the best I'm going to do for now. I'm just not happy with them.

I bought this for my grown daughter who loves to BBQ. She had been looking for a double-spatula for gripping and flipping items on the grill. This looked like a perfect solution. But it was built for large, strong hands, and she isn't able to use it at all. The quality probably deserves 4 or 5 stars, but the designers definitely didn't have women in mind with this utensil.

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This is wonderful! It is very heavy duty, comes with a clear plastic reusable cover for the spatula/cutting side. It made flipping burgers and brats much easier! This is large & very well constructed, I do not think it would work well for smaller items unless you just want to use it as a spatula and not use the gripping portion. I would definitely recommend this!!!

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My fiancee had a similar product that was falling apart and wanted to try to find another one. This was all I could find in my search. I think it's awesome and replaces several grilling implements. He thought it was too much fluff......:p

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My husband broke his last pair of tongs that we had for years. Was looking for something big enough to flip steaks. He loves them.

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Wednesday, November 13, 2013

Le Creuset Enameled Cast Iron 10 1/4 Inch Square Skillet Grills

Le Creuset Enameled Cast-Iron 10-1/4-Inch Square Skillet Grill, CherryThe only reason why this doesn't get the last star, in my book, is because of its somewhat limited usefulness. However, if you live in an apartment or otherwise anywhere where grilling is impossible, this is the next best thing....like all other Le Creuset products this heats evenly and wonderfully and takes abuse. I got mine as part of a 6-piece set (along with a Dutch Oven, Baking Pan, and Casserole) and sorta at first saw this as a "filler" piece. However, to it's credit, this pan can do even easilly-burned items like tofu dogs and fake bacon WONDERFULLY, which shocked me--I was convinced that nothing could give a "grilled" effect to those items. I even got adventerous the first time I used it and grilled some apple rings. I panicked when some sugar seemed to be burnt on for good despite a good soaking, but after the pot had been dried and put away for 48 hours it flaked right off. Forget what you know about nonstick surfaces, btw, and banish those bad memories of cruddy, flaking Teflon from the 70's. Just treat this well (I only use wooden utensils on it) and it will treat you well. Follow the instructions and enjoy! Just be sure to use a potholder and realize that once this thing gets hot it STAYS hot for a LONG time.

Wow, I love this pan! I also live in an apartment, so this is a great substitute for outdoor grilling when you want a quick dinner. It's not as good as the outdoor charcoal grill, but this has some advantages. It's super easy. I use this pan several times a week. I pre-heat the pan, brush a little canola oil to the ribs, and while it warms up to the right temperature, I prepare the food. I cut some veggies (can use zucchini, squash, small eggplant, onions, bell pepper, etc), on the bias, so there's more surface area, toss with olive oil, salt & pepper, and grill. You may have to do several rounds of it if you have lots of veggies. After cooking until just tender, toss with a little balsamic vinegar and olive oil. DELICIOUS!! Also, we've been grilling some great local wild salmon on this pan. It is unbelievable. It is very quick, so don't overcook. Season with salt and pepper, and anything you like. Just practice a couple times, experiment with the temperature and your technique, and you'll see how easy and tasty it is. If you can get some homegrown or organic produce, it's so much more tasty. Simple grilling complements good ingredients.

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(1) Where is it written, who decreed that skillets should be round? (2) Why has it taken me so long to discover the advantages of a square fry pan?

The answers are: nowhere that I know of, and because my mother always used a round skillet. She would have loved this enameled cast iron beauty that leaves appetizing sear marks on meat a char effect without the mess. The ribbed base captures grease allowing for healthier low fat cooking, and the surface is a satiny black enamel that cleans in a breeze.

It's compatible with all heating surfaces, and has an easy hold comfortable handle. We lightly applied vegetable oil to the ribs before our first use, and for several times thereafter. Since then there has been no need for the addition of oils. By heating the grill for a few minutes on medium heat (test with a drop of water and heat until water droplets sizzle) we've found the cooking surface primed for superior cooking.

This nifty item has such a plethora of uses it can be used in the oven (keep your oven glove at the ready) or even on a backyard barbecue.

Gail Cooke

Read Best Reviews of Le Creuset Enameled Cast Iron 10 1/4 Inch Square Skillet Grills Here

Don't let the high price tag and the cast iron thing scare you away from this great product. It's not your mother's cast iron of stuck-on messes and rust in your food. It's very easy to season, and from there it works great. We've been able to cook everything from salmon, to buffalo, to pineapples with no sticking.

Unlike it's predecessor, the George Foreman grill, it cooks many kind of foods beautifully without drying it out or sticking. The key...temperature control. Since it works with your stove, you can control the amout of heat you need.

Also, having a wee kitchen, it's nice not to have another appliance taking up valuable counter space.

One of the best features is the lifetime warranty. And they mean it too. My friend had a Le Creuset teapot that rusted out and they sent her a replacement for free.

Sure it's pricey, but you get what you pay for with this pan.

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I live in the city, and don't have access to a grill. This pan makes perfect steakhouse grill lines on your pan. Just heat it really, really hot -to the point of smoking -on your stove first. Then turn on your broiler to High. Throw on a steak and shove it under the broiler. Two minutes later, rotate the steak 45 degrees. Flip steak and repeat. Professional gourmet steakhouse steakI swear.

But this pan will get oil splatters on it that will turn black under high heat circumstances. Are you going to spend 3 hours scrubbing every nook and cranny with baking soda and a scotch brite? No! I won't either. So I live with the black oil stains, and take them as badges of honor for all of the previous delicious meals past.

However, I'm slightly OCD and the black spots do bug me. I recommend this pan highly, just get the black color. You won't see any stains, and you'll just love this thing.

For panini fans: Get the panini press which fits with this perfectly.

The perfect San Francisco panini: Get a French roll, slice down the middle and slather the insides with olive oil. Lay on a few slices of prosciutto, a few roasted red peppers packed in water or oil (from your deli or condiments section of the grocery store), and a few generous slices of mozzarella. Sprinkle sandwich with a little salt. Grill in pan on medium heat until the first side is golden. Flip sandwich. Adjust heat so that when the second side turns golden, the mozzarella is just starting to melt. Bite into heaven.

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Wednesday, October 30, 2013

Weber 4431001 Spirit E-320 Propane Grill, Black

Weber 4431001 Spirit E-320 Propane Grill, BlackAlmost bought several different lower end grills. No looking back. I'm a Weber believer.

Spirit E-320 is not commonly found in stores. Think they like to push you up to the Genesis line to gain the side burner.

Assembly, smooth and easy. Great packing too. Took about 2 hours. But I enjoy these projects. Would rather assemble it myself right the 1st time then have some 16 year old kid do it cut corners.

Great overall design, perhaps a little small on grilling space if you are cooking for a big party. But for 99% of my needs (family and small groups of friends) its is perfect. Temp controls are very good, and cooking over the whole grill is even. Food sear marks are a thing of beauty.

I don't know for sure but I would swear it is way more efficient burning fuel. Tank seems to last 2x+ compared to my old sunbeam. Perhaps it cooks so much better that you don't cook food as long?

Side Burner: Works great, set in low prevents wind from blowing the heat away from the pot/pan

Cons: Placement of the burner knobs makes for very limited work space on the right side. And especially if you are using the left side burner. Casters are a little small if you move your grill a lot.

Recommendation: Buy the Weber cover to go with.

There are several reasons why the grill Weber Spirit E-320 is great:

1. The heat distribution (using the 3 burners or using only 2 -the front and the back-) is very even.

2. The construction and the materials are very sturdy.

3. There are almost no flare ups (I only got some after leaving meat with a lot of fat unattended for a while).

4. The cooking area is really big (536 sq. in. of total cooking area = 424 primary cooking area + 112 warming rack area). We are a family of six (4 adults, 2 children) and in the grill there is room to cook for many more.

5. It is very easy to operate and maintain.

6. The assembly was simple. At a slow pace and working alone, it took me 2 hours and 30 mins. to put it together (add 30 more mins. to clean all the cardboard).

7. It comes with a side-burner, which is convenient.

You should note that this grill comes with "Porcelain-Enameled Cooking Grates" (similar to this Weber 7525 Porcelain Enameled Grates) instead of "Porcelain-Enameled Cast-Iron Cooking Grates" (like this Weber 7526 Cooking Grate). I am pointing this out because in some stores you might see the model E-310 with cast-iron grates (apparently Weber does not commercialize it like that anymore). Additionally, the pictures and the wording can be confusing or not clear enough.

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I searched around and found Amazon to have the lowest price with free delivery which is quite costly on other sites. Received the grill when Amazon said I would, in good condition. I found the assembly of this grill to be the easiest I have ever put together, as most grills have so many nuts, bolts etc, this had one package. I was done in about 1 hour. All the parts fit together without having to force anything.

We have used this grill almost every day since getting it and we are amazed at the difference in the way this grill cooks as compared to our previous grill, which was a Char-Broil Stainless Steel Commercial from Lowes. There is no comparison, the Weber is soooooo much better. A minor point but a good one, the igniter actually works, the first time every time. I would highly recommend this grill. It's pricey, but so far (about a month) it has been worth every penny.

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Most definately the the best grill I have ever had. The entire surface heats up evenly and you can crank it up to whatever temp you want for great searing. The hardware that came in the unit was the wrong package so Weber overnighted the correct package. I agree with the previous reviews on assembly.

The Spirit 320 is all any homeowner will ever need. The cooking surface is plenty big enough for entertaining a small party which is all I ever have. I like the fact that it has 3 burners and not 2-I think that makes a big difference in cooking. I HAVE to have the side burner since I use it all of the time which is the added benefit to this unit. The warranty is superb as well as customer service. Replacement parts can be purchased locally when needed. The price on Amazon is the best out there especially with the free shipping. It took longer to get here than I anticipated, but it was free. I considered buying the Member's Mark from Sam's club until I read the reviews on this one, looked at the warranty comparison and the components-a no brainer. The extra money for this is very well spent.

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I had a Charbroil followed by a Kenmore gas grill. Both were purchased without my input. Each lasted around 5 years before the harsh Midwestern weather and unavailability of replacement parts forced me into replacing them. I went with this model because of reputation and the large number of favorable reviews on this site. Plus I feel that replacement parts should be easy to get if I need them. I'll break down my experience thus:

A. Delivery. Ordered the grill on the Monday before Christmas with regular shipping. It arrived three days later in good shape.

B. Assembly. Packaging was very thorough and all the parts were intact. I went over the instructions a few nights prior to actually assembling this to get a feel for them. The actual assembly went well, with no stress (I skipped the beer too, which may have kept confusion at bay). The instructions are a step-by-step graphical layout, with a minimum of text. Very intuitive. They also have suggested tools for the job. I would also add scissors, a flashlight, and needle-nose pliers to things you will probably need. The hardware bag also included a small wrench for door adjustment, and a key for tightening bolts; though a 7/16 socket will also do the trick. Allow 2 ½ to 3 hours for assembly.

C. Operation. I couldn't get the lighter to work until I changed to a fresh battery, then the grill "whoomped" into life. I let it preheat for about ten minutes, which was probably five minutes too long. When I got back out the grill was at maximum temp, so I had to dial WAY back on the heat and leave the lid off. All I cooked was a couple of frozen hamburger patties and they cooked well in a nice amount of time. It's winter, so between the darkness and the fog, it was tough to see what I was doing. But from what I could tell, the grill works exactly as promised.

As with all new grills, there is a learning curve involved. Also since I am writing this at the end of December, it will be a few more months before I am able to grill outside on a regular basis again. But just by what I have experienced so far, I highly recommend this grill for anyone looking to have something decent for a change.

(UPDATE)

After almost six months of using this grill, I am still amazed at it's performance. I have cooked burgers, chicken, vegetables, tuna steaks, regular steaks, butterfly chops, and last weekend was the acid test: a rack of ribs. In the past, I have had to babysit my grills cooking ribs because the temperature would creep up or down and I would need to adjust accordingly. We set the Weber on 250, and that needle didn't move for the almost 4 hours we cooked those ribs.

This grill cooks everything consistently and dependably with no apparent hotspots. Weber should change the model name to "Sliced bread" because that's how great it is!

One procedural note: until I bought this grill I was unaware that burn-off should take place before cooking and not after. It seems that leaving the greasy gunk on the surfaces acts as a seasoning and also keeps weathering at bay.

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Tuesday, October 15, 2013

Marvel Iron Man Be The Hero Apron

Marvel Iron Man Be The Hero ApronExactly what you see...no more no less... works well and is easy to handle. Nothing else to add, good item.

I bought this for my comic book fanatic boyfriend and he absolutely loves it! This is a great product! Thanks!

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Friday, September 13, 2013

24x30x5 (23.75x29.75x4.38) MERV 10 Honeywell Grill Filter (2 Pack)

24x30x5 MERV 10 Honeywell Grill FilterDon;t really know if these filters work because I don't know how to tell that. However, the price was great (beat our local prices by 50%) and the service fast. Would highly recommend this purchase. The filters do grab tons of dog hair (and you can actually scoop out the dog hairwe have four dogs and a cat). They last much longer than the smaller filters and came with a great review from our local HVAC company that charged us twice this price for them.

I would recommend them and would highly recommend this source for purchases.

Sunday, August 18, 2013

Aluminum Heritage Lefse Grill

Aluminum Heritage Lefse GrillIf you make lefse, this is the grill to use. I should actually just stop my review right here, because there's really nothing more to say. I will mention that there is now a teflon grill out, but the old fashioned Norwegian in me can't imagine how you would get perfect brown spotting on your lefse with teflon. If you have made your dough properly, sticking is not usually a problem. Its loaded with butter!! The controls are easy to use, and out of the way. Customer service with this company is great. My lefse grill is holding up after 20 years, but my mom did need some work done on hers and they are communicative and helpful. Fixed it right up! Don't be afraid, this is not rocket science. Trust me, if I can do it, you can do it. Order one today!

My Grandmother gave me her Lefse grill to carry on the family tradition. Just before Christmas, I took the grill out and discovered that two of the three legs were broken. Bethany Housewares stuff is so well made and supported, that I just assumed that I could buy spare parts. Sure enough, you can replace all 3 legs for $7.25. I sure enjoy not having to throw this family heirloom out just because two small pieces of bakelite failed after several decades of trusty service. Outstanding.

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I bought this grill to make lefse but so far I have only used it for tortillas and pancakes. It works wonderfully and cooks 4 -5 pancakes or tortillas at a time. I can cook them in less than half the time it took using a skillet on the stove. It has been easy to clean too. Now I all I need to do is find the time to make lefse!

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Dis her Lefse stove can sure do its yob. Our old vun vent capute, sooo ve shopped fer de new

von. Ve got de best deal vith Amazon. Now ve got lefse coming out our ears.

von happy SVEDE

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I was hesitant to buy the aluminum version. After having used it several times: Foods do not stick like I thought they might; it is very easy to clean; the aluminum is thick and very well made; the entire unit heats evenly. That PLUS it is made in the USA and I like the idea of supporting American businesses that operate solely in the USA. This is a fantastic unit and beats the other more cheaply made foreign versions to the ground. This will become an heirloom.

Saturday, July 27, 2013

Frigidaire EA109T Protective Rear Grille for Through-the-Wall Air Conditioners

Frigidaire EA109T Protective Rear Grille for Through-the-Wall Air ConditionersThis is a probably an nice grille. The only issues is the case it goes on already comes with a grille. Thats crazy enough but, it gets more interesnting. The unit that goes in the case also has a grille included which is required to replace the grille that is provided with the case. Bottom line is I returned the grille and got a partial credit. Not sure what this grille is for unless you just like it better than the other two you will automatically have.

This product fills a long overdue need for protection of the exterior fins of an air conditioning unit installed either in a window or through the wall. My product arrived damaged, but it was usable and it was not worth the postage to return it. I am very pleased with the product and its design which perfectly serves the design purpose.

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I was a bit skeptical from previous reviews as regards the noise level as it is used in my studio. But the noise level is fine and it does a great job of cooling quickly. I am pretty happy with it.

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Wednesday, July 17, 2013

Minden Grills 94922-89461-8 Master Propane-Gas Grill, Cobalt Blue

Minden Grills 94922-89461-8 Master Propane-Gas Grill, Cobalt BluePoor design ...almost dangerous

The Gas tank can only be turned off and on from behind the unit...

The wheels are located on only one side .. they do not swivel.. thus the unit is moved by dragging it

These items work together to make this a very poor design ...how could anyone think this is a good design?

To turn on the gas you have to crawl behind the unit or drag it out from the position you placed it in.. here I make an assumption that you (like most people) have the unit backed up against a wall or something.. Remember those wheels that are only on one side and do not swivel... that means you have to drag the unit. Hard enough to do to turn it on.. even harder when the unit is hot ... that is dangerous.

I am sorry .. I so much wanted to like this unit ... small and nice to look at .... but the design is so flawed as to make me think the company never even tested this unit in the field

Some one please disagree with my comments ... what am I missing

Great looking grill. It's a basic grill that meets my needs. I rarely use a rotisserie or a side burner, so why buy them. Looks better than S/S and should last as long, as the burners, venture tubes, and flame diverters are rarely S/S and rust out. Threw out a S/S grill that looked good but required over $300 in parts to repair. This grill heats up faster and takes up less space.

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My experience with this product reinforced the fact that there are still reasons to buy products at brick and mortar locations, rather than ordering from amazon.com.

First, the shipping took forever... over a week. For Amazon Prime, this is a long time. I could have gone to a local retailer and picked up the grill, fully assembled and had it home the same day to grill on.

When it arrived, over a week after I ordered it, it came unassembled. I started to unpack it and discovered that there were several scratches and one large enamel chip on the hood of the grill. Also, the Allen wrench they give you, didn't fit the screws that were supplied, so I had to purchase one that fit. By this point, there was no way to get the grill back into the packaging to return it to Amazon.

Next, the starter is a silly design. The spark, which only works some of the time, only lights the middle flame. You are supposed to use a flimsy match extender to light the other two flames (which turns out to be easier than the spark starter).

Also, the images for this item are deceiving and incorrect. They show a bamboo prep board on the side. However, rather than coming with the nice prep board that is featured in the images for this item, you get a flimsy brown plastic prep board, which cheapens the entire look of the grill and you question weather you want to place food on it.

The wheels are silly too. there should be 4 wheels on this. Because the fuel tank is accessed through the back of the unit, you have to move the grill every time you use it, and having only two wheels, it makes things very difficult.

I thought this was a great looking grill when I purchased it, but I was highly disappointed with is when I got it. Now I'm stuck with it. I would not recommend this item.

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

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

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

The Good Points-

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

2) The quality and functionality is decent.

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

4) Heats up very quickly.

The Bad Points-

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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