GrillPro 15020 43-Inch BBQ Roasting Fork

It arrived in a long thin cardboard box which was bent and the fork was too.

I emailed to them what happened and they immediately sent a replacement and said to keep the first one. No complaints!

Tines are quite thick, I had thought it might also work for marshmallows but don't think it will.

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Norpro Dual Barbeque Grill Pan

I returned this item and never actually used it on the grill. It is porceline coated, and two ends of the grilling surface had porceling missing with bare metal exposed. It would have rusted almost immediately. I doubt it would have held up to a barbque spatula. The concept with one solid half is excellent, as well as the three lips and one open end.

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Weber 1840301 Summit S-450 Natural Gas Tuck-Away Rotisserie Grill

I have owned this grill for just over a year, and use it at least once a week, more in the summer, and I even use it the winter (I live in Avon, OH, so I have grilled in temps as low as the mid-teens). A few good points: It lights all the time every time on one or two clicks of the auto-ignitor. This is really great and saves a lot of hassle dealing with matches. Natural gas is wonderful, as no more propane tanks to deal with. The finish is top notch (but for this price I wish the back was also stainless steel). The smoker box is really a nice feature (I usually use hickory soaked in water and get a good 15 minutes of hickory smoke from a filled smoker box). The rotisserie works well when using the rear infrared burner (I have used it for large beef roasts and chickens). One of the best features are the thick stainless steel grates no rust and they clean up perfectly every time and provide great consistent grill marks! The grease trap works flawlessly, and I feel very healthy when I empty out all the grease that collects in the trap! Also, since the unit is completely sealed, there is not greasy grill mess or particles that collect on the patio around the grill it is very neat and tidy to cook on.

A few nits: The side burner runs too hot, in general. It is a poor quality burner and will burn and boil sauces too quickly, even on the lowest setting. It works, just not as good as one would expect at this price point. The main burners, in my opinion, could be a bit hotter, but only for the searing function when cooking steaks. It gets plenty hot, trust me, but it does not quite produce the level of searing on steaks as I would like, but it is very close. If searing is really important it might be best to get the model with the infrared searing burner. Also, the NG hose could be a few feet longer, at least for my application.

My cooking experience is very positive with this grill. I always had cheap grills and was always frustrated with the lack of temperature control. With this grill I get very precise temperature control all the time. I must say that in general I have never burned anything and things like chicken breast come out nice and juicy. Cooking results are very consistent, and I tend to cook very precisely based on time and temperature. For consistency I always let foods sit out for a few minutes so they are not too cold directly from the refrigerator this is very important. I find I get best results by lighting all the burners and keep them all on low, as this sets a good baseline temperature, and then adjusting individual burners as needed. For example, a 1" thick steak is cooked to my liking by searing/cooking on high for 5 minutes on each side, then turning down to low and cooking for 3 more minutes on each side. I can pretty much predict the outcome by using trial and error to figure out what works for my desired cooking results. I also have cooked delicate pork tenderloin roasts with the indirect heat method (lower burners either side with cool burner in the middle) and they come out great). I have cooked about 16 burgers at once for large crowds, and the temperature control is a real party-saver in situations like this that require lots of monitoring. I have not had a bad result (again, start out slow with modest amounts of food to calibrate how this grill works in terms of temperature, heating, searing, etc.). I thought I would use the rotisserie and the side burner more, so in hindsight I could probably have saved some jingle by forgoing these features. Overall, this grill rocks and it blows away any grill I have ever owned (and I have had my share of them over the years).

George Foreman GP324, Stainless Indoor Outdoor Grill

I'll never buy from Forman again. It worked great for a year but when part of it burnt out, we got "No parts available" from them.

This grill is awesome! I purchased this years ago and it's still holding up. I wish I could get another one. Too bad they do not have them available! Great for the beach and cooks everything evenly. Also perfect for the quick steak!

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This product is in excellent shape. It came just as described. I would recommend both the product and the seller to everyone.

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Nordic Ware Pancake Pans

I was a bit hesitant to buy after reading a couple of the reviews but was willing to take a chance. I really don't see why there was any negative comments about it. As long as you spray your pan first, there is no issue with sticking. You will have issues if you try to turn them before they are cooked on one side but that's true regardless of your pan. I even used a waffle recipe on this rather than a pancake recipe and it was just fine.

I can't wait to surprise my granddaughters at breakfast time! It takes so little to make them happy yet the memories last for years. I only get to see them once a year since they live far away, but throughout the year they talk about the special breakfasts Oma fixes for them. I always have something unique at breakfasts & they've come to expect it as tradition. In time, I'd like to get some of the other pans just for the variety...And the thing is my husband & I are kids at heart so we'll use them even when the little ones aren't here.

We've had a great time making pancakes and eggs in this pan. The kids love them. Keep in mind, these are small pancakes, so it takes a while to cook up a meal. I'm thinking of buying another pan (with different animals) so I can get two sets going at a time. We use some spray on olive oil and have had no problem with sticking or with clean up. Took a couple of tries to get the temperature right, but once we found it, the fun was on.

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I purchased this as an Easter present for my grandchildren. They received it this morning & couldn't wait until Easter to use it. It worked perfectly! There was NO sticking. My daughter said she'd highly recommend this, as it was a big hit at breakfast this morning.

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This broke our glass stovetop the first time we used it. We had to buy a new stove because of that. There is no warning on the label. We read online that the cast iron coils under each animal face cause a seal with the stove top and traps the heat. The heat builds up and breaks the stovetop.

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I bought this pan just a few weeks ago. It is perfect in all ways. Pancakes are made quickly, they don't stick to the surface and everybody at home loves the bugs. We are very glad to have it.

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Wind Resistant Lighter, Safe for Camping/grilling/home, Adjustable Flame with 25% More Fuel

I have used many types of wind resistant and wind proof lighters. This falls under the category of wind resistant lighters as per the claims made by the vendor. But this is a scam!! Ha! ha! This is neither. It is a completely worthless lighter. It doesnt even light without 5 clicks. Once it lights, the flame dies away in 15 seconds progressively getting softer. I was stupid enough to buy 4 of them, and I tried all 4. No difference. If you are thinking of an outdoor grill or for camping, look elsewhere. This will not work.

Save your time and money.

This lighter works great when we are out on our deck. It is like a mini blow torch, the wind will not hinder the flame. Great product as we will reorder when needed.

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This is a good lighter for a bit of wind. Has a strong flame to light things in the wind versus the lazy flame of most lighters. Good for lighting my water heater in the R.V. when its windy.

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Nice lighter. It is a torch type flame......very nice flame. I paid about $10, after researching Zippos. People were having problems with Zippos.

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I have tried this product twice the first time it worked as planned and I wanted to buy it again.

The second time I bought it it arrived in an un-opened package just like the first time but it only lighted one time. After that time which appears to be from fumes it was totally empty.

In other words, I lit a fire with it on day one after receiving it on day two when I tried it I found it empty. It was stored inside like always in the same way as the first one. It arrived to me basically empty and Las Vegas World Famous Brand Center declined to offer any replacement or refund. So I would not take the chance on ordering it again from them.

Pedrini Kucina Silicone Head Tongs

These are perfect for kitchen use with the frying pan and the George Foreman Grill! They wash up nicely in the dishwasher, too.

I already had a pair of these tongs, so I purchased a pair for to of my sister's. I love mine and I know my sister's will to. I never realized how much juice you lose when turning meat with a fork, until I started using tongs. I got the idea watching cooking shows.

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These are nice and large. They are great for

chicken breast, ribs and many other things!

They are very sturdy and solid. The price is

right too!

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These aren't as nice as similar items I've seen at Sur La Table, but they don't cost $15 either, they're decent quality and only $7.

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If you have non stick pans you will need to add this to your tools...the lock at the top is a great bonus...

Coleman Camping Coffee Maker

I recently purchased this coffee maker for car camping/mountain biking trips around Wisconsin. I always wished I could have coffee on the mornings that I woke up at the campsite. Percolators do not work well (in my experience) so I had basically given up until I saw one of these at a sporting goods store. I did some review checking online and all I read was good reviews on this particular model (apparently some of the earlier models had some minor issues). It really does work great! I have been using it on my old 2-burner coleman camp stove (coleman fuel) that my dad gave me (it's probably 30 years old). Contrary to what some people have said about it taking a long time to brew, some saying as much as 45 minutes, it took me about 10 minutes to brew a pot of coffee with cold water. I just cranked up the flame to high and it only took a couple mintutes for the water to heat up enough to start making it's way up to the basket and start dripping into the pot. Makes coffee as good as your standard countertop-style coffee maker (slightly larger, maybe, because of the larger base) and practically works the same way. If you want coffee at the campsite I cannot imagine anything better than this.

This coffee maker will make you feel you are home. I use it with a two burner propane stove and after finding the spot where the carafe should sit (the handle must align with two dots market in the surface) is like brewing with a regular coffee maker. Furthermore I did buy it on sale 50% off regular price, at $22.00, I couldn't get a percolator that good. This coffee maker will be perfect for a family camping, not so for backwood camping when you don't need bulky stuff, and won't have to worry of breaking the carafe.

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The first two times I tried to use it the coffee did not drip through the filter into the carafe. I finally realized that its "pause and serve lever" is not well designed. At least with my device, when the filter basket is opened and then closed, the "pause and serve" lever does not always line up with the the trap door under the filter basket. So even when the carafe was in place, the trap door was not opening to let the coffee through. Once I figured that out, it worked quite well.

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I am a boy scout leader and I camp from 20-30 nights per year. The troop purchased one of these and used it daily for several weekend campouts and week-long summer camp, for a total of about 10 days with an average of 3-4 coffee drinkers. We drink about 2 pots a day (not each).

Durability:

The pot broke right away. We purchased a steel pot.

Plastic around the filter area seems to be brittle...it cracked and a piece broke off.

Cleaning:

The filter basket needs to be easily removable for cleanup. You have to carry the whole unit to your water source to rinse it out. You can take it out, but it requires a multi-tool to do so.

Quality of brew:

Good cup of coffee; just like your drip pot at home.

Speed:

For three consecutive mornings, we conducted a side-by-side field test with an old-fashioned steel percolator pot. Both the Coleman product and the perculator pot had the same amounts of water. Both the Coleman and percolator were lit on the same stove at the same time with the same burner setting. The percolator pot was brought to a boil and perc'ed for 8 minutes. Bottom line, the Coleman product took twice as long to make a pot of coffee.

Overall:

A percolator pot is a better option for camp settings. The Coleman stove drip pot takes longer, is not that durable and takes up more space than an old-fashioned steel percolator pot. Also, the hot surface area (burn potential) is greater for the Coleman product, as the entire bottom section gets hot, as you might expect.

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We go camping quite a bit, but the biggest challenge every year is the big, fat annual camping trip that we go on with a large group of 24+ childhood friends. And every year, I run the camp kitchen. You try making coffee for 24 severely hungover adults with a percolator that barely boils two cups of coffee over a fire in twenty minutes and see how long YOU last! This year, I broke down from the "cook everything on the fire" rule and purchased this coffeemaker for the stove.

When first using it, one might think it will slide right off the propane stove grill, but it does stay up there pretty securely, and the best part? It brews hella fast. Takes less than ten minutes, no percolating, no boiling, it just brews like you plugged it into a wall. We made four pots of coffee within thirty minutes and everyone was happy, not too strong, not too hot, just good ol' coffee. Oh, and because there is NO information anywhere, it's a basket filter. Cleans up nice and cools off quick too. I'll be taking this ANYWHERE there is no electricity!

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Wolfgang Puck WPCGL050 Tri-Grill Panini Maker with Storage Drawer

If you have not tried one of these muti-purpose portable cookers (if you have you know the speed and ease of cooking any meal is unbelieveable) look no further than this fine unit. Right out of the box you see the quality and thought that went into this product. This is a replacement for my first (different brand panini grill). Differences are unbeliveable; unlike my previous grill this unit grills to perfection, the grease from cooking goes thru the open bottom grill plates, into a removeable tray. All grids are removeable, which is a huge difference (my old unit did not have removeable grids had to clean by hand). It cooks meat, chicken, panini etc perfectly and nearly grease free.P.S.Don't throw out the direction booklet! It has over 20 Wolfgang Puck recipes in it, to use with this grill!Can't say enough.

I was searching for a replacement for my old unit from a different manufacturer that I had loved but is no longer made, and had several requirements:

1. Removable plates

2. An interior drip pan

3. A "floating" top that would allow for even cooking when food is thicker on one end.

4. An adjustable temperature (more than just high/low).

5. A decent sized cooking area.

It is somewhat surprising to me how difficult finding all these on the same unit can be, and this tri-grill does deliver and performs well on each of these items, so for that I'd give it five stars. The reason for me only rating it three is below:

After reading the other reviews here, I was a little nervous about ordering because of the possibility of poor quality. You can imagine my thoughts when I opened the box and out falls a screw! Fortunately, the screw was to hold the lid onto the handle and I was able to reassemble. The other side was very loose too, so I do believe that it can be assumed that these grills are not well built. I cannot help but wonder what is loose on the inside that I don't know about, even though it seems to be working fine. While not totally cheap, the materials do seem slightly on the flimsy side compared to some higher end models, but I think they are acceptable for a $99 price. The exception is the grill plates which I think are very nice and even sturdier than my much loved previous grill.

The grill is attractive, but it is a bit clunky/bulky in size because of the extra griddle plate storage. Its a great idea, but now that I own it, I personally would prefer to have a sleeker unit and have to store the extra plate elsewhere. I also wish the cord was just a little bit longer. The gauges are difficult to read when standing at the counter, I have to bend over and get closer to eye level with it to set. I also wish the gauges had more markings, but that is not a big deal.

Overall, I am happy with the tri-grill. With exception of quality concerns, my complaints with the grill are relatively minor. For me, it isn't going to become my favorite appliance because these complaints are annoyances, but its acceptable and does a very good job at its intended function it does grill well (leaves nice grill marks on the food too).

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We searched until we found what looked like the prefect multi-function panini grill. It's a great concept and obviously someone thought of all the possibilities for cooking that it could do. And the storage for the extra plates is brilliant. However, when we took it out of the box, some screws and bolts fell out. Then we noticed that the anchors holding the heating element were loose and dangling. We couldn't put them in because the back, where the bolts went, was inaccessible. A little black rubber part fell out also, and we figured out that it was one of the rubber feet on the bottom, but the other one was missing.

We thought the metal which it was made of was rather thin and flimsy, and it was apparently carelessly assembled. Also, a lot of the parts rattled, making it sound not very sturdy. We are returning it without trying it and getting a refund. But after reading the 5-star review about how well it cooks, we are considering trying another one, just to see if this one was a lemon.

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My food is always sizzling and I love using these 3 different cooking positions for varieties of food we are cooking. Great design. Great product!

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I just threw item this in the trash after a near tragedy. It is made so cheaply that while I was cooking the top plate slid out when the lid was raised. The hot plate fell to the tile floor just missing my feet because I jumped backwards; still holding on to the lid. Mentally picture this with the bare red hot heat coils exposed; the hinge lid unstable and ground beef patties on the bottom plate. Unplugged the unit and cleaned up the mess. The next day my husband looked at the unit and determined that the ONE clip on the front was not securing the top plate properly. There was no way to bend or weld a piece on the clip to make it safe to use. I had even bought the extra waffle plates which was also a waste of money. The Customer Service at the manufacturer was insolent and a letter to the the Wolfgang Puck cookware website was never answered. Please for your safety do NOT buy this appliance!

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Char-Broil 8985027 Porcelain Wire Grid Brush

Purchased the charbroil porcelain wire grid grate grill cleaner. I really like it, it gets between the grill and cleans the stuck on food, all I do later is brush it with a wire brush and its clean. Really happy with the product, the price is crazy. I bought something really similar to this at home depot a few years ago, they no longer carry it, I paid something like $4.00. This was about the same, but add shipping and you're paying $12.00 for a $4.00 item. Guess amazon has to make money too!

A bit of a mess to clean the brush, however, it cleans the grill as expected. The grill comes out cleanly when used.

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I've owned one of these "turbo" type brushes previously with an older grill and it worked great. My new Char-Broil grill has larger grill grates (larger diameter bars and greater spacing between bars). This brush still does a pretty good job, but it's not as well suited to the larger grates. Still, it does the job without much effort. Although I do wish it had a longer handle as I find it easier to brush the grates while the grill is warm. About half way through the task my knuckles were getting toasty. :-) But for six bucks as an add-on item to another order it's worth the price.

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Use it clean a porcelain grill because it is not suppose to scratch the grate. Seems to do the job to scrap off the old burnt grime. Would give it 5 stars but the length is short and I sometimes start the grill before I clean it.

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Doesn't get into the corners of my grill that well. Don't really use it that much because of that. Other than that it is ok

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West Bend 84915 5-Quart Oblong-Shaped Slow Cooker with Tote

I've been slow-cooking since the first CrockPots (in the 1950's? -time flies). I've used a couple of dozen or more during that time. Settings were all Low-High-Off, later adding Warm. No bells and whistles. Most of these cookers were very unreliable on temperature control. Except for programming capability, little else has changed in 50 years.

The West Bend Versatility series is a quantum leap forward: non-stick metal pot that can be used to brown meat (any experienced slow-cooker knows what a convenience that is!); converts to a griddle if you don't have one handy; and has an infinite heating control from barely warm to just-short-of-boiling.

Because I'm a gadget geek, I made some tests. (First, please be aware that most slow-cookers typically peak at around the same point --somewhere between 180-210 degrees F, regardless of the heat setting. The main difference between Low, Medium, and High is how quickly the peak temperature is reached. Some of the more sophisticated cookers (the Versatility is one) have lower or higher peaks related to the setting. For the serious cook, these types are preferable).

My tests started with the pot 2/3 full of room-temperature water. I used a calibrated thermometer probe in the center of the pot. I put the cover on, but it wasn't seated where the probe wire exited.

TEMPERATURE SETTING #3 (LOW) HOURS MEASURED TEMPERATURE

1:00 157

2:00 176

3:00 180

4:00 182

5:00 183

6:00 183

7:00 188 (Flatlined)

TEMPERATURE SETTING #4 (MEDIUM)

1:00 170

2:00 188

3:00 194 (Flatlined)

TEMPERATURE SETTING #5 (HIGH)

1:00 155

2:00 198

2:45 209 (Flatlined)

I didn't do a time series on the #1 and #2 settings, but they topped out at 149 and 160 degrees respectively.

Remember that the Versatility setting is infinitely variable, so in-between heating speeds can be used. Also, bear in mind that these temperatures were measuring water only -cooking food may be different.

These ranges were relatively the same on both the 5-quart and 6-quart cookers.

Speaking of quarts, be aware that the "5-quart" has an actual maximum capacity of 4.3 quarts at overflowing. West Bend Customer Service still maintains that it's 5 quarts. The "6-quart" model is an actual 6-quart capacity. Practical capacity for cooking is, of course, less.

As other reviews have noted, there's no "off" setting, so you havee to unplug. However, the cooker end of the cored is unpluggable, so no big deal.

Other reviews have complained about the non-stick coating deteriorating. I refer them to the instructions in the manual, under the heading "Using Your Slow Cooker--First Use" wherein it describes how to avoid damage to the coating. I won't repeat it here -it's in the book. Also, note that while the coating is dishwasher-safe, it will last longer with hand-washing --a breeze due to the non-stick finish. Because so few users actually read directions, West Bend does not cover the non-stick under warranty.

All this said, the Versatiltiy is an incredible value for its price. It's a good example of how excellent design, engineering, and production can result in a quality product at very low cost. It's far and above any cooker I've used before.

4 stars only because it lacks an "off" switch, and the "5-quart" capacity is inaccurate and misleading.

Outstanding product and value!

This is my third West Bend Slow Cooker in 20 years. I got rid of my oldest one and now have two I use regularly. I ordered this one because it had a carrier tote; I take my slow cooker with me to covered-dish dinners and church socials. This is a nice extra feature, but I would have bought a West Bend anyway; I like the adjustable heat-not just high, medium and low. I use my slow cookers to thaw and reheat frozen foods,cook turkey breasts, and make soups.You can put ingredients in the cooker in the morning and come home to a hot dinner. This is a good product, easy to clean and can be used on the stove top or even in the freezer. I highly recommend it.

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I got this because of a friend's recommendation about a year and a half ago. I was expecting more of a Rival Crockpot type of device and when I first opened it I thought this just is not going to work well.

I am really surprised. It cooks well on the range top, the griddle part also works well as a griddle, and when you put the two together it also works just fine.

I made a pot roast a couple of weeks ago. I first browned onions, garlic and carrots on the stove top. Then I browned the meat an all sides as well. Took that out and tossed a little wine in to mix it all up and then put the meat, the onions, garlic and carrots and bay leaves, rosemary and thyme in the pot. Added beef stock half way up the roast, set it on the griddle base, turned it to low and let it go for about 6 hours. It came out just right. Everything done in the one pot and just the way I like it.

Way better than the old type of crock pot in my opinion. Lots of uses in one device and easy to clean up as well. Could not do better and it was not expensive.

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The only reason I can't give this product a 5-star rating is the color. (The picture on Amazon appeared white, the product box used for shipping definitely showed white, but the product is a matte-finish grey. I'm dubious about how it will hold up over time.)

I ordered this product to replace the same thing, received over 30 years ago for a wedding gift. And the only reason I needed a replacement was because the lower portion (element/grill) was lost in a move! All of the original item still worked when last used. I can't say that for any other electrical item that old in my house.

This product has been so reliable and convenient over the years for me that I love to give it for wedding gifts! It's the best way I've found to both brown a roast stove-top, forget it while cooking low on the grill with veggies or beans, and still take the dish to another location. The additional tote I now have with the new cooker will just make transport that much easier. And I frequently refrigerate the leftovers in the pan with lid. Reheating on stove-top is so easy.

Great product!

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I have two and I love them...It gets used 2-3 times a week....Easy to clean. Put your meal on in the morning and walaa, its done for dinner..

The best slow cooker, I like the oblong the best...

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BonJour Chef's Laser Probe Combo Surface and Internal Digital Thermometer

I've only had two days to play with this thermometer, but it certainly seems like a winner. The instructions are sometimes wrong with regard to how to operate the unit (you must press the _trigger_ and the up/down arrows to activate the laser/lcd backlight, not the _mode_ button and up/down), but once you figure it out you'll throw away the booket anyway. It does have high/low alarms (for emissive...not sure about the probe) and will do a high/low/average reading set.

I do not have a reliable way to determine whether the emissive temperature is accurate, but it appears to track closely with two of my other probe thermometers for cold-warm temperatures, and is in the right range for oven temperatures and, well, anything I could find to determine the temperature of. The probe seems equally accurate. Both are quick. The probe is comparable to my polder-look-alike, probably a bit faster to be honest. The emissive temp can be checked in a second or less, and can be set to continuously monitor (which would be useful with the alarms and the hold mode described below). When the probe is off, the unit sleeps after 60 seconds, with the probe on it will sleep after a few minutes. According to the manual, the unit will stay active for 1 hour with the "hold" mode engaged for continuous monitoring of emissive temps.

The laser is cute, but not really necesssary, as the sensitivity cone is 1:11, so at 11 inches away, the unit will read a 1" spot. Not really that hard to aim, and I would think the 1" parallax between the laser and thermal lens would cause error for really precise measurements.

The emissivity is adjustable over a very wide range. I believe you can set it as low as 0.10. The default is 0.95. Organics (per the manual) tend to be around 0.97 or 0.98, and it can be set as high as either 0.99 or 1.00 (not sure about the 1.00).

The unit seems sturdy, and the manual claims 140hrs continuous use on the 2 batteries. Obviously, having had it for two days I can't comment on battery life. Otherwise, its been a ball to play with.

I don't know what more you want from a thermometer. It is wonderful and I love having the probe on the same piece of equipment. I find that I use the infra red more than I expected (no more candy thermometers). It is highly accurated and has more features than I would ever use (it has various modes that would allow you to know Hi or Lo temp recorded plus others. I also have used it trouble shooting HVAC and the laser pointer (turns on or off) is nice when you are pointing to a register 20 feet away and want to ensure that you are capturing the correct temp.

It is fun. Highly recommend it.

p.s. the probe is a pivot function in that it does not FOLD out, but SWINGS out 180 degrees from its storage position. I suspect that this may not be as intuitive as some folks might like, but I have had no quality problems with this over the two-plus years that I have owned it.

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The probe worked well for the few times I used it but then it had an electrical problem where it flashed error messages and finally stopped working. I contacted the company and they told me there is no warranty. They said it is a "quality assurance" product which means it is guaranteed to work out of the box, but with no warranty after. Nothing like guaranteeing a product will work when you buy it. It would be funny but for the fact the probe is so expensive.

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If you do any cooking and need to know hot hot the oil is or check on how done your roast or whatever is, this is a great addition to the kitchen. I also use it for various other things around the house, including checking the temperature of the bath water. I love using it when frying fish...heat up the oil, point the laser at it and you have the exact temperature needed. I think it could also be used around the house or car to check the temperature at your AC vents, or to see how well your windows or doors are keeping the heat or cold in or out. I am very pleased with the quality and figure this is the kind of product that you wouldn't want to "buy cheap". You can spend more money, however, for most things around the house, it's an excellent investment and looks solid enough to be around for many years. Nice product.

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The thermometer works pretty well. The probe was accurate within two or three degrees, and the infrared was accurate within two degrees. It's easy and fun to use. The only change I would suggest is that the probe would read the temperature quicker because it takes upwards of 10 seconds to get a stable reading.

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Grill Alert Talking Remote Meat Thermometer

I used the thermometer about 7 or 8 times and it stopped working. I have seen several reviews complaining that the probe fails so I'm hoping that's the problem.

Update 2/27/08: I ordered a new probe from Brookstone for $25 (incl. shipping) and it is a much sturdier design than the original. I assume they were getting a lot of complaints and returns so they redesigned it. So far the new probe is working fine. Interesting to note, I gave a negative review of this product on their web site and they never published it, although they sent me a thank you note for my review.

I received this for Father's Day last year. I was skeptical but it actually works. I can put some tri-tip in the smoker and hang in the pool or chat with guests while keeping an eye on the large LCD display. The range is very good, I can sit in the pool with the display next to me on the deck (at least 20-30 feet away) or go back inside the house. It beeps and talks to you a few minutes before your food is at the desired temperature. I use it primarily for beef, and the settings (rare, medium, etc.) are pretty accurate. This is especially good for large cuts of beef since it is often difficult to gauge whether the meat is pink inside or not. I would highly recommend this. Easy to set-up, then all you do is select the type of meat and the desired cooking level. Pork and seafood default to only one setting choice (well-done) but you can just use the temperature readout to cook to the desired temp.

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I have owned several of these and given a few away as gifts. I LOVE how well they work when they are brand new so when mine failed I bought new ones assuming I just got a lemon. THEY ARE ALL LEMONS. My observation of several units is that the average service life is from 3 to 6 uses. Sometimes a new probe fixes the problem ($20 ea) sometimes nothing (including hitting the reset button) helps. Look at other product reviews on different web sites; they all complain about how quickly the unit fails. You may also notice that several different brands all look alike with the same screen indicating that they are all the same unit sold under different brand names.

With all the bad reviews of these things the firms selling these things should consider the ethics of selling something this expensive that only works a few times. Unfortunately the other brands of remote thermometers, from what I have seen, all seem to fail after only a few uses. This is a real drag because when they work, they work great, and I guess that's why I am so annoyed.

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Have I owned one of this make and model? No. But I have owned 4 or 5 of the Webber units that are essentially the same design. I have also owned 8 or 10 of the probes that stick into the meat.

The thermometers are great when they work. They are so good that, even knowing the design flaw, I keep buying them and replacement probes.

The receivers and transmitters all work well and seem to have an expected long lifetime. The probe is the Achilles heel in every make and model of wireless thermometer. Within the metal, flexible shielded cable that runs from the probe to the transmitter are small wires. Small weak wires. Small fragile wires. Small worthless wires due to their failure rate.

If the user closes the lid of the BBQ or smoker on the metal shielded cable between the probe and the transmitter, the internal wires WILL fail. It may take 2 or 3 times, but they will fail. If the metal shielded cable is kinked or bent too sharply, the internal wires will fail.

A couple of years ago I was on the Webber customer service line (again) requesting a new probe because the wires failed. I asked the customer service representative if she owned one of these wireless systems and, to my surprise, she said "Are you kidding? I would NEVER own one of these". I asked her why and she said "I have a full time job, 7 days a week taking calls just like this one people complaining 8 hours a day, 7 days a week because the probe failed".

Now, if I were her boss, I would have fired her on the spot. From a consumer's point of view I found this conversation somewhat alarming.

This summer I will probably buy another and attempt to keep the smoker's lid from crushing the tiny worthless wires but eventually I will fail and so will the probe.

In short, this is a great product with a major and easily correctable design flaw. Be prepared that the wires within the shielded cable can and will fail.

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Came right away! Works great. It even warned me when a roast caught fire on the grill. (made a different tone and I went to check) It also gives about a 5 degree warning before the target temp. is reached. The speaking voice is pleasant and loud enought to heard well. Has a belt clip to wear the reciever on your person. I've used it indoors and out, without fail.

Highly recomended!! Thinking of buy'n a second one for the vacation home.