Chef's Secret 5-Ply Stainless-Steel Griddle with Glass Lid

I bought this griddle to replace a non-stick one that we have owned for years. My husband had heard so many things about the dangers of the chemical coatings entering food that he really wanted us to get rid of all our pots and pans and go to something "safer".

I had to admit that all my "coated" pans had deteriorated and been replaced many times because the coating just does not last....So, we decided to try stainless steel, even though my prior experiences with it years ago had meant sticky surfaces, uneven cooking and hard to clean.

The CHEF'S SECRET is a great, heavy-duty stainless griddle that is actually easy to clean (with a brillo or scrubber) and it cooks even better than the pans I have used in the past, including the non-sticks. You do have to have a good coating before cooking to avoid sticking, but we like olive oil and that seems to work well in addition to being good for you.

It has a nice heft to it and solid construction and I love having a lid available, particularly a glass one to keep an eye on the food.

I HIGHLY recommend this griddle for its abilities, construction and style!

UPDATE 3/2013: We are STILL using this griddle and you would never know to look at it that it isn't brand new. Has obviously held up great!

I'm not a fan of non-stick cookware or aluminum cookware. So the choices for pancakes are limited to stainless steel or cast-iron. I looked into purchasing a cast-iron griddle at a local store. It was a really nice piece. However, I didn't feel confident that I'd have the time to keep the iron "seasoned" to prevent it from rusting. Since this unit was double the price of the cast-iron griddle, I'd been eying it for a while, but hesitant to pull the trigger. Well I finally did.

First thing I noticed when I opened the box, is that this unit is very heavy, and seems well constructed. The instructions say to wash it before using, so I had to wait a day before trying it. I used cooking spray about 2 times for 15+ pancakes. It heats evenly on the stove and I was able to fit 3 pancakes at a time with ease. I was using a 12 inch fry pan before which only allowed one pancake at a time. Cleanup required steel wool, but not much elbow grease. I am definitely pleased with this purchase.

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OMG, I have been trying to hold off on righting a review because I appreciate review from people who have really spent some time using the product to find out long term how they hold up. I bought in Jan. 2010 and love it!!! I cannot say enough good about it. Perhaps a little large for some people but that doesn't bother me at all. I cook one person meals on it all the time and like knowing I have room to cook more for company. It never sticks, everything cooks fast and even, clean up is a breeze. Have made eggs, pancakes, chicken, stir fry and grilled cheese on it. It is beautiful, substantial and versatile. Not one complaint. This will last a lifetime and then some. Just what I wanted, something to have and I need never look for another ever. I would give as gift (but if smaller size available that would be more appropriate for some). Love It!!!!!

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So, I was tired of making pancakes in my small frying pan where I had to do one at a time...This allows me to make 3 small pancakes (or 2 medium) at a time with a few small sausages cooking to one side. I like that it's all stainless steel and that there's no teflon coating to worry about. Also, it does retain its heat, so once it's hot you can cook the pancakes faster...

The only thing I have to mention is that the original price listed was over $100, and the final price was so discounted to around $35 that it seemed like such a bargain. Well, it's a bit of false advertising. The box it comes in is one of those with infomercial graphics spinning one of those sales pitches like, "MSRP $100....but you get it for only $35!" It's true value is between $30-45, given the prices on similarly priced pots at a discount homeware place in NYC last week.

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I received this item and it looked well-made. When I placed it on my glass-top electric range, however, I noticed that it wobbled a bit and as a consequence didn't appear to heat up uniformly. I suppose if you have a gas range this would not be an issue.

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Kenyon Custom B96001 Drip Trays for Kenyon Grills, 10-Pack

This pan is almost identical to an 8 x 13 pan one can buy at the grocery store. Both pans are just slightly smaller than what is required to cover the slotted lips on the sides of the bottom of the grill and catch the grease. It seems like the size should be about one inch bigger in both directions.

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The Camp Chef 9-1/4-by-5-3/4-by-3-1/4-Inch Seasoned Cast Iron Bacon/Meat Press

You can do two burger patties with this, which can not be said of several of the other brands. It is pre-seasoned, something that I did not see in the others. The weight is good. Works for panini, steak, burgers, grilled cheese and other sandwiches....enjoy!

In addition to using this for bacon, this is perfect for anything on the grill -I use it all the time for grilled chicken breasts and paninis, and am very happy with it's ease of use and clean-up.

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At one of my favorite dinners and dives I watched how they prepared their food. The Chef used this item for both his bacon and his delicious griddle top Texas toast. I ordered this product on his recommendation. It has good weight and it is well made. It works great for keeping the curl out of the bacon while reducing the grease splatter. And, it's good for 4-5 slices of bacon at a time or 2 griddle top Texas toast slices. I also discovered that when grilling steaks I preheat this on the grill. When I place my steaks on the grill I can then sear both sides of the steak with grill marks and reduce the cooking time. The steaks come off the grill great . I am ordering a few more for my second home and gifts.

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I bought this to use in conjunction with a Lodge Logic Pro 20-by-10-7/16-Inch Cast-Iron Grill, and it turned out to be an almost perfect companion piece. It is much larger than the Lodge Logic press, but not too large to fit onto the grill either direction, which is good. It's just large enough to cover two hamburger patties, or 4 short strips of bacon. It is pre-seasoned as advertised. Unfortunately, the one I bought was ever so slightly bent or warped, not enough to make a difference cooking meat but it does make it more difficult to heat when sitting on the griddle. Also, meat tends to stick to the press whether it's been preheated or not, making it more difficult to clean then the griddle itself. Altogether though, I would say this is the best cast iron press available on Amazon.

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I wish they made a version without the ridges though, it would suit my purposes better.

Just the right weight, it is truly preseasoned, but you still need to keep it that way.

No dishwasher etc

George Foreman GRP46R 72-Square-Inch Grill with Nonstick Removable Plates, Red

I originally bought this model grill thinking I'd use it a couple times a week due to the easy use and cleaning I've seen with other models. I was very wrong. I've found that instead of dripping into the little plastic tray, the grease runs down the curved bottom of the grill and eventually creates a big mess of the counter-top. I really wish I had gone a size bigger. If you are planning to grill decent sized chicken breasts, you have to do it one piece at a time. Finally, it heats very unevenly. Place two burgers on it at the same time and the burger on the right will be slightly burnt while the left burger is barely done. All these things combine into me using this maybe once a month if that, because I don't want to be bothered with the mess and inconvenience.

We bought this less than 6 months ago and my wife just threw in the trash. Consistently leaks grease while cooking that comes out under the grill behind the grease pan. This model is an update of one we used for many year until the heating elements failed. Whatever they did in updating should not have been done. "If it ain't broke don't fix it!" I wish I could give it zero stars. I take the blame for not returning it before the deadline. A real piece of crap.

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This is the worse George I ever owned. ONLY good thing about it is the grill plates only are easy to clean up, removable so you can soak then wipe clean. This is my 3rd George by the way. I do minute steaks on them and they are the best. BUT I can only do one at a time and it takes a long time to reheat so I can do the next. Making my minute steaks 5 minute steaks. The mess after on the counter after MANY attempts to reposition the drip tray is all over. The bottem of the machine is covered from it trailing down the bottem. Id give it an extra star for ease of cleaning the plates but because of the mess you have to cleanup on counter, not gonna happen. Not worth the money, just my opinion

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I had a prior electric grill that was bigger but was hard to clean. The removable plates are a must for me. I also like the wide hinge. I am thinking of getting a second one to be able to cook meat on one and veggies on the other. This is the easiest dinner and my kids love it. The only thing I find that is an issue is the I have to flip the meat or the top tends to get burned.

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I really wish I had read these reviews before I bought the GRP46R model grill. This was our third George Foreman grill..first on had the bun warmer top..the second was much larger. Since it is just the two of us I thought the smaller size and removable grill plates were just what we needed. The first time I grilled burgers the grease ran down the slope and onto my counter top. I thought maybe I didn't have the tray up close enough, but that was not the case. I don't know if I will be another George Foreman product (made in China, by the way) or get another brand name grill. I am very, very disappointed in this grill Judy F. Greenville, Florida

Whirlpool 31552A Heavy Duty Degreaser 16 Ounce

I used this to clean our heavily coated Vent-a-Hood. Cut through the grease on the first try and didn't leave any harsh chemical smells. Really liked it.

I would have given it five stars but the handle on the sprayer broke right out of the box and I had to put it in another sprayer.

The product itself is five stars

after trying all sorts of degreaser on my oven, this one is by far the best. Just let it soak in for 3 minutes and it will make your over look brand new! It took off

very stubborn patches of grease.

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IT WORKS. GETS GREASE OFF. IF GREASE HAS BEEN ON FOR YEARS AND YEARS, JUST CLEAN IT LIKE BY SPRAYING THIS DEGREASER ON ONCE A WEEK, LET IT SOAK FOR LIKE 3-5 MINUTES FIRST, THEN SCRUB AND WIPE OFF.

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This worked jsut fine and made cleaning the under part of the stove vent a much easier task to complete.

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I should have remembered that if something sounds too good to be true, then it usually is. Whirlpool Heavy Duty Degreaser did not do nearly as good a job as my Biokleen All Purpose Cleaner And Degreaser, which is a totally natural product.

Cuisinart GR-35 Griddler Compact

Have been using this new model for several months now. It is stylish on the counter-top. Larger than average plates for larger bread. Well built with a good Cuisinart warranty. The plates remove easily, making cleaning a snap. The plates are smooth on one side and ribbed on the other you choose which side you want to use. I cant comment on the drip tray since I don't make things that greasy, but it seems well positioned and practical. It is nice to be able to control the temperature somewhat and have the features and quality of more expensive models for a lower price.

I highly recommend this model (GR-35)

This little griddler-that-could answers the question: How do I cook quick and healthful meals daily. I've used it just about every day (and sometimes twice a day) since it was delivered, almost two weeks ago. I've had splendid results each and every time. It cooks like a champ and clean up is an absolute breeze. No splattering and the drip tray is adequately placed to catch any drippings. The stainless steel design matches my other kitchen appliances and, because it's compact, it doesn't take up much countertop space. An attractive and welcome addition to my kitchen. I'm so very glad that I purchased this product but may need to order a backup in case I overwork this one!

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Heats well, works great for sandwiches.

But, beware anything juicy/fatty. It will create a nasty mess.

The plates are interchangeable, which is a nice touch, but it'd be better if one is a dedicated 'bottom' plate and is truly designed for catching and funnelling juices/grease into the catch pan. In my experience (typically bacon), the drippings don't move well to the back of the plate and well up in the back of the plate when it does get there. The opening sometimes gets backed up (not stuff, simply doesn't flow) and the grease stays at the back of the plate. The back wall of the plate is not as tall as the front wall of the plate and drippings will spill over the back of the plate onto the counter and INTO the cooker itself.

Today I discovered the issue of the grease in the cooker (UNDER the metal plate holding the heating element). I had tipped the cooker over to clean the back feet of the cooker (because grease spilled over, again) and grease poured out of the bottom of the case. I unscrewed the heating element plate and saw puddles of grease in the plastic case. Inside the case there are plenty of little corrugations and other spots for the drippings to collect making it near impossible to thoroughly clean. Unless it all gets cleaned up the drippings in the case are going to go rancid and start to emit an ugly odor.

If I buy another cooker like this again, I will definitely inpect the plates.

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I recently purchased this product and so far everything I cooked (from grilled cheese to burgers filled with cheese) turned out great. The temperature is easy to control and the manual comes with a guide as to which temperature to cook each food. It's REALLY easy to clean. We are just two at home and it's the perfect size. If you have a larger family or like to entertain, I'd go for something bigger, but for a small household it's just perfect.

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Love, love, love the griddle. Great even cooking, nice size for small family, or when you don't want to haul out your big electric grill. I found them at costco like the previous reviewer on sale for 29.99 today. They have a instant rebate of $10 from the normal price of $39.99. Bought several for wedding gifts. I also love Amazon, but Big price gap.

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Bayou Classics Dutch Oven Tripod Stand with Chain

At first thought, a campfire tripod seems like something of an extravagant expense to have along on a hike, or camping trip. Nobody ever seemed to have bothered with one in the old westerns when they were chowing down on beans and bacon. So its kinda easy to imagine that like the cowboys and cattlemen of old, we could just save ourselves the trouble of toting it along and improvise when the time comes. Anyone who is reading this that has ever attempted to actually put that improvising into effect on the trail, knows full well what I am talking about when I say that for just that one time and place, a tripod system that actually works would be worth a portion of your prospected gold. Many a meat and potatoes dinner over a cracklin' fire has been ruined as it plunged into the fire pit after a make shift system that we created, and predicted "would work just dandy", collapses and takes both the fire, and your dinner with it. Quite simply put, there is just nothing like a store bought tripod system like the Bayou Classic in going to great lengths in making your dinner a success, as opposed to a cussed filled disaster. At just $20 at the time of this writing, I feel the 7485 model is the true best buy among the variety and price available here on Amazon. Pay a little more and you will get something a little higher, and thus wider that will accommodate larger diameter pots. But from my own examination of this line locally, I did not see any pronounced difference in ruggedness, or strength as the price increased. What you get for spending more in this line is more room for your dinner. Not any real discernible increase in heaviness, or construction. As another reviewer here noted, if your campfire iron ware is limited to about 14" or smaller, you will do just fine with this solid model. That measurement in my opinion is both large and generous enough to handle the vast majority of most rustic cooking lines. Only if you plan on moving a bigger herd that will call for a lot more cowfolk' is spending more money for a larger/taller unit all that necessary. This model with its adjustable chain should be all the average crew should ever need when it comes time to sit around the camp fire and enjoy the sweet fruit and pickin's of your days hike, or hard labor.... Much Recommended

This tripod was cheaper then the others that I priced. So I was a little hesitant about the quality. But when I got it, I'm very pleased with it. I'm glad that I didn't buy the more expensive tripods. This one is just as good.

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If you cook in pots over open fires this item is a must have. It's sturdy construction and adjustable chain heights make it perfect for using even your largest cast iron pot.

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This is a really nice product and half the price of the other brands. It's a great buy if you use a Dutch oven less than 14" wide. I use a 12" 6Qt Dutch oven and it fits, but leaves little room to maneuver the lid on/off. It's fine if set at a lower level, but the fire is really on the Dutch oven like that. You would need to accept that or dig a hole for your fire to have a greater distance from flame to oven. In retrospect I would have bought the 60" model other brands have, but it really works fine if you just dig that hole.

I gave this 4 stars only because I think it should be taller. That extra height would allow the legs to be spread wider and accomodate a larger oven or just allow for a larger one to be lifted higher from the flames.

It's still worth the price anyway...

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I bought this item this past October (2009) and received it immediately. First, I was very happy with the packaging and turn around time. Secondly, I was shocked at what a great value this is for only $19.99. I guess I didn't read the description clearly when I ordered it because I didn't realize it came with a bag...and that only makes it a better value. This tripod is sturdy and very well designed. The three legs are hinged together, in essence making it all one piece, and set up is FAST. The bag is a sturdy nylon with handles. Even if I had not received a bag I would still say I had made a great purchase. I'm very pleased.

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Winix WDH871 70 Pint Dehumidifier with Built-In Pump White with Charcoal Grill

This unit is identical to the WDH851 with the difference that one is rated 70 pints and one 50. The first thing to clarify about that rating, and this applies to all dehumidifiers, is that it refers to the maximum amount of water it can remove in 24 hours, not to the size of the tank (which is a fairly standard 2 gallons).

I live in DC and have a beach house in Puerto Rico, which remains closed for 2-3 months at a time so keeping humidity in check becomes a regular chore. I've had and/or tested around 10 dehumidifiers in the last few years. In general they all do the job, clear the air of excess humidity, and they do this fairly effectively. The differences come in how they do this:

1) how many speed settings they have,

2) can the unit be set to run automatically to maintain a certain humidity percent,

3) how noisy are they (notice I don't say how quiet are they, all of them make noise),

4) how are they drained: bucket vs. gravity drain vs. pump

5) how sturdy are they

6) how easily can they be moved from one room to the next (not all wheels are the same)

This unit has 2 fan speed settings. At the high speed this is fairly loud. I'm not talking Rolling Thunder loud, but not quiet enough to keep in a bedroom or to have a quiet conversation next to it. I use this setting for when I'm out of the house. The low setting makes a comfortable background white noise similar to an area fan.

One of the things I like best about this unit is that it has 3 ways to drain the water: 1) manually by carrying a bucket (very solid construction), 2) gravity drain, and 3) it has an included pump that can drain the water up to 15 feet vertically.

The unit has an automatic on and off (or sleep mode) depending on the pre-set humidity level.

The wheels in this unit work very well. In other units (the Danby 60 pint and the Kenmore 70 pint) the wheels either broke or sagged so much that they were worthless after a few months.

Compared to the Frigidaire 70-Pint Dehumidifier (FAD704TDP), the Winix is far better.

1) it is better constructed, the wheels are bigger and easier to roll and the bucket handle feels stronger,

2) it includes a water pump (pump and hose for the Frigidaire add about $80-100)

3) it is quieter, particularly at the low fan setting

I purchased this dehumidifier and went for the premium price tag because I needed a unit that would pump and drain the bucket automatically (secondary residence, not there to empty bucket). It arrived mid-June, we set it up the following week and left, only to return the following weekend and find the "bucket full" light illuminated. At this point, I contacted Winix in an effort to troubleshoot and hopefully fix the problem. After a few rounds and emails, Winix offered to have the unit picked up and tested in their facilities and sent a replacement for us to use in the meantime. The replacement pumped, but only sporadically at best. The pump would activate and drain three times, then not work at all. One week we'd find the bucket drained, the next, the light would be on. In between we literally had to suck on the end of the drain hose to prime the pump, after which it would start. After two months of back and forth with Winix (very customer friendly, high marks for customer service -the product is not good), I thanked the customer service rep, but suggested that we call it quits and be allowed to return the unit for a refund. She referred me back to Kitty Hawk Enterprises (apparently an online division of Costco) and said I should have no problem getting a refund -that between our email correspondence and confirmation from Winix that we made a valiant effort to try and resolve the problem with the manufacturer, there should be no issue at all. Unfortunately, that wasn't the case. Kitty Hawk refused to bend on the 30-day return and would not even look at the correspondence or contact Winix to confirm all of our efforts. We thought we did the right thing by going to the vendor, but KH informed us that we should have also contacted them and would not budge. I spoke with Amazon directly and the agent, who completely concurred that a credit was in order, initiated an A to Z guarantee claim. But, I just got a message that we were 13 days beyond the time frame for that as well. I am surprised, as I have always found Costco to be very customer friendly. This contact was downright hostile and rude -I'm thinking of calling Costco headquarters to relay the story and see what they say. Very unhappy to be out of pocket for over $350 for a product that never worked. Overall, a good dehumidifier, except for the pump. Reading all the other reviews of this and other brands and models with pumps, this seems to be a feature that is notoriously unreliable in all makes and models. I am going to try the Delonghi and I will purchase locally from Best Buy so that I can test it and easily return it if it doesn't work. A product category as unreliable as this one and difficult to ship (requiring time for back and forth that eats up warranty period) is simply a huge mistake!

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Got this to replace an existing dehumidifier in my basement. I chose this model because:

1. It has a built-in pump that empties into a sink (I do not have a drain on the floor)

2. Hi capacity per day

I cannot tell you how wonderful it is not to have to manually empty the bucket! And more importantly, it does not fill up and then turn itself off like my old unit did.

The unit does have some limitations:

1. Price is a bit higher, but I am willing to pay more for quality and suggest you do the same

2. The fan does seem to stay on and on and on and on... and it rarely shuts off, and even when it does, it is only for a short time.

3. It is quite loud. Do not expect to sleep, read, eat, watch TV, or anything else near this unit. On hi or on low, it is loud. I have mine in the basement, and it does not matter to me how loud it is because I am not down there much. If I was down there it would be a big problem for me.

The pros again:

It works quite well, solving the basement water issue

The built in pump

Seems solid

Triple boxed (!) so it arrived in perfect shape

I may buy a second one for my garage...

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We've had a dehumidifier in our basement for over 2 years and it ran allllll the time. It finally quit and we bought this one. I was skeptical about it draining itself with the built-in pump, but it works fantastically. It is very quiet compared to the previous one. And it shuts itself off when the humidity level goes down so it's not running forever. I'm very pleased with this product.

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This product worked well for the first year then would not work at all. The unit would freeze up even though the temperture was 68 degrees.

Living Accents Courtyard Creative Grill Gazebo Stools 19.2" X 15.3" X 29.9" (Pack of 2)

This Grill Gazebo is great. I have a lot of cookouts and my son is the grill master so I thought I could at least give him some shade from the sun while he is cooking. When I saw the gazebo I knew it would be perfect for the job. It fit perfectly over my double grill and the two side tables are great for holding your utensils and serving food. The stools that came with the gazebo are very comfortable.

We live in the country, no wind breaks in our backyard, and the gazebo blew down two times in the first two weeks. We anchored it down with foot long augers, took the top off, and it seems to be stable now. Will wait for summer to put the top back on. If your backyard is protected by a fence, you should have no problem. It really improved the look of my patio and grill.

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FoodSaver T02-0050-05 Quick Marinator 2-1/4-Quart Square Canister

As far as a vaccum canister it is far superior to round containers that are availible. The nice part being that it is a better shape for leaving in the fridge and stacking things on top of it.

The tray iself is made of some pretty thick plastic, its not a wimpy thing. Two parts, there is a lid with a silicone gasket around the edge and then the bowl of the tray. The bowl can be machine washed. There is a valve on the top with 3 settings. Open/Vaccum/Close. To use hook the accessory hose up to the valve in Vaccum mode and engage the pump. My 550 takes about 20+ seconds to evacuate the air out with about a pound of meat in the tray.

Its kind of weird but the top is held on by vaccum pressure so if the tray is emty and you grab the top only the lid comes off. But once the vaccum is pulled they are very well held together.

The tray can hold a good amount of food. I like the dimensions.

It is said that using vaccum makes things marinate faster. I'm not sure how true this is as I have never done a side by side comparison. But I have observed one thing. I was making some Jerky and I put one batch in the tray and vaccumed it and put the other batch in a non-vaccum container of similar dimensions. Left both overnight. In the morning when I went mix the meats up so it would marinate evenly all of the marinate in the vaccum tray was gone, it had been sucked up by the mean. The regular tray still had marinade in it. Same meat, same basic marinate (one had chili pepper for some extra heat). The strength of the marinade seem stronger in the finished product as well. So I guess there is something to it.

Either way when I marinate something for a short time I always use the vaccum (if for no other reason than to justify all the money I spent on it).

I own a FoodSaver Vac 1050 and I also had an earlier FoodSaver model which died from years of constant use. I have had the square canister for a number of years, in fact I now have two of them. Suffice it to say, they are a great companion to the vacuum sealer. As the title of the review says, this product is great for marinating steaks, chops, poultry parts etc. Your marinade is able to penetrate deeper into the fiber of the meat and thus you get a much more tender cut.

But I also keep leftovers and cold cuts sealed in this unit. It stores quite well in the refrigerator due to its compact size. Food really does stay much fresher in a vaccuum packed container and the canister is more convenient than constantly sealing, cutting and re-sealing vaccuum bags.

Because you will be able to maintain the freshness of your food(s) longer, this unit will more than pay for itself in no time. If you own a FoodSaver, this is a perfect companion.

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I have had four of these, and three have failed. The first two developed cracks, and I suspect that the dishwasher, in which I only washed the bottom part of the marinator as advised, warped and weakened them. After buying two more, the first two having been relegated to the potting shed as seed-starters, I have handled them with kid gloves so to speak, (no dishwasher), and the seal on one fails to hold for even a few hours. So far, so good with the fourth one. Whoopee. These are not cheap items, and even if they were less costly, a 75% failure rate is quite unacceptable. If they really functioned as they should, they would be fabulous for not only marinating in short order, but storing other items as well. All the round canisters and the wide-mouth jar sealer work exceedingly well, but I'll not buy any more "marinators" until there is a successful improvement in design.

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Basically, the FOODSAVER system is sound and well designed EXCEPT for the canisters which often crack. Many of us have urged Tilia to upgrade the plastic canisters, and so far they have refused. I do not put the canisters in the dishwasher, or even use harsh chemicals. One canister cracked, pressurized, on the shelf after a few weeks without being moved. When you call Tilia they will let you know that there is NO WARRANTY OF ANY KIND on their canisters, which tells volumes about how they view their own product.

Tilia blames their customers for the cracks. I am honestly sorry I did not heed the warnings I read by Amazon consumers before I purchased. I usually depend on Amazon customer recommendations for all my purchases. I have spent much money on Tilia accessories, and am now considering looking for another brand. Hope this helps, Ron

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I initially purchased these because I thought they would fit better in the refrigerator since they were not round, which they do. I also appreciate the fact that you have to turn a dial to release the vacuum so that it cannot happen by accident. However, because the dial is not recessed, the containers do not stack well on top of each other without using something as a shim between them. I wad up a clean kitchen towel into a snake and place it on the top of the lid before placing another container on top of it. This method seems to work fine for holding things in place.

I do not put these in the dishwasher, so I can't tell you how that would impact their life. I have had three of these for a couple of years now, and all of them still function as designed.

Overall, I like this product a lot. They work great for quick marinating of vegetables, something that I do a lot. I took off one star because they don't stack as well as they should.

Tool Wizard BBQ Brush Replacement Scrubbers

These go in my favorite grill brush so I hate to say anything negative, but I will probably buy them at the grocery from now on and save money. Not that there was anything wrong with them, they worked perfectly(I gave them 5 stars they must have) but the cost is higher than retail stores and I think I can get the exact same thing for alot less.

This is a great product...Can't fault it at all...But...Look on the cleaning isle in your supermarket, next to the dish sponges...

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A great product, does a great job at cleaning grills. But a $2.99 item being sold for over $12.00 is outrageous!! Suggest the Charcoal Companion Scrubber Refills, 4 pack for less than $7.00.

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I just logged on to order replacements for my grill brush and was shocked to see the new price on these scrubbers. My Amazon records show I purchased this last year at just over $3.00 and now it's over $13.00???? That's ridiculous for two scrubber pads...while I love this product I'll purchase it elsewhere from now on.

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I used to clean a heavy cast iron propane grill grate after cooking, don't use before cooking unless you wipe down the grate. Did the job, but as previous reviewer mentioned after few uses leaves flakes of the steel material on the grate, but takes off caked on grease and charred flesh from previous grilling.

It's okay, but I will not be buying replacement scrubbers, the wire brushes do the same trick and don't leave any steel flakes in your grill.

Cuisinairre Hot Shot 7 Roller Hot Shot Commercial Grade 7-Roller 18 Hot Dog Grill Maker Machine, 14

My boyfriend and I bought this hot dog machine and we love it. We cook everything (round) on it. Like sausages, sweet, hot and chinese, brats and even corn on the cob. It takes about 45 min for the sausages. But so worth it. Leaves the meat with a crisp crunchy edge. Not a flame broiled burnt edge like a grill would. Everyone that comes to our house thinks it's the best. It's not like I've seen this in a lot of my friends houses. If your on Amazon looking for one of these hot dog cooking machines. I totaly recommend this one.

When I was on here looking for one. I didnt see to many reviews. So I thought it would be a good idea to leave one. Also I am happy with Amazon and the company from which this machine came from.

Terrible product! I ordered 4 of them ALL FOUR broke within 2 months. Just enough time not be able to return them. Do not waste your money.

Buy Cuisinairre Hot Shot 7 Roller Hot Shot Commercial Grade 7-Roller 18 Hot Dog Grill Maker Machine, 14 Now

Worked very well when it arrived. I donated it to my grandsons High School athletic department. So far, so GOOOOD ! I'm sure it will receive the ultimate test.

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I bought this product back in December for my husband. He LOVES hotdogs and I thought it would be a great gift for him. It is amazing. Everyone gets to enjoy it. Our guests love it! It works perfect and makes the most amazing hotdogs and sausages. They have the perfect 'pop' when you eat them as if you were at the ball game. We used this machine all winter long for sporting events and now are enjoying it this summer for our summer fun. It is effortless to cook the hotdogs and sauasges and the food tastes wonderful.

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Great product works great makes great hot dogs and sausages! Great price for the hot dog roller fast shipping! Can't wait to have a party to use it!

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George Foreman Champ Grill, Red

I've had a several variations on the small George Foreman grills. I have literally worn most of them out, and they last when cared for! I use my GF a LOT. They are great when making a meal in the summer. It doesn't noticeably heat the room like the broiler in my oven and I think it uses much less power all year round. They are just the right size for one or two people.

I cooked steak, lamb, pork, chicken, salmon, tuna, cod, haddock, bluefish, trout, and a bunch of stuff that just isn't coming immediately to mind. It was all great. The biggest danger is over-cooking because it's so fast and cooks from both sides at once.

When cooking for one and there is space behind a steak or pork chop, I put slices of veggies like bell pepper and onions back there to cook with the steak. Behind the steak is a steamy spot on the grill and these veggies cook to perfection in the same time as the steak. Sometimes I rub them with olive oil for a nice taste.

The tilted design is great to get rid of grease and the hot plates sear the surface to seal in juices and flavor. With fish I like to use a very light coating of Mayo which seems to help make pink and white fish even more detectibly moist and tasty. With steak and meats the grill works great with rubs and spices. I really like the Paul Prudome "magic" line of spices. Yum! Even cooking a whole trout is great, albeit I needed to slice it in two at the ribs so it all fit at once. About 6 minutes between the plates and done to yummy perfection.

If you freeze steaks, a 6 oz 3/4" thick steak frozen solid and dropped on the hot places will be done to medium in just about 10 minutes, in my experience steak cold out of the fridge of the same size/thickness is done to medium in about 5 to 6 minutes. The timing is just about second nature now.

The non-stick surface isn't perfect, though pretty good. Be careful with forks/knives and use a plastic spatula to remove fish as it has a greater tendency to stick than anything else.

Cleanup is oh so easy. While one must not put their little GF in the dishwasher or immerse it (I wish the plates were removable!) it's still pretty easy to clean.

First, just after the food comes off I give it a quick hot wipe with a paper towel to get the bulk off. Just takes a second to do this. After the meal I finish the clean-up by hanging the front of the GF over the sink and using a soapy wet sponge. I thoroughly wash the plates and clean the catch tray. Then I use the clean catch tray to rinse the plates of soap, then drain it and both air dry. Water all flows into the sink and it's really clean. It all takes a minute or two.

This is a great tool. If it wasn't so great why would I keep buying them? :-) I even keep a spare on the shelf in case my current 4 year old one fails. I love my GF and its saved so much of my time while giving me great food to enjoy.

Update May 2013:

I've moved to a new GF Champ (the current one was bought 4 years ago) and the cooking times seem to be a little longer than my old one. Just a little reminder that while all the GF Champ variations are virtually identical (except for the plastic shell) there are small individual differences in how hot they get and cooking times may need small adjustments between units. I find the same thing is true in Microwave ovens. A small adjustment.

I still love my GF Champ and have given just about one of every champ model to friends or family members.

I cook a ton of stuff on my Foreman chicken, pork chops, and steaks. I got this smaller one because I live in a small NYC apartment and you have to be wary of the footprint of everything. The main issues I have with it are that it's kind of a pain to clean because the plates aren't removable and the power cord is just way too short. Again, it's an NYC thing and probably not an issue if you live in a larger, more modern apartment with lots of counter space and outlets nearby. For me though, I have to position it oddly or use an extension cord.

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I just bought this grill and it was delivered in 2 days. It replaced an earlier one that I had for about 8 years which was losing its non stick coating.

The size of this grill was a little smaller than my first one and I was a little surprised even though I had written down the measurements.

However it turned out to be a blessing in disquise. It is still large enough for my needs and the benefit of the smaller size is less weight and less counter space and easier cleaning. Actually it is so light that I can hold it with one hand so that running hot water runs over the plates while holding with one hand without getting into the wiring or the underside. That enables me to use those separately sold sponges to easily clean the grille. Then wipe it dry with a paper towel.

I had initially wanted to purchase a grille with the removable plates for washing in the dishwasher, but after reading all the customer reviews it appears that those models do not heat up sufficiently to really sear the meat.

This model heats up quickly and heats up to a higher temperature than my original model, easily searing the meat. It will cook a 1 pound hamburger or two thick pieces of pork in 5 minutes.

I would recommend this model to single people who want something quick, easy and economical. Get the sponges as they are worth the money.

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You can't go wrong with George's products. They do what he says they'll do. Quick cook times and easy to clean.

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We have a family sized foreman that we have used for years & still works great. I wanted a small one that was more for one person & can be left on the counter for daily use. This is exactly as expected but did not come with cleaning sponge as advertised. Overall I still feel like I got a great deal.

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Kingsford Texas Sop-Mop with Removable Head

I actually use this to mop the floor behind my toilet. The area is hard to get to and very small, the sop mot fits easily, cleans well, and then I throw it in the washer! Nothing could be easier!

This bbq mop is basically worthless. The mop head just falls off while you are using it. Yeah, it's removable, but it should at least stay on while you are trying to use it for the intended purpose.

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There isnt really much you can say about a sop-mop, but this was worth every penny. The handle is long, which is great because my grill is huge, and reaching in back to brush things with a paintbrush-style brush can lead to some singed hair. Anyway, the mop comes off for easy cleaning too.

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Commercial Super Skewer Barbecue Skewers - 27" Length (10-pack) FREE STANDARD SHIPPING IN USA

No more food spinning on skewers, the size and leverage pulls food off of sticky grills, perfect skewers every time. They were too long for my grill, so I just cut them down and ground a new tip. No rusting in the DW, these will last a lifetime.

Westinghouse SA40130 Searing Grill and Griddle, Stainless Steel

Unit has heavy grill and griddle plates with two temperature sensors, one for the top plate and one for the bottom plate. Each plate has an imbedded heating element. Plates are removable for cleaning. Unit opens 180 degrees for griddle or closes for grilling meat or sandwiches, However, in the closed position the weight placed on the meat is substantial.

Are you frustrated with the lower quality of Foreman's grills (which used to be good but not anymore)?

Are you frustrated with the lack of features in Foreman's grills?

After looking for a long time, I came across this unit:

* Timer with auto shut-down

* Temperature control

* Easy to clean, removable, interchangeable, reversible, plates with *internal* heating system

* 180° degrees openning

* Adjustable height (but not much)

* 2 dripping trays

* 1 sauce tray

* Safe cold-handle

* Excellent quality

So, is there anything wrong with it? Well, the only thing that it may bug you is that it's not tilted (so grease will not drip in the same way as in tilted ones).

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I did plenty of research for this one and it paid off. It has a nice floating hinge for even cooking (You might like to use an oven pad to adjust the angle when the grill is hot). Chicken cooks juicier than our last George Foreman. Steak is nicely seared. Panini's are excellent. Removable plates that clean in dish washer are very convenient and easy to take out and put in. Largest grill I have seen with removable plates and embedded heating elements. Great buy so far. We'll have to see how long the anti-stick lasts...

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This item was purchased late February, 2012. On April 17, 2012 a defect in design made it impossible to remove the upper plate to clean and reverse to the smooth griddle side. One of the screws had loosened and it could not be reinstalled. Calls to Westinghouse for assistance with defect were never returned.

4-21-12

Two calls to Westinghouse (SAI) on 4/16/12 and 4/19/12 have still not been returned. Zero customer service by Westinghouse. Buyer Beware.

4-23-12

Amazon replaced the defective griddle. Kudos to Amazon for standing by the customer by honoring the warranty.

4-26-12

Another call to SAI Home Products today. I wanted them to be aware that someone still has not called me back. The person I spoke with could have cared less about my problem. He was very rude.

In addition, I thought it important that the Amazon vendor, Wholesale A.V. should be aware that getting warranty service for products they sell is nearly impossible. To my surprise I called their contact number listed on the website and twice I did not get any answer.

Pretty sad that the company that manufacturers the product and the Amazon Storefront that sells the product could not be contacted.

Thank You Amazon!!!

Five Stars for Amazon Customer Service!!!

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Rome's #1305 Panini Press Cooker, Cast Iron with Steel and Wood Handles

This is a cast iron panini press. Which means it is heavy, especially with the long handles. Because it is iron , you need to cure it before using it the first time, so that it will not rust over time. This means you unscrew the handles, place oil in side the surface of the press and leave it in the oven for an hour so that the oil seals the surface. This is a one-time thing. Once you start using it, you should avoid using water to clean it, use a dry sponge or paper towels. One useful feature is that you can unhook the two surfaces, and place each one on a burner to preheat the press before using to make the paninis even faster.

The paninis come out outstanding. I use it on a gas burner at home, an electric burner would not work. I have not tried it in the grill or outside, but reckon it would work as well as in the gas burners.

I have used the Foreman-type panini makers that you plug in, put the paninis are infinitely better with this product. I would use the plug-in type only to make a grilled cheese sandwich for the kids.

Some tips with the paninisuse the best bread you can find, like a baguette, make sure the filing has adequate salt and paper, rub olive oil on both outer surfaces to get the crispy crust, turn often and open the press to see the toasting progress.

Enjoy!

I loved the idea of getting a cast iron panini cooker because I wanted to avoid the nonstick panini grills out there. It is a very heavy piece, so if the user has problems with hand/wrist strength, this may not be the item for you. The unit is made to be used on the stove (electric or gas), cooking the panini on one side and then flipping over to the other. The two cast iron plates come completely apart at the hinge, and you then have each plate attached to a metal rod with a wooden handle, making clean up easier. However, if the handle problem is fixed, I believe that this would be a really nice item to have in the kitchen.

I gave this only 4 stars because when I attempted to unscrew the metal rods from the plates in order to place the plates in the oven to "season" them as instructed, one wooden handle started spinning around the metal rod, and therefore I could not unscrew it from that plate. Looks like the handles are poorly attached to the metal, and should be secured much tighter. So, I am returning the unit after not having been able to test it out, so I can't speak to how it works.

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I bought this as a gift for my mom and dad. They used it and said that it made a great panini sandwich. They will definitely be making many more!

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We go camping a lot and I was looking for some healthier foods to take along; I thought panini might be tasty and fun. This maker is solid cast iron and very heavy and does well in the campfire. The handles screw in and remove easily for cleanup if desired. There is a rather cheap little hook clasp to hold the two handles together when making a sandwich, and I find it difficult to undo when the maker is hot from the fire, but it actually does do a good job of holding everything tightly together so you get a perfectly cooked sandwich. Toasting a sandwich in this method just makes the flavors come alive, and you really can use just about anything to make your sandwiches. Just some dense bread, sliced deli meat, cheese, onion, arugala, and red pepper hummus made our first sandwiches. The maker comes with a cardboard wrapper that has printed instructions for seasoning the cast iron, along with a little history of panini and some recipe suggestions. I followed the seasoning directions and my first few sandwiches stuck just a little but were easily popped out with a knife. The non-stick surface will develop with time, I'm sure. Used a vegetable oil to season it but now found a sunflower oil spray for making the sandwiches. We also use this at home on a little gas grill but it doesn't get nearly as hot as a campfire and the cook time is much longer, but it still works. This really is ideal for grill or campfire, but make sure you have someplace to set it while cooking. You really wouldn't want to try to hold this heavy maker for 8 minutes or so by the handles.

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I needed to lose weight in order to lower my blood pressure and I decided to cut back on my caloric intake.Cooking for myself I thought that vegetarian panini's would help me control my weight.This panini maker is just what I needed.Buying club rolls at my nearby bakery,I hollowed them out and filled them with all kinds of vegetables and low fat cheeses.After spraying the inside with olive oil,and on a low-medium flame,this cooker cooked the panini to prefection in 6 minutes (three minutes on either side).Voila perfect,crunchy panini.Since it's solid cast iron it will last a life time!!

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