Rachael Ray Stainless Steel 10-Piece Cookware Set Orange
I love this pan set! I wasn't sure if I would like cooking on stainless since I've only ever owned non-stick. The stainless pans are a little harder to clean, but they cook so much better than my old pans which didn't have the metal plate on the bottom. These pans are great to use on my ceramic cooktop which cycles on and off to maintain temperature. They really keep the pan temperature steady.
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
T-FAL Professional Gourmet Fry Pan- Black(10.25)
T-FAL Professional Gourmet Fry Pan- Black(10.25)
This pan gets used several times a day for preparing meals and snacks. Non-sticks don't last forever so I have learned to keep checking the market for the latest and greatest when I wear out a non-stick. I sought this one out after reading a good recommendation in Cook's Illustrated and was not disappointed. The pan is a little deeper than others I've had which seems to make it more versatile. But the sides aren't too high. Omelets still slip out easily. It heats quickly and evenly. Cleaning is simple. The handle is cushioned and easy on the hand. I hang my pots from hooks, and the cushioned handle means the hole in the handle is a little smaller than the holes in my other pans I hang, but I can still hang it, just a little more carefully. For a non-stick that gets heavy use, it is holding up very well after 5 months. I would not only buy it again, I wish I could find it in a 12-inch version.
This pan gets used several times a day for preparing meals and snacks. Non-sticks don't last forever so I have learned to keep checking the market for the latest and greatest when I wear out a non-stick. I sought this one out after reading a good recommendation in Cook's Illustrated and was not disappointed. The pan is a little deeper than others I've had which seems to make it more versatile. But the sides aren't too high. Omelets still slip out easily. It heats quickly and evenly. Cleaning is simple. The handle is cushioned and easy on the hand. I hang my pots from hooks, and the cushioned handle means the hole in the handle is a little smaller than the holes in my other pans I hang, but I can still hang it, just a little more carefully. For a non-stick that gets heavy use, it is holding up very well after 5 months. I would not only buy it again, I wish I could find it in a 12-inch version.
HealthMaster LWHM Living Well/Montel 1100-Watt 2-Quart Fruit-and-Vegetable Emulsifier
HealthMaster LWHM Living Well/Montel 1100-Watt 2-Quart Fruit-and-Vegetable Emulsifier
I've had my HealthMaster for two months now and have made gelato, healthy and delicious smoothies with fruits AND veggies combined, hot soup and I've even mixed BREAD DOUGH in it. I have not bought a loaf of bread since I got the machine. (I've made 5 loaves of yeast breads so far.) I do prefer to not "cook" the soup in the machine, but instead finely chop the veggies in broth (it takes only seconds to do) and then add them into a pot with beans or lentils for texture and protein and finish cooking. I use a no-knead 100% whole wheat bread recipe (found on the back of King Louis brand flour) and it mixes the most moist, delicious bread without any struggle in the HealthMaster. I have refound the joy of cooking. My neighbors love my machine, too! I have shared about 5 different flavors of gelato with them as well as some bread. If you thoroughly DRY your HealthMaster components after washing, there is little chance of experiencing the rust issues some folks are talking about. I don't have a dishwasher, but it's a breeze to wash by hand as well. READ the short instruction booklet and you will enjoy a great machine. It is large, but I love this machine!
I've had my HealthMaster for two months now and have made gelato, healthy and delicious smoothies with fruits AND veggies combined, hot soup and I've even mixed BREAD DOUGH in it. I have not bought a loaf of bread since I got the machine. (I've made 5 loaves of yeast breads so far.) I do prefer to not "cook" the soup in the machine, but instead finely chop the veggies in broth (it takes only seconds to do) and then add them into a pot with beans or lentils for texture and protein and finish cooking. I use a no-knead 100% whole wheat bread recipe (found on the back of King Louis brand flour) and it mixes the most moist, delicious bread without any struggle in the HealthMaster. I have refound the joy of cooking. My neighbors love my machine, too! I have shared about 5 different flavors of gelato with them as well as some bread. If you thoroughly DRY your HealthMaster components after washing, there is little chance of experiencing the rust issues some folks are talking about. I don't have a dishwasher, but it's a breeze to wash by hand as well. READ the short instruction booklet and you will enjoy a great machine. It is large, but I love this machine!
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Cuisinart Chef's Classic Stainless 6-Quart Sauce Pot with Lid
Cuisinart Chef's Classic Stainless 6-Quart Sauce Pot with Lid
Actually Ron's wife here. This cooking pot does it all, from spagetti to soup. It has nice even heating so there is no burnt food. It cleans up beautifully. The handy size is great for corn on the cob and spagetti pasta, especially if you don't have a large family to cook for any more. The lid is great, too. It designed perfectly so there's no leaking around the edges. And the price is right ... I would highly recommend this item.
Actually Ron's wife here. This cooking pot does it all, from spagetti to soup. It has nice even heating so there is no burnt food. It cleans up beautifully. The handy size is great for corn on the cob and spagetti pasta, especially if you don't have a large family to cook for any more. The lid is great, too. It designed perfectly so there's no leaking around the edges. And the price is right ... I would highly recommend this item.
Futura by Hawkins Hard Anodized Pressure Cooker
Futura by Hawkins Hard Anodized Pressure Cooker
I was looking for a small pressure cooker that could be used for camping or for making smaller quantities of food at home. This was the smallest I could find and I'm totally pleased with the quality and the price.
I don't think I would backpack with it, but it's ideal for canoe camping or car camping. I'll be using it at home most of the time because it's just the right size for making a quick meal of lentils or rice.
The handle does take up space. That's unfortunate for travelers and those with small kitchens. I would have preferred a design that had small grips on either side of the cooker.
Its too small for most published pressure cooker recipes. Too many authors assume that everyone cooks for a large group. If you do cook for groups, consider something larger. This cooker is ideal for the rest of us.
I was looking for a small pressure cooker that could be used for camping or for making smaller quantities of food at home. This was the smallest I could find and I'm totally pleased with the quality and the price.
I don't think I would backpack with it, but it's ideal for canoe camping or car camping. I'll be using it at home most of the time because it's just the right size for making a quick meal of lentils or rice.
The handle does take up space. That's unfortunate for travelers and those with small kitchens. I would have preferred a design that had small grips on either side of the cooker.
Its too small for most published pressure cooker recipes. Too many authors assume that everyone cooks for a large group. If you do cook for groups, consider something larger. This cooker is ideal for the rest of us.
T-Fal Ultimate Hard Enamel 10.25-Inch Nonstick Fry (Saute) Pan Black
T-Fal Ultimate Hard Enamel 10.25-Inch Nonstick Fry (Saute) Pan Black
After my Analon pan started losing the teflon and sticking food far too soon, I decided to try some less expensive alternatives and see how they compared. I have had T-fal non-stick pans in the past and found them to be surprisingly decent.
This pan worried me a little at first because the teflon is not as slick as my Revereware pan and the bottom is not a thick and solid. However, the pan has performed very well and I haven't had a thing stick to it yet. It also has a very large cooking surface which means this pan acts and feels like a larger pan in many ways. That is particularly good when you need to fit a little extra food in the pan for a large meal.
I've only had the pan for a couple of months and used it a few dozen times, but so far I am very pleased with the purchase. I will post back when this pan starts to lose its luster and re-evaluate it then as well.
After my Analon pan started losing the teflon and sticking food far too soon, I decided to try some less expensive alternatives and see how they compared. I have had T-fal non-stick pans in the past and found them to be surprisingly decent.
This pan worried me a little at first because the teflon is not as slick as my Revereware pan and the bottom is not a thick and solid. However, the pan has performed very well and I haven't had a thing stick to it yet. It also has a very large cooking surface which means this pan acts and feels like a larger pan in many ways. That is particularly good when you need to fit a little extra food in the pan for a large meal.
I've only had the pan for a couple of months and used it a few dozen times, but so far I am very pleased with the purchase. I will post back when this pan starts to lose its luster and re-evaluate it then as well.
Rachael Ray Hard Anodized Nonstick 8-Quart Oval Pasta Pot with Glass Lid Orange
Rachael Ray Hard Anodized Nonstick 8-Quart Oval Pasta Pot with Glass Lid Orange
I love this pot! I tell my husband that every time I cook something in it for him. It fits well on its burner when using another large pot on an adjacent burner. Its non-stick properties are excellent- it washes beautifully. I am not really a big fan of the color orange, so I would have liked it to come with plain black handles instead of the bright orange color. These rubberized handles, however, stay cool to the touch, so it is easy to handle. The weight of the pot is good- not too heavy to be difficult to lift when full, but not too light to feel flimsy or allow food to burn. It is a great pot for every day if you don't want to have to own too many pots, since you can cook pasta, soups, roasts, and stir frys in it. I may buy more to give as gifts to my son and daughter.
I love this pot! I tell my husband that every time I cook something in it for him. It fits well on its burner when using another large pot on an adjacent burner. Its non-stick properties are excellent- it washes beautifully. I am not really a big fan of the color orange, so I would have liked it to come with plain black handles instead of the bright orange color. These rubberized handles, however, stay cool to the touch, so it is easy to handle. The weight of the pot is good- not too heavy to be difficult to lift when full, but not too light to feel flimsy or allow food to burn. It is a great pot for every day if you don't want to have to own too many pots, since you can cook pasta, soups, roasts, and stir frys in it. I may buy more to give as gifts to my son and daughter.
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