Sunday, June 30, 2013

Cuisinart 77-10 Chef's Classic Stainless 10-Piece Cookware Set

Cheap Cuisinart 77-10 Chef's Classic Stainless 10-Piece Cookware Set
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Bringing the Good Life Home Inspired by the great French kitchens, Cuisinart began making professional cookware over 30 years ago. Constructed of the finest materials available, to perfectly perform all of the classic cooking techniques. Designed to last a lifetime, Cuisinart cookware makes family meals memorable and entertaining a pleasure. Savor the Good Life right at home, with family and friends. Cuisinart makes it absolutely delicious. Cuisinart Chef's Classic Stainless is an investment ...
  • Classic cookware made of mirror finish stainless steel
  • 8- and 10-inch skillets; 1-1/2- and 3-quart covered saucepans
  • 3-1/2-quart sauté pan with cover; 8-quart covered stockpot
  • Solid, riveted handles, aluminum in base for even heating
  • Safe for dishwasher, freezer, broiler, and oven to 500 degrees F

This Cookware Sets give to us some advantages, like this :
1. A Great Set of Cookware
Let me preface this review with the fact that I am Italian and raised 5 children on daily home-cooked meals. The kitchen is the center of my home. So when my daughter got her own apartment out west and asked for a set of pots for Christmas, I wanted to make sure I got her a quality set that would last her for years and years. I knew what I wanted for her, but didn't know which brand to purchase. Non-stick was out (I have never liked it). The pots also had to be both dishwasher/oven safe, and I wanted the pot handles to be riveted into the pot. Off I went to the mall with my "specifications" in hand to look at the different brands and sets available. Boy was I amazed at how many there were! I took my time and examined each set. Not only did I look at the sets, but I also handled the sets. This is VERY important. Many of the quality sets were so heavy that I needed two hands to lift the larger pieces, and although I could lift the smaller saucepans, I had difficulty tilting...

2. Fantastic Cookware Set at a Terrific Price
After comparing major cookware lines, All Clad, Emeril, Wolfgang Puck, Jamie Oliver online, as well as in major stores, Williams Sonoma, Macy's, Linen n Things, etc., I purchased Cuisinart's Chefs Classic set. Quality, features, and value could not be matched! The price (with free shipping), also included a kitchen tools set, a nice bonus.

Thanksgiving was my big "road test". The quality is outstanding! The mirror finish stainless kettles have a nice weight, well-fitting lids, classy sturdy riveted handles, flat bottoms that fit nicely on the burners, and stay-cool handles. They heat evenly. I do not like nonstick cookware, and by adding a little water to the pan after cooking, cleanup was a breeze. I put them all in the dishwasher and they come out sparkling.

I bought a chrome potrack and display them proudly. They indeed look and perform like very high-priced cookware. This was indeed a great purchase!

Any minor spotting or discloration from use,...

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My "Black Friday" Purchase
The day after Thanksgiving, "Black Friday" is the official kick off of the Holiday shopping season. I have never participated in this event, however those 20% coupons to shop between 6AM and 11AM enticed me. I needed a new cookware set, since my old pots and pans dated back to before I was born.

I am known as the "Research King" & "The Negotiator", so yes I did my homework. I was going to purchase a non stick set for $300.00, however you have to "feel" the set before buying. Is the weight even, do the covers fit right - you know what I mean. NOTE: I cook every night and have for years. I am not a Chef, but can cook a great meal.

Right next to Anolon at Macy's Dept. store, was the Cuisinart 10 Piece Classic Stainless cookware. It looked good, the weight was even, the lids fit great, but why so inexpensive? I researched Cuisinart and knew it was a good brand, so after playing around with the pots and pans for 20 minutes I bought the set! So this is what I got:...
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Paula Deen Signature Nonstick 15-Piece Porcelain Cookware Set

Buy Paula Deen Signature Nonstick 15-Piece Porcelain Cookware Set
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Paula Deen Signature Porcelain Nonstick 15-Piece Cookware Set, Red SpeckleThe fun, speckled exteriors of this Paula Deen Signature Porcelain Nonstick 15-piece Cookware Set are eye catching, but it's the performance and convenience that will have cooks singing its praises. Whether creating a batch of gumbo in the covered stockpot or gravy in one of the covered saucepans, this high-quality, durable cookware will help any dish come to life with ease. The set also comes with her handy roost...
  • This set includes a 1 qt cover saucepan, 2 qt cover saucepan, 6 qt cover stockpot, 2.75 qt cover saute, 8" and 10" skillet and 5 pc measuring spoon set.
  • This cookware's colorful speckled porcelain exterior is durable, stain resistant and breeze to clean.
  • This set has a heavy gauge construction heats up quickly and evenly, and durable DuPont Teflon® nonstick interior.
  • Color coordinated, dual riveted, soft-touch handles are designed to provide a comfortable, secure grip. Oven safe to 350°F.
  • Tempered glass lids lock in flavors and let you watch your food cook without lifting he lid.
  • This cookware's colorful speckled porcelain exterior is durable, stain resitant and breeze to clean.
  • This set has a heavy guage construction heats up quickly and evenly, and durable dupont teflon® nonstick interior.
  • This set includes a 1 qt cov saucepan, 2 qt cov saucepan, 6 qt cov stockpot, 2.75 qt cov saute, 8" and 10" skillet and 5 pc measuring spoon set.

This Cookware Sets give to us some advantages, like this :
1. Good at first, not so much after repeated use.
This set of cookware was great when I first started using it. It was non-stick as described, heated evenly on an electric stove and overall I was pretty satisfied with it. After using it for a year, my opinion is beginning to change. The handles on the pots keep coming loose and have to be tightened every couple of uses. The non-stick bottom, although I have been very careful to avoid scratching or damaging it has started to peel off in little bubbles. The bottoms tend to get burn marks that you can't scrub off even with some serious elbow grease. I think when you buy these, you are buying the name. You could probably get a similar item for much less money at your local superstore. Not thrilled.

2. Word of Caution
Overall we've been pleased with the Paula Deen cookware, but be aware that as per the manufacturer's instructions included inside the box they can not be used on high heat settings. This hasn't been so much of an issue with the pans, but whenever we need to boil something in a pot (eggs, pasta, soups, water, etc) we have to use a different set of cookware altogether.

That's a pretty big design flaw in my opinion when cookware can only be used on low and medium heat settings.

My second complaint with the set is that the smallest pieces are too small to be useful. The smallest pot, for example, is absolutely tiny. It fits inside of the smallest pot from our old set and is smaller in diameter than the burners on the stove.

It's a good basic set for the $100 price range, just know that you're gonna have to invest in additional pieces for a full range of cooking.

* Wanted to add, too, that advertising this as a "15-Piece Cookware Set" is a bit...

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Beautiful and beautifully constructed
I spent a month researching different kinds of cookware and finally made this set my choice. I have had this set now, for a month and I am very pleased with it. The color is amazing and it has brought back the joy of cooking. They are light and easy to maneuver, they cook very evenly... and with the ability to cook faster on lower temps means my food is done faster and better. The Teflon coating has cut my clean up time down to half as they are so easy to clean. The price was reasonable and I am very happy with this purchase.
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Cook N Home 15 Piece Non stick Black Soft handle Cookware Set

Bargain Cook N Home 15 Piece Non stick Black Soft handle Cookware Set
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15 Piece Soft handle Cookware set includes covered dutch oven 6-quart, covered casserole 3-quart, covered sauce pan 1-quart, covered sauce pan 2-quart, fry pan 8-inch, fry pan 10-inch and 5-piece nylon tools, handle is soft with anti slip design for comfortable handling.
  • Tempered glass lids makes viewing food easy from start to finish
  • Nonstick coating provides long lasting superior Non-stick performance
  • Soft touch handles stay cool when cooking ,anti-slip silicone on handle make it comfortable
  • Heavy gauge aluminum is super conductive for even heat distribution
  • Easy clean exterior

This Cookware Sets give to us some advantages, like this :
1. Unbelievable
I purchased this set when moving into a new apartment. I cook perhaps twice a week for 4 people and this set has held up to typical use and abuse from 4 guys. My girlfriend is jealous because she spent double on some other set but likes these better.

Pros-
-Price
-Build
-Versatility(I was able to make 4 stuffed peppers in the big pot)
-The coating makes everything come off even after being refrigerated for a few days.

Cons-
-The grooved bottoms trap soap sometimes which proceeds to burn.
-The larger two-handled pots are hard to drain water from without using a colander.
-The utensils gather/show soap residue.

2. Great Set
This set is exatly as advertised. The utensils are made of a surprisingly sturdy plastic. The pans have groovs on the bottom so that they dont slide, which is great. Overall Great Set!!! No negatives so far.

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Very Nice Cookware Set
One thing that's not mentioned in the description is that the bottoms of them have a rounded grooved surface so they won't slide around on the burners (a zoom view of this would be nice to see with the other images). Everything else in the description is spot on.

We've used them all since we got them and are very pleased with the whole set. The utensils have been very nice, also.

They clean up very easily with the sponge-wand I use....my wife's broken me of using "scratchers", which is what did in the last set we had.

We are very pleased with the quality of the whole set and would recommend it to anyone.
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Saturday, June 29, 2013

Presto 01781 23-Quart Pressure Canner and Cooker

Deals for Presto 01781 23-Quart Pressure Canner and Cooker
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Pressure canning is the only method recommended safe by the U.S. Department of Agriculture for low-acid foods. Doubles as a boiling water canner for preserving fruits, jams, jellies, pickles and salsa in pint and half pint jars. Also handy as a large capacity pressure cooker. Constructed of warp-resistant, heavy-gauge aluminum for fast, even heating. Works on regular and smooth-top ranges. Deluxe pressure dial gauge registers the complete range of processing pressures. This precise measurement ...
  • The only method recommended safe by the US Department of Agriculture for canning vegetables, meats, poultry, and seafood
  • Doubles as a boiling-water canner for preserving fruits, jams, jellies, pickles, and salsa; Handy as a large capacity pressure cooker
  • Constructed of warp-resistant heavy-gauge aluminum for fast, even heating; Works on regular and smooth-top ranges; Extended 12-year limited warranty
  • Deluxe pressure dial gauge registers the complete range of processing pressures; This precise measurement is especially important at higher altitudes
  • Extra-large size is great for big canning jobs; Includes canning/cooking rack and complete 76-page instruction and recipe book

This Pressure Cookers give to us some advantages, like this :
1. Excellent pressure canner at a great price!
I decided to purchase this pressure canner after an exhaustive search online. This was the best price of any of the other sites I checked. I'll admit that the review from the woman whose canner "LITERALLY exploded" had me a little concerned, but since it was the only negative review, I decided to chance it since the price was so good ($79.97 and Free Super Saver shipping)! Best of all, it arrived in TWO DAYS!!!

The first thing I did was take the pressure gauge to my local county extension office (as recommended by the manufacturer) where they tested it and found it to be working perfectly. After getting their "OK", I hit the produce sales at my local market.

Even if you don't have a garden, you can still can fresh fruits and vegetables. I've already made 8 jars of strawberry jam using the hot water method, and canned enough tomato sauce to get me through until my own tomatoes are ripe and ready for the canner later this Summer. Unlike commercially canned or...

2. Super Canner
I had a pressure canner many years ago. Bought it at a hardware store. No guage, but it did the job. Did I sell it at a yard sale? Don't know where it went, anyway.

Decided recently to can again. So I read tons of reviews, Internet articles, compared features and prices. The Presto 1781 is the one I decided on. Amazon had it with free shipping, which made this doll the perfect deal for me.

I have used it as a canner about 5 times already. Have not just pressure-cooked in it. Here are my observations: Easy to use. Follow the instructions in the book, and you are good to go. This baby is heavy! Moving it off the heat when it is full of jars is no small feat (especially when using as a boiling bath canner)! Eat a good breakfast! Half pint and pint jars stack nicely. I have not tried to can more than 7 quarts yet, so am not disappointed that the max is 7 quarts. I put up 7 qts of chili yesterday and my huge cookpot was pretty full. Any more would have been too much...

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Opinions of a canning teacher
I have been using the Presto 23 quart pressure canner for several years. I have taught classes on water bath and pressure canning and canned hundreds of pounds of food including meat, beans, fruits and vegetables. This canner is safe, reliable and versatile as it can also be used as a water bath canner.
Some people are concerned that it cannot be used on a glass top stove. This is not true. I have used mine on a glass top for several years. I have also used it on coils and even gas. It works on every type of stove I have tried it on.
When it first arrived, the directions indicated I should get the pressure gauge checked through our county extension services. My state's extension services did not know how to check the gauge, but the company was very helpful in instructing me in how to check it myself. Place 1 qt water in the canner and (we live at sea level) get the pressure going. When the rocker begins to rattle, the pressure should be at 15 lbs. Effective and...
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Friday, June 28, 2013

Instant Pot IP-LUX60 6-in-1 Programmable Pressure Cooker, 6.33-Quart

Deals for Instant Pot IP-LUX60 6-in-1 Programmable Pressure Cooker, 6.33-Quart
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Instant Pot IP-LUX60 6-in-1 Programmable Pressure Cooker, 6.33 Qt, Latest 3rd Generation Technology, Stainless Steel Cooking Pot and Exterior Instant Pot is a smart Electric Pressure Cooker designed by Canadians specifically for North American consumers. It's designed for your fast-paced, health-oriented and green-conscious life style. It speeds up cooking by 2~6 times using up to 70% less energy, and, above all, produces nutritious healthy food in a convenient and consistent fashion. It i...
  • 6-in-1 Multi-Functional Cooker--Pressure Cooker, Saute/Browning, Slow Cooker, Rice Cooker, Steamer & Warmer
  • Large, easy to use control panel with ten built-in Smart Programs, automatic keep-warm, and 3 temperatures for saute/browning and slow cook
  • Delay cooking time up to 24-Hours; Manual setting up to 120 minutes of cook time
  • UL and ULC certified with 10 proven safety mechanisms; Highly energy efficient
  • Includes 3-ply bottom stainless steel cooking pot, stainless steel steam rack, rice paddle, soup spoon, measuring cup, instructions, recipes, and cooking time tables

This Pressure Cookers give to us some advantages, like this :
1. Pressure cooker leaves color on food
I eat plain white rice every day and always use a Japanese rice cooker ($150). For years I have wanted to try the famous Japanese "Pressure" rice cooker ($450), but could not bring myself to spend that much on just plain white rice (how good can plain rice be that is worth $450?). I bought this one because it is a pressure rice cooker and could do other dishes like a regular pressure cooker (I figure if the rice coming from this pressure cooker does not taste better than my regular cooker, at least, I can use it as a regular pressure cooker, so no waste here.). The pros of this cooker are:

1. As a regular pressure cooker, it is much better than the conventional stove-top one. Very easy to use. Seals very well, no food smells before you open the lid. Turn off automatically, so if you forget and leave the house before it is done, there will be no explosion.

2. As a pressure rice cooker, this cooker is better than my $150 regular rice cooker. The white rice...

2. "Ladies and gentlemen - this thing is officially awesome"
Pressure cooker veteran here - thumbs up on this one!

I have owned 8 different pressure cookers over the years, including an earlier version of the Instant Pot as well as the now-ancient oval (90 degree insert inside, pull up, turn back and clip-lock) lid with weight back in Europe in the 70's.

This, so far, is the best pressure cooker I have yet seen.

It functions as a slow cooker, as an above-average quality rice cooker and -let's not forget- a really good pressure cooker.

Disclaimer: we do still use our trusted Zojirushi rice cooker when a lot of things are cooking at the same time (and as far as stand-alone rice cookers go, Zojirushi makes the best, btw.)

Back to the pressure cooker... Some of the software limitations of the previous Instant Pot were fixed (namely, having to push the button for each and every minute, with only a 60 minute maximum timer - that was maddening). This control panel lets you click&hold and very...

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I Am Really Glad I Chose This Over a Slow Cooker
The teflon wore out on my slow cooker so I went looking for a replacement and discovered electric pressure cookers. Here are the reasons why I am so happy with my choice of the Instant Pot:
1. I wanted a non teflon coated and found the Instant Pot is one of the very few electric pressure cookers or slow cookers offering a stainless steel interior pot.
2. The Instant Pot is as easy to use as my Sanyo rice cooker or any programmable slow cooker.
3. Vegetables and potatoes cook in half to a third of the time as boiling. The quick cooking time helps to preserve more of the taste of the veggies than boiling in my opintion
4. Congee came out great. Using sushi grade rice, I found the instructions for rice to water ratio to be right on. There was no burning nor sticking to the bottom of the pot.
5. Cooking tripe for menudo took a little over an hour. This is much shorter than the normal several hours of simmering.
6. Beef knee bones for soup stock...
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