Cuisinart DFP-3 Handy Prep 3-Cup Food Processor

Nifty appliance; has a couple of bugs
Having picked this item up on an Amazon special, I must first say that the price-performance ratio is excellent. The machine comes with several blades and a chute attachment. If you have used a Cuisinart machine before, assembly and operation will be very, very simple. That the pieces are dishwasher safe is a boon, as well. I like this little processor; its small size is just right for our empty nest food prep.

There are a couple of things Cuisinart could perhaps rethink. It is awkward to remove the slicing or shredding blade. The plastic used on several of the pieces seems vulnerable to staining. The shredding blade seems, for some ingredients, to "pulverize" better than to shred. It would also be nice to have at least one other size of slicing disc and a plastic chopping blade included. Those refinements would make this machine nearly perfect for me.

Still, this sturdy workhorse is a welcome addition to our kitchen. Those who have smaller amounts of ingredients...

Best Value - Well made
The quality is amazing. Easy to use, easy to clean. This was my first Processor and I'm hooked. I use it almost every day and it's so small (or "compact") that it takes up very little counter-top space.

For the price, it's a great value. The only drawback is that I love it so much, I'm already thinking about buying one of Cuisinart's larger models that does even more stuff.

It comes with the one multipurpose blade (which does just about everything) and a separate slicing and shredding blade. The slicing and shredding blades work O.K. but not as great as on larger models I've seen - so I use the multi-purpose blade 90% percent of the time.

I wish they sold additional blades for this model but I haven't seen them. (That would probably take away from sales of the bigger models).

But I still love it. And give it my highest rating.

Good, but not stunning
This was the 2nd processor I tried and it certainly does the trick for small projects. I've had it for about a year. It's great if you want to make about a cup worth of something, which is why it's considered small. If you try to make too much of something then it will just pulverize what ever is on the bottom and leave the top unchopped or barely chopped. This can make processing anything more than a cup worth a time consuming effort, you have to put in the food, chop it, scrape it, and then repeat. I've found it especially useful for sauces and dips that need to be completely pureed. It's also great at chopping up nuts (like peanuts for Pad Thai!). I will probably graduate to a larger one eventually but for now it works for me.

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Global G-12 - 6 1/2 inch, 16cm Meat Cleaver

Superb Balance - But Flawed
I use this cleaver regularly when cutting chicken up including chopping through bones when prepping for stock. It works very well, is a great weight, heavy enough to cut without becoming tiring. I have brought it with me half way around the world, which should speak for it usefulness.

It chops bones, bangs through half frozen carcasses when necessary and is worth every penny.

Above is my original review, now I must amend that. The cleaver broke in half. No, I didn't use it drive nails or cut rebar. The thickest bones it ran into would be in a pork chop. Not even a thick cut pork chop at that. But it split in half just above the handle just where the transition to the blade occurs. Quite surprising and totally unacceptable for a product of this price range. If you see one cheap at a yard sale, buy it. Otherwise, don't bang your bank balance too deep.

I have, sadly, totally revised my view of Global and their quality assurance.

High Quality, Great Cleaver
Top rated by Cooks Illustrated. Great balance. Cuts easily through bones. My first practice ended up with some nice marks in my wooden chopping board. Will last a very, very long time.

Save your chefs knife and use this to cut through bones.

Happy I bought this before the $ tanked...
I purchased this cleaver about 2 years ago, specifically to hack bones for stock (thank you, Edna Lewis! Best recipe EVER!). Perfect balance, weight, sharpness - this cleaver is truly exceptional - such a pleasure to use. The current price is kind of a "yikes!" moment, but you get what you pay for. I have no doubt that this cleaver will outlast me, and that's worth 145 bucks. Seriously, I make stock once a month. So in the first year, this cleaver adds $11 for each batch of stock (which still comes out less expensive than that supermarket crap). Over 10 years, it drops to a buck a month. And this cleaver will last much, much longer than 10 years. This is an investment, which is why it will never be available at throwaway Wal-Mart. I promise you will not be disappointed.

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Le Creuset Enameled Cast-Iron 4-1/2-Quart Round French Oven, Red

Amazingly amazing
A month or so ago I was crusing the housewares department here at Amazon.com, looking for a Dutch oven. I'd nearly settled on Calphalon, but I read a review (gotta love these things!) which said that though Calphalon was generally the cookware of choice, for Dutch - in this case French - ovens, Le Creuset was the brand to buy. I took this advice to heart, in part because I loved the cherry red finish, and bought this 4.5 quart oven.

I want to thank that reviewer; it was one of the best pieces of advice I've had in ages. Le Creuset has produced one of the best, most versatile pieces of cookware I've ever owned. This pan heats evenly and holds the heat, but you really have to work at getting food to burn in it. It goes from stove to oven to table with real panache. Nothing sticks. Ever. Really, I'm not kidding here because I did manage to burn something by walking away and forgetting about it for an hour. But after another hour's soak and a scrub with a nylon pad, the...

I love Le Creuset cookware.
In my opinion, Le Creuset is the best cookware on the market. Not only is it attractive, but it cooks food beautifully, holds the temperature of the food after you remove it from the oven and looks great when you bring it to the table. The bright colors really liven up your kitchen and they are so easy to clean. The enamel surface is very durable and I have never had it chip or break off. This cookware heats evenly both in the oven and on the stove. While it is expensive, I believe it is worth the price.

help for bad cooks
I have this size dutch oven in flame, and I heartily recommend it. It is small enough to be moved easily (dutch ovens are rather heavy!), yet large enough to cook for 2 with leftovers. Le Creuset's legendary stellar construction really makes a difference; these ovens heat consistently, and retain their heat well. I need all the help I can get in the kitchen, and Le Creuset comes through admirably.

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Global Flexible Swedish Filet Knife G-30 , 8¼"

Great knife
This knife is an essential part of my knife kit. Outstanding quality, flexibility, and edge retention. It is light weight the blade is thin and the palm swell fits securely in your hand.

Thin, flexible & sharp.
Holds a fine edge exceptionally well. I like to use a long, thin, flexible blade for a variety of kitchen tasks. This knife is a real pleasure to use and the edge is very easy to maintain. I'd rate best in its' class and recommend it highly to anyone who likes using this style of blade. The only qualification I will make is that serrated blades would probably be better suited to people without the ability to do their own sharpening.



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Berndes SignoCast Classic 13-Inch Cast Aluminum Wok

Watch out, Le Creuset's cast iron utensils!
This pan fills a void in my kitchen equipment that I didn't know I had, until I bought it. I use it in a variety of ways.
* On the stovetop, as a wok.
* On the stovetop, to prepare large batches of meat (2-3 lbs) for freezing and/or assembly of easy cook meals to use during the week.
* In the oven, as a surface for roasted vegetables. (Use it without the lid for this purpose.)
* As a large casserole for stews. (It will hold 4 qts if filled to about an inch below the top; I usually stop at 3+ quarts.)

While the 13 inch size of this utensil is a bit awkward to wash in my smallish kitchen sink, at 3 lbs its light weight makes it doable. I especially like the rivetless interior. In my opinion, this is on par with Le Creuset, which for a comparable item is roughly triple the weight. They are both well made, but filled with food, the larger Le Creuset items can be a challenge.

OVERALL, these are the good points:
+ only three pounds empty
+ excellent quality...

a perfect wok for arthritis sufferers
If you have wrists or shoulders affected with arthritis, as I do, this is the perfect kitchen companion. As the first reviewer notes, it is versatile and can be used for casseroles, braising and as a traditional wok. It has a lifetime warranty, and can even go inside the oven. For me, though, its outstanding feature is its weight. It's so light, even I can carry it without inwardly going "ouch!"

I cannot recommend it highly enough.

Good Wok But Poor Design On The Handles
I like Berdnes cookware. This wok is good except the design of the handles is very poor. Both handles of this wok are made of cast aluminum; NOT the phenolic handles as described (Phenolic is a strong plastic resin resistant to heat). It's too hot to touch the handles while we are cooking. That means we can't move or lift the wok when cooking because it will burn your hands. I guess Berdnes is aware of this problem, and the new Tradition series is using the wooden handles instead.

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Berndes Tradition 11-Inch Skillet

Buy this pan!
You cannot go wrong with any size of a Berndes frying pan. The wooden handles are wonderful because they never get hot, and look great besides.
I keep buying these pans because I've never in my very long life found a frying surface that comes even close. It heats evenly, and cleans in a breeze, and there's no non-tick coating to gradually peel off. You must try this dependable, top-notch frypan.

Excellent pan but scratches easily
I bought this pan after a good amount of research, and it turned out to be a good choice. It heats evenly, sears well, cleans up easily, and is good looking too. The only thing I'm not crazy about is that it appears to scratch pretty easily. I used a wooden spatula and there were about 3-4 scratches after wards. So be sure to use silicone spatulas.

Greatest skillet
This product is my absolute favorite to use in the kitchen. It cooks anything evenly and is easy to handle. I highly recommend any product of Berndes. I have used them for many years and have not found a better cooking product.

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Berndes SignoCast Classic 12-Inch Square Grill Pan

Best Grill pAN
i HAVE HAD SEVERAL DIFFERENT BRANDS OF stove top grill pans. Berndes is the very best. It comes with a lifetime guarantee. I use two at a time now, and have given a countless number to friends and family as gifts. Everyone loves the eveness of the cooking and the very easy clean-up!

great grill pan
I saw this pan being used at a cooking demonstration by a chef who was not pushing any product. I immediately noticed how easy it was to clean after it's use. That was the major reason I became interested.
It cooks evenly and cleans so much easier than my other grill pans. It's light weight and a must for any kitchen.

My expectation was high & it didn't fail me
In the beginning I was only looking for a George Foreman kind of small grill machine so we can still enjoy grill steaks & burgers in winter. But I just couldn't find a machine with the right size & function in my price range. I especially dislike that fact that with most of those machines you can't really control the temperature well. Then I saw someone's blog mentioned Berndes grill pan & I was immediately attracted by its features. Comparing to the grill machine this is more like real cooking so naturally for me, a homemaker who enjoys cooking, this fits my needs much better so I'm willing to spend more. Before I finally made my purchase I've read so many reviews about Berndes. People brag about how good its non-stick surface work. I was a little skeptical, but I'm a believer now that I've used it for a week. I've used it for grilled chickens, steaks, fishes, lamb chops & they're all good, plus I could rid off lots of fat. The pan is very easy to clean too. Yesterday I whipped a few...

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Berndes SignoCast Classic 5-Piece Cookware Set

Berndes is the best
I bought my first Bendes skillet over eight years ago. It is still in perfect condition. I use less oil and have absolutly no sticking problems. Not a one of them ever peal. The glass lids are very convient and cleanup is a breeze. All my Amazon purchases have arived quickly and in perfect condition. I have yet to test the lifetime guarantee. I love this product.

The Best Cookware!
I purchased this set to replace several of the pieces from my original Berndes Signo Cast Set. I purchase a large set about 25 years ago from Williams-Sonoma.
This set has been through daily usage for over 2 decades and even survived teenage kids.

This set was no longer available at Williams-Sonoma-so I decided to look about for a new set. I settled on Calphalon Classic.
I purchased the Calphalon at a big box retailer and brought it home. There was a revolute in the family. I returned the set and began looking about on the internet.

Bingo--found exactly what I needed at Amazon.

Why I like this cookware.

`Heats evenly
`Cleans up like a dream
`Light weight
`Ergonomic`
`Has lasted far longer than any other cookware I have owned
`Good value

Oh and did I tell you that they are made in Germany-NOT China! :)

I could not recommend this set of cookware more highly.

Berndes is by far the best cookware available!!!
Every cook has their own preferences, and mine is always Berndes SignoCast. I love the quality of the material, the way it distributes heat, the easy clean up....to name a few. Cons....well I don't know of any. Although expensive, these are by far my favorite pans to cook with. The only other pans I use are Cast Iron when I need to make rue or brown something really well, and all other cooking is done in a Berndes pan. I own all sizes of pans so I have one for every need.

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Berndes SignoCast Classic 13-Inch, 6-Quart Saut? Pan

Finally, a non-stick pan that you'll keep for life.
I have consistently been disappointed by non-stick cookware. I wanted to buy a non-stick pan for day-to-day use that would stand up for years to come. It's been only a few weeks but I have a good feeling about the berndes.

This Saute Pan is large enough to handle the biggest tasks, but adequate for smaller tasks as well (I regularly cook for only two). It distributes heat evenly and it appears to hold heat well. I was expecting the pan to be heavy, but it is very light and the extra handle allows for ease of movement when you have a great deal of food in the pan.

And did I mention non-stick. It's as good or better than any non-stick pan I've ever used. And you get a feeling that it is non stick through and through. Plus the exterior is made of the same non-stick material so clean up is a piece of cake.

It's more expensive than most non stick, teflon coated pans but it's solid. It may be cheaper than Calphalon, but I'm not impressed by...

very nice
I love this pan. It is expensive but the best pan for me. It is quite large and the non-stick surface is so smooth, both inside and out, and no sign of wear after about a year of use so far. Very nicely made. A good investment.

Fantastic Fry Pan
This pan is fantastic as are all the Berndes SignoCast pans that I have purchased. The heat is evenly distributed so everything comes out perfect. My favorite brand of cookware!!!

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Range Kleen 697348 Berndes SignoCast Classic 11-Inch, 4-Quart Sauté Pan

I can't pan this pan
The Berndes Signocast products are excellent. They are strong and sturdy, but not as heavy as Le Creuset, they are very very easy to clean--a swipe or two in the dishwater and they are clean (use steel wool pads occasionally on their bottom aluminum cooking surface), their bottoms are flat unlike some stuff that warps leaving you wondering what is touching the electric element, and stuff in them cooks amazingly well. I'm gradually replacing everything else I've bought with these. These are a bit expensive, but they hold up, and good tools are important to the home chef and are well worth the money just as I feel good hand tools are well worth the money to someone wanting to do household repairs, etc. I have owned some pots and some skillets that needed lots of effort to scrub and clean--these Berndes items are truly soak-for-10-seconds and wipe clean, no matter how mean you've been to them. Because of their heft, it does take a bit longer for these to heat through, but maybe on the...

BEST NON-STICK SKILLETS IN THE WORLD
I own two BERNDES skillets and am saving for a third larger one. The 8-inch skillet makes the BEST omelettes.
If you are shopping for a non-stick skillet buy Berndes. I'm not kidding. I've tried several (recommended by Cooks Illustrated) and those skillets died a quick death. Berndes non-stick seem indestructable, the weight is balanced and they clean so easily that I'm shocked every time.

I use All-Clad saucepans, and Berndes skillets. I'm a happy cook.

The best nonstick I have ever used!
After years of teflon and nonstick pans that aren't really "nonstick," I found Berndes....I had previously purchased and returned, not one, but two Calphalon sets of nonstick pots and pans because after a few uses, the bottoms appeared to be losing the coating and were discoloring. And they were not really "nonstick." I purchased the Berndes after Mary McDougall, cookbook author and queen of low fat cooking, told me about this fabulous saute pan that is truly nonstick. She told me that I would love it and she was right. I truly love it and it just wipes clean or sometimes needs just a little soak in warm water and then it wipes clean. I have yet to scrub or use dish detergent on it at all. I didn't even need to pre-oil it. I truly can cook without fats not and I am delighted.

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SignoCast Dutch Oven w Glass Lid in Black (1.25 qt.)

Berndes does it again
This mini version of the Berndes fine cookware turns out to be very useful for us, just right for many purposes, where our other ones are larger than needed.





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Berndes Tradition 8-Inch Skillet

Better Than Ever
I'm a person that cooks five nights out of the week. I have been using Berndes pots and pans for many years. I find them to be the longest lasting of all my pans and when I do wear one out it's like losing an old friend. If you enjoy cooking then these are the pans for you, German made, German guilty what more could you want.

Great Skillet
I had this exact skillet for 10 years and it held up great. The wood handle is long and comfortable to grip unlike the shorter curved styles out there. The nonstick surface works great and little oil is neeeded. I was very happy to find this same great skillet and I'm sure it'll last me another 10 years.

Wonderful frypan
As far as I am concerned, I would only buy the Berndes brand cookware. This is my third pan, and they are all wonderful and perform as advertised.

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Berndes 10-1/4-Inch Square Glass Lid

hard to find cover
This is a wonderfully made cover, it does not fit my square pan, exactly, but it appears to be the only square cover, out there, that is sold separately,

glass lid
This glass lid, for Berndes 10-1/4 inch square frying pan works well, but, is made of glass.



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Berndes Tradition 9-1/2-Inch Square Grill Pan

Great Grill Pan
I've had this grill pan for at least 5 years now. It's a great pan and cooks well on my ceramic cooktop. I grill steaks indoors using this pan and have been extremely pleased with the results, much better than any other pan I've used. Cleanup is generally a snap and the non-stick surface has held up well over the years. I'm in the market for new cookware and am looking at other pieces of the Berndes line.

Excellent for indoor grilling
We grill chicken, steak and burgers. Excellent even heat. Cleans up great! Well worth the price.

Wow!
All I can say is "wow!" ... what a nice grill pan. For a single person, this is a great size for a piece of salmon or chicken. Heats uniformly and cooks great. Grilled two filet mignons in this pan before popping them into the oven, and they turned out great. The meat was lightly marinated and didn't use any oil in the pan and the steak turned out nice. And a light wiping with paper towels and light washing afterwards, it looked new...still. I plan to use this pan more than my outdoor grill as it adds the grill marks to the meat quickly without having to fire up the BBQ grill. The price was right, and I love the wood handle. Can't go wrong buying this grill pan. German quality at its best.

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Cuisinart 7116-20 Chef's Classic 20-Centimeter Universal Steamer with Cover

Nice and Roomy!
This steamer fits perfectly on Cuisinart's 4 Qt saucepan. The lid seals in every bit of steam. I used to always have to add more water when steaming batches of corn-on-the-cob, but since no steam escapes here, I can make several batches non-stop. I also like the fact that the steamer is wide; that means that the food will cook evenly (instead of other steamers where the stuff at the bottom gets overcooked and the stuff at the very top gets undercooked). I've only used the steamer five or six times but so far, there's practically no sign of dullness or staining - maybe just a little sign of dullness, but I'm more interested in function than appearance. Washing it immediately will keep it stain-free. Overall, an incredible deal for $20.00!

Perfect addition for the Chef's Classic
This steamer insert is the perfect addition for the Chef's Classic cookware. I love this line by Cuisinart - I bought the 10 piece set and was so happy with it that I have purchased 5 additional pieces to handle nearly all my cooking needs. This steamer insert has been getting lots of use in our house. We use it almost every night!

It fits the 3 and 4 quart sauce pans nicely and the lid fits well, not tight physically, but create a good seal like all the Chef's Classic line and does not leak steam! I have six different methods of steaming available to me in my kitchen (including a large counter top steamer), but this is the one I find myself using most often because it has such a large capacity and the cleanup is so easy. My counter top steamer has nearly the same capacity as the Cuisinart insert, but it has 3 parts that need to be washed PLUS the steamer base which cannot be submerged and is a bit of a hassle to clean. With the Cuisinart steamer and saucepan, it's as easy...

To fill in the missing information......
This 20 'cm' steamer fits the 2 qt., 3 qt., and 4 qt. Chef's Classic pots. I don't have the 4 qt. yet so I can't say how this steamer would fit. It fits very nicely into the 3 qt. pot. (I cannot really imagine steaming anything in a 2 qt. pot.)

The lid to the steamer seems to slide around a bit. As a result, it is hard for me to picture it sealing 'tightly'. However, when I used it to steam frozen veggies, little of the steam escaped.

All-in-all, this is a niche item, expecially since a microwave oven does such an excellent job of steaming. I purchased this as a 'completer'. You may find the attractive price draws you to add this to your cookware collection as well.

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Cuisinart 722-30H Chef's Classic Stainless 12-Inch Open Skillet with Helper Handle

an essential addition
This pan, like all the Cuisinart pans, is my favorite to use when I need a 12" skillet. It's a heavy-duty even-heating pan like it's "sisters and brothers"! If you already have any Chef's Classic pots or pans, the lid that fits on any pan with item number ending in 30 will fit on this pan. (Item number is on the bottom). With all the Chef's Classic pans, you usually don't have to turn the heat up as high as a cheapy pan; instead of high, use medium-high, for example. Since this does not have a non-stick coating, you'll often need oil for cooking. Here's a tip: hot pan, cold oil. Let the pan heat up before adding the oil. Also, these pans heat up FAST so watch your food! If anything gets burned-on badly, the pans just need a little soaking (maybe an hour, not overnight). Or, add water to the pan and "boil" the burned-on food off. I also use Barkeepers Friend cleaner to keep them shiny and looking new! Take note: if you've ever purchased a set of Cuisinart from a discount...

Large pan, even heat -
Even though this pan has the "disc" of aluminum in the base rather than all the way up the sides, it heats very evenly. You can't beat the price. It's big enough to be very versatile for major frying or lighter sautéing. It's also big enough to use a grill for small to medium items.

I do miss having a lid so on those rare occasions where I needed a lid, I just covered it with some aluminum foil. Hokey, I know, but until I purchased another pan for my dishes that need simmering, that was the trick I used.

As long as you watch the heat, cleanup is not too bad. I have rarely had to scrub this pan.

Since it would be great with a lid, I gave it 4 stars. This pan really should not be sold without one.

Electric Stove
I received this pan several days ago and have waited until I could give it a good workout over in action. I have an electric stove, not by choice,and I've had bad luck before with some pans heating unevenly and food sticking even when I added oil or butter. I used this pan to brown some ground beef, saute onions, garlic and bell peppers. I simply washed the pan as suggested in the handy "use and care" pamplet included, set it on the stove and turned the heat to medium. The pan heated quickly,evenly and I did everything I wanted without any problems. No sticking, no burning and it was a dream to clean up.

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Cuisinart 77-7 Chef's Classic Stainless 7-Piece Cookware Set

Quality Cookware at an Excellent Price
I purchased this set about six weeks ago am very pleased with it to date. I enjoy cooking and cook most meals "from scratch," rarely relying on anything pre-packaged for a meal, so these pots and pans get a workout on a daily basis. Since purchasing them I've cooked dishes from oatmeal to pork tenderloin, squash soup to rice pilaf.

The set is good looking, the lids fit perfectly, the pot handles are comfortable to grip even with a full pot (much better than my one Calphalon pan). In my kitchen, if it isn't dishwasher safe, it is evicted, and these pots and pans do just fine in the dishwasher, unlike the aforementioned Calphalon. The pans are satisfyingly weighty, yet well balanced and the long pot handles stay cool to the touch (unless they are too close to another burner or the oven vent). The lid handles do get hot, but I always have a potholder handy.

Cooking: I find the cookware is very responsive to my gas range; the pans conduct heat very efficiently and it is...

Great buy for the money
If you are looking for the quality of All-Clad or Calphalon but not necessarily willing to fork over the dough, then this is a great set for the money. Fast, even heating; good looks; versatility (stove to oven to even freezer, if need be...); and a decent combination of pieces in the set made it the perfect choice for me, after nearly a year of research.

I don't find it as difficult to clean as other reviewers have commented. I will say that the mirror finish does show wear after just a few uses. It's not bad, by any means, but just know they won't stay perfect if you plan to use them. A few notes...

*They heat up fast! Don't ever leave the pan to heat up and do something else while waiting. You'll be at the temp you need lickety split.
*It's a good idea to soak them a bit after cooking something sticky--then cleanup is a breeze.
*Lid handles do get hot when covering to allow something to simmer or boil, but I've found my handles stay cool enough to take off the stove...

Solid construction and design
Any shopper who is name conscious should stop for a moment and seriously consider this seven piece set. Cuisinart, a mainstay in the kitchen offers the cook in the household this wonderful 7 piece cookware set and Amazon.com offers it at an exceptional price.

The set features 18-10 Stainless Steel construction that makes each piece feel substantial. The design also aids in convection and, thus, requires less heat from the stove top but that Heat is not transferred to the handle making the handle cool to the touch.

Each piece features a high shine and bears the brand name on the side. Each piece is also rated up to 550 degrees which means it could double as bakeware.

The only thing I would have liked would have been a 12 inch rather than a 10 inch skillet but with that said, the 10 inch skillet is a great piece.

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Berndes SignoCast Classic 8-Inch Skillet

I just ordered my second ...
I know kitchens -- I worked as a short-order cook for years.

This is a quality piece of cookware. Decent weight, well-machined. Berndes' non-stick coating is, for me, the standard against which I compare all others (and it's the only non-stick cookware I've ever been happy with). We've had the first pan for a year or three, and my wife still hasn't managed to destroy it. Yet.

For me, a HUGE plus (and what makes the purchase a no-brainer) is that there are no rivets inside the pan. (IMHO, rivets have no business on the inside of any pan -- makes cooking & clean-up more work.)

It's quite simply a flawless omelet pan. I've not used anything better at any price.

Defies Gravity
The label says it was made in Germany but, given that the eggs seem to be floating on an air cushion and not touching the pan at all, I'm thinking it was created by aliens.

Perfect pan
This pan is very light and well made. I could tell the difference in quality between other pans immediately. The cast aluminum is much better quality than molded. It also distributes the heat evenly, and the non stick coating is smooth and durable. It makes absolutely perfect omelets! I am SO happy with this pan!

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Cuisinart 744-24 Chef's Classic Stainless 6-Quart Sauce Pot with Lid

Well crafted and beautiful
I recently purchased this 12qt stockpot with a pasta insert and cover, and I couldn't be more pleased. The pot is beautifully made, with very confortable handles (another reviewer noted the finger grips -- a nice touch) and the lid fits perfectly.

I used it for the first time to cook 2 chickens and make stock. Both chickens fit easily in the pot, yet allowed enough space for adequate water. It was very easy to bring the pot to a boil and then reduce to a very slow simmer, just a bubble or two breaking the surface. I used the simmer burner on my gas stove, and for the first time was able to maintain a simmer with the lid tightly on. With my old stockpot (large enough for only one chicken) even with the simmer burner at the lowest setting I could not maintain a simmer with the lid tightly on the pot.

The pasta insert made it a breeze to remove the chickens when they were cooked, and reduce the stock while I picked the meat off the bones and returned the bones to the pot in...

The Pot to Boil the Chicken..
No I don't need the huge several gallon type pot that I use to use when my family was at home, but this is just the right size to fit and boil corn, asparagus, and the chicken for soup or stew.

The handles are very comfortable and they really DON'T get hot. It, along with my other very small Cuisinart Chef pot are the only items I can ever recall that got a comment from my husband saying.. Whatever you paid for this it was worth it.

And he doesn't cook.. just puts the food away.

Cleans up well and I don't have to worry about scratching some coating or other.

I like it. It is very functional and nice looking..can't beat that.

Most beautiful piece of cookware I have
You have to see this to understand how beautiful it is. It is a mirrored finish and you can truly see yourself in it on your stove. It just shines. The pot itself is very heavy duty and thicker than most. The lid is made of the same construction. Cuisnart is engraved on each handle and underneath the handles are impressions of fingergrips. It is very natural feeling to grip the pot. My favorite feature is the finger grips under the handle. That was a nice surprise. Also, it sets nicely on the stove. I have had some that didn't set perfect and would wobble. This is a very nice crafted stock pot. This has two and a half times the room that I am used to having. Boiling 10 lbs of potatoes for mashed potatoes will be a breeze.

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Berndes SignoCast Classic 13-Inch Skillet

Berndes is wonderful
Berndes makes the best non-stick skillets you'll ever use. Before ordering this one, make sure you really want the 13-inch model. It is HUGE. Really huge. Go to a store and make sure that this is really the size you want. Other than the enormous size, this thing is perfect. Perhaps the large size is what you're looking for, but not for me.

Just what I needed
I am so happy with my choice. The last non-stick pan I had was warped, thin, and scarred. Everything stuck to it and it probably seeped toxic chemicals. So it took a while to decide to order this one, and even longer because I was afraid it would be too big, as some of the reviews implied. In the end, I decided to trust Susan V. of the Fat-Free Vegan Kitchen, who loves everything about this pan, including its 13-inch diameter. Most skillets I've owned have been slightly annoying because they're never quite big enough for whatever I want to cook in them. This one has enough room to cook two separate items (e.g. heat two veggie burgers and toast the buns--two tops and two bottoms--at the same time) and big enough to hold a large recipe of anything. The size would be even better if the sides of the skillet were a half to one inch higher, but I'm learning to be more careful in how I move the food around while cooking. The most surprising feature of this pan is its engineering--I don't...

Great pan!
I have a number of Berndes products and have been impressed with all of them. This SignoCast skillet is wonderful. The non-stick coating really works- for everything. I've used it for meat, eggs, gravy and sauces and nothing sticks. It heats evenly and sits flat on the burner. This pan is LARGE but that's another reason I like it. If you don't want something this big, there are smaller sizes that might work better for you. A great product!

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Cuisinart 7194-20 Chef's Classic Stainless 4-Quart Saucepan with Cover

The little pot that stays hot.
This is a good-sized pan. It comes with a nice lid that seals if desired (using steam to form the seal).

It heats evenly, and stays very warm even after sitting away from the burner for a while.

The quality of the stainless steel is great and the pot is easy to clean in that it is stainless steel.

But, it does have its flaws. The negatives have to do with the rivets, especially on the lid, which are large to the point of absurdity, especially for a pan of this size. I was raised with riveted pots and pans, and the rivets were never an intrusion back then.

The lid's rivets make it more difficult to clean. The way they're attached on the outside is sloppy, and unnecessarily bulky. They stick up, and catch on sponges and cloths. This irritates me no end.

This is not a cruel and unusual complaint, but a statement of fact. I am surprised that a company like Cuisinart would be so careless in design. I own another item from a...

Awesome Price, Awesome Product
Cuisinart Classic Stainless is the next best thing to All-Clad that you can get according to Cook's Illustrated (makers of the PBS show America's Test Kitchen). They're very beautiful, shiny, heavy, and best of all---- they perform wonderfully. They hold a simmer very well, and my food doesn't burn.

Most of the Cuisinart Classic Stainless pots and pans go for WELL OVER $100 EACH at stores like Bed, Bath, and Beyond as well as Linens 'n Things. Buy these at Amazon! I was delighted to see most prices from Amazon were between $20-40 instead of $120-150 at the other stores. Then consider no tax, no shipping costs.... what a bargain!

I love the Cuisinart Chef's Classic line..
I have just about every piece in this line and I love it..the pans all cook evenly and with less heat than any other cookware I've used. Keeping it shiny and beautiful is easy..just follow the instructions that come with it. A little bit of white vinegar after washing keeps it sparkling. I don't have a dishwasher and it's easy to clean. The ONLY drawback is that you have to use a towel of pot holder to lift the lid when they're on the stovetop because they get hot. I've recommended it to friends and they love it, too. You can go from stove to oventop. It's very versatile. Buy it! You can't beat this price.

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KitchenAid Stainless-Steel 2-Cup Butter Warmer

Perfect Little Pan
This pan is more versatile than just a butter warmer. It's the perfect size to make small amounts of sauce or even to poach an egg or two in the morning. I'm sure it would be great to melt chocolate, but haven't tried that.

To me the nicest thing is that this pan has a good heft to it. It doesn't tip on the burner even when empty like a lot of pans, and the slightly flared bottom helps in this regard. The pan is thick which should help to prevent scorching. This pan is a very good value for the price.

Just what I wanted
This butter warmer is just what I hoped it would be: heavy bottomed, not tippy, well constructed, easy cleanup, and attractive to boot. I've also used it to warm pasta sauce and cocktail sauce. It's attractive enough to leave on the table, and it's heavyweight construction helps keep the sauce nice and warm.

great
This is a cute-looking pot that is solidly built. The handle doesn't get as hot as I imagined considering that it is metal when just boiling water for a short period of time, but if the pot has been heated for a long time please use an oven mitt.

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Cuisinart 733-30H Chef's Classic Stainless 5-1/2-Quart Saute Pan with Helper Handle and Cover

A great pan at a great price
This Cuisinart Chef's Classic saute pan has quickly become my favorite pan. It's huge - a full 12" across - which makes it very versatile. The pan conducts heat extremely well and is oven safe to 500 degrees. The handle is very sturdy, reasonably comfortable, and stays cool (outside of the oven, of course). The lid fits tightly. Both the interior and the exterior are very shiny and attractive. All this and it's easy to clean. Yet this pan sells for just a fraction of the sexier brands like All-Clad or Calphalon.

The chief reason for the great price is due to the construction. This is known as a "disk bottom" pan because it has a highly conductive aluminum disk embedded in its base. The really expensive brands feature "cladding", where a layer of conductive metal (usually aluminum) is embedded throughout the entire pan. Although the cookware industry loves to say that disk-bottom pans are inferior, test after test proves this claim is untrue. After all, we don't cook on the sides of...

Beautiful pan!
I'm tired of those non-stick pans that eventually lose their coating and thought that I'll try stainless steel pan for almost everything but frying an egg. Boy did I pick the right pan to start with! This pan, besides being beautifully made, is the perfect size for almost everything I cook. It's very heavy, but the helper handle helps. It conducts heat very well, so I no longer use the high setting on my gas stove or the food would burn. Despite being made in China, the quality is excellent. I'm sure it will last decades. My only complaint is that sometimes I wish the stainless steel cover is made of glass so I can see through. But, I'll still give it 5 stars because I'm very very happy with the design and quality.

5-Stars for the Pan...0-Stars for Amazon Packaging
All my Chef's Classic cookware looks and cooks wonderfully well and is normally a breeze to clean up. This Monster pan is no exception. Weighing in at close to 10 lbs., it is the senior edition of the highly rated Cuisinart 3 1/2-Qt. Saute Pan. If you have a small range, the size of this (a full 12" accross) may crowd out some other burners, so beware.

I discovered thet the dome cover for the shallow Cuisinart 12" 'everything' pan also fits this pan and thus makes it a good candidate for a dutch oven.

Now for the bad news: Amazon did not see fit to ship this within a padded box. As a result, the pan arrived with a dent in the 'dripless' rim. I will likely not return it, but will give Amazon some 'direct' feedback.

(9/15 Update): Amazon made a very positive and 'generous' response to my complaint. Thank you Amazon! Also, both the 3 1/2 Qt. and 5 1/2 Qt. saute pans are on 'super' sale. Do yourselves a favor and buy both.

(9/23...

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

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...

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,...

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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Pfaltzgraff Melissa Sugar and Creamer Set

Very nice
I love this set set except the fact that sugar pot's lid does not have a sure grip.It slips out of my hands.Otherwise it's great.





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Chef's Design 12-by-10-Inch Lasagna Pan

Essential Pan For Every Kitch
I have owned this lasagna pan for years. I have used it for everything, Mexican enchiladas, as a roasting pan and various baked noodle dishes. It bakes evenly and cleans up easily--even melted cheese. (I would recommend not using metal utensils because you could scratch the surface. My ex-mother-in-law put a deep scratch in mine, but it still bakes perfectly.)
I love this pan so much I'm buying a second one.
Also,I like that this pan is manufactured in the USA by Wisconsin Aluminum Foundry.

Great Pan for more than just lasagna
I am so happy with this pan! I got it to make lasagna, but seem to use it for everything but. It is a great roasting pan and great for so many other types of food. It is a little expensive, but the cost, in this case, is worth it. I would highly recommend this pan for anyone and for cooking everything, including lasagna!

Lasagna Pan - large
It is a perfect pan to be used for even very large lasagnas - it will hold a lot to feed 8-10 people - lots of vegetables can be included if you are feeding vegetarian people. It is able to sit after cooking and keeps the lasagna hot.

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Chef's Design 20-Inch Double Burner Reversible Grill/Griddle

Look no further this is it!
I got this griddle for my wife for xmas - she absolutely loves it. She has cooked chicken, pancakes, etc on it and no problems. She raves on how easy it is to clean and how good it is. I looked high and low for griddles and this one is it - look no further for the perfect griddle.

Update - 3+ Year of usage and still loving this. It remains super easy to use and clean up. It does a great job with pancakes, grilling during the winter and anything else we have tried to cook on it. I highly recommend this!

Works fine
I used this more before I bought the Cuisinart Griddler (the Griddler's plates are diswasher safe, my two favorite words.) I think the key is to adjust the temperature. Start on medium but as the food cooks, lower the temperature to keep juices from burning. I do not suggest it for marinades that contain a lot of sugar because the non-stick coating is delicate. If you do burn something, immediately after cooking, turn off the heat, leave the grill in place and pour water on it. Use a nylon scrub brush to loosen as much food as you can as the water steams. Dawn Power Dissolve works if things burn on it, but do not leave it on for a long time because it will damage the coating.

A bonus is that it really does thaw foods fast too.

Great product if you treat it well.

Convenient and affordable
Very convenient and affordable but its antistick coating is very gentle. Also, I wish they would make them with higher sides like those on grill pans. When I was using grill pan my stove top was much easier to clean, now I am trying to cover my stove with foil sheets to make my cleaning easier...

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Chef's Design 6.4-Quart Stainless-Steel Pressure Cooker

good quality, great price
This fully stainless steel pressure cooker comes with a steaming basket and two weights (6+11.4 psi) all stainless. I was supprised at how solidly built it is, for $40 with free shipping i could not have asked for more. I used it over thanksgiving to cook everything in minutes. The only thing that keeps this from the fifth star is that the lid is slightly more difficult to place on the pot then some models, but seals easily and I had no problem with it while cooking. The weights are of a non-rocking veriety, so the steam engine effect, which some find disturbing, is not a problem with this cooker.

High quality cooker
One of the best pressure cookers I have used since I left the farm years ago. Very high quality and cooks fast with only medium heat. Cooks both meats and vegetables even and complete without being over done or mushy. Highly recommend this unit.

Soooooooo Good
I am so please with this Pressure Cooker. It's easy to use and cleans up in a snap. Even the lid is easy to clean. It's a breeze putting the lid on and taking off the cooker. An the three different ways of cooling down are great for all different types of foods that I cook in it.
Surpisingly Sooooooo Good.
Watch out for some of the receipts that comes with this cooker. The amount of liquid in some receipts are not enought. The Beef Stroganoff needs about a cup of water for my taste. It only calls for 1 tbls of Warchester Sauce. Now that's a little dry for me.
I found some great receipts on the internet and from friends.
Still the best pot for the size and money.

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Dualit Combi 2+1 Toaster in Silver (2 Toast/1 Sandwitch)

Best of British engineering
Here you have it .. a hand built toaster from the days when domestic appliances were well made, built to last and easily serviced. I've used mine daily for the past 15 years and its worked flawlessly. Sandwich maker perfect for sandwiches and toasting delicate items like pound cake.
Elements and other parts easily ordered from Dualit and every part is bolted together for a solid 'Hummer' of a toaster. This product is a major industrial design classic from the 1950s and will grace any kitchen counter just for its looks. If its good enough to feature in James Bond movies then why not have a working piece of 3D art.
Functions perfectly from lightly toasted white bread to well toasted whole wheat. Note that since the timer and pop up switches are separate you can pop the toast up or down anytime. However you cannot turn the timer off once set, but once you know what setting to use I've never found this an issue.
Sure it's expensive but this is a commercial product used...

Combi Electricity Saver / Eco Friendly
This incredible toaster puts you in total control allowing you to toast 1, 2, or 3 slices at a time. You then select the time with 2.5 minutes being ideal for most breads. I like this because I only want one slice in the morning. I just use the cage and toggle the one line selection. The toaster heats only then one caged slice and not the other two. So I do not waste electricity on a second slice compartment I don't use. This is the case with most toasters.

The push down toast ejector on the two slice section makes it very easy for me retrieve even thin slices quickly and effortlessly. I use to have to fish thin slices out in my old toaster.

I also like the fact that I can keep the toaster and replace parts as needed. You can purchase the heating elements, switches, etc. separately. I dislike items that are planned for obsolescence. Throwing away a whole toaster because the switch or heating element is broken is terribly wasteful.

I will keep this...



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Chef's Design 9-Quart Stainless Steel Pressure Cooker

Works great
Fairly robust rubber seal looks like it will last a while. Instructions suggesting use of cooking oil on seal during each use are being followed. Little water loss and low flame required to keep pressure up. Quiet. Was a MUCH better deal when I got it in May 2003 for $... . . . Shipping box was quite flimsy.

I would change this to 4 stars if I could
This items has some strong points; it is 18/10 Stainless Steel with thick alum sandwiched in base, is was $45 with free shipping when I bought it, and it came with a glass lid so you can use it as a stainless steel stock pot or store food in fridge. However there is a weak point. This pressure cooker is limited to 11.6 PSI. It is undesirable not to hit the standard 15 PSI, cooking temp will be nearly 10 degrees less, and cooking times 2 to 3 minutes more. It this item's defense, I have not seen evidence that other brands in this price range reach 15 PSI either, which leads me to suspect they don't as this is something to brag about. I purchased two spare gaskets from an on line source that I found, a little over $20 with shipping. Five years from now, I don't know if they will be that easy to find, and these do wear out. The item came well packaged, and in perfect condition. Everything about this item is super, except that it would be much better for it to reach 15psi. Do a...

Pressure Cooker Takes the Pressure Off
I have never owned a pressure cooker before, but this one made a good first impression. Dishes that normally take hours are done in minutes, and all the food's flavor and nutrition is preserved.

This unit is very sturdy and well-made. I like having a second lid so I can use it as a regular sauce pan as well as a pressure cooker. It is quickly becoming one of the most frequently-used pans in my kitchen.

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Pfaltzgraff Charlotte 16-Piece Dinnerware Set, Service for 4

Pfaltzgraff is the best!
I love Pfaltzgraff to begin with. I was first introduced to it when Amazon had some of their plates in a different pattern (not Charlotte)on sale in a Friday sale. Thanksgiving was coming up and we needed extra plates for everyone that was coming, so I ordered 12. I have been hooked on Pfaltzgraff ever since, and I love the Charlotte pattern, I mean, look at it, it's so adorable and quaint looking. I also love the fact that they give you a good size coffee cup instead of those silly little coffee cups with a saucer that you never use that come with most tableware. The Charlotte pattern was retired at the end of 2003, so get it while you can.





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Calphalon Tri-Ply Copper 10 Piece Set

Great set, tough and pretty
Okay, let's get one thing straight. If you're the type of person who requires your cookware to remain 100% scratch free forever- you are probably not much of a cook. Sorry, but pots and pans are not invincable and if you use them . . . *really* use them, they are going to get dinged, burnished and yes, even scratched. Yet, I have found that these are actually quite resistant to the kind of wear and tear that I have experienced with cheaper products and I have most definitely USED them (metal spatulas, whisking with a fork, accidentally burning oil in them . . . those of you who wince at scratched pans are probably in the fetal position at the mere mention of such practices). Despite my rather kamikaze approach to cooking, the triply has maintained a high degree of beauty and strength. A few scratches here and there, but they conduct wonderfullly and make up for my cheesy apartment range.
The copper discolors when it is exposed to a lot of heat, but I don't really care. The...

Good cookware, but delicate
I have recently purchased a full set of Calphalon Tri-Ply Copper cookware. It is much like a traditional sports car -- sexy and well-performing, but high-maintenance. It's nicely designed and solidly constructed, and the thick layers of metal evenly conduct heat all around the contents. It's slow to heat but once up to temp, is easily controlled and cooks very gently. Typical of copper, the exterior layer requires polishing to keep its shiny good looks, and can easily be scratched -- that comes with the territory and is something to be expected. Surprisingly, however (and quite unlike other stainless steel cookware I've used), the s/s interior layer is also exceptionally prone to scratching. The interior's mirror-like appearance is attractive and useful for viewing the contents, but use of ordinary metal utensils leaves unsightly tracks which are there to stay (e.g., cannot be polished out). Calphalon's Tri-Ply Copper brochure advises that metal utensils will not harm the pan -- don't...

Great Quality to Price Ratio!
I am shocked to read some of the reviews that complain about the copper discoloration! It's copper, you should have known this!!! Also, how is it the fault of the cookware if you cannot cook an egg without a nonstick pan? (sounds like the cook and not the cookware!) These pans are great, and easily the highest quality ever offered by Calphalon. The copper exterior makes them super responsive, giving you perfect results. One small quibble is I feel that the fry pans are a bit lighter than my All-Clads so there is a noticable dip in pan temperature if the pan gets crowded or the proteins are not close to room temp before cooking. Also, I hesitate buyuing a set of 10 pots and pans, since it's usually the same 3-4 you end up always grabbing. Still, a solid buy!

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Chicago Cutlery Insignia Steel 12-Piece Knife Block Set

An excellent set for the price
I've used this set for several years now (mine is the Insignia Matte Series) and have been very pleased with the overall cutting ability of these knives. Even though I also own Global and Shun kitchen knives, I find myself being drawn to the Insignia knives when I am in a hurry or in the middle of a large project. Although both the Global and the Shun have sharper edges, their price difference doesn't equate directly to the increased level of sharpness that you get. That is to say, yes Global and Shun knives are sharper, but they are not three to four hundred percent sharper all though their price difference certainly would suggest that.

Using my Insignia knives, I am able to quickly dice, cut, and slice through onions, carrots, chicken, roasts, etc. That said, there are several cavets that need to be stated. First, don't wash these knives in a dishwasher. It has nothing to do with the quality of the steel. I wouldn't wash my Ken Onion Shun Chef's knife in the...

Good product
bought mine from a Kohl's store for $99- these are great knives; I am a chef, so I wanted something nice for myself, and these are comparable to knives over twice the price. I highly advise buying them.

Great set of knives
We bought these knives with a gift certificate we received for our wedding. They're terrific! The blades stay nice and sharp, and they're easy to keep clean since the blades and handles are one continuous piece of metal. They fit nicely in both my and my husband's hands, and the weight is just right.

I highly recommend these knives for anyone looking for a good set at a medium price.

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Anolon Advanced Hard Anodized Nonstick 18-by-10-Inch Double Burner Griddle

An effective griddle that is lightweight! Yay!
It's so nice when a simple cooking device is done well. The heating is uniform, the pan is light (read: easy to hold while rinsing) but lies very flat (no runoff of liquids), and nothing sticks (we add butter for the flavor). I like the feel of the soft grip handles but it does get too warm to handle because our gas rangetop shoots heat across and around the edges of the griddle. It was a great way to get my husband to cook for me since there is next to no cleanup involved for his quesadillas and eggs. Lots of space for bacon too although the low rim will permit more splatter than a deeper pan. Enjoy!

Cuts down on antsiness.
Bottom line, you buy one of these mainly to make pancakes. The Anolon Double Burner Griddle is better than a traditional frying pan for pancakes because you can fit more on it at one time, which means less time in the kitchen and more time eating those tasty little crumpets while they're still hot. The kids also get less whiny when you can serve them all at once instead of doling out a few pancakes here and there or worse, serving them all at once when they've gone cold.

Turns out, it's also good at French toast, eggs, bacon, quesadillas and grilled cheese sandwiches. Added bonus: you only have to add butter or oil if you like the flavor, because after owning and using this thing for two months, I have to admit, it truly deserves to be called nonstick (unlike so many "nonsticks" that have disappointed me after the first few uses).

Some might point out that at 10 inches wide, this griddle is too narrow to fit all their breakfast items at once. Well get two,...

Amazing Griddle
Works perfectly. We have a Wolf ceramic cooktop and so a decent griddle must be perfectly flat. This is. We've had it for months. It wipes clean in hot water with a once-over with a soapy dishcloth. Nothing sticks. Of course, we take care of it. We don't overheat it and we don't immerse directly into water when it is hot. Our stove has a bridge element between the two round elements and we get perfectly even heat across the griddle - within degrees when tested with an infrared thermometer. The handles have silicone or something to insulate them so you can position or move the griddle without grabbing for a hot pad. There is a pour spout at one end for draining bacon or sausage grease. Cook breakfast for a crowd in nothing flat. You can manage 6 hearty pancakes at once or 6 fried eggs can be done to a perfect over-easy without overlapping or crowding. Suddenly I look like a seasoned short-order cook for a house full of company. Solid value. Easily worth more in my opinion.

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ISI Gourmet Whip-Quart, Brushed Stainless Steel

Best item in my kitchen! Even the kids love to use it!
I love this iSi creamer! I won it at a silent auction and use it two or three times a week. This stainless product whips and keeps organic heavy cream under refrigeration for up to 6 WEEKS ~ though mine is empty every two weeks. This product comes with "cake decorating tips" that easily attach to the nozzle. I can make a salmon mousse and pipe it onto crackers, add a sprig of dill and serve a beautiful appetizer in under 15 minutes! You will need to buy a box of O2 chargers. You will need two chargers per one quart of mass. I most always have organic cream in my charger ~ pumpkin pie is always on tap at our house! I can fill my iSi, take it along in the car and create upon my arrival. No more sliding food on my car floor! I use this item almost as often as my coffee maker! It breaks down into four separate pieces; three of which are top rack dishwasher safe and the stainless container fits nicely on the lower rack, though all are easily hand washable. Enjoy!

Whip it good
ISI Gourmet Whip-Quart, Brushed Stainless Steel
I first read about this whip on [...] where they used the whip to infuse booze with fruits, herbs and spices. Of course it makes great whipped cream, which you can enhance by adding a liqueur. The other use is to put, for example, orange zest and vodka into the whip, screw in an N20 charger, iSi N2O Cream Chargers, 24-Packshake it for a minute, then unscrew and put in another charger. Let it sit for a couple of minutes and then vent the gas. Pour off the liquid through a tea strainer and voila! - your friends will be amazed with your now-infused alcohol for custom cocktails. Love this product!

Well constructed
Everything is heavy duty and works as designed. I would recommend it to anybody that wants longevity in a product.

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Salter 3007 Bakers Dream Aquatronic Kitchen Scale

Good for First Kitchen Scale Purchase
This was the first kitchen scale I've ever used. What a difference a scale makes in baking! After baking a batch of cookies you no longer have a sink full of dirty measuring cups and bowls. The only drawback to this scale is it isn't precise enough. It only weighs in 5 gram or 1/4 oz increments so if you need an ingredient that weighs 106 grams or 1/8 oz, the scale will only weigh 105/110 grams or 1/4 oz. Once you get into weighing ingredients you find this lack of specificity inadequate.

As far as its ability to weigh liquids, I've found I rarely use it.

Robust scale
I've used this for over 2 years and haven't had a bit of trouble. Works every time, and I use it every day.

good basic scale
I've had this scale for about 3 years, and it's worked fine, and seems fairly accurate. My biggest problem (and the reason for the 3-star rating) is that, when measuring in ounces, it's only accurate to a quarter of an ounce. For most things this is fine, but I've run into some situations (particularly when measuring small amounts of things like baking powder/soda or salt) when accuracy down to a tenth of an ounce (or less) would have been preferable. I love not having to bother with measuring cups any more, but with this scale you still have to break out the measuring spoons to measure small amounts.

Not really sure what "DeepFreeze3" is referring to with respect to this scale being difficult to use. I've never had a problem reading the LED or pressing the buttons, all of which seem perfectly serviceable to me. Cleaning has never been an issue.

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Zojirushi NS-ZCC10 5-1/2-Cup (Uncooked) Neuro Fuzzy Rice Cooker and Warmer, Premium White, 1.0-Liter

Great machine but Understand the Capacity
I finally convinced my wife to replace the old but still functional single switch rice cooker I'd owned for about 10 years. I have longed for something with an off switch so rice doesn't burn to the bottom when I forget to unplug it. This guy was the ticket.

It seems like a fairly complex machine but its really easy to use once you understand the setup. Its well designed. The pot is easy to clean and the inner lid snaps off for easy cleaning as well.

I have to say the rice it produces is some of the best I have had. I did a side by side cookoff with the old and the new rice cookers. The same rice just seemed to have more consistant texture and better strong flavor. Definatley worth the upgrade since we do lots of rice.

The one drawback I found is with the somewhat misleading specifications. They say this is a "5 cup" rice cooker. So I'm thinking 5 cups=40oz. Plenty big enough for a family of 4. Well its not quite that much. It seems in Asia (on the...

Simply Amazing!
This rice cooker makes the best rice we have ever had - at least since our travels to Southeast Asia. And despite the fact that this machine *seems* smarter than it's user, it is remarkably simple to operate. The instruction book lacks a little bit in terms of recipes and creativity - but it does a good job giving you the basic idea of how to use this machine. This space age looking rice cooker is a little pricey, so it may be overkill for some - but I love all the features this offers and consider it well worth the price (which is a hundred less than what it is offered for here at Amazon). We eat a lot of brown rice, which is not something that other rice cookers handle well. This one has a setting for brown rice, and cooks it to perfection. Also has a setting for semi-brown rice, sushi rice, porridge & more. You get to pick how soft or hard you want the rice to turn out by using the control panel. Being able to set a timer for having rice ready when we get home from work is...

Excellent Rice Cooker
Excellent rice cooker. So far, I've used it for white and brown rice with and without the automatic timer and it works great. I'll use it for shushi next week. With the automatic timer feature you set up the machine and then tell the rice cooker the time of day when you want your rice to be ready. After that time it switches automatically into 'keep warm' mode so your rice is ready to eat in case you're delayed. This is one of the main reasons I bought this specific model.

A few things to note so you can make a more informed purchase.

1- Cup size is different. I guess a japanese cup is different than those used in the US. Therefore, 10 cups in this case actually translates to 7.5 US-sized cups of rice.

2- Cooking time is longer than 'normal'. I included the estimates for some types of rice straight from the manual. The zojirushi website also has estimates.

a- Quick cooking (only white rice): 35-45 min

b- White Rice: 51-60...

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Calphalon Contemporary 8-Inch Bread Knife

Quite Pleasing
A bread knife is a specialized tool -- you really can't use it for much other than cutting bread. It's tempting to purchase just any bread knife. But this is forged, rather than stamped, and the reduced flexing of the blade goes a long way towards making the slice the slice you wanted rather than what you happened to get. Functionally, this knife is beyond reproach. Even with crusty breads, the crumbs are minimized.

It does not use the traditional three-rivet handle -- the handle is molded. But it is a full tang, and there's no reason to expect any loss in longevity.

I gave this four, rather than five, stars primarily on the basis of the appearance of the blade -- but this is a matter of personal taste. Unlike knives used in the kitchen (where getting the job done is the job, and the appearance is not particularly important) a bread knife is likely to be used before guests. The utilitarian appearance of the blade is entirely appropriate to my tastes, however it may not...

Best knife EVER!!
This is absolutely the BEST knife I've ever used for cutting bread. Even when the bread is piping hot - this knife glides right through it w/ease and doesn't even begin to squash or damage the loaf. I'm amazed how thin I can cut slices (when the bread is cool). It's a fab knife. Just be careful - it cuts well for a reason! It's sharp as all heck! GREAT knife!

I want more of these knives!
This knife cut through tough crusty bread like it was butter! I thought I had a good bread knife until I bought this one, there was no comparison between the two. I am buying the whole set of these Calphalon Contemporary knives one by one and love them!

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iSi Cream Whipper 1 Pint Easy Whip White 6670

A holiday delight
I use this gadget all through the year, but at holiday time, it gets a workout with all that pumpkin pie and hot cocoa to name but a couple of things that beg for whipped cream. It's so easy to use--just pour in the cream, add a spoonful of powdered sugar to sweeten and replace the top. Shake a few times to distribute the sugar, then screw in an N2O cartridge in the included holder until the contents are released into the container. Shake a few more times, remove the charger and replace with the 'squirter' nozzle and there you are. You can take the whipped cream right along with the pie to someone else's house, ready to use. It transports well. It stores in the fridge for longer than you'd think--a couple of weeks, although who can go that long without using it up ;) and if you don't have time to wash out the container right away, just leave it in the fridge till you do. For some reason the dregs don't seem to sour in there.

Clean up is easy--in fact I find it easier...

Fantastic
I have been using this for some time now. You can really customize your whipped cream. I even made chocolate whipped cream. I find it works better if you only fill it up about 3/4 of the way with cream. It just seems to be more whipped and lighter that way.

HANDY INSTANT WHIPPED CREAM
This is handy to have when you have unexpected guests, also great for a single person or a family. The cream keeps fresh for a long time, possibly at least two weeks, if you haven't scoffed it all by then! It's great piped on the top of your coffee, cocoa or desserts and in scones with jam.

I bought the cream color iSi Whipper and I like it. There's always quite a lot of cream still left inside when the gas is gone, which is OK. I scoop it out with a silicone spatula with a small enough head to fit inside. It always tastes good right to the very end. After hand washing it, I soak it in water with a couple of teaspoons of baking soda, to get rid of the cream smell, it works very quilckly.

You don't get any chargers with this, I bought these at the same time as the whipper.
iSi N2O Cream Chargers, 24-Pack.

I'm really glad I purchased this. Before I had to use up the cream...

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Georgia-Pacific Acclaim 20204 White Multifold Paper Towel, 9.4" Length x 9.2" Width (Case of 16 Packs, 250 per Pack)

It's paper towel
It's paper towel, what else can I say. Item was as described, shipped without delay and works well for us.

Not the most durable available
Wasn't the most durable brand we've tried; the paper rips pretty easily once it gets wet. You get what you pay for I think.

Good for the price
A little on the thin side, but for the price, this is adequate. We use in our office and there aren't any complaints.

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iSi Coffee Cream Whipper-1 Pint, White

Wouldn't be without this handy item
I bought one of these iSi cream dispensers about 20 years ago. Have never had a problem with it and have not worried about cream spoilage (and waste) since. The charged canister of cream lasts and lasts in the refrigerator. Very easy to use. After a quick shake, just invert, point the affixed nozzle, and pull the lever (test in the sink first to be sure its not liquid because it will splatter). The more its shaken, the thicker the cream will be. The only caution is to not shake it too much before use or you'll make butter instead of whip cream. Cleaning is a breeze; but, does require a toothpick to clean out the small holes. And, of course, release all the pressure before opening to clean. My difficulty now is obtaining the chargers due to shipping restrictions. Can't believe no one else has reviewed this item.

ISI WHIP CREAM MAKER
We have had one of the ISI Whip Cream Makers also for 20 years and there is nothing else like it. We have given them away as house warming gifts repeatedly and they are well appreciated. Some friends have purchased poor imitations that last only a couple of years and cost them just as much. It is one of those things you think you "Why would I want one?" and after you own one you think "Why did I not have one of these before". Not only does it make great whipped cream, it impresses the hell out of your guests.

iSi Coffee Cream Whipper - 1 pint
This is the second iSi whip cream maker that I purchased, and I couldn't be happier. If you love home-made whip cream, then this item is for you. Just add heavy cream and powdered sugar, and charge the unit. The whipping cream will last for a few weeks in the refrigerator, but I guarantee you will use it all before then.

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iSi 2248 Soda Siphon, Brushed Aluminum

Great - Once I figured out the right method
Since there's so much discussion - both good and bad - regarding this product, I thought I'd put in my 2 cents...

Yes, I really like this item...but I was initially so-so until I figured out the right method to make the water as fizzy as possible.

Like others, I was initially dismayed about the quality of the fizz, however after about 20 CO2 cartridges worth of trial and error, I think I've figured out the best possible method to make the water very fizzy:

1. Use cold water. Yes... I know, everyone has been suggesting this...but seriously, this really makes a difference. I'm not talking about cool water here... the water needs to be COLD. And the secret trick that no one really seems to be talking about here is that the cold water needs to be poured into a chilled siphon! Before first use, put the empty metal siphon in the freezer to get it nice and chilled. After that, every new batch will stay cold since you'll be storing the siphon in the fridge...

Carbonation is rather good...
I read some other reviews here and on other sites and it seemed that the biggest problem this product has is that the water is not as carbonated as store bought water.

The first time I tried this product it seemed the other reviews were correct. The water was just barely carbonated and I was rather disappointed with it. However, I found that once you pressurize the bottle; letting it sit in the refridgerator for a while will really carbonate it up. To me it now "seems" just as good as store bought carbonated water or at least very close.

Probably the only complaint I now have about it is that I empty the bottle too quickly and I have to wait a while for another bottle to be ready. Besides that it works very well and I am happy with it.

Old way still the best
Some may wonder why bother when seltzer water comes in bottles.

1. Makes excellent, high-quality carbonated water. For a TRUE diet soda without chemicals, or add it to cocktails.

2. It's fun and easy to make. Just screw in the chargers and shake.

3. Great design. A conversation piece. Nostalgic and Retro. Just like the bars in the old movies.

4. Economical. Less than 70 cents per soda charger for one liter.

5. Great gift idea.

Drawbacks:

1. The CO2 soda charges can be tough to find. Amazon had them, then they didn't. They may again. Buy in bulk.

2. The one liter dispenses quickly

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Hormel(R) Chrome/Black Carafe, 1.0 Liter

Keeps cold or hot drinks for a long time.
The Hormel Glass Carafe keep your beverage the way you want it for a very long time. From very cold to very hot. Because of the Glass inside the Carafe, it keep your drink the way you want it. I have it in my room and I always have cold water. It's great.

Great Item
The first one I received was broken. They replaced the pitcher promptly and it is great. Keeps hot liquids for 3+ hours.



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iSi One Pint Dessert Whip, White

Excellent Product!!
I love this product! I use it all the time.

Best parts:
A- I know it's fresh, and hasn't been sitting on the shelf for who knows how long already.
B- I know what's in it (i.e. no sugar).
C- I can flavor it any way I like.
D- It's way cheaper than buying it pre-whipped.
E- I don't have to get the electric mixer dirty.

The only part that I'm not crazy about is cleaning it... but a good bottle brush and some hot soapy water take care of it nicely.

Excellent Product!
This product is just the thing for special occasions. It allows you to make the whip cream way ahead of time (even days if you want) and not have to worry about at dinnertime or after. Because it is under pressure, your cream stays fresher longer. Also, it is especially great for those who would like to have whip cream today and later in the week. It does not loose its volume and turn to soup like if you were to whip it in a mixer and use it a day later. The only problem I have is not having enough for a large group. Thankfully it is so easy to make, sometimes I will make it again when the first batch is gone. This takes all of about a min. or so to do. Warning: Be on the look-out for the CO2 cartridges at your local stores because they can really range in price. Usually specialty cooking stores carry it but it is not the best buy there as a general rule. Always keep enough on hand because it's usually a holiday when I realize I am out (stores aren't open!)

Good Luck and...

Great Whipper!
I had worked in restaurant years ago that used this type of appliance for putting whipped cream on their desserts, and was always impressed with how easy it was to get a great tasting, elegant looking mound of "real" whipped cream, as opposed to making it in a hit and miss attempts with a chilled bowl, and a hand mixer at home.

I wasn't disappointed in the iSi's ability to duplicate that memory. It worked perfectly, and was able to produce real whipped cream for considerably less than a comparable amount of "fake" whipped cream from a frozen tub.

While once you have put your cream mixture into the unit, and pressurized it with the cartridge you need to use it all before it spoils ( at least 10 days with fresh ingredients ), and before you can re-open the pressurized unit, with as good as it tasted, that shouldn't be hard.

It's now been a couple months since I purchased the iSi whipped cream maker, and while I am still happy with the unit, I can't say...

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