Zojirushi EP-EVC25 Electric Gourmet d' Expert Electric Skillet Review

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(More customer reviews)This is my third Electric Skillet. I work 100 miles from home and live in a trailer during the week (the commute is terrible around here, but I can't afford another or even a different house). My propane Stove went out a couples years ago now and I started using my BBQ, A toaster over and/or an electric skillet instead. My first skillet was "Silver stone" coated. First time I burnt something in it was the last. I then bought a Stainless Steel pan but didn't like the temperature control and it can be hard to clean. This Zojirushi pan not only can be used to higher temperatures (460F instead of the usual 400F), it's a dream to clean and the temperature control is great. I've already burnt something (on Purpose) Blackened peppercorn Rib Eye. Great!!! (anyone got a good air purifier, next time I'll do it on the porch, another advantage, its portable) But nothing sticks to it, don't even need oil or butter. I like it so much I've ordered the larger Sizzler and started using it too. It's got a larger surface and the sides aren't as deep so it's easier to get a spatula into. Also it goes to 480F (call the Fire Department, yee hah). The design is different, but it's a great pan too.

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A pot that can be used on top of the range, as well as in the heating base of the appliance offers plenty of options. The cover allows you to cook with moist heat, and to cook things like burgers, fried dumplings, and eggs more quickly. Whether you like to cook for an audience at the table, or feel burner-challenged when it comes to cooking meals for company, you'll find this an easy to use, handy appliance.

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T-Fal OT8065002 Avante Elite Toaster Oven Review

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(More customer reviews)I've had the Avante Elite Toaster Oven for about 6 months now and have used it almost every day since I bought it. I originally bought it thinking I'd mainly use it for toast but after experimenting with different items I found that it can serve as a pretty adequate oven/stove top. I'm far from a gourmet chef so this review is from the perspective of someone who can follow a recipe to make a tasty treat but who has never broasted or flambayed and who doesn't yet know what parboiled means.
As a toaster: Just about excellent. It does the "Toast" function very well. Toast was just the right amount of crunchy. The "Toast" setting also adjusts its toasting time pretty accurately so that if the oven is still hot from having used it to cook something, it will set itself to toast for less time. However I have noticed that if I've used the oven on the "Broil" setting (which gets it VERY hot) I need to remove the items from the oven a little earlier than when it actually thinks it will be done. If I left them in there until the timer went off they wouldn't get burnt or even overly dark, just darker than I personally like. I've also made toasty sandwhiches with the Toast feature. I make my sandwhich on buns or french bread and stick them in the oven, set it to Toast, and they come out toasty and melty like you would get at Quiznos.
As an oven: Excellent. The oven part of the Avante Elite cooks meat thoroughly and fairly evenly. I've cooked chicken, beef, hot dogs, breaded eggplant patties, and frozen entrees. I've also baked pizzas and banana bread. All came out pretty delicious. I usually rotate the pizzas once during cooking because the back end of the oven tends to cook things faster than the front end. The oven itself is larger than it looks. I've been able to fit all the frozen pizzas I've tried (including the fairly large Digiorno pizzas).
As a stove top: Great! I don't know if the manufacturers intended for the top "warmer" to be used as a makeshift stove top but that's what I've used it for many many times. I set the oven to the "Broil" setting (caution, it gets the whole oven very hot, but that's the very reason I use this setting) and place a stove-top safe dish on top and then fry, boil, saute or cook *almost* as I would on a normal stove top. I've fried bacon (using the included baking sheet although the bacon can be cooked inside the oven with the included broil pan) and eggs, cooked spaghetti, sauteed vegetables and tofu and have even tried cooking corn and rice up there. The corn and rice are a bit harder because the water doesn't come to a fast boil as it would on a real stove top so unless you have a lot of time, the corn and rice will have to be cooked elsewhere. The top warmer also is somewhat warped (probably from all the extreme temperature changes it undergoes) and so I had to buy a tiny egg-frying pan (it's so cute! if I'm able to add my pictures to this page, you'll see it) so that the egg would cook evenly. That is, I tried to put the baking sheet down first and then fry the egg on that but the egg just slid to one corner of the sheet and I had to make scrambled eggs that day instead. Those came out pretty good though!
So if you want a great toaster that also does justice to the "oven" part of its name AND works great as a makeshift stove top, this toaster oven is worth the money.

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Toaster oven

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The Sharper Image 8127SI Super Wave 1300-Watt 12-1/2-Quart Countertop Oven Review

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(More customer reviews)We've never had a convection oven in our kitchen, and I looked forward to trying this hybrid convection/hybrid/infrared cooking unit. Overall, the negative aspects of this device outweigh its positives.
Some things to consider:
First: sheer size. I did the math, and at 15" tall (12" if you remove the metal extender ring) and 12" in diameter, you'll need to find a cool cubic foot of storage space when it's not in use. If your kitchen is like mine, and you already have a rice cooker, a slow cooker, a food processor and a countertop mixer competing for cabinet and counter space: good luck. I realize that the volume allows it to accommodate substantially sized contents. Just be aware that you'll have to find a place to keep it.
Second: weight. Approximately 17 pounds (advertised shipping weight is 18 pounds). Wherever you decide to store it, you'll be hefting it.
Third: lots of opportunities to burn yourself. See all that glass in the product picture? It all gets hot (as does the 3" metal extender ring). While it may be intuitive that these get hot, you'll be working in close proximity to them while turning items over or removing them from the cooking container.
Fourth: Clean-up. The main cooking bowl will take up most of a kitchen sink during clean-up. The heating and fan element, along with the power cord and power supply, are integrated into the glass lid. Obviously this is a "do not immerse in water" item. Cleaning up after the spatters resulting from cooking takes some thought.
One of the attractive features of this is the opportunity to cook meats from frozen. Great idea, and seems like a time saver. Here's a reality check for one such scenario: cooking a 6.7 lb frozen chicken.
-the giblet bag. It's frozen inside the body cavity. I tried both running water and a brief stint in the microwave to get is sufficiently thawed for removal...no success. Neither was it extractable at the halfway cooking point (when you turn the chicken over). So I left it in the chicken.
-the cooking instructions for a whole frozen chicken call for it to be turned halfway through cooking. The included tongs for lifting the cooking rack out of the container simply can't accommodate the size of a chicken this large. So turning becomes an adventure with opportunities to both burn yourself...and send your half-baked chicken sliding across the counter..and maybe onto the floor.
Also of note in the included cooking instructions was a surprising difference in cooking temperatures for "whole chicken, 4 lb" and "whole turkey, 6 lb". The instructions indicated the chicken should be cooked at 460 degrees (F),the turkey at 350 (F). As they are both poultry, I was surprised by this, and had no confidence that either was correct.
Bottom line:consider carefully the wisdom of the "whole frozen chicken" recipe selection!
A brief discussion about cooking times and energy savings:
The description of this item indicates "up to 3 times faster" than a conventional oven. Pay attention to the "up to 3 times", and plan on about 2 times faster as a rule of thumb. This is a 1300 watt (110 v) appliance, so it'll use about the same energy of a high powered microwave or hair dryer. I'll assume this is still less than a 220 volt conventional oven (but leave that bottom line to the electricians), bit it will still use significant electricity when operating.
So, if you have a place to store it, and if your kitchen and cooking are such that you often need to prepare multiple entrees in the oven, and IF you select the correct recipes (stuffed peppers, baked potatoes, air-fried french fries or cuts of meat that can be easily turned), this might be a good choice for you. If not, this may be one of those appliances that finds a distant storage place...and then remains there until your next garage sale or moving day.


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Combine the fast cooking time of a microwave with the quality results of a conventional oven. The Sharper Image Super Wave Countertop Oven works like a standard oven but cooks up to three times faster. Using a tri-cooking system, this 12-1/2-quart countertop oven bakes, boils, broils, air fries, steams, grills, or roasts your meals. Eliminating the need to defrost frozen foods first, the oven lets you enjoy a variety of dishes and low-fat meals with fewer calories while spending less time in the kitchen.
Super Wave Countertop OvenAt a Glance:

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West Bend 84966 Versatility Oval-Shaped 6-Quart Programmable Slow Cooker Review

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(More customer reviews)This is my fourth one of this style of a West Bend slow cooker in 20 or so years. I started with a four quart model. I wore it out after about 6 years of using it at least 4 or 5 times a week all year (I was a working mother then). I bought a second four quart, and passed it on three years ago to my son when he got married. I still have the six quart I purchased as a replacement (I have hidden it from my son so I can have a spare if I need it). I love this new electronic model best of all. I love being able to set the timer and know it will switch to warm when done. The older models did not do that. The digital age has arrived for my FAVORITE slow cooker of all time!! I have given away the oval standard slow cooker I had (not a West Bend). There aren't many dishes I haven't tried in this slow cooker. This is the best West Bend model yet. This model is pricey for a slow cooker, but I would purchase another one, if I found a good sale price.

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Enjoy healthy, home-cooked meals even with a busy schedule thanks to this oval-shaped programmable slow cooker. Simply add ingredients to the unit's cooking pot, insert the pot into the electric base, and select the desired temperature setting--warm, low, or high. At the end of the programmed cooking time, the appliance automatically shifts to keep-warm mode, which means dinner can be ready and waiting after a long day at work or a busy day of weekend errands. The unit's 6-quart capacity nicely accommodates family-size meals or buffet-style gatherings, and its removable cooking pot can be used on the stove top or in the oven for added versatility. Even more, its base doubles as a warming base and a griddle--choose the "griddle" option from the control panel for making pancakes, eggs, hash browns, and other breakfast favorites. Additional highlights include automatic shut-off after 24 hours for safety and peace of mind, cool-touch handles, and a dishwasher-safe cooking pot and glass lid for easy cleanup. A recipe book comes included. Perfect for soups, casseroles, pot roasts, curries, and more, the slow cooker measures approximately 10 by 14-1/2 by 9-1/2 inches.

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Viking VGCC5484GQSS 48 Professional Series Sealed Burner Gas Range Review

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(More customer reviews)My neighbor has had a 48" Viking dual oven range using propane for about 3 years. He is an excellent cook and technically very savvy. Last weekend he was slow-roasting a brisket when his wife noticed a fire in the oven. Apparently (according to the Viking rep), the gas delivery solenoid had stuck open. After they turned the gas off (they thought) and extinguished the flames and removed the charred brisket, they closed the oven. A bit later he opened the oven door and turned the gas on to see if he could determine what had happened. The resulting fireball trimmed his eyelashes, eyebrows and the hair off one arm and burned his face a bit. Reflecting on it later, he was glad that he had checked the oven, rather than letting the house fill with gas as they slept. The propane smell had been completely overwhelmed by that of the burned brisket. The Viking people were extremely solicitous and the tech who arrived within hours diagnosed the stuck solenoid as though he had seen such before...
This is no apocryphal story; I have seen the charred oven, which is being replaced gratis.

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Viking introduced professional cooking to the home when their first range shipped in 1987. Now that same exceptional performance extends into every corner of the kitchen - even the backyard. Refrigerators. Wine Cellars. Dishwashers. Grills. Cookware. Cutlery. Small appliances. It's enough to turn any cook into a chef. When people think of Viking, the bold, commercial look of the Professional Series range is the image that most likely pops into their heads. Ultra-premium features like high-performance burners, convection baking, and infrared broiling easily handle everything from crème brûlée to rack of lamb. The legendary Viking range is available in gas and electric models, as well as an array of sizes and finishes to fit any kitchen. And for those who want professional performance without the professional look, there is the Designer Series. Clean lines and contours meld gracefully into cabinets with style, offering a striking new look for Viking. Fully equipped with outstanding features and power, this complete line of built-in products doesn't sacrifice any of the world-renowned Viking performance for fashion's sake. Haute couture meets haute cuisine. Viking doesn't see the kitchen as a collection of products, but a complete cooking environment. Cooking isn't a chore - it's an art form. Everything must work together in form and function. Both the Professional and Designer lines deliver the ultimate in performance with a cohesive look for the kitchen. Each line offers a full range of products, so you don't have to resort to mixing and matching brands and styles. Viking offers the truly consistent ultra-premium kitchen. The complete Viking kitchen is complete perfection. Custom Series Ranges The Custom Series fine tunes every aspect of Viking performance and style to offer an entirely new and decidedly exceptional line of Viking ranges. Perfection lies in the deta...

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Calphalon HE600CG Removable-Plate Nonstick Countertop Grill Review

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(More customer reviews)I've had many indoor grills, this one outshines all of them! It is a large grill, with space enough for four burgers, sandwiches, chicken thighs or breasts, etc. It heats up fast with minimal, if any smoke. I love the timer option and control of the temperature. It is super easy to clean and the removable plates fit nicely in the dishwasher. The drip tray is huge and located where it should be, in the back, so when you open up your grill while cooking, the grease goes in it and not on your counter or under the grill. This is a bonus safety measure which I describe in detail later on in this review.
The cooking quality is excellent. One of the reviewers complained about how poorly his chicken and steak turned out. I do not understand that, he must have cooked at the wrong temperatures (too hot), because we've had perfect results every time. It doesn't taste like steamed anything, but like grilled food. And yes, it makes a mean panini sandwich!
This grill is well made with quality parts. The only part that is questionable is the adjustable height knob, which is plastic, and I could see this breaking down the road, since we use this grill daily. I called customer service about it, and they said should it break, they would send out a new part, no problem. Good to know.
This grill looks so good on the counter, that I leave it there. It does not look tacky like the other models out there, where I found myself wanting to hide them right after use.
There was a huge fire hazard defect on a no-name cusinart model that I bought from Walmart for $50, which occurred well after the warranty ended. That grill ended up in the trash can. What happened with it is the grease leaked underneath whenever I opened it while cooking, melting the plastic that housed the wires, leaving the wires exposed. Thankfully I caught this before anything bad happened. So, when I looked for my next grill, I specifically looked for one that addressed this issue (the grease leaking underneath whenever you open the grill while cooking). The Calphalon addresses this issue with the drip tray in the back. Other grill makers need to follow suit!
The price tag seemed high to me, but it does come with a much better warranty than other models, it is made from higher quality parts, and it looks like something one would see in a professional kitchen. My husband is a chef, and is extremely happy with this grill as well. I'm not one known to buy high-end appliances, but in this case I did and can honestly say that I have no regrets. I highly recommend this grill!JULY 18th 2010: UPDATE
I just wanted to update and let everyone know that after daily use for well over a year, I can happily report my Calphalon indoor grill is still going strong!
Cleanup is still a breeze and the coating is still perfect. After you cook on it and the plates have cooled down, place the plates in the sink and spray a little water on them, let them soak for a few minutes. Then rinse. I have never had anything clean as easily as these plates!
I read that some people have problems with the front panel coming off or knobs breaking. I haven't had that happen. I'm wondering if there was a bad batch of these, and somehow I lucked out. I bought my grill from Amazon, if that helps. Everything still works like a charm and we put this grill through its paces!
Someone mentioned the top plate coming off while they were cooking. They must not have put it on correctly. If it doesn't snap in, it isn't on there right. Be careful with that.
My grill heats up in about 5 minutes. No problems there. I love the timer. 350 degrees seems to be a magic temperature for me. I cook almost everything at that setting. This is a wonderful grill. I'm very happy we splurged last year and bought it.

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Cook for a few or for a crowd with the extra-large capacity of this countertop grill. The unit features heavy-gauge cast-aluminum nonstick grill plates that can fit up to six burgers, six 4-ounce chicken breasts, or four Panini-style sandwiches at a time. And, since it cooks both sides simultaneously, food grills quickly and efficiently. To use, simply turn the control knob to select the desired heat setting from 200 degrees F for warming up to 450 degrees F for searing. After about five minutes of preheating, a "ready" light will illuminate. Place food on the lower grill plate, close the lid, and select "always on" for continuous grilling or set the 30-minute timer for a designated cooking time--a bell will sound at the end and the grill will stop heating. Other highlights include an Opti-Heat system for premium heating, adjustable height to accommodate everything from thick steaks to grilled-cheese sandwiches, an internal drip tray to catch excess fat, and easy-to-read controls. To protect the nonstick coating on the grill plates, use only non-metal, temperature-resistant utensils, such as wood or nylon. The removable drip tray and grill plates can go in the dishwasher or be washed by hand and the base wipes clean easily with a soft, damp cloth. For compact storing, simply empty and clean the drip tray, close the grill, move the height selector into the lock position, and tuck the grill away either laying flat or standing upright. Housed in stainless steel with a sleek contoured shape, the 1500-watt grill measures 12-8/9 by 15-2/3 by 6-3/5 inches and carries a one-year limited warranty.

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Santa Fe QM2R 900-Watt Quesadilla Maker Review

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(More customer reviews)Napoleon Dynamite's grandma would be proud to own one of these! Works great. One little tip before you head to the grocery store... you must use the LARGE "burrito size" tortillas with this. If you try to use smaller tortillas like "taco size" or "fajita size," they won't extend out to the part of the grilling surface that seals the edges and your melting cheese will flow out the sides. The instructions say you must use a 10" diameter torilla. That's usually sold as "burrito size." I agree with Diane that an on/off switch would have been a nice feature, but it still works wonderfully.

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Bake favorite quesadilla recipes right at home in four to five minutes with this easy-to-use quesadilla maker. The 900-watt unit accommodates 10-inch fresh, pliable, flour tortillas and soft filling ingredients like shredded cheese, salsa, and shredded or thinly sliced pieces of cooked meat, poultry, or vegetables. For best results, fillings should be spread as evenly as possible, up to a 1/2-inch from the edge of the tortilla so that the edges can seal together. Gently raise or lower the lid using a potholder or oven mitt and remove quesadillas with a plastic or wooden spatula only.
Other highlights include an "on/off" power light and "ready" light, a steam guard, and nonstick cooking plates for effortless food release. The unit's soft cool-touch pads and built-in nonstick drip tray provide added convenience. To clean, wipe the lid, base, and cooking plates with a damp cloth and towel dry. Compactly store the unit by latching the cooking plates together, loosely winding the cord around its base, and standing it in a vertical position. An owner's manual loaded with recipes is included. The quesadilla maker measures approximately 12 by 12 by 6 inches and carries a one-year limited warranty.

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Cuisinart WM-SW2 Dual-Sandwich Nonstick Electric Grill Review

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(More customer reviews)The product does exactly what it is billed to do: it grills sandwiches quickly. The problem is that the grill is very small, so normal grocery store bread is way too big and it hangs out the side. In addition, if you want to make a bigger sandwich, i.e., stacked with several ingredients, the lid will not close and lock without Herculean strength and the risk of burning yourself. It does OK with two small pieces of bread and a small amount of cheese. But, for that, it's just as easy to heat up a nonstick frying pan. It would be, however, handy for students in dorms or others with no access to a stove.

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Grills 2 items at a time like sandwiches, omelets and French toast. Features lock-down lid positions plates to evenly grill both sides, ready to cook and ready to eat indicator lights, raised ridges in cooking plates seal edges of bread or omelets to keep ingredients in, nonstick baking plates wipe clean in seconds, deep pockets and cord storage.

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Universal Stovetop 4-Turn Coil Review

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(More customer reviews)
I priced stove coils from the mfg. and they were $53 each. I needed 2.
Got on Amazon and found them for $22 total, including shipping.
Very pleased--also very fast delivery.

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Style A. Universal plug in element with Y bracket. Fits most plug in electric ranges including Amana, Crosley, Frigidaire, Maytag, and Whirlpool. No. 7361: Small, 6", 4 turns No. 7381: Large, 8", 5 turns

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