DeLonghi EC155 Espresso Maker Review
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Product Features
- Uses convenient pods or ground coffee with the patented dual function filter holder. It makes espresso preparation simple and quick
- Easily prepares lattes and cappuccinos with the swivel jet frother for perfect drinks every time
- Eliminates annoying start-up preparation with the self-priming operation
- Always brews espresso at the perfect temperature with two separate thermostats which allow for water and steam pressure to be controlled separately
- Enjoy delicious espresso and cappuccino for years to come with the durable, high-quality stainless steel boiler and 15 bar pump pressure
Reviewed By: Maddie Alderson
I was always skeptical of expensive espresso machines and wondered why anyone would pay hundreds of dollars for a costlymachine. It turns out that the more expensive and quality machines are “pump-driven” rather than the typical “steam driven” found at your local Wally World and such. A pump driven machine will hit pressures 4-5 times greater than that of a steam driven machine and gets much better extraction from the espresso grinds (better flavor) and are the only machines capable of generating the “chrema” foam at the top of the espresso.
The DeLonghi EC155 is an excellent budget machine found for under $100 that is pump driven. I was happy with my old steam driven Delonghi but once I received this I realized that I didn’t even know what I was missing. This espresso is as good or better than anything you’ll get in a nice Italian restaurant or at your local Charbucks. The chrema that this thing produced is flat out great (you’ll get a nice 1/4 layer of tasty emulsified foam). The convenience of pulling a single shot is great too, and you really only need the machine to warm up a few minutes before you pull a shot.
The best feature about this machine in my opinion is that it is E.S.E certified (easy serve espresso). This means that you can pick up the ESE certified pods from Charbucks or a good online pod retailer and not have to bother with the trouble of grinding and tamping. This is a HUGE feature that even some of the more expensive machines do not have and is what eventually sold me on this unit. Having grown accustomed to the convenience of pod coffee, it was only natural to look for the same thing in my espresso machine. Do note that coffee (senseo style) pods will not work in here as those are much larger than the ESE certified pod. Try a nice blend from Baronet or another find espresso brand and you won’t be sorry.
- Maddie
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Reviewed By: Jason Smith
I have been using this machine for 4 months now and I still use it often. It makes very good espresso, but I’m still trying to refine my technique. The only other espresso machine I have owned is a steam driven machine, but I never used it because it was tough to use and it just made strong coffee. This machine makes a nice espresso and you can get a good crema.
Other reviews have noted that the steam wand is too close to the counter. It is close to the counter but I don’t consider it is all that tough to use. Get a steaming pitcher that is not too tall and it will work just fine.
The machine has a built in plastic tamper that is nearly impossible to use. I don’t find I can put the 40 or 50 lbs of pressure on my puck by pushing upwards, while also pushing down on the machine. When you push down on the machine, you push down on the cup warmer. If you always have cold hands, you might enjoy this aspect of the machine. I bought a metal tamper from an Amazon reseller and the 2″ size works wonderfully.
The grounds basket is poorest of all designs on the machine. The basket is too easy to remove from the handle, so when you try to dispose of the puck, many times the basket goes right into the garbage along with the grounds. Now, you have a basket that just had 190 degree water run through it in the garbage and you are trying to fish it out. Many times, I just run water over the puck and send it down the drain. Ugh!
I find the water reservoir size to be adequate for my coffee drinking needs. It is also very easy to remove from the machine and fill up.
The basket issue is the only design flaw I haven’t found a workaround for. I give this a machine a thumbs up based on the price and quality of espresso that comes out. If you were planning to use this machine every day then I’d recommend spending a little more money on a better designed machine. I use this on the weekends and I find the flaws acceptable for paying so much less than other machines.
- Jason
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Cuisinart DFP-14BCN 14-Cup Food Processor Reviews
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Product Features
- 720-watt large-capacity food processor with intuitive “on” and “off/pulse” buttons
- 14-cup Lexan work bowl; extra-large feed tube; small and large pushers
- Stainless-steel slicing disc, shredding disc, chopping blade, and dough blade
- Spatula, instruction/recipe booklet, and video included; dishwasher-safe parts
- Measures 7-1/2 by 9-3/4 by 15-3/4 inches; 3-year limited warranty with 5-year warranty on motor
Every Kitchen Needs a Cuisinart
Every kitchen needs a Cuisinart, and after the work bowl of my former much loved 14-cup Cuisinart Food Processor of 20+ years finally gave out, I opted to purchase the new Cuisinart DFP-14BC 14-cup brushed chrome model .
First the aesthetics, this model compliments all my other stainless steel appliances, including my double oven, toaster and microwave, etc. It looks very sleek compared to my former white model. In other words, I’m very pleased with the way it looks.
I use my food processor quite often and shopped around before deciding to choose this particular model. I picked this square-shaped model, similar to my older replaced DLC-7 model, with the two rectangular buttons that `click’. Since my former Cuisinart of like design served me well 20+ years, this design appeared more durable and was less expensive than another Cuisinart rounded model with oval buttons that looked less heavy-duty.
Other than a few modifications to the food pusher assembly, this new DFP-14BC model is virtually identical to my older processor, and just as easy to use. Even better is the fact that my older DLC-7 discs (with detachable stems) also fit this new processor. So far, I’ve used the metal blade, which worked like a dream, and the shredding and slicing discs that again work with ease and provide excellent results. Additionally, the motor on this new processor is more powerful than my original model and I can’t wait to try it on making bread or pizza dough.
For first time food processor users, a demonstration video accompanies this machine and walks you through everything you’ll need to know. You’ll never make a pie crust again without it!
- Mary
What a Workhorse
I chose this model after reading several other reviews and trying to avoid any problems while also minimizing my cost, or at least keeping it reasonable. I am so happy with my choice and really glad I relied on those reviews.
At first I was considering getting a smaller model like the 7 cup or the 9 cup. So glad I didn’t do that. What convinced me was reading somewhere that the smaller ones have a smaller motor, less power, and/or no dough option. What I see now is that the cup size isn’t as big as it sounds. It doesn’t look like 14 cups. Maybe you can stuff 14 cups of sliced strawberries in there but for practical use that isn’t precise. For example there is a “max liquid” line below the halfway point on the bowl. Just making simple pizza sauce for our family pizza night easily reached that max line. I can see now that making several batches of anything would be less convenient. Even opening the bowl or adding foods seems time consuming now that I am getting accustomed to the light speed of preparation this machine provides. I wanted to make sure to get one that was large enough to do the job it’s supposed to do.
Long ago I had a Kitchenaid food processor with the more rounded base design. I didn’t like how the bowl locked onto the base. Eventually a piece of the bowl broke and instead of getting a new bowl, I became frustrated and threw the whole thing out. Comparing my new Cuisinart to that Kitchenaid, I would say I prefer the Cuisinart DFP-14BCN 14-Cup Food Processor because it has a more industrial or professional feel to it. I like the square base. I like the sheer power of the motor. Certainly the way the bowl has to lock in place before the motor will engage is significant in both models. It took me half an hour to figure out how to click it in place. It takes force and also touch. It also took me a while to figure out the tube feeder is opposite the handle when it is in the closed/working position. But now that I understand exactly how it works, I like it.
When I ordered on amazon, it appeared to me as if there was a choice of colors between brushed steel or black chrome. When mine arrived, I thought I had gotten the wrong color because I had clicked on brushed steel but mine was clearly the black chrome model. Apparently there is only one if I am now reading this correctly. It has metal and black plastic on the base. I guess I don’t mind, but I might have preferred the all steel looking one or a white one. Not sure if they came in this model number and after using the machine, I don’t think the color matters to me so much anymore.
Overall I would like to say that this is an incredibly useful machine! I worried that I wouldn’t know how to use it often enough. Many years ago when I had the Kitchenaid food processor, it was just one more gadget that I didn’t have time to care about. Now that I am older, a mother, and cooking at home much more, I am a different person in the kitchen. I understand cooking more and I go to the food processor much more instinctively. It is much easier now to read a “regular” recipe (not specifically mentioning any use of a food processor) and use the Cuisinart anyway. This morning I made crepe batter in it where I used to use a spoon or my immersion blender. This afternoon I chopped a bell pepper where I used to always use a knife. My husband asked if I needed a cookbook of “food processor recipes” but I think that’s just silly. You can cook whatever you want to cook and still use this for lots of the chopping and mixing. The special things it can do beyond that are icing on the cake.
Speaking of special skills, the dough making is ridiculously impressive. Pie dough, pizza dough, puff pastry, biscuit dough… never again will I have to touch butter and flour with my hands. You just jump ahead to a wonderful ball of dough and proceed to the flour and roll out phases.
Also you can learn new things. At least for me, this is a new ability to do things like emulsify or puree. I make sauces now, because it’s no big deal to work out a sauce after I’ve already used the machine anyway to chop or slice. I used to never bust out the blender because why clean it just for a sauce? The food processor is another world from my blender.
I use all the pieces and will consider the specialty blades. I love the dough cutter, which is a plastic piece short enough to assist with the ball of dough forming around the edge of the bowl. I love the super sharp chopper blade, which reaches to the edge of the bowl and can do different cuts based on how you pulse it or keep it running. It chopped almonds, then can make the pieces small enough to be like a flour, then can keep going to paste if you wish. I love the slicer blade, which can slice things so beautifully including so many more things than just the potatoes I had in mind. I love the grater too. That’s all that I have but I’d like to order the julienne and the thin slicer blades sometime.
It was delivered quickly. It came in a box (white with color photos and styrofoam packing), which was inside another box (cardboard and saying cuisinart on it), which was inside a larger box (cardboard saying amazon on it). I was skeptical about why it was not more expensive. I believe this is an older model but I’m not sure. I guess the Cuisinart company pushes the newer models at higher prices.
The dvd that it comes with is helpful yet dated. It says 2004 on it. The chefs seem to be somewhat old school, like television cooks before the age of Food Network. Still, the recipes they demonstrate show the machine at work, which is impressive. It did not come with a printed manual. I had to go look for it on the Cuisinart website. It wasn’t extremely helpful. But they do have customer service. I figured out how to get the machine going before calling to admit I had no idea how to do it.
I would wish this wonderful machine on any home cook! It’s a joy to use once you become familiar with it. Unlike my Kitchenaid Stand Mixer, this Cuisinart food processor will have the honor of staying out on the counter and not being put in the cupboard. I believe it is a widely useful tool and underrated for how fun it can be to use. I’m so glad I got the 14 cup size too, so that the machine can really do what it’s supposed to do and not be overfilled or overworked.
- Rachel
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Cuisinart 77-17 Chef’s Classic Stainless 17-Piece Cookware Set Reviews
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Product Features
- 1-1/2-, 2-, 3-quart saucepans; 8-, 10-, 12-inch skillets; 4-quart saute; 9-quart stockpot; 7-3/4-, 9-1/2-inch steamer inserts; with lids
- Mirror-polished 18/10 stainless steel with inner core of aluminum for fast, even heating
- Riveted stainless-steel handles stay cool on the stovetop
- Matching 18/10 mirror-polished stainless-steel lids seal in moisture and nutrients
- Oven-safe to 450 degrees F; limited lifetime warranty; dishwasher-safe
Reviewed By: Adrienne Boswell
I just love the Cuisinart 77-17 set. I bought it because I wanted something that would last a long, long time, be good to cook with, and look beautiful. I went to different stores, picking up saute pans until I found the one that balanced nicely – and it was a Cuisinart! I waited until it was on sale, and I bought it. I was thrilled when it arrived.
The tops fit snuggly on the pots and pans. It’s so nice to have a top for every pot, and not have to share tops. I like this set because I always have the right tool for the job. Now, sometimes, one of my Cuisinart tops does double duty and tops one of my cast iron skillets. They do just fine, even with the old stuff.
Be good to your cookware and it will be good to you. A little Bar Keeper’s Helper (why didn’t someone tell me about this fantastic product sooner!?) – takes care of any tough problems (like when I burned a sausage in a saute pan – wasn’t paying attention).
My friend, who is a professional chef, came by and was trying to boil something at the edge of the pan, and was stymied because the pan heats so evenly he could not get a hot spot, even though he wanted one. I told him to try the old Farberware I still have (I keep one piece just for that reason).
This set is a true work horse – just because it’s pretty doesn’t mean it can’t work hard – and it does.
- Adrien
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Reviewed By: 80s Guy (Los Angeles, CA)
The best money can buy
I bought the Cuisinart 77-17 Cookware Set to replace some 6 year-old nonstick pots and pans which warped like….well, to make a long story short; this time, I am going Stainless-Steel! Although I would love to have an All-Clad set, but where else can you get a quality 17-Piece like this for more or less around $200 – and ships for FREE from amazon?
I have read many reviews (many negative ones) and this is my conclusion:
1.) Yes, ‘Stainless-Steel’ sticks! Not to mock this, but that’s why ‘Nonstick’ cookware was invented – perhaps for the folks that do not know how to cook in stainless-steel. Easy remedy: return your set for a Nonstick set…if not, a little oil and lower your heat will do the trick. But, in addition to my stainless set, I will always have one nonstick skillet handy for my eggs (it’s just much quicker and easier). But for searing and browning; there’s no comparison to stainless-steel!
2.) Some complaint that the sides don’t heat up compared to other brands: Yes they do, if you want to spend a little more $$ for the ‘Multi-Clad’ line. Also, unless you plan on cooking your food “on the sides”, otherwise the encapsulated base heats evenly and works flawlessly for me.
3.) Stains, Marks and Colorful Swirls – If you use it to cook food, then expect the usual marks and normal wear – maybe even some tear. My solution for all of the above: ‘BKF’, OR unless you plan on displaying it for good.
The set:
There are TWO different 17-Piece sets available from the Chef’s Classic line; the other one comes with a 2 qt. open ‘Saucier’ (and odd sizes for the rest) but I opted for this one because it is more versatile beginning with a 1.5 qt. Saucepan, then 2 and 3, a 12″ Covered Skillet and for the Pasta Insert, etc, etc..
Again, for the money, they are as good as you can get. The product has a very solid feel to it and an even-weight distribution – light, yet heavy enough to do the task. Although I did find some minor flaws; like a few minor buffed-out scratches by the bottom edge between the encapsulated base on my 1.5 qt. The ‘lips’ on some of the larger pans (closer to the handles) seem to have bent down a bit; this produces a very small gap when the lid is covered, particularly on the 12″ skillet where you can see an ‘arch’ effect with its lid on (the large lid is uneven on this one) and pressing it down once tends to reduce the effect. Though nothing significant, but it just appears to break that ‘vacuum seal’ and not so perfect tight-fit lid that was claimed by the mfg.
I have put all of them to a rigorous test for the ’08 Christmas – ’09 New Year’s feast and they have performed very well. It cooks evenly on my old electric ‘coil’ stove top burner, although it could’ve been much better if I’ve had a gas range, this way I have more control of the cooking temperatures (very essential for heavy-bottomed cookwares).
Pros:
*Design – lip for spill-proof easy pouring.
*Good heat distribution (not great).
*Oven safe up to 450 degrees, that’s high for a set priced like this.
*Handles: well balanced and stays cool no matter how long it’s been on the burner.
*Most lids are interchangeable, especially for the 8″ & 10″ open skillets and they also fit other non Cuisinart that I have laying around.
*Nicely polished stainless-steel exterior and lids.
*Sturdy and well weighted/balanced.
*Well priced.
Cons:
*Workmanship and Quality Control (minor, this reduces one star).
*Slow to heat (especially the 9 qt Stockpot for cooking pasta compared to my other pot with the same amount of water).
*Pasta insert bottom sits a bit high (if sat lower, can prevent the use of more water so heat up time can be faster and to avoid boil-over spills).
- 80sGuy
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Panasonic NN-H765BF Microwave Oven Reviews
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Product Features
- Measures 19-7/16 by 21-7/8 by 11-15/16-inch; 1-year limited warranty.
- More/less control; popcorn key; quick minute; delay start; timer
- Inverter turbo defrost; 10 power levels; 5 multi-stage cooking options
- 15-Inch turntable for even heating; 1-touch sensor cooking; keep warm
- 1250-Watt full-sized microwave oven with 1-3/5-cubic-feet capacity
Reviewed By: Sarany
Very pleased with this oven
After having my first microwave for about 18 years, it finally died and I did a lot of research before deciding to buy the Panasonic NN-H765BF. Having Amazon gift certificates, free shipping and a $25 kitchen and housewares discount influenced my decision and I have to say it was a great buy. I’m very pleased with the evenness with which it cooks and defrosts.
I upgraded from a mid-size 650-watt oven to this full-size 1250-watt oven. I have to remind myself sometimes that everything needs less time to cook. However, there are a lot of pre-programmed features in this unit that make it easier. For example, there is a sensor cook button that selects the time and power level for different kinds of foods depending on how many times you tap the button. Types of food include baked potatoes, frozen pizza, frozen entrees, fresh vegetables, frozen vegetables and omelettes. I made a baked potato last night that was cooked perfectly. There is also a separate popcorn button (you can select from 3 different bag sizes) that also worked perfectly. A More/Less button lets you add or subtract time to the sensor and popcorn settings.
There are a number of different functions you can select or turn on and off. Some of the functions include language (English, French or Spanish), a choice of pounds or kilos, child lock, reminder beep (I turned that off because unlike my old oven which beeped every minute, this one beeps every 15 seconds which was annoying) and menu action which when turned on guides you through each step of cooking. There is also a demo mode which is meant for retail displays but you can see how everything works without actually cooking anything.
Some other useful features are delayed start where you can use the timer to set the oven to start cooking at a later time and a keep warm setting if you won’t be taking your food out of the oven immediately. A Quick Min button lets you select 1-9 minutes simply by tapping the button the appropriate number of times.
If you purchase this, I would suggest going through the owner’s manual a couple of times. I went through it once before I used the oven. A couple of days later I went through it again and discovered that I had overlooked some shortcuts.
The only down side for me with this oven is losing some more counter space in a small kitchen. Keep that in mind if you don’t already have a full-size oven.
UPDATE: It is now 2010 and I realized I have been using this oven for 3 1/2 years and I still love it! I do a lot of actual cooking in it too, not just reheating, popcorn, etc.
- Sarany
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Reviewed By: Philos
Best ever
I’ve never been so happy with a microwave. The Panasonic NN H765BF is wide enough to allow the defrosting of a long block of chicken thighs, yet short enough to fit in the limited space I have to stash it. If you yearn for modest height and generous width, this is your oven.
It’s quiet. It looks GREAT. It beeps to let you know when it’s time to turn something over you are defrosting, but won’t shut off and wait for you to turn it. (Turning is optional.) It’s clear from a bar indicator what power level you have set and is operating, which makes it easy to tell from a distance.
More on defrosting: My last micro only allowed up to 2.4 lbs in the display, so for that chicken block I was eternally re-defrosting. Not this baby. Bring on your big freezer items, so long as they aren’t too tall. Up to 6 lbs can be entered in the display.
That “ENJOY YOUR MEAL” message that moves across the display when the cooking cycle ends is a nice touch.
- Philos
Sunpentown SR1881S Induction Cooktop Reviews
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Product Features
- Dual function, cook and warm
- keep at set temperature
- 9 levels of heating power ( 120 F – 420 F)
- Smartscan technology
- Energy efficiency: 83%
Reviewed By: K. Thomas (New York, NY)
We purchased this item to use as an auxiliary cooking station outside on our deck, so we could fry without smelling up the house. We previously tried to do this with one of those auxiliary electric burner cooktops, but we could never find one powerful enough to heat up oil, or even heat up a big pot of water efficiently. This Sunpentown SR-1881S model (which I think is the top of the line) does the job. It heats up oil to 420 degrees, and quickly too.
The unit itself doesn’t heat up (how it works I’m not quite sure), and you have to use it with a steel or cast iron pot or pan (an aluminum pan won’t work). However, the cooktop comes with a very nice metal frying pan perfect for burgers, etc., so when you compare this item’s price to another induction cooktop, be aware that you are getting a quality pan thrown in. When you’re finished cooking, ironically the cooktop is now hot, because it has absorbed back some of the heat given off by the pan in the cooking process, so you do have to be careful in handling it at that point. How about that – a technology that actually works, and works well!
- Karen
Reviewed By: Joan Dekret (Pottstown, PA)
I bought the Sunpentown Induction Cooktop because I am thinking of buying a whole range that is just induction. It works great. The fan noise that some people complained about is less than the fan noise that my microwave makes. It doesn’t boil water as quickly as I expected but once it is heated you can adjust the temperature as accurately as a gas range. It is easy to clean because nothing burns on the surface. It is also great as a warming tray on a buffet. You do have to use pans that are magnetic. It will not work on all metals.
- Joan
Reviewed By: John Marc Vntimiglia (Colorado)
Induction is great! But make sure you know what it is before you buy it. Your pans MUST be induction compatible pans. Out of the 20 I had, only one was. Induction cooking is basically sending a magnetic charge that causes the metal in the pan to heat up, rather than actually heating a coil.
I contacted the company and someone answered promptly and in a language I could understand to tell me what the problem was. Great service!
So after I got the pans I needed….. great for low temp fairly controlled ‘sous vide’ style cooking, and great for cooking something really splashy and messy outside. Pans heat up in seconds!
- John
Burton Induction Cooktop Athena 6000 Reviews
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Product Features
- The Max Burton Induction Cooktop is new and improved with functions that offer better cooking
- Design elements include a sleek black outer surface and black cooktop. Spills won’t burn on it’s
- Economical-Costs less to operate than gas or electric ranges
- Accurate-Individually controled levels for greater cooking control
- Clean-Smooth cooking surface is easy to clean, and spills won’t burn
Reviewed By: Aaron Wolf (Ann Arbor, MI United States)
Great value, cooks well, interface could be better, beeps too loud
Induction cooking is fantastic, far superior to traditional electric and more efficient and practical than gas. The Burton Induction Cooktop is the cheapest and best value unit to get into induction cooking. The Burton Induction Athena 6000 is powerful. Other similar portable units are 1200 or 1300 watts usually, and this is 1800. It boils water noticeably faster than our other portable unit. Unfortunately, every push of a button emits a very loud beep, which really isn’t necessary. And when the timer goes off it just beeps once instead of more noticeably (of course it stops cooking as well, so it isn’t a real problem, but just not ideal). The interface is a little less straightforward than our other unit also. But this is the most powerful and the cheapest portable induction unit, and it works great. We’ve had no problems so far.
- Aaron
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Reviewed By: D. Pralle
I bought the Burton Induction Cooktop in order to determine if I wanted to go with a full size induction range/cooktop for my kitchen remodel. As expected, I needed to purchase a couple of new pots/pans, but once I tried it out, I was impressed with the speed and efficiency of this cooktop.
It will boil a liter of cold water in less than five minutes and the temperature setting was very handy when using the cooktop for deep frying. Setting the cooktop to 360F yielded a very consistent temperature and didn’t require frequent power changes when adding or removing food from the oil.
Cleanup was also a snap.
The cooktop also has an alarm which tells you if a pot/pan is not induction compatible. The same alarm sounds if you’ve removed a pot/pan from the burner.
Overall, I am very pleased with the performance of this cooktop. I’ve decided to stick with gas for my primary cooking surface, but I think I will use this cooktop frequently as an extra burner when cooking for a group and as a warming tray for parties.
…and you can’t beat the price.
- Derek
Viking Portable Induction Burner Reviews
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Product Features
- Model No.: VICC 120SS
- Dimensions: 15×12-in.
- Origin: China
- Weight: 17.0-lbs.
- Material: Stainless Steel
Reviewed By: Kim Hibbert
The “BMW” of Induction Cookers, Made Portable!
Having owned a 5 zone induction cooktop imported from the UK in my previous home, I was already spoiled and no stranger to the responsiveness, efficiency, and pure power of induction cooking as well as the different brand units out there. I was a tad nervous about plunking down $500 for a single induction burner, however, this little workhorse has proven to be one of the most joyously hard working appliances in this old kitchen being used exclusively now while the archaic smooth top stove sits cool and idle.
The heat settings on this unit are spontaneous and responsive with a range that will shame your pro-gas stove or cooktop for putting a perfect sear on a roast and boiling a large pot of water lightening fast, plus all settings in between that are dead on accurate as well as a setting low enough to be used as a hot plate. And all this can be done anywhere, even outdoors. What a concept!
I highly recommend this Viking portable induction cooker if you are considering bringing induction into your home and would like a test drive a unit that is truly top notch and representative of the genre.
***Important to remember with all induction cooktops is your cookware must be ferrous or magnetic. You can test your pots and pan bottoms with an ordinary kitchen magnet. Cast iron and enameled steel work wonderfully on induction and now there are many cookware manufacturers producing lines of stainless steel that are induction capable.
- Kim
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Reviewed By: Road Warrior (Vista, CA USA)
Great performance, convenient, versatile, efficient
This Viking Portable Induction Cooker has the highest power rating of any 120V unit I have found on the market. At 1.8kW, it claims to be the equivalent of a 15,000 BTU gas burner. I beg to differ. This induction cooker can boil 2 qt of cold water in 7:11; my Thermador professional cooktop with 15,000 BTU burners, takes 10:08 to boil that same pot of water! A cast iron skillet reaches a temperature of 400F in 0:57. Almost too quick, it throws off your cooking rhythm a bit. No time to turn around and grab something from the fridge.
The unit is of high quality construction, but easily portable. Styling makes it look like a commercial grade restaurant appliance. In more and more restaurants/hotels, induction is replacing butane burners for the exhibition omelette and pasta stations. They use 203/230V units, which have even more power. This unit is more appropriate for the home kitchen since you can power it from a standard outlet. At 15A, I wouldn’t put too much else on the same circuit, although I haven’t tripped a breaker yet.
The other unique feature of the Viking is that it has a large knob, instead of a touchpad to control the heat. For this function, I like knobs. As claimed, heat response is almost instantaneous. The ceramic surface stays very cool, only a bit of transfer heating right under the pan. Easy to wipe off spills, won’t burn the kids.
To cook on the Viking, I use a Lodge cast iron skillet, a Circulon Infinite omelette pan, a Farberware Millenium sauce pan, and a steel wok (with a flat spot on the bottom). All of these pieces work great. The cooker is smart. If you put an incompatible piece of cookware on the surface, it won’t turn on. The light just blinks.
Very happy with the purchase. Especially with Macys.com sale price offered on Amazon in late July. My cousin’s wife is into green, energy saving appliances so she’s making him buy one too. He’ll have to pay the current selling price because the sale is over and she won’t wait.
- Road Warrior
Zojirushi BBCCX20 Home Bakery Supreme Bread Machine Reviews
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Product Features
- Deluxe bread machine with automatic settings and customizable controls
- 3-recipe memory function; sourdough starter, 2-hour quick-baking cycle
- 3-level crust control; cake and jam settings; 13-hour programmable timer
- Rectangular 2-pound loaf pan with twin kneading paddles
- 16-3/4 by 12 by 8-1/2 inches; includes manual, recipe booklet, and how-to video
Reviewed By: William B. Everett (Seattle, WA)
Zojirushi BBCCX20 bread machine and a recipe
We have had the Zojirushi BBCCX20 for three months now. We could not be happier with the machine. It turns out wonderful bread and it is very consistent.
When selecting the bread maker I read all the reviews I could find. Since there are only two of us I troubled over how large a bread maker we should buy. The BBCCX20 is the largest. We chose it even there are only two of us in the household. It turns out that a loaf stays fresh for a week in one of the plastic bread holders that Amazon sells. The bread here in Washington starts to mold after 9 or 10 days.
We have tried many different bread recipes. All were good but the one we have settled on is listed below. It turns out a loaf that makes great sandwiches and makes great toast. You can thick slice it and it makes wonderful cinnamon french bread.
1-2/3 cups Water
3-1/2 cups Flour (fresh but cheapest you can buy)
1 cup Whole wheat flour
4 tbsp Sugar
2 tbsp Dry Milk
3 tsp Salt
3 tbsp Butter
1-2/3 tsp Bread Machine Yeast (from jar)
For our location this recipe makes a loaf that just rises above the top of the pan yet does not reach the lid of the bread maker. We set the machine on white loaf and light crust with a normal bake cycle.
I have learned that the dough should form a smooth ball toward the end of the mix cycle. If it doesn’t and has bumps sticking out of it add a little water. When touched the dough should be sticky. Judging the correct amount of water to put in a recipe is the most difficult part of making good bread. I don’t know that we have ever found a recipe that called for the correct amount of liquid to make a loaf that looks good.
When we first got the bread machine the first two loves did not rise properly. Buying fresh flour and yeast solved that problem.
Since we purchased the Zojirushi we have made all of the bread we use. We have not purchased a single loaf. I strongly recommend this machine. It is well worth the cost.
- Bill
Click Here For More User Reviews Of The Zojirushi BBCCX20 Home Bakery Supreme Bread Machine
Reviewed By: D. Petorak (Washington State)
Couldn’t be more pleased
After more than 25 years our old bread maker died and we didn’t have a clue on which machine to buy. After much research we decided on the Zojirushi BBCC X20 and we couldn’t be happier. We use the pumpernickel recipe for our everyday bread (included in the book that came with the bread maker) and we also use the Whole Wheat recipe for our pizza dough. The pumpernickel recipe is fantastic by the way.
The machine is very well built and easy to clean. The digital menu is very easy to see and easy to use too. The single paddle on our old Hibachi was a bear to remove and clean but the dual paddles on the Zojirushi are very easy to remove. It is also much quieter than our old bread maker. We use the bread maker no less than 5 times a week and have never had a problem with it. I highly recommend this to anyone considering buying a bread maker.
- David
Braun K650 CombiMax Food Processor Reviews
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Product Features
- Powerful 600 watt motor
- Electronically controlled with variable speed
- Sealed bowls to prevent leakage
- You are always in complete control of your food preparation
Reviewed By: Debalina
A Machine That Works!
This was my first food processor purchase and I wanted one with the most number of features and hassle free controls. After reading numerous reviews about different brands of food processors, I decided to purchase the K-650 because of its good reviews and the speed control feature that was not available in any other kind of food processor. It’s been only a week since I’ve started using the Braun K-650 but I’m pleasantly surprised by the efficiency of its performance. I’ve used it for the chopping, slicing, shredding and dough making functions so far and have found the machine to be quiet and amazingly effective in what it does.
The variable speed feature is a brilliant way to minutely control how you want your end product to look like and wonder why other food processors have not incorporated that in their design. I’ve used the course shredding feature for a big cabbage head to make slaw and got done with shredding in a couple of minutes. The 9 cup bowl is a good size and has a light gray tint to it which masks scratches on the inside of the bowl that may occur due to usage. I’ve not put this in the dishwasher yet and will probably refrain from doing that after reading a recent review about lid warping problems in the dishwasher. However, I do recommend using a spatula to pour materials out of the bowl and also a soft-sponge kind of scour pad to clean the bowl since I scratched mine during the very first wash using a regular scotch brite pad. That said, the bowl itself is very easy to clean.
The base is quite light and not obnoxiously big. It can be easily stored away if you don’t like too many pieces of equipment on your kitchen counter like me. The bowl and lid are very easy to click close and mount on the base which makes KA and CA food processor locking functions look elaborate, unnecessary and akin to a safety deposit box.
The juicer insert is an added beneficial feature not available in most food processors and although I generally drink juice out of a carton, this machine inspires me to make my own, especially in summer when citrus fruits are abundantly available. I am ordering the adjustable insert carrier and the course slicing insert since the thin slicer provided with the machine definitely slices too thin.
As many reviewers have already mentioned, the K-650 does not look as snazzy as the other variety of food processor but it beats them by its functionality hands-down. Although it did not match any of the other equipment in my kitchen, I chose to spend money on a machine that works than one that just looks good. I wish Braun reads these reviews and decides to manufacture this product for US customers again, they’re sure to have a good market for it if advertising is done right.
Paid $158 with shipping for this to a third party vendor through Amazon on June 27, 2010.
- Debalina
Click Here For More User Reviews Of The Braun K650 CombiMax Food Processor
Reviewed By: Qookie Queen
Function Over Form At Its Finest
The Braun K650 Combimax doesn’t match anything in my kitchen, but it is a beast at what it does best: process food. I love all the included blades, the juicer, the ability to vary speeds in addition to the obligatory Pulse button. Anything gets chopped, sliced, grated, whisked, juiced &etc in a jiffy. It’s not too big of a pain to clean.
The feeder tube can handle most items without needing to cut the object. I also like that it has a visual key on the front to help processor newbies like me to determine the best speeds and accessories to use for which item. I could have gotten a KA whose form best matched my kitchen, but I’m glad I chose the best functional processor instead.
- Qookie
VV
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InSinkErator Evolution Essential Reviews
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Technical Details
- Two Grind Stages Quickly Grind Difficult Foods
- At Least 40% Quieter Than Standard Disposers
- Ideal Choice for Wide Range of Kitchens
- Quick Lock Sink Mount Allows For Easy Installation and Replacement of any Disposer
- 6 Year In Home Warranty on Parts and Labor
Reviewed By: D. Matheny (Austin, TX)
A Quiet Beast
I recently replaced the 8-year-old 1/3 HP disposer that was originally under the kitchen sink with the Insinkerator Evolution Essential 3/4 HP unit. The install went smoothly, and was probably a bit simpler than normal since I also replaced the kitchen sink at the same time; so I had easy access to the bottom. Everything I needed was included in the box except for some plumber’s putty and a power cord, which I took off of the old unit. Since the old unit was also from InSinkErator, the power cord included the strain-relief clamp so I just re-used that too.
As far as the size goes, this is larger than the old 1/3 HP unit; but not as much larger as I thought it would be. Overall, everything that fit beneath the sink before still fits so the size hasn’t been an issue at all. Not that it really matters under the sink, but the disposer also looks great:).
When it comes to performance, this disposer is amazing! It isn’t silent, but it’s a lot quieter than any other disposer we’ve ever owned. It has plenty of capacity for a 5 person family – it chews through everything from potato skins and orange peels to ice quickly and without a complaint. I can’t believe we waited so long to replace our old disposer!
We also considered getting the lower-capacity ‘compact’ Evolution model from InSinkErator, but I’m glad we went with this one. On the other hand, if you have limited space or don’t need the higher capacity then the compact would probably make more sense – especially since it has the same power.
Overall, I highly recommend this disposer.
- Danny
Click Here For More User Reviews Of The InSinkErator Evolution Essential 3/4 HP Household Food Waste Disposer
Reviewed By: Paul (USA)
Excellent Product
I don’t know much abou garbage disposals–bought this one based on reviews when our other disposal went out after ten years. I was able to install it into the existing sink-ring in less than an hour (the real time drain was getting myself positioned under the sink to work effectively–it had nothing to do with the disposal itself).
When we first turned it on, my wife and I were a bit startled, as we didn’t hear anything and figured something was wrong. Nothing was wrong, the machine was just several decibels quieter than our old disposal. In fact, we need to listen hard to hear it running when we turn it on. Plus, there is virtually no vibration, which had not been the case with our old disposal. This new InSinkerator Evolution Essential has been in operation for about a month, and I couldn’t imagine a single negative thing to say about it. While I was annoyed to have to research and install a new disposal (it’s not like anyone’s to-do list needs something extra like “buy and install new garbage disposal” heaped on top), I’m actually glad the old unit died. This is a really, really nice disposal–solid, whisper quiet, low vibration, clearly gets the job done. I feel it was well worth the extra money.
- Paul
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