Showing posts with label l t beasimer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label l t beasimer. Show all posts

7/04/2011

Breville XX800GRXL Factory-Reconditioned Die-Cast Indoor Barbeque and Grill, Stainless Review

Breville XX800GRXL Factory-Reconditioned Die-Cast Indoor Barbeque and Grill, Stainless
Average Reviews:

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This is the 2nd generation model, I have the 1st at home and use it CONSTANTLY!I use it to grill meat (any kind), as a panini press (from fancy Cubanos to 5-minute grilled cheese for my four-year-old), as a quesadilla maker, and recently discovered its true hidden talent...bacon.Cooks it faster, crisper and leaner than any fry pan.The only negative is cleanup; the cooking surfaces aren't removable so you have to wash and rinse them without getting too much water near the electrical components on the bottom of the grill.

NOT just a fancy Foreman.I had one of those and it doesn't compare.First and foremost the biggest difference is the floating hinge.Try grilling something thick on a Foreman and it'll cook the sides unevenly since it can't close around the whole steak.Also this gets much hotter (1500 watts).And finally the nonstick surface on this is very good in its durability (no nicks or marks after 3 years of heavy use) and its nonstick-edness.If you grill a sandwich with cheese and the cheese melts out the side, it will actually stay with the sandwich rather than stick to the grill!

Looks like this one is reconditioned and I bought mine new so I can't speak to the condition.But if mine broke today I'd drop the $180 for a new one in a heartbeat.

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Product Description:
Appreciate and enjoy freshly grilled foods all year round with this 1500-watt die-cast indoor barbeque and grill. Its top and bottom scratch-resistant aluminum plates each provide 184 square inches of nonstick cooking surface. A convenient solid die-cast lock mechanism holds the top plate in a secure, upright position when loading and unloading the grill. Return the grill to the closed position, switch the lock to "open grill" and the grill expands into a 368-square-inch indoor barbeque, featuring both ribbed and flat plates for cooking everything from eggs to steak, with authentic barbeque results. Close the unit and it automatically resets into safe-contact grill mode.
The top plate can also be adjusted to six pre-set heights. Lower settings reduce the weight pressing upon more delicate foods like fish or vegetables; higher settings work well for making open-melt sandwiches or heating pizzas or breads. The appliance also offers a "tilt" feature that adjusts the angle of the grill's lower plate, as well as an "angle" position for low-fat cooking, draining fat into the unit's dishwasher-safe drip tray. Its easily accessible control panel includes a convenient "on/off" rocker switch, a dial that controls the grill angle, another that controls the 15-minute timer, and a third dial that controls the temperature from 350 to 450 degrees F. A light indicates when the grill has reached the set temperature, while built-in thermal sensors ensure that both plates maintain precise temperatures at all times. With polished die-cast aluminum arms and a brushed stainless-steel body, the grill measures 19-1/4 by 15 by 6-1/4 inches.
Editor's note: This is a reconditioned small appliance. Reconditioned generally means that the appliance has been returned to the manufacturer, who returns the appliance to like-new condition. Some appliances may contain cosmetic blemishes.

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1/18/2011

Breville BSG520XL Panini Duo 1500-Watt Nonstick Panini Press Review

Breville BSG520XL Panini Duo 1500-Watt Nonstick Panini Press
Average Reviews:

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The immediate comparison I made when I received this Panini press was to the Cuisinart GR-3Griddler Jr, Brushed Stainless Steel, and the key difference between the two products (and the reason I'm giving the better constructed, perhaps even better performing press three stars rather than five) is you can remove the plates in the Cuisinart, and you cannot in the Breville.Convenience and ease of use are central considerations when it comes to just how much you're going to want to use these 'extra' kitchen devices, and if it's a headache to clean something like burnt/stuck preserves, then you're going to be less likely to want to pull it out and use it again.

I want to back up a little bit, because I think Breville generally designs and manufactures outstanding high-quality but still affordable products.This press is no exception.Having used both this Breville and the aforementioned Cuisinart, I would give the Breville the edge on almost every single front.It feels more solidly constructed of higher quality materials, it seems to heat more evenly, although the Cuisinart does allow a range of temperature settings as opposed to Breville's one-temp-fits-all approach.I actually like having one flat and one grilled plate in the Breville, compared to the two grilled plates in the Cuisinart -- the flat surface providing a much more even and consistent heat that really radiates into the middle of the sandwich better than the more limited surface contact provided by just grill plates (but you still have the all-important texture and grill marks from the top plate).Both adapt to larger sandwiches.Both sport non-stick surfaces (although the Breville's is much smoother as the Cuisinart employs a grittier non-stick treatment).Both are perfectly sized for a couple good-sized sandwiches, without all the wasted space that comes with and from the larger models in each line.

I like this press enough that even as I wrap this review up I wonder if I should be giving it 4 stars rather than 3.Standing on its own, it deserves every bit of 4 stars.It's when it's held in contrast to a like-priced alternative like the Cuisinart that the Breville loses some of its luster, and then really only due to a question of pure convenience (in the form of removable plates).

If those removable plates aren't of particular importance to you, I actually recommend this press over the Cuisinart.For me, the convenience of cleaning the removable plates provide is what makes it an easy decision between the two when I want to grill a sandwich.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Breville BSG520XL Panini Duo 1500-Watt Nonstick Panini Press

Product Description:
Easily create restaurant-quality grilled panini sandwiches and more with this convenient panini press. The unit features a powerful 1500-watt element for fast heating, and its upper and lower grill plates provide a nonstick, scratch-resistant Quantanium surface for lower-fat cooking (no need for butter or oil), effortless food release, and quick cleanup. The bottom plate, which measures 11-1/4 by 8-3/4 inches, offers a flat design for more thorough cooking (also suitable for pancakes and eggs), while the 11-1/4-by-7-3/5-inch ribbed top plate creates authentic cafe-style grill marks. Even more, the grill's floating top plate and four adjustable height settings make it possible to accommodate even the most ambitious of sandwiches or to keep the top plate suspended above food, radiating heat down when cooking breakfast items or open-style melts. Other highlights include "power-on" and "ready-to-cook" indicator lights, heavy-duty die-cast arms, nonslip feet for stability, a locking clip for upright storage, and a cord wrap in the base. The included user manual offers simple-to-follow instructions, as well as an array of delicious recipe ideas--from herbed omelet panini, warm Caesar sandwiches, or grilled chicken lavosh with mango and pinenut mayonnaise to dessert items like sweet fig focaccia, toasted chocolate panini, or crispy brioche with berries. Elegantly housed in brushed stainless steel, the panini press measures 13 by 11-3/4 by 5-1/4 inches and carries a one-year limited warranty.

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1/12/2011

All-Clad Copper-Core Fry Pan Review

All-Clad Copper-Core Fry Pan
Average Reviews:

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Over the years I have used a variety of cookware--aluminum bottomed stainless Revere Ware, Magnalite Professional, Calphalon, Calphalon Professional NonStick. When I finally had to throw out the last of my tattered collection, I started to look for some stainless cookware that would stand the test of time and offer performance to boot. I decided to splurge on this All-Clad Copper Core.

One of the pieces I recieved was this 10" Fry Pan...

Delighted to report that I am THRILLED with this expensive splurge! All-Clad is NOT about expensive hype and status, those these pans are beautifully made, instead they do everything cookware should, and have literally changed the way I cook. Having attended CIA and worked as a professional chef for a few years, I know the golden rule for food not sticking: preheat pan, add oil, let oil heat for 5-10 seconds, then add food. Using these guidelines with the Copper Core, nothing sticks! And I mean for some things, like omelets or fried eggs in the 10" frypan, the performance is as good as my brand new Calphalon NonStick was; when you can just slide omelets and fried eggs out of the pan without ANY sticking at all, why would you ever need Nonstick or Teflon based products?!

However, these pans are also superbly capable of developing a fond on the pan bottom for deglazing and subsequent sauces; in fact I have had them give every last bit of the fond up when deglazed, almost cleaning the pan for me! That's the best thing about them--they do everything right. I am not sure if it's All-Clad propriety stainless "recipe" or what, but these pans are so amazing to be able to function on all levels from eggs sliding out with ZILCH sticking to chicken breasts sticking just enough to develop rich fond for complete deglazing, to the light and glazy fond from sauteed onions and garlic for developing a richer risotto when deglazed with wine.

Mind you, this is partly about knowing some basic cooking principles, and these pans might not act so obligingly in non experienced hands, because when I read about people commenting on how everything sticks in their All-Clad stainless interior, I know it isn't All-Clad's fault, believe me!

I have found the copper core very responsive and quick to adjust to temperature. Perhaps not as great as true copper pot and pans, but noticeably better than aluminum cores (Stainless line) or anodized aluminum (Magnalite Pro/Calphalon). These pans heat up and boil water faster than anything I have ever used, aside from true copper cookware, and when turning the heat down, or removing from burner, they also cool incredibly quickly. It's nice to have semi-copper performance with the ease of stainless steel clean-up. And this cookware does clean-up quickly and easily, particularly when using Barkeepers Friend. I use plastic and wooden utensils (no metal) and they still look almost brand new after several months.

The copper band however does tarnish and discolor just as much and just as fast as a true copper pot or pan, so if you are fanatic, you will need to polish the tarnish away fairly often (at least every other week). However this is barely noticeable for us real world users, and Barkeepers friend does a good job of semi-polishing the copper (but it won't gleam).

I know, I know, they are SO expensive. But honestly, if you know how to cook or want to learn with responsive cookware, I honestly feel this is a great investment. I am wholeheartedly thrilled that I made it and cannot recommend highly enough.

Click Here to see more reviews about: All-Clad Copper-Core Fry Pan

Product Description:
Up until now All-Clad's excellent heat conductivity has been a result of an aluminum core. Another metal equally efficient when it comes to conducting heat is copper. All-Clad now has a complete line of copper core stainless steel cookware which uses bonded 5-ply construction to achieve culinary perfection. The copper core is exposed in an attractive band around each piece, adding warmth, color, and authenticity. Unlike pans with an abundance of exposed copper, these pieces clean easily and are lined with durable food-safe stainless steel. The mid-sized fry pan is a kitchen staple, capable of browning a couple of chicken breasts, sauteing enough shrimp and veggies for a smallish family meal and scrambling eggs or making French toast for Sunday brunch.

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