Kitchen Reviews

This piece of cookware is an excellent size to do all kinds of things. I have used it to roast a chicken, I make chili in it and it cleans up very easily.
I do alot of cooking from scratch... no pre-fab dinners... this is a true tool that should be in every kitchen!

You won't be sorry with this pan. Very heavy stainless. Heat conductivity and even temperatures are the norm. Get this one before it sells out. And what a bargain! I ordered more for presents.

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 a pan; we only cook on the bottom. See Cook's Illustrated magazine, May/June 2003, for a great discussion of this.

There are a few reasons why this pan might not be right for you. This pan's size makes it fairly heavy, so if you have arthritis or weak hands, you might want to opt for a smaller pan. Similarly, this pan might not fit on those tiny stovetops or ranges that you sometimes see in "galley" kitchens in apartments. But if you want a large, durable, high-quality saute pan at a fraction of the cost of the big-name brands, this is the pan for you.

After years as a Dualit owner, I still get a certain pleasure from using its sensible, rugged controls, raising and lowering the toast myself, hearing the friendly ticking of its timer...
It's only a toaster I know, but there's just something about it that gives you a sense of satisfaction. And it makes any kitchen look cool, just siting there. I also know it's expensive, but I've known people buy several new, lesser toasters in the time I've had my Dualit, so who's saving? If something does go wrong, I can get new bits so I won't have to throw it away, ever perhaps.

By the way, it makes good toast too. The best thing is that the toast doesn't pop up, and toast is much crisper if you leave it down (keeping warm) inside the toaster for a minute or two. You can't usually do this with regular toasters.

If you are resistant of the price, think again, it's well worth the investment!

Just read the review about the person who cranked over paying 300 beans for a toaster. Obviously this person is clueless about what they are talking about. To make the following statements: "And it doesn't even pop the toast up? What is happening to the world?" shows the reason why this incredible piece of goods is not for a simpleton. The toast stays in the unit after the toasting cycle to KEEP IT WARM as do commercial units. Once toast is exposed to room temperature the bread immediate cools down, making it an unpleasant experience.
I find it incredible when someone writes a review and is IGNORANT about the facts. Let the slight of heart continue to buy junk and toss it. As for me, I'll go with a commercial quantity product anytime, that has the features and benefits and be thrilled to have the product last a long time.

If you want to spoil yourself and have the best, buy a DUALIT toaster. If this is out of your league, you can do as the other reviewer said, "you could buy a succession of 15 $20 toasters which I would imagine would cover the same amount of time as this one" and enjoy using sub par equipment! I recommend DUALIT toasters and products to all consumers. Simply put, you get what you pay for!

Even after four years as a Dualit owner, I still get a certain pleasure from using its sensible, rugged controls, raising and lowering the toast myself, hearing the friendly ticking of its timer...
It's only a toaster I know, but there's just something about it that gives you a sense of satisfaction. And it makes any kitchen look cool, just siting there. I also know it's expensive, but I've known people buy several new, lesser toasters in the time I've had my Dualit, so who's saving? If something does go wrong, I can get new bits so I won't have to throw it away, ever perhaps.
By the way, it makes good toast too. The best thing is that the toast doesn't pop up, and toast is much crisper if you leave it down (keeping warm) inside the toaster for a minute or two. You can't usually do this with regular toasters.

We've had this product for about a month now and it works exactly as promised. It is very nice to have butter you can actually spread. I have already sent this as a gift to other "butter lovers". If you enjoy butter this is a must have. As with all of our Emile Henry products, the quality is top notch.

I like real butter. It's a pain to keep spreadable. The conundrum is that you want it fresh, so you keep it in the fridge, but keeping it there makes it hard and it tears up the bread and is annoying to use. Butter costs enough that I'm sure I've wasted the price of this pot several times over every few months from butter going rancid in a butter dish kept on the kitchen counter.

This pot uses water as a "lid" to keep oxygen away from butter that is left out of the refrigerator. You do have to keep the "bell" filled but this is not a tough job. Now I can keep butter blocks frozen, thawing only enough for the pot (about two sticks) -- and it will keep fresh for at least a week, not a BIT of rancidity creeping in anywhere. You can tell by the smell and color it's totally fresh.

The red color is beautiful, a true scarlet, almost Chinese red. The workmanship is nice, it looks handmade. It's heavier than expected, a real pottery feel. It would make an unusual and appreciated gift for anyone who cooks or enjoys soft butter.

Butter can be better when served in a truly elegant country butter pot. Emile Henry Couleurs does not fail. Buy it, you will love it. And, have something absolutely unique -- no kidding!

This is the perfect addition to the coffee lover's kitchen. This machine delivers all the flavor and aroma of espresso without the expense and bulk of a cappuccino machine. I highly recommend this product whether you are in a dorm in college or sharing a home with your spouse. Well made from a reputable company, and all the class and style that comes with its practical Italian design. You will not be disappointed with your purchase. Enjoy!

Works great on the stovetop, works great when you're CAMPING..!!! No plugs, no cords, no nonsense -- fill the lower half with water to the indicated mark, put your grounds in the upper basket, join the two halves, wait for it to gurgle and you have EXCEPTIONALLY DELICIOUS espresso the way it ought to be made.

The device is simple and beautifully made. I'd recommend the six-cup version, the smaller versions just don't make very much espresso -- I mean, get the six-cup version if there are two of you, since that will make an adequate amount.

Really a brilliant product. I wish that everything was so well-designed and robust. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!

About 12 years ago I was in Milan, and a friend gave me one of these to take home. I have used it nearly every day since (I don't take it out of town), so that should give you an idea of how sturdy it is. It is the best coffee maker I have ever owned. To compare, I also have a high-tech espresso machine with frother; a state-of-the-art automatic drip coffeemaker; a French Press; and a different style of stovetop maker, which, surprisingly, makes a different brew. But I ALWAYS go back to my Bialetti Moka 6-cup for the best espresso and lattes. You even will get a crema effect with this simple pot. For lattes, I simply fill half a coffee mug with milk, heat it in the microwave until it's hot, and then top it off with espresso. It's low-maintenance -- every once in a while I replace the internal rubber gasket, which costs a buck or so, depending upon where you buy it. If you like your coffee like the Italians and the Cubans, then you will like the brew this serves. I am loyal to this simple little pot, and hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

Great pan. It took me a while to figure out how to keep foods from sticking but now I love it. Add a little oil but make sure you don't overheat it, med-to-med hi is good. Put meat in, let it sear and don't touch it until it's completely seared. Then it releases and can be turned over without sticking. It's great for searing steaks or chicken breasts and then putting into oven to finish. Add a little broth, wine and butter to the drippings and you get a great sauce to go with it. Plus it's a great looking pan too.

I had ordered a set of Revere Ware pans from another web site for my daughter and was completely disappointed in the weight and quality of them, so they're on their way back. I just received one of the Cuisinart pans in the set that I ordered for her from Amazon.com today and WOW!!! I love it. So much so, in fact, that I have just ordered myself a set!!!!! She's getting her's tomorrow, the rest should be here by then, and I can't wait to get mine!!!!! I know that it won't be long because her's came within 5 days of the order being placed! Thanks Amazon for a great deal too.

We've had this about three months now and use it all the time. The nice, thick bottom helps to distribute heat evenly. It's easy to clean, as there's no place for food to get stuck where you can't get at it. Over all, its nice, solid construction suggests that it's built to last a lifetime. We usually just pick up pans and things like this at second-hand stores because we're cheap, but this is one of those items I'd buy brand new again if the price was right (we got it for ten bucks - a phenomenal deal through Amazon).

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.

This pan, like all the Cuisinart Chef's Classic 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. 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). I also use Barkeepers Friend cleaner to keep them shiny and looking new!

I was looking for a 12in stainless steel skillet which isn't as easy to find as you might think. Sets usually come with a 10in or smaller. In the major department stores cheapest 12in skillets on sale go for about $40 so when I saw this one I was really happy with the price. I just got it couple of days ago and already tested it. It's a great pan. Solid, sturdy, good looking. The handle stays cool. I like that it is not flimsy and thin, but solid and well attached to the pan. Great buy. Thanks!

This thing is amazing. I will never own a different deep fryer. The quality of food that comes out of this fryer is incredible.

I was hesitant to spend the extra $20-$30 on this fryer because my parents had one of the older models which didn't rotate the food, and the food tasted great. Once I received my ROTO Fryer, however, I realized that this model was worth more than the extra $20-$30 I had paid. The food tasted less greasy and was more crispy than the fryer my parents had purchased. None of the food I have cooked in my fryer has left a greasy taste in my mouth. The food even comes out of the fryer with very little grease. Clean up is also a breeze with their easy clean drainage tube.

I would highly recommend this product as it far exceeds the older now outdated models!!

Great value for the dollar.

We don't deep fry a lot of foods at our house, but occasionally we do a batch of wings or french fries. My old fryer was the basic bucket type. You filled it with a half gallon of oil, and plugged it in. There was no temperature control, it just got very hot. The food got cooked, but invariably the oil spattered everywhere and there was a big mess. Well, the old one died, and it was time to buy a new one. When I saw this new breed of fryer, I loved the idea but wondered if the convenience was worth the price. I bought one, and it's most certainly worth what it costs. It uses less oil, and the lid prevents spattering. Food cooks crisp, evenly and quickly, and stays neatly in the basket. The non-stick interior and excellent oil draining and filtering system makes it easy to clean. If I ever need to replace this fryer, I would get something similar or better and never go back to the old fashioned type of fryer again.

Set-up took only 5 minutes in my attic bedroom. The exhaust tube/window sash adaptor was simple to install, but I would suggest you plan to supplement its temporary installation with some weather-stripping.

This rolling unit is solid, and the controls are convenient and easy to operate. Adequately cooled a 90 degree room in about 2 hours and kept it comfortable afterwards. Adjustment of the thermostat is simple (twist a knob).

I agree with another reviewer that the exhaust tube gets warm, but this is to be expected given the unit's mechanism of action. I don't see it as an issue.

The enclosed instruction manual is sparse but covers the basics. Reads like a translation from Italian (which it is).

The unit is also a little louder than I expected based on previous reviews, but I'm very pleased overall. It has made an unusable room very comfortable!

We really needed something fast for our bedroom. This portable unit is great. We have a large room, so a 7500 btu unit is a little small. None the less, it does the trick. It's a really nice looking unit - almost like a piece of furniture; much nicer than its picture shows. It's reasonably quiet & we love the timer. The only setback is that it really should have a longer vent hose. Because it's so short, we vented it thru our attic that is also vented. We couldn't make it to the window. I agree with another review that the hose needs to be insulated which we will do this weekend. But this unit is well worth the money & is put together VERY well. It's a sturdy unit & first class. Thanks.

This unit works well enough and the layout and features suggest that some careful design went into this unit. The buttons are guarded by posts and the thermostat control is recessed to guard it, yet is very accessible by a thumbwheel in a recessed area. The timer appears to be a precision element driven by a synchronous clock motor for an easy to understand setting. A cover nicely slides over it to protect it from dust and damage.

The intake for the cooling coils has a nice filter that fits snuggly to prevent dirty air from bypassing it. It is pretty quiet for a unit with all the working parts inside the room. The hose and window bracket worked perfectly for my horizontally sliding window.

The cooling effect is about what you would expect from a 7,500 BTU/hr unit operated with the noted inefficiencies. One inefficiency, though minor, is the hot ununsulated flexible hose that expels the heated air. It is like a radiator. I positioned the unit to be as close to the window as possible for shortest hose extention. Applying wrap-around insulation will address this detail.

After many hours of operation, the lower steel panels are only slightly above room temperature, indicating that the hot components are well insulated.

The finish level and physical contours, along with the thoughtful handling of the controls and markings, make this a nice unit. The lifting handles are properly contoured and fit very well into the steel panels, allowing me to lift this unit 2 stories.

This unit takes room air for cooling the hot coils and expels though the single hose. As such, this unit will cause the room to pull in air from other rooms or leakages to make up for the air forced to the outside. This design, in effect, has the equivalent of an air exchanger active even if via a different manner from normal A/Cs. Better is if the condenser coils are larger to allow proper cooling using another hose to take cooling air from the outside air as with regular air conditioners to avoid air mixing and increase cooling. This unit is best used when operated in a home in which other rooms are already cooled.

All things considered, this is a great quality unit.

I've had these for a year+ and love them. The clean lines are a cinch to wash, and they're comfortable to grasp. My only problem has been with pasta, the smooth handle tends to slip easily when your hands are a little greasy (think garlic bread) My solution was a special set of pasta forks that only come out of the drawer then. Love these the rest of the time, and wouldn't trade them.

I read the descriptions on this site & the feedback really helped. I bought the Dominique flatwear & loved it! The handles are really neat the way they are bent ergonomically to fit in your hands. I found that 2 forks had slight defects & I sent them to the manufacturer and the promptly sent me 2 new forks. I recommend them!

A friend purchased a rope design made by H/S she found at Target that I really fell in love with, but I noticed that my friend's design seemed to collect food particles in the crevices. Target carried so many different styles, I decided to buy the Dominique design because of it's sleek and elegant look. Even my husband loved them! I only wished they made utinsils to match! :o)

I purchased a factory reconditioned Little Green Proheat a while back--the addition of 3 dachshunds to our home had definitely left an impression on our carpets and furniture. I took the time to clean every inch of our solid green upholstered sofa and chair, and WOW what a difference! They looked new again-- and cleaning up the spots that seem to occur on a pretty regular basis is a simple thing.

I love this machine!!

I've been amazed by products in the past, like the Eureka 4870DT that I just bought along with this unit (also see my review of that). I'm definitely amazed at that vacuum cleaner, but I'm not AMAZED at this. Don't get me wrong, this thing works--I just cleaned my car seat and floor mats with this thing and my car smells like new. I liked being able to see all the dirt and grime being sucked up. I also cleaned my kitchen chairs and it did a great job getting out old stains (probably also due to the hot water I used and the onboard heater feature). The power brush does the job, but I wish it would SUCTION while the brush is ROTATING, like the Rug Doctor you rent. Instead, you have to brush, then flip the switch to "SUCTION" to suck up the liquid. The spray feature is weak... it just squirts like a water gun; not SPRAY. That means, you're spraying quite a bit of liquid into one concentrated area. The seat or furniture will soak it up. That's one drawback with this unit--it leaves stuff pretty wet. You'll have to let things dry for a few hours after cleaning with this thing, if not overnight. Also, the plastic for the water and waster canisters feel very cheap... my unit actually had a thin hairline crack in it. The hose also feels a bit cheap and I wish it was a tad longer. Otherwise, I'm surprised how much you can clean with one canister full of solution. I only used about 1/3 of the liquid to clean 1 car seat, 2 floor mats, and 2 kitchen chairs. It's definitely worth the $50 I paid for this refurbished unit.

I bought the reconditioned Little Green unit, and have had no problem. It is very good for small areas- I use it for small areas in a room, and for carpeted steps. It takes some work in that you have to get down and manually spray then vaccuum, but this is what makes it very small and portable. The cord length could be longer, but an extension cord is easy to get. I have two small dogs, and it really got up a lot of dirt and accidents from the year that I've had them. The carpets look much cleaner and fluffed now. It won't work miracles, but it did get out a lot of spots and dirt I thought was permanent. What it does not do well is to clean large and very dirty areas. But I would hope no one buys this to deep clean large areas! You should have professional cleaning or get a large unit for that.

Overall, works well for what it is- a small area carpet cleaner where size, portability, and ease of storage are most important.