Le Creuset 7-Piece Spatula Set with Crock, White
by Le Creuset
Average Customer Review:
Kitchen
list price: $59.99 -- our price: $59.99
(price subject to change: see help)
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Editorial Review

Le Creuset's brightly colored, virtually indestructiblesilicone spatulas created a buzz when they were first introduced. Nowthis set combines six white ones in a complementary stoneware storagecrock. Not only will these spatulas serve every cooking need, butthey'll add a splash of color to any kitchen. Durable, flexible, andstain-resistant, the spatulas endure incredible temperatures--800degrees F and 425 degrees C--without melting or discoloring. Thespatulas: one tapered, slotted spoon spatula (3-1/2 inches long and2-1/2 inches wide at its base); two solid spoon spatulas (3-1/2 inches by2-5/8 inches and 2-7/8 inches by 2-1/8 inches); and three scrapingspatulas of different widths (2 inches, 1-3/8 inches, and 1 inch). Thehandsome white crock stands 5-7/8 inches high, and its flared mouth is5 inches in diameter, providing plenty of room for tools other than thespatulas. The spatulas' heads slide off their wooden handles to go intoa dishwasher, but hand washing is more convenient. --Fred Brack ... Read more

Features

• Dishwasher-safe heads slide off wooden handles; handwashing more convenient
• Set consists of large, small, and narrow scraping spatulas; large and small spoon spatulas
• Large, slotted-spoon spatula and stoneware storage crock also included
• Virtually indestructible spatulas won't melt or discolor even at 800 degrees F
• Made of durable, stain-resistant, flexible silicone

Reviews (36)

You probably don't need all of these!
I bought this set about three years ago and I simply would not cook without them. I am as enthusiastic as other reviewers who have given this set five stars, except that I only really use two out of the six pieces.

If I had to do it over, I would buy the very attractive pot and three each of the medium sized spoonula and the small spatula. I simply do not use the others. They are gathering dust as we speak.

Now if your cooking is a bit different than mine, you may have different needs, but I cook or bake four or five times a week, and I simply do not use 2/3 of this set. And, it is only the spoonula which gets used in high heat environments.

For room temperatures, I often find more use for a spatula which is a lot stiffer than these silicone plastics.

I recommend you find some way of buying only the pot and six of the medium spoonulas! Even these wear out from small nicks and cuts over time, and you do not want to find yourself without one at hand.

Great Starter Set
I bought this same set at an outlet mall (much better price, but same product).

They are very well built and have stood up to just about anything I can throw at them from heat to various sauces. They have never melted, scorched or stained so far! Even though they have wood handles, there is a protective finish that keeps them from staining. I did place one through the dishwasher (not recommended) and it came out fine too.

They have replaced all of my miscellaneous pieces I have had laying around and now I have an attractive addition to my kitchen as well.

Worth the wait...
I saw this set in the blue on Amazon just before Christmas for the amazing price of $34.99. Knowing how much these normally are I quickly ordered them and was told they were on backorder and would be shipped to me when they were available. For that price, I would wait as long as it took to get them! I finally got them early February and they are worth the wait. I have used them everyday since receiving them and I wonder how I did without them. I wish I'd ordered my mother a set at the same time I ordered my set. ... Read more

Asin: B00005MEEF
Subjects:  1. Cooking Utensils    2. Spatulas    3. Turners    4. (Lecreuset)    5. (Le Cruset)    6. (Le Crueset)   

Le Creuset 5-1/2-Quart Round French Oven, White
by Le Creuset
Average Customer Review:
Kitchen
list price: $250.00 -- our price: $139.98
(price subject to change: see help)
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Editorial Review

This 5-1/2-quart French oven by Le Creuset is the most forgiving pan I've ever used. If you just happen to forget you're sautéing onions for a soup while you answer the telephone, there's no need to worry--the onions won't burn. Enameled cast iron has been recognized as one of the best materials available for cookware because it retains heat and promotes gentle, even cooking at low heat ensuring that the best flavor is brought out from the ingredients. It's perfect for use on any heat source--gas, electric, radiant, ceramic, halogen, induction, or solid fuel. There's also a tight-fitting, enameled cast-iron lid that helps seal in heat and flavor. Food will be kept hot as you bring it to the table for serving. And you will certainly want to serve out of this beautiful piece--the deep color and shiny finish will brighten any table setting. --Jane DePaolo ... Read more

Features

• Lifetime warranty
• Handmade enameled cast-iron construction; works with all cooking surfaces
• Dishwasher-safe
• Allows you to bake, broil, braise, saute, marinate, refrigerate, and freeze
• Food will not react with porcelain enamel surface

Reviews (38)

The perfect size
This oven is the perfect size for most people. I cook a great deal from the Cook's Illustrated Soups and Stews book and have found nothing except stock that I cannot make in this oven. Everything just fits in for an even, controlled cooking process.

This pot also fits nicely on one burner. This means after you get your food going you can slide it to the back burner to simmer leaving all your other burners open for other work. This is a great contrast to Le Creuset's larger pans, especially the 7-1/2 quart soup pot that winds up taking three of your four burners out of action. The pan also fits nicely on a refrigerator shelf, letting you cook a day in advance and then easily reheat when you are ready.

You already know from the other reviews how well this pot does pot roast, chicken, etc; as well as how easily it cleans up. Le Creuset is expensive but this pot is well worth the price. It is the Dutch Oven you will use for a lifetime.

Serious Cookware
Le Creuset has a line of cookware for serious cooks. I've had my dutch oven for 18 years and still use it at least 3 times a week. It is superb for slow cooking: braising, simmering and oven baking. It's easy to clean and still looks lovely after all these years.

I use it for cooking tough cuts of meats. I braise them on top of the stove, then cover the dutch oven and slow cook it for hours. The results are outstanding everytime.

It's very heavy, which is why it is so successful in sealing in juices. I considered buying the whole line, but quickly realised that only key pieces, like this dutch oven are really needed.

Is it worth the price? Yes... for anyone who enjoys old fashioned braising and stewing, this is the one piece I recommend you buy.

5 Stars for the first 5 years of heavy use only
When I was ready to lay down the $500.00 I had saved to purchase cookware that would last a life time; I researched heavily and decided on Le Creuset.$500.00 is a lot of money and I was more than willing to sacrifice it after I saw that this stuff had a life time warranty.Well 5 years later I am able to use only 4 pieces out of the 6 piece set that I purchased.I'm guessing from heavy use, as I thought it so wonderful, easy to clean etc..., the porcelain lining has begun to chip severly.I mean at least 70% of the surface is flaking off on the bottom of the pots.The flaking occurred suddenly when I was cooking and the pieces got in the food.
I attempted to resolve this under the life time warranty but got the complete run around. If I could get the enamel off I'm sure I'd have some great cast iron pots. ... Read more

Asin: B00004SBH2
Subjects:  1. (Le Crueset)    2. Cookware    3. Dutch Ovens    4. (French Ovens)    5. (Cook Ware)    6. (Lecreuset)    7. (Le Cruset)   

Silpat Baking Sheet
by DeMarle
Average Customer Review:
Kitchen
list price: $19.99 -- our price: $14.99
(price subject to change: see help)
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Features

• Measures 11-5/8 by 16-1/2 inches; fits any 13-by-18-inch baking sheet
• Nonstick silicone baking mat
• Reusable for 2,000 to 3,000 times
• Endorsed by award-winning pastry chef Francois Payard
• Can be used at temperatures varying from ¿40 to 482 degrees F

Reviews (41)

This is supposed to be non-stick, right ?
I either got a bad one, even though it looks all right externally or I am doing something wrong.
I tried it 3 times on homemade-from-scratch pizza yeast dough. The dought stuck to the pad no different than it stuck to my kitchen countertop. Tears off leaving pieces behind and requires flower on it make it let go.
I've had it for too long now or I would return it. I kinda went the rave reviews this thing got so far when I bought it, but to my dough it sticks like glue. I am sorry I bought it.

A great addition to the kitchen, especially for bakers
The Silpat Baking Sheet is a great little tool for bakers to have on hand.Its slippery, silicone, oven-safe surface is completely non-stick--simply place the Silpat over your favorite cookie sheet, add dough, bake, and viola, no more sticking!(The only down side is that unless you have more than one Silpat, you can't start putting the second batch on a second cookie sheet while the first batch is still in the oven.)You can also easily transfer your baked cookies to a rack to cool without removing them from the Silpat.My favorite use for the Silpat, however, is not in the oven; rather, I love using it to roll out dough.For pie crusts (when I make them from scratch, that is!), I sprinkle a little flour on the Silpat, roll out my dough, and then use the Silpat to transfer the dough to my pie pan; the Silpat makes this job SO much easier than rolling out directly on the counter or even on other types of plastic mats I have tried.Overall, this is an excellent, versatile product that is well worth the cost for baking enthusiasts.

Sheet lightning
If it's in-line skates one week, it's junior scooters the next! As a parent it's so difficult keeping up with all the latest children's sporting crazes. This seasons must-do activity has taken the Home Counties by storm, and looks set to do the same over the pond. Teatraying, a more up-market version of polybagging, sees youngsters all over West Hertfordshire excitedly climbing the staircases of their parent's country pile. Having reached the top floor, they straddle a tea-tray, and launch themselves with gay abandon off the landing, riding the unforgiving carpet all the way back down the stairs to land in a giggling heap on the hallway tiles.
This beautifully constructed Silpat Baking Sheet is the Nimbus 2000 of the teatraying world. Your child will surely feel just like Harry Potter (on a baking sheet rather than a broomstick) when they're accelerating over the Axminster. It'll give them a good 2 yards head start on any other competitor in a teatray race, as the sheet itself is lovingly crafted from the finest non-stick silicone - causing very little friction between the tray and the carpet. It'll even glide over Persian rugs with ease!
So, all in all, this would be a fantastic purchase, and is warmly recommended. Top marks! ... Read more

Asin: B00008T960
Sales Rank: 147
Subjects:  1. Baking Utensils    2. Pastry Utensils    3. Tools   

Microplane Grater/Zester
by Microplane
Average Customer Review:
Kitchen
list price: $11.95
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Editorial Review

For fluffy, evenly sized cheese shreds, this is the perfect grater. Its design is based on that of a rasp, the small and efficient woodworking tool. The cutters are especially sharp, which guarantees easy grating. But this also means you'll need to exercise extra caution--no one likes grated knuckles. The large handle allows for a firm grip, and the completely flat grating surface makes it easy to move the cheese across the blades. Carrots, onions, and medium to firm cheeses all worked beautifully with this grater. It's also an excellent choice for larger strips of citrus zest or ginger. --Jill Lightner ... Read more

Features

• Hand wash and dry thoroughly
• Designed to extract the best flavor from your food
• High-quality stainless steel with grating edges that stay razor sharp
• Excellent for hard cheeses,onions, citrus fruits, ginger and more
• Blade measures 8-1/2 inches long; ergonomic black plastic handle

Reviews (179)

High shipping charges
The zester is fine but a $10.24 shipping charge on a $15.99 item is ridiculous.The only reason I bought this item was that I had a gift certificate that had to be used.Such shipping charges are outrageous!!

What did I do with out this grater
I use this for everything.If a recipe calls for minced garlic or ginger, I grate it.I have even sprayed it with pam and shaved crayons with it for a school project.I will never be without this again EVER

No kitchen should be without one
I love, love, love this little gem of a tool. I have had mine for over 5 years and have had no problem with it getting dull even though I use it almost daily. (Perhaps this is because, like any good cutting implement, I never wash it in the dishwasher.)

In addition to using it for hard cheeses, and zesting lemons and limes one of our favorite uses for the microplane is grating nutmeg. It does a top notch job with nutmeg! I consider the Microplane one of my three favorite kitchen gadgets and have made it my mission to make sure other members of my family and close friends have one in their kitchens.

Recently, I found that you can purchase an accessory item, a housing that holds the item being grated that you can slide up and down the blade. I think this would be useful for those who are nervous around sharp objects. I personally find these devices cumbersome and would rather wear one of those kevlar gloves for protection while grating if I were concerned about injury.

Let's face it, in general, grating on any grater is a perilous procedure. I can't count the number of times I have grated myself while using a standard box grater or other handheld grater. Having said this, it is my opinion that the Microplane is as safe to use as any other grater, definitely not inherently more hazardous and in my experience less hazardous.

To sum up, any aspiring gourmet and anyone who appreciates a quality tool that can make tedious chores easier should get the Microplane. ... Read more

Asin: B00004S7V8
Subjects:  1. Cheese Graters   

KitchenAid All Purpose Scraper, Black
by KitchenAid
Average Customer Review:
Kitchen
list price: $14.99 -- our price: $9.99
(price subject to change: see help)
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Editorial Review

Calibrated in 1/4 inches for measuring pastry, this 5-inch-wide scraper is not only useful for baking and cleaning cutting surfaces, it can also be used to crush garlic cloves and dice vegetables. It's made of 18/8 stainless steel, with a rugged synthetic handle that's textured for a firm grip when wet. For cleaning convenience, it's dishwasher-safe. The first year of the lifetime warranty against defects is "hassle-free," with a replacement shipped at no cost and without question if a defect is detected. --Fred Brack ... Read more

Features

• Lifetime warranty against defects, with 1-year no-hassle, no-cost replacement
• Ideal scraper for pastry, crushing garlic, even dicing vegetables
• 5-inch-wide blade calibrated in quarter-inches for measuring pastry
• Made of 18/8 stainless steel, with rugged synthetic handle
• Dishwasher-safe

Reviews (6)

Handy kitchen helper
I bought this for all sorts of uses in the kitchen and am very happy with the quality of the product. Kitchenaid consistently produces quality products. I use it when making bread to scrape it off the board to prevent sticking, for dividing the dough for rolls and loaves. Overall I'm very pleased with it.

not enough of a great thing
For decades, the makers of pastry scrapers obeyed an unspoken code: never make a handle that is actually graspable.I guess if they did that, and made a durable product to boot, they would never sell another one.

I imagine the designers at Kitchenaid won't be invited to any of those people's parties for unceremoniously breaking this vow and adding a handle that is actually very comfortable and allows an unprecedented amount of control and endurance in scraping, cutting, and most importantly for me, cutting butter into flour with this beautifully designed implement.

The only thing they could have done better?Give me more.This scraper is only 5 inches wide...less than the industry standard of six.Well, give me a big honkin NINE inches already!You've got that great handle, you could easily hoist a big blade on it.

And that's the only improvement I could suggest to this best-available scraper.

Great tool!
This KitchenAid scraper is great!Besides the fact that it does what it is made to do so well (cuts and scrapes dough like nothing!), it also has a useful ruler and makes it easy to lift and move what you chop.Super easy to clean, highly recommended! ... Read more

Asin: B00005KIAC
Subjects:  1. Baking Utensils    2. Pastry Utensils    3. Tools    4. (Kitchen Aid)   

OXO Good Grips 32480 Salad Spinner
Average Customer Review:
Kitchen
list price: $35.00 -- our price: $24.95
(price subject to change: see help)
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Editorial Review

Washing and drying leafy vegetables has never been simpler or more fun than with this gadget. One hand is all you need to press the soft, cushioned knob to start the spinning; when the built-in brake is applied and the job is done, the basket and bowl can be taken apart and used separately. The knob locks down for easy storage, and the spinner is dishwasher-safe. Use this tool with lettuce, raw spinach, broad-leafed herbs, and greens--they end up clean and oh-so-dry, and the drier your leaves, the better salad dressings will adhere and the less mushy your sandwich bread will become. Puddles at the bottom of your salad bowl disappear... Good Grips products are moderately priced and have won the Tylenol/Arthritis Foundation Design Award. --Laurie Notaro ... Read more

Features

• Dishwasher-safe on top rack
• Fun, simple operation requires only one hand
• Nonslip knob is soft and cushioned; brake button stops spinning with a fingertip
• Great for washing and drying lettuce, herbs, greens
• Plunge-style knob locks down for easy storage

Reviews (159)

Worked great until it broke
This was a wonderful salad spinner for the several months it worked.Then it broke.In my kitchen, very few things break.The occasional wooden spatula after fifteen years of use is fine but things tend not to break unless I drop them.This is my second Oxo product that broke while I was using it (the other one was a knife--yes, a knife snapped in two while I was cutting).I still love my Oxo peeler but with two out of three of my Oxo products breaking, I'm done with Oxo for the most part.

worked well until it exploded
I bought this item and used it for about 2 months, then It exploded while I was spinning a salad and was impossible to repair. I went on to buy a Tupperware salad spinner (green) and have been using it for four years with no problems at all.

Agree it's great ... but it has 1 huge problem
This has got to be the best salad spinner ever, on that point I agree with all the other rave reviews. But just try picking this unit up off a shelf when you have wet hands--or even dry hands!!!!!!! It's difficult!!!! Just wish they would put a small, very small, handle, ridge or inset on the bowl!!! Please!!! ... Read more

Asin: B00004OCKR
Subjects:  1. Kitchen    2. Utensils    3. Gifts    4. Cooking    5. Salad Spinners   

KitchenAid KP2671XWH Professional 6-Quart Stand Mixer, White
by KitchenAid
Average Customer Review:
Kitchen
list price: $429.99 -- our price: $299.99
(price subject to change: see help)
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

With a 525-watt motor to handle bread doughs and thick cookie batters, this is KitchenAid's most powerful stand mixer, a professional-grade appliance with a heavy, rugged, all-metal construction (31.7 pounds) which prevents "counter walk" on the mixer's rubber feet. It has a 6-quart, polished stainless-steel bowl with an ergonomic handle and a two-piece pouring shield made of heavyweight plastic to provide a large chute for adding ingredients. Accompanying the mixer are a burnished flat beater, a burnished dough hook, and a big wire whip. On the front of the powerhead is a hinged cover for the hub to which KitchenAid's many mixer accessories attach.

This mixer's great features abound. An electronic sensor ensures mixing action remains at the speed selected from among the 10 available--even when the going gets tough. Mixing begins softly to prevent splatters and "flour puff." With the beater moving clockwise and the shaft moving counterclockwise there's no need to rotate the bowl for the beater to reach all ingredients. The bowl-lift lever functions easily. A ventilation system cools the entire mixer to prolong motor life, and a resettable overload-protection system prevents overheating. The mixer measures 11-3/8 inches wide, 16-1/2 inches high, and 14-5/8 inches deep. KitchenAid says the first year of the mixer's lifetime warranty against defects is "hassle-free," with a replacement shipped at no cost and without question if a defect is detected. --Fred Brack ... Read more

Features

• Measures 16-1/2 by 11-2/7 by 14-3/5 inches; 1-year warranty
• Professional-grade stand mixer, with 525-watt motor and 10 speeds
• 6-quart, polished stainless-steel bowl with ergonomic handle
• 2-piece pouring shield with large chute for adding ingredients
• Includes burnished flat beater, burnished dough hook, and wire whip

Reviews (94)

Pooped out after 2 uses
Please read all the 1 and 2 star reviews and take that to heart which I didn't when I agreed to accept this monstrosity as a gift.This machine is underpowered and WHINEY + VERY LOUD and started to clunk as if something came loose inside after I used it 2 times making an annoying knocking sound.The bowl snap in mechanism is cumbersome,and the overall appearance to me in a grey metallic color was ugly.I returned the machine to the company I bought it from as Kitchen Aid could not guarantee me a replacement.They said they had none in stock?????and could not give me a time frame as to when it could be replaced. Since I need this for work that wasn't good enough.I returned it to the mail order place instead and I purchased a DeLonghi 7 quart (much higher wattage and power)from Amazon bypassinga 40$ shipping fee from the other company. Some professionals have told me their Kitchen Aid mixers are very reliable and work wonderfully but they have the smaller mixers.I am much happier with the DeLonghi 7 quart mixer I purchased.

The big boy:for serious bakers
I managed to burn out the motor on my Heavy Duty Kitchenaid mixer making brioche, so this mixer was the next step.This guy has some serious torque;I don't think I'll be burning it out anytime soon.I suspect that unless you are a serious bread baker or are cooking for a large family, you won't need the extra power and bowl space here, but if you do, it's great to have.

The Kitchen Magician!!!!
I've had my Onyx Black Pro 6 for 4 years & not one problem!(and I've heard they've even made improvements on this model recently) I have arthritis & this Pro 6 has been a godsend.There aren't any limits of what you can do with this wonderful machine. I am not one to enjoy "boxed" cakes, but I've tried one on this machine...it tasted so much like homemade...I couldn't believe it!That's the worst part of this machine.

If you love to bake homemade or prepare "special" recipes, this machine will add an extra signature to your cooking and baking.Everything is so evenly mixed.It will be your all time helper with: cakes, cookies, breads (yeast & quick), pastries, pie crust, pizza dough, frostings, marangues, whipped toppings, meatloaf, quiche, creamed potatoes, mouse, soufle, etc...I even make homemade holistic dog biscuits with this machine.The possabilities are endless!You name it, this machine will do it!--And if it can't with it's mixer, it has an attachment you can use.

The two MUSTS I'd recommend for this machine are the Water Jacket & Food Grinder attachment.The water jacket is wonderful for when you need something to stay very hot or very cold.I love the food grinder...it grinds semi frozen & even thawed meats with ease; not to mention does well with other foods.The rotor slicer/shredder & fruit/veggie strainer are nice too, but I'd rather have a food processor for larger amounts of shredding and/or slicing. (I just don't recommend the pasta maker plates for any KitchenAid)

I have no regrets with this machine.I just wish it already came with the spiral dough hook...which I should be able to find somewhat easily.My next KitchenAid will be the Pro 600 & this one will be given to my daughter. ... Read more

Asin: B0000668H0
Subjects:  1. Stand Mixers    2. (Standmixers)    3. (Kitchen Aid)    4. Kitchen    5. Gifts    6. Cooking    7. Small Appliances    8. Electrics