Krups 344-11 Power XL6 Touchpad Blender, White
Average Customer Review:
Kitchen
list price: $65.00
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Editorial Review

Blend ice slushies, puree cream-based soups, or whip up a delicious viniagrette dressing in Krups’ Power XL6 blender. This machine uniquely uses six blades, which, combined with its powerful motor, blends ingredients more uniformly. In addition, the XL6 offers 14 different blending speeds on an easy-to-set adjustable dial, giving you better control over the proper blending speed for your ingredients. Like many food processors, this blender also has a Vari Pulse button, allowing you to blend in spurts and avoid overprocessing. Another special button crushes ice in just seconds for making great frozen juice drinks and cocktails. The blender’s large calibrated glass jar holds up to 50 ounces of food--enough to make huge quantities of soup or sauce without having to puree in batches--and a 3-ounce measuring cup hidden in the lid assists in measuring out ingredients. The locking watertight lid ensures that food won’t escape out the top during vigorous blending and a pouring spout eliminates dripping. The glass jar and blade assembly on the XL6 are dishwasher-safe and the entire unit is covered by a one-year limited warranty. --Cristina Vaamonde ... Read more

Features

• 14 speed selections and Vari Pulse for total control and uniform blending
• Large-capacity, 50-ounce, calibrated glass jar with watertight locking lid
• 400-watt motor, 6-blade configuration, and powerful ice crushing function
• Removable, dishwasher-safe blade and glass jar for easy cleaning
• Measures 12-2/3 by 7-4/5 by 15 inches; 1-year limited warranty

Reviews (19)

#$%@&*!Krups XL6 Model 344
Optically & esthetically I always associated Krups brand with quality. Boy, wasn't I wrong!

Krups XL6 Model 344 is easily the worse designed "quality" blender on the market. These are reasons:

1) You may get one which leaks. I did, so I had to exchange it. Now I have one which just leaks much less;

2) If you not bothered by note 1 above you will find out that it's impossible to clean it well because plastic bottom of the top unit is attached permanently but with a lot of inaccessible space under it.

3) If you not bothered by note 1 & 2 above you will find out that it works worse than a good bargain blender (like my previous $15 one).

Krups' people who approved this design should be fired!

Tried to be optimistic!
I really liked the price and the features of this blender, and I love the Krups brand name!

This blender worked great the first four times I used it.The fifth time I used it is leaked.After two more uses it simply stopped working and I had to return it.

I will be purchasing a new blender made for heavier use... this worked fine when it did work, but the leaking that started made it too messy to use.(I make smoothies a few times a week.I tried to save money by settling for this, a cheaper blender, and I now realize I am going to need to put out a bit more for a heavier-duty blender.)

The blender's overall design made it difficult to clean as well.

I don't recommend this blender to anyone, not even at a low or clearance price.I don't know how Krup's let this blender become part of their product line.

AWESOME!!!
This blender is one of the best I have ever used.If you are literate, the directions are very simple to figure out.If you put nothing but ice cubes in it, it will leave you with chunks of ice (what blender doesn't?)I use this to make daquiris all the time and if you follow the recipes, it makes the smoothest drink I have ever had.PUT THE LIQUID INGREDIENTS IN FIRST!!!The whole thing disassembles for easy cleaning.It has met my expectations and more. ... Read more

Asin: B00007C64G
Subjects:  1. Small Appliances    2. Electrics    3. Blenders    4. (Osterizers)   

West Bend 72661 Oblong Electric Skillet
Average Customer Review:
Kitchen
list price: $54.99 -- our price: $49.99
(price subject to change: see help)
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Editorial Review

When the stove-top skillet isn't big enough or a recipe calls for a long simmering, place this electric skillet on the counter and plug it right into the wall. This skillet also frees up the stove for other uses, especially if you're making time-consuming recipes, such as chicken and rice or scalloped potatoes. The plug-in heat-control dial can be set as low as "warm" or as high as 425 degrees Fahrenheit. When done cooking, remove the dial and put both the skillet and lid into the dishwasher for an easy cleaning. Holds 6 to 8 servings. --Dana Van Nest ... Read more

Features

• Nonstick surface for lowfat cooking and easy cleanup
• Plugs in for countertop cooking
• Heat-control dial sets temperatures from "warm" to 425 degrees F
• Cook large quantities--6 to 8 servings
• Both skillet and lid dishwasher-safe

Reviews (8)

Dishwasher Safe?
I like this item alot and this is the second one I've owned. Don't put the lid in the dishwasher because it takes the finish off. It happened on both of mine, thanks to my roomate. The screws that hold the handles come loose frequently and the aluminum threads on the base strip VERY easily.

So-So
Only problem with this skillet is that the lid does not properly fit. I also wish it had a steam vent on the lid.

Best Kitchen Gadget I Have!!
Bought this from Amazon.com and am so glad I did. Unit is very light. Heating element heats very very fast. Cleaning is very quick and easy. The oblong shape is really great for smaller spaces. I use this practically every day. With smaller amounts of larger amounts of food, it is great. Pancakes, stirfrys, steaks, bacon, chicken, omlets - this great little unit does it all. Very happy with this product. ... Read more

Asin: B00004RC6F
Subjects:  1. Cookware    2. Skillets    3. Fry Pans    4. (Frypans)    5. (Frying Pans)    6. (Cook Ware)    7. Small Appliances    8. Electrics   

OXO Good Grips 2-Piece Pizza Wheel and Garlic Press Set
Average Customer Review:
Kitchen
list price: $14.99
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

Say goodbye to slicing, dicing, and chopping impossibly tiny cloves of garlic. Using the Good Grips garlic press, the work is done for you with just one firm squeeze and no strain on your hands. The press is as easy to clean as it is to use: just flip the handles and the built-in cleaner punches the remains right through. The second part of this set, the 4-inch pizza wheel, is one you can rely on to make a complete cut on the first run, thanks to its beveled stainless-steel blade. It's also great for cutting strips of dough for pies.

The Good Grips line features durable, nonslip, flexible handles on every product. Ergonomically designed to fit the palm comfortably, the pressure-absorbing, processed rubber handle puts less tension on the hands, while still providing an outstanding grip. Made from the same material as dishwasher gaskets, the handles are slip-proof, wet or dry, as well as dishwasher-safe. Good Grips products are moderately priced and have won the Tylenol/Arthritis Foundation Design Award. --Laurie Notaro ... Read more

Features

• Soft rubber handles absorb pressure on hands
• Garlic is pressed through with one squeeze
• Garlic press has built-in cleaning tool
• Stainless-steel pizza-wheel blade is beveled for sharpness
• Pizza wheel has built-in thumb guard

Reviews (10)

poor workmanship
I have owned this garlic press for about 2 years and it failed the other night crushing pieces (I always slice them first) for my chili recipe.May seem hefty but it cal break at the pivot.I'm tired of companies making cheap kitchen equipment and will look for something that slices small pieces instead of "crushing" if this is a weak point for these products.

not so good
The part about the garlic press that should be so great is a piece of plastic that cleans the press after use.Mine broke off after a couple of uses.

The press is fine, just not as great as advertised.

I have no knowledge of the pizza wheel.

The price is great for the two pieces.I paid as much for one piece.

Low quality
I bought this because of the reversible cleaning gizmo, which worked fine.But it was hard to press, left a lot behind, and ultimately the handle broke - the metal sheared into two pieces.Poor quality. ... Read more

Asin: B00004OCJT
Subjects:  1. Pizza Kits    2. Garlic Tools    3. Pizza Tools   

KitchenAid KP2671XBU Professional 6-Quart Stand Mixer, Cobalt Blue
Average Customer Review:
Kitchen
list price: $429.99 -- our price: $349.99
(price subject to change: see help)
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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: B0000638SN
Subjects:  1. Small Appliances    2. Electrics    3. Stand Mixers    4. (Standmixers)    5. (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)
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

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 (160)

Just okay...
I'm still looking for the perfect salad spinner. I had this one and broke it after trying to take the lid apart to try to clean under the lid--don't attempt that! I didn't like how this one had a domed lid so you couldn't stack stuff on top of it. I also found that the interior of the basket wasnt smooth but a bumpy basket weave so little bits of lettuce get stuck in it.

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. ... Read more

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

Zyliss Rotary Cheese Grater
Average Customer Review:
Kitchen
list price: $14.99 -- our price: $14.99
(price subject to change: see help)
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

Put away that cardboard canister of prefabricated, over-processed Parmesan cheese and grate your own with this Zyliss hand-crank cheese grater. You'll never go back to the packaged stuff again. And, thinking versatility, this fine grinding drum works equally well on hard cheese, nuts, or chocolate. Dust some ground chocolate over cocoa or crepes, nuts over brownies, and, of course, fresh Parmesan over spaghetti. Just slip the steel drum inside the grater, hold on with one hand while twisting the handle on with the other, place the cheese or nuts into the 2-1/4-inch by 1-inch well, and grind as little or as much as you need. The drum is open on one side for easier sprinkling over food. --Doree Armstrong ... Read more

Features

• Guaranteed for two years
• Hand-crank cheese grater for fine grinding of hard cheese, nuts, and chocolate"
• 2-1/4-inch by 1-inch well for portion control
• Drum is open on side opposite crank to sprinkle gratings over food
• Stainless-steel grating drum removes for hand washing

Reviews (20)

I love this grater
I didn't know they used these at the Olive Garden; I felt the plastic on this one at the store after our last (cheaper) model broke, and thought this one might stand up better.It has!It is the only tool I'll ever use for grating Romano or Parmesan cheese for pasta -- so much easier and faster than a plane or box grater.The unit is nice and sturdy -- I don't worry about the arm breaking while I'm grating, as it did on our previous grater.It comes apart very easily for cleaning, and the handle can be used on either side for left- or right-handed cooks.I have used it to grate large amounts of cheese, too; I guess it's a little hard on the hands, but I think any grater will present that problem unless it's electric.

Soft cheese need not apply...
This tool is well-designed and handles comfortably, grating fine swirls of cheese with a quick crank of the handle. Note that this item works well ONLY with hard items like Parmesan and other European hard cheeses, but not with the cheeses commonly found in supermarkets, which have been processed to the point of being like rubber (including US-made Swiss, Edam, Cheddar etc.) These softer cheeses choke up the grate barrel and become glued to the internal structure, making it increasingly difficult to dispense cheese and impossible to clean.

Perfect for hard cheeses
I got the grater set that comes with a little
container with lid that attaches to the opening
of the grater where the grated cheese falls out.
Very handy.

I love this grater. Very efficient, easy to use
and no paranoia about adding some meat (your finger
tips) to the cheese like with most other ones.

Works perfectly for hard cheeses. Used it as well
for Beets, which worked very well to.
Had troubles with rather soft cheeses like Havarti,
as it clogged up inside the grating cylinder...

a must have for me... ... Read more

Asin: B00004T148
Subjects:  1. Cheese Graters   

With two layers of durable nonstick coating, specially formulated for easily releasing high-sugar foods, this medium-size commercial-grade cookie sheet is ideal for baking cookies, turnovers, scones, and breadsticks. It's also useful for placing under pies to catch drips. Made of durable, heavy-gauge aluminum and designed with a lip on each end for easy gripping, the cookie sheet resists warping and conducts heat quickly and evenly. Nylon and wood utensils are safe to use with the cookie sheet, which should be hand washed to preserve the nonstick coating. The cookie sheet measures 14 by 15 inches and carries a lifetime warranty against defects. --Fred Brack ... Read more

Features

• Measures 14 by 15 inches; lifetime warranty against defects
• Medium-size commercial-grade cookie sheet for baking cookies, turnovers, scones, breadsticks
• Heavy-gauge aluminum; resists warping and conducts heat quickly and evenly
• 2 layers of durable nonstick coating easily releases high-sugar foods
• Safe with nylon and wood utensils; hand wash to preserve nonstick coating

Asin: B00005M1U4
Subjects:  1. Baking    2. Cookie Sheets    3. Bakeware    4. (Bake Ware)    5. (Calphlon)    6. (Calaphon)   

Calphalon Professional Hard-Anodized Collector's Edition 11-Inch Square Griddle with Nonstick Finish
Average Customer Review:
Kitchen
list price: $67.00
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

A griddle can do more than just breakfast, especially if it's easy to clean. This 11-inch square griddle from Calphalon's professional series comes in handy for everything from French toast to grilled panini. Calphalon's hard-anodized aluminum is highly conductive, as well as being 30 percent harder than stainless steel. The result on the stovetop is markedly even heat and superior durability. The griddle's nonstick coating cooks well with little to no fat, releases foods easily, and cleans up in a matter of seconds. The piece comes with a chrome-plated cast iron handle (not heat-resistant) and is oven-safe to 450 degrees F. --Emily Bedard ... Read more

Features

• Lifetime warranty
• 11-inch square griddle for pancakes, French toast, grilled sandwiches
• Heavy-gauge hard-anodized aluminum for even heating
• Nonstick finish for easy cleanup
• Chrome-plated cast-iron handle

Reviews (24)

good gift for my friend
I gave it to my friend as a gift, because she didn't have any Calphalon cookware at the time.Anyway, the price was right and she likes it.

Trust the 5 star reveiws...
I bought this griddle for my parents to make pancakes.Was an awesome buy!!!I recently found that they use the pan for much more; bacon, sausage, chicken, etc.To catch the spatter, they use an aluminum folder.They love this pan.

Loved it for awhile ...
I got this pan in April and loved it!Even heating--perfect for grilled cheese and pancakes.It is now August and after minimal use (I would say that I have used this griddle less than 10 times) and great care, the chrome plating on the handle is coming off to reveal a very badly rusted handle beneath. (I couldn't believe it was plated!I guess that's why it's so inexpensive.)I am definitely contacting Calphalon.A great bargain if you don't plan on using it very often or for it lasting very long. ... Read more

Asin: B00006ROAN
Subjects:  1. Cookware    2. Griddles    3. (Cook Ware)    4. (Calphlon)    5. (Calaphon)   

Weight Watchers New Complete Cookbook
Average Customer Review:
Spiral-bound (1998)
list price: $19.95 -- our price: $13.57
(price subject to change: see help)
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

If you're a Weight Watcher, this collection of 500 recipes in a handy loose-leaf binder could put you in the fast lane on the road to success. This cookbook is designed for Weight Watchers' 1•2•3 Success program: points are assigned to foods based on fat, fiber, and calories, and your daily point allowance is based on your current weight. So you can eat what you want, as long as you don't go over your allotted points.The better your food choices, the more you can eat before you run out of points.

Recipes are varied and cover the whole gamut: sauces; breads; soups; meat, chicken, fish, and vegetarian entrees; pasta; vegetable, grain, and potato side dishes; and, of course, desserts. The recipes are more healthful but not drastically different from foods you and your family enjoy now. Many are familiar comfort foods, such as Pizza, Oven "Fried" Chicken, Beef Stew, Tuna Noodle Casserole, Chocolate Layer Cake, and Cheesecake.Internationally inspired favorites include Dolmades (stuffed grape leaves), Orange-Flavored Fajitas, Moo Shu Chicken, Tandoori Haddock, and Senegalese Peanut Soup.The nutritional breakdown for each recipe is more complete than in most cookbooks, and includes calories, fat, saturated fat, cholesterol, sodium, carbohydrate, fiber, protein, calcium, and Weight Watchers' points. --Joan Price ... Read more

Reviews (57)

My Favorite Cookbook
This book is the one I use over and over again, I've made so many recipes from it.These recipes do not taste like "diet" food. Although they are low in fat, calories, and food points, they really taste good too. Some favorites I make regularly from this book are the Parmesan-Turkey Meatloaf, Shrimp Creole, Tuna-Noodle Casserole, Chicken Avgolemono Soup, Indian Carrot Soup, Hummus, and our absolute favorite - the Chicken Quesadillas with Corn-Tomato Salad. I brought the Rolled Orange Sponge Cake to a family gathering and everyone devoured it - no one would have guessed it only had 2 grams of fat per serving.

I highly recommend this book for anyone looking for a great all-around sourcebook for all kinds of healthy low-fat recipes that taste great and fit into a Weight Watchers plan or even anyone who is just looking for good, nutritious meals. The book is well laid out and has an excellent variety of reliable recipes. It's easy to read and browse through, has an adequate amount of photos, and contains all the nutrition information and points for each recipe.

rice puddingwith golden raisins
your recipe for rice pudding sucks. dont you test these recipes before you print them.

Need to specify a serving size
WW has great recipes but they've done my pet peeve again! It is so annoying to look at, for instance, the soup you just made and be forced to either guess at 1/8 or measure the whole batch of soup and then extract an 1/8.Why not: Serving size 1 1/2 cup? ... Read more

Isbn: 002863716X
Subjects:  1. Cooking    2. Cooking / Wine    3. Health & Healing - Weight Control    4. Naprapathy    5. Recipes    6. Reducing diets    7. Weight loss    8. Cooking / Dietary    9. Food & Drink / Cookery