Showing posts with label cuisinart. Show all posts
Showing posts with label cuisinart. Show all posts

3/17/2012

Lenox Poppies on Blue 5-Piece Chinastone Place Setting, Service for 1 Review

Lenox Poppies on Blue 5-Piece Chinastone Place Setting, Service for 1
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Product arrived in 2-3 days! Perfect condition and was the cheapest price around. Plates are perfect for non-formal setting. Use them every day

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Ideal for today¿s busy lifestyles, this casual design is perfect for everyday use, yet equally at home atop your dining room table. The original dinnerware design brings beauty and charm any table setting. Poppies and cornflower-blue leaves are lovely on Lenox Chinastone and certain to brighten every meal... every day.

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3/08/2012

Cuisinart Convection Toaster Oven Broiler Review

Cuisinart Convection Toaster Oven Broiler
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I have had this oven for several months now. I missed an opportunity to by it as a factory refurbished unit, and ended up buying it new here. Initially, I wanted to hold out for a convection oven with a larger capacity, but the reality of unit size and lack of availability of a larger oven with similar features convinced me to by this model.
I think I made the right choice. It is large enough to bake and broil a wide variety of things without having to resort to the "big oven", it has accurate, even temp control, and enough features and custom settings that I am still discovering new and better ways to use it.
It is a pretty large oven, does everything advertsed in best of class fashion, it's very easy to clean, and looks "right" no matter how your kitchen is outfitted. Even simple tasks like making toast are handled better than any regular toaster or cheap toaster oven that I have tried. When toasting bread or bagles, the first part of the cycle brings the bread up to teperature without bringing the heat elements up to "toasting" tepmerature. Towards the end of the cycle, the elements glow bright red, and toast both surfaces very evenly, and to taste. The result is perfectly toasted bread, bagles, pizza slices, etc, without cold centers. The cycle can easily be tailored for your favorite bread. Perfect.
Before I forget, someone posted a "review" here that really was a question about what temp the oven is capable of. The oven can also broil, so that would indicate that it can reach high temps, and in fact, it can. The "bake" setting allows you to select a temerature on the display up to 500 degrees. Most any cooking technique that can be done with a quality conventional oven can be done with this gem. And more. When I first started using the oven, I checked it's indicated temp with my electronic thermometer that I use for calibrating industrial sensors. In every case, the indicated air temp was within a few degrees of reality. My full sized oven wasn't anywhere near that close when it was new.
Broiling, baking, defrosting, and reheating leftovers are also given the benefit of digital control over the cooking cycle. Even the crumb tray was designed for effective operation, and ease of cleaning. I have used a number of dedicated convection ovens, and more than a few toaster ovens over the years, but this one is in a class by itself. Even if you grew up with the microwave, this oven won't gather dust on your countertop.
Update... July 12, 2005. This oven is used most every day, and has proved to be a solid performer. As time passed, I have used pretty much all of the functions of the oven, and learned to customize settings to please me along the way. I have not had a single problem with the oven since the day it arrived, and being easy to keep clean, it still looks factory new (when I clean it). It is about as large as I care to have on the countertop, and for bigger jobs, I simply use the main kitchen oven. For most anything else, this is the oven that gets the call. I still rate five stars.

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Cuisinart brings a new standard of convenience and consistency to baking, broiling and toasting. The Convection Baking fan surrounds the food surface with evenly heated airflow, to cook foods up to 30% faster than conventional ovens. The state-of-the-art Exact Heat¿ Sensor and Your Choice¿ Browning Memory ensure that everything is cooked to perfection. The Convection Oven-Toaster-Broiler will be a welcome addition to any kitchen!

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3/03/2012

Cuisinart BRK-200 Brick Oven Deluxe, Stainless Steel Review

Cuisinart BRK-200 Brick Oven Deluxe, Stainless Steel
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I purchased this beautiful toaster/convection oven to use as a second oven for entertaining/holidays and for everyday use to cook for just the two of us.
First of all, it's darned beautiful to look at. It matches my stainless appliances and looks fabulous on my counter. The controls are very easy to use. It comes with 2 racks (although you're only supposed to use one at a time) and a baking pan/broiler tray. But the best thing is that it comes with a baking stone which sits in one of the racks and the oven itself is lined with baking stone material on either side. The back of the oven has the convection fan. All non-stone surfaces are of nonstick material, which makes it a cinch to clean.
In the month I've had it, I've used this amazing appliance to bake cakes and casseroles, broil shrimp, make pizza, roast tomatoes and chickens and even toast an english muffin! It passed every test with flying colors. The oven is large enough to fit a whole chicken for roasting - and did a great job.
I'd say the weak points are that you have to turn the oven around to get the crumb tray out (a minor inconvenience) and both the crumb tray and the baking pan tend to warp when the oven is hot.
To use the baking stone, you must preheat the oven for at least 30 minutes. Not a problem for me, as I preheated while waiting for my pizza dough to rise. Worked out great.
I'm delighted to give this my highest recommendation.

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Cuisinart brings a classic approach to modern cooking with a revolutionary new countertop Brick Oven.Genuine bricks inside this restaurant - quality oven allow traditional brick-oven cooking in the comfort of home.Industrial styling and four cooking options, including convection bake, make this multifunctional countertop oven a valuable additional to any kitchen. 0.9 cubic feet with brick inserts permanently builtinto the sides of the oven

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2/04/2012

Chefmate 2 Slice Sandwich Maker Grill Nonstick Plates Upright Storage Review

Chefmate 2 Slice Sandwich Maker Grill Nonstick Plates Upright Storage
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My wife and I bought the Chefmate grill from Target for $10.40. First of all, it makes great grilled sandwiches. It takes about five minutes to warm up, then about four minutes or so to make your sandwich. Most of our sandwiches have been grilled nearly to perfection.
Now for the negatives. You have to use fairly small-sized loaf bread to fit on the plates. The correct size bread is easy to find in most supermarkets, so that's not a big problem, but don't expect the Chefmate to work well with big slices of bread. The other negative is that we use the Chefmate mostly for making variations of grilled cheese sandwiches. It melts the cheese just fine, but if any cheese runs out onto the grill (which usually is the case for us), it's a pain to clean afterward. The plate surfaces are nonstick, but you end up using toothpicks to clean out the congealed cheese after the Chefmate cools off. This isn't a huge problem, but it is annoying to know that you're going to spend several minutes cleaning the cheese off. This is the reason that I only gave the Chefmate four stars.
Overall, for about $10, it's a good buy.

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Easy to use convenient way to make hot sandwiches.

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12/30/2011

Cuisinart DLC-2014N PowerPrep Plus 14-Cup Capacity Food Processor, White Review

Cuisinart DLC-2014N PowerPrep Plus 14-Cup Capacity Food Processor, White
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Edit, September 12, 2011: Just have to note that I have replaced the workbowl once but this machine is still going strong, and continues to get daily use. Its blades are as sharp as the day they came out of the box. The plastic over the buttons is worn from use... no big deal. When (or perhaps if) this food processor dies, I'll get the next-gen Cuisinart 14-cup and get multiple bowls in different sizes.
Original review (Jan, 2002):
I bought this machine using a gift certificate from my last place of employment plus a little of my own dinero, and have been absolutely thrilled with it. It has flawlessly and effortlessly kneaded pasta dough, mixed a double batch of heavy gingerbread cookie dough, grated parmesan cheese to a fine powder, rescued slightly lumpy gravy, whisked together cornbread in seconds, and most recently sliced a variety of vegetables for tossed salad for 25 people (which I was requested to bring to a party--I am not a "salad person," so I was tickled when everyone praised my contribution!). I had never used a food processor for slicing, but it did a beautiful job with bell peppers and cucumbers--artfully thin, but not too fine a cut. As promised, it even did a fine job mincing just a couple of garlic cloves and also a handful of parsley, meaning that I could do a dinner's worth of food-processing in just one machine.
The accompanying video can only be watched by people who take food equipment seriously; other family members had to be asked to leave the room during the viewing, as there was much giggling about the over-earnest instructions. Nevertheless, I picked up some fabulous tips about using the Cuisinart, and recommend you sit (alone, or with a true believer) and watch it beginning to end.
The surface of the machine is very easy to clean, and Cuisinart recommends the dishwasher for the bowl and blades. Do be careful with the latter--Cuisinart should really include the disk holder, as it is dangerous to leave these accessories lying around in a kitchen drawer.
This is the third food processor I have owned, and though I mourned the demise of my trusty Panasonic (rated highly by Consumer Reports ten years ago), with this high-end Cuisinart I have "been to Paree" and have no intention of going back to the farm. If you do any industrial-strength cooking, or if you (like me) are sold on using a food processor as a high-powered, self-contained unit for basic mixing duties, this is a wonderful accomplice in your prandial ventures. Bravo Cuisinart!

Click Here to see more reviews about: Cuisinart DLC-2014N PowerPrep Plus 14-Cup Capacity Food Processor, White

DLC2014NPictured in White. Actual Product is in White. Combining high-quality functions with modern technology and design, the Cuisinart PowerPrep Plus 14-Cup Food Processor is the ultimate food preparation tool - it chops, slices, dices, mixes, kneads, and more! A powerful direct-drive induction motor, large-capacity work bowl, and 10-year motor warranty make this machine a welcome addition to any kitchen. Features: -Sleek compact design. -Heavy-duty, shatterproof, clear plastic Lexan work bowl. -14-Cup capacity bowl. -Food processor with 2 discs, 2 blades, spatula, & recipe book. -Supreme wide-mouth feed tube holds whole fruits & vegetables. -Touchpad fingertip controls with bright LED indicators. Specifications: -Capacity: 14 cups. -Limited 3-year warranty. -Overall Dimensions: 10'' H x 12'' W x 16.13'' D

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12/11/2011

Cuisinart Power Advantage Plus 9 Speed Hand Mixer with Storage Case Review

Cuisinart Power Advantage Plus 9 Speed Hand Mixer with Storage Case
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This is my 3rd Cuisinart hand mixer in the past 5 years and you're probably wondering why I went back to this model after the problems with the first two. First, I liked the form and fit. Second, I had extra blades that would fit (after the first one broke). Third, I assumed the problem was a glitch (each time). On the first and last mixers, the motor just quit without any reason or problem that I can determine - it didn't happen because of "bogging-down" in heavy batter. On my second one, the soft tab speed button tore and water leaked in - it quit working. Also, I don't think the wire blades "do" mashed potatoes as well as flat blades that actually cut through and break potatoes up into a smoother, less lumpy mix. Another problem that no one else has mentioned is that even though it has a slow start setting, it takes a couple of seconds to kick in! So, initially it starts at a medium speed and flour is all over the counter before it slows down and behaves as advertised. I've finally learned to hold it out of the bowl until it gears down.

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Thanks to its durable 220-watt motor and automatic feedback mechanism (no need for power boost function), this handheld blender delivers the power needed to ensure consistent mixing of even the heaviest of ingredients like thick cookie dough or cold butter right out of the refrigerator. The unit starts on the lowest speed with the simple push of the on/off button, and its one-touch speed control makes it possible to quickly change between nine different speed settings. Choose one of the three lowest speeds for a smooth start--no need to worry about ingredients splattering on the walls and countertops. Accessories include beaters, a chef's whisk, dough hooks, a spatula, and an instruction book with great-tasting recipe ideas. It also provides a sturdy snap-on clear case for keeping the mixer and accessories all stored neatly together. Durably built and sporting a chrome-plated band with the Cuisinart logo, the handheld mixer measures approximately 8-1/2 by 3-8/9 by 8-8/9 inches and carries a three-year limited warranty.

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12/08/2011

Cuisinart CPT-190 Brushed Stainless-Steel 4-Slice Toaster with Countdown Timer Review

Cuisinart CPT-190 Brushed Stainless-Steel 4-Slice Toaster with Countdown Timer
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I thought this was going to be the perfect toaster. However, once again a toaster misses the mark.
I particularly like the countdown timer, because I always wonder how much longer it will take to toast my bread, but it would be nice if the counters only lit up when the toast control is pushed down. They do make nice night lights in the kitchen, though.
Deficiencies:
1. The slots are wide, but they are short, so thick bread will go in just fine, but not some wider bread types. 12 grain breads in particular tend to be wider, and the slices end up caught on the ends of the slots.
2. The first thing I noticed was that the center elements of the toaster did not get as red as the outside elements. Thus I was worried that the bread would toast darker one side than the other, and that was the case.
3. One side (2 slots) of the toaster refused to work on the third attempt. It would not latch down.
4. I had to set the control to 5.5 (the highest setting is 6) to toast multigrain bread to a medium color. I would guess that a setting of 1 or 2 would just slightly warm the bread.
This toaster seems to be optimized for bagels. I want a toaster that is optimized for toast!
When I was a kid, we had toasters that went tick tick tick, toasted the bread just right and then dinged, and didn't cost much. Why can no one make a decent toaster like that now?

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Our Metal Classic Toaster delivers innovative looks and spectacular performance.The Metal Classic 4 Slice Toaster offers two controls panels, each toasting two items at a time, to any shade you want.That means you can toast thick-sliced bread at the same time you're doing bagels!Features two 6-shade setting dials and dual bagel, reheat and defrost controls with one custom LCD countdown timer and LED indicators for each function.

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12/01/2011

Cuisinart Classic Brushed Stainless Toasters Review

Cuisinart Classic Brushed Stainless Toasters
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I don't think there's a toaster made that is perfect for everyones taste. For years I'd use a toaster oven with a toast timed setting because I could not only do more than two slices, but I could usually get even browning. Now I have this, and have had it for nearly two years. I bought it here on the Zon. One of those kitchen specials they frequently have giving me a good price overall.
The problem with toasters is that not only do some of them vary because of cheaply made or defective thermostats (trust me you ain't paying for a furnace quality control here), but because of the bread. The key to toaster is know your bread. Standard Sunbeam or Wonder bread needs about a 3 on this thing, premium breads do well at 3.5, muffins using the bagel button and so on. Your's may toast a bit different. Realize the science of toasting has to do with both the moisture and fat content of the bread or bagel, or muffing being toasted.
Dry Bialy bread has little fat content and little moisture but takes a 5 or six to get it toasted. Dry grocery store brand standard white will toast using a 1.5 to two setting. It has fat content and no water, probably the best combo to get a fast toast browning. You will also see a big difference in one or two slices, since the overall heat goes up in the toaster a lower setting is typically needed when doing two slices at once.
For features this has a number of simple but useful items. The slide out crumb tray in the back makes for easy cleaning. The button array contains not only the standard toast setting, but settings for defrost and reheat. This helps overcome the problem with stand alone toasters. You need to remember to dial down a little on repeated toastings. My toaster oven used to sense what temperature it was and then adjust the toast time, even though the setting never changed. I know that because it had a digital time readout. It first confused me when I did repeated toastings and the time would decline by maybe fifty percent or more. I noticed later that it always had the same time when cool and much less when it was warmed up. Toasters typically don't do that, so you must. There is also a bagel button which works well on English muffins too.
Additionally I like the feature that allows you to "pull up" on the set bar to remove "short" slices of bread after toasting. One of the old household dangers of toast was people putting in metal knives to remove toast, and getting shocked. Here you just raise it up, and then pluck it out. I toast almost daily, so this has held up two years without any complaints, so I'd say its durable. It comes in colors, but I like the all stainless model, it shines up so nice.

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High-tech toasting technology gets a high-style look with this sleek stainless steel two-slice toaster featuring beautiful brushed chrome accents. A six-setting browning dial and reheat, defrost and bagel buttons give you custom control, while wide slots fit a variety of bread and toaster pastries. Limited warranty. Model CPT-160.

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11/25/2011

Dualit 2-Slice Toaster, Petal Pink Review

Dualit 2-Slice Toaster, Petal Pink
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I purchased the Dualit toaster about 12 months ago and am glad that I did.
I wanted a pink toaster to match my kitchen decor and I was sold on the Dualit idea because of its reputation for quality workmanship.
The toaster produces excellent toast. Though the clock ticking noise may be annoying for some people, I like it. The toast that is produced is crisp on the outside but still moist on the inside which is just the way my husband and I prefer our toast to be cooked.
I like the crumb tray feature; it makes for easy cleaning. I also purchased the sandwich case and I am very pleased with the quality of the toasted sandwiches.
Overall, the toaster is a little on the pricey side, but I think it's worth every penny.

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Dualit 2-Slice 20299 Vario Toaster

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11/12/2011

Cuisinart CPT-180 Toaster, 4-Slice Classic Brushed Chrome Review

Cuisinart CPT-180 Toaster, 4-Slice Classic Brushed Chrome
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Put in 4 slices of toast and each slice comes up done to a different degree. Worse, for a given piece of bread one side may be done while the other is nowhere close.
When you look down into the 4 slots and see different glow intensities on each of the faces you see why this happens. Another reviewer wrote about getting one bad one, then replacing it with one that worked just fine. I just took back my 3rd one and gave up.
Its looks alone are worth a couple of stars. But I sure wish it worked.

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Brushed stainless body with black control buttons.

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11/06/2011

Panasonic - YeastPro Automatic Breadmaker Review

Panasonic - YeastPro Automatic Breadmaker
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ya know,last year, this machine went kaput...and I really miss it and got to thinking about how long I had this and how much I relied on it. I made rolls, whole grain bread, pizza dough, cinnamon roll dough, and lots and lots of loaves of bread: whole wheat, oatmeal, white, raisin, etc. Always made a great loaf. I would put soup in the crock pot and bread ingredients in the machine and always had a good dinnner on a cool fall or winter evening. The cookbook and instruction manual is very helpful. In fact, I still have it on the bookshelf. soo how long did it last? 15 YEARS!!

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YeastPro Automatic Breadmaker

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10/30/2011

Braun K650 CombiMax Food Processor 600 Watts Review

Braun K650 CombiMax Food Processor 600 Watts
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About 25 years ago, my wife and I bought a Braun food processor. We used it for over 23 years, replacing the bowl once and the stalks that held the cutting disks about three times. We only gave it up when it started leaking oil. We replaced it with a Cuisinart that didn't have multiple speeds and did have a complicated and largely inscrutable lid locking system that ultimately failed--we needed to stick a screwdriver into the lid to make it work. So we found this Braun, which is similar to but an improvement on our old one, and it's great! Very lightweight, the bowl and lid simply snap into place, there's infinite speed control, and the cutting disks and stalks have been redesigned to be much sturdier. Beats Cuisinart by a mile.

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Powerful 600 watt DC motor - low noise operation for better food preparation.14 speeds + soft pulse - allows superior control, select optimal speed/pulse to suit the task, handy push button pulse for exact control when processing soft or delicate foods.Electronically controlled, stepless variable speed for optimal processing control.Unique dual safety lock - ensures bowls cannot be opened when unit is on.Usage guide on front panel - quick reference on recommended speed range for individual attachments.Sealed bowls - eliminates leakage or overflowing.Work-bowl capacity: 9 cups (2 L).Attachments included: Universal chopping blade, chops - blends, mixes & purees.Dough hook, powerfully kneads up to 3 lbs of dough. Cream attachment - for perfect whipping results. Versatile slicing system, includes: fine slicer, fine shredder, coarse grater and cheese grater. Citrus juicer, citrus press fits into the workbowl. Easy cleaning - Dishwasher-safe attachments and bowls.Color: White with blue control knobs1 Year limited warranty.

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10/22/2011

Cuisinart SM-55 5-1/2-Quart Stand Mixers Review

Cuisinart SM-55  5-1/2-Quart Stand Mixers
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I've been a long-time fan of the KitchenAid mixer. My grandmother has been using the same KitchenAid mixer since the late 50s, and it's still going strong. I was thrilled to get a KitchenAid "Ultra-Power" mixer as a gift about seven years ago, and it worked great for occasional use. Over the past couple of years I've been doing more and more baking, and about a year ago I began making my own bread. After about six months of using my KitchenAid to knead two loaves of whole-wheat bread every week or so, it made a terrible grinding noise, and stopped working. I decided I'd better buy a new KitchenAid with a more powerful motor, and went online to see which was recommended. Much to my surprise, the reviews for the KitchenAid were no longer as positive as they had been. People were complaining about a decrease in quality and customer service. The biggest complaint was that some metal parts had been replaced by plastic, and while it sounded as if the company had recently started making the parts out of metal again, people were giving tips on how to determine if the model you were purchasing had the metal or plastic gearboxes. On top of that, Cooks Illustrated ranked the Cuisinart mixer above KitchenAid in a March 2008 review.
I did more research and found that the warranty was much better on the Cuisinart than on the KitchenAid. So, nervously, I decided to switch from what I had always considered to be the top brand, and I bought the Cuisinart.
My first impressions were mixed. I immediately liked the way the mixer looked, but I was nervous about it, because the body and the mixing paddles are much lighter in weight than on the KitchenAid. It lacks the solid, all-metal feel of the KitchenAid. Since the KitchenAid jittered all over the counter when I was using it to knead bread or even whip butter and sugar together for cookies, I figured the Cuisinart would probably fly off the counter. I decided to use it pretty hard for six months, and then write my review.
I've used it every seven to ten days to make two loaves of heavy, whole-grain bread, have made many batches of cookies and several cakes and I'm very happy to write that this is a GREAT mixer.
Much to my surprise, it doesn't jitter at all, not even when I'm using it to knead bread. Ingredients are more thoroughly mixed, and I don't need to scrape down the sides of the bowl with a spatula nearly as often as I needed to with my KitchenAid. Counter space in my kitchen is limited, so I keep the mixer in a cupboard, and the lighter weight means that it's much easier to move around. In my experience, the lighter weight has NOT affected, in any way, the performance.
Once, when I was kneading some heavy dough on speed #4 for about twice as long as the usual seven or eight minutes (I'd forgotten to add salt to the bread and was trying to knead it in) the mixer overheated and shut itself down. It hasn't done that since, and frankly, I'd rather that happen than have the gears freeze up and completely destroy the gearbox, as happened with my KitchenAid. Another greatly appreciated feature is that some clever person designed the bowl so that it's easy to remove, even after I've used the mixer to knead dough. The bowl on the KitchenAid would lock so tightly after kneading bread that I'd have to wrench it free, usually skinning my knuckles in the process. Some reviewers complain that the bread dough "climbs" the kneading hook, making a mess. I find that the dough actually climbs a lot less than it did when I used my KitchenAid. One reviewer mentioned that she finds the splash guard mostly useless, but I love it -- I find it truly useful, unlike the awkward, two-piece splash guard that came with my KitchenAid.
The timer function is nice, especially now that I don't need to stand over the mixer while it's kneading, worrying that it'll jitter its way onto the floor. I don't leave the room, but now I set the timer and let the mixer do its thing while I prep other ingredients or grease the baking pans. I really like the slow-start feature -- no more cloud of flour when I turn on the mixer.
Basically, this mixer does everything my KitchenAid did, and does it better. The performance has been highly satisfactory, and if it breaks down any time in the next five years, it will still be under warranty ... unlike my KitchenAid, which was only covered for a year.
I don't hate KitchenAid -- I think the mixers are probably still a good product, overall. I know that I was using mine for more than it was designed to handle. However, I am happier with the Cuisinart and have recommended it highly to several friends.
This is still a relatively early review. I expect stand mixers to last for at least a decade, and ideally for much longer. Six months after my purchase, I'm very happy with this machine. If anything happens to change that, I'll update this review.
January 29, 2009
I dropped my mixer! I was doing a lot of Christmas baking, the countertop was crowded, I put it too close to the edge of the counter and WHAM, it fell to the floor, landing hard, upside down. While I have no idea how the trauma will affect the overall life of the mixer, it still works fine. The top is a little askew now, and the hinged door at the front that covers the slow-speed power outlet will no longer stay closed. But: the mixer works as well as it ever did. I really wish I hadn't dropped it, but this is a strong peice of equipment. That was a hard fall from countertop height to a hardwood floor, and there appears to have been nothing more than cosmetic damage. I've been baking as much as ever, and it still works beautifully.
September 4, 2010
Wow -- I don't often look back at my reviews, and when I came back today to make an update, I was surprised that so many people found this helpful. Thanks! I hope if you bought a mixer based on my recommendation that you've loved it. Mine is still going strong, and this evening over dinner, I recommended it to a friend who was thinking of buying a new stand mixer.
Thank you to those who have commented, it adds some additional insight and balance. It was interesting reading the comments -- one person commented that this mixer didn't really handle large batches of heavy rye dough, so you might want to keep that in mind if you make a LOT of bread. I'm still making a loaf or two every week and am quite pleased. One commenter mentioned that his KitchenAid mixer never moved around the countertop. Since I would have to literally hold my KitchenAid down while kneading bread, it makes me wonder how much variance you might find between individual mixers. One of the things I still really, really like about the Cuisinart is that it stays still for me, even when I'm kneading a couple of loaves-worth of bread dough. In fact, I've recently stepped up my bread baking, because I've been experimenting with sourdough recipes. I've also been churning out a LOT of batches of cookies recently as I experiment with a new recipe. (I noticed today that my jeans are feeling a bit tight around the waist. Maybe I need to experiment with something a bit lower-calorie. But, I digress.)
Anyway, I logged on this evening to say I'm still quite pleased with my mixer. Despite the tragic dropping incident over a year and a half ago, the Cuisinart is still working beautifully.

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Housed in durable die-cast metal, this stand mixer features a powerful 800-watt motor that can handle the heaviest mixing tasks. Its large, 5-1/2-quart, stainless-steel bowl accommodates big batches--even double recipes. The unit also provides 12 mixing speeds, along with a 15-minute countdown timer and automatic shutoff, for maximum precision. Choose the slow-start function to eliminate splatter or the ultra-gentle fold function to carefully blend in delicate ingredients. The mixer's tilt-back head allows for easy access to the mixing bowl and makes attaching accessories simple. Accessories include a chef's whisk, a flat mixing paddle, and a dough hook, as well as a splashguard. The whisk aerates ingredients to increase volume or can also be used on slow speed to gently combine dry ingredients. Contoured to reach the bottom and sides of the bowl, the flat mixing paddle ensures thorough mixing. The dough hook makes hand kneading obsolete, while the splashguard offers an extra-wide pouring spout for easily adding ingredients. The stand mixer also contains three power outlets, including a high-speed outlet for its optional dedicated attachments (meat grinder, citrus juicer, blender, food processor, or pasta maker--all sold separately). The stand mixer measures 15-1/2 by 10 by 12-1/2 inches and carries a three-year product warranty and a five-year motor warranty. From the Manufacturer An Array of Helpful Features Features:
Large 5-quart-capacity polished stainless-steel bowl
Powerful 800-watt motor
15-minute countdown timer
Auto shutoff and 12 speeds
Includes 3 accessories: chef's whisk, flat mixing paddle, dough hook
Splashguard with pour spout to prevent spattering
Recipe book
Power unit: clean with a damp cloth and dry
Bowls and tools dishwasher-safe (tools top-rack dishwasher-safe)
Warranty: Limited 3-year product warranty and a full 5-year motor warranty

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10/12/2011

Cuisinart Elite Collection Food Processor Review

Cuisinart Elite Collection Food Processor
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
When I buy a new kitchen or household item with lots of competitors I do loads of comparison/contrasting and research first if it's over a hundred bucks...Knowing it was time for a new food processor, I began comparing models. However, I found it a tad difficult to do with all the different blades, codes, etc.
Therefore, once I had completed my own shopping and comparisons, I thought it might be helpful for anyone else in the same situation if I posted my own comparisons here.
I'll start by saying, after all the testing I decided to order the CUISINART LIMITED EDITION Metal (NOT THE ELITE) 14 cup food processor on Amazon. I found it to be the best value for my own needs and it was cheaper here than anywhere else I looked as of the time of my review. I chose Cuisinart because it's known to be the best but what made me decide on the limited edition may not be what you would want...this way you can compare and decide.
I chose a 14 cup because I love soups and big batches of dough.
I only looked at stainless because I only have 2 electronics on my countertops....this will be one. And it best matches the appliances.
So...that said...here we go: (these are all by Cuisinart)
I compared The Custom 14 food processor DFP 14BCN.
I will call this "C from now on.
I compared it to the Limited Edition 14 cup MP-14N
I will call this "LE" from now on
I compared also the Elite Collection 14 cup FP 14DC
(I will call this "E" from now on)
and I compared the PowerPrep Plus 14 cup DLC-2014CHB
(I will call this "PP" from now on)
WARRANTY:
C: 5 year motor, 3 year entire unit
LE: 20 year motor warranty, 3 year entire unit
E:20 year motor warranty, 3 year LIMITED warranty
PP:10 year motor warranty, 3 year entire unit
CONTROLS:
C: Two controls: On/off and pulse. No dough mode button
LE: 4 controls: On, Off, Pulse, Dough
E: 4 controls: On, Off, Pulse, Dough
PP: 4 controls: On, Off, Pulse, Dough
MOTOR: (heavy doughs especially need the better motor if you use these)
C: regular motor, 720 watt
LE: most powerful: over ¾ horsepower commercial induction motor
E: regular 1000 watt motor
PP: induction motor 768 watt motor
HOUSING:
C: Brushed stainless overlay
LE: Heavy duty die-cast metal
E: Brushed stainless overlay
PP: Brushed stainless overlay
DOUGH BLADE:
C: plastic
LE: all metal
E: plastic
PP: all metal
SHREDDING BLADE:
C: stainless medium
LE: stainless medium
E: stainless reversible shredding disc (fine/medium)
PP: stainless medium
SLICING BLADE:
C: 4mm
LE: 4mm
E: adjustable 1-6mm
PP: 4mm
CHOPPING/MIXING:
C: large blade
LE: large
E:Large and small blades for various sized bowls it comes with
PP: large
How To DVD:
C:none
LE:included
E:included
PP: video included
All have extra large feeding tubes which replaced the small ones of food processors of yesteryear so you don't have to prechop veggies to get them in the feeding tubes. All come with spatulas to scrape them down. All have parts that are dishwasher safe.
Other:
C: none
LE: also comes with attachable beater blades so you don't have to keep your mixer on the countertop or drag out two appliances for some mixing chores. Bowl is made so no food gets caught in grooves or corners. Cord can be wrapped underneath machine.
E: also comes with attachable 11 cup and 4.5 cup bowls with pour spouts and measurement markings for small chores. These nest inside the 14 cup bowl. Some have complained that the narrow base and wide top, which makes the nestling bowls fit in, don't allow as smooth of mixing and also that food gets caught in a rim making this bowl harder to clean after mixing things that get trapped like shredded cheese and fine nuts. This is the only one that comes with an accessory storage case with a lock...nice to keep blades away from kids. Cord can be wrapped under unit on this one as well.
PP:none
Conclusion:
What I wanted in my food processor may be different from you so I'll note a few things. For me, the Limited Edition was what I purchased because it was far higher priced everywhere else on the internet including the Cuisinart site itself so I thought it good value and its price on Amazon, it's warranty was the best and it had the most powerful motor of all of them so, since I use it often, this was a plus. Also because of its powerful motor it is best for doughs as was the solid metal dough blade. I have a huge kitchenaid mixer that I don't keep on the counter so having the beater blade attachment was great for quick mixing when I don't wish to drag it out of the pantry. Because most of my slicing is the 4mm and I never do any fine shredding, the adjustable blades weren't needed for me (and I can buy them later if I want them...all parts are interchangeable on the 14 cup Cuisinart food processors.) BUT if you are someone who wants a variety of bowl sizes and blades, then I'd say the Elite would be the best choice. It's also nice that that one comes with an accessory storage case. However, I find having to unstack the small bowls housed inside the large one and get food out that gets trapped in the seams with the Elite model were an annoyance I wished to avoid. I found the custom to be too simple with a lesser motor and poor warranty and no mode specifically for dough. And the powerprep is fine but more basic as well with a lesser warranty and motor for almost the same price as the uber food processor...(the limited edition). Might be ok for those who rarely use the machine who know they won't wear out the motor. Also, Cuisinart is really going "old school" on this model to include a VHS tape with it...rather than the DVD included in the newer models. Still it's got an induction motor which is still better than the Custom and the Elite...(but the Elite has more wattage to it's motor inspite of the fact it's not an induction motor.) Final thought is for the price, the parts, the mega motor, the commercial grade and the warranty of the Limited Edition along with its ease of cleaning and stremlined look... it just pulled out ahead of the game for me.
I'm very happy with my purchase...my old food processor was working fine but had the small chute and didn't offer near what this new one does and it looks impressive on the counter even though I'm very picky about anything out on the counter in my kitchen as my kitchen is open to the living room so I have to keep it neat. The metal is attractive, the motor is SO quiet for what it is, and the chopping power is tremendous...I did a couple batches of dough already too and it makes some FINE pizza in no time because of it!
Negatives: Some complain about the new food processors having safety mechanisms that won't allow the machine to start unless everything is aligned perfectly. For me this is not a negative because the newer machines with the commercial induction motors being loose would easily chop off your head. ' And that's a kitchen mess none of us want. They aren't your mama's old school food processors that whir at a low speed...these things do all but chop logs and they'd probably do that too. I want nothing loose when this baby starts! However, the Limited Edition starting is the same as my food processor from years and years ago...you just turn the top to the right and it locks in place and you can start it, then when you want to remove the lid, push left on the top part of the handle. I thought all food processors had always been like that...at least mine were. The only difference with this new one is the blade doesnt continue spinning when you remove the plunger...but because you can now fit your hand inside with the large opening, I get it. SOMEONE would reach down and try to hold an onion to slice it thin on the blade...you know it. So now to have the large opening, the mega processors initiated this safety factor. No big deal for me.
p.s. If you buy shredded cheese, try shredding your own in the food processor...not only will you save lots of cash to help pay for the food processor, but shredded cheese is coated so it won't stick together. If you shred your own it actually tastes soooo much better and fresher, and it melts better. Same for meat--well, except the melting part! But I'm a cheese lover above all else...

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Equipped with a 1000-watt peak-power induction motor, this convenient food processor quickly and easily slices, dices, chops, and purees, helping to reduce prep time in the kitchen. It supplies a 4-1/2-cup small work bowl and an 11-cup medium work bowl that nest inside a 14-cup large work bowl--a versatile three-in-one design that can handle multiple-size batches. All the bowls feature durable polycarbonate construction, measurement marks up the side, and drip-free pour spouts. An exclusive SealTight Advantage System seals the bowls and locks the blades for clean, safe processing and pouring. In addition, the unit's wide-mouth feed tube accommodates larger ingredients, which reduces the need for cutting food into smaller pieces first, and its electronic touchpad control panel offers four selections for on, off, dough, and pulse. Use the machine to quickly blend up individual or family-size batches of pesto, chop onions and green peppers for a veggie pizza, or shred cheese for omelets on a Sunday morning. Accessories include a stainless-steel adjustable slicing disc (1 to 6 mm), a stainless-steel reversible shredding disc (fine/medium), a large and small stainless-steel chopping/mixing blade, and a dough blade. Thoughtfully designed, the food-prep appliance also provides blue LED indicator lights, a simple on/off locking system with push-button release, a retractable cord, and dishwasher-safe removable parts for quick cleanup. A lockable accessory storage case, spatula, "how-to" DVD, and recipe/instruction book come included. The food processor measures 7-4/5 by 10-1/5 by 17 inches and carries a three-year limited warranty with a 10-year warranty on the motor. From the Manufacturer Features, Benefits, and Operations Cleaning and Storage All parts except the housing base are dishwasher safe, and recommend washing on the top rack only. The housing base may be wiped clean with a soapy, non-abrasive material and dry after cleaning. If you wash the blades and discs by hand, do it carefully as their cutting edges are very sharp. For your safety remember when handling, use the plastic hubs on the blades and finger holes for the discs. Bringing the Good Life Home Cuisinart products are designed to make life delicious all day long, offering &today's consumers a variety of menu options, and fun and easy new ways to entertain family and friends. Cuisinart first came into home kitchens over 30 years ago when it introduced the now legendary food processor. People discovered that routines could be broken and creative cooking quickly became part of the new lifestyle. Preparing fresh ingredients with products that offered easy and interesting new techniques meant healthier meals and more free time. Today Cuisinart develops products to make every meal memorable. From breakfast toast and coffee to elegant five-course dinners, the preparation and cooking have become a pleasurable part of the total experience. Today's relaxed lifestyles and the convenience of Cuisinart products make it easier than ever to Savor the Good Life, right at home with family and friends.

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10/08/2011

Cuisinart DLC-2 Mini Prep Plus Food Processor Review

Cuisinart DLC-2 Mini Prep Plus Food Processor
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
When I starting searching for a mini-chopper I was surprised by the huge rating difference between the Cuisinart DLC2 and the KitchenAid KFC3100, so I bought both and did a side-by-side comparison. The only explanation I can give for the ratings difference is that Cuisinart buyers must have higher expectations. For most operations they have nearly identical performance and for some operations the Cuisinart is the clear winner.
Onions: Many Cuisinart reviewers panned its performance here, claiming it made onion purée, but most KitchenAid reviewers praised its onion chopping ability. I found almost no difference between the two. Maybe its an issue with the instructions - for chopped onions you must use a few short pulses. A few more pulses and you get minced onion - more than this and both give you onion puree. I wouldn't say either is great at chopping onions, but both are equally mediocre.
I also tested chopping nuts, and making breadcrumbs with similar results. Both performed about the same for a course chop, although the Cuisinart produced a more even chop on the nuts, but its when you want a really fine chop that the Cuisinart starts to shine. The first reason for this is the grind feature found only on the Cuisinart. This spins the blade in the opposite direction which allows the flat, back-side of the blade to impact the food. More importantly, it redistributes the food, so if you've got a couple of chunks that refuse to be chopped, a short pulse in the opposite direction helps it drop into the blade. For perfect, fine breadcrumbs I alternate between the normal chop mode for a few seconds, and grind for one second.
The other reason the Cuisinart gives a better fine chop is that it does a much better job of cycling the food through the blade. This is a real key when you're working with softer foods like spreads, pâtés or purees. When I made a cream cheese spread in both choppers the Cuisinart did a far quicker and better job of pulling the ingredients down the center and into the blade. The KitchenAid kept larger chunks bobbing on top. If you're making dips, spreads or baby food, the Cuisinart is the hands-down winner.
On the practical side, both choppers were equally easy to clean. Both have small holes in the lid for pouring in liquids on the fly, but only The KitchenAid has a slot for dry or thick ingredients - if that's important to you. Overall, I found the Cuisinart easier to use for several reasons. First, the Cuisinart blade drops on easily, while the KitchenAid blade is keyed and I found myself turning it several times before it dropped in. Second, the KitchenAid lid must be removed first before you can lift off the bowl, but on the Cuisinart, the bowl and lid can be detached as an assembly. Finally, the Cuisinart blade has a "handle" that extends to the top of the bowl like a popsicle stick allowing you to remove the blade without getting your fingers in the food.
After all my testing, I really can't understand the large ratings difference between these two. Neither is perfect - you'll never get a perfect, even, course chop with things like onions or chocolate, but they do come in handy. For many uses either one will give you pretty much the same results. Because of its advantage with softer foods and its ease of use, I recommend the Cuisinart.


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DLC-2ABCThe Mini-Prep Plus is the perfect little helper for small food preparation, from chopping herbs or bread crumbs, to finely grinding hard cheese. Its versatility lies in the special Auto Reversing Smart Blade, which makes it easier to process both soft and hard foods. Features: -Chop or grind at the touch of a button. -24-ounce work bowl with handle. -Exclusive auto-reversing SmartPower blade for two. -powerful processing options. -Touchpad controls are easy to use and easy to clean. Specifications: -Dishwasher-safe parts. -Stainless steel blade with sharp and blunt edges. -Spatula. -Instruction/Recipe book. -Limited 18-month warranty. -Overall Dimensions: 8.75''H x 5.25''W x 7''D User Guide

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10/06/2011

Cuisinart TOB-195 Exact Heat Toaster Oven Broiler, Stainless Review

Cuisinart TOB-195 Exact Heat Toaster Oven Broiler, Stainless
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
The Cuisinart TOB-195 costs a little more than most toaster ovens but it is such a joy to use. Some of the things I like about it:
1. Size. You can fit a 12" pizza in it.
2. Controls below the door. It saves a lot of countertop space.
3. Alarm to let you know when the oven is at the right temperature.
4. Digital temperature setting so you don't have to guess at it.
5. Convection oven feature.
6. Non-stick walls for easy clean-up.
The Cuisinart takes only a few minutes to warm up to the proper temperature, unlike a regular oven which can take several minutes. Pizzas crisp up nicely and my favorite banana bread recipe baked perfectly. I expect to use my Cuisinart more often than my regular oven, except for times when company is over.
I relied on reviews of the previous model, the TOB-175, before purchasing the TOB-195 and must say that Cuisinart has continued their great tradition of creating wonderful kitchen electrics.

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Housed in stainless steel with brushed chrome accents, this six-slice convection toaster oven broiler offers not only an attractive addition to the kitchen countertop, but it also provides an array of convenient features. Its spacious 0.6-cubic-foot capacity allows for baking a whole chicken, broiling fish for the family, or toasting six slices of bread at one time. It will even accommodate a 12-inch pizza. The multifunctional countertop unit supplies state-of-the-art electronic touchpad controls and four versatile cooking options--pizza/bake, broil, toast, and convection. Combining sophisticated technology with simple operation, it includes a four- to six-slice toasting button with bagel, reheat, and defrost buttons, plus clock and oven timers. In addition, its Always Even shade control with Exact Heat sensor maintains a precise oven temperature, and cleanup's a snap thanks to the easy-to-clean brushed chrome interior. With its stainless-steel front panels and brushed chrome commercial-style handle, the toaster oven measures 16 by 17-3/4 by 9-5/8 inches and carries a three-year limited warranty.

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10/03/2011

Anolon Advanced Nonstick Bakeware 13-Inch Pizza Crisper Review

Anolon Advanced Nonstick Bakeware 13-Inch Pizza Crisper
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
Highly recommend Anolon Cookware. Got a complete set for Christmas & just purchased this pizza pan to go with the set. Love the EASY CLEANUP. Definately the best Non-stick cookware I've ever had.

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A pizza crisper is a pan with a perforated bottom designed to deliver as much heat as possible to the bottom crust. In addition to letting heat in to sear the bottom of the crust, the holes also allow steam to escape, preventing the dreaded soggy-crusted version of one of America's favorite foods. Use this pan for your home-made pizza dough or to reheat a store-bought pizza without the mess that may accompany cooking a frozen pizza directly on your oven rack. Heavy gauge construction resists warping. Comfortable silicone Anolon SureGrip handles provide a slip-free grasp.Dishwasher suitable and oven safe to 500°F/ 260°C. Lifetime Limited Warranty.

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