Showing posts with label best. Show all posts
Showing posts with label best. Show all posts

4/11/2012

Pedrini Black & Satin Swivel Blade Peeler Review

Pedrini Black and Satin Swivel Blade Peeler
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
A vertical peeler (where the blade is parallel to your fingers) feels so much more natural to use than a horizontal one. However, I've been used to a stationary blade, and getting used to the swivel is taking a little time, particularly on smaller food. However, I like the shape, weight and feel of this one, and think it will be worth the extra price once I get used to it.

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Stainless steel peeler with swivel blade

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4/07/2012

Calphalon Katana Stainless-Steel 7-Inch Nakiri Knife Review

Calphalon Katana Stainless-Steel 7-Inch Nakiri Knife
Average Reviews:

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I spend a lot of time in the kitchen. The meals I prepare are complicated and often include a good amount of sliced vegetables. I have two Santoku knives and have found myself using this knife more and more for my preparation work.
PROS:
-Great feel, perfect balance
-Sharp easily maintained edge
-Heavy enough for the big stuff (squash and pumpkins)
-Balanced enough for the small stuff (garlic and ginger mincing)
-Works great whether you hold the handle (like I do) or the blade (like they show you in some cooking schools). If you are a blade holder, then you'll love the feel of this thick backed `clever' like knife!
PROS/CONS:
-You have to hand wash and dry this knife immediately after use, but you should be used to this with any high end knife (wouldn't want to ruin your edge in the dishwasher...)
-It's a bit expensive, but then, it's very well made
-Thicker then a Santoku, not good for cutting meat, but it is not advertised or made for that purpose
If you don't own a Santoku knife, then do yourself a favor and get a Santoku first. You'll find the diversity and utility of a Santoku unmatched regarding preparation cutlery! If, however, you're like me, and have a variety of knives, then this knife is a GREAT addition to your collection.
A pure vegetable knife: simple, beautifully crafted, balanced like a weapon... the best in its class. You will not be disappointed!

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A true Japanese innovation, this traditional vegetable cleaver wields a straight edge to gracefully slice, dice and julienne fruits, vegetables and meat. Ultra-tough VG-1 Japanese steel is elegantly clad with an impressive 33 layers, providing ultimate sharpness and edge retention. Lifetime warranty.

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3/12/2012

Omega Vert Hd Vrt350 Juicer Review

Omega Vert Hd Vrt350 Juicer
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
Ok, I hardly ever write reviews, but this juicer deserves the accolades I'm about to bestow upon it. I'm a heavy juicer, and go in fits and starts with heavy juicing and then no juicing. About a year or two ago I purchased the Omega 8003 juicer and have been happy with it. The main drawbacks to that juicer are its small diameter feed slot and the fact that you really have to "push" stuff along with the pusher. For the last couple of weeks I've been heavily juicing with that machine. My review is really from the perspective of what I'm coming from.
First, I did a lot of research on juicers (again). Although I looked at the Jack La Lane juicer which is a high speed juicer (and much cheaper), I found myself coming back to the slow speed for the same reasons that drove me to my original Omega 8003, namely, keeping the enzymes in tack, better taste (less watery) and a better yield (especially with organic fruit being so costly). It was taking me about 25 minutes to juice with the Omega 8003 including cleanup, which is a bit lengthy for a glass of juice. Now, in defense of the 8003, it does a really good job of juicing, pulp is dry and it makes a good juice. However, I tend to make really large glasses of juice (usually at least 24 oz) and it requires everything to be cut up into small enough pieces to fit in the small feeder. Apples take forever, and even feeding things like grapes you still have to push a few in, then mush it down, few more, mush it down etc etc. Process takes a while.
So my new VRT HD arrived today. Forget what HD stands for, but apparently the only difference is the strength of the inner filter/strainer, which I saw some reviews of cracking. I plan to work this thing like a mule, so I wanted the best.
Setup was super easy, all the parts were easy to figure out, never needed to read an instruction and I was off an juicing in minutes. I've done 4 juices today, so far using all fruits (apples, pineapple, carrots, grapes, pomegranate and kiwi). All I can say is WOW!!!
What I love so far: First and foremost, because its a vertical cylinder that masticates, I just drop in the fruit, say a carrot, and it grinds it right up. I can't cut off the tops fast enough. It just eats em right up. With the 8003, I have to jam and shove those things down into the screw. That alone is worth the price of admission. Just drop em in and watch em go. LOVE IT!! (can you tell I'm excited).
Everything else got chewed up just as well. I've used a lot of fleshy fruit today, and did have one issue on my second juice. My pineapple and grapes got clogged on the little outlet where the fiber ejects. I think that was my fault however because I think I got over zealous and excited. I slowed down my feed a bit on the subsequent juicing's and had zero issues.
Another feature I REALLY like is the self cleaning feature. A plastic thingy swirls around the outside of the screen/filter while your juicing and cleans the screen. In my 8003, grapes and other fleshy fruit really tend to clog the screen up, but I have had no issues all day. That screen comes out almost as clean as it went in.
I do get foam floating on top of my drink. I'd actually say a bit less than my 8003, which surprised me because in a web demo head to head with another 800? unit I watched on youtube it looked like the VRT produced a bit MORE foam, but this is not my experience. It's not a lot of foam, but I hate foam. Nothing that a quick skim with a spoon doesn't rectify. Pure tasty juice underneath.
Lastly, I was told in same said video that cleanup would take twice as long. I found that to be true for the first cleanup (not knowing what I was doing) but so far, my cleanup has maybe taken an additional minute. I find it quite simple actually, and once you figure out the pieces (not difficult), it actually seems little harder than my 8003.
All in all I absolutely LOVE this juicer. I can juice 24 or more ounces of juice, from opening the fridge door to putting the pieces back into the cabinet in under 10 minutes. The top feeder is so much wider which allows for much bigger pieces, which means a lot less cutting and preparation. Once it goes in, it self feeds, which means your not standing there mushing stuff down. Juice tastes great, fiber comes out reasonably dry, and clean up is simple enough.
It's only been a day, but what a great day its been.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Omega Vert Hd Vrt350 Juicer

Specs are the same as the VRT 330, except.... ?Fine hole Strainer/ screen material: Ultem (large hole screen material unchanged)?Color: Silver and black?10 year warranty (unchanged)What's in the Box Omega VRT330 motor base Fine dual-stage juicing screen Coarse dual-stage screen Bowl with attached extraction plug GE Ultem Auger Self-cleaning screen holder 2 50-ounce juicing cups Tamper Brush Instruction manual

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10/09/2011

Reusable Grocery Bags / Reusable Produce Bags (Set of 15: Large, Medium, and Small Sizes) Review

Reusable Grocery Bags / Reusable Produce Bags (Set of 15: Large, Medium, and Small Sizes)
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
I've been wanting to get some reusable bags for some time now, so, being the nit-picky shopper that I am, I didn't just settle for the most popular bags; I tried to find the best deal, not just on Amazon, but across the internet. These seemed like the very best deal I could find. There was only one review at the time for them, but they were cheap enough that I decided to take the plunge.
I've been using them since August now, and LOVE them! They all seem to be hand sewn, and are very, very sturdy. They are made of a thin, but strong plastic-type cloth material. The picture for them isn't the best, as it makes them look very very thin, weak, and like they are made of pantyhose. In reality, the holes are larger and they're thicker. You may be wondering if that adds any extra weight: it does. In fact I measured them, and a typical plastic produce bag, and found that they weigh a few grams more, but at the very most, all that is going to add in price is 1 cent, but probably not even that much.
Unlike some reviewers, I didn't have ANY trouble at all with the cashier seeing into the bags. They are colorful, but very easy to see through. My only problem is that I sometimes forget to bring these bags into the store, but I can tell you: there is no WAY I'm going back to plain old plastic bags!
IMPORTANT NOTE: They also DO work very well for leafy veggies: just make sure you but those greens in the fridge as soon as you can (which you would probably do anyways if they were in a plastic bag). Some greens, such as herbs, will go bad in the fridge faster if they're exposed. In those cases, you probably shouldn't leave them in these bags for long. But they are perfectly adequate for storing those kinds of greens until you get home, or even for several days, until you get them in another container. In the case of herbs, for me, I will bring them home in these, then put them into a plastic container in the fridge. No problem.
They come in three colors, and three different sizes: the smallest is only big enough for a few cloves of garlic, medium could fit citrus or tomatoes, and large could fit about any other produce. The large is a bit smaller than the average plastic produce bag, which isn't a problem at all, but if I would have any advice for the seller, it would be that you could possibly offer some even bigger sizes, or offer some white bags, for people who don't want colored ones. These are just really quite petty concerns when it comes down to it though, as the bags preform much better than I'd ever hoped.
For the people who have concerns about using your own bags, and how that may make it harder for you, and for the cashier: have no fear. It's actually easier to have these in your cart at hand than to have to go looking for the nearest bag dispenser. So you may actually be saving time. As I said, my only problem is that I sometimes forget them. They are compact enough that you could easily put some in a purse, pocket, handbag, in your other reusable bags, etc. If you are getting a really, really large vegetable, then you may have to use another bag, but basically all fruits and veggies I've tried have fit. For the cashiers, some may have to press the bag against the produce to see the number, but that's about as "troublesome" as it gets. At most, it'll only take them a few seconds more. You may have people asking you where you got your bags though, in which case, it will take more time. ;)
Even if it does take a tiny bit longer, it's well worth it.
I think the only reason flip and tumble 5-Pack Reusable Produce Bags are better sellers, is because they are from a large company. These are just as good of bags, possibly better (the seams on them are really strong), and are almost the same price for three times more.
In short:
Pros:
* Environmentally, much, much better than plastic bags. If you don't have reusable bags yet, get some! Even if you aren't concerned about that they're actually really fun to have. :)
* Not noisy like a plastic bag
* You can have them on hand and never have to go searching for another plastic bag
* Fits basically all produce
* Very strong the sturdy
* Handy drawstring means you'll never have to use a twist-tie or struggle with a knot
* Produce can be washed IN the bag
* Some plastic bags may have harmful chemicals such as BPA in them. I'm not sure about these, but I very much doubt, judging by what they're made of, that they have BPA in them.
* Kids love usin' em
Cons:
* Not big enough for the very biggest produce
* Sometimes a little hard to see through
* Shouldn't store greens that go bad easily in these for too long

So there you have it: I think the pros FAR outweigh the cons, and if you compare them against plastic bags, these are far superior, and, as I said, the absolute BEST deal I could find on the whole internet. So what are you waiting for? :)

Click Here to see more reviews about: Reusable Grocery Bags / Reusable Produce Bags (Set of 15: Large, Medium, and Small Sizes)

ELIMINATE PLASTIC WASTE and SAVE THE EARTH!!! Average family throws away at least 10 plastic grocery bags (the bags we pick from the rolls to fill fruits and vegetables in the grocery stores) a week. Ultimately these will end up in land fills, contaminates drinking water, harms marine life to name few. With the reusable bags you get to do everything you currently do with non-reusable bags (pick up grocery, check out, and carry in tote bags). Store the grocery as is in refrigerator and reuse. Set of 15 bags: - Multiple sizes suitable for various types of produce. Assorted colors - approximate dimensions: - 8" X 10" (6 pieces), 10" X 12" (6 pieces) - 12" X 14" (3 pieces)May not be suitable to store leafy vegetables based on some customer feedback.

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8/22/2011

Benriner Japanese Mandoline Slicer Review

Benriner Japanese Mandoline Slicer
Average Reviews:

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This is an excellent slicer. I've used everything in it from carrots (when making my carrot version of thai papaya salad) julienned into matchstick thickness to wide thin slices of Korean radish. Never failed me.
Two drawbacks though:
1. The safety guard is a joke. It doesn't hold the veggies very well and is a pain to use effectively...which means I usually don't use it. I've cut my fingers on this mandolin twice now, which isn't bad for two years of regular useage, but I don't like the sight of blood so I'll leave it as a major detractor. Luckily for me, I cut myself on the julienne part and not the actual wide slicer. In other words, my finger meat was left shredded but intact. Whew!
2. The metal parts rust. Yep. They rust. Hence the reason I am now shopping around for another slicer. Don't know yet if I'll get another Benriner. Might look into the Bohn.
***Update***
Apparently Benriner realized the metal parts rusted because their mandolins now come with plastic screws to hold the julienne blades in place and to adjust the thickness level.

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Make quick work of consistently thin slices of fruits and vegetables with the Benriner Japanese Mandolin Slicer, which features sharp-sharp, high-quality stainless steel blades that are double-edge for cutting in either direction. Offering excellent versatility, the Benriner comes with 4 blades. The standard flat blade cuts perfect slices that can be easily adjusted for thickness, while the fine toothed blade will help you create elegant vegetable garnishes for professional looking meals--great for carrots, radishes and other firm veggies. A medium-toothed blade creates uniform slices sized just right for stir fries, and the coarse-toothed blade can make chunky and crisp cuts of vegetable or fruits. It comes equipped with safety device, so fingers stay safe. Hand washing recommended.

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8/08/2011

Black+Blum Spudski Potato Masher Review

Black+Blum Spudski Potato Masher
Average Reviews:

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I ordered this for my sister-in-law for Christmas because I thought it was funny and clever (and because honestly, who needs another pair of slippers?). My brother reports that she LOVED it, and the whole family got a real kick out of reading everything on the packaging. The packaging? I've never seen it. But I'll take that as an added feature of the product. :)

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A potato masher based on the old fashioned ski pole (note the cross stitch detail on the back of the rubber handle). It has an ergonomic easy to grip rubber handle that allows you to hold it from the side or from above. The mashing plate really works well. After much testing, we found a design that pushes the mashed potato away from the stem to help it mash faster and self clean. The packaging is our usual style and it also comes with Martin's Swiss grandmother's recipe for mashed potato. We want to show that designed products can be made affordable without compromising their quality. The aim is to create innovative products that will charm and entertain. Hopefully you will get as muchenjoyment from a Black+Blum product, as we got from designing them.

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7/03/2011

Cannonball Gourd Seeds - 3 g - Grow a Ball/Have a Ball Review

Cannonball Gourd Seeds - 3 g - Grow a Ball/Have a Ball
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The baby gourds started out with brown spots and within days they were completely brown and died.

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GOURD: Plant gourds if for no other reason than because they're fun! They come in a delightful, wacky array of shapes, colors, and sizes and are sure to bring a smile when you harvest them. Many will grow up fences and trellises, which makes them even more interesting and dramatic.
Cannonball Gourd: Easy to craft. The Cannonball Gourd is perfectly round, ranging in size from 4" to 6" in width. As shown on the front of the packet, many techniques may be used: plain, varnished, staned, or painted. Create your won beautiful, decorative collection.
Garden Tip: For best germination nick the seed and do not plant in wet, cold soil. To harvest, cut gourds from the vine about 1" above the fruit.
Drying Tip: Pick gourds when entire vine is dry and brown. After harvesting, gourds should be cleaned with soap and water, dried, and rubbing alcohol applied to the surface. Handle gently and turn weekly as gourds dry in a warm, airy place. Do not cut or decorate until completely dry and seeds rattle.

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5/02/2011

Seeds of Change S17164 Certified Organic Green Zebra, Colored, 50 Seed Count Review

Seeds of Change S17164 Certified Organic Green Zebra, Colored, 50 Seed Count
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(More customer reviews)
I loved these. The germination rate was incredible. The taste was kind of tangy and added a new element to all of the recipes I added them too.

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Green Zebra Tender Annual 2-4-ounce (100-110-day) Round, green and yellow striped provide diversity in heirloom tomato mixes. Fruits have a bright, acidic tomato flavor. Productive plants. Indeterminate. Planting Depth:1/2-inch 1/4-inch Soil Temperature:70-85F Plant Spacing:20-30-inch, day to Maturity:80-90 Full Sun Moderate Water

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