Calphalon Contemporary Nonstick 11-Inch Square Griddle Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)It's heavy and dead-flat. What can you say about a griddle except that it does exactly what you wish a griddle would do. There are no hot-spots, and the handle stays cool. (The Calphalon Contemporary handles are big, and may get in the way occasionally -- but they stay very cool.)
One thing, though -- the non-stick surface is *really* non stick. Make an omlette and it'll spread over just about the whole bottom of the pan in no-time-flat -- which is just great, so long as you like really thin omlettes. Over-easy eggs can be a bit tricky because it's so slippery -- it's not that easy to get the spatula underneath! (Part of that's because plastic and coated spatulas are thicker than metal ones.) One time I almost pushed an egg right off the griddle and onto the stovetop. But anyone who's ever had something stick to a griddle will not complain that nothing can stick.
Cleanup is strange. It just doesn't get dirty. I've only had this awhile, but I've used it twenty times, and the nonstick is not only still in perfect condition, it doesn't even show the "bright spots" that, with high-quality non-stick cookware, indicates some mechanical burnishing. I think this will last forever.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Calphalon Contemporary Nonstick 11-Inch Square Griddle

JR1211PMake perfect breakfast favorites like pancakes, waffle, and panini sandwiches on this griddle pan. This rectangular griddle extends over two stove-top burners to cook twice as many servings at once. Foods cook evenly, thanks to the consistent thickness across the bottom of the pan. The shallow profile offers easy access with a spatula for your convenience. Features: -Nonstick surface makes cleanup easy and promotes low-fat and non-fat cooking -Extends over two stove-top burners to cook twice as many servings at once -Foods cook evenly, thanks to the consistent thickness across the bottom of the pan -Shallow profile offers easy access with a spatula -Two stainless steel loop handles for easy transport -Oven safe up to 450 degrees Specifications: -Dimensions: 11'' x 1.5'' -Material of griddle: hard-anodized aluminum exterior and nonstick interior -Not dishwasher safe -Recommended utensils: nylon, wood or coated -Lifetime Warranty

Get 45% OFF

Click here for more information about Calphalon Contemporary Nonstick 11-Inch Square Griddle

Bodum New Kenya 34-Ounce Tea Press, Black Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I purchased the Bodum New Kenya tea presses in both the small and the medium sized models. I really enjoy good quality loose tea, and the tea presses make it very convenient to brew this way (although the tea presses do also accommodate bagged tea, according to the instructions). For the small press I add about one and one half tablespoons of loose tea to the strainer, and about three tablespoons for the medium sized press. The amount you add, as always, will depend on your own preferences.
I would have given the New Kenya presses 5 stars, but for one feature that I believe has the potential for eventual failure, due to extended use. The plunger portion of the tea press is surrounded by a soft plastic gasket, to seal it closely to the basket when pressing the tea leaves. Because this gasket is made of such a soft material, I can see that it has the potential to wear out over time, much in the same way that other gaskets can become worn.
It doesn't appear that this gasket comes off or separates from the plunger, so I imagine that if it does wear out, the entire lid and plunger assembly will have to be replaced. Potentially, that could be costly, but with the reduced price that Amazon currently offers these models, it might be a moot point. The New Kenya models are the first Bodum tea presses I have purchased, so I do not know if all of the Bodum models have this same type of plunger assembly.
Perhaps I am being overly cautious, but I depend on the reviews of others many times when making purchases, so I want to be as honest as possible. (You can decide whether or not my concern is important to you!)
The most significant points are that this press is simple to use, allows you to control the strength of your brewed tea, and is also very easy to clean. Oh, yeah, and did I mention that it makes one heck of a great cup of tea!? Cheers!
JANUARY 13, 2011 UPDATE: I am happy to report that both gaskets on both pots are still working perfectly. The only thing that is keeping me from changing this review to 5 stars is that I do miss the lid on these tea pots. It would be nice to have one to cap off the pot after brewing and removing the plunger assembly.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Bodum New Kenya 34-Ounce Tea Press, Black

The Bodum New Kenya tea press is a confluence of tradition and modernity in design.The New Kenya tea press is entirely made of plastic and glass for convenient everyday use, while offering the best brewing method for that perfect cup of tea.The handle remains cool while the plastic frame protects your tabletop from the heat of the glass teapot.Drinking tea no longer belongs to the past but will be a luxury of the future.We set out with a goal to make an innovation in tea brewing and the patented Bodum tea press system was born.

Get 25% OFF

Click here for more information about Bodum New Kenya 34-Ounce Tea Press, Black

Cuisinart Chef's Classic Nonstick Hard-Anodized 14-Inch Open Skillet with Helper Handle Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Despite the bad reviews, I also tried this pan. It is awful - DON'T WASTE YOUR MONEY!
To address issues other have had -
(1) It was perfectly flat out of the box, but warped as soon as medium heat was applied. Probably because it is so thin. Note the 10" crepe pan weighs as much as this monster of a pan, and appears to be at least 3 times thicker.
(2) It is way too thin to heat evenly - I think our heavy duty cookie sheets are just as thick! To check it out, I used an infrared thermometer and found out that once the hottest part of the pan reached about 350 (ideal for things like eggs and pancakes), there were parts that were 75 degrees cooler. This means burnt eggs and raw pancakes. Yum.
The size would probably make a good chicken fryer for a large family, but it has no top, so I'm not sure what you really could do with it, so mine went back today.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Cuisinart Chef's Classic Nonstick Hard-Anodized 14-Inch Open Skillet with Helper Handle

Inspired by the French kitchens, Cuisinart began making professional cookware over 30 years ago.Constructed of the finest materials available, to perfectly perform all of the classic cooking techniques. Cuisinart continues its commitment to superior quality and innovation with our Chef's Classic™ Non-Stick Hard Anodized Cookware.The finest material are crafted into a full and functional line of classically shaped pieces.An extremely durable exterior with a smooth, hard anodized finish creates a look of professional elegance to complement any kitchen. Designed from the inside out for today's healthy lifestyles, this collection is constructed with 100% aluminum-free Quantanium nonstick cooking surface reinforced with titanium.Nonstick 14" skillet provides a healthful, fat-free browning and frying options: ideal for fried eggs or fried chicken for the family.

Get 60% OFF

Click here for more information about Cuisinart Chef's Classic Nonstick Hard-Anodized 14-Inch Open Skillet with Helper Handle