Cooker Ranges

5/29/2011

Zojirushi NS-DAC10 Zutto Neuro-Fuzzy 5-1/2-Cup Rice Cooker and Warmer Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I think this is a perfectly fine rice cooker, perhaps a bit over-priced, but it IS one of the famous "Made in Japan" rice cookers for which Zojirushi is justly famous.
It differs in one main respect from the excellent ZUTTO NP-DA10 model sold in Japan: that one (which has served me brilliantly for 2 years now) uses the Induction Heating cooking method, which this North American version does not have. I think IH would have justified the price of this; without it, well...
Perfectly fine rice, good design and functionality. And I don't agree with the comments about ZUTTO "bombing out" in Japan or cheap or flimsy plastic. The reviews on Amazon.jp (which you can check) are universally positive. See one in person at your local shop before you decide.

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The very essence of form and function, Zojirushi designed their Zutto line with simplicity in mind, which means organic shapes, and that only the basic functions necessary for operating each appliance were included. With a 5-1/2-cup capacity, this rice cooker and warmer features control buttons that are designated with symbolic icons instead of labels, so they can be universally understood. The unit's spherical inner cooking pan and heating system enables heat to distribute evenly for exceptional results, and its advanced Neuro Fuzzy logic technology allows the rice cooker to make fine adjustments to the temperature and heating time in order to cook perfect rice every time. Menu settings include options for cooking white/sushi rice, porridge, and mixed rice, while the unit's automatic keep-warm function keeps cooked rice hot until it's ready to be served. Other features include an LCD display, a clock and timer function, a detachable inner lid, and a built-in retractable cord. The 680-watt rice cooker measures 13 by 9-7/8 by 7-7/8 inches and carries a one-year limited warranty.

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Panasonic SR-DE102 Fuzzy-Logic 5-Cup Electronic Rice Cooker/Warmer,White Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)My first inclination when my fiance said he wanted a nice rice cooker with fuzzy logic like this was to ask, "what the heck does anyone need with a $90 rice cooker?!"
Well, having this has really changed my mind. The rice is perfect. Every time. Got some stuff to add in to the rice? Fine, dump it in at the beginning. The cooker still cooks it perfectly. Spanish rice? No problem. Just put a can of V8, some salsa, and some butter in, fill to the line with water the rest of the way, and press 'start.' Rice to go with Indonesian, Thai, or Indian food? Put in some Turmeric and Coriander and there it is, fragrant and inviting. Brown rice, long grain, jasmine or basmati, it figures out exactly what to do. It also steams vegetables and other things. It does all the thinking for you about how long to cook it.
Oh yes, and cleanup? A snap. If you just cook rice, just rinse out the bowl. It's got a really nice, high-quality teflon bowl so the scraps come out like *that*. Cooked something more complicated? The bowl is also top-shelf dishwasher safe. So easy.
Perfect rice, every time. I love my new rice cooker.

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Panasonic 5-Cup (uncooked) Fuzzy Logic Rice Cooker, Micro-computer controlled, Black non-stick coated pan, White w/gray LCD readout color, Domed Lid with Moisture Cap, 24-hour Clock Timer, Automatic Cooking, 12-hour Keep Warm, Auto Shut-off, 8-menu settings, Deluxe Steaming Basket included, Detachable Power Cord, Print Water Level, White finish, Carry handle, Measuring-Cup and Rice Scoop included.

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Cuisinart CSC-650 Slow Cooker Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I did quite a bit of research before purchasing this slow cooker.
America's Test Kitchen recommends West Bend Versatility slow cooker. It is a truly versatile model, but I didn't like its aluminum insert. As you may know, aluminum can be hazardous to health, so this slow cooker was scratched off my list pretty quickly.
The other models I looked at were All-Clad Stainless Steel Slow Cooker (available from William Sonoma only), Farberware Millennium (also recommended by America's Test Kitchen), Cuisinart CSC-650 and various Rival models ("various Rival models" has an interesting ring to it :) ).
All of the latest slow cookers are made in China, so I was somewhat concerned about the construction quality. One of the main reasons I picked Cuisinart model was a 3-year warranty, compared to just 1 year for the rest of the competition.
Another factor was the generally positive feedback from CSC-650 owners. Cooking.com is probably a better place to check for reviews, because they let you post a review only if you actually purchased that particular item from them.
I had this baby delivered to me about a week ago, and I put it to work right away. I must say I am satisfied with my purchase decision. Having said that, here's a list of things that I do and don't like about this machine...
Do Like:
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- 3-year warranty (1 year for every other slow cooker I researched)
- retractable cord (I wish every appliance had it!)
- cooks well (overall), and no, it doesn't burn food as some reviewers have indicated
- construction quality seems to be good, although it is impossible to say for sure until appliance is a couple of years old
Don't Like:
-----------
- stainless steel housing gets stained quite easily, should have been more fingerprint-resistant
- "Made in China": $99 is a premium price to pay for an item that was manufactured using cheap labor; manufacturers who reap huge profits from the North American market should invest into the local labor market
- cooks most things faster than recipies (even the ones included in Cuisinart booklet) indicate, so you have to keep an eye on your food to make sure it doesn't overcook
After purchasing the slow cooker, I headed straight to the local bookstore to pick up a recipe book. I skimmed through about 6-7 titles, and ended up buying Not Your Mother's Slow Cooker Cookbook by Beth Hensperger and Julie Kaufmann. Most of its recipies are made from scratch and rarely use any canned ingridients. It also seems to have the best overall collection of recipies.
Yesterday, I had a few friends over and we had ourselves a feast. I cooked quite a few things in the slow cooker:
- Lamb Goulash (which was ruined/overcooked - the first thing I ever done in this slow cooker)
- Chicken Casseatore (not sure about spelling, it's from the Cuisinart booklet) came out nicely, it was around the time that I started looking closely after the cooking process.
- Short Ribs In Red Wine were perfect, here, again, the cooking time was 5 hours instead of 7 hours indicated in the recipe.
Overall, I am happy. I didn't experience any of the problems reported by some reviewers. I can safely recommend this appliance.

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Cuisinart Slow Cooker has 6 quart Ceramic cooking vessel and brushed stainless steel housing embossed with Cuisinart logo

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All-American 15-1/2-Quart Pressure Cooker/Canner Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)When I first ordered this canner, I wasn't sure if I would be able to maintain a steady pressure with my "pulsating" flat-top stove. With the thick aluminum walls, I have no problems at all. In fact, with such thick walls, I can put the burner on "high" and it will slowly build up pressure so I don't have to stand over the stove and constantly monitor as the pressure increases. Once at pressure, it is very easy to maintain the required pressure without having to constantly vent off excess pressure. The owner's manual recommends one to four jiggles per minute. It takes longer for this canner to cool down than others due to the thick walls. I factor this in to my processing time. It will maintain it's pressure (15 psi) for almost another 10 minutes with the burner off. This canner is designed to fit 7 quart jars perfectly. If your looking for a canner, this is it!

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Heavy Cast Aluminum Pressure Cooker/Canner

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Weber 721001 Smokey Mountain Cooker 18 1/2 Inch Smoker Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)As a fan of the earlier Smokey Mountain Cooker, I'm surprised and gratified with the changes they made to the smoker.
The previous smoker was an easy 5 stars in my book. I guess I'd have to give this one 6 stars, because it's better!
After using my old smoker for some time, I began finding ways to improve it. It seems that Weber thought so too, and their changes include all of mine plus a few more.
Here are some important improvements:
Wider door for adding charcoal & such. This is NOT a small detail but rather a much appreciated design change. The older model's smaller door made it more difficult to place wood chunks or new charcoal where I wanted them and once upon a time I knocked the water pan down into the coals trying to put a wood chunk toward the back of the smoker.
The door latch is spring loaded and features a lever type handle. The previous door latch is not spring loaded and had a featureless round knob. It was less secure and not always easy to tell if the latch was fully closed. Now it's obvious -- for those of us who need things to be obvious. :)
Built-in thermometer! To think I paid more than Amazon's current price on the smoker and then another $50 on a thermometer. Mine is even in the same place on the lid. Great minds think alike, I guess... and Weber added this useful feature while keeping the price under control.
Bottom ash catch pan. I never thought of that one but then again I have a concrete pad set up and it was never a big deal to sweep up a few stray ashes.
Overall, the smoker performs as well as the older model but is much easier to use. With the thermometer, it will be much easier to maintain temperature and smoke up some great grub right out of the box.
I am by no means an expert, but here are a few quick tips for using this smoker.
0. If you are interested in instant gratification, get a gas grill or go out for dinner. It takes some work, time and patience to use and maintain this smoker.
1. Keep the temperature as stable as you can.
2. Don't lift the lid any more than you have to (for mopping, adding charcoal, etc.
3. Use briquets, at least at first. It's much easier to work with compared to lump charcoal. If you do choose to use lump charcoal, don't add any extra wood chips or would chunks! You'll oversmoke the food and that's bad!
4. Start early. Give the charcoal time to start up, and the liquid in the water pan to get up to temperature before you put on the food.
5. Line the water pan with aluminum foil. Trust me; it will be much easier to clean later if you do!
6. Make small changes to the vents when you need to adjust the temperature. Give it some time to work.
7. Get a good book on smoking. I think we all know a good place to look for one...
8. The internet is your friend. Check out Weber's site, some of the bbq forums and most definitely Virtual Weber Bullet.

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There's nothing better than slow-cooked barbecue, and there's no better way to get authentic smokehouse flavor at home than with this charcoal smoker. An updated version of the Weber 2820, the smoker provides a spacious interior, which makes it possible to cook a whole turkey and an entire ham at the same time--perfect for large gatherings. Made of porcelain-enameled premium-grade steel, the smoker provides two, heavy, nickel-plated cooking grates that measure 18-1/2 inches in diameter--plenty of room for larger birds. A porcelain-enameled steel water pan adds steam to the cooking process, so meats stay moist and juicy. Even more, individual vents on the bowl and lid offer optimal air-flow control for tender meats and longer-burning charcoal, the heat-resistant nylon handle on the lid stays cool to the touch, and a handy thermometer makes it simple to check internal temperatures at a glance. The charcoal smoker measures approximately 19 by 19 by 41 inches and carries a 10-year limited warranty.

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5/28/2011

Zojirushi NS-WAC10 Micom Fuzzy-Logic 5-1/2-Cup Rice Cooker and Warmer Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I got this to replace a basic Panasonic rice cooker. Nothing wrong with the Panasonic's machinery, but the bowl's Teflon coating was damaged beyond repair. I decided to splurge on the Zojirushi because I thought the timer feature would be useful, which it is. I also like that it can make brown and sweet rice as well as white rice, and the white rice seems to come out with a better texture.
However, the Zojirushi is a hassle to clean: You have to not only wash the bowl, but also remove and wash the inner lining of the lid and then wipe down the inside of the lid itself (attached to the body) every time you use it. Not a huge burden, but annoying to someone who's used to just tossing the Panasonic's rice cooker lid in the dishwasher.
The Zojirushi's regular white rice setting also takes between 50-60 minutes to cook 2 cups of rice, as opposed to about 30 minutes for the Panasonic. The Zojirushi does have a quick cooking option that will cut the time to 30 minutes with no apparent loss of quality. However, as far as I can tell, it'll revert to the regular setting after it's done, so that you have to keep selecting the quick cooking option every time you want to use it as opposed to having it just sit there with quick cooking as the default. (Keep in mind, though, that this may be user error as I'm still learning how to use it.)
To sum up: Good rice, adequate controls, and fussy to clean. 4 stars.

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Equipped with micro-computerized Fuzzy Logic technology, this 5-1/2-cup rice cooker and warmer automatically makes fine adjustments to the temperature and heating time to ensure perfectly cooked rice every time. The unit comes with a black, thick, inner cooking pan that provides even heating, and its multi-menu cooking functions include white/mixed, sushi, porridge, sweet, brown, quick, and rinse-free. Once the rice has fully cooked, the appliance automatically switches to Keep Warm mode, which keeps the rice at the perfect serving temperature without overcooking. The unit also provides extended keep-warm settings, a user-friendly LCD control panel, a clock and delay timer, a detachable and washable inner lid, a dent-resistant plastic exterior, and a detachable power cord for easy storage. Accessories include a rice-measuring cup, a rinse-free rice-measuring cup, a nonstick spatula, and a spatula holder. Ideal for singles or smaller families, the 610-watt 5-1/2-cup rice cooker measures 13-3/16 by 9-7/8 by 8-1/2 inches.

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Fagor Duo 10-Quart Pressure Cooker/Canner Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)We purchased this cooker based on the recommendation of a Cooks Illustrated review, and we have not been disappointed at all! The 10qt capacity is just what we need for big soups, and the 2-level pressure system offers good flexibility in terms of cooking times and tenderness. We made a fabulous, tender and juicy braised short rib dish in less than 2 hours from start to table- not a bad deal!
2008 Update: We still use this cooker and are still very happy with it! Just don't overfill or you will be picking herbs out of the pressure spout :-) I have also posted a review on TrustedOnes.com (http://www.trustedones.com/listing/view/bbSzZgRY8r3yXhaocbDfzs)

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Make fresh steamed lobster in 3 minutes, or bean soup in 20 minutes. Risotto? No more standing at the stove stirring for half an hour, you can enjoy moist risotto in 7 minutes! As for ease of operation, here's how it works: load the ingredients, lock the lid in place, select the pressure, and begin cooking. When the food is done simply release the pressure and serve. Your food will be healthier because all the water soluble vitamins and minerals are retained. You'll also enjoy the tender taste of slow cooking and the natural flavors and colors of your food. But best of all? Your cooking time will be reduced by up to 70%!

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