5/28/2011

Proctor Silex 33015 1-1/2-Quart Round Slow Cooker Review

Proctor Silex 33015 1-1/2-Quart Round Slow Cooker
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This is a quality product, perfect for cooking for 1-3 people (smaller families, college students, etc.). I highly recommend it. It is so easy to use and fuss-free. Also, most smaller crock pots have only one setting, but this one has three (high, low, and keep warm). It has a nice glass lid and a removable ceramic crock, both of which you can clean in the dishwasher. I use mine at least a few times a week, and I'm very satisfied with the purchase.

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Enjoy healthy, home-cooked meals even with a busy schedule thanks to this easy-to-use round-shaped slow cooker. With its 1-1/2-quart capacity, the unit works great for cooking up small batches of soup, casseroles, warm dips, sauces, and more. Simply add ingredients to its stoneware crock, insert the crock into the cooker, and turn the temperature-control dial from off to keep warm, low, or high. Equipped with a tall, cool-touch knob, the slow cooker's clear tempered-glass lid traps in heat and moisture and allows for checking on food at a glance. Even more, the removable crock doubles as a serving dish and can go straight from the table to the refrigerator to store leftovers with quick convenience. Integrated handles on the crock make it easy to lift and carry, even when wearing oven mitts, while stay-cool side handles on the cooker ensure safe, comfortable transport from home to picnics or potlucks and back again. The slow cooker measures approximately 8 by 8 by 9 inches, and the removable crock and glass lid clean up easily by hand or in the dishwasher.

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Nordic Ware Microwave Rice Cooker 8 Cup Review

Nordic Ware Microwave Rice Cooker 8 Cup
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After trying & returning several microwave rice cookers I decided to give this one a try because of the great price and Nordic Ware's reputation. You MUST follow Nordic Wares instructions for cooking rice. Using any other recipes/directions, will result in your rice being soggy & the water not absorbing. The one noticible difference between the other cookers I tried and this one is that I didn't have to clean my microwave after using this rice cooker. NO SPILLS & OVERFLOWS! I just ordered a second cooker to place in storage just in case this model is discontinued. GREAT PRODUCT AT A GREAT PRICE!

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This microwave rice cooker is fast and simple.Cooks rice in minutes and is also ideal for steaming vegetables and pasta.8 cup capacity. Microwave to table ready.Dishwasher safe.

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Panasonic SR-MS102 Fuzzy-Logic 5-Cup Rice Cooker, White Review

Panasonic SR-MS102 Fuzzy-Logic 5-Cup Rice Cooker, White
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This rice cooker is fantastic. I bought and kept this (and returned the others) after trying this along with two other rice cookers - Zojirushi NP-HBC10 and Sanyo ECJ-HC55S. Please note that I had selected even the other two after much research and they, in their own place, are amongst the best rice cookers that you can buy.
This one cooks rice as well as or better than the others and much faster. I use this mainly to cook brown rice - the Sanyo took about 90 minutes for two cups of brown rice, the Zojirushi took about (or more than) 100 minutes and this one takes just 60 - 65 minutes.
This one has more functions than any other cooker (Rice cooker, steamer, slow cooker, warmer, porridge maker, cake maker, sushi and more).
This one looks the best by far and its Menu and LCD are better than the others. This has a fantastically stylish smooth body with a super cool Orange LCD with Black LEDs with no ghost digits (prominent and clear black digits on Orange with no shadows from the unused digits - looks very cool and sophisticated). The colour scheme and over all look is by far the most modern and stylish.
The Panasonic while being the fastest, best looking and most feature packed machine as compared to the Zojirushis and Sanyos is the one that costs the least !
The steamer tray supplied with this is better that the Sanyo's as it is deeper and does not sit on the bottom of the inner pan (mess from the tray legs dipping in the boiling water in the Sanyo) but sits on the top rim of the inner pan and hangs, with sufficient clearance from the boiling water - this is important because close proximity to the boiling water amounts to greater loss of vitamins from the vegetables being steamed. The Zojirushi does not have a steamer tray or dedicated steaming function for that matter.
While the Zojirushi makes rice as well as any other machine and it has the proclaimed GABA brown rice setting, it is exorbitantly priced and takes much longer to cook. The Sanyo is priced closer to this one but the Panasonic's design, looks (style, very good LCD and colour scheme and buttons), performance (cooking time and quality of the brown rice) pleased me much more than the Sanyo's. Panasonic's electronics is unparalleled - it is evident in the details like a much better LCD screen, best readability (and aesthetics) and this one remembers your last menu choice even after being powered off (unlike the others which reset to the 'White rice' option).
And, from researching on the net, I found that in general Panasonic rice cookers last much longer than any other brand.
So far I have only cooked brown rice in this and it came out fantastic every time. I am eager to try out the plethora of other options available on this rice cooker and go a bit further with my creativity which is made possible by the unmatched versatility of this wonderful piece of equipment.
One thing I would like to let prospective buyers know is that the inner lid on this one is aluminium (as is the Sanyo's). So, if avoiding aluminium cookware is high on your priority than this could be a concern. However, there is hardly any contact of the lid with the food and so it did not matter too much to me. The Zojirushi I bought was the top of the line amongst Zojirushis and was the only rice cooker I found which had a stainless steel (and not aluminium) inner lid.
Overall, this was a winner by far in terms of unbeatable value, top quality and dependability. It brings a smile on my face everyday due to its functionality and beauty. I highly recommend this rice cooker.

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Take the guesswork out of making restaurant-quality rice with this easy-to-use rice cooker. The handy appliance offers a 5-cup uncooked-rice capacity, producing up to 10 cups of cooked rice--great when cooking for a group of friends or the family. Simply add dry rice, measure in the water, make a selection, and push the "start" button. Equipped with micro-computerized Fuzzy Logic technology, the unit automatically makes fine adjustments to the temperature and heating time to ensure perfectly cooked rice. Choose from a variety of menu options including steam; quick cook; porridge; slow cook; cake; and white, brown, and sticky rice. Once the rice has cooked, the appliance automatically switches over to "keep warm" mode, which maintains an ideal serving temperature for up to 12 hours. In addition, the unit's delay timer offers a 24-hour clock with one memory setting for starting the cooking cycle at a later time, and its automatic shut-off function provides peace of mind. Other highlights include a binchotan-type black pan with white anodizing for better tasting rice, a dimple pan that expands heat by 20 percent for enhanced performance, a detachable steam vent, a large orange LCD read-out, a detachable power cord, and a carry handle for convenient transport. A steam basket, measuring cup, rice scoop, and a user manual in English, French, and Chinese come included. The 835-watt rice cooker measures 13 by 9-4/5 by 8-1/5 inches and carries a one-year limited warranty.

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5/27/2011

Fagor Splendid 6-Quart Pressure Cooker Review

Fagor Splendid 6-Quart Pressure Cooker
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1. Cooking with a pressure cooker
Think of a pressure cooker as a crock pot on steroids. The increased pressure inside the sealed vessel results in an elevated boiling point, producing a higher cooking temperature for faster cooking. The standard pressure for these cookers is 15 psi, raising the boiling point from 212f to 250f. Current design features considerably improve the safety of these pots over WWII vintage kitchen bombs.
Pressure cookers are perfect for pot roasts, stews, soups, stocks and long-simmering sauces, reducing cooking times by as much as seventy percent. Beans cook faster in a pressure cooker, although their soaking time is unaffected. Rice will cook faster, too, although the convenience of a dedicated rice cooker is beyond dispute.
Some pressure cookers let users select a second, lower pressure setting (8 psi, bp @ 215f), which yields considerably less accelerated cooking. Why slow down a high-speed cooker? Because some foods, like veggies and fish, cook quickly, and when cooked at 15 psi it is difficult to control doneness. (Recipes for these foods call for running cold water over the pot lid to quickly reduce the pressure and lower the temperature to stop the cooking. For more usual dishes, one would merely turn off the heat and let the cooking coast to a stop.) Pot-count or hubris may move some chefs to use their pressure cookers to prepare delicate foods regardless of the risk of under/over-cooking. The low pressure setting is intended to help these people. For most cooks, foods that cook quickly are better prepared using conventional methods. Arguably, a clever chef could use a pressure cooker as their only pot for all purposes, a desirable feature when living out of a knapsack on a desert isle where time is money or fuel is precious.
For most cooks, a pressure cooker will not be an essential kitchen utensil, but it is desirable for its ability to shorten long simmer times. An eight-quart pot is probably the most versatile size for most users, because the pot can only be filled to half or at most two-thirds capacity. If veggies are to be steamed rather than boiled, you will need a steamer insert. Expect a learning curve as you discover how to operate the pot and adjust cooking times. A pressure cooker should be stored unassembled, and the gasket (about $10) may need to be replaced occasionally. All parts should be hand washed. The the pot and lid are ruined if dinged where the gasket seats.
2. The Fagor Pressure Cooker
Fagor in Spain is like General Dynamics in the US - a huge industrial conglomerate. Their "Commercial" (and similar "Splendid") model pressure cooker has a substantial heft to it and seems ready to withstand the rigors of the kitchen. An aluminum heat dispersion disc, completely encapsulated in stainless steel, is bonded to the bottom of the thick-walled stainless steel pot. The stainless steel lid is similarly substantial, and is polished to a mirror finish. The handles seen sturdy enough, although they are plastic and subject to damage. An order form for replacement parts is provided in the box and parts are available over the Internet (www.fagoramerica.com). An instruction booklet is incluye, imperfectly translated from the Spanish. An 80-page recipe book is also included, with full color photographs of fabulous dishes, several of which cannot be prepared in the cooker(!).
The regulator control dial on this unit has three positions: Pressurized (15 psi), open, and remove valve. The lid has a safety interlock that prevents it from being opened while the pot is pressurized, and a small plastic rod pops up to indicate the interlock is active. (One reviewer suggested this rod indicates the pot has reached 15 psi, but this is not so; you know the pot has reached 15 psi when steam starts to escape from the regulator valve.) Another safety feature is a slot in the lid that allows part of the gasket to blow out if the pot has been over-filled.
I was attracted to this model pressure cooker because it seemed to represent an attractive price-performance point. My experience has confirmed that. The value of a second, low pressure setting is arguable for all but the most dedicated pressure cooker users, and fancy features like a pressure gauge seem minimally useful. If I were to buy another pressure cooker, I would likely select this model again, albeit in an 8-qt version to compliment the 4-qt size that seemed the best size for this bachelor cook.

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Fagor makes it easy to prepare a meal with this 6%2Dquart pressure cooker%2E Just put all your ingredients in the cooker%2C lock the lid%2C and begin cooking%2E It has a triple safety system with a safety locking handle to prevent accidental opening under pressure%2C a dual pressure control valve%2C and two independent over pressure release valves to avoid pressure build up%2E It also has a built in diffuser base that allows for even heat distribution of heat for even cooking%2E

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Crock-Pot SCCPVL600R Cook' N Carry 6-Quart Oval Manual Portable Slow Cooker, Red Review

Crock-Pot SCCPVL600R Cook' N Carry 6-Quart Oval Manual Portable Slow Cooker, Red
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I bought this crock-pot specifically for traveling, and I bought a "crock pot travel bag" to go with it. The first time traveling, my soup spilled everywhere (even though we carried it upright). The lock kept the meat and veggies in, but I had a huge mess to clean up when I got to work, and I lost a good inch of liquid as a result. I will be more careful next time and pack it in the car on the floor with towels, but the entire reason I bought a locking-lid crock pot was so I wouldn't have to go to all that bother.
It is very handsome, though, and cooks nicely.
EDIT -- Later today, I was taking the crock pot home. The food inside was warm, but not hot. It had been on the "warm" setting for hours and was turned off completely for 15 minutes before being packed up. I locked the lid, and 15 minutes later in the car *pop* the lid shattered.
Very, very dissapointing.

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The Crock-Pot Cook & Carry Slow Cooker keeps up with your busy, on-the-go lifestyle.Turn the dial to 'High" and get a hot meal, snack, appetizer or dip in no time. Set it on 'Low" and tonight's dinner can cook while you're at work. Or use the 'Warm" setting during a get together with friends so your dish stays ready to eat until the party is over. No matter the recipe or the occasion, your Crock-Pot Slow Cooker keeps the temperature steady so your food is cooked to perfection, full of flavor and delicious. The secure-fitting lid and locking system create a tight seal between the stoneware and lid to ensure that up to 6-quarts of your secret recipe can go where you go with no hassle and no mess. Your car interior remains clean on the ride to your best friend's house, company picnic or family reunion. The Crock-Pot Cook & CarrySlow cooker is just as at home in the kitchen as it is on the road. With a stylish, red stainless finish and convenient lid locks thatnestle neatly in with the lid, your counter top is sure to look sleek and clean. The stoneware transfers easily from the stainless steel frame to the table or refrigerator. And both the stoneware and the glass lid are dishwasher-safe, making clean up simple. Crock-Pot Slow Cookers make cooking easy, but the Crock-Pot Cook & Carry Slow Cooker makes it easy to get your dish from here to there. Crock-Pot The Original Slow Cooker.

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Zojirushi NP-HBC18 10-Cup Rice Cooker and Warmer with Induction Heating System, Stainless Steel Review

Zojirushi NP-HBC18 10-Cup Rice Cooker and Warmer with Induction Heating System, Stainless Steel
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We thought we knew what rice was supposed to be like when we used our Costco Aroma Rice Cookers--we would just, as a matter of course, replace the old ones with the same brand... Until this time.
After reading up on consumer reviews and Japanese sites, we opted to try the Zojirushi Induction Heating Rice Cooker. The stainless steel is STUNNING--the pictures do NOT do it justice--it is gorgeous on my countertop--a piece of furniture, like the KitchenAid Mixer. It is easy to set up (clock time, etc) and easy to use. (The directions are very clear.) I tried some Jasmine Rice in it for our first try--and WOW! I was totally amazed! Each piece of rice is perfect in every way. I have never had such results before. Perfect temperature, perfect texture, perfect stickiness, perfect taste. The aroma in the kitchen fills the house and it's wonderful.
There is very little steam (unlike most rice cookers) and it is very easy to clean up. It keeps the rice at that perfect temperature for hours--even longer with the extended warm feature.
I know it's expensive--but in this case, I truly believe you get what you pay for. If you want to know what rice is supposed to be like--you must get one of these! Zojirushi makes a couple of different types of rice cookers--and I have heard that they are all terrific. This one cooks with induction heating, which uses magnets... the unit doesn't get hot...
If you can--get this one!


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Along with micro computer technology, this 10-cup rice cooker and warmer provides superior induction heating for more evenly distributed heat to ensure perfectly cooked rice every time. Choose from a variety of cooking functions including white rice (regular, softer, or harder), mixed rice, sushi rice, porridge, sweet rice, and quick cooking. In addition, healthy cooking options include brown rice, GABA brown rice, and germinated brown rice. The unit's black, thick, spherical, inner cooking pan and heating system provide even heating, and its interchangeable melody and beep signal indicates when the cooking cycle has ended. Other highlights include a detachable and washable inner lid, an easy-to-read LCD control panel, and automatic keep warm and extended keep warm, as well as a delay timer with two settings and a detachable power cord. The unit's clear-coated stainless-steel exterior not only cleans easily, but also matches any kitchen decor. Accessories include a spatula, a spatula holder, and a rice-measuring cup. The 1350-watt rice cooker and warmer measures 15-5/8 by 10-13/16 by 9-5/16 inches.

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Hamilton Beach 33956 Set 'n Forget 5-Quart Slow Cooker, White Review

Hamilton Beach 33956 Set 'n Forget 5-Quart Slow Cooker, White
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I bought this after my larger sized Rival had the handle come off of the lid while cooking. This seems to be a much better made cooker. I love the probe function, which allows you to cook until the meat is done then automatically warm without second guessing. The controls are easy to read and push. I tested the unit and it heated to the proper temperatures for low and high. No overcooking or handles coming off. I predict if Rival continues to sell cheap junk that HB will soon become the number one slow cooker, a worthy rival to Rival.

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5 quart Oval slow cooker with flat panel digital controls & temperature probe for large cuts of meat- Never over cook or under cook meat with this precise temperature probe . Slow cooks three ways - manually or pre-programmed by time or temperature with the included meat probe. Includes clip tight glass lid feature to reduce spills when travelling . Automatically shifts to warm to prevent overcooking

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