kayakado's Profile
Please comment on my ongoing toaster dilemma...
Go here and buy a real toaster and ditch those Asian made pretenders.
http://www.toastercentral.com/
Self cleaning oven - dumb questions
My oven automatically locks itself and unlocks itself when it has cooled
Custom Cookie Cutters
There are instructions here on how to make your own.
www.cakecentral.com
These people sell a kit to make your own but I think they will also make them for you.
http://www.foosecookiecutters.com/index.shtml
Fry Daddy's?
I had both Fry Baby and Fry Dady fryers and neither one reached a high enough temp to suit me. I looked at all the other elec fryers and the top temp fell short.
I want a fryer that I can get hotter so when I drop in the food the temp doesn't go too low. I found the ebst solution for me was a Staub 1 quart saucepan, it only uses about 2-3 cups of oil and with its high sides, it doesn't spatter or boil over. It allows me to fry just enough for a meal for 1 or 2, as well as just fry small batches to experiment with my frying recipes without committing to large quantities or wasting too much oil.
http://www.williams-sonoma.com/products/staub-1-quart-saucepan/?pkey=e|staub%2Bcookware|33|best|0|1|24||11&cm_src=PRODUCTSEARCH||NoFacet-_-NoFacet-_-NoMerchRules-_-
Is an olive pitter foolproof?
I have a WS pitter and no it is not foolproof if a fool is operating it. Sometimes the pit doesn't come out or it stays attached to the fruit and pops back in. If you are careful, and be sure every pit is ejected- you should be okay. Sometimes I get in a hurry and a pit gets left behind.
A Blanching Iron? Has Anyone Used One? Where to Get?
Julia learned this technique from an old chef who prepared meals on a train. She couldn't find one, so she had someone make her one. You could have a welding shop make one for you, I beleive that's what she did. The end is a larger diameter to hold the heat longer. I can't remember what it is called but I probably can find out....it looks like it was referred to as a Buffalo Iron or plongeur.
Here's the Smithsonian info
A friend of Julia's whom she nicknamed "The Buffalo" made this iron "poker" (or plongeur) for her. She explained how she used it when cooking green beans: "You put that over the flame...until it gets very, very hot. Then you have your water...at a rapid boil...you dump in the beans and put in this poker and the boil comes immediately back..." By maintaining the boil, the beans cook quickly and do not lose their bright green color.
Here's link to the Smithsonian Enhibit page:
http://americanhistory.si.edu/juliachild/jck/html/textonly/ob8.asp
Cuisinart Food Processor
I think I have the same model and the feed tube is quite large, compared to other models. It is a double feed tube assembly where the inner feed tube is smaller (carrot size) and the larger would hold a whole potato or could accommodate 5 or 6 vertical carrots at a time.
From my perspective, the problem is the larger tube has the safety on it and won't work if the safety rod is not engaged. The only solution I see for that it is cutting the safety rod off the feeder and replacing it with a rod that stays permanantly engaged.
Pot lid bumpers/guards for cast iron cookware
You could use some plastic binder thingys they make for report folders, the one that slide down the edge. They work
Do I have to throw away my crockpot?
You could try the thrift stores. I have been lucky in finding replacement crocks there for two of my units. One I found an exact replacement for my one pot which had started to show wear on its metal exterior heating unit.
I'd just go buy a new one or do the thrift store thingy. Buying a liner and having it shipped is usually not cost effective.
Really want to start using Castiron...is Griswold the way to go?
All my cast iron is old Griswold. I went to uni near Erie PA and found lots of it in thrift stores. It is lighter and more smooth than any modern cast iron.
I've used some Lodge and Wagner at friends houses, and it is way too heavy!
Oster convection/toaster/broiler oven - $59.99 at Costco - anyone have experience?
I got he Euro Pro at Target the $69 model was on sale for $59 and they were offering a $10 gift card with every ink jet cartridge set purchase. I bought two inkjets cartridges sets and got a $20 gift card so my oven was $39. It does hold a 2¾ Qt staub cocette, 2¾ Qt braiser w/ lid or a 9" Gratin dish. The thermostat temps are right on.
My only complaint was that it has only one wire rack shelf. The outside does get hot to the touch.
I got a 12 inch pizza stone at Sears for $12.99.
missing Tramontina items
Walmart has some Tramontino pieces that they only sell via their website. I think they pieces you seek may be among those offered there.
http://www.walmart.com/search/search-ng.do?ic=48_0&search_query=tramontina&search_constraint=0&clicked_tab_value=Online&tab_value=Online
Tried and true toaster-oven safe bakeware
I use Staub enamel cast iron gratins and cocettes, small commercial sheet pans (¼ and 1/8) sizes. I also got a baking stone from Fantes. Some of the toaster/convection ovens don't recommend using aluminum bakeware in their _ I think it was the Breville that had that in their user manual.
Bakeware for toaster oven
I use the Staub 7 ¾in. gratin dishes and their small round 2¾ qt cocotte dutch oven in my toaster/convection oven.
I also bought a small pizza stone from Fantes and some small ¼ and 1/8 sheet pans for use in the oven from Amazon. 1/8 sheet pans are something new, but you should be able to get two for under $14 incl shipping. They were nice heavy duty commercial pans.
Green Chile and Enameled Cast Iron!
Oil infused with hot chillis is hard to remove. I've had hot green chillis eat through a plastic container
pizelle makers
I have a cusina pro from Fantes. Had it for over 5 years and love it.
http://www.fantes.com/pizzelle.html#electric
Removing small rust spots from inside an All-Clad Multipot
BKF has a new liquid version, I'd use that before the powder so as not to scratch the finish
Brick wood burning oven in the back yard [moved from General Topics]
Build one???
http://www.sunset.com/garden/how-to-sunset-classic-adobe-oven-00400000040017/
Steaming/Boiling Lobsters Outdoors
Just put them on the grill or on the coals and put some foil over them or close the lid, they have enough juice in them to cook without drying out. Why dirty a pot?
Spice grinder used on Simply Ming?
Opps - definitely not it but you could ask Ming directly
http://www.mingspantry.com/
Modernistic Jelly Moulds
Also here
http://www.bridgekitchenware.com/index.htm
http://www.jbprince.com/
Cheesecloth (not gauze)
In their infinite wisdom and reorganization - they moved them to the hardware section.
What do you do with your food processor blades?
I have too many disks to fit in one of those nifty Cuisinart holders, so I bought a clear plastic hotel pan where I can stack them upright like a file. I store them under the counter.
Best Thermometer For Deep-Fat Frying?
I use a digital remote probe thermometer for frying, sugar work, etc. I have a range hood over the stove and I can attach the thermometer base to it and drape the probe cord down and into the pot. I can use a clothes pin or similar clip to stabilize it in the pot.
I've used both Polder and Taylor and found them both to be reliable. I been using them a lot lately. I just acquired a small Staub 1¼ quart sauce pan to do small sample test fries of new recipes. It only needs a couple cups of oil and it deeper than it is wide, perfect for testing new items before committing to a full batch
Cookie Sheets Online
I buy most of my cake pans online from www.lloydpans.com, but cookie sheets and jelly roll pans I get at Michaels, Hobby Lobby, or Joanns. I signed up for their coupons and wait for a 40% off or more. They are heavy duty and good quality and cheap with the coupon! I buy a lot of stuff from the restaurant supply stores locally and online, but these pans from the hobby stores are the same quality.
I disagree that thinner and lighter are better. I give my pans very hard use and none of them are warped or buckled -- soemthing I find happens with the lighter stock.
Boiling Food Saver Bags
I haven't had this kind of problem. I seal and reheat things all the time. The only thing I can think was the sealer was not as hot as needed, but I would think it would have sucked in air over time.
I've sealed huge bags of rice (I only use rolls), bounced them around in the freezer and cooler, hauled them out camping and then reheated them with no water intrusion or failing seams.
Food Saver supplies
Walmart, Sams Club, Tuesday Morning and actually the Food Saver website. They will put different size bags on sale at different times. I'll order a dozen rolls of the current sales item when they offer them. Just be sure to compare the roll size, some look like a good deal but they are not all the same footage per roll.
Grill Assembly - Trust Home Depot or Do It Myself?
the grills have been easy -- it was the hose reel cart that needed an engineering degree. I opt to assemble it myself. Most of those people assembling in the big box store have no training. I made the mistake of having Sears deliver and assemble my first washer and dryer, I had to stop the worker from electrocuting himself and they even threw away a part that was essential and we couldn't use the machines until we got the part. I don't let anyone assemble my purchases anymore.
Having Difficulty Finding Particular Drinkware
See if you can find a Tuesday Morning discount store in your area. They have great prices on glassware and crystal. Just don't expect to see that same brand or style next time you go in or try to replace a broken glass.
http://www.tuesdaymorning.com/indexCatalogOff.asp
Best electronic kitchen scale?
My criteria is:
Does NOT use 9v batteries which seem to go dead too fast on a scale for some reason.
Long auto shut off time.
At least 11lbs
Ease of use
I haven't seen any scales which do not allow tare or to switch between grams and ounces.
