3/31/2012

Cuisinart RTO-20 Retro Toaster Oven Broiler, brushed stainless and black Review

Cuisinart RTO-20 Retro Toaster Oven Broiler, brushed stainless and black
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I got this toaster oven as a wedding gift, and I feel badly for my friends who bought this in good faith. This toaster oven was a big disappointment. To be fair, it looks nice, takes up little room, and toasts nicely. That's about it for good points.
First among its many problems is the fact that despite being billed as a 4-slice toaster, it fits only 2 slices of regular-sized bread. I guess this is standard, but it was a surprise for us.
Second, the tray is fixed in place. This means not only can it not be moved, but it can not be removed if small items fall between the rungs of the rack.
Third, the rack is placed in such a way that toast can not easily be sild out. Because the wire at the front is higher than the others, you have to grab the item in order to get it out--easy to burn fingers and hands.
Finally, two of the three controls were wobbly on their sliders, right out of the box. Not inspiring, especially for folks like us who make toast many times daily.
It does not seem to have been put together with convenience and durability in mind.

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3/30/2012

Cuisinart GR-4N 5-in-1 Griddler Review

Cuisinart GR-4N 5-in-1 Griddler
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I bought a G4 Griddler from Amazon in 2005, and used it a couple of times a week (at least) until it had to be put out to pasture in 2010 due to failure of the non-stick coating on the plates. (The coating started to bubble and peel, and no one wants that in their food...) I loved it. (See my review of the Cuisinart GR-4 Griddler Stainless-Steel 4-in-1 Grill/Griddle and Panini Press) It was still working great, but replacement plates were not available.
I was elated when offered the opportunity to review its smarter younger brother, the GR-4NAM Griddler. I could hardly wait for it to get here and run it through its paces.
At first glance, the GR-4NAM looks virtually identical to the G4. However, closer inspection reveals that it has been totally redesigned, and for the better.
Improvement: The grease catcher used to be a little cup that had to be set under a spout on the side of the bottom plate. If it was positioned incorrectly, (or forgotten about), greased dripped out on the counter. The grease catcher is now integrated into the Griddler as a drawer-like device that can be pulled out to clean, and then put back in place for the next use.
Improvement: The original G4 had two sets of plates - one flat set, one ridged set (for paninis). There is now one reversible set of plates (ridged on one side, flat on the other), and therefore no need to find a storage place for the plates not in use. The new plates have a good substantial weight. I don't have the old ones here for comparison, but the quality of the plates certainly was not cheapened.
Improvement: It used to be a little tricky to put the plates in place and to remove them. There was also a difference between the top plate and the bottom, so you had to be careful not to try to put them in the wrong way. The plates now have an identical shape, so they are interchangeable, and the release buttons activate a spring-loaded mechanism that pops the plate loose for easy removal.Now, to see how it cooks: The Griddler takes about as long to warm up as a good-quality waffle iron. Just when you start to get impatient with it, it's ready.
The first thing that I cooked was a no-no in the eyes of Cuisinart - a bone-in, skin-on leg and thigh chicken quarter. Too thick, they say. HA! says I, because I am a bit of an anarchist. I marinated the chicken in olive oil and rosemary, heated the Griddler to Medium. I cooked it on the panini plates because I love those little fake barbeque stripes across my food. It worked just fine. (I should have taken a picture, it came out looking beautiful. But I was hungry.)
Word of warning: Do not cook thick or fatty meat on High - you will get grease spatters all over the place. Medium works just fine in such instances.
I discovered from my old Griddler that when cooking meat it's best to turn off the heat before it's done, and let it finish cooking with the residual heat in the plates. That way the meat does not get overdone.
For clean-up, I let the plates cool down, and then put a wet paper towel across the bottom plate and close the lid and let it sit for a while. The dampness softens anything that is stuck to the plates, and then it can be easily washed off with a sudsy sponge or dish wand.
Today for lunch, I made myself a sandwich with sliced sourdough bread, cooked sliced chicken breast, fresh grated parmesan cheese and dried basil. I followed the panini directions in the small cookbook that comes with the Griddler. Well, I sort of followed the directions... Cuisinart recommends brushing the outside of the sandwich with olive oil. I prefer to use melted butter on panini because it makes the sandwich crisper.
I preheated the Griddler on High, placed the sandwich inside, and applied light pressure for about 30 seconds, and then let it cook. The directions say to cook panini for about 4 -5 minutes, but my sandwich was ready to eat in 2 minutes. Maybe the butter makes the bread brown faster than olive oil.
In any case, it was beautiful - evenly browned, crunchy and delicious, and I did take a picture (see product images).
How durable will the GR-4NAM be? Good question. From everything that I can see so far, Cuisinart has only made the Griddler better. But time is the real test of quality. I will report back from time to time regarding durability.
Right now, I'd say this looks like an excellent buy.UPDATE, January 2011:
The Griddler is still in great shape. Granted, I am not using it as frequently as I did my original one, but that's because there are fewer mouths to feed in my household now than there used to be. I have no cautionary tales to add to the review. Hmmm... I think I'll go make a grilled cheese sandwich....


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Compact in size but big in features, Cuisinart's countertop Griddler offers five-in-one functionality as a contact grill, panini press, full grill, full griddle, and half grill/half griddle. The stylish brushed stainless-steel housing looks sleek and modern in the kitchen and features a wide panini-style handle and a hinged floating cover that adjusts to various food thicknesses. On the base, two temperature controls and a function selector are clearly marked and have indicator lights for quick reference and accurate, no-guesswork operation. Open the cover and customize the cooking surface with removable and reversible nonstick grill and griddle plates that snap in and out easily and drain grease to an integrated drip tray for healthier cooking. The Griddler also comes with gourmet recipes and a cleaning scraper tool. The cooking plates, drip tray, and scraper all go safely into the dishwasher. Limited three-year warranty. From the Manufacturer Parts & Features Base and Cover: Solid construction with stainless steel self-adjusting cover Panini-Style Handle: Sturdy cast-metal handle adjusts cover to accommodate thickness of food Removable and Reversible Cooking Plates: Nonstick and dishwasher safe for easy cleanup Grill Side: Perfect for grilling steak, burgers, chicken, and vegetables Griddle Side: Prepare flawless pancakes, eggs, bacon, and seared scallops Controls: Indicator lights signal Power On and Ready to Cook Selector: Choose the Grill/Panini or Griddle function Grill/Panini: Adjust temperature from "warm" to "sear" Griddle: Adjust temperature form 200°F to 425°F Drip Tray: Collects grease and removes from base for easy cleanup (dishwasher safe) Cleaning/Scraping Tool: Helps clean grill and griddle plates after cooking Plate Release Buttons: Push in to release and remove cooking plates Hinge Release Lever: Allows the cover to extend back for cooking in the flat position The Griddler's Many Uses To Insert Cooking Plates Adjust the Griddler to the flat position with the controls directly in front of you.Insert one plate at a time.Each plate is designed to fit in either the upper housing or the lower housing of the Griddler.If you are facing the Griddler, the drip spout should be at the rear of the plate.Locate the metal brackets at the center of the housing.Tilt the back end of the plate and line up the cutouts at the back of the plate with metal brackets.Slide the plate underneath the brackets and push down the front end of the plate.It will snap into place.Turn the Griddler around and insert the second plate on either its grill or griddle side into the upper housing as you did with the first plate. To Remove Cooking Plates Once the Griddler is cooled, adjust to flat position.Locate the plate release button on one side of the unit.Press firmly on button and the plate will pop up slightly from the base.Grasp the plate with two hands, slide it out from under the metal brackets, and lift it out of the base.Press on the other plate release button to remove the other cooking plate in the same manner. Drip Tray The drip tray is located on one side of the base inside the slot.Grease from the food will run off the plates through the grease spout and into the drip tray.In between recipes, use a wooden or heat-proof plastic utensil to scrape excess food buildup through the grease channels and into the drip tray, and then wipe off any residue with a paper towel before proceeding with the next recipe.Grease should be safety disposed of after the Griddler has cooled down completely.The drip tray can be cleaned by hand or in the dishwasher and stored in the Griddler when not in use. Cleaning and Care Once you have finished cooking, turn the selector dial control to the Off position and unplug the power cord from the wall outlet.Allow the unit to cool down for least 30 minutes before handling. Use the cleaning/scraping tool to remove any leftover food from the cooking plate.The scraping tool can be washed by hand or in the dishwasher.Dispose of grease from the drip tray once cooled.The drip tray can be cleaned by hand or in the dishwasher.Press the plate release buttons to remove plates from the housing.Be sure that the plates have cooled completely before handling (at least 30 minutes).The cooking plates can be washed in the dishwasher.The housing base, cover and control knobs can be wiped clean with a soft, dry cloth.For tough stains, dampen cloth. Bringing the Good Life Home Cuisinart products are designed to make life delicious all day long. Specialty items, like the Griddler, offer today's consumers a variety of menu options, and fun and easy new ways to entertain family and friends. Cuisinart first came into home kitchens over 30 years ago when it introduced the now legendary food processor. People discovered that routines could be broken and creative cooking quickly became part of the new lifestyle. Preparing fresh ingredients with products that offered easy and interesting new techniques meant healthier meals and more free time. Today Cuisinart develops products to make every meal memorable. From breakfast toast and coffee to elegant five-course dinners, the preparation and cooking have become a pleasurable part of the total experience. Today's relaxed lifestyles and the convenience of Cuisinart products make it easier than ever to Savor the Good Life, right at home with family and friends.

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3/29/2012

DeLonghi DO400 1400-Watt Digital Control 4-Slice Toaster Oven Review

DeLonghi DO400 1400-Watt Digital Control 4-Slice Toaster Oven
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I used to have a much larger toaster oven, but having subsequently bought my first microwave, when the big toaster oven died, I looked for a smaller toaster oven to free up some counter space. I've had this for about a month, and I think it's quite good for what it is, but for what it is, it's overpriced. If it were cheaper I'd rate it higher. It broils beautifully. The oven heats very quickly, which is great. By my measurements, it's about 50 degrees above the requested temperature in middle ranges, as has been noted by others. But small toaster ovens are always unreliable on precise temperature. That's why all those frozen foods that come in microwave containers say don't cook them in a toaster oven (which you can do just fine, by the way, if you know how far off the temperature is). I prefer toast a little lighter than it makes toast at T-1, but it's okay. I miss features like the hook pull-outs, which not only pull the shelf out when you open the door but keep the door from crashing up and down, and the pull-out, rather than drop-down, crumb drawer. It's a perfectly adequate small toaster oven, but it should be either a little better or a little cheaper.

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An efficient alternative to turning on the oven, this 1400-watt countertop appliance provides user friendly digital controls that make it easy to bake, broil, toast, or keep food warm. Its 1/3-cubic-foot capacity will accommodate individual pizzas, casseroles, or up to four slices of bread, bagels, or English muffins at a time. In addition, the unit's toast-color selector with automatic shut-off allows for choosing from light to dark settings, and its adjustable temperature control makes it easy to cook with the right amount of heat. For precise and consistent results, press the quick-check button to view the current oven temperature anytime during the cooking process. Other highlights include a drop-down crumb tray for easy disposal of crumbs, a removable bake pan and broil rack, and an attractive design that will nicely complement any kitchen decor. Great for cooking up breakfast, lunch, and dinner, the toaster oven measures 11-1/4 by 16 by 8 inches and carries a one-year limited warranty against defects.

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3/28/2012

Black & Decker TRO490W Toast-R-Oven Classic 4-Slice Countertop Oven, White Review

Black and Decker TRO490W Toast-R-Oven Classic 4-Slice Countertop Oven, White
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Looks well constructed, nice design and backed by what I thought was a good brand name. I unpacked the first one and the handle fell off (glued to glass door with a heat resistant glue.) I exchanged it for another one. The timer would not turn off. Regardless of the setting, the timer would tick down to the "light" toast setting and stop. It could not automatically turn off. The case of the toaster also gets extremely hot, and the entire unit emits a chemical/plastic smell, which may go away with time. Further research indicated that the unit did not appear to be UL listed. I returned it to the store within 24 hours. The customer service department indicated they get many returned. Avoid.

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With 1200 watts of power, this versatile countertop toaster oven can toast up to four slices of bread at a time, as well as bake, broil, and reheat a variety of foods quickly and easily. Three simple-to-use control knobs allow for choosing the function; setting the 30-minute auto-off timer; and setting the temperature up to 450 degrees F--great for cooking crispy-crust pizza, side dishes, casseroles, muffins, and more. The oven features two rack positions and can accommodate a 9-inch pizza. When the door opens, the dual-position rack advances for easy access. Other highlights include a 3/8-cubic-foot capacity, a see-through door for checking on food at a glance, a generous stay-cool door handle, and a sleek design that will nicely accommodate any kitchen decor. Its slide-out crumb tray makes cleanup a snap, and a broil rack and bake pan come included. Measures 9.25-Inch x15.75Inch x 8.75-Inch

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3/27/2012

Oster 6058 6-Slice Digital Convection Toaster Oven Review

Oster 6058 6-Slice Digital Convection Toaster Oven
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I'm giving this convection/toaster 5 stars based on it's performance at it's price range and class. You can spend 3-4 times as much on a professional countertop convection oven like the Franklin convection oven (Amazon ASIN: B000BQ0CP6) for $250 and get a better product. However, I've used both and by comparison I think you really get your money's worth with this product.
We've had ours for about a month now and use it daily. The results are amazing. I've made numerous frozen pizzas, a meatloaf, cookies, brownies, loads of toast and lots of french fries among other things. The oven performed quite well in all cases. There is definitely a little bit of a learning curve and I goofed up a few things before I figured out how to use it. I would definitely recommmend reading the directions and following many of the recommendations for rack and food placement. That is actually very important.
Some examples of "tweaks" are as follows: With brownies you need a lower temperature than the box states when using convection and you might want to use a combination of convection and regular baking for cakes and browines.
With chocolate chip cookies you want to go with straight convection heat and depending on the mix you use you'll need to tweak the cycle. Cookies bake in much less time but you can get abolutely perfect and uniformly colored cookies! No more burnt bottoms! For example Ghiardelli dry cookie mix from the box cooks a little differently than the frozen dough that comes in a chub, even though the baking instructions on the packages are about the same. As you might expect you can only make about 6 average cookies, or biscuits at a time.
The convection bake is excellent for making all kinds of frozen french fries that come out perfect every time. Spring rolls come out great. The oven has several pre-programed cycles, a light, a timer, and every cycle offers the opportunity to tweak the temperature and/or time. There is a nice light inside the unit that makes it easy to check food.
Other notes: When making toast be sure to follow the directions for setting the rack.
Major Plusses:
1. Holds a very consistent temperature
2. Does a very good job on many types of food - better than a conventional oven
3. Produces very uniformly cooked foods
4. Cooks many foods in less time
5. Bottom tray is easy to remove and clean
6. Easy to use

A few drawbacks:
1. It does not quite fit most 9 x 13 pans, but will cook 12 inch pizzas.
2. It does get hot and you need to be careful how you open it and where you put your hands.
3. It only comes with one shelf. I would like two shelves for making cookies.
4. There is a bit of a "learning curve" if you're not used to convection
5. The oven operated at a slightly higher temperature than what my oven thermometer reads, but it holds at one, even temperature very well and it was consistently about the same difference at all ranges from 300 to 450. I'm honestly not sure which temperature was more correct, the oven's or my thermometer's. Based on my baking, the oven may be running a tad hotter than it says but it's easy to adjust. I would recommend checking your oven, as they may differ.

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Attractively housed in durable stainless steel, this ultra-convenient toaster oven features convection technology for faster, more thorough cooking. The unit's spacious interior can hold up to six slices of bread at a time or a 12-inch pizza, while its digital display makes it simple to set the temperature from 150 to 450 degrees F. Choose from a variety of cooking functions including bake, broil, toast, pizza, and dehydrate. A 60-minute timer with automatic shut-off and a bell signal provides added convenience, while an auto-advance rack allows for safely removing cooked foods. Other highlights include an interior light, cool-touch handles, and double-wall construction for enhanced cooking performance and heat retention. Accessories include a durable baking pan and broiler insert, two removable/reversible chrome-plated cooking racks, a removable crumb tray, and a recipe book. The toaster oven measures 14 by 22 by 16 inches and carries a one-year limited warranty.

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3/26/2012

All-Clad Stainless 3-Quart Double-Boiler Insert Review

All-Clad Stainless 3-Quart Double-Boiler Insert
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This is a wonderful double boiler insert with one minor exception. The ring that keeps it from falling into the pan with the water in it catches the food/sauce and therefore is harder to clean and mix. Now having said that, I still love this pan, I just wish the inside was totally smooth. I use it to make chocolate candies/truffles and the stuff melts up perfectly. Controlling the temperature is key when melting chocolate and with stainless steel its easy. I really should own two of these pans but kitchen space is limited.
(fits the non loop 3/4 qt sauce pans perfectly, The 4qt sauce pan with loop it doesn't seat well, as the loop lifts the edge allowing steam to escape.)

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Some of the most luscious things in the world are made possible by double boilers. We're thinking chocolate ganache, caramel cream frosting, almond butter crunch candy, and the list goes on. Heating in a double boiler allows you more control over temperature and therefore helps prevent scorching or accidental boiling.

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3/25/2012

Cuisinart TOB-195 Stainless Steel Convection Toaster Oven Budle Review

Cuisinart TOB-195 Stainless Steel Convection Toaster Oven Budle
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bundle items were not sent as depicted in photo......the toast tongs were 1/2 the length of the spatula - not what I expected

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3/24/2012

Calphalon Classic Bakeware 11.6 x 16.5 inches Rectangular Nonstick Cooling Rack Review

Calphalon Classic Bakeware 11.6 x 16.5 inches Rectangular Nonstick Cooling Rack
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amazon.com sells the EXACT SAME rack under the WearEver brand at half the price. I wanted to compare the two so I ordered both. Now I know and so do you. Otherwise the rack is fine. Nonstick coating is nice. The dimensions are actual 16.5" x 11.5". It fits into a half sheet baking pan with a little room to spare.

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3/23/2012

Lodge Logic 11-1/4-Inch Pre-Seasoned Grill Pan Review

Lodge Logic 11-1/4-Inch Pre-Seasoned Grill Pan
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I honestly cannot say enough good things about this pan. At first I was skeptical and a little hesistant about cooking with cast iron. Growing up in the south I knew the magic of cast iron cornbread made with fatback, but I also knew the special care that went into seasoning the beloved pieces of cookware. When I saw that this was preseasoned I went for it. I worried that it might be a lightweight pan and only sublime quality for the price but I was pleasantly surprised. This pan has a heavy weight to it and is crafted solidly. I've used it for hamburgers (they make the best I've ever tasted), grilled chicken, pork chops, and shrimp (YUM). Something I learned is that things tend to stick a little so coating the pan with vegetable spray is a good idea. Also, try soaking your shrimp in a mixture of butter and garlic before grilling it. I am in love, it hasn't even left my kitchen counter to go into the cabinet since I bought it because I use it so much. My husband being a Yankee wasn't used to the goodness of the cast iron but now that he sees how perfectly it browns meat while still leaving it moist he is hooked. With this pan I find the grooves to be so helpful. You can season the meat without worrying about all the seasoning burning to the pan. Also they're nice and deep so that the fat that does run off actually stays off the meat. Cleaning it is SO easy! I just run hot water into the pan while it's still hot from the stove then use a sponge or dish towel (NO SOAP) to wipe it out, rinse it off, and then spray with vegetable spray while it's warm before putting it away. I have to say that Lodge has a loyal fan in me. With quality old time cookware like this, without the hassle of seasoning it first you can't go wrong.

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Put restaurant stripes on your grilled favorites like a pro. Low fat cooking as the ribbed bottom pan lets you keep foods from simmering in fatty drippings.10.25 inch round skillet is Seasoned and ready to use.

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3/22/2012

Kinetic Classicor Stainless-Steel 2-Quart, 3-Piece Double Boiler Review

Kinetic Classicor Stainless-Steel 2-Quart, 3-Piece Double Boiler
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This is not a "double boiler," but a "double steamer." It has holes in the bottom of the top pan for steaming vegetables. this is not the pan to buy if you want to melt items like chocolate. Amazon was not the first to label this pan incorrectly. The good news is that it was easy to return to Amazon for a full refund.

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3/21/2012

Nordic Ware 64802 Microwave Egg Cooker Review

Nordic Ware 64802 Microwave Egg Cooker
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It works great, and it's small (6" high, 5" diameter) and easy to use. May require some experimentation to get times correct for your own microwave. For me: 7 minutes for soft, 8 min for medium, and 9-10 min for hard eggs on high power (700W microwave).
It does get very hot, so you need to remove it from the microwave with a potholder or towel. I place the whole thing under the cold tap, then remove the top, and cool the eggs under running water for a minute before peeling.

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Simple and fast. This microwavable egg shaped container makes perfect soft or hard boiled eggs. Holds up to 4 eggs. Dishwasher safe.

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3/20/2012

Black & Decker CTO6301 Digital Advantage Stainless-Steel 6-Slice Convection Toaster Oven Review

Black and Decker CTO6301 Digital Advantage Stainless-Steel 6-Slice Convection Toaster Oven
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After my horrible experiences with the Black & Decker TRO700S 4-Slice Toast-R-Oven, Stainless Steel, I swore I wouldn't buy another Black & Decker toaster oven. But when I was checking out several toaster ovens at Bed Bath & Beyond, low and behold there was this particular model available. Compared to the other models around, this one had the best combination of features and size for the price. The Krups convection oven felt cheaply made, unwarranted for the price. The other oven I considered, a Kitchen Aid convection oven, was very well made and looked great, except it did not have a convection feature and the elements were poorly exposed. I wanted to check out the Sanyo SK-VF7S Digital Convection Oven, Stainless Steel Finish that has been getting great reviews, but unfortunately this store didn't carry it. So, I decided to take a chance on "fool me thrice, shame on me". At least I could take it back to the local store if it didn't work out.
This Black & Decker oven is much better made than the TRO700S. It's also a bit bigger and has more solid feeling controls. It's also digital, so you don't have an annoying ticking sound while cooking. It also seems more robust than the Sanyo, potentially delivering more value for the money.
The Good: Excellent design, versatile tray system, non-stick inner surface, decent crumb guards over the heating elements, great capacity (it'll even accommodate a 12" pizza), wide viewing area, and even cooking. There are a lot of nice functions, including "bagel"--the bottom heats at half the top temperature, so it doesn't crisp the bottom of the bagel too much (nice). The exterior does get hot, like most toaster ovens, and its even worse with a brushed steel surface; however, the right side (where the convection fan is located) tends not to get scalding hot. The BROIL mode works well, despite not having the convection feature functioning. And although the toasting function takes long to work, it does brown the toast evenly.
The Not-so-good: The digital controls are confusing and take some time to figure out. The directions are OK, not great--but you definitely need to read them. The display does not have a clock, as one usually finds on digital appliances, but this is OK--once you realize it. The unit beeps at you when you select a cooking function, and it's rather loud. The convection feature only works in BAKE mode, not BROIL--I found this strange and disappointing. When you use it, there is no count-down indication of toasting progress (unlike with timed cooking/baking); you just have to trust that it will stop at the right time. Lastly, this product is designed more as an oven than a toaster--a single piece of toast takes about 50% longer to toast than in a conventional toaster. However, the workaround is to move the shelf to the upper position and then just flip the toast once it has browned on one side. Only a minor inconvenience. Also, there is no backlight to the LCD display, so if you're cooking at night in low light it's a little difficult to see the display details.
Overall, I give this unit a thumbs up... for now. I trust that since I didn't find any initial defects, it should operate well going forward. It is not a perfect oven, but then it seems NO company out there is bothering to perfect the convection/toaster oven. Sometimes I think I should go into product design, as I see so many flaws that can be easily avoided. Anyway, you won't go wrong getting this oven. :-)
NOTE: I really recommend seeing a toaster oven in person before buying it. This way you can get a sense of how it looks, feels, and operates. It's that tangible experience you just can't get on-line. Also, you can save more buying it in person (I paid $67 with tax, at BB&B with a 20% off coupon). However, if you aren't able to get to a store that has the appliances you're interested in, then you have to rely on what you see on-line. I hope my review helps you in your decision.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Black & Decker CTO6301 Digital Advantage Stainless-Steel 6-Slice Convection Toaster Oven

A useful addition to any busy kitchen, this convection toaster oven helps make mealtime a snap, whether keeping up with the everyday demands of an on-the-go family or cooking for a crowd during the holidays when additional cooking space comes in handy. Its user-friendly, push-button control panel and digital display help ensure easy programming. The oven's heat can be adjusted up to 450 degrees F, and its functions consist of toast, broil, bake, and convection bake (convection cooking helps food cook quickly and evenly with no hot spots). Use the appliance for anything from toasting up to six slices of bread at time to broiling a chicken or baking a casserole or pizza for dinner--its extra-deep curved interior makes it possible to accommodate larger size dishes and pies up to 12 inches. It also offers preset function buttons for automatically cooking a variety of popular menu items such as bagels, pizzas, frozen snacks, potatoes, and cookies. Other highlights include a 120-minute timer that shuts off automatically after the elapsed time, an audible bake and toast signal bell, a nonstick interior, upper and lower oven-rack positions, an "on" indicator light, and a glass door for viewing the cooking process at a glance. Accessories include a pizza pan, a baking pan, and a removable crumb tray. With its beautiful, brushed-stainless-steel exterior, the toaster oven measures approximately 17-3/4 by 14 by 11-1/2 inches.

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3/19/2012

MDB-1 Double Boiler Review

MDB-1 Double Boiler
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This little boiler is great for when you need small sizes. My use involves not using the lid, but the fact that the lid is glass helps so I can see what's going on when the pan is covered. The seal of the top pan onto the bottom pan is firm but not too tight so that some steam can escape. I bought this pan to make homemade clotted cream and it is perfect for that because the small size increases the density of the cream layer. It's exactly what I would recommend if you are interested in the art of clotted cream. The top pan does not sit upright when empty and sitting on a flat surface (the handle is too heavy) but that's the only imperfection and it's easy to get around (once you put anything in it, it stays upright). Easily washed in the dishwasher. Recommended!

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3/18/2012

Norpro 17x12 Stainless Steel Broil and Roast Set Review

Norpro 17x12 Stainless Steel Broil and Roast Set
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Ordered this because it was stainless steel, thinking it would not burn on badly but I was wrong. Have used it only for broiling steak and the first few times could scrub off the splatter, but after that, no matter how or what I scrubbed with it would not come off so I am left with an ugly looking pan and for the money spent, I did not expect this, so my advise is to purchase another product that resists burning on.


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3/17/2012

Toastess TO-302 Silhouette 1450-Watt Stainless-Steel Convection Oven and Broiler Review

Toastess TO-302 Silhouette 1450-Watt Stainless-Steel Convection Oven and Broiler
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There is no way that this oven can hold heat properly, as the back of it is just a thin sheet of metal. There are double walls on the sides and top, but the bottom is another thin sheet of steel with a drip tray above. The timer shuts off at the 5-7 minute mark without chiming, so the appliance cuts off without warning - clearly a defect. If you don't use the timer, turn the oven on, and give the oven time to heat up, then it will cook a piece of frozen pizza in the normal time. The convection fan doesn't seem to do anything.

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3/16/2012

HIC Porcelain 10-Inch Au Gratin, Set of Three Review

HIC Porcelain 10-Inch Au Gratin, Set of Three
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Bought these last year and just love them. They are thin, so they heat quickly and easily. They are very smooth, so cleanup is also just great, even for burned on food. We cook salmon fillets in them and use them at least once every two weeks. I also bought some larger Corningware ovenware at the same time because I wanted larger sizes, but the Corningware is too thick and I hardly ever use them. That's why I'm ordering another set of the HIC porcelain au gratins. They are a wonderful, useful product.

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3/15/2012

Aroma Aeromatic Convection Oven - AST910DX Review

Aroma Aeromatic Convection Oven - AST910DX
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I've had this product for at least six years and used it frequently until the last year. The numbers have almost completely disappeared after wiping down the top. I even tried not to wipe it much when I saw it happening but it's almost impossible to use the oven now and remember where the dial needs to be for what temp or time. I wanted to ask the company if they had a template they could send me but they don't have the product any more.
Would someone here be able to figure out how to make a template from their oven and send to me????

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