Presto 5900 1500-Watt Stainless-Steel Electric Wok

I was considering buying the Breville EW30XL wok but balked at the non-stick surface scratching issues that I'd read other consumers were experiencing. In all fairness to Breville this is what they wrote me about the non-stick scratching issue people are experiencing:

The coating used in our EW30XL is a very high quality coating called Quantanium, made by Whitford.We recommend using wooden utensils and avoiding the use of excessive oil.This product has less than a 1% defective rate currently.

I pondered buying the Breville EW30XL but ended up buying the Presto 5900 Stainless Steel Wok. I figured no matter how careful I'd be with the EW30XL it'd eventually become scratched due to my negligence just like the rest of my other non-scratch surface type kitchen pans.

I'm sure you wouldn't go wrong with the Breville EW30XL wok given the proper care and attention.

A few days after I purchased the Presto 5900 Stainless Steel Wok I tried out one of the recipes that came with the instructions and it came out great (Chicken with Snow Peas, Carrots and Bean Sprouts). The vegetables came out nice and crisp and the chicken wasn't tough or dried out. It was a big improvement over the way I used to cook stir fry which was cooking with a traditional wok, the kind with the ring that the wok sits on while it's cooking on the range. I cooked over a natural gas range that wasn't calorific enough to provide the satisfactory results needed for a good stir fry. This resulted in everything I stir fried coming out lukewarm and mushy.

One thing you'll have to pay attention to when you're cooking with the Presto 5900 Stainless Steel Wok, is that you'll have to have all of your "ducks in a row". In other words, you can't be reading the recipe trying to figure out what happens next in the recipe or cutting ingredients while the Presto wok is sizzling away at 375 degrees temp ... you might over-stir fry whatever you're cooking at the time.

The Presto 5900 Stainless Steel Wok is a nice unit and I can't wait to try other recipes with it. After so many years I've finally been able to enjoy a hot stir fried meal instead of my usual lukewarm and mushy stir fry. I really enjoyed that.

I almost forgot ... the short cord wasn't a problem for me, in fact, if it was any longer I'd have a conflict with all of the other cooking things I have clutteredon my counter top. I'd end up with a tangled, coiled up mess if the cable was any longer. In fact, the length was perfect. That doesn't mean the short cable length will work for everyone as we've read in the other reviews, so, you'd have to see for yourself to make the final decision. A small extension cord will fix any cable length issue so itshouldn't be a problem.

Good luck, everyone, regardless of what you end up buying.

I bought this wok because it was stainless steel as a non-stick version would have to be replaced much sooner because of the interior.This wok is very nice looking. It heats quickly with much of the outside area remaining cool to the touch. Clean-up is a breeze.The electrical cord is short but I use an extention cord to get it away from my cupboards.I am very happy with my purchase and would recommend it to others.

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I was reluctant to spend so much money on this wok, but after scratching my way through two inexpensive, non-scratch, I decided to take the chance.I'm very happy that I did.It heats quickly and evenly, and is surprisingly easy to clean.The only thing keeping this from having a five-star rating is the short cord.I understand that it must be short for safety reasons, but a just few more inches would be nice for placing the wok a bit farther from the wall.

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If you found this review using a search engine, you are probably VERY interested

in how many quarts this thing holds.I was, when I researched woks, and NOWHERE

on the net was this listed.Sure, the dimensions are there but that includes handles, etc.I was trying to replace a 7 quart wok and might have settled for 6, but 5 would have been unacceptable.Someone at Presto really screwed up not providing this critical piece of information in their marketing write ups which are parroted all over the net, including at Amazon.I'm sure it is costing them sales.

Drumroll please......IT HOLDS JUST OVER 7 QUARTS.I almost did not buy this because of the aforementioned mystery but relented since it seemed to fit, in every other way, what I was looking for.I got lucky.

As for other aspects: The cover is real nice.The body is a bit lighter weight than I thought it might be but is acceptable.There are a couple of manufacturing flaws in the body which I will live with (a small deformation bump in the base and a small pit in the side) so don't expect a perfect product.The legs are screwed into the aluminum base and it would be real easy to strip the threads if you are not careful.The instructions warn about that.Two of the legs required tightening right out of the box, not a big deal. The legs smartly have rubber pads on the bottom to prevent slipping on the counter.I will confirm the control cord is short, but that is fine with me.Longer would actually be inconvenient.It seems to heat well, though I don't have a lot of experience with it yet.My needs are not heavy in that area.

Overall I am happy with it and, since it luckily meets my capacity requirements, I am giving it 4 stars.It would have been 5 if I did not have to guess at what I was buying and did not have the very minor flaws in the body.

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The day this arrived I gave it the obligatory washing/drying and put it to use.We FINALLY were able to have some very good stir fry that very night.I want to thank other reviewers for accurately reporting that it heats up quickly and does a terrific job of holding heat for stir fry cooking.I especially want to thank those who said this performed as well if not better than non-electric stove top woks.

I've never been a fan of "non-stick" surfaces.They tend to break down.I've been down the "hammered steel" road with woks before and was never satisfied with their performance.The stainless steel finish on this cleans up easily and if you follow the instructions for adding water to the dirty wok and placing the lid on to remove food residue easily, you will not harm the finish.

To the reviewer who didn't like the shortness of the cord:Blame your federal government for that.

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Kinetic Classicor Series Stainless-Steel 12-Inch Chicken Fryer with Lid

I bought this item and used it for only one month before it broke.The problem is that the basin holds more weight than the handle can manage.So with a pound and half of cooked stuff in the fryer, if you lift from the handle, it will break at the joint.Even though All-Clad is much more expensive, you're better off going with their chicken fryer because they bolt the handle to the basin (whereas Innova just staples the handle on).In fact, most other brands bolt the handle on to their chicken fryers.I don't know why Innova hasn't caught on.

I still gave 2 stars because the company accepted the return, although I did have to pay shipping.

I have this particular pan for the last 10 years and love, love it!! very easy to clean. just a light steel wool pad is for great clean up

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I have been using Innova Stainless pots and pans for years and would recommend them as a quality product. I enjoy using them.

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I have had this fryer for years and it has suffered much abuse. It has never let me down. My only complaint is that I sometimes find it too big when cooking a small meal.

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Silit Passion Deep 9-Inch Frying Pan, Crazy Yellow

In the first Indiana Jones film, Marian whacks a bad guy on the head with a frying pan and he goes down hard (I think he died)...meet that frying pan.Its painted like a sexy Lamborghini and is NOT light. The ceramic coating is NOT Teflon and won't flake off when you decide to boil water in it.I've fried eggs with a littlebutter (this isn't really non-stick), fried fish sticks, and made Chinese noodles ...all with no problems...and cleaned up the pan with water and a sponge.

The only thing that stuck a little (left a "ghost print" which eventually scrubbed off) were Chinese steamed dumplings.I've got this and the 11 inch serving pan and am contemplating the 8 inch model.I live in Germany, so the price isn't so insane!Keep your eyes peeled for Silit Silargan cookware like this...I can't imagine you'll be disappointed! (My first review!)

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Zwilling JA Henckels Twin Spirit Thermolon Fry Pan

It performed well initially but started to stick after one month of use. The coatings on the surface even chipped before I sent it back three months later. I had had all kinds of non-stick pans from major makers and I knew the coatings were the weakest area. With this concern in mind, I decided to buy one with the best full coverage warranty after my Cuisinart Green Skillet failed on me. Too bad this Zwilling Spirit fry pan turned out to be my shortest-lived non-stick pan.

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One good things about this pan is the warranty. I sent it back and "finally" received a brand new replacement in about 2 "months". Hope this replacement can last longer.

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BTW, I always took good care of my non-stick wares; frying only with non-metal turners and cleaning only with soft sponges.

I got fed up with replacing pans over and over and was also concerned with the safety of my coated pans. I had switched to expensive stainless steel pans but they were a little sticky and were not working at all for eggs. I happened to see this name and after reading the one good review {Thank you Qrysta} I took a gamble and order all three sizes. I am So Glad I did !!!!!

Right out of the box I noticed how beautiful and well constructed these were. These are very high quality pans! The handle, the rivets, the bottom of the pan are all top of the line. I haven't seen anything better in my 40 years of cooking.

But what you will love is the ceramic cooking surface. It reminds me a little of the coating on a top of the line hair flat-iron, but a LOT thicker. It feels really hard and really slick.

I put it to the test tonight. I looked up whether to use oil or not when cooking with these pans and could not find a definitive answer. So first I made a fresh corn stir fry with onions and peppers. I used less than a teaspoon of olive oil when I would normally use over a tablespoon. It came out wonderful, less oily and I noticed no fumes at all from breaking in the pan.

I allowed some of the onions to burn in the pan because normally they would become a little sticky/gooey. In this pan they kept burning and eventually turned crispy and they never stuck!

I could have used another pan, but since everything including the burnt onions slide completely out of the pan, I decided to reheat some sugary-sweet potato casserole in the same pan. It reheated great, no sticking and no burning and it slid out in one piece into the serving dish.

Again my pan was so clean, that I decided to saute some fresh mushrooms. Now normally I would use a few T. of butter for a pound of mushrooms, but I only used one half. I added onion, green peppers, the veggies came out very nice and colorful. Finally just to push the limits, I added some shredded cheddar cheese. The cheese melted nicely, I tossed it all together and again, the whole thing slipped so easily onto the serving bowl and not a speck or drop was left in the pan.

As far as washing, if it weren't for the rivets, I could have just wiped it with a paper towel and called it clean. Food did stick to the rivets, but that was it! So I did use soap to clean the pan. After rinsing, the inside was almost immediately dry becuase the surface repels water so much. I only had to dry off the back.

I tried searing steaks in them and they browned VERY nicely.I popped the whole pan in the oven to finish just as if it were a cast iron pan or Blue Steel pan.And the results wer SO PERFECT and again, cleaning was a breeze.Browned bits slid right off = plus no rush to clean them like I would have to with my steel pans.OH, How I love these!!!

The only thing that could make these pans any better would be to have two handles on the opposite side of each other to make pouring easier. I have weak hands and good quality pans always seem to weigh more but these weigh less than my stainless steel, even though they also have a nice thick bottom. Oh, and a lid would be nice too.

I just replaced my large electric griddle for the last time I hope when it wears out this finish will be available on all pots, pans and electric griddles and skillets!!!

I also purchased a top of the line Circulon just for eggs, and now wish I had not. I assumed these would cook nicely but never imagined how completely non stick they would be!!

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I just want to know what on earth is stopping them from making a POT Collection!

These pans make me wish I had never bought any other.

This elite Granite version of Thermolon is (for once) not just advertising hype everything slides out; meat, tater, eggs, burnt foods, cheeses you name it.

The balance and curved handle are a joy.Just be sure to purchase the SPIRIT line.The initial Twin Choice line, like the competing Multiglide pans from Demeyere, have a straight handle.Uncomfortable and easier to drop.

The interiorof this pan needs no preseasoning and no repeat seasoning like the Thermolons from Todd English.

They claim the handle is cool to the touch, I'd say coooler NOT cool.

The exterior remains just as grime free as the inside, super easy to clean.

What annoys some consumers is independent testing of all thermolon finishes seems either impossible or very difficult to come by.For that we still wait.

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Some people believe food is fuel.They're wrong food is art, and I love to cook.My favorite frying pans are All Clad, but I sometimes use one of our non-sticks, and am always disappointed.

I read a review on the Henkel's pans and asked for an 8-inch for Christmas.It felt heavy and comforting when I opened the present.

Since then, I've toasted raw almonds (for a cereal topping) twice, fried an egg, and cooked onions and leftover Christmas lamb.This pan performs so well that I may buy two more in larger sizes and retire my All Clads.I'm the last guy you would ever hear making a statement like this.

I have so much respect for this pan that I've told my wife that if she burns stuff in it or uses abrasives to clean it (completely unnecessary), the pan goes in the safe and only I will use it (male ignoramus attitude, but I'm in love again).

Ovenman

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I was a bit concerned because the ceramic surface wasn't smooth like those green ones you see on TV.It doesn't seem to matter though, they are just as non-stick, if not more so.I have both an eight inch and this ten inch pan.The eight inch, I use only for fried eggs and I use about 1/4 teaspoon of butter for flavoring.With the elcheepo green surfaced pans, the eggs would still stick and not slide out of the pan without tearing apart.I had to up the butter to 1/2 tsp or so.Not with these pans even without butter the eggs slide right out.You do have to make sure you heat the pan up, however.Anything will stick to a cold pan.

I'm dropping two stars off this rating because the ten inch pan is now badly discolored after just three uses.I'd thought of dropping three, but the ceramic surface is excellent.The eight inch pan is fine, I guess because I've only used it for eggs so far it hasn't gotten hot enough to discolor.I don't know what type of cheep stainless steel they used here, but I've had a set of Calphalon SS pans for over five years and they have absolutely no discoloration.I'm sorry, but a $70 pan should not discolor at all, much less after just three uses.I do hope Calphalon comes out with a set of ceramic coated pans.

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Circulon 14-in. Nonstick Symmetry Stir Fry Pan, Chocolate

Construction:

Handle feels solid, its metal with a rubber grip that stays cool.Non-stick surface has not scratched yet, in 3 months of usage.I find the same in most Circulon products, that is what lead me to this.The dark anodized outside also looks sharp.

Usage:

I use this to stir fry and steam.Wow, it is great!I use a wooden spatula, it has not scratched the surface, unlike this other non-stick pan that I have.The conductive metal also provides great flame control.Cleanup is very easy.

Cons:

No lid (this is the major reason for -1 star), and it's big, its not easily washed in a small sink.

Final comments:

I was tempted to buy an iron wok for the "wok hey", but putting oil in this thing and heating that up also seems to work well.Also, I don't have to season this thing like an iron wok, and it is a lot easier to handle.I pick it up with 1 hand and put the stir fry on a plate.It is also a lot easier for my girlfriend.I am tempted to buy a second for backup, I like it so much..Of course I did NOT stirfry a crab in this thing, would have ruined it.

I loved it for the first few months I was using it, and was using it everyday. But the coating starts to come off and have to shop for a new pan now

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The material is very durable and nonstick is great, except that this particular wok feels so heavy, maybe because of the long handle. I prefer thesame size wok with the 2 shorter handles, which is also easier to clean too, because the short handles don't stick out of the sink!

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For three years I have used the Circulon elite hard-anodized 14-inch nonstick stir-fry pan as my main stove-top cooking pan.Not only is it a great high temperature stir fry pan, it also is perfect for omelettes, soups, stews, sautéing. Both small and large cooking tasks can be done in this single pan. Nothing sticks and mine shows no signs of wear after almost daily use for three years.I typically use a 800'F silicone spatula (Cuisinart) which effortlessly moves veggies around and lifts omelettes without hurting the pan surface. Ihave previously used both steel and nonstick woks and this is by far the best.It cleans up in a twinkling. I use the 14" glass cover that came with a stock pot and with a domed cover that came with one of my defunct woks.This is a great purchase price for the only indispensable pan in my collection.

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Having been fortunate enough to have had two pieces Circulon cookware in the past, I was chomping at the bit to own a large wok with the same qualities.

Finally, I bought this wok and...wow!It's huge, heats evenly and exceeds my expectations! Cooking with this wok is a joy. It's large enough to stir fry copious amounts of meat and vegetables without losing anything over the side. I find my stove is left cleaner cooking with this wok than any other pan I own. And food gets cooked evenly no matter where it is in the cooking space. The sides get as hot as the bottom, exactly what a wok is supposed to do.

To get the best life from this wok DO NOT PUT IT IN THE DISHWASHER.I ruined my large Circulon skillet by tossing it in the dishwasher over and over and it eventually lost the coating and rusted. Clean this by hand ONLY and dry it off. Don't use any scouring pads or powders and oil it lightly once it's dry. It will last many years. My other Circulon piece is over 6 years old and it looks like new because I've refused to wash it any other way. Also, NEVER use any cooking sprays with Circulon. I'm sure that contributed to my other large pan's short life.

My only problem with this wok is storage, (did I say it's HUGE?) but that's my own fault for not having a gourmet kitchen.

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ExcelSteel 12 Inch super lightweight cast iron frypan

I am very happy with this pan. It's practically non-stick if treated properly. It cooks evenly, heats quickly and is large enough for stir fry. I highly recommend this especially for the price. It's also very light for a cast iron pan. The handle is also great as it's the only cast iron I have that where the handle doesn't get too hot to handle.

I've had a ExcelSteel fry pan for over 2 years.These are a great alternative to traditional cast iron cookware.They weight about 50% less.I find them to be the best answer for safe, high temp frying.Many of the poor reviews here seem to be lack of experience with cast iron.Yes, you need to season the pan. Yes, you need to clean it after use or it will rust in the sink. Yes, it is not true non-stick at low temperatures.But, like a good, seasoned, cast iron pan, this fried better than anything I have found.AND its one of the most safe fry pans on the market.The latest gov't reports on Teflon and related non-stick cookware are disturbing.With very little proper maintenance this pan will last a lifetime.

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We bought a 12 super lightweight cast iron fry pan a few weeks ago. I was trying to get away from coated non-stick pans. I weighed the pan and it was about the same weight as my 12" Cuisinart non-stick pan. That is the good part. On the down side, the center of the pan is higher than the edges. If you put some oil in the pan, the oil forms a 1 1/2" wide ring around the center but it is not too deep. Even that is not so bad, the real bad part is that the center gets hot, and the edges are not nearly as hot (this area is about 1 1/2", the same width as the low spot). We cooked some bacon strips that were cut in half, so they were about 4 1/2" long. They were arranged so that some were in the middle of the pan, and some around the edge. The bacon in the middle cooked fairly rapidly, the ones on the edge did not cook well. We had to constantly move the edge bacon to the middle. The size of the hot spot was about the same as the burner diameter, so it appears that the heat does not travel well beyond the center. We have had no problem with the "black coating" coming off, but have only used the pan a few times. Each time only the center heated. Would not recommend this pan!

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Helping handle is good.You need it.These seem to rust faster than the older type if you spill any water on them.They are lighter than the older type but not by much.Still pretty heavy.Don't get one for Grandma unless she's a body builder.I can't tell that they cook any more evenly than other pans I have.I still get spot burning with these.A disappointment but it's still healthier than other metals.

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I owned a cast-iron skillet years ago, and never could get it properly seasoned.That, coupled with the weight, meant it was destined for the trash heap.After a long time of wanting a replacement, I finally purchased this one, and couldn't be happier.I was worried about the advertised "light weight," thinking it might not be proper cast iron, but don't worry...it is.It comes pre-seasoned, and from the first use, it has been perfectly non-stick and REALLY easy to clean.It is light, also, which is great.It cleans very easily with hot water and brush, and all I do is rub a little vegetable oil in the pan with a paper towel, and then store it away.Couldn't be easier, and works great.Highly recommend it.

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Circulon Contempo Hard Anodized Nonstick 8-Inch, 10-Inch and 11-Inch Triple Pack Skillet Set

Most of the reviews we read were in praise of these pans. We agree. However, initially, upon receiving the pans, we were sceptical as the instructions said quite clearly Do Not use high or medium high heat when using the pans. Whoever heard of not using high heat on a fry pan? However, we have followed the instructions and use low to medium heat as we begin heating the pans and they do heat up nicely and evenly.

It also said not to use non-stick cooking spray on the pans as that might deteriorate the effectiveness down the road. I must admit, you do not have to use PAM or other non-stick sprays and the pans work quite well and clean up very nicely with a little soap and water, sometimes water alone. We have used butter or olive oil though and both work well.

We think the pans will be just fine now that we have gotten use to working with them. We would recommend them, especially at this price point for 3 pans.

Downside no lids, but you may already have lids in your kitchen that can fit.

These pans were advertisedas being induction ready.They are aluminum, and thus are not usable on an induction range. To Amazon's credit, they authorized a return and refunded my money.

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Bought this set as a replacement for some much older Circulon pans that had served us well. They were over 10 years old, and were staring to show wear inside the pan. They are our most used pan, seeing several uses per week for breakfast, frying burgers, chicken cutlets and the like.

There was thought about buying a 'better' brand, however after much searching and rejecting, we finally found the replacement from the company that made our last set of pans.

We like the design because of the short, steep sides. They are deep enough for things like scrambled eggs, yet shallow enough to get a spatula in to flip a pancake. The steepness makes the usable flat surface at the bottom seem like it's a bigger diameter pan.

I'll confess I did not buy the pans from Amazon. It's one of those things that for me has a lot of personal choice involved. If you're picky, I'd recommend going to see them in a store first before buying them. See how they feel in your hand.

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The inside of the pans are textured and not stick free. Not dishwasher safe. Not to be used with oil of any kind. Not to be used with medium-high to high heat. I used one pan once and was terribly disappointed. Despite all the "conditions" that I followed, the pan still did not preform to make an omelette without sticking and having weird brown marks.

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I had mine for two years and love them. I cook a lot. None of my others skillets lasted for so long. I use them, wash, use again and they work perfectly! I would definitely recommend them.

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Swiss Diamond Fry Pans

The problem with many reviews is that they are written in the honeymoon period after the purchase. I bought many pots and pans by this manufacturer. I bought this 10 inch frying pan almost a year ago and I have used it almost every day. It still works, but here's the problem this type of surface is funny, at first it's like all teflon pans, totally slippery and it is very, very scratch resistant, but after a while no matter how well you clean it, it will develop a hard layer of oil/carbon and will become not much different than a poor to middle of the road seasoned cast iron pan. If you don't believe me, buy it and run it through about 100 cycles and you'll see what I mean. As far as the many other Swiss Diamond pots, casseroles, etc. I have purcased; I give them my highest mark, but keep in mind that any of these that gets used a lot and has oil on it will develop this layer of carbon which is impossible to remove. To their credit, the manufacturer actually warns you of this with the instuctions, and that you must not let the oil get burned on. My experience after 200 thermal cycles is that keeping that from happening is impossible. Maybe I wasn't religious enough in my cleaning at first, but once the process starts it will slowly cover the whole bottom of the pan no matter what you do. I use as much oil and butter in this pan now as I would on stainless or cast iron.Good luck

I LOVED this pan when I first got it, and for a while.I've had it for over a year now.It cooked evenly and was wonderfully non-stick.In fact, it cooked as nicely as a well-seasoned cast iron.I tried to care for it as directed, but even so, the pan has lost most of it's non-stick qualities and is difficult to clean well.

To make a long story short, I prefer my old cast iron, and while they require some care, they hold their quality.This pan has become unmanageable as far as its non-stick coating is concerned.There doesn't seem to be any way to "restore" it as you would a cast iron pan.

I REALLY WANTED TO LOVE THIS PAN, but after one year, I am very disappointed.Started out well, but quickly went the way of cheap non-stick pans.

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(Be sure to see update at the end, but first, my original--regrettable--glowing review)

I have an entire set of Swiss Diamond in addition to this pan. I bought Swiss Diamond because, due to weak wrists, I needed sturdy cookware that was not as heavy as stainless steel. Because aluminum is the primary, affordable, lighter-weight alternative, and one does not want food coming in contact with aluminum because of the possible leaching of it into the food, I sought non-stick pans with a coating that would not flake or scratch off and end up in my food. After much research, I discovered Swiss Diamond. I have not been disappointed. The pans are a great weight--hefty without being too heavy, and after several months of use, the coating is holding up beautifully. I confess that I do not primarily use metal utensils in it, however, so I can't testify about how they hold up against metal.

These pans caramelize food beautifully, and the evenness of the heat distribution in them is a pure joy. They do take a few extra seconds to heat up, but hold heat very well. I really love how flat the pan's bottom is, and imagine if you have a flush electric cooktop, these would be especially appreciated. Though I have a gas range, I had trouble in the past with pots and pans slipping and sliding on the enameled grates, but these pans do not slide. And I was delighted to discover, after realizing I had accidentally left this pan on low heat for an hour with no food in it, it did not warp at all and is still in perfect condition. This cookware cleans up easily and perfectly, too. I love that they are coated on the outside walls of the pans so any dried or cooked on food comes off the outside as easily as the inside.

One thing to note is that if you are looking for a pan to cook eggs in without oil, this may not be your best choice. The texture of the diamond coating seems to grab more than a slick Teflon pan would, and the first time I tried to flip my fried eggs without a spatula, I had less than stellar results. But with sufficient oil, I can flip the eggs without a spatula or a problem (I need to make my daily quota of coconut oil anyway for health reasons, so I'm fine with putting oil in the pan). If you use a spatula, you should easily be able to flip eggs without oil.

I do hope these pans turn out to be durable over the years. So far, after a few months, they are aces! In fact, my husband may be growing weary of my exclaiming, "I LOVE this cookware!" over and over again.

UPDATE 3/18/2013 Sadly, pans are in the landfill now. We didn't even want to donate them, we thought they were so unhealthy! After only a year, they started flaking and wearing on the edges. I advise against these pans, not just because they weren't durable, but I have come to believe they are made with PTFEs--the toxic stuff in Teflon. I now have ceramic coated pans (German Weilburger Healthy Legend) and so far, so good, but I'll wait awhile before reviewing!

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I purchased this pan while returning another one to the Swiss Diamond warranty department. It was no longer "non-stick" and there was white discoloration all over it. When I called the warranty department, they seemed very receptive and told me to send it in. I followed their directions and sent it off for inspection.

Because the Swiss Diamond seemed so responsive, I thought that I would have no problem having it replaced. I went ahead and purchased a new one because I needed a pan right away and did not want to wait for the time it would take to replace. I thought I would give the replaced pan to my daughter.

About a week after I sent the pan off for inspection to the Swiss Diamond warranty, it was returned unopened. UPS had a stamp on it stating: "refused delivery, receiver did not want". I was confused and looked at the package and reviewed the sending instructions that were emailed directly to me from Swiss Diamond. I had followed the mailing directions exactly as specified so I called. I then called and left a message to my contact person. When I did not hear from her the next day, I emailed her. The next day the email was returned undeliverable.

When I finally got a hold of someone at the number I had, I was told that they were no longer honoring Swiss Diamond warranties and I would have to contact the Swiss Diamond Company in Switzerland. I went to their website and emailed them because there is no international 800 number and I did not want to invest any more money in this fiasco. It has been 2 months now and I have emailed them 2 times and still no response.

I have given up as this is more trouble that it is worth. The reason I purchased this product in the first place is because I thought it had a warranty, at least one that the company would honor. I don't mind paying extra for a product that a manufacturer stands behind. I rarely return things but when I have for valid reasons I have never had a problem with having the item replaced.

This product is not worth the cost they charge. I could probably go to Target or WalMart and purchase something just as good for a quarter of the price and still get better customer service.

This is just another Teflon pan. They cannot legally use the word "Teflon" because that is a registered trademark name from Dupont ( I think). It is still the same stuff.

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I recently bought a Swiss Diamond Saute Pan on the basis of a limited lifetime warranty and this claim in the product description:

"Swiss Diamond cookware features a revolutionary new non-stick incorporating diamond crystals ... to form a virtually indestructible non-stick cooking surface that will not crack, blister or peel. So durable its metal utensil safe."

After my experience using this pan I take issue with the terms "virtually indestructible" and "metal utensil safe" and feel that I have been deceived.

I've followed Swiss Diamond use and care instructions *to the letter* but not long after I started using the pan the surface became pockmarked. I would submit that the product is certainly neither "virtually indestructible" nor "metal utensil safe."

Interestingly their lifetime warranty does not cover "scratch marks," which is puzzling because they've just claimed it's"virtually indestructible" and "metal utensil safe." How is a"virtually indestructible" and "metal utensil safe" surface going to get scratch marks on it? Maybe they know something we don't?

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All-Clad Copper Core 12-Inch Chef's Pan

When I started law school, I moved into a studio apartment with only microwave pots to cook in.After a year, I decided that some better form of food was necessary.I first got an All-Clad 1-quart saucier, and then I got this amazing pot/pan.I need nothing else.It warms quickly and evenly and cleans beautifully.At first I choked over the price but I bit the bullet and got it.The cost is, granted, about the same that one can pay and get a whole set, but I've had those inferior sets before.They've gotten thrown out in a year or two because they're worth exactly what I paid for them.Should I ever actually need another pot, I won't look at anything but All-Clad cop-r core.

This pan is of top quality. Heating is rather even due to its special constraction. The 12 inch size is perfect for preparing meal for 1-4 persons. The handle will never be hot however the handle of lid could be hot if cook long.

CON: When stirring fry eggs or meat, this pan is really sticky. I changed from high heat to medium heat and added more vegetable oil and these won't help that much.

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I bought this pan five months ago and have not regretted it. It was the first piece of All Clad Copper Core that I purchased and I have purchased five more pans since! First of all, the pan looks beautiful and you can put it in the dishwasher. I clean it with powdered Bar Keepers Friend (sells for $2 in Publix) and then put it in the dishwasher. My dishwasher has a sanitize cycle, so I prefer to put as many things in it as possible that do not require hand washing.

I have cooked a variety of things in this pan: Fried items, sautéed items, marinara sauce, stews, soups, etc. Basically, it is a great multi-purpose pan and unusual. You will never find this style of pan in a set that you would buy. I am not into Asian food, but obviously if you like that, this pan would be perfect for stir frying. It holds quite a bit of food and the loop makes it easy to move from the stove to other areas of the kitchen if you need to. The lid is high doomed so moisture will stay in as well. I really do not think you can go wrong with this pan. I own the 10 inch fry pan, but find it's not necessary to purchase the 12 inch since I have the Chef's Pan.

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I recently received this pan as a gift and, though I have not used it much yet, I think it is necessary to mention that the Amazon product description is wrong--this pan is not a wok, or "wok-like" in anything more than a superficial sense (it has rounded sides). It is much shallower than a standard wok, and has a much larger flat portion on the bottom than a standard flat-bottom wok (it is more like a deep skillet with a lid than it is wok-like). Yes, one could stir-fry in it, but that means little (one could try to stir-fry in a skillet or sauce pan also).

Stir-frying will certainly be easier and better in an actual wok that is deeper and more rounded; I have one made by Calphalon and it is great. As far as this chef's pan goes, I plan to use it primarily for fricassees and braises.

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Also known as a Sauteuse Evasee, this type of chef's pan is probably the most versatile piece of cookware one can buy. It can boil, steam, stir fry, deep fry, braise, blanch, slow cook, pan fry, blacken, saute, and perform pretty much any other task required of cookware. In my opinion, there is no better pan for making large amounts of roux based sauces, it effectively functions as an extra wide 4qt saucier. Using a whisk couldn't be any easier, there are no hard to reach areas whatsoever.

All Clad's version of this pan is particularly convenient because it can be placed in the dishwasher. Not everyone has the time to hand wash their pans, especially if you cook on weekdays.

Please do not buy this pan thinking it will replace a traditional Chinese carbon steel or cast iron wok. The heat distribution is much too high to achieve the high temperatures around the edges that are required to produce "wok hay", that great smoky, umami-packed wok signature flavor. For everything, and I mean everything else in the kitchen however, it is great!

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T-fal Simply Delicioso Nonstick Dishwasher Safe Hard Enamel Caldero with Glass Lid Cookware

We are the one-pot-meal enthusiastic kind of family and this pot turned to be our best friend immediately. It's actually our second one as the first pot's teflon surface started chipping quite soon. We did not use any sharp tools for stirring, however few times we used the top heat settings, what is not recommended. The rest of our T-fal pots and pans are however holding completely OK, which is maybe also a reason, why this new one arrived with obviously new surfase technology (they probably experienced some more cases with the old one...).

I am not sure if this all writing is understandable therefore the bottomline is:

This product is superb for frying, one potting, gratinating and baking and the 2nd generation teflon surface makes it much more durable than its predecessor.

I bought this product because I liked the color and also loved the glass lid. This pan works so wonderfully, it's the right size for so many dishes! I love the fact that you can see what's cooking without removing the lid and they were very smart with the design putting a hole in there to release the steam. Very clever indeed! Would definitely recommend this to all my friends.

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We had a T-fal fry pan with the 2 short handles that we used all the time. We liked that it was easier to store than a traditional long handled pan.After it finally wore out we tried to find another without any luck.We then came across this Caldero.While its not really a fry pan, it actually has worked out better as its more versatile. We are also going to be getting the larger version as well.

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This pan is perfect for a variety of things.I am surprised at how often I reach for it.The only negative, if you want to call it that, is that it's lighter and thinner than my other pans.Considering it's size, I really can't call it a real negative for me.Very pleased.

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Awesome! Love it! GREAT investment! T-Fal is by far the BEST cooking pots and pans that were ever made! I refuse to cook with anything else. Surface cleans effortlessly no matter what was in it or how long it sat!

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Presto 05420 FryDaddy Electric Deep Fryer

I've had one of these little fryer appliances since they first became popular in the seventies.The current model is the second one I've had, being larger than the original model that came out.

For someone not needing to fry enormous amounts at one time, this little machine is ideal.It requires only a very small amount of vegetable oil.I've used it to fry chicken wings, quickly, to do french fries and onion rings, to do other smaller chicken parts, and it works beautifully.There is no thermostat; you just plug it in, wait 10 minutes, and the temp is 375.Having such a small amount of grease, it recovers heat more quickly than an electric skillet.

When you are through, if you plan to reuse the grease you can simply let the machine cool, snap the plastic top on, the put the whole thing in the fridge.I don't fry that often, and when I do, I tend to fry a lot, so usually I just discard the oil.Such a small amount is used (usually no more than 3 cups starting out) that I don't feel bad about discarding the oil.

The sides on this appliance are quite high, and splatter around the machine has never been a problem.I used common sense, though, when I fry, whether it's here or on the stove.

I'm sure the all-enclosed auto-fryers that are out on the market are nice, and if I fried a lot I'd probably get one.However, I only fry once or twice a month, and for that, this little machine is perfect.I'd recommend one to anyone--durable, simple, and does exactly what it's designed for!

After spending more money on 2 faulty deep fryers (Rival is hit-or-miss for quality), I've finally settled on this little beauty.

Pros:

1.) Cheap and simple, a very compact and minimalist package overall. It is nothing more than a steel bucket with a heating element underneath.

2.) Fries at 350 degrees, 25 short of "ideal" but safe for cooking with lard and lower smoke point oil. Try lard if you never have, you can still get it in supermarkets.

3.) Milled steel bucket, cast aluminum base. Inside has a permanent synthetic non-stick surface. Clean up and changing oil is simple.

Cons:

1.) This fryer isn't for families with young children or dumb people. Hot oil is always dangerous to work around and this unit is a STEEL BUCKET FULL OF OIL. The outside is hot. The inside is hot. It's hot.

2.) Doesn't have a lid to stop the occasional spatter.

3.) The bottom and healing element are shielded, but it will still warm up your synthetic countertop. I have mine on an old wooden cutting board to avoid warping the plastic.

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I fry things about 1-2 times a week, and I liked my fried things to be very crispy yet not laden with oil. I wanted something that would truly get to a hotter frying temperature, to make my frying quicker and more "healthful"...(healthy frying....is that an oxymoron or what?)Because I don't fry THAT often, I just needed something simple.

I like this fryer because the heat-up time is very quick, and there is much less splatter then if you were frying in a pot.When I fry, I usually do your typical fried foods: fries, onion rings, wontons, etc.I have not tried to do anything else in it yet.

If the oil is fairly clean after I use it, I will put it in the refridgerator, but not keep more than a week.This is a very simple fryer.If you are a more heavy-duty fryer, then you might want to look into a fancier one.The exterior is not cool-touch, and there is no basket.If you only do small batches of things, and don't really fry that much, or even if you do, then this will be a great fryer for you.

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This machine is really easy to use...I fried dough to make funnel cake and donuts, and it was simple.All you have to do is put in your oil, heat it up, and add the dough.The number of things you can fry is endless.My personal favorites are the funnel cake, chicken tenders, and french fries.Depending on what you are making, cooking time can vary from mere minutes to a half hour.Experiment, create your own recipes, it's easy.

One word of advice is to make sure to clean the fryer and change the oil regularly.Nothing is worse than frying with old oil.Keep the fryer very clean!Enjoy!

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For years I've avoided making my own fried foods, as I had no luck frying in pans or my wok.My husband suggested a FryDaddy, remembering their commercials from the 1970s.We've had it for over a month and have used it several times, and it's been terrific.We've used it for shrimp and tempura thus far.It's nice to free up a burner on the stove by using this countertop item.

Browning is kind of tricky at first, because this gadget fries really quickly, faster than their instruction guide indicates.Fried shrimp for po' boys took 2 minutes at the most to get brown.Once I scooped out a couple batches of shrimp the oil level went down a bit, and the temperature increased, nearly burning next batch.I recommend adding more oil to the fill line if this happens.Also, the oil will splatter, so I use a splatter screen over the top to prevent a big mess.

It's not the easiest to clean and the cord is inconvenient.For safety reason, the FryDaddy has a short cord and recommends you not use an extension.Unless you're lucky enough to have an outlet right next to your table, this won't be a tabletop item sort of a bummer if you want to make tempura at the table!Second, this unit is a bit hard to clean.The cord has a habit of collecting batter that drips, and of course the FryDaddy cannot be immersed in water.I clean the unit by pouring hot water into it with a little dish soap to soak for a few minutes.After I pour it out, I wipe clean with paper towels and let dry.

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Hamilton Beach Nonstick Contempo Cookware Sets

the nonstick on these pots and pans is amazing.nothing sticks to it. i have only had them a few weeks but i love them.

Super crappy pots/pans. The handles, including the black part totally heat up to the point where I can barely touch them when my stove is at just half way. Both pots burned bad the first time I used them.But for the price, what do you expect? Quality Stainless Steel Cookware?

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I liked these pots & pans, except for the fact that now, after only a few months of very light use the coating is wearing away even though I use non-scratch sponges and plastic cooking utensils just as I have with my past non-stick pots & pans. I had a similar set that I bought at Costco and used for 10 years before the coating began wearing away. Unfortunately I thought it was time to replace them and gave them to charity when I bought these. I regret that and wish I had them back. I haven't even had this set a year and they need to be replaced. These are garbage, don't waste your money!:-(

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I bought a pot last year, same brand. this one is no where as nice as that one. The handles are of poor quality,open to stuff getting stuck in there. also they tend to be sharp and don't feel as safe. the lid on the large pot does not fit right, the pot is not right. I washed and disposed of the box before I discovered the problems. I will not buy this brand again. The ones in the past were good ,what happened?

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They're nice for the first couple literally a couple uses. The non stick coating comes off very easliy and you can't touch the handles with out an oven mit. Not even worth the cheap 60 bucks I paid.

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Paula Deen Signature Pantryware Standing Rooster Paper Towel Holder

This paper towel holder has a nice design, but the base is simply too light.Tearing paper towel requires two hands else the whole thing tips over.

This holder is very pretty to look at but when you hold it you realize how lightweight and cheap it is. It would be much better if a weight was added underneath. The chicken at the top of the holder arrived bent and almost broken off completely. The metal is soft so i gently bent it back to an almost upright position so it is workable. You need to unscrew the chicken every time that you need to change the roll so I hope that it lasts. Definitely not the greatest.

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This paper towel holder was the perfect addition to my French country kitchen! It looks great sitting on my countertop!

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Gave it as a present. My sister in law loves it. This item seemed sturdy to me. I was surprised by that being that is did not cost much.

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Would be better with a weighted bottom but otherwise well made. Cute as part of the whole Paula Deen rooster set.

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Farberware High Performance Aluminum Nonstick 14-Inch Skillet with Helper Handle, Black

I ordered this pan as a replacement for a similar other brand. Pictures showed a nice cover, but it doesn't come with one and I couldn't figure out how to order the one shown. I do like the pan itself, but all my other covers are too small to use on this pan.

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