Simply Calphalon SA8785HP Nonstick 5-Quart Chili Pot

I think Calphalon has missed a bet in attaching the label "chili" to this versatile pot, because it suggests that its best use is limited to making chili.But mine is well-loved and used almost daily for cooking virtually everything -chili, yes, but also soup, sauteed fresh veggies, simmer-all-day pasta sauce, pot roast, ETC.I also use it when I need a high-sided skillet. The heating is very even, making it a lovely choice for carmelizing onions and other vegetables, as well as meat. I love this pot so much that I have given a number of them as gifts.

Calphalon calls another pan, sort of a flat-bottomed wok, its "everyday pan."I have that one, too, but it has drifted to the bottom of the stack because I DON'T use it everyday.They should have applied that label to this pot instead instead of the "chili" label.

We've owned this pot for a little over a year now. The non-stick coating works VERY well, making cleanup a cinch! Also, it's the perfect size for cooking dinner for our family of four.

The one problem we've had with it is the durability of the non-stick coating. We first noticed some of the coating flaking off a few months back. Since then, the flaking has accelerated to the point that we're not using the pot anymore. We have always used wooden or plastic spoons with it, so we don't believe it is a result of neglectful use.

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After years of everyday use, I wore out my Calphalon 8785 pot despite my best efforts, the interior became scratched, and the exterior lost its anodized look. I'll keep it for backup, but it is officially retired.

I prefer the steel lid of the old pot because the handle is part of the lid; the new pot affixes the handle to the glass lid with big rivets. Structurally sound, no doubt, but a weak spot.

I don't see any real benefit to a glass lid; I don't watch the food cook, and if I do, I'm busy stirring a roux or sautéing, so the lid is off. Not a selling point for me.

Functionally, the pots are similar. The non-stick surface releases foods, but I cannot use metal utensils to stir or scrape. I use olive wood utensils out of habit, but the other members of my family are not always so conscientious.

The price is right, and this is a fine product. I have no idea why it is labeled "chili pot" it is too small for chili made in my kitchen.

I look forward to another decade of daily use with my new Calphalon pan.

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We have a stock pot that is a decent size, but it is narrow and tall so I wanted one that would be easier for me to work with.This pot does the trick!I love it!It cleans easily and allows me to make the amount that I want/need for our family.I recommend it highly.

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This particular pan lives up to Calphalon's reputation for quality cookware. It's easy to clean and heats evenly.Love it!

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Chicago Metallic Commercial II Non-Stick 14-Inch Deep Dish Pizza Pan

Made 6 pizzas in month since I received it... experimented with different dough recipes and even made one dessert pizza.The pan was not a limitation, even cooking and easy to remove the pizza from the pan.

I purchased two of these pans.They are very sturdy and large. I have not had any trouble with anything sticking. I grease them with shortening and the pizzas slide out with ease.I am very happy with this purchase. A great pan for deep dish pizza!Excellent!

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Love this pizza pan.Had one of thesefor over 10 years and just wanted a newer one.They last forever.

All you have to do is put enough olive oil in it when you make the pizza and it slides right out.I slide it out onto another pan to cut the pizza, makes this pan stay new longer.

Good weight, heavier than my old one was.

I make pizza once a week, this pan is amazing, would not purchase any other brand or pan.Love it and would recommend it highly.

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I used it to make a few pizzas, but found it more useful for other dishes, like pies and cakes.

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After a trip to Chicago over New Years and having Pizzeria Uno, I had to master the art of deep dish pizza.This pan helped me get it done, and I'm still using it a couple years later.

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Heuck Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Cookware 2-Piece Skillet Set

Items look much bigger in photo.It's the 6 1/2 & 8 inch skillets. I was afraid of that due to the lack of information on the description. O now have to buy a bigger skillet to complete my set, or return and get the 3 piece set.

Horrible!! The inside have what appears to be air bubbles. Also there was some sort of glue splashed on the pans. I had a gut feeling about this purchase. I'm returning these immediately and Purchasing Lodge brand. Lesson learned "ALWAY BUY PRODUCTS MADE IN THE USA"!!!

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Universal Replacement Cookware Pot Glass Lid Cover Knob 2pcs

These are very light weight, cheaply made replacements, but in the end, functional.A pair was less than $5 with shipping.The material looks stainless, but the nut in the knob or the weld spot rusted after a day in the water.Bolt head is little small so I provided own stainless washer.

Look at the picture: it says two pieces; I saw the picture, I though that they were saying a top and a bottom; no it is two knobs per bag; 4 pieces.

Wife is pleased; however, I am looking around for other cooking pots that need new knobs; I have found a wonderful solution!.

Bruce Young

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This item was a perfect fit as a replacemernt for my broken knob. Would order thiws item again if needed.

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After being frustrated for years with the stripped screw in the knob on my better half's crock pot, the darned thing finally came apart. A quick search found this, and it seems to have solved the problem perfectly. Better still, there's two of themso should I need a knob for one of the other pots, I'm set.

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This product was easy to install and I was so happy, but the screw rusted and was dripping rust in my food.

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Rachael Ray Hard Anodized Nonstick 6-Quart Covered Chef's Pan, Orange

The price and quality of Racheal Ray's cookware makes her cookware perfect. I've been using her cookware set for a few weeks now and have no complaints. I have a gas stove and never turn the heat on higher than medium. It heats up evenly and fast. I've never run into the rubber smell some reviewers have mentioned. It cleans up as easily as advertised. I think the folks that are having problems are not following the instruction not go past medium heat. This pan is great for stir-fry.

This is now my favorite goto pan.You can use it stove top or put in oven and holds plenty!

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Product came quickly & was in good shape.Was a gift so don't know how it works, but happy with service.

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Paderno Heavy Duty Carbon Steel Frying Pans

My husband is an Alton Brown (Food Network) fan. Alton said that carbon steel pans were great so I decided to get one for my husband.I bought a Paderno Heavy Duty Carbon Steel Frying Pan, World Cuisine brand from Amazon and a Matfer brand Black Steel Omelet Pan from another retailer. The Matfer Black Steel Pan was more expensive.More expensive is usually better.It wasn't better. I conditioned both pans in an identical process according to the three step conditioning recommendations that I found online--(oil, heat in oven, wipe out with paper towels and lots of salt to get the stickiness out; oil, heat on the stovetop, wipe with paper towels and no salt; oil, heat on stovetop, fry potato peelings).I even repeated the potato cooking process a second time, switching burners because there was an enormous difference in quality and I didn't want to dislike an expensive new pan when the fault might have been my stovetop.By the time I was done with the potatoes, I could tell a huge difference. The potatoes in the Paderno/World Cuisine pan were crispy on both sides, they didn't stick to the pan at all and they were of the quality of what you could expect at a restaurant.In the Matfer Black Steel Omelet pan that I bought from a different website, the potatoes got a little crispy and then proceeded to get mushy.No matter how long I cooked them, which burner I cooked them on or how high the heat was, they just became mushier and lost their texture, whereas the potatoes in the Paderno/World Cuisine Carbon Steel pan got crispier with more cooking but didn't burn.The potatoes stuck to the Matfer Black Steel Pan in spots and I had to scrape it to get the potatoes off of the pan.The Paderno/World Cuisine Pan didn't stick at all, like a teflon pan.Another thing I noticed was that the Matfer Black Steel pan seemed to concentrate its heat in a 4" radius in the center, whereas the Paderno/World Cuisine carbon steel pan spread the heat out evenly.I look forward to using the Paderno pan and will probably not use the Matfer black steel pan very often.

I am a big fan of these carbon steel pans.They season much the same as cast iron pans and need to be taken care of in the same manner as cast iron.Once they are nicely seasoned they are virtualy non-stick.They distribute heat very rapidly and evenly and work well on any burner surface from gas to induction glass top.They are perfect for sticking into the oven or running something under the broiler.The big advantage over cast iron is the long handle that makes them much easier to lift and handle, these pans are heavy, and the shape with the rounded sides.

If you screw up the seasoning by burning something, simply run the pan through a cycle of a self cleaning oven.All the accumulated grease and crud will come off, rinse off and carefully dry.The pan will be as new and will need to be re-seasoned much as a brand new pan.With a minum of care these pans last a lifetime.

Do not confuse these pans with much less expensive and much lighter weight French style steel pans.Those heat unevenly and get hot spots.

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I've been around enough chefs in my life to know that "carbon steel" equals "Hardcore" in the kitchen, from pans to knives, etc. But it was only recently that I decided to go Hardcore in the pan department, having been a bit intimated by the seasoning and maintenance responsibilities. Not sure why, since I've had my trusty cast iron pans for years, and the commitment is pretty much the same. The Paderno 12.5" has become an almost mystical object in our kitchen. It really seems to have a certain magical property with proteins in particular. Seared at high heat, and then thrown into the oven, steaks, burgers, pork tenderloin,salmon, etc. come out just amazing. This pan also seems to have a particular affinity for eggs, and makes truly profound omelets. This size is quite large and hefty, and I plan on adding a smaller size or two, but it serves well for dinner for two, with ample room for dinner for four. As for the anxiety over seasoning and maintenance, it was all for naught. Wash it, dry it, rub it with oil, and give it some time in the oven. Don't cook anything particularly liquid or acidic in it right away, reserving it for animal proteins / fats during it's initiation. It soon develops a miraculous non-stick, easy clean surface that will have you suspecting some sort of witchcraft. Beats the pants off *non-stick* environmentally unfriendly coatings. It's also very responsive to temperature / burner change settings, allowing for very fine heat control ( I speak only for gas stoves). You can easily pay the same price for a crap non-stick pan that is destined for the land fill after a year or two of duty, Why not treat yourself to a genuine quality item, that will last virtually forever, and make you feel all Chef-like and stuff?a

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This pan is very heavy duty.I bought the 12.5 inch pan.I bought it because we are getting rid of our teflon nonstick pans for good.I considered cast iron, but I did not like the rough surface the new ones have and the weight.Carbon steel pans season just like cast iron, but are extremely smooth and not as heavy. Ironically the cast iron pans our grandmother's used (Griswald especially) were lighter in weight and were very smooth, similar to this carbon steel pan.I like heavy cast iron pans, but anything over 12 inches is way too heavy especially once the pan is full of food. Tip on seasoning. wash pan well with soap and water and dry well. over high heat, heat pan until it darkens (you will have to move pan around some to get the corners and sides).Cool to medium low.Cut a potato in half and rub the cut side all around (it might smoke some).Potato starch acts like a glue which helps hold the layer of oil on the pan.If you did not do this, the layer of oil will begin to flake with repeated use.Some people will fry bacon or other food stuff, then scrape it clean and season it.Then rub a very thin film of oil in pan (I use flaxseed oil that you get at healthfood stores.And I mean thin, pretty much wipe it all out.I prefer flaxseed oil because it polymerizes extremely well) and heat for 30-40 minutes and cool.VERY IMPORTANT use a flat metal spatula and scrape the pan (not too hard, but how you would flip food in normal use. Repeat the potato rub and then the oil rub and spatula scraping to smooth the surface (high heat is not required at this point).now it is ready to useIt will look uneven for awhile, but with repeated use and repeated seasoning, it will turn jet black and have a dullish shiny surface.To clean, most things will simply wipe clean.If some food sticks, I salt the pan and use the salt as abrasive, then wipe clean.Don't be afraid to quickly use soap and water if things stick really bad, just dry it out and wipe a thin film of oil.Keep using the metal spatula!!!!!!!

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These are really nicely built pans. I got the 12.5 and the 7.25 and both are great. I will say however that the 12.5 is really big and the 7.25 is about the size of one cracked egg in the bottom. If I were to do this order again I would get the next size up and down from these sizes for more average sized pans. This has nothing to do with the quality of the item. It is a very good pan.

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Farberware Affiniti 12-Inch Open Skillet, Black

I love the Affiniti line from Farberware. It's one of the few Silverstone types that are reasonably priced.Most cheap teflon coatings are not the more durable silverstone (go look here to see the different types:Of all the pots and pans I've had over 30+ years, Farberware is the one brand that has been the most durable, and the Affiniti line has been absolutely wonderful to work with.

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KitchenAid Aluminum Nonstick 12-Inch Skillet, Red

We thought this was going to be the perfect pan, and even liked it better than the one we had previously because it was lighter in weight, but it has since warped and now does not sit securely on the stove top.

KitchenAid Porcelain Enamel Nonstick 12-Inch Open Skillet, Red

A couple months earlier I had purchased a Kitchen Aid cookwear set and when I realized a needed to replace an old 12" fry pan I found this one that appeared to match.The color and finish are a perfect match, but it has a much skinnier handle and is made of a lighter weight metal. Not a huge disappointment, but sadly, it's not quite up to the quality of my other Kitchen Aid frying pans.

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Bought it for my uncle for Christmas, the eggs and bacon he made for me the next morning were delicious!

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This is different from previous pan.It doesn't have a handle opposite the long handle.Shaped differently.Not as big.

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I love the kitchenaid brand and fell in love with this frying pan the second I saw it, and the price.The handle is a little thin feeling, but the handle has remained cool to the touch.I use this pan once or twice a day and it appears to be holding up rather nicely.If any problem do arise, I will update this review.

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Calphalon Contemporary Nonstick 12-Inch Omelet Pan with Glass Lid

Had this pan for about 4 months now and I love it!!! Cooks evenly and is VERY responsive to heat changes and cleaning up couldn't be easier. Just a little soap and water, anything that was on just glides right off. Loved it so much that I bought the 8" and 10" Omelette Pans, very excited to use them. This is a great pan to have if you have limited space and need something that will fit different way/needs of cooking.

I bought this pan to replace a covered 10" pan. Out of the box I noticed that the lid felt heavier than the pan. Although the pan cooked food well, the handle is uncomfortably long and not well balanced to the pan. Once you add food it's even harder to manage. It may have been helpful if this pan had a 'helper handle' but I'm not even sure that would solve the problem. I am going to return it and hope to find something better.

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I have subjected this pan to heavy use for 3 years now, and am happy to report it is still in great shape, including the tephlon.Not sure why the other user has such a disturbing problem, but I will say I have never put this in the dishwasher ever.I'm not saying the other user did, just trying to understand such different user results.

The lid is heavy, but that has never been an issue for me personally.To my mind, the main point of a good lid is that it creates a good seal, which this does.I also like the fact that I can kind of see the food throught the steamed glass to see how things are going without lifting the lid.

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Just purchased this pan.First thing I made was grilled cheese.I fit 3 grilled cheese sandwiches in the pan.They came out perfectly browned and even.The most beautiful (and delicious) grilled cheese I have ever made!!!

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I already have the 10" omelet pan and was expecting the same construction with the 12" one. The 12" pan is lighter weight than the 10" and is fine but not as solidly built.

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Iwachu Japanese Iron Teapot Tetsubin Turquoise Goldfish

I've been a big green tea drinker all my life and have used a variety of teapots, ranging from ceramic to glass.I've never had a nice teapot and for many years now have resorted to brewing cups of tea directly in a mug with tea bags.Only recently have I gotten back into using loose-leaf green tea, and while there's nothing wrong with tea bags it just cannot compare with tea brewed the traditional way, using high-quality tea leaves in a well-crafted teapot.Only recently have I come across these Japanese cast iron tetsubin teapots and finally decided to purchase the Iwachu Turquise goldfish design.It is simply one of the best purchases I've made in a very long time and I cannot believe that I've been skimping and cutting corners on making tea all these years.

The teapot itself is extraordinary in craftsmanship, which is what I can always expect with traditional things that are made in Japan by their true artisans.I specifically avoided many of the cheaper brand/models because it was not clear where they were made, and I suspect some are from China.The interior glaze, molding of the pot,handle/attachment and exterior paint are well-done and aside from being a teapot, it is a nice decorative piece to put on display.The attention to detail is exceptional and is well worth the extra cost.

Having experience with all types of teapots, I can attest that cast iron ones do indeed hold in heat longer (for a good hour if you're slowly drinking and emptying from it).Being so new, I do not yet have that patina tea-layer that accumulates on the inside over time, but I'm certain that it will only enhance the flavor over time, just like some of the yixing teapots I've used years ago.The spout does not drip regardless how full it is and the interior stainless strainer that's included sits nice in low for those who may want to brew half a pot, etc.

I highly recommend this product.It's well-made, durable and will last more than a lifetime if you take good care of it.It's incredibly simple to clean-just rinse with warm water and wipe dry immediately after.No soap or sponges.More pricey than other models/brands, but totally worth the money if you want top quality.For these long-lasting accessories, I'm no longer willing to skimp.Better to spend a little more on a good quality product rather than cutting corners and regretting later.In the end, it'll be well worth the investment.

Great design and very solid performance as one would expect from a cast iron teapot however do not be fooled by the lovely sky blue color!Mine is now a nice turquoise color, more green than blue. It turned after a week.But it's still quite nice.I just wish I'd been forwarned: then I wouldn't have gotten so caught up in finding the right color.

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It is even more beautiful in person. The color is so vibrant! It feels solid and well made. It's the perfect size for two people and the price was an excellent deal for an authentic, MADE IN JAPAN teapot. I have been using it every day. I LOVE IT!!!

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All-Clad Stainless 10-Inch Fry Pan

This is probably the best fry pan available. You might want a nonstick pan in addition for cooking things that need a nonstick surface such as omlettes, etc. This pan is good for cooking everything that does not require the nonstick surface such as sautés, meat and fish, etc.

The stainless steel shell with aluminium inner core is a great design in that it evenly distributes the heat to all areas of the pan, including the sides. Some cheaper pans only have a heat conducting layer on the bottom of the pan, not on the sides.

I like everything about this pan. It's beautifully made, looks great and performs wonderfully-form follows function. It's the perfect size unless you routinely cook for a large family. I debated getting the 12" version of this pan at first, but when I took a look at the 10" I realized it will be fine for 99% of my cooking.

I admire good manufacturing of quality products. This pan is true quality through and throughout and should last you a long long time.

After going with a non-stick version and having problems with that (not knowing the best way to use it), I exchanged it for the stainless version.This was a great decision.First, it showed me that All Clad does stick by its lifetime warranty.Second, because I learned that I don't need non-stick for everything and I found out the best way to use this type of cookware.

The 10-inch size is great for most everything.Every once in a while I could use a 12-inch version for more volume but not often.I use this guy for eggs, meat, stir fry and more.The pan heats really evenly and feels great in my hand.The handle does a great job of dispersing heat and staying cool, too.And, though it doesn't come with a lid, the large lid from the stock pot fits it well.

When things do stick, I don't worry about attacking it and scratching off the surface.I can use a scraper, sponge, or scouring pad without any problems.And it is safe in the dishwasher although I recommend handwashing as much as possible.

Some cooking tips I learned with this type of pan:Use a lower heat, not because you have to (like with non-stick), but because it heats so evenly, you often don't need that higher temperature.Also when you throw something in, whether you are using butter, oil, a spray, or nothing, let it sit and cook a bit before you try to move it around.Hamburger, for example, will adhere to the pan at first and if you try stirring it up right away, small pieces will be stuck and are more likely to burn.Rather, wait until it has a minute or two to cook on that side.The parts that adhere will cook, separate and lift away from the pan so you can stir it easier.And when you are done, if there is any food stuck to the pan, put some water in it and let it boil for a few minutes.This will help lift it off and make cleaning easier.

Again, a great pan, a great brand, and definitely worth the money since it will last you a lifetime with the warranty they give you.

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I am a careless and brutal cook and destroy cookware all the time. I can't use nonstick because I'll ruin pans by leaving them on max heat and forgetting about them. So this one was worth the high price because I've had it for almost two years now and it's still good as new. Handwashing seems to leave a little discoloration after heavy use so every so often I pop it in the dishwasher for a gentle scrub (though that's not recommended, you can still do it).

This pan cooks so quickly and evenly that it's hard to mess up. Foods brown nicely but don't burn. The handle is sturdy and never gets too hot.

I often use this this in place of a wok, but it's really too shallow for that and has a bit of a spatter and spillage problem if you try to rapidly stir-fry. I wish it came with a lid. Also, I have not been able to cook eggs in it they stick to the bottom like glue no matter how much butter I use. But a good soak and a couple minutes of elbow grease cleans that right up.

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I have this and several other all-clad stainless pans.For anyone looking to purchase a stainless pan and move away from teflon coated or lower quality cookware, all-clad stainless is a must.They are expensive, but well worth the cost.

Please note, there is a learning curve that comes with owning these type of products.If you're used to cooking with lower quality cookware like farberware or anything else you buy at Wal*Mart, you'll find yourself burning almost everything when you start using these pans.Because of the high-quality design and aluminum core, I've found that I needed to lower the temperature drastically to achieve the same results with the lesser pans.I'm still learning how to cook eggs without burning the bottom, but fortunately, with a short soaking in soapy water, the pans clean right up.Great for cooking crepes, sautes, meats, etc.With the all metal construction, they'll move easily to the oven as well.Read the literature that comes with the pans for tips on cooking with all-clad stainless.

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I bought this pan and love it. It has the perfect slope to flip food. As far as the handle goes...well, that's another story. All-Clad quality is top notch but they fall short on the handle design. The handle does stay unbelievably cool, but it's dam uncomfortable. I compensated for it being so narrow by purchasing a suede handle cover. I still rate it a five though.

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Dexter-Russell 4-by-2.5-Inch Stainless Steel and Walnut Pancake Turner

If I had to replace all my cookware this turner would be at the top of the list for things I wanted immediately.I use it for anything I cook on a stainless steel or cast iron pan/skillet.

What I like:

-The blade is thin enough to where I can easily slide it under eggs cooking on a cast iron skillet rather than just pushing them around, which is what happened with other turners/spatulas.The end is not sharp but it has enough of an edge to cut a piece of chicken apart when checking to see if it's cooked all the way through.

-Blade flex is perfect as it provides a slight bit of flex when you really push it into the pan (i.e. when I burn something onto the pan) but otherwise it's perfectly rigid.

-As far as size the 4"x2.5" is extremely versatile and I haven't had a need for anything smaller or larger.For reference the smallest pan I use is a Lodge Logic L5SK3 Pre-Seasoned Cast-Iron 8-Inch Skillet that has tall sides and this size turner is easily operated in it.

-I wasn't crazy about the look of the handle at first, but it's grown on me and I really like the feel of the wood and the balance it provides

-Made in the USA: I know this doesn't matter to everyone but if I can find a quality product made here for a reasonable price I'm going to buy it.For me the fact that this is made in the US is just icing on the cake for an already great product.

What I don't like:

-Nothing: I can find something to complain or modify on most things and I am stumped here.(It's, a major reason why I bought a second one.)

Other notes/thoughts:

-I'm intrigued by the one reviewer that said he sharpened the edge.I haven't found a need for it yet as it splits most things already, but it sounds cool.

-One reviewer mentioned that the sticker was difficult to remove.It's not that hard, you just can't use something soft like a paper towel with dish soap.Use something more abrasive like an abrasive sponge, ie: Scotch-BriteDobie All-purpose Pads, 3-Count (Pack of 8).(You don't have to worry about hurting it.)

Conclusion:

I'm pretty conscious with how I spend my money but I'm willing to pay for quality and this is quality.I don't know for sure as I've only had my first one a few months so far but I think it's built well enough to last a lifetime given that you don't regularly abuse it beyond normal use.

This is a wonderful turner.I bought this to use with a new cast iron skillet because I read you should never use plastic in cast iron.I figured this would be the perfect thing because even the handle isn't plastic so even if I set it resting on the skillet, no harm done.This actually reminds me of an "heirloom" gagdet one of those nice quality tools that your grandmom has but you can never seem to find.I believe it is supposed to be handwashed but I'm not sure.I handwash mine so I don't know how it would hold up in a dishwasher.Get yourself a cast iron pan and this tool and go back to the basics.You won't regret it.I'm going to get the Dexter Russell fork next :]

UPDATE 6/28/12:I went back to non-stick.Cast iron is just too darn heavy.But, my review stands on this turner.

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I had originally bought a 0.99 turner, and didn't think it could get any better."What can a better quality turner do for me?" I asked myself.Well, this turner is every egg and pancake flippers dream!It slides under the food with little effort, scrapes the bottom of my pans when there's a little too much "stickage", and is really easy to clean at the end!What more can I say about it?It's great!

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This is a fine product very well made. (Like another reviewer mentioned, I wish it was full-tang.) When it first arrived, I was surprised it was smaller than I expected. I soon found though that it is perfect!

This turner is just right for any cast iron or stainless steel skillet cooking.It works equally well in an 8 Inch skillet as it does in a 12 Inch skillet. The blade is flexible enough to really get in and scrape around the edges like you need to sometimes.

The size and flexibility of the blade makes all the difference it allows you to get the angle you need to get past the lip of the pan. Anything bigger wouldn't do the job. (I also own the Dexter-Russell 5-Inch Turner, but it never sees the light of day except when I open the drawer to grab my 4-by-2.5-Inch!)

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There are many five-star reviews for this, so maybe I got one that slipped through quality contol.But there are some basic problems that I did not expect from a higher-priced item:

The steel only goes half-way up into the handle, and the gap cut out for it is a little bigger than the width of the steel, so water/food will be able to get stuck in the gap.Also, the edge of the metal is sharp and rough all the way around and the wood is rough at the end of the handle (just not sanded down with a small enough grit paper to make it smooth), giving the feel of a cheap kitchen tool.But it is not priced that way. I can fix the finish problems with some steel wool, but the gap between the blade and the wood is not fixable and will cause the wood to go bad ealier than it should due to water getting trapped in the gap.

Update after a few weeks of use:l I did take some steel wool to this and made it really nice with just 5 minutes of effort.I worked down the sharp edges all around the metal and gently buffed down the rough wood at the end of the handle, so now it feels really good.So now the only problem is the gap due to the cut in the wood being a bit too big for the steel, leaving a small gap between the handle and the metal where the metal fits in the handle.That will eventually do the handle in as water sits in there after each washing.

Too bad the manufacturer didn't spend a few minutes finishing this, but the material now feels really good so I've raised this from 1 to 3 stars.

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Nordic Ware Smiley Face Pancake Pan

Update: Costco has this one for $19 right now...don't know how long it'll have. So Hurry!!

It's very easy to use. Trick to flip the pancake: get one of those cute tiny mini spatula that is about the size of each pancake or even smaller so that it won't touch the adjacent one while flipping. Use it to lift the pancake slightly, then with help of a butter knife or spreader or little fork, flip it over...easy without problem. But the pattern shows well only one side of the pancakes, unless you use a batter that doesn't bubble too easily, then you sometimes could have a slight pattern on the other side after flipped.

One of my children insists that any pancakes be made using this pan!They are generally cute, and fun to eat.Overall this is a pretty good product.

As others have alluded, there are a couple things that require practice.

1)Amount of batter too much, and it "muffin tops" out, and glues all of the neighboring pancakes together.Too little and you get these odd not-quite-circles.Amount will vary with the quantity of leavening in your pancakes, so it's not a simple measure of "use X."

2)Flipping the darn things.You have to try to get an implement in under the edge to pick it up without gouging, breaking, etc. while also not scratching the non-stick surface.Several of the above suggestions work it's just a pain.Some sort of included implement would be a big plus.

Notes:A little cooking spray helps release the pancakes more easily, even though it is already nonstick.Also, I usually am simultaneously cooking regular pancakes, so rather than try to flip them back into this pan, I cook the other side on a griddle much neater.

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This pan requires a lot of precision as far as how to oil the little faces, how much batter to use, and how to position the pan (I have a gas stove top).

Too much fuss for my liking, but the things we would do for our children...

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We used this to make organic 7 grain pancakes.Only gave 4 starts since I found that it works better to flip into a 2nd flat sided fry pan.That method also speeds up the pancake production line.Flipping back into the same holes requires the skill of a ninja !

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I ordered this so that I could make pancakes for my grandchild on her first ever visit. It was easy to use, didn't stick, and I simply flipped them onto a flat top griddle to do the other side. That allowed me to fill it again and have a little assembly line going. Love love love!

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West Bend 72212 Electric Extra-Deep Square 12-Inch Nonstick Skillet

I have owned this for about two weeks and have used it almost everyday.Not only can you use it as you would any other skillet -I have used it to make baked potatoes; "baked" frozen entrees, and have found recipes for cakes, coffee cakes and even pizza.Can't wait to try all these new ideas.The kitchen doesn't get heated up in the summer, thus keeping the air conditioning from working hard.Some things take a little experimenting, but it all seems to work out in the end.Frozen products need to be watched the first time to make sure they are totally cooked.My only suggestion to West Bend would be to offer a grid to fit in the skillet.Great product -great price!!

I bought this skillet because of the size (not too big for just two of us), the high walls, and the glass cover.The two positive reviews influenced my decision, though I did notice that the larger version of this same skillet had more negative reviews.

I'm calling Amazon today and returning the skillet.The primary purpose was for frying, however, the temperature doesn't get hot enough of stay hot enough to fry.The temperature dial goes up to 400.I wanted to make donuts, which call for a temperature of 375 degrees.When the light when off I put the donuts in, fried them golden brown, drained them, and taste tested them.They tasted like oil.From the instructions on the donut mix I found out that tasting like oil meant the oil wasn't hot enough, and therefore the crust on the donut wasn't formed quickly, and the donut gets oil soggy.I got out my handy candy thermometer and took the temperature of the oil. It was not hot enough, so I turned the dial to 400, hoping it would reach 375.The light came on and the oil heated up to 360, and the light went out.In another minute the light came on and the oil went up to 364, and the light went out. This cycle repeated, and the oil reached a high temperature of 369, but then dropped down to 361.That was as hot as I could get it.I verified the temp readings with a digital thermometer, still below 370 when set at 400 (the max).Can't fry donuts, so going back.

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I have an old electric skillet that belonged to my mom, but it's stuck deep in storage and I needed a skillet in a pinch.It was easier to buy one than to go foraging through dozens of dusty boxes.

I wish I'd spent the time to go foraging.This is NOTHING like the 40-year-old electric skillet my mom used while we were growing up.

Con: The skillet has the poorest heat distribution I have EVER seen.Any food sitting directly on the heating element will cook much faster than food elsewhere in the skillet.Hence, it will stick and burn. (That was NEVER the case with my mom's old steel skillet.) I tried scrambling eggs in this skillet and before the eggs away from the heating coil could even begin cooking, the ones on the heating coil were turning brown.Same thing went for pancakes and potato cakes.I even tried hamburger helper in this skillet only to have to babysit it to constantly stir it to keep it from sticking.

Con: The simmer setting is a joke.Again, food sticks where the heating coil is.

Pro: Incredibly easy to clean.

Pro: Nice lid, decent construction.The skillet itself is lightweight, but doesn't feel flimsy.

Would I buy it again? No.I'll use it for light duty until it dies.I know it won't last 40 years, that's for sure.And I know with the poor heat distribution that cooking the pot roast my mom always made in her electric skillet is out of the question.

Overall grade: DI would not recommend this.

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I find this skillet to be somewhat disappointing in that it is difficult to control the temperature evenly. Also, the depth of the skillet is a little inconvenient and unnecessary for most dishes.

I would not buy this again.

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When trying to find a frypan on Amazon, the 12-inch by 12-inch selection was VERY limited.Unfortunately, I chose the West Bend 72212.What a disappointment!

The FIRST thing I noticed was that when the oil was poured into the frypan . . . it ran down into a pool in the center of the frypan instead of spreading evenly across the bottom.

The SECOND thing that happened, after only four uses, was that the frypan woggled and I discovered that one of the inserted rubber feet had fallen out . . . never to be found ANYWHERE!

The THIRD and final strike concerns the temperature control.Whomever designed the control should lose their job. For example:the temperature numbers are all in a row 300 350 400 around the perimeter, with NO slashes between them.You had to GUESS where you were in a specific 50 degree range.MOST controls have a slash between numbers to separate them and to denote the temperature range, or to indicate the mid-ranges of 325, or 375 degrees.

Then there was deciding exactly where you actually were on the control.It was a mad guess because the indicator light is ROUND and not 'arrow' shaped with a point to determine the relationship to the numbers on the dial.

The control was so wonkie that no matter WHAT temperature you selected it turned off for no reason, so you had to constantly raise the temp to keep the food frying.Example:I finished frying the bacon and in order to cook the potatoes I had to keep increasing the temperature.I ended up turning it up to 400 degrees to finish browning them.After removing the potatoes, the light when out.THEN after dropping FIVE cold eggs into the frypan for scrambling,the light took FOREVER to re-light, indicating it was trying to get up to temperature.What the heck???

So . . . this frypan is going to the dump because it's not worth the effort to box it up, take it to the post office, pay the freight and to deal with the hassle of shipping it back, without all four rubber feet.I certainly couldn't, in good conscience, give it to someone else with its many problems.

If I could, I would give this frypan a MINUS 5 stars!

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Cast Iron Fajita Pan w/Wood Base

The quality of this pan is poor at best.

I bought two sets, they are both terrible.

The edges are rough, jagged, and sharp.

I will be returning these and purchasing the Lodge Logic.

I'm sure it will be worth the extra money.

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Weber Q 6504 Griddle

The Webber Q Griddle is a must have option to the Q Grill along with the stand. It is a heavy, well made casting with a very tough finish. It easily cooks breakfast foods but will bake those canned biscuits perfectly, just lay some foil to keep from over doing the bottoms. I use it all for camping with excellent results. There's a fairly quick learning curve to figure out the best settings etc. When I get home I place the dirty griddle face down on my regular grill, close the top and crank it up and burn it off. I gently wash the residue off later. There's lots of different types of cooking you can do with the the griddle, top open or closed, generally anything that you don't want to fall thru the grill grate or be exposed to the direct flame. Don't go camping without it.

Griddle covers about 2/3 of grill's grate surface.Why so small?Leaves room togrill items (like scallops or kebobs) while you cook something needing support like fish on the griddle.good surface and seasoned easily.

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We have a Weber Q Grill and we found this griddle. Irt works well and easily stores within the grill when not in use. Good price, Good service. We're completely satisfied.

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Cooked up 2 pounds of bacon on this, worked good. There are little pouring lips on the corners so you can grab the whole griddle with the provided handles, scoot the bacon to one side and tilt (very much under control)pour the grease off to save for cooking other things.Quite heavy, probably about 10 lbs.We store it in the box it came in.

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I was shown this product by another camper who was watching me assemble my new grill at the campground.Seems to be something of a cult following with the RV crowd with these weber Q grills.

Once he showed me the griddle, and the beer butt chicken cooker, I imedelatly had to have one.

First thing I did was get on amazon, find the best deal and ordered both.Typical Weber high quality product with the particlar design aspect that allows you to grill and griddle at the same time.Awesome for making sausage and eggs for breakfast when camping.

While the entry cost into the Q system is a little steep, I wish I had purchsed these products years ago as I now understand why they are well liked and prevalent with the RV crowd.

The beer butt chicken holder is a must have as well.

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Country Cabin 11-1/2-Inch Round Skillet

I use several pieces of cast iron to cook meals on a regular basis.This skillet is pre-seasoned well and easily cooks from the moment received.The second assist handle is nice and main handle is large and well shaped.Skillet is not the deepest I have but still very nice.

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Ecolution Artistry 11 Inch Stir Fry/ Wok

This pan is really nonstick and good t use as stir fry. Some times it is little difficult to stand right on the stove.

Overall, I have been loving this product, and the holder part doesn't get hot. Good one!!

I have owned one of these for close to a year now and absolutely love it! It's the most non-stick, easy to clean cooking pan I have ever owned. I use it constantly and it shows no signs of wear. Dried on food comes off with just water and a sponge. Worth every penny.

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Bought as a replacement to one purchased at JC Penneys several years ago for a much higher price.This product appears to be very well made for the price and so far I have used it a lot and no wear and tear noted yet.

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works great I do not want to write a review I said what I need to say works great works great .

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Westinghouse SA40130 Searing Grill and Griddle, Stainless Steel

Are you frustrated with the lower quality of Foreman's grills (which used to be good but not anymore)?

Are you frustrated with the lack of features in Foreman's grills?

After looking for a long time, I came across this unit:

* Timer with auto shut-down

* Temperature control

* Easy to clean, removable, interchangeable, reversible, plates with *internal* heating system

* 180° degrees openning

* Adjustable height (but not much)

* 2 dripping trays

* 1 sauce tray

* Safe cold-handle

* Excellent quality

So, is there anything wrong with it? Well, the only thing that it may bug you is that it's not tilted (so grease will not drip in the same way as in tilted ones).

This item was purchased late February, 2012.On April 17, 2012 a defect in design made it impossible to remove the upper plate to clean and reverse to the smooth griddle side.One of the screws had loosened and it could not be reinstalled.Calls to Westinghouse for assistance with defect were never returned.

4-21-12

Two calls to Westinghouse (SAI) on 4/16/12 and 4/19/12 have still not been returned. Zero customer service by Westinghouse.Buyer Beware.

4-23-12

Amazon replaced the defective griddle.Kudos to Amazon for standing by the customer by honoring the warranty.

4-26-12

Another call to SAI Home Products today.I wanted them to be aware that someone still has not called me back.The person I spoke with could have cared less about my problem.He was very rude.

In addition, I thought it important that the Amazon vendor, Wholesale A.V. should be aware that getting warranty service for products they sell is nearly impossible.To my surprise I called their contact number listed on the website and twice I did not get any answer.

Pretty sad that the company that manufacturers the product and the Amazon Storefront that sells the product could not be contacted.

Thank You Amazon!!!

Five Stars for Amazon Customer Service!!!

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Unit has heavy grill and griddle plates with two temperature sensors, one for the top plate and one for the bottom plate. Each plate has an imbedded heating element. Plates are removable for cleaning. Unit opens 180 degrees for griddle or closes for grilling meat or sandwiches, However, in the closed position the weight placed on the meat is substantial.

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Farberware Classic Stainless Steel 3-Quart Covered Saucepan

This saucepan is a nice size, not too large and cumbersome and not too small.This allows many items to heat nice and evenly and not boil over if a watchful eye is not kept closely on them and the pan is too small or scald because the pan is too big.The lid fits on with a nice tight seal, it fits even better than my older Farberware pans of this sort.You cannot go wrong with this pan, for sure!The hook on the handle is great if you have a pot rack.This is an added nice feature!The handle is comfortable and stays cool, like on all the other Farberware pans I have.

Much tallerthan average,helping to avoid boil overs this stainless cladalumimum bottom saucepan is a little marvel. to start with :the bottom plate is the flattest of any make and simply does not move onceset on a burner. The lid fits inside the pan, avoiding drips and has a smooth top without the grooves that are ubiquitous in the Calphalon pricier offerings( water catchers requiring extra hand wiping to avoid water spotting

I know of only onecompetitive product: the everyday stainless by Cuisinart but they're far more expensive andthe handles are metalic anddo get too hot to handle when cooking time is lengthy, notso the reinforced plastic ones of Farberware.

Et ceterum censeo:Long live Farberware(the last of the truly sensible cooking pots and pans!I just wish they'd offer a 10 or 11 inch stir fry pan or wok( Not nonstick, please!but with cover)

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I just received this pan from my daughter for my birthday. I have 2 farberware pans,a 1 qt saucepan and an 8" skillet that I have had since 1952. That is 50 years. I received them as wedding presents and they have been used daily ever since. I also have a 20 year old 2 qt and a 10 year old 10" skillet. I think that Farberware makes the best pans and I love Them. The quality of this new pan is even better than the older ones. I was pleasantly surprised

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I have a set of 16-year-old Farberware.I ordered this 3 qt. pan as a replacement--the handle on my old 3 qt. cracked from where the screw hole is.After I received this beautiful pan, I noticed the limited lifetime guarantee, called the number, and a new handle for my old pan is in the mail to me as we speak.This 3 qt. pan is even nicer than the pans I bought almost 20 years ago and is higher than the old model with a nicer lid/rolled edges and nicer bottom--and it really is beautiful--very classic styling.Since I use them so often and new one's so lovely, I will definitely keep the new one even though a replacement handle is on its way.

I also have a 1 qt., 2 qt., 4 qt. pot, 4 qt. dutch oven, 10" skillet and little mini-skillet, all of which I use all the time (I use at least one or more daily) with no problems.Very nice, basic cookware at a reasonable, affordable price.I bought my cookware individually back when I couldn't afford to buy an entire set.I loved the fact that you could buy a quality pan individually.

BTW, I acquired one of my 4 qt. pots from my grandmother's possessions after who knows how many decades of cooking and it's still in excellent condition.Also have her double boiler pot.Even though the screws do loosen, I only have to tighten every few months at most and have never had a screw strip or lost a handle.I would always buy another Farberware if needed (after seeing this new saucepan, would really like to buy a whole set of it, even though I don't really need it!)

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My mom has had these pots for 35 years, I've had mine for 5. They still look like new. They are virtually indestructible, go right in the dishwasher, and cook quickly and evenly. Besides, they look great and the handles don't get hot like the Calphalon's of the world.

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