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Misc Blogging Stuff
Oct
23
Testing Stand Mixers
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For the home baker, a standing mixer can make mixing and kneading tasks so much easier and faster. When I bought my standing mixer in 1995, there weren’t many choices of models, but that has changed and the range of choices can be downright bewildering.
Enter America’s Test Kitchen and their newly updated test and reviews of standing mixers.
“How much mixer does a home cook need? To test the field thoroughly, we bought 18 different mixers of every shape, size, and price–from a budget $100 model up to the $1,500 Hobart. Our lineup included Bosch (two models), DeLonghi (two), Electrolux, Farberware, Hamilton Beach (two), Hobart, Jenn-Air, KitchenAid (four), Sunbeam (two), and Viking (two).”
Read the full review and download the test results at America’s Test Kitchen - Mix Masters - Standing Mixers - Updated.
Note: ATK’s review available for free only for a limited time.
Oct
14
Ball Plastic Freezer Jars
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This week I tried a new canning tool, some plastic freezer jars from Ball. Boiling water canning is my usual preferred method, but I was in a hurry and it was 90° F on the day I was working on my apple butter, and even though I wasn’t pregnant this time (which adds about 30° to your core temperature) like I was the last few times I canned, I still had no desire to steam up my kitchen any further. So I just scooped the finished apple butter into a large Rubbermaid container, put it in the frig, and decided to look around the stores for other options. I found these jars at a local discount department store and thought they would be worth a try.
The jars are durable plastic with twist-on lids that are deep enough to allow you to stack the jars neatly without them slipping around, a big plus over glass canning jars or plastic freezer bags. They come in two sizes, 8 ounce and 16 ounce, and have a fill line to allow for food expansion. The 8 ounce size is perfect for jams and jellies, while the 16 ounce jars are good for salsas and tomato sauce and juice. My only wish is that these came in a 32 ounce size for my stocks, soups, and chilis! (Anyone at Ball listening?) They also have a space for labeling, but I just use masking tape and a Sharpie for a cheap and quick solution.
I found them very easy to use and durable. The plastic seems appropriately thick and the twist on tops stay on well. They clean easily and don’t seem to stain.
Important note to remember: The jars are plastic, but are not unbreakable. They will break if dropped while full of frozen food, but the good news is they don’t shatter like glass, thus making them safer for freezer storage.
The bottom line:
Pros: Easy to use, top-rack dishwasher safe, stain resistant, stacks easily.
Cons: Not for microwave use. Not for shelf storage (use only in refrigerator or freezer).
Sizes Available: 8 ounce, 16 ounce
Where to buy: available nationwide at discount department stores and grocery stores, also online
Company Website: Freshpreserving.com
May
3
Cooktop Cover Review
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UPDATE August 17, 2007: Bill confirmed that they have restored communications with the outside world and have shipped all orders that were held up due to the phone/internet problems. They are in business and have a new video on the website demonstrating the product. Check it out!
UPDATE August 15, 2007: After receiving word from one of my readers that the folks at Cooktopcover.com are unreachable, I tried to contact them myself via phone and email. I was also unable to reach them via phone so I tried sending an email through their registrar. Bill Miller responded, letting me know that they are indeed still in business, they were just unfortunate to be caught up in the Sunrocket bankruptcy, which suddenly and without notice left them stranded without phone or internet access. They are getting all their services restored with a new provider and should be fully operational soon. Thanks for your patience while they sort out their situation.
When we moved into the new house in March, I posted about adapting to the new kitchen and showed a photo of the cooktop in the island, noting that there was no safety lock on it to prevent the boys from turning on a burner. Our previous kitchen had a gas range with an electronic system which locked out both the oven and the cooking surface, a safety feature that we found to be very helpful. So one of our first purchases for the house was a cooktop cover designed to cover the entire cooking surface and hide the burners and knobs.
After shopping around for a bit, we ordered our cover from www.cooktopcover.com, which is based in North Carolina. They have one standard size that fits many 30-inch cooktops, and it’s reasonably priced at $99 (cheaper than a trip to the ER), although you can order a custom sized cover for additional cost. The cover is made from pressed 0.08″ thick aluminum alloy, has industrial powder coat paint, and weighs about 8 pounds. Supposedly it will support up to 190 pounds, not that I ever plan to put a 190 pound object on top of it, but it’s comforting to know that it can stand up to a bit of abuse. Read more
Jan
5
Kidsaprons.com
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UPDATE May 29, 2007: As far as I can tell, KidsAprons.com is no longer in business. Their website is gone and when I tried to call their toll free number I got a message that the number had been disconnected. Bummer!
Our little chefs like to join in the fun when we’re cooking, so as I’ve mentioned before, we keep a bin of wooden spoons, little bowls, plastic measuring cups and spoons, old oven mitts, and other assorted pieces of gear for the kids to use. Our two older boys started taking Daddy’s apron and wearing it around the house, which was so cute because being only 4 and 2 years old, they’re not tall enough for the apron to clear the ground. We helped them cinch it up around the waist and shortened the neck string, and they had a grand time.
That gave us the idea to get chef hats and aprons for the boys for Christmas. So off I went digging around the net trying to find good quality aprons that wouldn’t break the bank. After much searching, I settled on KidsAprons.com Read more