Questions on selecting, maintaining, and using cooking tools and equipment.
8
votes
5answers
2k views
Are there significant differences between different brands/models of immersion blenders?
I'm thinking of purchasing a new immersion blender as a gift for somebody that has a very old one which is quite literally being held together with duct tape.
I own a Sunbeam model which I believe is ...
7
votes
3answers
694 views
Stainless Steel Pan — gray bottom. Why?
Just started using a stainless steel pan. First thing I cooked in it was bacon followed by some fried rice. Stuff stuck to it, but a quick soak and it all came off. However, once I cleaned and dried ...
7
votes
12answers
905 views
Best Office Coffee Solution
What is the best coffee solution for a small office (about 10 people)? We are looking for something that is:
Tasty
Fast
Easy
We have fairly discriminating taste, although it doesn't have to be ...
6
votes
7answers
2k views
What kind of wok should I get?
I saw the question on the site about preparing a wok, but I'm curious what kind I should get. I have heard of stainless steel, carbon steel, aluminum, etc. Also, there's a non-stick variety. I'm new ...
5
votes
7answers
3k views
What is the proper way to maintain a can opener?
I bought a hand crank can opener (Oxo) because of the good online feedback and only use the "shake" dry approach. It quickly developed rust in between the metal. If I invest the time and scrub, I can ...
5
votes
6answers
1k views
How should I clean anodized cookware?
I'd been bought an anodised wok as a birthday present a couple of years back, but recently, when using a honey/mustard marinade, I managed to burn some of the excess marinade, and now can't seem to ...
4
votes
1answer
285 views
Stainless vs Enameled Porcelain Grates?
I need to replace the grill grates on my Weber Genesis grill, and I see that I can get either enameled porcelain (like I already have) or upgrade to stainless steel.
A few concerns spring to mind ...
4
votes
4answers
777 views
What's the best option for water for tea in the office?
When making tea at home, I have all the equipment I need to make a fine cup of tea. In the office, however, my options are more limited. It seems my sources for hot water are:
Straight from the tap
...
3
votes
1answer
2k views
Couldn't make pesto in a blender
I was making pesto one day and couldn't find the lid to my food processor. So first I tried mixing it all in a blender. Didn't work, the leaves wouldn't go down to meet the blade. I had this pastey ...
19
votes
4answers
728 views
What is the purpose of seasoning a skillet?
I've seen a couple questions on how to season a skillet, and this may be a dumb question, but why do you season a skillet?
Does it impart flavor onto the food?
For how long? (which I guess is one ...
16
votes
4answers
2k views
Why is the dishwasher not recommended for my All-Clad MC2 line of pot and pans?
I just looked on the All-Clad website (faq 7 and faq 13). It says that because the MC2 has a brushed aluminum alloy exterior, it mush be hand washed. Why is the dishwasher bad for it?
It's just soap ...
13
votes
6answers
1k views
How many ceramic knives do I want?
I've heard that ceramic knives are the new thing. It's far easier, though, to find metal knives that look and feel nice.
So, budget notwithstanding (within reason) and assuming that I have to buy a ...
12
votes
4answers
7k views
What's the purpose of a bread box?
For some reason I always thought bread boxes were supposed to be wood, and that some property of wood helped keep bread fresh. Like a cigar box, perhaps. But after looking for a bread box, I see ...
8
votes
3answers
920 views
Ideal fridge temperature accounting for temperature spikes
I've read the question on the ideal fridge temperature, but am asking a more involved question about a baseline temperature and temperature spikes. How will a few hours each day at 10 C effect the ...
7
votes
3answers
1k views
What are frying pan ridges for?
I expect frying pans with raised ridges are for a few purposes such as adding "grill lines" to meats and keeping food out of grease somewhat as it collects.
Why or when should I use a frying pan with ...
7
votes
2answers
417 views
Do chillis impregnate a wooden chopping board?
After chopping away at a chilli earlier today (well, 10 minutes ago) I then went through my normal ritual of scrubbing my hands to remove what traces the chiles leave on my fingers.
And it made me ...
7
votes
7answers
486 views
Are there benefits to using a lemon squeezer?
There are lots of products on the market to ease lemon squeezing. I've never used any of them.
Are there any benefits to using one? What are some of the advantages and disadvantages of the different ...
6
votes
2answers
335 views
How can I sharpen my peeler?
Is it possible to sharpen a peeler? And if it is, how should I do it?
Are there any things to look out for? (Such as ending up with concave blades.)
This is the sort of peeler I'm talking about:
6
votes
4answers
505 views
What to look for in a Stand Mixer?
I want to buy a stand mixer, a good one. Mainly for mixing dough, but also for mincing meat. I've seen that the KitchenAid has a mincing attachment. So, I've made a list of what to look for, and would ...
6
votes
3answers
806 views
What's the difference between a French oven and a Dutch oven?
I've been haunting the discount cookware sites looking for Le Creuset pieces that won't put me in the poorhouse. I found two pieces that are similar size and price - one is a French oven and the other ...
6
votes
7answers
2k views
Advantages of using a non-glass teapot?
I currently have a borosilicate glass teapot. Glass seems to have the advantage that it will not absorb flavours and so can be used for all styles of tea.
What are some of the advantages of using ...
5
votes
2answers
656 views
How do I care for a carbon steel knife?
I recently purchased a Dexter-Russell carbon steel Chinese cleaver, because they're supposed to be amazingly useful.
I'm used to caring for good stainless steel knives, but don't know what special ...
5
votes
2answers
7k views
How do I know if my meat thermometer is ovenproof?
Ever since a supposedly "ovenproof" thermometer shattered glass on my turkey Thanksgiving 2006 I have been afraid of these things. Is it generally safe to use them? Any maximum temperature I should be ...
5
votes
3answers
2k views
What does the “bold” setting on my Cuisinart coffee maker do?
I recently bought a Cuisinart coffee maker.
It has a button to switch between "regular" and "bold" when brewing. I have no idea what this actually does. I thought that usually bold coffee came from ...
5
votes
2answers
127 views
What features should I consider when getting an ice cream or gelato machine?
Obviously, there's the amount that it can make in one batch, and there seem to be three basic types (ones you freeze the bowl ahead of time; ones you pack it with salt and ice, and ones that ...
5
votes
3answers
1k views
Should a serious cook own a blowtorch?
And what does he/she principally use it for?
I'm thinking of crème brûlée to start with and maybe blackening the skin of a pepper. Apart from that mine sits on the worktop pretty much unused.
Oh ...
4
votes
2answers
521 views
How do I clean this silicone tray?
I use this silicone muffin pan to cook things in the oven. It's supposed to be non-stick, but actually food sticks to it quite a lot.
Often I can just scrape dried food off with my fingers, but it's ...
4
votes
5answers
2k views
Le Creuset vs. Lodge Enamel
My wife and I both love to cook and I'm looking to buy a nice, 6 qt, enameled dutch oven.
Le Creuset is the first that comes to mind, but I've been doing some research and have since learned that the ...
3
votes
3answers
365 views
Ice cream problems
I have a new ice cream machine, and I have been having some difficulties creating decent ice cream.
The latest recipe I have tried is:
...
3
votes
2answers
1k views
What is a thorough way to clean my dish rack?
I have a Simple Human Dishrack. It was kind of a splurge when I bought it. We were swayed by the good reviews. The rack does not have the typical open wire design, as you can see in the link above. ...
3
votes
3answers
430 views
How to take care of glazed earthenware?
I got a traditional gyveche (гювече) as a gift, and since it would be hard to replace here, I intend to take good care of it.
For those who don't know it, a gyuveche is an earthenware pot intended ...
3
votes
3answers
1k views
Overheated stainless steel stock pot
So my roommate forgot about his boiling water and burned one of the pots pretty bad. The bottom is a dark brown/gray with colored spots underneath (electric range).
What are some household remedies ...
3
votes
2answers
450 views
What is the best way to clean an electric fryer?
I have a Rival RCF15 fryer. I lost the manual and can't find a copy online. It has a fixed metal reservoir for the oil. It has a removable basket. I remember the manual saying something about not ...
2
votes
5answers
185 views
Any cheap ways to clean restaurant stainless steel fridge?
so I know they have antibacterial solution to clean, but what can I say its expensive. Currently we use water+soap solution but its not working well. I am looking to clean the inside of ...
2
votes
3answers
1k views
Do the cup cakes bake faster in a 24 hole cup cake tray rather than a 12 hole cup cake tray?
The cupcakes cook faster than the big one piece cakes, so does it make sense to assume that the cup cakes bake faster in a 24 hole cup cake tray rather than a 12 hole cup cake tray?
My oven has a ...
2
votes
7answers
4k views
Sous vide without plastic bags?
I really like the idea of cooking steak using sous vide. However, I am very wary of heating food up together with plastic, and then eating the food, as I believe that at high temperatures, chemicals ...
1
vote
1answer
171 views
How can I clean my peeler?
I have a peeler that I've been using for a while. It's gotten quite rusty and dirty. Of course, I can toss it at this point and start with a new peeler... But is there any way to clean it? Anything I ...
1
vote
1answer
867 views
What's the functional different between a skillet and a saute pan?
I see that a skillet or a fry pan has sloped sides...for easy tossing. A saute pan has straight sides.
I see that a skillet/fry pan as more of a all-round pan to have...and if I complement it with a ...
0
votes
1answer
1k views
Preparing Salsa with a Magic Bullet
I'm trying to make some salsa with a magic bullet using the given recipe from the cookbook that comes with it. Here's the recipe with a picture of how it turns out at best.
The final product comes ...
0
votes
5answers
288 views
What to look for in a pot?
What to look for in a pot. I'm supposing somebody that's just starting to live alone or a couple. Help me complete this list.
Size: small, but not too small. Maybe 2L or 3L.
Material: Stainless ...
