Questions on selecting, maintaining, and using cooking tools and equipment.
8
votes
4answers
8k views
Can I use a tagine on a glass cooktop, and do I need a heat diffuser?
I somehow ended up acquiring not one but two tagines recently. Unfortunately, I have neither a gas nor charcoal stove (the ideal cooking surfaces for tagines, AIUI), only a smooth glass cooktop.
I've ...
2
votes
4answers
182 views
What can I use to strain gritty bloody mary mix?
I like Zing Zang bloody mary mix, but it's very gritty with seasoning. I like to pour it into a strainer to filter out the grit, but the mix is so thick that it takes forever to strain. Not only ...
3
votes
1answer
303 views
How do I control the temperature of water for an extended period of time?
When making the "perfect" mash, Heston Blumenthal recommends cooking waxy spuds in hot water for half an hour at the temperature of 72 degrees Celsius, exactly. At 75 degrees stuff starts breaking ...
6
votes
2answers
499 views
What can I do about scratched pots?
I have a pot that is really nice, and I was silly enough to use a metallic spatula. It is not Teflon but looked ceramic, and it has scratches now. Can any repair be done?
Edit: I am including an ...
10
votes
3answers
1k views
Quinoa in a Rice Cooker?
I’ve recently discovered the loveliness of Quinoa, and the joy of buying it in bulk at Costco, so I’ll be making a lot of it in the near future. I’m wondering if I can use my rice cooker to make the ...
3
votes
2answers
336 views
Thermometer Precision in Different Temperature Ranges
I need a thermometer for a variety of different applications. As such, it has to be fairly precise (plus/minus 2 degrees) at different temperatures. Do I have to worry that, if I buy a thermometer ...
0
votes
2answers
108 views
Distinguishing the size of tablecloths when folded? [closed]
Has anyone figured out a clever system for distinguishing the size of a tablecloth when folded? Our dining room table is extendable with several leaves, so we have plain white tablecloths of three ...
1
vote
3answers
302 views
Will changing the setting on my Crock Pot reset the timer?
If I have a Crock Pot "Smart Pot" set to "High" (or 4 hours) and then I change the setting to "Low" or 10 hours, does the time start over or will it just cook for 10 hours from the time I changed it?
...
1
vote
1answer
156 views
Why did this brown rice recipe fail?
I just tried to bake some brown rice (350 degrees in a convection oven) in a white casserole dish that looks kind of like this. Anyway, after 30 minutes (what the recipe called for) it didn't work. ...
1
vote
1answer
258 views
Do the improvements touted by the ZPM Nocturn (PID-controlled espresso machine) sound sensible?
I have previously struggled with coffee equipment. I don't know anything about the technical side of making coffee. The ZPM Nocturn claims to have solved a number of technical issues, making better ...
3
votes
1answer
281 views
Does an electric crepe maker require a hood and ventilation?
I have an electric crepe maker and was wondering whether it is required to have a hood with ventilation to the outside of the building?
2
votes
1answer
335 views
Gas or electric for rack oven in a bakery?
I plan to purchase a rotating rack oven for my bakery. What type (gas or electric) would achieve the best result for pastries and small breads?
6
votes
4answers
536 views
Why reoil a cast-iron pan after usage?
I've been recommended to reoil my cast-iron pan by letting it absorb some oil on the remaining heat of the stove before drying it, each time after using it.
Is it important to do so, and what ...
3
votes
3answers
369 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:
...
5
votes
3answers
2k views
Are recirculation extractor hoods good?
I am looking for a extractor hood, and I see that there exist ones with air recirculation, so a pipe to lead the smoke/greasy air away is not needed.
So I wonder, how good are these?
Can they really ...
10
votes
6answers
1k views
How to get a smooth paste from ground chickpeas?
I make Hummus quite often, and use my food processor to chop the chickpeas. This yields a sort of coarse paste, which is a little better if I peel the chickpeas first. Adding liquid to the mixture ...
1
vote
0answers
148 views
Is there a nice, cheap, general-purpose thermometer? [closed]
I'm a bachelor living in an apartment with an oven that does not have visible temperature settings. I'm also looking at deep frying and making yogurt/cheese at home. Is there a single, cheap, reliable ...
2
votes
2answers
362 views
Is it bad to cut onions and other vegetables on the same cutting board?
Is it bad to cut onions and other vegetables on the same cutting board? Does the type of cutting board matter? For example, do wooden cutting boards that are regularly used to cut onions (or other ...
2
votes
2answers
407 views
How much could I safely heat a content-less cast-iron pan?
To which temperature could I safely heat my cast-iron pan on the stove, without any contents? I don't want to re-season it afterwards. Afterwards, I'd just let the pan cool off in room temperature. ...
3
votes
2answers
1k views
Are plastic (vs metal) immersion blenders safe for hot mixtures?
I have a braun stick blender that I bought about 10 years ago. I love it because it's really versatile and I can make puree soups, etc. I usually will stick the immersion blender into the pot of hot ...
1
vote
1answer
881 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 ...
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 ...
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. ...
16
votes
6answers
26k views
Does ceramic non-stick cookware “fail”, and if so, how?
I've heard of pans with ceramic non-stick surfaces; it seems some reports on internet say they may "fail" in about 6 months.
How can these pans "fail"? Do ceramic-coated pans require ...
4
votes
3answers
2k views
Gas burner is “clicking” - how can I stop this?
The ignition is clicking on my burner even though I turned it off. How do I stop this?
I unplugged the cooktop, but I don't know if it is safe to leave it this way. What should I look for? Can I keep ...
4
votes
4answers
1k views
How do you protect a pizza peel?
I got a pizza peel that feels like it is just plain wood. How can I protect it? I thought I heard somewhere to use some sort of oil.
2
votes
2answers
663 views
How to use cast-iron teacup?
I love my cast-iron teapots; however, for Christmas, I received a set of teacups to match my latest acquisition. Do I pre-warm them like I do the pot? Or is the intent for it to leech some heat out ...
10
votes
3answers
221 views
Suggestions for convenient and safe methods of transporting a few meals without a vehicle?
I'd like to prepare a few meals for a cousin who recently gave birth. She lives about an hour and a half away, and I will be walking and taking public transportation to get there.
Does anyone have ...
5
votes
2answers
2k views
Use of pizza stone in gas oven
I have a new gas kitchen stove. The oven seems to burn so easily. I have a thermometer in there and it is registering the temp that I have the oven set on. I have seen where people have used a pizza ...
7
votes
4answers
857 views
Are electric knives used in foodservice?
After learning several months ago that immersion blenders and many other kitchen gadgets/appliances have foodservice equivalents that are usually much more powerful and durable than the consumer ...
3
votes
2answers
3k views
How do I clean a pasta maker?
I am experimenting with a home pasta maker, and after all the fun comes the cleaning up.
My worries come from tiny bits of dry dough I find when I clean the machine. There always seem to be more every ...
3
votes
3answers
950 views
How do I use a Chinese spoon?
In Asian restaurants the soup comes with a flat-bottomed spoon. It seems awkward to use this spoon as one would a "western" spoon.
Is there a special technique to using a Chinese Spoon?
What is ...
1
vote
2answers
542 views
Is it wise to use vinegar to handle rust for cooking utensils?
Sometime, the cooking utensils can be damaged by minerals in the food and cause some rust. Would it be wise to use vinegar to remove rust for cooking utensils or are there are better methods?
1
vote
1answer
435 views
Precise temperature reading on induction cooker
I have an electronic thermometer that I've used on an induction cooker and it is getting crazy. The thermometer starts buzzing and the temperature displayed is highly volatile. It's just unusable.
...
1
vote
2answers
129 views
Recommend decent, sturdy steamer basket?
I've gone through a couple of cheap metal collapsible steamer baskets in the last year and am looking for something that will last longer. Do you have one that you like? I've seen the silicon ones ...
5
votes
4answers
671 views
How to take care of the teflon coated cookware to ensure their long life?
I know the following three rules:
Don't use metal spoons.
Don't put hot teflon utensils in cold water.
Cook on low flame.
Is there anything else important, which is often overlooked?
EDIT 1:
Q: ...
4
votes
3answers
506 views
How to know whether the teflon coated pan's life has reached end?
I use oil for cooking in the Teflon coated pan. I put the pan on a very low fire. (Simmer) Lately I have found that the onions get stuck to the bottom of the pan.
How to know whether the teflon ...
1
vote
2answers
263 views
How to select a drain rack for pots and pans?
I use a dish rack for air drying pots and pans. Unfortunately all of the dish racks I have ever purchased do not stand up to the abuse of pots and pans. Eventually the dish rack begins to break down ...
5
votes
1answer
115 views
are there any appliances that can automate feeding of sourdough starter?
I am a pretty busy person, and the last two times I've started a sourdough starter, I've ended up forgetting to feed it, and it went bad. I never got anything good out of it, but there were times ...
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 ...
2
votes
2answers
222 views
What to look for in an induction stovetop?
This is a sad story, because I've already bought one and am not completely happy.
The good:
Power - 9kW.
Fires - 3 fires from small to large (14cm - 28cm).
Timer - From one to ninety nine minutes ...
1
vote
2answers
374 views
Where can I get Chocolate Bar shaped silicone molds from in the UK?
I need to find some chocolate bar shaped silicone molds, ideally about 100 grams in each bar, although I could go for smaller bars but not much.
Could you please let me know where I can get some ...
5
votes
1answer
244 views
Using a Dutch Oven as a Heavy Skillet replacement
I don't own a large heavy skillet - the one I do own is small and can't hold much. Is using my Dutch Oven on the stove a reasonable replacement, if I leave the lid off?
4
votes
4answers
778 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
...
13
votes
9answers
2k views
Where did the thin, smooth plastic spatulas go?
20 years ago, the most common type of rigid spatula (or "turner") was smooth, thin (as in 3mm or less with a sharp edge), and generally made of nylon. These spatulas were not very durable (leading ...
3
votes
3answers
685 views
How do I rid my new plastic appliance of its plastic smell?
I've just purchased a new coffee maker, and it has a terrible plastic smell to it. It smells like something between new car and hot glue gun.
I've run two or three pots of water through it, but the ...
2
votes
3answers
4k views
What do you need for Chinese style Hotpot at home?
I love going to hotpot at the restaurant.
How can I do it at home? What sort of equipment do I need?
6
votes
3answers
4k views
How to clean a “plastic” chopping board?
The problem is that the sharp knives have caused many cuts all over on my plastic chopping board. Now, I can see the minute vegetable remains in the cuts on board.
What's the way to "easily" get the ...
2
votes
3answers
19k views
Is there a substitute for aluminum foil?
Is there a replacement that can be used for aluminum foil in the oven?
I believe that aluminum in the diet has adverse effect on health, so I don't want to use it in my kitchen. Is there an ...
5
votes
2answers
190 views
Using a large pot/pan on a smaller burner
My fiancée and I recently got a bunch of new (very nice) pots and pans for our wedding shower. The thing is, several of the pans are 12", and the burners on our stove are nowhere near that large! ...
