Questions on selecting, maintaining, and using cooking tools and equipment.
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0answers
27 views
Cheap ebay ceramic peelers, worth it?
On ebay there are 2-3 usd ceramic peelers, are they worth it? Right now i have a simple, knife like peeler with a hole in the middle which i hate and i'd like to change.
I'm talking about these:
3
votes
2answers
3k views
How to find a good sweet potato fry cutter?
I am looking to make my own sweet potato fries, however sweet potatoes are harder to cut than regular potatoes.
Even more expensive cutters such as the Nemco N554503 fry cutter are not recommended ...
6
votes
5answers
1k views
Are Damascus steel kitchen knives worth it?
Many manufacturers currently offer kitchen knives with Damascus steel blades at a premium.
Besides looking cool do such knifes have any better characteristics compared to simply good forged stainless ...
3
votes
2answers
90 views
Lifetime of French press filter
I'm thinking about buying a French press for making coffee. I'm just not sure what is the lifetime of the filter? Can I use it for years or do I have to get a new filter from time to time?
24
votes
10answers
1k views
What is the best way to clean a grater?
A grater is a very useful instrument in the kitchen and it's fun to use. You can use it for a lot of food: cheese, citrus fruit peel, nutmeg, all kinds of vegetables, etc.
But cleaning a grater is a ...
8
votes
9answers
7k views
The best way to clean a French Press coffee maker
I have been using a French Press coffee maker for quite some time now, and I have tried a few methods for removing the spent coffee grinds from the vessel. It is always a bit of a chore to this in an ...
14
votes
7answers
9k views
Why is it necessary to preheat an oven?
Just about every recipe advises to preheat the oven before using it. I often forget this, but luckily this doesn't seem to matter all that much. Hence my question: why would it be necessary to preheat ...
27
votes
6answers
2k views
What should I look for in a good, multi-purpose chef's knife?
If I want to buy a good multi-purpose chef's knife, which characteristics should I look for?
0
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5answers
291 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 ...
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 ...
7
votes
3answers
343 views
How can I make sorbet without a recipe?
I would like to be able to make sorbet with whatever ingredients I have on hand without always looking up a recipe. I understand that it's important to get the correct balance of sugar, liquid, and ...
3
votes
0answers
41 views
Resource for combining flavors [duplicate]
I'm wondering if there is some online resource that compiles different flavors and their combinations.
I'm imagining some site that I could search one tag or several, say "orange" and "cake", and ...
12
votes
1answer
1k views
Do all modern electric stoves have “binary” heating elements?
I've noticed that the burners of some or all of the newish-style electric stoves which have a flat top have a peculiar property. They do not seem to be capable of running at a constant low ...
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 ...
3
votes
1answer
146 views
How to turn froth into juice?
When I make juice from vegetables and leafy greens about 1/4 of what comes out of the juicer is froth.
Is it possible to mix this froth back into the juice rather than throwing it away? That would ...
2
votes
1answer
124 views
Safety of Calphalon pots and pans
I hear so many thoughts on Calphalon hard anodized pots and pans. Are these safe to use?
3
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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 ...
2
votes
2answers
245 views
Why have all of my quality pans started smoking at once?
Okay, I have a situation here that is blowing my mind and hopefully someone here can help me. The other night, I attempted to cook a burger on the stove. Smoke was coming up (eventually pouring up) ...
1
vote
2answers
210 views
How can I clean these brown iron stains in my pot?
I use a big aluminium pot to boil water. I think the water contains iron because after 4-6 months, the inside of the pot is full of brown stains. The colour is just like ferric. There are lots of ...
10
votes
4answers
2k views
How important is RPM in a blender?
I'm looking at getting a new blender, basically the main things I want to be able to do with it are make curry pastes, ultra smooth restaurant quality purees and soups and grind small amounts of ...
3
votes
3answers
433 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 ...
-1
votes
2answers
141 views
How does the heat energy from the sun cook an egg within 5 minutes?
I read a book recently, and the book has an experiment that allows you to cook an egg with solar energy within 5 minutes, I was amazed! I tried it myself too and it did work, and the egg tastes nice ...
5
votes
4answers
568 views
Cooking messy foods in a bamboo steamer without a cleaning nightmare
For example, chicken.
I have tried:
chicken directly in steamer: chicken gunk goes everywhere, including between the woven bamboo slats.
chicken in a colander in the basket: gunk still goes ...
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 ...
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 ...
2
votes
5answers
189 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 ...
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 ...
4
votes
4answers
527 views
What's the purpose of a parchment lid?
I'm making some saffron rice. After sautéing some onions and saffron and then toasting the rice, it calls for simmering with broth for 8 minutes with a parchment lid. What is the difference between a ...
12
votes
2answers
398 views
What is each side of a 4-sided grater for?
We own a standard 4-sided grater, but only ever use the side with large holes.
What do the other sides do, and what kind of recipes are they for?
We have:
Medium holes with a cutting edge on ...
16
votes
3answers
19k views
Is it normal to see flames inside my self-cleaning oven?
I spilled some sauce, cheese, and pepperoni in the oven last night while trying to transfer some homemade pizza from the pizza peel onto the pizza stone, so I decided to clean it today.
I wiped the ...
22
votes
9answers
913 views
Unnecessary kitchen gadgets: a reference [closed]
There are a lot of advertised tools and electronic gadgets for every field; the kitchen is no exception.
In my experience, there are a lot of useful tools for specific purposes (a garlic press, for ...
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 ...
10
votes
4answers
862 views
Which is better to sauté with, stainless steel or Teflon?
Lots of times in recipes, they'll specify using a stainless steel pan, but I find the non-stick aspect of Teflon to be an advantage. Is stainless steel really better, and if so ,What about it makes it ...
5
votes
2answers
659 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 ...
7
votes
4answers
483 views
Why would I prefer carbon steel (rust prone) kitchen knife?
I've seen this question and obviously carbon steel (not stainless) knives look quite bad without extra care (picture from the linked to question)
Now my question is - why face the trouble? Why ...
1
vote
1answer
168 views
What kind of food should be stored in a refrigerator's “snack pan” drawer?
(This may be a silly question, but I'll ask anyway since I am curious about this.)
We have an older fridge and it has a drawer labeled "snack pan." I'm not sure how to understand "snack" here.
...
2
votes
4answers
1k views
Is there a plastic bowl/dish that can withstand high temperature in the oven?
I am looking for a plastic bowl or dish that can withstand high temperature in the oven? A bowl or dish that won't melt nor emit odour. Is there such a thing?
4
votes
3answers
298 views
Is it safe to use a propane torch bought at a Hardware store?
I've come across recipes that involve the use of a Butane or Propane torch. Is it safe to use a propane torch bought at the Hardware store, or is there something different about the torches and/or ...
7
votes
4answers
3k views
What features should I look for in a hand grinder (for peanut butter)?
I want to make my own peanut butter. I've read of various grinders--both hand-operated and electric. I'm most interested in finding a durable hand-operated peanut butter grinder. I know there are ...
1
vote
1answer
474 views
Why is my Bunn overflowing?
We recently upgraded at the office from an old and cold Mr. Coffee 12-cup at work to an old but hot Bunn coffee maker. It is a 10-cup BX-B, and appears to have no damaged parts. However, when I brew ...
2
votes
2answers
220 views
Mystery cookbook
My mother left me a cookbook that is the most amazing one I have ever seen. It is approx 1700 pages, the last pages are missing on my copy. I remember the cover, which is long gone, was green. It is ...
4
votes
4answers
314 views
What is a 'dough spatula'?
I got a new baking book for Christmas; in it, I found the following sentence:
[To bake this bread] you will need the following kitchen tools: a digital scale for metric measures, a small scoop for ...
11
votes
4answers
1k views
Do specialty cheese-cutting tools have specific advantages over an ordinary knife?
I cut block cheese (mostly cheddar or muenster) into slices or cubes using an ordinary non-serrated stainless steel knife. I used to use a T-shaped slicer that had a wire and an adjustable roller (for ...
7
votes
2answers
183 views
Does the airflow pattern in a hot air popcorn popper matter? / What should I look for in a popper?
I'm interested in purchasing a hot-air popcorn popper. I grew up with a Wear-Ever Popcorn Pumper, which holds the unpopped corn in a metal cup with angled slots for air on the sides (so that the corn ...
0
votes
3answers
125 views
My cooking pot keeps smoking
The cooking pot just keeps smoking when I put it on the element and I don't understand why because I used it on my moms stove before without any trouble. But when I put the temperature to MAX it ...
11
votes
7answers
4k views
Using cast iron on a glass range
I currently rent, and the only problem I have with the house we're in is that it has a glass-top range. I absolutely love my cast iron cookware, and use it as often as possible.
I've heard a few ...
17
votes
7answers
17k views
When baking, is it better to use a gas or electric oven?
I'm looking for an oven and wanted to know if there is any difference between a gas or electric oven when it comes to baking things like cakes, biscuits and scones?
2
votes
3answers
144 views
Pepper mill - which color and length?
I've decided to get myself a pepper mill and it'll be a manual Zassenhaus but I'm not sure about the length and color. I'm thinking about 18 or 24 cm but I guess it simply comes down to what you feel ...
3
votes
1answer
73 views
Baking Turkey Meatloaf with/out glass cover
I am baking 2.5lbs of turkey meatloaf with a mixture of sauteed onions and red bell-peppers. There are no set recipes for cooking a meatloaf of this size so I basically doubled some of the ...
5
votes
3answers
3k views
Good (cheaper) alternative to Vitamix Blender
I've just got back from a department store where they happened to be doing a demonstration of the Vitamix TNC Blender. Obviously, now I want one. Is anyone able to recommend a good alternative, thats ...
