Questions on selecting, maintaining, and using cooking tools and equipment.
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?
61
votes
11answers
3k views
What knives are “required” for a serious home kitchen?
I consider myself a serious home cook. What knives are essential?
36
votes
6answers
4k views
How do you clean a cast iron skillet?
I have a seasoned cast iron skillet, and I don't want to mess up the seasoning when I'm cleaning it. What do I use and what don't I use to get it back to clean?
I've heard not to use soap and to ...
36
votes
9answers
1k views
How should I care for my knives?
I've finally put down the money to buy a quality knife and it's sharpness is amazing!
How do I take care of it so that the edge lasts and the knife stays sharp?
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 ...
6
votes
6answers
9k views
How to clean a clogged Misto oil sprayer/spritzer?
I use a Misto oil spritzer. You fill it up with oil and pump it up and spray a pan with it.
It's gotten clogged up so that it just squirts a steady stream of oil (not a spray).
Any ideas how to ...
29
votes
14answers
3k views
Nonstick cookware or not?
I am looking to replace my >10 year old Calphalon nonstick cookware. I can see the nonstick surface coming off the pans, and am starting to worry about how much of that is getting into our food.
I ...
17
votes
4answers
2k views
How do you properly clean a cutting board and knife to prevent cross contamination?
I have one very nice cutting board that I like to use with my chef's knife. Because I only use this single cutting board and chef's knife, if I have a recipe that calls for cutting raw meat as well ...
21
votes
7answers
4k views
Why not put knives in the dishwasher?
What is it about the dishwasher that harms knives?
The only reasons I've found are:
You could get cut... I personally have a greater change of getting cut by trying to wash them by hand.
The blades ...
17
votes
5answers
2k views
What are the benefits of using a dedicated rice cooker, rather than just cooking rice in a pot?
For which reasons should I use a dedicated rice cooker, instead of cooking rice in a pot?
15
votes
10answers
5k views
Induction range vs gas
In the next few months I have a kitchen remodel planned. One item to be replaced is the range/oven. Currently we have a "vintage" electric stove.
I am undecided as to whether to choose gas or an ...
20
votes
11answers
23k views
Slow cooking without a slow cooker
I frequently hear people telling me about how wonderful their slow cookers (AKA "crock pot") are. In many cases they're right - meat that tends to come out tough in normal cooking comes out very ...
13
votes
5answers
2k views
Is it really necessary to wash a skillet that will be heated up again soon?
I made some eggs in a cast iron skillet yesterday and didn't wash the skillet. Today I want to make eggs again.
Is it really necessary for me to wash the skillet before making more eggs? It would ...
12
votes
4answers
972 views
What to look for when purchasing a blender?
I currently don't have a blender after purchasing my own home and am looking to get one for making smoothies primarily, but also for pureeing for soups, etc.
I had a smoothie maker that I won as a ...
8
votes
5answers
373 views
How effective are modern home refrigerators at keeping other foods cool when hot food is introduced to the space?
In the comments to this answer, there is some discussion as to whether putting significant mass of hot food into a refrigerator will unacceptably warm the other food already inside.
Elsewhere on ...
4
votes
7answers
739 views
Buying my first set of pots and pans
I have NO idea what I'm doing :). I'm looking to buy some pots/pans for my appartment (just moved out). Considering these:
...
15
votes
8answers
3k views
Is there any way to sous-vide without a machine
I live in an apartment and have limited space to store kitchen gadgets. I don't really like the idea of having a machine that is dedicated to one specific task.
I particularly want to get into using ...
16
votes
2answers
1k views
How does thermal shock affect pans made of different materials?
In another question, I had a little comment-discussion with TFD on the effect of shock cooling on pans. In a nutshell, I said that it is bad for the pan, and he said that especially if the pan is made ...
6
votes
2answers
1k views
What to look for when buying a rice cooker?
I think I can best explain the question by using a computer analogy. When buying a laptop there are specific qualities that a person looks for like
Processor speed
Screen size
Amount of memory
...
16
votes
4answers
5k views
Blowtorch - hardware store vs kitchen store. Is there a difference?
When looking for a blowtorch for the kitchen, you can buy some reasonably expensive tools. When looking for a blowtorch for plumbing, you can buy some reasonably cheap tools.
The price is different. ...
13
votes
7answers
2k views
What to look for in a mandoline?
I've bought two mandolines recently and I've returned the first and will return the second. The first was a stainless steel contraption that:
Broke my food instead of slicing it.
Was ever so hard to ...
11
votes
2answers
1k views
Is it ok to use a metal turner in a wok?
Is it ok to use a metal utensil when turning or serving food in a (seasoned, steel) wok? I suspect that the wok surface may get scratched, but it doesn't seem to cause any problems so far; is it ...
10
votes
5answers
1k views
How to keep my stainless steel skillet clean
I have a KitchenAid skillet that I love. But I can't seem to get it cleaned easily.
It looks much like this one, but with a brushed exterior and the bottom of the interior is grooved or ribbed.
For ...
7
votes
2answers
865 views
Cast Iron vs Steel
1. What is the advantage of a steel skillet over a cast iron one? I currently use cast iron for most everything and am curious what I might be missing.
2. If there's an advantage to getting a steel ...
3
votes
3answers
2k views
How to measure the temperature of a pan?
When I need to know if a pan is above or below 100 Celsius but don't have a thermometer handy, I squirt some water on it. Say I want to check for another temperature, e.g. for the Maillard reaction or ...
16
votes
1answer
847 views
Do honing steels wear out?
We have a knife set that's approximately 15 years old, and as we were honing a knife tonight, a question arose. Do honing steels get worn down over the years? Should they be replaced? If so, how ...
12
votes
5answers
1k views
What are other uses for a pizza stone?
I recently acquired a pizza stone to use for baking bread. Other than pizza and bread, are there other uses for it in the kitchen?
8
votes
12answers
2k views
Is it possible to bake a cake without an oven?
I don't have an oven; is there any way to simulate what an oven does with any other tools available at my home? In particular I would like to be able to bake cakes.
7
votes
3answers
7k views
How does a whipped cream charger work?
I recently got an iSi whipped cream container that charges with nitrous cannisters. I don't really understand how the thing works, which I think would help my use of the system. How does this actually ...
7
votes
1answer
828 views
What to look for when choosing a dutch oven?
I've never had nor used a dutch oven, but I have a pile of recipes I want to try that require one. Are these all pretty similar? Or are there things I should look for in a good dutch oven? Or will ...
6
votes
1answer
615 views
Overpressurizing a cream whipper?
This might be considered off-topic, but thought it was worth asking, as I have no idea where else to ask --
I'm trying to make something forcibly eject from a cake. I've done some testing with a can ...
6
votes
7answers
344 views
How can I make sifting easier?
I'm at the point where I will completely avoid certain recipes simply because they require sifting and I find it incredibly tedious. Is there a better method? A better tool? A magic sifter?
4
votes
3answers
508 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 ...
2
votes
2answers
599 views
Calibrating a home gas oven
We have a new gas oven which is consistently 30-40F low compared to the dial setting (we've checked with two oven thermometers). While we can get it calibrated as a service call by the manufacturer, ...
2
votes
1answer
2k views
Can I use the grill tray in my oven for grilling?
My oven came with 2 baking trays, and a small tray which looks like a grill (i.e, its got rows of vertical metal strips the same way as a grill does). Can I use this tray for grilling or broiling, and ...
2
votes
2answers
918 views
Blender Buying - Square vs. Round Container
After looking at this blender question, I had a follow-up question.
I've seen both square and round containers/lids for blenders. Is either better?
I tend to see square blenders at smoothie shops - ...
21
votes
4answers
921 views
Wok preparation and caring
What is a good technique for initially seasoning a wok, keeping it seasoned, and preventing rust?
22
votes
9answers
914 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 ...
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 ...
12
votes
1answer
967 views
What kinds of pressure cookers are there, and what are they good for?
I have never owned a pressure cooker, nor been in a kitchen which has one. But they have been a topic around the site and the blog lately, so I got curious. When I took a look, I noticed that they ...
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 ...
5
votes
2answers
1k views
Why would heating salt in a pan prevent food from sticking?
Quote from www.saltworks.us:
Preventing food from sticking - Rub a pancake griddle with a small bag of salt to prevent sticking and smoking. Sprinkle a little salt in the skillet before frying ...
5
votes
3answers
505 views
Fruit peeling techniques
I came across this page (How to peel a mango) while surfing and I found it very interesting. What kind of methods and knives/kitchen gadgets do you use to peel fruits? Are there different tools to ...
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?
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 ...
14
votes
5answers
376 views
How can I measure the performance of my stovetop pots and pans?
Am I looking for the ratio of burnt dishes to fine dishes? Well-cooked to not? My general happiness? When should I replace a pot or pan? I am unsure where to begin.
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 ...
10
votes
3answers
2k views
Do you use paper or cloth towel for patting a meat dry before frying?
It is advised to pat a steak dry before frying. I've used paper towels in the past for this, but sometimes parts of them stick to meat. Now and then I've used a clean cloth kitchen towel for patting ...
10
votes
3answers
849 views
What are the advantages of using a stove instead of an oven?
Are there any advantages to using a stove instead of oven? As a woman of science, this is a question that has been lingering in my noggin for a very long time.
The main points I'd like to see ...
10
votes
3answers
977 views
Why buy a more expensive kitchen scale
It seems about time for me to give in to peer pressure and get a kitchen scale like everyone else. It seems like they would give my cooking more consistency if nothing else.
I've payed attention to ...
