Mike,

Looks like our taste in gadgets runs along similar lines.  Instead of a new FoodSaver, I'm going to be buying one of those Reynolds Handi-Vac at the supermarket.  A neighbor has been using them, and is very pleased.  This is for the same reason you're not buying a new Food Saver...  cost!!  The Reynolds thingie is about $10 plus bags, vs. $150 plus for the FoodSaver.  I'll keep my FS for items I just need to heat seal, because that part still works. (and just so you know, QVC has the new FoodSavers on easy pay and I've been sitting on my hands to keep from ordering it.  LOL  I really want it, but don't want to spend the money, especially when the rolls and bags run out).

I love OXO products, and am especially pleased with my angled measuring cups.  Makes it nice to just put it down on a flat surface, rather than trying to hold them at eye level and keep them level at the same time.

And it's funny that you mentioned the Zyliss folding Mandoline.  I was just looking at Mandolines yesterday, and that's the one I was leaning towards.  Was also looking at plastic spoons and measuring cups, and will now look at the Zyliss too, since you seem to like them.

Hey, if we combined kitchens, we'd only have to buy one of each item. 

Anne

Anne,
  I haven't heard of the Reynolds Handi-Vac.  I'll have to take a look at the local supermarket.  I could always use a new gadget   When my Food Saver ceased operation I bought a case of 1 gallon Zip Lok Freezer bags from Sam's club and they have worked out well since I normally don't freeze more than a 6-8 week supply of meats etc. so  freezer-burn has not been a problem for me.

I really like the Oxo Good Grips brand.  I also have their silicone spatulas, basting brushes and the i-series meat pounder.  They are all well made and easy for me to hold on to.   I will surely check out their angled measuring cups. Thanks for  the tip. 

My wife just ordered the Zyliss folding Mandoline for me on-line from Target.  Will let you know how it works out, unless of course you get one first

If we combined kitchens, I believe we may have enough gadgets to supply the kitchen supply stores.

My wife is always telling me "K-Mart called to ask if they can buy some stainless-steel mixing bowls...their shelf is empty".  Probably because I bought them all.  But that's another story.  I have a thing for mixing bowls too.

Mike

I just found the Zyliss measuring spoons and cups at my local supermarket and picked them up.  Got the Handi-Vac too, but haven't tried it out yet.  Bought lots of extra bags for it too, even though they're washable and can be reused.

I'll have to check out the price of the mandoline at Target online. I have it on my wish list at Amazon though and am debating ordering it now or waiting til I get paid again.

Hmmmmmm..... do you think we should start a new group called Gadgets Anonymous?  Hi, my name is Anne and I'm a gadgetaholic.  LOL

Oh yeah, did I happen to mention that I really love my Aerogarden?

Aerogarden?  Really?  It works better than keeping the pot of rosemary in the foyer?

[edited January-18-2008]

I never tried to keep a pot of anything in my foyer.  Plants would see me and keel right over until I got the aerogarden.  The herbs were about to run me out of the house.  LOL

Right now, I've got peppers growing like maniacs, although I think I may replace them.  I bought seeds and started my own peppers and cherry tomatoes.  The tomato plants were strong and healthy, but nary a tomato to be found, and I finally cut them back so the peppers would have more room.  Now I think I'll just buy the kits right from the nice people at aerogrow.  They guarantee their stuff will grow, and I know this is the truth, because several of us had problems with cilantro, and they replaced the pods for us.

Yep, I truly do love my aerogarden, and it looks really nice sitting on my kitchen counter. 

I'll post a link to some photos later if you like.  Right now, smugmug seems to be down.

I was going to purchase an AeroGarden but we have 2  indoor-only cats thanks to our daughter who left them with us when she went off to college.   They would have destroyed the plants. We can't have plants etc. in the house.
I built my own earthbox style containers a few years ago and have had great success with them.  I currently have Thyme, Basil, Tarragon, Chives, Parsley, Rosemary, Mint, Japanese Eggplant and Grape Tomatoes.  This weekend I will be planting Lettuce and Broccoli as well as Onions and Squash. 

Mike

Mike, since I live in a condo, if I were to plant any sort of edibles outside, I can guarantee that the critters would get them (both four and two legged critters... LOL). 

I don't know if it's helpful, but there is a wall type "stand" for the aerogarden that might make it difficult for your cats to get at.  Of course, I've always felt that would make it difficult for a human to get at the garden too. 

My latest "gadget" arrived yesterday.  Actually, it's a six piece set of storage containers called Lock & Lock.  The two tall ones just might hold most of a five pound bag of flour or sugar each .  I'll know more today.  What I like about these though is there's a gasket in the covers for a tight seal, and four hinged pieces on the covers that really lock the lid on tight.  They're also dishwashable (top rack), freezable, and microwavable.  If I like these (and I think I will), I'm going to order more from QVC in different sizes and shapes.

Renee, since you bake bread too (like you, I'm loving my Zo), do you know if yeast can be stored in plastic, rather than glass in the freezer?  I'm thinking if so, I can use one of the smaller containers for that purpose.  Right now I'm keeping my yeast in a glass container, but the lid doesn't stay on as tight as I'd like it to.

Mike, thanks so much for mentioning the Zyliss measuring cups and spoons.  They're perfect for my bread machine measuring, and the included leveler is just great.  I'm already loving them, and they weren't even expensive.

I did use the Handi-Vac, and it worked really well.  The bags are so much cheaper than the FoodSaver's too, so all in all, this was a good "gadget" week for me.

Next on the list will be the mandoline, once I get paid again.

Anne

Anne,
   I wish Carol would have ordered my Mandoline from Amazon.com, it was in fact a better buy there.  We went to Publix last night and believe it or not they had the same exact model Zyliss mandoline and at $37.99 + tax I could have actually  purchased it there for a few dollars more as opposed to waiting the expected 10+ days for delivery from Target.

Glad to hear you like the Zyliss measuring cups/spoons.  The included leveler sure does come in handy. 

I never did get my vegetable plants in this weekend....  too cold to be working outside.  We're expecting to be back in the 70's by Tuesday.  I'll wait till then.

Still haven't seen the Handi-Vac locally.  Is this a heat seal process? or crimp?

Mike


 

It's a regular zip loc type bag, but has a valve that the battery operated thing a  ma jig hooks up to to suck out the air.

Publix does carry them (Walmart too).  You should be able to find them at Publix right next to the zip loc bags.  It's made by Reynolds, and at my publix, it was right around $10.00 for the starter kit, which was comprised of the machine and batteries, and three bags.  I bought two boxes each of extra bags (gallon and quart size).

I did see the Zyliss grater/chopper at Publix, but didn't see the foldup mandoline.  I'll keep looking though. 

Ralph,

 I agree with the statement that  bacteria  are not destroyed in an airtight environment.  When meats are vac-packed and frozen, the bacteria are simply in a state of suspended animation, unable to multiply therefore proper thawing and cooking is the name of the game. Vacuum packing simply affords additional protection against freezer burn.  Some of these instructors are bent on disease producing pathogenic bacteria and fail to recognize that most bacteria are harmless and actually beneficial. Without bacteria, none of us would be here.

Mike

Mike, did your mandoline arrive yet?  How do you like it if it did.

Look at what I discovered today.  I gotta get me one of these, now that I've been making my own pizzas.

Pizza Cutter

Hi Annie,

 Yes... I actually received my mandoline this afternoon and used it for the first time tonight.  I used it to slice onions and for potatoes to make fries. A DVD with instructions was included in the box.   The DVD offers some good tips on opening and folding the mandoline safely as well as reinstalling the blade guard after use and cleaning.  It can only be opened and folded in one dial position so I'm glad I viewed the video. I normally skip all instructions. Sometimes that's not wise.
I'm very pleased with my purchase.  It does everything I need in a mandoline.

The Van Vacter  Pizza cutter looks interesting.  If you get one be sure to let us know how well it works for you.

Mike

Hey Ann,

You'll love your Belgique.  I tend to keep mine buried in the cabinet because I am too lazy to polish it up too often, but when I do, it's gorgeous.  Between the Belgique, and the Cuisinart, I'm a happy girl.

Anne

Hi gang,

 I haven't been here for awhile due to computer problems.
  AnneMartinson, I agree with you on the LeCruset...much to heavy and way overpriced.   Did you receive your Belgique?   I'm sure you will absolutely love their cookware.  It will last a lifetime.

Anne,  did you get the Van Vacter  Pizza cutter?  If so, how do you like it so far?
By the way, I was at Publix a few weeks ago and they were doing  a Handi-Vac demo. I had a  $6.00 coupon so  for $3.99 I picked one up.   I love this little gadget.  I use it primarily for fresh vegetables, lettuce, onions etc. that normally would start to turn in a day or two after slicing then refrigerated in a regular zip-loc.   I used half of a red and yellow bell pepper exactly 7 days ago, Handi-vacked them and opened the bag this evening.  They were as firm and fresh as the day  I sliced them.   They weren't soggy.  Love this new toy!  Thanks for mentioning it Anne.

Mike

Mike, I'm glad you're loving the handi-vac.  I didn't order that pizza cutter yet.  Spent way too much on the new stand mixer and attachments, so am holding off on buying anything else until I get that paid for.

The mixer is great.  It's sooooo much quieter than my hand held mixer, and I made pasta the other night with the pasta attachment. 

:) Anne

Anne,  What brand stand mixer did you get?


Mike

Hey guys,

Ann, I'm so glad you're enjoying your new Belgique.  I do agree with you about reusable containers.  The handi-vac bags are reusable and washable, so that's a good thing.  And I just bought a set of Lock and Lock that I love.  The tall ones hold five pounds of flour.  My only gripe is the usual......they're made in China.

Mike, I got the Cuisinart 5.5 quart.  It's just awesome.  Along with it, I got the pasta maker (works just fine), the blender, and the food processor attachments.  Our new icon is it!!  It was helpful that home shopping network had it online on flex pay, which cinched the decision over Cuisinart vs. KitchenAid.

:)

:)

My new favorite kitchen tool is my Cuisinart food processor. I never had a big one before, and I love this one. I like to make bread dough in it. And of course all the chopping, grating and slicing it can do. I live in a teeny tiny apartment, with a teeny tiny kitchen, so don't have room for a bread machine. In fact, I'm going to have to put away the big canister set I have to make room for the Cuisinart, but I love it.

I'm a big fan of cast iron, too. I have a skillet, round griddle, and now a 3 qt. casserole. No dishwasher, unfortunately, no room. *sigh* The one thing I would love to have. Well, that and a freezer.

I'm waiting for a pizza stone and a bread cookbook. Had to start making bread, the kind I like is too expensive in the store. No bread machine, either, no room. When I go to heaven, I want a big kitchen.

I'm a klutz around the kitchen, especially when it comes to working around the oven and that's much of the time. Anyway, I recently discovered a new hot oven rack puller called the Oven Claw Pro. Not only does it do the job but it's also a good looking addition to my kitchen decor.  It's 18" long, made from maple and now I can get my food out of the oven without fear of being burned.