JoshRountree

I use the self checkout a lot of times just so I can bag it myself, or I'll usually bag the groceries myself in the regular lane. Also, at my local Earthfare you can request a "recycled bag" which is a bag that has been used over and over and brought back. Kinda cool. You don't have to recycle bags, you just reuse them. I think the reason they use so many bags is cross contamination has them spooked, and they might think it's better to use an extra bag instead of having something bust.

I really think Dave the Cook hit the nail on the head saying that it doesn't mean much unless you practice alot. And, in my experience every single grill, cooktop, oven, range is different. You must get used to the one you use. I sometimes use a thermometer until I get used to the cooking device. Then it's just "knowing how it cooks".

The only problem with Ebay is Le Creuset will not warranty it. You could say you got it as a gift, but if you come right out and say "I bought this from Ebay, will you warranty it" they won't. I learned the hard way... I could always call back and say it was a gift, but ordering from Amazon ensures not warranty problems down the road. I prefer the Le Creuset because of the enameling and it just makes more sense to me to have the thermal properties of cast iron, and no reaction. I caught myself asking the same question, but I put it in perspective that most people buy a new computer every 4-5 years at the most, and probably a new car every now and again. So a $150-$200 piece of cookware that will get used often, last a lifetime, and can be handed down to children or grand children doesn't seem to much.

Did this deal just end or something? I get "We're sorry, this product is not available. Product number: 11270087" when I click that link. ← The deal comes and goes. I try to update it when it comes back. It's been up 3 times total. He was talking about the Costco deal...

All I've ever had is electric ranges so that's all I can speak of, but every one I've seen has this vent. I think it's there for a reason, and has caught me off guard a few times too. Now, I don't put anything on the top unless I intend for it to get heated up. I imagine it's there to let the oven breathe, if you will. If it was entirely sealed pressure might build up. I just thought of this though, what about ovens with the self clean feature? Seems like ovens that aren't vented to the outside world have this vent, probably for the pressure build up I mentioned before. See below.

It's back! Not for long though: Fatwallet Thread

While we're discussing knives, I have a question. On Alton Brown's knife episode he says that having a scalloped edge like most of the santokus doesn't make sense to him on chef's knives. I'm not sure I have an opinion either way. I understand that they are there to prevent whatever you're cutting from sticking to the side of the blade, but he seemed adamant that chef's knives shouldn't have them. A slicer on the other hand, he reccommended having the scallops. Anyone have an opinion?

I can't decide between the 240 and the 270...

Sorry everyone, looks like the deal is dead... Wow, for like 30 minutes it was a hot deal.

I've been on the hunt for a Le Creuset Round Oven for a while and just bought one on Ebay for $165. Just my luck, they went on sale at Amazon. If you're in the market for a Le Creuset Round French oven, the price is right: 7.25qt $169.99 5.5qt $149.99 Fatwallet thread, I have an email alert for Le Creuset stuf... Hope this helps someone out. It might not last long.

Isn't this how breakfast diners make hashbrown taters? ← Maybe. It seems like diner hashbrowns sometime have a mushy texture. Letting the baked potato sit overnight in the fridge seems like it keeps everything together. The outside is super crisp and the inside is fluffly. It may very well be just one of those things your mom cooked for you as a child and for one reason or another is better than anything else you've had.

I enjoy researching things before I buy them and I often use Consumer Search to find info on things I'm interested in. It's kind of like a free Consumer Reports, I would also check there if you feel so inclined. I looked through Consumer Search and they rate this one highly GE® 30" Free-Standing Gas Range with Warming Drawer Model#: JGBP85SEMSS And, if it were me, I'd look around on the Internet and get a few in mind, then spend the day going to Best Buy, Lowes, Home Depot, etc. to look at some to get a feel for them. And like others have mentioned the scratch and dent are always a great deal if you can live with cosmetic blemishes.

When there are visible marks and scratches on the surface I usually replace them. But, I only use mine for eggs, and very delicate fish, so it takes quite a while before I replace them. I usually replace with cheap pieces too, $30-$35.

I haven't read the topic, but the best potato creation I've ever tasted is what my mother would make with leftover baked potatoes from the previous night. After dinner the night before she would stick them in the fridge and let them cool overnight, then dice them, and shallow fry in a saute pan. Maybe it's just because I grew up on them, but they are still my favorite hands down. Layered with sharp cheddar, bacon, chives, with sour cream and scratch made ranch dressing. yes...I'm an American. If I were cooking for a crowd, I would bake a whole bunch of russet potatoes the day before, cool them overnight, then dice/cube very small 3/4" and fry.

Well... a great place to look is Bridge Kitchenware's What Every Kitchen Needs resource. For stovetop cookware, they suggest: - 1.5 qt saucepan - 3 qt. saucepan - Large Surface Saute Pan - Medium Saute Pan - Omelette Pan - Steamer Insert - Medium Covered Casserole - Large Covered Casserole - Pasta Pot w/colander - Non-Stick Fry Pan - S/S Double Boiler Personally, I would modify the list to this: - 1 qt. to 1.5 qt straight gauge saucepan, sauteuse evasee or curved sauteuse evasee (Amazon has a 1 qt. All-Clad MasterChef sauteuse evasee -- they call it a saucier -- for 35 bucks) - 3.5 to 4.5 disk bottom tall saucepan (Bridge Kitchenware has a 4.5 qt. Paderno Grand Gourmet tall saucepan for 78 bucks) - 11" disk bottom saute pan (Bridge Kitchenware has an 11" Sitram Profisserie saute pan for 68 bucks) - 11" straight gauge fry pan (Cookware and More has a 10" All-Clad MasterChef fry pan for 60 bucks or a 12" All-Clad MasterChef fry pan for 70 bucks) - 11" straight gauge nonstick frypan (Amazon has 11" Calphalon Commercial nonstick fry pans in occasional sales as low as 30 bucks) - 6 qt to 7 qt enameled cast iron casserole (Pans.com has a 6.75 qt Chasseur casserole for 163 bucks) - 12 qt to 18 qt disk bottom stock pot with pasta insert (Bridge Kitchenware has a 17.7 Sitram profisserie stock pot for 117 bucks) That would comprise a well-equipped battery of stovetop cookware that I think anyone would consider to be pretty kickass stuff that will last a lifetime. It is, of course, possible to get this set (or one similar) for less money if you are good at looking for things on sale. It is also possible to get even better by upgrading in a few places: go with Staub enameled cast iron in 8 quarts for around 220 bucks; go with a Falk Culinair stainless lined heavy copper sauciere in 1.4 quarts for 100 bucks (75 if you are a first-time customer) and so on. A large cast iron skillet would compliment any set of cookware. This does not include knives and that sort of thing, of course. Personally, my philosophy is to slowly build up a battery of fop-flight cookware, acquiring one or two pieces a year as you start feeling like you need them. A perfectly good starter set for someone who doesn't have much of anything and doesn't have much cooking experience would be an 11" straight gauge curved sauteuse evasee, a 12 quart stock pot (mostly for pasta, but also works for soups), an 11" nonstick fry pan, a 2 qt saucepan and a 10" chef's knife. There aren't too many things you can't make with that collection. ← Wow, nice article in general, and great post for anyone starting off a cookware collection! I'm actually moving out (currently living with parents) in a couple months, so I have to have my own collection built up before then. Anyone care to take an "updated for 2007" crack at Fat Guy's challenge? I tried looking for some of the pots that you recommended here and elsewhere in the Q&A, but either can't find many of them, or they are priced way higher than listed above. Thanks in advance! ← I recently stocked my kitchen and I bought: -2 qt saucier w/ lid -4.5 qt sauce pad w/ loop & lid -4qt 10.5" saute pan -12" fry pan All of the above was bought from Cookware N More. I got the fry pan for Christmas, and I recently bought the rest. They are all MC2, and the reason I bought them instead of the ones mentioned by Sam is they were much cheaper. Even better, cookware n more is having a sale this month 20% off 4 or more pieces. You may have to wait a little while as some items are back ordered but I don't mind. I bought a 2 piece Calphalon non-stick from Williams Sonoma, 8" & 10" for $64.53 around Christmas time. This is a good deal on a non-stick pan. I just won an Ebay auction for a 5.5 qt Le Creuset Round French oven for $165. For a stock pot these seem to get good reviews from around here. In my opinion, the only things I have left to get are a good chef's knife, paring knife, and roasting pan. I already have a rubber cutting board. You can stock your kitchen reasonably cheap with pieces that will last forever if you have patience. HTH