Cuisinart Combo Steam/Convection Oven (Part 1)

[rotuts]

Yum !

Im not that much of a Red Meat Guy, but this seems to be the Red Meat Machine !

Edited January 7, 2014 by rotuts (log)

[weinoo]

Wow - that's more impressive than I imagined. Now I have to do some pork chops in there.

[Unpopular Poet]

@weinoo -- I have to agree. I was not at all expecting the results I got last night. I think pork chops could really benefit from this as well. Frankly, for the cost, I am pretty amazed at the consistency of my unit.

[weinoo]

You know, I toasted half a bagel and a slice of multi-grain at the same time this morning. They came out great and I'm thinking - hey, this unit is pretty cool for Cuisinart.

[weinoo]

Also, even though the preheating cycle is a joke (as it is in all ovens, imo), I stuck 2 oven thermometers in the unit and let it go for 30 minutes. They both read within 5 - 10 degrees of the oven setting, which is also impressive in my book.

Edited January 7, 2014 by weinoo (log)

[rotuts]

this toasts better than a dedicated toaster?

the BV-XL toasts OK if the bread is home-made and cut thick, otherwise, ehhhh ...

[Unpopular Poet]

I definitely think it toasts better than my Dualit toaster -- my main issue with that has always been that the single toast function kind of sucks for some reason. To think that the Dualit was roughly the same price. I think rotuts was talking elsewhere about fancy kitchen items....sounds like my dualit fits right in to be honest.

Edited January 7, 2014 by Unpopular Poet (log)

[weinoo]

Yeah, but it (the Dualit) looks good!

[Unpopular Poet]

Wait...I just price checked...the Dualit was more expensive....by $40.

[rotuts]

for $ 197.10 ( + tax your area ) w the WS 10 % coupon it really seems attractive for certain things

( BTW WS does not seem to want to send that coupon to Gmail. had to use a 'real e-address' )

I do have one concern: bread. the pics Ive seen on the reviews had the loafs with more or less over brown tops, which seems to also be a known issue w most if not all oven-toasters as the clearance on the top is quite tight if your item gets too close to the heating element.

[Unpopular Poet]

My wife is going to be making bread this week -- I will have a full report. Also, my next venture is going to be something akin to the steamed cheeseburgers from Ted's in Meriden, CT -- I have never been there, just heard that they are amazing. Here is a youtube link to the cheeseburgers... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i8YouisYQtE

[weinoo]

I'm really not so worried about its ability to bake loaf bread, since I rarely do that. The reviewer that I linked above did a decent bread that he said tasted great. Once I get better arm usage, I will try some flatbreads (i.e. focaccia) however.

[rotuts]

Oh No !

Ive had those steamed burgers ! they are to die for. make sure you have a crusty bun to soak up that goodness.

worth 'Your Own Grind' even if its in the cuisinart processor . at least 15 + % fat. look for good beef.

think Bernaise or Hollandaise. those I eat

think 130 or 140.

Edited January 7, 2014 by rotuts (log)

[rotuts]

would there be a guess as to how long the water in the tank would last?

if that's ever an issue, would one turn the oven off, refill, then turn back on ?

Its too cold to move here but tomorrow might be better for me to motor down to BB$B to take a few more measurements.

for 197.10 this would qualify as "Lab Equipment" or "Experimental Apparatus" or "Cool Toy" for me.

the auto steam rise appeals, as does the 'steam burger' which might translate to "Steam Meat-Loaf" w the eye on future sandwiches.

Experimental Sandwiches you see.

for the focaccia, would you plan to use the pan it came with or find something a like pyrex? the 9 x 9 pyrex fits right in there.

Edited January 7, 2014 by rotuts (log)

[weinoo]

I could see the focaccia being the case where something like an 11" pizza pan comes into play.

I also have a couple of 1/8 sheet pans that might be perfect.

[rotuts]

like to learn a bit more on the 1/8 sheet pans.

an 11 " pizza pan fits ?

Id think about evaluating those aluminum "disposable' pan in every supermarket

no need to toss them, I dont: parchment paper works well w these

and you can easily 'modify' them with your bare hands.

Edited January 7, 2014 by rotuts (log)

[weinoo]

An 11" pizza pan should fit, since my 11.5" round cazuela fits with a little room to spare.

Check this out...

Polar Ware

Or this...

http://www.webstaurantstore.com/chicago-metallic-41800-eighth-size-aluminum-sheet-pan-6-1-2-x-9-1-2/32641800.html

Edited January 7, 2014 by weinoo (log)

[rotuts]

Oooooooooooooo

the 1/8 pan makes its case

I see little point in this case in a circular pan

all those not pie like losses

just me

many thanks for your thoughtful reply

[weinoo]

What's also nice about this size pan is that it's a perfect fit for a C Fold paper towel that's only half unfolded.

They're great prep pans.

[Unpopular Poet]

So I ran my tank for 120 minutes and I would say that the tank was probably 2/3 full when the cycle was done. You can only run the machine for a maximum of 120 minute before you re-up the countdown, so I don't see there being an issue with pulling the tank and refilling when need be.

[rotuts]

ordered mine last night.

price this A.M. seems to have gone up to $ 299.99 same as BB$B

I look forward to at least learning 'steam-cooking'

Edited January 8, 2014 by rotuts (log)

[weinoo]

Wow - that's quite a price increase...and a whole different ballgame.

[rotuts]

Indeed. thats been the price at BB$B all along so something was up at WS.

so its now $ 240 at BB$B w that ubiquitous coupon.

Amazon at $ 299 also

Im pleased I snuck in at 197. it gives me something Ive been interested in for a long time to study.

[weinoo]

Im pleased I snuck in at 197. it gives me something Ive been interested in for a long time to study.

Yeah - me too. Always feels good to get something at a steep discount. Maybe they'll do Vitamix next!

[Unpopular Poet]

Wow, I am really glad I grabbed it. I still think it is worth $300...but that would make it a much harder purchase to justify.