Current sales, deals, and bargains (Part 2)

[Sid Post]

16 hours ago, fledflew said:

I stared at the A4 website yesterday for what seemed like several hours trying to decide if I should get one.  I watched the QVC video clip and read through every page of the website.  Ultimately, I closed that browser tab without making a purchase.  I am at capacity in terms of kitchen equipment (I know, I know, just get a larger kitchen, but I already have equipment overflow into the dining area, laundry room, living room, hallway closet, and home office), but I also couldn't figure out what I would actually use the A4 for.  I already have everything it does in the form of other existing appliances/equipment.  Now, if a company were to bring a reliable, well designed countertop air-fryer, precision steam oven, convection oven, and microwave combo to market for a reasonable price, I would consider that!  

 

Maybe a "She shed"or "Man cave" is in order for your appliance collection!  🤣🤣🤣

[Sid Post]

Can someone measure the cooking plate on their A4 for approximate dimensions?  It looks like the accessory pan set will be sold out for a good while with the holiday sales of the cookers so, I'm looking at things that can "rest" on the cooking or heating surface to do beans and casseroles.

 

The Detroit Pizza pans that are ~2.5" tall look like they may work for my modest needs and, I have been meaning to try a Detroit Pizza at home during this cool weather for something a bit hardier than normal.

[JoNorvelleWalker]

8 hours ago, Sid Post said:

Can someone measure the cooking plate on their A4 for approximate dimensions?  It looks like the accessory pan set will be sold out for a good while with the holiday sales of the cookers so, I'm looking at things that can "rest" on the cooking or heating surface to do beans and casseroles.

 

The Detroit Pizza pans that are ~2.5" tall look like they may work for my modest needs and, I have been meaning to try a Detroit Pizza at home during this cool weather for something a bit hardier than normal.

 

The heating element is about 8 inches by 4 1/2 inches.  The pan is about 12 inches by 8 1/4 inches.

 

I came here to posit the glad tidings, but I see the enablers are out early today.  Mine is coming in Moon Blue.  I hope to be seeing my granddaughter in a couple weeks, and I might convince her to take one home.  If not I will have a spare.

 

@rotuts the A4Box is wonderful for meatballs.

 

[ElsieD]

I have one too!  The very box that started it all, the one that Anna had so much fun with.  I think she'd be delighted to know that it will once again be getting a workout.  Thank you, Kerry for giving it to  me.  It is much appreciated.   My SIL picked it up this  morning and since there are 460 km between us, we need to figure out how and when it gets from there to here.  Hopefully soon.  I'm excited!  First thing I'll be making are poffertjes.

[lemniscate]

I use my A4Box as a patio cooker, sit outside with a cocktail and cook my dinner, everything from sablefish to frozen Asian dumplings.  The deep bowl accessory is great for shabu shabu or soup or steaming vegs.   I used the pancake accessory for just that, small pancakes, but very infrequently.  I have used the takoyaki accessory for meatballs and egg bites

 

I have frequently taken my A4 on roadtrip vacations for cooking on the road.

 

I have not found a downside to owning the A4 for our lifestyle.

[dtremit]

On 12/5/2024 at 5:53 PM, TdeV said:

 

The link didn't work for me.

 

Apologies — always forget you have to cut out the ASIN and can't use the whole URL with the eGullet Amazon widget.

 

This one should work: (eG-friendly Amazon.com link)

[Vapre]

A4 Box - Anniversary5 just now worked for me, bought a light grey. Chairman Wow, that's a discount.

 

Edit: Now to wait for the accessories to come back in stock.

Edited yesterday at 04:24 AM by Vapre (log)

[Vapre]

On 12/5/2024 at 11:37 AM, Smithy said:

 

@Sid Post, I'll second what rotuts says. I also have an Instant Pot Ultra, as well as the original version. I like the Ultra for its settable temperatures. The one thing you have to be careful of, though, is the automatic "keep warm" setting. It's warmer than the lowest custom temperature setpoint, so you can end up accidentally overcooking something. For more information, and comparing the Ultra to the original, see this topic.

 

Getting back to your original question: I don't think the A4 box as it's originally shipped has anything deep enough to do slow cooking. I don't know whether the "deep dish" inset is deep enough, but haven't seen it to be sure. I think I recall reading in the A4 Box Induction Cooker topic that someone put a small pot atop the cooking surface and successfully cooked with it. I think it would have to be a pretty small pot, though: maybe not big enough for what you want to do.

Thirded. Love my Ultras. Have both an 8 and a 3qt.