• On TechRepublic: 12 tech terms that make you sound old

Appliances & Kitchen Gadgets

Read all 'Eating' posts in Appliances & Kitchen Gadgets
December 1, 2009 12:55 PM PST

Fondue without the fuss

by Brian Krepshaw
  • Post a comment

Fondue from one room to another.

(Credit: Williams-Sonoma)

It's not hard to throw together a fondue party. All you need are a few friends, some easy-melting ingredients, and bread, fruit, or something of the like to dip in it. Oh, there's one more thing that would make the evening go down as easy as a vat of melted cheese or chocolate: the fondue pot. Even if you have such a device, creating the velvety centerpiece would probably require the use of a saucepan on the stovetop. That is, unless you have a fondue pot that does double duty.

The All-Clad Fondue Pot with Cast Aluminum Insert saves a step in the fondue-making process by including a stovetop-safe cast-aluminum insert. Made from 18/10 stainless steel with an aluminum base, the set includes eight color-coded stainless-steel dipping forks. For additional versatility beyond just cheese and chocolate, the fondue pot is capable of cooking meat in hot oil; just remove the insert.

What makes this fondue pot really shine is the fact that it goes from stovetop to tabletop with ease. While the presentation of a good-looking fondue pot bubbling away over a flame is most comforting, the convenience of quickly setting the mood cannot be beat. Except, of course, the entrance you make at your own party, carrying in the fondue from the stove.

November 24, 2009 12:07 PM PST

Get your red hots all season long

by Brian Krepshaw
  • Post a comment

Keep the good times rolling.

(Credit: Bed Bath & Beyond)

The World Series may have come and gone (for some reason earlier this month), but that doesn't mean the real national pastime has to roll over. In fact, "rolling over" is exactly what this particular pastime excels at. While baseball may not be the same without hot dogs, you can take them away from the game and enjoy them throughout the long cold winter. Of course, if you want that authentic flavor that can only be had from uncountable revolutions on the heat source, you are going to need something special.

The Nostalgia Electrics Retro Series 50s Style Hot Dog Roller keeps the good times rolling all year 'round. Featuring classic styling reminiscent of a bygone era, the candy-red 15-inch-by-9.5-inch (it measures 15 inches tall) roller is sure to elicit interesting conversations (and demands for demonstrations). The two large dials on the front of the machine are for power and an adjustable heat control. For easy cleaning, the rollers are removable, as is an included drip tray.

With five nonstick stainless-steel rollers, perpetually cooking eight hot dogs (or 12 breakfast sausages) at a time, the hot dog cooker is sure to keep the party going. Hot dogs may be the flavor of baseball, but they taste just as good during football season--as long as you don't use the same ones, that is.

November 20, 2009 1:57 PM PST

Get the grill that does its own grilling

by Brian Krepshaw
  • Post a comment

Set it, but don't forget it.

(Credit: Rüegg)

Backyard parties are always a lot of fun. Friends and family get together to eat and drink and share talltales and gossip. But, mostly eat. Plans have to be made for the grill, what to put on it, how to marinate it, and finally how to cook it. Which means, somebody has to be in charge of the grill. While it may be rewarding to oversee a landscape of cooking meats and vegetables, the reality is with responsibility, sacrifices must be made. While all your friends are over there laughing and having fun, you're stuck making sure their food doesn't burn.

What could end up being a bitter tasting barbecue can be avoided if the meats and vegetables would just cook themselves. At least when it comes to shish kabobs, the Valigrill by Ruegg lets that happen. The electrically operated grill features a set of automatically rotating skewers to keep meat slowly spinning over the fire without burning. A combustion bar feeds oxygen to the charcoal grill, ensuring even and continual burning. The grill is mounted on wheels for easy portability. For good old-fashioned grilling, a standard grill grate is included, that is if you want to stand over a hot fire while all your friends are having fun.

(Via Appliancist)

November 17, 2009 10:31 AM PST

Kitchen scale counts calories for you

by Brian Krepshaw
  • Post a comment

Calorie counter.

(Credit: Cooking.com)

Scales are handy little things to have around the kitchen. One can weigh ingredients for baking and always be assured of the exact amount. Flour is notorious for volumetric trickery, so for baking, weight-based measurements are the way to go. The same can be said about a whole host of other ingredients, but when it comes to the actual scale, there is no reason they can't do a little more.

The Cesto by Escali is a scale that brings more to the table. In fact it brings more to wherever you would like it to go. Dubbed a "Portable Nutritional Tracker," the thin device measures 8.75 inches by 6.25-inches across. While the portability of anything larger than a phone may be debatable, the scale does have functions for measuring a variety of nutritional information including: calories, sodium, protein, fat, carbohydrates, cholesterol or fiber.

Knowing how much something weighs and what's in it is a pretty good way to keep track of multiple aspects of a diet. With an easy-to-use interface and an uncluttered design, the usefulness of this scale is apparent. Add a modern styling and the scale becomes even more attractive--no matter where you decide to use it.

November 16, 2009 11:54 AM PST

Fun food containers brighten up your lunchbag

by Abbi Perets
  • 1 comment

Back off! This is my toxic sludge.

(Credit: Hog Wild)

Packing lunch for your kids--or yourself--every day can get a little boring. But you can spice things up a bit and have some fun with these atomic food containers.

You probably won't convince anyone that your lunch is truly radioactive, but you'll at least have the most recognizable containers in the office, so Kevin from accounting can't claim he "accidentally" grabbed your leftover pad thai.

And despite the warnings emblazoned on the bowls, they're dishwasher- and microwave-safe. They even include a built-in air vent and date timer, so you probably won't poison yourself with your leftovers. Snag a set of three differently sized bowls for under $10.

November 12, 2009 2:19 PM PST

Shaking up grill-time accessories

by Brian Krepshaw
  • Post a comment

Too tempting to stay inside.

(Credit: Amazon)

Grilling season is never officially over. Unlike team sports or the weather, the grill doesn't cycle through calendar months, ticking off days, perpetually preparing for next season. While the use of the grill may be directly linked to sports and weather patterns, the fact remains that grilling trumps all. Two degrees above freezing in hockey season is still cause enough to bust out the grill, especially when there are new toys to play with.

For those who can stand the cold and wish for the fire, here is the Grilling Basket and Tray With Lidded Shaker Set available on Amazon. Grilling utensils fashioned into mesh baskets are always a popular item; one can grill small veggies or delicate foods such as fish without worry of losing contents to the fire. Complete with a nonstick coating, the grill baskets form a trifecta of easy-to-handle, easy-to-clean, and tempting-to-use cookware for the grill.

The variety of the three grill baskets brings diversity to the grill, but the standout is the Lidded Shaker (which can be purchased separately). Grilled hot potatoes or home fries can have seasoning added to them throughout the cooking process; a quick flip with the wrist and salt and spices become incorporated with no threat of any delicious morsels falling into the fire. Cold weather grillers should appreciate the affinity of this cookware for potatoes. The classic comfort food should supply enough energy to get through any weather.

November 6, 2009 12:54 PM PST

Popcorn and nuts find harmony in one appliance

by Brian Krepshaw
  • Post a comment

Together at last.

(Credit: Amazon)

A bowl of freshly popped popcorn is close to being the perfect snack. Healthy, delicious, and versatile, the fluffy treat can take on any flavor you decide to impart upon it. The same can be said about nuts. Although high in fat, in moderation, nuts are essential eating. Nuts and popcorn together is like a secret combination of the universe. Snack makers long ago discovered the power of the popcorn and nut combination, but that doesn't mean you have to enjoy the mixture on their terms.

Nuts, like popcorn, are best served hot. Easy enough task when it comes to popcorn; there are many ways to make corn pop. From the stovetop to the microwave to the air popper, freshly popped popcorn is rarely more than a few steps away. But what of fresh roasted nuts? That is a bit trickier. With the West Bend Kettle Krazy Popcorn Popper and Nut Roaster you can easily do both.

The combination appliance uses a motorized stir rod and a nonstick temperature-controlled heating plate to keep the nuts from burning as they cook. You won't be able to make both nuts and popcorn at the same time--a simple control knob switches from "nuts" to "popcorn"--but when you are ready, the lid flips over and becomes a 6-quart serving bowl. Just like popcorn and nuts, this all-in-one snack maker makes perfect sense.

October 30, 2009 4:15 PM PDT

Sanyo Indoor Grill and Griddle: Two tools in one

by Brian Krepshaw
  • Post a comment

Can't decide? Have both.

(Credit: Sanyo)

Indecision can be a wonderful thing. When choices present themselves, there are times when it seems impossible to make a decision. In the kitchen, sometimes this waffling creates inspiration. Craving for more than one type of food can lead to experimentation when the answer is simply to have both. Spectacular combinations can be formed out of this alliance, from peanut butter and chocolate to fried chicken and waffles.

The Sanyo Indoor Barbecue Grill and Griddle combines two great cooking appliances and merges them into one. With 200 square inches of cooktop real estate, the combination appliance has ample room to cook up new creations from your imagination. The 1,300-watt device has an adjustable temperature range from 200 degrees F to 425 degrees F. The grill features a grease channel, for fat and grease to drain away, while the griddle has a convenient integrated lid.

Perfect for all-in-one cooking, the cooktop makes it easy to plan complete meals with just one appliance. Classic combinations such as steak with eggs and burgers covered in melted cheese are easily made using the features of this gadget. And of course, the design encourages experimentation. It may not be capable of cooking fried chicken and waffles, but that doesn't mean you can't give steak and pancakes a try. Let your imagination run wild.

October 23, 2009 3:38 PM PDT

Countertop turkey fryer: Use as directed

by Brian Krepshaw
  • 1 comment

That? Why, that's a turkey fryer.

(Credit: Bed Bath & Beyond)

It's almost that time of year again. With Halloween right around the corner, thoughts across the country will soon turn to the most important food holiday of the year: Thanksgiving. Before the apple pie, before the mashed potatoes, before all the traditional appetizers, side dishes and desserts, comes the turkey. As a centerpiece of the meal, turkey preparation takes center stage for good reason, and it all starts with how you decide to cook the turkey.

Every year, Black Friday not only features news stories about mall attendance, but also unfortunate stories of fires caused by deep frying turkey. If you are choosing fried turkey this year, leave the shoddy preparation in the past and get yourself a dedicated appliance. As far as unitaskers go, the Masterbuilt Butterball Professional Series Indoor Electric Turkey Fryer probably isn't too bad of a choice. (And to be fair, a cooking basket and drain clip are included to fry other foods.)

The kitchen appliance is small enough for countertop use, but is large enough to accommodate a 14-pound turkey. Complete with breakaway power cord and automatic safety shutdown, the indoor fryer makes it easy to cook delicious turkey for your big meal. Other features include a filtered lid with viewing window for when you just have to (safely) sneak a peek.

October 7, 2009 1:00 PM PDT

Slice lasagna perfectly

by Brian Krepshaw
  • 2 comments

I want that one.

(Credit: Taylor Gifts)

Someday, all food will come in exact sizes and shapes. No, I'm not talking about the oft-mentioned food pills of the always-distant future, where one capsule supplies enough nutrients for the day. Hopefully, that terrifying future never falls upon us, because eating or preparing a well-made meal can be rewarding in its own right. However, there is something to be said about food that is served exactly the same every time. Just ask siblings how they feel about the concept as they try to split a particularly delicious treat like pizza or a brownie.

Speaking of brownies, we've seen the concept before: a brownie pan that creates equal-sized squares of the chocolate treat. While it is not uncommon for children to fuss over who has a larger piece of brownie, the competition is rarely taken to dinner items, such as lasagna. Thanks to the Slice Lasagna Pan, it need never happen.

Twelve perfectly portioned squares of lasagna are cooked at one time. Simply layer your creation as you would with any other lasagna pan, and then push in the cutting grid. The lasagna cooks into individual squares, with the added benefit of four delicious cooked sides for each piece of lasagna. Of course if lasagna is not your thing, with its 2.75-inch depth there is no stopping you from making twelve huge squares of brownies--all with four sides of crust.

advertisement

About Appliances & Kitchen Gadgets

Having transformed the den and the living room, technology is about to revolutionize the kitchen and even the laundry room. Manufacturers are increasingly cramming silicon into everything from refrigerators to spoons, and you can count on CNET's technology experience to follow and explain these trends. In this blog, you'll find the good, the bad, the priceless, the useless, and everything that fits in between, brought to you by a team of culinary professionals and technology experts from CNET and its network of bloggers.

Add this feed to your online news reader

Appliances & Kitchen Gadgets topics

Most Discussed