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.
Grill, griddle, and press your way to an uncluttered kitchen.
(Credit: Williams-Sonoma)Convenience in the kitchen is never farther away than the nearest appliance. Specialized contraptions of all shapes and sizes rest on our countertops waiting to be called upon for specific purposes. What can come as no surprise to anyone is that these countertops can become quite cluttered--and quite quickly, as we add to our arsenal of cookery. However, this maze of gadgetry doesn't have to be inescapable; one or two overachieving appliances with multitasking capabilities are all that is needed to create a sense of order into the kitchen.
If you find that you cannot live without an indoor grill, panini press, or electric griddle, Breville has the Smart Grill & Griddle, which combines these popular appliances into one convenient unit. Featuring removable plates and a design that opens a full 180 degrees, the countertop appliance can either be used as a press or as an electric grill or griddle. Additionally, the unit features the ability to lock into place, effectively turning it into a broiler. Most clamshell-style grills or griddles simply press down on the food, making it impossible, for example, to brown the top of an open-faced sandwich.
Just because this combination grill/griddle/press can accommodate a variety of cooking tasks doesn't mean that more familiar functions get left behind. The machine features an adjustable center angle, meaning that fat and grease can be channeled away from foods, and collected into a drip tray. For additional efficiency, the heating elements are embedded directly into the plates, and automatically adjust when new food is introduced. As a final measure of convenience, the removable plates are dishwasher safe, allowing for easy cleanup, no matter what you decide to cook.
My husband is one of about six people on the planet who drinks Vanilla Coke Zero. This flavor is so unpopular that it's extremely difficult to find in bottles, which means we buy a lot of 12-packs of cans of soda.
On occasion, my husband doesn't finish a whole can at once. And the leftover soda loses its carbonation and eventually gets dumped down the drain. And then I get annoyed because I hate wasting money. And food. But mostly money.
So as much as I might enjoy making fun of late night informercials, I was intrigued when I saw an ad for the Bottle Top. It looks like the top third or so of a plastic water bottle, with a lid that seals shut. Snap the top right onto your soda can to keep your soda carbonated and prevent spills. A south Mississippi TV reporter evaluated the Bottle Top and found that it did meet most of the ad claims.
The Bottle Top comes in six different colors. The ad says a set of six is $10, but what you can order online is actually a set of 12 (plus a pop-top opener in case you've never mastered the fine art of opening a can of soda) for $10, plus $6.99 shipping and handling...plus another $6.99 shipping and handling for the second set of six. Or, head to the store and grab a box of 12 for $10.
It seems like unusual coffee mugs are a good fallback plan if you can't think of a holiday gift, but even among all those unique mugs that get given out every year, the Link Mugs stand out. The ceramic coffee mugs are white and generally look like typical mugs, except for the sides, near the base. Each coffee mug in the set of three links together by way of a plus-shaped plug on one side of each mug and a corresponding socket on the other. Link your mugs together and you can carry them all over your home or office without needing to worry about spilling hot tea or coffee on yourself or on the floor.
The Link Mugs were designed by Johnathan Aspinall, with the intention of solving how one person can carry several mugs at once without resorting to a tray. The design is based of a standard builders mug. The mugs are approximately 3.75 inches tall, with a diameter of about 3.25 inches. The Link Mugs come packaged in a gift box that includes instructions on how to connect the mugs, making them a useful choice for holiday present. The set is priced at approximately $54.
It's easy to get caught up in fun kitchen gadgets and overlook the things that are most important--like kitchen safety. Do you own a fire extinguisher? Do you know where it is and how to use it? A fire extinguisher can be somewhat unwieldy, and many kitchen extinguishers are only good for a single use. You should still have one in your kitchen, but a backup plan isn't a bad idea.
That's where the Kitchen Fire Mat comes in. The mats are made from amorphous silica cloths and felts, which are absolutely fire proof, impervious to direct flame contact and cannot melt until temperatures exceed 3,000 degrees Fahrenheit. The blanket smothers the flame without smoke emission or toxic gases, and you can reuse it several times if you're dealing with minor flames.
The blanket is 36 inches by 36 inches and has handles at one end. Plus, it comes packaged in a cute red ceramic fire-hydrant-shaped canister that you can keep on your counter so it's there--accessible--when you need it.
The mat costs about $50. But your peace of mind? Priceless.
If you need a little help with entertaining, the Quick Tap Refrigerator is ready to handle the drinks. One of the biggest changes from Amana's usual refrigerator designs to this version is a beverage dispenser on the front of the fridge door, where an ice dispenser might be on another refrigerator. You can fill the dispenser with up to 3 liters of refreshments like margaritas, and your guests can help themselves to perfectly chilled drinks. The dispenser does require a little extra cleaning and dispenser valves should be replaced every six months or so. The Quick Tap Refrigerator also includes a wine rack and can rack. The wine rack can hold up to five full-size bottles at a time.
The Quick Tap Refrigerator isn't just for parties, though. This all-purpose fridge comes with standard features like easy-to-clean shelves and plenty of room for your family's food. There's even enough room in the door to securely fit gallon jugs of milk. Crisper drawers and an easy temperature control system round out the Quick Tap Refrigerator's standard offerings. You can also choose options like an ice maker. The fridge is available in red with silver trim, as well as silver.
When I'm in the middle of cooking, I don't like throwing anything away. It's not because I don't have stuff to throw away; instead, I just don't want to have to stop and wash my hands after touching the dirty lid of the trash can. The iTouchless Fully Automatic Trashcan opens up the lid without requiring you to actually touch it, letting you keep your hands clean as you work with food. It closes tightly in order to minimize odors. The trash can's lid will open instantly when trash or a hand is within 5 inches of its sensor. The trash can is battery-powered, requiring four D batteries, although there's an optional AC adapter that lets you plug it into the wall.
The iTouchless Fully Automatic Trashcan holds 13 gallons and can fit any 13- or 18-gallon trash bag, making it big enough for most kitchens. The trash can is stainless steel, in case you want to set it out. It's also designed so the lid can open in tight spaces, as well. The lid slides open, rather than opening upwards or downwards like some other trash cans. The iTouchless Fully Automatic Trashcan is available for about $80.
Good looks and it cooks, too.
(Credit: Dacor)Certain appliances are used so frequently they just blend into the background. This is a good thing. When heavy-use appliances integrate seamlessly into our lives, that means they are working as they should. It's best not to notice them, because that usually means something is wrong. But just because they blend into our surroundings, that doesn't mean we don't want them to be attractive when we do look at them. Considering how central the oven is to daily life, efficiency and design go hand in hand.
The new Dacor Distinctive 30-inch Single Wall Oven is an eye-catching centerpiece in the kitchen. Featuring contemporary styling that includes a handle design that sits flush with the wall oven door and a stainless steel finish, the oven offers the good looks that makes any kitchen feel complete. The inside features hidden bake and recessed broil elements, creating not only a smooth appearance, but also more workable area in the interior. The 3.8-cubic-foot capacity oven also features an innovative baffling system that channels consistent heat throughout the oven.
With six cooking modes (Convection Bake, Convection Broil, Convection Roast, Pure Convection, Bake, and Broil), the features make it easy to achieve desired results when cooking. The electronic touch-control panel offers cooking functions (Start Time, Cooking Time, Stop Time, and Temperature Hold) that facilitate meal planning. There's even an integrated meat probe thermometer, assuring that you get the most out of your oven.
Every time I have to carve a roast, slice some bread, or generally take a knife to any part of dinner, I wind up with pieces that vary in thickness. It seems like the Victorinox Precise Slice Knife was made with me in mind. The knife has an adjustable guide that helps you to slice just about any type of food into pieces of even thickness. You can adjust the guide from a thickness of 1/16 inch to 1/2 inch. With the Victorinox Precise Slice Knife, you can cut meat thinly enough to easily use it for sandwiches.
The Victorinox Precise Slice Knife includes a precision-stamped, high carbon, stainless steel blade with a serrated edge that will help you to easily slice everything from bread to vegetables. The blade is conically ground and goes through a special tempering process, creating a blade that will hold its razor-sharpness. The blade measures 8 1/4 inches long, with the whole knife measuring 13 3/4 inches long. You can run the knife through the dishwasher, although the maker recommends hand washing in order to extend the life of the knife. The Victorinox Precise Slice Knife is priced at $80.
No ice needed.
(Credit: Bed Bath & Beyond)While nothing beats enjoying a cooler full of ice-cold beverages at the park, beach, or backyard barbecue, there is a bit of a downside risk: wet cans. As drinks are plucked from the murky depths of the ice chest, ice that is no longer ice clings to the can. It's something even cold-activated cans cannot fix.
Since the dawn of mankind (or at least the invention of the tailgate party), people have looked for a way to enjoy the crisp, clean taste of their favorite drinks without the inconvenience of wet fingers. Now, finally, there is a way.
The Wine Enthusiast Koolatron Rechargeable Bar On Wheels provides a way to cool your drinks anywhere, without the use of ice. The rechargeable cooler cools contents to a "near refrigerator" temperature of 40 degrees F.
Plugging into a standard home outlet, the 41-pound portable cooler also includes an AC/DC adapter for vehicle charging. One charge is good for up to four hours of active, quiet cooling, and for easy portability, two wheels are attached at the base.
With three removable shelves and space for in-door bottle cooling, the portable party-maker has a versatile interior capable of cooling all types of beverages. Complete with a flat work area on top and a hanging basket for accessories on the side, this cooling solution is sure to be a hit at your next outdoor event.
But it will cost you--$449.99 in at least one listing we saw. What do you think? Is saving the ice for putting in your drinks instead of on them worth that tag?
