west bend

Pressure cooker adds browning function to increase flavor

Browning creates flavor. It is a simple statement, but one with deep-toned implications. The effect is what is called the Maillard reaction and it is what occurs when amino acids and sugars get together with a heat source. The resulting party creates new flavor compounds, and that all equals delicious. Achieving this deliciousness is as easy as getting out a sauté pan. Or in this case, the multicooker.

The West Bend 82011 Pressure Cooker may be appropriately named, but pressure cooking is only one of its capabilities. The versatile countertop appliance is really a multicooker that combines five appliances … Read more

Bring home the bakery

Some foods carry along with them an aroma that is unmistakable and at times intoxicating. Bacon, for example. Popcorn also has a way of permeating every nook and cranny, sometimes smelling better than it tastes. Chocolate-chip cookies are another example of a well-loved baking scent. But it is not always comfort food that resonates with our senses; sometimes it is something much more simple. When it comes to kitchen staples, it's hard to get much more basic than bread.

The scent of freshly baked bread in the air never fails to draw attention, but there's no need to … Read more

Slow cooking with a griddle

Griddles are extremely convenient to have set up and ready to go. Just turn it on, crack an egg or whip up some pancake batter, and off you go. The flat, evenly heated cooking surface will do the rest. Another convenient appliance is the slow cooker. Again, minimal amount of work is required: place protein, veggies, spices, and liquid in the pot and wait (after turning it on, that is). If only the two appliances were combined.

This isn't the first griddle/slow cooker we've seen, but West Bend seems to be stepping it up a notch. The … Read more

Indoor grill easy on the wallet

Shopping for kitchen appliances can at times be tricky. A host of factors to think about present themselves, with each one vying for attention as the most important thing to consider. No matter how much the color or the material of an appliance may come into the equation, there are always two other things to consider, no matter what personal preferences may be: price and size.

For the budgetary-minded trying to pack a punch onto a small countertop, appliance shopping can be a challenge. With a price tag of just $29.99, the West Bend Nonstick Countertop Grill and Panini Press (model 6113), … Read more

Popcorn and nuts find harmony in one appliance

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 … Read more