Recipe for ATK Reviews Blender Testing Smoothie: 1 cup orange juice, 1 cup frozen pineapple, 1 cup fresh kale leaves, torn Add ingredients in order, blend until smooth!
Zojurushi appliances are usually lined w/ non-stick paint, which can't be good in a machine that's always cooking. Pls note the lining if you make another video on kitchen cooking appliances. Thank you for your videos, very informative. Happy new year! 😊
Regarding "personal" blenders... a lot of people don't realize they already have one in their kitchen. I don't know about other brands, but the bases of classic Oster and Sunbeam blenders are threaded to match mason jars. Just screw the base ring and blade assembly off the bottom of the regular blender jug and screw it straight onto the top of the already filled mason jar (don't forget the rubber sealing ring). Invert the jar and place onto the blender power unit and whip up a fast smoothie. If you want to take the mixed drink with you just screw on a one or two-part Mason lid. Mason jars come in many sizes from 8oz and up, but all have the same mouth diameter and threads, making them all compatible with the aforementioned blenders. Even better, you can buy special lids for mason jars online with built-in straws, either screw on metal or press-fit silicone. They also make flip-top lids for them similar to the top of a travel mug. I've even seen stainless steel Mason "jars" with mug-style handles which will also screw right on to your Oster or Sunbeam blender units. Most people with one of these brands don't need a dedicated personal blender too.
I use welding gloves too...only complaint is that it can get hot if the thing you are carrying hits the right spot on the glove due to metal supports...but a great option for sure in most use situations
I had a Challenger bread oven and sold it. I was so heavy it strained by back when bending over with my arms outstretched to put into the oven. If I had an eye level wall oven it might have been different. It was also so heavy it bent the racks in my oven. Almost all the bread makers I know use the Lodge.
I've bought perhaps an _embarrassingly_ lot of the things ATK recommends. Despite the one non-recommendation on this vid, I nearly always opt for Cuisinart or OXO because the've both been so consistently highly rated. AND, I've largely been VERY HAPPY with my choices.
I absolutely love my Zojirushi water dispenser! I have a 5L at home, and I love that I can keep it at the right temperature for my tea and tastebuds (175 for green tea, 195 for black; I rarely use the 208 degree setting). The model I have, which is almost 6 years old now (about $215), also has a Quick Temp feature that allows me to add water, and it doesn't bring the whole dispenser to boiling and then cool down -- it just stops heating up when my temperature is reached. There's even a slow-drip feature for making slow-drip coffee! It really is an amazing gadget for those who constantly have a need for hot water and precise temperature control. The 5L capacity is also nice if you make large pitchers of tea (nice for iced tea). I seriously can't recommend it enough.
My fav appliance is my Breville Tea Maker. It is on the pricey side at $300, but it is truly a perfect cup of tea. I’ve had mine for 7 years. It’s great for making various tea types (temp/steep time) and I can even program it to have my tea ready when I wake up. I also can make more than one cup at a time and it’ll keep it warm for me without making bitter tea since it raises the basket of tea away from the water. Only downside is you have to be careful when cleaning the teapot to keep water away from the base. It’s nice having a tea pot that functions similarly to a coffee pot when you aren’t a coffee drinker.
Interesting your take on the marble rolling pin. I have baked for years using mine and I love it. I love the weight and the fact that it does keep certain doughs cool. And, the handled rolling pins work much better for my arthritic hands than the one piece rolling pins. These claws have no control without the handles.
I've had a big marble rolling pin for several decades and I never use it, for precisely the reasons listed in this video. Instead I prefer a "French" wooden one I've had almost as long, and last year I picked up a heavy 18" wooden traditional rolling pin (with handles) which is perfect for rolling out pizza dough.
@@heidiatchison9725 Haha! Yes, they are the best! And, do you notice how solid and smooth they are? I got a new rolling pin and the wood isn't as sanded and smooth as the old ones.
I was gifted a marble rolling pin years ago and LOVE it. I use the handles to control how much pressure the pin imparts onto my dough. I detest the "French" ones because I find the rough wooden surface to be irritating to my hands, and because I don't want to be touching the thing that's rolling the dough.
@@figmo397 Me too! Glad you said that about the wooden grain on your french rolling pin, mine is the same way. I was thinking about sanding it to try and make it smoother but worry that I will just mess it up more.
Toddy system has been around for at least 20 years to my knowledge and has always been my "best of the best". I'm glad ATK is finally giving them the shout they deserve
I have my parents 50+ year old system, and my own. If you are single, once you make the concentration you can pour the concentrate into ice cube trays. Freeze and then pop into a freezer safe storage bag and pull out as needed. The advantage of using the frozen it will cool the coffee down when you pour boiling hot water over it.
It annoys me to no end when I see cast iron cookware that costs hundreds of dollars... thats why I appreciate LODGE so much. They make excellent products and don't pretend like they're not just pouring molten metal into a mold.
Recently we went camping and there were Lodge Outlet stores nearby. We were astounded at the even better deals you could get on some of their products that were labeled "imperfect". I couldn't tell what the imperfections were and the huge discounts made it worth the while.
I have bought many Lodge skillets for people over the years. Inexpensive, easy to maintain, easy to use and will last forever if treated with even a little respect. When I see these new outfits trying to sell essentially the exact same things for 5x the price I get actually angry.
You all totally missed the point of the silicone grill gloves! They are for picking up large cuts of cooked meat like brisket or chicken where tongs would just tear into the meat. That way, for a brisket or ribs as example you can lift them off a smoker and then wrap them with foil or butcher paper and then put them back on and finish cooking. That is exactly what they are for and work great!
I agree, one thing are those grey grill-gloves for holding grill instruments all the time, when grilling in "usual clothes" , that are no way clean enough for touching foods -- and absolutely other thing are those silicone gloves for taking out foods or grill dishes where it is possible to touch foods -- you can clean and sterilize those silicon gloves easy, no need to use dirty "instruments gloves" --- the silicone gloves are a kind of another cooking helper, for huge pieces of hot foods.
I would like to see more of the stovetop devices tested on an induction cooktop. I don't have the option of gas and I hated the electric range, so induction is my only option.
the water kettle is a staple in my parents home. they've had the zojirushi kettle since i was a child and my dad uses it every single day for his tea. As an adult, I have never thought of getting one for myself because i dont drink tea very often and I am willing to wait for my kettle to boil my water on a case by case basis. I can see why some may think $250 for that is ridiculous, but it really is handy. Its also awesome that the zojirushi has lasted us 20+ years with constant use
I’d be interested to see if this is more or less efficient than a kettle, as if it is a real energy drainer then I’m not sure why I’d want one over a kettle when a kettle can heat water very quickly, do large quantities and is always a jug of water ready in the kitchen in emergencies.
I’ve been using the Lodge double Dutch oven as my bread baker for about two years now and it is amazing. Yes, I’m limited to boules, but that’s a minor inconvenience.
Those Toddy makers are FANTASTIC I have had mine for years and years, love seeing such an old-school product get a shout out. I gave one to a friend of mine several years ago and it's her most-used gadget because she loves cold brew and no longer needed to buy her daily fix from Starbucks. For the filter just give it a soak in a diluted bleach bath every so often overnight, it's a super dense fabric like filter. Rinse it really really well, pop it into a ziplock bag and store in the fridge until you need it again.
I have been using a Frigoverre 65oz jug for the toddy I make; it will hold a full batch of toddy, and the Toddy brew unit fits nicely on the Frigoverre jug to drain. The big advantage is that the Frigoverre jug has a handle, making it easier to grip when you can't get your hand around the Toddy jug.
I've had a water boiler/warmer for over a decade and, while Zojirushi can't be beat, I opt for a stainless interior without a non-stick coating. The brand does make them, with the same 4 temperature setting. That's the way to go. I also have the Lodge griddle, as well as the covered skillet set -- a great 3-in-1!
I just 2 days ago bought a cast iron Victoria Dutch oven Cooker Combo for making bread, the added versatility of the top being a 10" griddle pan is a huge bonus for a small amount of money. Thank you for your honest to-the-point reviews, your reviews helped me choose my Victoria 10" cast iron skillet. Keep up the great reviews and videos!
This is why I’m always happy to pay $10 for a loaf of artisan sour dough bread. It’s gotta be cheaper than buying (& storing 🥴) the bulky cast iron dutch oven & I don’t need a $400 blender capable of mixing the dough to perfection. I figure at $10 bucks a loaf I’m streets ahead. So, thank you bakers for doing all the hard yards for me, it’s much appreciated. 😂😂❤❤
Wait, 30 minutes to boil 3 litres for £200? Just boil a normal £10 kettle in 3 minutes or install an instant DHWS heater for not much more than the mega boiler. Also don't you want to leave the desk for a tea break?
I have a no name cast iron Dutch oven that i bought 15-20 years ago that i use like you do in the video to make Irish Soda bread. That's not the ONLY thing I use it for, it's used for chili, othee soups, braised chicken, pork roasts, etc. It only cost me $30.00, so i think I got my money's worth out of it! 😊
I'm glad to see the water dispenser on the testing regimen. More than convenient for tea or hot water drinking, I use this all the time for cleaning, especially soaking kitchen towels in sodium percarbonate. Heating up cups for coffee is also useful. It is a completely underrated product in kitchens and I hope everyone makes space for one. I like the Tiger one more than the Zojirushi (though I am brand loyal to the latter) because power cord is more easily detachable, which is much easier for the regular descaling both of these companies' units need.
Great reviews! I wish I had known about the Toddy Cold Brew. I bought the Oxo and although it’s compact and easy to use, it doesn’t make much. Btw, if you want a decaf version of Starbucks Cold Brew, use the Decaf Sumatra available at almost all Starbucks. I’m a Coffee Master at Starbucks and we brew our cold brew for 20 hours. 5lb of coffee to 14 liters of water. After it’s brewed we cut it 50% with water. So at home 1lb of coffee with 2.8 liters of water, brew 20 hours and basically double it with fresh water. FYI, before every store started using kegs and offering Nitro Cold Brew it was a treat to have uncut, or double strength Cold Brew. Yummy but powerful!
I like your explanation best ! Another ATK host blathered on and on with such a ridiculously long demonstration of cold brew.... that I was fatigued and annoyed by the end of it. Too much info for just two ingredients--- much like Alton Brown's nightmarishly laborious grilled cheese.
And the Toddy maker produces more concentrate than the other brands. Sixteen ounces of coffee, four cups of water, let it sit for five minutes to degas, five more cups of water (basically, fill the maker), cover, and let it sit. Many years ago, I made up a table with the first/second water quantities if I had to make a batch with less than a pound.
Just use a French press! It's already purpose built for this cold brew method! Fun fact, don't put it in the fridge for 24 hours. Leave it on the counter overnight. Amazing coffee! French press! 20 bucks or less!
A French press retains coffee oils because it uses a metal filter, which many people don’t like. It can also only make a few cups worth of coffee, vs the Toddy that can make more than a half gallon at a time.
Thank you for the water boiler review. The Tiger is something I will now consider! I've been coveting some sort of a kettle that has a variable boiling temperature for teas, but hadn't considered one of these countertop appliances. Every kettle I consider has a drawback. In online reviews, it is hard to ascertain the true speed of boiling - the amount boiled should be a test standard, such as "one cup of water takes 2 1/2 minutes to boil". Just stating that it boils quickly isn't specific enough. At least your review stated the amount of water being boiled. Aspects I consider in kettles are: ease of cleaning, all-metal interior [without non-stick coating], keep-warm feature, cool-touch, boil speed, variable temperature, even a decent cord length. Counter-space [the gooseneck pour overs are just too wide - give me something slim and unobtrusive.] Also a consideration is the smallest amount of water these appliances will boil - why waste boiling cups of water when for the time being, only a small cup is desired for the day.
I was wondering how your top-rated rolling pin, which is essentially a large dowel, compares to the French stick? The number one thing I use a rolling pin for is to roll out pie crust and cookie dough. I like the French stick because it does a great job of flattening the center without getting the edges too thin. I also find it easier to use in a circular motion, the best way to roll out pie crust without having jagged edges you have to patch back together. The Lodge camp cooker is pretty much a chicken fryer with a skillet lid. I love it.
You make the hot water dispensers sound much more limited than they are. You can make anything that just needs hot water: coco, cider, ramen, cup of noodle, instant rice, heat your sauce packets for frozen meals…. And when you need boiling hot water to clear the icky mess your kids left in the air fryer basket,,,,, Iola.
I do love that the Cuisinart food processor still holds the belt. I grew up using them in foods class back in the 90s, i have one that's easily 20 years old, still runs like a champ. Also my kitchenaid mixer that's just as old. Sure I have to slap it to make it run but that just adds to the charm. Though as for grilling gloves. Silicone can go away please. All it does is hold heat. I'd rather have thick leather or cotton rather than hot plastic.
I have a toaster/air fryer/oven appliance and it would be so helpful to see some foods prepared with it. I used a sheet of parchment paper last night to protect my baking pan and the air blew the paper up in contact with the heating element thereby causing the smoke detector to go off.
A Zojirushi hot water dispenser has been at my parents' for decades. It's probably not unique to the brand, but some appliances last incredibly long time. It's worth investing extra IMO.
I have a Narcissus hot water dispenser. The easy to fill tank holds 40 oz. (Really who needs 3 liters of hot water to drink tea or instant coffee). It makes hot water on demand. It does 3 sizes 12 oz., 8 oz., 4 oz. and multiple temps from 105 deg F for baby formula to 212 deg F. It takes about a minute for 12 oz. It’s compact, half the size of a Keurig. I bought it off of Amazon for less than $70. I still use my electric kettle to heat water if boiling something but since I only drink one or 2 cups a day, it’s perfect.
The silicone gloves are not for grilling which you got wrong. They are for taking smoked meats off of smokers. They grip the meat great, are made for a man-size hand(great), and are easy to clean after handling the meat. They were the best thing I have bought to assist in my smoking of meat.
For longer oval shaped loaves we've had amazing results using a Pit Boss branded cast iron roaster with lid. I'm not sure if they make it anymore or not but it's listed on their website for $89 (out of stock). You might be able to find it elsewhere. I highly recommend it!
They probably didn't mention it because grill pans/griddles are completely pointless. All they do is make meat look like they were cooked on a grill, without any of the benefits.
@cooperunderwood7342 you are 99% correct.....but here's a small thing.... I have brought mine camping and because you can put the cast iron directly on the coals... you can get all the benefits of a grill. Why not just bring a grill? Saves space in packing. A little heavy, but worth it in my opinion. (edit) If you have 4 sturdy metal tent pegs you can also raise it up a bit if you want. I don't usually bother with that though.
Ladies about the rolling pins . You could not be more wrong . The marble rolling pin was developed in order to roll marzipan in the 1870 ties especially for pastry chefs in Austria and on early cruise liners. They were never mend to be used for cookie dough or pie dough . Normal bakeries used beech wood for their rolling pins on bearings . If you roll your dough properly you do only need the weight of your rolling pin to do the flattening not much pressure is to be applied . That prevents fatigue as well as un even thickness. Stainless steel and aluminum rolling pins came in to the picture only in North America after wood was considered , not sanitary by some Brain Ding dongs in the health department’s. The challenge this caused , was during cleaning ,staff was submerging the rolling pins in water and the internal bearings started to rust and resulting in a gray ,smelling thick liquid running over the doughs . Nobody ever got ill by using wooden rolling pins but a lot of people got discussed and a lot of product needed to be discarded by the metal ones . I agree that a small house hold does not need a heavy rolling pin but in the industry heavier pins make our lives much easier .
What Lan said about the water boiler is spot-on - never needing to think about boiling water in advance of making tea, coffee, etc. is so convenient! Our Zoji is on 24/7...the only downside is when someone in your family forgets to refill it when it's low and there isn't enough water ready for coffee in the morning...😅
It seems like a waste of energy to be honest. Boiling water in an electric kettle takes, what, 2 minutes at most? Buying a dedicated machine to keep water near boiling every day just seems like overkill to me.
@@Dark0blivionThis is very true. Fwiw I'm not in the US but over here in my country, our energy dept does PSAs routinely on how to conserve energy and tips on how to lower the bill, one of the culprits contributing to high energy usage is the electric boiler dispenser. It was advised for those looking into keeping the energy bill down, to be better off doing away with the dispenser and use regular kettle instead.
@@Dark0blivion It depends on your use. For people who drink tea all day, boiling water, then getting it down to the right temp is time-consuming. The dispenser has 4 temp settings, no need to boil each time.
@@Dark0blivion I review this on my channel as well and have grown up with one th-cam.com/video/Kh9yWUgckXs/w-d-xo.html the thing is, it's energy efficient, insulated, and keeping the water warm VS reboiling is less energy demanding. That's the idea, you boil the water and then keep it warm.
@@C2C.my simple kettle also has 4 different temps. It doesn’t need to come to a full boil if I don’t want absolute boiling water. I use the lower temps for some Tisana and green tea.
We have that lodge combo and use it as our skillet and Dutch oven. Use it to cook nearly everything. They also make a larger combo set that doesn't have the longer handles.
I'd love if some of the small appliance comparisons included a mention on energy efficiency, maybe a partner-up with a scientist, as I'm not super familiar with your team and if they have that sort of testing equipment. For example, how much the small blender uses compared to a vitamix for a single or double portion, or how much energy boiling a couple cups of water 4x or 5x in a day compared to heating and holding the zojirushi all day. Maybe not the biggest consideration for someone who can afford to consider a $250 hot water machine, but would be helpful in considering the variable cost of operating these appliances post-purchase, especially over the course of years. I love the consideration for people of varying mobility though (lifting a kettle), and the attention to details - you rock!
I own the orange silicon gloves and they are great for what they are for, grabbing large smoked meats (brisket, butts, etc.) that tongs are too small for or that would fall apart if picked up by other means. You can throw them into the dishwasher when done. Your pick would be soaked with fat and drippings. BTW, I have a pair of heat resistant leather gloves for handling chimney and moving coals.
The silicon grill gloves looked like the style that are used to pick up big heavy cuts of meat like brisket. They should be lined, but you want that sticky silicon exterior to be about to pick up those large cuts and move them around. The welder style gloves are great for heat protection, but they'll absorb the fat from the meat right into the glove and that can burn you as well. Different gloves for different purposes. 5:07
Love you two! Legit, your videos are mesmerizing - and tempting ;) I keep wanting to ask this: Have you considered including vintage gear in your reviews at all? My best small appliances (by far) - Sunbeam T-35 toaster, Sunbeam CG waffle maker, and Hobart-era Kitchenaid KS55 - were all made before 1980. It would be great to consider them alongside current options. Just a thought.
Nice review ladies. The "Lodge Double Dutch Oven, 5-Quart" is taller than the "Combo Cooker", making it a better choice for sourdough. My 900g. loaves frequently oven-spring into the lid area. You can carefully lower loaves with a parchment or silicone sling into the pre-heated pot or use the whole thing inverted. At $50, you can purchase six of them for the price of a Challenger! Plus I can fit two next to each other in my oven.
Highly recommend the Toddy filter bag (on the table with instruction pamphlet) to optimize for speed on busy days. In the video, the circle felt filter alone created an uneven stream dispensing the cold brew. Clean up is also much easier tossing out the steeped coffee grounds with a bag and you can totally make cold pressed teas too.
I've had a couple of issues with the bag rupturing when lifted, dumping wet grounds all over; rinsing out the filter seems simple enough in comparison.
I have the Lodge camp cooker which I’ve used for camping and I bake Irish Soda Bread in it every year. It’s very versatile and one of my favorite pieces.
For hot water: Years ago we added a hot/boiling water tap to our kitchen sink. Gives me instant hot water for my tea, oatmeal, sterilizing my chopping knives, etc. Very useful. Highly recommend.
I was cold brewer for years, the best way I found was to just get a nut milk bag and to strain it through that. (after I had soaked the grounds in the water for 24 hrs) But then you're left with all these grounds. It's very messy trying to dispose of them. I recently started doing the Japanese method of brewing pour over coffee over ice using a gooseneck kettle. I weigh the coffee and weigh the water. It comes out amazing! The coffee is delicious. Honestly, I don't think I can tell the difference between that and cold brew, but for me it's easier and less messy.
I’m so happy the zojirushi hot water kettle is on the list! It’s been in household for 20+ years. It’s a staple in Asian houses. They’ve been amazing Japanese quality for years, the only large issue is, they created a more cost effective line that’s made in China, and we noticed it didn’t last as long as the made in Japan models.
Yea you really need to look at the labels carefully. The japanese line is still the best long lasting one. My household had one for 15 years and still doing good.
@pandaliciousness , I have a question for you, since you seem familiar with the zojirushi kettle. Does it have a mode to boil, then to cool and hold at another temperature? Or do you have to do a boil mode, then just pay attention for when it cools to the desired temperature?
@@meganstacy3641 it’s going to bring to a full boil first always. The 3 temp options usually are 208, 195, 175. The temp is set by you, and the boil process and then cool to set temp is automatic. Not much work needed. When we add the room temp water in, the sensors know to do a boil cycle. The holder/boiler is always on and always plugged in. I’m assuming they let it cool to the desired temps, then when near, it uses more power to keep the temp. It’s hard to use unplugged as most of the new models have automatic pumps, there are some more basic models that has a manual air press dispenser. I do notice the top has a very small vent for the heat dissipation and thus the water will cool down after the 8hrs they mention. It shouldn’t take too long to boil then settle to 175 degrees. We usually keep ours at the 208 temp.
I thought keeping water heated was bad for tea due to the reduced dissolved oxygen that occurs over time? I’m not a tea snob, just something I saw on a YT video from Twinnings. Interested to know if this is just bs though. I have 240v so use a kettle.
I have the lodge cast iron griddle and it is decent but the raised edge that runs around the whole pan makes it impossible to set over my gas range with round burners. Still heats okay but it doesnt sit flat on the burners and wobbles alot during use.
One thing with that Lodge cast iron griddle pan is that despite being technically induction friendly it doesn't work with a lot of induction stove tops. It's dual-sided, with the opposite side being a griddle pan. With the sides it ends up sitting above your glass cook top which greatly reduces the power output to the griddle, and with some cook tops it won't recognize it at all. I ended up going with their 12 inch square griddle pan because I couldn't find a dual-burner non-stick griddle pan that actually worked well for induction.
I had a Zojirushi on-demand hot water boiler, but after a few years the latex or plastic seal inside the lid broke down. Small crumbly bits of plastic would end up in the water that was dispensed, a totally intolerable situation. I replaced it with a Cuisinart electric kettle, which is vastly better. It heats water very quickly and has a much smaller footprint on my kitchen island.
As a Brit who has used both water heating alternatives, I will always go with a kettle. Pop the kettle on, go to the bathroom and the water is ready when you get back. Plus you have the milk and sugar handy for proper tea anyway ;) I have a similar bread oven Im getting for Xmas and the gloves look interesting out of the items.
I just tested this in my USA kitchen - it took my kettle just about as long to boil as it took me to pick a tea from the cabinet (black or green, which variety?) Find where I left my cup from earlier (don't want to be washing too many extra mugs because I set mine down upstairs) and start to think "hmm maybe they're right this does take kind of lon Oh there's the click!"
I have used the classic Toddy system for years. A caution, however, about the glass carafe. It is heavy and for most women hard to grasp with one hand. USE BOTH HANDS to take it out of the fridge. The last thing you want is for it to slip and shatter on the kitchen floor. Not only do you have to clean up all the glass shards , but you will also have sticky coffee concentrate EVERYWHERE. The voice of experience here. Use both hands. This stuff is great not only for coffee, but also for recipes where you add in coffee (like chocolate things). For long road trips, Excellent. A friend makes "toddy espressos" when we travel. A couple of ounces of the concentrate and your favorite adds (cream, milk, whatever). No stopping for over roasted Starbucks. And it is so tasty.
Just watched this again because it came up in my feed and Lisa and Hannah are always fun. Decided to do my own little heating water for tea test. It took 1 minute and 20 seconds to heat 1-3/4 cups water (what my preferred mug holds) to a full rolling boil in a pan on my inductions cooktop. I just don't see the point of an appliance that keeps water hot all day so you can make an occasional cup of tea. I want my tea made with fresh water, not water that has been sitting around forever. Even an electric kettle would be preferable.
I just picked up one of those cuisinart griddles recently and it is induction compatible, it was one of the reasons I went for it. Works great on my induction stovetop!
This is interesting because she said it was aluminum and that doesn't work on induction. But the lodge doesn't work on induction either, right metal but the surface doesn't.ake full contact with the cook top
Regarding filling a water heater, please point out that if the heater is close enough to the sink you can pull out the spray hose in your faucet and fill the heater directly. It was YEARS before someone pointed this out to me. I use it especially to fill my espresso maker. No need to tug out the water tank.
Yes!! I use the pull-out spray hose to fill my drip coffee maker, instead of using the coffee carafe to fill the water tank. It is super convenient and avoids putting any coffee-tinged water into the tank.
Welcome back, Hannah, and congratulations to you and your hubby on the birth of your first child. You and Lisa make such a great team! Thank you both for these reviews. I have been searching for a good rolling pin and got confused by looking at so many! Now, with your review, I can move forward with the Best Buy you recommend. Happy Holidays to you both and the great staff at ATK! 🎄🧑🏼🎄
Pro Tip: instead of a dedicated water kettle. You can also use your Drip coffee maker. Pour in water like you were making a pot of coffee. But dont use any coffee grounds or filter. Cold water in hot water out. Same with keurig. "Make a cup" but no pod.
I got myr dowel at the lumberyard. I used a smaller size more control. I also have a 1" PVC which is great for Tortillas. (It was free, I just unscrewed the connected pieces of pipe and "Jill's my auntie!") I discovered my roasting pan makes a great grill on the stove. How nice. Edit added: Lisa the Vitamix is expensive.
Before we buy anything for the kitchen we check to see what ATK recommends and what the Best Buy is. Started with the electric knife sharpener and love always having sharp knives !
I have always wanted a stovetop griddle, so I can make things without a BBQ. I was surprised that neither of the winners had indentations for grill lines. Very interesting and helpful.
We used to have one of those hot water dispensers at our sink (and I absolutely loved it), but after replacing them several times, we gave up (the price had tripled on them) and got an electric kettle on clearance for $20 at Sam's Club. I like it better because it heats water really fast--I can clean inside it if necessary (I always wondered if any gunk or minerals were building up inside the Insinkerator under the sink! Plus, I save on the electric bill! I would definitely choose the Lodge products---they're multi-functional, not single purpose pans.
I have to agree with you. I used to microwave the water for years until I saw an electric kettle on sale for $12. That was a great purchase. I can heat the water in almost the same amount of time as it takes to get the tea, get the cup, grab a spoon, and add some honey or sugar. I think it is faster than the microwave.
I'll always go for the water boiler/warmer over the electric kettle for the volume of on-demand water I can get throughout the day. It's a time saver. Choosing a quality brand for the water boiler/warmer really matters. Of the current brands, nothing beats Zojirushi. I also like the Secura brand, but they stopped making them (mine lasted over a decade). The other brands aren't built to last.
@@deanmar9002 I am sorry. I was not ignoring you. I posted a reply first thing this morning and it seems to have disappeared. It might be because I used the name of the store that starts with a wall and ends with a mart. I searched for electric kettle. I do not see the one that I have but there are several that are close on the first page. They are larger than the one I have too. Mine is maybe 8-10 cups.
Have you tested (recently) thermal carafes? I would like to see them tested. Also, funnels for the kitchen. Thanks for asking. Keep up the great work- you two ROCK!!
Re the Toddy - saying putting the lid on keeps your coffee "fresh" is a bit of a misnomer. It reduces how stale your concentrate will be but oxidisation is still occurring and it's not as fresh as a freshly brewed cup from freshly ground beans. I'd also recommend doing a bit of a side by side test for a coffee you like of a hot brew method (eg french press or Aeropress) vs a cold brew. The cold brew will have lower bitterness but if you brew the coffee well a hot brew will not be overly bitter. Also, compared to a well brewed hot method, you might find the cold brew it is comparitively flat and dull in terms of flavour and missing a lot of the interesting flavour notes you can get from a good hot extraction.
Hot water dispensers are a huge convenience. After time, however, it will accumulate calcium encrustations and make the water taste chalky. You will have to soak it in vinegar to get it off and then wash thoroughly to get the vinegar taste off. Thus, I went back to kettles with big openings that allow easy cleaning.
I love these videos! I am looking forward to doing more tofu dishes that make tofu like indian cheese dishes. It is all about correct flavor combinations and marinating.
@ATK Your winning grill gloves just look like a pair of welding gloves. You should look at TIG welding gloves for even more flexibility and control. The MIG welding glove (the style that won your comparison) is quite a bit thicker and more heat resistant, maybe more than is necessary, so a lighter weight TIG glove might be truly perfect. That said, I'm a big fan of nitrile gloves over cotton gloves for grilling and meat smoking (pretty standard fare in the meat smoking realm).
@@jeffreykennedy5956 too thin for what? Holding onto and using tongs or spatula over the heat of a grill, nah. Grabbing a 750° grate and holding it for 90 seconds, sure.
I use my mother's rolling pin from 1940's. Won't use anything else. I do appreciate your tests and do follow your recommendations - unless it's a matter of sentiment. Thanks guys.
The cast iron griddle has hot and cold spots. I thought it was a good idea. I don’t regret the purchase. I wish I knew before purchasing. Then you have to clean it while it’s hot. You can not tell if it is truly clean like stainless steel. Then oil the pan. I don’t put it away. Afraid of getting oil all over my cabinets. Hope this helps!!!
Hi ATK - could you do a video about milk steamer/frothers? The type that are entirely separate from your espresso machine, but also aren't those little spinny thingamagigs? The Nespresso Aeroccino3 is an example of such a device. Thanks - love ya!
In 🦘we all have electric kettles in our kitchens and tea-rooms at work. They cost about $45 tops with all the different temps available. And Lee, get up regularly and don’t just sit at your desk all day; you’ll get blood clots if you dont move. Haha. We drag out an ern at work at Xmas. Otherwise everyone in the 30+ people workplace, uses a kettle.
We love the Toddy system and have used it for 5 years. We feel the coffee concentrate is less acidic and has a smooth swallow. I would caution against drinking the concentrate straight unless you are ready for a big jolt ;-)
If I remember correctly, the manual that comes with the Toddy package suggests two parts toddy to one part water to make espresso-strength coffee, with the normal coffee being 3:1 the other way. I've tried it straight, and I agree that a whole glass undiluted is way too strong - some of the other cold brew makers just produce normal strength coffee, not the concentrate the Toddy makes, so that could have been a mistake on their part.
Have loved using the Zojirushi hot water dispenser for years! Great brand! (My Tiger broke down quickly) - Speeds up cooking vegies, Ramen, rice and is also good when i am cleaning things.
Amazon carries smaller marble rolling pins that would certainly be easier to handle than what was demonstrated in the video. Plus, they can be placed in the fridge for further chilling before rolling out high fat doughs like pie crust and puff pastry.
I use the Lodge combo for sourdough. I can fit two of those side by side in my oven. They do not take an hour to preheat either. I'm fine with round loaves. Costco has them now and then for a lower price. I use silicon mittens to move those in and out of my oven. They are a little big but I'm only in them for a minute.
Regarding the griddles, Quisinart is Tri-ply cladded stainless steel and should work fine with induction. Or a least the $60 one I bought on Amazon some time ago does. The lodge, on the other hand, in spite of being cast iron, does not seem to work all that well with induction because it doesn’t lay flat with good contact on the cooktop, due to the lips and grill surface on the other side.
Ok thank you I was so confused. I know the lodge won't work but an aluminum shouldn't either and someone on here said it did. I have been on the hunt for a good induction griddle!
Recipe for ATK Reviews Blender Testing Smoothie:
1 cup orange juice,
1 cup frozen pineapple,
1 cup fresh kale leaves, torn
Add ingredients in order, blend until smooth!
Are you two both under the weather? Both your voices are raspy.
Zojurushi appliances are usually lined w/ non-stick paint, which can't be good in a machine that's always cooking. Pls note the lining if you make another video on kitchen cooking appliances. Thank you for your videos, very informative. Happy new year! 😊
@@redpurse They sell a stainless steel insert if you want one.
Thank you for the smoothie recipe! 💐
I specifically look for stainless steel, buying an Instant Pot over other multicookers because of my unease with nonstick coatings.
Regarding "personal" blenders... a lot of people don't realize they already have one in their kitchen. I don't know about other brands, but the bases of classic Oster and Sunbeam blenders are threaded to match mason jars. Just screw the base ring and blade assembly off the bottom of the regular blender jug and screw it straight onto the top of the already filled mason jar (don't forget the rubber sealing ring). Invert the jar and place onto the blender power unit and whip up a fast smoothie. If you want to take the mixed drink with you just screw on a one or two-part Mason lid. Mason jars come in many sizes from 8oz and up, but all have the same mouth diameter and threads, making them all compatible with the aforementioned blenders. Even better, you can buy special lids for mason jars online with built-in straws, either screw on metal or press-fit silicone. They also make flip-top lids for them similar to the top of a travel mug. I've even seen stainless steel Mason "jars" with mug-style handles which will also screw right on to your Oster or Sunbeam blender units. Most people with one of these brands don't need a dedicated personal blender too.
_... threaded to match mason jars ..._
Wow, _that's_ interesting!
I don't have a blender at all not even 1
And many home blenders have fairly small motors, so you'll get the same performance too!
Well now I know what kind of blender I'll be looking for when my current one eventually kicks it.
@@indigo0977 Other brands might do it too, but those are the only two I know for sure.
I use welding gloves for grilling. They come up nice and high and are very durable.
And typically cheaper. And you can trust them because they are meant for heavier duty use. Totally agree!
As I heat my home with a wood stove, there's always a pair of welding gloves in the living room and the kitchen.
I use welding gloves too...only complaint is that it can get hot if the thing you are carrying hits the right spot on the glove due to metal supports...but a great option for sure in most use situations
When I was watching this I was thinking, would those be good gloves to use for retinning my copper pots?
The caveat I have seen is that they are not "food safe," but I have no idea why you would be eating them.
I had a Challenger bread oven and sold it. I was so heavy it strained by back when bending over with my arms outstretched to put into the oven. If I had an eye level wall oven it might have been different. It was also so heavy it bent the racks in my oven. Almost all the bread makers I know use the Lodge.
Have I bought *most* of your recommended gear? Why yes! I refer back to these all year/s long and have never been disappointed!
I've bought perhaps an _embarrassingly_ lot of the things ATK recommends.
Despite the one non-recommendation on this vid, I nearly always opt for Cuisinart or OXO because the've both been so consistently highly rated.
AND, I've largely been VERY HAPPY with my choices.
I absolutely love my Zojirushi water dispenser! I have a 5L at home, and I love that I can keep it at the right temperature for my tea and tastebuds (175 for green tea, 195 for black; I rarely use the 208 degree setting). The model I have, which is almost 6 years old now (about $215), also has a Quick Temp feature that allows me to add water, and it doesn't bring the whole dispenser to boiling and then cool down -- it just stops heating up when my temperature is reached. There's even a slow-drip feature for making slow-drip coffee! It really is an amazing gadget for those who constantly have a need for hot water and precise temperature control. The 5L capacity is also nice if you make large pitchers of tea (nice for iced tea). I seriously can't recommend it enough.
My fav appliance is my Breville Tea Maker. It is on the pricey side at $300, but it is truly a perfect cup of tea. I’ve had mine for 7 years. It’s great for making various tea types (temp/steep time) and I can even program it to have my tea ready when I wake up. I also can make more than one cup at a time and it’ll keep it warm for me without making bitter tea since it raises the basket of tea away from the water. Only downside is you have to be careful when cleaning the teapot to keep water away from the base. It’s nice having a tea pot that functions similarly to a coffee pot when you aren’t a coffee drinker.
Interesting your take on the marble rolling pin. I have baked for years using mine and I love it. I love the weight and the fact that it does keep certain doughs cool. And, the handled rolling pins work much better for my arthritic hands than the one piece rolling pins. These claws have no control without the handles.
I've had a big marble rolling pin for several decades and I never use it, for precisely the reasons listed in this video. Instead I prefer a "French" wooden one I've had almost as long, and last year I picked up a heavy 18" wooden traditional rolling pin (with handles) which is perfect for rolling out pizza dough.
I have a marble rolling pin and my great-great grandmother's giant, solid wooden one. Great-great granny wins!
@@heidiatchison9725 Haha! Yes, they are the best! And, do you notice how solid and smooth they are? I got a new rolling pin and the wood isn't as sanded and smooth as the old ones.
I was gifted a marble rolling pin years ago and LOVE it. I use the handles to control how much pressure the pin imparts onto my dough. I detest the "French" ones because I find the rough wooden surface to be irritating to my hands, and because I don't want to be touching the thing that's rolling the dough.
@@figmo397 Me too! Glad you said that about the wooden grain on your french rolling pin, mine is the same way. I was thinking about sanding it to try and make it smoother but worry that I will just mess it up more.
Toddy system has been around for at least 20 years to my knowledge and has always been my "best of the best". I'm glad ATK is finally giving them the shout they deserve
I learned about Toddy about 45 years ago.
I have my parents 50+ year old system, and my own. If you are single, once you make the concentration you can pour the concentrate into ice cube trays. Freeze and then pop into a freezer safe storage bag and pull out as needed. The advantage of using the frozen it will cool the coffee down when you pour boiling hot water over it.
It annoys me to no end when I see cast iron cookware that costs hundreds of dollars... thats why I appreciate LODGE so much. They make excellent products and don't pretend like they're not just pouring molten metal into a mold.
Recently we went camping and there were Lodge Outlet stores nearby. We were astounded at the even better deals you could get on some of their products that were labeled "imperfect". I couldn't tell what the imperfections were and the huge discounts made it worth the while.
I have bought many Lodge skillets for people over the years. Inexpensive, easy to maintain, easy to use and will last forever if treated with even a little respect. When I see these new outfits trying to sell essentially the exact same things for 5x the price I get actually angry.
ikr it's affordable and will last longer than most people
Lodge is also made in the USA!
@@KenS1267 More like 10x…I keep seeing ads on Instagram for a *$250* basic cast-iron skillet.
You all totally missed the point of the silicone grill gloves!
They are for picking up large cuts of cooked meat like brisket or chicken where tongs would just tear into the meat. That way, for a brisket or ribs as example you can lift them off a smoker and then wrap them with foil or butcher paper and then put them back on and finish cooking.
That is exactly what they are for and work great!
I agree, one thing are those grey grill-gloves for holding grill instruments all the time, when grilling in "usual clothes" , that are no way clean enough for touching foods -- and absolutely other thing are those silicone gloves for taking out foods or grill dishes where it is possible to touch foods -- you can clean and sterilize those silicon gloves easy, no need to use dirty "instruments gloves" --- the silicone gloves are a kind of another cooking helper, for huge pieces of hot foods.
@@FunAtDisney eh, cotton liners with nitrile gloves are just as good
Welcome back Hannah!! Wonderful to see you and Lisa together again. Here’s wishing y’all a very Merry Christmas!!
I would like to see more of the stovetop devices tested on an induction cooktop. I don't have the option of gas and I hated the electric range, so induction is my only option.
the water kettle is a staple in my parents home. they've had the zojirushi kettle since i was a child and my dad uses it every single day for his tea. As an adult, I have never thought of getting one for myself because i dont drink tea very often and I am willing to wait for my kettle to boil my water on a case by case basis. I can see why some may think $250 for that is ridiculous, but it really is handy. Its also awesome that the zojirushi has lasted us 20+ years with constant use
Zojirushi - you buy once and keep forever. My bread machine is over 20 years old :)
Yeah every Asian household has one haha. I drink enough tea that it's convenient for me. My parent's lasted 15 years with heavy use
You definitely need one. I got one as a housewarming gift and parents had one. Though slightly expensive I use it on the daily.
Hands down a necessity in my kitchen. Received one in 2015 as a gift and it’s used daily!
I’d be interested to see if this is more or less efficient than a kettle, as if it is a real energy drainer then I’m not sure why I’d want one over a kettle when a kettle can heat water very quickly, do large quantities and is always a jug of water ready in the kitchen in emergencies.
I’ve been using the Lodge double Dutch oven as my bread baker for about two years now and it is amazing. Yes, I’m limited to boules, but that’s a minor inconvenience.
That orange grill glove would probably be great for de-shedding a dog :)
That what we call "off label" usage !! 🤔
How would you get the dog hair *off*?😮
Those Toddy makers are FANTASTIC I have had mine for years and years, love seeing such an old-school product get a shout out. I gave one to a friend of mine several years ago and it's her most-used gadget because she loves cold brew and no longer needed to buy her daily fix from Starbucks. For the filter just give it a soak in a diluted bleach bath every so often overnight, it's a super dense fabric like filter. Rinse it really really well, pop it into a ziplock bag and store in the fridge until you need it again.
I have been using a Frigoverre 65oz jug for the toddy I make; it will hold a full batch of toddy, and the Toddy brew unit fits nicely on the Frigoverre jug to drain. The big advantage is that the Frigoverre jug has a handle, making it easier to grip when you can't get your hand around the Toddy jug.
Id love yo see a video on the science behind dishwashers and damage done to knives and the like.
I've had a water boiler/warmer for over a decade and, while Zojirushi can't be beat, I opt for a stainless interior without a non-stick coating. The brand does make them, with the same 4 temperature setting. That's the way to go. I also have the Lodge griddle, as well as the covered skillet set -- a great 3-in-1!
Man. My Amazon wishlist is getting crowded with your awesome recommendations as well as the ones I bought based on those. Great work as always, girls.
I just 2 days ago bought a cast iron Victoria Dutch oven Cooker Combo for making bread, the added versatility of the top being a 10" griddle pan is a huge bonus for a small amount of money. Thank you for your honest to-the-point reviews, your reviews helped me choose my Victoria 10" cast iron skillet. Keep up the great reviews and videos!
This is why I’m always happy to pay $10 for a loaf of artisan sour dough bread. It’s gotta be cheaper than buying (& storing 🥴) the bulky cast iron dutch oven & I don’t need a $400 blender capable of mixing the dough to perfection. I figure at $10 bucks a loaf I’m streets ahead. So, thank you bakers for doing all the hard yards for me, it’s much appreciated. 😂😂❤❤
Agree 💯 %
I always love your testing products videos!! You are both great.
Wait, 30 minutes to boil 3 litres for £200? Just boil a normal £10 kettle in 3 minutes or install an instant DHWS heater for not much more than the mega boiler. Also don't you want to leave the desk for a tea break?
These are Americans. For some reason they have every conceivable kitchen appliance but electric kettles are just pure witchcraft to them.
So nice to see Hannah back! Hope she and the baby are faring well.
I have a no name cast iron Dutch oven that i bought 15-20 years ago that i use like you do in the video to make Irish Soda bread.
That's not the ONLY thing I use it for, it's used for chili, othee soups, braised chicken, pork roasts, etc. It only cost me $30.00, so i think I got my money's worth out of it! 😊
I'm glad to see the water dispenser on the testing regimen. More than convenient for tea or hot water drinking, I use this all the time for cleaning, especially soaking kitchen towels in sodium percarbonate. Heating up cups for coffee is also useful. It is a completely underrated product in kitchens and I hope everyone makes space for one.
I like the Tiger one more than the Zojirushi (though I am brand loyal to the latter) because power cord is more easily detachable, which is much easier for the regular descaling both of these companies' units need.
Great reviews!
I wish I had known about the Toddy Cold Brew. I bought the Oxo and although it’s compact and easy to use, it doesn’t make much.
Btw, if you want a decaf version of Starbucks Cold Brew, use the Decaf Sumatra available at almost all Starbucks.
I’m a Coffee Master at Starbucks and we brew our cold brew for 20 hours. 5lb of coffee to 14 liters of water. After it’s brewed we cut it 50% with water.
So at home 1lb of coffee with 2.8 liters of water, brew 20 hours and basically double it with fresh water.
FYI, before every store started using kegs and offering Nitro Cold Brew it was a treat to have uncut, or double strength Cold Brew. Yummy but powerful!
I like your explanation best ! Another ATK host blathered on and on with such a ridiculously long demonstration of cold brew.... that I was fatigued and annoyed by the end of it. Too much info for just two ingredients--- much like Alton Brown's nightmarishly laborious grilled cheese.
And the Toddy maker produces more concentrate than the other brands. Sixteen ounces of coffee, four cups of water, let it sit for five minutes to degas, five more cups of water (basically, fill the maker), cover, and let it sit. Many years ago, I made up a table with the first/second water quantities if I had to make a batch with less than a pound.
Just use a French press! It's already purpose built for this cold brew method! Fun fact, don't put it in the fridge for 24 hours. Leave it on the counter overnight. Amazing coffee! French press! 20 bucks or less!
A French press retains coffee oils because it uses a metal filter, which many people don’t like. It can also only make a few cups worth of coffee, vs the Toddy that can make more than a half gallon at a time.
I’ve never had coffee from a French press that’s wasn’t full of grinds.
Thank you for the water boiler review. The Tiger is something I will now consider!
I've been coveting some sort of a kettle that has a variable boiling temperature for teas, but hadn't considered one of these countertop appliances. Every kettle I consider has a drawback.
In online reviews, it is hard to ascertain the true speed of boiling - the amount boiled should be a test standard, such as "one cup of water takes 2 1/2 minutes to boil". Just stating that it boils quickly isn't specific enough. At least your review stated the amount of water being boiled.
Aspects I consider in kettles are: ease of cleaning, all-metal interior [without non-stick coating], keep-warm feature, cool-touch, boil speed, variable temperature, even a decent cord length. Counter-space [the gooseneck pour overs are just too wide - give me something slim and unobtrusive.] Also a consideration is the smallest amount of water these appliances will boil - why waste boiling cups of water when for the time being, only a small cup is desired for the day.
I was wondering how your top-rated rolling pin, which is essentially a large dowel, compares to the French stick? The number one thing I use a rolling pin for is to roll out pie crust and cookie dough. I like the French stick because it does a great job of flattening the center without getting the edges too thin. I also find it easier to use in a circular motion, the best way to roll out pie crust without having jagged edges you have to patch back together. The Lodge camp cooker is pretty much a chicken fryer with a skillet lid. I love it.
You make the hot water dispensers sound much more limited than they are. You can make anything that just needs hot water: coco, cider, ramen, cup of noodle, instant rice, heat your sauce packets for frozen meals…. And when you need boiling hot water to clear the icky mess your kids left in the air fryer basket,,,,, Iola.
I do love that the Cuisinart food processor still holds the belt. I grew up using them in foods class back in the 90s, i have one that's easily 20 years old, still runs like a champ. Also my kitchenaid mixer that's just as old. Sure I have to slap it to make it run but that just adds to the charm. Though as for grilling gloves. Silicone can go away please. All it does is hold heat. I'd rather have thick leather or cotton rather than hot plastic.
I have a toaster/air fryer/oven appliance and it would be so helpful to see some foods prepared with it. I used a sheet of parchment paper last night to protect my baking pan and the air blew the paper up in contact with the heating element thereby causing the smoke detector to go off.
"I like to pretend I'm a short order cook in a diner"
A Zojirushi hot water dispenser has been at my parents' for decades.
It's probably not unique to the brand, but some appliances last incredibly long time. It's worth investing extra IMO.
Not unique necessarily, but from my experience Zojirushi makes high quality products that last.
I have a Narcissus hot water dispenser. The easy to fill tank holds 40 oz. (Really who needs 3 liters of hot water to drink tea or instant coffee). It makes hot water on demand. It does 3 sizes 12 oz., 8 oz., 4 oz. and multiple temps from 105 deg F for baby formula to 212 deg F. It takes about a minute for 12 oz. It’s compact, half the size of a Keurig. I bought it off of Amazon for less than $70. I still use my electric kettle to heat water if boiling something but since I only drink one or 2 cups a day, it’s perfect.
The silicone gloves are not for grilling which you got wrong. They are for taking smoked meats off of smokers. They grip the meat great, are made for a man-size hand(great), and are easy to clean after handling the meat. They were the best thing I have bought to assist in my smoking of meat.
They're advertised as grill gloves
I have a marble rolling pin, I have a problem with it on humid days. Water condenses on the cold rolling pin, and it sticks to the dough.
Happy to see Hannah again 🙃🙃
For longer oval shaped loaves we've had amazing results using a Pit Boss branded cast iron roaster with lid. I'm not sure if they make it anymore or not but it's listed on their website for $89 (out of stock). You might be able to find it elsewhere. I highly recommend it!
Thanks for this tip! I found it on Amazon with excellent reviews for bread baking. I can’t afford a $300 one, but the Pit Boss is affordable.
Lodge griddle also has a grill side- which should have been mentioned. Plus, it's currently priced under $50 - not at $100.
And it’s double-sided, flat in one side, and the other is for burgers or steaks. I got mine years ago.
They probably didn't mention it because grill pans/griddles are completely pointless. All they do is make meat look like they were cooked on a grill, without any of the benefits.
They will push who advertised to them. It's simple, it's a business
@cooperunderwood7342 you are 99% correct.....but here's a small thing.... I have brought mine camping and because you can put the cast iron directly on the coals... you can get all the benefits of a grill. Why not just bring a grill? Saves space in packing. A little heavy, but worth it in my opinion.
(edit) If you have 4 sturdy metal tent pegs you can also raise it up a bit if you want. I don't usually bother with that though.
@@derrickyegge1303they don’t take advertisements, and they buy their own equipment. This is the Consumer Reports of kitchen gear.
Ladies about the rolling pins . You could not be more wrong . The marble rolling pin was developed in order to roll marzipan in the 1870 ties especially for pastry chefs in Austria and on early cruise liners. They were never mend to be used for cookie dough or pie dough . Normal bakeries used beech wood for their rolling pins on bearings . If you roll your dough properly you do only need the weight of your rolling pin to do the flattening not much pressure is to be applied .
That prevents fatigue as well as un even thickness. Stainless steel and aluminum rolling pins came in to the picture only in North America after wood was considered , not sanitary by some Brain Ding dongs in the health department’s.
The challenge this caused , was during cleaning ,staff was submerging the rolling pins in water and the internal bearings started to rust and resulting in a gray ,smelling thick liquid running over the doughs . Nobody ever got ill by using wooden rolling pins but a lot of people got discussed and a lot of product needed to be discarded by the metal ones .
I agree that a small house hold does not need a heavy rolling pin but in the industry heavier pins make our lives much easier .
We love the stainless steel cold brew filter that fits in a half gallon mason jar. It’s so effortless and streamlined.
What Lan said about the water boiler is spot-on - never needing to think about boiling water in advance of making tea, coffee, etc. is so convenient! Our Zoji is on 24/7...the only downside is when someone in your family forgets to refill it when it's low and there isn't enough water ready for coffee in the morning...😅
It seems like a waste of energy to be honest. Boiling water in an electric kettle takes, what, 2 minutes at most? Buying a dedicated machine to keep water near boiling every day just seems like overkill to me.
@@Dark0blivionThis is very true. Fwiw I'm not in the US but over here in my country, our energy dept does PSAs routinely on how to conserve energy and tips on how to lower the bill, one of the culprits contributing to high energy usage is the electric boiler dispenser. It was advised for those looking into keeping the energy bill down, to be better off doing away with the dispenser and use regular kettle instead.
@@Dark0blivion It depends on your use. For people who drink tea all day, boiling water, then getting it down to the right temp is time-consuming. The dispenser has 4 temp settings, no need to boil each time.
@@Dark0blivion I review this on my channel as well and have grown up with one th-cam.com/video/Kh9yWUgckXs/w-d-xo.html the thing is, it's energy efficient, insulated, and keeping the water warm VS reboiling is less energy demanding. That's the idea, you boil the water and then keep it warm.
@@C2C.my simple kettle also has 4 different temps. It doesn’t need to come to a full boil if I don’t want absolute boiling water. I use the lower temps for some Tisana and green tea.
We have that lodge combo and use it as our skillet and Dutch oven. Use it to cook nearly everything. They also make a larger combo set that doesn't have the longer handles.
That’s what I use - much easier to store!
I had a marble rolling pin once. I tried to love it, but now it's an ornament.
Can you guys do a review of all of the Ankersrum mixer accessories
I'd love if some of the small appliance comparisons included a mention on energy efficiency, maybe a partner-up with a scientist, as I'm not super familiar with your team and if they have that sort of testing equipment. For example, how much the small blender uses compared to a vitamix for a single or double portion, or how much energy boiling a couple cups of water 4x or 5x in a day compared to heating and holding the zojirushi all day. Maybe not the biggest consideration for someone who can afford to consider a $250 hot water machine, but would be helpful in considering the variable cost of operating these appliances post-purchase, especially over the course of years.
I love the consideration for people of varying mobility though (lifting a kettle), and the attention to details - you rock!
I own the orange silicon gloves and they are great for what they are for, grabbing large smoked meats (brisket, butts, etc.) that tongs are too small for or that would fall apart if picked up by other means. You can throw them into the dishwasher when done. Your pick would be soaked with fat and drippings. BTW, I have a pair of heat resistant leather gloves for handling chimney and moving coals.
The silicon grill gloves looked like the style that are used to pick up big heavy cuts of meat like brisket. They should be lined, but you want that sticky silicon exterior to be about to pick up those large cuts and move them around. The welder style gloves are great for heat protection, but they'll absorb the fat from the meat right into the glove and that can burn you as well. Different gloves for different purposes. 5:07
Love you two! Legit, your videos are mesmerizing - and tempting ;) I keep wanting to ask this: Have you considered including vintage gear in your reviews at all? My best small appliances (by far) - Sunbeam T-35 toaster, Sunbeam CG waffle maker, and Hobart-era Kitchenaid KS55 - were all made before 1980. It would be great to consider them alongside current options. Just a thought.
@peggy this is a great idea for a video!
What a fun idea! (It could be pretty heartbreaking when the older stuff can't be purchased, though.)
Nice review ladies. The "Lodge Double Dutch Oven, 5-Quart" is taller than the "Combo Cooker", making it a better choice for sourdough. My 900g. loaves frequently oven-spring into the lid area. You can carefully lower loaves with a parchment or silicone sling into the pre-heated pot or use the whole thing inverted. At $50, you can purchase six of them for the price of a Challenger! Plus I can fit two next to each other in my oven.
Lisa and Hannah are my favorite Gear Heads!
Highly recommend the Toddy filter bag (on the table with instruction pamphlet) to optimize for speed on busy days. In the video, the circle felt filter alone created an uneven stream dispensing the cold brew. Clean up is also much easier tossing out the steeped coffee grounds with a bag and you can totally make cold pressed teas too.
Are you inserting the filter dry? If so, soak it in water before placing it in the bucket. It makes a difference.
@@Rye_Toast yeah I've tried it a few times with just the felt filter. It's much more efficient with the disposable filter bags working together.
I've had a couple of issues with the bag rupturing when lifted, dumping wet grounds all over; rinsing out the filter seems simple enough in comparison.
I have the Lodge camp cooker which I’ve used for camping and I bake Irish Soda Bread in it every year. It’s very versatile and one of my favorite pieces.
For hot water: Years ago we added a hot/boiling water tap to our kitchen sink. Gives me instant hot water for my tea, oatmeal, sterilizing my chopping knives, etc. Very useful. Highly recommend.
I've had my eye on a electric cold brewer, but after seeing the "Toddy" I'm sold!!! And its a shitload cheaper.
Toddy or Filtron brands- same concept and price points
I was cold brewer for years, the best way I found was to just get a nut milk bag and to strain it through that. (after I had soaked the grounds in the water for 24 hrs)
But then you're left with all these grounds. It's very messy trying to dispose of them.
I recently started doing the Japanese method of brewing pour over coffee over ice using a gooseneck kettle.
I weigh the coffee and weigh the water. It comes out amazing!
The coffee is delicious. Honestly, I don't think I can tell the difference between that and cold brew, but for me it's easier and less messy.
Gear head videos are a joy! 😊
I’m so happy the zojirushi hot water kettle is on the list! It’s been in household for 20+ years. It’s a staple in Asian houses.
They’ve been amazing Japanese quality for years, the only large issue is, they created a more cost effective line that’s made in China, and we noticed it didn’t last as long as the made in Japan models.
Yea you really need to look at the labels carefully. The japanese line is still the best long lasting one.
My household had one for 15 years and still doing good.
@pandaliciousness , I have a question for you, since you seem familiar with the zojirushi kettle. Does it have a mode to boil, then to cool and hold at another temperature? Or do you have to do a boil mode, then just pay attention for when it cools to the desired temperature?
@@meganstacy3641 it’s going to bring to a full boil first always. The 3 temp options usually are 208, 195, 175. The temp is set by you, and the boil process and then cool to set temp is automatic. Not much work needed. When we add the room temp water in, the sensors know to do a boil cycle. The holder/boiler is always on and always plugged in. I’m assuming they let it cool to the desired temps, then when near, it uses more power to keep the temp.
It’s hard to use unplugged as most of the new models have automatic pumps, there are some more basic models that has a manual air press dispenser.
I do notice the top has a very small vent for the heat dissipation and thus the water will cool down after the 8hrs they mention. It shouldn’t take too long to boil then settle to 175 degrees.
We usually keep ours at the 208 temp.
@@Pandaliciousness , thanks for answering, and so thoroughly.
I thought keeping water heated was bad for tea due to the reduced dissolved oxygen that occurs over time?
I’m not a tea snob, just something I saw on a YT video from Twinnings. Interested to know if this is just bs though.
I have 240v so use a kettle.
I have the lodge cast iron griddle and it is decent but the raised edge that runs around the whole pan makes it impossible to set over my gas range with round burners. Still heats okay but it doesnt sit flat on the burners and wobbles alot during use.
I have also used my Lodge griddle in the oven, for pizza. It works really well (but I do prefer a pizza stone).
Ok, I have my mom's Le Creuset version of that Lodge camp cooker, and it never occurred to me that I could flip it over like that!
I love my lodge griddle. The other side is also great for grilling veggies.
One thing with that Lodge cast iron griddle pan is that despite being technically induction friendly it doesn't work with a lot of induction stove tops. It's dual-sided, with the opposite side being a griddle pan. With the sides it ends up sitting above your glass cook top which greatly reduces the power output to the griddle, and with some cook tops it won't recognize it at all. I ended up going with their 12 inch square griddle pan because I couldn't find a dual-burner non-stick griddle pan that actually worked well for induction.
I had a Zojirushi on-demand hot water boiler, but after a few years the latex or plastic seal inside the lid broke down. Small crumbly bits of plastic would end up in the water that was dispensed, a totally intolerable situation. I replaced it with a Cuisinart electric kettle, which is vastly better. It heats water very quickly and has a much smaller footprint on my kitchen island.
As a Brit who has used both water heating alternatives, I will always go with a kettle. Pop the kettle on, go to the bathroom and the water is ready when you get back. Plus you have the milk and sugar handy for proper tea anyway ;) I have a similar bread oven Im getting for Xmas and the gloves look interesting out of the items.
As many Europeans love to remind us... kettles on your side of the pond boil much quicker than here in North America.
@@PhoenixRevealed Its just the voltage. Kettles over here in the US are plenty quick enough too.
I just tested this in my USA kitchen - it took my kettle just about as long to boil as it took me to pick a tea from the cabinet (black or green, which variety?) Find where I left my cup from earlier (don't want to be washing too many extra mugs because I set mine down upstairs) and start to think "hmm maybe they're right this does take kind of lon Oh there's the click!"
I have used the classic Toddy system for years. A caution, however, about the glass carafe. It is heavy and for most women hard to grasp with one hand. USE BOTH HANDS to take it out of the fridge. The last thing you want is for it to slip and shatter on the kitchen floor. Not only do you have to clean up all the glass shards , but you will also have sticky coffee concentrate EVERYWHERE. The voice of experience here. Use both hands. This stuff is great not only for coffee, but also for recipes where you add in coffee (like chocolate things). For long road trips, Excellent. A friend makes "toddy espressos" when we travel. A couple of ounces of the concentrate and your favorite adds (cream, milk, whatever). No stopping for over roasted Starbucks. And it is so tasty.
Just watched this again because it came up in my feed and Lisa and Hannah are always fun. Decided to do my own little heating water for tea test. It took 1 minute and 20 seconds to heat 1-3/4 cups water (what my preferred mug holds) to a full rolling boil in a pan on my inductions cooktop. I just don't see the point of an appliance that keeps water hot all day so you can make an occasional cup of tea. I want my tea made with fresh water, not water that has been sitting around forever. Even an electric kettle would be preferable.
Shout out to our two favorite presenters at ATK for helping save me a lot of money. Appreciated.
I just picked up one of those cuisinart griddles recently and it is induction compatible, it was one of the reasons I went for it. Works great on my induction stovetop!
Does it need a bridge element to work properly? Or will it work over two « regular » induction. Elements?
@@genericreference6969 I just use two regular elements, my stove doesn't have a bridge.
@@koopaGG exactly what i needed to know, just placed my order :)
This is interesting because she said it was aluminum and that doesn't work on induction. But the lodge doesn't work on induction either, right metal but the surface doesn't.ake full contact with the cook top
I can now concur with you on everything you’ve said - it works great on my induction stovetop also without a bridge element ! Glad I bought it !
Regarding filling a water heater, please point out that if the heater is close enough to the sink you can pull out the spray hose in your faucet and fill the heater directly. It was YEARS before someone pointed this out to me. I use it especially to fill my espresso maker. No need to tug out the water tank.
Genius
Yes!! I use the pull-out spray hose to fill my drip coffee maker, instead of using the coffee carafe to fill the water tank. It is super convenient and avoids putting any coffee-tinged water into the tank.
Welcome back, Hannah, and congratulations to you and your hubby on the birth of your first child. You and Lisa make such a great team! Thank you both for these reviews. I have been searching for a good rolling pin and got confused by looking at so many! Now, with your review, I can move forward with the Best Buy you recommend. Happy Holidays to you both and the great staff at ATK! 🎄🧑🏼🎄
Pro Tip: instead of a dedicated water kettle. You can also use your Drip coffee maker. Pour in water like you were making a pot of coffee. But dont use any coffee grounds or filter. Cold water in hot water out. Same with keurig. "Make a cup" but no pod.
The bottle you can get with Grove is really nice. The rubber no slip base is great and I agree that it works really well and smells good.
I got myr dowel at the lumberyard. I used a smaller size more control. I also have a 1" PVC which is great for Tortillas. (It was free, I just unscrewed the connected pieces of pipe and "Jill's my auntie!")
I discovered my roasting pan makes a great grill on the stove. How nice.
Edit added: Lisa the Vitamix is expensive.
I’ve had the coffee toddy for 30 years and love it. If you buy one you’ll make the best cold brew you’ve ever had.
Before we buy anything for the kitchen we check to see what ATK recommends and what the Best Buy is. Started with the electric knife sharpener and love always having sharp knives !
I have always wanted a stovetop griddle, so I can make things without a BBQ. I was surprised that neither of the winners had indentations for grill lines. Very interesting and helpful.
The lodge griddle has two sides - flat and grooved.
We used to have one of those hot water dispensers at our sink (and I absolutely loved it), but after replacing them several times, we gave up (the price had tripled on them) and got an electric kettle on clearance for $20 at Sam's Club. I like it better because it heats water really fast--I can clean inside it if necessary (I always wondered if any gunk or minerals were building up inside the Insinkerator under the sink! Plus, I save on the electric bill! I would definitely choose the Lodge products---they're multi-functional, not single purpose pans.
I have to agree with you. I used to microwave the water for years until I saw an electric kettle on sale for $12. That was a great purchase. I can heat the water in almost the same amount of time as it takes to get the tea, get the cup, grab a spoon, and add some honey or sugar. I think it is faster than the microwave.
Love this but after replacing it 3 times we gave up. Electric kettle now.
I'll always go for the water boiler/warmer over the electric kettle for the volume of on-demand water I can get throughout the day. It's a time saver. Choosing a quality brand for the water boiler/warmer really matters. Of the current brands, nothing beats Zojirushi. I also like the Secura brand, but they stopped making them (mine lasted over a decade). The other brands aren't built to last.
@@DearHenryA What brand do you have?
@@deanmar9002 I am sorry. I was not ignoring you. I posted a reply first thing this morning and it seems to have disappeared. It might be because I used the name of the store that starts with a wall and ends with a mart. I searched for electric kettle. I do not see the one that I have but there are several that are close on the first page. They are larger than the one I have too. Mine is maybe 8-10 cups.
I think your all's videos are my favorite on ATK (along with Lan's!).
Have you tested (recently) thermal carafes? I would like to see them tested. Also, funnels for the kitchen. Thanks for asking. Keep up the great work- you two ROCK!!
Thanks for the suggestions!!!
We have tested both things, but not super-recently. Maybe it's time for an update on those topics!
Re the Toddy - saying putting the lid on keeps your coffee "fresh" is a bit of a misnomer. It reduces how stale your concentrate will be but oxidisation is still occurring and it's not as fresh as a freshly brewed cup from freshly ground beans. I'd also recommend doing a bit of a side by side test for a coffee you like of a hot brew method (eg french press or Aeropress) vs a cold brew. The cold brew will have lower bitterness but if you brew the coffee well a hot brew will not be overly bitter. Also, compared to a well brewed hot method, you might find the cold brew it is comparitively flat and dull in terms of flavour and missing a lot of the interesting flavour notes you can get from a good hot extraction.
Hot water dispensers are a huge convenience. After time, however, it will accumulate calcium encrustations and make the water taste chalky. You will have to soak it in vinegar to get it off and then wash thoroughly to get the vinegar taste off. Thus, I went back to kettles with big openings that allow easy cleaning.
I love these videos! I am looking forward to doing more tofu dishes that make tofu like indian cheese dishes. It is all about correct flavor combinations and marinating.
@ATK Your winning grill gloves just look like a pair of welding gloves. You should look at TIG welding gloves for even more flexibility and control. The MIG welding glove (the style that won your comparison) is quite a bit thicker and more heat resistant, maybe more than is necessary, so a lighter weight TIG glove might be truly perfect.
That said, I'm a big fan of nitrile gloves over cotton gloves for grilling and meat smoking (pretty standard fare in the meat smoking realm).
Tig gloves are to thin. Stick with conventional.
@@jeffreykennedy5956 too thin for what? Holding onto and using tongs or spatula over the heat of a grill, nah. Grabbing a 750° grate and holding it for 90 seconds, sure.
Oh my, the colors ... they are to die for.
Thank you !
Awesome information...Love All your videos...Happy Holidays...Blessings to All at ATK!!!
I use my mother's rolling pin from 1940's. Won't use anything else. I do appreciate your tests and do follow your recommendations - unless it's a matter of sentiment. Thanks guys.
The cast iron griddle has hot and cold spots. I thought it was a good idea. I don’t regret the purchase. I wish I knew before purchasing. Then you have to clean it while it’s hot. You can not tell if it is truly clean like stainless steel. Then oil the pan. I don’t put it away. Afraid of getting oil all over my cabinets. Hope this helps!!!
Hi ATK - could you do a video about milk steamer/frothers? The type that are entirely separate from your espresso machine, but also aren't those little spinny thingamagigs? The Nespresso Aeroccino3 is an example of such a device. Thanks - love ya!
In 🦘we all have electric kettles in our kitchens and tea-rooms at work. They cost about $45 tops with all the different temps available. And Lee, get up regularly and don’t just sit at your desk all day; you’ll get blood clots if you dont move. Haha. We drag out an ern at work at Xmas. Otherwise everyone in the 30+ people workplace, uses a kettle.
Delightful video, can't wait to get the book
We love the Toddy system and have used it for 5 years. We feel the coffee concentrate is less acidic and has a smooth swallow. I would caution against drinking the concentrate straight unless you are ready for a big jolt ;-)
I thought that using the concentrate on the rocks was a bad call. Too strong!
If I remember correctly, the manual that comes with the Toddy package suggests two parts toddy to one part water to make espresso-strength coffee, with the normal coffee being 3:1 the other way. I've tried it straight, and I agree that a whole glass undiluted is way too strong - some of the other cold brew makers just produce normal strength coffee, not the concentrate the Toddy makes, so that could have been a mistake on their part.
Have loved using the Zojirushi hot water dispenser for years! Great brand! (My Tiger broke down quickly) - Speeds up cooking vegies, Ramen, rice and is also good when i am cleaning things.
Amazon carries smaller marble rolling pins that would certainly be easier to handle than what was demonstrated in the video. Plus, they can be placed in the fridge for further chilling before rolling out high fat doughs like pie crust and puff pastry.
I use the Lodge combo for sourdough. I can fit two of those side by side in my oven. They do not take an hour to preheat either. I'm fine with round loaves. Costco has them now and then for a lower price. I use silicon mittens to move those in and out of my oven. They are a little big but I'm only in them for a minute.
Regarding the griddles, Quisinart is Tri-ply cladded stainless steel and should work fine with induction. Or a least the $60 one I bought on Amazon some time ago does.
The lodge, on the other hand, in spite of being cast iron, does not seem to work all that well with induction because it doesn’t lay flat with good contact on the cooktop, due to the lips and grill surface on the other side.
Ok thank you I was so confused. I know the lodge won't work but an aluminum shouldn't either and someone on here said it did. I have been on the hunt for a good induction griddle!
I've had my Toddy cold brew maker for almost a decade now. Best investment for coffee drinkers, especially in the summer.
Have used the orange silicone bbq gloves for shredding pork shoulder=pulled pork.They work really well for this.