Cooking season

[Cinisajoy]

Originally Posted by Deskisamess

It’s not an appliance, but I just used one of my favorite kitchen cleaning items. I used my cast iron skillet tonight for pan seared salmon, and the chain type cleaner I use is perfect.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FKBR1ZG...YNWHL2ND&psc=0

I had it on my Wish List a couple of years ago, and one of my sons bought it for me. I used to use a Doobie sponge scrubber for my cast iron, but had to keep one separate so it never had soap in it. That chain item is much nicer.

I have that same cleaner. I don't know if you saw but do not use it on stainless steel pans. It will scratch them.

[Deskisamess]

Originally Posted by Cinisajoy

I have that same cleaner. I don't know if you saw but do not use it on stainless steel pans. It will scratch them.

I only use it my cast iron, but thanks for mentioning that. It may save me from future grief,

[Cinisajoy]

Originally Posted by Deskisamess

I only use it my cast iron, but thanks for mentioning that. It may save me from future grief,

I tested it on a stainless steel pan when someone asked if it could be used on an instant pot.

[tempest@de]

I’ reviving this thread has I need to vent a little about a cooking gadget.

My standing mixer died a few weeks ago, left me suddenly while making bread, may it rest in peace, it lived a long and fruitful life has it made me good things to eat almost every week.

So I started in a journey to find a replacement, I thought I would buy a similar one from the same brand since I had two bowls and the accessories that are still good but I didn’t want to buy the same model has it had some minor things that I didn’t like. After much research I found that the bowl from my model didn’t fit the other ones.

In my search I found a new model with a glass bowl and it looked nice and fit all my requirements so I decided to buy it thinking my search had come to an end, boy was I wrong. The machine was very pretty but the glass bowl was to heavy even empty, so I was afraid I would drop it and brake it, has I usually make 1,5 kg off bread dough, also the bottom was not even, it had a cavity at the base so I don’t think the batter at the bottom would be well mixed.

So again I started my search and I can say I looked at dozens of machines and it’s been hard to choose one, the ones that fits most off my criteria usually aren’t sold to where I live, I know that I’m a little specific with my wants (ok, maybe a lot), It’s not the first time I’m looking for something that seems to not exist but I don’t think I’m asking for the moon.

After a week of search and many hours off reading and comparing, and having changed my mind more than half a dozen times, (why is it so hard to compromise? I’m tired off my indecision) I decided that today was the day and I ordered one, fingers crossed that I don’t change my mind after receiving it and this ends here.

So, how about you? When buying a replacement gadget what do you do?
You go to the store and pick one at random or you look for the perfect one?
Do you buy it for all the bells and whistles that it comes with (even if you won’t use a lot of them) or do you just want one that works?
Are you faithful to the same brand or you don’t care what brand it is as long has it gets the job done?

[Adoby]

I made my own sous vide cooker. Could be used as a slow cooker too, I assume. A japanese(?) PID temperature controller, a temperature sensor, a solid state relay, a switch, an extension cord, a hot plate, a big pot. Some cutting and soldering and it worked. Very, very dangerous, because I still haven't made a case for it. The switch, the PID and the SSR are in a plastic bucket now, with the temperature sensor and two ends of the extension cord sticking out. But I have some nice birch boards drying. I don't really have a woodworking shop. I usually work outside on the lawn, and its too cold now. When spring arrives I'll make the case...

[Deskisamess]

So, how about you? When buying a replacement gadget what do you do?

I've gone through this recently when trying to find a good hand mixer for a daughter-in-law.

I have an older Braun Multi-mix hand mixer. It has a small chopper attachment that is nice for onions, etc. that you need in smallish amounts. It also has an immersion blender attachment that has come in handy. But mostly I just really like the mixer. It's held up very well for years, 20+ probably now. I was even able to buy another set of just the beaters when one of the had a small weld come undone which made them twist up and not work correctly.

They no longer make anything like this one. And the reviews for the current models are terrible.

And who designs peelers nowadays? But that belongs in the Rant thread.

[tempest@de]

Originally Posted by Adoby

I made my own sous vide cooker. Could be used as a slow cooker too, I assume. A japanese(?) PID temperature controller, a temperature sensor, a solid state relay, a switch, an extension cord, a hot plate, a big pot. Some cutting and soldering and it worked. Very, very dangerous, because I still haven't made a case for it. The switch, the PID and the SSR are in a plastic bucket now, with the temperature sensor and two ends of the extension cord sticking out. But I have some nice birch boards drying. I don't really have a woodworking shop. I usually work outside on the lawn, and its too cold now. When spring arrives I'll make the case...

That's cool, maybe when it is all done you could post some photos? What have you cooked in it?

I also work outside, this weekend I took advantage off the beautiful sunshine to advance on one off my projects, I've been meaning to do a solar oven, so I started it and made a few tests, even though the outside temp was not to high (17ºC) the oven still reached the 90 ºC but when the clouds covered the sun the temp dropped, so I have to insulate it and make it water proof, I will not be working on it the next few days since finally the rain has arrived and its supposed to last until next Monday, let’s hope the weather people have it right.

[tempest@de]

Originally Posted by Deskisamess

I've gone through this recently when trying to find a good hand mixer for a daughter-in-law.

I have an older Braun Multi-mix hand mixer. It has a small chopper attachment that is nice for onions, etc. that you need in smallish amounts. It also has an immersion blender attachment that has come in handy. But mostly I just really like the mixer. It's held up very well for years, 20+ probably now. I was even able to buy another set of just the beaters when one of the had a small weld come undone which made them twist up and not work correctly.

They no longer make anything like this one. And the reviews for the current models are terrible.

And who designs peelers nowadays? But that belongs in the Rant thread.

I know that one, my mother has one to, the old ones lasted forever, it seems nowadays nothing lasts, that's why I like to buy from brands that have spares.

When looking for the mixer I saw that Kenwood has an attachment to peel potatoes, It looked so cool, I was tempted, but let’s face it I don't think it would be worth the price and probably I would not use it as many times has I should to make it worth, lots off pieces to clean after each use compared to the humble peeler.

[Adoby]

Originally Posted by tempest@de

That's cool, maybe when it is all done you could post some photos? What have you cooked in it?

I have tested it with some chicken parts, roast beef and eggs. Works fine.

I fried the meat afterwards quickly in a very hot pan. The meat was very tender and evenly cooked medium all through the inside. You cook the meat with spices and marinade in the bag. It has a tendency to give a lot of taste from the marinade and spices, so you have to be careful. The only problem was to get the meat dry enough to allow it to fry quickly. I used a clean kitchen towel in the end...

You can "dial" in the eggs precisely how you want them, without any guessing. There are tables with different temperatures for different consistencies.

I'll have to try a slow cooker recipe as well. I just cook in any big stainless pot with a towel around it to reduce cooling of the outside.

[tempest@de]

I’ve never cooked using the souvide technique but I have in the freazer some chicken breasts that I think would benefit from the since they tend to dry, I think I will look into this.