I think my favorite cooking utensil in the kitchen has to be my iron skillets. I have many iron skillets including 1 enameled dutch oven, griddle plate and a 10 inch skillet. The 10 inch skillet sees about 90% use in my kitchen. Almost all of my irons have been given to me through various relatives. I use all Lodge brand of iron cookware. I love cooking with iron and the versatility they give me in the kitchen. They are usually always the first choice in the kitchen at home or the fire station.
Pros
Versatile (placed in oven, over fire, on stovetop)
Almost indestructible
Holds heat well
Cons
Heavy
Recommendation
I personally use all Lodge cast iron products. I just really like the product they produce. They are also easy to find in just about any online or local stores around. You can find products at Amazon, Target, Walmart, and Ace Hardware. Amazon will give you many other great options for in the cast iron world.
I always have loved cooking on a charcoal grill. This grill takes the charcoal grill to the next level. It marries the ease of a pellet grill with the ability to cook with charcoal. While I loved my pellet grill I just wanted a more versatile charcoal grill. This grill did not disappoint. The grill goes from around 200 degrees Fahrenheit to 700 degrees Fahrenheit. Works great as smoker and also fast to higher temperatures for grilling.
Pros
Charcoal grill with ease of pellet use
Even cooking throughout
Works as smoker
Works as high temperature grill
Fast to reach temperature
Cons
Will burn most of charcoal in hopper even when shutoff
Meat probes no most accurate
Bluetooth and WIFI not easiest to setup
Recommendation
I love this grill for my own personal use. It is not hard to assemble although I do recommend 2 people to assemble due to weight and awkwardness of grill. I would not use the ready light briquets the grill is easy to light without that nasty taste and flavor. I only use all natural briquets or lump charcoal. You can have this lit and up to temperature an about 10 minutes. You can also add other wood chunks to hopper for added smoke flavoring during the cook. I bought mine from Lowes. Menards also carries the same grill with a red lid instead of blue. I did use some extra high heat gasket around the fire box just to make more airtight for smoking.
Growing up watching TV and seeing people having personal shoppers I thought that would be awesome. Well, now with Instacart anyone can have a personal shopper. This is great option for us that work multiple jobs and don’t have time to stop at store. By using Instacart you can schedule the food for tonights meal to be delivered when you get home. I first used Instacart during the pandemic when I couldn’t make it out to the store due to restrictions. I have to say I am really impressed with the service and ease of making the selections and purchase through website. During shopping trips your shopper will text you things that might need your attention. The shopper will also send you pictures of produce and replacement items. Instacart is really convenient for traveling as well. When you go on vacation the last thing you want to do is spend time going to grocery store. Thats a great thing about Instacart the groceries can be scheduled to be delivered at you destination when you are.
Pros
Most national and local stores
Personal shopper
Saves you time
Easy to use
Cons
Delivery Fee (you pay for convenience)
Grocery Prices slightly higher
Recommendation
I love the ease of Instacart and the ability to have my items delivered to house or vacation spot and my time of choosing. Try the service out for yourself and feel what it is like to have a personal shopper.
This is truly a very versatile appliance for the kitchen. I grew up with my grandparents always using the pressure cooker and will always remember that sound. As an adult I never thought I would own a pressure cooker and even after seeing the InstantPot I never thought of it as a pressure cooker. It is so much more that just a pressure cooker though. This machine can cook rice, boil eggs, and even a cheesecake in just few short minutes. It makes great rice and stews. Bone stocks are made without any effort. I didn’t really think I would use the InstantPot that much, but it has opened me up to attempting different recipes that I would have steered clear of before. Usually I will use it 1 to 2 times a week at least.
Pros
Versatile
Can cook anything
Ease of use
True multitasker
Cons
Takes time to get to temp
I was always finding myself needing more cooking space in the oven. Almost every time I cook I use both ovens in some way. I looked around and decided to buy the GE Smart Double oven. Love the fact that the lower oven can be used as convection oven which in turn can be used as an air fryer. You will have to buy a separate air fryer basket or just use sheet pan with wire rack as more affordable option. The glass top portion offers multiple element size settings for the front burners. The oven has a total of four burners along with a warming eye. The left side eyes can be set at same heat setting and used as bridge element in order to use a griddle plate on it. I figure the oven is a workhorse of my kitchen and I not going put it in a beauty contest. This oven has a steam self clean option which makes cleaning rather easy for the dryer messes.
Pros
Double Oven
Bridge Elements
Steam self clean option
Multiple heat zone burners
Cons
Upper oven is very small
You have to buy separate air fryer basket
Recommendation
I know they say not to use iron skillets on a glass top but I have been using them for years on my ovens without any problems. I also am not worried about scratching the surface. I love the fact that this oven has the ability to be used with smart home devices and through an application. My only complaint is the upper oven is rather difficult to get pans in and out due to its smaller size. I definitely would buy this oven again and has fit my needs very well.
The Kitchen-Aid stand mixer is one of my favorite appliances in the kitchen. There is really nothing that this mixer can’t do other that cook a product. With all the available attachments for this machine you have the ability to grind your own meat to making pasta. This mixer has a robust motor that can power through the toughest challenges with ease. It also comes in many different color varieties so you can have it match the kitchen or go for a color that stands out and says look at me.
Pros
Multiple Attachments
Powerful Motor
Ease of Use
Choices of Colors
Cons
Heavy (lives on counter)
Some Attachments not Dishwasher Safe
Bigger Models can get pricey (worth it)
Recommendation
I absolutely love my stand mixer. I use it for the simplest of items like whipped cream to shredding my pulled pork. Versatility is an understatement for this machine. They can be pricey both for the mixers and attachments but I feel they are worth the price. I use this at home and at the fire station without the machines having any problems. I will definitely buy this mixer again and ready to add different attachments for it.
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