Don’t Buy Only For The Rebate

Some time ago, I decided to actually spend the $$$ and upgrade my cookware to 18/10 (316) stainless steel. Due to the cost of 18/10 stainless cookware, I figured I would do it one piece at a time. Now I realize it would cost even more to purchase it that way instead of buying the whole set at once, but I was not prepared or able to lay out 3-4 hundred dollars all at once.

One day while browsing through my favorite section of the store, I saw a few pieces of Philippe Richard Professional 18/10 stainless cookware, with vented glass lids, on sale. I prefer glass lids to steel lids because I like to see what’s cooking. Not to mention, it also prevents look-e-looos from sneaking into the kitchen, lifting the lid, and letting all the heat escape. Real good way to ruin the rice or veggies. That’s one thing you don’t have to worry about happening while using pressure cookers, which I have two really good ones, but that’s another story.

I wanted to buy more than one piece, but I was hesitant because of the cost. Even on sale, I would need to justify why I would spend so much on pans. Especially on a brand name that we were not real familiar with. The wife might question my sanity, thinking, I should wait till the known brands would come on sale, but that wasn’t too often and I wanted them now. Huummm, what to do, what to do. OH, wait a minute, I see that there is a mail in rebate offered. So….. now I can buy, not just one, but two of them, By the time the rebates come back along with the percentage taken of for the sale price, it’s almost like buying one and getting the other one for free. What A Deal!!! Now I can justify buying these instead of waiting for the known brand to go on sale.

Well…. it’s a good thing that the quality and durability turned out to be so good, because, over two years later, I still have not seen any rebates from the company. The pans are great. After almost daily use for two plus years, the pans are just as good now as they were the day I bought them. Even though the quality of the product is as good as it is, for me, the reliability of the company behind the product, will always be in check.

Thank You for visiting this site.

J.

GreenBags, Do They Really Work?

First note, the following information is a result of my own opinion from the experience of use.

I am sort of a "paid program junkie" When I first saw the adds for the "Debbie Meyer Green Bags" My first thought was, yeah-right. It sounds good, but… I don’t know if I can believe that.

A little while later, they started showing up in some stores, but they were not by the produce section, so I didn’t really think about it too much. Then one day while browsing through my toy section, (kitchen supplies), I saw the bags were on sale. I think it was thirty or forty percent off, so I bought some.

After getting them home, trying them out and putting them to my own testing, I WAS SURPRISED. In my opinion, they did exactly as claimed.

It’s probably been over six months since I bought that package of bags, 10 large & 10 Small. Since they are reusable, I haven't used up my supply yet, but when I do, I won't mind paying full price for them.

Thank You for visiting this site.

J

The Demise of My Toastmaster Blender

My Christmas dinner preparations were unexpectedly interrupted when my Toastmaster Stick Blender, the one with multi accessories like a chopper, mixer, dough kneader, and several other handy attachments finally, after about five years of almost daily use, gave up the ghost.

It did not smoke or burn, the motor was still good, but some small connection that allowed the motor to make all the accessories do their thing finally snapped. The Toastmaster was TOAST! 

Unfortunately I had to manually mash my potatoes and mix our drinks. Life was hard. Well, ok, hard for the food processor. Much more hassle to clean than a Stick Blender.

The ensuing hunt for a new Toastmaster Stick Blender with all the accessories I loved, failed. They still have the Stick Blender but not with all the accessories so I had to find another brand that had similar accessories to my old faithful that would be good quality at a reasonable price.

After looking at many brands and models. I decided on the Cuisinart Smart Stick. I chose the brushed stainless steel over the plastic because I figured it would have less chance of breakage if I dropped it, or melting if I left it on the stove and the price was close enough to the plastic body model that it was workable for my wallet. I got lucky that it was on sale at the time for $49.00 that helped me with the wife. Of course she likes to eat and this is a kitchen neccessity to it wasn't a big issue.

It comes with a 3yr warranty.

Not to speak ill of the dead....So far I like my Cuisinart Smart Stick Blender as much as my Toastmaster.

Tomorrow I am going to make some Super Bowl munchies. I am not a sports fan but my wife is a huge football fan. Her precious San Diego Chargers didn't make so this week she is a Cardinals Fan. I get to cook the goodies and having the people around is fun.... so I like it.

I am planning on making some cheese dip, margaritas, guacamole,and some split pea soup because I have some ham in need of rapid use.

Maybe I should have bought TWO stick blenders.

Introducing Myself-The Cooking Geek

I know your profile does some of the work of an introduction but surely not enough to make you want to say. Hey! Who is this guy and why should I read his blog?

This might not give you much more but here goes.

I am just about to crack the big 50. I love to cook and I really really love cooking gadgets. My kitchen looks like an as seen on TV store. 

 I'm a caretaker for a friend who has pancreatic cancer and lives with me and my wife. My wife works out of town all week and is home on the weekends. All of our childre have moved out, one as far as France. Not because I am such a horrible cook. Because she wants to teach French. They do have some great kitchen stuff in France and my wife brings me home stuff every time she goes to visit our daughter.

My wife is a vegetarian and our friend is a diabetic so my cooking skills get tested regularly.

OK...so here I am home with a very ill friend, an out of town wife, 4 dogs, 7 cats, 2 donkeys, 3 goats and 5 chickens. Hence my fondness for cooking gadgets.

My goal here is to tell you about the fun I am having with the gadgets I use. Which gives me a good excuse to buy more and before too long, expand the kitchen to hold the gadgets. Thanks for being my inspiration.

Please don't tell my wife.