This year for Christmas I asked for various kitchen goodies. My cookie trays are getting old, can opener is rusty, waffle iron went kaput and I keep hearing more and more about the negative side effects from using Teflon coated pans.
So I went to Bed, Bath and Beyond on my search for some good quality upgraded kitchen gear. My mom gave me a gift certificate for Christmas. To say the least I was a tad disappointed in what I found. I guess it has been awhile since I have shopped for kitchen gear. Most of what is currently in my kitchen was either found at a garage sale, handed down to me or picked up cheaply when I was in college. I haven't honestly upgraded anything, since what is not broke, I typically don't spend money on to fix.
My goal for shopping was 1. One 12 inch cast iron skillet. I have decided to go with cast iron because 1. No Teflon, 2. It will literally last FOREVER if I treat it right and 3. heat evenly and cooks well. There was one skillet available. It was branded by Emeril and I am sure sorely overpriced solely because his name is forever casted into the side of the skillet. I honestly don't like to pay for someone's name or branding. So that was a no go. Next isle, cookie sheets. Once again I have to say I was disappointed with what I found. Certainly they had cookie sheets however the quality of them were definitely lacking. I would be better off using my old, worn, blackened cookie sheets that I currently have... at least they are not flimsy. So that was a no go. Next isle, can opener. There were three choices to chose from...forget the 40 foot wall of other odd gadgets that they are hanging with. I want a good quality, no rust, going to last forever (at least for a few years) can opener. There was one good one. Brand OXO or maybe it was XOX?! anyhoo looked like a good one, priced at $17.99. I was able to whip out my Iphone and look up the cost at Amazon.com, customer reviews were excellent (people have a lot of time on their hands to write lengthy reviews about their can openers! Thank you!) and the price listed was $14.99. I think I will pass on Bed Bath and Beyond, save a few bucks and order from Amazon.
So, I ended up buying a good quality, sturdy bundt cake pan. Yes, typically this is not a highly needed item but several of my recipes in my Chocolate cook book call for a bundt cake pan. I purchased a silicone vegetable steamer. I have not heard of anything negative about using silicone to cook as of right now.. give society another 5 years and I am sure there will be something out there. I also purchased a griddle/grill for my stove top made out of Aluminum cast. My loving husband purchased an electric griddle for me for Christmas. It was a Black and Decker brand... pretty safe bet right for quality!? Not so much. This griddle was very flimsy, cheap plastic, falling drawers... so I broke my hubby's heart and asked to return the electric griddle for something not so flimsy. He concurred and we began the search. After looking at several stores I have to say that things are just not made to last any longer. My mother owns a fantastic electric griddle that is excellent life long lasting quality. I opted for the casted non-electric griddle based on its good quality.
Happy cooking! I will continue my search for good quality kitchen gear... may end up with old used appliances that are pea green in color from the 1970's which seems to be the time when quality mattered the most.
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