Showing posts with label professional. Show all posts
Showing posts with label professional. Show all posts

3/17/2012

Viking Range White Stand Mixer 7 Qt. Review

Viking Range White Stand Mixer 7 Qt.
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
The machine died after 3 months. I am just starting to bake and was enjoying it until I taxed the Viking with bread making - not multiple loaves but just one at a time. It died very silently - no smoke or ozone/burnt motor odor - just quietly died while making cream icing with cream cheese and cream. I hit the reverse and it just started to make a gurgling noise and then was no more.
I called the company - not really the company but a repair facility in Detroit and was told the best they could do was to mail me a FedEx slip and I was responsible for boxing the unit and they would repair it.
When I suggested that they send me a box or another motor unit (I would send the current unit back) I was informed that this was not company policy. When I attempted to call Viking and when I asked to speak to corporate customer service I was directed back to the repair facility in Detroit - this happened over and over.
I mentioned that I bought the unit retail on the website they still insisted that they couldn't help me.
Cooks illustrated rated the Kitchen Aid Professional 600 as their number one choice - the Viking did not even make it into the first three best choices - I strongly agree. The Viking is more expensive and the service is lacking. And more importantly the maching is inferior.
I am considering the Hobart or the Kitchen Aid and I will keep the Viking as backup. When you buy a mixer get it from a department store that offers guarantees that include replacement units. I am going to the Sears website now.


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One thousand watts of power and planetary mixing action ensure supremely efficient mixing and beating. Not only can this heavy duty stand mixer knead even the toughest whole grain bread dough into submission, it also has a sufficient range of settings, allowing it to tenderly beat a meringue. Locking pop up heads make clean up snap. A special stirring speed helps prevent flour pouf, and liquid splatter during the initial mixing stage. Max speed is engineered for whipping custards, cream, and meringues - in other words when you want to incorporate maximum air. There are numerous attachments available for this unit to increase its multi-tasking capabilities. If you've become a fan of Viking's reliability, quality and style, no doubt this stand mixer would be a most welcome addition to your kitchen.

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1/29/2012

KitchenAid PRO 500 Series 5-Quart Mixers Review

KitchenAid PRO 500 Series 5-Quart Mixers
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
This mixer is absolutely fantastic! The lift mixer is so much better than the stand style mixers in that the stand mixers get worn out and the bowl tends to jump around. I used to work with a stand style mixer and I would have to put all of my weight on the bowl while I was mixing stuff to keep the bowl from flying out into the kitchen! The motor is super powerful and I am very pleased with it. Since I started making everything we eat from scratch it is nice to have this great mixer to save me the labor of hand mixing stiff doughs and such. I noticed other people had problems with it. One person wrote that the bowl didn't stay in place at all, it needs to be snapped in, if you look at the back on the mixer you'll see a strip of metal where the bowl slides into, on the bowl where it meets the mixer is a metal nub, that's where it is supposed to snap in. They also said that they put the attachments in the dishwasher and they changed color. The instructions say to hand wash them ONLY!!!
It was an absolute pleasure just opening the box up that it came in. It came just as the seller described, brand new and shiny red. I look forward to years of use and everyday I admire it in my kitchen!

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Attractively housed in durable, die-cast metal, this stand mixer features a high-performance 325-watt motor that produces enough power to handle the heaviest mixtures and mix large batches easily. The unit's 10 speeds range from a very fast whip to a very slow stir, allowing for everything from whipping egg whites to slow churning bread dough, while its Soft Start function helps prevent ingredient splatter and flour clouds by gently accelerating to the selected speed after start-up. To ensure even blending, the appliance creates a unique mixing action that spins the beater clockwise while the shift spins counter clockwise. The mixer provides a 5-quart-capacity brushed-stainless-steel mixing bowl with a contoured handle, as well as a burnished flat beater, a burnished dough hook, a wire whip, and a one-piece pouring shield. Other highlights include a 9-cup flour capacity, direct-drive transmission with all-metal gears, automatic safety shut-off in the event of an obstruction or overloading, and a sturdy lifting mechanism that uses a metal arm and steel lever to effortlessly raise the ingredient-filled mixing bowl. Available in a variety of fashionable colors, the stand mixer measures 13-2/7 by 10-2/5 by 16-2/5 inches and carries a one-year hassle-free replacement warranty.

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11/01/2011

KitchenAid KM25G0XWH Commercial Series 5-Quart Stand Mixer, White Review

KitchenAid KM25G0XWH Commercial Series 5-Quart Stand Mixer, White
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
Purchased this mixer to replace an older one at my workplace. Seems to be every bit as good as the one it replaced, but really the true test comes in time after years of abuse in a professional kitchen. Initial quality is on par with other KitchenAid mixers.

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The commercial 5 series stand mixer features an all-metal construction with a direct drive, and all steel gear transmission. The 5-quart stand mixer features a 450-watt motor for handling tough mixing jobs. The mixer can effectively mix up to 11 cups of all-purpose flour, and churn through double batches of bread dough with the included burnished power knead spiral hook, which replicates hand kneading with a forceful punching and rolling action. An electronic speed sensor helps maintain a consistent mixing speed, even when adding ingredients. The built in motor protection will shut the mixer off when overload is sensed to protect the motor. The mixer includes a 5-quart-capacity stainless-steel mixing bowl with handle, as well as a professional wire whip, a burnished flat beater, and a spiral dough hook. The unit's professional bowl-lift design raises the bowl into the mixing position, and its solid, truly seamless one-piece motor head design cleans easily.

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9/01/2011

Victorinox 47529 Fibrox 7-Inch Granton Edge Santoku Knife Review

Victorinox 47529 Fibrox 7-Inch Granton Edge Santoku Knife
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
Forschner is by far the best knife for the money. They always arrive razor sharp, and have the ability to hold an edge far longer than much more expensive knives. I purchased one for all of my line cooks as they are very durable and can be used to perform almost any task in a professional kitchen.
The "sports mom" comment that it "felt cheap" was probably due to its light weight and composite plastic handle. To an untrained eye, it could be confused for a "cheap" knife, but after de-boning a chicken, slicing through a butternut squash, it still glides through tomatoes like butter and can perform the most surgical of cuts. The composite plastic handle has an amazing grip even when your hands are covered in duck fat, it won't slip.
I own knives that can run up into the $1200 range, but still prefer this little powerhouse for everyday use. If you only own one sharp knife in your entire kitchen, this should be the one. I also have the 10 inch forschner chefs knife, but prefer the graton edge on this one, especially while slicing potatoes.

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From the inventors of the famous Swiss Army knife comes a line of fine cutlery designed for accomplished and aspiring chefs at work or in the home. Each blade in the Stamped collection is expertly made in Switzerland from high-carbon stainless steel and undergoes a special tempering process for an edge that can be resharpened again and again. The result is a knife that can keep its original sharpness throughout the entire life of the blade. Each blade is conical ground throughout its length and depth, which results in a wider break point with less risk of the blade breaking and less resistance for easier cutting, and then laser tested to ensure optimum cutting power and durability. Ergonomically designed to minimize wrist tension, the unique, patented Fibrox handles are slip resistant when wet. Plus, all Stamped cutlery with Fibrox handles is approved by the National Sanitary Foundation (NSF). Although cutlery steel is naturally sanitary, materials and construction details of these handles minimize crevices that may otherwise offer hospitality to bacteria. The Victorinox Stamped collection is an extensive range with open-stock pieces as well as handy and versatile sets.
A specialty knife with a wide variety of uses, the wavy-edged bread knife with scalloped-edge teeth can cut through harder crusts or peel items without squashing its tender insides. The specially designed wavy edge provides 40 percent more cutting edge in contact with the product than with a traditional plain-edge knife. Made to the same exacting standards, the wavy edge is designed to provide the perfect cutting-edge profile for cutting items such as bread, gateaux, and pastry products. The edge requires no sharpening, so is ideal for fast-food outlets, busy canteens, and restaurants. It makes a great gift for the home chef who already has everything else, or anyone looking to round out a collection. All Stamped cutlery should be washed by hand for best care, and Victorinox covers each piece with a lifetime warranty against manufacturer defects.
From the Manufacturer
Who is Victorinox? Although Victorinox is known the world over as the creator of the Original Swiss Army Knife, the company started out in 1884 as a cutlery workshop. By the time company creator Karl Elsener delivered his first pocket knife to the Swiss Army, his cutlery business was already booming. Over the next century, Victorinox cutlery became a top-rated choice among professionals worldwide, with over 300 blades to offer.
Victorinox knives have regularly appeared as highly ranked and recommended kitchen tools in Cook\'s Illustrated, Men\'s Health, The Cincinnati Enquirer, New York Magazine, and Natural Health, just to name a few. In 2009, the company announced a partnership with professional chef, Daniel Humm, of Eleven Madison Park in New York City. In addition, building on the success of its cutlery business, Victorinox has brought all the same quality and expertise to a wider range of products and accessories, including other kitchen tools, pocket tools, watches, luggage, and clothing.
Who is R.H. Forschner? Victorinox had been a staple in European commercial cutlery for over 50 years when approached by New York\'s R.H. Forschner, known since 1855 as a builder of scales for butchers, to be their sole cutlery supplier. The two companies joined forces in 1937, and R.H. Forschner subsequently became North America\'s dominant professional brand, as ubiquitous in the bustling meatpacking plants of the Midwest as it is in the gleaming, four-star restaurant kitchens of Midtown Manhattan.
As a division of Victorinox/Swiss Army Brands, R.H. Forschner marketed cutlery under the brand name "RH Forschner by Victorinox" and distributed to the commercial, food service, and retail trade classes. That brand has been considered a top choice of professionals worldwide with over 300 styles of blades bearing the R.H. Forschner name. However, in 2009, in conjunction with Victorinox\'s 125th anniversary, the company, Victorinox Swiss Army, Inc., has decided to remove the "RH Forschner" name from all blades. Blades thenceforth only include the "Victorinox" name.
What is a stamped blade? A stamped knife can usually be identified by the absence of a bolster. Stamped blades are cut into their shapes from cold-rolled pieces of steel and then ground, tempered, and sharpened. Creating them requires many less steps than forging and results in lighter, narrower blades. Some professionals prefer the thicker, heavier forged blades, but many pros, who spend much of their day cutting and slicing, enjoy a lighter knife since it\'s less fatiguing and easier to manipulate at speed.
Stamped knives are easier to produce and therefore less expensive. They perform very well and can approach the quality of a forged blade, but not the weight or feel. Victorinox manufactures a complete range of stamped blades with unique, patented Fibrox handles and they are considered among the greatest values in the knife industry.
What knives do I need to own? Knife choice or selection is determined by many factors--size, function, style, and preference. The most important factor is function. Different knives have different uses. It is important to use the proper knife for a specific task, since proper knife selection and the use of a proper-sized, sharp knife make for safe cutting. General kitchen tasks and the knife to use for them are as follows:
Paring: The most common to own and use, a paring knife is generally for small cutting jobs and peeling of vegetables or fruit. The blade size is usually from three to four inches. Choose the shape and size to fit your hand. Since this is one of the more versatile knives, owning more than one is recommended.
Chef's: The most important tool and essential to every cook, a chef\'s knife is most often used in a rocking method to mince, dice, and chop vegetables and herbs. This one is known as the chef\'s best friend.
Slicer: Most commonly used to slice meats, poultry, and seafood, the slicer is an important companion to any host or hostess.
Boning: As its name suggests, a boning knife is used to trim or remove meat and fish from the bone.
Bread: Designed with a special edge, a bread knife makes easy work of cutting through crusty bread, pastries, or any item with a crust and a soft interior.
Fillet: Most often used by pros and seasoned home chefs, the fillet knife is used to fillet meat and fish.
Cleaver: An important addition to any collection, a cleaver is often used to cut or chop through bones.
Santoku: This knife combines the features of a cleaver with a chef's knife. The curved blade helps the rocking motion used for chopping, and the wide blade works well for scooping sliced food off a cutting board and for crushing garlic. The santoku can also be used to slice meat and has a narrow spine for making thin cuts.
Utility: An all-purpose knife often referred to as a sandwich knife, the utility knife peels and slices fruits and vegetables, and even carves small meats.
Shaping: With its curved blade, a shaping knife is great for small precision cuts where control is essential, such as peeling, trimming, or garnishing.
What are the different knife edges and what do they do? Straight: The vast majority of Victorinox knives come with a straight or fine edge. This means it has a perfect taper along the blade and no serrations. It is designed to cut without tearing or shredding.
Serrated: An edge designed with small, jagged teeth along the edge.
Scalloped: A blade with waves along the edge generally used to cut breads with a hard crust and soft interior, as well as tougher-skinned fruits and vegetables.
Granton: This edge has hollowed-out grooves or dimples on the sides of the blade. These grooves fill with the fat and juices of the product being cut, allowing for thin, even cuts without tearing. Even with the grooves, these are still straight-edge knives and can be honed with a sharpening steel.
How should I care for my cutlery? After use, knives should not be allowed to soak in water. The best practice is to hand wash and dry them immediately. This is especially true if they have been used on fruit or salty foods, which may cause some staining, even on stainless steel. Most knives require very little maintenance and it is worth the effort to protect your investment.
Though Victorinox knives are dishwasher safe, this is strongly discouraged. The dishwasher\'s agitation may cause damage. Additionally, harsh detergents can be harmful and cause pitting and spotting on the blades. The handles may also discolor and develop a white film with constant use of the dishwasher. Plus, intense heat associated with dishwashers is not good for the temper of the blade.
How do I keep my knives sharp? All quality knives require proper maintenance to keep them in perfect cutting shape. The best of edges will quickly dull if it strikes metal, glass, or Formica. A wooden cutting board makes the best cutting surface. And, if a slip occurs, a proper cutting board is safer for the user. Frequent use of a Victorinox sharpening steel will keep blades in tip top working condition. All straight-edge knives need steeling to keep their edges.

How to "Steel" a Knife 1. Hold the steel firmly in your left hand with the guard positioned to stop the blade should it slip. 2. Hold the knife in your right hand and place on top part of steel as shown. 3. Raise back of blade one-eighth inch. 4. Now, moving the blade only, draw it across the steel in an arching curve, pivoted at your wrist. The blade tip should leave the steel about two-thirds of the way down. 5. Repeat the same action with the Blade on the bottom side of the steel. Always maintain the same pressure and angle on both sides of the steel. 6. Repeat five or six times.
When a sharpening steel no longer does the job, it\'s time to take the knife to a qualified knife sharpener who will place a new edge on it. This, along with use of the sharpening steel, will give you many years of sharp, safe blades.
Please note that electric knife sharpeners can be harmful. They have to be used carefully as they remove too much metal, can harm the temper of the blade, and most important can change the factory-applied edge angle.
How should I store my knives? Safety is the biggest concern of storage, both to the user and to protect the knife's edge. Choices include a knife magnet, knife block, drawer insets, and also individual knife protectors.

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8/12/2011

T-Fal Avante Deluxe 4-Slice Toaster, Black Review

T-Fal Avante Deluxe 4-Slice Toaster, Black
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
Ok, it makes really fine toast. And it's quick.
Its also nice looking ... esp. if you have stainless appliances or some stainless handles in your kitchen already. The slanted design really makes this toaster an original. The slanted design seems to make putting toast in and taking it out easier, esp. for kids. Even the buttons are stylish ... and I like how the outer toasting levers align with the inner levers. There are controls on either side and both sides can easily handle a bagel with ease.
There is a good feature to note. The middle push levers ... one for each side. These inner levers are stylish, but have a meaningful purpose, which is to push the toast UP and OUT of the toaster (if needed, if you want to, you don't need to) ... I've never seen a toaster that could do that before! That really is a nice safety / convienience feature ... esp. with smaller bread ... it pushes it up for enough that you don't reach into the toaster at all to retrieve the toast.
It's a big boy ... fairly wide for a toaster ... but worth it because of the quality and speed of the toasting ... and style/originality of the unit.
If I were to try and be more critical, I would say the size could be an issue for those with small kitchens or limited countertop space ... and the slanted design of the unit can on rare occasion launch some lighter toast out of the unit.
But overall, I must give this 5 stars because it does toast and bagels extremely well (no burns yet) and its stylish and original. I would warn that it toasts on a very low setting, so start out with 2 or 3 ... because its fast and powerful ... a higher setting could burn, I would think.

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Attractively designed with a brushed stainless-steel front, this 1800-watt four-slice toaster features an angled design for effortless viewing of the toasting process and safe removal of toast. The unit's high-speed heating mechanism toasts bread 40-percent faster than conventional toasters, and its extra-wide slots accommodate bagels, English muffins, even thick slices of homemade bread. The unit also provides independent two- or four-slice operation, self-adjusting guides to ensure even toasting, seven customized toasting levels for browning to perfection, and a high-lift lever, which makes it easier to remove smaller toasted items. In addition, its bagel-toasting technology toasts the inside and gently warms the outside--the way a bagel should be toasted. Other highlights include a one-touch reheat function for warming previously toasted breads, a cancel button that stops the toasting process at any time, a cool-touch exterior, and a removable crumb tray for easy cleaning. The toaster measures 13 by 14 by 12 inches and carries a one-year limited warranty.

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5/19/2011

Oxo Good Grips Professional 8-Inch Bread Knife Review

Oxo Good Grips Professional 8-Inch Bread Knife
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
This knife feels good in the hand. It does a great job on bread. As a bonus, in this season (late Sept.) of wonderful, ripe tomatoes, it does a great job of clean cutting even soft tomatoes.
I had originally tried a higher-rated (from a leading cooking magazine) bread knife by Forschner. R H. Forschner by Victorinox 10-1/4-Inch Curved Blade Bread Knife, Black Fibrox Handle The problem with that knife was that it is too large to be comfortable to use with a smaller hand, and it won't fit most knife racks except in the one slot reserved for your big chef's knife.

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OXO Good Grips Professional Cutlery features the perfect balance of professional quality cutting with soft, comfortable grip.Sharp, stainless steel blades are hardened for strength and the blades are full-tang for durability and proper balance.Soft, non-slip handles cushion your hands and provide a safe secure grip.

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4/02/2011

Montana Knife 7302 9-Inch Offset Bread Knife Review

Montana Knife 7302  9-Inch Offset Bread Knife
Average Reviews:

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This is a serious knife for someone who likes bakery or home baked bread, and wants a good slicing tool. I would call this a commercial or restaurant grade cooks tool, for someone who appreciates function over looks. Not a fancy shmancy German brand or designer knife with Elk horn handle. Why waste your money? Very sharp and ready to cut out of the package. Please don't put it in the dishwasher if you want the maintain the cutting edge. Just wipe it down with a paper towel and put in back in the wooden rack or blade guard. This is true for any quality knife. The length is good for a full loaf of bread, and the raised handle is neat for keeping your knuckles off the cutting board.
Good knife and a great price. Makes a great gift for someone who appreciates good cooking tools.

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Restaurant and foodservice professionals demand an economically priced cutlery that offers exceptional performance while meeting food preparation safety requirements.Knives and accessories produced by MONTANA KNIFE are designed to meet those needs.MONTANA KNIFE uses the best German grade high carbon molybdenum stainless steel in their blades.The metal is heat treated to a 54 - 56 Rockwell hardness and will hold a razor sharp edge.The handles are made from polypropylene are designed to allow a firm non-slip grip.All knives and accessories are dishwasher safe.Each item is National Sanitary Foundation(NSF) certified as safe for use in food preparation.This offset handled bread knife had a blade length of8.75" and a comfortable non-slip white polypropylene handle.The blade edge is serrated to allow easy slicing through the stiffest of crusts.The overall dimensions are 14.25" in length x .857" in handle width x 2" in height.The handle is offset allowing the blade to cut evenly to the cutting surface while the handle grip is above the surface.It works great for slicing all styles of whole loaf breads.Item 7302

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