Top Cookware Sets Blog

I would like to purchase a good cookware set for my mother (who does a lot of cooking) for Christmas and she has a new Whirlpool electric range that has a flat, enamel cook-top. I’m having trouble finding anything that says its safe for use on this type of range – even the user’s manual doesn’t really give any suggestions.

I have the same type stove, anything works fine (except stonewear which can scratch it.) I use Calphalon anodized cookware which is very heavy and we have no scratches.

i don’t want to buy a hot plate, but i’m especially worried about not getting enough leafy greens- i like kale and stuff a lot, and broccoli. can broccoli be baked in the toaster oven? i’ve never heard of it. i’m also interested in good-tasting ways of eating raw vegetables, since i’m not sure when i’ll be able to start cooking them on the stove again. thanks!

Do you have a microwave?….If you do you can cook leafy greens and all vegetables in a microwave safe bowl with a 1/4 cup of water and cover in plastic wrap…I cooked baby carrots this way last night and the time varies depending on what veggies…..but I cooked the carrots for about 5 minutes….they STEAM in the bowl with plastic wrap, tasty and nutritious.

In the toaster oven, if it has a temperature setting like a large oven…..you can put it to 400′ and toss veggies in olive oil, salt and pepper and bake like a normal oven. It just takes less time due to less amount of veggies.

There’s many ways to eat raw veggies…..carrots, cauliflower, broccoli, celery, cucumbers, scallions, bell pepper are all good in hummus or a dip made with fat free sour cream and a dip mix.

Raw veggies are also delicious tossed with lemon juice, salt, pepper and chili powder…..cucumbers and tomatoes especially.

I like to buy a jar of "Claussen" brand pickles, they have great flavor and when the pickles are gone, save the jar of juice and add a 1/2 cup of water and raw veggies of your choice, let them sit for a few days and you have delicious pickled veggies.

I have recently been completely refurbishing my home. I have managed to sell old furniture and carpets etc in newspapers and online, and most other things have gone for re-cycling. Now; the kitchen! All of my old crockery, casserole dishes etc, I have smashed into small pieces, ready to use as drainage in plantpots in the garden….so, most of the stuff has been disposed of in an eco-friendly way. My problem now is, how do I dispose of old cutlery, particularly things like carving knives, bread knives etc safely?

Hi, you sound really busy and good on you for not just dumping it. Charity shops will be more than happy to take them or a scrap metal dealer, art college, I’ve seem some amazing mobiles made from twisted and bent cutlery

I need new cookware and I have no idea what kind is the best. I’ve heard that cookware with tephlon is harmful. What kind is easy to cook with and food doesn’t stick but has no harmful disadvantages?

Without a doubt stainless steel with an aluminum core sandwiched in between the stainless steel is the best.

Many brand names are available but look for 18/10 nickle to chromium alloy ratio for the ideal cookware.
All-Clad is an expensive standard but you can find others with comparable quality at a more affordabe price.

http://www.consumersearch.com/www/kitchen/cookware/

http://store.foodnetwork.com/shop/product.asp?product_code=4782&department_code=6&category_code=87&subcategory_code=87&search_type=viewall

http://www.hsn.com/cnt/prod/default.aspx?webp_id=2025448&web_id=2025448&sf=qc&attr=181&prev=hp!sf!181

As many of you know, I follow, read and comment on over 30 discussion forums on a daily basis. It seems that one of the more frequent points of discussion and questions today centers around backsplashes and the many choices available today. Apart from all the elements of kitchen design such as faucets, flooring, cabinetry and appliances, another choice to make to improve your kitchen space is the backsplash. Backsplashes are positioned behind the stove and/or sink to make these wall surfaces more durable and easier to keep clean, but today backsplashes do more than protect, they can also serve as a design element bringing character, color, and style to your kitchen. Here are some of the choices to consider today:
1. Paint
Probably the oldest and least expensive way to decorate your backsplash is to simply paint the area. If paint is your choice you should make sure you use a durable paint that will not fade, peel or crack under the stress of heat, grease and constant cleaning. High performance paint will resist stains and require only a wipe with water and mild soap although you can scrub away if you like. High quality paints are often antimicrobial fighting mildew and mold, perfect for all kitchen spaces. Paint can truly transform your walls and protect them as well. All you have to do is choose the color that works best for you and your décor. Additionally you might choose to decorate the painted surfaces with stenciling, striping or other embellishments to make the painted backsplash uniquely yours. If you are concerned with the ultimate durability in the prime areas behind the stove and sink you can cover the painted surfaces with a thin plate of clear plastic such as lexan or glass as I will discuss further down.
2.Ceramic Tile
Glazed ceramic tiles as a backsplash are stronger and obviously easily kept clean. Possibilities are limited only by the vast number of choices available on the market today, choices of colors, textures, and styles. Tiles must be grouted and grout is comes in several color options as well as considering the width of the grout line. Choosing a grout which matches your tile color creates a classic look, where choosing a grout which stands out from your tile color will have a much different effect generally creating a more bold appearance. Depending on your style, grout may be an important consideration. You may choose just to tile behind the stove and sink and maybe just above the countertop edge to make it easier to clean then paint above this saves you time and money and can create yet another look. You can also choose from a huge selection of hand painted tiles and tiles with distinct textures and shapes. You are not locked into the idea of just color or flirting with the danger of making your kitchen look like it is a part of the bathroom. Tiles may be rough or smooth, some can have a more matte finish where others will be sheen and tiles may also not have the same color qualities.
3.Glass Tile
Currently the most popular choice for backsplash materials is glass tiles. Glass tiles can resemble ceramic tiles but are made from glass, many times recycled, and have a transparent or opaque appearance as opposed to the solid color of ceramic. These tiles are available in clear, frosted, linear or iridescent finishes and can even be slip proof for floors. Glass is actually incredibly durable and non-porous making glass a perfect choice for the kitchen and because as I mentioned previously can be made from recycled glass adding an additional “green” element. The downside of glass is that these tiles can be very tricky to cut and very expensive. Installing glass kitchen backsplash tiles is very similar to installing ceramic only your choice of grout color is very important. Since most glass tiles are translucent, imperfections in your grouting job will show through the tile. Since these tiles are translucent, their color will also be affected by your grout color choice therefore it is recommended to use a white grout so that the true color of the tile will show through. Glass 1×1 mosaic tiles are quite expensive running at approximately $30 per sq. ft. where larger glass tile sheets are less. One way to include glass into your backsplash design without blowing your budget is to use smaller glass mosaic boarder sheets. These sheets combine well with ceramic or stone tiles or work well by themselves when applied to a painted backsplash surface.
4.Solid glass or lexan/clear plastic
Another option for kitchen backsplashes is solid glass or lexan panes. Solid pieces of clear or colored glass or plastic can be use to create a luminous like effect. Solid glass can be quite expensive and will show dirt and grime easier however this surface is very easy to keep clean as it is seamless. The lexan may be a less expensive option but is still not cheap.
5.Wall paper
Wall paper has become sort of passé in today’s home what with all of the choices of faux painting and textured surfaces. Call me old fashioned, because after all I am old, but I still like wallpaper and the many designs and colorful choices that it offers. For many years durable vinyl wallpaper was consider the best choice for the backsplash areas and even still can be a great choice in conjunction with the glass/lexan option. Putting a wallpaper under the glass panels can add an additional layer of texture and color to your kitchen.
Metallic Backsplashes
6.Stainless Steel, virtually any sheet metal can be formed into a beautiful kitchen backsplash, but some are much more popular than others. The trendiest product in the backsplash market today is Stainless steel. A 100% recyclable and flexible product which can easily fit into irregular corners and angles Stainless steel is incredibly durable and resists heat and corrosion and since it can be installed seamlessly, this backsplash is incredibly easy to clean and is therefore a hygienic material for the kitchen. Although stainless steel is an attractive material on its own, today this product has been transformed into many different textures, patterns, and finishes resulting in many available choices. Stainless steel backsplashes of course look best when combined with stainless steel appliances, steel counters and backsplashes with hardwood cabinetry. A warning though, just like stainless steel appliances or countertops, the backsplash made of stainless steel can be VERY expensive.
7. Copper, as a backsplash is a way to add warmth and beauty to your kitchen. Like stainless steel, copper is a very durable and flexible product that can be installed seamlessly or in tiles. Copper backsplashes are also available in several styles, textures, patterns and finishes. They can be finger print and tarnish free! Like stainless steel, prepare yourself for financial shock when you get the estimate.
8. Countertop surface can be the simplest choice. You may opt to simply continue the countertop surface, i.e. formica, granite etc onto the backsplash. Some may think of this as lacking in creativity and lack the color and texture contrast but may be easier to accomplish.

By incorporating backsplashes into your kitchen, you can add your own unique style imprint on your work space and improve the design style. You will not regret putting the extra time or money into the backsplash as the results will leave your kitchen looking unique and beautiful.

Richard Warren
http://www.articlesbase.com/kitchens-articles/how-to-choose-a-kitchen-backsplash-742216.html

Being in the kitchen is a fun part of our daily lives. Who doesn’t love cooking or eating? But even though a kitchen may seem to be perfectly fine, it can still have a serious problem that needs serious attention. What else could that problem be but rust.

Rust can take those smiles from your faces. Why? It can destroy your favorite kitchen utensils and may lead to some serious diseases like arthritis, loss of energy, and liver cancer and heart diseases.

Of course you don’t want rust to get in to your food. And to avoid that, here are some ways of taking rust out of your utensils.

First is to make sure that you are using natural rust removers. Commercial rust removers may have chemicals that may be harmful to peoples through accidental ingestion or inhalation. We all make food preparations in the kitchen so make sure that we are doing all the necessary precautions to make our food safe to eat.

For cast iron cookware, you can take the rust off with just simple scrubbing with the use of any course material like fine grade-steel wool. After that make sure to rinse it properly and dry. Remember that moisture can cause your pans to rust. You can use paper towels for covering your skillet if you want to stack them.

We always use our knives when preparing food so make sure its free from rust. Prevent rust from coming by rinsing off food particles using warm water. Do this every time you use your knives. Then thoroughly clean your knives with dry towel or clean cloth to ensure that its free from moisture.

Make sure that you are doing regular maintenance with your kitchen utensils. This way you can see whether some of your stocked utensils are affected, so you can quickly act on the situation and give your utensils a proper treatment against rust.

Now, let me tell you the possible outcome and inconveniences of not treating the rust in your kitchen.

Rust can cause additional financial problems. Of course you need to replace severe rusted kitchen utensils with a new one, or buy another commercial rust remover again and again. Both rust and chemicals from your commercial rust removers may leads to diseases. (This will really hurt you pockets)

Rusting will make your utensils dull, specially knives. This will affect your preparations of food. Also, rusted dull knives make us more vulnerable to cuts. Knives may slip and cut you accidentally. Skin cuts may lead to bigger problems like tetanus and if not treated properly may lead to poor health and worse, death.

Another inconvenience is when you made a wrong choice of rust remover. These chemicals are dangerous especially to our kids. When chemicals of these products are accidentally swallowed or inhaled, this may lead to some light and major health problems like serious dermatological illnesses and respiratory problems.

There are lots of cooking inconveniences that can be caused by rust. Not only in your cooking method, it can also affect people’s impression of your cooking practices. Take the rust out of your kitchen, find the most suitable rust remover by making sure that it is not harmful!

Markus Skupeika
http://www.articlesbase.com/home-improvement-articles/rust-removal-on-kitchen-and-cooking-utensils-701693.html

It may seem strange in this day in high tech, but wood burning stoves are more popular than they have been in almost 100 years. May people would think that a wood burning oven was about the least practical thing that you could put in your house. After all, there are so many drawbacks to a wood burning stove. First of all, there is not the same kind of fine temperature control as with a gas heater. Wood burning stoves, basically, are either on or off. When they are on, you have to constantly stock them with wood. When they are off, they take hours to get going again.

Nonetheless, the wood burning stove has a lot going for it. First of all, wood burning ovens are multipurpose. Not only can you use them to heat a room, you can also use them to dry clothes, and warm cold hands. You can even cook certain things on some wood burning stoves! There is also the matter of the cost of heating. Wood burning stoves used to be thought of as impractical because of the amount of labor that goes into running them. Nowadays, however, they make more and more sense. They burn wood very slowly, and in many areas fire wood is available for free. Having a wood burning stove can save you hundreds and hundreds of dollars every winter. For many families, that is no laughing matter.

Nonetheless, wood burning stoves do have a lot of hazards to them. Although they are easy to maintain, they have dangers that normal gas furnaces don’t have. Wood burning stoves need to be in the middle of your comment space. That means that if you have young children, they are at risk. If they run into the wood burning stoves, they can burn themselves! In addition, many people say that wood burning stoves have much greater emissions than other kind of heat. Even oil burning furnaces – notorious for the air pollution they produce – are supposed to be healthier for you that wood stoves. If your wood burning stove is not adequately insulated from the house, it can release hazardous indoor pollution and poison you and your family.

Nonetheless, even with all of these drawbacks, wood burning stoves make sense. They are enjoying a renaissance among environmentally conscious people. Not only are they efficient, but they also allow you to survive with less outside dependence on our shrinking natural gas supply.

Ann Marier
http://www.articlesbase.com/home-improvement-articles/wood-burning-stoves-have-a-lot-going-for-them-114934.html

There are a lot of brands which are being introduced into the market and more are being getting introduced these days. The competition is pretty tight in this field and people always prefer to have the best. They also get confused to get the right one they need. The same slogan is repeated by all telling that they are the best. This makes you even more confused. So it is always advised to decide about the purchase from house itself before stepping out to purchase kitchenware.

There are several questions to be depended upon before choosing a kitchenware. The question for how many people you cook would enable in determining the quantity of pots and pans and even the size of each of them. The next question that arises is about the food cooked by you often. Some may be make soups in large stockpots whereas others would never steam anything in stovetops as they use electric steamer. So by understanding the kind of food you cook it is easily possible for you to determine the kitchenware needed by you.

The most important thing to consider is the cleaning up process and how much do you prefer for that. If you go along with the cleaning process and like it then you could go for ordinary pans. But if it is a hell out then it would be pretty good to opt for non-stick cookware which would ease your cleaning process. There are certain easy cooking pots which help you to cook properly but cleaning those takes a lot of time and effort. Usually stainless steel is preferred by most of the professional cooks as it is light weight, less costly and even beautiful. But the only problem for the stainless cookware is that they are easy to work with but it is pretty difficult to clean them up.

Determining the type of stove also lets you finalize the kitchenware that is appropriate for you. This will let you know whether you need a flat bottom or round bottom pan. For all those latest induction cook tops, it is necessary to have ferrite in them which is magnetic in nature. The most important thing that determines your purchase is the budget. It was always recommended to buy the high quality cookware always as they are long lasting and also it only needs initial investment and then could be your soul mate for years to count.

The quality kitchenware lets you cook food faster and with ease. As you use most of the kitchenware every day it is very important to have them to be very comfortable to work with. The most important thing is to look for the weight and heft. The heavier kitchenware won’t warp over time and it is easy to control the heat in it too. Always look at the ductility of the pan. Never go for those which could be even slightly bend as they never stay long, always choose that kitchenware which makes you use for years.

Lanny Hintz
http://www.articlesbase.com/internet-articles/different-types-of-kitchenware-for-shopping-125429.html

Can you use the same kind of cookware that you use in a regular oven? I have several glass bakeware dishes that say not to use on stovetop or under broiler, can these be used in a toaster oven?

anything’s fine, just as long as it can fit in there

Trying to clean my stove, and need to take the stove top off, I unscrewed the screws but now it wont budge. How can I lift it for cleaning purposes.

The range front should lift up and hinge on the back. They are usually held in place with two very strong clips on the sides near the front. You should be able to lift up the front with about 10lbs of force and the top will pop up. If it takes more than that, take a look at an appliance repair website. I like repairclinic.com.