Fusionwood Chefs Knives- Elegant knives for Artist Chefs

We've received a set of the Fusionwood paring and 8" Chef knives here at Kitchen Contraptions from New West Knifeworks. We can safely say these are beautiful knives which make you want to chop, dice, and slice more food than the recipe calls for. The Fusionwood knives are made from premium high-carbon stainless tool steel, and the beautiful multi-colored hardwood veneer handles are fused into a technically flawless culinary instrument for professional or home chefs. The chefs knives Fine Cooking magazine called "Knife Art", and we agree.

We can't think of a better replacement for our current 8" Chef knife, and the paring knife was more than perfect for some apple pie madness this past weekend. Simply put - the Fusion Wood knives are a treat to use. These knives put a smile on our face each time we use them (even seeing them puts a smile on our face too).

At Fusionwood Chefs Knives and Fusionwood Set - Paring and Chef Knives

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Review: Weber Genesis Special Edition EP-310 Propane Gas Grill

We recently upgraded this Summer from our Weber Q 200 gas grill when we finally got the Kitchen Contraptions porch upgraded and made a bit larger to accommodate seating and most of all a larger grill. After much deliberation we went with the Weber Genesis Special Edition EP-310 Propane Gas Grill. We loved the look of the grill right away, and we knew we could get the Weber rotisserie attachment for it, along with the Special Edition Genesis having some improvements in the drip tray area and other niceties like a built in gas gauge.

Weber Genesis Special Edition EP-310 Propane Gas Grill Features:

• 637 sq. in. cooking space
• 42K BTUs
• 3 stainless steel burners
• Porcelain lid with stainless steel trim
• 7MM stainless steel rod cooking grates (we chose not to use these and buy additional cast iron grates from Weber - as we prefer that surface and the way it seasons the bars)
• Stainless steel flavorizer bars
• Stainless steel wire warming rack
• Electronic ignition
• Stainless steel working surface
• Tank not included
• Color we chose was Black

One thing as noted above, we didn't use the stainless steel cooking grates, but instead decided to get an additional set of the cast iron grates to cook on. We haven't liked stainless steel cooking grates when we've used them, and this was our decision. We like the way the cast iron grates season, and we just like the look as well.

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Review: EatSmart Precision Pro - Multifunction Digital Kitchen Scale

If you're looking for an easy to use multifunction home scale that's perfect for cooks and dieters look no further. The EatSmart Precision pro allows you to weigh up to 11lbs of food (or whatever you want really) and can display in ounces/lbs/grams/kgs; Graduation .05 oz / 1 gram. We really like the tare feature - which allows you to use a bowl or plate and get the perfect amount for your snack instead of eating too much. The scale also features a 3 Minute Auto-Shutoff.

At EatSmart Precision Pro - Multifunction Digital Kitchen Scale

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Review: Firewire Skewers Flexible Grilling Skewers

We recently featured the Firewire Skewers here at Kitchen Contraptions, and have also been using them for the past several weeks. These skewers are revolutionary, and we think you'll really enjoy them as an addition to your grilling aresenal, and we think they make great gifts as well. This is the first video review we've done - so check it out and enjoy.

If you like the Firewire Skewers, please check them out at our new online store. We only add the products we've tested and reviewed here at Kitchen Contraptions.

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Review: Teavana Perfect Tea Maker - Loose Leaf Tea Brewer

Having already been exposed to the world of Gourmet Tea via my Electric Tea Maker I really didn't have much expectation when reviewing the Teavana Perfect Teamaker. I thought this simple contraption wouldn't compare to my Electric Tea Maker to brew a perfect cup of tea. Or could it?

Upon opening the box I noticed not much in the way of parts; a Teavana Perfect Tea Maker and instructions on how to use it. The instructions are simple and concise which pretty much describes this Teamaker. No crazy setup. No extra parts to try and figure what to do with them. Just a simple Teavana Perfect Tea Maker awaiting its first 32 oz of tea.

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Review: Shrimp Butler - Clean Shrimp With No Mess

We often eat a large quantity of shrimp on the Memorial Day Weekend, and this year was no exception except thanks to the Shrimp Butler - less mess. It often takes us just over an hour to peel, and devein all the shrimp our hungry stomachs require. This task was cut to about 10 minutes thanks to the Shrimp Butler.

Shrimp Butler, commonly referred to as a shrimp peeler, is an all in one shrimp butterflier and shrimp deveiner. Shuck the loose shrimp peelings under the faucet and your shrimp are ready for cooking.

It's sad - but it's really that simple. Check out the link below for a full set of demonstrations on how to use the Shrimp Butler, but it's drop dead simple and amazing. This also means we'll be eating shrimp, and grilling shrimp more often.

At Shrimp Butler

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EatSmart Digital Nutrition Scale - Lose Weight and Eat Smarter

We've been using this EatSmart Digital Nutrition Scale since the beginning of the year to help us lose weight and eat smarter. It works. One of the best methods we've found to lose weight is to weigh your portions - which is very easy and quick to do with the EatSmart Digital Nutrition Scale. It can also analyze the nutritional content of ANY food by portion size (which is the main feature we used). The scale will instantly calculate the following cardiovascular nutrients essential for overall well being: Calories, Carbohydrates, Fiber, Sodium, Potassium, Magnesium, Total Fat, Saturated Fat, Cholesterol, Calcium, Protein, Vitamin K.

Additionally, the proprietary EatSmart Nutrition Facts Calculator is the only scale on the market that allows you to calculate nutrients for any food with a USDA Nutrition Facts label. Additionally, the EatSmart Nutrition Scale was recently named one of the most effective tools for carb counting and managing diabetes. How much weight did we lose?

We both lost 10% of our body weight, thus bringing us back to normal BMI and we couldn't have done it without the EatSmart Digital Nutrition Scale. We cook every night using Eating Well - and weighing our portions was the key to our success, and having the scale right there in the kitchen made it happen. We now continue to use the scale to weigh, and measure. One thing I use it for is my insatiable beef jerky habit. I can easily weigh 4 oz in seconds knowing how much I can snack on each time.

At EatSmart Digital Nutrition Scale and Eat Smart

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Review: OXO Salt & Pepper Grinder Set - Grind Perfection

We can't tell you the shear number of salt and pepper grinders we get asked to review, and we can't tell you the number we turn away. When we were approached to check out this new set of stainless steel grinders from OXO - we were initially well - excited. There's just something immediately different, functionally apparent, and simply designed right with this set of grinders.

First of all - the grips on the bottom and grind settings are easy to figure out. Next - they actually do a great job of grinding at the different levels. We really love how they feel in our hands, and they are attractive enough to put out at any type of meal. The set contains both the salt and pepper grinder - and after you use the set together to cook or for a meal - you'll wonder how you ever used your old set of grinders.

So in a nut shell - these are amazing and different - or perhaps they're just perfect.

At OXO and OXO Salt and Pepper Grinder Set

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Review: Adagio Teas triniTea Electric 32-Ounce Tea Maker

Being new to the Gourmet Tea scene I was excited to finally get my hands on one of these products - especially the triniTea electric tea maker. Since I enjoy brewed ice tea year round I was wondering how much better this experience would be. The result totally surpassed my expectation of how good gourmet tea can be - especially loose leaf teas brewed with an electric tea maker.

For the most part the setup and assembly of the Adagio Teas triniTea Electric 32-Ounce Tea Maker is pretty simple. That is if you know how to assemble it. I was a little put off on how little information came with the product on how to assemble and operate it. There is literally one little pamphlet that comes with it and although it explains how to use it, it fails to associate a functional picture to support their explanation. But a few educated guesses later you will be off to making incredible tea!

Note: On the box it there is a diagram that might help you match up the layout to the instructions printed on the pamphlet. In addition to that there is another picture that vaguely shows the 3 steps on how to make tea with this product. If only they told you to refer to the box on the pamphlet...too bad I threw it away.

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Review: FoodSaver Vacuum Sealer - Automatic Bag Sealing and Marination

Given these troubled economic times, storying and preserving the costly food you purchase should be on your mind. In the past we used Tupperware or other methods like zip-loc bags to store both our leftovers, and our frozen meat and vegetables. After using the new Foodsaver Vacuum Sealer for the past month, we know both of those methods are going thee way of the dodo. Not only did we experience longer saving of our leftovers, but meat sealed and frozen had no freezer burn after 1 month.

The unit is sleek and sits way back on your counters.

The FoodSaver Vacuum Sealer with SmartSeal Technology makes storage a breeze, and it's not going to spoil or get freezer burned like other methods. We also used the FoodSaver to vacuum marinate meat and fish, and found both the marinator (included), and marinating in vacuum sealed bags provided more flavor than our Vacu Vin marinator.

Vacuum sealed coconut rice. After 3 days - perfectly fresh
and yummy.

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Review: William Bounds Black Walnut Pepper Mill and Bali Spice Pepper

We have been using the William Bounds Black Walnut Pepper Mill, and enjoying their pepper corns as well. When picking a pepper mill you have to make sure and get one that isn't a chore to use. The Black Walnut Pepper Mill from William Bounds is very easy on the hand, easy to turn, and very easy to change the grind setting. Combined with some of their pepper corns which are dated for freshness, you really get the perfect combo. Our favorite pepper so far is the Wildcrafted Bali Long Pepper - it's very different and really delicious on pork and other meats.

Adjusting the grind is right at the top of the pepper mill.

What we really like about the Walnut Pepper Mill is that each turn of the pepper mill produces just the right amount of pepper, and the course setting is perfect for salads. Measuring 9 inches tall, the mill is designed for either salt or peppercorns. The American Black Walnut Mill joins several other mills in the Exotic Woods Collection including Rosewood Klios, Teak Mills, Bamboo Mills and Cherry Wood Mills.

At Wiliam Bounds

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CDN ProAccurate Heavy Duty Fridge and Freezer Thermometer

Want to save money on your electric bill? We recommend getting a fridge and freezer thermometer. A simple $7.99 investment can help lower your energy bills by monitoring the temperature in your refrigerator, which consumes more energy than any other appliance in the typical American home according to the U.S. Department of Energy. As energy costs soar, the CDN ProAccurate Heavy Duty Refrigerator/Freezer Thermometer makes it easy to keep your refrigerator at the optimal temperature to reduce energy costs while ensuring food safety.

We were able to gradually adjust the temperature of our refrigerator and freezer to the optimal temperature, and we found the easy to read dial assuring that the temperature was both accurate and safe. Before this we never knew the settings we had the freezer and refrigerator on were even close to the right temperature.

We think for $7.99 you can't go wrong, and you can also use the CDN ProAccurate Heavy Duty Fridge and Freezer Thermometer over and over again. We've left ours in the freezer to ensure things stay at the right temperature moving forward.

At CDN ProAccurate Heavy Duty Fridge and Freezer Thermometer

You may also want to read our review of the CDN temperature probe.

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Review: Crock-Pot eLume Touch Screen Slow Cooker

Crock-Pot has a new touch screen slow cooker coming out this Fall, and we've been doing some hands on testing of this new model. It features a luminescent touch screen interface instead of the more traditional dial controls found on most Crock-Pots. The eLume model also is very large, allowing you to make meals large enough to feed 8+ people. We decided to make the famous Kalua Pig plate lunch recipe we've recently been taught friends for our first meal with the Crock-Pot.

Kalua Pig Recipe:

• 4.5 pound pork butt
• 2½ tablespoons Hawaiian salt - we used smoky salt from Penzeys
• 1/2 bottle of liquid smoke
• Garlic from Penzeys - we'd normally used fresh garlic but tried their new dried minced garlic
• 1 head of cabbage

The controls on the front are very easy to use, and the glowing lights are also a pleasant addition to the kitchen ambiance. We dialed up 6.5 hours, and then put it on high. Pressing start allows you to start the countdown.

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Review: Capresso H20 Plus Water Kettle - Make an Eco-Friendly Cup of Tea

We've been looking for a more energy efficient and safe way to make a cup of tea in the morning, and we believe we've found it with the Capresso H20 Plus Water Kettle. The Capresso H2O Plus Water Kettle is a fast and convenient way to brew hot water for tea and other beverages, and a new independent study shows another advantage: energy savings.

The energy-conscious Capresso H2O Plus Water Kettle has a concealed heating element under a stainless steel dome on the base of the kettle, which boils water faster and uses less energy than a stovetop kettle, according to an independent study by Gaynes Labs, Inc. In fact, water boiled on an electric range used nearly 60 percent more energy than water boiled in the Capresso H2O Plus, and on a gas range the stovetop kettle use over 163 percent more energy.

The Capresso H20 Plus Water Kettle uses 163% less
energy than our gas range.

The high-quality Schott glass showcases water when it boils, making it instantly clear when the water reaches a rolling boil, and we think as you can see above - it just looks cool. The kettle automatically shuts off when the water reaches a boil, ensuring the kettle does not boil dry. For added safety and energy savings, the kettle also automatically shuts off when it is removed from the power base.

We also found the kettle easy to operate, the H2O Plus comes with a simple on/off switch and a blue indicator light to show when the kettle is on. Indicator lines from 16 to 48 ounces and two to six cups on the glass kettle make it easy to fill the right amount. The power base includes the electric plug, with a cord storage option so the cord does not get in your way.

At Capresso H2O Plus Glass Water Kettles and Capresso

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