Cuisinart Chef’s Classic Stainless 17-Piece Cookware Set: A Review

Posted on November 4, 2010 by admin

Cuisinart Chef’s Classic Stainless 17-Piece Cookware Set: A Review
I was looking for something to give my mom for her 54th birthday. And for the past 30 years, there’s just one thing I know she really enjoys doing – cooking. And although she seemed to have everything she could stuff in her kitchen cabinet, I still decided to buy her Cuisinart 77-17 Chef's Classic Stainless 17-Piece Cookware Setsomething I thought she’d appreciate. I started researching and looking for the best cookware set I could get her. Eventually I decided to buy Cuisinart 77-17 Chef’s Classic Stainless 17-Piece Cookware set just in time for her birthday. And man, was I ever right? She loved it. She said, it did not only complete her utensils, in fact, she could throw everything else and stick with this set for a while.

Don’t Count the Pieces!
The main principle in choosing the best cookware set is not how many pieces you can get in one set but rather to get the most use from the least number of equipments. Each piece in the set serves a specific purpose in your cooking chores. You don’t need each equipment in every imaginable shape and size. A good cookware set should offer you basic shapes and sizes.

Cuisinart 77-17 Chef’s Classic Stainless 17-Piece Cookware set includes 1-1/2-, 2-, 3-quart saucepans; 8-, 10-, 12-inch skillets; 4-quart saute; 9-quart stockpot; 7-3/4-, 9-1/2-inch steamer inserts – with each matching lids.

This set from Cuisinart finds the balance in number and usability. It gives you the right number of pieces to serve a variety of functions from frying, boiling, sautéing, braising to stewing but not too many pieces that each becomes just a mere duplicate of the other. +

Durability Matters
Any good chef will tell you that a durable cookware set is a wise investment. You don’t cook on a one-time basis anyway. So you need a cookware set that will last a long time. The first thing to consider is what material the cookware is made of. This set is made of stainless steel which is easily the most versatile material for a good cookware.

Stainless steel is one of the most popular materials for cookware because it is smooth, resistant to corrosion, not to mention, its natural gleam is very nice to the eyes. But how are you really to know how durable your cookware set can be?

You often see 18/8 or 18/10 in any cookware display. This is the ratio of chromium and nickel. The first number stands for the percentage of chromium and the second number for the percentage of nickel. Simply put, both elements make the cookware more durable and non-corrosive. Cuisinart 77 Chef’s Classic Cookware set’s all 17 pieces including the matching lids have number 18/10 in stainless steel. This indicates a very high-quality, durable construction that will be highly resistant to stains, rust, and corrosion while maintaining a bright, attractive shine.

On the other hand, stainless steel doesn’t conduct heat very effectively. Look for a set that has aluminum or copper inner core. Both are good conductors of heat. Cuisinart 77-17 Chef’s Classic Stainless cookware set has an inner core of aluminum for fast and even heating.

“Handle” With Care
You often see in a cooking show chef tossing food into the air and switching from one utensil to another. Well, most of us don’t do that, my mom included. But you want to look for a cookware with a handle that you feel secure won’t fall off when working with it, something that you feel comfortable to hold and move easily every now and then. Look for a set with handles that are securely attached, either with heavy screws or rivets. Go for handles that stay cool on the stovetop so you won’t be wary of any nasty burns.

Check the lids too, make sure they fit neatly to prevent moisture from sipping out to keep the nutrients and flavor of your foods. Look also for a set that’s safe for oven cooking. Cuisinart’s Chef’s Classic line is oven-safe up to 450 degrees F and also dish-washer safe for easy cleaning. Some people complain about the stain left after cooking, I think that’s just normal and I personally don’t mind it, I don’t go parading my cookware anyway. But for a few of you who are bothered by that, lemon juice can actually easily do the trick.

Where Can I Buy the Cuisinart 77-17 Chef’s Classic Stainless 17-Piece Cookware set?
Amazon offers the best deal for this cookware from Cuisinart. They also offer free shipping. So, go ahead and click here to view this product on Amazon!

Where Can I Read More Reviews for the Cuisinart 77-17 Chef’s Classic Stainless 17-Piece Cookware set?
Amazon consumers rated it 4.5 out of 5 stars! Here is some feedback from people who have used it:
“Just because it’s pretty doesn’t mean it can’t work hard – and it does.”
“I absolutely love it.”
“The Cuisinart cookware stays put! Everything cooks perfectly in it.”
“I love cooking with this set.”

You can read more first-hand reviews for this product from other people on Amazon. Click here to see more reviews.

Posted in Cookware Reviews | Tagged , , , | 42 Comments

Bunn NHBX-B Contemporary 10-Cup Home Coffee Brewer: My Personal Review

Posted on November 3, 2010 by admin

Bunn NHBX-B Contemporary 10-Cup Home Coffee Brewer: My Personal Review
I have always loved waking up in the morning to the exhilarating aroma of freshly brewed coffee. It not only wakes my senses up, it’s also a great way to start my day and a perfect complement to my favorite sausage and egg breakfast! I am a coffee lover (not an addict Bunn NHBX-B Contemporary 10-Cup Home Coffee Brewerthough), and before I had my own coffee maker I always find myself lining up at the nearest Starbucks outlet just to get my morning dose of caffeine. Now I have my very own coffee maker at home and it provided a Starbucks-like atmosphere in our home (I’m pretty sure you know what I’m trying to say). And since it seems like I can’t get enough of coffee, I’ve decided to know more about coffee makers and maybe make a review on a particular product. One of the coffee makers that struck my attention is the Bunn NHBX-B Home Coffee Brewer.

Before I’d go any further, I’d just like to include a little bit of about coffee makers. Coffee makers come in all shapes and sizes, although there are generally four major types which cater to different tastes and lifestyles:
Standard Drip Coffee Maker – the most common and obviously most popular type of coffee maker in the market today is the standard drip coffee maker. This is due to the fact this coffee maker is simple in design, easy to use, works efficiently, and is generally inexpensive.
Vacuum Style Coffee Maker – a coffee maker that works through the use of a vacuum and the pressure created by expanding gas.
Stovetop Coffee Maker – makes coffee in a similar fashion as a vacuum style coffee maker, this time through your standard stovetop.
French Press Coffee Maker – these single-serve coffee makers are able to make a smooth and rich coffee using a cylindrical beaker fitted with a lid and plunger.

The Bunn NHBX-B is essentially a drip coffee maker, which means it doesn’t take a lot of hard work to get a cup of freshly brewed coffee. All you do is just fill the tank with water, add freshly ground coffee into the filter, and let the machine do the rest.

Features of the NHBX-B Coffee Brewer at a glance

Reservoir-style coffee brewer
The Bunn NHBX-B coffee maker is able to deliver 10 cups or 50 ounces of freshly brewed coffee in just 3 minutes, thanks to its unique reservoir-style water tank. The water reservoir is divided into two parts: the first tank contains the reserve water supply, while the other contains already preheated water. It is because of the preheated water supply that the machine brews coffee almost instantly.

What’s really nice about the NHBX’s preheated water reservoir is that it can also provide you with a generous supply of hot water for your tea, hot chocolate, and other concoctions.

Stainless-steel water tank
The Bunn NHBX-B is definitely built to last with its elegant and sturdy stainless-steel water tank, with an internal thermostat to help keep water temperature at an optimum level for the best coffee flavor and the fastest brewing time.

Patented sprayhead design
The unique design of the Bunn NHBX’s sprayhead significantly improves the coffee extraction process, providing the best flavor and aroma possible.

Sturdy coffee filter
There are generally two types of coffee filters – the cone-shaped and the basket-shaped. A cone filter is used for coffee brewers that have cone-shaped filter holders, and is said to ensure optimal coffee saturation and extraction. A basket filter fits coffee brewers with a basket-shaped filter holder, and is said to allow water to remain in longer contact with coffee grinds, therefore making water filtration more even. Basket-shaped coffee filters generally require coarser grinds of coffee. The Bunn NHBX comes with a basket filter, but because more water is pouring into the filter basket, the unit is able to make brewed coffee faster. Other coffee makers might have trouble dealing with that amount of water, but the taller and more durable Bunn coffee filters does an excellent job on this area.

Built to last
As compared to other expensive and most programmable types of coffee brewers, the Bunn NHBX is definitely built to last with its simple yet sturdy construction and design. And because of its durability, you don’t need to buy a new coffee brewer every now and then, meaning less plastic materials to be used and therefore less harm on our environment!

Miscellaneous
The Bunn NHBX coffee brewer has a porcelain-coated warming plate fitted with an illuminated switch to help keep your coffee in optimum serving temperature. For convenience in refilling of water, the unit’s water tank is fitted with a sliding lid, while its durable glass decanter is helps make handling and pouring of your coffee so much easier. As an energy-saving feature, the unit is also fitted with a separate vacation switch for turning the tank heater off in case it won’t be making brewed coffee for a certain period of time.

Other Technical Data
Power output: 900 watts
Color: Black
Manufacturer: Bunn
Capacity: 10 cups
Timer: No
Removable water tank: No
Built-in grinder: No
Pause-and-serve function: No
Strength settings: No

Warranty
Coffee lovers can have peace of mind making freshly brewed coffee any time of day as the manufacturer has included a 3-year limited warranty for the Bunn NHBX-B Coffee Brewer.

Dimensions
The Bunn NHBX-B measures 15.3 x 12.2 x 9.6 inches, with a shipping weight of 9 pounds.

Price Range
Online search reveals a price range of $85.71 to $134 for the Bunn NHBX-B Coffee Brewer. And while the manufacturer website features a price tag of $109.95 for this unit, we found Amazon offering the same product for just below $100.

General Consumer Reviews
The Bunn NHBX-B has received a very favorable rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars not only from the Amazon website, but also from consumerreports.org.
Here are some of what the customers have to say:
“Simply amazing – fast”
“Finally made the right decision”
“Finally a coffee maker that works”
“Best Brew Around!”
“The Coffee maker to end all coffee makers – The mother of all Coffee makers”
“I’ll never own anything but a Bunn Coffee Maker again…”
“Bunn coffee maker is the only one for me.”

Critical Consumer Reviews
One of the few concerns that consumers raised about the Bunn NHBX-B is that it tends to consume quite a lot of power, therefore increasing electricity bills. This is may be because of the preheated water tank running for long periods of time, but since the unit has a built in vacation switch for the water heater, you can always turn it off if you’re not planning of making brewed coffee anytime soon.

Where to buy
The Bunn NHBX-B Coffee Brewer is available at Amazon and ships for free with their “Super Saver Shipping” promo. Amazon is a nice place to get the best deals, jaw-dropping prices, and comprehensive product information. You simply must check it out to believe me!

Where to get more reviews
One of the best features of Amazon is their “customer reviews” area, where real people make real reviews of a particular product. Along with the detailed product information provided, these reviews will definitely go a long way in helping you make the right choice.

Posted in Coffee Brewer Reviews | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

DeLonghi EC155 Espresso Maker: Taking A Closer Look

Posted on October 20, 2010 by admin

DeLonghi EC155 Espresso Maker: Taking A Closer Look
I love coffee, plain and simple. But when it comes to espressos, I really didn’t care much since I thought it was just another coffee variant. After I heard about espressos being the base for my favorite Starbucks beverages such as their Mocha Frappuccino and DeLonghi EC155 Espresso MakerCafe Mocha, I decided to know more about espressos and the machines that produce them.

First of all, I’d like to provide a brief background about espressos and espresso makers. Prior to this review, I really don’t know that much about espressos and I haven’t really tried one (or so I thought). After all, I was already satisfied with my morning cup of coffee at home and other coffee concoctions I order from Starbucks. With some diligent researching, I learned that there are two basic coffee styles, the first being the regular (non-espresso) brewed coffee we sip every breakfast, while the other is espresso.

Regular, non-espresso coffee is usually intended to be a “serve-at-home” drink, from a medium-strength blend and may be brewed using different methods, of which the most common equipment used are the standard-drip and French Press coffee makers. An espresso, on the other hand, is a concentrated derivative of coffee, albeit a different brewing method is used, generally by forcing hot water under pressure through coffee that has been ground finely.

As compared to regular coffee, the method of brewing espresso results to a coffee that has a thick texture, with more intense and concentrated flavor. It also has a distinct brown foam known as “crema”.
The general types of espresso machines are as follows:
Steam-driven – one of the earliest forms of espresso machines which utilize the power of steam in order to forcefully push water through coffee beans.
Piston-driven – this type of espresso involves relies on a large lever to push properly heated water through coffee beans in order to produce a “shot” as opposed to using steam and pressure.
Pump-driven – the most popular type of espresso maker and the ones we see more often in coffee and espresso bars such as Starbucks and Seattle’s Best. It makes use of a motor-driven pump to push water through to coffee beans.
Stove top – this is the first form of espresso machine which also harnesses the power of steam and pressure to produce a nice shot of espresso. They are commonly found in Italian, Spanish and Portuguese households.

Now that we’ve had a good dose of Espresso 101, it’s now time to visit our product spotlight: The DeLonghi EC155 Espresso Maker. Our product spotlight is essentially a pump-driven espresso machine and, from what I have learned, pump-driven machines are preferred by more coffee lovers as it is able to produce the ideal amount of pressure necessary to drive nearly boiling water into compressed coffee. It also is very convenient to use and produces consistent espresso quality.
Through my diligent research, I have learned about some of the few factors to consider in buying an espresso machine, particularly in the pump-driven category. These are:
Overall built quality of the espresso machine
Thermostats for steam and water temperatures
Power output
Extraction pressure
Filter quality

Can you take the pressure?
Brewing of espresso requires the right amount of pressure – around 90 to 130 lbs per square inch of pressure in order to produce the perfect espresso. For espresso machines, pressure is measured by “bars”, in which the recommended is around 8 to 10 bars. The DeLonghi EC155 is capable of generating 15 bars of pressure, guaranteeing you a perfect cup of espresso everytime.
The DeLonghi EC155 is also made with a durable stainless-steel boiler, giving it the impression that it’s meant to last.

Two thermostats for water and steam pressure
Brewing espresso also requires the right combination of steaming and brewing temperature. Ideally, brewing pressure should be around 195 degrees, while steaming pressure at 260 degrees. The EC155’s separate thermostat control for water and steam pressure allows the user to make rich espresso or cappuccino at an ideal temperature.

Say goodbye to annoying start-up procedures
Espresso machines usually have what they call recovery time – the time it takes for the machine to regain ideal heating temperatures for brewing espresso. With the EC155’s self-priming operation working in tandem with its durable stainless-steel boiler, getting a shot of espresso is now faster than ever with almost no start-up requirements.

Dual-action filter
Easy-serve-pods or E.S.E. pods are small portions (6 to 7.5 grams) of tightly packed coffee wrapped in a paper filter which are placed into the part of espresso machines where coffee grounds are placed. E.S.E. pods were designed to make espresso making both quicker with less mess. The DeLonghi EC155 can accommodate not only fresh coffee grounds but also E.S.E. pods as well. When ground espresso is used, its dual-action filter also incorporates air into the brew which allows the production of an excellent caramel-colored “crema”, a signature characteristic of a perfect espresso shot.

Adjustable swivel jet frother, removable 35-ounce water reservoir and illuminated power “on-off” switch
The DeLonghi EC155 features an adjustable swivel jet frother for mixing steam and milk – the perfect combination for making a rich and creamy froth in cappuccinos. Its 35-ounce capacity water reservoir can also be conveniently removed to allow for hassle-free filling and cleaning, while its illuminated power switch makes it easier to manage the machine’s operation. It also comes with a removable dip-tray.

Power is everything
In addition to the required amount of pressure, creating a perfectly-brewed espresso also requires sufficient power to make the machine deliver its coffee-extracting duties. The DeLonghi EC155 features 1000 watts of pure espresso-making power.

Here are the technical details for the DeLonghi EC155 Espresso Machine:
* Power output: 1000 watts
* Pump or steam: Pump
* Maximum pump pressure: 15 bars
* Color: Black
* Water tank capacity: 4-3/8 cups
* Manufacturer: DeLonghi
* Country of manufacture: Italy
* Timer: No
* Coffeemaker attached: No
* Removable water tank: Yes
* Built-in grinder: No
* Steam wand: Yes
* Espresso pod adapter: Yes
* Self-priming pump: Yes
* Height: 11-1/8 inches
* Length: 9-1/2 inches
* Depth: 7-1/2 inches
* Weight: lbs

Warranty Information
The DeLonghi EC155 carries a one-year limited warranty.

Price range
An online search for DeLonghi EC155 prices reveal a figure of around $84.95 to $103.99, with the average price going at about $93.89. Amazon lists the DeLonghi EC155 at less than $100 in their website.

General consumer reviews
The DeLonghi EC155 received a rating of 4 out of 5 stars in the Amazon website and a perfect five-star rating at the website consumerreports.org.
Here are some of the impressions about the DeLonghi EC155 from Amazon customers:
“Great espresso, incredible price!”
“Awesome pump driven machine for the $$”
“Great product for the price”
“EC155 A Really good machine”
“Excellent and Easy To Use…”
“Best bang for the buck! Excellent espresso every time!”
“Great Value & Well Designed”

Critical reviews
Since the DeLonghi EC155 is a pump-driven machine, there are some customers who mentioned that the pump easily accumulates mineral deposits from the water. This is a minor problem that can easily be fixed by regularly cleaning the unit. Another minor complaint from one customer says that the spout only allows short coffee or espresso cups. He then immediately suggested a workaround by removing the perforated steel plate where your coffee cup is placed; this will then allow a good spot to place taller mugs and cups.

Where to buy
Grab the DeLonghi EC155 from Amazon (which has very affordable prices) and your espresso machine will be delivered right to your doorstep with their “Super Saver Shipping” promo. Now let the savings begin!

Where to get more reviews
What’s really neat about Amazon’s website is their “customer reviews” section where you get to read real reviews from real people who purchased the product. Save yourself time, money and effort by reading these reviews before making your purchase decision.

Posted in Espresso Maker Reviews | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments