Most Under-Rated/Over-Rated Product

[ChefJWarren]

Okay, don't hate me, but I'm going to say it... I hate the mix n chop. Phew. Okay, there, I said it. It just doesn't do it for me, I guess. It doesn't come clean in my dishwasher. Little chunks of raw meat move up on it and won't come down to mix with the rest of the party in the pan. Maybe I should go back to using what I used to and see if I still feel the same way, though.

I just fainted!

I LOVE my Mix N Chop. BUT I only use it after the meat has been cooked. It works way better if you wait!! Plus, I also use it for mashed potatoes and guac.

 

[candiejayne]

I add water to my hamburger then use the mix n chop while its cooking... makes a HUGE difference in how it works! I use my mix n chop a couple times a week. Also, if you put whole tomatoes in a dish and want them chopped, instead of cutting them up first, add them to the dish whole, and then while cooking them chop a couple times with it and it dices the tomatoes in the pan!

 

[wadesgirl]

Oh man, I love my mix n chop and my food chopper. I'm a klutz and don't really like using a knife to dice things.

 

[janezapchef]

I love using the Mix-n-Chop for making guacamole also. I've broken two pastry blenders now, but the mix-n-chop never fails! It's also great for breaking up hard-boiled eggs for potato salad or egg salad. I'm a big fan. My DH, however, hates it as some of you do -- b/c it doesn't always come clean easily.

And, the food chopper is WHY I became a consultant! It didn't even come in the kit back then -- I knew I would earn it in my first month! I actually have 3 of these, and when we vacation somewhere with a kitchen, one goes with us.

 

[BethCooks4U]

You guys who only use the chopper for nuts are really missing out.

Just today I used it to make chicken salad. I chopped the chicken, onion, celery ...and nuts in no time. I use the knives a lot but when I need things chopped small I always reach for the chopper. And put me down as one who loves the Coating Trays.

Under-rated: Serrated Peeler, Parchment Paper, Baster & Cleaning Brush, our seasonings.

Over-rated: Dripless Pourer/Stopper, Drink Charms, Gravy Separator, Sheet Pans (I sure hope they don't change the finish of our other baking pans - Torte, Springform, Cake - to that finish.), Pie Crust Shield and the BBQ Basting Bottle.

 

[rennea]

Sheet Pans!!!!! Really Beth??? I love ours !

 

[janezapchef]

You guys who only use the chopper for nuts are really missing out.

Just today I used it to make chicken salad. I chopped the chicken, onion, celery ...and nuts in no time. I use the knives a lot but when I need things chopped small I always reach for the chopper. And put me down as one who loves the Coating Trays.

Under-rated: Serrated Peeler, Parchment Paper, Baster & Cleaning Brush, our seasonings.

Over-rated: Dripless Pourer/Stopper, Drink Charms, Gravy Separator, Sheet Pans (I sure hope they don't change the finish of our other baking pans - Torte, Springform, Cake - to that finish.), Pie Crust Shield and the BBQ Basting Bottle.

Wow! I love this thing!

 

[wadesgirl]

You guys who only use the chopper for nuts are really missing out.

Just today I used it to make chicken salad. I chopped the chicken, onion, celery ...and nuts in no time. I use the knives a lot but when I need things chopped small I always reach for the chopper. And put me down as one who loves the Coating Trays.

Under-rated: Serrated Peeler, Parchment Paper, Baster & Cleaning Brush, our seasonings.

Over-rated: Dripless Pourer/Stopper, Drink Charms, Gravy Separator, Sheet Pans (I sure hope they don't change the finish of our other baking pans - Torte, Springform, Cake - to that finish.), Pie Crust Shield and the BBQ Basting Bottle.

I love the coating trays also. If I'm not coating breaded chicken, it's french toast. Better than using a bowl.

 

[BethCooks4U]

Sheet Pans!!!!! Really Beth??? I love ours !

Really. I used one of them once when they first came out and didn't like the results - food stuck (yes I did "grease" the pan) and hard to clean.

Now, to be fair, I have used nothing but stoneware for things you would make on a sheet pan for over 20 years so I would have to relearn how to do it - and I just don't want to. I have sold some though and I will carry the small sheet pan when I get it (the others add too much weight).

 

[nancycookspc]

Underrated -
SALAD CHOPPER

OMG they are the best since sliced bread I have sold tons. and at $25 a pop it adds up.

I never use it for salad...I make salsa, fruit salsa, chopped chicken for salads, bbq chicken:thumbup: sanwiches, tuna..everything in one bowl!
LOVE them!!!

 

[ChefPaulaB]

You guys who only use the chopper for nuts are really missing out.

Just today I used it to make chicken salad. I chopped the chicken, onion, celery ...and nuts in no time. I use the knives a lot but when I need things chopped small I always reach for the chopper. And put me down as one who loves the Coating Trays.

Under-rated: Serrated Peeler, Parchment Paper, Baster & Cleaning Brush, our seasonings.

Over-rated: Dripless Pourer/Stopper, Drink Charms, Gravy Separator, Sheet Pans (I sure hope they don't change the finish of our other baking pans - Torte, Springform, Cake - to that finish.), Pie Crust Shield and the BBQ Basting Bottle.

Love love love!!!:love:

 

[raebates]

To answer the question, yes, I use the lid when I keep celery in the Herb Keeper. It really does keep longer.I think this thread is the perfect example of what I tell people. Because I'm known as someone very open and honest, people often ask me what PC products I don't like. Here's my response:All of our products are valuable, high-quality tools that work well, but each of us is different. Most of the products suit my style, but a few don't. There are lots of people, though, who love the products that don't suit me. What's great about PC is that if you try a product and realize it doesn't suit your style you can return it.

 

[Jessamary]

Underrated: I will have to say the salad choppers, too! It's my favorite thing! Combine that with the DCB...I take frozen chicken breast, thaw it in the microwave on the small bar pan, then bake them for a few minutes in the DCB, and then chop with the food chopper. It's amazing what you can make!

Overrated: I may get flamed for this, but....BAMBOO. Someone please educate me! I've heard all the hype, read all the product info...I just don't get it. Someone give me some real-life stories about bamboo!

 

[c00p]

Ok, on the mix 'n chop rinse it with scalding water BEFORE you put it into the dishwasher. I've never had a problem with it being clean since I do that.

Over-rated: wine bottle opener, ALL of the knives w/ honing cases, stupid new kitchen shears, cutting board w/ meas. cups, cut 'n seal, pinch bowls (cute, but c'mon, do you seriously use them??), scoop clip, adj. meas. cup - you still have to use a scraper to get the stuff at the top out - go for the Measure All instead, pocket thermometer (bring back the digital one), Mix 'n Masher (why??), cookie press, easy accent dec., silicone bakeware. Gee, is that all????!!!

Under-rated: Salad Spinner, microfiber towels, ALL spices, Simple Additions, corn cob knobs and corn butterer, Microplane grater, Meat Tenderizer, Kitchen Spritzer, Flexible Funnels, S.S. flat whisk, drainer, ALL of the chef's tools, silicone basting brush. Guess that's enough!!!

 

[raebates]

Overrated: I may get flamed for this, but....BAMBOO. Someone please educate me! I've heard all the hype, read all the product info...I just don't get it. Someone give me some real-life stories about bamboo!

Why I love the bamboo:

• It's beautiful.
  
• You can put the spoons and such in the dishwasher.
  
• The spoons and such don't split or get icky and slimy over time like wood.
  
• Bamboo is a quickly renewable resource, so it's kind to the planet.

 

[raebates]

I don't have much trouble with raw meat getting stuck in the Mix N Chop. It looks like it's collecting there at first, but as I continue to use it the meat dislodges.

 

[ChefPaulaB]

Ok, on the mix 'n chop rinse it with scalding water BEFORE you put it into the dishwasher. I've never had a problem with it being clean since I do that.

Over-rated: wine bottle opener, ALL of the knives w/ honing cases, stupid new kitchen shears, cutting board w/ meas. cups, cut 'n seal, pinch bowls (cute, but c'mon, do you seriously use them??), scoop clip, adj. meas. cup - you still have to use a scraper to get the stuff at the top out - go for the Measure All instead, pocket thermometer (bring back the digital one), Mix 'n Masher (why??), cookie press, easy accent dec., silicone bakeware. Gee, is that all????!!!

Under-rated: Salad Spinner, microfiber towels, ALL spices, Simple Additions, corn cob knobs and corn butterer, Microplane grater, Meat Tenderizer, Kitchen Spritzer, Flexible Funnels, S.S. flat whisk, drainer, ALL of the chef's tools, silicone basting brush. Guess that's enough!!!

Wow, you don't like a lot of good stuff. I love the wine bottle opener, love the kitchen shears (but I wasn't here for the old ones), just discovered the pocket thermometer and love it! (again, wasn't here for the digital, I think that I would love them both), like the mix 'n masher, and love the EAD, and the cookie press is pretty cool, although I don't use it a lot... pretty much love everything on you're under-rated list too (LOVE the Salad Spinner!)... maybe I just love everything! I'm a PC junkie, that's why I'm now a consultant, I guess!

 

[leftymac]

Ok, on the mix 'n chop rinse it with scalding water BEFORE you put it into the dishwasher. I've never had a problem with it being clean since I do that.

Over-rated: wine bottle opener, ALL of the knives w/ honing cases, stupid new kitchen shears, cutting board w/ meas. cups, cut 'n seal, pinch bowls (cute, but c'mon, do you seriously use them??), scoop clip, adj. meas. cup - you still have to use a scraper to get the stuff at the top out - go for the Measure All instead, pocket thermometer (bring back the digital one), Mix 'n Masher (why??), cookie press, easy accent dec., silicone bakeware. Gee, is that all????!!!

Under-rated: Salad Spinner, microfiber towels, ALL spices, Simple Additions, corn cob knobs and corn butterer, Microplane grater, Meat Tenderizer, Kitchen Spritzer, Flexible Funnels, S.S. flat whisk, drainer, ALL of the chef's tools, silicone basting brush. Guess that's enough!!!

1. Love the mix 'n masher! It's great for not only potatoes, but also making guacamole, AND it makes a great pastry blender for making pie dough!

2. Gotta agree about the adjustable measuring cup, especially the big one! I'd love to have a PC measuring cup that I can scoop in my sugar container.

3. I've never actually used my pinch bowls.

 

[ChefPaulaB]

Underrated: I will have to say the salad choppers, too! It's my favorite thing! Combine that with the DCB...I take frozen chicken breast, thaw it in the microwave on the small bar pan, then bake them for a few minutes in the DCB, and then chop with the food chopper. It's amazing what you can make!

Overrated: I may get flamed for this, but....BAMBOO. Someone please educate me! I've heard all the hype, read all the product info...I just don't get it. Someone give me some real-life stories about bamboo!

Just wondering, why don't you thaw the frozen chicken breasts in the DCB and cook at the same time? I'm pretty sure that you can do that and not have to use another stone and save time... just a thought...
Oh, I do love bamboo, just because I think it's beautiful and I love that it's a re-newable resource and it really is better than wood.

 

[c00p]

Bamboo - it's "perty"!!! And like Rae said, it doesn't split like wood does.

 

[jcsmilez]

Just wondering, why don't you thaw the frozen chicken breasts in the DCB and cook at the same time? I'm pretty sure that you can do that and not have to use another stone and save time... just a thought...
Oh, I do love bamboo, just because I think it's beautiful and I love that it's a re-newable resource and it really is better than wood.

~ Yeah, I cook chicken breasts from frozen in the DCB all the time, I've even done the Chicken Fajitas and similar recipes with them frozen before. Just add a few minutes to your regular cooking time.

 

[c00p]

Wow, you don't like a lot of good stuff. I love the wine bottle opener, love the kitchen shears (but I wasn't here for the old ones), just discovered the pocket thermometer and love it! (again, wasn't here for the digital, I think that I would love them both), like the mix 'n masher, and love the EAD, and the cookie press is pretty cool, although I don't use it a lot... pretty much love everything on you're under-rated list too (LOVE the Salad Spinner!)... maybe I just love everything! I'm a PC junkie, that's why I'm now a consultant, I guess!

The wine bottle opener has too many separate pieces for me. I prefer an all-in-one type. The old kitchen shears worked better, but I do have to say that I like the herb striping ability with the new ones, the digital therm. had so many more features than the pocket one. And I'm a Wilton fan/snob when it comes to anything to do with decorating, so that's probably why I snub my nose at the EAD!!! The cookie press has a lot of limitations and issues sometimes with dough - but it can be a lot of fun to do with kids.

 

[babywings76]

Bamboo - it's "perty"!!! And like Rae said, it doesn't split like wood does.

So does this mean I should return my bamboo spatula set? I was just noticing my set the other day and it has all these splits in it now.

 

[c00p]

1. Love the mix 'n masher! It's great for not only potatoes, but also making guacamole, AND it makes a great pastry blender for making pie dough! Ok - I've used the mix 'n chop for my potatoes and avacodoes, as well as chopping up spaghetti, chicken noodle soup etc. for my little man. I hadn't thought about the mix 'n masher for a pastry blender, but I can totally see how that would work.

2. Gotta agree about the adjustable measuring cup, especially the big one! I'd love to have a PC measuring cup that I can scoop in my sugar container.

3. I've never actually used my pinch bowls.

Thanks for admitting this!!!

 

[raebates]

So does this mean I should return my bamboo spatula set? I was just noticing my set the other day and it has all these splits in it now.

Yes. Like any natural product, there are differences among pieces. Sounds like you got a defective one.

 

[c00p]

So does this mean I should return my bamboo spatula set? I was just noticing my set the other day and it has all these splits in it now.

I sure would. I know that they resist cracking, but they've also got the 3 year guarantee, so I would certainly contact HO. I've had some of mine for 8+ years and they still haven't cracked.

 

[rennea]

So does this mean I should return my bamboo spatula set? I was just noticing my set the other day and it has all these splits in it now.

Yes do an adjustment.


Though our bamboo spoons say that they are dishwasher safe I have never put mine in the dishwasher.

 

[c00p]

Oh, one more for the over-rated and maybe to me it is because I'm a simple gal, but the Reversible Bamboo Carving Board. I just use my large cutting board for cutting meat on.

 

[janezapchef]

So does this mean I should return my bamboo spatula set? I was just noticing my set the other day and it has all these splits in it now.

Yep! I would!

 

[Get_Pampered]

Under-rated: Can strainer

Over-rated: Mandoline *gasp* and the mix-n-chop

Unnecessary: Dots (please don't shoot!)