Most Under-Rated/Over-Rated Product

[chefshawna]

Most under-rated: basting brush, pastry mat, can opener
Most over-rated: pinch bowls- cute but not practical
Unneccesary: I know I have thought of some in the past, but I'm drawing a blank right now!

 

[wadesgirl]

I love my kitchen brush but it was discontinued a year ago. Wasn't it?

No, it's still in the catalog.

Most under-rated: basting brush, pastry mat, can opener
Most over-rated: pinch bowls- cute but not practical
Unneccesary: I know I have thought of some in the past, but I'm drawing a blank right now!

The pastry mat is great! I always bring it but don't always talk about it.

 

[KellyTheChef]

This is probably the #1 used PC tool in my kitchen! I use mine every single day.

It is the perfect tool for mixing dry cereal into boiling liquid and stirring until it's done...with NO LUMPS! (like Oatmeal, Cream of Rice, Cream of Wheat......I don't buy the instant stuff.)

It is the perfect tool for stirring any type of mix where you are supposed to incorporate the dry ingredients with the wet, but be careful not to overstir. Like muffins, quick breads, pancake and waffle batters.....

I use it to mash up potatoes, sweet potatoes, winter squash....

It's the perfect tool for mashing avocados and stirring up guacamole, it's also great for mashing beans to make bean dip or a chunky type of hummus.

It's great for using as a whisk when making gravies or sauces. I don't like the silicone coated whisks too much - they are to flimsy for me - I turn to the mix n masher for just about everything! I'm often taking mine out of the dishwasher to hand wash so I can use it again!

Lots of great ideas! Thanks, now I will like mine and use it more!

 

[ShellBeach]

Underrated? The kitchen brush - it gets all sorts of crud out of that dratted mix n chop, and even out of non-PC stuff, and saves my manicure, daily.


Overrated? All the stones, just too much trouble to keep clean and things take longer to cook, they are heavy and difficult to store. Other stuff like the finger guard, herb keepers, etc are not highly rated to begin with, are they?


Unneccesary - well, a lot of it. I could get by with a knife, cutting board, and a few pans, but WHY?

 

[Mel92504]

The Measure, Mix & Pour gets my vote for under-rated. Our son uses it for scrambling eggs. It's great for mixing up anything small. It's very versatile.

I'd have to say the Jar Opener is a bit over-rated. It just doesn't work as well as the Easy Opener. I've sold a few, but it's not my favorite product.

The Ice Cream Sandwich Maker strikes me as unnecessary, but you didn't offer that as a category.



As for the problem with the Rotary Grater, try moving the handle back and forth instead of round and round. That will cut your shreds so they won't be too long. Making that switch worked wonders for me.

I also agree with the MM&P! I use it everytime I'm making gravy to make sure there are no clumps in the flour/water mixture!

MY underrated: citrus peeler (I know that it's silly, but my 3 year old LOVES to eat oranges ALL day-if I'd let him, this is a "nail saver"), dripless pourer stopper: love this, but it definitely pours waaaaay too slow!, & the silicone trivets...use these EVERY night!!!

overrated: UM, I do use mine when making cabbage salad & such, however I think it's a bit pricey & that you have to cut the food up pretty small before it'll even fit into the holder.

Unneccesary: dots...not a huge fan

 

[Shawnna]

WHAT YOU DON'T LIKE THE MIX N CHOP OR THE FOOD CHOPPER? WHAT KIND OF PC PEOPLE ARE YOU?!!!! Just kidding...hehehehe

Most under-rated: southwest seasoning, prep bowls, can strainer and can opener

Most over-rated: Ultimate Mandoline...I'm still using my Slice n Grate because I like it better. Herb Keeper, towels, pinch bowls...not many gourmet cooks around here.

My Must Haves: Food chopper, Mix n chop, dots dinnerware, garlic press, salad choppers and our green santuko knife.

My "You've got to be kidding" list: ice cream sandwich maker, stemware, finger guard

 

[legacypc46]

Over-rated: Cutting Board w/Measuring Cups, Decorator Bottle Set

Under-rated: Citrus Peeler (love using it with my non-stick bakeware), Spoon Rest (huge space saver, we have three around our cooktop), Kitchen Brush

Unnecessary: Drink Charms & Napkin Rings (neither do it for me), Coating Trays

 

[kcmckay]

I LOVE my madonline! I don't get to use it that often because it's in my kit in my car but I use it at my shows and for all sorts of things.

I was getting nervous I was the only one that didn't hate the UM. I love mine and use it to grate mozzarella everytime I make a pizza (at least once a week) I also love using it for onions when I want slices and it's quick and easy for that. I also love demoing it and have sold tons when I demo it. I love that it stores neatly on my pantry shelf as well

My personal underated products honestly nothing comes to mind I love almost everything I own and use at least one thing a day for dinner, breakfast or what ever. Nothing in particular. Love the stoneware though. Am slowly building my collection. Most recent acquisition is DCB and have used it 3 times this week!!

Overrated Decorator Bottle Set. I hate these. I'm a cake decorater and someone recommended I try them. I did and they are hard to fill, the tops come off while using it and they are hard to squeeze. I do use the brush though to clean things often!! I tried them once and won't use them again. Whenever people ask about them I tell my experience and lost a sale for them once but didn't want to sell something I didn't believe was a good product. Another guest at a show bought them anyway as they were for her kids so they'd stop playing with her EAD.

 

[gailz2]

I can't stand the vegetable peeler. yep. the newer one wiggles and just annoys me. I bought a kitchen aid one and love it.
I also dislike the new rotary grater. I tried to make pizzas with fresh mozzarella, and yeah I hate it. It took me about 30 minutes to grate the cheese and my hand was in so much pain. and why dirty the grater for a spritz of cheese on a salad when you can use the zester and get cheese "squigglies" in much less time and clean one tool, wasting no cheese at all inside the grater!!

I also don't like the newer scrapers- I can't get them to function as well as the mix n scrapers.

But I love many other things, I love selling the herb keepers- I have kept cilantro and parsley fresh for much longer than a month with the herb keeper.

I've forced myself to use the new scrapers and am beginning to really like them. The spotting drives me nuts, however. I try and get the "spot free" before a show -- any hints on this???

 

[ChefPaulaB]

I somewhat agree about the decorator bottles, if you're using them for cake decorating in very detailed way, they aren't the right tool. What I use them for is doing a quick little decorate (maybe writing something on a cake) or for cupcakes or cookies... mostly for the kids. They are great for what they are meant for... but you are right, not for cake decorating.

 

[janezapchef]

I've forced myself to use the new scrapers and am beginning to really like them. The spotting drives me nuts, however. I try and get the "spot free" before a show -- any hints on this???

Phew, I thought it was just me! I have to handwash them right before a show -- every time. My dishwasher always leaves those stupid spots on these! The only reason I'm bringing them this month is the host special. I usually don't bring them for the spotting reason!

 

[chefshawna]

I somewhat agree about the decorator bottles, if you're using them for cake decorating in very detailed way, they aren't the right tool. What I use them for is doing a quick little decorate (maybe writing something on a cake) or for cupcakes or cookies... mostly for the kids. They are great for what they are meant for... but you are right, not for cake decorating.

I love the decorator bottle set!! I don't use it for all out decorating, but it is great for little things like you said and I love it for the kids to use. I recommend them a lot and have used them at many demos and sold a lot. I have one that the lid pops off easy and I think it is defective. The other two are fine.

 

[raebates]

When people ask me about the decorating bottles I tell them that it depends. If they're comfortable and experienced with a pastry bag, they probably won't care for them. If not, they're likely to love them. I also like to remind people that they're great for dips or spreads. If you're having your buddies over, leave them in the bottles and let your guests decorate their own appetizers or snacks. If you're having true "company," use them to make your appetizers or snacks look good.

 

[KimoMakano]

Over-rated: the Easy Adjustable Measuring (cup & spoon), these just don't seem to work for me, much easier to use the ones from (can I say it?) TW.

Under-rated: micro-cookers, we use them almost daily for leftovers and frozen veggies

Unnecessary: Drink Charms

 

[stefani2]

I've forced myself to use the new scrapers and am beginning to really like them. The spotting drives me nuts, however. I try and get the "spot free" before a show -- any hints on this???

and here all this time - I thought I did something wrong to mine! I have never taken them to a Show because they look horrible....

 

[Shawnna]

I have had trouble with the spotting on all of my colored scrapers...not the original white ones. But seems like every color we have had gets those spots.

 

[Crystal Patton]

Whoo! That took a while to read, but totally worth it!

Here I go:
Over-rated: UM -I hate washing it by hand (my dishwasher is in North Dakota)
Under-rated: the small scoop - maked great silver dollar pancakes, the pinch bowls - fab for heating a serving or two of syrup.

Thanks everyone for giving your idea's and tips. I'm throwin' as many as I can remember into my shows.

 

[PCalicia]

OK, you guys aren't using your micro cookers and mix n chops together!! This is the key. I take a lb of frozen ground meat cook it in the microcooker for about 8-9 min, drain the grease ( an amazing feature the classic bowl family doesn't have), then use the mix n chop. Pieces do not get stuck and the ground meat is still juicy and delicious!!

 

[pjpamchef]

OK, you guys aren't using your micro cookers and mix n chops together!! This is the key. I take a lb of frozen ground meat cook it in the microcooker for about 8-9 min, drain the grease ( an amazing feature the classic bowl family doesn't have), then use the mix n chop. Pieces do not get stuck and the ground meat is still juicy and delicious!!

I do this too!! Any time I'm adding ground beef to something it's so much easier this way! Especially because you can drain it before you break it up!

 

[babywings76]

OK, you guys aren't using your micro cookers and mix n chops together!! This is the key. I take a lb of frozen ground meat cook it in the microcooker for about 8-9 min, drain the grease ( an amazing feature the classic bowl family doesn't have), then use the mix n chop. Pieces do not get stuck and the ground meat is still juicy and delicious!!

I'll have to try that and see if it works better for me. The only down side to doing it that way is when I want to saute onions at the same with the meat.

 

[murkey]

I do them all at the same time... throw in the beef, add the seasonings, add the garlic, and the chopped onions. cook in microwave, then mix n chop it perfect!

 

[kcmckay]

When people ask me about the decorating bottles I tell them that it depends. If they're comfortable and experienced with a pastry bag, they probably won't care for them. If not, they're likely to love them.

I also like to remind people that they're great for dips or spreads. If you're having your buddies over, leave them in the bottles and let your guests decorate their own appetizers or snacks. If you're having true "company," use them to make your appetizers or snacks look good.

This is why you are so valuable Rae!!:sing:!! I would never have thought of that and now I have a use for them as I do prefer the pastry bags for decorating. I may just have to use this for my Spring Preview open house I plan to have in the end of February!!!!!:chef:

 

[AnnieBee]

Under-rated: master scraper, bamboo tongs, colander bowl & set (so versatile! and with lids!), spices for sure, and LOVE the salad choppers!!!

Over rated:
the mandolin
All our current silicone products (not worth the extra cost and not versatile enough IMO)
decorator bottle set & easy accent decorator (sorry, I run a bakery and these just don't cut it LOL)

Unnecessary: Napkin rings, drink charms, soap foamer

I cake decorate too, and got the EAD just to use at shows, but I was surprised at how much I like it for topping desserts - I think it is so easy for anyone who doesn't have or like to use a pastry bag. My neighbor has something similar (but more expensive!) from Williams Sonoma, and it is a pain to use. And I love how it goes right in the dishwasher, and has a lid for storing leftover filling/topping in, so it doesn't ooze out, until you're ready to use it.

 

[babywings76]

I just thought of another one that I feel is over-rated: the pizza cutter. I have another brand one, not sure of the company. My sister got it for me one Christmas at a restaurant kitchen supply kind of store. It is awesome. The PC one never seems to cut through the pizza all the way for me. I think it's too big. This other one I have has a really solid metal handle (it's like the ice cream scoop type of metal, can't remember what that is right now), and it is just so great at cutting through all the way and having nice control on where you are going, especially if you roll back and forth to go through things. The PC one never stays on the same "track" when I have to go back and forth, and back and forth, and--okay, one more time--back and forth, to maybe finally cut through. ETA-- I just looked and it's brand is called Dexter. I don't know much about the brand. But I feel like taking a picture of it and recommending PC look into its design. Of course, I'm probably the only one who hates ours, so maybe they don't want or need my suggestion.

 

[doughmama]

Underrated? The kitchen brush - it gets all sorts of crud out of that dratted mix n chop, and even out of non-PC stuff, and saves my manicure, daily.


Overrated? All the stones, just too much trouble to keep clean and things take longer to cook, they are heavy and difficult to store. Other stuff like the finger guard, herb keepers, etc are not highly rated to begin with, are they?


Unneccesary - well, a lot of it. I could get by with a knife, cutting board, and a few pans, but WHY?

you don't like the stones? I honestly don't know how I cooked before I got the large bar pan. I use it for everything - meatballs, grilled veggies, pizza, brownies, prepared frozen appys. It is never far from my oven. easy to cook with and so easy to clean.

I think the ice cream sandwich maker is unnecessary but my mom loves it to make hamburger patties.

I love my silicone floral cupcake pan - brownies that I don't have to cut, mini ice cream cakes, pretty ice, jello shots (just let someone else drive home), pretty muffins and scones. This is one of my top ten sellers.

drink charms are useless and I do not like the adjustable measuring items. give me individual measuring spoons and cups in stainless.

And my new favorite is the 12" executive skillet. I am amazed at how easy it is to clean no matter what I use it for - every time.



but pretty much like everything that I have.

 

[merego]

What do you use it for? I've used it once (not a huge avocado person), would be nice to know other uses...

My aunt told me she uses her to make her peanut putter sandwhich every morning, she said it scoops the peanut butter out nicely.
I love my vacado peeler, but I love avacados.

 

[merego]

OK, you guys aren't using your micro cookers and mix n chops together!! This is the key. I take a lb of frozen ground meat cook it in the microcooker for about 8-9 min, drain the grease ( an amazing feature the classic bowl family doesn't have), then use the mix n chop. Pieces do not get stuck and the ground meat is still juicy and delicious!!

thansk for that tip I use my microcooker for my chicken breast, 8-9 minutes in the micro. I tell people that at shows and I sell then like hotcakes, this is my biggest seller and one my favorite product. Never thought about the ground beef :thumbup:

 

[ShellBeach]

I love my silicone floral cupcake pan - brownies that I don't have to cut

mmm, I make brownies in mine alot, too! So pretty and fun, to serve & eat.
And then I use that kitchen brush to get the pan clean...

 

[wadesgirl]

My aunt told me she uses her to make her peanut putter sandwhich every morning, she said it scoops the peanut butter out nicely.
I love my vacado peeler, but I love avacados.

Didn't you buy one from me? Now that PC is offering a new recipe next season with Avacado's (California Club Pizza) I might have to buy another one!

 

[chefshawna]

Another underrated product is the Twixit Clips, I love them and don't ever seem to have enough!!