The Best Tool for Chopping Ground Beef - Have You Tried It?

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Discussion Overview

The thread centers around participants sharing their experiences and opinions regarding a tool designed for chopping ground beef, with many expressing enthusiasm for its effectiveness and ease of use. Participants discuss their personal experiences with the tool, as well as alternative methods for preparing ground meat.

Discussion Character

  • Anecdotal
  • Opinion-based
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • One participant, identifying as a consultant, expresses frustration with uneven chunks of ground beef when using a spoon and is eager to try the new tool.
  • Another participant mentions having the tool but not yet using it, believing it will be a popular item among customers.
  • Several users highlight their satisfaction with the Mix 'n Masher, stating it works well for chopping ground beef and may not necessitate purchasing the new tool.
  • One participant shares their director's positive feedback about the tool, noting it as a favorite for the season.
  • Another participant describes their husband's enthusiasm for the tool after seeing it in use, despite him not being a fan of Pampered Chef products.
  • One participant recounts selling multiple units at their party without actively promoting it, indicating strong catalog appeal.
  • Several participants share their enjoyment of the tool, noting it makes cooking ground meat easier and results in uniform chunks.
  • One participant mentions using the tool successfully on partially frozen meat, describing it as a fun experience.
  • Another participant discusses their preference for using a micro-cooker for browning ground beef, citing texture and grease management as benefits.
  • Some participants express curiosity about the micro-cooker method for browning meat, indicating differing preferences in cooking techniques.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

While many participants express positive experiences with the chopping tool, there is no clear consensus on whether it is superior to other methods, such as using a micro-cooker or the Mix 'n Masher.

Contextual Notes

Participants share a variety of personal cooking experiences and preferences, reflecting the diverse approaches to preparing ground meat within the community.

Who May Find This Useful

Consultants and community members interested in cooking tools and methods for preparing ground beef may find the shared experiences and opinions beneficial.

4kids4me said:
SUPER curious - how long do you microwave it to brown meat? Do you have to do anything to it first? What if it's frozen? What if it's not?? I'm fascinated by this. I absolutely hate browning meat. YUK!

TIA!
Click to expand...

Usually about 5 minutes (the most) if it is thawed on High. If frozen I defrost it in my microwave based on weight and then put it in the microcooker to cook. Really great and fast and you don't have to be standing there the whole time with it. I put it in the microwave cook it, drain it and put the microcooker in the dishwasher!

I know what you mean about browning meat.:D
 
its_me_susan said:
The ground meat doesn't chunk up as it cooks?
Click to expand...


Comes out great and chopped up in little pieces in the microcooker. It's a mystery but does work great, Susan!
 
gilliandanielle said:
I have sold 11 just by passing them around at 3 shows!!
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That is awesome, Gillian. Can't wait to get mine as I get lots of questions about that and I did sell some this week without having it. In fact I got asked about it at lunch today by my customer/waitress. She may end up ordering it next week.
 
raebates said:
Now, see, we're all different. I prefer to fix my ground beef in the micro-cooker because I love the texture. I also like that I can pour off the vast majority of the grease before I start my real cookin'. Since I can just pop it in the dishwasher, the extra pan isn't an issue.
Click to expand...

You just sold another Micro-Cooker!!
...I don't have one..but I may consider it for Kit Enhancement...never been a big fan of them after I messed my small Micro-cooker microwaving butter and garlic...never got the smell out...but I think I owe it to a good ole favorite PC product to give it a second chance...
 
I like the mix 'n chop as well. I won't say I LOVE it b/c I'm sooo used to using my bamboo spatulas to break up my ground beef, that they have become like my left hand. :)

I have browned hamburger in the micro-cooker, but it didn't crumble for me. However, I cook it for about 5 minutes, crumble it with the pastry blender, and then cook it until done. I also don't find that all of the grease drains using the micro-cooker, so I'll typically throw it in the smaller colander.
HTH
 
Oh!!
And at a Feb show...a girl wanted the Mix N Chop...I told her sorry...not available yet..but if she booked a show for March...etc... And I sorta laughed...this was early in the show, then while taking orders, she booked...her show is tomorrow...the 10th...so early in the month...she can't wait!!
 
ChefNic said:
Oh!!
And at a Feb show...a girl wanted the Mix N Chop...I told her sorry...not available yet..but if she booked a show for March...etc... And I sorta laughed...this was early in the show, then while taking orders, she booked...her show is tomorrow...the 10th...so early in the month...she can't wait!!
Click to expand...

Great booking! Hope the show goes well tomorrow for you!
 
spoiledchef said:
I have browned hamburger in the micro-cooker, but it didn't crumble for me. However, I cook it for about 5 minutes, crumble it with the pastry blender, and then cook it until done. I also don't find that all of the grease drains using the micro-cooker, so I'll typically throw it in the smaller colander.
HTH
Click to expand...

I usually use 85% lean so there isn't much fat to drain. I agree that the drain on the micro-cooker doesn't get it all but does get the bulk. I sometimes use my small colander to get the bulk depending on what I am using to ground my beef.

My microwave usually crumbles it in 5 minutes when I only do about 1 to 1/2 pounds of ground beef. If I go over that I usually need to leave it a bit longer and help crumble it.
 
I love love love this tool its works so great I use it whenever I can i think I sold about 8 of them already.
Terra
 
Great job Terra!!!!
 
4kids4me said:
SUPER curious - how long do you microwave it to brown meat? Do you have to do anything to it first? What if it's frozen? What if it's not?? I'm fascinated by this. I absolutely hate browning meat. YUK!

TIA!
Click to expand...



One pound of fresh (not frozen) ground beef takes approximately 5 minutes. You'll want to cook it for 2 - 3 minutes. Remove it from the microwave. Stir well. Return to microwave. Finish cooking. (Every microwave is different. Mine takes exactly 5 minutes for 1 pound. I suggest people start checking it at 4 minutes to be sure.)

Once it's done, drain the fat. Remove the lid and stir well. It breaks apart beautifully.

You can do 2 pounds in the large micro-cooker.

If you start with frozen beef, you'll want to add a couple more minutes and an extra stir.

Works well with sausage, too, but it takes a bit more stirring.





its_me_susan said:
The ground meat doesn't chunk up as it cooks?
Click to expand...

It doesn't. I always tell people, though, that the first time they look at it they'll call me a liar. The key is in the stirring.
 
This and the TTA are my favorites this season! We use so much ground beef in our family it is such a great tool!

Tell your guests they can buy and brown 3# of ground beef in our family sized skillet, drain and rinse it, and freeze it in ziplocs...then it's ready for sloppy joes, tacos, to add to spaghetti sauce, Hamburger Helper (don't laugh, it's my husbands FAVORITE!) etc. Two cups of cooked browned hamburger is = one pound meat. (This is good to know when you brown up tons at a time!)
 
I sold 5 of these at my show tonight! I didn't even talk about it--one of the guests saw it in the catalog & walked up to my TTA while I was getting the final food prep ready. She took it & showed it to everyone!
 
Ditto to what everyone else is saying!! Love, Love, Love, this tool. I need to get another one. I find myself running back and forth grabbing it from my kit to use at home.

I just talked about it at a show, passed it around, and sold 13 that night. Everyone thought it was a great idea. Who doesn't brown ground beef, turkey or sausage?

BTW-I walked out of that show with guest sales at $1220 so far. She has some more outside orders coming in. I have never walked out of a show with guest sales that high already before we even close!! Woo Hoo!! (Just had to toot my own horn!!)

That makes my 3rd $1000 show since Jan. (my 10th overall) Again, just tooting.

Sorry for going off on that tangent. Couldn't help myself.

Oh Yeah, AWESOME tool, a MUST have!!

Tracy :D :D :D
 
I loved it the first time I used it.I was making a taco salad and when I but the hamburger in the pan a lightbulb went off and I said "I can use my new toy!!!!!" I grabbed it and went to town on the beef and I really loved it. I brought the taco salad to a family ladies night and brought a new catalog with me. Well when my cousin saw it in there she went nuts over it. I love it so much and use ground beef for a lot of things that I'm thinking I need to order at least 3 more, one for taking to shows and the others for home because it will always be in the dishwasher when I need it.:D :D :D
 
I just got mine today. Question for the ones that have used it... Have you looked at your cookware after using it? Any scratches or scuff marks?
 
I didn't see any. I have the Proffessional set not the Exec. YET!!!
 
Shouldn't scratchIt says in the description in the catalog that it shouldn't scratch the pan. So the nylon material it is made of should be safe.

Let's hope so cause I can't wait to get one and mix n chop away!!!

Debbie :D
 
It doesn't scratch my executive stuff...I love it!
 
I'm glad to hear that it doesn't scratch. I was a bit worried because the bottom seemed a bit thin. I don't want to scratch my beautiful cookware.
 
I love Mine! It's great and I've already sold 4 of them this month and have only had 1 show. It hasn't scratched my cookware either.
 
LOVE IT and am selling tons of them!!!!
 
my3jjjs said:
I just got mine today. Question for the ones that have used it... Have you looked at your cookware after using it? Any scratches or scuff marks?
Click to expand...

This is my biggest fear with it. I AM sure I'm gonna sell tons of them, I just dont want it to ruin my cookware!!!:D :D :D
 
It's crazy but they are selling themselves! I've sold several already too! Hopefully tonight, since I cannot talk, the ENTIRE Catalog will sell itself!!!!!! HA!
 
I am hoping to sale a few this weekend. I won't have mine in but I am hoping I can talk it up enough.
 
Ginger428 said:
This is my biggest fear with it. I AM sure I'm gonna sell tons of them, I just dont want it to ruin my cookware!!!:D :D :D
Click to expand...

We wouldn't be selling them if they were going to ruin our cookware. I'm sure it was tested in PC's kitchen.
 
Three out of my nine guests from last night's show bought one! I'm kinda surprised. I had it in my TTA not really planning on talking about it, but everyone kept asking me what it was. So I pulled it out and talked about browning the sausage for the Caribbean Meat-filled pastries with it. They all wanted to feel it and pass it around. I was kinda shocked how much everyone really liked it.
 
I know that I am going to buy one (get it free with my show I am submitting). It is selling without seeing it but I can only imagine how many more I would sell if I had it to show.
 
I have sold 18 since they have been available. I don't demo them at all- just explain what it is and pass it around!
 
I've sold quite a few as well. People are really "intrigued" by it. Again, I like it, but I don't consider it a fave yet. I did use it last night again, but once the meat is crumbled...I really don't like using it. We'll see if I change my mind with more use.
 
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