What Is Your Least Favorite Pampered Chef Product?

[ChefNic]

For me, its the kitchen spritzer. I was so excited to get it and now it never works right. I would never show a product that only works correctly PART of the time!

Make sure you release the pressure on the kitchen spritzer. I've had mine for years! and it still works fine... sometimes it has to be pumped more often than I like...and I think it works better when it isn't aiming down... lift the pan up so you are holding the bottle upright. You may just need a new spray mechanism...Good thing it comes with two now... and also keep the oil more full rather than more empty.
HTH...

 

[ChefNic]

I'm right there with ya Linda!!! If the recipe calls for Cheddar Cheese, I tell them to buy pre-shredded cheese (I know - my bad) - but I just can't seem to get the cheese to NOT stick - warmed or chilled

OMG... don't tell them that!! Tell them they need the Ultimate Mandoline to shred cheese... !! That's what I use at shows(well I have the US&G)! for cheddar...
Ch. Grater..great for Parm. cheese, chocolate, nuts... But I'm not crazy about it either. LOVE THE MICROPLANE!

The Ice Cream Sandwich maker just doesn't seem PC quality...seems like a cheap gizmo/gadget... don't like.

 

[The_Kitchen_Guy]

I sell alot of the jar opener by telling the story of how my mom was going to buy one of those hugh electric jar openers (not can opener, JAR opener), but took home my PC one to try, and called the next day to tell me to order another one for myself, because she wasn't giving it back! Saved her not only about $30, but also precious counter space in her kitchen!!

I also don't like the cheese grater, I use my UM to grate softer cheeses, and my Microplane for harder cheeses! I have broken the handle off from TWOcheese graters in the last four years! I never use it and never recommend it!
I also cheat quite often, and use pre-grated cheese - especially if its not really a part of what I'm demoing! And KG - Sargento is my FAVORITE brand of cheese!

Don't push so hard! Give the grater a chance to work! Softer cheeses need to either be frozen for awhile or nuked for a few seconds, as others have noted.

BTW - that's the same thing people do with dull knives - they push too hard instead of sharpening the knife and letting the knife do the work...and that's why people cut themselves with DULL knives far more often than not!

 

[ChefNic]

And I've heard ... "The softer the cheese, the lighter the squeeze"
soft cheese would be cheddar/ mozz...
hard cheese parmesan.
I still think Ult. Mand for Cheddar/ mozz... etc...
$$$$
HTH
$$$$
LOL...

 

[Sheleeno]

for me, the new tomato knife looks too much like a playdough toy. It makes me nervous that people won't take it seriously and be careful with it. I'm not all that impressed with the new tool turn about. not liking the new kitchen sheers, but i'm thinking they are trying to get people to buy the salad choppers instead. And those new easy adjustable measuring spoons...I think they will be more work than they are worth.

 

[mom2leelee]

I love that the new measuring spoons and scoop have all the different measurements on them (tsp., tbsp, oz, ml) I used mine last night as a sort of conversion chart!

 

[raebates]

The new spoons are okay, but I'm not sure I like the little depression that holds the 1/4 t and 1/8 t. Time will tell.

 

[rebeccastt]

My husband used the new adjustable scoop last night to measure milk and he said it seeped through...isn't is supposed to be used for dry AND wet ingredients?

I LOVE my new TTA...it works SO much better than the old one.

I wish the new kitchen shears had a cover/holder like the old ones...I love that they are right on my fridge and easy to grab. I haven't tried cutting with them yet.

I really like the new green Santuko knife too...I was pleasantly surprised at how nice it cuts.

 

[mom2leelee]

My husband used the new adjustable scoop last night to measure milk and he said it seeped through...isn't is supposed to be used for dry AND wet ingredients?

Mine did the same thing the first time I tried it w/ water but it was because I didnt have it put together all the way. Make sure the white part is pushed all the way down into the clear part. If is still seeps I would call HO and get another one.

 

[rebeccastt]

Thanks for the tip....I'll try that!

 

[jenpartain]

I love my jar opener & the old kitchen shears!

I do not the hold n slice, silicone oven mitt, deluxe cheese grater, kitchen towels (any colors).

I'm unsure of some new products, the shears and measuring spoon. The shears, I don't feel safe using it, it kinda feel cheap, well, I like the herb cutter part. I love the TTA. I brought it to my show Friday to see if anyone noticed, sure enough, they did!!!! They loved the color and it spins so well! That's the only one new product I brought and told about.

 

[jaye]

I love my kitchen shears... have had them for years and never had a problem with them other than getting frustrated as they might be in the dishwasher and I am wanting to use them! LOL!!

I can't believe that they are keeping the Tiles Paper Napkins. I don't get it at all! I have not had a single customer purchase them and no one I know is even remotely interested - including me. Does anyone sell enough of those things to make it worthwhile?

I don't get the idea of the tomato & santoku for spring... I just don't see the point in having colored knives, but that's just me!

I love the new TTA, it's size is great... but I prefer white to black, because that's the color of my kitchen.... but that's my kitchen...

Overall, not as excited for the new stuff as I was in the fall. It all seems nice enough, but nothing that I am too excited with....

We'll see...

 

[ChefLauraW]

I like the jar opener and the old kitchen shears. Use them everyday.

I will be prepared for the tomato onslaught that is coming but.... I don't like the Mandoline. I didn't like the US&G either, so maybe it's just me.

I don't care for the tile towel set (the purple one from F/W 06), or the tile napkins. The towels and tablecloth look like something from the 80s.... but then again, maybe that's just me again. I do like the tiles bowls and platter. I also like the dots.

 

[jasonmva]

I don't get the idea of the tomato & santoku for spring... I just don't see the point in having colored knives, but that's just me!

And did you happen to notcie the huge price difference?!? I bought the original Santoku and now want the whole set! I like that one is offered as a 1/2 price item starting S/S '07. I just might have to find a host who doesn't want to use all of their 1/2 price items

 

[chefmelody]

I used the new tomato knife Saturday, and it was okay. I liked the serrated blade, but it did feel flimsy to me. I'd probably stick with the bread knife for tomatoes at home, even if it is HUGE. I love the hold 'n slice, though. I've sold so many of those at my shows, especially when I just slide my knife through the tines to make nice even slices! The jar opener is also good for when the DH isn't around. I agree on the cheese grater... I never can get it to quite work right. I prefer the mandoline, now that I have it.I still love the silicone oven mitts though. I don't like this new one at all... it feels too stiff, and I don't think I could grip anything with it well. The silicone ones felt nice and soft, and I can actually grab things without being afraid of dropping them. I'm torn on the new kitchen shears. I absolutely love the old ones, and used them nearly every day. The new ones feel weaker to me, like the spring inside isn't as strong. (There's no way it could be, in that small a handle.) I do like the herb strippers, though. I used them on some cilantro, and the leaves came off beautifully.

 

[gilliandanielle]

I am surprised that they didn't release a colored scraper like they have the past few springs. Wouldn't a lilac scraper be georgous??

I am wondering if they knives are going to be the new seasonal colored item and change every spring??

 

[BethCooks4U]

Why did they choose avocado (I mean artichoke) to make the broducts in? Why not the lilac - it is actually pretty.

And the "fun" knives scare me! They look like plastic almost like toys. Someone is going to get hurt not thinking they are real knives.

That will be my mission this yet - to teach everyone that they are KNIVES = sharp. BTW: I did use the santoku this weekend and it did cut nicely but things did stick to the blade a lot.

 

[mom2leelee]

I am surprised that they didn't release a colored scraper like they have the past few springs. Wouldn't a lilac scraper be georgous??

I am wondering if they knives are going to be the new seasonal colored item and change every spring??

They brought out the scraper in artichoke.

 

[BethCooks4U]

They brought out the scraper in artichoke.

I think she was talking about the silicone scrapers (classic were colored one year and the small mix 'n scraper the next).

 

[mom2leelee]

OK, I thought maybe I had misunderstood her.

 

[heat123]

Why did they choose avocado (I mean artichoke) to make the broducts in? Why not the lilac - it is actually pretty.

And the "fun" knives scare me! They look like plastic almost like toys. Someone is going to get hurt not thinking they are real knives.

That will be my mission this yet - to teach everyone that they are KNIVES = sharp. BTW: I did use the santoku this weekend and it did cut nicely but things did stick to the blade a lot.

I am not sure about those green knives either! The handle I can understand but the whole blade? And my worry is the paint will chip from the blade!

 

[gilliandanielle]

Beth is right... I told my customers that they usually color one scraper each spring and I have a ton of ladies that want a colored skinny scraper. I am really glad I said USUALLY now!

I really like the knives. I think they are fun, and I use them a lot more because sometimes the santoku or utility just feel like overkill. I sliced up a ton of grapes for my kids this morning with the tomato knife and had a ball!

 

[BethCooks4U]

Beth is right... I told my customers that they usually color one scraper each spring and I have a ton of ladies that want a colored skinny scraper. I am really glad I said USUALLY now!

I really like the knives. I think they are fun, and I use them a lot more because sometimes the santoku or utility just feel like overkill. I sliced up a ton of grapes for my kids this morning with the tomato knife and had a ball!

So I guess it IS a "FUN" knife!

 

[apriljc]

Somedays I like the cheese grater and other days I don't. I guess it all depends on what I am using it for. When I first got it my DH used velvetta cheese and told me that it didn't work, I told him it was because of the person who was running it.

 

[ChefinHarmony]

I will be prepared for the tomato onslaught that is coming but.... I don't like the Mandoline. I didn't like the US&G either, so maybe it's just me.

I am still afraid of the Mandoline - I cut myself pretty bad before I was a consultant on the US&G. So I don't like it either - never demo it.

Julieanne peeler - I can never get those things to work! And now we have TWO different ones?!?!

Outdoor party plates - I think they are more of a hassle than they are worth. And now glorified plasticware? I did sell a lot of them, but I don't like them!

Joanne

 

[jrstephens]

I do not like the artichoke colored knives. Not the actual knife, just the color.

 

[speedychef]

Hmm, I dig the cheese grater, found out to hardly squeeze for soft cheese and now it's fine. I LOVE LOVE LOVE the kitchen spritzer with my tree-huggerness. Um...I think I'm going to have to go with the tea as my least favorite. It's too fruity for me.

 

[DebbieJ]

I still love the silicone oven mitts though. I don't like this new one at all... it feels too stiff, and I don't think I could grip anything with it well. The silicone ones felt nice and soft, and I can actually grab things without being afraid of dropping them.

Wash your oven mitts, people! I'm serious! All I've read on here is it's too long in the fingers, too stiff, blah blah blah. When you wash it, it will shrink and soften up.

 

[yummy4tummy]

I am surprised that they didn't release a colored scraper like they have the past few springs. Wouldn't a lilac scraper be georgous??

Maybe it was because they are offering a pink scraper for the HWC product line. Don't know but just a guess. But I agree, a lilac one would be much better than the greens from last year. Valky

 

[gilliandanielle]

I have to stick up for the new knives! I am in LOVE!! Don't throw anything at me, but I think I like them better than my forged knives! Yes, I said it! I feel like most of my food isn't worth getting the big daddy santoku knife, but the fun little santoku is really easy and convenient! I think if you don't give these knives enough credit you are really missing out!