KitchenAid Cuisinart Dyson Reviews

Amazon has put up several end of the holiday season deals, with all the gift cards doled out over Christmas. One really nice discount just went active with the KitchenAid Professional 600 series 6 quart stand mixer. Many different colors available with the cheapest being the black licorice KitchenAid 600 series mixers for 300$ with free shipping after a 50$ rebate.

Nearly 500 5 star reviews at Amazon for the 6 quart 600 series pro mixer from KitchenAid. Very similar to the quality of the 4.5 quart Artisan Stand Mixer by KitchenAid, but the 6 quarts allows for larger scale efforts (or if you just want to double the recipe). This has caught the eye of many who knead their own bread dough with their KitchenAid stand mixer, including myself, as it is easy to churn out loaf after loaf with the 600 series. The motor is unbelievably consistent and the capacity is there with the six quarts.

One big mechanical issue needs to be brought up, as it plagued the 6 quart 600 series KitchenAid mixer for some time. The gearbox used to have a plastic cover, which was problematic considering the heating element would continually wear the cover down and strip the gears. KitchenAid has since been manufacturing their 600 series pro mixers with an all-metal gearbox to solve the aforementioned issue (since early 2007).

Posted by Ken Walker at 02:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Fall is leaving us for Winter as most people are finishing up raking / blowing their lawns in preparation for snow-fall (at least up here!) This season went well for us. Having a large yard with plenty of huge oak and ash trees usually results in a sore back from nightly raking after work.

This summer though we decided to get a head start on Fall and get a Toro Leaf Blower 51599. I like not having to charge it, despite having to venture around the yard with a cord. It's with it to be able to vacuum / blow leaves. With the vacuum function, you can take a huge pile of leaves and have them in a bag quickly. The power of this machine is something one would not expect to get from an electrical blower. Most are used to a gas blower with oil run-off and an overkill with power. The Toro provides similar power without the smell and dripping, and the cumbersome weight too.

Big tip when using your Toro blower - avoid wet leaves. This should be common sense as any leaf blower / vacuum will get clogged, but you would be surprised at some of the reviews complaining about wet leaves ruining the machine.

The Toro Electric Blower Vacuum is so efficient when vacuuming that your bag amount will reduce in half as opposed to raking the yard. That's not to mention the absurd amount of time you are saving being able to blower all the leaves in a pile and instantly vacuum them up. We loved the value of the Toro at the 100$ or so we spent, but with Fall season passing the Toro Blower 51599 is on sale for 69$ and free shipping at Amazon.

Posted by Ken Walker at 07:11 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Having installed a 750 sq ft. hardwood oak floor, I would advise doing it yourself since you will save hundreds / thousands of dollars. With the efficient tools at our disposal nowadays, even the most novice handyman can lay down tight hard wood floors with little problem.

After a bit of research the Bostitch MIIIFS Pneumatic Floor Stapler sounded like the most reliable, efficient floor nailer around, not to mention outrageously cheap on some eBay auctions. Normally near 1000$ it was in the 300$-400$ range. Because the Bostitch is so efficient with it's air usage you will want to have your compressor lower than you would think, around 75 PSI usually, but it depends on the wood that the staple is entering. After some practice on your part, the added experience should allow you to begin to judge what is an ideal PSI. You don't want too much pressure with your Bostitch MIIIFS because of the potential to split tongues.

With your nice new hardwood floor, you will see that caring for it is an ongoing process. You have to be careful what you use on said hard wood floors, making sure to only use hardwood-safe products as most household cleaners will damage your floors. Of course sweeping often is a necessity but I prefer to just vacuum the floors because that is more effective getting in between spots on the hardwood floor (use the attachment not the beater bar of course!) Know your finishes but in general even water you will not want to use - just get a damp mop, rung out well, and use that.

Posted by Ken Walker at 04:10 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

When using an Electric or Gas grill you will notice food does not have that taste or flavor that a charcoal grill provides. Especially with an Electric Grill like the Meco Deluxe Electric Grill, you should look into enhancing your grilling experience.

Hickory chips are simple to add but there are some guidelines to keep in mind to ensure the flavor lasts. Always soak your hickory chips in liquid, otherwise they are too dry and will burn off quickly. This method keeps them burning longer. Water works for soaking, but you can get creative with juices and wines as well.

When the time comes and the grill is up to the right temperature and ready for food on, then put the hickory chips on the charcoals. Any earlier and you will be wasting their lifespan. If you are cooking indirectly / slow cooking, you may need to add more hickory chips underneath the food halfway through. In general, hickory chips last 15-20 minutes. With the lid shut, the smoke builds up around your food giving it that desired taste. Adding hickory chips, your food may take a slight bit longer than normal. Keep this in mind when grilling.

Posted by Ken Walker at 10:24 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Just before Summer started we decided to pick up an Electric Meco cart grill from Amazon and it has proven to be a great choice. Cooking has become quick to start, hassle free, and no extra costs unlike propane or charcoal grills. The free shipping and 140 dollars off was nice too. Grill heats up fast, cooks thoroughly and evenly.

The Meco was especially useful for a good friend, whose landlord does not allow a charcoal grill (lots of apartments also work this way because of fire hazard). The Meco Grills are generally allowed anywhere since it is controlled so well and there is literally no smoke from the grill. It's nice to have no pollution and it is one of the few grills that can be used year round.

One thing that bothered us at first was the lack of a 'grill' taste to the food cooked on the Meco grill. Of course a charcoal grill can provide this naturally but with the Meco there is a way as well, you just have to get a little more creative. Add hickory chips + briquettes to the bottom grate and after a few cooking sessions you will begin to notice that barbeque grill-like taste permeate throughout.

Posted by Ken Walker at 10:07 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Spring has always been one of my favorite times of the year, being able to open up the house for the fresh air coming in. For my wife, I realized this was not exactly the case as her allergies can be hard to overcome (or the allergy medicine can be troublesome). Instead of taking medicine she made an appointment with her allergist and they actually referred her to a site that sells Rabbit Air purifying machines.

In the past we've dabbled in Ionic Pro purifiers but we found them to not make too much of a difference as allergies were still hard to stop from the pollen and all the dog / cat fur. When we picked up the RabbitAir BioGS 421 Air Purifier the first thing we noticed was the amount of work it did especially considering how quiet it was. Other air purifiers we've had sound almost like a fan on a high setting but Rabbit Air purifiers were easy to sleep through.

On the RabbitAir BioGS purifiers there is a sensor for when pollen, odors and dust are in the vicinity. For people with allergies or asthma this unit is a must have. In the past it has been listed for over 550$ but it has since been reduced to low $300's. The HEPA Filter lasts forever and the performance of the RabbitAir Bio GS has not deteriorated over the time we've had it. Even so it comes with a 5 year full warranty. For use we tend to just leave it on auto mode, as it picks up speed when it senses dust / odor / pollen and then runs efficiently while it is idling.

Posted by Ken Walker at 06:11 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

For years we had used Rival Crockpots and weren't blown away but were satisfied with what we got. Until our last one cracked at the bottom, just a bit after getting it. Also the lids fit unevenly and would continually chip as time went on. Our previous one had went down just before that, so even though the former rival was under warranty we decided to look elsewhere. It is nice that Rival Crockpots are cheap but I'd rather pay a little more and get quality long lasting performance than have to re-buy the same product every year. Better yet the Cuisinart CSC400 is under 100$. It was normally listed at 150$ but at Amazon now it is 79$ with free shipping.

The first thing I noticed when cooking a few meals with the Cuisinart CSC 400 4 Quart Slow Cooker is how evenly distributed the heat is throughout the cooker. This was the main problem with Rival crockpots besides the chipping of the device. Despite there being controls for high / low cooking, there was no difference in how the food came out. It would always be overcooked. Read the reviews anywhere and you will hear the same feedback.

Even better, there is a function that when the Cuisinart CSC 4 quart slow cooker is done cooking, it will just turn to 'warm' so as to keep the meal warm but not overcook it in the process. We have been saved often when we went to run errands but came back late; the food was still ready to go and not over-cooked. Fortunately working from home I don't run into these situations often; my brother who always cooks things while he is away at work to be done at dinnertime absolutely needed this function.

When we visit our parent's it is useful that this doesn't tip as we bring it around. Cuisinart CSC400 4Quart Stainless Steel Slow Cooker is big but not so cumbersome that it is an issue to bring around. Also the cord to plug in retracts so there is no holding a cord as you move it. It is simple with just a few buttons but it is easy enough to figure out what is going on with the 'on' light and the see through lid.

Posted by Ken Walker at 05:44 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Before buying an ice cream maker we presumed that it a hassle and time consuming to operate ice cream makers. Fortunately the performance of ice cream makers has become much more efficient with some of the newer high-end products on the market. There are some tricks and tips that we will mention to improve your experience making ice cream but overall it is not much work at all. It is a rewarding treat on a nice summer / spring day for our kid's to be able to make their own ice cream recipes in the convenience of your own back yard.

If Cuisinart has a relevant product to what we are looking for, we look hard at their products because of their quality consistency over time. The Cuisinart Ice-30BC Pure Indulgence 2-Quart Automatic Frozen Yogurt Ice Cream Maker is no different.

Having custard or ice cream is easy to set up. Custard will require a cup of milk, a half cup of sugar and 4 eggs. You use this same recipe base for the ice cream but add a cup of fresh thick cream, and vanilla. Once you set this base up you may want to freeze it for a few hours and then slowly add it to the mixture as the Cuisinart machine is working.

One key trick is to freeze the freezer bowl to make this process flow smoothly. Otherwise the ice cream making process make take over 45 minutes, when it should be taking 30 minutes or slightly under with the frozen bowl. No noisy churning for hours like the old days. This is quiet and efficient and possibly gets more complements from friend's than the KitchenAid / Vitamix blenders we have.

Maybe the only problem with the Cuisinart Ice30BC frozen ice cream maker is that you will want nice ice cream all the time! Fortunately since you get to concoct your own recipes you can put fruit and other healthy additions if you would like. A recipe manual comes with the Cuisinart Ice 30 BC but we suggest you try Ben and Jerry's homemade ice cream recipe book for succulent treats.

Posted by Ken Walker at 04:34 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Our KitchenAid KSB560BW blender (Blue Willow color) is definitely the most used appliance in our kitchen. I actually found a refurbished KSB560 blender for under 70$ on eBay and it works fine and comes with a warranty just like a new one. The amount of vegetables and fruit in my diet has shot up since purchasing this. It has also been a great way for our newborn to avoid the unnecessary sugars and additives of canned baby food. With a very powerful blender like the KSB560 it is easy to puree fresh vegetables and fruit with any combination of milk, yogurt, juice, protein whey, flax seed, etc.

KitchenAid products are built sturdy and have some weight to them - the KSB560 blender is no exception as you can tell the base has a solid motor within. The Polycarbonate Jar cleans up well and is unbreakable, and you can take part of the lid off for adding ingredients or stirring. It is nice to have the blade within the jar as one as there is no leakage. After the blender is used, just fill it up halfway with hot water and put the lid on. Hit the stir and then blend button to watch the blender get clean.

Despite all the handy features, the value in this blender like any top end one is that you will mix a smooth smoothie. No chunks of fruit / vegetables left over - just start off slowing blending and then work up to puree for maximum power. Check eBay to save over 100$ with the best KitchenAid KSB560 blender deals as there are dozens of colors to choose from to make it work with your kitchen counter.

Posted by Ken Walker at 01:19 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

When this came out a few years back we picked this up as we were eager to see how a Dyson Stowaway Canister Vacuum would perform. It was well over the 500$ price tag it is now but a few convenient features were evident right from the start.

As you push this around you will immediately be able to see the difference compared to an upright vacuum. It requires less effort to move around and has a lot of the features that newer Dyson models have to improve suction and aid it in maneuvering.

The ball technology allows for easy winding around corners in the house or around furniture, beds, etc. Once you get the hang of how it moves you'll grow to love the convenience of it compared to static vacuums that do not move, and features like this along with the powerful brushes for intense carpet cleaning are available with the use of foot controls.

The suction power is the same as any other Dyson. Especially with the lower brush, the power of the Dyson can clean the deepest depths of any carpet. If you are vacuuming rugs be sure to use your foot as leverage for these rugs so that they do not get caught within the power of this vacuum! Ensuring the success of the Dyson power is effortless, with the forever lasting HEPA filter and an easy to empty and clean bin.

Newer Dyson model vacuums like this Dyson DC21 Stowaway Canister Vacuum are becoming even more quiet. It is still a vacuum cleaner and will freak your cats out but for the power this thing wields you would expect something louder. As stated above cleanup is easy with the bin, though you do have to empty it often because it is rather small for the large amount of dust / dirt this monster picks up. Putting it away is easy as the cord is retractable and you can just wrap the attachments up and put it in a closet.

We have a pet related website and it is amazing because when we run polls for which vacuums dog / cat users prefer at any given time, over 80% are using Dyson vacuums. With persistent cat hair that is a daily issue, cheaper vacuums just do not have the power to sustain the amount of hair over time that is picked up, if they can even handle it at all.

There are many other Dyson vacuums that we have purchased over the years, but this is just the first review because this is one of the more recent Dyson's in our inventory and thus fresh in our memory in terms of performance.

Posted by Ken Walker at 03:48 PM | Permalink | Comments (5)

It took us a few cheap stand mixers years back for us to consider a KitchenAid artisan stand mixer. The reviews were always 5 stars but these mixers were 300$ or more back then and we really did not have too much use for them. Now though even the 5 quart Artisan Series is around 200$ and there is more a need than ever since we make our own bread / pizza dough. The dough hook attachment does wonders and there are a ton of other attachments like the juicer. You would be surprised how much money you save in the long run getting bulk ingredients to make your own healthy bread (we put Flax Seed in everything).

KitchenAid products earn instant respect as they are still made in America and you can tell by the quality and weight of their products. In turn it is built to last for a lifetime and you can see this in how long the warranties are for these products.

In terms of functionality the mixer is very simple. So long as you don't put massive amounts of ingredients in it (get the KitchenAid professional mixer if the 5 quart is not big enough) you will be able to see the mixer do the job by itself with no assistance from you. Compared to a handheld mixer the KitchenAid stand mixers process thoroughly. Everything is mixed evenly and in an orderly manner so you won't need a spatula to push the ingredients further in like a lot of cheap mixers.

The only real complaint one will find in reviews about these mixers is that they leave ingredients at the bottom of the bowl. When you buy one and read the instructions, they give directions as to how to lower / raise the adjustment screw at the bottom. So when you read a comment like that you will know it is from someone who bought the KitchenAid 5 quart stand mixer and did not read the directions.

Posted by Ken Walker at 04:19 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

After our Hoover Windtunnel s3765 (but before our Dyson vacuums) we had a Bissell 5770 Healthy Home Bagless Upright Vacuum. At the time we were growing tired of the Hoover Windtunnel since it was losing the suction that made it good initially. Once we saw the normally 350$ Bissell 5770 Healthy Home Vacuum on sale for just under 200$ on eBay we decided to take a shot since the Bissell 5770 Healthy Home vacuum review we read have been positive about this particular vacuum.

We've owned it for a few years and the suction has not subsided. It may not have the suction power of a Dyson but keep in mind you are paying half the price or less than that. For us it was used daily for a time and in turn was cleaned and emptied all the time too, so if you take care of it you will get long lasting power. Emptying the Bissell 5770 can take some getting used to because you will need to use both hands, but the reviews of dust and dirt spilling all over users when they empty seems a little unlikely to us (even first using it). If you empty it often you will have no troubles. Also the brush features are handy and won't rip your carpet up since the brush is not super long.

The light on the vacuum proves useful when vacuuming in the basement (or anywhere dark). Post-vacuuming it also smells fresh and the vacuum runs relatively quiet, for a high-powered vacuum. The Bissell 5770 Home Healthy Bagless is a heavy machine, no doubt. It is hard for my lady to lug around up and down stairs. But when the Bissell 5770 gets to wherever needs to be vacuumed, it gets the job done. The weight actually helps press down and suck out more dirt / dust deep within a carpet.

Posted by Ken Walker at 02:32 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

While I can appreciate manually cutting foods like vegetables, it got to the point where our kitchen needed a quality food processor for quick and efficient chopping. In the past, cheaper food processors let us down with broccoli and other high fiber vegetables. The point of a food processor should be so that you do not have to pre cut your foods but with cheaper ones with weaker blades you are forced to.

Since we have plenty of KitchenAid products in our inventory like stand mixers and blenders we figured their food processors were a good place to start. The highly rated KitchenAid KFP750 Processor was our choice, and we lucked out in finding a steal on eBay with a 99$ blue willow colored food processor. Amazon had some nice deals around 120$ for Onyx Black too.

Maybe the most surprising part is how quiet the KitchenAid KFP750 is given the amount of power. It is a powerful, heavy machine and takes up a bit of room but looks nice in doing so. You can throw full broccoli in here and they will be shredded in no time. Of course you'll want to be careful cleaning the sharp blades.

While they do not perform like the KitchenAid Stand Mixers for kneading large amounts of dough, they do a quick and fantastic job on smaller amounts. Despite it's power you will not want to pack this thing full of anything really, and definitely be careful with liquids. Stick to only a few cups even though the processor looks like it can handle more; it ends up spilling a little, which is the one negative but it's simple enough to clean up. Plus, for liquids you may as well use a blender if you have one.

If you cook heavily you will want a quality food processor like this, it will change how you cook. Even if you don't cook often, this type of processor will get you excited about trying recipes with how efficient and simple preparing meals becomes.

Posted by Ken Walker at 01:24 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Hello all! I'm creating this website because over the last several years since getting a house, we've been getting all sorts of kitchen / home products. Lots of good experiences, yet some bad experiences also! I've always felt it's important to get as much background information and perspectives before making a decision. Thus, this seems like a good median for getting across some kitchen product reviews.

Generally when buying home / kitchen products I find myself regretting the cheaper purchases I've made in the past where you end up having to replace said item after not so long. It seems one is better served to buy a top of the line product that generally comes with a great warranty (and doesn't break down in the first place). This is why companies like KitchenAid, Cuisinart, Westhof, Hoover and Dyson tend to catch our eye and keep us coming back to try their new products / variations.

Posted by Ken Walker at 10:34 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)