Bon Home DDR100WH Heat & Dry Dish Rack

I love this Heat and Dish Dry Rack. I thought I would take it out and put it away but I leave it up all the time. I do not have a dishwasher or room for one so I thought I would try this. It's wonderful! I wash my dishes and put them into the rack and when it is full I push the button and keep on washing. In ten minutes the dishes are dry and I put them away. Then I load up the rest (if I have more). Or while I am waiting for the dishes to dry I have time to wash up the kitchen counters and put this and that away and then I turn around and put the dry dishes away. Done. All done. You do have to learn how to put the dishes in so they have access to the heated air coming up. But honestly that has not been a problem as I am motivated to make it work. All my plastic containers are dry in 10 minutes and I can just put them away. The lids may have a hidden drop of water on them here and there but that is no problem. There is a very small drip tray that slides under the rack and I slide it out when I remember and pour the excess water into the sink. But it is very small and only about a 1/2 inch tall. You can move around the metal racks that come with it. So if you don't need any of them you can just remove them and use them later when needed. My son said he hates drying the dishes they don't put into the dishwasher as he feels he never gets done with all of it. So I am getting one for him and my daughter in law. It is perfect for drying all the bottles and cups and plates she uses with the kids as well as her plastic containers.

Update June 4, 2011: Last week the light started to blink on and off and the motor would come on and then stop over and over. Last night it was doing that while we were not home. And today it won't work at all. It's dead.

I am so disappointed! This was my favorite thing in the kitchen. And we have only used it for the months of Feb, March, Apr, and May. I sent an email to the company and am waiting to see what the warranty is and if there is anything I can do about this. But $100 for 4 months is not very good. I will update if I hear back from the company.

Update June 9, 2011: They are great! I have a new one sitting in my living room right now. It was just delivered and I only sent the broken one back yesterday. They were so quick to reply to my emails and so helpful and honest. I got personal attention and a new dish rack!

Update December 4, 2011: THE SECOND ONE IS BROKEN. IT LASTED 6 MONTHS. We were not even using it. Same as before. We came home and the light was blinking on and off and I unplugged it and then plugged it in and now it is dead. I don't understand it. I make sure there is plenty of room around it for air flow. I use it about 5-6 times a week. I do not overload it. So I will send the company another email and see what they can do. I will update when I know more.

After months of use my wife started telling me that this rack was not working correctly, exactly as described in other reviews submitted on Amazon. Then one day it would no longer start at all. What I found is that the small momentary switch that starts the drying cycle sticks in after a few months of usage. The design is so that the switch itself is used as the return spring of the plastic ON/OFF button in the front and after time has passed either the switch spring loses its spring tension or the sliding actuator gets material under it which hinders its ability to slide forward then back, therefore not allowing the switch to pop open again when pushed. (This is the reason for the delayed starting customers have been experiencing. That happens when the switch finally pops back out.) For ours I replaced the old switch with one I purchased, but if I had to do over again I'd simply do the following first and save myself the soldering hassle:

(1) Unplug the power cord. (2) Remove the top snap-in dish rack drain plate. (3) Remove the four small screws over the front switch compartment and take the cover off. (3) Pull the small switch printed circuit board up by removing the one clamp screw on the power wire going into this small compartment. (4) Push in and pull out the front plastic button that actuates the switch. (4) Put a small amount of grease or WD40 on the two small slides at the bottom of this actuator. (5) Reverse the process and reinstall everything. The whole job should take about 30 minutes.

Since I've replaced the switch instead of oiling the slides I don't have any idea how long this lubing "fix" will work, but if you do it once it won't take long to do again and again and keep on air drying for a long time. Good luck. Bon Home DDR100WH Heat & Dry Dish Rack

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It was my husband's job to dry the dishes so he is extremely pleased with this great invention! I love it because our new high-efficiency dishwasher does not dry plastic. This drying rack is perfect for doing that job. I also use it for drying my fine china and glasses.

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What's wrong with this dish drainer? Let me list the ways:

1. Blower failure after 2 1/2 to 3 weeks of use the blower would suddenly, on its own, start up and fail to stop. Or it wouldn't start when the button was pushed. Totally erratic. At times, completely unresponsive.

2. Blower failure aside, even if that worked perfectly, there are other issues with the design. Due to having to direct the air up through the dishes, the bottom area is a closed "box" with a small, shallow drawer that the water from the wet dishes drains into. The capacity of this drawer is about 2 teaspoons. When that is exceeded, you will have a drainer that "piddles" all over your counter top. Expect to empty this drawer numerous times throughout the course of a meal's worth of dishes. Apparently designing something that would actually DRAIN the water into the sink was too much of a challenge for Bon Home's design team.

3. The warm air works beautifully to dry the dishes when the blower is actually working; it also works beautifully to heat up the kitchen...which could be an advantage if it's in the single digits outside and supplements to heat are appreciated. Not so much in South Texas, where the more likely scenario is triple digits outside, and an air conditioner running darn near full time to combat the heat. This unit will be a major set-back to utility bills in warmer climes. If it had been designed with some sort of cover/closure method to contain both heat and dishes, it might be a viable design. One review mentioned both heated and non-heated air...there was no such control on my drainer, nor any mention of such in the owner's manual.

4. Customer service: this is the big question mark...I've called Bon Home and a young man took my name and number, telling me someone would get back to me. I've asked for the unit to be replaced and for them to send me a shipping label for the defective unit...I've yet to get a commitment for that from Bon Home.

So there you have it...too much money for a shoddy product. Buyer beware.

1-4-2012 update:

Bon Home customer service stinks. They finally got back to me, told me they have discontinued the item and turfed me back to woot.com since that was where I purchased the item. Told me I would have to get credit for THEIR defective product from woot. Great business model...make crappy products, then refuse to stand behind them when they fail. That attitude would make me wary of purchasing ANY product by Bon Home. Once again, let me say it: Buyer beware.

2-22-12 update:

Woot.com did replace the unit in January, 2012 without hassle. Kudos to woot's customer service. However, desperate for a drainer while all this went on, I broke down and ordered a Simple Human bamboo drainer (works very well, by the way), so when the replacement Bon Home arrived, it stayed in the box, as I scratched my head wondering whether I trusted a second unit enough to try it (having recently read a Consumer Reports article on fires started by malfunctioning household electrical appliances, I was understandably dubious about any appliance with a propensity to start up spontaneously). On 2/17/2012, Bon Home followed up on my original customer service contact (December, 2011); they are now offering to refund my money. I replied this morning and will take them up on their offer.

Additional comment 6-18-12:

In response to one of the comments, below, no, the refund was not in addition to receiving a replacement unit the unit that Woot sent was returned to Bon Home, after receipt of which, Bon Home mailed a refund.

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I got this heat and dry dish rack and completely fell in love with it! It's very convenient and it dries the dishes that I can't put in the dishwasher very quickly. I also liked the fact that I didn't have to assemble it once I received it. The drier is quiet and overall very easy to use. I would definitely recommend this product to my friends and family!

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LamsonSharp 2-1/2-Inch Forged Bird?s Beak Paring Knife

I have been in need of a quality paring knife for some time. Though I've not used this bird's beak style before, I find it to be a good knife and am glad I purchased it. If you're used to a standard paring knife, there is a bit of a learning curve while you adjust to the different style. I would have given it 5 stars, but the very tip of the blade has a tiny imperfection (bend) in it. I'm sure I can have if ground out when I take my knives for sharpening; it didn't seem to be worth the effort to exchange it so I'm keeping it, the tiny bend hasn't affected my use of the knife, it just sort of annoys me that a $40 knife didn't arrive in perfect condition.

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Shun Classic Left-Handed 3-1/2-Inch Stainless-Steel Paring Knife

This is my second Shun Classic Left-Handed knife (the first was wide santoku). This knife simply rocks. It is very very sharp and fits perfectly in my hand.

Really, stop buying over and over $11.99 knifes from retail stores.

p.s. Shun company offers free sharpening (just pay one way shipping).

This was my first foray into real high quality knives and that was all it took to make be a believer. This thing is incredibly sharp and cuts better than anything else in my block. I am left-handed so I appreciate that Shun made a variant for me that feels great in my hand.

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Hi I just got this paring knife a month ago and only use it a few times before leaving on a deployment. I am not a professional chef just trying to act like one. I am left handed explaining why I got a left handed knife LOL. I will say this knife is very very sharp it will slice a potato as if it was butter. My only issue and it maybe cause I have not used it often enough. Is it pulls to the middle of the potato as if it was a right handed knife. The knife does not seem to have a one sided blade so maybe I was holding it wrong. Again I only had a chance to use it a few times before leaving town.

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Left handed knives are hard to find. I searched all over the net and this was the best price. It was a gift for my daughter-in-law. She loves it!

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Textured Acrylic Counter Protector 14" X 19"

I have a front loading Bosch washer and dryer in my kitchen. (Not the gigundo size)

These portectors protect the top of the appliances from dirt and grime as they are

next to the back door and everything lands on them. Hard to find protectors that are

wide enough. I really wanted this second one to be 24" wide but this is the best that I could find today to match the other one and will have to make due. The other one is probably five years old and is still crystal clear.

I have stone counter tops.

This really helps and protect the surface

Just what I was looking for

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Textured Acrylic Counter Protector 14" X 19"

I find this very convient and easy to clean. Fits right to counter top and can be moved if necessary.

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I had these board before and wanted to have new ones. They are exactly the ones I had been looking for, Unfortunately one of them is warped and does not sit flat but I probably waited too long to use it so I can't exchange it now.

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BETTER THAN THE LAST ONE. DOES A GREAT JOB PROTECTING THE COUNTER. I MAY NEED MORE OF THEM IN THE FUTURE

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Gibson Beaumonte 50-Piece 18/0 Stainless Steel Sandblast Flatware Set with Bonus Jumbo Steak Knives

The steak knives have a nice broad handle and ~half tang. They have a simple serration that does the job well enough.

The rest of the set is alright, but nothing amazing. The 18/0 steel is fairly weak. After a few months of use, each spoon has a different curvature, as well as most of the forks.

This is a decent, inexpensive set of flatware, but it will not stand up to rugged use.

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Kyocera HTNBK scissors sharpener

It takes more time for some scissors than others. It simply depends upon the condition of the scissors.

I have sharpened all types of scissors with this, it works well. I have had trouble with other sharpeners in holding the angle correctly for the cutting edge of scissors. This simple small gadget does it easily. Kyocera ceramics (I also have several of their kitchen knifes) are much harder than metals and does a nice job sharpening.

I like the small size, it will be easy to store. I am quite happy with this purchase and anticipate using this for a long time.

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Tuscan Mornings Gorham Wine Tempered Glass Cutting Board by Highland Graphics

Our cutting board lost a foot and so was uneven. Since my Italian husband has a "thing" about Tuscany as well as wine, the

board pictured seemed just right and it is! We hope to buy more for our family for gifts which is definitely an endorsement.

The board is attractive, the colors subtle, yet it is tough enough to stand lots of chopping. A good choice.

I needed something small for the counter to put wet silverware etc on. This looks good and does the trick.

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We bought these to protect the counter top from hot items taken off the stove or out of the oven. There are small rubber feet on the bottom to prevent sliding and to put a air gap between the bottom of the board and the counter top. We do not use these as a cutting board...works good for what we use them for..

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12" Stainless Steel Bread Knife - Serrated Edge

Thank you for a smooth transaction! The knives are nice and do a great job cutting insulation! See you next year when these wear out again :)

I ordered this knife because it is described as a 12" bread knife. Since the measurement of knives usually is a measurement of the blade, I expected a 12" blade--which was what I wanted.

What I got however, was a poorly balanced, light weight, knife that measured just under 12" from tip to butt including the handle. This knife is actually shorter than the knife I was trying to compliment in my kitchen.

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It is very sharp, not flimsy and makes a smooth slice of bread without snagging. I suppose I can't ask for more. I bought one for myself and my mother. We are both very pleased with this item. It isn't a top-of-the-line kinfe, but at this price who cares. It does what it is suppose to do and that's good enough for me. I hand wash all my knives, so I don't know how it would stand up to a dishwasher.

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I wanted a cheap serrated knife to cut insulation and it works quite well for that. It also works well for bread.

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We really needed a bread knife, and I did not want to pay big bucks for it. I was pleasantly surprised by the qualityit's just what we wanted. Totally recommend this knife!

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Farberware Ceramic 3-Piece Set, Includes 3-Inch Paring Knife with Sheath and a Peeler

I love the paring knife! The peeler, however, does not do the job. I have an old Farberware peeler and I expected the same quality, but this ceramic peeler is not good. It doesn't work both ways; you can only use it in one direction. Also, it is not sharp at all. It cuts little thin pieces at a time, so instead if five seconds it takes a minute to peel a carrot. They sell the paring knife without the peeler; I recommend buying that.

This set of ceramic knife and peeler is the perfect complement to the ceramic knives I already owned. Sharp and stylish, and the peeler was an unexpected delight (I knew the knife would be fabulous!). They do the job with half the effort of a regular knife or peeler!

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I wondered why this knife was so cheap compared to other ceramic knives, but i bought it anyway. There is no issue with the build quality, i know how to use and take care of ceramic knives properly, so i have not damaged the blade yet. The problem is the cutting edge is just a sliver. You can seriously cut alot of stuff with such a small edge on the blade. Oh it's sharper than heck, but i want to be able to cut through a chicken strip in one slice, and this doesn't cut it, literally. Also Ceramic blades are supposed to prevent food from sticking to the blade, but i got lots of cheese stuck to this one.

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I have wanted a ceramic knife for some time. I finally decided it was worth the splurge as I am cooking a huge meal for my relatives this weekend. This knife is really nice. It is extremely sharp and durable. I didn't stab anything terribly hard, but it performed the tasks I was doing very will. I plan to get a few different ceramic knives to replace my steel ones I have now.

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This is a great set!!! Value priced and good quality. Be very careful as these knives are very sharp. The tips break fairly easy and cannot be used to pry with. Great paring knife, the only one I use now. Would purchase as gifts or for anyone who spends time in a kitchen.

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Wenger Swibo Slicing Knife, Flexible Blade with Granton Edge

Really like the flexability in this knife. Came super sharp. In all honesty, scary sharp. I used to be a butcher and a chef so I know a good knife when I get one. This is it. You won't be disappointed.

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Tramontina Cooks Knife 8

This is the 2nd time I've purchased this exact knife. The first lasted 15 years. Great serrated edge that never needs sharpening. Great knife to use for nearly every occasion short of chopping actual bone.

Great knife, the best one in my knife drawer.Very sharp and never needs to be sharpened.Well worth the 10 bucks.

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WMF Spitzenklasse 6-1/4 Inch Santoku Knife

I enjoy cooking and a good knife is a joy in the kitchen. I initially picked up a WMF Spitzenklasse knife on a trip to Europe and after returning to the US it quickly became my favorite knife. Of all the German knives I have used, the WMF stands out. The only knives I have used which are better are VERY EXPENSIVE knives from Japan. There is nothing better in the sub $100 range of kitchen knife than the WMF Spitzenklasse knife.

They are well balanced.

They sharpen easily

They hold an edge

They will even hold an edge if sharpened to Asian specs

I grew up with WMF knives in Germany, my parents wouldn't get anything else. Upon moving to the US, I was happy to see I was able to get a few WMF knives on amazon (since I knew nothing about quality knives here and was comfortable sticking with my roots). I love this size and shape specifically. It's not too heavy, not too light, is perfect for chopping vegetables, fruit or anything you want really. After dealing with cheap knives for a few months, getting this was a life changer. Wouldn't want to go without it anymore!

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Kyocera Revolution Series 7-Inch Professional Chef's Knife

I bought this knife after seeing how they are made on a television show. I have been very pleased with it's performance.

The knife is only for cutting through flesh fruit, vegetables and boneless meat only. Do not expect to use this knife on bone-in meat without chipping the knife.

As far as cutting, it is very sharp. I get clean and easy cuts, including frozen meat. I was running late making dinner one night, pulled out a package of frozen chicken breast and chopped it into slices in no time.

The manufacturer recommends this knife be cleaned and stowed immediately after use if you leave in in the bottom of a stainless steel sink, be prepared for a dull and/or shattered knife (when you forget the knife is in the sink and you drop in a heavy pan). Hand wash only!

My only gripe is the handle. As mentioned in other reviews, it is very smooth with no features to grip it can get slippery with prolonged use.

This knife is very sharp. It is also more fragile than most steel knives. Wife was totally pleased with it until she dropped it and chipped the blade on the ceramic tile kitchen floor.

One of the things she likes best is the way it does not bruise or darken fruits(apples) and vegetables(lettuce) after cutting.

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Everyone should own a ceramic knife if not several. It manages to always stay sharp and is my go to knife everyday. I will caution you that it is rather brittle, and cannot withstand being dropped on hard surfaces. I have had one of these knives for several years, and have broken the very tip of it off, but otherwise it has held up very well (I'm very careful with it). I don't, however, but it in the dishwasher so maybe that has helped. I love this product and suggest anyone to try it for themselves.

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So, when my father wanted a ceramic knife for Christmas, my sister bought him the Kitchenaid brand from Target; with in the week it broke. So when he wanted a replacement, I was skeptical about buying another one. We searched and compared then finally came up with this one. After a week of using this knife, I was pleasantly surprised and my father was a happy person again. It didn't chip or break in half (like the other one) and his faith in ceramic knives was restored.

Please note, if you have never used one of these knives before, there are cutting restrictions mentioned by the manufacturer. Read over those and these:

-do not cut : frozen items (father cut frozen cheese, knife broke in half), bones, or very hard cartilage.

-great knife for: fresh bread, veggies, and thawed meats.

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It took a little while to get use to how lightweight the knife is. It's sharp enough to do surgery! With reasonable care -, e.g., don't chop, stab or pry or drop on a hard surface, it will last a long long time. The ceramic material is not as flexible as steel so keep that in mind. It works brilliantly for dicing, slicing, julienning. I have barely used my mandoline since purchasing the knife. Also be sure to handle the knife properly by using a knuckle as a gauge and keep your finger tip away. I would never let anyone else borrow this knife because they would cut themselves. Let them buy their own. I gave one to my brother and demonstrated proper cutting technique first.

Because it is *so* sharp, one can neatly slice things that normally require a serrated knife: bread, cake, tomatoes.

7" size is very versatile. Highly recommended to the serious cook. By "serious", I mean a person accustomed to using knives in the kitchen.

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Victorinox Cutlery 6-Inch Stiff Boning Knife, Narrow, White Fibrox Handle

I bought this knife for breaking down chicken and game because the thought of nicking my Shun on bone made me ill. Nice and sharp out of the box, managed to lay my pinky open while taking some silver skin off a pork loin. Makes short work of chickens and other bone-in cuts but requires regular attention from the steel. I steel the blade before every use, and while it cuts OK it's not like it was out of the box.

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Epicurean 23-by-14-Inch Pizza Peel

This peel costs about twice as much as aluminum peels, and about 50% more than wood. I think it's worth it:

1) Smoother than wood so the pizza slides easier. I was afraid aluminum would scratch my counters.

2) Dishwasher safe / NSF approved

3) Much lighter than wood my wife can easily sling a 14" pie with it.

4) Much thinner than wood and short handled design means it stows more easily space is at a premium in our kitchen.

5) Looks nice we serve right off the peel The aluminum ones don't look as nice and typically have long handles which can be a hazard when serving.

I have to admit that at first I felt the price wasn't justified as it's an "engineered" material. After using it for a year it's clear that the material they use is very good. Some reviews mention a chemical smell. I'm very sensitive to these smells but have not been able to detect any. Perhaps they got a bad batch? Note: I've never run it through the dishwasher, as it really doesn't fit.

We've been making homemade pizza once a week for several years. Here are my top tips:

1) Check out "Good Eats" Season 3 Episode 9 "Flat is Beautiful" for an instructional video. YouTube is your friend.

2) A Pizza stone is best and the only way to get super thin crust pizza (my favorite) I have a traditional stone, my sister uses a cast iron griddle as a "stone" with excellent results. Pan pizza in a cast iron skillet works really well too (no peel or stone needed) use oil with no cornmeal.

3) Use the hottest setting on your oven (ours is 500F)and pre-heat for AT LEAST 30 minutes. I checked with some pizza shops and they are all > 650F. This gives a crispier crust without burning the cheese. You want the stone in one of the lower racks not the top rack.

4) Brush or spray a thin layer of olive oil on top of the crust before the sauce. This helps keep the crust from getting soggy.

5) Corn meal only no oil on the bottom. Get stuff which is fairly coarse. It acts like little ball bearings. Something like Masa Harina is too fine. No oil it will smoke and set off your alarms. If your smoke alarms tend to go off, crack a window in a different room and turn on your kitchen exhaust fan.

6) Build your pizza directly on the peel. No matter how much corn meal you use you will not be able to slide the peel under smoothly if you build the pizza on the counter.

7) Give your peel a good shake to confirm that the pizza isn't sticking before you put the toppings on (After the sauce and cheese). If it's sticking at all, use a spatula to lift up the edges of the pizza and put some more corn meal down, then shake again. If you have to shake it hard after you've put the toppings on, they will get all over the place.

8) You can make pita bread with any extra pizza dough. Roll it out super thin (~1/8") and throw onto a hot stone. Check it in 2 minutes or so and flip over after it has puffed up. Be careful, they cook VERY QUICK!

We use the Kitchenaid stand mixer pizza dough recipe, but double the salt and olive oil. Alton Brown (Good Eats) also has a great recipe (note he calls for Kosher Salt, which is less dense than table salt if you use a tablespoon of table salt, it will be too much)

Bon appetit!

If you've found this review helpful, please let me know!

As a novice pizza maker, one of the best tools I've found so far is the pizza peel. This allows you the ability to place the pizza on to the hot stone, giving you the correct searing of the crust (as opposed to using a pan, which results in a soft bottom for your pizza).

Prior to purchasing this peel, I bought a cheaper wooden one from Amazon. It worked fairly well, and looked attractive hanging in the kitchen. However, it couldn't be placed in the dishwasher, and (probably due to lack of proper oiling, etc. on my part) it cracked after a few months of use.

This surface costs more, but I think will be worth it in the long run. The ability to put it in the dishwasher alone is worth the cost delta to me. Also, being able to run the pizza cutter over it without fear of cracking the board is a nice plus also.

The other distinct advantage is that this surface seems to have a lot less friction than the wood, making it easier to slide the pre-cooked dough off after it's loaded up an operation I find to be a little tricky. I'd advise using PLENTY of flour to assist in this (regardless of whatever peel you buy), but I think you'll find this Epicurean peel easier to use than wood in this regard.

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I bought this item because it was dishwasher safe and could serve as a cutting surface, but did not know what to expect. After receiving and using the peel, I could not be happier. After receiving the peel, we washed it in the dishwasher, and when the cycle finished we took it out and discovered no warping, and it was ready for use. We typically sprinkle corn meal on the top of the peel, roll the dough out on the meal, and then slide it onto the hot stone in the oven. I had no trouble doing this, and I had no trouble sliding the dough back onto the peel after 8 minutes in the oven. I kept the dough on the peel while I loaded it with toppings, and slid it back in. About 10 minutes later I was able to place the peel under the pizza and slide the heavy pizza back onto the peel. Since cutting on the peel is safe I sliced and served our dinner, with very successful results.

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Five stars though I ding it for the color I have the "natural" color and saw the "slate" at a friend's

"Natural" looks better (to me) for the following reasons:

1) "Slate" shows wear a lot more than the lighter color.

2) "Slate" is VERY dark so unless you have black granite countertops, it really stands out and not in a good way.

3) "Slate" looks dirty with corn meal and stuff on it think of a black car it looks dirty as soon as any dust gets on it.

Below is my review of the "Natural" color

This peel costs about twice as much as aluminum peels, and about 50% more than wood. I think it's worth it:

1) Smoother than wood so the pizza slides easier. I was afraid aluminum would scratch my counters.

2) Dishwasher safe / NSF approved

3) Much lighter than wood my wife can easily sling a 14" pie with it.

4) Much thinner than wood and short handled design means it stows more easily space is at a premium in our kitchen.

5) Looks nice we serve right off the peel The aluminum ones don't look as nice and typically have long handles which can be a hazard when serving.

I have to admit that at first I felt the price wasn't justified as it's an "engineered" material. After using it for a year it's clear that the material they use is very good. Other reviews mention a chemical smell, but I'm very sensitive these smells I have not been able to detect any. Perhaps they got a bad batch?

We've been making homemade pizza once a week for several years. Here are my top tips:

1) Check out "Good Eats" Season 3 Episode 9 "Flat is Beautiful" for an instructional video. YouTube is your friend.

2) A Pizza stone is best and the only way to get super thin crust pizza (my favorite) I have a traditional stone, my sister uses a cast iron griddle as a "stone" with excellent results. Pan pizza in a cast iron skillet works really well too (no peel or stone needed) use oil with no cornmeal.

3) Use the hottest setting on your oven (ours is 500F)and pre-heat for AT LEAST 30 minutes. I checked with some pizza shops and they are all > 650F. This gives a crispier crust without burning the cheese. Also, you want your stone on one of the lower racks in the oven.

4) Brush or spray a thin layer of olive oil on top of the crust before the sauce. This helps keep the crust from getting soggy.

5) Corn meal only no oil on the bottom. Get stuff which is fairly coarse. It acts like little ball bearings. Something like Masa Harina is too fine. No oil it will smoke and set off your alarms. If your smoke alarms tend to go off, crack a window in a different room and turn on your kitchen exhaust fan.

6) Build your pizza directly on the peel. No matter how much corn meal you use you will not be able to slide the peel under smoothly if you build the pizza on the counter.

7) Give your peel a good shake to confirm that the pizza isn't sticking before you put the toppings on (After the sauce and cheese). If it's sticking at all, use a spatula to lift up the edges of the pizza and put some more corn meal down, then shake again. If you have to shake it hard after you've put the toppings on, they will get all over the place.

8) You can make pita bread with any extra pizza dough. Roll it out super thin (~1/8") and throw onto a hot stone. Check it in 2 minutes or so and flip over after it has puffed up. Be careful, they cook VERY QUICK!

We use the Kitchenaid stand mixer pizza dough recipe, but double the salt and olive oil. Alton Brown (Good Eats) also has a great recipe (note he calls for Kosher Salt, which is less dense than table salt if you use a tablespoon of table salt, it will be too much)

Bon appetit!

If you've found this review helpful, please let me know!

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I had read the reviews before buying, but it seemed like only a few mentioned the smell, so I figured I'd take my chances. Well, it definitely smells. I'm not a scientist and I haven't contacted the company, but I did want to share with others, that if you care about these sort of things, or have a sensitive nose, a portion of this pizza peel definitely has a strong "dissected frog"-like aroma. It's pretty gross. Due to this, I haven't used it, nor have I washed it (which, I've read, can make the smell worse). I have pin-pointed the odor (on the one I received) to come directly from the engraved "Epicurean" logo. The rest of it only smells very faintly. If I wasn't thinking of using one side as a cutting surface and the other side as a pizza peel, I might be able to overlook this issue. However, I'm concerned that the more it is cut into, the more it will smell. Of course, then my concern grows from a bad odor to, "what the heck may be leaching into my food?" It's really a shame, because I love all the other aspects of thing, Renewable Resource, Made in USA (less transportation than imported items), light, NSF-Certified, Good Size, and generally great reviews. So, 5 stars for those redeeming qualities, but minus 2 stars for such a strong formaldehyde-like odor.

I've found many great products by reading the competition's reviews, so if you're thinking about the Epicurean, but are concerned about the possibility of the odor, here's my two cents:

Despite the origins of the odor (formaldehyde or not), I'm quite picky about these sorts of things, so I think I am going to somewhat-reluctantly return this otherwise nice item and replace it with the Totally Bamboo pizza peel. It currently only has 1 review, however, other Totally Bamboo items seem to get high stars. Even though it is imported, it does seem to be otherwise eco-conscious. Oh, and there's no complaints of it smelling funny, and the description specifically states that it is formaldehyde-free. Hmmm...

--------------

Just an UPDATE: I did end up sending it back and am happy that I don't have the worry of "wonder what that smell is, on my pizza?" I LOVE the smell of garlic, so I'd be happy to have that around (it's great when we dehydrate it in the Excalibur whole house smells garlicky-goodness!!)

I ended up buying a Lodge Pro-Logic P14P3 Cast Iron Pizza Pan, Black, 14-inch which is GREAT! It works for pizza, should also work for "almost" crepes (haven't tried it yet), and makes a nice "lid" for our Lodge Pro-Logic P14W3 Cast Iron Wok, Black, 14-inch.

As an aside, sometimes we make flat bread pizzas, which fit well on something such as Norpro Stainless Steel 10 X 15 X 1 inch Jelly Roll Baking Pan, with something like these Matfer 321005 Exopat 11-5/8-by-16-3/8-Inch Nonstick Baking Mat these are examples, as we use a combo of sizes and brands for our oven and toaster/convection oven. Choose your sizes according to your needs.

We like a variety of pizza, so it's nice to have a variety of pans, especially for a party. These all work great for that purpose, as well as cookies, etc. Mmmm...

I rely on reviews here at Amazon to help me make informed buying choices. I hope this review has helped you in the same manner. :)

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Kuhn Rikon Citrus Tool, Colori

It's got everything you need all in one tool. Very sturdy and well made. Had a little trouble with the zester. I never use peels as garnish, but tried nonetheless. Don't know if it was my lack of know how or if it was dull, but I couldn't manage any peels for garnish. That's not a deal breaker for me though. Great tool for travelling.

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Slitzer® 21-Pc. Professional Chef's Cutlery Set with Case

This 21 piece knife set is absolutely awesome! My wife uses hers all the time to make the most precise cuts she has ever made. The case is diesel and won't allow any damage to the knives. It may be a bit overkill, but when you have a chef who wants to protect their "tools", then this case is absolutely perfect! Fast delivery and exactly as promised.

I would reccomnd this for the begining chef it is an excellent set of knves

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Okay, ever see a knife set, 21 pieces for 99 dollars. At $109 delivered I was skeptical, but i had actually handled and used this set before. If for any reason you were going to go out and spend a hundred dollars on a single knife, smack yourself in the face, and go buy this set, any knife you could ever need, a 5 pound cleaver, razor sharp cutlery, and everything in the picture is true, probably bigger and nicer than you thought!! Buy 2!!!!

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Aside from the large metal briefcase that looks as if you're planning an assassination these are a decent set of knives for the price. Fairly light weight plastic handles do feel a touch flimsy and the blades themselves are not incredibly sharp, but again for the novice or otherwise non-professional chef these are hardly concerns certainly given the price point. If your concern is durability I would likely look elsewhere; indeed the knives themselves do their job and no problems have yet arisen however they do occasionally feel (as well as look) relatively cheap. The only other minor complaint would be the sort of unnecessary items that come with it. While it is great to find a set of knives with a 10" chef knife, cleaver, and what could otherwise be described a machete I certainly did not need the included potato peeler. A fine product though all-in-all though; likely worth the capital.

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This has everything a starter chef would want or need. The only thing missing is the roll case to make it easier to carry to class. It also has a few extra things not needed for class but can be used for other things. It wasn't a bad price for it either. Most places are asking almost $300 especially if you buy them individually.

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Berghoff 8-Piece Gourmet Knife Block

Customer review from the Amazon Vine Program Let me preface my review by saying that I received this set of cutlery in exchange for reviewing the product. There is no requirement that I give a good review. Also, let me point out that the actual set of knives I received has a different product number than the one on this page and is more probably the set listed here: BergHOFF Forged 8-Piece Knife Block Set. Nevertheless, I imagine that the two sets are very similar.

The BergHOFF Forged 8-Piece Knife Block Set is great. If you're anything like me, cutlery isn't something you give a lot of thought to. My own long-time knife block set was purchased at Walmart or somewhere similar years ago and probably cost less than $100. And these knives have served me just fine for the limited use I give them. If you want a more study and long-lasting set, however, you may want to take a look at these BergHOFF knives.

The set includes six knives, a pair of kitchen shears and a wooden block to hold all the pieces securely. The knives are as follows: an 8" Chef;s knife, an 8" Carving knife, an 8"Bread knife, a 7" Japanese Santoku Chef knife, a 5" Utility knife and a 3.5" Paring knife. I found that the knives are all quite well-balanced, which is important if you're going to use them extensively for preparing meals. They are not heavy, but they do feel substantial in your hand; not cheap. The bread knife comes with a serrated blade and works really well on tomatoes and other thin-skinned vegetables. The kitchen shears have serrated blades as well and are suitable for everything from clipping leafy vegetables to butchering a chicken. My favorite knife of the set is the Santoku Japanese Chef knife. The balance is great and I find the shape and size of this blade to be the most versatile of all the knives.

The handles on these knives are comfortable to my hand, ergonomic and well-constructed.

The wooden block is heavy but does not take up a lot of counter top space.

This set loses one point with me for not having a sharpening tool with it. One of the things I appreciate about my old set is the sharpening tool. If you don't have one already, you'll probably want to acquire one in order to keep your knives nice and sharp.

Over all, this is a good set at the current price Amazon has for it. Given the proper care, it should last for many years.

Customer review from the Amazon Vine Program The short review:

Solid knife set for basic kitchen/cooking tasks.

The longer review:

Solid construction on these knives. They feel very sturdy.

The grips are great, and the knife is comfortable in your hand.

Good looking block. It's not the one in the photo however, it's an angled wooden block not a black cylinder.

No steak knifes, and no room in the block for additional knives beyond what comes with the set. It's kind of a bummer to have a block in my kitchen without the space for some steak knives.

Scissors included. Every since my first knife set that included scissors, I've used them in the kitchen a lot more than I thought I would.

I will update this review in the future with information about how the knife set holds up over time.

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Customer review from the Amazon Vine Program These are good basic knives for most cooking functions.

Pros:

Full tang and solid construction. The handles and rivets are so well fitted that it's as though they just painted them on.

They came sharp enough to be used immediately.

The handles are quite comfortable.

The block is attractive.

The knives serve their function. Very good bread knife serration, for example. The cute paring knife is very easy to use. The chef's knife is excellent.

Cons:

A bit thin? They feel sturdy anyhow.

I can just tell the steel will tarnish if I let it. I'm probably not going to put these in the dishwashing machine. Albeit they come with a 30 year warranty so perhaps this impression is unfair (I certainly am not an expert on knives).

If the knives wear out, I will return to report that in the review, but I anticipate I'll get reliable use out of them for a long time.

Value:

This is tricky question. These are much better than what I had previously (normal set from Target). I don't know that the list price (the higher number they cross out to suggest you're getting a huge discount) is all that realistic.

For the current price I would say they are a fair value. If they go on sale for $125 or less I would say that represents a very good value.

EDIT: I'm adding the fifth star after using these for a while. I have never had a quality set of knives before, and did not appreciate just how much easier it is to cut food. I would never go back to the Ikea or Target level quality, and I'm quite a cheapskate. These are worth the price. They are holding up under lots of use, btw.

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Customer review from the Amazon Vine Program This is a decent set of knives for the price, but be aware: don't put them in the dishwasher, and dry them immediately when you hand-wash them. If not, you'll have tiny spots of tarnish (rust) on your knives in no time. I was quite disappointed in this, having owned several sets of knives over the years that didn't have this problem.

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Customer review from the Amazon Vine Program This is another one of those products that i have no use for but i know someone who would really like it so i gave it to them as a gift and listened to what they had to say.The knives are very sharp of course and are well made,they do not feel cheap at all.Each knifes handle is well balanced with its blade,this makes it easier to use and keeps your hands from hurting after cutting for a long time.The knife block in which they are stored is NOT that black plastic one shown in the picture on this page,the one i received is made of wood,one side of it is curved downward and does not look nearly as nice,it looks more like a wooden wedge of cheese.One minor complaint,i do wish this set came with a sharpener...that's the one thing keeping this from getting 5 stars.

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Wüsthof Classic Steak Knife Set, 4-Piece

These knives are great I have been using them for close to 2 years now, daily they go in the dishwasher and are still like new. These are well worth the price by now I would have purchased at least 4 sets of less expensive knives.

these are amazing knives. The price was reasonable and the knives were as described. Would have liked to be able to also purchase a box for the knives but so far, i have not found one. Would definitely buy these again.

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We bought four Wusthoff steak knives 34 years ago on our honeymoon in Germany, and they are still in great shape and used several times a month. We decided to buy four more for dinner parties. The new knives are great. Slightly different from our vintage knives, but still very high quality. They arrived in just a few days after I ordered them; much faster than I expected. I give a high rating to both the product and the vendor.

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We are very pleased with our new steak knife set. The knives cut like butter. Would recommend this knife set highly.

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I bought these as replacements for my existing steak knifes, and I've been completely satisfied.

I considered buying the Wusthof Classic 4-Piece Hollow-Ground Steak-Knife Set. However, I'm glad I didn't and saved the money. The hollow-ground rivets would have been harder to clean, and my use of other knives with this feature has not convinced me that it's particularly useful for anything other than the large knives.

PROS:

classic look, feel

sharp

easy to clean

CONS:

none that I've experienced

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KitchenAid Cooks Stamped 5-1/2-Inch Serrated Utility Knife

I give this knife 3 stars because it is sharp and feels sturdy. It is a "utility" knife indeed, but I would not call it a kitchen utility knife. It is heavy, thick bladed and clumsy. Trying to halve some cherry tomatoes felt like I was using a chainsaw. Iv'e had several cheep Henckels utility knives that worked fine. I think I will return it and purchase another one of those.

The good....

Cuts well and has a thick, long handle.

The bad....

There is no hilt and the flare between the handle and the blade is nearly nonexistent. Where the cutting edge of the blade meets the handle, the blade is razor sharp most kitchen knives seem to have a short section of blade there that is blunt. So two people in our household have gashed the tips of their thumbs.

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I had to return these knives. They were red,not black as shown in the picture and they were the wrong knife. That was MY fault. The color was theirs. THey gladly refunded me. Great company to deal with.

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