The Pinnacle In Kitchen Supplies

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There are many kinds of kitchen supplies that you can get. The key to getting great kitchen supplies is finding a good place to purchase them from. I have had to purchase many a kitchen gadget, spatula, and other kitchen equipment used for cooking. I have tried retail stores, online websites, and while some have been great for the most part it has been hit or miss. I thought my search for the ultimate kitchen supplies store would never end, and then I found kitchenstuff.com and knew my search ended.

The Greatest Place For All Kitchen Supplies

At kitchen stuff you can find virtually anything that you need. In addition to that their prices are nearly unbeatable. From towels to knives this store has it all. With easy shipping and easy to add on extended coverage this website has it all.

One of my favorite things to shop for is the kitchen carts and islands. They have a wide selection that not only inspires but guides me through any kitchen remodel. One of my current favorites is the Jumangi kitchen cart. It has a rich gold oak wood finish for a nice unique light look. In addition to that the frame is made from solid rubber wood that is guaranteed to last for years to come. The solid marble granite top is perfect for cutting and preparing food or just general work. This kitchen cart goes beyond your average everyday kitchen supplies. It also has a rack in the middle to hold up to 10 wine bottles. In addition to that there are two drawers for storing wine openers, charms, knives or whatever other kitchen supplies you need stored. One the sides are four pegs for towels and other items.

This cart can be shipped directly to you overnight and in addition can be shipped for free if you opt to have it shipped that way. This cart is just one of many that you can get from kitchen source. All of their carts are of the highest quality and will add that classy finished touch to your kitchen.

The carts are really just the tip of the iceberg at this website as there are many other items to choose from. If you get a chance you should go there and just browse through the many different things you can get for your kitchen. Perhaps you will be inspired like I was. You will never know what you are missing until you go there.
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Finding Inexpensive Kitchen Equipment

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If you are looking for inexpensive kitchen equipment for yourself or a rental apartment but are not having any luck than I am here to help. We are not talking about simple pots and pans here, but the heavy duty stuff that every kitchen needs. I have been a landlord for many years and finding reliable and inexpensive kitchen equipment has saved me thousands of dollars over the years. Through my sources I have even managed to replace most of my home kitchen equipment with much better stuff. What I would like to do is give you some tips on how I was able to accomplish this so you can take advantage for yourself.

How To Find Quality Kitchen equipment

The best and most affordable quality equipment to be had can be found on the used market. If you do a little searching you can probably find a dealer locally that you can go look at used kitchen equipment. Many times these dealers will offer a warranty with the stove or other kitchen appliance so that you can buy with confidence knowing your investment is protected. I have purchased kitchen equipment this way and I highly recommend getting the insurance plan, especially on anything electronics.

Dishwashers, stoves, microwaves, and all sorts of kitchen appliance are usually available for very cheap on the used market. A lot of people are leery of purchasing used products, but in fact while they have been used longer, at least you know that they are able to function. Sometimes even the new machines will not work right out of the box. With a used machine you can be assured that it has been broken in a bit and whatever was defective right out of the box probably has already gone wrong. In any event I recommend getting the extended warranty to cover the unit from damage down the road.

Another reason why getting used appliances is a good idea is that you can usually resell them for almost what you paid. Used products lose a lot less resale value than newer ones simply because they are already used when you get them. As long as you take care of them and treat them well you should be able to get good money for your kitchen equipment down the road.

There you have it, several reasons why looking at used kitchen equipment is a good idea. Now all you have to do is find a local dealer so that you can find and chose the right appliance for you.
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Why Choosing The Right Cookware Is Important

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For people that love to cook in the comfort of their own home, nothing makes them happier than the right type of cookware to create their culinary creations. Having the right cookware can make or break a meal, causing frustration and a lot of burning if the wrong items are chosen. There are many reasons why choosing the right products to make your meal creations a success so the choice that is made should be carefully considered before making a final decision.

Temperature Control

Choosing the right type of cookware set for your cooking needs is very important because the right items can control the temperature that the food is being cooked at. For most types of cooking, keeping the food cooking at a consistent temperature is very important to the quality of the meal because it ensures that the food is cooked thoroughly and does not burn due to overheating. Certain types of cookware conduct heat differently so different pots and pans may be used to create different types of dishes.

Some of the less expensive types of cookware are made from thin metal sheets that are not very effective at controlling the temperature of the food cooking within them. This can cause items to become dried out, burnt, undercooked, or tough because the cook cannot control how the food is cooking. Many cases of bacterial and viral intestinal conditions are cause by food being improperly cooked.

Ease Of Cleaning

Some types of cookware are much easier to clean than others, so if doing the dishes for hours to scrub food out of pots is not your thing, then you may want to consider purchasing a type of cookware that is simple and quick to clean. Many different types of cookware are touted as non-stick but the consumer must be careful to choose a type where the non-stick coating does not start to flake off after several uses. It is also important to choose a type of cookware that has a thick enough coating of the non-stick surface to actually be effective.

Many of the more expensive types of cookware come with a warranty period where the items will be replaced if they become damaged within the specified time period. Each of these warranties comes with conditions that could void the warranty if the cookware is considered to have been misused. This typically includes placing the cookware in the dishwasher or scrubbing the item with an abrasive cleaning agent or steel wool pad.
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What Type Of Cookware Set Is Best For You?

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There are many different types of cookware set varieties on the retail market today and each of the different types has different qualities. This makes the decision of choosing a particular set difficult because there are many things that need to be taken into consideration. There are a few things that should be focused on when choosing a cookware set and keeping these items in mind can make your decision much easier.

Price

There are a number of different price ranges that a cookware set can fall into on the retail market. Some high caliber cookware items, such as a stainless steel cookware set, are much more expensive to purchase than simple cookware items made from a less expensive material. Many people make the decision of which cookware set is best for their needs based on the price of the set and how often the set will be used in the home.

It is possible to find some deals on the price of the cookware set you have chosen. Many stores that sell cookware items will have regular sales on certain items and sets that they have in stock and some stores that sell overstock items will have a great cookware set available as well. In some cases, the manufacturer of the cookware will have deals for certain items listed on their website to entice more consumers to purchase their products.

Ease Of Cleaning

Many people are concerned about the amount of effort that it would take to clean their cookware set after use and look for the items that would be easiest to clean. Most types of cookware created today are coated with a non-stick surface that prevents the food from adhering to the item, making it much easier to clean after cooking. Consumers must be careful about the non-stick cookware set that is chosen because some of the less expensive varieties have a non-stick coating that can flake off with continued use.

Amount Of Items In Set

Another choice that will have to be made is how many items should be included in the cookware set that is chosen. Some sets will only contain several pots and pans while others will contain a wide range of pots in different sizes with matching lids along with several pans that can be used for cooking other items. It is not uncommon to find a cookware set containing as many as 30 different pieces or as few as 4 pieces.

Making a choice of what cookware set is best for your needs can be a difficult decision, but if each of these criteria is carefully considered, you will be able to find the cookware set that is right for you.
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The Benefits Of A Stainless Steel Cookware Set

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Many people believe that a stainless steel cookware set is the best type of cookware set for purchase, and with good reason. A stainless steel cookware set has many benefits over other types of cookware sets, which may make them more appealing to people that cook frequently. Most of these sets possess the same basic qualities, so there is little different between the cookware sets that are available to choose from.

Longevity

A stainless steel cookware set is long lasting and can remain in good condition for a number of years if taken care of properly. Many of these cookware sets come with warranties from the manufacturers that state that any item that becomes damaged during normal use will be replaced at no cost to the consumer. There are a number of things that could void the warranty on the stainless steel cookware set though, such as using an abrasive material on the surface of the cookware or placing the item into a dishwasher.

Temperature Control

A good stainless steel cookware set, such as an all clad cookware set, could actually make a person a better cook by carefully regulating the distribution of heat over the bottom and sides of the cookware. Regulating the cooking temperature properly is a key component to cooking food properly because temperature fluctuations can cause undercooked or burnt food no matter how carefully the food is watched and turned. With the temperature properly regulated, the cook will know that the food will turn out correctly each time the stainless steel cookware set is used and they will be able to concentrate on seasoning and spicing the food properly.

Price Of The Set

A stainless steel cookware set can be found in a wide range of different prices, making them affordable for a number of different households. The price of the stainless steel cookware set can be affected by many different factors, such as the thickness of the stainless steel, the quality of the items, how many items are included in the package, and the reputation of the manufacturer. The price of the sets can range between $100 and $500 in most retail locations and can be higher if the person chooses to go to a specialty retailer.

The price of the stainless steel cookware set will greatly depend on the number of items that are included in the set. Some sets may only have two pots and three pans while other sets may include as many as thirty pieces. The type of stainless steel cookware set that is chosen should fit both your budget and your culinary needs.
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Interested In An All Clad Cookware Set?

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One of the most popular types of cookware sets available today is the all clad cookware set. The All Clad Company has been manufacturing quality cookware sets for many years out of many different types of materials, including stainless steel, copper, and aluminum. The techniques used to create an all clad cookware set are some of the most unique in the industry, creating a product that is preferred by many.

How The Sets Are Created

An all clad cookware set is created by layering different types of metals together for the best cooking effect. The individuals that create the cookware items train for years in the techniques used to create the items properly so that each piece is manufactured to exacting standards. The sets are designed to distribute the heat of the burner below over the entire surface of the cookware evenly so that the food placed inside will cook evenly.

Each item of the all clad cookware set has a heat resistant handle so that the cook will not have to use a pot holder to remove the pots and pans from the stove. This is especially helpful for long cooking sessions or when the cook is using multiple burners on the surface of the stove. The handles are created from stainless steel and are ergonomically designed to be handled comfortably.

Each individual piece of the all clad cookware set is hand inspected to be sure that everything is placed properly and manufactured correctly before being shipped out to the customer. Even the rivets that hold the handles to the nonstick cookware set are inspected to remove every trace of milling and sealed to ensure that they will not rust. The detailed inspection ensures that there will be no issues with the all clad cookware set once it has been shipped to the customer and that the quality of the cookware will remain the same over the life span of the all clad cookware set.

Many people that cook on a regular basis prefer an all clad cookware set because of the quality of the set. The pieces of cookware that make up the set are crafted beautifully and are easy to use to create a great meal in any kitchen. An all clad cookware set can also make a great gift to a person that loves to cook because it gives them some of the best cookware on the planet to practice their passion.
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Why People Prefer A Nonstick Cookware Set

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There are many different types of cookware sets available for purchase today, but the most popular type by far is the nonstick cookware set. A nonstick cookware set can be made out of many different types of materials, with stainless steel cookware sets being the most popular and the copper cookware set being the rarest. There are a number of different benefits that can be realized by purchasing a nonstick cookware set and these benefits are the reason why many people prefer these sets over other types.

Health Benefits

Using a nonstick cookware set can actually help a person live a healthier life. Food that is cooked in nonstick cookware requires much less oil, butter, or lard to keep the food from sticking to the bottom of the pan. In some cases, the person can use water or broth to cook meat in the pan and the oils that are cooked out of the meat will be enough to keep the food from adhering to the pan surface.

Using a nonstick cookware set distributes the heat of cooking evenly along the bottom of the pan and makes the food items easier to turn. This ensures that the food is cooked thoroughly and no area of the cooked item is subjected to more heat than every other part. Most intestinal illnesses, such as salmonella and e. coli, are the result of undercooked foods, which makes cooking food thoroughly very important for the health of the entire family.

Cleaning With Ease

The ease of cleaning a nonstick cookware set is another reason why this type of cookware is so popular. Not only does the nonstick surface prevent food from sticking during the cooking process, it also makes it very easy to wash off any food residues without the use of scrubbers or harsh chemical detergents. In many cases, the nonstick cookware set can be cleaned completely with some hot soapy water and a dishcloth or sponge.

Although the nonstick cookware set may be comprised of many different sizes of pots, pans, and lids, all of the items can be carefully cleaned in the same way. It is not recommended to place a nonstick cookware set into the dishwasher because the force of the water and the type of soap used in the dishwasher can harm the nonstick finish of the cookware. In fact, most warranties for cookware products are voided if the cookware has ever been placed inside the dishwasher for washing.
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The Rare Copper Cookware Set

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One of the hardest types of cookware sets to find today is the copper cookware set. These sets are made out of copper metal and copper metal alloys to create a beautiful and unique type of cookware. A copper cookware set can be used in a number of different ways and the personal preference of the homeowner will dictate which pieces are needed and which pieces are not.

A copper cookware set can be created by number of different manufactures, but are found in very few retail outlets. This is because the expense of the metal used to create the cookware items and the manufacturing cost of the cookware can make the price of a copper cookware set more expensive than some other types of cookware sets. Many people choose to order their cookware set directly from a manufacturer instead of attempting to find it located with a retailer nearby.

Cooking With A Copper Cookware Set

Many of the people that have purchased a copper cookware set are very pleased with the way that they work. The copper bottoms of the pots and pans are conductive to heat, allowing the entire bottom of the cookware to heat evenly and consistently. These cookware items are also coated with a nonstick coating to allow food to be removed easily from the cookware and allowing the cookware to be cleaned easily with a simple solution of soap and water.

In order for the copper cookware set to remain looking like new, some basic maintenance will need to be performed on a regular basis. When cooking with a copper cookware set, it is not recommended to use metal utensils within the cookware because the metal utensils can scratch or gouge the interior of the cookware. It is also not recommended to put copper cookware in the dishwasher to be washed because the chemicals in the detergent used in the dishwasher could harm the finish of the cookware.

Decorating With A Copper Cookware Set

Because a copper cookware set has such a lovely appearance and a beautiful color, many people leave their copper cookware exposed on the wall or on a rack for a decorators touch in the kitchen area. Unlike a microwave cookware set, which is clear or clouded white with a colored lid, a copper cookware set has a burnished, golden glow which adds warmth and a sense of luxury to what ever room they are placed in. Many consumers are now choosing to pair their copper cookware set with a copper countertop and some beautiful stained wooden cabinets for a very sophisticated and modern look for their kitchen.
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The Ease Of Using A Microwave Cookware Set

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The microwave cookware set has been gaining in popularity over the last decade as more and more people discover the wonders of using a microwave to prepare their meals. Until recently, the only meals that a person would make in their microwave would be TV dinners chosen from the frozen foods department of their local supermarket. Today, people are learning how to create nearly every item that could be made on a stove by placing the ingredients in the microwave and tuning it to a correct temperature and time.

What Is A Microwave Cookware Set Made Of?

Unlike some of the more popular types of cookware, such as cast iron cookware, a microwave cookware set will not be made out of metal. This is because metal can do great damage when placed inside of a microwave and could even destroy its functioning capabilities, turning the microwave into a pile of scrap. A microwave cookware set is generally made out of sturdy plastic or glass to ensure that the composition of the cookware will not interfere with the functioning of the microwave.

A microwave cookware set made out of plastic is the least expensive and the most common. Many manufacturers have created plastic cookware items that are microwave safe and some product are specifically intended for use in the microwave to cook certain items. These plastic items are designed to withstand the high temperatures reached when food is microwaved, but are also designed to cool down fast to reduce the risk of the cook harming themselves on the hot cookware.

A microwave cookware set made out of glass may be more expensive but it will last longer than the cookware made out of plastic and many people believe that glass items are safer to be cooking food in. In some cases, the edges of the glass cookware is scalloped or imbedded with a fanciful design to make the cookware item an appropriate serving dish as well. The glass microwave cookware set will not cool down as quickly as the plastic cookware items will, so it is very important that pot holders or oven mitts are used to remove the cookware items from the microwave.

One of the biggest benefits to purchasing a microwave cookware set is that there is often a microwave cookbook included with the set. These cookbooks contain recipes for everything from chocolate cake to whole chickens and provide a reference material for instructions on any other item that you may be considering cooking in a microwave. A microwave cookware set can be very versatile and an entire meal can be made in the microwave in a fraction of the time it would take to cook the meal on the stove or in the oven.
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Seasoning And Cleaning Cast Iron Cookware

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Although used for interior decoration, self-defense and as antique collectables, many people still like to use cast iron cookware for cooking. A cast iron griddle will outlive you – if you take care of it correctly. You cannot clean it like you would other kings of cookware. Soap and water will ruin cast iron cookware, turning it incurably rusty. Before you ever use your cast iron cookware, you need to be sure it's correctly seasoned.

Seasoning

If you receive cast iron cookware that is currently being used as cookware and has already been seasoned, then you can skip seasoning for now. However, if your food sticks like glue to your pans, then you know that you have to reseason. It can't hurt to at least be familiar with seasoning cast iron cookware.

If the cast iron cookware is brand, spanking new, then it has a protective coating on it that needs to be washed away before you can season. You have to do this, preferably with just hot mildly hot soapy water and steel wool. At this stage, a little water is not going to harm the cast iron cookware. But don’t let the soapy water soak in the pots and pans!

Then, you pour some vegetable oil into the clean cookware. (Originally, you used lard, but that's hard to come by and not an option for vegetarians!) It's best to use a paper towel in order to spread the oil evenly over the interior of the pans. Then, you need to turn your oven on to 250° F. Keep the lid off. Stick the oiled cask iron cookware in the oven for two hours. Use when cooled off.

Cleaning

Cast iron cookware should be cleaned with a damp towel or cloth. If you have to wash, use only a mild dish detergent and NEVER use a scrubbing pad. It's best to let dry by sticking it on a warm burner. Another way to clean tough, stuck on food is to add a cup of water to the cast iron cookware, boil it for three minutes, dump the water (and, hopefully, the stuck on food), then let cool a bit and wipe with a thick cloth.

Yet another people like to clean their cast iron cookware is by adding a little salt to the pots, then wiping with a cloth or paper towel. The salt acts as an abrasive powder. Afterwards, more oil needs to be added. Store with the lids off. This is why it's best to hang these pots and pans up.
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Using A Cast Iron Griddle To Tell The Future

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Many people have had psychic abilities, particularly precognitive abilities. Although a revered power many thousands of years ago, most of today's major religions forbid it. These restrictions are easing up in mainstream Christianity and Judaism today. But, even a hundred years ago, to be discovered as a woman who could tell the future would have lead to you being ostracized by the community. These people didn’t see the future in crystal balls – they saw it in everyday items like a cast iron griddle.

Scrying

Being able to glimpse the future through use of a tool is called "scrying". Although tea leaves, Tarot cards and crystal balls are perhaps the most infamous of scrying tools, you can also use an inky black object like a cast iron griddle, particularly if it is used regularly for cooking and not just wall decoration. A seasoned cast iron griddle has even coloring that can help your subconscious awaken after gazing at it a while.

The main gist of scrying with a tool like a cast iron griddle is to relax your conscious, logical mind and let your intuitive, imaginative mind take charge. If you've ever seen shapes in the clouds or in a campfire, then you already know the kind of skills you need to tell the future by gazing at the back or the inside of a cast iron griddle.

Empty Or Full?

There isn’t any one correct way to tell the future with enamel cast iron cookware. Some people like to hang a pan or griddle on the wall and stare at it. Some prefer to fill the cast iron pot with water and gaze. Some like to heat up their cast iron griddle and splash some water inside, watching the shapes that arise from the bouncing drops and the steam. Try many different ways to see what method really clicks with you.

Preparation

Scrying takes a surprising amount of energy for many people. Some people can see the future effortlessly, but for most of us it takes a bit of work. It's best to look at the future of other people and not yourself, because you will be too worried about your own future to see anything accurately.

Many people like to pray or wear a protective charm when they scry with a cast iron skillet. You might just like to imagine a shielding white light around you. Even if you don’t believe in God, it's good to pray that what you see is accurate and not more than you can handle.
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What You Need To Know About Enamel Cast-Iron Cookware

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There are two kinds of cast-iron cookware made -- bare cast-iron and enamel cast-iron cookware. People today prefer to use enamel cast-iron cookware for cooking and leave their bare cast-iron to age transform (eventually) into antique cast-iron cookware. Enamel cast-iron cookware doesn’t rust as easily as bare cast-iron cookware does, and is easier to clean. There are those who also believe that enamel cast-iron cookware is healthier than bare-cast iron.

What Is The Coating Stuff?

Enamel cast-iron cookware is basically bare-cast iron cookware with a protective glaze of vitreous enamel (also called porcelain enamel). It's cooked right on to the metal pots and pans. This procedure began in the 1800's and is still used by cooks and chefs today. Cleaning is much easier than with bare-cast cookware because you can use regular soap and water and do not worry about the seasoning process.

Even though enamel cast-iron cookware is still called that, there's not a lot of actual iron in the pots and pans anymore. Other combinations of metal alloys are used. This is partially because of health concerns, but also this is to make a lighter and more portable pot. Although a little bit of iron is necessary in the human diet in order to be healthy, if you get too much iron, you can get sick. Many believe that enamel cast-iron cookware can leech more iron into food than bare cast-iron cookware.

It Costs What?

Another main point about enamel cast-iron cookware that you must always keep in mind is that it is about the most expensive cookware on the face of the planet. The process of making the enamel cookware is a lot more complicated than making many other kinds of cookware.

If you are interested in getting enamel cast-iron cookware, you might be better off getting one piece at a time rather than a whole set. You would have to contend with the potential for the cookware not to match. You can get bargains on auction websites like eBay, until you look at how much you have to pay for shipping. Although not as heavy as brae cast-iron, it's still plenty heavy.

With proper care, enamel cast-iron cookware can last for decades. You need to let the pots and pans cool off completely before washing them, otherwise the clashing temperatures may wind up warping the cookware. It's best to use soft sponges or washcloths rather than anything harsh.
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Collecting Antique Cast-Iron Cookware

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Although DNA tests show that we share over 99% of our genes with chimpanzees, there is a good chance that we also share a high percentage of DNA with a pack rat. People love to collect stuff for the sake of collecting stuff we'll never use, like antique cast-iron cookware.

They fall in love with a particular item and then become collectors, turning their homes into museums. Often these collectors become valuable sources of information about the very things they collect. We might not know much about what a cast-iron cookware set in the past looked like if not for antique cast-iron cookware collectors.

The Thrill Of The Hunt

Part of the thrill of antique cast-iron cookware collecting is finding the pieces. Actually owning the piece can often seem anti-climactic after the thrill of discovery. Antique cast-iron cookware is not just valuable – it's also still useable, beautiful and tells more about our past than our grandparent's stories often can. Many collectors prefer going physically to the seller's homes, auction houses or flea markets rather than just cruise eBay.

Just how old does antique cast-iron cookware have to be before it is considered antique? This is a topic of some debate among collectors, historians and antique dealers. Usually, an item has to be over 100 years old before it can officially be called an "antique". But, when you go into an antique shop, many things there are a lot younger than a century.

The word "antique" on an item for sale needs to be taken with a large grain of salt. Many sellers were use the word without realizing what it means. Many more ethical sellers and antique dealers will instead use word like "valuable", "vintage" or "collectable" as a more accurate way of describing their wares.

Treasures Galore

Unlike Van Gogh's or Faberge eggs, there is an awful lot of antique cast-iron cookware still in existence, so there is a very good chance of finding a rare, old or particularly beautiful item. You don’t have to be collecting all your life to make a particularly significant find. Collectors of antique cast-iron cookware prefer the naked metal, as opposed to items that have been painted or super-glued together.

But the main thing about any collection, particular something as large and heavy as an antique cast-iron cookware collection, is that you personally like it and find it somehow pleasing. It doesn’t matter how much money you could get for selling the piece – it's how much it makes you feel that is the real value of a collectable or antique.
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Other Uses For a Cast-Iron Cookware Set

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Have you looked at the cost of a cast-iron cookware set lately? It looks like the budget for a Third World country, doesn’t it? But a cast-iron cookware set, properly taken care of, can not only be the last cookware set you would ever need, but your kids would ever need. But, if you're going to plunk down that much money for cooking utensils, whether it's bare cast-iron or porcelain cast-iron cookware, you want to get your money's worth. Here are other uses for your really expensive cookware.

Weight Training

Although modern enameled cast-iron cookware sets are lighter than their all-iron ancestors, they still can pack a wallop when you want to pick them up – particularly if they are full of homemade chicken soup. Why invest in expensive weights for your workouts and basic body building when you can just lift a cast iron cookware set multiple times? If you really want to feel the burn, bench press a Dutch oven with the chicken soup still in it.

Hammer

Every now and then, you just need to pound something into the dirt (literally and figuratively). Perhaps you need to hammer in tent pegs or garden stakes. But you have forgetting you hammer – or, your hammer's handle has a crack in it, making it too dangerous for use. Never fear. Just pick up a piece from your cast-iron cookware set (preferably a frying pan) and WHAM, your problems are solves.

Recipe Book Holder

The problem with a lot of recipe books is that they are in books. Books are great – but not when in traditional binding. Unless the cookbook is spiral, bound, it will not lay flat. So, you have to either write the entire recipe out by hand in order to use it or you could lay a piece from a cast-iron cookware set in order to keep the book from springing shut. They also don’t move when you create a breeze racing into the kitchen to put out a fire or handle some other cooking misadventure.

Self Defense

This is actually the best reason to get cast-iron cookware sets. It's not for cooking – it's for down intruders, ex-boyfriends and, quite possibly, marauding black bears. In the case of the latter, just give the bear all of the food inside of the pot and he'll eat happily and then go away. But with people, you need to slam them in the head first and then ask questions later. Not that they can reply, but that's not the point.
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Porcelain Cast-Iron Cookware: Not An Oxymoron

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When you think of tough, heat-resistant materials, you tend to think of metals like steel, iron. But what about porcelain? Despite its fragile reputation (and persistence for popping up into pretty peculiar figurines), porcelain is surprisingly tough. When paired with, say, cast-iron cookware for camping, then you have cookware that you can use for decades, provided you take care of it correctly. Also, try not to expose porcelain to extreme temperatures to avoid cracking. Let it cool off before washing.

Enameled Utensils

Porcelain cast-iron cookware is the offspring of metal alloy utensils and a porcelain glaze (also called a vitreous glaze). The resulting glaze give the sturdiness of bare cast-iron cookware, but without the complicated seasoning and cleaning process required to keep the pans from rusting away. There are even cooking grills made of porcelain cast-iron.

Modern porcelain cast-iron cookware can be used on any range and can even be cleaned in dishwashers instead of always by hand. Unlike bare cast-iron, porcelain cast-iron cookware can come in many colors other than black. You do need to be sure you don’t scrub porcelain cast-iron cookware with scratchy or harsh scrubbers, else they will chip or peel. Once they chip or peel, you really should throw them out.

What About Iron Poisoning?

There's been a lot of fuss made about aluminum cookware being partially responsible for Alzheimer's Disease. However, this has never been proven. But, it is this reason that a lot of people are looking at replacing all of their aluminum pots and pans with porcelain cast-iron cookware. And then people get scared hearing about the risks of iron poisoning with porcelain cast-iron cookware.

Not being able to eat or being able to eat properly cooked foods will certainly hurt you a lot faster than some iron leeching into your food. Again, it hasn’t been proven that you can get iron poisoning from porcelain cast-iron cookware that is NOT cracked or peeling. However, you need to eat a LOT of iron before your body starts showing signs of iron poisoning.

Signs of iron poisoning include bloody vomit or stool (never a good sign), abdominal pain, sudden lethargy and disorientation from dehydration. This means that they have ingested a large chunk of iron up to 6 hours previously. If any of these sign occur, don’t ignore it. Call an ambulance immediately. Usually, people who get iron poisoning have taken too many iron ferrous supplements as opposed to using porcelain cast-iron cookware.
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The Pros And Cons Of Cast-Iron Cookware For Camping

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When I was homeless in England, I got by mainly by living off of other people's trash. I lived in a home-made shelter in make-shift campgrounds a mile outside of the city of Bath. I used many different kind of cookware, including cast-iron cookware for camping. I even found a cast-iron skillet still in its box with a warranty in someone's trash. I still remember the thrill of discovery.

The Advantages

The main advantage of cast-iron cookware for camping is that it's very durable and doesn't topple over in a stiff wind (which we got a lot of in England). It also spreads heat out evenly and so you don’t have burnt food on the bottom and ice-cold sludge on the top. Another advantage is that cast-iron cookware for camping is fireproof. This is very important, because fire and hot coals are all you have to cook with. It's surprising how many people forget this.

Another tremendous advantage of cast-iron cookware for camping is that it makes a great self-defense weapon that you don’t need a license for. I swear I could deflect a bullet with my cast-iron frying pan found in the trash. Even when it rusted and I realized I couldn’t cook with it anymore, I still kept it just to smack intruders over the head. Unfortunately, living in a camp makes you more prone to people high on drugs. You need to smack first and ask questions later.

The Disadvantages

The main disadvantage of using cast-iron cookware for camping is a really big one hard to ignore – cast-iron is incredibly heavy. If you're hiking all over hill and dale, you have to have everything on your back. After a couple of miles in the afternoon sun, that cast-iron cookware for camping begins to feel like the proverbial albatross. If you are going to take a cast- iron cooking utensil, take ONE small pan and that's it. If however, you are an RV camper, then you can use a whole set of cast-iron cookware for camping and your back will be fine.

The other disadvantage of cast-iron cookware for camping is that it does not tolerate water well. This is not very helpful when you are stuck for a week in a downpour. When the tent starts leaking, you grab all of the pots and bowls you can to collect the leaks and keep it from spreading out all over your bedding. In this way, a cast-iron pot is helpful. However, it's ruined for cooking by the end of the storm.
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Purpose Of A Cooking Utensil

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Cooking is an essential skill that is necessary to survive. Many people love to cook and do so for the joy of it while others cook to eat. Using a cooking utensil is something that we have taken for granted since every person uses one to cook. The purpose of a cooking utensil is actually to make the cooking experience more enjoyable, convenient and safe. The many different kinds of utensils used for cooking vary greatly depending on their use. Some cooking utensils are superfluous in the sense that their purposes are too specific to be met in ordinary kitchens.

A cooking utensil is by definition a man made products that usually serves as an extension of the arm or hand to do whatever specific purpose it was made to do or as a container of the food as one cooks pr prepares it. A cooking utensil usually tolerates heat well and does not melt easily when exposed to heat with temperatures common to the kitchen. It is commonly used for cooking, preparing and serving food.

Important Cooking Utensils

A kitchen utensil is allocated to the kitchen due to its specific purpose of aiding in cooking, preparing and serving food. Some cooking utensils may find their way to the dining room as serving spoons and forks or to serve other purposes.

Cookware is important things which we need in the kitchen. Pots and pans are among the foremost among the many different things used in the kitchen. It is in these utensils that we cook the food and mixed them using another cooking utensil to stir and mix. Pots and pans come in various sizes that can accommodate sauces and bigger foods that are to be prepared and cooked. There are also varied materials used for pots and pans. A cooking utensil like a pot or pan is usually made of metal for easier heat conduction as well as being able to manage heat well.

Stirrers, spoons, slotted spoons others are among the utensils used to help cook the food in the cookware. Any cooking utensil can be used to stir but there are specific ones used to turn pancakes or mix stir fry. These kinds of utensils are usually made from metal or wood. Other more recent materials or medium used for a cooking utensil is silicone.

Almost all utensils used for cooking can serve a definite purpose in the kitchen. These help us make our cooking time easier and more convenient.
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The Useful Kitchen Utensil

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A kitchen utensil is a device or utensil commonly use din the kitchen in cooking, preparing and, sometimes, serving food. There are a lot of different kinds of kitchen utensils which are necessary in daily cooking and food preparation. Sometimes, the kitchen utensil is specific to certain cultures and regions in the world from which they have originated such as the Chinese cooking utensil, the wok.

Knives

A knife is something that a cook must have several in the kitchen. There are a lot of different kinds of knives and each has their own specific purpose. This kitchen utensil is used to chop, slice, fillet, debone, score and many others. Cleavers and other bigger types of knives need to be sharp enough to cut through bone in a single stroke. There are also knives that are used at the table such as steak knives, butter knives and carving knives.

Slotted Spoons And Spoons

Both of these kitchen utensils are necessary in cooking, especially when preparing foods that have liquid or soup. The spoon kitchen utensil is handy for soups because it can scoop up the mixture and help stir it. On the other hand, the slotted spoon kitchen utensil is great when you need to get something from the soup. The slot in the spoon serves as a drain into which the soup falls through, leaving the item you desire o the slotted spoon.

Tongs

Tongs are another kitchen utensil that one can definitely not miss to have in the kitchen. These are not only great for grilling or frying meat but also great for mixing salads (if you do not have salad forks) and even serving the salad. This multi purpose kitchen utensil can do a lot of other things which may be out of its official description. Tongs can be handy for deep frying not only meat but also other food stuffs that you need to grip steadily.

Cutting Board

This kitchen utensil is necessary in order not to damage your counter top. The cutting board of chopping board is usually made of wood or plastic. This utensil should be able to withstand deep scoring and even strong bangs and whacks when a cleaver is used on it. The cutting board is also used to chop or dice vegetables, fruits and other foods.

There are a lot of useful utensils which one will really find handy with several different uses. A kitchen utensil is more important if it is multipurpose and sturdy enough to last a long time.
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The Wok: A Chinese Cooking Utensil

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The wok is a Chinese cooking utensil that has seen centuries of use. It is a vessel commonly used for cooking and preparing food in Asia. The wok should have a rounded bottom that should sit snugly unto the flame, although, some woks conceptualized in the Western hemisphere have rounded bottoms to better utilize electric stove burners. This Chinese cooking utensil is usually used for stir fries but can also be utilized for other cooking methods. These methods include deep frying, steaming, braising and many others.

Wok Material

The wok is made entirely from metal, the original being cast iron. The cast iron wok is heavier than the western ones which are made from light steel or other kind of metal. The original wok may take on a blackened appearance when it has been used for years. This Chinese cooking utensil has two kinds of handles. One type of wok has a stick handle which extends from the wok outwards up to more than a foot long. This kind of wok is great for stir frying. The other type of handle for a wok is the loop handles. The wok with looped handles is the Chinese cooking utensil of choice for most traditional Chinese restaurants although the wok with the long handles is also popular.

The wok is originally from China but is now found all over the world due mainly to its usefulness in the kitchen and its versatility in cooking methods. This Chinese cooking utensil is usually used with a long handled cooking utensil such as a ladle or a spatula. The wok can be and indoor or outdoor cooking utensil, especially handy for its versatile use. This versatile Chinese cooking utensil is great to bring for camping since it can serve as a different pot or pan depending on what you wish to cook.

Decorative Woks

There are also some decorative woks which come in light, shiny materials. These types of woks are commonly used to serve the food. They are also usually smaller than the average wok since they will usually contain foods that are good for a table for two to four people. This Chinese cooking utensil can also be used in the garden for decorative purposes. Many small fish ponds consist of the larger sized woks which can reach up to two meters in diameter. These serve as great ponds since many of these are deep enough to house several fish without risk of the water heating up and killing the fish under the sun.
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Most Useful Outdoor Cooking Utensil

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When one says outdoor cooking, there are actually two kinds. These two kinds of outdoor cooking includes camp outs and grilling out back. These two kinds of outdoor cooking may need several different types of outdoor cooking utensils.

Camping Out

For use during camp outs without the convenience of the home, one useful outdoor cooking utensil is the can opener. Many people who take trips or camp out bring along canned goods and to open these you will need a can opener. It is not necessarily an exclusive outdoor cooking utensil, the usefulness of the can opener is apparent during camp outs.

Another extremely useful outdoor cooking utensil is the vessel used to contain the food to be cooked or prepared. This vessel can either be a pot or a pan. In cases where only one should be brought, preferences of the campers are usually considered. This outdoor cooking utensil is used for many different purposes which is why careful consideration of the foods that you have brought along will yield the best answer to this.

An outdoor cooking utensil to be used to stir or mixed the food is another useful thing to have. Some campers may opt to cut off a twig from a branch or pick one up from the ground but these options are actually not hygienic and can causes ailments later on if you are not careful enough.

Grilling In The Yard

The most used outdoor cooking utensil for grilling out back at the yard is the tongs. Tongs are really handy for grilling because they are extensions of the hands which can get burned if you come too close to the griller or the flame. Another handy outdoor cooking utensil to have during grilling outdoors is the spatula to be used for turning the meat or whatever you have on the grill. This utensil is not just for outdoor use but can also be used indoors, although there are some spatulas which have longer handles compared to the usual ones used indoors. The longer handles are usually the signs that they are outdoor cooking utensils.

A wooden cooking utensil is hazardous in cases like these since the utensil can catch fire. Utensils utilized during grills and cook outs are usually made from heavy duty plastic (which do not melt easily) or metal. Metal is the material of choice for many people when it comes to cooking outdoors.

Cooking outdoors can be fun. Do not detract from the enjoyment by not taking along the various outdoor cooking utensils mentioned above. There are other outdoor cooking utensils which can also be handy to have so open your mind to what you might need the next time you cook outdoors.
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The Advantages Of Using A Wooden Cooking Utensil

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There are many different kinds of cooking utensils all over the world. One type of utensil used for cooking is the wooden cooking utensil. A wooden cooking utensil can be a crude utensil fashioned primitively from a piece of wood or could be a beautifully crafted modern piece worthy of a modern kitchen. There are many wood makers who specialize in making wooden utensils and other wooden products.

There are many people who prefer to use a wooden cooking utensil when preparing food or cooking food not only because of the aesthetic beauty that a wooden cooking utensil may possess but also for practical reasons. A wooden cooking utensil set can be both decorative and practical to use for cooking. Depending on what kind of tree was used to make the utensils the colors can vary from red to a deep chocolate brown.

Why Some People Prefer Wood

A wooden cooking utensil is more gentle on Teflon coated pots and pans compared to metal and sometimes plastic utensils. There is potential danger when one uses a scarred Teflon pot or pan. It is not only for Teflon coated surfaces but wood is ultimately gentle on plastic surfaces and ceramic ones. Another good reason for using a wooden cooking utensil is that it can last longer than other cooking utensils. Wood is also low maintenance in the sense that sanding and oiling are just what it needs to bring out its beauty.

The presence of germs and bacteria in most cookware surfaces is also another reason why people prefer to use a wooden cooking utensil. Wood discourages the presence of germs and bacteria which is why many people like the idea of reduced number of germs in the utensil. Other people prefer wooden utensils for their beauty and uniqueness. Most wooden cooking utensils are made from the kinds of wood that last longer and can stand being exposed to heat and water.

Care For Wooden Cooking Utensils

Your wooden cooking utensil is easy to care for. You can expect most wooden utensils to appear hairy after the initial washing. The so called hairs or fibers will eventually disappear after the consecutive washes. If you wish them to disappear immediately, scrub the wood gently with a lightly abrasive washing cloth or scotch brite. To maintain the appearance of most wooden cooking utensils, rub edible oil lightly every few months. You can also sand off some burnt areas to even out its color.
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What Makes Up A Cooking Utensil Set

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A cooking utensil set can be made up of a lot of different kinds of utensils. There could be a utensil set made up of pots and pans of varying sizes or a cooking utensil set made up of spatulas, cooking spoon and forks. There are no definite specifications of what can be in a cooking utensil set so it is usually best to actually see the set before buying it so you will be aware of what is in it.

The material of the utensils in the cooking utensil set is one factor that will dictate the price of the set. You can expect stainless steel sets along with silicone cooking utensil sets to be more expensive than corresponding or similar nylon or plastic sets. Other factors that can affect the prices of the sets are the brand names that market the sets as well as the containers of the utensils themselves. Some sets will not have a container for them while others also have corresponding containers.

Common Components Of A Cooking Utensil Set

There are some more common components of a cooking utensil set which you can expect to be in any set. Some sets can also be composed of three or more cooking utensils. It is expected that the more the utensils in a cooking utensil set, the more expensive it will be. Three is probably the least number of components that one can expect from a set although there can also be just two utensils in one set.

A turner is one of the more common utensils that one can expect to see in a cooking utensil set. The utensil can be either a slotted turner or not or maybe both can be present in the set. A spoon, either slotted or not, or both can also be expected to be in a cooking utensil set. A pasta fork is another utensil that is commonly included in a utensil set. For other kinds of sets, a ladle, a fork and a spatula may be included.

Knives can be a cooking utensil set in itself. There are a great number of different knives for different purposes and uses. The knives may not be entirely complete but you can expect there to be steak knives, a chopping knife as well as a paring knife in any cooking utensil set. Pots and pans can also be a cooking utensil set. Some sets of pots and pans may consist of different sixes and capacities of pots and pans.
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Advantages Of A Silicone Cooking Utensil

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In this day and age, one is not surprised to learn that silicone, which used to be a component for computers, microchips and breast implants is now a common material used for cooking utensils. A silicone cooking utensil can actually have a competitive price with cooking utensils made from metal and nylon. There are a variety of cooking utensils that utilize silicone. One common structure for a silicone cooking utensil is to have a wooden handle. This is especially true for spatulas, spoons and others.

There are also many bake ware that are made from silicone. These silicone bake ware needs a firm surface to be laid on if you wish for the cake or to maintain the square or rectangular form you put it in.

Why Use A Silicone Cooking Utensil?

Kitchenware is usually exposed to constant heat and even cold. This is one of the main reasons why a silicone cooking utensil is great for the job. Silicone can withstand heat which can be more than the average stove temperature or oven temperature. It does not lose its form when exposed to heat or cold and silicone also does not retain any smells or colors from the previous foods it has been exposed to. A silicone cooking utensil is also resilient when it comes to being cleaned or washed.

Silicone cooking utensils also have the distinct advantage of not being corrosive to ordinary pr common kitchen substances. It also does not corrode or react negatively to exposure to heat and then cold or vice versa. This means that your silicon cooking utensil will probably last longer than the other kitchen utensils you have with the right care and attention.

One advantage of using a silicone cooking utensil is its gentleness when it comes to dealing with non-stick surfaces. Silicone is softer than wood and can not scratch or damage the surface of non stick pots and pans. Bake ware made from nonstick materials are also exposed to less risk of damage and scratches when the baker uses silicone cooking utensils. Some people may not be aware of it but scratched and damaged nonstick cooking utensils need to be disposed of because exposure to the substances of the scratched surface can lead to cancer and other serious conditions.
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