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| Author |
Message |
| 25 new of 205 responses total. |
keesan
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response 87 of 205:
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Dec 23 17:58 UTC 2002 |
I have not used my stove oven for over a year, since we got the bread machine.
I have a small round Nesco electric oven (insulated walls) that works for
potatoes. Congrats on mastering the bread machine. Whole wheat bread never
rises enough in those. I wonder if the Nesco would bake bread.
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jaklumen
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response 88 of 205:
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Dec 24 08:21 UTC 2002 |
I really wish I had a toaster oven myself. I don't eat toast as much
as I used to, and so I really think a slot toaster alone is somewhat
useless. It's hard to cook everything on the stove top and I don't
always like waiting for a large oven to heat.
resp:85 thanks for the tip, even though I must hunt among my own local
stores. hehe
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gelinas
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response 89 of 205:
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Dec 24 16:01 UTC 2002 |
Hmm... We probably should replace our four-slot toaster; one of the handles
won't stay down, so only two of the slots are useable. A toaster oven would
be easier for some of the larger things, like bagels. Hmm...
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kentn
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response 90 of 205:
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Dec 24 17:27 UTC 2002 |
We're talking about getting a two-slot toaster that can accept wider
items (like bagels). There are several of them out there and they
all seem to have a pair of wire grids in the slot that adjust to the
thickness of the item and keep it centered between the heating elements.
Does anyone have any recommendations on this sort of toaster? Do they
work okay for regular bread? Do they wear out quickly? Any particular
brand?
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slynne
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response 91 of 205:
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Dec 24 17:42 UTC 2002 |
I have one like that and it works ok. I think it is Proctor-Silex or
soemthing. I bought mine for a dollar at a garage sale 2 years ago.
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mary
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response 92 of 205:
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Dec 24 18:48 UTC 2002 |
A few years ago I purchased a Cuisinart toaster much like
what kentn described in #90. Works great on both really
thin toast and thick english muffins and specialty
breads.
Plus, it had a line of lights to show the darkness setting.
These lights are always on. So it's yet one more thing to
glow in the dark come nightime. I love that.
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jmsaul
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response 93 of 205:
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Dec 25 03:23 UTC 2002 |
You can get Hello Kitty toasters at Tsai Grocery. They even toast a picture
of Hello Kitty on the bread.
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kentn
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response 94 of 205:
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Dec 25 04:17 UTC 2002 |
Heh, but will they toast a picture of Hello Kitty on an English
muffin?
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jmsaul
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response 95 of 205:
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Dec 26 03:02 UTC 2002 |
Probably screw up the resolution, but what the hell... ;-)
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slynne
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response 96 of 205:
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Dec 26 19:03 UTC 2002 |
Oh man. I might have to get that Hello Kitty toaster.
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jmsaul
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response 97 of 205:
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Dec 27 00:16 UTC 2002 |
I only saw one more there.
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i
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response 98 of 205:
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Dec 27 01:25 UTC 2002 |
I've got the latest CR report & ratings on toasters & toaster ovens here
if anyone's interested...
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gelinas
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response 99 of 205:
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Dec 27 02:28 UTC 2002 |
Sure. I'm interested.
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i
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response 100 of 205:
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Dec 27 12:43 UTC 2002 |
From Consumer Reports (usual disclaimers here, i own none of these):
(Defaults - slot-type toasters take thick stuff, everything has one-
year warranties, and toaster ovens rates at least "good" for baking &
broiling while holding at least 4 large slices of toast.)
4-slot Toasters:
Only 2 of the 15 toasters reviewed were 4-slotters -
Proctor-Silex 2444[5] (similar were Hamilton-Beach 24505, 24507, & 24508)
Toastmaster T2050[W]
CR paid $24 for the P-S & $27 for the Tm. They liked the P-S's overall
performance better & it has a 2-year warranty. The Tm's shade dial is
"mostly unmarked". On specifics, they rated the P-S better for ease of
use and the Tm better for producing a full color range.
At the top (ignoring a $100 Kitchenaid) are Philips HD2533 (Target, $30)
and GE 106641 (106691) (WalMart, $20). Only an average ease of use kept
the P from taking the gold medal, the GE is above average everywhere &
has a 2-year warranty.
Toaster Ovens:
...really ain't built to be toasters (is CR's conclusion). Only 2 of the
10 reviewed are as good at toasting as any of the "slot machines" i listed
above:
Cuisinart TOB-175 (TOB-165, TOB-160) $205
Delonghi XU120 $53
The C is as good a toaster as the $20 GE 2-slotter, but with better ease of
use. It's also a large convection/broiler/oven with digital controls & a
3-year warranty. The D is weak at toasting consistent (color) successive
or full batches, but is a bit easier to use than the ToastMaster.
A notch down at toasting ("very good preformance", but its weakness is
limited color range) is the Sears Kenmore KTES8 at $70.
The GE & Kenmore units got "CR Best Buy" (based mostly on price/performance).
They didn't look at any Cuisinart slot-type toasters.
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i
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response 101 of 205:
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Dec 28 00:55 UTC 2002 |
FWIW, the toaster oven i'm thinking about is the paint-instead-of-cool-
polished-metal-outside Cuisinart TOB-165; i'd hope to get it for under
$160 at Big Georges (in Ann Arbor). I don't make toast, so that stuff
mostly doesn't matter.
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headdoc
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response 102 of 205:
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Jan 2 16:12 UTC 2003 |
Electric appliances I currently use: Microwave oven, toaster oven,drip coffee
maker, small electric chopper, and amazingly a new George Forman Grill which
is turning out to be extremely handy. small appliances I do not use: bread
machine, cuisinart mixer, electric knife, immersion blender. blender (for
smoothies.
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keesan
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response 103 of 205:
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Jan 2 16:16 UTC 2003 |
Do you want to sell your bread machine (I think you are implying that you have
one)? Or trade it for a repair of something electrical or mechanical?
(Assuming you live within a few miles or us or come this way occasionally).
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slynne
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response 104 of 205:
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Jan 5 21:39 UTC 2003 |
I have been using my bread machine a lot since I got it. My whole wheat
bread keeps coming out funny though. I mean it looks funny but it
tastes ok so that is what is important. I have been experimenting with
adjusting the recipe. I have found that the 1 lb loaf suits my needs
best.
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keesan
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response 105 of 205:
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Jan 5 22:18 UTC 2003 |
What kind of funny? Does it maybe rise and then fall again, making the
top look sort of depressed?
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mary
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response 106 of 205:
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Jan 5 22:37 UTC 2003 |
I remember wheat bread as being difficult. No matter
what I did it was always a bit dense and gummy. Then
I bought some gluten and started adding a teaspoon or two
for each loaf. What a difference. I purchased it at
Fireside, in Ann Arbor, but they're gone now. Maybe
the Ypsi food co-op would carry it?
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jmsaul
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response 107 of 205:
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Jan 5 23:16 UTC 2003 |
You can get it at Hiller's, too.
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slynne
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response 108 of 205:
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Jan 6 20:41 UTC 2003 |
re#105 - Yeah, that is exactly what is happening. The bread *tastes*
great except that it is kind of dense. But that is ok. It is very
filling which has helped me not eat bad things before lunch since a
couple of slices of that for breakfast really keeps me full. I might
try adding some gluten though. I mean, it cant hurt. Is it in the
baking goods section at Hillers?
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keesan
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response 109 of 205:
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Jan 6 23:15 UTC 2003 |
Is there some way to set your machine for a longer rise (or for one long rise
instead of two short ones)?
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davel
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response 110 of 205:
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Jan 7 02:30 UTC 2003 |
Usually not, but it may depend on the machine. Certainly some machines come
with various cycles, some of which have longer rise times. Usually the
details are not documented. (In fact, due to our Zojirushi's having died
after 7 years of heavy use, we opened the Wellbilt which we bought (around
1/2 price, when Best went out of business) to have as a backup. Its
documentation of exactly how long each stage is in each possible cycle is very
complete; if there are temp differences they don't say, though. The chart
is impressive & likely to be useful.)
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keesan
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response 111 of 205:
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Jan 7 02:41 UTC 2003 |
When did Best go out of business?
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