Extravagant Kitchen Accessories - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Sage · 08-18-2006, 05:29 AM

Shun knives by Kershaw

Alton Brown uses them, some guy in Hawaii hand makes them, I WANT ONE... or ten!

But you know, they are like... $175 for just a chef's knife. To me, however, it's worth it- if it lasts forever and holds an edge really well and feels good in my hand, well, that's important to me.

What's the most extravagant kitchen accessory you would buy/ have bought? I don't have one... yet. I think the most complicated kitchen thing I've actually bought (that wasn't a gift) was my toaster oven.

Also, PM me if you'd like to make a donation towards one of those knives

sapiens · 08-18-2006, 06:08 AM

The most extravagant kitchen accessory we have bought is probably our kitchen-aid mixer. My wife really wanted one. She was very excited when she purchased it. She doesn't cook. So, I use it occasionally, and she uses it a couple times a year.

Cooking shows and cooking magazines really plant the idea that you need all sorts of fancy, limited use, cooking tools. Hmm... I want to make that but I have to buy a tartlett pan....Every recipe in Bon Appetite seems to require another tool that I don't have.

That said, a good chef's knife would be nice!

MexicanOnABike · 08-18-2006, 07:07 AM

well if anyone heard of CUTCO, then you know how they have amazing knives!
a few years ago, i got the starter kit: chef knife, table knife, very nice steak knife, spatula spreader with sharp edge, fish knife, small pocket knife, and a few others i can't remember right now. but all i can say is if you want quality, you should get these! but ya, i got these knives (value ~1000$) for less since i knew someone who sold em but i woulda payed the full price knowing they are really great!

now theres no stores that i know of that will sell them since it's a door to door deal but they have a website.

Cutco homepage

Sage · 08-18-2006, 07:41 AM

Yeah, the reason I'd go for the Alton Brown knives is because he has a policy AGAINST one-use kitchen gadgets. Plus I just think he's the best chef EVER! And sapiens, I totally want a big stand mixer, but I don't have the counterspacce.

maleficent · 08-18-2006, 10:23 AM

175 is pretty inexpensive for a good knife... i wouldn't buy it just because some tv chef said to - check it out and hold it in your hand - every knife fits differently... if it fits his hand- chances are it's going to feel off in yours if you have smaller hands...

Chingal0 · 08-18-2006, 10:50 AM

Shun knives are money, worth every penny I would say, but I really am in love with my Wusthofs. 175 is quite expensive for one knife, I'm not sure of many more that are over that for a 10'' french. Ken onion is a knife maker, Shun knives are made in Japan I believe, but Ken Onion out of Hawaii does custom knives that are super expensive, I didn't know that he did a Shun one, but it does look badass.

Extravagant accessories for me would be probably a restaurant-quality fryer for my house for corndogs and french fries.

Ample · 08-18-2006, 11:23 AM

As a housewarming gift my brother gave me his large set of Henckel knives that he bought when he went to culinary school. Must be two dozen knives altogether. I love them, by far nices thing in my kitchen.

My brother sent about six months as the personal chef to Muhammad Ali about two years ago. He said that he had the kitchen to die for.

Sage · 08-18-2006, 11:25 AM

I HAVE MAN HANDS!

That's my deep dark secret.

mal, you know I wouldn't buy it solely based on Alton Brown's opnion. I just think it'd be really, really, really sweet to have a handmade badass chef's knife that I'd still be using to cook with when I'm 90. I think that of all my kitchen utensils, my chef's knife is the most important. The one that I have now is nice, it's a J.A. Henkles, but I find it doesn't stay as sharp as I would like it to over time. Plus I can totally see where an ergonomic handle and a more balanced knife would make a WORLD of difference when cutting things.

I've got my perfect 10" seasoned cast iron skillet, now I need my perfect knife and I'll be ready to make ANYTHING!

maleficent · 08-18-2006, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chingal0

I'm not sure of many more that are over that for a 10'' french.

I was in some cooking store, like williams sonoma but not quite as posh that had knives - beautiful knives that were custom made - mostly german I think... that were 300 - 400 and 500 hundred bucks and more...

I like my trusty wustoffs personally.. the grip just feels good...

Next to my knife, my handy dandy sharpener is my next favorite gadget - i find that I cut myself much less when my knives are super sharp - so they get sharpened frequently

edmos1 · 08-18-2006, 11:57 AM

I agree hold the knife, if it fits your hand the better it would be, but back to the thread
I have a bigger than standard kitchen aide, I love it
I have a fryer (not commercial I am jealous)
a nice knife set
a rice cooker (that I dislike, I should have gotten a nicer one like a Zojirushi)
a griddle perfect for the bigger breakfasts, and I can cook 1 # of bacon at the same time

but one of my most useful items is a 4 qt chefs pan (not counting my chefs knife and my santoku), it was a bit expensive, but a nice size to make sauces, occasional pastas (for small servings) all in all a nice pan.

hambone · 08-18-2006, 12:26 PM

I got an awesome Wok for one of our wedding presents. Seriously, its like the best kitchen thing we own. I don't know how expensive it is, I just know its super heavy and totally spectacular.

rthmchgs · 08-18-2006, 06:53 PM

I agree with Chingal0. I have a number of Wustoff's. They are fantastic. The only thing that I can recommend is make sure you get a good sharpener. And one that has the correct angle. I think it is the Kershaw knives that have a higher angle than the Wustoff's. You'll ruin the knife pretty quickly. I have and reccommend the McGowan

Sage · 08-18-2006, 08:08 PM

So, rthmchgs, is that sharpener for all knives, or what? I've been looking for a good sharpener and the only one for my knives that I can find is like $30 special order from BB&B.

Jason762 · 08-19-2006, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mexicanonabike

well if anyone heard of CUTCO, then you know how they have amazing knives!

Hmm, I was over at a friend's house today and I notice he had a cutco knife. Handle was interesting. Looked like a bread knife type of thing.

Didn't like it though. Felt to skinny and the cut of the handle wasn't "right". Too many edges for me.

Anyway my extravagant kitchen gadget would be an espresso maker. Like the professional ones seen and used at Pete's coffee/Starbucks.

maleficent · 08-19-2006, 12:59 PM

i think my most extravagent thing inmy kitchen is my le creuset cookware set.. it's heavy as all get out... but it's about 15 years old and still is in great shape (and I dn't take care of my belongings)

Most of my other gadgets were expensive somwher but i picked up for cheap at home goods or marshalls... gotten some good cookware dirt cheap there...

Elphaba · 08-19-2006, 01:25 PM

I have a fairly good quality set of knives and great steak knives, but I just *had* to have the medium package CUTCO. Fortunately, buyers remorse set in and I returned them. What I really have to do is finish paying off the medical bills.

Jason762 · 08-19-2006, 02:30 PM

Kind of on topic, but kind of a thread jack as well....

What's a good place to buy extravagant kitchen stuff? Particularly online?

maleficent · 08-19-2006, 02:43 PM

www.williamssonoma.com
www.surlatable.com
www.overstock.com I wouldn't rule out -- their stock changes daily and often have really good deals on things.

The home shopping networks both www.hsn.com and www.qvc.com often have good quality stuff.

www.chefscatalog.com has a ton of stuff

www.amazon.com also has a lot of stuff....

Ilike going to the stores like williams sonoma to touch and feel the gadgets than get it on line cheaper...

and never overlook popping into home goods, marshalls or tjmaxx - they all have a housewares department and often carry name brand stuff -- cheap -

Charlatan · 08-19-2006, 04:35 PM

I am trying to think what the most extravagant thing would be...

Knives are up there, as are all the mixers and do dahs... but I would have to say, given my choice and all the space to do it in I would spend it on restaurant grade appliances (i.e. gas cooktop, 2 x wall mounted ovens - so can roast and bake at the same time in seperate places, big assed refridgerator and two drawer style, in counter diswashers).

In other words, I want a state of the art kitchen.

Other than that, I would be top of the line pots and pans.

ktspktsp · 08-19-2006, 05:01 PM

I don't know if it qualifies as a kitchen accessory.. but if it does, my coffee grinder (Rancilio Rocky) is my most extravagant purchase. It cost more than the espresso machine

.

On my future purchase list, I have a cast-iron skillet, an oil mister, and a one-handed pepper grinder (which should be very nice for when I'm handling meat with one hand and seasoning with the other one!

). Nothing too extravagant, but I must please my inner consumer whore.

maleficent · 08-19-2006, 05:58 PM

Quote:

I have a cast-iron skillet

you can buy one of those for 5 bucks at most non chain hardware stores...

An oil mister is an absolute necessity.. it's not expensive and is so handy

Jason762 · 08-19-2006, 06:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maleficent

www.williamssonoma.com
www.surlatable.com
www.overstock.com I wouldn't rule out -- their stock changes daily and often have really good deals on things.

The home shopping networks both www.hsn.com and www.qvc.com often have good quality stuff.

www.chefscatalog.com has a ton of stuff

www.amazon.com also has a lot of stuff....

Ilike going to the stores like williams sonoma to touch and feel the gadgets than get it on line cheaper...

and never overlook popping into home goods, marshalls or tjmaxx - they all have a housewares department and often carry name brand stuff -- cheap -

Thanks Mal! I think there's a Williams Sonoma store out in Emeryville in the Bay Street Mall. I'll check it out sometime.

EDIT: Jura-Capresso Impressa Z5 *drools*

nikkiana · 08-19-2006, 08:18 PM

I'd say the most extravagant thing we own is the Kitchenaid Mixer.... Granted, it was a wedding gift and we didn't buy it ourselves (but if we hadn't have recieved it, I'm sure we WOULD have bought one because it's really the only mixer worth having).

rthmchgs · 08-19-2006, 08:33 PM

Sage, I got the sharpener at a store in Virignia Beach called The Kitchen Barn, the guy there was great. He stocks a lot of All-Clad and doesn't stock Calphalon because he used it and it all de-annodized on him. Anyway, he said that the Wustoff's and the Henckles are all at the same angle, 22 degrees I think, the Kershaws, if I remember correctly are at 19 or 18 degrees. He recommended the McGowan sharpener for my Wustoff knives. It does a fantastic job. Supposedly it will work on serrated knives, but I haven't really used it for that because they don't dull as fast as the regular blades. I'm sure you can email McGowan and ask them if the sharpener will work on your knives.

I know it may sound kind of sketchy that I am telling you this information that I got from a guy at a kitchen store, but he was really on the ball. I buy most of my kitchen items there now.

Oh yeah and the most extravagant item I have in my kitchen right now is an All-Clad 3 quart saute pan. I love it. People ask my why I paid so much for it when there are much cheaper options out there....I just say they have to try it to see how awesome it is. So far the best thing I have gotten for the kitchen.

Ch'i · 08-19-2006, 11:01 PM

This post reminds me of this guy I saw on "Iron Chef" who was famous for having the larest cooking knife in all of Asia. I'll try to find a picture...

http://watanabeblade.com/english/pro/kuro.htm
These knives are hand forged, high carbon steel, and hallow faced for faster sharpening. If you want toughness, sharpness & longevity, then this is my suggestion.

snowy · 08-22-2006, 08:58 AM

We have a Henckels knife that we just love--my mom got it for us for Christmas.

I also really love my commercial Calphalon nonstick griddle pan, because it is the most durable nonstick pan I've ever owned, and it makes amazing omelettes. It's the only nonstick pan we have--the rest are stainless steel.

I'm putting together my wedding registry, slowly but surely, and the things at the top of my list are a Kitchen Aid mixer, a food processor, a Le Creuset Dutch oven, a good set of knives, and a good set of pans. For looks alone, I'd like to have Le Creuset's little vegetable casseroles, especially this little garlic one:

If anyone has any recommendations, I'd like to see them.

Notably, this weekend we went to the Le Creuset outlet store and then on to a Macy's...the pots were cheaper at Macy's. However, the Mikasa outlet beat Macy's price.

newtx · 08-22-2006, 10:20 AM

Alton Brown is the stuff. However I still wouldn't pay that for a knife. KitchenAid mixer............oh yea . No home is complete without one.

angeltek · 08-28-2006, 10:47 AM

Personally, I use this sheffield knife that I picked up at wallmart for $20 and it's the best knife I have ever used.

I have heard that there are these ceramic knives that are incredible. anyone know anything about those?

snowy · 08-28-2006, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by angeltek

Personally, I use this sheffield knife that I picked up at wallmart for $20 and it's the best knife I have ever used.

I have heard that there are these ceramic knives that are incredible. anyone know anything about those?

Kyocera makes some ceramic knives. From what I've read, they hold their edge much better than traditional metal knives, though you can't sharpen them at home. However, Kyocera offers the service for free when you do need sharpening.

JustJess · 08-28-2006, 01:16 PM

Right now, I'm pretty enthusiastic about my roaster. Pampered Chef Link

My sister works with Pampered Chef, so... man, I love this thing. My chicken and baked potatoes on the bottom come out SO perfectly, and it cleans up ridiculously easily. I also love the curves on two corners for easy pouring of juices.

Otherwise, I love my Henkels knives, and the cast iron pot rack full of mostly stainless steel Calphalon on the wall. Makes my heart giddy. Registries are good things.

For future: swanky appliances, oh yeah, and le Creuset stuff. *drool*

anyaslilbro · 08-29-2006, 09:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sage

Shun knives by Kershaw

Alton Brown uses them, some guy in Hawaii hand makes them, I WANT ONE... or ten!

Alton Brown is the MAN! I got to meet him when he came to my school to do a jerky demo. I got to talk with him for a bit after the demo. FANTASTIC.

When I got my first chef position, my bf bought me a 12 pc set of the Shun knives

I almost died from happiness!!!

08-18-2006, 05:29 AM	#1 (permalink)
Sage hoarding all the big girl panties since 2005 Location: North side	Extravagant Kitchen Accessories Shun knives by Kershaw Alton Brown uses them, some guy in Hawaii hand makes them, I WANT ONE... or ten! But you know, they are like... $175 for just a chef's knife. To me, however, it's worth it- if it lasts forever and holds an edge really well and feels good in my hand, well, that's important to me. What's the most extravagant kitchen accessory you would buy/ have bought? I don't have one... yet. I think the most complicated kitchen thing I've actually bought (that wasn't a gift) was my toaster oven. Also, PM me if you'd like to make a donation towards one of those knives __________________ Sage knows our mythic history, King Arthur's and Sir Caradoc's She answers hard acrostics, has a pretty taste for paradox She quotes in elegiacs all the crimes of Heliogabalus In conics she can floor peculiarities parabolous -C'hi

08-18-2006, 07:07 AM	#3 (permalink)
MexicanOnABike Location: up north	well if anyone heard of CUTCO, then you know how they have amazing knives! a few years ago, i got the starter kit: chef knife, table knife, very nice steak knife, spatula spreader with sharp edge, fish knife, small pocket knife, and a few others i can't remember right now. but all i can say is if you want quality, you should get these! but ya, i got these knives (value ~1000$) for less since i knew someone who sold em but i woulda payed the full price knowing they are really great! now theres no stores that i know of that will sell them since it's a door to door deal but they have a website. Cutco homepage __________________ - Movie Reviews - Ratings-

08-18-2006, 07:41 AM	#4 (permalink)
Sage hoarding all the big girl panties since 2005 Location: North side	Yeah, the reason I'd go for the Alton Brown knives is because he has a policy AGAINST one-use kitchen gadgets. Plus I just think he's the best chef EVER! And sapiens, I totally want a big stand mixer, but I don't have the counterspacce. __________________ Sage knows our mythic history, King Arthur's and Sir Caradoc's She answers hard acrostics, has a pretty taste for paradox She quotes in elegiacs all the crimes of Heliogabalus In conics she can floor peculiarities parabolous -C'hi

08-18-2006, 10:23 AM	#5 (permalink)
maleficent Junkie Moderator Emeritus Location: Chicago	175 is pretty inexpensive for a good knife... i wouldn't buy it just because some tv chef said to - check it out and hold it in your hand - every knife fits differently... if it fits his hand- chances are it's going to feel off in yours if you have smaller hands... __________________ Free your heart from hatred. Free your mind from worries. Live simply. Give more. Expect less.

08-18-2006, 10:50 AM	#6 (permalink)
Chingal0 Something like that.. Location: Oreygun.	Shun knives are money, worth every penny I would say, but I really am in love with my Wusthofs. 175 is quite expensive for one knife, I'm not sure of many more that are over that for a 10'' french. Ken onion is a knife maker, Shun knives are made in Japan I believe, but Ken Onion out of Hawaii does custom knives that are super expensive, I didn't know that he did a Shun one, but it does look badass. Extravagant accessories for me would be probably a restaurant-quality fryer for my house for corndogs and french fries. __________________ "Eventually I became too sexy for my gym membership fee." Last edited by Chingal0; 08-18-2006 at 10:54 AM..

08-18-2006, 06:08 AM	#2 (permalink)
sapiens Junkie Location: Some place windy	The most extravagant kitchen accessory we have bought is probably our kitchen-aid mixer. My wife really wanted one. She was very excited when she purchased it. She doesn't cook. So, I use it occasionally, and she uses it a couple times a year. Cooking shows and cooking magazines really plant the idea that you need all sorts of fancy, limited use, cooking tools. Hmm... I want to make that but I have to buy a tartlett pan....Every recipe in Bon Appetite seems to require another tool that I don't have. That said, a good chef's knife would be nice!

08-18-2006, 11:23 AM	#7 (permalink)
Ample Psycho Location: In your closet	As a housewarming gift my brother gave me his large set of Henckel knives that he bought when he went to culinary school. Must be two dozen knives altogether. I love them, by far nices thing in my kitchen. My brother sent about six months as the personal chef to Muhammad Ali about two years ago. He said that he had the kitchen to die for. __________________ Her juju beads are so nice She kissed my third cousin twice Im the king of pomona

08-18-2006, 11:25 AM	#8 (permalink)
Sage hoarding all the big girl panties since 2005 Location: North side	I HAVE MAN HANDS! That's my deep dark secret. mal, you know I wouldn't buy it solely based on Alton Brown's opnion. I just think it'd be really, really, really sweet to have a handmade badass chef's knife that I'd still be using to cook with when I'm 90. I think that of all my kitchen utensils, my chef's knife is the most important. The one that I have now is nice, it's a J.A. Henkles, but I find it doesn't stay as sharp as I would like it to over time. Plus I can totally see where an ergonomic handle and a more balanced knife would make a WORLD of difference when cutting things. I've got my perfect 10" seasoned cast iron skillet, now I need my perfect knife and I'll be ready to make ANYTHING! __________________ Sage knows our mythic history, King Arthur's and Sir Caradoc's She answers hard acrostics, has a pretty taste for paradox She quotes in elegiacs all the crimes of Heliogabalus In conics she can floor peculiarities parabolous -C'hi

08-18-2006, 11:57 AM	#10 (permalink)
edmos1 Daddy Location: Right next door to Hell	I agree hold the knife, if it fits your hand the better it would be, but back to the thread I have a bigger than standard kitchen aide, I love it I have a fryer (not commercial I am jealous) a nice knife set a rice cooker (that I dislike, I should have gotten a nicer one like a Zojirushi) a griddle perfect for the bigger breakfasts, and I can cook 1 # of bacon at the same time but one of my most useful items is a 4 qt chefs pan (not counting my chefs knife and my santoku), it was a bit expensive, but a nice size to make sauces, occasional pastas (for small servings) all in all a nice pan.

08-18-2006, 12:26 PM	#11 (permalink)
hambone Zeroed In Location: CA	I got an awesome Wok for one of our wedding presents. Seriously, its like the best kitchen thing we own. I don't know how expensive it is, I just know its super heavy and totally spectacular. __________________ "Like liquid white from fallen glass, Nothing to cry over"

08-18-2006, 06:53 PM	#12 (permalink)
rthmchgs Upright Location: Norfolk, VA	I agree with Chingal0. I have a number of Wustoff's. They are fantastic. The only thing that I can recommend is make sure you get a good sharpener. And one that has the correct angle. I think it is the Kershaw knives that have a higher angle than the Wustoff's. You'll ruin the knife pretty quickly. I have and reccommend the McGowan

08-18-2006, 08:08 PM	#13 (permalink)
Sage hoarding all the big girl panties since 2005 Location: North side	So, rthmchgs, is that sharpener for all knives, or what? I've been looking for a good sharpener and the only one for my knives that I can find is like $30 special order from BB&B. __________________ Sage knows our mythic history, King Arthur's and Sir Caradoc's She answers hard acrostics, has a pretty taste for paradox She quotes in elegiacs all the crimes of Heliogabalus In conics she can floor peculiarities parabolous -C'hi

08-19-2006, 12:59 PM	#15 (permalink)
maleficent Junkie Moderator Emeritus Location: Chicago	i think my most extravagent thing inmy kitchen is my le creuset cookware set.. it's heavy as all get out... but it's about 15 years old and still is in great shape (and I dn't take care of my belongings) Most of my other gadgets were expensive somwher but i picked up for cheap at home goods or marshalls... gotten some good cookware dirt cheap there... __________________ Free your heart from hatred. Free your mind from worries. Live simply. Give more. Expect less.

08-19-2006, 01:25 PM	#16 (permalink)
Elphaba Deja Moo Location: Olympic Peninsula, WA	I have a fairly good quality set of knives and great steak knives, but I just had to have the medium package CUTCO. Fortunately, buyers remorse set in and I returned them. What I really have to do is finish paying off the medical bills.

08-19-2006, 02:30 PM	#17 (permalink)
Jason762 Insane Location: Bay Area, California	Kind of on topic, but kind of a thread jack as well.... What's a good place to buy extravagant kitchen stuff? Particularly online?

08-19-2006, 02:43 PM	#18 (permalink)
maleficent Junkie Moderator Emeritus Location: Chicago	www.williamssonoma.com www.surlatable.com www.overstock.com I wouldn't rule out -- their stock changes daily and often have really good deals on things. The home shopping networks both www.hsn.com and www.qvc.com often have good quality stuff. www.chefscatalog.com has a ton of stuff www.amazon.com also has a lot of stuff.... Ilike going to the stores like williams sonoma to touch and feel the gadgets than get it on line cheaper... and never overlook popping into home goods, marshalls or tjmaxx - they all have a housewares department and often carry name brand stuff -- cheap - __________________ Free your heart from hatred. Free your mind from worries. Live simply. Give more. Expect less.

08-19-2006, 04:35 PM	#19 (permalink)
Charlatan Getting it. Super Moderator Location: Lion City	I am trying to think what the most extravagant thing would be... Knives are up there, as are all the mixers and do dahs... but I would have to say, given my choice and all the space to do it in I would spend it on restaurant grade appliances (i.e. gas cooktop, 2 x wall mounted ovens - so can roast and bake at the same time in seperate places, big assed refridgerator and two drawer style, in counter diswashers). In other words, I want a state of the art kitchen. Other than that, I would be top of the line pots and pans. __________________ "My hands are on fire. Hands are on fire. Ain't got no more time for all you charlatans and liars." - Old Man Luedecke

08-19-2006, 05:01 PM	#20 (permalink)
ktspktsp Addict Location: Reykjavik, Iceland	I don't know if it qualifies as a kitchen accessory.. but if it does, my coffee grinder (Rancilio Rocky) is my most extravagant purchase. It cost more than the espresso machine . On my future purchase list, I have a cast-iron skillet, an oil mister, and a one-handed pepper grinder (which should be very nice for when I'm handling meat with one hand and seasoning with the other one! ). Nothing too extravagant, but I must please my inner consumer whore.

08-19-2006, 08:18 PM	#23 (permalink)
nikkiana Tilted Location: Brooklyn, NY	I'd say the most extravagant thing we own is the Kitchenaid Mixer.... Granted, it was a wedding gift and we didn't buy it ourselves (but if we hadn't have recieved it, I'm sure we WOULD have bought one because it's really the only mixer worth having).

08-19-2006, 08:33 PM	#24 (permalink)
rthmchgs Upright Location: Norfolk, VA	Sage, I got the sharpener at a store in Virignia Beach called The Kitchen Barn, the guy there was great. He stocks a lot of All-Clad and doesn't stock Calphalon because he used it and it all de-annodized on him. Anyway, he said that the Wustoff's and the Henckles are all at the same angle, 22 degrees I think, the Kershaws, if I remember correctly are at 19 or 18 degrees. He recommended the McGowan sharpener for my Wustoff knives. It does a fantastic job. Supposedly it will work on serrated knives, but I haven't really used it for that because they don't dull as fast as the regular blades. I'm sure you can email McGowan and ask them if the sharpener will work on your knives. I know it may sound kind of sketchy that I am telling you this information that I got from a guy at a kitchen store, but he was really on the ball. I buy most of my kitchen items there now. Oh yeah and the most extravagant item I have in my kitchen right now is an All-Clad 3 quart saute pan. I love it. People ask my why I paid so much for it when there are much cheaper options out there....I just say they have to try it to see how awesome it is. So far the best thing I have gotten for the kitchen.

08-19-2006, 11:01 PM	#25 (permalink)
Ch'i Artist of Life	This post reminds me of this guy I saw on "Iron Chef" who was famous for having the larest cooking knife in all of Asia. I'll try to find a picture... http://watanabeblade.com/english/pro/kuro.htm These knives are hand forged, high carbon steel, and hallow faced for faster sharpening. If you want toughness, sharpness & longevity, then this is my suggestion.

08-22-2006, 08:58 AM	#26 (permalink)
snowy Kick Ass Kunoichi Location: Oregon	We have a Henckels knife that we just love--my mom got it for us for Christmas. I also really love my commercial Calphalon nonstick griddle pan, because it is the most durable nonstick pan I've ever owned, and it makes amazing omelettes. It's the only nonstick pan we have--the rest are stainless steel. I'm putting together my wedding registry, slowly but surely, and the things at the top of my list are a Kitchen Aid mixer, a food processor, a Le Creuset Dutch oven, a good set of knives, and a good set of pans. For looks alone, I'd like to have Le Creuset's little vegetable casseroles, especially this little garlic one: If anyone has any recommendations, I'd like to see them. Notably, this weekend we went to the Le Creuset outlet store and then on to a Macy's...the pots were cheaper at Macy's. However, the Mikasa outlet beat Macy's price. __________________ If I am not better, at least I am different. --Jean-Jacques Rousseau

08-22-2006, 10:20 AM	#27 (permalink)
newtx Addict	Alton Brown is the stuff. However I still wouldn't pay that for a knife. KitchenAid mixer............oh yea . No home is complete without one.

08-28-2006, 10:47 AM	#28 (permalink)
angeltek Crazy Location: Regina, sk, Canada	Personally, I use this sheffield knife that I picked up at wallmart for $20 and it's the best knife I have ever used. I have heard that there are these ceramic knives that are incredible. anyone know anything about those?

08-28-2006, 01:16 PM	#30 (permalink)
JustJess Unencapsulated Location: Kittyville	Right now, I'm pretty enthusiastic about my roaster. Pampered Chef Link My sister works with Pampered Chef, so... man, I love this thing. My chicken and baked potatoes on the bottom come out SO perfectly, and it cleans up ridiculously easily. I also love the curves on two corners for easy pouring of juices. Otherwise, I love my Henkels knives, and the cast iron pot rack full of mostly stainless steel Calphalon on the wall. Makes my heart giddy. Registries are good things. For future: swanky appliances, oh yeah, and le Creuset stuff. drool __________________ My heart knows me better than I know myself, so I'm gonna let it do all the talkin'.