Dan

Whenever a product is advertised "As Seen on TV," I tend to be dubious of the claims. The Nuwave Infrared Oven may not revolutionize your life, but it does a good job of cooking a variety of foods without heating up the kitchen, once you learn its ways.

The main energy sources ...

Sharp has really raised the bar with this full-featured oven. If you are searching for a true all-in-one solution to countertop cooking, then this may be just the thing to meet your needs.

The Sharp R-820JS looks to be a sophisticated microwave oven at first glance. The controls are extensive, and ...

The Krups XP1500 Coffee and Espresso Machine is a moderately priced combination coffeemaker that wants to please everyone but unfortunately ends up falling short in its coffeemaking abilities and convenience.

With the aim to produce an appliance that satisfies the coffee as well as the espresso drinker, Krups has come out with this ...

This sturdy and compact espresso maker from Cuisinart has all the features that make for a great coffee making appliance for your kitchen. The question is, does it provide enough features and convenience to compete with others in the price range?

The EM-100 Espresso maker is a pump-driven machine capable of coffee brewing ...

Until someone comes up with a radical new technology for toasting bread, we will be choosing our favorite device from small slotted boxes with spring plungers, little changed in a lifetime. All the while cursing the heavens for burnt or underdone toast. Into the fray comes this ...

The ESAM3300 is known as a Super-Automatic for good reason. This style of machine is designed for absolute push-button convenience when preparing Italian coffee drinks.

Manufactured in Italy, this model features a burr grinder and will hold up to 7 oz. of coffee beans ready for automatic grinding right before the brewing ...

This convection toaster oven from Krups offers sophisticated electronic controls along with innovative quartz heating. All meant to elevate the experience beyond what you would expect from a countertop appliance.

The oven has an interior capacity of .59 cubic feet, which is roomier than most toaster ovens in this category according ...

If you are looking for an efficient, quick way to heat water for coffee or tea without the potential hazards of boiling water on the stove, then an electric kettle is for you.

The Chef's Choice electric kettle has a 1.7 liter capacity, almost 2 quarts. There are smaller kettles on ...

Coffee is a religion. And for those of us who worship daily at the altar, the promise of better coffee and easier preparation will always get our attention. This espresso maker from Nespresso in Italy sounds like true coffee nirvana, albeit an expensive one. I mean, the machine is ...

For preparing family-sized portions and having the quality and durability to last for many years, you just may want to have this skillet on hand.

As a longtime user of large iron skillets, I appreciate the versatility of the oversized pan, even when cooking only for myself. An entire breakfast of ...

The Oster Toaster oven is available in a fire-engine red color and features a convection cooking system and uncomplicated controls meant to provide versatility and space-saving convenience on the kitchen counter.

This model has a decidedly retro appearance with rotary dials, and an industrial-style metal casing with venting slots on the sides. ...

There are no doubt as many methods of brewing coffee as there are coffee drink flavors. They all follow the same basic rules, however:

1. Grind roast coffee beans.
2. Boil water and add to ground beans.
3. Filter and drink resulting brew.

Since the basic process is such a simple one, folks are always ...

This coffeemaker began with a reasonable idea: Move the appliance up and off the counter to make better use of limited space. Unfortunately, this version has too many problems to recommend as a solution to the lack of counter space.

Black & Decker has been making reliable and popular gadgets ...

Oh Senseo, why do you continue to taunt us with your promises of convenience and quality, while delivering just expensive, average coffee?

The Senseo Single-serve Coffeemaker from Phillips is designed exclusively for use with premade coffee pods in a variety of flavors. It will dispense a 4 or 8 oz. cup of ...

Stainless steel fans can rejoice at the news that Cuisinart has this complete set of cookware on sale for less than the price of one or two pans from some competitors.

For a popular blend of looks and durability, it is hard to go wrong with stainless steel cookware. This set from Cuisinart ...

The venerable Mr. Coffee, not to be outdone by all these European upstarts, has added a coffee/espresso combo machine to their line of appliances. Trim and easy to use, but is it worth the money?

First the details. This unit is capable of brewing up to 8 cups of coffee on one ...

Cuisinart, the company that began with the food processor, now has quite an extensive line of toasters. Their offerings range from high-end stainless steel to the colorful Cool Touch models.

This toaster is meant to be used where counter space is at a premium, and is very compact for a 4-slice model. ...

Back in the early '90s, we got our first espresso machine at a restaurant where I was working. It proved enormously popular, and soon we were in need of a sturdy surface to knock the portafilter on for quick release of used grounds. I fabricated something from a small steel ...

This blender from Hamilton Beach packs some major power for the price. Add to that the heavy glass pitcher and the "Wave-action" technology for a solid appliance in the kitchen.

The "Deluxe" Blender -- it must be deluxe due to the 14 speeds -- is available in black now to coordinate with modern ...

If there's one thing I've learned in a lifetime of cooking, it is the importance of using the best quality tools and equipment for whatever you are doing. Anything less causes frustration in the process and dissatisfaction with the result. The pressure cookers/canners made by All-American are the best tools you ...

I love the title description of this microwave oven. "Luxury Full-Size". It sounds like a sedan from the '70s. If only it was trimmed in Corinthian leather.

This is a big appliance. Not the sort of thing for a college dorm room. More like a timesaver for a large family, ...

The coffee percolator was once ubiquitous to the home kitchen. This is where the term "coffeepot" originated after all. Long before the fancy drip coffeemakers with their timed brewing and goldtone filters were these iconic silver workhorses.

Many of us have fond memories of coffee bubbling away in the morning during our childhood ...

This espresso machine certainly looks to have all the features one desires for producing quality coffee drinks at home, and the sale price makes it a very attractive competitor to costlier appliances.

First of all, the XP4030 is manufactured by Krups, a leader in the field of coffee brewing devices for the kitchen. ...

If you are fortunate enough to own a Kitchenaid mixer, you already know how incredibly useful it is in the kitchen. And the one thing that will increase its usefulness more than anything else is an extra bowl.

There are many recipes that call for mixing ingredients separately before blending, and ...

Zojirushi has been manufacturing rice cookers since the '80s, and is known as a leader in the field of commercial and home rice preparation. With this model, you have a simplified method of producing a large quantity of white or brown rice consistently.

The company has been improving the capabilities of the humble ...

The Waring Pro Cool-Touch Deep Fryer is a compact fryer for your kitchen counter that features simple controls and easy cleanup, with the power to quickly prepare family-size batches of french fries.

This unit certainly cuts a stern figure on the kitchen counter. Looking a bit like Darth Vader's toaster, the ...

The Spacemaker line of appliances from Black & Decker are meant to solve the problem of too little counter space by mounting under your cabinets. This presents some unique design and function challenges that have been addressed to varying degrees of success, depending on the appliance.

This model coffeemaker has the ...

In the interest of full disclosure, I have been a fan and user of the Bodum coffee press for over fifteen years, ever since receiving one for a gift. Mine has accompanied me on camping trips and been packed in the suitcase for use in hotel rooms, along with a small ...

It's a wonderful thing that modern cooks are enjoying the benefits of pressure cooking and canning foods. This is due in large part to the pressure cookers offered today, which are vastly superior to the products of old, and reduce considerably the time needed to prepare meals.

That being said, you ...

The Cool Touch Deep Fryer may fool you with its compact shape. I thought it was a bread maker when I first saw one. The design is rather clever and the performance consistent with this model.

Once you get past the fact that even deep fryers are made almost entirely of ...

The Sanyo Coffee/Tea Maker is a compact all-in-one unit that I would love to see in my next hotel room. While lacking any automatic features, it has a smart design and a value price.

This coffeemaker is unique for a number of reasons. It brews about half that of most machines (six ...

I remember when the microwave oven was more novelty than necessity. We used to melt cheese on bread just to watch the magic happen, and then scald our mouths with the resulting product. This model from Panasonic is considerably more versatile, and aims to take any guesswork out of meal preparation ...

There's only one way to describe this coffee maker from Braun. It's cute. From a company that likes to push the style and performance envelope with kitchen appliances, cute is rather a novel approach.

With a white and silver color scheme, and a notable absence of stainless steel, this model is a ...

Capresso has really upped the bar this time. They have combined a burr grinder and a coffeemaker into one automatic unit. Just load the beans and water, set the timer for brewing, and the next morning you have a freshly brewed, freshly ground pot of java.

The burr grinder feature is a ...

Salter, I daresay, has the widest variety of kitchen scales on the market today. With this model, they have gone decidedly minimal. It's a simple square slab of stainless steel, rather elegant in its simplicity.

Now really, this is the company that produces kitchen weighing devices that resemble robots from a ...

I'll just admit it. I am a gadget geek. The thought of spending well over a hundred dollars on a device for boiling water doesn't phase me. As long as there is some major technology involved, it's Zojirushi to the rescue!

The Hybrid Water Boiler is named for the innovative thermal design. ...

For those seeking espresso style drinks on a budget, DeLonghi has the machine for you. Although not up to the professional quality of their more commercial machines, this promises to deliver a decent cup at a modest price.

This model is a basic steam-driven coffeemaker. It differs from the more expensive ...

For those of us that begin most days by pouring coffee into a thermal mug for the morning commute, this machine is a no-brainer. Plus the warmer keeps the remaining brew ready for an afternoon cup that doesn't taste half bad.

The latest offering in the Brewstation line features plenty of options ...

KitchenAid continues to add to their lineup, this time with a colorful set of nonstick cookware sure to please those looking for a comprehensive set for the kitchen.

The set is made from heavy aluminum for even heating with a bright red porcelain enamel finish on the exterior. The interior is coated with ...

Coffee lovers like me are loving the fact that burr grinders are available in a size for the home kitchen. I've burnt out so many of those little blade grinders over the years it's not funny. Not to mention the fairly crappy job they do on the beans.

This Capresso is already ...

The humble tea kettle has certainly been embraced by technology. Once upon a time adding a whistle was revolutionary; now Breville allows you to dial in the precise temperature of water you require and hold it for up to 20 minutes with this elegant model.

The sleek stainless steel variable temperature kettle is ...

Calphalon, well known as a manufacturer of anodized aluminum cookware, continues to expand their offerings to include this convection toaster oven for the kitchen counter.

Wrapped in a brushed stainless steel shell and featuring a nonstick interior, this compact oven features convection cooking via an internal fan that circulates the heat to ...

Everyone needs one good roasting pan: the one that cooks the holiday turkey every year, and the giant lasagna for parties. It might not get used as often as the smaller pans, but it's always there year after year when needed, and always delivers.

This roasting pan by Calphalon looks to have ...

This kettle from Chef's Choice blends classic teakettle looks with the latest convenience features, and plenty of wattage for speedy water boiling.

The cordless feature means that only the kettle base plugs into the wall. The kettle itself docks onto the base when in use, and can be lifted off at ...

Black & Decker have revamped their popular Spacemaker line of under-cabinet kitchen appliances in a black color scheme with stainless steel accents. This toaster oven promises to free up counter space by its innovative mounting option.

This toaster oven, part of the Spacemaker quartet of appliances, is a compact unit ...

You get some idea of how seriously the French take the art of cooking when you see the quality, and commensurate price of fine French cookware. This saute pan from Staub will handle anything you care to prepare in it and keep getting better with age.

This is a cast iron ...

If you need to keep plenty of hot coffee available, or (like me) have a partner that drinks decaf while you like rocket fuel in the morning, now is a great time to invest in a serious machine for quantity dual carafe brewing.

The Waring Pro coffeemaker that normally retails for over ...

Cuisinart: always willing to modify a successful concept in hopes of winning a new audience. This Brew Central coffeemaker takes the design cue from the popular Grind and Brew line but without the coffee grinding feature.

What has been retained is the solid stainless steel build, with a new dark finish they ...

Compact deep fryers can be very handy to have around in the kitchen. Gone are the days of frying onion rings in a big pot on the stove, and the smoke and mess associated with such a method. The Cuisinart Deep Fryer, with a 1.1-liter capacity, takes up little space on ...

Every dairy producing culture loves and promotes their cheeses. It took the Swiss however, and their fanatical devotion to all things melty to create an entire industry around not just one, but TWO social dining events involving hot cheese products.

This exotic grilling gadget owes its heritage to those intrepid rural shepherds ...