The Cooks' Den » Hamilton Beach http://www.thecooksden.com Cooking Tools - Gear for Cooks and Chefs Thu, 27 Oct 2011 04:49:11 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 Hamilton Beach Milkshake Maker | Retro Blender, Soda Fountain & Malt Mixer http://www.thecooksden.com/hamilton-beach-milkshake-maker-retro-blender-soda-fountain-malt-mixer/ http://www.thecooksden.com/hamilton-beach-milkshake-maker-retro-blender-soda-fountain-malt-mixer/#comments Thu, 01 Sep 2011 19:27:36 +0000 Sharon http://www.thecooksden.com/?p=12721 Hamilton Beach Milkshake Maker Hamilton Beach drink mixers have been around ever since 1911, and replica models these days reflect the nostalgic Americana of soda fountains, malt shoppes, and jukeboxes playing doo-wop late into the night. Coming across a classic replica Hamilton Beach Milkshake Maker like this one may seem like the real deal. At first.

And at first glance, this Hamilton Beach mixer does have a lot going for it. It's meant to stand on the kitchen counter or mini-bar as part of a retro-inspired decor. The 28-oz. cup will hold any mixed liquid from shakes and malts to protein-infused smoothies. The blender can also be used to whip puddings or scramble eggs.

Unfortunately, when most buyers receive this Milkshake Maker and use it for the first time, buyer's remorse starts to set in. It's not the Hamilton Beach mixer of years gone by. This model is made from plastic parts and is very lightweight. It can wobble when used, so it's hardly professional grade. But on the plus side, even though the exterior isn't very durable, the motor is still powerful enough to work through thick ice creams.

For the price, this Hamilton Beach Milkshake Maker can be a fun piece of kitchen decor that "really works" as it's put to use from time to time. However, if you're seriously interested in a durable drink maker, the better switch is to look for a handheld immersion blender -- like this highly rated model from KitchenAid complete with beverage beaker, whisk, and chopper.

Find this Hamilton Beach Milkshake Maker:

Find this mixer on eBay:

]]> http://www.thecooksden.com/hamilton-beach-milkshake-maker-retro-blender-soda-fountain-malt-mixer/feed/ 1 Hamilton Beach Hand & Stand Mixer with Attachment Set | Black and Chrome 64650 http://www.thecooksden.com/hamilton-beach-hand-stand-mixer-with-attachment-set-black-and-chrome-64650/ http://www.thecooksden.com/hamilton-beach-hand-stand-mixer-with-attachment-set-black-and-chrome-64650/#comments Mon, 08 Feb 2010 13:15:51 +0000 Alice http://www.thecooksden.com/?p=8955 Hamilton Beach Hand & Stand Mixer withI am a lover of sweet treats, but standing over the bowl with the mixer, I can never quite find a comfortable position. Sometimes everything goes well. Other times, I wish I had an extra set of hands. That is where the versatility of a hand/stand mixer is a blessing. When my arm gets tired, I can let the mixer sit on the stand to do its work. When I need that extra freedom to manipulate the beaters or get to tough spots (or when I don't feel like pulling out the whole stand), I can use the hand mixer alone.

This Hamilton Beach model features a shift and stir bowl, which makes it easier to add ingredients during mixing. The head of the mixer travels around the bowl as the beaters spin in the opposite direction to give dough and batter a greater level of smoothness. The bowl rest is grooved to both stabilize the mixer and cut down on drips. And, of course, the attachment set contains all the basic tools you'll need.

This collection is really for those of us who don't require a full-service, heavy duty stand mixer like the classic KitchenAid version. This choice is lighter, less expensive, and capable enough for the moderate duties most kitchens will call upon it to perform.

If you're ready for the real deal, you can't go wrong with a KitchenAid Professional Stand Mixer.

Find this Hamilton Beach Stand Mixer:

Find this stand mixer on eBay:

]]> http://www.thecooksden.com/hamilton-beach-hand-stand-mixer-with-attachment-set-black-and-chrome-64650/feed/ 1 Hamilton Beach 3 In 1 Slow Cooker | White Nested Crock Pot Set 33134 http://www.thecooksden.com/hamilton-beach-3-in-1-slow-cooker-white-nested-crock-pot-set-33134/ http://www.thecooksden.com/hamilton-beach-3-in-1-slow-cooker-white-nested-crock-pot-set-33134/#comments Mon, 19 Oct 2009 23:59:23 +0000 Alice http://www.thecooksden.com/?p=8313 Hamilton Beach 3 In 1 Slow Cooker I truly didn't believe the crock pot could be improved upon. My mind has changed. This set comes with crocks in three sizes which fit into a single base. The glass lid fits all three sizes. Now I can cook and store in the choice that fits my meal size. I can serve in all three for a matching set. Since they're safe for the oven and microwave, I can cook or warm in all three as well.

The crocks nest to save space. They are safe for the dishwasher. The electronics are uncomplicated and the pot has large, wide set handles, making this a good set for anyone who has visual impairments or trouble gripping. If you're clumsy, like me, having a spare one or two crocks will ensure you can still use your appliance if there are any accidents.

The pot is sized just right to bring to the table to heat or serve food. The meal will stay warm for seconds, and there are no extra trips back and forth to the kitchen. This would be well suited for parties, keeping a dip or hot drink at the ready. The crocks could be switched out as needed. For football parties, you could even serve a different dish at each break.

Find this Hamilton Beach 3 in 1 Slow Cooker:

Find this slow cooker set on eBay:

]]> http://www.thecooksden.com/hamilton-beach-3-in-1-slow-cooker-white-nested-crock-pot-set-33134/feed/ 1 Hamilton Beach Deluxe Blender | Black Glass 14 Speed 54245 http://www.thecooksden.com/hamilton-beach-deluxe-blender-black-glass-14-speed-54245/ http://www.thecooksden.com/hamilton-beach-deluxe-blender-black-glass-14-speed-54245/#comments Thu, 01 Oct 2009 20:19:47 +0000 Dan http://www.thecooksden.com/?p=7989 Hamilton Beach Deluxe Blender 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 kitchen styles. The most notable feature is the motor; 700-watts of power is pretty beefy for a blender and usually reserved for the more costly versions. The question of course is: Does it blend? Hamilton Beach advertises a patent-pending technology called Wave-action, produced by the specially-shaped blades that are meant to draw the ingredients down for more thorough blending and ice crushing. It appears that this does improve the blending experience for some ingredients, although not significantly better than most quality blenders. The unit is svelte and well designed overall. Personally, I find the abundance of buttons overkill, as most blending tasks can be accomplished with two or three speeds. This may give the appearance of versatility, but really just presents more of a cleaning challenge in the event of a spill.

The bottom line is that this seems a quality appliance that does just what it is meant to for your blending needs. The glass pitcher is easy to clean, and the unit should give you your money's worth, especially at the current sale price from online retailers.

Find this Hamilton Beach Blender:

Find this blender on eBay:

]]> http://www.thecooksden.com/hamilton-beach-deluxe-blender-black-glass-14-speed-54245/feed/ 0 Hamilton Beach Chef Prep Food Processor | Black Stainless Steel 70670 http://www.thecooksden.com/hamilton-beach-chef-prep-food-processor-black-stainless-steel-70670/ http://www.thecooksden.com/hamilton-beach-chef-prep-food-processor-black-stainless-steel-70670/#comments Sat, 19 Sep 2009 21:22:50 +0000 Alice http://www.thecooksden.com/?p=7692 Hamilton Beach Chef Prep Food Processor There are times when a machine needs to be complicated and times when it should be simple. Then again, there are occasions where the two sides can come together to improve function on all fronts. The Chef Prep is one of these combinations. It operates from a simple thumb press knob, yet has a selection of reversible stainless steel blades which make precise, variable cuts. What really sets this processor apart from others like it is the second level of speed it offers. This gives you a choice when it comes to powering through tougher foods, or for the instances where you get stubborn foods that want to bounce instead of submitting to the blade.

I'm the worst when it comes to assembling parts, so I was pleased that it also has a very easy-to-lock bowl with visual cues to seat it correctly on the base. The ten-cup capacity is large enough for most processing jobs. A food processor isn't for every chore, but there are many occasions where it is indispensable for its speed and control. I do not possess the knife skills to turn out a consistently presentable dish, so I rely on the blades to make some of the cuts which give me the greatest headache. When the prep is done, the parts get tossed into the dishwasher.

Also see the KitchenAid Chef Chopper.

Find this Hamilton Beach Chef Prep:

Find this food processor on eBay:

]]> http://www.thecooksden.com/hamilton-beach-chef-prep-food-processor-black-stainless-steel-70670/feed/ 1 Hamilton Beach Cool Touch Deep Fryer 35020 http://www.thecooksden.com/hamilton-beach-cool-touch-deep-fryer-35020/ http://www.thecooksden.com/hamilton-beach-cool-touch-deep-fryer-35020/#comments Tue, 08 Sep 2009 00:28:44 +0000 Dan http://www.thecooksden.com/?p=5017 Hamilton Beach Cool Touch Deep FryerThe 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 plastic nowadays, you'll find some handy features within to make the experience a pleasant one. While compact, this fryer has a full size basket to accommodate larger portions. The basket sits wide in the pot rather than lengthwise, adding to the trim shape of this model. It holds two liters of oil within its nonstick pot. The pot is removable and dishwasher safe for easy cleaning. The fryer lid shuts during cooking to keep splattering at bay-- although even with the integral filter, don't expect to avoid the smell of deep frying while using this.

The fold-down handle on the fryer basket is the most clever feature, and makes it really easy to store this out of the way until you need it for a fry-up. The numerous safety features are well intentioned, although one tends to impact the frying experience in a negative way. The cord is short, and connects to the unit by a magnet meant to break away if pulled. Unfortunately, the magnet disconnects so readily it can make keeping the power going to the fryer a challenge. Also, it has been reported that this takes a rather long time to preheat the oil. Not a problem if you plan ahead. The controls include a cooking timer and an auto shutoff feature, along with a power and ready light.

Also see the T-Fal Ultimate Pro Deep Fryer.

Find this Hamilton Beach Cool Touch Deep Fryer:

Find this Deep Fryer on eBay:

]]> http://www.thecooksden.com/hamilton-beach-cool-touch-deep-fryer-35020/feed/ 1 Hamilton Beach DuraBlend Wave Action Blender Food Processor Combo Set http://www.thecooksden.com/hamilton-beach-durablend-wave-action-blender-food-processor-combo-set/ http://www.thecooksden.com/hamilton-beach-durablend-wave-action-blender-food-processor-combo-set/#comments Sun, 06 Sep 2009 22:13:15 +0000 JT Hats http://www.thecooksden.com/?p=4800 Hamilton Beach DuraBlend Wave ActionThis Wave Action 12 Speed Blender/Food Processor from Hamilton Beach has been designed around special features that somewhat limit its all around effectiveness. It can still be a good choice if you like what it does best--milk shakes and smoothies.

The 700 Watt motor is plenty powerful enough to handle the jobs you need done, and the Durablend plastic reservoirs are nearly shatter proof. Twelve speeds give excellent control of processing stages and make the machine very easy to operate. Circulation of the food in the blender depends on the special "wave action" design--you don't get waves unless you are working with liquid. More solid foods tend to settle to the sides of the pitcher and aren't efficiently returned to the blades.

The small three cup food processor attachment will handle dry products such as nutmeats and semi dry products like potatoes, but there's a minimum amount of ingredients that work well. Too little volume is an issue, and the chopper won't agitate the mix well enough to thoroughly turn over the food. Chunks get left behind.

You'll need to pay close attention to assembly, making sure gaskets are properly seated before use, and since this is a "wave action" machine there's no peeking under the lid unless you want a mess on the counter. Turn it off before adding new ingredients.

Find this Hamilton Beach DuraBlend Food Processor :

]]> http://www.thecooksden.com/hamilton-beach-durablend-wave-action-blender-food-processor-combo-set/feed/ 1 Hamilton Beach Brewstation Plus Coffee Maker | Digital Thermal 47686 http://www.thecooksden.com/hamilton-beach-brewstation-plus-coffee-maker-digital-thermal-47686/ http://www.thecooksden.com/hamilton-beach-brewstation-plus-coffee-maker-digital-thermal-47686/#comments Sat, 06 Jun 2009 00:16:13 +0000 Dan http://www.thecooksden.com/?p=5012 Hamilton Beach Brewstation Plus CoffeeFor 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 for maximum control over the process. The large digital display is backlit for easy viewing on those dim mornings. I am a big fan of backlit displays. It is programmable for timed brewing plus you can specify the number of cups you are brewing for the best flavor extraction. There is a feature called Flavor Plus mode, although nobody will tell me exactly what this does. Apparently it is a well guarded secret at Hamilton Beach. Suffice to say, if you require just a little more flavor from your coffee, hit the red button and stand back.

This coffee maker gets high marks for the warmer, as it keeps the brew plenty hot without the burning that typical carafe pots are subjected to on those hotplates. With a two-hour automatic shutoff, there is no chance for the contents to overcook while sitting. The reservoir is removable for easy filling at the tap. I enjoy that all of my tall travel mugs fit under the dispenser, and the amount of coffee remaining in the unit is plainly visibly from the front. The Brewstation also incorporates an integral water filter.

For a simpler design with an excellent thermal carafe, see the Bunn ThermoFresh coffeemaker.

Find this Hamilton Beach Brewstation Plus Coffee Maker:

Find this Coffee Maker on eBay:

]]> http://www.thecooksden.com/hamilton-beach-brewstation-plus-coffee-maker-digital-thermal-47686/feed/ 1 Hamilton Beach Counter Top Rotisserie Oven | Convection Toaster 31199R http://www.thecooksden.com/hamilton-beach-counter-top-rotisserie-oven-convection-toaster-31199r/ http://www.thecooksden.com/hamilton-beach-counter-top-rotisserie-oven-convection-toaster-31199r/#comments Tue, 24 Mar 2009 00:43:57 +0000 Alice http://www.thecooksden.com/?p=3410 Hamilton Beach Counter Top RotisserieWith the Hamilton Beach Counter Top Rotisserie Oven, you can bake or broil, enjoy convection and rotisserie functions. The interior is a roomy 1.1 cubic feet, large enough for a five pound chicken or two twelve inch pizzas. The oven includes two racks, two baking pans, a broiling rack, rotisserie skewer and lifter, and a crumb tray. Control knobs adjust the temperature and functions.

Because this is a convection oven, you can cook food in two thirds the usual time due to the heated air which circulates around food items, evenly cooking from all sides. The handle stays cool during use. The large viewing window on the front makes it easy to watch the progress of your cooking. The parts are dishwasher safe. The oven comes with a two hour automatic timer and a one year limited warranty.

The warm temperatures of summer are never far away and with a countertop oven there is no need to heat a full sized oven (and your entire house) to cook a meal. People found this oven dependable, excellent at heating and cooking chores. The little oven probably offers more options than your regular oven and if what you cook tends to splatter, it cleans more easily as well. The crumb tray pulls out for cleaning and parts can go into the dishwasher. With room enough for two pans, an entire cake, you'll wonder why you'd need any other oven.

Find this Hamilton Beach Rotisserie Oven:

Find this rotisserie on eBay:

]]> http://www.thecooksden.com/hamilton-beach-counter-top-rotisserie-oven-convection-toaster-31199r/feed/ 1 Hamilton Beach Food Processor | Electric White 10 Cup 500 Watt 70610 http://www.thecooksden.com/hamilton-beach-food-processor-electric-white-10-cup-500-watt-70610/ http://www.thecooksden.com/hamilton-beach-food-processor-electric-white-10-cup-500-watt-70610/#comments Sun, 22 Mar 2009 01:54:00 +0000 Alice http://www.thecooksden.com/?p=4015 Hamilton Beach Food Processor This Hamilton Beach food processor comes with a five hundred watt motor to power through a wide range of chores. Let the ten cup capacity and oversized feed chute do the work for you. A reversible slicing/shredding disc cuts through vegetables, fruits and cheese. The chopping blade is stainless steel and the unit has an internal cord storage. The controls give cooks two speeds and a pulse function for greater control of the consistency achieved. The bowl, lid, and blades are dishwasher safe. The food processor comes with a one year warranty.

With a food processor, you can process more food in significantly less time. You can chop and slice with minimal contact with the ingredients, so you won't smell of onion or have hands stained by carrot juice. The Hamilton Beach gives you even, consistent slices, just right for special occasions and those times when presentation matters.

Hamilton Beach sells over thirty five million appliances a year and is one of the leading distributors of small kitchen appliances. This model comes with just a few accessories which can be easily stored together for convenience and safety. The controls are streamlined. Cleaning up afterwards is care-free since the parts can be popped into the dishwasher and the base can be wiped clean.

Find this Hamilton Beach Food Processor:

Find this food processor on eBay:

]]> http://www.thecooksden.com/hamilton-beach-food-processor-electric-white-10-cup-500-watt-70610/feed/ 1