The Cooks' Den » Small Appliances 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 Cuisinart Prep Plus Food Processor Review | 11 Cup White DLC-2011N http://www.thecooksden.com/cuisinart-prep-plus-food-processor-review-11-cup-white-dlc-2011n-2/ http://www.thecooksden.com/cuisinart-prep-plus-food-processor-review-11-cup-white-dlc-2011n-2/#comments Wed, 12 Oct 2011 19:11:56 +0000 Sharon http://www.thecooksden.com/?p=12810 Cuisinart Prep Plus Food ProcessorThe new and improved Cuisinart Prep Plus 11-Cup Food Processor has been keeping steady on top of the best-sellers' lists for quite a while. Is this because it's a quality product, or because there are a lot of places to find it on sale now... or both?

I'd say: both.

It's not often you come across an appliance that has a good balance between multiple functions and user-friendliness, but the Prep Plus has it. The feed tube, for example, has been updated from previous Cuisinart food processor models to make it easier to assemble and use. It's a wide feed tube at 4.25 x 2.75 inches -- and if that's too big for some of your kitchen chores, a narrower feed tube is located insides the pusher. And if even that's not enough, a small pin-sized hole is located on the bottom of the pusher, just wide enough to accommodate an oil drip for when you're making homemade mayonnaise.

The bowl itself is made from a material called Lexan, shatter-proof and dishwasher safe, which is housed in a classic white base. It holds 11 cups and works with a 600-watt motor -- capable enough to handle medium-strength tasks but not something in an "industrial strength" category that you could use for hours on end. But the cool thing here is that the option for kneading dough is automatically sensitive to density. When kneading dough with the Prep Plus, the processor will adjust the speed all on its own -- not overworking the dough, saving mechanical strength. Win-win.

One other thing I really like about this set is the interchangeable blades. It comes with a slicing, shredding, and dough blade. Other interchangeable blades from previous Cuisinart food processors should work on this machine as well as 11-cup blades from completely different manufacturers, too. Stainless steel processor blades are awesome and rarely need replacing, but it's always nice to have back-ups.

This set also comes with a spatula, a recipe booklet, and an instructional how-to DVD for setting up the machine and making a lot of the recipes shown inside the booklet.

There isn't a lot of negative feedback from this set exclusively. A small pet peeve for me is that the center wall which covers the rotation mechanism can be a bit short depending on what I'm trying to make, but over time, I've learned to deal with it and make smaller batches.

However, take note of where and when you're purchasing this set online. There have recently been reports of faulty packaging units that are shipped with the small feed tube completely wedged inside and impossible to remove, thereby damaging the product when it finally does get out. If this happens, you can go a couple of routes: return it to the manufacturer and hope for a better replacement product, or call Cuisinart's customer service and demand a product packaged well. But there's another twist to this story: seems the faulty packaging units also shipped with unrecognizable serial numbers that Cuisinart was unable to trace. (Whaaa...??)

Ideally, by now the defective units have been alerted to proper authorities so that you don't have to mess with insanely difficult packaging. It'll be tight, no doubt, but that's a good thing... as long as it's removable. Thousands of Cuisinart food processor owners stand by their brand and don't even consider switching. You will likely join their throngs -- just as long as you're prepared that you probably won't be using it within five minutes of it arriving at your doorstep. Keep scissors and an X-Acto knife close by, and you'll be fine.

Wanna see this model in brushed chrome or electric red?

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]]> http://www.thecooksden.com/cuisinart-prep-plus-food-processor-review-11-cup-white-dlc-2011n-2/feed/ 0 Keurig K-Cup Carousel Tower for 30 Review | Best Single Cup Coffee Holder Organizer 5071 http://www.thecooksden.com/keurig-k-cup-carousel-tower-for-30-review-best-single-cup-coffee-holder-organizer-5071/ http://www.thecooksden.com/keurig-k-cup-carousel-tower-for-30-review-best-single-cup-coffee-holder-organizer-5071/#comments Thu, 06 Oct 2011 19:57:21 +0000 Sharon http://www.thecooksden.com/?p=12802 Keurig K-Cup Carousel Tower for 30Keurig coffee makers are best known for those little K-Cups, single-sized beverage servings in a wide variety of flavors. Due to the popularity of these appliances, you don't have to shop Keurig exclusively to find coffee flavors you like. Companies like Celestial Seasonings, Green Mountain Coffee, and even Wolfgang Puck have their own flavors to contribute. That's just a select few off the top of my head; there are literally hundreds to choose from.

Keeping all those flavors handy and accessible can be frustrating. If they're stored in the pantry, it's hard to see and remember all the options for drinks that you could make each morning. That's why one of the best-selling coffee companion products out there is this Keurig K-Cup Carousel Tower.

There are a few options for K-Cup holders on the market. Competitors to the Keurig Carousel Tower are usually made from cheap, wobbly wire and have a larger surface area. That's why this one takes the cake. It's built from sturdy materials and stands tall on a Lazy Susan rotating base that moves smoothly. The tower holds 30 K-Cups, just enough to show off a wide variety and leave spaces for flavors you're out of -- a helpful shopping list reminder. Sorry, the coffee's not included with the tower, though. But that's great, actually, because now you get to pick out your own custom flavors.

Space-saving and easy to use, the Keurig K-Cup Carousel Tower is ideal for most settings, whether for home, office, or industry. It's inexpensive enough to have in a home kitchen and professional-looking enough to set out by the hotel's breakfast buffet.

Also see the Keurig coffee makers that inspired the trend.

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]]> http://www.thecooksden.com/keurig-k-cup-carousel-tower-for-30-review-best-single-cup-coffee-holder-organizer-5071/feed/ 0 Bodum Bistro Burr Coffee Grinder | Conical Electric w/ 14 Adjustable Settings in 5 Colors http://www.thecooksden.com/bodum-bistro-burr-coffee-grinder-conical-electric-w-14-adjustable-settings-in-5-colors/ http://www.thecooksden.com/bodum-bistro-burr-coffee-grinder-conical-electric-w-14-adjustable-settings-in-5-colors/#comments Fri, 23 Sep 2011 19:45:34 +0000 Sharon http://www.thecooksden.com/?p=12776 Bodum Bistro Burr Coffee Grinder If you're a coffee lover, especially one who loves to make your early-morning concoctions fresh from scratch, you probably already have a burr grinder, or at least know about them. They're much, much more efficient at grinding than their blade-grinder competitors. Most of the value-priced electric coffee grinders you'll see on the market are blade grinders -- with small edges housed in cheap ABS plastic. Use them frequently, and they'll show you just how cheap they are.

Burr grinders do tend to be more expensive, but they last longer and produce a better quality of ground coffee. These grinders use stainless steel parts to crush the beans into a finer consistency. A conical burr grinder -- like this Bodum Bistro Burr Grinder -- is your best bet, since gravity's working in your favor. The motor is quieter, and there's less cleanup involved.

One of the most raved-about qualities of the Bodum Bistro is its "continual" adjustability. It has 14 different grind settings ranging from coarse to extremely fine. Another handy feature is the optional timer. You can set a 20-second timer and come back to fresh ground coffee -- no more holding a coffee grinder down on the counter or in your lap to keep the lid on the thing while it's attempting to get away from you. Yup. Been there.

The container for catching the grounds is made from borosilcate glass specially designed with static reduction technology in mind. This lessens the amount of flyaway coffee grounds, leaving both grinder and kitchen that much easier to clean. Comparatively speaking, most containers from other burr grinders are made from plastic, a material prone to static electricity. After a while, static just gets on your nerves when trying to clean out the coffee container. As an added plus, the Bodum Bistro's container comes with a silicone band fitted over the top to make it slip-proof, too. Nice.

The only caution I can see is for coffee lovers who want to use this grinder for minutes on end. The user's manual warns against setting the timer more than once at a time. If used repeatedly, the grinder mechanisms will overheat. This is something to keep in mind if you plan on doing a lot of bulk grinding; just plan ahead to let the machine cool down before setting the timer again.

It's a quality grinder, and its retail price reflects that. As long as you're not planning to use it several times in a row, the Bodum Bistro should live up to its accolades and last for quite a long time. It's available in black, white, red, orange, and lime green.

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]]> http://www.thecooksden.com/bodum-bistro-burr-coffee-grinder-conical-electric-w-14-adjustable-settings-in-5-colors/feed/ 0 Black & Decker Toaster Oven, 4 Slice | Toast-R-Oven Energy Efficient, Chrome TRO480BS http://www.thecooksden.com/black-decker-toaster-oven-4-slice-toast-r-oven-energy-efficient-chrome-tro480bs/ http://www.thecooksden.com/black-decker-toaster-oven-4-slice-toast-r-oven-energy-efficient-chrome-tro480bs/#comments Thu, 15 Sep 2011 19:05:26 +0000 Sharon http://www.thecooksden.com/?p=12757 Black & Decker Toaster Oven, 4 Slice This Black & Decker 4-slice Toast-R-Oven is a frequent best-seller due to its relatively low retail price -- and the fact that it's pretty easy to find on sale. If you look around long enough, you should be able to find this toaster oven for under 30 bucks. To me, that's a no-brainer.

Or is it?

Well... it is if you don't expect much for the price you paid. I'd recommend another model instead (see below). Allow me to explain:

The Toast-R-Oven at least comes with all the basic, essential features that a toaster oven should have. It can toast, broil, and bake up to 450 degrees. It has a bagel setting for only toasting one side, and a keep-warm setting once the food's done. Cooking can be done either via timer (which goes up to 30 minutes) or a dial that keeps the toaster oven continuously on. And for easy cleanup, there's a crumb tray and baking pan included.

A feature that stands out from the norm is that the walls are slightly curved inside to accomodate a personal pizza. It'll be a small pizza; the oven measures about 12x19x15 inches, and that's on the small side for a toaster oven.

If only that were the biggest complaint...

User-friendly? Not so much. While the Toast-R-Oven does have three adjustable dials to accomodate toast darkness, time, heating functions, etc., the precise tuning can be difficult to master. Otherwise, you end up with burnt toast, or heat that doesn't turn off once the timer's done. The functions can be done if you take the time to figure stuff out.

Other complaints include a longer-than average toasting time and an unpredictable "ticking" sound. But the most concerning issue for me is the exposure to unsafe heat. While 1200 W is plenty hot enough for a toaster oven, the surface of the unit gets extremely hot when it's on, stay-cool handle notwithstanding. This toaster oven should not be stored by anything flammable; make sure it's out of the way where kids and pets won't accidentally touch it when it's on -- and don't rest anything on top of it, either. Ow.

There are too many cautions for me to enthusiastically recommend this 4-slice Toast-R-Oven TRO480BS. Instead, I'd recommend the digital 6-slice model. Black & Decker seem to have rectified a lot of the above problems with the Toast-R-Oven CTO6301.

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]]> http://www.thecooksden.com/black-decker-toaster-oven-4-slice-toast-r-oven-energy-efficient-chrome-tro480bs/feed/ 0 Toastess Delfino Electric Kettle Review | Cordless Water Boiler & Heater, Stainless Steel DLJK459 http://www.thecooksden.com/toastess-delfino-electric-kettle-review-cordless-water-boiler-heater-stainless-steel-dljk459/ http://www.thecooksden.com/toastess-delfino-electric-kettle-review-cordless-water-boiler-heater-stainless-steel-dljk459/#comments Tue, 13 Sep 2011 19:14:00 +0000 Sharon http://www.thecooksden.com/?p=12745 Toastess Delfino Electric Kettle Review There are a lot of advantages to choosing an electric water boiler over a traditional stovetop kettle. With today's technology, you can find a product that's "faster than a microwave and safer than a stovetop" -- as is the claim of the popular Toastess Delfino Electric Kettle. After seeing all that this stainless steel pot is capable of, I'd have to agree with that claim. And then some.

The Toastess Delfino is able to get water boiling in well under half the time it takes to boil water on a stovetop (on average, 1 liter boils in 2-1/2 minutes). Yep, that's faster than the typical microwave speed, too. This pot can hold up to 7.6 cups of water. To see how much is inside the stainless steel kettle, a clear plastic window panel is located beneath the handle. Sure, it's in a tricky position and can be hard to see at first, but when the kettle is turned on, the panel lights up so it's easier to get a good look inside.

There are a lot of safety features packed into this kettle, more so than I expected. It has three separate automatic safety shut-off sensors. The first activates when the water inside has reached a boiling temperature, the second kicks in if there isn't any water left inside, and the third will turn off the heat once the pot is removed from the base.

It might seem like such a simple part of the product, but a lot of thought went into the base's design as well. The kettle is fully removable from the base and stays hot wherever it needs to go. When the water needs reheating, the pot fits back on the base in a full 360-degree rotation, so no hassles trying to get it placed at the right angle. The cord also wraps around neatly for when the kettle goes in storage -- if that ever were to happen, of course.

A quick water boiling system lets cooks think outside the box. This kettle doesn't have to be solely for drinks. Boil water for pasta in under half the time or sanitize glassware (feasible due to the kettle's wide-mouth lid).

OK, so at this point, I'm thinking this Toastess Delfino is too good to be true. And as expected, nothing's perfect. The one major drawback I can see is in the kettle's construction. A stainless steel pot would attract a lot of health-conscious, eco-friendly consumers. But the plastic window panel nullifies any hopes that the pot will produce 100% BPA-free hot water.

Wish the pot didn't have that plastic window. But that's just my own preference. In every other way, the Toastess Delfino shines. To clean, wash by hand with a soft sponge. Another tip: using filtered water inside (for both drinking and cleaning) will extend life between washings.

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]]> http://www.thecooksden.com/toastess-delfino-electric-kettle-review-cordless-water-boiler-heater-stainless-steel-dljk459/feed/ 0 Nissan Stainless Steel Thermos | Vacuum Insulated Travel Mug Cup Large 34 oz. http://www.thecooksden.com/nissan-stainless-steel-thermos-vacuum-insulated-travel-mug-cup-large-34-oz/ http://www.thecooksden.com/nissan-stainless-steel-thermos-vacuum-insulated-travel-mug-cup-large-34-oz/#comments Thu, 08 Sep 2011 19:45:34 +0000 Sharon http://www.thecooksden.com/?p=12736 Nissan Stainless Steel Thermos A couple weeks ago, I bought a stainless steel water bottle for a friend. She was always complaining of the "plasticky" taste after her drinks were left inside for hours -- not to mention they'd be piping hot after sitting in the car.

I had some cash to spare and I bought her an early Christmas present. Though, if I'd taken the time to look around, and not just spent that cash for the first thing I saw, I could have gotten something bigger and better -- like this Nissan Stainless Steel Thermos.

What I like about this sleek beverage holder is that it's made from stainless steel and is not just insulated but vacuum-sealed as well. Cold drinks actually stay cold. Hot coffee doesn't go lukewarm by the time you've arrived at the office.

The thermos holds 34 ounces worth of liquid -- that's enough to feed a family of 4. The lid twists off easily and screws back on to lock in that vacuum seal. It's touted as a "briefcase bottle," so it's tall enough to fit in most executive carry cases without getting knocked over.

One drawback I see is that it's not dishwasher safe. This thermos must be washed by hand, but that's pretty easy to do. Just fill it with hot, soapy water and shake it around like you're mixing a June Bug or Cosmopolitan Citron.

Lately, I've been seeing some great deals online for these Nissan thermoses, so if you're in the market, definitely keep these in mind.

Need something to hold your coffee that stays at home instead? Try the stainless steel Bodum Columbia Thermal French Press Pot.

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]]> http://www.thecooksden.com/nissan-stainless-steel-thermos-vacuum-insulated-travel-mug-cup-large-34-oz/feed/ 0 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.

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]]> http://www.thecooksden.com/hamilton-beach-milkshake-maker-retro-blender-soda-fountain-malt-mixer/feed/ 1 Cuisinart Bread Maker Review | Convection Programmable Automatic Gluten Free CBK-200 http://www.thecooksden.com/cuisinart-bread-maker-review-convection-programmable-automatic-gluten-free-cbk-200/ http://www.thecooksden.com/cuisinart-bread-maker-review-convection-programmable-automatic-gluten-free-cbk-200/#comments Tue, 30 Aug 2011 19:59:33 +0000 Sharon http://www.thecooksden.com/?p=12710 Cuisinart Bread Maker Review Convection n. -- a highly sought-after airflow cooking method that uses fans to circulate hot air inside an oven. This speeds up cooking time and evens out the irregularities in cooked consistency.

And now, this same convection oven technology can be found in a portable bread maker. Sounds awesome, right?

The Cuisinart Convection Bread Maker utilitzes this convection cooking method in a programmable, automatic machine -- and there are hundreds of possible bread combinations to choose from as far as programmability goes. It comes with 16 different settings for low carb, gluten free, artisan and sweet breads, or just kneading dough. The darkness of the crust is adjustable, and the large pan can accomodate three different loaf sizes. Also, in case the dough's already pre-made, the Cuisinart also has a "bake only" function.

Technically speaking, the convection system is of excellent quality and seems to work as well as advertised. Another feat of engineering in this Cuisinart bread machine is a "power save" function. This is a crucial feature to have if you live in an area with frequent power outages, no matter how short the power failure may be. If at any point you lose electric power, the Cuisinart Bread Maker will remember where it left off during the baking cycle when the power comes back on again; it won't reset from the beginning.

For all its feats, however, the Cuisinart isn't perfect. The most frequent complaint is due to the baking pan, which can pop out midway through the baking cycle. This manufacturer's flaw is easily fixed, though -- a quick solution is to pull out the metal tabs where the pan rests until it's a tighter fit. Also, don't assume that the recipes you use in another manufacturer's bread machine will work identically with this one. Start with the recipes that come with it, or are recommended for it online, and go from there. For example, low carb breads with extremely low carbohydrate count might not bake as evenly as other breads that are on the "higher carb" end of the special diet.

The Cuisinart may not be perfect for all, but its vast programmability and excellent convection cooking ability are definitely worth consideration. It's housed in a brushed stainless steel exterior with stay-cool handles and is paired with a manufacturer's 3-year limited warranty.

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]]> http://www.thecooksden.com/cuisinart-bread-maker-review-convection-programmable-automatic-gluten-free-cbk-200/feed/ 0 Oster BCCG08 Blender Review | Ice Crusher w/ Glass Jar, 6 Cup Dishwasher Safe http://www.thecooksden.com/oster-bccg08-blender-review-ice-crusher-w-glass-jar-6-cup-dishwasher-safe/ http://www.thecooksden.com/oster-bccg08-blender-review-ice-crusher-w-glass-jar-6-cup-dishwasher-safe/#comments Thu, 25 Aug 2011 19:12:54 +0000 Sharon http://www.thecooksden.com/?p=12701 Oster BCCG08 Blender Review Although its price is hard to beat, the Oster BCCG08 is a blender I would only recommend as an "occasional use" purchase. You'll probably be able to find it for a steal of a deal -- then again, there's always a reason behind that.

What the BCCG08 does have going for it is a sharp stainless steel ice crushing blade complete with a separate ice crusher setting on the base. Smoothies and frozen drinks are what a blender is often used for, so an ice crusher can be an invaluable feature. Another stand-out to me is the BPA-free glass jar, which is also dishwasher safe. Drinks just taste better out of a glass than in plastic, I've found.

The construction features "all metal drive" and has been tested and approved for thermal shock (i.e. able to withstand both hot and cold extreme temperatures). Speed choices are well varied; the slowest blending option really is slow, not just "kinda fast."

Here's where concerns start to pop up, though. The motor is only 450 watts, which is a safe mid-grade option, but I ideally like to look for blenders that are 500 watts or more. Any less than that, and the blender should only be used occasionally for short bursts of time to extend its life.

Another feature that bugs me is the base. It's narrow, short, and isn't very heavy. Needless to say, the thing wobbles whenever the blender is turned on, and it could be unsafe if left unattended.

Can't beat a cheap price, though. And if you've still got your heart set on a bargain, I recommend taking a peek at the Oster Beehive blender as well -- or, for a mid-priced option, the KitchenAid 5 Speed Blender. That's a blender you could safely use every day without a care in the world, since it's almost a full horsepower strong.

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]]> http://www.thecooksden.com/oster-bccg08-blender-review-ice-crusher-w-glass-jar-6-cup-dishwasher-safe/feed/ 0 Chefscape Egg Toaster, Automatic 4 Slice | English Muffin Breakfast Bagel w/ Defrost, High Lift http://www.thecooksden.com/chefscape-egg-toaster-automatic-4-slice-english-muffin-breakfast-bagel-w-defrost-high-lift/ http://www.thecooksden.com/chefscape-egg-toaster-automatic-4-slice-english-muffin-breakfast-bagel-w-defrost-high-lift/#comments Tue, 23 Aug 2011 19:42:20 +0000 Sharon http://www.thecooksden.com/?p=12692 Chefscape Egg Toaster, Automatic 4"You get what you pay for" is a saying I've often used to reinforce any purchase that I didn't happen to find on a clearance shelf. If something's dirt cheap and it breaks, I don't feel so bad about any poor investment skills -- it's all about the bargain shopping "high."

That's not the case with this Chefscape Egg & Muffin Toaster. If you're lucky to find one in the bargain bin, great! Quit reading and jump on that opportunity. Otherwise, there are some considerations to keep in mind before choosing this model.

Good news is, this 4-slice Chefscape toaster comes with a lot more add-ons than most egg & toaster combo appliances out there. There are tons of attachments and trays in the box. What I like most are the custom egg cooker trays that are both round and square -- one less hassle when picking breads to go with your breakfast sandwich, since the eggs adapt to their respective molds when cooking. You can opt for an English muffin or bagel one day, then use slices of multigrain toast the next and have a "fitted" egg in the sandwich both ways.

Chefscape included the most desired toaster functions in this model as well: a bagel setting (which only toasts one side of the bread), defrosting capability, and high-lift handles. Another attachment holds up to 8 eggs in place for hard-boiling. The cord stores inside the black and brushed stainless machine, which is cool to the touch for added safety.

I want to say I like the versatility, but one thing's lacking when it comes to cooking both eggs and toast with the Chefscape. While it can cook eggs, toast, or both eggs and toast together, that last option can only be completed at the same exact time -- which dries out the toast despite the "keep warm" setting. You'd think the way to avoid this would be to pop in a piece of toast midway through the egg cycle, except that doesn't work. The eggs stop cooking, and all power switches to the toast cycle. If cooking simultaneously is an important feature for your next toaster, then take a look at the Back to Basics 4-slice Toaster & Egg Cooker. Its timing is the same as the Chefscape, but it gets higher marks for keeping toast at the right warmth while the eggs finish cooking.

Another thing to watch out for is the non-stick coating in the egg cooker. If not treated with caution and care, it will begin to chip and peel -- something that will influence flavors as well as raise health concerns.

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