Ultra Cool Gadgets

For apartment dwellers with limited outdoor space, Char-Broil created their Patio Caddie grills. Compact yet efficient, the propane grill offers 187 square inches of cooking space, ideal for small households or as a vacation home grill. Activated by a push-button electronic ignition, a 10,000 BTU burner roasts mesquite chicken or a half-dozen bratwurst.
The freestanding grill’s body features porcelain-steel construction that resists rusting. Equipped with heavy-gauge porcelain cooking grids, the grill distributes heat evenly while cleaning with ease. A grease catcher collects drippings for simple disposal. Char-broil employed their patented Thermsulate lining to ensure steady temperatures, which can be monitored on the temperature gauge. The grill lid also includes thermostatic handles. The grill’s body is supported by a sturdy plastic base and can be moved to and fro on the wheels implemented on two of the grill’s legs. For the best care, clean the grates with a mild detergent and avoid use of steel wool and other abrasives. The grill affixes to either an 11-1/2- or 20- pound propane tank. This item requires assembly and necessitates the use of a Phillips screwdriver, wrench and pliers. Hardware is enclosed with the thorough assembly instructions. The Patio Caddie also comes in electric models. A five-year limited warranty covers the main body of this grill while a one-year warranty protects smaller parts. The grill measures 22 by 16-3/4 by 44 inches and weighs 52 pounds upon shipping.

Product Features

* From Charbroil, liquid propane grill with 187 square inches cooking space for patios and small households
* Constructed in rust-proof porcelain steel with Thermsulate lining and heavy-gauge porcelain-coated cooking grates; thermostatic handles
* Equipped with a 10,000 BTU burner and push-button ignition; temperature gauge tracks grill heat
* Adaptable to both 11-1/2- and 20-pound propane tanks
* Grill measures 22 by 16-3/4 by 44 inches with a shipping weight of 52 pounds; limited lifetime warranties for grill body and parts

Customer feedback:

1. The Patio Caddie is a nice small grill-good for small spaces when you want the convenience of propane. It is well constructed and easy to use. Assembly is a bit of a pain, though nowhere near as bad as their old full size units. If you have a cordless screwdriver and can follow their instructions, it should take about 30 minutes to an hour. It’s very easy to use-a push button ignition, burner control on the front, and with the propane tank sitting down below, you have easy access to the valve. There are nice touches like a built in thermometer and a retainer clip so you can hinge the lid on the lip of the grill if you don’t have a place to put it when you have the lid off. It does generate a decent amount of heat for a single burner grill-just enough for searing, and the ceramic charcoals do much better than lava rocks.

2. What makes a good grille is really simple: it must start every time (it does), it must generate enough heat to cook (it does, but keeping the cover on helps)and it must have high quality grids (it does). On the last point, and what really sets the Patio Caddie Apart, are the heavy porcelainized grids. The are wonderful to cook on, easy to clean, haven’t sagged in 5 years use.
Consider this the Honda Civic of grills: I fill the mini-tank once or twice a year for $7 and cook at least once a week year round (in Seattle, no less). It is absolutely the finest chicken cooking device I have ever seen and easily cooks dinner for 4 to 6. No it won’t handle a 10 Lb salmon in one shot or cook a dozen burgers for a tribal reunion. And a Honda Civic wont carry an entire NFL team at one time either.

Terrific for conveniently cooking one-pot meals or baking, this 1300-watt appliance prepares stews, rice dishes, soups, shabu-shabu, pancakes, fried noodles, and many other dishes on the countertop or at the table. The cooking pot, which lifts off the heating plate, holds 10 cups and measures 10 inches in diameter. It’s coated in titanium-ceramic nonstick rugged enough to be safe with metal utensils. (The pot can safely be placed on a stovetop gas burner as long as there’s liquid in the pot.) The unit’s cooking range is 280-460 degrees F (140 to 240 degrees C), and there’s also a keep-warm temperature of 180 degrees F (80 degrees C). The bottom section housing the heating plate is clad in gray plastic, matching the cooking pot’s nonstick coating, with the cooking pot’s stay-cool handles providing stylish black accents. Overall, the oval unit measures 14-1/2 inches wide and 7-1/2 inches high, including the pot’s see-through glass lid.
Customer feedback:
1. This is my third Electric Skillet. My propane Stove went out a couples years ago now and I started using my BBQ, A toaster over and/or an electric skillet instead. My first skillet was “Silver stone” coated. First time I burnt something in it was the last. I then bought a Stainless Steel pan but didn’t like the temperature control and it can be hard to clean. This Zojirushi pan not only can be used to higher temperatures (460F instead of the usual 400F), it’s a dream to clean and the temperature control is great. I’ve already burnt something (on Purpose) Blackened peppercorn Rib Eye. Great!!! (anyone got a good air purifier, next time I’ll do it on the porch, another advantage, its portable) But nothing sticks to it, don’t even need oil or butter. I like it so much I’ve ordered the larger Sizzler and started using it too. It’s got a larger surface and the sides aren’t as deep so it’s easier to get a spatula into. Also it goes to 480F (call the Fire Department, yee hah). The design is different, but it’s a great pan too.
2. I’ve had mine for over 6 mos now. I originally bought this to replace a small portable gas burner (using cans of gas) which I used for shabu-shabu & sukiyaki. It takes some time ~12-15 min. to come to a boil on high. And it quickly comes to a boil after adding addtl meat & veggies. Works well to make stews and teppanyaki. Clean-up is a breeze and the non-stick coating is thick (they call it Titanium coating) so it should last a long time. My only complaint is they should have made temp a little higher so it comes to a boil faster. But overall I’m very satisfied and would recommend this item and the brand.

Product features:

* 1300-watt countertop appliance for baking and cooking one-pot meals
* Cooking pot’s rugged titanium-ceramic nonstick safe with metal utensils
* 10-inch-diameter pot holds 10 cups; oval unit 14-1/2 inches wide overall
* Heating range is 180-460 degrees F (80-240 degrees C)
* Cooking pot also safe for placing directly on gas stovetop for pot-meals

One of the most versatile countertop cooking appliances available, this 1500-watt electric skillet provides an array of convenient features. The unit’s nonstick interior is ideal for low-fat or no-fat cooking, while its extra-large 12- by 15-inch oval cooking surface is big enough for family orders of pancakes or fajitas with friends. For easy monitoring of food while cooking, the attractive appliance includes a tempered glass cover with a stainless-steel rim and handle. In addition, die-cast stainless-steel handles flanking both ends feature an embossed Cuisinart logo and provide a safe, secure grip when transporting the attractive-looking skillet to the table. The unit’s temperature control dial with a handy indicator light adjusts from warm to 450 degrees F and can be removed to make the skillet dishwasher safe. An instruction/recipe book with 30 recipes is included. Housed in brushed stainless steel, the electric skillet measures approximately 17 by 13 by 9 inches.
Customer reviews:
1. I have only had my Cuisinart Electric Skillet for approx. two weeks, but have used it almost every day since receiving it! I love it! Very easy to clean, nothing sticks to it. I have fried chicken twice in it, and it did a wonderful job of it. The chicken fried evenly and got very brown and crusty but no burning. I have fried pork chops in it, and it was the same, cooked perfectly. I have found it fries bacon much better and more evenly than trying to do it on my stove and so much easier to clean up because it doesn’t spatter as badly as cooking in a more shallow skillet. Plus, my stove top is smooth glass and frying on it is always messy and causes the grease to burn onto it and then has to be cleaned with special glasstop cleanser, so I don’t make a mess on my stove when I use the skillet. I cooked hamburgers in it yesterday and they were delicious, browned on the outside but juicy inside.
2. I was a little nervous when I bought this skillet, since at the time there were no product reviews on it, but I was desperate, and since I had had good luck with other Cuisinart products, I took the chance. Am I glad I did! We were just beginning a major kitchen remodel, which meant that for at least two months I would have to improvise cooking facilities for 5 adults and a grandchild. This skillet has been a real workhorse for me, and a genuine lifesaver (and budget-saver) during the remodel. Its cost was no more than 2 dinners for my family at a moderate-cost restaurant, and I saved that much the first week by cooking those dinners at home in this skillet instead. Its large capacity makes it extremely versatile. I’ve used it to fry chicken, make one-pan dinners, cook bacon and eggs, frozen blintzes, pot roast, stir-fry meals, you name it. It makes a beautiful risotto, and I’ve even used it to cook corn on the cob and boil potatoes. Everything came out exactly as I’d hoped, or better. I am especially happy with the Cuisinart’s solid, sturdy base that won’t let the skillet tip over and endanger the cook (or the curious grandchild). I also love the sturdy nonstick surface, which after two months of frequent use is still like new, in contrast to some nonstick pans I’ve had where the coating scratches or wore off so quickly that by the 3rd or 4th use the food had to be chipped out.

Product features:

# 1500-watt electric skillet provides 12- by 15-inch nonstick cooking surface
# Temperature control dial with indicator light adjusts from warm to 450 degrees F
# Glass cover includes stainless-steel rim and handle; side handles ensure safe transport
# Housed in brushed stainless steel; dishwasher safe; instruction/recipe book with 30 recipes
# Measures approximately 17 by 13 by 9 inches

Providing 200 square inches of cooking space, this electric griddle cooks family-size meals right on the counter and then goes safely into the dishwasher. The griddle is heavy aluminum for spreading heat quickly and uniformly and is coated with nonstick so pancakes, eggs, burgers, and fish fillets release easily. An adjustable heat control inserts into the griddle’s side. It has a dial that adjusts from 200 to 400 degrees F, and the griddle’s large, removable drip tray has a guide to cooking various foods printed on its handle. Both the tray and the griddle’s attached stand are made of rugged, gleaming black plastic. The cooking surface measures 17-1/2 by 11-1/2 inches. Overall the appliance is 19-3/4 inches long, 12-1/4 inches wide, and 3-3/4 inches high.
Customer reviews:
1. I purchased my griddle in time for the holidays and was very pleased with the x-large surface cooking area and how well it keeps an even heat througth out the surface. Although I was a bit skeptical about the teflon coating I have been very impreased with its performance. The large drip tray is also very easy to clean. So if you are like me and love pancakes,frenchtoast, bacon and eggs or just some great hashbrowns, or maybe just some good toasted cheese sandwiches! I know you’ll be very happy with your purchase!
2. I was very pleased with the performance of this griddle. The surface is nice and slick, and there’s plenty of room to maneuver and flip. And since I’m not tied to the cooktop, I can set it up on any convenient counter in the kitchen.

Product features:

* 200-square-inch nonstick electric griddle for family meals
* Adjustable heat dial for versatile cooking control
* Extra-large removable drip tray
* Stay-cool handles
* Dishwasher-safe

Jumbo size. Big 16″ base with high side-walls for extra cooking and serving capacity. Roasts, fries, grills, stews, bakes, makes casseroles and more. Fully immersible with heat control removed for easy cleaning. Tempered glass cover lets you see what is inside. Great for use as a buffet server when entertaining. Heavy cast aluminum.
Customer reviews:
1. I have owned at least three electric skillets so far, and while they all had their nice little features (one had a thingie to hold the lid, another had a low-profile for storage, etc.), NONE of them were as high quality as the Presto 16″ skillet. The non-stick coating is far superior to Teflon. So far I have only used a flexible, gentle nylon spatula on it, (OXO Good Grips 65191 Nylon Flexible Turner), but the way that the food behaves when on the cooking surface is wonderful. Even eggs don’t stick!
This skillet cooks the most evenly of any I’ve ever used. The center is a little bit cooler than the edges, due to the placement of the heating element. However, the majority of the skillet heats evenly, and makes the BEST hashbrowns (and stir fry, and fried rice) ever. Things don’t burn as easily in this skillet, and yet the response to heat adjustments is very quick. I love knowing that the glass lid isn’t releasing dioxins into the condensation which collects on it to be dripped back down into the food.
2. This skillet is perfect for making Osso Bucca better known as braised veal shanks. They take a long time to cook but this skillet is very similar to a dutch oven and you can cook stew type foods that require cooking for long periods of time. I’m enjoying this product immensely. Cooking is an absolute joy if you have the right products, utensils and tools that allow you to cook and clean with ease. This is one product I would not want to be without!

Product features:

# Big 16″ base with high side-walls for extra cooking and serving capacity.
# Roasts, fries, grills, stews, bakes, makes casseroles and more.
# Fully immersible with heat control removed for easy cleaning.
# Tempered glass cover lets you see what is inside.
# Great for use as a buffet server when entertaining

With its exclusive Tilt’nDrain feature, this 1500-watt electric griddle easily adjusts from a level grilling surface for eggs and pancakes to a tilted draining surface for meats to provide healthier cooking. Simply pull out on the handles to tilt the grilling surface. Push the handles back in to return to a level surface. The griddle’s efficient “square” shape holds more food items than most conventional rectangular griddles, and its premium nonstick surface ensures effortless release. For added convenience, the appliance’s Control Master heat control takes the guesswork out of cooking by maintaining proper temperatures automatically. The unit also offers a cool-touch base that surrounds the grilling surface on the front and both sides for safety. Easy to clean and store, the griddle with its heat control removed fits in most dishwashers and standard 18-inch kitchen cabinets. The appliance measures 19-2/5 by 15-4/5 by 3-8/9 inches.
Customer reviews:
1. The grill works well for a large breakfast - although since it is so big - difficult to find a good storage place for it and washing in the sink. But works well for what it was made to do!
2. This griddle fills all my needs for this type appliance. Good heat control and drains excess fat and oils nicely. Love the “just right” size.

Product features:

# 1500-watt nonstick electric griddle with efficient “square” shape
# Tilt’nDrain function for adjusting grilling surface from level to tilted
# Control Master heat control maintains proper cooking temperatures automatically
# Cool-touch base surrounds grilling surface for safety;
# Dishwasher-safe
# Measures 19-2/5 by 15-4/5 by 3-8/9 inches

This super-sized griddle is great for any meal. It can cook up to 50% more food than other jumbo griddles. Premium nonstick surface for stick-free cooking and easy cleaning. Slide-out drip tray empties easily. Fully submersible with the heat control removed. Control Master heat control maintains proper cooking temperature automatically. Huge cooking surface! Cooks as many as 12 slices of french toast at one time.
Customer Reviews:
1. After much research, I finally broke down and bought the Presto Tilt’nDrain BigGriddle because I liked the enormous cooking area it offered. And I liked the fact that is was made of heavy cast aluminum and that it sat perfectly level (some griddles have sloped cooking decks to allow grease and juices to run away from the foods… NOT desirable when making pancakes or scrambled eggs.) And I liked how the griddle can be quickly adjusted so that it WILL tilt forward which *does* allow grease to run away when you want it to! (it has a grease channel and catch-tray along the front edge of the unit.)
So, in summary, the Presto Tilt’nDrain BigGriddle is well designed, easy to use, heats accurately and evenly, and has a very large cooking surface. Clean-up was quick and easy. I highly recommend this unit to anyone who needs a large griddle that cooks accurately and evenly.
2. I purchased this griddle because the electric frypan we had was simply too small. While trying to flip a few pancakes in it, half of it didn’t stay in!! The first thing I cooked with this griddle was therefore pancakes. Instead of the 4 batches it used to take, I did it in 1. Flipping the pancakes was mess-free and effortless with the nonstick surface. I have since tried eggs and also bacon. I love the tilt function with the grease trap. It definitely helps keep splattering down. The one thing you will need is space to use it as well as store it. I set it on our stovetop while in use, which works for me.

Product features:

# 1500-watt griddle cooks up to 50-percent more food than other jumbo griddles
# Extra-large cooking surface; ability to cook 12 slices of French toast at a time
# Control Master heat control maintains proper cooking temperatures automatically
# Slide-out drip tray and premium nonstick cooking surface for easy cleanup
# Measures 23 by 17 by 4 inches

Cooking breakfast for a crowd? This huge 10-1/2-by-20-1/2-inch griddle can handle French toast, hash brown potatoes, and sausages all at once, without requiring you to dirty several pans. The griddle isn’t limited to breakfast either–it grills up plenty of hot dogs, hamburgers, or grilled cheeses for a kid’s birthday party or serves as a warmer for adult buffet-style entertaining. The heat control ranges from 200 to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (in 50-degree increments) and automatically maintains the proper heat setting so foods cook at the same rate as they would on the stove but in a more energy-efficient manner than a range or oven. The griddle’s surface is made of heavy cast-iron aluminum, which heats evenly and is resistant to warping. The nonstick surface ensures that food lifts off the griddle effortlessly and that cleanup is easy. A built-in ledge around the entire griddle surface provides a backstop for flipping pancakes or eggs, and a drip tray beneath the griddle catches grease from bacon or other meats and slides out easily for emptying. The griddle rests within a base that remains cool to the touch on all sides during cooking. With the heat control removed, the griddle is fully immersible in water and dishwasher safe.
Customer Reviews:
1. I am extremely pleased with my purchase of the Presto 07034 Jumbo Cool Touch Electric Griddle. For a long time, I have used basic stovetop frying pans to cook such things as scrambled eggs, fried eggs, pancakes, French toast, hash browns and a variety of other grilled foods. Unfortunately, the typical frying pan usually isn’t large enough to cook larger amounts, so you end up spending more time cooking smaller portions. Not so with the Presto 07034 Jumbo Cool Touch Electric Griddle. With its 10-1/2 by 20-1/2-inch cooking surface, it has twice as much cooking area than a typical stove-top circular frying pan and lack of sides makes turning cooking items much easier. Its non-stick surface ensures that food doesn’t get stuck while cooking and makes cleaning the grill a snap! Also, it cooks foods more evenly than my stovetop frying pans ever did!
2. This griddle replaced a smaller Presto that I had owned for years before it finally succumbed to age, and I can’t say enough about how well this Jumbo cooks. The non-stick surface is excellent, and the spacious cooking area allows you to cook large family meals in one shift. I use it now for just about everything…hot dogs, hamburgers, eggs (even scrambled), bacon, sausage, grilled cheese, fajitas, tortillas, etc. Clean up is easy…just unplug the cord, empty the drain cup and then take the griddle to the sink and wash it off. It is submersible, so there’s no fear of messing up the thing with water. Highly recommended!

Product Features:

# Jumbo 10-1/2-by-20-1/2-inch cooking surface
# Heavy cast aluminum heats evenly without warping
# Nonstick surface for stick-free cooking, easy cleaning
# Control Master heat control automatically maintains proper cooking temperature
# Cool touch base;
# Slide-out drip tray;

Cooking a dinner-party roast, holiday turkey, or backyard-barbecue pork loin to precisely the proper temperature without fuss is a snap with this thermometer. You can even monitor two foods (beef and lamb, for instance) simultaneously, since two stainless-steel probes are included, each 6 inches long and each connected to a 39-inch stainless-steel wire.
Program the tool (two AA batteries included) by selecting either “beef,” “veal,” “lamb,” “pork,” “chicken,” or “turkey.” Then program to rare, medium-rare, medium, or well-done. The monitor displays the proper temperature–which can be altered by pressing a button. Place the probe into, say, a turkey. Run the wire from the oven and close the door. (Door should remain closed until turkey is done so oven temperature doesn’t vary.) Plug the wire into the monitor, and open the monitor’s built-in stand. Set the clock to the current time. (Remember, two probes can be used simultaneously for different foods, with the monitor programmed separately for each.) The monitor constantly displays the turkey’s internal temperature and elapsed cooking time. (The timer can be used independently of thermometer.) When the turkey reaches the selected temperature, an alarm sounds. Meanwhile, hook the pager to your belt or drop it into your pocket. The pager beeps when the monitor’s alarm sounds and works up to 75 feet away, liberating the cook from the kitchen. The probes can also be plugged into the pager, which displays a food’s temperature on its LCD screen. So barbecuing brisket outside, roasting chicken in the oven, and keeping track of both is possible.
Customer reviews:
1. This is useful and fun, what more could you ask ? You can use one or two probes. The probes are connected to the transmitter, you then turn on the remote, then the transmitter. I use it for everything, steaks, chops, whatever. I go into the living room and watch the remote. When the temperature gets over about 100 I turn the meat over if necessary. The only thing I have noticed is the temperatures that trigger the audible alarm are set too high, likely thanks to lawyers. For example, when I set it to medium rare for beef, it was more like medium. Now I set it on rare ( 140 ) and get a perfect medium rare. For pork the number is 170. I take it off at 160. After all, it continues to cook after it is taken off. Before I bought this I used to guess but now I get perfect results every time. Highly recommended.
2. This thing is very handy. I am just getting the hang of a new smoker, and bought this so I did not have to be chained to the smoker on hot summer days. I put one probe in the smoker to measure heat temp, and the other in a pork shoulder. It alternates back and forth between the two, constantly keeping me update. the convenience is awesome. Allows me to work on my computer and take care of customers while I smoke my meat. This is the first time I’ve used it, so I don’t know about battery life, but regardless, it is great. The radio reception works great through an outside and one interior wall.

Product features:

* Monitor two different foods at one time.
* Works wirelessly up to 100 feet.
* Probe and wire are rated for over 500 degrees.
* Elapsed cooking timer
* Batteries included