Kitchen Contraptions

Wilton Perforated Brownie Cutter

2009-07-09T15:35:51Z

This for all the meticulous people out there. If you absolutely must have evenly shaped brownies, this cutter creates perforated lines to use as a cutting guide.

At Wilton Perforated Brownie Cutter

Review: Teavana Perfect Tea Maker - Loose Leaf Tea Brewer

2009-07-08T12:45:13Z

Having already been exposed to the world of Gourmet Tea via my Electric Tea Maker I really didn't have much expectation when reviewing the Teavana Perfect Teamaker. I thought this simple contraption wouldn't compare to my Electric Tea Maker to brew a perfect cup of tea. Or could it?

Upon opening the box I noticed not much in the way of parts; a Teavana Perfect Tea Maker and instructions on how to use it. The instructions are simple and concise which pretty much describes this Teamaker. No crazy setup. No extra parts to try and figure what to do with them. Just a simple Teavana Perfect Tea Maker awaiting its first 32 oz of tea.

I was able to test the Teavana Perfect Tea Maker with 4 different types of Teavana signature teas (Black/Green mix, Green,Herbal, and Rooibos). You start off by placing the correct amount of tea per cup in the Teavana Perfect Tea Maker. The Tea settles nicely at the bottom of the cup contained nicely by the strainer. This product is able to accommodate 4 cups of Tea or 32 ounces. To sweeten the Tea, I added a little Stevia Extract. In order to know the temperature and steep time you look at a Tea Table on the back of the Teavana Tea packets. It just as easy as pouring the hot water into the cup and waiting for the desired time. There is a lid to prevent accidents with the hot water contained inside. Once the time has elapsed, you place the bottom of the Teavana Perfect Tea Maker over a cup and press down to activate the release mechanism. It's actually quite enjoyable to watch the Tea pour out the bottom of the Teavana Perfect Tea Maker and into your awaiting cup.

The empty Teavana Perfect Tea Maker

Add a little loose leaf tea.

Let it brew...

Fill up your cup with amazing tea from the Teavana Perfect Tea Maker...

It's really a simple process. There are no complicated steps. And if you were diligent in keeping the right temperature and time, what you will have is something that rivals any fancy electric tea maker's cup of tea. Surprisingly simple and surprisingly good!

Cleanup is so simple and easy that I found myself wondering why my electric teamaker couldn't be this easy. With the Teavana Perfect Tea Maker all you have to do is simply open the lid to the cup and rinse it out...it's that simple. Amazingly nothing ever sticks to the strainer on the bottom of the cup. It's almost too easy to clean and for that I am thankful. You can also put it into the dishwasher since it's dishwasher safe.

But there are some things that would make this superbly simple Tea Maker even better. For one thing I found the bottom of the Teavana Perfect Tea Maker wasn't designed for the average sized cup. In fact it really didn't fit it at all. I tried different normal sized mugs and none seemed to fit the bottom correctly. By maneuvering it so the cup is at an angle to the bottom of the Teavana Perfect Tea Maker I was however able to get it to release it's amazing bounty.

I did notice the Teavana Perfect Tea Maker cups that are sold separately for the Teavana Perfect Tea maker suspiciously seemed to fit the bottom perfectly. Too bad I didn't have one when reviewing this product. Also since gourmet tea is so sensitive to time and temperature it would only make sense to put a timer on the cup and a way of seeing what temperature the water is that is in the Teavana Perfect Tea Maker. This would take what is an amazing product and make it that much better. A locking mechanism on the bottom would also be nice. I must have burned myself a couple of times by mistakenly placing my hand on the bottom of the Teavana Perfect Tea Maker. Finally all the teas that were sent with the Tea Maker were signature mixes of different types of Tea.

Since black tea has a different steep time and temperature then Green Tea, it was difficult to know what time and temp to set this mix to since the instructions on the back of the packet only had generic times and temps. If only the mixes had this information on the front label (But this is more a problem for the Tea Packets and not the Teavana Perfect Tea Maker).

All in all this is definitely worth the purchase, especially if you can't afford an Electric tea maker. It's simple, convenient, and easy to clean up. Oh and the Teavana Perfect Tea Maker makes a wonderful cup of tea!

At Teavana and Teavana Perfect Tea Maker

Update: Teavana now has a tea timer with different settings for different types of teas. Check out the Teavana Perfect Preset Tea Timer

Progressive 5 in 1 Egg Slicer

2009-07-07T19:25:44Z

Cut your egg up anyway you want. This egg slicer slices, wedges, halves, or dices eggs. It also has an integrated needle for piercing eggshells. If you don't like eggs, it can be used for mushrooms, strawberries or other fruit and vegetables.

At Progressive 5 in 1 Egg Slicer

Follow Kitchen Contraptions on Facebook, Twitter, RSS, and Weekly Newsletter

2009-07-06T11:50:48Z

All of the articles we post and other fun stuff here at Kitchen Contraptions can be followed in a variety of ways. Each day we post an article here or two so make sure and visit us on the web, and weekly you can of course get our newsletter via email. You can also now follow us on Twitter and Facebook. If you're using a feed reader such as Google Reader or the like make sure and use our RSS feed. So make sure and take advantage of the variety of ways you can get our Kitchen Contraptions news, and we also encourage you to visit us right here every day as well.

Thanks again for being a loyal reader, and we look forward to sharing lots of Kitchen Contraptions news in whatever format you desire.

Home Preserving Kit

2009-07-03T09:52:00Z

Canning food is good way to make use of all your garden's fruit and vegetables. This kit has everything you need to get started canning at home. It includes a steel boiler with canning jar rack, canning funnel, and jar lifter.

At Home Preserving Kit

Jigsaw Cookie Cutter

2009-07-02T09:42:00Z

Make your own jigsaw cookie! This cookie cutter makes cookies in the shape of puzzle pieces. The decorating possibilities are endless.

At Jigsaw Cookie Cutter

Meatball Grill Basket

2009-07-01T09:33:00Z

What can't you grill these days? This grill basket is for grilling meatballs. It can hold up to 12 meatballs with a removable polypropylene handle for easy turning.

At Meatball Grill Basket

June 2009 Monthly Round-Up for Kitchen Contraptions

2009-06-30T20:09:01Z

Here's the look back at June 2009, with a strong July ahead of us here at Kitchen Contraptions. Thanks for being a loyal reader and also check us out at Twitter.

Baking

Grilling

Kitchen Gadgets

Pots & Pans

Serving Wares

Mojito Glasses

Small Appliances

Solar Cooking

Solar Ovens - Have a Sun-e-que

Storage

Art Lebedev's Swissarmius - Organize Your Cutlery Swiss Army Style

Mojito Glasses

2009-06-29T09:42:00Z

Mojitos are trendy now, so why not have special mojito glasses to serve them in? These glasses come in a set of four.

At Mojito Glasses

Back to Basics TEM4500 4-Slot Egg-and-Muffin Toaster

2009-06-26T09:54:00Z

Who wants to eat their egg and muffin alone? This popular egg and muffin toaster allows you to slice up to four slices of bread, English muffins, bagels, or croissants at once. At the same time, you can steam-poach two eggs and warm pre-cooked meat. It also includes an egg basket that allows you to hard- or soft-boil up to eight eggs at a time.

At Back to Basics TEM4500 4-Slot Egg-and-Muffin Toaster

PizzaQue Grill-Top Pizza Stone

2009-06-25T09:35:00Z

I would really like to try grilling pizza. This pizza stone can be used on the grill or in the oven. It has a stainless steel base, so it can go on open flames. But the stone also separates from the base, so you can use the stone in the oven. It also has a built-in thermometer.

At PizzaQue Grill-Top Pizza Stone

Oxo Good Grips Flexible Vegetable Brush - Clean Your Vegetables

2009-06-24T12:19:28Z

With your garden in full swing, you're going to soon need a good vegetable brush to get all that dirt off of your carrots. The OXO Good Grips Brush has nylon bristles that clean thoroughly, and is perfect for potatoes, carrots, and more. It features a flexible, non-slip body, and is dishwasher-safe.

At Oxo Good Grips Flexible Vegetable Brush

Cherry Chomper, Mess Free Cherry and Olive Pitter

2009-06-23T18:32:17Z

I love cherry pie, but the thought of pitting all the cherries is a big deterrent. This cherry pitter may do the trick. You place the cherry in the mouth and press down.

At Cherry Chomper, Mess Free Cherry and Olive Pitter

Nostalgia Bakery Express - Micro-Batch Micro Cookies

2009-06-22T12:06:23Z

This small appliance lets you bake a half dozen 2-inch diameter cookies in minutes. It features a non-stick cast aluminum tray, and can bake from 375 to 400 F. It comes with 8 cookie molds, and also comes with 12 cookie cutters: rabbit, bell, double heart, Christmas tree, star, teddy bear, pumpkin, firework, flag, shamrock, Santa head and circle.

At Nostalgia COM-102 Bakery Express

Stainless Steel Meat Hook

2009-06-19T15:14:00Z

Flipping meat on the grill is not always easy. This hook is designed to flip large cuts of beef, chicken, and ribs, etc. It is made from stainless steel and has a rosewood handle.

At Stainless Steel Meat Hook

Hamilton Beach 40911 2-Quart Electric Iced Tea Maker

2009-06-18T13:42:47Z

I have decided that I need an ice tea maker and this one looks good. It allows you to brew a pitcher of iced tea in less than 10 minutes. You can use either loose tea or bags and adjust for mild, medium, or strong brewing. The pitcher is slim enough to fit in most refrigerator doors.

At Hamilton Beach 40911 2-Quart Electric Iced Tea Maker

Wilton Giant Cupcake Pan - Feed Your Giant Friends

2009-06-17T11:49:08Z

You can use this top-and-bottom oversized cupcake pan to make giant cupcakes for that giant in your life. The pan creates a 3D cupcake that measures approximately 7-1/4 by 7-1/2 inches. The cupcake pan is made of heavy-gauge cast aluminum with nonstick surface, and washes up easily.

Via Fresh Trend at Giant Cupcake Pan

BarbeSkew II - Rotisserie BBQ

2009-06-16T12:38:38Z

The BarbeSkew is a rotisserie BBQ that constantly rotates your meat, instead of leaving it static on a grill to burn in place when you forget to flip it. How does it work? You skewer your chosen cuts of meats onto the 7 small skewers then slip them into the groves provided over the hot charcoal fire. The meats then slowly rotate, allowing the meat to receive a 360 degree view of the fire below and to cook evenly. You also get 2 cage skewers enabling you to still cook sausages and burgers that also benefit from the same 360 degree cooking experience.

Via BarbeSkew II at DrinkStuff

Lodge Logic Pre-Seasoned Fajita Set

2009-06-15T14:44:00Z

Fajitas are fun to make, especially if you have the right equipment. This fajita set includes a griddle, wooden underliner, and a chili pepper handle mitt. The cast iron griddle is pre-seasoned and ready to use.

At Lodge Logic Pre-Seasoned Fajita Set

Wilton Brownie Cup Pan

2009-06-12T15:11:11Z

Brownie sundaes are one of my favorite things. This nonstick cupcake pan allows you to make brownie or sponge cake bowls that can be filled with deliciousness.

At Wilton Brownie Cup Pan

Pepper Corer

2009-06-11T13:47:13Z

There is a tool for every task. This is a pepper corer. The corer's serrated sides separate the core and seeds from small and medium-sized peppers. The blade has v-shaped teeth to help extract the contents.

At Pepper Corer

Mr. Coffee 3-Quart Ice Tea Maker - Make Perfect Iced Tea

2009-06-10T12:03:06Z

Whether you like your tea sweet or unsweetened, this iced tea maker will get the job done. This iced tea maker makes great tasting iced tea or iced coffee, and features a 3 Qt. easy-to-pour pitcher. It's a pretty simple rig to operate and has a On/off indicator light, and Auto shut-off.

At Mr. Coffee TM3-2 3-Quart Ice Tea Maker

Beanzawave - USB-Powered Heinz Beans Microwave

2009-06-09T12:28:29Z

OMG - Awesome. Can you say baked beans at your desk? We can thanks to the Beanzawave. Heinz is working on a USB beans microwave, and no, this isn't a joke. The Beanzawave is billed as the world's smallest microwave, measuring just 7.4 inches tall by 2.6 inches wide and 5.9 inches deep. We're not sure when it will be released, but if it does it will retail for around $160. Now those are some expensive desk baked beans.

You know the Beanzawave has to make an appearance on The Office...

Via Gizmodo and more at Fast Company

Art Lebedev's Swissarmius - Organize Your Cutlery Swiss Army Style

2009-06-08T12:17:30Z

Storing all of those stirring, cutting, mixing utensils can be hell, but not with Swissarmius. This Transformer-like storage holder, easily swallows up the entire mess on your kitchen countertops, and looks great too.

Via Gizmo Diva at Art Lebedev's Swissarmius

Wine Bottle Thermometer - Never Under Chill Again

2009-06-05T12:09:17Z

No more guessing if the wine is chilled just right or too warm to serve. Within minutes, this band with LED display provides a read-out of the wine’s temperature’ and if it’s ready to serve to your guests. We're big fans of chilled wine, but we've never gone the distance on the right amount of chill. We also think this gadget would be good for a fridge thermometer in a pinch as well.

Via The Red Ferret Journal at Solutions

Sodastream Fountain Jet Seltzer

2009-06-04T18:08:49Z

Making soda at home seems like it could be fun! This start up kit comes with everything you need to start turning sparkling water into soda. The soda maker has an automatic gas release function and fits extra large carbonaters. You can order many different flavors from the company.

At Sodastream Fountain Jet Seltzer

Pyrex Prepware 8-Cup Measuring Cup with Lid

2009-06-03T14:32:00Z

I like the idea of a measuring cup with a lid. This glass 8-cup measuring cup comes with a lid to easily transport liquids. The lid has 4 positions, which allows you to sift, pour, strain, or sprinkle.

At Pyrex Prepware 8-Cup Measuring Cup with Lid

Solar Ovens - Have a Sun-e-que

2009-06-02T12:08:34Z

Instead of a Barbeque you can let the Sun do all the work and have a Sun-e-que. The Sun means free fuel, and that means no more trips to refill your propane tank too. This solar cooker is all about heating up a crock pot or HOT POT, and works on any sunny day.

The HotPot solar oven comes with the large heavy duty black enameled steel pot and glass cooker that is pictured above. The Hot Pot solar cooker is a large thick clear tempered glass bowl, fitting inside the glass is a strong black steel pot surrounded the glass cooker. There is 1/2” between the metal and the glass allowing a small pocket of air space to surround the pot for added heat retention.

How does it work? The sun penetrates the transparent glass, strikes the black pot, and converts to heat that is retained inside the glass bowl. On a sunny day, a quart of water will boil in less than an hour, a four pound chicken will cook in about two hours in a HotPot. The cooker rests inside a super shiny metal reflector, which is composed of several panels riveted together that easily fold out to capture the direct and indirect energy of the sun. The sturdy reflector sets up in 30 seconds. It is made to be easily collapsible and folds down into a flat compact unit that takes up little storage space when you are not using it.

This solar oven is going to set you back $99, but we think given the no fuel long term cost - it's a steal.

At solarovens.net

May 2009 Monthly Round Up for Kitchen Contraptions

2009-06-01T12:21:27Z

May was another amazing month of Kitchen Contraptions - filled with kitchen gadgets, grilling, and other kitchen wonders. Expect June to be filled as well. Thanks again to all of our loyal readers, and we hope to do some giveaways soon.

General News

Round Kitchen - German Kitchen Roundness

Grilling

Kitchen Gadgets

Kitchen Scales

EatSmart Digital Nutrition Scale - Lose Weight and Eat Smarter

Reviews

Serving Wares

Small Appliances

Trash Cans & Compost

NatureMill PRO Automatic Composter

Review: Shrimp Butler - Clean Shrimp With No Mess

2009-05-29T13:19:53Z

We often eat a large quantity of shrimp on the Memorial Day Weekend, and this year was no exception except thanks to the Shrimp Butler - less mess. It often takes us just over an hour to peel, and devein all the shrimp our hungry stomachs require. This task was cut to about 10 minutes thanks to the Shrimp Butler.

Shrimp Butler, commonly referred to as a shrimp peeler, is an all in one shrimp butterflier and shrimp deveiner. Shuck the loose shrimp peelings under the faucet and your shrimp are ready for cooking.

It's sad - but it's really that simple. Check out the link below for a full set of demonstrations on how to use the Shrimp Butler, but it's drop dead simple and amazing. This also means we'll be eating shrimp, and grilling shrimp more often.

At Shrimp Butler