If your kitchen is like mine, youcould pay an electrician the big bucks to hardwire your island (its certainly crossed my mind), or you could start a collection of cordless appliances. The baker in me was especially excited about the KitchenAid cordless hand mixer. So, I gave it a go in the Test Kitchen to find out if this handy gadget is as great as it sounds.

What is the KitchenAid Cordless Hand Mixer?

The KitchenAid cordless hand mixer is a follow-up to the perennial brand’s popular corded hand and stand mixers. (Psst! Read our full review of the stand mixer.) As the name would suggest, this appliance has no cord and is powered instead by a rechargeable battery.

Released a few years back as part of a broader cordless appliance collection, the cordless hand mixer could very well be the mixer of the future as it untethers home chefs and bakers from their outlets and even their kitchens.

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KitchenAid Cordless Hand Mixer Features

The KitchenAid Cordless 7 Speed Hand Mixer is basic in the best way. So basic, in fact, that it doesn’t have a key component of most models: a permanent cord. In its place, you’ll find a rechargeable battery that detaches and plugs into the wall via a power cord. Easy-to-read indicator lights signify how much juice the battery has.

All other features are similar to other standard hand mixers. There are two dishwasher-safe beaters and an eject button to detach them easily. There is also a slide button that allows the user to adjust between the seven speeds. Low speeds are marked by short lines, and the lines increase in length as the speed increases.

Notably, no matter how fast you want your whisks spinning, they’ll start slowly before incrementally increasing speed, thanks to the mixer’s soft-start function. This means no more splattering cake batter or heavy cream!

Even the shape of the appliance is intentional. The flat bottom of the base allows the mixer to be placed upright on a countertop or table without smearing batter, dough, icing, etc. onto the surface.

How We Tested It

From years of testing products for our Test Kitchen Preferred series, I have product testing down pat. When I got my hands on this hand mixer, I knew immediately how I wanted to put it through the paces. I decided to use it to mix cake batter, butter, frosting, egg whites and chicken.

Construction & Specs

First, I checked out the mixer speeds, which are controlled by a slider mechanism. The speeds aren’t numbered but rather signaled by lines that increase in length based on the speed.

I found the mixer to be easy to use with intuitive features. There’s an eject button to remove the beaters, as well as a rechargeable battery with charge indicator lights. Aside from the lack of a cord, the features and buttons are very comparable to those you would find on a corded model. Notably, though, it doesn’t come with a storage container or case.

The unit is of average weight. I’ve used models that are heavier and lighter, but even so, the mixer felt sturdy in my handit wasn’t cheap-feeling at all. The flat bottom further enforces its sturdiness. It sits upright on any surface without threat of tipping.

Despite having seven speeds, the highest of which is quite powerful, the machine was super quiet. The beaters do their thing inconspicuously; the duo has standard whisks that are easy to clean. As for the base of the appliance, it’s super sleek, comes in seven colors and, of course, lacks a cord.

Performance

We started off easy with cake mix, butter and icing. The hand mixer flawlessly incorporated all the ingredients of a cake batter with no issue. When it came to the icing, the food dye was streaky upon first addition, but after a bit more mixing, the coloring was incorporated adequately.

Next up: egg whites. Hand mixers are never going to be the go-to for stiff peaks, and this one was no exception. It readily whipped the whites into soft peaks; however, this appliance probably wouldn’t do the job for a meringue-obsessed baker. That being said, it performed just as well as the other hand mixers did with egg whites.

Lastly, we tried mixing chicken. Huh? Well, believe it or not: It’s our best-kept secret for quickly shredding meat, such as pulled pork and chicken, and one of our favorite unexpected uses of a KitchenAid mixer. We found the best success shredding the cooked boneless, skinless white meat on a low-speed setting. It’d be better for a hearty pulled chicken sandwich or a chunky chicken salad, as some of the pieces remained on the larger side.

Pros

• Short charge time
• Low-battery indicator light
• Powerful, with seven speeds
• Flat bottom for standing
• Solid stainless-steel beaters
• Soft-start feature

Cons

• Might be too heavy for some users
• No storage container
• Pricier than corded counterparts

FAQ

How long does KitchenAid Cordless Hand Mixer last?

The KitchenAid Cordless 7 Speed Hand Mixer takes about two hours to charge to completion. From there, it’ll last for 45 minutes of rigorous mixing before it needs to be plugged in again. That’s more than enough time for multiple batches of cookies, cake and itsfrosting, etc.!

What Other Reviewers Had to Say

So, what’s the word on no cord? Other users, beyond those on our Test Kitchen team, seem to be just as impressed with this smart appliance.

Amazon reviewer Susan put the KitchenAid product through the paces in her own kitchen. “My mixer arrived yesterday, and I decided to give it a challenging first try,” she explains. “I charged it until it was ready to go, and I made a fresh peach pound cake. For those who bake, a pound cake takes a significant amount of mixing. Also, in this recipe, there is no liquid except for the eggs (liquid comes from the fruit at the end of the recipe). It worked like a champ and had no problem at all mixing a very thick batter.”

Similarly, Jose R. Martinez was wowed by just about every aspect of the product. “This is the best hand mixer Ive ever owned,” he says. “It is quiet and makes less mess than other mixers. It whips up egg whites quickly and holds a charge for long enough to make two cakes and whipped cream. Love it!”

Product Comparison

We’ve officially tested 10 types of hand mixers and narrowed them down to four favorites. The KitchenAid cordless hand mixer handily made the cut. Unsurprisingly categorized as the “best cordless hand mixer,” this product stacked up to all the corded counterparts, such as competitors from Breville, Sunbeam and Braun. Plus, it has the added bonus of not requiring an outlet during use.

When comparing it to other cordless hand mixer models, such as those from Cuisinart, Farberware and Chefman, that we haven’t tested firsthand, KitchenAid is the most expensive. However, that cost difference is made up by the longer charge time (the aforementioned appliances only run for 20-30 minutes), chic color options and, in some cases, more speed settings.

Final Verdict

Just as I suspected: Cordless is king! (Well, so is KitchenAid, but we’ve known that for a while now.) At just under $100, this quality, sturdy hand mixer performs well and is easy and so convenient to use. Plus, the nifty cordless tool comes in seven colors, so itll coordinate with your kitchen. Form and function? Were all for that.

Just keep in mind, though, that this isn’t a replacement for a heavy-duty stand mixer. Save your thick bread doughs and your stiff meringues for the hand mixer’s static countertop cousin.

Where to Buy the KitchenAid Cordless Hand Mixer

Get your hands on a KitchenAid cordless hand mixer by purchasing one from Amazon, the KitchenAid website, Walmart, Home Depot and other popular vendors. It’s time to untether yourself from outlets! What do you say?

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The post KitchenAid Cordless Hand Mixer Review: Holiday Meal Prep Just Got Way More Convenient appeared first on Taste of Home.

I was never big on cooking pizza at home. Homemade pasta? Yes. Homemade pie crust? Absolutely. That is, until a few years back when I took a virtual class with Scott Wiener, the unofficial king of New York pizza. His workshop inspired and reinvigorated me in the kitchen, forever changing how I view homemade pizza.

Preparing homemade pizza can be simple. You just need the right recipes and the right tools. Heck, my homemade pizza sauce is nothing more than crushed tomatoes mixed with salt, pepper and olive oil.And when it comes to the latter category, tools, I rely on my 3-in-1 Cuisinart pizza oven.

What is the 3-in-1 Cuisinart pizza oven?

The 3-in-1 Cuisinart pizza oven is an outdoor pizza ovenand then some. As the name suggests, this one-of-a-kind propane-fueled appliance has three functions. It includes a cast-iron griddle, cast-iron grill grate and 13-inch cordierite pizza stone that fits snugly between built-in pegs on the grill grate. Whichever surfaces aren’t in use can be neatly stowed underneath.

The griddle is perfect for delicacies like eggs, paninis and pancakes. And the grill grate has you covered for favorites such as steaks, sausages, vegetables and burgers. And the pizza oven function is pretty self-explanatory. In sum, it’s your one-stop pizza-making tool for outdoor cooking.

The squat appliance is 20 inches deep, 25 inches wide and a little more than 17 inches tall; it weighs 45 pounds.

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3-in-1 Cuisinart Pizza Oven Features

Pizza Stone

The pizza stone, made of cordierite, measures 13 inches in diameter. So, for reference, it can hold the standard small-size pie from a pizzeria or the typical frozen supermarket pizza. The stone’s natural material can withstand high temperatures without the threat of thermal shock, so it’s ideal for retaining and distributing heat.

Grill Grate

Grill grates are often made of stainless or porcelain-coated steel or cast iron. These grates, in particular, are made of cast iron, meaning they’re durable, produce impressive sear marks and distribute heat evenly. The 3-in-1 Cuisinart pizza oven boasts 260 square inches of grilling spaceyou’ll just want to ensure you season the surface before using it.

Griddle

Unless you have a Blackstone, it’s not often that you get to griddle outside! This cast-iron griddle offers 223 square inches of cooking space for any of your remaining culinary adventures. Think burgers, grilled cheese and omelets.

Lid

This clever lid/door does double duty. For grilling, the lid lifts from the bottom like normal. Or, when you’re cooking a pizza, keep the lid closed and use the flap door on the front to check the pie’s progress.

How We Tested It

To set up the pizza oven, I followed the manual’s instructions. There wasn’t so much “assembly” as there was fitting together pre-built parts. It was so easy and took only a few minutes. Then, I placed it on a safe, sturdy surfacea metal table in my backyardand connected it to a propane tank (not included) like I would any other gas grill.

I didn’t season the grill grates because I knew the pizza would go directly on the nonstick stone; I just went straight at it with the pizza. First, I preheated the oven, with the stone inside, while I prepared my pie directly on a pizza peel.

Then, I formed the homemade dough and put it onto the peel. (I quickly found that this pizza oven was too hot for cornmeal, so skip sprinkling it underneath the dough.) Then, I added my aforementioned four-ingredient sauce (store-bought works too!), a handful of part-skim shredded mozzarella and my desired toppings of olives, red onions and pepperoni.

This oven got so hot so fast that I actually needed to turn the dial down to get the temperature gauge within the conveniently labeled “pizza” range. I then used a pair of tongs to shimmy the uncooked pizza off the peel and onto the already-sizzling stone. (You want the stone to be hot, hot, hot to char the bottom crust immediately.)

I ended up cooking my pie at about 600 degrees, and unlike a few super-speedy ovens, it took a few minutes to bake all the way through. No complaints hereI could grab a beer and sit down for a sec.

After enjoying some char-kissed slices, I waited for the oven to cool down. This took less than an hour. Once it was safe to the touch, I removed the pizza stone, rinsed it under hot water, removed any of the stuck-on bits with a nylon pan scraper and let it air-dry.

Of course, it didn’t return to the grates looking pristine, but that’s the sign of a well-loved pizza stone. Plus, much like a cast-iron skillet, it becomes increasingly nonstick with each use.

During the off-season or rainy weather, I store the pizza oven in my garage, covered and unhooked from the propane tank. Otherwise, I leave it outdoors, away from pets and children.

Pros

• Easily maneuverable door and temperature dial
• Modest price point
• Heats quickly and consistently
• Simple assembly
• Multi-functional grill, griddle and pizza oven

Cons

• Slightly longer cooking time
• On the heavier and bigger side

FAQs

How long does it take to cook pizza in a Cuisinart pizza oven?

When cooking my pizzas at 600 degrees, they took about 3 minutes to bake. The cooking time will vary depending on the temperature of the pizza oven and your preferred bake. (I like my crust extra browned and crispy!)

What temperature is the Cuisinart pizza oven?

The Cuisinart pizza oven gauge reads temperatures between 200 and 700 degrees. The ideal range for pizza, which is between about 525 and 650 degrees, is clearly marked. Furthermore, I could max out the temperature gauge and heat the oven to about 800 degrees, but I like to stay in the designated pizza zone.

Can you cook a frozen pizza in a Cuisinart pizza oven?

Yes, you can cook a frozen pizza in a Cuisinart pizza oven, though I’d recommend following the guidelines provided on the pizza’s packaging. If the directions say to bake the pizza at 425 degrees for 12 minutes, then do that rather than toying with the temperature and cooking time. This is your safest bet for a yummy bite to eat.

What Other Reviewers Had to Say

There are so many reasons to love the 3-in-1 Cuisinart pizza oven. Here’s a slice of what satisfied customers are saying.

Verified Amazon purchaser Chris McManus has ditched dining out thanks to this product. “I wasn’t sure if I was really going to like or use this,” he comments. “We’ve used it four out of five weeks. No more Blaze, Mod or Pieology. We’ve got it better at home.”

Another five-star reviewer has tried various types of pizza ovens, and this propane-fueled one is among his favorites. “So far, this is an awesome pizza oven,” Markie writes. “I’ve tried the pellet ones, and there is no comparison.”

And one pizza-lover with seven mouths to feed has gotten super creative with her use of the oven. “I don’t use the stone because we often make deep dish,” Kayla says. “We can fit two 9-inch rounds in the oven at a time, and the bottoms come out crispy every time. It was worth every penny.”

Product Comparison

I’ve tested three pizza ovens at this point. One ran on wood pellets, and the other two (i.e., this Cuisinart pizza oven and the Ooni Koda 16) ran on propane. The Cuisinart was my favorite for a few reasons.

Although the setup of the two gas ovens was comparable, I felt the Cuisinart was a bit sturdier than the Ooni, which had collapsible legs that made me a little nervous. Moreover, the Ooni has open flames that feel a little intimidating to a novice pizza maker like me. I preferred the Cuisinart heating system, as it felt safer.

And let’s not forget the versatility! This pizza oven isn’t just a pizza oven like so many others on the market. It has a grill and griddle to fulfill all your outdoor cooking fantasies. Plus, it’s a fair price, especially considering its multi-functionality.

Oh, and if you’re looking for an indoor pizza oven, Cuisinart makes a budget-friendly model our testerloved.

Why You Should Trust Us

To date, the Taste of Home team has tested over a dozen pizza ovens. We’ve reviewed the top models from brands like Gozney, Solo Stove, Blackstone, Ninja and Ooni, with price points ranging from $150 to $1,000. Our pizza oven expert, Molly Allen, has led the charge. But we’ve recruited help from Test Kitchen pros like Josh Rink, Peggy Woodward and myself. Together, we have decades of experience in recipe development, product testing and outdoor cooking.

Final Verdict

I have nothing but good things to say about the 3-in-1 Cuisinart pizza oven. In fact, I was hard-pressed to come up with a single con. The pizza it produced was incredible.

Although it takes up a bit of space (unavoidable!), it’s absolutely worth the couple hundred bucks if you’re big on entertaining, pizza or dining al fresco. Its multi-functionality softens the blow of its decent-sized footprint because, really, it’s the only cooker you need in your backyard. I’m hooked!

Where to Buy the 3-in-1 Cuisinart Pizza Oven

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The Cuisinart pizza oven, which retails for around $250, is available from multiple merchants: Amazon, Walmart, Kohl’s and Williams Sonoma. When it comes to pizza ovens, trust this is the upper crust!

The post Cuisinart Pizza Oven Review: This 3-in-1 Appliance Really Does Do It All appeared first on Taste of Home.

These past few years, I’ve had a blast tapping into my Easy-Bake Oven days with the ever-popular air fryer, which cooks food similarly to the childhood favorite. And now, I’m obsessed with the KitchenAid Pasta Press.

As I use the handy attachment, the Play-Doh-lover in me can’t help but be reminded of the many plates of “pasta,” however inedible, I prepared as a kiddo. The plug-and-chug nature of the KitchenAid gadget makes it nearly as simple to use as the plastic Hasbro toy, but the finished product is a whole lot tastier.

That’s why the Pasta Press is among my top three of more than a dozen KitchenAid attachments.

What is a KitchenAid Pasta Press?

Not to be confused with the KitchenAid Pasta Roller & Cutter, the Pasta Press is a doodad that attaches to any (yes, any!) KitchenAid stand mixer, thanks to the appliance’s universal power hub. I have my grandma’s bright-white mixer from the ’70s and was dubious the Pasta Press would fitI was delighted to stand corrected.

The attachment, which affixes to the knob on the front of the stand mixer, is operated by the same speed lever that’s used for regular mixing and whipping.

As its name would suggest, the Pasta Press presses balls of fresh pasta dough into various shapes that are then cut and tossed into boiling water to cook.

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KitchenAid Pasta Press Features

The Pasta Press weighs around 3 pounds, stands roughly 10 inches tall and arrives in a storage case that masterfully fits all the included parts.

The parts in question? A pasta press (with a plastic auger and pasta ring), dough pusher, cleaning tool and six interchangeable pasta discs. At the base of the pasta press, the wire cutter horizontally slices the pasta pieces off the machine as they’re dispensed. (Psst! Keep your other KitchenAid attachments organized with this $11 Amazon item.)

Each of the six discs produces a different pasta shape, including bucatini, spaghetti, rigatoni, large or small macaroni or fusilli.

The dough pusher is also dual-purpose, despite its specific name. Yes, it helps users push the dough balls further into the cavity, but it also works as a wrench to remove and swap out the pasta discs with added ease.

The pointy stainless-steel cleaning tool is essential for removing all dough remnants from the fickle nooks and crannies. Hold onto it!

How We Tested It

Practice makes perfect pasta. That’s the saying right? Well, I’ve practiced with this device a ton, and it’s made some dang-near-perfect pasta. (The rigatoni is my favorite because the grooves cling onto the sauce for a delightful blast of flavor in every bite!)

Prepping the Dough and Space

I start by making the dough recipe found in the user guideit’s a great consistency for the machine. You want your dough to be firm and not sticky or soft. Then, I roll my dough into balls. The manual instructs users to make walnut-sized balls and be sure to take this literally. Forming the dough balls too large or too small can cause production issues.

I particularly like to make these walnut-sized balls ahead of time and place them in the fridge until ready to use. This splits up the process and makes homemade pasta-making feel less daunting.

However, don’t go so far as to prep the shaped pasta ahead of time. I’ve found that the formed noodles can become discolored in the fridge. Instead, pull the pre-made balls from the fridge, drop them into the Pasta Press, then boil the freshly formed noodles immediately.

Before I turn the mixerand, in turn, the Pasta Presson, I place a floured baking sheet directly below the attachment. (A silicone baking mat or piece of parchment paper also works.) This provides me an easy, nonstick spot to pile my homemade creations.

Using the Pasta Press

Once it’s time to begin and the attachment is fitted with the pasta disc of my choice, I load the walnut-sized nuggets, a few at a time, into the portion of the Pasta Press officially referred to as the “housing base.”

Next, I flip the speed lever to the appropriate level. For rigatoni, I use the sixth speed. From the housing base, the balls travel through the auger and begin to squeeze through the openings of the pasta disc. Note: If things get backed up, the balls might need a little coaxing from the dough pusher.

When the pasta is the appropriate length (e.g., for rigatoni, this is about 1.5 inches), I swipe the wire cutter across the surface of the pasta disc using the tab. The pasta pieces fall right onto my prepared nonstick surface. Voila! Into the boiling water they go.

Cleaning the Pasta Press

After my cooked, piled-high pasta, most likely doused in my favorite store-bought pasta sauce, is all gone, it’s time to clean. Admittedly, this is the not-so-fun part. The stainless-steel tool makes cleaning the pasta discs easier, and I suggest a soapy washcloth for the wire cutter and housing base. Thankfully, the pasta ring, auger and dough pusher are all dishwasher-safe.

Pros

• Compatible with any model of KitchenAid stand mixer
• Easy to assemble and use
• Six pasta discs
• Smart packaging
• Some dishwasher-safe components

Cons

• Loud while in use
• High price point
• A little tedious to clean, though the provided tool helps

FAQs

Does KitchenAid have a pasta maker?

Yes, KitchenAid has two pasta-maker attachments. The first is the Pasta Press, which presses balls of fresh dough into six types of pasta, including spaghetti, rigatoni, large or small macaroni, bucatini or fusilli.

The second pasta-maker attachment is the Pasta Roller & Cutter. This device flattens fresh pasta dough into sheets of your desired thickness, then cuts said sheets into long noodles, either spaghetti or fettuccine. You can also cut the sheets freehand into lasagna noodles or any other flat shape you desire.

What can I do with KitchenAid pasta attachment?

Together, the KitchenAid pasta attachments can make up to seven shapes of noodles. The attachments are friendly to dietary restrictions as they easily churn out pasta made with traditional and nontraditional flours.

Moreover, homemade pasta in any form is impressive and delicious, but I love experimenting with tomato and spinach doughto create eye-catching finished dishes.

Lastly, these attachments go beyond pasta. I like using the Roller & Cutter to make gourmet crackers. I feed the seedy, nutty dough into the roller, then cut the sheets into squares to bake and snack on. Yes, this means that, much like the sifter attachment, the Pasta Press is also a great KitchenAid accessory for bakers.

What speed for KitchenAid Pasta Press?

My number one tip: Follow the manual. I’ve had the most success with KitchenAid’s dough recipe, which indicates each pasta shape should be produced on a different speed setting.

I made the mistake of starting out my spaghetti on a speed lower than 10 (which is what’s recommended) out of fear that the noodles would go flying. Alas, the elevated speed is necessary for spaghetti and bucatini.

Rigatoni and both macaronis, however, call for a speed of 6. And the fusilli needs a speed of 3.

What Other Reviewers Had to Say

KitchenAid is a trusted brand in the culinary spaceand this awesome product only reinforces that reputation. Like the stand mixer before it, the Pasta Press has received plenty of praise online.

“Im so happy I purchased this mixer!” writes Debbie in her five-star review. “After we downsized and I gave away my old KitchenAid for lack of counter space, I really missed it. After about eight years and moving to another home, I treated myself, bought another KitchenAid of course, and have used it multiple times each week since.”

Verified Amazon purchaser Traci writes, “We love making fresh pasta, and several years ago we purchased the earlier version of this product. We used it frequently and literally wore it out. Its even better than the original. The design is similar, but overall just a little sturdier, plus it comes with a cleaning tool that makes cleaning much easier! Im thrilled with this purchase.”

Richard P. says the Pasta Press is great family fun, “I have used this attachment three times so far and it works great! And it’s a lot of fun. My daughter really enjoys kneading the dough because it smells so good. We made a big batch of noodles two days ago, and I put the uncooked noodles in the refrigerator. I used them for soup tonight, and besides being delicious, I had to smile thinking about the fun we had making them. I highly recommend this product. Using this machine feels like you are playing with Play-Doh, but you get to eat it.”

Product Comparison

The most direct comparison is between the two KitchenAid pasta attachments, and you might be wondering which is worth it. I’ve used both the Roller & Cutter and the Pasta Press, and I’d opt to spend my money on the latter.

I find its versatility more appealing, and the shaped pastas are just so satisfying to make. Plus, between the bucatini and spaghetti discs, you can still make long noodles comparable to those the Roller & Cutter produces.

In terms of how it compares to standalone pasta makers and tools, my line of thinking is this: Any pasta maker worth its salt is a similar price point. So if you have a KitchenAid stand mixer, you might as well go with this one. It has a smaller footprint than a standalone pasta maker, all while getting the job done just as well, if not better.

Final Verdict

I eat pasta all the timea habit passed down by my aforementioned KitchenAid-toting grandma. So having the Pasta Press in my repertoire just makes sense, and I’d say the same for anyone else with serious pasta cravings.

It’s intuitive to assembleI didn’t need to rely on the manual much. That being said, I do recommend perusing the user guide for recipes, tips and speed/sizing guidelines.

Thanks to the dough pusher, wire cutter and cleaning tool, it’s also super straightforward to use and clean. The disc options mean there’s a pasta shape for just about any sauce or personal preference.

Don’t be deterred by the price tag if you’re a KitchenAid connoisseur or noodle-loverit’ll be in constant use in your kitchen. (Plus, KitchenAid is known to have sweet sales.)

Where to Buy the KitchenAid Pasta Press

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The Pasta Press is available for $220 from Amazon, KitchenAid,Williams Sonoma and Crate & Barrel. Pasta might be seriously delicious, but you’ll have so much fun getting fu-silly in the kitchen with this tool.

The post We Tried a KitchenAid Pasta Press—And It’s the Gadget of Our Italian Dreams appeared first on Taste of Home.

Which Wine Opener Is the Best?

Many of us love a good glass of wine with dinner or while unwinding at home. But sometimes it can be a struggle to uncork that bottle of ros during book club. With the best wine opener, though, this task becomes quick and easy.

Don’t have a reliable corkscrew at home? Let our Test Kitchen help you. Our team made it their mission to find wine opener options that allow you to uncork your favorite vintage or nonalcoholic wine without any fuss.

The post The Best Wine Openers: Pro Corkscrew Picks of 2024 appeared first on Taste of Home.

As Taste of Home‘s Executive Culinary Director, I knew I had to get my hands on one to see if it lives up to the hype. Read on for my honest review.

What is the Potane Precision vacuum sealer?

One of the best freezer and fridge organization ideas is investing in products like a uniform set of glass storage containers. They keep food fresh while tidying up the fridgethat’s a win-win! And while we love these products, there’s one device in particular that locks in freshness for weeks longer, and it goes by the name of the Potane Precision vacuum sealer.

So, what is it, exactly? It’s a kitchen appliance with a vacuum chamber that sucks all the air out of plastic freezer bags. The Potane Precision helps home cooks meal prep with ease, thanks to a built-in cutter for prepping the bags and extremely powerful suction that removes every bit of air. This prevents food like meat and seafood from getting freezer burn, or worse, spoiling.

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Product Features

• Powerful, 120-watt motor
• Hand-operated
• Built-in cutter
• Automatic and manual operating modes
• Comes with two big bag rolls
• Comes with an extra foam gasket
• Five-year warranty

How We Tested It

As with any new-to-me appliance, I started my vacuum sealer test by reading through the user manual. What a treatthe directions are simple! You start with making a bag: Measure the length of the bag, slide the cutter bar to slice off the piece you need and seal it with the touch of a button.

When testing this vacuum sealer, there was no sound to indicate when it was operating or when it had finished making a seal on the bag. But in less than one minute, the light turned off. Okay! Now that the seal is made on one end of the bag, it was time to fill.

Vacuum Sealing Food

Once the food was inside the bag and positioned over the vacuum chamber correctly, it was time for the fun part. The machine is a bit loud during the vacuum sealing process, but my attention was totally focused on seeing the bags “shrinkle” (that’s short for shrink and wrinkle) as the air was drawn out. Yes, it looks as satisfying as it sounds!

I used both the moist and dry modes. Proteins, with their high moisture content, were sealed on the moist mode while cheddar cheese, blanched broccoli florets and pre-frozen, portioned cookie dough balls were set to dry. Can you believe vacuum sealed broccoli can stay in the freezer for two to three years?

Over the course of several weeks, I vacuum sealed a lot of foods for sous vide cooking, in addition to general sealing for storing and preserving. Beefy short ribs and porterhouse pork chops benefit from sous vide cooking in Potanes strong and sturdy bags, as compared to household freezer bags that might not hold up to the potential of bones poking into the plastic. I sealed two hefty New York strip steaks in a bag, and a few days later, a couple of lightweight rations of bacon.

If youre thinking of preserving fresh mushrooms, garlic or onions via vacuum sealing, unfortunately, it can’t be done. With little oxygen, the harmful anaerobic bacteria that these foods contain can grow, which makes the ingredients unsafe to eat. (Sadly, this applies to soft cheeses, too.) Luckily, the vacuum sealer’s user manual provides helpful food safety tips and other guidelines for success.

Other Vacuum Sealer Uses

One of the pros of the Potane Precision vacuum sealer is that it comes with two different bag sizes. Maybe youre going on a camping trip and want to seal multiple, smaller bags of nuts, seeds, crackers or coffee grounds. Perfect! How about that summer kayaking trip? Vacuum seal an extra change of clothes using one of the large bags. Pack that puffy jacket in your luggage easily by vacuum sealing it down to a fraction of the size.

I was also surprised to learn that you can fill a Potane bag with liquid. When it’s time to reheat, thaw and then snip the corner for pouring. So smart! You can also pre-freeze soup in a freezer container, then transfer the soup “block” into a Potane bag and vacuum seal. I love the idea of stacking these soup blocks in the freezerits so efficient and organized.

Potane also sells two different sized canister accessories that enable you to vacuum seal foods that you want to hold their shapes, like small loaves of bread, sandwiches or leafy greens. (As a daily salad eater, I think Ill have to try this.) The streamlined machine takes up very little space and its easy to operate.

Pros

• Easy to operate
• Preserves foods at their maximum freshness for weeks
• Comes with two freezer bag sizes
• Built-in cutter makes it easy to measure freezer bags
• Compact size makes it easy to stash in a cabinet or drawer
• Versatile uses not just for food

Cons

• Machine is a bit noisy
• Not all foods can be vacuum sealed

FAQ

How do you use a Potane Precision vacuum sealer?

Start by preparing your bag for sealing. Measure the length of the bag you need, cut it with the sliding cutter bar and seal it with a quick touch of the button. Once the bag is prepared, fill it with food and position it over the vacuum chamber to complete the process.

Are vacuum sealers worth it?

Vacuum sealing is a smart investment whether you buy in bulk or freeze food for meal prep. Food is susceptible to freezer burn even with the best freezer containers. Vacuum sealing is the best way to create an airtight seal so foods stay fresher for longer.

What foods should not be vacuum sealed?

Foods including raw mushrooms, fresh bananas, raw garlic and onion, soft cheeses, cooked veggies and whole apples should not be vacuum sealed.

What Other Shoppers Had to Say

With over 3,200 five-star ratings, the Potane Precision vacuum sealeris a true kitchen pro. Here’s what other reviewers love about the time-saving food saver:

“I bought this model because it was recommended by a family member who’s used the same model for years,” shares verified Amazon reviewer, F. Davis. “I’ve had no buyer’s remorse. It’s so easy to use. I used to wrap individual meat servings in parchment and plastic and store in freezer bags. It was time consuming and I always dreaded the job. Now I make my own freezer bag to size, vacuum and seal with the press of a button, and toss the item into the freezer.”

“This has been by far the best food vacuum sealer I have purchased to date,” writes verified Amazon reviewer, Tami Dalrymple. “Super easy to use, easy to clean and the noise is not overly loud like others. It works with any brand of bags as well. Definitely worth every penny!”

Another five-star reviewer, Jo Ann, adds, “I would gladly give this Potane a 10/10 easily. I am fairly new at using a vacuum seal machine but this one is great…I put up almost 40 packages the same day I received this machine, and the results were amazing.”

Final Verdict

In all my tests, the Potane Precision vacuum sealer performed great. Its powerful and reliable. All of the seals on the bags held firm and there was no leaking. The only very minor drawback is the loud sound when the machine draws air out. Im sold on the virtues of vacuum sealing, beyond sous vide cooking alone. Prepping make-ahead meals for the freezer, preserving ingredients and extending the life of food and even protecting non-food items from the elementsthe Potane did an all-around super job!

Where to Buy

If you couldn’t tell by now, I’m a big fan of vacuum sealing. It’s a game-changing meal prep hack that locks in freshness far better than other products. Buying chicken in bulk? Cooking big batches of soup? The Potane Precision vacuum sealer does it all. Find it on Amazon for $175. Considering all the food I can save from spoilage, it basically pays for itself in the long run. The hardest part is choosing what you will vacuum seal first!

Next, check out this handheld vacuum sealer and mini chip bag sealer. This way to fresher food!

Shop Now

The post Potane Precision Vacuum Sealer Review: Does It Really Work? appeared first on Taste of Home.

MOLLY ALLEN FOR TASTE OF HOME

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Shop on Ooni

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The Ooni Koda 16 is easily one of the most popular outdoor pizza oven picks on the market, and for good reason. Our testing of the Ooni Koda 16 yielded deliciously chewy, lightly charred crusts and gooey melty cheese. The oven transforms even the most basic grocery ingredients into a restaurant-quality pie. The best part? They’re fully cooked in a matter of 60 seconds and even gourmet frozen ‘za or vegan pizza gets crispy. It’s a luxury kitchen appliance that’s worth every penny.

The Koda 16 is the larger version of the brand’s propane-powered pizza oven and features an ample 16-inch cooking area that out-measures the brand’s typical 12-inch offering (which we also tried). That means bigger pizzas and family-friendly feeding. This model allows pizzas to be cooked in a rear corner, so you can turn and rotate your pies with ease. Just make sure you pick up a pizza peel! It’s by far the most important Ooni accessory.

Temperature range: Up to 950F | Heat source: Gas | Weight: 39 pounds | Dimensions: 25 x 23 x 15 inches

The post Best Outdoor Pizza Ovens: Gas, Electric, and Hybrid Options Tested for Ultimate Performance appeared first on Taste of Home.

Best Overall Vacuum Sealer

Potane Precision Vacuum Sealer

A vacuum sealer is like the crme de la crme of prep tools, and this Potane vacuum sealer tops them all. Powered by 120 watts, it uses 8 millimeters of sealing width, whereas many other styles use only 3 millimeters. It’s an overall stand-out for its smooth sealing method and robust, high-power motor.

Plus, it stores up to 20 feet of bag rolls and features a built-in cutter that minimizes labor. It comes with a five-year warranty so that it can last for the long haul. Finally, it has both an automatic and a manual modea simple design that doesn’t compromise the most important features. You’ll be packing freezer foods like a pro before you know it.

“Im sold on the virtues of vacuum sealing, beyond sous vide cooking alone,” writes our executive culinary director, Sarah Farmer, in her Potane vacuum sealer review. “Prepping make-ahead meals for the freezer, preserving ingredients and extending the life of food and even protecting non-food items from the elementsthe Potane did an all-around super job!”

Pros

• Powerful motor
• One-hand operation
• Built-in cutter
• Two operating modes: automatic and manual
• Includes two rolls of vacuum bags and an extra gasket
• Five-year warranty

Cons

• Mid-level price point

Shop Now on Amazon

The post The 9 Best Vacuum Sealers to Extend the Life of Food in 2024 appeared first on Taste of Home.