A Hassle-Free Can Opener

The problem:

• You've got a junky old can opener. 
• You don't want to waste counter space with a big electric can opener. 
• You don't like having the lids fall into the can. 
• You don't like getting your fingers dirty touching the can lid to throw it away.
• You don't like sharp edges in your garbage can.

The solution: The Kuhn can opener and lid lifter


What's so great about it:

• The blades cut the lid straight off. They never touch the food.
• You can reuse the lid to cover the can.
• You never have to touch the lid.
• The blades don't touch the food so they won't get dirty or rusty.
• It fits in a drawer.
• It doesn't need batteries or electricity.

What's not so great about it:

• It's manual. You still need a little strength to use it.
• The plastic tool for removing the cut lid seems a little flimsy, although I haven't had a problem.

The Problem

The Solution

Notice how the blades are cutting around the outside of the can

Use the attached tool to pull off the lid

You could even reuse the lid to cover the can in the fridge

I have this product. I blogged about it because I like it. If you'd like to purchase it from my Amazon store, please click here. It won't cost you anything extra, but I will get a small commission. Thank you.

Electric meat smoker makes it easy - do some grilling while you're chilling

Smoke some joints -- jerked chicken joints, that is, with a this very easy electric smoker. The Old Smokey Electric Smoker (about $135 on Amazon) keeps your smoked nice and juicy. It's basically a giant bucket with a heating element. Smoke and moisture stay in. It's simple to use and pretty foolproof.

It's just a large, aluminum tub. The heating element sits in the bottom. Above is a rack where a small amount of wood chips creates the smoke. Above that goes a metal bowl that catches the moisture dripping from your meats. There will be a lot of of it. On top that are two racks for your food.

It's large enough to smoke a small turkey or two chickens on one rack, and you can fit full rack of ribs on the other.

The Old Smokey Electric Smoker

Pros

• Simple
• Effective
• Smoke is contained
• Moisture is retained

Cons

• It's expensive for what it is
• It will probably arrive with a couple dents
• It's large, so it's cumbersome to store and clean
• It's is a closed unit; there is no airflow. It keeps meats very moist, but some say it is not really a smoker

Helpful hints

• Get a temperature gauge. You'll need it to do a good job.



• Put this outside, on a level non-flammable surface and don't leave it unattended.

Link

Click here to read the review on Examiner.Com

Grind your own flour - it's the cool new thing

Grind you own flour - it's what all the cool kids are doing

Are you bored with the drudgery of going to the store and buying your wheat all ground up into flour already? Would you rather spend way more wheat, and then grind it up yourself? If so, Victorio Manual Grain Mill (around $55 on Amazon) might be for you. All kidding aside, grinding your own flour makes a fresh, natural product and puts you in touch with your food. If you're cutting carbs, it'll sure make you think twice before indulging in bread.

The Victorio Grinder

This gadget is good for people who ..

• want to have freshest, most healthful and nutritious grains
• like to do something useful while they exercise away the pounds
• need to think twice before they bake
• would like to try out milling their own flours before investing in an electric grain mill

Pros

• It does what it says--it grinds grain
• Good blend of price and quality
• Good capacity
• The metal part of the machine is sleek and attractive
• It's small and can fit in a drawar

Cons

• It wobbles a little. It would be better if it had a wider base so it would be more stable on the countertop
• The plastic hopper is kinda ugly.
• The wooden handle is uncomfortable.
• It only grinds when you turn it clockwise; it you turn it counterclockwise, it doesn't do anything. Maybe that's just the way grinders are.
• It's a little messy--I mean, you are grinding flour.

Overall

This is a good quality machine.

Note: This is an unbiased article. The author privately purchased all items refered to in this article and has no financial interest in any of them.

Helpful links

• Click here to read the review on Examiner.Com.
• Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day - an easy, no-knead way to have fresh bread whenever you want it
• Einkorn wheat -- the most ancient wheat available, delicious and high protein. You can buy it here for about $4 per pound.
• Farro wheat - also called emmer wheat, another ancient grain. Click here to buy it on Amazon. It's about $6 per pound.