A Cast Iron Fireplace Grates Comparison

Deciding what to use for a fireplace grate may seem uncomplicated, there are cast iron fireplace grates, steel fireplace grates, stainless steel fireplace grates and grate heaters or blowers. This selection does present a choice in the selection process. While you will find a 24 fireplace grate is the most common. All have benefits, and the choice may ultimately be made by what is expected from your fire place. For a pretty fire and room ambience using any grate will do the job, but if the expectation is for extra home heat the selection needs close examination.

CAST IRON FIREPLACE GRATES: The first thing we all think of when we hear the term cast iron is our mother's skillet in the kitchen. Cast iron has properties of heat being spread evenly throughout the metal. That's what makes a cast iron skillet cook so well. Those same properties can be seen in a cast iron grate. The grate itself will, when heated by a fire, radiate heat into a room. This is a passive approach to expelling heat into a room but it needs to be thought of when figuring the best ways to do just that, heat a room. This will help, but understand this should not be thought of as a major contributor for a room's warmth.

STEEL AND STAINLESS STEEL FIREPLACE GRATES: These are available most everywhere and are reasonability priced. The steel grates are generally made with the bars wider apart than the cast iron cousin. The difference between stainless and regular steel is in the possibly of longer life. Also, the actual visual looks are different. The grate, stainless or not, will retain heat to radiate into the room. There is small difference between the steel and cast iron grate. Cast iron winning out but the amount is insignificant.

FIREPLACE GRATES BLOWERS: This is a product that serves two jobs. One, holds the wood that is being burned like a grate and two, takes the heat that is developed from the fire and sends it into a room with the use of a fan. This could be considered a turbo charged fireplace grate. There are many available and do a good job at moving warmth into a room. If you are thinking about this avenue then an actual fireplace insert might enter into the discussion.

A basic wood burning grate is a tool for your fireplace just like a fireplace tool set, fireplace screen and a fireplace hearth rug. All these items are fundamental to the success of heating your home and enjoying your fireplace. Keep the flue clean and happy warm nights!

Jim Dahlberg is the author/owner of Fireplace Accessories Plus. He has over 25 years commercial experience in the firewood industry. Fireplace Accessories Plus carries a wide selection from fireplace screen to fireplace rugs. View a selection of Fireplace Grates and Blowers here.

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Best Chili Recipes - Crock Pot Chili Recipe For You!

In this article we are going to look at a good old fashioned crock pot chili recipe with beef! this meal can be made with any meat that you want, and can even be made vegetarian style if you wish. It is versatile and delicious! Enjoy! Do you have a crock pot in a closet or kitchen cabinet someplace in your house? Are you a throwback to the 70'S? I am! But what the hey! When was the last time that you used it to actually cook something?

The crock pot is not some old "fad" that has come and gone you know! The crock pot is alive and well today! Just take a look at how it has evolved over the years when you go to the big retail outlets in your town. I remember when they were strictly "manually" operated. A manual knob for warm, medium and high. Today, they are all glitzed up with fancy electronic controls and read out displays!

Today, they are like the crock pots that you would expect on the starship Enterprise! The crock pot is not a lazy way of cooking, on the contrary it is so efficient as to be able to prep the ingredients you want then put them in the crock in the morning and when you get home, viola! dinner is served. It is an economical way of cooking. If you are a chili lover as I am then you know that the crock pot is a great way to make your best chili recipes quickly and easily! So lets make some chili shall we!

The ingredients:

3 pounds of steak. You can use round, flank, skirt, chuck if on a budget. Any cut you want. I like to cube and shred the meat for texture purposes.
1 15oz can of beans. Any will do, kidney, small red beans, pinto beans. No white beans for this recipe though!1 large onion finely chopped either a brown or red onion the choice is yours.
1 large green bell pepper finely chopped.
4 bulbs of garlic finely chopped.
1 small can 6-8 oz tomato sauce.
1 small can 6-8 oz tomato paste.
1 6-7 oz can of diced green chilies.
1 big can 28oz of fire roasted tomatoes with plain or with green chilies mixed in or 6 to 8 large tomatoes that you have roasted on the BBQ.
1 tablespoon of California chili powder.
1 tablespoon of New Mexico chili powder.
1 teaspoon of smoked paprika.
1 1/2 teaspoon of cumin.
3 tablespoons of olive oil.
1 1/2 teaspoons of salt or season salt.

OK, Lets get cooking!

I love large skillets! my fave is a cast iron skillet. I am old fashioned that way! So, get a large skillet and put your beef in it to brown it up in the 3 tablespoons of olive oil. When the beef is all browned it is time to toss it into the crock pot and then toss the rest of your ingredients in there as well! Cook this mixture for 6 to eight hours, and if you are home at the time then taste it every now and again to see if you want to add something to it or not! As an aside as always I suggest cooking this mixture or any chili recipe a day in advance as the flavors get to mingle together, but if that is not possible that is OK too! This meal is ready to eat and enjoy!

In this article we looked at a good old fashioned crock pot chili recipe made with beef. This recipe can be made with any meat that you want and it will come out tasting great! If you found this information useful and would like to learn more chili recipes then please visit: http://www.bestchilirecipes.net.

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Pots cast iron powder - Cooking.com Interview

The dust settles a roaster chicken, braise, grill and Dutch oven, all in enameled cast iron. These new colors and sizes. Interview by Cooking.com at Home & Housewares Show 2007, Chicago.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xWSGKoQsusA&hl=en

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Check Out Sitram Profisserie 7-7/8-Inch Commercial Stainless Steel Fry Pan for $90.00

Sitram Profisserie 7-7/8-Inch Commercial Stainless Steel Fry Pan Review

I worked in restaurants for many years before going into the federal gov't, and good pans or bad pans would show their true colours over time.

For those w/ any arm/wrist/finger troubles, know that this pan is comfortable to handle, but still may be a little heavy (a good sign actually), The handle is rounded is easier and "softer" to handle than the Sitram Commercial line. This pan is a powerhouse, if you will, and can handle and endure heavy use in the kitchen, which is why it is "commercial grade" in both name and quality.

I would recommend using only wooden spoons and spatulas in this pan. Pure virgin olive oil is the best to use to get the pan going when sautéing, but extra virgin oo is good for lighter cooking or when simmering. Using a wooden spatula (never metal) will keep things from sticking just fine -- scrape when necessary w/ the wooden spatula. Do not forget to keep your wooden spatulas/spoons/cutting boards oiled too. (See my other reviews for suggestions on this topic)

Oil sprays are not necessary and only last so long anyway. This pan will become a valued partner in the kitchen. It is a joy to use knowing that you are using a high quality item. It is good to hand wash these pans and to use a little bit of "Bartenders Friend" to keep them shining like new. It is also good not to use high heat, but rather middle heat zones for smooth cooking.

The bottom line is that this pan is perfect, and beats a tephlon or other nonstick pan in durability without trouble. In addition, unlike the nonstick pans, you do not have to worry about scratching it, no peeling of the coating, and best of all no chemical concerns leaching into your food -- there has been much debate/concern about this. I do not use nonstick pans for anything.

I hope this is helpful.

Cheers,
Neil [...]

Thank you.

Sitram Profisserie 7-7/8-Inch Commercial Stainless Steel Fry Pan Feature

• Professional fry pan for making omelets and sautéing vegetable side dishes
• 18/10 stainless steel with warp-proof base for all types of conventional heat sources
• Angled, tubular handles stay cool
• Made in France
• Lifetime warranty

Sitram Profisserie 7-7/8-Inch Commercial Stainless Steel Fry Pan Overview

Model: A18307. Designed for commercial use. Withstands temperatures up to 1800 degrees Fahrenheit. Thick copper core is sandwiched between 18/10 stainless steel to guarantee even heat distribution. Stay-cool stainless steel handles, dishwasher safe, NSF certified, induction ready and limited lifetime warranty. Matching Lids sold separately.

Sitram Profisserie 7-7/8-Inch Commercial Stainless Steel Fry Pan Specifications

This medium-size frying pan is from a line of the most distinguished cookware in and outside of France. Professionals rely on the superior heat conduction and durability. For the home cook, the surgical quality stainless steel offers a lot of eye appeal along with high performance. The Profiserie fry pan has a thick aluminum layer bonded within the stainless steel, so that it works on conventional burners as well as induction burners, which use electromagnetism to generate heat. The long, smooth handle stays cool even over high heat and it's welded to withstand the oven, broiler, and dishwasher cleaning. The polished finish will stay shining, long after you've perfected flipping an omelet without a spatula. --Lynne Sampson

Available at Amazon Check Price Now!

Related Products

• Klean Kanteen Stainless Steel Water Bottle

Customer Reviews

good fry pan - eleemosynary -
I bought two of these pans in an attempt to stop using non-stick teflon for
health reasons, and I was also tired of having to discard my non-stick pans once the surface was ruined, even though the rest of the pan was ok. Sitram pans are not non-stick, and I have yet to 'season' them so that they perform as a non-stick pan. Consequently I ended up scrubbing them to get them clean, but they clean easily this way, so I am satisfied. As for using the pan, this pan does cook/fry/saute well, and conducts heat fast (even on an electric burner), so that I cook at a lower temperature than my all-clad non-stick pan. They are better quality than my all-clad pan. And as for others who had trouble getting the sticker off the bottom of the pan, try soaking it with lighter fluid (works best) or 3-in-1 oil (works ok), and it should peel off relatively easily. Cooks recommend seasoning a pan like this, which is probably something I should have done before using. To do this, add 0.5 in or 1.5 cm of oil and a handful (lots) of (coarse if you have it) salt to the pan, and let rest overnight. Then heat on low heat on the stove or in the oven until the oil is very hot but not smoking. Leave the pan until almost cool, and then discard oil and salt. Wipe the pan dry. Once a pan is seasoned it should never be washed, just wiped out with a dishrag/cloth while still warm.



Best small saute/fry pan - C. J. Gandy - Jacksonville FL
I wanted to get away from aluminum and especially non-stick pans for health reasons. This Sitram pan is old school cool. It feels and acts very professional. There is a different style of care for these pans than with treated pans but I find keeping the pan seasoned and maintained very easy. If this upkeep is maintained, the pan is a fabulous little egg pan, etc. My current cooktop is ceramic and this works very well with the glass top. I look forward to growing my collection of Sitram over time.

9/10/09- I now use this on my induction cooktop and am still in love. It is our favorite small pan, and we use it 1-3 times, every day.



Inferior Quality and Bad Sitram Customer Service - mitxanh -
After 6 months of use, the handle holder on the lid came off due to fatigue at welding joints. Since the other pieces also uses spot welding at the handle, I'm fearful for my safety and contacted Sitram Customer Support. This is their response

"While we have the ability to authorize replacement for the defective products that have handles coming off, we are unable to satisfy a request to credit other product that has not shown signs of being defective"

In otherwords, they're not surprised the product is defective and I'm not the only one complaining. If I'm stupid enough to buy a whole set, then I'll have to return each item as it falls apart. Too bad if the defective will maim me in the process.

Stay away from this defective and inferior product if you value your health and safety.

BTW, I contacted Amazon Customer Service and they agreed to accept the return. Love Amazon.





*** Product Information and Prices Stored: Sep 10, 2010 05:53:02

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Desserts for Diabetics

You can select recipes to be difficult if you are diabetic. There are a few of our favorite desserts is collected recipes for people with diabetes. Hopefully we'll see what we can enjoy.

Mini Pancakes with strawberry sauce:

To make this recipe you need a cup of nonfat milk, egg white, one teaspoon vanilla sugar, a cup of flour, half teaspoon baking powder, a pinch of salt, a pinch of cinnamon, one teaspoon of olive 'oil, and half aCup of yogurt. To get the strawberry sauce, there will be a pint of ice cream, strawberries without sugar, half cup of water, a tablespoon of sugar and two teaspoons of cornstarch.

The first step is to make this recipe for strawberries, sugar, cornstarch and water to boil in a saucepan over medium-high. Just cook the sauce until it thickens, which will take about a minute. Subsequently, the milk, vanilla and egg whites in a BeatBowl. Mix flour, salt, cinnamon and baking powder and the mixture just until everything is well mixed. You only need a small frying pan, which should free up sizzling in hot water. Brush pan with oil to keep the glue from the pancakes. Pour two tablespoons of battle in a skillet for each pancake and cook for a minute before folding down for thirty seconds. Once the cooked pancake, spoon the strawberry sauceThe pancakes and garnish with yogurt.

Diabetic exchanges per pancake: 1 starch, ½ milk, 1 fruit and vegetables.

Creamy Peach omelettes:

To make this recipe you need a package of 8 ounces of cream cheese low calorie, eight eggs, a pinch of salt, margarine softened, two packets of sweetener, a quarter cup of cream, two tablespoons of diet, ½ cup peaches with two packets of sweetener in a mixed environmentBlender.

The first step in making this recipe is to combine everything with the exception of peaches and margarine in a bowl. Whisk the ingredients until they are smooth and then pour the egg mixture into the melted margarine. Cook the mixture over low heat in a skillet omelet, the eggs began to set. Remove the eggs with a spatula, then tilt the pan to distribute the egg on the edge of the pan. If the center of omelet is firm, spoon the peaches in the center and carefully remove theEdges of the omelet in half.

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