July 18th, 2010
Combo appliances and multi-tasking tools are beginning to grow in popularity as a way to save on space and money. There are washer/dryer combos and openers that not only remove bottle caps but also opens tin cans, punch holes in canned milk, and uncorks wine. It is thus not surprising that Waldner Biotech of Austria should come up with the Combi Star Grain Mill.
The Waldner Biotech Combi Star Grain Mill is an ideal kitchen tool for people who appreciate the health benefits of using only newly ground grain for flour and freshly flaked oat groats for porridge or muesli. These eliminate the need for chemical preservatives that are potentially harmful.
Made from solid stone pine with clearly visible wood grains, the Combi Star is an attractive rustic-looking mill. It consists of a box with a spout and a 1-kg capacity rounded hopper sitting on top. One side of the box, the one away from the spout, protrudes forward.
A self-sharpening ceramic and corundum millstone measuring 90 mm in diameter is inside the pine casing. It grinds all kinds of dry grains as well as pulses, oilseeds, and maize at 130 grams per minute when adjusted to the finest setting. The millstone is impervious to wear and it can grind grains to any degree of fineness you wish, from coarse grits to the finest flour. All you need to do is rotate the hopper to choose your desired consistency using a printed scale on its bottom for guidance. Stainless steel rollers, on the other hand, flake cereals at 80 grams a minute. The steel rollers are washable and easy to maintain.
The mill is powered by a 360-watt industrial motor which features an overheat protection mechanism. As any other motor, it generates heat but it is insulated from the milling chamber. This keeps the latter cool thus preserving the nutrients in the grains. The chamber is also self-cleaning.
The Waldner Biotech Combi Star Grain Mill has measurements of 13″ x 7″ x 11″.
Spice Grinders - Mill - Electric | No Comments »
July 4th, 2010
Imagine a rabbit’s head sitting on your kitchen worktop but instead of a pair of eyes staring at you and an elongated snout, the long ears are attached to a crystal ball containing white salt and black peppercorns. That is a Chef’n Dual PepperBall.
The Dual PepperBall has a vertical partition in the middle with one for salt and the other for pepper eliminating the need for two separate spice grinders. All you need to do is twist the rabbit ears to choose which spice you want to pour. The Dual PepperBall uses a ceramic rasp for grinding the salt while a zinc rasp is used for peppercorns. This is because salt tends to corrode metals. The use of ceramics, therefore, prolongs the serviceable life of the grinder. Also, salt is softer and easier to grind than peppercorns making ceramics suitable for the job.
Squeeze the rabbit ear-like handles and your chosen spice comes pouring out from the bottom of the grinder. This can be done with a single hand freeing the other to stir the spice into the food. Owing to their ergonomic design which precisely fits the curves of your palms, the registered Savvygrip handles are comfortable to work with. The Grindtune feature allows you to choose the consistency and texture of your grounds from five settings ranging from coarse to fine.
As the salt and pepper are clearly visible, you will know exactly when to refill your grinder. This is easily done by removing its twist-off base. For even more convenience, and to avoid spilling the refills on the countertop, use Chef’n’s Spicestros salt and pepper refills. These are specifically designed to fit with the aperture of Dual PepperBalls.
The rabbit ear handles and base of the Chef’n Dual PepperBall salt and peppercorn grinder come in black, a combination of black and white, and a combination of green and white. It stands 7 inches with the ball having a diameter of a shade less than 4 inches.
Spice Grinders - Hand Crank | No Comments »
June 20th, 2010
Burr grinders have the advantage of minimizing, if not totally eliminating, friction and heat while crushing spices or coffee beans. This is important because heat from other types of grinders can affect, often adversely, the taste of food.
For this reason, chefs and coffee aficionados often prefer burr grinders such as the DeLonghi KG89 Electric Burr Grinder. With this grinder, the spices are pressed against rotating wheels. As the rotation is slow, only a negligible amount of friction is generated. Also, the texture of the grounds is guaranteed to be uniform, as they will have to pass through the same opening before they can fall out of the grinding chamber. An electronic grind selector allows you to choose ground consistency from fine, through medium, to coarse.
The machine can also be set to grind a specific amount of spices. Although the quantity of grounds is programmed for coffee beans, grinding just enough for 4 – 14 cups of coffee depending on the setting, you can experiment with your spices setting them at different quantity control levels.
As a safety feature, the machine shuts off automatically after grinding. Also, it will not run if the lid covering the fresh spices and the receptacle for the grounds are not in their proper places.
The DeLonghi KG89 Electric Burr Grinder is housed in a stainless steel box with black beveled trims on its corners. The top of the box includes a smaller transparent plastic box which contains the fresh spices or coffee beans. Its lid is another transparent box. On the remaining free space in front of the container is the on/off switch.
The face of the grinder carries the company logo and right below it is the cup adjustment knob. The bottom half consists of the transparent receptacle for ground spices or coffee beans. On the right side of the grinder is another knob that adjusts the consistency of the grounds.
With measurements of 5″ W x 6.3″ D x 10″ H, the KG89 will easily fit into your kitchen counter, and with its stainless steel and black trim, it can complement your other kitchen tools and appliances.
Spice Grinders - Electric | No Comments »
June 6th, 2010
Constructed from beautifully finished solid beechwood in a unique hexagonal design, the KoMo PK 1 Grain Mill makes a perfect appliance in any kitchen whether traditional or contemporary in decor and motif. Its measurements of 16″ H x 9.7″ D x 9.4″ W do not make it too bulky to leave on your kitchen counter.
The six-sided cabinet houses corundum/ceramic grinding burrs. These are self-sharpening stones that will continue grinding grains even after years of use. Neither corundum nor ceramics generate heat when grinding, thus your grains are not adversely affected.
Also inside the cabinet is a 360-watt, or 0.5 horsepower, electric motor that powers the 3.35-inch grinders. With this power, it is extremely efficient and reliable, yet it remains very quiet with a minimum of vibration. When set at the finest level, the grain mill is capable of producing 3.5 ounces of flour. These fall out of the mill through a tubular spout that extends from the cabinet making it easy to set a bowl to catch them.
The grinders, backed up by the powerful motor, are capable of grinding different types of grains. They can easily process both hard and soft wheat, barley, oat groats, rye, rice, quinoa, and corn among others. They can also handle dry beans such as pinto, kidney, garbanzo, and red beans.
The hopper sits atop the cabinet. It is also hexagonal but it tapers at the bottom to where it is attached to the cabinet body. It has a lid with a spherical handle that is also made of beechwood. It has a capacity of approximately 10 ounces or 2 pounds. Turning the hopper adjusts the fineness of your grounds, ranging from coarse meal or cracked grain to extra fine flour.
Spice Grinders - Mill - Electric | No Comments »
May 23rd, 2010
Salt and pepper are the most common condiments you find on American dining tables. This, however, is not an American original. It was borrowed from French cuisine and it dates back to the 17th Century. Since freshly ground salt and pepper are usually better than the pre-ground kind, grinders are often found in better-equipped kitchens and even dining rooms. Some have two grinders, one for salt, and another for pepper. Others prefer a single grinder with separate compartments for the two condiments, like the KitchenArt Dual-Ended Salt and Pepper Grinders.
The grinder consists of a cylinder made of clear acrylic plastic that is divided into two compartments. This partition slants from on one side of the cylinder to the opposite side. The salt and pepper are clearly visible so you won’t have to worry about running out of fresh salt or peppercorns.
On both ends are the plastic housings for the grinding mechanisms. They are of the same size as the clear plastic where they are connected, but they widen as they extend to the tip where the holes are. A knob mounted at the tip allows you to adjust the size of the grounds. You can have both of these housings in silver, or one in white for the salt and the other in black for the pepper.
The grinding mechanisms are made of ceramic stones that are self-sharpening and totally rust-free. Maintenance, therefore, is at a minimum. Further, ceramic grinders do not generate heat that could spoil the taste of your spices.
By simply flipping over the KitchenArt Dual-Ended Salt and Pepper Grinders, you can switch from salt to pepper and back. Rotate the grinding mechanism housing and your fresh spice will immediately pour. At its widest point, it has a diameter of 2.8 inches, while its height is 8 inches.
Spice Grinders - Hand Crank | No Comments »
May 9th, 2010
Form and function merge into the MIU France Stainless Steel Salt and Pepper Mill Model No. 90603. This pair of 2-inch diameter tubes standing at 7-inches tall is made of brushed stainless steel giving it a subdued elegance that is quite at home both in the kitchen and dining room.
At the lower section of the mills is a clear acrylic window showing their contents and indicating if they need refilling. At the bottom is a small light that illuminates the amount of pepper or salt that is poured out so you will never have an excessively spicy or salty meal again. The top end holds a button that activates the grinding mechanisms. This button allows a single-handed operation of the mills. Instead of holding one part of the mill and cranking the other, all you need to do is push the button with one hand, and continue stirring whatever you are cooking with your other hand.
The grinding mechanism of the pepper mill is made of tough and wear-resistant carbon steel. The salt mill, on the other hand, because it tends to corrode steel, has a grinding mechanism that is made of ceramics. These materials assure the mills’ longevity. The grinders are set in motion by a small motor that is powered by three size AAA batteries. As soon as the switch is pushed, the motor immediately comes alive and starts the grinding.
The upper section of the tubes can be turned to either open or close the ground spice dispenser. In this way, you can choose to immediately pour the pepper or salt after grinding, or save them for later use. There are arrows with labels on the mills showing directions for opening and closing the dispenser.
The mills are not dishwasher safe thus it is recommended that they be cleaned only with a piece of damp cloth.
Spice Grinders - Electric | No Comments »
April 25th, 2010
Although hand-cranked mills may be more labor intensive than their electric-powered cousins, they have their own advantages. One obvious edge is that you can continue to operate them even during power outages. Another, which is perhaps more important, is that the grinders are never run fast enough to generate heat that could adversely affect your grounds.
One fine specimen of hand-powered mills is the Victorio Hand Crank Grain Mill. It looks like an upright hollowed-out rectangular bar, the top of which is a hopper that holds your grains while the bottom portion houses the grinders. One of the narrower sides of the bar extends further downwards to form a C-clamp designed to grasp a table or counter top. On this same side is the crank handle used to rotate the grinders.
The mill consists of cast stainless steel grinding burrs, shaped like cones, that have been machined to precision. This guarantees evenly and smoothly ground flour. The burrs can easily process wheat, oats, rice, barley, corn, non-oily seeds, peppercorn, and various spices. As the grinders are made of stainless steel they can be expected to last a lifetime.
The consistency and texture of the grounds is easily adjusted and you can have them fine for your breads, or coarse for your corn grits. A normal cranking speed can yield half a cup of fine flour in a minute. If you want the grounds coarse, you can have one cup.
Spice Grinders - Mill - Hand Crank | No Comments »
April 16th, 2010
If you already own a Bosch Stand Mixer or any other Bosch machine with model numbers beginning with MUM7 or MEK7, and you are planning on adding a grain mill to your kitchen so you can make your own flour from healthy whole grains, you can save a few dollars by buying a Bosch MUZ7 GM1 Grain Mill Attachment.
This attachment is easily attached to the stand mixer or machine. All it takes is a few twists and turns of the knobs in front of the motor. It is made of rugged plastic that is extremely tough, durable, and resistant to impact.
The grinder consists of a steel cone grinder that can grind all dry grains such as wheat, oats, barley, and rice. These grains must be completely dried otherwise you run the risk of clogging the grinder. Corn, however, is too hard for the mill. In addition to the grains, the MUZ7 is also capable of grinding sesame and flax seeds. Medium fineness is recommended for these oily seeds for best results. Dried mushrooms and herbs can also be processed in the mill attachment.
The texture and consistency of the grounds can be adjusted infinitely from fine for your flour to coarse for grits. Unlike other mills, it is possible to make adjustments even while the motor is already running so that if you are not satisfied with the grounds that are pouring out, you can still change the setting.
The Bosch MUZ7 GM1 Grain Mill Attachment has dimensions of 13.1 x 9.2 x 5, all in inches, and weighs approximately 2.2 lbs. It has a hopper capacity of 1.6 lbs of grain.
Spice Grinders - Mill - Electric | No Comments »
April 6th, 2010
Looking like an ancient oil lamp at a quick first glance, it evokes images of Aladdin in The Book of One Thousand and One Nights. However, it is not lamp, and it is definitely not ancient. In fact, it is a modern kitchen appliance, a Trudeau One-Hand Peppermill Model 0713000, that every cook is sure to appreciate.
What looks like a lamp nozzle out of which flame burns is actually an ergonomic lever that activates a grinding mechanism. It is attached to the upper section of the acrylic body of the peppermill which houses the grinders. The lower part, made of clear transparent plastic, holds peppercorns.
The upper section is contoured to fit the palm keeping pressure off the thumb web as the fingers reach for the grinding lever to squeeze it. With this kind of hold, the other hand is free to stir the food as ground pepper, or other spices, rain on it. The grinding mechanism consists of ceramic grinders that are slightly harder than carbon steel.
An edge over steel grinders is that ceramics are impervious to rust. It is for this reason that the Trudeau One-Hand Peppermill can be used to pour freshly ground pepper over a steaming pot of meat or seafood stew. It is also for the same reason that the mill can be used to grind salt crystals. In addition to peppercorn and salt crystals, the mill can also handle other spices and herbs such as coriander and fennel seeds, anise, or basil.
Another advantage of ceramic grinders is that they do not generate heat that could adversely affect the spices and herbs. There is also no need to sharpen them as they are self-sharpening.
The mill is available in four finishes –stainless steel, red, yellow, and brown. It is 8.8 inches tall with a diameter of 2.2 inches at its widest.
Spice Grinders - Hand Crank | No Comments »
March 28th, 2010
Using two revolving abrasive conical grinders to mill coffee beans or spices instead of a spinning blade, the Breville Conical Burr Grinder BCG450XL does not generate heat that can destroy the aroma and taste of the coffee or spices. In order to further guarantee that heat is kept to a minimum, the rotation of the grinders is kept slow. Coffee and spices are forced in between the two grinders where they are crushed with only negligible friction. The distance between these two can be pre-set by the user thus determining the texture or consistency of the grounds.
An additional advantage of burr grinders is that as the food is squeezed, it releases its oil making them more flavorful.
The grinder has an attractive design combining a stainless steel body with a vertical black trim and a polymer base. The clear plastic hopper rests at the top while another clear receptacle at the bottom right of the grinder catches the grounds. The hopper can hold up to half a pound of coffee or spices and it is removable making it easy to clean or wash. The receptacle at the bottom is likewise removable. At the base of the grinder is a storage area where you can keep the electric cord when not in use.
A grind selector control is mounted just under the hopper which allows the setting of the grounds’ texture, from super fine to coarse. Near the bottom are the power on/off button and a knob for setting the time for grinding. This can be as long as 30 seconds.
It is advisable, however, that if you use the Breville Conical Burr Grinder BCG450XL to grind spices, you have to clean it thoroughly before using it to grind coffee. Better yet, have one exclusively for spices and another for coffee.
Spice Grinders - Electric | No Comments »