Milwaukee 2310 12-Volt Lithium-Ion M-Spector Digital Inspection Camera and 2401 M12 Compact Screwdriver Combo Kit

Rockwell RK9000 Jawhorse

Onyx Black KitchenAid Artisan 5-Quart Stand Mixers KSM150PSOB

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There's no doubt that this unit is the very top-of-the-line, the Cadillac of mixers. I own the colbalt blue model, which was a birthday gift from my wife. (Actually, I would have selected a different color but I wasn't about to complain!)

Before you buy one, do you have a place to put it? Mine resides on top of the refrigerator in my small galley-type kitchen. If you have limited counter space, it eats up quite a bit of room if you plan to keep it there. It won't set on top of your microwave oven unless you have a big commercial unit -- it's simply too heavy and might cause problems with the microwave. If it's stored in any spot not protected from dust, then you'll need to buy a cover for it right away. These are available as an accessory but my mother-in-law made one for me and it works great.

I cook from scratch mostly about five out of seven days, I'm retired and my wife still works full-time. She likes to cook (and bake) on weekends. I use the KitchenAid about once every two weeks and my wife uses it with about the same frequency. If she's just doing a little job, she grabs her older hand-held electric blender with the pop-off beaters and that way she doesn't have to get the small stepladder and wield the HEAVY KitchenAid from the top of the fridge. We pretty much reserve it for bigger jobs.

If there's going to be several batches of cookies made or bread dough whipped up, then it's for certain a KitchenAid job. I also make bulk amounts of Italian salad dressing with the Kitchenaid which has to emulsify over a 20-30 minute period -- with the KitchenAid, this is a hands-off process, easy.

I also use a meat grinder attachment for making up four-pound batches of ham salad spread. This attachment is an extra 50 bucks but well-worth it. My brother uses this same attachment plus one other unit to make home-made Italian link sausage and it's well up to that job too.

The KitchenAid is a breeze to clean, with no difficult hideaway places to have to dig dough out of. The dough hook, blender, and whip are just dropped into the dish water and they clean right up, very easy.

This unit will do a great deal more than I'm using it for. Any KitchenAid Mixer will last for years and years, a lifetime I'd say.

So, to finalize, I give the KitchenAid Mixer my highest recommendation:

1. ...so long as you can afford it along with any additional necessary attachments, and,

2. ...so long as you have a convenient place to store it.

Pear KitchenAid Artisan 5-Quart Stand Mixers KSM150PSPE

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If you want to impress your "foodie" friends, all you need to do is have this out on display on your kitchen island. No one will question your aspiration to be a good cook, and then at some point, you have to prove you can use it with fluency and frequency. The KitchenAid KSM150 Artisan Series Stand Mixer is a striking piece of equipment, especially the glossy enamel finish of the empire red model, which is the one I ordered. There are ten speeds with a slide lever on the mixer head. It comes with a five-quart stainless-steel mixing bowl and three mixing attachments - a flat beater, a wire whip, and a dough hook. I've had an opportunity to work with all three on more than one occasion and am more than satisfied with the results.

If there is a standout among the three, it is the dough hook. At the lowest speed, it spirals so thoroughly around the bowl that scraping the sides becomes an almost optional task. The most thrilling aspect is that despite the careful instructions that usually come with bread-making recipes, you can literally put all the ingredients in the bowl, turn the mixer on, and let it work into a cohesive dough with minimal supervision. The wire whip works wonders with egg whites or heavy cream, producing stiff peaks in record time. My one reservation in this regard is using a 325-watt motor for such small tasks and then facing the clean-up afterward. That's probably why I generally reserve usage of this mixer for such tasks to dinner parties or potlucks.

I originally had concerns that the flat beater would be almost too powerful to produce fluffy mashed potatoes, but in using alternating speeds, I was able to produce the desirable results without turning the potatoes into wallpaper paste. One big benefit is the deep well of the bowl, which minimizes the incidence of splattering. The clear plastic pouring shield is another big plus. The easy twist locks keep the mixer stationary throughout your preparation, and the same principles are at work with the attachments. It is a relief that there are no buttons to press, and the attachments stay put until you're ready to dislodge them. Keep in mind that it is a relatively heavy appliance at 23 pounds with the mixer head a bit daunting if you are in a hurry to move ingredients in and out of the bowl. Still, this is classic kitchenware well worth the price if you are ready to show your culinary skills.

Persimmon KitchenAid Artisan 5-Quart Stand Mixers KSM150PSPN

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Prior to getting a KitchenAid for my anniversary, I used a cheap Hamilton Beach hand mixer. I'm not sure how much life that thing has left in her and...well, let's face it...there is NOTHING like the convenience of a stand mixer! Upon opening the box, I quickly inspected everything to make sure it was okay. It was! I wiped down the mixer with a dry cloth and then washed the stainless steel bowl and beaters. Seriously, I thought I was going to be intimidated by the mixer because it is so different then a hand mixer, but it is incredibly easy to use. You use the knob on the right side of the blender to release the head, which enables you to lock the bowl into place and get your beater attached with ease. Then you simply re-lock the head, plug in and mix away!

So far I have made several batches of sugar cookies and royal icing with my mixer. Personally, I like to add the first ingredients (eggs, sugar, butter) before I put the mixer head back down. Once that gets to mixing, I put the plastic "splash" guard up and slowly pour in my dry ingredients. One thing I have found though is that even with the splash guard on the bowl, you will still get dry ingredients "poofed" up onto your mixer if you turn the speed up too high. I think it works best to mix it on a lower speed until most of the flour, confectioners sugar etc are mixed, then turn it up higher. This should reduce the amount of ingredients that splash all over.

Overall, I love this machine! Some people said they had to adjust the screw a bit to get everything mixed on the bottom of the bowl, but I did not have that problem. After using the Artisan Mixer and the Professional Series (with the arms that hold the bowl), I definitely like this one MUCH better! With the Professional KitchenAid, the bowl would pivot some on the "thumbs" that hold the bowl in place on the arms of the machine. That movement made a loud noise in addition to the motor. Also, on the Professional series there are no (to my knowledge) height adjustments to the bowl other than all the way down or all the way up.

Again, I cannot recommend this mixer enough! There are tons of great attachments to get or if you are like me, you will be thrilled with just the stuff it comes with! The KitchenAid Artisan mixer is so easy to use and just as easy to clean up! Also, KitchenAid frequently does mail in rebates where you get money back or additional products for your mixer. So worth it!

P.S. - I just wanted to add that I feel like this mixer takes so much struggle and stress off my shoulders when I cook/bake. I like to use recipes from the Internet and now I can throw ingredients in the mixer and walk away to re-read my recipe. Also...and this is HUGE for me as I have such a small kitchen, no dishwasher and almost no counter space...I can do clean up along the way while I am working because I have time to wash some dishes or pick up while food is mixing.

Silver Metallic KitchenAid Artisan 5-Quart Stand Mixers KSM150PSSM

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As a kid, my mom always had a kitchen aid mixer. She used it for almost every meal. She made a lot of homemade breads and pastas and cookies and the mixer always performed and never broke, not once. So when I got married 4 years ago, I decided that I, too, should have a Kitchen Aid mixer. I went to Bed Bath and Beyond with my 500 wedding gift cards, and I purchased the beautiful Red one. It didn't get much use at first, because I had no idea what to do with it, but as I became more and more aware of food allergies, and had to start making a lot of my own food due to this, I found this baby to be a life saver!

Pros:
- Looks great, so it can sit out on the counter and add decorative value to your kitchen
- Speed settings are great, you can mix dry ingredients slow and slowly crank up the speed once you know you won't send the powder flying
- comes with 3 different mixing tools, one works like a whisk, one is more of a dough hook, and the 3rd works best with thicker batters
- I love the shield that helps reign in any flying bits from higher mixing speeds
- The bowl is a good size and has never been too small for the recipes I've made
- The Locking mechanism is a great idea

Cons:
- I wish they would make a 2nd shield just for protecting from spatter, the one it comes with has holes for adding dough, and doesn't fit all the way around, so I still get spatter sometimes which is a pain to clean
- It's a bit heavy when you need to move it

Overall, I am really really happy with this mixer. I have never encountered a better one than Kitchen Aid. They seem to have a leg up on the market. Yes, it's a bit pricey, and if you don't bake much, I don't think you should get it. But if you do, it's worth how much easier it makes your life.

White on White KitchenAid Artisan 5-Quart Stand Mixers KSM150PSWW

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This Artisan KitchenAid stand mixer replaces an older, less powerful (250 watts) KitchenAid that I bought twenty-two years ago and that finally was beginning to show its age. Like most serious cooks, I can't imagine cooking or baking without a KitchenAid.

So what's so great about this mixer? Well, for starters, it handles all mixing jobs, from small to large, from delicate to tough. The orbital mixing action ensures that ingredients are mixed efficiently, in less time than required by hand mixers. Read the instructions for correct speeds because recipes that say "beat at medium speed" do not refer to this mixer's mid-range; "four" is the medium setting out of ten. Users should also read the instruction for any attachments they may be using since they aren't intuitive. For example, my new ice cream attachment needs to be set at the lowest setting ("stir") instead of the "six" I expected.

The brand is known for its durability, reliability, and versatility. Any appliance that lasts for over twenty years with only minimal signs of age offers real value. The motor on my old mixer was tough -- and I expect this one to be even tougher given the power. I have never taxed the motor enough to engage a shut down -- and this comes from someone who has burned out no less than three handheld mixer motors.

Besides the extra power, the Artisan seems pretty much the same as my old one except for a slightly heavier weight mixing bowl and a sturdier whisk attachment. My old attachments and extra bowls/paddles fit the new machine.

When people walk into my kitchen and see my mixer on the counter, they often say, "You must be a good cook!" That's because the KitchenAid mixer has become the hallmark of a gourmet cook. If you consider yourself in this category or want to buy a gift for a gourmet, look no further.

Yellow Pepper KitchenAid Artisan 5-Quart Stand Mixers KSM150PSYP

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This mixer truly does live up to it's reputation. It is well made and works like a dream. I loved the clover leaf roll recipe in the included recipe book...

As for the color, the options are there if you want to pay more, but if plain old white is good enough for Paula Deen, Giada Delaurentis and Ina Garten, then I'd say I'm in good company because white will never go out of style...it's a classic mixer color and this mixer is so well made it will probably outlast the many kitchen decorating fads bound to change in the years to come.

I have wanted one of these mixers for several years, but couldn't justify the purchase until my tired old Sunbeam broke. I can tell you that the quality and workmanship is there and I am thrilled with this powerful, sturdy mixer. For home use, I don't think you could ask for anything more. I was considering a larger one that I saw at a warehouse retailer for $60.00 more, but it was so tall that it wouldn't fit on the counter under my cabinets. After using this workhorse of a mixer, I'm convinced that it is absolutely the perfect size for my needs... I don't know if I would ever want a larger mixer because this thing has confidently handled large batches of everything that I wanted to make for my large family without skipping a beat and without hogging tons of counter space.

As for Amazon, their service was exemplary. I opted for their free Super Saver shipping and still had my new mixer within 2 days of placing my order. I can really get behind a company that under-promises and over- delivers. I haven't seen a deal like Amazon offers on this model anywhere and I have looked for a long time. The nearest thing would be a refurbished model and it was still more expensive and that was before the rebate!! I don't know how they can offer this deal, but I'm thankful that they did. In any case, although it sounds too good to be true, this definitely is the real thing. If you are looking for a KitchenAid, snap this one up before they come to their senses and raise the price!!!

Pistachio KitchenAid Artisan 5-Quart Stand Mixers KSM150PSPI

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I bought this for myself last Christmas, and, as all of the other reviews have already stated, it is one of the most well crafted, reliable (beautiful!) and useful appliances a baker will ever have.

That said, when considering whether or not to purchase it, I would really think about how much of a baker you are. If you tend to make cookies once a year using a mix, I wouldn't bother.

If, on the other hand, you like to bake often, and sometimes knead dough, whip cream, make merengues, etc. Then this is exactly what you're looking for. I had been getting by with a hand mixer for twenty years, and I'd been doing just fine, but boy do the eggs fluff up better and the sugar and butter cream together when you've got a Kitchen Aid on your counter. You don't have to stand there and hold the mixer for one thing, which frees your hands up for measuring, putting away ingredients, etc. It's great.

One thing I would also consider, is how much and how often you make bread. If you tend to make many loaves rather often, the Professional line (rather than the Artisan line here) would be a better choice. Really though, the majority of home bakers don't need that extra power, and they certainly don't need to spend the extra money.

Basically, if you like to bake a variety of things, and you aren't (yet) a professional, this is the best tool for the job.

Green Weber Performer 22.5" Charcoal Grill 1427001

I switched from years of (propane) gas grill use when my second wife wanted to cook over real wood so much she was willing to put a pit and a few bricks around it in our back yard! Needless to say, this weber is fantastic. I could have bought a grill that was 10x the price, but I love this one. There are so so so many ways to cook with it. Right now, I'm experimenting with mesquite smoked pizza. Yum The starter mechanism is very handy and simple to use -- it looks flimsy and I wasn't sure how it would stand up over time, but it's still working fine after almost two years of hard usage -- you can also couple it with a starter chimney to help get things going.

There are two accessories I'd suggest with this grille:
FIRST, get the hard anodized GrillGate with the special pronged spatula that comes with it. There's a simple square one on Amazon, but there is a round three piece interlocking one on the GrillGate.com web site that I got (you often want to remove one of the three pieces for flavored wood, smoking, etc.) -- This one is custom made for the weber grill although I suspect the cheaper one available here at Amazon might work fine for most purposes. This product also makes an alternative to buying the D shaped pizza stone if you are experimenting with Pizzas.
SECOND, is the Smokenator 1000 -- this odd gadget system works amazingly well. Who would have thought you could smoke or control temperatures or moisturize during long cooks with this grill?
[I have a garage area full of gadgets for this grill, but these are the two that have been fantastic]

Another suggestion is to actually read the Weber how-to manuals that either you get with it or can pick up off their web site. Lots of good tips. Ditto for the manuals that come with the two accessories above. In general, I've found the Weber brand products to be good products at good value prices.

I've had to learn my way around charcoal over the last year. Lump charcoal is the way to go. Virtually every brand is better than the usual store briquettes, yes even the "competition" briquettes. However, afficianados are talking about the new Wicked Good Charcoal Briquettes, so I've ordered a few bags and will give them a try.