Cookaholics Bulletin Board

I'm really looking forward to trying out my new Thermoworks Chef Alarm. I've been relying on my Thermapen for years for temps but have never had a quality probe type that I can leave in during cooking, etc. I also think it will be really cool to use when I'm waiting for a custard (like for ice cream) to get to the right cool temperature. And now that I'm thinking about it, caramel on the stovetop! Maybe I'll never burn it again (wishful thinking).

I also got an Emile Henry rectangular baking/pizza stone. I've got a traditional stone but have always had/used two stones and didn't like the Lodge cast iron one I got a few years back. So I gave that away and asked for this one instead (i.e., bought it myself and put it under the tree). I'd been wanting a baking steel but in the end decided it would just be too heavy for me. Hopefully this Emile Henry one will perform as beautifully as it looks.

Amazingly they were both less than $60 each after discounts -- way less than I usually spend on Christmas kitchen toys. I think I should buy something additional for a New Year's present to make up the difference

Emilie

I like my Emile Henry pizza stone. It works as well as a traditional stone and is much lighter to get in and out of the oven.

That's nice to hear, Carey. Exactly what I was hoping!

Emilie,

I just made my own pizza steel out of scrap metal ($8 beats $80 any day). Report later this week when I try it out.

Josh,

I've posted about the one Andy made for me on a number of occasions. Mine is dressed aluminum, not steel. Myhrvold tested both and found no real difference in performance. I never use my pizza stone anymore.

Amy

Just got my first of 2 belated cookbooks - The Heart of the Plate - Mollie Katzen. Can't wait to read and cook from this one!

Amy,

Oh, I didn't think of using aluminum. Mind you, that would have cost 6X what steel does at the scrap yard, although given that the steel plate weighs 17.5lbs, it would be nice to have something lighter ...

It did cost 6x steel, but with a formerly broken shoulder and a formerly broken wrist (opposite arms), I need light.

Amy

She has both... A woman with a pistol and a tazer can be pretty intimidating...sure glad she love me.

Crystal, It is a flashlight tazer. Thought it wild be a little more inconspicuous as well as handy walking to the car at night.

Fuzzy, I'm on it! If you can use a coffee pot and a hair dryer...why not?

Thanks Josh, I'll be interested to hear a report. (And I recall Amy's thread about it a while back.) Although truthfully, you two (and and a few other of you very handy souls) are really inventive. If I asked DH to make a pizza steel for me he'd probably look at me like I have two heads. Especially considering all the tools/pots/pans already filling up every cabinet and drawer in my kitchen

Emilie