Latest news with #Crock-Pot
Chicago Tribune
3 days ago
- Business
- Chicago Tribune
Amazon announces Prime Day 2025 dates and reveals top early deals
It's official! The dates for Prime Day 2025 have been announced. This year, Amazon's yearly sales event is set to go down on July 8–11. We're still a couple of weeks away, but we've been working diligently to round up the best early deals and spot the best products we expect to see on sale. We've already got our eye on some highly coveted items, such as the Apple AirTag 4-Pack and plenty of other terrific products. We recommend checking out our guide daily to get the inside scoop on the hottest deals. We update our pages regularly with the deepest discounts, so keep your eyes peeled as the big sale approaches. For the first time since Prime Day began in 2015, Amazon has expanded the event to four days. This year, it begins July 8 at 12:01 a.m. PDT and runs through July 11. However, while many deals are available for the duration of the event, some are only live for a certain period. Check the site regularly during Prime Day to make sure you don't miss out on the product discounts you've been waiting for. Apple AirTag 4-Pack If you're constantly misplacing small items such as your keys, wallet or purse, an Apple AirTag can help you locate them quickly, saving you time. They're small, round tags that you can stick on anything, and they operate on a network of Bluetooth devices. The built-in speaker plays a sound to help you find them, and the one-tap setup makes installation easy. Beats Studio Pro Wireless Bluetooth Noise-canceling Headphones Enjoy your favorite music, audiobooks and podcasts with these wireless headphones. They provide up to 40 hours of listening time, plus a 10-minute Fast Fuel charge for four additional hours. The voice-targeting mics filter out background noise for phone calls, while the active noise-canceling feature ensures you can hear your audio loud and clear. Crock-Pot Large 8-Quart Programmable Slow Cooker Whip up hearty soups, stews and other recipes this winter with this extra-large slow cooker. It holds 8 quarts, so it's large enough to cook for up to 10 people. Its digital timer allows you to set a cooking time for up to 20 hours, and the Auto Warm setting keeps finished food warm until you're ready to eat. Its simple black stainless steel finish matches nearly any kitchen decor, too JBL Flip 6 Portable Bluetooth Speaker This compact Bluetooth speaker delivers powerful sound anywhere you want to listen to your favorite tunes. It is IP67 waterproof and dustproof, so you can listen outdoors and at the pool without worrying about damage. It provides up to 12 hours of listening time on a single charge and comes in nine fun designs. Ninja AF101 Air Fryer Enjoy crispy, crunchy foods with 75% less fat than traditional frying methods with this easy-to-use air fryer. It offers four cooking functions, so it can air-fry, roast, reheat and dehydrate. Its 4-quart basket can hold up to 2 pounds of french fries, making it ideal for families for up to three. Best of all, its removable components are all dishwasher-safe. BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. BestReviews and its newspaper partners may earn a commission if you purchase a product through one of our links. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Buzz Feed
11-06-2025
- General
- Buzz Feed
50 Things Literally Everyone Used To Have Inside Their Kitchen 30 Years Ago That I Can Guarantee NO ONE Has Anymore
A kitchen table that looked exactly like this: Or THIS exact table: A pair of saloon doors for absolutely no reason at all: The fridge that just refused to die: The bowl that basically did everything: The perfect tool for munchin' on some delicious corn: A set of this food coloring sitting in your pantry for about two decades: A set of plastic tools to make homemade popsicles: That one knife that always made a cameo around the holidays: This exact chair, probably tucked away in the corner: The portable dishwasher that always seemed to leak everywhere: This blender that seemed to last decades: This exact Crock-Pot: An entire shelf built literally just for a phone book: One of these conveniently located next to the fridge: A set of Revere Ware cookware that you probably got as a Christmas or wedding gift: A phone you'd have to come barreling down the stairs to answer in time: And a list of every single important phone number that was probably yellowing with age: The perfect device for popping (kinda dry) popcorn: This grill that made everything taste just a little bit better: A big glob of candy that's been stuck together for decades: These exact salt and pepper shakers: A set of these plastic cups that somehow made everything taste better: The finest, most elegant, most premium product known to mankind: These ancient glass relics: The go-to lemonade jug for a picnic or camping trip: A cup of the fanciest coffee known to humankind: This exact container, probably filled with Kool Aid: The goofiest of cups: These coffee-making tools: A kitchen with this strange kind of floor: A big fruit log in your freezer: This wooden bowl that was most likely used for a crisp, cool iceberg salad: A container that could only be opened with a knife or a spoon: These things that could class up any dish served on a paper plate: This dish that was perfect for any food: One set of these around the holidays: A sifter made out of metal: One of these in your freezer: A big metal container of Hawaiian Punch: One of these that you'd always step on: A big aluminium bag of popcorn: This sheet pan that has seen so many things: Or this juice container: The ultimate can-opener: Or this primitive popcorn maker: A set of the sweetest candy known to humankind: The sweetest kitchen container out there: One single band-aid in a drawer, specifically the ones that had red strings on them: And, of course, a plate with this delicacy on it:
Chicago Tribune
29-05-2025
- Business
- Chicago Tribune
The best small appliance deals on Amazon this week
If there's a kitchen appliance you've been coveting, there's never been a better time to buy. Amazon is having a huge sale on small kitchen appliances like Ninja air fryers, KitchenAid hand blenders and electric kettles. These handy gadgets help to make cooking easier while not taking up too much space, so at these prices, there's almost no point in not treating yourself to a new kitchen great deals on small appliances when you shop for them on Amazon right now Ninja SP101 Digital Air Fry Countertop Oven with 8-in-1 Functionality This countertop air fryer does it all: bake, air fry, dehydrate, roast, toast and more. The crumb tray is removable for easy cleaning, and you can flip it and store it against the wall to save counter space. Keurig K-Classic Single-Serve K-Cup Pod Coffee Maker If you're the only coffee drinker at home, this single-serve machine is a great way to save space. It makes six cups before you need to refill the water reservoir and has an auto shut-off feature — perfect for people who are on the go. Chefman Electric Kettle Boil water for coffee, tea or cooking in three minutes with this stylish electric kettle. It has a 360-degree swivel base for a comfort grip and an easy pour and both automatic shut-off and boil-dry protection features. Crock-Pot 7-Quart Slow Cooker There's nothing quite like a classic Crock-Pot! It can make so many dishes and makes cleaning up after dinner a breeze. This 7-quart slow cooker has an auto-adjust cooking cycle, a control screen for scheduling cooking time and cook-and-carry handles for easy transport. KitchenAid Variable Speed Corded Hand Blender This small kitchen appliance has a variable speed trigger switch to make blending, pureeing, frothing, whipping and chopping as easy as pressing a button. It also comes with a blending jar, lid and pan guard. BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. BestReviews and its newspaper partners may earn a commission if you purchase a product through one of our links. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Yahoo
Why Buy A Camper When You Could Build A Stealthier One Out Of Pallets Yourself?
There's just something about hitting the open road with no need to book a hotel or stay with a friend, because you're hauling your own place to stay for the night. Sure, current hashtag vanlife trends may be motivated by how ridiculously expensive housing has gotten, but even before Reagan voters set the U.S. on a path to ruin, Americans loved their RVs and travel trailers. The biggest problem, though, is that travel trailers are also ridiculously expensive. Want an Airstream like you see on TV? Well, the least-expensive Airstream costs nearly $50,000, and the Pottery Barn Special Edition will run you an eye-watering $171,300. That isn't even the most expensive Airstream, either. At that point, you might as well buy one of those stationary condos with an HOA and zero wheels. Wait, actually, I just checked, and the wealthy NIMBYs just blocked the new condos that were supposed to get built. Can't risk their property values, after all. So if you want a travel trailer but don't have six figures to throw around, are you out of luck? Nope. Just build your own like our friend Steve Wallis did here. It isn't pretty, but that's actually the point. Read more: These Are The Worst Transmission Recalls Of The Last 5 Years As we all know, the second-biggest problem with campers is that, even if you can afford one, everyone immediately knows what they're looking at. They all scream, "Someone's sleeping in here, and they probably have their stuff with them." And cops don't like it when people sleep somewhere without a foundation. Disguise your travel trailer as a stack of wood pallets, though, and there you go. Problem solved. Instead of everyone assuming you're a shifty ne'er-do-well, they'll just think you're headed to a bonfire or a Real American (TM) doing Real Work. Sure, he could have probably done a slightly better job ensuring the entire setup was watertight, but it's not like the travel trailers and RVs people spend six figures on have the best reputation there, either. Plus, it has a skylight. And modern batteries mean it's possible to set up interior lights, an entire security system with exterior cameras and a slow cooker. Just don't let anyone from Louisiana see that Crock-Pot "jambalaya" he makde for dinner, even if it probably tasted better than the vast majority of camping meals. Does Canada have Tony Chachere's? Surely, you can at least get good ole Tony C's up in Canada, Steve. What are you gonna do while the jambalaya's slow-cooking? Well, that's the great thing about campers. Just walk into a nearby corporate chain restaurant, catch the Canadian Ice Soccer game on one of the many TVs, sip a beer or two, and even if two turns into 12, you've still got a bed within stumbling distance and a pot of warm jambalaya to go back to. If that isn't luxury living, I don't know what is. Want more like this? Join the Jalopnik newsletter to get the latest auto news sent straight to your inbox... Read the original article on Jalopnik.
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Set it and forget it with the best slow cookers for 2025, tested and reviewed
We independently evaluate the products we review. When you buy via links on our site, we may receive compensation. Read more about how we vet products and deals . This classic slow cooker from Crock-Pot does exactly what it's supposed to do, plus it's portable! (Amazon) If the idea of dumping a few ingredients into a pot and sitting down hours later to a fully cooked, delicious meal sounds appealing (how could it not?!), keep reading. Years ago, I received a slow cooker as a gift, but despite attending culinary school, I never knew what to use it for. Eventually, I gave it away, but now that I'm a mom who regularly cooks for four or more — and values the set-it-and-forget-it functionality — I was intrigued to test the best slow cookers for 2025. There are so many recipes for slow cooker meals I've wanted to try, but couldn't ... until now. The quintessential slow cooker meal might very well be beef stew, so that's the dish I used to put the slow cookers through their paces. I discovered that there are nuances to slow cookers — many have stoneware inner pots (or crocks), some have nonstick-coated metal inner pots, some have brown/sauté settings so you can get a crust on proteins before setting them to braise, some come with steaming racks and some with temperature probes. And did you know that Crock-Pot is a brand name? Like Popsicle is to ice pop, Crock-Pot is to slow cooker. After browsing through dozens of slow cookers, I narrowed down the testing pool to eight popular picks, including, yes, some of the best Crock-Pots. I ruled out manual models in favor of user-friendly displays with programmable timers that allow for at least four to eight hours of slow cooking and automatically switch to a "warm" setting (at a food-safe temperature) once cooking is finished. I looked for even heating, ease of use, a variety of functions and value. My picks for the best slow cookers are real kitchen helpers that allow you to whip up a comforting meal, even if you have to leave for the office or take care of other tasks at home. Table of contents Best slow cookers of 2025 Lisa Schweitzer/Yahoo Best slow cooker overall Crock-Pot 6-Quart Cook & Carry Slow Cooker Capacity: 6 quarts | Settings: Slow cook on high or low, keep warm | Weight: 11.9 lbs. | Dimensions: 17"D x 11.8"W x 9.8"H When you're called upon to bring a dish to family gatherings, the Crock-Pot Cook & Carry will be your go-to solution. A locking lid with a rubber gasket ensures that food and sauce stay inside and don't spill onto the backseat of your car. And it's easy to carry thanks to the generous handles. This stainless steel slow cooker from an iconic brand offers slow cooking at low and high temperatures for cook times up to 20 hours, plus a keep-warm setting that turns on automatically when a programmed cook time ends or can be used on its own. The stoneware crock is microwave-safe and oven-safe up to 400°F. I found the control panel easy to read and foolproof to navigate. Just choose high or low for the temperature and then use the up and down arrows to set the cooking time, which counts down on a digital display. I checked a batch of beef stew periodically and found the temperature was consistently at 194°F. When I returned to the stew after eight hours on low heat, it was rich and velvety. I can already tell that this is the kind of dependable appliance that will last for years. It may not have tons of bells and whistles, but that's its charm. You can set it and forget it and trust that it will do what it's supposed to. Maintenance is simple — wipe the outside clean with a damp cloth and wash the inner crock and lid by hand. It's the best Crock-Pot I've tested. Pros Easy to program Portable with locking lid Automatically switches to keep-warm setting when cooking time ends Generous handles Cons The outside of the cooker gets very hot $70 at Amazon Explore More Buying Options $80 at Lowe's Lisa Schweitzer/Yahoo Best upgraded slow cooker Cuisinart MSC-600 Cook Central 6-Quart Slow Cooker Capacity: 6 quarts | Settings: Slow cook, steam, brown/sauté, keep warm | Weight: 17.4 lbs. | Dimensions: 18"D x 11"W x 10.5"H This Cuisinart brings you all the bells and whistles: Want to steam fish or chicken and veggies? Like to brown and braise cuts of meat or chicken? This is the slow cooker for you. Though the large rectangular shape of this slow cooker eats up countertop real estate, it makes up for it with its quick-heating inner pot and excellent control panel with buttons for all of its functions. The backlit display shows the timer on one side and the temperature on the other. I loved that you could set the brown/sauté function to 400⁰F. This means you don't have to use a separate skillet on the stove to sear meats (which adds depth of flavor) before braising them for eight hours. The unit comes with a steamer insert that's perfect for delicate proteins and vegetables and doubles as a roasting rack for a whole chicken or roast. The inner crock is made from nonstick-coated aluminum. It washes clean easily with warm water and a soapy sponge, but you can also put it and the lid in the dishwasher. Pros Lots of functions Large control panel that's easy to use Time and temperature alerts Pot and lid are dishwasher-safe Cons Expensive Large footprint $134 at Wayfair Explore More Buying Options $134 at Amazon$160 at PERIGOLD Lisa Schweitzer/Yahoo Best nontoxic slow cooker GreenPan Elite 8-in-1 Programmable Slow Cooker Capacity: 6 quarts | Settings: slow cook on low and high, brown/sauté, steam, keep warm | Weight: 21 lbs. | Dimensions: 11.81"D x 22.13"W x 16.1"H When you want all the features and value nontoxic cookware and great design, the GreenPan Elite 8-in-1 Slow Cooker is the answer. This 6-quart model is so versatile! It offers eight functions: slow cook, sauté, steam, simmer/buffet, proof, bake, reheat, high temperature, low temperature and warm. The inner crock is made with a PFAS- and PFOA-free ceramic coating that's also certified by the NSF, meaning it meets strict standards for public health and safety. This high-end slow cooker shepherded a batch of beef stew from browning right in the pot at 400°F to braising on low for eight hours, resulting in tender meat and vegetables with a luxurious slurry. The LCD display was easy to read and made programming a cinch. The unit features a handy set of prongs in the back that allow you to rest the lid without taking up counter space. It also comes with a steamer insert, which, along with the pot and lid, is dishwasher-safe. Now on to its good looks. This sleek model comes in a variety of tasteful colors, including glossy white, navy, sage green and charcoal — you will surely find one that integrates into your kitchen decor. Just don't forget to consider the space it takes up on the counter or in a cabinet. Pros Lots of functions Excellent browning Generous handles Attractive enough to leave on the counter Cons Expensive Large footprint $200 at Wayfair Explore More Buying Options $200 at Amazon$252 at Macy's (back to top) Factors to consider when choosing a slow cooker My time spent testing slow cookers yielded these considerations to keep in mind when you're shopping. Features: I value the ability to brown/sear meats directly in the unit rather than using a pan on the stovetop and then adding the meat to the slow cooker. Some people like the option of steaming fish and veggies in their slow cooker. But if you tend to use recipes that don't benefit from these features, and all you want is a timer and either a low- or high-temperature setting, you'll have many options to choose from at various price points. Dimensions: Limited storage space means some models may not work for you. You should consider whether or not you'll use a slow cooker often enough to keep it on the countertop or store it in a cabinet — always check the height of the model before you commit. Capacity: If you cook large-batch soups and stews and whole roasts or chickens, a 6-quart model should satisfy most of your needs. If you cook for two to three people, you can get away with a 4-quart model. And if you want to keep lots of food warm for a tailgate or a family gathering, some 8-quart models work nicely. (back to top) I checked this stew periodically during the eight hours it cooked to ensure the food was in a safe temperature zone. (Lisa Schweitzer/Yahoo) How we tested slow cookers After opening each package, I noted if there was any setup required and how easy these appliances were to program. I gave each inner crock and lid a quick wash with soap and water before cooking a classic beef stew in each one. To rank on our list, the gadgets had to excel in the following tests: Temperature test: A safe cooking temperature generally falls between 170°F and 280°F, according to the USDA, but in practice should hover somewhere below boiling, or 212°F, or you will overcook most proteins. Did the slow cooker meet these requirements? Sauté/brown test: Is there a sear/sauté function? If there is, does the pot get hot enough to properly brown meat? Stuck-on food test: After food cools, it can get pretty sticky and adhere to the inside of a pot. I waited for a while to wash the inner crocks to see how much work was involved in getting them clean. Each slow cooker has a slightly different control panel — and some were easier to navigate than others. (Lisa Schweitzer/Yahoo) (back to top) Other slow cookers we tested Crock-Pot MultiMeal Programmable Slow Cooker ($210): I love this Crock-Pot's promise of being able to make two dishes at the same time, which might require different settings and cook times. However, this appliance does not offer a slow cook setting that goes for the traditional eight hours, only one that cooks for four hours, which was not long enough for the stew, nor for the convenience of letting a dish cook all day. Hamilton Beach Portable 6-Quart Set & Forget Slow Cooker with Temperature Probe ($76): This and one other slow cooker from Hamilton Beach feature a temperature probe, which none of the other brands I tried have. At first, this seemed like a must for checking the cooking temperature, but you're better off buying an instant-read thermometer that you can use for many other cooking tasks. Outside of that added feature, this model has the popular high, low and keep-warm settings. Hamilton Beach Portable 6-Quart Set & Forget Slow Cooker with Temperature Probe & Defrost ($77) Much like the model above, this Hamilton Beach slow cooker covers basic slow cooking tasks, has a temperature probe and can cook food from frozen, which is a feature none of the others have. If you know you'll forget to defrost the chicken breasts in the middle of a hectic week, this model might be the answer. I understand the appeal of dumping a bunch of ingredients into the pot in the morning, turning it on and coming home to a hot meal. (Lisa Schweitzer/Yahoo) Instant Pot Superior Cooker 7.5 Quart Slow Cooker ($80): I had high hopes for this large-capacity slow cooker from the popular multicooker brand because it has a sear/sauté feature. The downfall here is the metal inner pot — it's too thin and doesn't get hot enough to sear meat properly. It almost feels flimsy. Beautiful by Drew Barrymore 4-Quart Slow Cooker ($35): This was the smallest slow cooker I tested, as the 6-quart version was unavailable. The most exciting feature on this appliance is the lid holder — it's removable, but I loved how I didn't have to clear space on the counter to set down the lid. Unfortunately, this unit cooked food at too high a temperature and therefore resulted in an overcooked, dry stew. There is also no clock to let you know how much time is left in your cooking cycle. (back to top) What is the difference between a crock pot and a slow cooker? Crock-Pot is a brand name many people use to refer to the generic term for a slow cooker. It's not unlike using the word Kleenex (also a brand name) when referring to facial tissues. (back to top) We received complimentary samples of some products and purchased others ourselves, but we reviewed all products using the same objective criteria.
