Hot Kitchen Utensils & Equipment Posts
How To: Grill with basic tips from Lowe's
In this tutorial, we learn the basics of grilling with Lowe's. All foods can be cooked to perfection on the grill, but you will need to have the right tools. Meat thermometer, skewers, basting brush, grill cleaner, and a spatula are all tools that are key to grilling perfectly. Grill your own special way, but make sure you clean the grill after you are finished. You can do this by closing the lid and putting the grill on for a couple of minutes. Then, clean the grill with a clean cloth and ge...
How To: Craft a homemade jar opener with the inside of a tennis ball
It's a classic dilemma parodied in so many TV shows and movies we now roll our eyes every time we see it: Two women are trying to pry open a jar of jam (or some other condiment) but, despite their best efforts, the lid just won't pop. So they enlist the help of a pretty boy who lives next door to finish the "manly" job.
How To: Slice, Pit, and Cut an Avocado for Optimal Food Presentation
At first an avocado looks intimdating to cut. It's kind of squishy and has this huge pit in the center that you just don't know what to do with. So if you've never cut an avocado before, check out this food video by Serious Eats to learn how to cleverly cut, pit, and slice one for optimal presentation.
How To: Skin and Cut Citrus into Pith and Membrane Free Segments
Cutting up an orange or a lemon seems pretty easy. You just take it out, cut off the ends (if you're working with a lemon), and slice it up, right? Wrong. If you want to create a professional presentation for your citrus fruits, there's a very specific way for peeling and cutting a fruit so that you create pith- and membrane-free segments.
How To: Properly use a knife steel to straighten and sharpen your kitchen knife
If you've been using your knife right, and a lot, you've probably noticed that it's starting to show it's age a little. If you want to straighten your knife out and give it an edge again, all you will need is a proper knife steel. In this video, chef Jason Hill will showing you the proper techniques to using a knife steel and also some no no's.
How To: Sharpen your kitchen knives using a whetstone
In the kitchen, as important as it is to have great, fresh food and a hygienic cooking area, if your knives are dull, you won't be getting much done (unless you're cave-manning it, then good luck to you!). But if you are wondering how to get your blade back into the shape it was in when you first got it then check out this great video! Chef Jason Hill shows you how to maintain your kitchen knives with a whetstone.
How To: Sharpen a chef's knife or kitchen knife using a whetstone
You know how writing with your trusty No. 2 pencil gets to be a pain if you haven't sharpened the tip in a while? A sharp pencil produces crisp, pretty marks that enhance your writing, while a dull pencil tip causes smeared and sometimes illegible writing that looks slopping.
How to Act Like a Food Snob: Molecular Gastronomy Edition
I first heard the term molecular gastronomy while watching an episode of Bravo's Top Chef a few seasons back. Intrigued by the concept, I sought to find out more about this modern, deconstructed type of cookery. If you happen to be around foodies and the topic of molecular gastronomy comes up (which very likely will at some point) you'll want to have a few points to contribute and maybe even give them a run for their money.
How To: Clean and rehabilitate an old wok with Grace Young
So many cooking shows focus on how to perfect food - preparation, cooking, and presentation. But often, so much attention and focus goes into the food itself that the utensils which produce the food, like pans, spatulas, and thermometors, get almost no attention at all.
How To: Season a wok and use a new wok
Did you know that any time you trot home with a new wok you must season it? While you might think, um, but why would you season a wok? Don't you usually season the food instead? Well, seasoning a wok is not what you think it is (and doesn't involve salt and pepper at all).
How To: Turn your kettle grill into a food smoker
Smoking food is one of the best ways you can prepare food, since it both imparts a rich, wood grainy flavor and treats food without needing to add excess oils (which also add extra calories and fat). But what happens if you don't have a large backyard and smoker?
How To: Clean your coffee maker
Maria Cleaveland shows us how to clean a coffee maker in this tutorial. It's important to clean out your coffee maker because calcium and lime can build up throughout regular use. One option is to use a cleaner liquid that you brew just like coffee, but is cleaning solution. You will then run two water coffees after this to make sure all the solution is out. Vinegar and water also work to clean out the coffee maker in case you don't have the cleaning solution. If you do this regularly, your c...
How To: Clean your coffee grinder
In this video, we learn how to clean a coffee grinder with Chef Bikram. To start off, grab a little bit of rice and pour it into the grinder. Then, put the lid on and pulse it. When finished, pour out the mixture and your grinder will be clean and have no aroma left in it. You can also rinse it out with water after you do this, so there are no crumbs leftover. This is a great way to clean your grinder in just a few short seconds, instead of having to thoroughly wash it each and every time you...
How To: Sharpen a knife
One of the best parts about cooking is feeling the cold, hard steel of your cooking knife in your hand. The sleek skillful edge doesn't stand a change against any delicacy, unless it's dull. A dull knife takes the fun out of cooking and is actually more dangerous than a sharp knife, so take a moment to sharpen and care for your tools.
How To: Sharpen your knife
In this video, we learn three different ways to sharpen a knife. The first way is to grab a traditional stone and place either some water or oil on it and sharpen it my scratching it against the stone. Another way to sharpen your knife is to scratch it on a diamond tip, which does the same thing as a stone, takes some of the metal off of the knife. The last way to sharpen a knife is to buy a product called an AccuSharp. It has a sharpener that is built into the side of it. All you have to do ...
How To: Properly conserve and use your freezer to store food
In this tutorial, learn how to save money and keep your food for longer by freezing it. You will get a ton of tips so you know which foods are most suitable for freezing, how to store them and exactly how long they will last. Enjoy!
How To: Save lots of kitchen clean up time with Jenny Jones
In this tutorial, Jenny Jones shows you how to save yourself a ton of time on cleaning your kitchen by using a few simple tips. Jenny uses wax paper, parchment paper and aluminum foil to cook and bake instead of using a ton of bowls and pans.
How To: Choose the right pair of kitchen shears
In this clip, Chef Jason Hill talks all about kitchen shears (or kitchen scissors). In order to be the best cook you can be, you will want to make sure you have the right shears. Shears are designed for cooking and work a million times better than a knife or normal pair of scissors for things like cutting through bone. Check out this chef's tip and make sure you choose the right pair for you.
How To: Sharpen a knife with a knife steel
Knives gone dull? This chef's guide offers instructions on how to sharpen your kitchen utensils using a knife steel. It's easy! So easy, in fact, that this free video tutorial can present a comprehensive overview of the process in just under three minutes' time. For detailed instructions, as well as to get started sharpening your own knives, watch this helpful how-to.
How To: Use white plates to present food professionally
White plates may seem boring and overused, but there's a reason they're preferred by five star restaurant chefs and your deal old mom for their dishes.
How To: Reuse glass jars
You don't have to throw out those glass jars! Every little bit counts, so you can feel good about making a small different if you start reusing your glass jars. Show Me The Curry has all the guidance you need to ensure that you get the most out of your glass jars and do your part to protect the planet. This video will show you how to resue glass jars.
How To: Flip food properly
There's nothing like flipping food. Not only is it beneficial when making things such as stir fry or omelettes, but it also pretty cool to do as well. In this video tutorial, you will discover just what it takes to flip food properly. Warning! When you first try this, a mess might ensue. So be careful and have fun!
How To: Use a pizza peel
If you want to make an authentic New York-style pizza pie, you'll require the proper tools. Among those tools is the pizza peel. World Pizza Champion Tony Gemignani shows how to properly use a pizza peel, the wide, flat shovel that transports the pizza from countertop to oven. For complete instructions on how to use a pizza peel (also sometimes referred to as a pizza shovel), watch this free video tutorial.
How To: Hold a Y-vegetable peeler like a pencil
This short and sweet video shows you how to use your Y-vegetable peeler more efficiently. All you have to do is hold it like a pencil. It'll make peeling vegetables much easier. You won't even realize what a simple, ingenious trick it is until you try it. Peeling carrots will no longer be a chore! Hold a Y-vegetable peeler like a pencil.
How To: Use the Cool Noodle Tool to make noodles at home
In this video, we learn how to use the Cool Noodle Tool to make noodles make from thai coconut, auzzhini, jicama, daikon radish and yellow squash. First, grab a half of a coconut and your noodle tool. Take your tool and scrape the inside of the coconut and you will have coconut noodles in no time! Do this for all of your different vegetables, whichever you prefer. Place all of your vegetable noodles into a large bowl and you can now prepare these with any sauces that you prefer. This tool mak...
How To: Set a table easily
To set the table for a formal dinner, place a plate a little bit to the left of the center of the meal sheet. Place two forks to the left of the plate, The smaller fork is for the salad, and should be placed on the outer side. The inner fork is for the dinner. Place two knives to the immediate right side of the plate. The outer knife is for the salad, and the inner knife is for the dinner. Place two forks to the right side of the knives, the outermost spoon is for the soup, and the inner spoo...
How To: Use a corn zipper
This how-to video shows you how to use a corn zipper. This is a fun and useful gadget for the kitchen. The corn zipper takes corn off the cob, quickly and efficiently. Just put it on the corn and pull. This will take it off easily. Not everyone can eat corn on the cob. It will also make eating corn easier for kids. It is much safer than knives as well. You can also turn the zipper on the side to milk the corn for creamed corn. This video shows you how useful a corn zipper is for your kitchen.
How To: Set a beautiful dinner table properly
In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to set a beautiful dinner table. The utensils, flatware and glassware is paramount is correct setting. The utensils are arranged in the order that a person uses them. The butter knife, forks, napkin and bread plate are placed on the left of the dinner plate. The knives, spoons and drink-ware are placed on the right of the dinner plate. Utensils and flatware are lined up about 1" from the table. There should never be more than 3 utensils on the side of...
How To: Easily set a table
This video is a tutorial on how to set a table in a restaurant. The table should first be wiped thoroughly with a product called Thieves, a mixture of organic oils that contains no chemicals. Be sure it is dry before people are seated.
How To: Set a table the proper way
This video teaches us the way to properly set a table. You will require a couple of things for this purpose. These things include a table with a table cloth and napkins. These should be kept at one side of the table. Then take salad forks and dinner forks. Arrange these in the center. Take knives and spoons. Arrange these besides the forks on both the sides. Take bread and butter plates and arrange them above the salad and dinner forks. Put glasses above the spoons. Put bread and butter knive...
How To: Set a table properly
In order to set a table properly, you need to begin with the candles. Try using beeswax in your candleholder to hold your candle upright. Place the salad plate inside your serving plate. Every course should have its’ own silverware. Place the napkin on the left side. The fold of the napkin should be away from the plate.
How To: Use a Swiss Army knife can opener
This video shows you how to use a Swiss Army knife can opener. It is easy to confuse the can opener with the bottle opener. The can opener has a small screwdriver tip and a sharper edge. Cans of spaghetti are good for a quick meal on the train. Put the bottom part of the can opener underneath the lip of the can. Use leverage to poke the top part of the opener through the lid of the can. Move the opener backwards a little and push through again. Keep doing this all the way round the top of the...
How To: Set a basic table properly
This video describes how to set a basic table. First we have to set the placement on a table with a napkin. Next keep a dinner fork, salad fork, and sea food fork on the right side of the placement. Next keep a dinner knife, tea spoon, and soup spoon on the left side of the placement. Next keep desert spoon, desert fork, and bread plate on the other side of the placement. Next keep the dinner plate on the middle of the placement. Next place the soup bowl on that dinner plate. Next put the wat...
How To: Use and care for a pressure cooker
This video describes the different parts of a pressure cooker, and how to use it. The pressure cooker consists of a heavy gauge pot and a tight fitting locking lid with a pressure release and a button that pops up when the right pressure is reached. There is also a quick release valve that you can turn manually. There is also a gasket that fits inside the lid to keep the pressure in the pot. To assemble the pressure cooker, insert the gasket under the flanges in the lid, line the lid up on th...
How To: Use a French press coffee maker
This video shows how to use a French press coffee maker. We need 8 0'clock coffee regular or course grind, teaspoon measure long handled spoon, Pyrex measuring cup, the French press coffee maker and a cup to drink from. Heat to boiling just enough filtered water to fill the French Press beaker. Measure out one level teaspoon of coffee for each 6 ounce cup of coffee you are preparing. When the water has ceased bubbling add it to the French press beaker and stir with the long handled spoon. Wai...
How To: Understand the basics of food safety in cooking
"Foodborne illnesses are responsible for more than 75 million illnesses, more than 230,000 hospitalizations, and approximately 5000 deaths each year in the United States." In this six-part video lesson, learn about the basics of food safety in a commercial food enviornment. In the first video, three types of contamination are gone over as well as how improper handling can allow food to become dangerous to your patrons. In video two, learn about proper holding times and temperatures, and what ...
How To: Properly wash your hands when handling food
Every restaurant, or cook for that matter, should know how to wash their hands the right way when handling food. In this two-part video tutorial, learn how to properly wash your hands if you handle food in a commercial environment. This series of two videos also contains information on how to set-up a handwashing station.
How To: Determine which grater is best for the job
Gourmet editor, Ruth, tells us all about the different graters and why choosing the best grater for each job is very important. The classical grater is called a knuckle bleeder. This is because when you're at the end of the item you're grating, you have to get your hand really close to it and you might scrape your knuckles. The hand grater is easier to use and provides smaller pieces which makes it ideal for most grating jobs. A zester grater is also easy to use and provides more volume than ...
How To: Properly sharpen a knife
Food editor Ian Knauer demonstrates a simple method for using a whetstone and a steel to keep your blades sharp. Just follow along and learn how.
How To: Open a can using a knife instead of a can opener
This video is how to open a metal can with the corner of a knife. First, you must find a knife that has a ninety-degree angle where the corner is a sharp point. A cleaver, like the one shown in the video, type of knife would be best. You use the corner to puncture the can and continue puncturing it as you rotate the can. Make sure to tilt the knife outwards after you puncture. Puncture successively and simultaneously rotate the can so that each puncture mark starts where the last one left off...