A Home Ice Cream Machine Guaranteed To Produce Some Family Fun

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The Cuisinart ICE-30BC is another high-quality ice cream maker produced by Cuisinart, featuring not only a mixing arm, a double-insulated freezer bowl and a lockable lid, but also the company’s proprietary ingredient spout, which will enable you to successfully add ingredients like nuts and chips to the mix without interrupting the freezing process. With a modern brushed stainless steel design, this 2 quart unit not only performs well but it looks good doing it. This is a simple machine that the whole family can truly enjoy.

It comes with a heavy-duty motor that is strong enough for handling several types of frozen desserts ranging from ice cream to frozen yogurt, sherbet and sorbet. This Cuisinart model is a versatile and easy to use. It is sure to deliver a top quality frozen treat. Owners give this ice cream maker high praise and continually give it high marks and recommendation rates. It continues to be ranked as one of the top ice cream maker machines and for the price it is hard to beat.

Product Features

Mixing Arm: As with most Cuisinart ice cream makers, the ICE-30BC features a mixing arm that will continually mix and aerate the ingredients to achieve a firm consistency and avoid the formation of ice crystals. Due to the powerful motor of this unit, the mixing paddle will continually rotate, allowing the mixture to gradually freeze as it comes into contact with the freezer bowl. Whether you want to make ice cream, frozen yogurt or frozen smoothies, this model is capable of “pure indulgence”.

Double-Insulated 2-Quart Freezer Bowl: The freezer bowl of the Cuisinart ICE-30BC has a double-insulated wall that contains cooling liquid which needs to be frozen before use. The bowl contains double walls to help ensure longer lasting and even freezing while making ice cream. The bowl should be placed in the freezer several hours before using and it needs to be completely frozen. This can be judged by shaking the bowl after removing it from the freezer. If you can hear or feel any liquid moving then it needs more time in the freezer.

Ingredient Spout: This unit comes with an ingredient spout that will enable you to add ingredients, such as nuts and chips, without interrupting the freezing process.

Heavy-Duty Motor: This ice cream machine is powered by a heavy-duty motor that has been specifically implemented to handle a variety of different types of desserts. Encased in a stainless steel housing, this unit was built to last and run batch after batch reliably.

What Owners Like About the Cuisinart ICE-30BC

Cuisinart seems to have made a line of ice cream makers that owners are extremely happy with, and this unit is no exception. It is one of the better selling ice cream makers on our list that also has an impressive number of positive customer ratings. Some of the aspects of this machine that users constantly praise include:

Perfect Consistency: One of the primary aspects buyers loved about the Cuisinart ICE-30BC is the excellent consistency of the ice cream that is produced. Owners really like how the finished product is not too hard or too soft and it makes it the same way time after time with little variation.

Easy to Operate: Users also like how easy this model is to operate. Its fully automatic functionality delivers a simple way to make great tasting frozen treats in your own home.

Little Cleanup: Another important benefit of choosing this Cuisinart ice cream machine is how easy it is to clean. Even after making several batches of ice cream, the freezer bowl and mixing paddle will be very easy to wipe off, whether in the dishwasher or by hand.

Fast Freezing: Lastly, most buyers were very pleased with the timeliness of the Cuisinart ICE-30BC, which enabled them to have perfect homemade ice cream, sorbet or frozen yogurt in under 20 minutes. This is another aspect of this ice cream maker that users really appreciate. Making dessert is quick and simple.

What Could Be Better?

Harder Ice Cream: Some users were disappointed in the softness of the ice cream that this machine made. For a harder consistency they suggest that you put it in the freezer for a little while to let it firm up.

Pre-Frozen Bowl: One of the drawbacks of using this kind of ice cream machines is the bowl needs to be frozen before using. This can take several hours and the freezer needs to be at least 0 degrees Fahrenheit . Some users find it more convenient to just keep the bowl in the freezer all of the time so it will be ready whenever they get the urge to make some ice cream.

Bottom Line

The Cuisinart ICE-30BC Pure Indulgence offers users an effortless and automatic way to make delicious desserts. Those who have purchased this unit consistently give it very high marks and it receives scores in the mid to high 4’s out of 5 stars. This model is a worthy candidate for anyone looking for a modern and dependable ice cream maker for their home.

 

Cooking Smarter And Cheaper With A Toaster Oven

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For the folks out there, like me, who think that cooking is too much of a chore then having a countertop oven in your kitchen will be a nice surprise. Not only will it help you save money on energy, but they are also less intimidating to use than a standard oven. The smaller size also makes these ovens simple to clean. Preparing your own meals has never been easier. Cooking for yourself and your family has tremendous benefits to health and happiness. It’s time to make the kitchen a fun place to be again.

While Breville makes some of the more popular small ovens on the market today, Cuisinart has their share of impressive models. One of our favorites is the TOB-195. This is not your mother’s toaster oven. With an easy to use front touch pad control panel, sleek styling, and Exact Heat sensor technology, the TOB-195 would be an extremely useful and efficient compliment to any kitchen counter space.

Specs

Dimensions: 10 x 18.5 x 17 Inches

Capacity: 6 Slices of Toast, 12” Pizza

Wattage: 1500W

Oven Features

Preset Modes: This unit comes with four main preset cooking settings; Pizza/Bake, Toast, Convection & Broil. Each mode automatically delivers the even and consistent heat where it is needed while working. These functions tend to work rather well and is one of the reasons this oven is such a top performer.

Modern Styling: The TOB-195 is made of durable stainless steel and has brushed chrome finishes. Its sleek appearance will looking good in any type of kitchen.

Exact Heat Technology: A sensor inside the oven makes sure that heat is even through out and everything cooks evenly for the best results.

Size: This unit has one of the biggest capacities of any counter top oven. With room for 6 slices of bread or a 12inch pizza, this oven’s size makes it a rather versatile appliance capable of cooking for 2 or more people.

Speed: This oven heats up fast so you do not have to wait that long for pre-heating. Features such as the convection function can also dramatically cut down on cooking time. You may have to adjust some of your recipes to accommodate the aspect of the oven.

What Do Owners Like About The Cuisinart TOB-195?

Cuisinart has done very well in some of the best convection toaster oven ratings and reviews. Here is just a small sample of the aspects of this oven that impress users the most.

Toasting: A toaster oven should obviously be able to perform well on toast, and this unit does just that. Customers are really impressed with how perfectly done on both sides their toast is when it comes out of this oven.

Broiling: Excellent. This is one area that users tend to praise a lot about this oven. The broil function is done almost to perfection and receives high marks from those who own this unit.

Versatility: Owners are extremely pleased with everything that they can do with this oven. From baking cooking and casseroles to doing pork chops and potatoes, users consistently rave about how this oven handles a host of different cooking needs. It is able to a lot of things, and it does them very well.

Controls: Customers for the most part are satisfied with controls on this unit. They really like that they are on the front and bottom, which saves counter top space, and they also are pleased with how they function. Some reviews mentioned that reading through the manual did help to pick things up quicker.

LCD Screen: This is one feature owners thought was a nice touch. It is easy to ready and displays useful information such as cooking time and temperature. It also added to the modern look and feel of the oven.

Clean Up: With a non-sticking coating on the interior of the oven, owners found it rather simple to wipe clean.

What Could Be Better?

Crumb Tray Removal: Some owners were disappointed that this can only removed from the back. They wish that it was easier to access.

Hot Handle: Some users were surprised by how hot the handle on the front door can get during some cooking tasks. An oven mitt or towel might be suggested at first until you can get a feel for the temperature of the handle.

Cord Length: A few users wish that this unit came with a longer cord. If outlets are in far away from where you would like to use this oven on your counter top then an extension cord may be needed.

Who Should Buy This Toaster Oven?

If you are looking for a smaller, faster and more efficient oven to replace some of the tasks of your full size range, then the Cuisinart TOB-195 may be just what you are looking for. Owners find, in general, that this oven enables them to save time and energy versus using their regular oven.

If you would like a toaster oven to do more than just toast and heat things up, then this might be the perfect oven for your needs. Owners are extremely satisfied with how much they can actually cook inside their TOB-195 and how well it performs on a wide array of different baking, broiling and cooking chores.

Who Should Not Buy This Oven?

If you just want a simple oven for reheating and toasting and don’t anticipate doing a lot of cooking or baking then this unit may not be the best choice. It is a full featured toaster oven that puts it at a higher price point than some other ovens. The Panasonic Flash Xpress may be a better option.

Bottom Line

The Cuisinart TOB-195 Convection Oven is currently one of the top customer rated toaster ovens on the market today. Owners love what it can do, how much it can do, and how well it can do it. The cooking technology as well as the modern design make this model an almost “can’t miss” appliance for the kitchen. Check out the video below for more details about the TOB-195.

Training With A Jogging Stroller

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Training for your next marathon can be a little complicated for those with small children. It is sometimes hard to juggle your running schedule around the need to look after your kids. This is where a running stroller can really help. It can benefit you by letting you get in a workout without having to find a babysitter for a couple of hours, plus the kids really enjoy the ride. You get to combine many activities into one and finding the right stroller can greatly improve your ability to meet your training goals.

If you have been reading through reviews of the top jogging strollers but don’t know where to start, we have a few features that your new running stroller should have to maximize your efforts while training plus provide a safe experience for you and your little one. If you already own a running stroller but you aren’t sure if you are using it properly while training, we also have a few tips that will help you ensure that you are getting the maximum benefit while using it.

What You Should Look For In A New Stroller

Jogging strollers are engineered to accommodate many different styles of running, but there are certain aspects to look for in a new stroller that are important for fast paced running.

Wheels

This is perhaps the most important part of a stroller to keep an eye on. How well the wheels are constructed can have a huge impact on how well a stroller will perform for you, and how safe it will be at higher speeds.

One vital feature to make sure your running stroller has is a lockable front wheel. While having a front wheel that can swivel is great for maneuvering, it can be a detriment for straight line running. Locking the wheel in place will make the stroller more stable at faster speeds and easier to control. This is, of course, crucial for safe operation at a full sprint.

Also make sure the tires are air filled, big, have a wide base and have an adjustable suspension. All of these factors will contribute to how easy and safe the stroller will ride at a heftier pace.

Canopy

This feature is for the protection of the rider as long summer days can produce excessive exposure to the suns harmful rays. Getting a jogger with a large adjustable sun canopy should always be a chief concern.

Staying In Control

We suggest looking for models that feature hand brakes and a tether to keep you connected to the stroller at all times. These two features will help prevent the stroller from getting away from you in case you slip, fall, cramp up, or any other unforeseen accident that may cause you to stop suddenly. Safety first is always the prudent option.

Tips For Training With A Running Stroller

If you already own one of these pieces of equipment and are looking for some jogging stroller tips that can help you be more efficient and maximize your training efforts, some of these below may be of use.

Don’t Reach

Make sure that your arms are not outstretched and you find yourself reaching for the handlebar. This will end up causing you start bending over at the hips and lose your running form. You want to keep your elbows bent and have the stroller closer to you so you can run more upright. Having a jogging stroller with an adjustable handle bar will really come in handy here as you can customize your fit and get it in the exact position you need.

Watch Those Toes

You may not be used to pushing something in front of you, especially up a hill, and you may start to push off of your instep with your foot turned to the side. It is important to make sure that your foot is pointing forward in the direction that you are running. Make sure your toes are headed in the proper direction while running. Keeping proper form may take some getting used to but it is important to be aware of it.

Pack Appropriately

Kids may love the ride, but they also may get hot and the canopy may block your view of them while running. It is vital to check on them every so often and see how they are handling things. Most of today’s running strollers will come with some sort of storage pouches that can fit stuff like water, diapers, snacks and the sort. Make sure to pack for any type of emergency because you never know when you will need it. Make good use of the storage that your stroller may have.

A running stroller can be a fabulous piece of training equipment that can help parents get some extra training time into their schedules. Knowing which features are most important and how to best utilize your stroller will help make the entire exercise a fun, safe, and beneficial activity for the entire family.

Tips For Parents With New Car Seat Buying Jitters

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Many new parents may find it a little overwhelming when shopping for the first car seat for their newborn. With infant, booster, and convertible car seats available, it may be hard to know exactly which type will best serve your needs. Convertible car seats are a popular choice because they can be used for infants all the way up to toddlers. Having to buy only one seat for the first few years of your child’s life is more economical in the long run and it is a lot less of a hassle than having to buy several different seats as your child grows. They are referred to as “convertible” because when your little one is small you use it in a rear-facing position. As your child gets bigger you can then “convert” it into the forward facing position. These seats can typically handle children from 5 lbs. to 65 lbs. For new parents these types of seats help simplify everything while providing excellent protection for children of all sizes.

Finding A Car Seat That Is Right For You

When trying to find the perfect seat for your little one there are many factors to consider. Safety, comfort, budget, the size of vehicle, weight of the seat, and customer ratings all play a role in determining which safety seat will be best for your family. Going through current convertible car seat reviews is a good place to start when shopping for a new child safety seat for your vehicle. Finding car seats that have superb reviews from parents will give you a good foundation as to which models and brands have proven to be favorable with owners. This will also help you zero in on which seats fit best into your budget while providing the safety and comfort that you want for your child. Below are some options that we tend to recommend as the top performing convertible car seats worth considering.

Recaro ProRide

While this company may not be as well known as Britax or Graco, they have a wonderful line of mid-range car seats that offer excellent value. Recaro designs seats for race cars and this know how has been engineered into their child safety seats. They are designed to exceed current regulations and standards so you can rest assured that your child will have the latest technology to protect them. The ProRide convertible car seat is an excellent choice as it combines both function and comfort in a more affordable price tag for a higher end seat. With variable impact protection, easily adjustable safety harness, and various ease of use features, this particular model gets very high marks from parents. It is durable, and easy to clean as well, which helps make this a top pick for a seat which you need to perform for a number of years. It comes in multiple colors and it runs around $200. It is not the most affordable model out there, but it does offer tremendous value for the price.

Britax Advocate

Britax has a solid reputation for making extremely safe, and stylish, convertible car seats. They have several models to choose from, but the Advocate is near the top of the line. They implement their SafeCell technology into all of their seats which is designed to absorb impact energy and protect the passenger from crash forces and debris in the event of an accident. Their seats are supremely engineered for safety which is something that all parents love. They also have some unique design patterns that also help set their car seats apart. These are higher end seats that will run you a lot more money. For a lot of parents the investment is worth it as these seats tend to stand the wear and tear over time. The materials that are used are comfortable for kids and are relatively easy to keep clean. This is a great option if you have the budget for it.

Graco MyRide

These are perhaps the most popular seats out there as they make affordable safety seats that appeal to both parents and kids. You really cannot go wrong with any of the convertible car seats that Graco offers, but the MyRide is our favorite. Again, these meet or exceed all current safety regulations so you know you are getting something that will protect your child. Side impact protection, safety harness, easy to use latch system, and materials that are easy to maintain or some of the key features that parents really rave about. This model gets pretty nice reviews that help make this a really good option for those looking to save a little. The seats are well made with some nice design options as well.

These are just some of the choices that we recommend, but there are other options out there from EvenFlo, Chicco, Peg Perego, Safety 1st, DIono, Cosco, and more that may also suit your needs. Finding the right convertible car seat for your child may seem like an impossible feat, but with just a little research you should be able to find one that is perfect for your family. Just remember to buy a reputable brand name from a reputable store and read the owners manual carefully. For more reassurance, using the service of a certified car seat technician can teach you how to properly use your new seat and show you how to install it and strap your child in correctly. A misused seat can be a recipe for disaster, so this is really a vital step that should not be overlooked.