Wolfgang Puck

[TaterTot]

I sometimes watch HSN or QVC (which ever Wolfgang is on) and it seems as though he has good products. I'm tempted to purchase his convection oven and/or his pots and pans set but would like to know....is his products as good as they seem?

[KYHeirloomer]

I haven't a clue as to the quality---I don't know anyone who uses the Puck branded stuff.

But, as a general rule, I advise against buying sets of anything. Too often they contain pieces you never use. My son got an 11-piece high-end set of cookware for a wedding gift, for instance. To date they've used 4 of those pieces. They use those 4 often.

So it's better to buy what you need from open stock. Not only do you get exactly what you need, but you aren't locked into a particular brand and style. Sometimes something in that brand/style is perfect for you, but a different item might require a different make/model.

[oldbay]

Nothing against Wolfgang Puck in particular but my thoughts are that he ran a restaurant, got famous, and is out 'branding'. Consider the George Foreman Grill. George was a great boxer. The grills cooked great yet were awfully hard to clean since you couldn't remove the grill plate from the grill, so you cleaned the grill on the counter with paper towel. Did GF help sell a lot of them? Certainly. Know anyone that still has one? Not me.

[Mama Mangia]

Old Bay - I have 2 of his grills! You wouldn't believe how I cleaned them! And not with paper towels! And - they aren't that great for cooking meats! They are wonderful for making grilled sandwiches, veggies or panini - but when it comes to meat - not! It's fast for warming something up - since I don't believe in microwaves - and it does do toast, grilled danish, buttered rolls, etc. Hotdogs aren't too bad - hamburgers - never.

Would I buy any TV cooks pots and pans - NO! Most likely made in China and of quality I would prefer not to have at that price. I like to see what I am paying for. Purchased 2 pan sets in all my years - not pleased with the whole set - better off buying what you want and what you will need open stock.

[loubear]

Originally Posted by oldbay

Nothing against Wolfgang Puck in particular but my thoughts are that he ran a restaurant, got famous, and is out 'branding'. Consider the George Foreman Grill. George was a great boxer. The grills cooked great yet were awfully hard to clean since you couldn't remove the grill plate from the grill, so you cleaned the grill on the counter with paper towel. Did GF help sell a lot of them? Certainly. Know anyone that still has one? Not me.

I have 2 different types of GF grills and I love them, but I will probable have to stop because I bought a parrot and they cant be around the gases that are produced while using nonstick cookware.

[oldbay]

Originally Posted by loubear

... I will probable have to stop because I bought a parrot and they cant be around the gases that are produced while using nonstick cookware.

Gases? What do you mean? I'm absolutely curious.

[KYHeirloomer]

When teflon is heated, Old Bay, it gives off fumes. These have been demonstrated to definately be toxic to birds, and possibly toxic to other critters.

Question: Are babies considered in the category "other critters?"

There's some controversy over what temperature this happens at. I've seen figures from as low as 250F to as high as 450F.

What we do know, without question, is that at 450F and higher, teflon does give off fumes. What isn't known (because it hasn't been studied) is the full effects, and possible toxicity, of those fumes.

This is just one reason I refuse to use non-stick cookware.

[loubear]

Does anybody know if hard anodized cookware contain these FTFEE fumes?

[oldbay]

These are non-smellable fumes? I've never heard of of this until the other day. I love non-stick cookware and don't know if I could cook a egg nowadays without it. It's just so easy to cook and clean. I understand the concern though, I might be considered a critter to some people I know. Anyone got a link to a credible resource on this that I can read?

[oldbay]

Originally Posted by loubear

Does anybody know if hard anodized cookware contain these FTFEE fumes?

'

Isn't there the concern about the relationship with aluminum and Alzheimer's disease? This has something to do with high amounts of aluminum in people with AD but not sure if the problem was because of access to aluminum or just the people having a 'thing' for storing it.

I'm just waiting for the day my car runs on aluminum ... really ... as a way to produce hydrogen gas and runs in a regular car engine. Coming soon, stay tuned.