wonderwhatif
Member Since: January 26, 2015Reviews
Clarisonic Mia Prima
Note: This is an extremely long, detailed review, taken from weeks of testing the unit. For a short summary (if you prefer a basic review), scroll to the bottom 'summary' section. I really, really wanted to like the Clarisonic Mia Prima, but there... +
Note: This is an extremely long, detailed review, taken from weeks of testing the unit. For a short summary (if you prefer a basic review), scroll to the bottom 'summary' section.
I really, really wanted to like the Clarisonic Mia Prima, but there were so many problems from day one. From strange design choices, to the simple fact that it didn't really improve my skin and led to breakouts, I just wasn't a fan. It's really disappointing, because there are so many heads and lots of different uses for this product, not to mention people rave about it, but my experience over three weeks was not one that justifies the high price tag.
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Effect on skin
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One thing you'll hear again and again with Clarisonic is people talking about the 'purging period', but what exactly is that? Simply put, it means that when you try a new product like the Clarisonic, your skin may get worse before it gets better. People say it's because it recycles the cells of your skin faster, revealing spots or zits that were getting ready to come out. Some say their dermatologist said it, others say science doesn't support it and it's not a thing. Regardless, as a detail orientated tester, I wanted to make sure I gave Clarisonic the time it needed. People say the purging period is not more than 2 weeks, so while I'm sceptical of the existence of it, it's the reason I tested this product for almost 3 weeks and why my review has come in so far after everybody else's. So when I say I really tested and understand this product, that's not a brag or a lie, I tested this thoroughly for a long time before solidifying these thoughts.
The reality is, my skin hasn't improved in any way worth the effort. It also gave me many problems with strange skin breakouts. While my skin has felt softer and the pores on my nose look perhaps a little cleaner, it's nothing drastic and the negatives far outweigh the positives. While testing the Clarisonic, I changed cleansers once or twice and each time the problems with the Clarisonic remained, so I know these weren't caused by the cleanser. On that note, I'm not convinced that any improvement in my skin wasn't caused by dedicated daily cleansing. I can be pretty sloppy with my skincare routine when not testing, but with Clarisonic I was cleansing daily for 3 weeks, this alone could have improved my skin by the minor amount I saw.
The biggest problem I had with the Clarisonic was breakouts. I don't tend to break out a lot, as an adult. My skin is combination, so I do get the occasional pimple or whitehead and I struggle with blackheads on my nose. Within a day of using the Clarisonic I started to see a lot of whiteheads and also red headless spots; little bumps. At about a week's use, I saw a strange kind of acne I'd never experienced a whole bunch of tiny whiteheads and red spots in almost a rash like formation in lots of areas of my face. Keeping in mind the purging period, I persisted, but I felt ugly, oily, weird and scabby all at once. It's true that since passing the two-week mark I haven't had any insane skin problems like at the beginning, but I still see a lot of small red bumps on my skin and I'm still getting whitehead breakouts. I stopped using the Clarisonic today and I'm going to note if there's any improvement over the next few days. I'll update if not, but if you don't see anything here, assume my skin improved.
So the reality, for me, was that the Clarisonic showed only minor improvements to my skin, while causing a whole lot of skin problems I'd never seen before. That's a lot of negatives for an expensive device that took me time to use everyday. Using a simple swipe of micellar water, toner and moisturiser is much faster and my skin was better. So I can't recommend the Clarisonic for skincare, based on the effect it had on my skin over that three week period.
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Brush head and accessories
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Before we talk about Brush heads let's talk about the one that comes with it. The Daily Radiance Brush Head. When doing my research into Clarisonic (something I always do after testing a few times, to make sure I'm using a product correctly) I saw a lot of unhappy customers blasting the company for this redesign of this brush. It was pretty funny, because all the things they were saying, were accurate to my experience with the brush head, so I'll share those thoughts here.
Anytime I saw someone use the Clarisonic in a video, they just put the cleanser in the centre and then start to clean, but the new design of this brush (as pictured) has a big hole in the centre. Not only does it mean less brush coverage, but it's been replaced by an obnoxious sensor which will tell you when you need to change your brush head. This feels like a big push to make you spend more money, it's unnecessary, less effective and looks ugly. On top of that, if you're using a think cream cleanser, it gets stuck in the middle and won't actually go onto the moving parts of the brush. This means that overall it's just easier to apply the cleanser directly to your face, but that doesn't foam or feel as pleasant as using it on the brush. It baffles my mind that they made their product more difficult to use and annoying.
That's not all. The new Daily Radiance Brush Head, barely moves and has silicone paddles on the outside (immovable) circle section. Many have complained that these were not comfortable and I have to agree. The bristles are so soft and lovely and don't feel painful at all, but every day my face felt almost slightly razor burned and I have to conclude that the slightly harsher silicone bristles are responsible. Even pressing very gently, I didn't enjoy their sensation and they ruined the head for me.
Of course, you can always use a different head and Clarisonic has an endless amount to choose from. From sensitive heads, to body brushes, cream applicator, massage heads and even a foundation brush head. You can buy off-brand for many of them, but obviously, there's no guarantee of quality. I was really intrigued by the foundation head, but unfortunately didn't receive it and can't comment on it or any other heads. I find the heads pretty over-priced, especially at the recommended replacement rate of three months, but even if you want to try a new type of head, it'll set you back a pretty penny. I feel like given the price and basic design of the Mia Prima (not smart or anything), that it should come with one or two different heads to try.
I do like that there's a lot of options, which means the Clarisonic can be much more than just a cleansing brush, if you have the money to sink into it.
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Design
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I was surprised that the design of the Clarisonic was so bad, many of the choices baffled me. I already listed the info about the head above, but even the shape of the Clarisonic was poor. For example, I found that in order to properly drain the head of water (it is basically never completely dry) you must sit Clarisonic with the brush head (cap on) facing down, but it's really poorly balanced and always wants to tip over. Basically putting the Clarisonic anyway that isn't on it's back, usually results in it falling over. It's not well-balanced, clunky and isn't even particularly light or comfortable to hold.
I also found when I was using it I wanted to always hold near the head of the device, to make sure I had control over how gentle it was and could easily use the 'circular motions' it required. I know you can find different models that are just a head, no handle and I feel like that's personally a more natural design, I never held the handle the entire time I was using it and doing so felt awkward.
I was happy to see the cap had ventilation (to prevent mould), but otherwise hated it. Putting it on was a nightmare that even with practice resulted in me almost always bending the bristles twice before getting the right angle. I can't help but feel it's poorly designed on purpose to make you wreck the head faster and by more replacements. That's definitely a little pessimistic of me, but surely there's an easier to apply cap design than this.
I find the white, curved design quite cliche, not particularly nice to look at and overall it just doesn't work like I want it to. It was also difficult to apply the head (with no clear guide) and removing it with wet fingers is near impossible.
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Setup and App
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Setup of the Clarisonic is actually very easy and one of the first really positive points I can make. It's as simple as plugging it in to charge and pressing a button. You can also use the app and I do stress that while the app is designed for the SMART brushes (which I'll also point out have tons more fun options) that you can track your progress, takes selfies and see guides on the app, regardless of model. Originally, I had a lot of complaints about the app (like it allowed you to pick a skin regime, without telling you what brush you needed), but mercifully Clarisonic redesigned the app mid-testing and it's now one hundred times better!
One thing not mentioned in the app, which gave me trouble, was that after wetting the Clarisonic you're really going to want to face the head down and shake HARD to get out excess water. They always tell you to wet the head a lot, and your face and apply cleanser, but not to shake it. If you don't shake the excess water you will end up with water and cleanser flowing down your face and into your eyes, which happened to me on my first use.
The charge lasts a blessedly long time and I haven't yet had to recharge it, so it's a brilliant amount of charge. Upkeep is simple, just rinse it every time and clean it with baby shampoo once a week.
Setup, battery life and the app are simple and wonderful and show what the Clarisonic could be capable of, if they redesigned with customer comfort and ease in mind, instead of excessive profit.
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Summary
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Overall, Clarisonic Mia Prima is a device I had heard a lot about, that I wanted to love, but disliked a lot. The most important factor was skincare and the improvements to my combination skin were minor. That coupled with painful design choices and annoyances meant that my experience with the Clarisonic was a disappointment.
Pros:
+ Minor improvements to skin softness and pore cleanliness (possibly due to daily cleansing as opposed to specifically the Clarisonic).
+ Bristles are very soft and suitable for sensitive skin (exception, silicone bristles, see cons)
+ Massive selection of heads with so many uses (massage, makeup, cream application etc.) Can be much more than a cleansing brush.
+ Ability to remove Clay masks easily is a neat feature.
+ Third party heads are available at a cheaper price. (Some like foundation head, don't have that option)
+ Sonic technology.
+ Setup and charge is easy.
+ Use is a simple button press.
+ App has great guides and has been redesigned to be helpful, can be used with any model (not all features).
+ Charge lasts a long time.
Cons:
- Doesn't live up to the hype.
- Only improved skin minorly.
- Experienced breakouts and strange spots/zits even after 'purging period'.
- Difficult to apply the head, difficult to remove with wet hands (no guide on applying).
- Requires more dedicated cleansing regime (depends on your routine).
- Redesign of Daily Radiance Brush Head is not good (cleanser stuck in centre hole, obnoxious sensor, rough silicone bristles).
- Heads are expensive with no guarantee you'll like them and the unit only comes with one.
- Clarisonic is poorly balanced and often falls over.
- Head never seems to dry well.
- Handle is pointless, I didn't use it. (your mileage may vary!)
- Cap is difficult to put on and often leads to bent bristles.
- Design is boring white and not pretty.
Recommended: No. While I feel it has a lot of potential, unless you're rolling in money and ok with it potentially making your skin worse, I'd avoid the hype. Heads are overpriced and the device comes with only one, so it's a costly mistake if it doesn't work for you.
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Aveeno Positively Radiant 60 Second In-Shower Facial
Skin type: Combination. Calling it a mask or a facial is just marketing speak. The reality is this is just an in-shower exfoliating cleanser of sorts, but it is a good one and does a pretty good job. I can't comment on how well it does against dark... +
Skin type: Combination.
Calling it a mask or a facial is just marketing speak. The reality is this is just an in-shower exfoliating cleanser of sorts, but it is a good one and does a pretty good job. I can't comment on how well it does against dark spots, since I don't have any, but it works well as an in-shower treatment. I actually have an exfoliating treatment I use once a week in the shower and the results from this were definitely comparable. Visually there weren't any huge differences, my skin was cleaner and it definitely shifted some of my blackheads and dirt in my pores, but nothing insanely dramatic. My skin also felt lovely and soft afterwards, much softer than usual after a shower (I take mine hot and it dries out the skin).
I don't love the scent of the product. It's a kind of sweet kiwi/cucumberish smell that's a bit fake and a bit strong. If you've used other products in the line, you know the smell. It's very easy to use and over several uses will improve your skin. Given the low price, I'd recommend it!
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Colgate Baby Training Toothbrush and Teether
Odd to see a baby product from colgate, but as it's for teeth, it makes sense! As a teether or a toothbrush, this gets top marks, but one small negative to be aware of is that the silicone material means it will pick up dust and dirt so easily... +
Odd to see a baby product from colgate, but as it's for teeth, it makes sense! As a teether or a toothbrush, this gets top marks, but one small negative to be aware of is that the silicone material means it will pick up dust and dirt so easily, you'll find yourself rinsing it a lot. Silicone is ridiculously easy to rinse though, I do wish they'd given a plastic case to keep it in so that after washing you can keep it clean until giving it to baby or using it for teeth.
One of the big benefits of the silicone is not only is it not too hard for a teething baby (while still being hard enough to satisfy that teething instinct), but nervous parents can safely boil it. Because this is a teether it also gets baby used to and attached to the butterfly teether, so that when its time to start brushing, they don't put up a fight or become 'difficult' as they sometimes can. They are used to gnawing on this and so if you hold it and move it a little at first, by the time teeth have to be brushed, they are already used to it and it's ridiculously easy.
It's a great beginner brush and teether that would really benefit from a case!
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John Frieda Brilliant Brunette Visibly Deeper Colour Deepening Treatment
Hair type: Thick, naturally wavy, aging/greying brunette. Using this alongside the shampoo and conditioner, I did notice a difference. While the shampoo and conditioner left me wanting and frizzy, this actually had an effect on the colour and on... +
Hair type: Thick, naturally wavy, aging/greying brunette.
Using this alongside the shampoo and conditioner, I did notice a difference. While the shampoo and conditioner left me wanting and frizzy, this actually had an effect on the colour and on the softness of my hair. I can't really rate it any higher, because I didn't feel it delivered on colour 'darkening' as it promised, but I did feel like my colour was a little deeper and more even overall. Despite the fact that it says it doesn't work on grey (something mentioned on the bottle if I recalle correctly), I do feel it also made my grey stand out less. This could be because it softened my hair so much, so the grey wasn't as frizzy and didn't rise to the top, rather than any colour change.
This is colour deposting, but the colour is nowhere near as dramatic as on the bottle, though again my hair is natural so maybe that makes a difference. I was super pleased with how soft this left my hair. I left it on for ten minutes after combing it through and could feel a difference immediately while washing it out. While the shampoo and conditioner left my hair frizzy and thirsty, this nourished it and left it shiny and much smoother.
Surprisingly, the scent wasn't bad and was barely there, just a faint perfumed scent.
My recommendation would be to use this would the shampoo and conditioner and I did like it, but can't rate it higher due to the subtle effects and it not doing what it promised (didn't feel it was darker so much as a tone change). That being said, I would definitely use this as a hair treatment, because I loved how silky and shiny it left my hair. If it was sold as a tone changer and softening treatment I would snap it up and rate it five stars, proving that how you market something does matter.
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AVEENO Cracked Skin Relief CICA Balm
This moisturizer has kind of a strong medicinal smell, a bit like those clinical eczema creams, with a hint of oat. It’s fragrance-free, so there’s nothing to cover up that smell, which I find a bit unpleasant. If you’re sensitive to... +
This moisturizer has kind of a strong medicinal smell, a bit like those clinical eczema creams, with a hint of oat. It’s fragrance-free, so there’s nothing to cover up that smell, which I find a bit unpleasant. If you’re sensitive to fragrances you’ll appreciate that this doesn’t have a strong smell, just a mild clinical one. I have a really sensitive nose, so I'm probably smelling it way stronger than a normal person. Since I apply cream before sleeping, I prefer a nice, gentle fragrance, this one is just a bit of a stinky smell.
In terms of how effective this is, I found that on dry and cracked skin it was pretty effective. For severe cases, like my partner's (possible skin condition, very dry and cracked) it wasn’t enough to completely cure the dry skin, but for mine, it did the trick. It also reduced the cracked skin (even of extremely dry skin) and made skin softer without irritating or hurting it. It was as good as the other Aveeno cream I tried, but this one I didn't dislike its texture as much! It’s also hypoallergenic so if you have sensitive skin it should be easy to use without any problems.
For texture, the cream is quite thick, but it spreads very easily. One problem I had was that the cream takes a long time to really rub into the skin. I found that it would take ten or fifteen minutes before I would feel like my hands weren’t greasy from the balm. Since I use my creams at night, this wasn't an issue, but if you apply all day, I can see it being irritating.
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Summary
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Overall, This is a good cream for dire cracked skin, but it will take time to fix it completely. It's a great cream for those with dry, cracked skin and especially or skin conditions that can't be irritated! It takes a long time to absorb and has a stinky smell, but works well to repair and soften skin, without added fragrance.
Pros:
+ Works pretty well on dry skin that has a condition.
+ Works really well on regular dry skin.
+ No fragrance, so doesn't irritate sore, cracked skin.
+ Big tub.
Cons:
- Smell is stinky and quite medicinal.
- Takes a long time to absorb.
Recommended: Yes, if you need a heavy duty cream that doesn't irritate, but if you apply multiple times be aware of the slow absorb rate.
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Braun MQ5025BK Hand Blender Multiquick Vario
When it comes to chopping, this Braun is top of the line. It does as good a job as a jug blender or food processor, despite being a stick/immersion blender, but that doesn't mean it's perfect. I definitely have some quibbles with it, but at the end... +
When it comes to chopping, this Braun is top of the line. It does as good a job as a jug blender or food processor, despite being a stick/immersion blender, but that doesn't mean it's perfect. I definitely have some quibbles with it, but at the end of the day if performance is most important to you, this is a good buy. If you want to know some of the details, read below, or skip to my 'Summary' at the end for a quick run-down.
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As a blender
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This can easily give you the smoothest purees. I mainly use an immersion/stick blender for soups and sauces, as it's so much easier to wash just the bottom part of the blender, as opposed to a whole jug and you can chop it right in the pot. You're supposed to wait until the soup cools, but to be honest, I blend stuff all the time when it's hot and have never had a problem. One thing I really like about this blender is the wavy bottom of the 'bell' shaped blender attachment. Many blenders have a flat bottom, but because of the gaps, smaller pieces of food are sucked inwards and it can smooth them without even having to lift it. My preferred method is to slightly tilt the stick blender, allowing the soup to flow freely, but that takes some practice.
If you've never used an immersion blender before, you'll think this is awesome! Not having to drag out and wash a whole blender appliance is certainly a convenience! However, for those of us who've used multiple stick blenders, there are definitely some points about this that I'm not super happy with. Firstly being that the buttons must be held down to keep that stick going. You could argue that this is a safety issue and appealing to some and yes, it's true, having the blender stop when the button is released is safer, but it's difficult to press the buttons. First of all, this blender is quite heavy compared to some I've used, I wouldn't describe it as lightweight. And the top button in particular (turbo is a little easier) is very difficult to push down hard, I find myself releasing it a lot and it makes using the blender and keeping it going really annoying. I just use Turbo instead. So in future, I'd like to see them make the button easier to press and if you have hand weakness or a disability that affects mobility, this isn't the right blender for you.
It's quite heavy and cumbersome and I found myself getting annoyed by both how thick it is, hard to hold and heavy, meaning the cord kept getting in the way as I wasn't able to manoeuvre it well. It chops flawlessly, but the hard to press buttons and weight are both negatives, for me.
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Features
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VarioSpeed Technology (21 speeds): To me, this is a big and unnecessary gimmick. I've used hand blenders a ton and never wished for more speed. I basically just go straight to turbo most of the time. In fact the turbo button on this is actually faster than top speed. It might seem silly, but after using a hand blender a few times, you become aware of when you need to stop for a more 'chunky' sauce and while it might be easier and more even to blend it on a low speed, it's just not something I personally use. The dial is cool looking and easy to turn, but there's only a small difference between each speed and having to take your hand off to turn the dial is really irritating, it all leads to this feeling like a marketing department ploy, rather than an actual useful feature.
SPLASHControl Technology: It doesn't splash, but again, I haven't really had a problem with that in the past either. Unless you pull the blender partially out of whatever you're blending, you won't really get splashes.
EasyClick Accessory System: It is nice to have the option to add on accessories. See the below section for info on what's included!
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Accessories
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This blender comes with three accessories; a whisk, a beaker style jug and a mini-chopper.
Whisk: This is quite a fun and useful accessory. Rather than clicking directly into the blender, it has two parts, a rounded base and a metal detachable whisk that pushes into the base. This is brilliant, because it means it's much easier to keep the whisk part clean, since you can detach it from the part that holds it. If, like me, you are dealing with a new chronic illness or disability and have weak arms, you'll find the motorised whisk very useful. It means instead of dragging out my very heavy stand mixer, I can use the whisk on this for things like cream or pancakes. It works well and seems good quality.
Chopper: Another extremely useful tool. It comes covered in a plastic guard, though, that is really annoying to get off and left me feeling like I was going to chop off my fingers just to get it open. Once open though, it's brilliantly functional. The plastic container gets pretty much scratched on first use, but if you have to chop a small amount of anything, it's so easy and fast to pop it in here. You can also use it for small servings of sauces.
Jug/Beaker: I found this basically useless. Since it doesn't have a pouring spout, I really just prefer to use one of my own jugs.
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Design/Look
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I think the look is overall good. While the silicone/rubber is there for ease of use and helping you to hold the blender, I always hate silicone materials because they pick up dust like nothing else on earth. So, as a result the top of your blender will always be dusty, not something brilliant when dealing with food. Other than that, the sleek black and silver look is nice, looks professional, but looks aren't as important as doing the job. Thankfully, it blends well. The blades are razor sharp and the metal base seems great quality. The bladed section can be removed (though it can be tricky to press the buttons to do so) and stored away from children safely.
The only stand-out of the design is the wavy shaped bottom that I discussed above. The cord is a reasonable length, but could be a bit short for some, depending on where your plugs are.
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Summary
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Overall, this is a good immersion blender. If you're looking for function and quality that purees well, you have it here. Depending on the price at the time it could be a great buy. However, there are definitely some things to look out for that could be a dealbreaker for certain people and while it's up there in terms of being a great blender, I feel some better design choices could have been made.
Pros:
+ Blends really well and completely.
+ You can choose your speed.
+ Nice professional looking design.
+ Wavy bottom allows food to flow better and get pureed easier.
+ No splashing.
+ Comes with multiple accessories.
+ Turbo button allows more than top speed instantly.
+ Seems good quality.
Cons:
- Speed dial feels a bit gimmicky/pointless.
- Buttons are super hard to press and kept held (something you must do to make it work).
- It's pretty heavy and cumbersome.
Note: Comes with a whisk, a chopper and a tall beaker/jug.
Recommended: Yes, if you're new to hand blenders and want a good quality one, or don't mind some of the negatives listed above!
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L'Oreal Paris Men Expert BarberClub, Hair + Beard Styling Cream
Firstly, I was a fan of the finish of this. It has a matte style finish and feels similar to a pomade or light wax in the hair. It works well to style hair or beards that need a little taming, but isn't strong enough to tackle thick or difficult to... +
Firstly, I was a fan of the finish of this. It has a matte style finish and feels similar to a pomade or light wax in the hair. It works well to style hair or beards that need a little taming, but isn't strong enough to tackle thick or difficult to manage hair. I'd recommend it with anyone with medium thickness (or less) and tameable hair. Those with hard to tame or thick hair on their beard or head, might find a different one better.
Since I have short hair, I frequently use men's product's, but I tried some of this on my partner as well. I wouldn't recommend this for use for short-haired women (but you do you!) simply because it has a very masculine, woody smell. I really like the smell and find it pretty sexy, but it is very strong, so if you wear a lot of aftershave or scent and don't want it to clash, this might not be a product for you. I'd describe it as medium hold, it holds well, but won't last all day or survive windy weather.
Overall, it's a pretty good product for average hair, with a strong scent.
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Fotemix Banneton Proofing Basket
I've never used a Banneton before, so please note that I will be comparing this only as a first experience using one and can't say how it compares to other Bannetons. I do see some reviewers complained about the shape and pattern of the bowl, but... +
I've never used a Banneton before, so please note that I will be comparing this only as a first experience using one and can't say how it compares to other Bannetons. I do see some reviewers complained about the shape and pattern of the bowl, but this is actually how a traditional Banneton looks (from what I researched), though you can also get them in a more oval shape if you desire. Sourdough breads often need a Banneton, but I choose to use it for regular bread rolls, which you can also do. Make sure you have researched Banneton's as many bakers don't believe in washing them (ick) and others have complained that bugs come to visit, some suggest storing them in the freezer, basically there's a lot to learn with a product like this, if you're buying as a novice baker!
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Banneton
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My first impression was not great. Rattan Cane is apparently a natural and common thing for Banneton's to be made of, but I found I didn't like the smell very much. I don't believe it's chemical as some have stated, I think it's the natural Rattan smell, but it is quite pungent. I did give it a wash (Note if you do this you MUST make sure it dries well, there are so many nooks and crannies and don't submerge it) and this seemed to help, but it still smells of Rattan.
The reason my first impression wasn't great, was because some of the Rattan was peeling and the staples could be seen. It wasn't as bad as their 'Bad Rattan' product picture listing, but not perfect either. Again, this could all be normal for Bannetons, but I've never used one before and can't say. Other than the look, I wasn't fond of the idea of the 'spiral' pattern, so I was happy they included a cover, so that I could make a round bread with a flat pattern. If you use the liner cloth, you won't get any spiral pattern and it will simply be a round, un-marked loaf. I definitely found, using this Banneton that my bread rose so much more than usual. I usually use a bread maker for the whole process, though I often make rolls that I let rise and then bake. For this, I tried two different types of Banneton bread (just search for a Banneton bread recipe, there are a lot!) and enjoyed them both.
Another thing I found strange was that the linen liner seemed to leave little fluffy hairs all over my bread, not exactly appealing, but I live with cats so it's not out of the norm for me to eat hair. I do wonder though, if other Banneton liners have this issue. I washed it before use, though hung it up to dry, so you'd think any fluff would be washed off. Apart from these problems, I actually liked it. My bread rose a lot better and it was nice to be able to make a big, round rustic looking loaf. The breads I made with it tasted yummy.
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Accessories
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It comes with a bread lame and a scraper. Of these, I was most excited for and disappointed by the Bread Lame. I bake wholewheat rolls every week and was looking forward to an easy way to slash them, but frankly, I found the Lame ineffectual and as a result dangerous. Firstly, it's very sharp, like a straight razor, that's to be expected, but the cover is pretty dangerous. Like, to take the cover off, you have to press down and then pull, which definitely has the potential to go wrong, especially as it's natural to have your finger underneath when pulling in such a way. I was being very careful and still nicked myself before I realised, since at first you aren't sure how it's going to come out. Because pressing the 'lock' is tricky, you might inadvertently pull it too hard, fumble it and hurt yourself. I'd prefer one that was sharp on only one side, with a smoothly removable cover to prevent accidents. It's also difficult to leave it to dry with an exposed blade, and I dried it carefully and replaced it, but there must have been a drop of water in the cover and it came out rusty next time.
Given all that, especially how sharp it was, I expected it would cut the bread easily, but it really didn't. I was having such a hard time getting it to cut the bread (slashing with the sharp side, obviously) that I was worried about cutting myself. In the end, I threw it out and decided to just use a sharp knife (which worked great).
The dough scraper I actually really liked. Because it's plastic as opposed to metal, I can use it on my non-stick surfaces as well. It's the perfect shape for manipulating dough, I already have a similar one in metal, but prefer this for cooking/baking and have sent the metal one to my craft desk!
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Summary
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It might sound like I hate this Banneton and I definitely had some problems, but overall the price is really low and it actually worked well. I didn't dig the natural Rattan smell, peeling, staples or ineffectual yet dangerous Lame. That being said, I like the experience of using a Banneton, this price is lower than a professional one, it comes with a liner and I also loved the dough scraper. I believe I'll continue to use this Banneton, but not the included lame. It might be cute if it came with some recipes too, but I'm not going to mark them down for that.
Pros:
+ Works well as a Banneton.
+ Comes with a Bread Lame, liner and dough scraper.
+ Has traditional Banneton spiral pattern/shape.
+ Helps Bread to rise better and makes large rustic style loaves.
+ Also a must for Sourdoughs.
+ Comes with a very handy dough scraper, which I loved.
Cons:
- Has a strong Rattan smell (reduced with washing).
- Had some peeling points and staples could be seen.
- Bread Lame is too easy to cut yourself on, protective cap is tricky to get off without accidents.
- Bread Lame had trouble cutting bread despite it's sharpness.
- Liner left tiny fluff hairs on my bread (I did wash it, so not sure why).
Note (You should know):
- Banneton's require a certain type of care, so do your research!
- Be aware if you only brush and don't clean, you could attract insects.
- A Banneton is for proofing/rising only and should be used to cook the bread inside. Place the bread in the Banneton (with or even without liner for spiral pattern) and cover with a dishtowel. Banneton should be face up (looking like a fruit bowl). Remove bread before baking by turning the Banneton upside down!
- Bread Lame is for slashing rolls 'after-rise' so they can rise while baking without collapse.
Recommended: I would say yes. If you're a beginner baker or curious about Banneton's, it's a low price to see if you like it, but the quality is not professional (reflects the price) and it's far from perfect.
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Calphalon Nonstick Bakeware Baking Sheet 2-Piece Set
I've previously only used the dirt cheap pans you pick up at any grocery store and wow, these are a massive difference from that. The word quality comes to mind and sticks there immediately upon opening this set of baking trays by Calphalon. They... +
I've previously only used the dirt cheap pans you pick up at any grocery store and wow, these are a massive difference from that. The word quality comes to mind and sticks there immediately upon opening this set of baking trays by Calphalon. They are thicker, heavier and noticeably improved over thin and cheap baking sheets and it shows in cooking times. They conduct heat much better, though they heat up more slowly due to their thickness, they heat evenly and don't warp, I'm really impressed.
They're also quite a bit bigger than I'm used to, making them ideal for big families or cooking multiples at once, sadly this means they won't fit in my toaster oven, but for a regular oven they are brilliant. The brand name and size is stylishly embossed in the centre of the trays, but didn't leave imprints or interfere with my food, it's only very slightly raised. I'll come back and update this review over long-term use, but for now, I'm very impressed. Food simply slides right off these with no issues at all.
They are non-stick, which means absolutely NO abrasive scrubbers or metal utensils on these baking sheets. I do like that Calphalon very helpfully also suggested not using aerosol cooking spray (like pam) as I had no idea that had an effect on non-stick and it's a really good thing to know. For me, the most important thing about these baking sheets is the full lifetime guarantee. When a company stands by its products for life, even if there's a problem you can get a replacement, so it's a really good sign. I feel like these will stand the test of time, but I'll try and come back in a few months (or sooner if there's a problem) to let you all know!
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Summary
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Overall, these are a little more expensive than the bakeware I usually buy, but the lifetime guarantee and stunning quality make it worth it. Food slides off like a dream, the pans are thick and sturdy and the food cooks more evenly without warping the baking sheet. These are very large, so make sure that you'll be able to fit them in your dishwasher or oven before purchasing. Size is 12" by 17".
Note: I don't have a dishwasher, will be washing these by hand and thus can't comment on any issues stemming from dishwasher use, but it does say they are dishwasher safe.
Pros:
+ Amazing quality.
+ Thick and sturdy.
+ No warping.
+ Food slides off the non-stick surface easily.
+ Food cooks a lot more evenly than on my cheaper trays.
+ Large size.
+ Lifetime guarantee!
Cons:
- Large size might not fit in some smaller ovens or dishwasher.
Note (You should know):
- Heavy.
- Can't use metal utensils or aerosol cooking spray on them (will damage).
- I am currently in the process of testing long term (updates to come in a few months. Written April 2019).
Recommended: Yes, the quality is wonderful and cooks food really well, but the lifetime guarantee sells it!
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Smithcraft Silicone Collapsible Funnels
Previously the funnels I've used are a hard plastic and not nearly as useful. For example, one thing I didn't initially realise about these, is as well as being all different sizes, the holes are different shapes and sizes as well. This means that... +
Previously the funnels I've used are a hard plastic and not nearly as useful. For example, one thing I didn't initially realise about these, is as well as being all different sizes, the holes are different shapes and sizes as well. This means that it's not just a different 'cup' size, but you can find one to fit almost any shape and size of item. The reality is I often found myself wishing I had a funnel for solids more than liquids. For example, when pouring pasta, candy, or literally anything from one container to another. In this regard, the large blue funnel is genius and means I have absolutely no clean up when pouring anything from one spot to another. Out of all the funnels, I've used that one the most.
I also found with my old funnels that the hole on the bottom often wasn't big enough and liquid 'backed up', that doesn't happen here. The only negative to these is my complaint about any silicone tools. Silicone is a nightmare for picking up dust and hair, so you often find yourself rinsing these before use. It's a trade-off to have the ability to flatten these. Let's talk about that, I absolutely love that they're able to be flat, it was what drew me to the idea of silicone funnels in the first place. My other funnels get stuck in the drawer constantly. These never do. Flattening them isn't as easy as just pushing (except for the black one, which flattens easiest), there is a knack. Start pushing the centre down and then use your whole hand to 'press' all over. Once you feel how it goes, the 'trick' as it were, you'll be able to flatten them super easily in the future.
It's been a while since I found a small kitchen tool this handy, or this much of an improvement over my old version, but that's what these funnels have done for me! The price is brilliant too. My old funnels are now relegated to craft use and these are in my kitchen. All hail the funnel!
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