Charcoal Chimney Starter

This is one of the best outdoor cooking accessories you can purchase because it makes lighting the charcoal quick and easy. Chimney starters are usually steel cylinders that are about 8 inches in diameter and 12 to 18 inches in height. They are used to light the charcoal by having newspapers placed underneath the grate of the device and lit on fire with a match or lighter through the holes in the bottom of the chimney’s sides.

Cordless Outdoor Grill Light

Another of the very handy outdoor cooking accessories that you can use is the cordless outdoor grill light. This is a light that uses long lasting LED lights instead of fragile bulbs, making it last as long as possible and ensuring that it will be able to withstand the wear and tear of your camping adventures.

With it you will get reliable, weather resistant light without ever having to change a bulb again. As well, unlike the standard bulbs, LEDs help by illuminating the food without extra glow that typically reflects off of grill surfaces. This is important because it means that it will not be as difficult to judge the doneness of your meat and other foods.

Motorized Grill Brush

There are the good ole regular grill brushes which of course work just fine, but then there are always new and more technologically advanced outdoor cooking accessories coming out, and the motorized grill brush is one of these. This is easily one of the newest outdoor cooking accessories, and one that every enthusiastic camper will want to add to their collection.

This grill brush makes cleaning your grill quick and easy, and takes away the difficult manual labor that is required by other brushes. When used with the right grill cleaner it will help keep your grill clean and free of rust and corrosion.

There are also many other accessories that you can purchase such as the meat thermometer, single burner stove, cooking grid, silicone basting brush, and drink holders. If you want your next camping adventure to be the best it possibly can be, then you will want to supply yourself with the best cooking accessories. This will ensure that you and your guests all stay full and happy and that you can really make the most of your experience.

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How many times have you cooked something with commercial cooking sprays, only to notice the chemical taste when you’re done?  Have you ever wished that there was a way to get the convenience of a cooking spray, but without the artificial taste of most of the canned cooking sprays from the supermarket?

Luckily, the food industry has heard your cries for a new product.  You can now find olive oil cooking spray in just about any supermarket.  Olive oil cooking spray works in the same way as those other sprays, but it contains the health benefits and fantastic taste of olive oil.

Olive oil cooking spray may be a new product, but cooking with olive oil is no secret to people who want the best flavor for everything they cook.  Family cooks and professional chefs alike all swear by olive oil for its superior taste and ease of use.  Now, using olive oil to grease your pans or sauté your onions is even easier than before.

Also Available in a Reusable Container

Olive oil cooking spray ordinarily comes in the same pressurized aluminum spray container as other commercial cooking sprays.  However, you can also find special refillable spray containers at any good kitchen supply or gadget store.  These extremely handy gadgets let you make your own olive oil cooking spray at home for a fraction of the cost of the non-reusable containers from the supermarket.

To make your own olive oil cooking spray, you simply fill the chamber of the sprayer with a small amount of olive oil and then pressurize the oil by pumping a special lever on the top of the bottle.  You can then spray a fine mist of olive oil cooking spray onto your cooking surface.

This method of making olive oil cooking spray is much better for the environment than using disposable cans of spray from the supermarket.  In some cases, it may also be healthier: some commercial brands of olive oil cooking spray contain additives in addition to the olive oil.

Choosing to use olive oil cooking spray, whether it’s from a store-bought can or a special pump container, can make your cooking lighter, healthier, and tastier than ever before.  The health benefits of olive oil are often talked about, and every day we learn more about how great this oil can be for our health. 

Using olive oil cooking spray instead of shortening or lard for oiling your baking pans can cut out several hundred calories without losing any of the delicious food to pan stickiness.  And if you can cut some calories, you’ll have room for even more of your delicious healthy cooking!

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There is just something about cooking outdoors whether it is over an open flame or even a gas grill that makes everyone a chef, even if you are not adept indoors over a stove. That is why many people love to shop for outdoor cooking grills for sale at their local sporting goods store or other outdoor supply place.

Charcoal or Gas?

When you shop for outdoor cooking grills for sale, the inevitable question out of the salesperson’s mouth is going to be “charcoal or gas?” The food cooked on these grills does have distinct flavors and therefore, it is important to decide in advance what your preferences are. Some people enjoy the slightly charred taste of food cooked over an open flame with wood and charcoal while others enjoy the grilled taste of food over a gas grill flame.

Outdoor cooking grills for sale will come in a variety of shapes, sizes, grill types and yes, even colors and types of metal used in its construction. Of course, the gas grills will be made slightly different as they have to accommodate a propane gas tank which is used to fuel the fire for cooking.

Maintenance and Supplies

When shopping for outdoor cooking grills for sale and trying to decide between gas or charcoal, you should also consider the extra costs in maintaining the grill as well as the supplies you need. With the gas outdoor cooking grills for sale, you have to purchase the propane gas tanks for it and remember to check the gas levels periodically and spend money to keep them filled up for your use.

With the charcoal and wood outdoor cooking grills for sale, you have to purchase the charcoal and wood pieces in addition to charcoal lighter fluid to hasten the flames. Periodically, you would have to remove the ashes from the charcoal based grill so that you would have room to put more charcoal and wood. In both types of grills, you will have to clean the grill grate of the stubborn cooked on pieces of food that get stuck on them.

The Final Decision

When it comes to outdoor cooking grills for sale, many people do end up making a decision based on their preference for food cooked outdoors on gas flame versus charcoal and wood flame, regardless of the cost of maintenance and supplies. After all, how your food tastes is of the utmost importance because you want to enjoy what you have cooked right? Just choose from the outdoor cooking grills for sale that fit your budget as well as your preferred outdoor cooking style and you will be a happy camper.

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If you want to make some tasty meals for your family with Dutch oven cooking, perhaps while camping, there are some useful tips that can increase the chances that your family will enjoy the meal.

Typically, Dutch ovens are made from cast iron or aluminum. The aluminum Dutch ovens have the advantage of being significantly lighter in weight. The aluminum version doesn’t need any curing and just like the cast iron types they have been designed for cooking on open fires and can be heated with coals.

The cast iron Dutch ovens have the advantage of being better at keeping their heat as well as being significantly more effective at evenly distributing the heat. Some experts of Dutch oven cooking claim that the aluminum variety adds a chalky type of taste to the foods while the cast iron dutch ovens provide a smoked flavor to the meals.

A Good Lid

Select a Dutch oven that has some legs and make sure the lid that is provided makes a snug fit for Dutch oven cooking. It’s a good idea to select a dutch oven that has a consistency regarding the thickness of the metal. Hot spots as well as cold spots can be created due to variations in the thickness of the metal in the oven.

Cast Iron

If you select a cast iron dutch oven for cooking meals the oven has to be properly cured. A Dutch oven that has been properly cured will not rust and will provide the inside of the pot with a surface that will keep your food items from sticking to the pot while Dutch oven cooking. After you have sufficiently cured the oven it’s a good idea to keep the cure and improve it by wiping the oven with a little oil, lard or shortening while the oven is dry and warm. Experts suggest that you never clean the Dutch oven with wire types of scrubbers or brushes since they can easily eliminate the curing that you have produced in the Dutch oven.

If you are going to do some Dutch oven cooking it’s also highly recommend that you purchase a lid filter which will prevent the lid from moving when you lift it. A wire handled type of hook is typically used while some prefer to use a more recent variation which combines a three legged type of a brace device with a hook.

In order to avoid your food from becoming dry, or burned on the bottom or not cooked enough on the top make sure to purchase the right sized coals and space them properly  in order to achieve the appropriate temperature inside the Dutch oven. You will want to use coals that are about the size of typical charcoal briquettes. Soon enough you will agree that Dutch oven cooking can provide you and your family with some excellent meals.

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What Type to Buy

Most people would be surprised to learn that there are actually quite a few different types of the cooking wok available. The carbon steel wok is the best, because it is so durable and able to stand up to years of wear and tear. There is also the option of a flat or round bottom for a cooking wok, and if you are cooking with a western electric range then your best option is going to be a flat bottom.

This is because round bottom woks can reflect heat back onto the element which will result in damaging it.

Size

Size is another important aspect to consider when looking for a cooking wok. Woks come in a variety of sizes and the size of wok that you should choose will mainly depend on the type of stove that you have and the amount of food that you are planning to prepare. Restaurants often use woks that are several feet long, whereas the average homeowner will only require a smaller sized wok.

Taking Care of Your Wok

Once you have found your cooking wok, it is important to take proper care of it. You should season your wok before using it for the first time and this helps by removing the preservative oil manufacturers place on the wok to prevent it from rusting. You should also clean the wok immediately after each use as this will keep it clean and prevent it from corroding.

To clean a carbon steel wok you should rinse the wok in hot water, gently lift off or scrub away food particles with a nonmetallic scrubber. Rinse the wok, and then dry the interior and exterior with paper towels. To finish drying the wok you want to place it over medium heat and then wipe the interior of the wok with a small amount of vegetable oil because this will help keep it from rusting.

A good wok when properly taken care of can last you for years and years, so it will be well worth it for you to take the time after each meal and clean and rinse your cooking wok out properly.

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Cooking outside is quite a challenge and as such you may need a few cooking supplies that are specifically made for outdoor cooking. These utensils need to be sturdy and hardier than those you use inside your home as they will be exposed to outside elements in addition to possible open flame and of course, being toted around with other outdoor gear.

Pots and Skillets

Perhaps the best material for your cooking supplies in regards to pots and skillets is cast iron or aluminum. Cast iron is best over an open flame, is quite hardy and the food cooked in it usually turns out great. Aluminum is best over an open flame as long as you have a grill or grate to set it down on, much like a burner on a stove.

A cast iron Dutch oven should be the first of any cooking supplies you purchase for cooking in the great outdoors. It is versatile and you can cook virtually anything you would in an indoor oven inside one of these large lidded cast iron pots. A cast iron skillet is a great addition to your cooking supplies too as you can also cook virtually anything you want on it.

Utensils

Cooking supplies, particularly utensils, need to be made of metal as plastic can easily become scorched or even melted. Metal utensils will not hurt your cast iron or aluminum pots and skillets and they are easier to clean, particularly when you need to use a steel wool pad for baked on messes.

Tongs and a long fork are important cooking supplies for the outdoors as they will keep your hands from being burned by the heat and flames of a campfire or camp stove. They are easy to manipulate and work best when cooking meats and when you have the need to turn things over without burning yourself.

A flat metal spatula, skewers and both a slotted and solid metal spoon should be added to your list of outdoor cooking supplies. The spatula is an obvious tool for flipping burgers and other food on the grill and skewers are a great way to cook meat and vegetables over an open flame without dirtying up a skillet. The spoons are important for stirring food as well as for the serving part of dinner plus they make a handy shovel when you need to dig a small hole!

Fireproof gloves or flame resistant mitts plus heavy duty aluminum foil are two final important items when purchasing cooking supplies for any outdoor adventure. Having pot holders that are flame resistant is important protection for your hands, particularly when you are cooking outdoors over an open flame. Also, foil is a much needed accessory to any outdoor cooking venture as you can line a grill, create food packets to place on the grill and you can even ball it up and use it to scrape off the grill! Choosing cooking supplies for your outdoor cooking adventures, whether in your backyard or camping should be considered with care and an eye for durability.

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The most confusing thing about cooking prime rib, for most cooks, is that prime rib cooking times vary significantly depending on many factors.  Variables that can affect prime rib cooking times include the thickness of the meat, the amount of fat on the cut, the moisture content of the meat, and the temperature of the meat when it’s placed into the oven. 

How Long to Cook Prime Rib

There are many charts and resources that will give you approximate prime rib cooking times based on the weight of the cut, but these are educated guesses at best.  While you can take approximate prime rib cooking times and make them work for you, the best way to cook your prime rib is to use a sturdy, reliable, and high quality meat thermometer.

A meat thermometer with a heat-proof probe that stays in the meat the entire time it’s being cooked is the most accurate way to gauge when your prime rib is done.  Forget trying to calculate prime rib cooking times or attempting to tell by sight or smell when it is done.  The only way to be sure it’s done is to use a reliable meat thermometer.

Even when you’re using a meat thermometer, your prime rib cooking times will still vary significantly based on the factors mentioned above.  However, knowing what temperature your prime rib is at will tell you the exact moment to pull it out of the oven.  This will be anywhere from 110 to 120 degrees, depending on how well done you like your meat.  After pulling the pan out of the oven, let it sit for a good 10 to 15 minutes.  The temperature will continue to increase for a few minutes and will then stop rising.  Then, and only then, your prime rib is ready to be served.

The well-seasoned cooks in your family will no doubt have all sorts of tricks for calculating prime rib cooking times that they’ll happily share with you, but if you want your meat cooked perfectly every time, stick with the thermometer method.  You may even impress those experienced cooks and win them over to your method.

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Anyone who enjoys the taste of charbroiled foods should know that there is a way to get that delicious flavor in your food right at home. Outdoor fireplace cooking is how, and this is a style of cooking that has become incredibly popular, especially over the past few years in particular.

Buying the Fireplace

Obviously the first step to outdoor fireplace cooking is going to be purchasing the fireplace if you do not already have one. There are a few things you are going to want to consider here. If you are looking for warmth then you may want to get an outdoor fireplace that resembles a traditional campfire because these devices allow many people to gather around and use it for heat.

If you are more concerned with appearance then be prepared to spend a bit more money, because for the really luxurious models the price tag can get quite high. Some of the magnificent outdoor fireplaces are fairly large and so you will also need to consider the size factor, and how much room you have to spare on your patio or wherever you are planning to put the fireplace.

Cooking

Now that you are ready to start outdoor fireplace cooking, you will want to come up with some great outdoor fireplace cooking recipes. One of the quickest and simplest outdoor recipes you can make is Eggs on a Raft. The only ingredients required for this recipe are bread, butter, salt, pepper, eggs, and a frying pan.

You simply take a slice of the bread and cut out a circle about two inches in diameter, then toast it slowly and lightly on both sides. You can use a kebob or forked stick to toast the bread, and after it is lightly browned you want to melt some butter in the frying pan, put the toast in the pan and wait until it begins to sizzle. The egg should now be broken and put into the hole so that the yoke will stay put. Once the egg begins to cook you want to sprinkle some salt and pepper and after it is cooked to how you like it, you can take it off and serve.

Another great recipe for outdoor fireplace cooking is French toast. This is another very simple recipe and all you need is milk, salt, pepper, sugar, butter, and syrup or jam. Break the eggs into a bowl, and then you add about a cup of milk, as well as the salt, pepper, and sugar. Then you want to beat this mixture with a fork, wet the slices of bread in it, and put them in a hot frying pan to cook until browned.

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If you have made it your New Year’s resolution to get more in touch with nature and the great outdoors, you might want to peruse through an outdoor cooking catalog. Being outside communing with nature and spending time with friends and family means that you are likely going to be doing some cooking outside the home, so you need to be prepared with a few cooking items.

Plethora of Information

An outdoor cooking catalog is going to have a lot of information when it comes to all the gadgets and other paraphernalia needed for cooking outside. Often times, the outdoor cooking catalog will have items that you will never likely see in the stores simply because the general public may not have a need for it but it could still be quite a cool and useful item.

Having a publication that is split up into various categories for utensils, pots and pans, cookware, gadgets and even stoves and grills can be quite helpful in breaking down your needs into manageable portions. An outdoor cooking catalog can make any purchase for cooking supplies be less daunting because it is so organized and easy to read.

Price and Comparisons

One of the best things about an outdoor cooking catalog is being able to compare similar items against one another at a glance. You do not have to make any special trips to a sporting goods or specialty store in order to do so, thus saving time and money for you. In addition, ordering out of a catalog for your outdoor cooking needs will save you money in the long run, not only in travel costs but also because the prices are usually cheaper than what you would find in a store.

Ordering from an outdoor cooking catalog doesn’t mean that you won’t have any warranties or money back guarantees. In fact, often times, items you order from an outdoor cooking catalog will have even better warranties and purchase protection than what you would buy in the store because they want your repeat business.

An outdoor cooking catalog, in addition to having more selections than a brick and mortar store, will help you if you do not have the time to travel to the store. You can page through the catalog in your spare time, place your order and then have it delivered straight to your home or office without driving from store to store finding everything you need. One stop shopping can be a life-saver when you are short of time but long on intent to have a good time with your outdoor cooking adventures.

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Outdoor cooking is very popular, and there are a few different reasons for this. For one, outdoor cooking allows large groups of people to come together and enjoy themselves, and so it is a great means of entertaining. Also, the food that is cooked here has a much different taste than the more conventional oven cooked food, and really offers a unique charbroiled flavor.

There is something really special about outdoor cooking although it does involve quite a bit of skill and innovation. With a little practice and some effort however, anyone can become a talented outdoor chef and learn to cook for their friends and family.

Getting Started

Anyone interested in cooking outdoors will first have to get the necessary equipment. The first and most important piece of equipment here is going to be what they will cook in. The two most popular options here are the outdoor fireplace and the outdoor brick oven. Both of these help to deliver the tastes and aromas that you are looking for and both have models that range from affordable to high priced.

It really depends on the type of outdoor cooking that you are planning on doing. If you are an experienced chef who is planning to cook regularly then it will be more worth it for you to spend a bit more money and get a high quality oven. If you are just a beginner and are not sure how often you will be using it, then the best idea, at least for now, will be for you to stick to a lesser priced model.

A grill may also be a useful tool here and will be a good purchase to make for cooking in the outdoors. This is because there may be certain foods, namely vegetables and legumes that will have to be grilled as opposed to cooked.

Recipes

Coming up with recipes for your outdoor cooking is one of the most fun parts. A good idea is to select a couple dozen recipes that you like and then make a little cookbook out of these so that you can use them in the future.

Bread is especially delicious when cooked in an outdoor oven or fireplace, as is pizza and most pasta dishes. The options are really endless here, and if you are serving for an event of some sort the best idea will be to ask around and find out what foods everyone likes so that you can create a menu that is going to satisfy everyone’s tastes.

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Crock pots (or slow cookers, depending on where you’re from) are an absolute blessing for the busy cook.  When you can just throw some ingredients into your crock pot in the morning and come home from work to a hot, delicious, nutritious dinner, you know that you’re utilizing one of the most beneficial kitchen gadgets ever.

Crock pot cooking is a simple way to cook healthy foods that can help keep your family away from the siren song of fast food on busy days.  Who has time to come home from work, help the kids with homework, tidy the house, wash the breakfast dishes, and make and eat dinner before rushing off to band practice or whatever other activity is happening that night?

When you use crock pot cooking to balance out your weekly meals, you can save valuable evening time that you would have normally spent cooking dinner.  If you decide to have pot roast for dinner that night, you simply throw the roast and some raw vegetables into the crock pot, add some spices, and cover with water.  Put on the lid, start the crock pot cooking on the low setting, and come home nine hours later to a fully cooked and nutritious meal.  Cooking doesn’t get any easier than that.

Not Just for Dinner Anymore

Crock pot cooking isn’t just about dinner, though.  Breakfast can join in the fun with an unconventional contribution from the crock pot.  Have you ever thought of using the crock pot cooking method for scrambled eggs?  Simply throw a few ingredients into the crock pot and then relax on the sofa reading the Sunday paper for a few hours.  By the time you’re ready for brunch, you’ll have a crock pot full of hot scrambled eggs waiting for you.

How about using the crock pot cooking method for a delicious dessert?  Apple desserts do especially well with crock pot cooking because their flavor increases as they’re allowed to steep in their own juices.  However, there are hundreds of other dessert recipes that take to crock pot cooking extremely well.

Even side dishes can get in on the crock pot cooking fun.  Making refried beans is so simple in a crock pot that you’ll wonder why you ever bothered to buy them in a can.  They taste so much better when fresh that you’ll never want to eat those canned beans again, anyway.

Easy and Healthy

Crock pot cooking not only saves you time – it can actually make you healthier.  By having a hot meal waiting for you at home, there’s no need to order a greasy pizza at the end of an exhausting day.  Crock pot cooking also lets you cook without added fat for most meals, so you save on calories and fat grams while making a filling and delicious meal.  There’s no kitchen appliance that benefits your family more than a crock pot while delivering such a great return on your initial investment.

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Chef’s Knife

The Chef’s knife is one of the primary knives you should have in your cooking utensils collection. It’s a knife that can be utilized for most tasks.  A high quality Chef’s knife will easily slice, mince, chop, dice and be efficient with most other tasks performed with a knife. Most of the Chef’s knives range in size from six to twelve inches with the eight inch knife being the most popular.

Bread Knife

If you make your own bread or you buy loaves of bread that have not been sliced, a quality bread knife should be in your cooking utensils collection. It can provide an even slice and will provide a nice appearance for the remainder of the loaf. Most bread knives have a serrated blade and they usually are about six to ten inches in length. The serrated blade provides a nice slice and is far preferred than other types of knives for cutting bread.

Paring Knife

It’s a good idea to add a paring knife to your cooking utensils collection since they are ideal for taking out seeds or making garnishes or taking the veins out of shrimp and can be used for other types of intricate tasks while preparing a meal.  Paring knives are typically about two and half to four inches in length.

Utility Knife

A utility knife is also an important knife for a small collection. Utility knives are medium size knifes and are designed for various tasks in the kitchen. It’s not a good idea to utilize them for heavy cutting procedures and it’s not designed for peeling small types of fruits or vegetables. Some varieties come with a serrated edge.

Boning Knife

A boning knife is appropriate for a collection of cooking utensils in order to take out the bones from the meat items that you have selected for your meal. They typically have a thin blade and are typically five to six inches in length. A

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One of the main reasons you want to use a cooking scale is for precision. Especially for larger quantity recipes, you will want to make sure that you have the exact right amount of each ingredient. When you use measuring cups they are accurate but not nearly as precise as scales. When a cup of flour is measured on a scale for instance, it is possible to add or take away flour until the scale measures the exact amount that you are looking for.

When you use measuring cups however, you are more going with an approximate amount and although this may not seem like that big of a deal it can have a major difference on the final result.

Repeatability is another benefit that comes from using a cooking scale, as once you have figured how much of an ingredient to put into a recipe, with a scale the next time you make the same recipe you will have a much greater chance of ending up with the exact same results as last time.

Types of Scales

There are actually a few different types of cooking scales. There are three in particular: balance, mechanical, and digital. A digital cooking scale will typically be the most expensive, but also the most convenient and easiest to use. A good digital scale will provide easy to read measurements with high precision and they work based on an electrical component strain gauge.

Balance scales operate by performing comparisons between known masses and the object to be weighed, and the mechanical scales use a platform mounted on a heavy spring to measure weight. The only problem with these scales is that springs are really not ideal because they may change compression rates over time.

Diet Scales

You can also purchase a diet cooking scale, which helps when you are trying to lose weight or just get in shape. These scales are fantastic and very accurate and help you to make sure that portion sizes are accurate and are a great kitchen staple for anyone who is concerned with their health.

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Do cooking measurements matter? When a recipe calls for a pinch of this and a dash of that, does it really matter how much you put in? What will happen if you leave an ingredient out?

If you’re an inexperienced cook, you wonder about the answers to these and other questions. Let’s take the mystery out of cooking measurements once and for all.

What’s a Pinch or a Dash?

A pinch of an ingredient (usually a spice) is literally the amount of the ingredient that can be held between your thumb, your index finger, and your middle finger. A small pinch is the amount of an ingredient that can be held between your thumb and one finger (take your pick which one you want to use). A dash, on the other hand, is a measurable amount – less than one-eight of a teaspoon but more than one-sixteenth.

Converting Cooking Measurements

Follow this table to convert U.S. measurements to metric:

1/5 teaspoon …. 1 ml
1 teaspoon …… 5 ml
1 tablespoon…..15 ml
1 fluid ounce…..30 ml
1/5 cup ………..50 ml
1 cup ………….240 ml
2 cups (1 pint)…470 ml
4 cups (1 quart)… .95 liter
4 quarts (1 gal.)….3.8 liters
1 oz. weight…….28 grams
1 pound ………..454 grams

What If It Gets Left Out?

Including all the minor ingredients is more important in baking things like cakes, cookies, and pastries, than it is in meat loaf, omelets, and salads. Generally speaking, it’s a good idea to follow the recipe. Whoever wrote the recipe experimented with the cooking measurements to get them just right.

Now, if you know you can’t stand the taste of cumin, and you want to substitute oregano for cumin in a meat loaf recipe, that’s one thing. But leaving ginger out of ginger spice cookies is just wrong.

Measuring Tools

The importance of cooking measurements has led to a whole industry of cooking measuring cups and spoons. One of the most popular cooking measuring cup sets today is a blue ceramic set that looks just like a big coffee cup, marketed by Nigella Lawson the beautiful and famous television chef.

The most popular measuring spoons are heart-shaped measuring spoons by RSVP International. These spoons have arrow handles and heart-shaped measuring spoons. They make the user smile every time they use them.

The final cooking measurement device every cook needs is a scale. The best scales are digital, with the ability to accurately weigh items in bowls or plates or on slips of waxed paper.

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You can even make bread with a Dutch oven as well as cobblers made with fresh fruit. Some campers have even made a tasty pizza with this nifty invention. Some camper guides to outdoor cooking will even recommend making a cake in a Dutch oven. You can basically make most of the meals that you make at home while camping if you cook with a Dutch oven.

While reading a campers guide to outdoor cooking that recommends utilizing a Dutch oven you will probably discover there are two types of cooking with the Dutch oven. You can place the food items into the Dutch oven or with the other technique you place the food items into another container which is then situated on a trivet which is placed in the bottom of the oven.

Aluminum Dutch Oven

Dutch ovens are made from cast iron or aluminum. The aluminum ovens are much lighter than the cast iron ovens. The aluminum Dutch ovens won’t rust and they are easy to clean up after your meal with soap and water. The aluminum models will heat up quicker when compared to the cast iron ovens, however you will probably have to use more coals for an aluminum oven.

Cast Iron Dutch Oven

Experts who write a campers guide to outdoor cooking typically recommend a cast iron Dutch oven when weight is not a primary factor for the campers. They retain their heat effectively and food will not burn as easily when compared to an aluminum oven. Cleaning up the cast iron Dutch oven requires more work than the aluminum version and rust can occur in the cast iron Dutch oven if it is not protected. You will have to perform a procedure to protect the oven from rusting after every time you have cooked.

A good campers guide to outdoor cooking will also provide some useful tips for cooking with a Dutch oven. When roasting meats and vegetables you will want a heat source that is situated on the top as well as the bottom of the oven. Place some coals underneath the Dutch oven and place some on the lid. While baking with the Dutch oven place coals on the bottom and on the lid but place about three times more coals on the lid. If you are going to fry some foods or boil a meal place all the coals underneath the Dutch oven. If you are going to simmer a meal place most of the coals underneath. There should be about four times more coals placed underneath than on the lid. A good camper’s guide to outdoor cooking will usually teach you how to use a Dutch oven and give you some easy recipes to take with you when enjoying the great outdoors.

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Pots And Pans Are All The Range!

Some of the most basic cooking equipment you can have comes in the form of pots and pans.  There are so many different pots and pans, each with a different purpose.  Saucepans are long handled pans that come in different sizes (most people have more than one) and they also come with lids.  Skillets, which can also be referred to as frying pans, have low sides and long handles.  These pans also come in multiple sizes, though the 10-inch ones and 12-inch ones are the most useful.  Other useful pots and pans to have include: woks, griddles, grill pans, omelet pans, kettles, double broiler, vegetable steamers, and specialty pans.

Gadgets And Gizmos For The Kitchen

There are many different cooking utensils and equipment that come in handy when you’re cooking up something special.  Some of them are essential to most recipes.  A good set of knives, for example, is a great tool to have in the kitchen.  Spatulas, whisks, and wooden spoons are great to have in an assortment of different sizes.  Measuring cups and measuring spoons are crucial when you are preparing most recipes. 

What’s The Necessity?

Some cooking equipment is more necessary than others.  For example, saucepans and measuring utensils are important when you are cooking just about anything—you wouldn’t be able to cook without them!  However, many other types of cooking equipment are just extra things that can be handy to have, but that are not actually necessary to the cooking process.

Items like egg separators, skewers, and tongs can speed up the cooking process greatly, or can accomplish a task with higher quality results.  However, if you are shopping for your cooking equipment on a budget, then it is best to skip over the extras and stick with the basic items you will need.

Cook Like A Pro

Whether you have been cooking for years, or you are just learning how, you cannot get anything done without a basic set of cooking equipment, so purchase some quality tools today!

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Gas And Charcoal Grills

Not too much needs to be said here. This one’s a no-brainer. If you don’t have one, you’re at least familiar with them. No conversation about outdoor cooking is complete without at least a mention of these types of grills. Nothing beats a picnic and some hamburgers and hot dogs cooked on the grill. Of course, anyone who has any experience with them knows how many other possibilities there are as well. Chicken and steaks and just about anything else you can think of can be cooked on a grill. If you get one with side burners you can expand your options even more.

Deep Fryers

One of the latest outdoor cooking crazes is deep frying turkeys. This method of cooking turkeys has been gaining in popularity over the last several years. Once you try a bird cooked this way, you’ll want to throw your oven-cooked turkey out the window. They usually come in the form of a pot that sits on a stand with a gas burner. They come in a variety of sizes and range in price from around $60 – $200 for a complete kit.

Dutch Ovens

Dutch ovens have been a favorite for a long time. Many people do all of their outdoor cooking in Dutch ovens. They are some of the most versatile outdoor cooking tools around. They are capable of simmering, stewing, baking, roasting and frying. You can cook anything from stews and casseroles to breads and desserts and anything in between. It is basically a large cast iron pot with a tight fitting lid. Some models have legs for use over a fire. The lid will usually have a small lip on it that allows you to place charcoal on top for even heat distribution. The idea is to make it cook similar to a slow cooker.

In addition to the outdoor cooking equipment mentioned above, there are various other portable grills and griddles available to meet all of your cooking needs. Whether you’re at the campsite or in your own backyard, these items can add variety and a lot of fun to your outdoor cooking experiences.

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Let’s go over the basic cooking supplies you need to set up your new kitchen. Then, you can get what you need at your local cooking supplies store and budget for the cooking supplies you can’t afford right now.

Dinnerware And Flatware

Nobody really thinks of dinnerware as cooking supplies, but you have to have something to eat on. If your style is distinctively casual, you can shop at thrift stores for mismatched plates, or choose a dinnerware theme of your own. A blue-and-white color scheme is a classic choice, and if you choose different patterns that are all blue and white, they will work together on your dining table.

If you like vintage dinnerware, look for estate sales or auctions in your area. You can get some great bargains on weekend estate sales on Sunday mornings, when all the merchandise is priced at 50% off the original price. If you discover a well-stocked kitchen at an estate sale, look for other cooking supplies you need while you are there.

You also need to purchase a good set of flatware. Again, you can find perfectly good flatware along with other cooking supplies at secondhand at estate sales and thrift stores. However, if you want perfect, pristine, unscratched flatware, buy it new. You will find flatware is quite reasonably priced.

Cookware

All cooks agree on one thing: you should buy the very best cooking supplies you can afford, and cookware is no exception. At a minimum, you will need a small sauté pan, a large sauté pan, a saucepan, and a large pot so you can boil noodles or cook rice. Nonstick pans are generally best, but be sure never to touch them with metal utensils.

Cooking Utensils

Cooked food is hot, and you need utensils to go with your other cooking supplies so you can stir and turn your food. Look for an assortment of wooden, plastic and metal spoons; a spatula; measuring spoons and cups; a whisk; and a ladle. You will also need a set of knives: a large butcher knife or cleaver, a small paring knife, and a long bread knife with a serrated blade.

Small Appliances

These cooking supplies are mostly a matter of convenience. You can toast bread under the broiler, but it’s so much easier if you have a toaster. Besides a toaster, you should consider getting a coffeemaker, a blender or food processor, and an electric grinder for grinding coffee beans and spices.

Setting up cooking supplies for your new kitchen is fun, and when you finish you can cook yourself a wonderful, home-cooked meal. 

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It seems like every cook has a drawer full of cooking utensils – way more than any cook needs. You can cook just about anything using just seven cooking utensils. What are the seven essentials?

No. 1 – Tongs

Tongs are a cooking utensil you simply can’t do without. With tongs, you can push spaghetti into boiling water, remove roasted Brussels sprouts from a baking sheet, lift sausages and hot dogs from the grill, and turn steaks without piercing them. Tongs are also great for reaching wine glasses or bottles of soy sauce that hide at the back of those high kitchen cabinets. If you use nonstick cookware, get silicone or plastic tongs.

No. 2 – Wood Spoons

Wooden spoons are another of those basic cooking utensils that every cook needs. Wooden spoons can be used on nonstick cookware, cast iron pans, glass, and steel. They are inexpensive and beautiful to display.

No. 3 – A Whisk

The whisk is one of the most versatile cooking utensils ever invented. Use it to scramble eggs and keep sauces and gravies lump-free. Use silicone or plastic whisks for nonstick cookware; otherwise, a stainless steel whisk is one of those basic cooking utensils you’ll use forever.

No. 4 – A Flexible Spatula

A thin, flexible spatula is the perfect cooking utensil for flipping pancakes, eggs, crepes, and hash browns. Don’t even think about trying to make breakfast without one.

No. 5 – A Grater

Graters aren’t just for cheese any more. This useful cooking utensil can shred cheese, grate fresh nutmeg, mince a piece of ginger root, or zest a lemon. Once you buy a grater, keep it handy, because you’ll use it every day.
 
No. 6 – A Ladle

One ladle serves many functions. You can use it to serve soup, scoop batter out of a bowl, or add broth to risotto. To use this handy cooking utensil as a measuring cup, fill your ladle with water and pour the water into a measuring device. However much water is in the cup, that’s how much liquid your ladle holds. Next time a recipe calls for that amount of liquid, you can use your ladle to measure it.

No. 7 – A Colander

A colander is another cooking utensil you will use every single day. Use a colander to wash fresh vegetables, drain pasta, or rinse berries or salad greens or canned beans. A colander is great to use anytime you need to separate food from water.

You don’t need a big drawer full of cooking utensils. With these seven items, you can make virtually any meal.

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