I share the following true story not to alarm anyone or put you off online shopping! I am a huge fan of online shopping -- it saves me time, money, and energy every single month (especially since I'm in a wheelchair).
Shop Safe - It's not hard
I am telling this story just to make you aware that you need to use normal common sense and caution online, just as you would in a physical store. It's fairly easy to determine whether an online merchant is legitimate, and fairly easy to see whether a legitimate online store has a good reputation and satisfied customers.
If you plan to purchase from a store you don't know, or haven't heard of, take those five or ten minutes to check it out before you place your first order. It is a good investment that can save you a lot of headaches and frustration (and money, too).
The True Story of a Near Miss
I came across an online store that sold "hard to find" TV series and movies. I was excited; they had a series I had been looking for a LONG time! The site looked very good -- nice design, good graphics, well-organized, with professional-looking "security certificate logos".
But then I started to wonder how they could supply something that was not available anywhere else . . . If a series has not been released on DVD, then it's not released, so how could they supply it?
Checking out the website
So, I clicked on one of the "security certificate" graphics and discovered that it led nowhere -- it was fake. Then I looked at the address bar on the checkout page and saw that it was not a secure ordering page, even though the site said it was (there was no "https" at the beginning of the url - the "s" indicates a secure internet connection; and there was no padlock on my browser to indicate a secure connection page).
Then I looked for a physical address, contact information, and contact person (something required by law for an online merchant as far as I know), and there was none. I don't think there was even an email address; and email is not sufficient in any case.
By that time I knew the site was fraudulent and I had no intention of buying anything (I must admit that I gave up reluctantly -- I really wanted that series!). However, I was curious to know what they were really "selling" and whether other people had run into trouble.
People who got burned
I googled the site name, and lo and behold! I found a string of complaints from people who had ordered off the site. Those who did receive something found that they were getting poor quality copies of programs that had been ripped off TV; someone recorded stuff and duplicated it on DVD to sell. Others received nothing, or partial programming of incomplete series.
Those who tried to contact the "merchant" to complain, or get their money back, obviously had no luck. There was no one to contact, and no place to contact them. Fortunately, they did report their experience for the benefit of other people.
The moral of the story is: if it looks too good to be true, it probably IS too good to be true! Nobody sells something for nothing, and "hard to find" items that cannot be found ANYWHERE else are definitely suspect.
Shop safely online for great prices on the Cuisinart Griddler GR 4
Monday, September 27, 2010
Cuisinart Griddler GR 4 -- Finding the Best Online Deal
If you want to find big savings on the Cuisinart Griddler GR 4 there are a few things you can try.
1) Do a Google search for the product (in this case "Cuisinart Griddler GR 4") and then look through the results for shoppping related sites that mention "discount" or "coupon" or "savings on" or other phrases related to a sale event.
2) Look for results that mention "free shipping" -- sometimes getting free shipping is worth more than a discount on the product price, because some companies make up for low pricing by charging very high shipping rates. Once you've gone through the checkout process, they count on the fact that many people won't want to quit and start searching all over again!
3) If you find a good deal from an online store where you have not shopped before, or that you haven't heard of, do a little digging before you purchase. Check the user reviews for the Cuisinart Griddle GR 4 - they will often mention whether they had a good experience with the online merchant. Check the online merchant's policies for shipping policies (deliver time, how they deal with lost or damaged items, etc.) for returns, and general customer relations. If it's a good-sized online merchant you should be fine purchasing from them, but it only takes five or ten minutes to do a little checking.
1) Do a Google search for the product (in this case "Cuisinart Griddler GR 4") and then look through the results for shoppping related sites that mention "discount" or "coupon" or "savings on" or other phrases related to a sale event.
2) Look for results that mention "free shipping" -- sometimes getting free shipping is worth more than a discount on the product price, because some companies make up for low pricing by charging very high shipping rates. Once you've gone through the checkout process, they count on the fact that many people won't want to quit and start searching all over again!
3) If you find a good deal from an online store where you have not shopped before, or that you haven't heard of, do a little digging before you purchase. Check the user reviews for the Cuisinart Griddle GR 4 - they will often mention whether they had a good experience with the online merchant. Check the online merchant's policies for shipping policies (deliver time, how they deal with lost or damaged items, etc.) for returns, and general customer relations. If it's a good-sized online merchant you should be fine purchasing from them, but it only takes five or ten minutes to do a little checking.
Monday, September 6, 2010
Cuisinart Griddler GR 4
If you're looking for a really good deal on the Cuisinart Griddler GR 4 you have come to the right place.
A lot of stores sell the Cuisinart Griddler GR 4 online, but going through all those stores can be very time consuming.
So I've found the most important product details that might help you out, and some good prices at Amazon.
Cuisinart Griddler GR 4 Product Features
can be used flat, too. Make sausages and bacon on one side, while you cook pancakes on the other!
Grilled sandwiches are quick and easy on
The floating hinge allows for THICK sandwiches with no problem!
When you click a link on this blog and make a purchase the blog owner receives a commission. This does not affect your purchase price in any way.
A lot of stores sell the Cuisinart Griddler GR 4 online, but going through all those stores can be very time consuming.
So I've found the most important product details that might help you out, and some good prices at Amazon.
(Free Shipping may apply)
Cuisinart Griddler GR 4 Product Features
- 4-in-1 unit functions as contact grill, panini press, open grill, and griddle
- Brushed stainless-steel housing; indicator lights; sturdy panini-style handle
- Floating hinge adjusts to thickness of food; adjustable temperature controls
- Dishwasher-safe nonstick cooking plates: 1 set griddle plates, 1 set grill plates
- Plates drain grease away from food for healthier cooking
- Measures 16-2/3 by 9-2/3 by 12-2/3 inches
- 3-year limited warranty
Grilled sandwiches are quick and easy on
The floating hinge allows for THICK sandwiches with no problem!
When you click a link on this blog and make a purchase the blog owner receives a commission. This does not affect your purchase price in any way.
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Cuisinart Griddler 4 in 1 Grill -- Cooking Meat or Fish
There's a reason why the Cuisinart Griddler has been popular for a long time. It's well-built, reasonably easy to clean, does the job well, and is covered by at three year warranty. So, as contact grills to it's a good choice from a reputable company.
Click Here for the best price on the Cuisinart Griddler 4 in 1 Grill
One of the things we do most often with our Griddler is cook meats, and my Mum sometimes does fish (I'm not a seafood fan!).
Typically we'll do burgers, which might be homemade burgers that we have prepared and frozen or we sometimes get frozen burgers from the grocery store. Either way, we go for burgers that are based on lean meat with no preservatives or other odd ingredients! If we find boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs on special that makes a really nice treat -- done on the grill they will come out quite tender as long as you don't overcook them.
Sausages done on the grill are also nice. And pork loin chops are good, too. With any meat done on a grill you have to learn how to time your food, because it does cook quite a bit faster than it would in a pan. If you're preparing other dishes, it's best to wait till everything is almost ready before putting your meat in the grill. That way you can take it out at just the right time and serve everything while it's hot.
You can also use the grill flat and do your breakfasts on it. Cook bacon & sausages on one side and put eggs or pancakes on the other (that would be a Sunday brunch treat for us!).
If you like fish it can be cooked very quickly on a grill. You have to treat it gently, especially if you have a delicate fish. You can actually try brushing the fish with a wee bit of oil and a use a sprinkle of lemon juice for extra flavor, then wrap it in aluminum foil and put it in the grill. It will "steam-grill" it's own juices.
If you put the fish directly on the grill I recommend brushing the plates first with a good light-flavored oil like grapeseed oil so that your fish won't stick. I do this with meat, too, using a silicone pastry brush because it can stand the heat. You only need about half-a-teaspoon of oil to do both plates when they are warm.
Other than that, play around with spices or marinades for your meat and fish. Sometimes a new flavor can be really delightful. Try adding some sliced onions and peppers to the grill just a minute or two before the meat is done -- they will roast in whatever juices are there but still have some "crunch."
Click Here for the best price on the Cuisinart Griddler 4 in 1 Grill
One of the things we do most often with our Griddler is cook meats, and my Mum sometimes does fish (I'm not a seafood fan!).
Typically we'll do burgers, which might be homemade burgers that we have prepared and frozen or we sometimes get frozen burgers from the grocery store. Either way, we go for burgers that are based on lean meat with no preservatives or other odd ingredients! If we find boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs on special that makes a really nice treat -- done on the grill they will come out quite tender as long as you don't overcook them.
Sausages done on the grill are also nice. And pork loin chops are good, too. With any meat done on a grill you have to learn how to time your food, because it does cook quite a bit faster than it would in a pan. If you're preparing other dishes, it's best to wait till everything is almost ready before putting your meat in the grill. That way you can take it out at just the right time and serve everything while it's hot.
You can also use the grill flat and do your breakfasts on it. Cook bacon & sausages on one side and put eggs or pancakes on the other (that would be a Sunday brunch treat for us!).
If you like fish it can be cooked very quickly on a grill. You have to treat it gently, especially if you have a delicate fish. You can actually try brushing the fish with a wee bit of oil and a use a sprinkle of lemon juice for extra flavor, then wrap it in aluminum foil and put it in the grill. It will "steam-grill" it's own juices.
If you put the fish directly on the grill I recommend brushing the plates first with a good light-flavored oil like grapeseed oil so that your fish won't stick. I do this with meat, too, using a silicone pastry brush because it can stand the heat. You only need about half-a-teaspoon of oil to do both plates when they are warm.
Other than that, play around with spices or marinades for your meat and fish. Sometimes a new flavor can be really delightful. Try adding some sliced onions and peppers to the grill just a minute or two before the meat is done -- they will roast in whatever juices are there but still have some "crunch."
Monday, July 19, 2010
Cuisinart Griddler GR4 -- Grilled Wraps
CLICK HERE for the best price on the Cuisinart Griddler GR4
Grilled wraps are another quick healthy meal you can prepare with the Cuisinart Griddler GR4. But ou do have to think a bit about your ingredients to make them as healthy AND tasty as you can.
Ingredients
Chop your vegetables the way you like them; they should be fairly small so they won't fall out of the wraps.
Mix your dressing and have it ready.
Putting the Wraps together
I use a silicone brush to coat the grill plates very lightly with oil.
Place three wraps at at time on the Griddler GR4, placing them carefully so that the rolled edge is underneath to keep them closed. Close the Griddler and press gently.
Grill at medium heat for 4-5 minutes, or to your own taste, but don't let the wraps get dried out. When you remove them they will stay closed very nicely (if you haven't over-filled them).
Serve Wraps
Roll each wrap in wax paper for a restaurant-type presentation. Makes it very neat to eat!
Serve with the extra dressing and hot taco sauce on the side, and fresh parmesan to grate into the open end.
Voila! A truly tasty meal that the whole family will love. You can cook the meat and chop all the vegies in advance, so it's a very quick meal to put together when guests arrive or you get back from the beach on a summer day. ENJOY!
Remember: wraps are a GREAT way to use leftovers. You can put almost anything in a wrap with a little imagination, and no one will know it wasn't planned that way . . . :)
Get the Griddler GR4 for a great price here.
Grilled wraps are another quick healthy meal you can prepare with the Cuisinart Griddler GR4. But ou do have to think a bit about your ingredients to make them as healthy AND tasty as you can.
Ingredients
- 1-2 wraps per person: size 6-8 inch (or use 10-inch wraps cut in half)
- 4 oz per person: lean ground beef or ground turkey, or boneless skinless chicken breasts (any lean meat you like)
- Vegies of choice: I like shredded iceberg, red leaf lettuce, fresh chopped tomatoes, chopped sweet onion (look for Vidalia onions), mushrooms, chopped English cucumber (they are less watery), bell peppers (red, orange, yellow & green), green onion (chopped small), fresh herbs (dill, parsley, or chives) Use your imagination!
- 1/2 ounce per person shredded cheese: use your favorite (mozarella, cheddar, monterey jack)
- Fresh parmesan (to be grated at table)
- Light or 95% fat-free cream cheese
- Dressing: Made with 3 parts fat-free plain yogurt and 1 part mayonnaise (I use Hellman's) You need enough to put a bit in the wraps and some on the side for extra while eating them. Make a cup or two and keep the extra; it makes a great salad dressing, too.
- Hot taco sauce (or your own favorite spicy sauce or salsa)
Chop your vegetables the way you like them; they should be fairly small so they won't fall out of the wraps.
Mix your dressing and have it ready.
Putting the Wraps together
- Spread a thin layer of the cream cheese on each wrap (keeps them from getting dry)
- Put 1-2 ounces of meat in the center of each wrap (depends on what size wraps you're using) and drizzle a little hot taco sauce over it
- Top with a little bit of each vegetable; be careful, it adds up quickly and wraps can get very full!
- Drizzle some of the yogurt/mayo dressing over the wrap fillings, not too much or it will get drippy
- Sprinkle on a bit of the shredded cheese
I use a silicone brush to coat the grill plates very lightly with oil.
Place three wraps at at time on the Griddler GR4, placing them carefully so that the rolled edge is underneath to keep them closed. Close the Griddler and press gently.
Grill at medium heat for 4-5 minutes, or to your own taste, but don't let the wraps get dried out. When you remove them they will stay closed very nicely (if you haven't over-filled them).
Serve Wraps
Roll each wrap in wax paper for a restaurant-type presentation. Makes it very neat to eat!
Serve with the extra dressing and hot taco sauce on the side, and fresh parmesan to grate into the open end.
Voila! A truly tasty meal that the whole family will love. You can cook the meat and chop all the vegies in advance, so it's a very quick meal to put together when guests arrive or you get back from the beach on a summer day. ENJOY!
Remember: wraps are a GREAT way to use leftovers. You can put almost anything in a wrap with a little imagination, and no one will know it wasn't planned that way . . . :)
Get the Griddler GR4 for a great price here.
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Cuisinart 4 in 1 Griddler -- What Can You Cook?
Click Here to Get the Best Price on The Cusinart 4 in 1 Griddler
If you've never used a contact grill before, you might wonder what kind of food you can cook on the Griddler. Maybe you've asked yourself if it really would be a useful tool in the kitchen. So, I'll answer some of those questions for you.
One of the best things about the Griddler is that you get very flavorful food, but not greasy food. Contact grills are designed to let the fat drain away from meats as they cook, but they also cook the meat very fast so it stays tender and juicy. You have to get used to timing your cooking so that things won't get overdone.
You can cook lots of different meats, from the usual burgers and hot dogs or sausages, to lovely tender pork loin chops. How about boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, done to perfection? Any time I'm cooking a lean mean cut on the grill, I will use a tiny amount of grapeseed oil, or olive oil, spread on the grill with a silicone brush (the silicone will not melt on the hot grill, and a 1/2 teaspoon of oil will do both sides of the grill). This prevents your meat from sticking and helps to seal the surface of the meat so the juices stay in.
Most grills come with instructions not to cook meat with the bone in -- like pork chops or bone-in chicken legs. And most of us have ignored those instructions! It's true that your bone-in cuts will not cook as evenly. The meat close to the bone will tend to overcook, while the thicker parts that have no bone will take longer. It can be done if you want, but be aware that it's not recommeded. I don't worry about it with pork chops, but I wouldn't try to do chicken wings.
If you like fish, the Griddler can be a great way to cook it quickly. When you're doing a delicate filet of fish I would open it flat, using whichever plates you prefer. Use a wee brushing of oil to prevent sticking and watch it carefully so you don't overcook it!
Some other things you can do very nicely on a grill:
If you've never used a contact grill before, you might wonder what kind of food you can cook on the Griddler. Maybe you've asked yourself if it really would be a useful tool in the kitchen. So, I'll answer some of those questions for you.
One of the best things about the Griddler is that you get very flavorful food, but not greasy food. Contact grills are designed to let the fat drain away from meats as they cook, but they also cook the meat very fast so it stays tender and juicy. You have to get used to timing your cooking so that things won't get overdone.
You can cook lots of different meats, from the usual burgers and hot dogs or sausages, to lovely tender pork loin chops. How about boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, done to perfection? Any time I'm cooking a lean mean cut on the grill, I will use a tiny amount of grapeseed oil, or olive oil, spread on the grill with a silicone brush (the silicone will not melt on the hot grill, and a 1/2 teaspoon of oil will do both sides of the grill). This prevents your meat from sticking and helps to seal the surface of the meat so the juices stay in.
Most grills come with instructions not to cook meat with the bone in -- like pork chops or bone-in chicken legs. And most of us have ignored those instructions! It's true that your bone-in cuts will not cook as evenly. The meat close to the bone will tend to overcook, while the thicker parts that have no bone will take longer. It can be done if you want, but be aware that it's not recommeded. I don't worry about it with pork chops, but I wouldn't try to do chicken wings.
If you like fish, the Griddler can be a great way to cook it quickly. When you're doing a delicate filet of fish I would open it flat, using whichever plates you prefer. Use a wee brushing of oil to prevent sticking and watch it carefully so you don't overcook it!
Some other things you can do very nicely on a grill:
- tortilla wraps -- sometimes I fill the wraps and then grill them lightly, other times I will warm the wrap flat between the griddle plates of the Griddler and then fill them at the table. If you're doing them flat try a low heat for 2-3 minutes so they don't get hard.
- Grilled sandwiches -- from traditional grilled cheese, to panini-type grilled sandwiches made with different breads, you can do anything your heart desires. Get creative with your ingredients; if you like open-face sandwiches do them with the Griddler opened flat.
- Grilled vegetables -- you can roast sweet bell peppers, mushrooms, carrot slices, onions. These are best done with the Griddler opened flat so the veggies don't get squashed. I like to toss them with a smidgen (that's a really small amount!) of oil so they won't stick will roast nicely.
- bacon, eggs, sausages, pancakes -- these typical breakfast or brunch items can be done on the open Griddler using the griddle plates.
- use your imagination! Check online for grilling recipes, what kind of marinades or spices can make things interesting, etc.
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Cuisinart 4 in 1 Griddler
If you're looking for information on the Cuisinart 4 in 1 Griddler you have come to the right place. There are a lot of stores selling the Cuisinart 4 in 1 Griddler online, but going through all those stores takes a lot of time.
So I've found the most important product details that might help you out, and some good prices at Amazon.
(Free Shipping may apply)
Cuisinart 4 in 1 Griddler Product Features- 4-in-1 unit functions as contact grill, panini press, open grill, and griddle
- Brushed stainless-steel housing; indicator lights; sturdy panini-style handle
- Floating hinge adjusts to thickness of food; adjustable temperature controls
- Dishwasher-safe nonstick cooking plates: 1 set griddle plates, 1 set grill plates
- Plates drain grease away from food for healthier cooking
- Measures 16-2/3 by 9-2/3 by 12-2/3 inches
- 3-year limited warranty
Grilled sandwiches are quick and easy on
The floating hinge allows for THICK sandwiches with no problem!
When you click a link on this blog and make a purchase the blog owner receives a commission. This does not affect your purchase price in any way.
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