Thanks!
Apparently there’s still one branded “Barnies” store near Orlando, in Winter Park. That’s the only one I could find left using their “find us” feature.
1 Like
Wow. They used to be in every mall!
1 Like
Your dream, every retailer’s nightmare. Good Job!
1 Like
I don’t know if this fits in this category or not, but…
So, I was a bit bored and poking around on Amazon and saw this Enameled Cast Iron braiser. I wanted something large, shallow, had a cover and would fit in my convection oven. I stumbled across this “Bruntmor” braiser for $45. I was trying to justify (in my mind) this purchase and thought I have enough – is this a want or a need?? I started to click off of the item, when I got a message from Amazon that I could use my “thank you” credit card points to purchase this pan for free. Free – yea, sure… OK, I’ll bite – send it to me for free. Sure enough – the order went through and it arrived. I had no idea that you could use your credit card “thank you” points directly on Amazon, when did this happen?? Maybe I’m late to the party and they have been doing this for a while?? Its news to me.
My new braiser is going on its “maiden voyage” tonight, as I have a dish in mind I want to cook. Hopefully all goes well.
6 Likes
Congrats. It will function the same as the $400 name brand.
1 Like
I bought a red ECI Bruntmor tarte tatin pan. It was $32.99. So far, so good. I couldn’t bring myself to pay $150 for a le Creuset for something I would use only occasionally.
My Dutch ovens and braiser are all Staub or Le Creuset, however. One of my Staubs developed a hairline crack. It was never mishandled or shocked in any way. Mystery.
2 Likes
Thank you.
That is good to hear…
Yes… I read the reviews on Amazon, its hard to know how many of the reviews are factual.
I’ll give it a try… I’ve got nothing to lose, I didn’t really have any plans for those “thank you” points from the credit card company.
3 Likes
Is it a toaster oven size you’re talking about? I think this might fit my convection toaster oven.
1 Like
5 Likes
Big is why I love my Breville. I basically use my stove’s oven to store roasting pans and racks.
1 Like
That’s what I do now. My oven usually stores some CI. My $60 Hamilton Beech is my go-to.
I picked up my glass cooktop for $100, after my old one cracked. I miss gas, but have adapted well after 20+ years without it.
2 Likes
Looks like a good buy to me. I’ve been reading tons of Amazon 1-star reviews on various ECI Dutch Ovens. My daughter took hers back with her this semester so I don’t have one to use.
I spend so much time agonizing over the reviews that I may never get one. 
The only trend I note regarding item cost, is that spider cracking or outright flaking of enamel either in the pan or on the lid nips is more complained of in the less expensive brands than the Le Creuset (e.g.) cost level. But it’s not a large difference (few percentage points) and it’s also not a large percentage of reviewers for either cost level of product. So I’m starting to think I may just take a chance on a less expensive one, even though I seem to be a Lemon Magnet.
Regarding this{
My local Shell station has started asking if I wanted to use my Mastercard points. The first time it did so, the sun was blinding the screen and I hit “yes” thinking it was asking about receipt. I get home and my wife had gotten the notice of points used and was like, “What did you do??”.
I got this Calphalon 2.5 quart hard anodized aluminum (not non-stick) sauté pan with lid for $5 thrifting last week (the one in the foreground - background pan I just got today and it’s similar, but heavier by about 160 g).
When I got it I just thought it looked a little messy inside and figured I could clean it up for a daughter to use.
Once I got it scrubbed up I learned instead that somehow the owner has completely destroyed the hard anodized surface treatment. How they heck did they manage this? I understand HA surfacing goes about 400 microns deep.
Any ideas on how to rehab this fellow without trying to rig up a “home hard anodizing” process?
Maybe I’ll just try to season it like for carbon steel. I’ve got a hard anodized aluminum skillet that has taken seasoning pretty well, but of course it still has the HA surfacing. I don’t know if bare “regular” aluminum will take a seasoning, but it might be worth a try.
I also got this Instant Pot just before Christmas, never used and with manual/cookbook/accessories, for $12, and gave it to #2 daughter.
Yes… I do have an Amazon Basics ECI Dutch Oven (in addition to the Bruntmor Braiser). I purchased the Dutch Oven a few months ago. I’ve used it quite a few times and have no complaints (about either product).
As a matter of fact, I used (my dutch oven) yesterday to bake some bread.
As far as 1 star reviews, I don’t know what these people are doing to their cookware. I don’t use metal utensils, but other than that I just do regular everyday cooking.
2 Likes
I had been looking for an inexpensive small kitchen turner/spatula to use in my smaller skillets. When I need to sautee a small amount of onions for a recipe, I hate to dirty a large skillet; so I use a smaller 8 inch skillet. It always felt awkward using those normal sized kitchen turners/spatulas in my smaller skillet. I had been on the hunt for a small kitchen turner/spatula. Over the weekend, I found one at the Dollar Tree… YEA!! Problem solved for $1.25
(the dollar bill in the photograph is for showing size)
5 Likes
Grabbed this at a free yard sale. 12”. Seems to be from a JC Penny collection but feels pretty solid.
5 Likes
The handles are pretty, and at that price everything you make in it will taste a tiny bit better!
2 Likes
That looks a lot like the set I bought at Macy’s 15 years ago…its got tri-ply bottoms and i love them.
They’ve been used nearly daily, crossed an ocean twice, and still look almost new.
1 Like
Ah, I’ve never seen “taco” style handles!
