Brand & Type: Costco Kirkland 8 Quart Tri-Ply Clad Stock Pot Dutch Oven

Rating: high

Price: low, sold in a set

Description: 8 quart tri-ply clad dutch oven, stock pot with lid

Pros: widebase, high sides, stainless steel clad design, great stainless steel lid

Cons: none

Conclusion: We came across a set of tri-ply clad cookware in Costco and decided to give it a try. One of the big reasons we thought the set was a great deal was this 8 quart dutch oven. The entire set was $200 and includes 13 pieces.

The design of this 8 quart stock pot is really great for making stews, soups and chili. This is not exactly a soup pot since the base is relatively wide and the sides are not as high as a true soup pot. All Clad has an 8 quart dutch oven that is similar but the sides are lower, more like a dutch oven than a stock pot, but the price is much higher. The set also includes lids that fit tight and they are all stainless steel, which we like much better than tempered glass.

Testing the stock pot

We decided to test this pot with a batch of french onion soup. That way we could see if there were any hot spots over the long cooking period.

How To Make French Onion Soup

We started with 10 large onions, ~ 7 1/2 pounds with about 4 tablespoons of butter, a little salt and pepper.

first image 2:45 pm

The pot was perfect, no hot spots and the onion caramelized without any problem.

third image 4:47 pm

fourth image 5:00 pm

fifth image 5:15 pm

Brand & Type: Kirkland Costco Tri Ply Clad 13 piece Cookware Set

Price: low, around $200

Rating: so far unknown

Description: 13 piece clad cookware set, includes:

• Covered saucepan: 1.5 qt.
• Covered saucepan: 3 qt. (w/ steamer insert)
• Open skillet: 8.5"
• Open skillet: 10"
• Covered everyday pan: 11"
• Covered sauté: 4 qt.
• Covered stockpot: 8 qt.

Pros: clad construction, many pieces, great price

Cons: wish the set included a 12 inch fry pan

Conclusion: This set just proves that great cookware does not have to cost $260 for an 8 quart stock pot. We came across this set while looking around Costco and were very surprised to find something that we liked. Most of the cookware sets they carry are lower quality, either non-stick or lightweight and flimsy.

While we have not directly used or tested the set it was heavy and strudy. Feels more like Viking cookware than All Clad, since it seems a little thicker than All Clad. Other than the lack of a 12 inch frying pan we really like the inclusion of an 8 quart stock pot/dutch oven.

The 8.5 inch pan is a little small but all the pieces have a great feel and the handles were very comfortable. We really liked the stainless steel lids, too often Calphalon includes glass lids with their pieces.

For $200 this set is really very well made and should perform perfectly. Consider that Viking or All Clad has single pieces that are more expensive than this entire set and from a visual inspection are hard to differentiate.

In the last few years Target has been carrying better kitchen appliances and their microwaves from LG are the latest designs. We really like the addition of the toaster oven in the LG.

If you are in the middle of a kitchen remodel and are looking aroud at all the out-dated appliances you have, one of the best and most reasonably priced ways to improve your kitchen's look is to get a modern microwave.

These new mircowaves from Target are modern and have the features you will need for a great new look. 

LG Stainless Steel Combination Microwave Toaster

• Sleek powerful microwave with built-in toaster
• 10 power levels, auto and rapid defrost, reheat, 6 auto cook options
• Child-safety lock
• Keypad controls and LED toaster indicator
• Recessed 12" dia. turntable

The microwave ovens are available at target.com

A new microwave oven is a pretty cheap way to add a little of the modern to your older kitchen. Plus many of these models are much more powerful and larger then what you are replacing.

If you are in the middle of a kitchen remodel and are looking aroud at all the out-dated appliances you have, one of the best and most reasonably priced ways to improve your kitchen's look is to get a modern microwave.

These new micorwaves from Bed Bath & Beyond are modern, large and powerful. The new red color from KitchenAid is especially interesting for a new look.

Cuisinart Stainless Steel Microwave Oven

Featuring a stainless steel interior and 25 preprogrammed settings, this microwave oven supplies the ideal cooking environment. It features touchpad controls with LCD, a rotating 12" glass tray and eight preset menu options. Model CMW-100

KitchenAid Red Countertop Oven

This countertop oven combines durability with style and performance. With a spacious .5 cubic-foot interior, it's ideal for baking a whole chicken, roasting beef tenderloin or toasting hors d'oeuvres. It's also excellent for reheating pizza and toasting bagels or bread. Model KCO1005

Sharp Mid Size Silver-Tone Stainless Steel Microwave

Easily select times and power levels on this microwave with the precise auto-touch controls. With the six reheat options, often-served foods such as beverages, pizza, rolls and muffins are easy to heat. The six cook options ensure perfectly cooked popular foods for one or six servings.Model R-315JS

The microwave ovens are available at bedbathandbeyond.com