Baking sheet pans are a necessity in any kitchen. They are a staple that every chef or home cook should own several of. Though often used for baking pastries and cookies, these pans are highly versatile. They can also be used for a wide variety of other tasks, such as a drip pan. Baking sheets come in a wide variety of sizes to suit varying needs.

The classic version of this pan is simply a flat rectangular sheet with a raised lip on one side. This lip helps the baker remove the sheet from the hot oven and the open edges are perfect for sliding cookies and other pastries off of the pan. Another version of these pans have a short lip around all of the edges. This variation is also referred to as a jelly roll pan. These are better suited for baking items that might run off, like brownies or candy bar type desserts. While they can also be used for items like cookies, the raised edges can make it more challenging to get the items off of the pan.

While baking sheet pans have traditionally been made from metal, some newer versions of this classic pan are being made out of rubber or silicone. Each material has advantages and disadvantages that chefs should consider when purchasing supplies for their kitchen.

Metal baking sheet pans are typically made of aluminum baking sheets m or steel baking sheets. Some also have a nonstick coating that helps prevent items from sticking to the pan as they cook. These pans can easily be found in a variety of sizes, including quarter size, half size, and full size. One of the greatest features of these pans is that they are durable and will last for years even with heavy use. They come in a wide variety of prices from very affordable to high end, fitting the budgets and demands of both small or large restaurants.

The primary down fall of metal baking sheet pans is that they can cause uneven heating, leading to burnt food items. This can even be a challenge when the pan is out of the oven because it retains heat for a long period of time. Removing hot items from a baking sheet pan may cause them to crumble and break. However, if you leave them on the hot pan for too long they will continue to bake and may burn or stick to the pan.

A new option on the market is baking sheet pans made from silicone. Chefs praise their ability to distribute heat evenly, making pastries and cookies perfectly browned. Silicone is nonstick, so it is very easy to slip baked items off of the sheet. Though not as easily available as metal sheet pans, silicone baking pans are becoming available in more baking sheet sizes as they gain popularity.

Critics complain that pans made from silicone cost too much and doubt their sturdiness and ability to last as long as their metal counterparts. People also worry because using silicone in this manner is relatively new, so there may be unforeseen safety risks with continually reheating this material. Silicone is also very flimsy. This makes the pans harder to carry and may cause the chef to burn them self or drop their food. It is also a challenge if you would like to cut the food while still in the silicone jelly roll pan. A little too much pressure and you can easily cut right through your expensive pan. Because these pans do not conduct heat as well, it also can be challenging to thoroughly cook the center of thicker food items.

Whichever baking sheet pan you pick, there are perks and downfalls. However, being informed can help you decide which pan is best for your kitchen. You might even find you prefer to use both depending on what you are baking. Another alternative might be to purchase silicone mats to use with your metal baking sheet pans, giving you the best of both materials.

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A trusty, high-quality chef’s knife is one of the most integral tools in any culinary enthusiast’s arsenal.  It has even been said that among all else, the most important item for prospective culinary students to bring to class is a dependable chef’s knife.  Whether you command a booming kitchen in the heart of New York City or just like to dabble in cooking, your chef’s knife is your best friend.

This tool has a multitude of uses, from cutting thick beef brisket to slicing delicate red tomatoes.  Making the right choice is important so time and consideration should be spent before purchasing your knife.  But, this doesn’t have to be a daunting task because knowing that you’ve chosen a quality knife will make your cooking life much easier and enjoyable.  Choosing a poor-quality knife that’s not right for you often results in accidents, sore hands, and regret.

The quality of your future knife takes precedent above all else.  A particular brand name can sometimes determine the quality of the knife way before any research is required.  Particular brands offer services well beyond just the knife such as free knife sharpening for life that really show just how much further a company is willing to go for their customers.  There are brands that are proven and trust-worthy and there are others that are not.  Some of the better brands include Forschner, Misono, Global and Shun.  However, you can’t always just trust a name.

You will also need to look at several characteristics of a knife to make sure it is a perfect fit for you.  The material used in the knife’s blade is an important consideration when shopping around.  Go cheap on the blade and you could end up with a dull blade in a few weeks of use.
High-carbon stainless steel, while being more expensive than its rival materials, is the best blade on the market.  It will stay sharper for longer and require less maintenance than plain stainless steel.

Another thing you want to consider about the blade is how it is made.  Some knives are stamped out of a larger sheet of steel like a cookie out of a slab of dough.  These are less expensive than forged knives, which are made from one single piece of steel and made into a single steel blade.  But, quality forged knives are truly pieces of art and will last decades with the proper care.

Once you have decided on the blade, it is important to think about how the blade connects to the handle.  How far the blade continues as one piece of steel into the handle is known as tang.  Generally, the more tang, the better the knife.  When you can see the blade running all the way throughout the handle, it is known as full tang.  With a greater tang, the blade is less like to become detached from the handle, which is an obvious no-no in the kitchen.

There are several handle options to choose from but like many other intricacies on a knife, cheaper materials bring cheaper products and results.  There is a trade-off in the area of the handle; Plastic is cheaper but easier to maintain than its more porous and bacteria-prone cousins, wood and rubber.  The weight and size of a knife is a more personal decision and can often only be determined when holding the knife.  Each individual will have a preference that others might not share.  You want your knife to be light and easy on your hands and wrists, but heavy enough to handle some of the bigger jobs you ask of it.  The sizes of most chefs’ knives have only slight variation.  Once again, you need to feel what’s right for you.

Lastly, you might want to consider buying a knife sharpener to keep that blade as sharp as possible.

Buying a new chef’s knife shouldn’t be something to fret over as this guide will help you determine what’s right for you.  Taking the time to weigh the options will pay off years down the road.  Opting for a quality knife might be more expensive but could yield a truly personal and Zen-like experience in the kitchen when the blade loses its separateness and becomes one with your hand.

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Every chef should have the proper tools to expand their creativity. If you buy a quality chef’s knife you can use it for a lifetime. There are so many types available, and the process of choosing can seem overwhelming. Different materials are used for making knives, this article will explain those and narrow your focus to find a knife that will best suit your needs.

The blade is what gets the job done. It is where the action is and the edge is important. Blades made of stainless steel are not very expensive, but once the sharpness of the edge is lost it can’t be properly sharpened again. That material might better suit a serrated edge knife. The serrated edge is less likely to lose its sharpness quickly. Carbon steel on the other hand, holds its sharpness well. Carbon steel requires careful cleaning, proper storage and may become dark over time. The discoloration is not a bad sign and it is really a matter of taste. If you would prefer your knife to not discolor, then high carbon steel would be the better choice. High carbon steel is used in professional kitchens, so it is a good knife for a busy kitchen. High carbon steel blades can be more expensive, but it is an investment in your craft and with proper care can last generations. Blades are either forged or pressed. Forged blades are molded with high heat. They are considered to last longer and are used in more substantial knives. Pressed blades are stamped out if a sheet of metal and are good for a lighter knife such as a fillet or an everyday paring knife.

The handle should fit well in the hand and be easy to maneuver. The handle can be made from wood, plastic or metal. Wood blades can be difficult to clean; they can harbor bacteria if not cleaned or cared for properly. Riverted blades are considered to be more durable. That is when there are two sides of the handle that are secured to the blade with pins. Molding of the handle is used mostly with plastic handles. What makes the handle good for a chef is how it fits within the hand. It must feel comfortable and not too heavy or it can be dangerous for the user. One should also consider the tang of the knife when purchasing. The tang of the knife it the part of the blade that extends into the base of the handle. A full-tang knife is one piece of metal that continues to the back of the handle. It can be expensive to buy a full-tang knife, and they can be heavy. A full-tang is especially good for cutting through tough meats or bone.

Learn how to clean and use it properly from your vendor before buying. Your knife will open up doors to the creativity in your kitchen. Buying a good knife can also make you more efficient in the kitchen and cut down on accidents. Chef’s knives are multipurpose and can be the keystone to a well-oiled kitchen.

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Have you ever been to a bar and watched in fascination as the bartender tossed bottles and shakers to and fro, marvelling at how they never seem to drop anything? Well, to be honest, I can’t teach you that, but using shakers is just as much an art as it is juggling them. One of the most popular cocktails ordered at bars are martinis and it’s even more popular to have then shaken rather stirred. Here’s how you make the perfect martini with shakers.

• Step 1: Ice, Ice Baby

Shakers don’t always come in the same sizes so start out by finding the three quarters mark on whichever shaker you’re going to be using. Fill the shakers up with ice up to that mark. If you put too much ice in shakers, there won’t be any room for you to shake the ingredients inside. Don’t worry if there’s too much ice though, you can always take ice out of shakers.
• Step 2: Fill It Up, Bartender

Once you’ve gathered the ingredients, pour them into the shaker. Again, when you’re filling shakers, don’t let the ingredients go past the three quarters mark otherwise you won’t be able to shake anything.
• Step 3: Shake, Shake, Shake-it

Step three is always the fun part. Pop the shakers lid on and make sure it’s nice and tight. Then pick it up and shake it like there’s no tomorrow. Well, don’t shake it so hard that the top pops off, but give it a good thirty second shake. While your shaking shakers, make sure that you have one hand on the bottom and one on top. This way the lid won’t come off and you won’t give the people you’re serving an alcoholic bath.
• Step 4: Serve It Up

Once you’re satisfied with that the martini has been shaken enough, pour into a chilled martini glass to keep it cooler longer. Shakers have a smaller cap on top of the lid that is meant to keep the ice in while you pour the drink so unless you want ice chunks in your martini, use that feature. Pop a green olive in for presentation and a contrast in flavour.
Knowing how to make a popular drink really is just the first step. Hopefully, now that you know how to make the perfect martini, it’ll fuel your thirst for knowledge just a little more. Who know, maybe in the future, you’ll start juggling some shakers and gin bottles yourself.

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For most people, shopping for anything always comes with the question of money in mind. Should you spend a little more than you ought to? Or should you tighten your pockets and purchase only items that fall within the specific price range that you had in mind? It would seem that this question applies especially to cookware.

Some people may reason that they don’t spend much time in the kitchen anyways and would thus have no need for expensive cookware. However, it’s always in the back of anyone’s mind that an impressive kitchen is always a nice bonus to have in the home. Allow me to let you in on a little secret, there actually is a way to both splurge on cookware but actually be saving money at the same time. Here are three useful tips:

* Buy in Sets

Whether you have taken on the challenge of cooking your own meals regularly or if you just enjoy having every available resource of cookware available within the confines of your kitchen, saving money on cookware while feeling like you’re splurging at the same time can be achieved through the purchasing of cookware in sets.

* Decide on A Material

Remember that the cost of purchasing certain kinds of cookware will be a clear indication to the quality of which the cookware is made and the materials used to make them. Most cookware is made from aluminium, stainless steel, copper or cast iron all of which have different reactions to heat and so on. A decision on which kinds of sets you want will make finding cookware easier for you.

* Put Some Elbow Grease Into It

The key in finding the right set for you is in the will to browse. Visit multiple cookware stores to find the different kinds of sets that they have to offer. Not only that, but look for stores that carry trusted and well known brands so that you know you’re getting your money’s worth. Marathon shoppers can attest that a little energy and motivation to walk around the mall and browse through different stores is essential to finding the best quality cookware and the best prices.

Think of it this way, you’re splurging by buying an entire set of cookware but at the same time saving because you’re buying them all together rather than individually. Not only that but once you’ve got all your cookware, why not take the money you saved and portion some of it out to splurge on some tasty ingredients for a meal you can cook at home.

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It’s really a big decision for you if you need to replace your broken and damaged refrigerator. You need to consider a lot of things when making your purchase. Always consider that the refrigerator you are going to buy will have to last for a longer time. Picking the wrong refrigerator can cost you loads of money because refrigerators are one of the more expensive home appliances that each home needs.

Refrigerators have changed through times to meet the demands of clients. One of the important things to consider when buying a refrigerator is the storage cabinet. Make sure that it has enough space for the foods that you are going to stock and that will depend on the size of the household. Check on the items that you usually put on the cold storage. The cold storage should be able to hold all items that your family is going to consume. Household that has two to three kids needs more space to store milk and some leftovers. Checking on how many foods you are going to store in your refrigerator will be a good start to identify what type you are going to buy.

One of the most important things to consider in buying a new refrigerator is the freezer room. You have to check how much frozen good you need to store in your freezer. Try to decide if you need to buy a separate freezer or not.

Refrigerators have two combination sizes; one is the 42”combination while the other is the 48”combination. The size of your refrigerator will depend on what you really need. Before buying your new refrigerator, check your kitchen space first for it might eat lots of space.

Over the years, different design of refrigerators had been made. Top freezer refrigerators are the most usual designs. If you want refrigerators that require less space you can opt to buying the bottom freezer refrigerators. If you want a separate freezer and a refrigerator you can buy the side by side refrigerator. If you want a stylish refrigerator, you can buy the built-in refrigerator. This refrigerator is both stylish and functional. If you just need small refrigerator, all you need is the drawer type refrigerator where you can store your snack and soda cans. These are some of the types of refrigerator that are available now in stores and online shops.

Lastly, the color is the most important thing to consider in buying a new refrigerator. The color of the kitchen should match the color of the refrigerator that you are going to buy. Today the most popular colors being manufactured are black and stainless steel.

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One of the best-kept secrets that food service establishments and businesses have known and used over the years is bulk-buying. Startup expenses, particularly in the purchase of equipment, can crank up the budget. To minimize the cost, restaurants and food services frequently turn to companies to buy essential items such as kitchenware in bulk. If budget is a concern, lionsdeal.com can offer you solutions if you are considering buying your wholesale kitchenware.

Advantages of wholesale purchases

Depending on their quantity, size, design, make and brand, kitchenware purchases can range from a few hundred to thousands of dollars. Since wholesale prices are significantly discounted, food service establishments can save a lot of money not just on single purchases but also on multiple or repeated buys. These savings not only help the company’s bottom line but can also be passed on to their customers, who can ultimately take advantage of the low prices.

Which items are best purchased wholesale?

Items that are frequently used en masse are ideal for wholesale purchases. These include smallwares, forks, spoons, knives, plates, bowls and service platters. These also require frequent replacement due to wear and tear, damage, breakage or even loss.

There are several advantages to buying kitchenware wholesale at lionsdeal.com. Here are just some of them:

Convenient search function for items and current deals

One major feature on the lionsdeal.com website is its search function. Although products are arranged by category and are easy to search, you can go straight to the available items by using the search box. Once you’ve typed in the keywords, the site will bring up available choices from their product lines.

If you want to purchase kitchenware in bulk, for example, you can type words such as ‘fryer baskets’, ‘plastic baskets’ or ‘melamine plates’ and the site will present items in your chosen category. This helps cut your shopping time significantly.

Shopping by brand

Most of the time, people prefer to purchase wholesale kitchenware from a single brand. This is to ensure that quality and appearance are maintained. Lionsdeal.com can recommend the best brands for a particular category of kitchenware that you are looking for — very convenient if you wish to consider only the leading brands. If you wish to compare brands side by side, you could also check out available products in a specific category of kitchenware.

Special deals

People looking for great deals on wholesale kitchenware can take advantage of lionsdeal.com’s weekly special offers. Huge discounts on featured items are frequently offered, excellent for more savings for bulk purchases.

Free shipping

Another great way to save when buying wholesale kitchenware is taking advantage of lionsdeal.com’s free shipping offer. For most purchases over $195, orders are not charged any shipping fees. Free shipping applies on standard shipments that can be shipped via UPS Ground.

Online purchase

Lionsdeal.com offers the convenience of making purchases online. Items are displayed based on a search keyword or category so it’s easy to compare prices, brands, models and sizes. You can choose items and view product details on the website prior to purchase. Once you’ve completed the transaction, you only need to wait for the items to be delivered to you.

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Melamine dinnerware has been used for a good number of years.Some of the earliest melamine tableware dates back to the late 50s and early 60s.Due to its flexibility and popularity as a product, it became, at least for a while, a threat to ceramics.Today, melamine is still popular for both residential and commercial use. Thinking of buying melamine for dinnerware? Here are the pros and cons you need to know:

Pros

Malamine durability

Melamine dinnerware probably won’t last forever but with proper care, it could last a good number of years. One advantage to this type of material is that it doesn’t break easily with normal use.

Choice in color and design

Melamine was once a strong contender as a replacement for ceramics because it was so easy for production companies to come up with different designs and colors using this material. This made melamine a favorite among customers who like to have choices. The possibilities in melamine dinnerware run the gamut from classic plain monochromes to the most popular patterns to Asian melamine styles to the funkiest melamine, craziest, or loudest designs and colors.

Excellent flexibility

Because of the nature of the material, melamine can be turned into almost anything in terms of dinnerware or tableware. From plates and bowls to cups, saucers, spoons, ladles and various types of food containers. It could also vary in thickness, depending on the intended use of the specific type of dinnerware.

Melamine dinnerware is also excellent for use in both homes and public facilities such as restaurants and cafes because it’s easy to clean. Unlike earthenware, melamine is light and easy to carry, a stand-out quality when it comes to serving with ease.

Melamine is Recyclable

Another advantage to melamine dinnerware is that it can be recycled, something that eco-friendly homes and restaurants are quite happy about. In fact, there is much melamine dinnerware being sold today that is made from 100% recycled melamine.

Price, cheap dinnerware

Melamine dinnerware are some of the most affordable in the market, making them popular among starter homes, small restaurants and cafes, high-traffic cafeterias, diners, Asian restaurants, and anyone who prefers a more cost-friendly way to serve food.

Cons

Will stain and scratch

Melamine would probably have become the king of dinnerware, effectively bulldozing ceramics, plastics and glass had it not been for its weaknesses. Because it’s made from resin, its surface can be scratched by commonly used objects such as spoons, forks and knives. Rough handling can also result in chipped edges. Another disadvantage to melamine is that it tends to stain over time. The problem is that once the stain appears, it’s next to impossible to remove.

Cannot resist high heat

Melamine dinnerware can be used with most warm foods and even hot soups and entrees. It could withstand heat but only up to a certain point. This type of resin cannot be trusted in high heat. As such, melamine dinnerware are neither microwave-safe or oven-safe. They are also not recommended for sustained exposure to heat, even at temperatures they can handle.

Source material

Some people are wary of using melamine. After all, this organic compound is made with formaldehyde, a chemical used not just in the production of fertilizers and resins but also in the preservation of organic materials. However, many commercial melamine dishes have the NSF approval, the food service safety standard in the US, reassuring consumers about the safety of the particular melamine they are purchasing.

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Great Spring Time Kitchenware Discounts
Get ready for spring parties, bbq, and get togethers. We have a few products that carry some great discounts for April including a New York Chafer, a Juice Dispenser and a pack of 12 Sheet Pans. You can view a complete list of sale items on our website as well.

New Restaurant Equipment Product Lines
We have added some new products for your selection at usual low-markup prices to help those who are hurting from the recession. We now carry NEMCO products which includes slicers, dicers, and other food preparation items.

If you are in need new preparation tables you need to check out our new line of VICTORY prep tables and fridges. They range from sandwich stations to pizza stations and fridges. Of course all of them are priced aggressively for your convenience of not having to shop around.

Get Free Shipping!
Did you know if you order $195 worth of items you will be able to save big time with free shipping? Sometimes the extra shipping that you would normally spend can get you those extra products you were trying to save up for.

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Save Kitchen Energy Costs

Want to save energy costs by using green and eco-friendly products? Here are a few example items you can save money with:

1. Look into getting an electric hand dryer for your bathroom to save on recurring paper towel costs.

2. Get an energy efficient soup warmer to help reduce wasted soup or costs of keeping it warm through a stove.

3. In your bar use a hand citrus juicer instead of an energy consuming electric one. This will also add to the experience for your customer by adding a personal touch.

Save with Free Shipping too!
Did you know if you order $195 worth of items you will be able to save big time with free shipping? Sometimes the extra shipping that you would normally spend can get you those extra products you were trying to save up for.

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