The other day I saw a Good Eats in which Alton Brown was using a strange-looking blender with a tachometer. Turns out to be the L'Equip Model 228 R.P.M.: 900 watt motor, 500 to 20,000 RPM, six-year warranty.
By Robert Lauriston
on Aug 16, 2006 08:57 PM
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Don't know about ya'll, but my blender gets used about a half a dozen times a year. Therefore this would be another high priced (anyway I assume it's somewhat expensive) piece of equipment that takes up counter space. I guess I don't understand why one needs a tach to make whatever in a blender. A little overkill it would seem.
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Same reason he has flames painted on his Kitchenaid....
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It's a really nice blender, in fact one of the best out there. Braun also makes a really nice one (albeit one that doesn't look nearly as spiffy) for 50 bucks.
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Good to know, but I don't need anything that high powered. My blender is fine for smoothies and for fake hollandaise, which it all it gets used for.
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If I had a better blender, I'd use it more. There are wet whole spice mixtures that mine chokes on.
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Try an Indian spice grinder. These vary from the blender type with the rotating metal blade (Sumeet, Preethi) to stone grinders (Sharp). I ordered a Sharp so I can grind spice blends without adding heat. I'm waiting impatiently for mine to arrive.
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I couldn't agree more. I used to shy away from certain recipes because I had a cheap blender and didn't want to bother wrestling with the blender to make things work. Now that I have a huge 1000watt blender my thought is more like "Hmmm...let's see if the blender can handle this!" And so far it hasn't disappointed.
It's a Villaware Pro Infinity. Not currently available on Amazon, but photo here: http://www.amazon.com/Villaware-Pro-I...
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Boy I wish I'd seen that episode, I DVR all of them...which one was it? Alton and my very close following of his (currently 3) shows is what inspired me to go the bucks for a KitchenAid. Then also for a better range than what I had. I gotta tell ya', the difference in the quality of the food is VERY noticeable!
Like Robert Lauritson wrote above, yup, if you have a good one (and any interest at all) you use it more. Its so discouraging to "make due" with something that just doesn't satisfy you. Granted, a KitchenAid isn't for everyone, but for those who really like to get in there and make sure its done right, its worth the investment...and I believe you DO use it more.
My following Alton's shows has made me a far more thoughtful cook as well...I consider what the food is doing, why am I using THESE specific ingredients, these temperatures, etc...its eye-opening (and filling too!). :)
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What I like about AB is that he shows you what to look for in cookware so you don't get seduced by some flashy and expensive one-trick pony that may not have the quality of something less expensive, and what kinds of things it's worth spending money on. I love his improvisations.
I agree that well made stuff gets used more - I've been upgrading my pots and pans and I reach for my 14" All-Clad skillet for almost everything.
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AB doesn't really know anything about cookware. It's his chiropractor!
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Haha...that's funny. :)
But I couldn't agree with you more Shelidadeedee. I get as much out of the recipes and the science as I do about his recommendations on equipment. I don't run out and act on it, but I keep it in the back of my mind. Sometimes it confirms things I knew, or felt was true, and sometimes its new and good to know stuff.
Tough break (no pun intended) on his last episode of Feasting on Asphalt. I wish I had episode 2...foolishly I deleted it from my DVR but I kept all the others.
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Actually AB knows everything about cookware and his chiropractor just happens to be a pretty fun actress. His advice has helped me stock my first apartment with great stuff that I know I won't have to replace in 2 years. Plus his recipes rock!
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Pretty sure a recent Cooking Illustrated rated the L'Equip #1 in the blender world.
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