Dexter-Russell Hamburger Turner (Traditional)
Today, I bought a 5" x 3" Dexter-Russell Traditional series hamburger turner from a restaurant supply store. It was sold for ~$24 to me. It feel solid and nice. It is slightly flexible, and it is nicely ground with an edge. Restaurant grade cookware are often less expensive than residential version. Pots, pans, knives, baking sheets...etc, yet restaurant grade turners are more expensive than their residential counterpart by 1-2 folds. My understanding is that the restaurant versions are build to last in a very harsh and abusive environment, so they are sold at a higher price point. This is also why I bought one. Your opinions, my friends?
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Chem...it all depends on what your burgers taste like. I humbly volunteer to be the taste tester.
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re: petek
Chemicalkinetics
Jul 30, 2011 11:30 AM
EM and you are funny as hell. Yeah, for real grilling, one need a long spatula. I bought this one as a replacement of my regular stovetop spatula. Yes, you are absolutely correct. This one is used for restaurant flat griddle:
http://img.ehowcdn.com/article-page-main/ehow/images/a05/ql/g6/clean-flat-grill-restaurant-800x800.jpgExcept mine is even shorter. I think the typical size is 8" x 3" or 8" x 4":
http://www.amazon.com/Dexter-Russell-...
P.S.: Since you do use these on the top/griddle, can you tell me why they are not cheap?
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re: Chemicalkinetics
petek
Jul 30, 2011 12:20 PM
"P.S.: Since you do use these on the top/griddle, can you tell me why they are not cheap?"
The one you have looks to be of high quality,well made and brand name + it's made in the good old U.S.of A,maybe that's why it ain't cheap.I've seen similar spatulas in my local Asian restaurant supply store for about $8-$10,but the quality is not the same.
You paid a fair price for what you got.
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re: petek
Chemicalkinetics
Jul 30, 2011 12:50 PM
True, there are cheaper turners in the price range of $5-10, still they are not really cheaper than the residential version. I think that is what makes me wonder -- why the restaurant turners are not cheaper than the residential turners.
P.S.: The owner who sold me this say it is because of higher quality steel and he swears that it last much longer -- "no argument" he said.
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re: Chemicalkinetics
Hey CK!
How are ya? Nice burger flipper there, and I think you got it for a good price. I purchased several tools from LamsonSharp online, and the price you paid is comparable. I've included the link here, so you can be tempted by all their great stuff! (American made -they're located in western Massachusetts.) Since I have all the tools that I need now, I'm starting to get stuff for my kids - haha.
http://www.lamsonsharp.com/store/p/90...
Keep on cooking!
BC
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re: breadchick
Chemicalkinetics
Jul 30, 2011 12:56 PM
Hey breadchick,
Yeah, I don't think I overpaid my turners either. I went to the store specially for that turner and I knew the price ahead of time. Like you said, LamsonSharp, Dexter-Russell, Victorinox hamburger turners are all about the same price range $15-30.
My real question is really that why the restaurant version of turners like the one above is more expensive than the residential version below.
http://www.amazon.com/MIU-France-9010...
I am guessing is that the restaurant version is build steadier. In other words, my question is not really about specifically my turner, but rather the restaurant kitchen turners in general.
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re: Chemicalkinetics
Hi, Chem:
Good buy. This should last you a good, long time.
I think a partial answer to your question is that restaurant supply stores aren't always the cheapest for smallwares-type items. Yes, part of the answer is USA-made and top quality, but I have notice that my resto-supply haunts keep some "impluse" type merchandise priced pretty high. For example, one place has Challenger aluminum pans and lids at rockbottom prices, but a simple sandwich spreader can be more than $10. The measured-pour stoppers for booze are $8 apiece, but the aluminum foil is dirt cheap.
I think you are right about the sturdier build, but not sure if the thicker gauge metal really explains the price difference. Probably several factors at work.
Did you pick up some SS S-hooks on which to hang your pretty new turner? Not going in the DW is it?
Aloha,
Kaleo
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re: breadchick
I got the lamsonsharp anaversery BBQ tool set for Father's Day, my kinds bought the set for me. Very nice, very well made. Even though they are similar in design to the old stuff I had that was hepo cheepo, there are many details that show the attention to quality that warents the higher price.
Chem, I think the difference is that a home kitchen model would fall apart in a day in a commercial grill, thise things have to be made sturdy to hold up to the regors of mass produced food. It's kind of like other tools, the professional version is just made better to accomodate the harshness of use.
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re: mikie
Chemicalkinetics
Jul 30, 2011 08:56 PM
Thanks mikie. That what's I thought for the restaurant grade turners -- being significantly more robust. It is interesting that such is not the case for professional cookware like pans and pots.
I used the Dexter turner for simple fried egg. It is pretty cool. It is thin and flexible that I was able to easily slide under the egg. Better than my last turner.
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re: petek
Chemicalkinetics
Jul 30, 2011 09:50 PM
I like to eat my egg sunny-side up. :)
Edited: I see where the confusion comes from. Sometime I don't add enough oil and my eggs do not easily slide on the pan and I use the turner to move the egg around (not flipping).
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re: Chemicalkinetics
Well, a flipper is small and gets used steadly in a grill. Making it too thick would make it not work well, so it just needs to be made from quality materials and construction. On the other hand a pot for a restaurant is quite large, making it heavier, will not improve it's performance enough compensate for the extra weight. Also a restaurant isn't concerned about the appearance of the pots and pans, so many expensive steps in finishing the outside of the pot can be eliminated. No fancy finish, no advertising, equals lower prices.
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re: mikie
Hi, mikie:
I was gifted a Lamsonsharp set a few years ago, and I really like them. The tongs in particular I find very ergonomic in a traditional way.
This was back in the day when the basting brushes were actual natural fiber rather than silicone tentacles. If your brush is like mine, be careful with using it over a hot grille--or you won't have many bristles left! I should check to see it they offer replacement brush heads.
Aloha,
Kaleo
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