What do you do to kitchen equipment that you hate but can no longer return?

[MonsieurLinguini]

I bought a Maverick Pro Commercial Thermometer from Williams-Sonoma. Not only did I find negative reviews right after buying it but turns out they sell it $40 cheaper at amazon (bought it for $100). Its unused but its going for as low as $20 on ebay so it doesn't seem worth my time to sell it. I much rather have the Thermapen. I regret my purchase. Now Im left to wonder what I should do with it now. Use it and pretend those were 5 star reviews on amazon and Williams-Sonoma??? Pretend its a Thermapen?? Im so angry I feel like throwing it into my new Vitamix Professional 500 Blender and pressing the DESTROY button. $100 out the window for a thermometer that is apparently slow as hell and isn't even accurate.

[pinkpoodle]

Honestly, I put very little thought into negative reviews online. The more I read reviews on products I like I realize that there are a lot of stupid people out there and if they aren't bright enough to figure out how to use something they blame the product and post a bad review. Obviously there are defective items out there but more often than not that's not the case.

Not sure what you'll be using the item for but I say try it and see how it works for you. Make your decision based on how you really feel about it, not based on what some anonymous poster says online.

[hetook]

So true.

[sunshine842]

and the whole problem with reviews is that there are people paid to write good reviews, and people paid to write bad reviews.

Even if they're not paid, one of two things has happened to trigger a review -- either someone is frustrated (frequently because they didn't read the directions) so they need to tell the world what a stupid piece of crap this is....or they are in gadget-love with their new toy, and need to proclaim to the world how much better their life is because of this one little gadget.

Take 'em all with a very large grain of salt.

[ultimatepotato]

You paid $100 for something on a whim, now you won't even test the thing becuase you think the reviews make it statistically risky? If it's that much of a concern,try doing the research before the purchase. As for what to do with it....return it.

[hetook]

I have been there so many times ,,, What i do, and it works great, is go ahead and use the heck out of your purchase, You're right, just pretend it's th best thing ever. Chances are, you will bond with your themometer, and will forget the whole problem. works like a charm !

[caseyjo]

Test it! You have no reason to think it won't work. If it is defective, you can always contact the company, and completely bypass W-S.

Luckily, I don't have things I hate and can't return. Generally, though, I don't want to bring things into my house that aren't useful or beautiful. So if you hate it that much, see if someone else can get some use out of it.

Semi-off topic, but I found the thirty day rule cuts down on impulse purchases. If you want to buy something, wait thirty days. If you still want it, think about buying it. Sure helps me stick to my budget!

[scubadoo97]

Have you tested it for accuracy? Put it in boiling water and see how close it is. Even my cheapo Taylor wired probe thermometer reads 212 in boiling water and has been as accurate as my thermopen.

[sunshine842]

If you don't want to give it to a friend or to Goodwill, why not donate it to a charity for use in their kitchens?

I'm guessing that soup kitchens, the kitchens in abused women's and children's shelters, group homes for the physically or mentally impaired, etc.,etc., etc. have just as real a need for a good thermometer as anyone, and such things get postponed when the decision has to be made whether to buy a thermometer or feed someone who'd otherwise go hungry.

(those women's and children's shelters have an ongoing desperate need for all those soaps and shampoos and conditioners you buy and don't use, too)

[benbenberi]

If you really can't use it and can't return it, just give it away (gift or donation to the person/charity of your choice) and chalk one up to experience. Everybody makes a bad purchase from time to time, it's just one of those things you have to smack yourself for then move on. And hopefully remember the lessons next time they might apply...

[rasputina]

I give some stuff away, but if it's truly horrible I will toss it.

[dcrb]

Salvation Army, Goodwill Industries, gift to an in-law.

[MonsieurLinguini]

im too young to have in-laws. im too young to drink too. bahahaha.

[taos]

So you're a kid with an allowance that's generous enough to allow you to spend $100 on a cooking thermometer and, by your own report, enormous money on cosmetics as well.

Forget about the reviews. Be grateful you're as privileged as you are and keep the thermometer or donate it to charity and move on.

[TheQuestForZest]

Ouch. That sucks.

I keep asking for a fish spatula for my birthdays and Christmas's, and no matter how much detail I use to describe it, no one gets it right. :^)

The first one I got was backward. The business end was plastic, and not very flexible, and the handle was the most uncomfortable gouging thing I've ever held.

For Christmas this year, I got a frankly awesome spatula... that woud be perfect for hash browns. Oh well. I think I'll just hand out pictures with QR codes next time. :^P

[MonsieurLinguini]

I wish there were Birthday and Christmas registries. Too bad there are only wedding registries. :(

[benbenberi]

There are, however, gift wishlists that are not wedding-specific -- I have one at Amazon (which has an app to add things from non-Amazon vendors), & know people who have theirs on Kaboodle. Very useful for getting the things you really want.

[caseyjo]

I do this as well. Amazon let's you add things from any site, and you can easily send it to people. I send it to my parents, who insist on getting Christmas and birthday presents, but never know what to get for me.

[CanadaGirl]

There are! Just ask.

[wyogal]

$100 for a thermometer? That should have been your first clue. What are you using it for?

[MonsieurLinguini]

lol..im not known for being good with money. You should see me buying skincare and haircare products. I spend more on my looks in a week than some in a whole year haha. I plan to use the thermometer for a whole variety of things I cook, nothing really specific.

[twyst]

"$100 for a thermometer? That should have been your first clue."

I paid almost $100 for my thermapen.
WORTH EVERY PENNY.

[Sid Post]

You could give it away to a chairty where someone that has limited means might actually find a good use for it and you can forget about the bad memories and hope someone else is has good memories using it.

On a related note, though not a negative as your post ....

I bought a 12 quart All-Clad multi-pot on a little bit of whim from W-S while in the shopping mall. It cooks just fine but, the wire mesh screen is a devil to chean after crawdads and ears of corn. The newer perforated baskets at W-S would be much nicer for that use. I chalk this up more to learning experience on my part then a bad purchase. However, I am on the lookout for the newer baskets by themselves.

[MonsieurLinguini]

Im sorry if I came off as negative but I still survive on allowance lol. Its not as easy to swallow the loss when this is the case. Money flows more slowly if allowance is your main source of income. Im basically just waiting for sap from the money tree to fill my bucket. *sigh*

I gave it thought and decided im going to use it. A thermometer is better than no thermometer right? Going to cook beef wellington as comfort food lol.

[Chemicalkinetics]

I don't think you are being negative, but you can better evaluate your situation. You have the therometer already. So this is the hand you are dealth with, work from there. Look at your options, and move from there. There is no point of lingering a regreting situation. If you really believe the negative Amazon reviews are real or that you paid too much, then return it or give it away. Otherwise, use it.

[kaleokahu]

Hi, ML:

I notice that nowhere in your OP have you identified any problem with this thermometer. And unless I'm missing something, Amazon only has 14 posted reviews, and of those,7 gave this thermo perfect 5-star scores (as many as all the rest put together). Frankly, with a resolution into the tenths of a degree F, the readings are going to bounce around some.

Here's a suggestion: Take it to a kitchen store that carries Thermapen, preferably one that does cooking classes. Most such stores have demo units. CALIBRATE AND DO AN ACTUAL COMPARISON. If the Maverick is inaccurate and non-repeatable, return it to W-S and demand a refund. Otherwise, I say use it in good health and without remorse.

Aloha,
Kaleo

[MonsieurLinguini]

and 7 gave less than stellar reviews. Honestly, that sounds too risky. I know there aren't many reviews but Im uncomfortable with the statistics so far. Williams-Sonoma does not accept refunds without having either the original or gift receipt. I understand their reason for this is people might try to return products they bought from other stores. Im afraid I would look silly demanding a refund when it clearly says it in their store policy that all refunds must be accompanied by a receipt. And me being in NYC, I would just be embarrassed in front of a whole line of customers while the cashier who cant change the company's policy just stands there unsure of what to do. I've already seen a video of a Maverick and Thermapen comparison and the Maverick was just embarrassing as it couldn't even repeat itself. Looking at that was just discouraging. I do not want to risk using my maverick as this would lessen my chances of getting rid of it. Open it, use it to compare, and then i find out darn it really does suck...but look i opened and used it and now no one will want it because its used. I rather not check if mine works fine because of this because I have a 50/50 chance of having a bad one. Plus its MADE IN CHINA. Just shows the extent of their quality control.

But thanks for the advice. If I find I cant get rid of it, then I guess i'll cross my fingers, calibrate and do an actual comparison. After that stage, theres no getting rid of it as its no longer in salable condition. Or I'll just give it to my aunt. (none of my friends really cook as we're all students)

[kaleokahu]

Hi again ML:

Actually, only 5 gave it one or two of 5 stars, and I view those as somewhat suspect.

I also urge you to consider that the negatively-reviewed units may have included defective units. In the Interwebs age, buyers are prone to sh%t all over a product when a simple exchange for a functioning unit could have solved the problem. Only one of the negative reviewers claimed to have the same problems on two models of the Maverick. That's part of the reason I suggested an actual comparison.

Regarding the lack of a receipt, if you paid by check, debit or credit card, your canceled check or statement should suffice to satisfy W-S. If it doesn't, please come back here, and we will pillory W-S. But be prepared to show that the unit is actually defective.

Look, no one is going to call in CSI New York to determine whether your thermo was used. In fact, W-S is going to smell a rat if you *haven't* used it.

If you must have a Thermapen, great. Sell the Maverick on eBay or Craigslist for whatever you can get, take your loss, and move forward.

Good Luck,
Kaleo

[M_and_H]

I actually received a gift for christmas and was able to return it (exchange for other products) without a receipt at Williams Sonoma.

[JK Grence the Cosmic Jester]

Ask at W-S anyway. Tell 'em it was a Christmas gift and you didn't get a gift receipt from the giver. Last I checked, they don't publicly shame you for not having the receipt; worst case scenario is that they just say no.

[blindnoodle]

MonsieurLinguini, who cares if it was "MADE IN CHINA."

Your bananas are from Brazil, your rice was imported from Asia (possibly even China, gasp), and the cloth from your MADE IN USA socks was produced in Malaysia (while it was formed into the shape of a sock in the USA... )

Also, does it really matter if the thermometer is off by 3 degrees after calibration? If you're cooking sooooo close to the edge of food safety that a 7 degree temperature range is going to mean food poisoning, then put down the tongs before you get someone sick.

[twyst]

"If you're cooking sooooo close to the edge of food safety that a 7 degree temperature range is going to mean food poisoning, then put down the tongs before you get someone sick."

Could not disagree more tbh. Being able to hit a precise temperature on some items is quite a big deal.

[blindnoodle]

How did people make those items before insta-read thermometers? Remember the mercury thermometers? Uncalibrated with a response time of anywhere from 30 seconds to a 2 minutes (during which your food is cooking hotter and hotter), and also with an accuracy range of 4% (or over 8 degrees at boiling). People did not get sick when mercury thermometers were the only option because there was less emphasis on hitting a specific temperature and more emphasis on proper food handling and general cooking skills.

Remember, the steak and eggs which must hit food safety temperatures can also be served raw as steak tartare... If handled properly.

[twyst]

"How did people make those items before insta-read thermometers? "

The answer is that they didn't make them as well as consistently as they do now. Accurate thermometers result in a lot less overcooked food.

[Chemicalkinetics]

"Being able to hit a precise temperature on some items is quite a big deal."

There is a difference between hitting a precise temperature vs an accurate temperature. I believe blindnoodle is talking about a thermometer which is 3 degree off in term of accuracy, not in term of precision.

[GH1618]

I agree with ChemK. If it's too expensive to throw away with a clear conscience then give it away and forget about it. It's impossible to get through life without an episode of buyer's remorse now and then. This is a rather small one compared to, for example, a car you have bad luck with.

I regret more the things I had an opportunity to buy, but passed up.

[sueatmo]

I regret more the things I had an opportunity to buy, but passed up.
---------------------------

So true.

[Chemicalkinetics]

Well, it seems like you are mostly unhappy because you paid too much. It may be a bad buy from a "value" angle, but you can still use it as long as it is functional and serves its purpose. In life, you win some, and you lose some.

If it bother you to see it (as in reminding you of your mistake), then you can always give it away to a friend. Your friend get to have a cool functional thermometer, and you get to have someone appreciates your gesture and kindness. Both gain something.