Is anything by this company worth a damn!?

Other than their large handle design for gimpy seniors, what's to
recommend them? We have a couple implements. Both suck. The peeler
is dull, the jar opener works on less than half the jars. I jes
bought an Oxo Fr tapered rolling pin. Quite frankly, it's crap, one
step above a piece of firewood (which it's destined for). Buyers
beware. :\

nb

"notbob" > wrote in message
...
> Is anything by this company worth a damn!?
>
> Other than their large handle design for gimpy seniors, what's to
> recommend them? We have a couple implements. Both suck. The peeler
> is dull, the jar opener works on less than half the jars. I jes
> bought an Oxo Fr tapered rolling pin. Quite frankly, it's crap, one
> step above a piece of firewood (which it's destined for). Buyers
> beware. :\
>
> nb

Gee, nb, I have both the peeler and the jar opener and I'm quite happy with
them. But if I thought they sucked, I sure wouldn't go out and buy a third
Oxo anything!

On the other hand, I must admit to being a gimpy senior.

Felice

On 2011-01-27, Felice > wrote:

> On the other hand, I must admit to being a gimpy senior.

Won't we all!?

nb

notbob wrote:
>
> Is anything by this company worth a damn!?
>
> Other than their large handle design for gimpy seniors, what's to
> recommend them? We have a couple implements. Both suck. The peeler
> is dull, the jar opener works on less than half the jars. I jes
> bought an Oxo Fr tapered rolling pin. Quite frankly, it's crap, one
> step above a piece of firewood (which it's destined for). Buyers
> beware. :\
>
> nb

As far as I can tell, their products *used* to be decent, however once
they had established a reputation as a decent product, they promptly
sold out to a company who's products are less than decent who will ride
the profits from the formerly reputable name as long as they can before
that reputation is gone.

In other words, "buyer beware".

In article >, notbob > wrote:
>Is anything by this company worth a damn!?

I've been pleased with their can opener; it seems easy to use and has
apparently stayed sharp over the years. The handles are comfortable, and
there's no sign of corrosion or rust. Can't ask for much more.

Art

On 27 Jan 2011 18:30:31 GMT, notbob > wrote:

> Is anything by this company worth a damn!?
>
> Other than their large handle design for gimpy seniors, what's to
> recommend them? We have a couple implements. Both suck. The peeler
> is dull, the jar opener works on less than half the jars. I jes
> bought an Oxo Fr tapered rolling pin. Quite frankly, it's crap, one
> step above a piece of firewood (which it's destined for). Buyers
> beware. :\
>
I thought you liked that tapered pin. What happened?

--

Today's mighty oak is just yesterday's nut that held its ground.

notbob wrote on 27 Jan 2011 18:30:31 GMT:

> Other than their large handle design for gimpy seniors, what's
> to recommend them? We have a couple implements. Both suck.
> The peeler is dull, the jar opener works on less than half the
> jars. I jes bought an Oxo Fr tapered rolling pin. Quite
> frankly, it's crap, one step above a piece of firewood (which
> it's destined for). Buyers beware. :\

I have 4 OXO tools: a Y-shaped peeler/shredder, a regular peeler, an
apple corer/slicer and a side cutting can opener. All work very well but
they all suffered from an assumption that their method of use was
obvious. I only learned how to reliably position the can opener on this
ng. I think my grater is by OXO. I'm not sure of the maker but it has a
useful rubber blade to collect gratings.

I've never tried many jar openers and the one I favor is left over from
my laboratory days. It is called a Gilhooley and has a ratchet
adjustment and still works well after 20 years. Incidentally, I used a
cylindrical rolling step stool in the lab and was impressed enough to
buy one for myself, which I've still got.

While I am talking equipment might I mention that I read recently, in
the Washington Post I think, that you should not wash wooden spoons in
the dishwasher. Well, I've been washing my bamboo spoons and spatulas
for many years and they are fine.

--

James Silverton
Potomac, Maryland

Email, with obvious alterations: not.jim.silverton.at.verizon.not

On Thu, 27 Jan 2011 14:30:40 -0500, "James Silverton"
> wrote:

> I used a
> cylindrical rolling step stool in the lab and was impressed enough to
> buy one for myself, which I've still got.

You mean something like this
<http://www.materialflow.com/global/images/part_class_images/thumbs/trolling-step-stools3317-.jpg>
or this
<http://www.concordsupplies.com/_webcache/rub252300bk_1_1.jpg>
I use them at home too.

--

Today's mighty oak is just yesterday's nut that held its ground.

notbob wrote:
> Is anything by this company worth a damn!?
>
> Other than their large handle design for gimpy seniors, what's to
> recommend them? We have a couple implements. Both suck. The peeler
> is dull, the jar opener works on less than half the jars. I jes
> bought an Oxo Fr tapered rolling pin. Quite frankly, it's crap, one
> step above a piece of firewood (which it's destined for). Buyers
> beware. :\
>
> nb
>
I LOVE the peeler. I wonder whether, like so many other things,
the quality has diminished over the years. I think that may be
the only OXO thing I have.

--
Jean B.

On 2011-01-27, sf > wrote:

> I thought you liked that tapered pin. What happened?

I like the concept, jes not Oxo's execution. Cheap wood. Poor rough
finish (pine?). Almost impossible to keep dough from sticking without
burying dough in flour. I recently acquired an old straight pin from
a sympathetic lady who no longer does pies. I promised her a pie!
Looks like hardwood. The difference in quality is painfully obvious.

nb

Pete C. wrote:
> notbob wrote:
>> Is anything by this company worth a damn!?
>>
>> Other than their large handle design for gimpy seniors, what's to
>> recommend them? We have a couple implements. Both suck. The peeler
>> is dull, the jar opener works on less than half the jars. I jes
>> bought an Oxo Fr tapered rolling pin. Quite frankly, it's crap, one
>> step above a piece of firewood (which it's destined for). Buyers
>> beware. :\
>>
>> nb
>
> As far as I can tell, their products *used* to be decent, however once
> they had established a reputation as a decent product, they promptly
> sold out to a company who's products are less than decent who will ride
> the profits from the formerly reputable name as long as they can before
> that reputation is gone.
>
> In other words, "buyer beware".

That's what happens altogether too many times. :-(

Hmmm. That reminds me that I wrote to Polder about their lousy
dish drainer and never heard a peep back from them.

--
Jean B.

sf wrote on Thu, 27 Jan 2011 11:56:31 -0800:

>> I used a
>> cylindrical rolling step stool in the lab and was impressed
>> enough to buy one for myself, which I've still got.

> You mean something like this
> <http://www.materialflow.com/global/i...class_images/t
> humbs/trolling-step-stools3317-.jpg> or this
> <http://www.concordsupplies.com/_webcache/rub252300bk_1_1.jpg>
> I use them at home too.

Yes, those are the things! When I bought mine, I had to buy it from a
lab supplier and it only came in metallic brown. Both the metal and the
plastic rolling stools now come in a variety of colors.

--

James Silverton
Potomac, Maryland

Email, with obvious alterations: not.jim.silverton.at.verizon.not

James Silverton wrote:
>
> While I am talking equipment might I mention that I read recently, in
> the Washington Post I think, that you should not wash wooden spoons in
> the dishwasher. Well, I've been washing my bamboo spoons and spatulas
> for many years and they are fine.

Bamboo is technically a grass I believe, and is quite a bit different
from the wooden spoons that they are referring to.

Pete wrote on Thu, 27 Jan 2011 14:11:08 -0600:


> James Silverton wrote:
>>
>> While I am talking equipment might I mention that I read
>> recently, in the Washington Post I think, that you should not
>> wash wooden spoons in the dishwasher. Well, I've been washing
>> my bamboo spoons and spatulas for many years and they are
>> fine.

>
>Bamboo is technically a grass I believe, and is quite a bit different
>from the wooden spoons that they are referring to.


It's amazing how people feel it necessary to be kind to newspapers! I
don't have any wooden implements that are not bamboo.
--

James Silverton
Potomac, Maryland

Email, with obvious alterations: not.jim.silverton.at.verizon.not

On 2011-01-27, James Silverton > wrote:
> sf wrote on Thu, 27 Jan 2011 11:56:31 -0800:

>> You mean something like this
>> <http://www.materialflow.com/global/i...class_images/t
>> humbs/trolling-step-stools3317-.jpg> or this
>> <http://www.concordsupplies.com/_webcache/rub252300bk_1_1.jpg>
>> I use them at home too.
>
> Yes, those are the things! When I bought mine, I had to buy it from a
> lab supplier and it only came in metallic brown. Both the metal and the
> plastic rolling stools now come in a variety of colors.

Oh!... those things rock (Vestil)! Look like the one's in every library in the
US. I wuz jes looking for a link. Thanks.

OTOH, I need one for my mom so she can reach upper shelf of her
closet. We have 3 step ladders, but she's fallen off them twice. I
need a simple wide 4-7" one-step stool, wide for max stability. I
think I'm gonna hafta make one from scratch.

nb

notbob wrote:
>
> On 2011-01-27, sf > wrote:
>
> > I thought you liked that tapered pin. What happened?
>
> I like the concept, jes not Oxo's execution. Cheap wood. Poor rough
> finish (pine?). Almost impossible to keep dough from sticking without
> burying dough in flour. I recently acquired an old straight pin from
> a sympathetic lady who no longer does pies. I promised her a pie!
> Looks like hardwood. The difference in quality is painfully obvious.
>
> nb

It may also be an issue of old slow growth hardwood with a very tight
grain vs. new fast growth hardwood of seemingly the same variety, with a
much looser grain. Often you simply can't get the same quality wood as
the antiques no matter how hard you try and in such cases synthetics may
well be better.

On 2011-01-27, James Silverton > wrote:
> Pete wrote on Thu, 27 Jan 2011 14:11:08 -0600:

>>Bamboo is technically a grass I believe, and is quite a bit different
>>from the wooden spoons that they are referring to.

Who gives a crap!? Bamboo rocks! Give me bamboo wherever possible.

> It's amazing how people feel it necessary to be kind to newspapers! I
> don't have any wooden implements that are not bamboo.

I've had problems with bamboo cutting boards, but only cuz I've not found any
with good glue joints. As for newspapers, who cares. Craigslist has
jes about killed off that media, anyway.

nb

notbob wrote:
>
> OTOH, I need one for my mom so she can reach upper shelf of her
> closet. We have 3 step ladders, but she's fallen off them twice. I
> need a simple wide 4-7" one-step stool, wide for max stability. I
> think I'm gonna hafta make one from scratch.

Find your local film / theatrical supply place and ask for an "apple
crate". They come in various sizes and are basically sturdy woden boxes
(6 side) with hand holes on a couple of sides. They are used for all
manner of production staging purposes, leveling steps, elevating props
or lighting stands, etc.

notbob wrote:
>
> On 2011-01-27, James Silverton > wrote:
> > Pete wrote on Thu, 27 Jan 2011 14:11:08 -0600:
>
> >>Bamboo is technically a grass I believe, and is quite a bit different
> >>from the wooden spoons that they are referring to.
>
> Who gives a crap!? Bamboo rocks! Give me bamboo wherever possible.

People who have wooden spoons and the like vs. bamboo care, since it
makes a significant difference in their care and maintenance.

On 27 Jan 2011 19:58:59 GMT, notbob > wrote:

> On 2011-01-27, sf > wrote:
>
> > I thought you liked that tapered pin. What happened?
>
> I like the concept, jes not Oxo's execution. Cheap wood. Poor rough
> finish (pine?). Almost impossible to keep dough from sticking without
> burying dough in flour. I recently acquired an old straight pin from
> a sympathetic lady who no longer does pies. I promised her a pie!
> Looks like hardwood. The difference in quality is painfully obvious.
>
Yes, there would be a difference between softwood and hardwood. I
flour the pin mainly, with just a little flour under and on top of the
dough. If you haven't tossed that tapered pin yet, nb... try oiling
it. If you think it's too rough, sand it down first, then apply some
cooking oil - the traditional way is once a day for a week, once a
week for a month and once a month for a year.

--

Today's mighty oak is just yesterday's nut that held its ground.

On Thu, 27 Jan 2011 15:08:22 -0500, "James Silverton"
> wrote:

> sf wrote on Thu, 27 Jan 2011 11:56:31 -0800:
>
> >> I used a
> >> cylindrical rolling step stool in the lab and was impressed
> >> enough to buy one for myself, which I've still got.
>
> > You mean something like this
> > <http://www.materialflow.com/global/i...class_images/t
> > humbs/trolling-step-stools3317-.jpg> or this
> > <http://www.concordsupplies.com/_webcache/rub252300bk_1_1.jpg>
> > I use them at home too.
>
> Yes, those are the things! When I bought mine, I had to buy it from a
> lab supplier and it only came in metallic brown. Both the metal and the
> plastic rolling stools now come in a variety of colors.

You were looking in the wrong place! I bought mine (it's blue) at
least 30 years ago from an office supply store. The only thing wrong
with it after all these years is that it's splattered with paint.
I've thought about finding a place to have it recoated with a "powder
coat", but it would probably be the same cost as just buying a new
one... and buying new would be a lot less trouble.

--

Today's mighty oak is just yesterday's nut that held its ground.

Pete C. wrote:
> James Silverton wrote:
>>
>> While I am talking equipment might I mention that I read recently, in
>> the Washington Post I think, that you should not wash wooden spoons
>> in the dishwasher. Well, I've been washing my bamboo spoons and
>> spatulas for many years and they are fine.
>
> Bamboo is technically a grass I believe, and is quite a bit different
> from the wooden spoons that they are referring to.

No one had better think of putting my olive wood spoons in the
dishwasher. Would not make me happy. Bamboo is a different
story, though I think the glue holding those together might not
like the dishwasher.

nancy

"notbob" > wrote in message

> Other than their large handle design for gimpy seniors, what's to
> recommend them? We have a couple implements. Both suck. The peeler
> is dull, the jar opener works on less than half the jars. I jes
> bought an Oxo Fr tapered rolling pin. Quite frankly, it's crap, one
> step above a piece of firewood (which it's destined for). Buyers
> beware. :\

I'm happy with their salad spinners.

Steve

On 1/27/2011 1:43 PM, Felice wrote:

> Gee, nb, I have both the peeler and the jar opener and I'm quite happy with
> them. But if I thought they sucked, I sure wouldn't go out and buy a third
> Oxo anything!

The exact two pieces I have. I did just have to replace the jar opener,
but the old one was probably 20 years old. The peeler works just fine.

"James Silverton" > wrote in message
...

<snip>
> I've never tried many jar openers and the one I favor is left over from my
> laboratory days. It is called a Gilhooley and has a ratchet adjustment and
> still works well after 20 years.
<snip>

A Gilhooley? An honest-to-god Gilhooley? I thought I had the only one left
on earth. Are they not amazing?

Felice

On 2011-01-27, Felice > wrote:

> A Gilhooley? An honest-to-god Gilhooley? I thought I had the only one left
> on earth. Are they not amazing?

I can imagine. Good cam handle to leverage the clamps, plenty of
length to torque the cap, and adapts to large lids. Brilliant!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gilhoolie

Where do I get one!?

nb

On Thu, 27 Jan 2011 17:10:19 -0500, "Felice" >
wrote:

>
>"James Silverton" > wrote in message
...
>
><snip>
>> I've never tried many jar openers and the one I favor is left over from my
>> laboratory days. It is called a Gilhooley and has a ratchet adjustment and
>> still works well after 20 years.
><snip>
>
>A Gilhooley? An honest-to-god Gilhooley? I thought I had the only one left
>on earth. Are they not amazing?

I must have the third one. I inherited it from my MIL.
--
Susan N.

"Moral indignation is in most cases two percent moral,
48 percent indignation, and 50 percent envy."
Vittorio De Sica, Italian movie director (1901-1974)

Steve Pope wrote:
>
> "notbob" > wrote in message
>
> > Other than their large handle design for gimpy seniors, what's to
> > recommend them? We have a couple implements. Both suck. The peeler
> > is dull, the jar opener works on less than half the jars. I jes
> > bought an Oxo Fr tapered rolling pin. Quite frankly, it's crap, one
> > step above a piece of firewood (which it's destined for). Buyers
> > beware. :\
>
> I'm happy with their salad spinners.

I second that. My only regret is buying the
smaller size rather than the big one.

"notbob" > wrote in message
...
> Is anything by this company worth a damn!?
>
> Other than their large handle design for gimpy seniors, what's to
> recommend them? We have a couple implements. Both suck. The peeler
> is dull, the jar opener works on less than half the jars. I jes
> bought an Oxo Fr tapered rolling pin. Quite frankly, it's crap, one
> step above a piece of firewood (which it's destined for). Buyers
> beware. :\

I like the peelers. I have three of them. One is made for things with thin
skins. I think.

But the other stuff? I had a potato masher and the handle went all mushy at
the part where it connected to the metal. I had to throw it out. I haven't
tried any other stuff. Haven't needed to.

Nancy Young wrote:
> No one had better think of putting my olive wood spoons in the
> dishwasher. Would not make me happy. Bamboo is a different
> story, though I think the glue holding those together might not like the
> dishwasher.
> nancy

How do you like your olive wood spoons? I was seeing a lot of
olive wood things at Marshalls last year. It looked nice, but I
managed to refrain from getting any.

--
Jean B.

On Thu, 27 Jan 2011 14:50:07 -0800, "Julie Bove"
> wrote:

>
>"notbob" > wrote in message
...
>> Is anything by this company worth a damn!?
>>
>> Other than their large handle design for gimpy seniors, what's to
>> recommend them? We have a couple implements. Both suck. The peeler
>> is dull, the jar opener works on less than half the jars. I jes
>> bought an Oxo Fr tapered rolling pin. Quite frankly, it's crap, one
>> step above a piece of firewood (which it's destined for). Buyers
>> beware. :\
>
>I like the peelers. I have three of them. One is made for things with thin
>skins. I think.
>
>But the other stuff? I had a potato masher and the handle went all mushy at
>the part where it connected to the metal. I had to throw it out. I haven't
>tried any other stuff. Haven't needed to.
>

I have had way too many poorly made kitchen tools with the Oxo brand
name. I will not buy them any more.

Boron

On 2011-01-27, Janet > wrote:

> We taught him to make pastry, is what happened

I finally "get" the diff between shortcust and flakey, but have yet to
master either. OTOH, my latticed fresh blueberry pie was a smash hit
at the pot-luck.

nb

"notbob" wrote in message ...

Is anything by this company worth a damn!?

Other than their large handle design for gimpy seniors, what's to
recommend them? We have a couple implements. Both suck. The peeler
is dull, the jar opener works on less than half the jars. I jes
bought an Oxo Fr tapered rolling pin. Quite frankly, it's crap, one
step above a piece of firewood (which it's destined for). Buyers
beware. :\

nb



I'm happy with all the Oxo kitchen items I have.... I especially love their
Garlic Crusher and Potato peeler!

BB

Bigbazza wrote:

> I love my 'Swing Along' can opener...Best manual opener I ever had....
>
> BB
>
Yup. Although I may have read that the newer ones aren't as good.
Gee, where have we heard/observed that before?

--
Jean B.

"Jean B." > wrote in message
...
> Bigbazza wrote:
>
>> I love my 'Swing Along' can opener...Best manual opener I ever had....
>>
>> BB
>>
> Yup. Although I may have read that the newer ones aren't as good. Gee,
> where have we heard/observed that before?

I get about three year's use out of them now and then they get dull. One of
them that I bought recently didn't even work! It was the deluxe model too.
If you are talking about the Swing Away which I think you are.

"Jean B." wrote in message ...

Bigbazza wrote:

> I love my 'Swing Along' can opener...Best manual opener I ever had....
>
> BB
>
Yup. Although I may have read that the newer ones aren't as good.
Gee, where have we heard/observed that before?

--
Jean B.



I've had mine for somewhere around 10 years+....Jean, and it is USA
made!.... Still as good as the day I bought it!....No 'China' made products
for me!...Many Oz products are now made in China...I resist as much as is
possible!

BB

"Julie Bove" wrote in message
...


"Jean B." > wrote in message
...
> Bigbazza wrote:
>
>> I love my 'Swing Along' can opener...Best manual opener I ever had....
>>
>> BB
>>
> Yup. Although I may have read that the newer ones aren't as good. Gee,
> where have we heard/observed that before?

I get about three year's use out of them now and then they get dull. One of
them that I bought recently didn't even work! It was the deluxe model too.
If you are talking about the Swing Away which I think you are.




I was, Julie.....But in excess of 10 years old, and USA produced...Not
inferior 'Chinese' made!

Like our own 'Australian' produced products, infinitely superior to Chinese
garbage!

BB

> I finally "get" the diff between shortcust and flakey, but have yet to
> master either. OTOH, my latticed fresh blueberry pie was a smash hit
> at the pot-luck.
>
> nb

*applause* )
--
--
https://www.shop.helpforheroes.org.uk/

>> I finally "get" the diff between shortcust and flakey, but have yet to
>> master either. OTOH, my latticed fresh blueberry pie was a smash hit
>> at the pot-luck.
>>
>> nb

No picture?

On 2011-01-28, Brooklyn1 <Gravesend1> wrote:

> No picture?

I got a "before" but was in too big a hurry for the after. No
problem. Still have enough berries for 2 more pies and berries jes
went back on sale. Rest assured, there will be pictures.

Right now, I'm trying to find a cheaper source of instant tapioca. I
really like how it turns out, but the Kraft brand is insanely
expensive at almost $5 for 8oz in some stores. Also, would like to find
a finer grained version. Kraft's tapioca is rather large granules,
about half way between grapenuts and Kosher salt. I plan to crush to
a finer pwdr for the next pie. Thai granite mortar to the rescue!

You know any from your obscure NE suppliers, shel?


nb