Ask KQ Claus

sb · 12-19-2017, 09:40 AM

Poop chick has a point.

**riser4** · 12-20-2017, 06:45 AM

Need a present for myself. A decent Dutch Oven for $50 or less? I use the slow cooker a lot. However sometimes I don't get motivated early enough or am distracted and therefore need the faster option.

KQ · 12-20-2017, 09:40 AM

Originally Posted by riser3

Need a present for myself. A decent Dutch Oven for $50 or less? I use the slow cooker a lot. However sometimes I don't get motivated early enough or am distracted and therefore need the faster option.

Not sure if you can get into see this review without a subscription but I'll put it out then just in case:

https://www.cooksillustrated.com/equ...h_experience_1

From Cook's Illustrated Review:

We tested seven inexpensive ($125 and under) Dutch ovens against our winning Dutch oven, the Le Creuset 7 1/4 Round Dutch Oven, using each to boil, cook, fry, bake, and braise. We rated them on the food they produced as well as their durability and how easy they were to use and clean. We purchased all models online and have listed the price we paid; they appear below in order of preference.

COOKING: We rated each pot on the food it made; pots that produced perfectly cooked food within recipe time ranges rated highest.

CAPACITY: We looked at how much food the pots could fit; those with wider cooking surfaces allowed us to cook food in fewer batches.

EASE OF USE: Broad, relatively medium-weight pots with comfortable handles and lower sides rated highest.

DURABILITY: Pots that remained functionally and cosmetically intact rated highest.

************************************************** ***********

Have you thought about buying used? Have you tried Craigslist? My GF picked up a used Le Creuset for practically nothing and it was in fantastic shape.

I would not recommend getting anything less than 7 1/4 quarts if this is your first/only Dutch (or French as Le Creuset calls them) oven. Anything smaller will leave you wanting and bigger is hard to handle and has too much surface area for most things you'll cook (your liquids will not be as deep).

In the review I linked these were the least expensive and were "recommended with reservations". Obviously the Le Crueset is the most "highly recommended" along with the Cuisinart. Next came the Caphalon ($111) and the Lodge ($84) at "recommended".

(the Nordic Ware 6.5 Quart ProCast Traditions Dutch Oven was "Not Recommended")

At $69:

Tramontina 6.5 Qt Round Cast Iron
The pot turned out quality food. It had a light interior, and comfortable handles. But its shape was slightly more challenging to use. Its sides were quite tall so we had to add food at a more extreme angle, which caused splatter; it also had a narrower mouth, making it hard to get our hands out of the way. Thanks to a narrow base, its cooking surface was smaller, too, so we had to sear beef in two extra batches.

WEIGHT
13.45 lb
CAPACITY
6.5 qt
MATERIAL
Enameled cast iron
USABLE COOKING SURFACE DIAMETER
8.4 in
MODEL_NUMBER
80131/076DS

For $60

Lodge Enamel 6 Quart Dutch Oven
This pot had nice handles, low sides for accessibility, and a light interior to track browning. But it had rounded sides that curved in at the base, robbing the pot of some of its flat cooking surface; this meant we had to sear beef in four batches instead of two, which took an extra 15 minutes.

WEIGHT
13.85 lb
CAPACITY
6 qt
MATERIAL
Enameled cast iron
USABLE COOKING SURFACE DIAMETER
7.5 in
MODEL_NUMBER
EC6D38

At $25

Imusa Cast Aluminum Caldero Dutch Oven with Natural Finish
This pot stained and dented, its knob became loose (we fixed it), its handles were small, and it ran a bit hot. That said, it made good food and has some major selling points. It’s ridiculously cheap, extremely lightweight, has a great shape (low sides and a broad cooking surface), and has a light interior to monitor browning. If weight or money is what’s keeping you from a Dutch oven, this is a workable option: Just be prepared to replace it.

WEIGHT
3.7 lb
CAPACITY
6.9 qt
MATERIAL
Cast aluminum
USABLE COOKING SURFACE DIAMETER
8.5 in
MODEL_NUMBER
GAU-80506W

**riser4** · 12-20-2017, 11:37 AM

OK, that's more than I had in mind... I'll have to re-evaluate.

**riser4** · 12-20-2017, 11:38 AM

https://www.amazon.com/Lodge-L10DOL3...1%7C7043169011

**nutmegchoi** · 12-20-2017, 11:48 AM

Le Creuset is wonderful.
You won’t regret the investment.
The only problem is... the price tag.

**iceman** · 12-20-2017, 12:34 PM

Originally Posted by el hefe

KQ Claus..... my wife and I... actually still over eachother.

Is that you, Dr. Freud?

sounds like a tough year, hang in there mang

**iceman** · 12-20-2017, 12:40 PM

Hey KQ Claus, nephew just turned 13 so I need birthday and Christmas presents. Kid is nerdy, Asperger-ish, super smart and despite it all very sweet. In all senior-level courses as a Freshman in High School. Prone to absolutely freaking when overly frustrated. Prone to not giving a shit if he's not challenged. Has done all things Lego in the past, like the 3000-piece ones with motors and belts and shit. Musically talenteed but I don't know what he likes to listen to. Loves Star Wars, Star Trek and all things sci-fi and computer. No idea what to get him, l'il help?

**bagtagley** · 12-20-2017, 12:45 PM

Originally Posted by iceman

Hey KQ Claus, nephew just turned 13 so I need birthday and Christmas presents. Kid is nerdy, Asperger-ish, super smart and despite it all very sweet. In all senior-level courses as a Freshman in High School. Prone to absolutely freaking when overly frustrated. Prone to not giving a shit if he's not challenged. Has done all things Lego in the past, like the 3000-piece ones with motors and belts and shit. Musically talenteed but I don't know what he likes to listen to. Loves Star Wars, Star Trek and all things sci-fi and computer. No idea what to get him, l'il help?

What about an Arduino kit?

**iceman** · 12-20-2017, 12:48 PM

Originally Posted by bagtagley

What about an Arduino kit?

Not sure what that is, I'll look into it, thanks.

**bagtagley** · 12-20-2017, 02:07 PM

It's kind of a plug and play circuit board. The kit adds a breadboard, and sensors and parts to make electronic gadgets. You learn by doing the projects in the book, then apply that knowledge to making basically anything. There are a shitload of add-ons, too.

https://www.sparkfun.com/products/14418

**iceman** · 12-20-2017, 02:51 PM

Awesome. I'm getting it for him. Thanks.

**irul&ublo** · 12-20-2017, 03:27 PM

Originally Posted by iceman

Hey KQ Claus, nephew just turned 13 so I need birthday and Christmas presents. Kid is nerdy, Asperger-ish, super smart and despite it all very sweet. In all senior-level courses as a Freshman in High School. Prone to absolutely freaking when overly frustrated. Prone to not giving a shit if he's not challenged. Has done all things Lego in the past, like the 3000-piece ones with motors and belts and shit. Musically talenteed but I don't know what he likes to listen to. Loves Star Wars, Star Trek and all things sci-fi and computer. No idea what to get him, l'il help?

A maul

And some jeans that have been water proofed

**iceman** · 12-20-2017, 03:30 PM

The gifts that keep on giving.

**el hefe** · 12-20-2017, 03:59 PM

Originally Posted by KQ

Yikes... jewelry.... I've gotten grief for this before because I suggested Pandora bracelets which I happen to like (I like glass beads and charms). So if that appeals to you and you think it would appeal to her go for it. I like the idea that you can add charms to it for life events. Basically how it works is you buy a base bracelet (they have gold, silver, snake, bangle, leather etc.) then you buy the charms/beads to go on it. You can have as many or few as you like. They have them for practically any occasion you can imagine plus some that are just pretty baubles. They make both bead type and dangling ones.

Look - they even have a house charm:

Okay....enough of that before I get pounced on again for mentioning Pandora. If you like the idea of a bracelet but don't want a charm might I suggest a nice tennis bracelet? I can't begin to go into the many styles and choices out there as there are hundreds from inexpensive crystal and semi-precious stones to rope or braided and full on diamond. If this interests you I suggest you do a Google and look at images to get ideas. I have a diamond tennis bracelet that was a gift from my father. It's quite lovely.

What about adding to her wedding/engagement ring? A small band of stones that she can slip on next to it - what is commonly called a ring guard/enhancer/wrap Maybe something in a colored stone to add some contrast? That would certainly say "I love you and would marry you all over again" aka "glad you're still here". LOL!

Necklaces - whoo boy. Like bracelets the selection is practically endless. They can run from plain silver/platinum/gold to fancy with multiple stones or pearls (a single pearl pendant is always pretty IMO) or lockets that can hold your picture.

I like this necklace. It's called "heart essence" and has two hearts designed into the setting that holds a solitaire diamond. I think it's sweet. You have your choice of round or princess (square) cut.

This pearl and gold bauble necklace from Nordstrom is cute - I like the symbolism of togetherness:

Duo Pearl Pendant Necklace

Am I hitting on anything? Getting any ideas that I can narrow down for you? Bottom line is to know your wife. What does she wear now? Is she into gold or silver (platinum) or maybe she likes leather. Does she take issue with the diamond industry? Does she like vintage jewelry or is she into modern design? Is she into understated elegance or BLING!

Thank you for the reply KQ!
"
What about adding to her wedding/engagement ring? A small band of stones that she can slip on next to it - what is commonly called a ring guard/enhancer/wrap Maybe something in a colored stone to add some contrast? That would certainly say "I love you and would marry you all over again" aka "glad you're still here". LOL!"

This is a great idea and went with it, she already has added a slim band on one side so this will be perfect to balance it out. Great idea. Little pricey but worth it.

**Supermoon** · 12-20-2017, 05:12 PM

Originally Posted by el hefe

Little pricey but worth it.

Kinda how I feel about my wife too.

KQ · 12-20-2017, 06:18 PM

Originally Posted by bagtagley

It's kind of a plug and play circuit board. The kit adds a breadboard, and sensors and parts to make electronic gadgets. You learn by doing the projects in the book, then apply that knowledge to making basically anything. There are a shitload of add-ons, too.

https://www.sparkfun.com/products/14418

Wow - that sounds like just the ticket!

Here's something else to check out from National Autism Resources:

Gifts for Teens & Adults

and some more information you might find helpful:

Your Ultimate Gift Guide for the Kid With Asperger’s in Your Life

Fat Brain Toys - Aspergers

**GiBo** · 12-20-2017, 06:20 PM

KQ, the SO is saying she and I are not exchanging gifts this year- that we should save the money for a trip we're planning. Is this a trap?

**irul&ublo** · 12-20-2017, 06:24 PM

KQ · 12-20-2017, 06:25 PM

Originally Posted by riser3

https://www.amazon.com/Lodge-L10DOL3...1%7C7043169011

Yup - Lodge cast iron is good provided you're not Iceman

KQ · 12-20-2017, 06:30 PM

Originally Posted by GiBo

KQ, the SO is saying she and I are not exchanging gifts this year- that we should save the money for a trip we're planning. Is this a trap?

What Irul said. LOL!

I think everyone likes to unwrap something on Christmas day even if it's a silly something. Maybe an ornament? Some nice hand and/or body lotion? Salt scrub? A pretty votive?

At this point you'll probably have to pay for fast shipping but this site has some neat stuff esp. if she's into yoga:

Buddha Groove

**Meadow Skipper** · 12-20-2017, 06:35 PM

Originally Posted by KQ

What Irul said. LOL!

I think everyone likes to unwrap something on Christmas day even if it's a silly something. Maybe an ornament? Some nice hand and/or body lotion? Salt scrub? A pretty votive?