With Christmas racing toward us and this column now a monthly feature, I thought I would pass along my results from two items, an inexpensive stocking stuffer and a buyer-beware item.
First, the good news: Kitchen Tool’s bag sealer is a pretty good gadget for $2.99. It’s fast and easy to use once you get the hang of it. Just remove as much air as possible from the bag, pinch together one corner of the opening and slide the sealer across to the other end, fusing the opening together.
I opened three bag of chips in August and placed one in a plastic bag, closed another with a binder clip and used the sealer on the final bag. More than two months later, the chips in the plastic bag were slightly stale. The other two bags of chips were still crisp.
During the two-month testing period, I also used the tool on a variety of packaged items I couldn’t finish eating in one sitting: cookies, crackers, etc. It doesn’t work on single-serving M&M’s packages since the coated paper doesn’t melt to fuse together.
>> Does it work? Yes.
>> Pros: Compact. Safe. Won’t get burned unless you purporsely push down on the heating pad element with your bare fingers. Comes with a safety latch. Since it works using two AA batteries, there is no cord to get in the way. I haven’t had to change the batteries yet.
>> Cons: Only works on packaging that melts somewhat quickly. Takes a little getting used to (for me it was easiest holding the bag in my left hand and sliding the gadget across the package with my right hand). While the instructions say to “pinch the bag (at one end) with the sealer for 3 seconds” before sliding it across the bag, that might take more or less time depending on the material and thickness of the packaging.
I tried sealing an English muffin bag, and in three seconds had burned through the plastic. Sealing different bags also means adjusting how much pressure to use and how fast or slow to slide the tool across the bag. After a few uses I got the hang of it.
But if you do mess up, it’s an easy fix: When I burned through part of a bag, I went back and sealed just below the burned section then crisscrossed with a section that was already sealed.
>> Cost and availability: I found mine for $2.99 at the Longs Drugs at 1330 Pali Highway. Call 536-5542.
>> Worth it? Yes.
DON’T WASTE YOUR MONEY
Stir Crazy, intended to be a hands-free stirring device, doesn’t live up to its claim of stirring “all sorts of custards, sauces and soups.” The device just vibrates in one spot — is that even considered stirring? — leaving the liquid along the sides of the pot to burn. So while there are three speeds, there’s barely a difference between each setting.
Even if the Stir Crazy actually moved around the pot, the legs of the tool are rather short, about 3-1/2 inches. That means the depth of the liquid can’t be more than 2-1/2 to 3 inches, which is just too shallow, especially if you’re preparing gravy for those big holiday meals.
It’s $9.28 on amazon.com.
Got a gadget that you love? Curious about one you’d like us to test? Email crave@staradvertiser.com or write Crave, Honolulu Star-Advertiser, 7 Waterfront Plaza, Suite 210, Honolulu 96813.
