PrepSolutions Adjust-A-Slice Mandoline Review: The Best Budget Slicer?

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Cutting potatoes for a gratin or slicing cucumbers for a salad usually takes forever with a knife. If you want professional consistency without buying a massive electric processor, you need a handheld mandoline.

PrepSolutions Adjust-A-Slice Mandoline Slicer, Green – Adjustable…

Contains (1) PrepSolutions Adjust-A-Slice Mandoline in Green – adjustable slicing thickness for all your prep needs. Per…
Adjustable Slicing Thickness: Easily customize your slices with the adjustable thickness dial, offering precise cuts fro…
Safe & User-Friendly: Equipped with a hand guard for finger protection and a non-slip base to ensure stability during us…

$17.14

Buy on Amazon

Enter the PrepSolutions Adjust-A-Slice Mandoline Slicer.

With over 8,000 ratings and a 4.5-star average, this compact green gadget is an “Amazon’s Choice” for a reason. But can a plastic tool under $20 really replace your chef’s knife? We analyzed the specs and real user feedback to find out.

Design: Compact and “Green”

The first thing you notice is the size. At 12.75 inches long, it is designed to fit in a standard kitchen drawer. Unlike bulky countertop models, this is a “grab-and-go” tool.

Build: It features a plastic body with stainless steel blades.
Stability: It includes a non-slip base, which is crucial for keeping the slicer steady on your cutting board or over a bowl.
Safety: It comes with a hand guard to protect your fingers from the sharp blade.

The “Adjust-A-Slice” Feature

The main selling point is the adjustable thickness dial. Instead of swapping out dangerous blades manually, you simply turn a knob to switch between settings.

Versatility: You can go from paper-thin (great for radishes or chips) to thick slices.
Performance: User Angela B. mentioned using it for scalloped potatoes, noting that it “cut them nicely” and felt sturdy despite its compact size.

Speed and Sharpness

Does it actually save time? According to user Fishy McFisherson, the answer is a resounding yes. They claimed to have “sliced all the veggies in my kitchen in 3 minutes flat,” expressing shock at how well it worked for such an inexpensive item.

However, it is a manual tool. While most users find it “super sharp,” one reviewer noted that softer onions might get stuck if you don’t use enough force or speed.

Pros and Cons

Pros	Cons
Speed: Slices veggies in seconds.	Soft Veggies: Might struggle with soft-skinned items (like overripe tomatoes).
Adjustable: Easy dial for different thicknesses.	Manual: Requires arm strength.
Compact: Fits easily in a drawer.
Value: Excellent performance for under $20.
Cleaning: Dishwasher safe.

Final Verdict

The PrepSolutions Adjust-A-Slice is the perfect entry-level mandoline. It isn’t a heavy-duty stainless steel French mandoline, but it doesn’t try to be.

Buy It If:

You want to speed up meal prep for salads and potato dishes.
You have limited storage space.
You want a dishwasher-safe tool.

It is a fantastic value for the price and a genuine time-saver for the busy home cook.

QPEY Onion Holder Review: Why Is This Simple Gadget a Best-Seller?

Author

It’s rare for a simple kitchen gadget to dominate a category so completely. Yet, the QPEY Stainless Steel Onion Holder isn’t just a popular tool; it’s a phenomenon, consistently topping the bestseller lists in its category.

Stainless Steel Onion Holder for Slicing,Onion Slicer Holder,Onio…

Smart Design: Onion Holder Sharp stitches prevent slippage and cut evenly for greater safety and pin joints are sturdy a…
Widely Use: The Onion Holder can also be used as a meat tenderizer. Long steel needle penetrates deeply, into the meat t…
Claim your time: The Onion Holderr for slicing save a lot of time for slicing or chopping onions. No more nasty cuts or …

$4.97

Buy on Amazon

Why? Because it solves two of the most annoying kitchen problems simultaneously: uneven slices and smelly fingers.

As part of our series on manual slicers, we took a deep dive into this specific tool. Is it really a “must-have,” or is it just another drawer clutter item? In this review, we analyze the build quality, the dual-functionality, and the real user feedback to see if the hype is real.

Design & Build Quality: Simple Yet Sturdy

At first glance, it looks like a hair comb for giants. But the design is intentional and surprisingly robust for a budget tool.

The Tines: It features sharp, stainless steel prongs (stitches). Unlike cheaper plastic versions, these are made of alloy steel, meaning they won’t bend when you jam them into a dense raw potato or onion.
The Handle: The handle is made from Polycarbonate with a non-slip texture. This is critical because your hands are usually wet when prepping veggies. The “extra-wide” oval shape gives you a solid grip, ensuring you can apply downward pressure safely.
Hygiene: It is listed as Dishwasher Safe. This is a huge win because cleaning between sharp prongs by hand is dangerous and tedious.

Functionality: More Than Just Onions

While “Onion” is in the name, our analysis shows this tool is actually a multi-purpose kitchen hack.

1. The Slicing Guide (The Main Event)

The concept is simple: You pierce the vegetable, and the steel tines act as a ruler for your knife.

Uniformity: By cutting between the tines, you get perfectly even slices every time. User reviews confirm this allows for “thin cuts all the way through” that would be hard to achieve freehand.
Safety: Your hand holds the plastic handle, not the slippery vegetable. This drastically reduces the risk of “loosing a digit” (cutting a finger), which is a common fear for beginner cooks.
Odor Control: Since you never touch the onion flesh, the sulfur compounds don’t transfer to your skin. No more scrubbing your hands with stainless steel soap afterwards.

2. The Secret Feature: Meat Tenderizer

The manufacturer explicitly notes that the “long steel needle penetrates deeply into meat.”

If you don’t have a meat mallet, you can use the QPEY to puncture steaks or chicken breasts before marinating. This helps the marinade absorb faster and breaks down tough muscle fibers.

User Experience: The “Love it or Leave it” Factor

With a 4.5-star rating from thousands of reviews, the consensus is overwhelmingly positive, but it’s not for everyone.

The Fan Base:

Users who struggle with knife skills love it. One user, Linda, noted, “I always thought why can’t someone invent something that can hold my onion while I cut it. This works perfect!” It provides confidence and consistency.

The Critics:

It’s important to note that this tool requires you to use a knife. It doesn’t chop for you. As one reviewer, Anna, honestly stated: “This product didn’t make it easier to cut anything… I just didn’t like it.”

Analyst Note: If you are already a pro with a chef’s knife, you might find this tool slows you down. It is designed for home cooks seeking safety, not professional chefs seeking speed.

Pros and Cons

Pros	Cons
Safety: Keeps fingers far away from the blade.	Learning Curve: Requires getting used to cutting between tines.
Consistency: Acts as a guide for perfect, uniform slices.	Speed: Slower than chopping freehand for skilled cooks.
No Smell: Hands stay odor-free.	Manual: You still need a sharp knife to do the work.
Dual Use: Works as a meat tenderizer.
Maintenance: 100% Dishwasher safe.

Final Verdict: Is It Worth It?

If you have ever nicked your finger while slicing a tomato or hated the lingering smell of onions on your hands, the QPEY Onion Holder is easily one of the best budget-friendly investments you can make for your kitchen.

It is simple, durable, and does exactly what it promises. It bridges the gap between dangerous freehand slicing and bulky electric processors.

Buy It If:

You are a beginner cook wanting perfectly even onion rings.
You have mobility issues or shaky hands and need stability.
You hate the smell of onions on your fingers.

Skip It If:

You have professional-level knife skills (you won’t need the guide).

No More Tears: Testing the Best Manual Onion Slicers

Author

We all know the drill. “You need diced onions if you’re making a sauce, or rings if you’re putting them on a burger.”

You grab a knife, and thirty seconds later, your eyes are stinging, tears are streaming down your face, and your hands smell like sulfur for the next two days.

Electric food processors are certainly handy, but they tend to turn onions into a watery mess. When you want those perfect, crisp slices without all the fuss, you just gotta have the right tool for the job.

We checked out all the most popular onion slicers you can buy to figure out which manual one works best for different kinds of cooks. So, if you’re looking for a simple guide for your knife or even a full-on mandoline station, these top 3 tools really do the trick.

Stainless Steel Onion Holder for Slicing,Onion Slicer Holder,Onio…

Smart Design: Onion Holder Sharp stitches prevent slippage and cut evenly for greater safety and pin joints are sturdy a…
Widely Use: The Onion Holder can also be used as a meat tenderizer. Long steel needle penetrates deeply, into the meat t…
Claim your time: The Onion Holderr for slicing save a lot of time for slicing or chopping onions. No more nasty cuts or …

$4.97

Buy on Amazon

1. QPEY Stainless Steel Onion Holder

Best For: Folks who prefer to use their own kitchen knife.

It helps with that onion smell and keeps your fingers safe. If you like using a knife but aren’t quite slicing like a pro, the QPEY Onion Holder is a game-changer. It’s not a machine; it’s a guide.

How it works: So, here’s the deal: you just stick those stainless steel prongs right into the onion. So, you just cut between the tines with your knife.
Why it works so well: It keeps that squirrely onion right where you want it, so every slice comes out perfect each time.
The Bonus: And you won’t get that onion smell on your hands since you don’t even have to touch it.

We’ve sold over 10,000 of these little guys recently, and it’s truly a simple hack.

PrepSolutions Adjust-A-Slice Mandoline Slicer, Green – Adjustable…

Contains (1) PrepSolutions Adjust-A-Slice Mandoline in Green – adjustable slicing thickness for all your prep needs. Per…
Adjustable Slicing Thickness: Easily customize your slices with the adjustable thickness dial, offering precise cuts fro…
Safe & User-Friendly: Equipped with a hand guard for finger protection and a non-slip base to ensure stability during us…

$17.14

Buy on Amazon

2. PrepSolutions Adjust-A-Slice

Best For: Quick tasks or small kitchens.

The PrepSolutions Adjust-A-Slice is a great option if you need something handheld for quick tasks or if your kitchen is on the smaller side. You know, sometimes you’re just trying to chop half an onion for a quick salad, and you really don’t want to get the whole kitchen workspace going.

The Design: The PrepSolutions Adjust-A-Slice is your go-to for quick slicing. It’s a handheld mandoline. You just hold it over the bowl and kinda slide the onion back and forth.
Features: It’s got these adjustable thickness settings, which is pretty neat. Do you want your sub sandwich to have really thin onion slices? Done. “Thicker slices for grilling?” One click.
Storage: It’s small, so you can just pop it right into your utensil drawer, which is really handy for using it every day.

Mandoline Food slicer for kitchen, Adjustable Stainless Steel Man…

【Safe Mandoline Slicing tool】many people will cut their fingers while changing mandoline slicer blades. But with our sli…
【Sharp and Durable】Our vegetable slicer deck is made of STAINLESS STEEL . It’s supremely corrosion and durable. When oth…
【Adjustable Mandoline Slicer】This slicer is a professional mandoline slicer with a simple and safe design. All slicing o…

$20.89

Buy on Amazon

3. BINGBING Adjustable Mandoline

Best For: Meal preppers and big families.

The BINGBING Adjustable Mandoline is excellent for meal preppers and big families. Seriously, if you need to chop five onions for French Onion Soup, doing all of that by hand is just awful.

The BINGBING Mandoline Food Slicer is a semi-professional setup built for when you need to slice a lot of food. You see, this is really useful for more than just onions. This thing has 7-in-1 adjustable blades, so it can handle potatoes, carrots, and even cucumbers.

Safety First: Be careful, mandolines are no joke; they’re really sharp and can be quite dangerous. What makes this kit special is that it comes with cut-resistant gloves.
Stability: It really stays put on your counter thanks to its non-slip feet which is great because it lets you slice super fast without worrying it’ll move around.

Comparison: Which One Should You Buy?

Looking at these, it’s really about figuring out which one makes the most sense for you. This kitchen gadget is all about getting your prep done.

Feature	QPEY Holder	PrepSolutions	BINGBING Mandoline
Type	Knife Guide	Handheld Slicer	Countertop Mandoline
Speed	Medium	Fast	Super Fast
Storage	Tiny Drawer	Small Drawer	Bulky Cabinet
Safety	High (Prongs protect fingers)	Medium (Watch your fingers)	High (Gloves included)
Best Use	Dicing & Slicing	Quick Rings/Salads	Bulk Prep / Soups

The Verdict

So, you can say goodbye to those tears while chopping!

If you want to get better with your knife skills, but want to play it safe, grab the QPEY.
Go with PrepSolutions if you want to be quick and not have to clean up a bunch of dishes afterward.
If you cook a lot and need a handy tool for all your veggies, the BINGBING is worth checking out.

The Naked Truth: 3 Reasons Why You Should Switch to a Bottomless Portafilter

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February 2, 2026

You just upgraded your tamper. You’re just working on how you tamp. Once that portafilter is in the machine, you are flying blind.

Bestseller #1

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Bestseller #2

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Bestseller #3

54mm Bottomless Portafilter with Integrated WDT Tool & Puck Scree…

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Is your water flow a little off? Is there a secret passage boring a hole right through your puck?

When you’re using the standard spouted portafilter your machine came with, you’ll simply never know what’s really going on. Those spouts really hide what happens to the coffee, blending the good stuff with the not-so-good before you even take a sip.

To really get good at making espresso, you need to understand what’s happening inside the machine. Please go bottomless.

You’re going to love these top 3 bottomless portafilter benefits that will totally change how you make coffee every day.

1. It is the Ultimate Diagnostic Tool

This thing is the best way to figure out what’s going on. The main reason to make the switch isn’t really to show off on Instagram (even if it’s a nice bonus); it’s all about getting immediate feedback.

With a spouted portafilter, the espresso hits the metal, gathers in the middle, and flows out smoothly even if the extraction didn’t go so well inside.

If you use a bottomless (naked) portafilter, you can see the basket. You see exactly what is happening:

The Goal: You’re looking for that “Tiger Striping” effect—those deep, dark streaks all coming together into a single cone right in the middle.
The Reality Check: If your coffee is spraying out sideways or rushing faster on one side, that means you’ve got channeling.

Right away, you can tell your tamp wasn’t flat or your coffee grounds weren’t spread out evenly. You can’t fix a problem if you don’t even know it’s there.

2. You Get More (and Better) Crema

You’ll notice something special: more crema, and it’s even better than before.

Spouts really mess up the crema. When you’re dealing with a regular handle, the espresso has quite a trip. It goes down the basket, then it hits the metal floor, slides down the spout, and finally drips into your cup. Every time your coffee hits a surface, it cools down a bit and lets go of some of those CO2 bubbles that make up its crema.

The Naked Advantage: Using a bottomless portafilter is pretty neat; it lets your espresso drop straight from the basket into your cup. Nobody’s getting in the way.

Texture: You get this really rich, silky feel in your mouth.
Bubbles: The bubbles stick around, making the crema that foamy layer on top of your espresso—thicker and last longer.

3. Hygiene and Cup Clearance

Okay, real talk: When’s the last time you actually cleaned inside your spouts?

Cleaning spouted portafilters is an absolute pain. Over time, coffee oils gather in those metal channels. What happens is, they go bad, giving your fresh coffee a stale and bitter taste. With a bottomless portafilter, gunk has nowhere to hide. Just rinse it lightly and give it a quick wipe; it gets perfectly clean.

The Space Bonus: If you’ve got a smaller machine, say a Breville Bambino or a Gaggia Classic, you know that space under the group head is pretty snug. Taking off the spouts actually gives you an extra inch of headspace. This way, you can easily fit taller mugs or even slide a precision coffee scale right under your cup without a struggle.

The Warning: It Will Get Messy

Things are going to get messy. Just a heads up. So, before you decide to buy, you really should get the “Naked Truth” first.

A bottomless portafilter just doesn’t put up with nonsense, plain and simple.

When you’re not careful with your prep like if you skip using a WDT tool or your coffee grind is all clumpy—you’ll end up with hot coffee spraying all over your machine and counter from the portafilter.

It can be a bit of a pain when you first start out. But don’t be discouraged. That whole confusing situation is just the system showing you what needs fixing. When you can stop yourself from spraying the puck, that’s when you know you’ve really got it down.

Baratza Encore Grind Settings Chart: French Press, V60 & More

Author

February 1, 2026

So, you just got yourself a Baratza Encore. You put in your fresh beans. You’re looking at the hopper, turning it from 0 to 40, and you’re just so scared of messing up a good batch of coffee.

Baratza Encore Coffee Grinder ZCG485BLK, Black

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You’re left with fuzzy ranges from the manual, and everyone on the forums has a different opinion.

I’ve driven an Encore every day for more than ten years, so I get that my machine’s “Setting 15” could be your “Setting 18.” But yeah, we can totally get you 90% of the way there.

Here’s your cheat sheet. Take a screenshot of this, keep it on your phone, and let it be your starting place for every brewing session.

The “Save This” Cheat Sheet

This little “Save This” cheat sheet is for your Baratza Encore, specifically the standard ones set to how they come from the factory. It shows you the “Safe Zone” settings.

Brew Method	Recommended Setting	Texture Reference
Espresso	#4 – #9	Fine Table Salt
AeroPress	#10 – #14	Table Salt
Hario V60	#13 – #16	Kosher Salt
Auto Drip	#17 – #23	Sand / Kosher Salt
Chemex	#20 – #24	Coarse Sea Salt
French Press	#28 – #32	Breadcrumbs
Cold Brew	#30 – #40	Raw Sugar Crystals

Deep Dive: Tuning by Method

1. Espresso (#4 – #9)

Alright, let’s just be real about this: if we’re talking about making espresso, the everyday Baratza Encore isn’t really cut out for it. It just doesn’t quite hit the mark for a professional-looking photo.

The Reality: If you’ve got a pressurized portafilter, like the one on a DeLonghi Dedica, just use #8.
The Danger Zone: Going below #4 is asking for trouble; it can jam your grinder or put a real strain on the motor. If you hear the motor making a whining sound, just adjust it so the setting is a bit coarser.

2. Pour Over: V60 & Kalita Wave (#13 – #16)

When it comes to pour-over brewing, like with a V60 or Kalita Wave, between methods 13 and 16, the Encore really shines.

Start at #15.
When your brew takes more than three and a half minutes, you’ll likely find that the coffee bed is muddy. Click up to #17.
If your coffee tastes sour and the water rushes through in 2 minutes, try going down to #13.

3. Chemex (#20 – #24)

Chemex filters are a good bit thicker than your average coffee filter, like 20-30% more. They just naturally slow down the water.

The Mistake: A lot of folks accidentally use V60 settings (number 15) for their Chemex. So, what you end up with is a brew that just sits there, tasting bitter and dry.
The Fix: You gotta be brave, so just grit your teeth and go a bit coarser with it. You’re aiming for a texture that gives off that coarse sea salt vibe. Start at #22.

4. French Press (#28 – #32)

So, for French Press, the old way of thinking was to just use the coarsest grind you could get. No, that’s not right.

The Sweet Spot: If you set your grinder to #40, you’ll end up with massive chunks of coffee. These “boulders” don’t brew properly, and your coffee will taste like sour vegetable water. Number 30 is typically just right. The filter’s metal mesh stops it because it’s rough, but it’s still fine enough to get out all the sweetness.

The “Red Tab” Warning (Read This!)

So, if you put your grinder on #30 and it’s super fine, like powder, or you set it to #10 and it’s chunky, like rocks, chances are you’ve got the Red Tab Issue.

When you put the grinder back together after cleaning it, just make sure the red tab on the top ring burr is pointing to the 5 o’clock spot on the right. If you put it in backward, like at the 11 o’clock position, the burrs won’t align correctly, and your adjustments will be totally off.

Pro Tip: I’ve read countless Reddit threads where folks swear their burrs are dull, only to find out the ring burr was just a tiny bit crooked. Check this first!

Troubleshooting by Taste

Don’t just go by the numbers when you’re troubleshooting—they’re really just there to give you a general idea. What you taste is what truly matters in the end.

Sour / Salty / Weak: The water ran through too quickly. The pieces are too big. Take it down a notch (Finer).
Bitter / Dry / Astringent: The water just got stuck. The pieces are really too small. Just go with a bigger number for “Coarser.”

Trust Your Palate, Not the Number

Ultimately, every bean is different. So, when it comes down to it, trust your palate, not the number.

For a really light Ethiopian roast, you’re probably looking at a #14 grind size on a V60. But if you’re working with a darker roast blend, it’ll probably brew better at a #16.

That chart is a good starting point, definitely get in the ballpark with it. But you know, sometimes you just gotta click the hopper one notch left or right to really hit that perfect flavor.

Normcore vs. Generic Puck Screens: Is the Brand Name Worth the Extra Cost?

Author

It’s really odd how much espresso accessories often cost, making you wonder what’s going on with the prices. You could grab a plain, unbranded puck screen from places like Amazon or AliExpress for around five bucks. Then, check out the Normcore puck screen; it costs four times as much.

Title

Generic Happy Puck Espresso Puck Screens (3 Pack) | Stainless Ste…

Normcore 53.3mm Puck Screen – Lower Shower Screen – Metal Contact…

Thumbnail

Generic Happy Puck Espresso Puck Screens (3 Pack) | Stainless Steel Mesh | For All Portafilter Sizes 58.5MM, 53.5MM, 51MM | Coffee Filter Screen (51mm)

Normcore 53.3mm Puck Screen - Lower Shower Screen - Metal Contact Screen for Espresso 54mm Portafilter Filter Basket - 1.7mm Thickness 150μm - 316 Stainless Steel

Price

$19.00

$13.99

More information

Buy on Amazon

Title

Generic Happy Puck Espresso Puck Screens (3 Pack) | Stainless Ste…

Thumbnail

Price

$19.00

More information

Buy on Amazon

Title

Normcore 53.3mm Puck Screen – Lower Shower Screen – Metal Contact…

Thumbnail

Price

$13.99

More information

Buy on Amazon

They look the same. They are both made from a stainless steel mesh. They’re both served on top of coffee.

So, are you paying a “brand tax” for the Normcore logo, or is there a real engineering difference to back it up? As an analyst, I really don’t care about how it’s packaged. What truly matters to me is the metallurgy and those tight manufacturing tolerances.

Here’s how it all shakes out.

The Construction: 316 vs. 304 Steel

You know, 304 steel is pretty much everywhere. It’s that go-to, all-purpose stainless steel, super popular for all sorts of things because it’s strong and doesn’t rust easily.

You can’t really see the first difference, but it’s super important for how long something lasts.

Generic Screens: Most of the screens out there that don’t cost an arm and a leg are made from 304 Grade Stainless Steel. It’s safe for food, sure, but it just isn’t as tough. Over time, with all that acidic coffee and high heat, it won’t hold up as well.
Normcore Puck Screen: Is made from 316 Grade Stainless Steel (often with a titanium coating option). This stuff is marine-grade steel. It resists pitting and corrosion better.

Does it matter for taste? No. Does it matter for durability? Yes. If you’re going to hang onto this screen for five years, that 316 steel is going to serve you better. It’ll just hold up to the harsh cleaning stuff you need, like Cafiza, to truly clear out any clogs.

The “Finger Prick” Test: Edge Finish

Honestly, this is the main reason you’d want to go with a good, reputable brand like Normcore. Lots of cheap screens are just punched right out of a big sheet of mesh and then sold without any more finishing.

The Danger: This leaves “burrs,” which are just tiny, super sharp jagged wires on the outside edge. I actually poked my finger on a cheap screen not just any screen, but a six-dollar one. And what’s even worse, those little loose bits of metal can snap off and get right into your coffee grinds.
The Normcore Difference: Normcore finishes their screens by either laser-welding or bonding the edges. That rim feels really smooth. You can run your finger around the edge without finding a snag. It doesn’t feel like some rough industrial part; it feels like a proper finished tool.

Performance: Is the Extraction Better?

Honestly, when you just look at how things are flowing, there’s not really any difference to speak of. Both screens (assuming they are both roughly 1.7mm thick and 150 microns) spread water out in a similar way.

Where Normcore really shines, though, is how consistent their sizing is.

If you order a 53.3mm screen from Normcore, it arrives exactly at 53.3mm, fitting a VST or IMS precision basket just right, hitting wall-to-wall. Sometimes, generic screens just aren’t made very well. You might buy one that’s supposed to be “53mm,” but it turns out to be 57mm instead. That small difference can create a gap, letting water sneak down the sides (side-channeling), which totally defeats the purpose of having the screen there in the first place.

The Cleaning Reality

I’ll be straight with you: both screens really do clog up the same.

Just so you know, the Normcore name doesn’t actually stop coffee oils from turning sticky inside the mesh. No matter if you spend five bucks or twenty-five bucks, you’ll still have to soak that screen in hot detergent (like Cafiza) once a week. Just because it costs more doesn’t mean it cleans itself.

The $20 Question: Buy or Skip?

Get the Normcore Puck Screen If:

You use Precision Baskets: You need the exact 53.3mm sizing to prevent side-channeling in those IMS or VST baskets.
You hate metal splinters: Nobody likes getting poked by metal splinters. That’s why you want a screen with smooth, welded edges.
You want it to last: The 316 steel will handle years of soaking in chemicals a lot better than those cheaper types.

Stick to Generic If:

You are experimenting: If you are just messing around and aren’t sure about using a puck screen, get a cheap one to try it out first.
You don’t mind sanding: If sanding isn’t a problem, grab an inexpensive screen and some sandpaper; you can smooth out those sharp edges yourself.

Our Honest Opinion For something that touches your food every single day, spending an extra $15 on the Normcore finish is definitely worth it just for the peace of mind. If a cheap wire filament ends up in my espresso or worse, my finger it’s just not worth the risk to go with the generic stuff.

Glass vs. Plastic Sprayers: Why Your Olive Oil Deserves Glass

Author

January 31, 2026

You’re looking at about twenty or thirty dollars for a good bottle of Extra Virgin Olive Oil. When you pick it, you’re really looking for those grassy notes and that kick of pepper.

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Next, you just pour it into one of those cheap $5 plastic spray bottles.

After just a few weeks, that pricey oil doesn’t taste good anymore, and the bottle itself gets this sticky feeling that just won’t go away. This isn’t just bad luck; it is chemistry. What you store your oil in makes a big difference to how long it lasts and what it tastes like.

Even though plastic sprayers are light and won’t break, I’ve completely switched to using a glass oil dispenser in my kitchen. Let’s get into why glass just works better for taste, your well-being, and keeping things clean.

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The Chemistry: The “Leaching” Problem

The main thing people worry about with plastic is how chemicals react to it. Olive oil can dissolve things. Years of use can mess with various plastics, particularly the chintzier, less durable ones in cheap kitchen tools.

Plastic: Is porous. It actually soaks up smells and tastes, really tiny, like under a microscope. It’s even worse if the plastic has BPA or phthalates; those chemicals can seep into your oil, particularly if the bottle is kept close to a hot stove.
Glass: Just sits there; it doesn’t react to anything. It forms a really strong barrier. Even after sitting in the bottle for months, your oil tastes just like oil no weird plastic aftertaste at all.

The “Sticky Bottle” Syndrome

You know how sometimes you grab an old plastic oil sprayer and it feels all sticky and gross, and no amount of soap seems to get that gunk off?

This is called polymerization. Little bits of oil get stuck in the tiny holes you can find in plastic. Once they touch the air, they stiffen up, turning into something like a varnish.

It’s impossible to really scrub inside the tiny holes of plastic, so that bottle won’t ever truly feel clean again. A glass olive oil mister has a really smooth surface. Just run it through the dishwasher, and all the grease will be gone, making the bottle squeaky clean.

The Light Factor: Protection Against Oxidation

Light is really bad for olive oil. Those ultraviolet rays really mess with the good stuff in EVOO (the polyphenols). It’s like they turn the oil bad and zap all its healthy qualities.

Plastic: Most plastic sprayers are clear.
Glass: Is often used for fancy dispensers, and you’ll typically find it in dark amber or green colors, or sometimes with a stainless steel outer layer. This acts like sunglasses for your oil.

Is Breakage a Dealbreaker?

You know, if there’s one thing plastic has going for it, it’s that it lasts. Yes, a glass bottle will break if you drop it on a tile floor. But we’ve come a long way with modern design; this isn’t a problem anymore.

You’ll find that pretty much all the best glass oil dispensers (think YARRAMATE or the Evo Stainless line) now include a protective sleeve, either stainless steel or silicone. You get the best of both worlds with this, thanks to the hygiene of glass and the fact that it’s as tough as metal.

So, Which One Should You Get?

Stick to Plastic If:

You are camping: You really have to think about how much stuff weighs.
You use it rapidly: If you go through oil quickly, like in a busy restaurant kitchen where you’re refilling the bottle daily, the oil won’t sit around long enough to react with the plastic.

Upgrade to Glass If:

You buy good oil: You went to all that trouble for good oil, don’t mess it up with a crummy bottle.
You store it on the counter: You want that UV protection to stop it going bad, plus the surface is non-porous, which helps keep that “rancid oil” smell away.
You want it clean: If you want to sanitize your sprayer in the dishwasher, glass is the only option.

The Final Decision: Flavor Wins

Ultimately, what it all comes down to is this: Plastic is for water; Glass is for oil. This tiny change really makes food taste so much better.

My Oil Sprayer Stopped Working: How to Deep Clean and Unclog the Nozzle

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January 31, 2026

You know, it’s just the worst when you’re in the kitchen. You go to grab your spray bottle of oil to prep a pan, give the trigger a squeeze, and… Nothing happens.

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Or even worse, you get a sad, solid stream when you’re expecting a nice mist.

Before you throw this away and just get a new one, hold on a sec. Your sprayer genuinely isn’t broken. It’s just clogged.

Oil is thick. After a while, it dries into this really gummy stuff, kind of like glue, and that clogs up the tiny holes in the nozzle. No matter if you’ve got a Misto, an Evo, or just a plain old glass bottle, this guide will walk you through how to clean an oil sprayer and get it working like new again in about 10 minutes.

Why did the mist just quit?

You gotta figure out what’s wrong before you can make it right. Usually, clogged oil misters stop working right for just a couple of reasons:

Congealed Oil: If you don’t use the sprayer every day, the oil inside the nozzle tube can dry up and get all hard and gunked up.
Particulates: If you used dried herbs, garlic, or chili flakes in your oil, a little bit of something probably got stuck in the spout.

Okay, so here’s how we’re going to get rid of that gunk and clear things up. It’s a simple three-step plan.

Step 1: The “Hot Soap” Flush

Usually, if your sprayer isn’t misting it’s just sputtering or streaming this quick fix takes care of it about 90% of the time.

Empty it: Pour the oil that’s left in the bottle back into your main container or into a cup.
Add Heat: Just fill it up with the hottest water from your tap. Don’t use boiling water, though, because that can mess up the plastic seals.
Soap it up: Just add a tiny bit of dish soap, say, one or two drops. Dawn is a good choice. Grease fighters work best here.
Shake: Just make sure the bottle is closed tight after you shake and spray. Give it a real good shake.
Spray: Next, just spray that soapy water right into your sink. Just keep on spraying until you notice the resistance feels different and the mist starts looking normal again.
Rinse: Once you’ve got all the soap out, just dump the dirty water, fill it up with some clean, warm water, and spray it down again to make sure all the suds are gone.

Step 2: The Vinegar Deep Clean

Okay, so for those really tough clogs, we’re going to move on to Step 2. If you didn’t get results with hot water, it’s probably because the oil residue got super hard, kind of like varnish. You need an acid to break it down.

Mix: Go ahead and mix the solution: put 1/2 cup of hot water and 1/2 cup of white vinegar into the bottle.
Soak: Shake it up, then let it rest for about 15 minutes. The vinegar helps get rid of those sticky oils.
Spray: Just spray all that vinegar right into the sink. That tartness often gets rid of really tough clogs that soap just won’t budge.

Step 3: The “Needle” Surgery (Last Resort)

If nothing’s coming out, you probably have something stuck in the nozzle opening, like a bit of rosemary or a piece of garlic skin.

Find the hole: Check out the sprayer nozzle. You’ll spot a tiny pinhole, and that’s where the oil comes out.
Poke it: Grab a needle or a safety pin. Just poke the hole really gently. Don’t force it too much, or you could make the hole bigger and mess up the spray pattern for good.
Flush: Do another “hot soap flush” right after you poke it to really get that debris out.

Maintenance Tips: Prevent Future Clogs

Keeping your nozzle clear is simpler than you think. A little everyday care can go a long way.

Don’t put too much in: If you’ve got a pump sprayer, leaving some room for air is really important so it can build up pressure.
Clean it every month: Even if everything looks good, make sure to do a “Hot Soap Flush” around every 4 to 6 weeks.
Skip the unfiltered stuff: If you’re into garlic oil, just grab some that’s already infused. Or, if you’re making your own, make sure to strain it through a cheesecloth before it goes into the sprayer.

The Bottom Line

Just because a nozzle is clogged, it doesn’t mean the product itself is broken; it just means it needs a little upkeep. A bit of hot water and vinegar generally does the trick to change a stream back into a mist.

Why I Switched to Refillable Oil Sprayers for My Air Fryer (And Ditched PAM)

Author

January 30, 2026

When I picked up my first Air Fryer, I honestly thought it was a magic machine. I simply put the dry potatoes in, hit a button, and then it was just a waiting game.

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The result? Pale, dry, sad potatoes. That’s what they were.

I figured out pretty fast that “oil-free” cooking isn’t a real thing. You really need some oil to get good heat transfer and that amazing golden crunch. So, I just went to the pantry and grabbed a can of PAM.

Oops, that was another slip-up on my part.

If you’re still spraying that store-bought aerosol stuff in your nice Ninja or Cosori, you could be messing it up bit by bit. I switched to a refillable oil sprayer for my air fryer, and I think you should too. Here’s why.

The Chemistry: Why Aerosols Ruin Air Fryers

So, here’s the deal with aerosols and air fryers: they just don’t mix. It’s a chemistry thing, really, and it can mess up your air fryer over time.

That’s a common thought, but PAM isn’t just for non-stick pans. It’s actually a good choice for any type of cookware where you want to prevent food from sticking, like stainless steel or cast iron. But air fryer baskets are just different.

The Problem: You know, a lot of those cooking sprays you find in stores? They’ve usually got soy lecithin in them and some chemical propellants, stuff like butane or propane, just to push the oil out of the can.
The Result: So, here’s the thing: when you heat these chemicals up to really high temperatures, like 400°F (that’s 200°C) in an air fryer, they basically polymerize. That sticky, gummy film on your basket? Yeah, soap and water won’t touch it.

When you scrub harder to get rid of that tough stuff, you’re actually scrubbing away the non-stick layer.

You know, for an air fryer, this refillable oil sprayer is pretty cool because it just needs one thing: pure oil. No propellants. No lecithin. No sticky residue.

The Taste Test: The “Crisp” Factor

It’s not just about keeping your appliance safe; there’s also the taste to consider. You can use your good oils with these refillable sprayers.

Avocado Oil: For air frying, avocado oil is my pick. It has a high smoke point of 500°F. This means it won’t burn or get a bitter taste when you cook with high heat.
Olive Oil: Olive oil is solid for cooking, especially if you’re keeping it under 350°F. It really brightens up vegetables with its unique taste.

Whenever I cooked with those aerosol cans, my food always ended up tasting a bit like chemicals. Using a refillable spray bottle means my broccoli actually tastes like broccoli, and my wings always come out nice and crispy. Pure oil just transfers heat way better than that chemical foam stuff.

Which Sprayer Style is Best for Air Fryers?

It really depends on what you like, but generally, a continuous mist sprayer works best for air fryers. They give a nice, even coating of oil without making a mess, which helps your food cook up perfectly crispy.

Alright, after giving a few different styles a shot, here’s what I found to be the most successful when it comes to the air fryer.

1. The Trigger Sprayer (Like the Evo)

Why: Air fryer baskets are wide. When you pull the trigger on one of those sprayers, it shoots out a stream that spreads really wide, like a fan. That means you can cover a big area really quickly. It makes it easy to coat a bunch of fries at once.

2. The Hybrid/Glass Bottle (Like the YARRAMATE)

Why: These 16oz bottles are just perfect if you grab your oil in bigger sizes, like those huge avocado oil bottles from Costco. You won’t be refilling them endlessly, and if they get a little greasy by the stove, they’re a breeze to wash.

3. The Pressure Pump (Think Misto)

Why: This is great for baking things like muffins or using silicone molds in your air fryer because it puts out a light mist instead of globbing on too much oil.

Pro Tip: The “Shake and Spray” Technique

If you want your fries to taste like they came from a restaurant, make sure to spray more than just the top layer when you’re using a refillable sprayer.

Drop the fries in that basket.
Spray liberally.
Give the basket a good shake to get those fries moving around.
Spray again.

This way, every single fry gets a tiny bit of oil all over it, and that’s the secret to making them crunchy instead of soggy.

The Bottom Line

So, what it all comes down to is this: using a refillable spray bottle kept my air fryer basket from peeling, which also made my food taste better.

It’s cheaper over time that way (buying oil in bulk versus expensive cans) and are better for you. If your air fryer is a cherished appliance, consider this: ditch those aerosol sprays.

Baker’s Signature Liners Review: Is The #1 Best-Selling Air Fryer Accessory Actually Safe?

Author

Everyone loves their air fryer, but we all agree on one thing: cleaning the basket is the worst.

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Cleaning out the wire mesh, especially when it’s caked with burnt crumbs and caramelized grease, just takes all the fun out of cooking. It’s probably no surprise, then, that Baker’s Signature Air Fryer Paper Liners are crushing it as the #1 Best Seller in Baking Parchment, moving more than 40,000 units every month.

But as an analyst, I have to ask: If an air fryer works by circulating hot air, does covering the bottom with paper ruin the cooking process? Or even worse, could it start a fire?

We really looked into the “Bacon Test,” how air moves in there, and that super important safety heads-up you gotta follow before you even think about putting paper in your machine.

The Promise: “Spotless” Cleanup

It’s pretty straightforward. You just put the paper in, cook, and then get rid of the paper when you’re done. No need to scrub.

Does it work? User Brian Washington says it passed the ultimate stress test: bacon.

“These are absolutely amazing… After the cooldown just throw in the trash, the air fryer remained spotless!”

User Adriana mentioned that the 8-inch square size is just right for typical baskets. She loves that it keeps food from sticking, which saves a lot of time on cleanup. This $10 accessory is a game-changer if you’re sick of soaking your basket in soapy water each night.

The Analyst Warning: The “Flying Paper” Effect

But you can’t just toss these in and leave them. We’ve got a physics problem on our hands. Air fryers work by blowing hot air around with strong fans, and these liners are just light paper.

User Dan Scott brought up a really important point that a lot of first-time users just don’t pick up on:

“They are very light and the air fryer fan can and will fold them over while cooking.”

Watch out! If that paper goes flying, it could hit the heating element and cause a fire.

The Safety Rule:

Don’t pre-heat your air fryer with only the paper liner inside.
Make sure you always have enough food to keep the paper from flying away.
Dan Scott even suggests using “air fryer magnets” to stop the liners from moving around.

Does It Ruin the “Crisp”?

The next thing we need to think about is airflow. So, if you stop up the holes at the bottom of the basket, will your food end up all mushy?

Surprisingly, most people say it barely makes a difference. Dan Scott mentioned that even though they make cleaning up a breeze, they “don’t affect the cooking process much at all.”

You might lose a little airflow at the bottom, but honestly, a clean basket is totally worth it for most things you’re cooking, like chicken wings, veggies, or bacon.

Material & Fit

The Shape: These are 8-inch squares, which is perfect for square baskets in popular models like Cosori or Instant Vortex.
Durability: Adriana thinks it’s pretty durable; the material holds up to heat and doesn’t rip apart easily.

Verdict: Is It Worth It?

Rating: 4.6/5

Buy It If:

You hate scrubbing: This stuff actually puts a barrier on the metal mesh so grease just won’t stick, meaning cleaning up is super quick.
You cook messy foods: If you’re cooking anything messy, like sticky marinades or greasy bacon, this thing is a must-have.
You have a square basket: This shape is designed to fit those 5-8 quart square baskets just right, so you won’t have any curled-up corners.

Skip It If:

You pre-heat empty: Make sure you don’t pre-heat these empty. If you just leave them loose in the machine while it’s heating up, they’ll fly right into the heating element.
You want 100% airflow: If you’re really aiming for the absolute crispiest dry fries, where every bit of airflow counts, going with bare metal is still a little better for getting that air all around.

The Bottom Line Honestly, for what a sandwich costs, these liners are a steal because they completely get rid of what bugs us most about air frying. Remember this key thing: always make sure the liner is full before you turn on the fan.

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