Do I need a spiralizer? W-S sale

I've been considering one, and am also an unrepentant sucker for kitchen gadgets, so I'm probably not the worlds best person to give you advise. The reason I've considered getting one is to make low-carb/gluten-free "spaghetti" with vegetables. Most of the gluten-free spaghetti is high-glycemic (whether it's rice, rice/flax, quinoa, corn, etc.), so I only use a token amount per serving - just enough to notice there IS spaghetti under that sauce. Plus, it's another use for those never-ending zucchini in the summer when the garden is in full swing.

-Grainlady

I have one that I found at a yard sale for a few bucks. It does a few different thicknesses of "noodles" and a flat slice (in 2 different thicknesses, I think). The only "multi-tasking" thing I've found about it is the variety of veggies I can use with it. Though fairly messy, I like the results with fresh beets for a salad. It doesn't take up THAT much storage space... maybe about 5x9" "footprint", was CHEAP, works well... a keeper for me.

Where do you see it on sale? I just went through 18 pages of sale items and didn't find it. And the regular listings show suggested price / our price just like pretty much everything they sell.

It does look fun, but in my case I think the novelty would wear off quickly. I'm trying to think what I'd realistically use it for beyond zucchini. Maybe beets?

I'm a kitchen gadget queen, too, and was tempted to buy a spiralizer. But reason prevailed when I discovered that I already owned a julienne-peeler. I used it to prepare zucchini "pasta" aka zoodles, and was underwhelmed with the dish. So I didn't buy one.

FOAS, below is link to the Spiralizers on sale. Ah, I see what you are saying about the Reg.Price/Our Price. Since the banner shows 25% off, I interpreted that to be a sale.

Apparently some of the drawbacks are that you cannot use a vegetable/fruit that exceeds a certain size. There is a "core" left - so waste is higher than normal. I assume it must also require a certain firmness. I doubt you can spiralize bananas or tomatoes.

Here is a link that might be useful: W-S Spiralizer

I was wondering if the julienne blade on my mandoline would do the same thing. The pieces would be shorter, but I could deal with that. I suspect if I bought a sprializer, it would just hang out in the drawer with the mandoline. I can see them both now, sad and lonely and never used, sitting in their bathrobes, drinking cheap wine, and bemoaning they never go out.

LOL!

I was thinking the same thing about my v-slicer. Maybe I'll make an effort to make long juliennes of things for a while and see if it keeps my interest up. If so, then the spiralizer certainly makes it more interesting looking so it might be worth it.

"------It does look fun, but in my case I think the novelty would wear off quickly. I'm trying to think what I'd realistically use it for beyond zucchini. Maybe beets?"

It may be interesting to try spiral cutting semi-frozen meat, semi -frozen dough.

dcarch

Like coolbeans, I use a julienne peeler, although I do like zoodles and squoodles and eat them often. But I will say that any number of people have told me that's not at all the same as the results you get with a spiralizer.

I'm not sure you need something that fancy to spiralize, though. Most people I know are perfectly happy with the ten dollar ones you can find in any drugstore, and they take up a lot less room. The WS one looks like a lot of overkill to me.

Watch a couple of videos.

This post was edited by coolbeans on Sat, Dec 20, 14 at 10:29

DH and I are on a very rigid and very low carb diet. Any way to vary vegetables is helpful. We use the spirulizer daily. Makes cucumbers more interesting. The kids use it on squash for "spaghetti." We can't eat carrots, but the machine is good for those. A part broke off and Paderno asked me to send a photo of the broken part. They immediately replaced it.

I think I need one of those too.

~Ann

I haven't used it yet, but I did get one of the tube shaped ones. I assume that's the drugstore one that Writersblock mentioned. Definitely a better drawer space gadget than the one with the crank! It has two sizes, but no slicer or chipper, and I doubt it has the accordion pin. OTOH, no core loss, though larger things would have to be cut down.

I was thinking of using it on celeriac for eighth night, but that might be too firm. :)

Gizmo makes potato "noodles" that result in a potato pancake that's MUCH easier to flip in pan. I also add spiral cut onion before frying in a little oil in non-stick pan. I let it go low & slow till bottom is fairly brown. Sine you start with LONG pieces of potato, instead of shredded, I have much better luck turning in one piece.

I'm slowly feeling the need to get one. Good thing it's cheap so I don't have to feel too bad about it. Unlike the $3649 freeze-dryer that I now "need" "thanks" to Grainlady despite the fact that the only freeze dried food I eat is the strawberries in Special K Berry Cereal. Or the German grandfather clock that my wife unhelpfully found for me on eBay this morning, knowing darn well that we can neither afford it nor have a place for it but I'll probably buy it anyway because I'm stupid like that.

I was surprised to see how many low-priced, tube style units are listed on Amazon. I came here directly from Pinterest. After seeing all those yummy veggies that had been spiralized, I even think I need one! I'll wait awhile though.

We're getting a pantry cabinet in the new year, and will be rearranging the kitchen a bit. Just because I have a lot of drawer space doesn't mean I haven't filled it all.

Oh yeah. In my cart.--- Delete.-- In my cart. -- Delete.-- I don't need this--. Define 'need', Cookie-- Stick with shirataki noodles. -- Yes, I like shirataki as a sub for pasta-- 'Don't need no stinkin' zucc'hini spirals!

What is the difference between the three blade and four blade models?. They look different, beyond simply the number of blades they come with.

If you are even considering getting one, please do. Kinda a win-win to add fresh veggies to a dish.
we have a Veitnamese celaphane noodle dish in our winter rotation and i add veggie spirals to it as well. I like the texture of a noodle veg. I just have the gefu small tube one.
But do like the looks of the SpiralFix. I think it is german made but not sure of that.
This video does not include the SpiralFix but another video on the same youtube page does.
Mine is too small but does fit in my gadget drawer. I'd like to include more raw in my salads. Golden beets i usually just mandolin, then slice into thin matchsticks. A spiralizer would work better. Just have not hit the buy button yet. I agree that some just look too gadgety with so much plastic to break?

Here is a link that might be useful: video comparrison

Johnliu, if you're asking about the W-S ones, the copy on the site says that the four blade one is new and improved. :)

John, here is the description from the W-S website:
four stainless-steel blades: angel-hair shredder, chipper, fine shredder and straight blade

three stainless-steel blades: a shredder blade for cutting long, spaghetti-like spiral strands; a chipper blade for long, thick spiral strands; and a straight blade for long, ribbon-like strands.

W-S has this picture included with the 3 blade model

There was no similar photo for the 4 blade model. I suspect because there is no substantial difference.

The Paderno Spiralizer spiralizer needs a shiny surface for the suction cups to work and requires two hands to operate.

If I have one I would immediately add a spring, so that it will not need the suction cups and can be used with one hand.

dcarch

Just stopped at WS on the way to work, and bought the four blade model for SWMBO.

I read some reviews. The four blade seems to have advantages and disadvantages over the three. I chose it because it folds more compactly and, if you have large hands, can be used without the suction cups. I think.

Hopefully this will help in the post holiday healthy eating weight loss program.

This post was edited by johnliu on Sun, Dec 21, 14 at 13:47

John, we will be expecting reviews and recipes after Christmas.

I've only cut a couple of apples so far, but I have a good feeling about this four blade device.

Differences from the three blade device:

- The sliding post (that holds the crank and the revolving food holder) has a thumb rest. It pivots for right or left handed people. You put your fingers on the fixed posts (that hold the cutter blade), your thumb on the sliding part thumb rest, and gently press them together by squeezing with your hand while turning the crank. The suction feet are not even necessary, unless perhaps your hands are small or you only have one hand.

- The fixed posts fold down into the base, and the sliding post reverses and fits in the base too. The blades slide into storage slots in the base and are covered by a door. Folded for storage, the whole thing is compact. I'd add a rubber band around it, to hold everything together.

- It is $10 more. $40 on sale, $50 regular.

I can't say if it cuts better or more easily than the three blade device. Seems easy and effective.

SWMBO is impressed. I've earned some points!

This post was edited by johnliu on Sun, Dec 21, 14 at 20:29

John, you remind me of my daughter. Who couldn't wait until Christmas to give her brother the present she bought him.

I've got a digital scale, with receipt, waiting to be returned to W-S since last Christmas. Hmmm, probably close to an even swap.

edit - sorry, you didn't say Xmas gift. It's just what's on my mind these past few days. But I'm still wondering if it was really for SWMBO ;)

This post was edited by foodonastump on Sun, Dec 21, 14 at 21:18

Ha ha. We are leaving town before Christmas, so everyone got their presents already. This gadget wasnt a Christmas gift, just a gift.

This is better than when I got her fishing waders, she tells me.

But yes, there is a certain degree of self interest here.

Reminds me of when my friend and roommate bought me a shotgun, a long time ago. He wanted a shotgun, so he bought it for me and proceeded to shoot it a lot, I may have put one shell through it. I was just reminded of that because I dug the thing out of the basement last night, and realised I've dragged this old pump gun around for thirty years now. Going duck hunting in January. I expect to squat in a freezing swamp for a day, then stop at the Japanese grocery on the way home and buy a frozen duck.

Double post.

This post was edited by johnliu on Sun, Dec 21, 14 at 23:09

John, your stopping to buy duck after your hunting trip, reminds me of a favorite story a friend tells on himself. He and a buddy went frog gigging one night. On their way, they stopped at a local watering hole where they proceeded to imbibe too heavily. My friend had enough sense not to go frog gigging in that condition, but he didn't want his wife to know what he had done.

The bar was attached to a upscale restaurant owned by a good friend. My friend got the restauranteur to sell him some uncooked frog legs. The next morning, he told his wife that the frog gigging trip had been wildly sucessful. In fact, he and his buddy had cleaned the legs and put them in the freezer.

That night when he came home, his wife had the frog legs out to cook for dinner. She knowingly noted that not only had they cleaned the legs before they froze them, they had also breaded them!

Funny. Hopefully SWMBO won't ask when Pekin duck started being native to Oregon.

I have to go trap shooting sometime early in January, to "prepare" for my duck hunting trip. The buddy I am going with is an English fellow who has been shooting once in his life, on a visit to the pistol range with me. So his expectations are modest. As for me, I've been shooting all my life, but mostly pistols. I'd feel better if I could go duck hunting with my Glock 9mm, instead of this Mossberg pump gun. At least I'd have a familiar weapon in my hands. And probably an equal chance of hitting anything.

Just an FYI, Amazon has the Spirilizer as the deal of the day, 30% off for $34.95. No tax and free 2 day shipping if you have Prime. I think it also qualifies for free standard shipping as it's over $25 but not sure how that works.

I bit the bullet and ordered one.

Here is a link that might be useful: Amazon Deal of the Day 12/22

Pushed the button. I had to pay tax, but the $3 or so was well worth not having to fight the mall traffic. Thanks 246!

Y'all are contributing to the delinquency of a 'gadgetaholic"!

I've been following this thread,
constantly telling myself "No, you do not NEED this".
But I just had to check out the Amazon deal.
And somehow or another,
The durned thing jumped into my cart.
Somehow or another, the button got pushed,
And one will soon be on it's way to me!
Is there a 12 step program for this addiction?

I have one of the cheapy "as seen on TV" gadgets,
But find it hard to use because of arthritis in my hands.
So all it does is frustrate me.
Hopefully, this one will be fun to use!
So thank you, (I think) Loves2cook!
(Big grin)

Rusty

Leaving for vacation in the Bay Area. House sitting for a friend in Berkeley. Bringing my spiralizer!

Spiralizer experiment tonight was successful. I made a basic Bolognese sauce, spiralized carrots, turnips, zucchini, beets, sweet potato, and cooked each in salted boiling water for 1 to 2 minutes. We also made a "control" of regular pasta. My personal favorite was the sweet potato "pasta" but it was all good.

I learned a little more about using this gadget. You want to cut stuff into lengths of about five inches, and there is about half an inch of waste at the end. I just tossed the waste into the short rib braise and it made a very nice, if thick, sauce.

Looks nice, glad you had success. I did not, on my first attempt. I used the flat blade on a potato with the goal of making somewhat of a spiralized hassleback. It cut fine but it was too thin and fragile to hold up while roasting.

LS (Little Sis) lives near a W-S outlet. I'm going to have to get her to be on the lookout for a spiralizer for me. John, they ought to be paying you a commission!

bbstx, I live near a WS outlet and at least at ours, they don't have anything like the same merchandise that they do in the stores. On the rare occasions when they do, it's actually more expensive than in the store. Go figure.

EDIT: johnliu, it looks great. I have to say that I would never attempt beets with the julienne peeler. :)

This post was edited by writersblock on Tue, Dec 30, 14 at 9:26

I learned something else about spiralized veggie pasta. You don't need to boil it. You can just run a squash through the spiralizer, put the squash noodles into a bowl, mix in a bit of olive oil and salt, then a minute in the microwave and it is done. This actually seems to work better than boiling, because the noodles stay firm and don't get wet or drippy. Combine with leftover Bolognese sauce and it is a midnight snack that takes four minutes to prepare and is far healthier than a bowl of potato chips or a fistful of holiday cookies.

For squash/zucchini at least, you don't even need to do that, unless the squash is super large so that it's likely to be bitter. I generally use zoodles and squoodles raw and there's not much difference, except in texture, from cooking them. If I do cook them, I just toss them in a dry pan for a minute or two.

Writersblock,
The WS Outlet near me is a mixed bag. I have gotten some great buys on Enclume there. Some of the food items are a bit older than those in stores, and some ceramics are seconds--not all. The furniture seems pretty beaten up, though.

WS Outlet near Sister has some fantastic sidewalk sales. For example, I picked up aprons for the whole fam at Thanksgiving for $8 each. And, I got a bunch of USA baking pans for 75% off. I don't go often, and I probably buy even less often, but the sidewalk sales are pretty good if I happen to be visiting Sis when they have one.

Wow, you both must have outlets that are more like real outlets. The one near me has lots of food that never saw a WS store, cheap appliance brands like Cuisinart at WS-type prices, and so on. The furniture is beat up just like at yours, though, kitchendetective. :)

Maybe it's just deconstructed. ;

I finally got the time to 'play' with my spiralizer a bit this evening.
Spiralized a sweet potato and a zucchini with "spaghetti" blade.
The zucchini cut like a dream in no time flat.
The sweet potato, not so much.
It kept getting stuck in the cutting teeth,
and the prongs on the back would not hold it.
Also, are you supposed to use the needle for all cuts?
Or just when doing accordion cuts.
John, how did you do the sweet potato? ?
Any help here would be much appreciated!

Rusty

Peeled sweet potato. Cut it into two shorter pieces. Cut off the ends. All these cuts must be square. Didn't use the skewer. Pinched a piece between the blade and the holder. Turned the crank while gently squeezing the holder toward the blade with my other hand. If you squeeze too hard, it won't cut smoothly. If the potato is very fat or very crooked, it may be harder. If you still have problems, you can always partly cook the sweet potato, to soften it a little, but I have not needed to.

This post was edited by johnliu on Tue, Jan 6, 15 at 23:35

This thread popping up just gave me a well-needed laugh. Last Tuesday I posted about my first attempt. This Tuesday, I have no idea where it is. Gotta find it and try something else.

While looking for something else, I ran across an interesting blog post about counterfeit paderno spiralizers on amazon (also a lot of interesting spiralizer recipe links):

Here is a link that might be useful: problems with fake paderno sellers on amazon

I made curly fries tonight. Spiralized a russet potato, tossed it in salt, heated oil in a deep pot and deep fried in small batches. My son was pleased.

Also cooked some burgers, just ground beef mixed with some bbq dry rub, loosely formed into patties, served on slices of ciabatta bread.

We are making meals for my friend who is caring for her husband, so I browned and pressure cooked some beef short ribs in stout beer and carrots, also made some basmati rice using butter, the flavored oil poured off from the short ribs after browning, and water with truffle salt. SWMBO made a salad and brought it over.

Thank you for answering, John.
I think I probably used too much force when pushing
the sweet potato against the blade,
And it was a rather large and not evenly round one.
Next time I go to the store, I will look for a slimmer,
more even shaped sweet potato.
I absolutely HATE it when a gadget gets the best of me! !

Writersblock, I had found that same blog post
when I was thinking about ordering,
And I am sure mine is a genuine Paderno.

I think I am really going to like spiralizing veggies,
Who knows, I may try some fruits, too.
But both I did last night were delicious,
I just tossed them in a frying pan with a little butter,
over high heat, and for just a few minutes.
Just long enough for them to just barely begin to caramelize,
But they still had a bit of their raw 'crunch'.
I will definitely be doing this again,
And trying other vegetables in different recipes.

So thank you, everyone,
For contributing to my addiction!
:)

Rusty