Latest news with #AliciaMiller
The Independent
08-05-2025
- General
- The Independent
Best ice makers for cocktails and summer parties
Keeping drinks cool for a crowd can be a logistical nightmare in barbecue season. But fear not: the best ice machines will ensure your guests are sipping cold beers and frosty G&Ts. These American appliances are fairly new to the UK market, so there are few available. While it might sound slightly extravagant to get an ice maker just for the occasional summer garden party, as with many other handy kitchen gadgets, you'll soon find plenty of uses for these cool appliances. From daily soft drinks to cocktail evenings, an unlimited supply of clean, clear ice cubes can come in handy. If you like to serve seafood platters at dinner parties, meanwhile, you'll have ice aplenty to keep oysters and prawns nice and fresh. Ice machines are consistent and quick, producing batches of cubes in a few short minutes, rather than hours. They're easy to operate – just fill the tank with water, choose your preferred ice size and let the machine work its magic, rapidly cooling water into perfect ice cubes. Once you see how quick the process is, you might start to wonder how you ever got by without an ice machine. Scroll on for our pick of the best. How we tested All the ice makers in this feature were tested in the same kitchen, using regular tap water. We evaluated each machine on how quickly it made ice, the quality of the ice produced, how easy the machine was to use, and the overall design. Why you can trust IndyBest reviews Alicia Miller is an award-winning travel and food writer who has tested everything from the best skillets to the best rice cookers for IndyBest. In her reviews, Alicia shares her honest opinions and will only recommend products she believes are worth your money. The best ice machines for 2025 are:
The Independent
29-04-2025
- General
- The Independent
10 best non-stick pan sets to help you cook up a storm
Preparing the perfect pancake, fried fish fillet or bean burger can be helped – or hindered – by your arsenal of pans. The best non-stick pan set is a home cook's best friend. Non-stick pans make it easy to sizzle sticky batters to perfection, crisp beef mince, and flip fluffy omelettes. They're also a dream when handling thick sauces, porridges and risottos, all of which tend to weld themselves to standard pan surfaces. It's not just about great-tasting food, either. Non-stick cookware is quick to clean, saving you time and effort. If you follow the manufacturer's care instructions, non-stick pans are typically very durable, so you can expect them to last for many years. These pans can even help you cut down on oil or butter when cooking, making for healthier meals. That sounds great, but there's a lot of jargon about these pans. There's a wide range of materials to choose from, including traditional cast iron and stainless steel options, as well as Teflon and ceramic. Cast iron and stainless steel pans can take very high temperatures, but often require more skill and patience to make them non-stick. In contrast, Teflon and other similar synthetic non-stick polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) materials are extremely easy to use and clean. Unfortunately, though largely safe, some of these pans have been linked with so-called forever chemicals, which could be carcinogenic. Ceramic non-stick pans have become popular as a nontoxic alternative to these synthetic per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). However, these pans can be very expensive. It's a lot to weigh up, and that's before you even know how these pans perform. That's why I tested the very best. How we tested Each of the non-stick pan sets featured here was tested on the same induction stove and employed in preparing a huge variety of dishes – from omelettes and pancakes to grilled mince balls and flaky lemon sole to egg-fried rice and porridge. I rated each set on its non-stick performance, then on ease of cleaning. We also considered design, the overall functionality of the set and the price point and value for money when determining our ratings. Why you can trust IndyBest reviews Alicia Miller is an award-winning travel and food writer who has tested everything from the best skillets to the best rice cookers for IndyBest. In her reviews, Alicia shares her honest opinions and will only recommend products she believes are worth your money. The best non-stick pan sets for 2025 are:
