This review is on the Pampered Chef Cake Tester, item #1635 in the Pampered Chef catalog under the Baking Basics section.

From the Catalog:

"Eliminate baking guesswork with this long stainless steel tester. 7 3/4 inches."

From the Package Insert:

"The exclusive Cake Tester eliminates guesswork in baking by ensuring that your baked goods are thoroughly cooked.

Sight and Feel:

At first glance, the Pampered Chef Cake Tester looks like it might be used for some sort of sewing project. It's overall length is 7 3/4 inches long. The actual tester part, a long thin wire with the thickness of a straightened out big paperclip, is really only 6 1/8 inches long. Of course, that is still more than long enough for any baked good that I would be making. The tester is topped with about 3/4 inch of wire the same thickness of the tester, wrapped in a tight coil. Above that, there is a ring of approx. 3/4 inch in diameter (about the size of a nickel).

Why Should I Buy the Pampered Chef Cake Tester?
1) Cheap, Cheap, Cheap. Support the hostess at only $1.50
2) WAY BETTER THAN A TOOTHPICK!.
3) Rust Resistant, Dishwasher Safe.
4) More than one use.
5) Comes with the Pampered Chef 3 year guarantee.

The Pampered Chef Cake Tester was my very first Pampered Chef product. I went to the show out of obligation to a friend and knew I should purchase at least one thing. I looked for the cheapest item I could find, but also wanted it to be something I would use. I came across the Pampered Chef Cake Tester and thought that since I hate using toothpicks, I would give it a shot. If it wasn't to my liking, oh well. It was only $1.50.

I know, I know, why not use a toothpick? Okay, here goes, I can't stand toothpicks. I hate how inevitably, the moment I open the box, they will spill all over the floor and I will be on my hands and knees picking them up. Of course, there will always the ONE that I miss that is to be found later by my toddler who will almost certainly try to poke the cat with. Or that when making a cake that has to be tested more then once, you end up with something more akin to Swiss Cheese because of all the holes. Or probably most annoying is when you have an exceptionally thick dish and the toothpick just doesn't go to the right depth. You think it's done, but after allowing it to cool, and slice it up ready to enjoy, you realize that there is just one spot in the middle that is just not right.

After my Pampered Chef Cake Tester arrived, the first thing I chose to bake was a nice thick cornbread. Yum. Can you smell it now? The sweetness of the corn baking in the oven, waiting to be eaten with freshly made crock pot chili. Now with that wonderful dinner dish, who wants to be chasing rolling toothpicks around the kitchen floor when they could be enjoying a yummy meal. Not me.

When it came time to test, I removed my cornbread from the oven and poked with my new Cake Tester. It came out with a little batter, so back into the oven the cornbread went. All I had to do was grab my cloth and the Pampered Chef Cake Tester clean with one wipe. Nothing was left behind and it was ready for it's next testing. At the second try a few minutes later, the Cake Tester came out clean. I tried again in numerous spots and each time nothing came off onto the cake tester and the Cake Tester left nothing behind either. Meaning that normally, with a toothpick, there would be holes all over the place, but because of the thinness of my new favorite kitchen tool, you could barely tell that the cornbread had even been touched. Yay! No more Swiss Cheese looking baked goods.

I am proud to say that I have had my Pampered Chef Cake Tester for over 3 years now and it is still in as great shape as it was when it was first purchased. The ring on the top, along with the coiled wire, act as a great handle. It is comfortable to hold and I feel like I have a good grip. The ring would also be good for someone who hangs their kitchen tools. I have also discovered that the the ring can also be used to hold a match when lighting things like birthday candles. I haven't used it that way myself, but I can see how it would be a great idea.

I have also discovered other uses for my Pampered Chef Cake Tester that have come in quite handy. I have used it to pin up the legs of a roasting chicken, to spear baked vegetables to test for tenderness, I have even used it to get my toddler out of the bathroom after he had locked himself inside. All I had to do was stick the tester part through the hole in the front of the door knob to hit the release button.

The Pampered Chef Cake Tester comes with a repair/replacement guarantee for 3 years. I have had mine longer than that and have never had any problems. I also don't expect to in the future. If for any reason this gets lost or breaks, I wont hesitate to buy a new one.

Yes, of course I could still just use a toothpick, but as mentioned before, I am just not a fan.

Care and Handling:

The Pampered Chef Cake Tester is dishwasher safe and rust resistant. That being said though, I have to admit that I have lost this little tool at the bottom of my dishwasher many times. My new dishwasher has a great attachment for the front for items like this that slide right through the utensil stand, but before that, I just found it easier to wash by hand.

If you don't have a dishwasher attachment like mine, you can wash the Pampered Chef Cake Tester in the utensil drawer with the ring side down in the basket. That way it wont slide though the holes. You just have to remember that it is there so when you are removing your utensils, you don't get a nice poke to the hand. Ouch!

This can also be easily lost in a drawer, and with Murphy's Law in full effect, it was always lost at the times I needed it the most. I have found that by using a long utensil holder (single holder, not multiple), it's works perfect for holding the "little and easily lost" tools in my kitchen tool/gadget drawer.

Any Negatives About the Product?

Aside from getting easily lost in a drawer, none at all.

There is one warning though, even though the tip of the testing wire is flat and dull, it can still give quite a good poke. It isn't a good idea to leave it on the counter within reach of a 2 year old boy who likes to poke at cats, or for that matter, a 7 year old who likes to poke at brothers.

How To Purchase:

The Pampered Chef Cake Tester is available only through Pampered Chef consultants or their websites.

To locate a Pampered Chef consultant call 1-800-266-5522 (US)

You can also learn more about Pampered Chef products at
http://www.PamperedChef.com.

Other Pampered Chef reviews include:
Crinkle Cutter
Deep Dish Baker
Garlic Press
Deluxe Mini Muffin Pan
Pizza Cutter
Baker's Roller
Oven Mitt
Oven Pad

Recommended:
Yes

Amount Paid (US$): 1.50