Man but this lack of a search option is frustrating. I thought Pirula had put her foot in her mouth on a thread about coffee-makers of all things and had her post yanked ;-) until I saw the warning about GW searches being down. Took a manual search through a dozen or so pages to find this thread. Anyhow, the reason I'm posting is to request a performance update from the Delonghi 3300 Magnifica people. We were keeping an eye on this thread since have been on the market for a coffee/espresso maker and the husband was collecting reviews. Well, he too settled on the Delonghi Magnifica 3300 and I went to take a look at it today and I thought it was quite flimsy feeling especially at nearly $1K for a coffee-maker. The plastic dial seemed insubstantial and felt/looked quite flimsy and the wobbly buttons - a whole row of several flimsy, wobbly looking ones at that - don't inspire much confidence that this would last the year let alone at least 5 years service that you'd expect a $1K machine to provide. Also, most of this machine seems to be plastic. Is that true of the parts that contact and dispense hot water too? Certainly anything discernible seemed to be all plastic. Hot water swirling around plastic usually takes on a nasty flavour which is why glass or metal is usually preferred around hot water; is this interference with taste not the case in this machine? So, despite my incredulity at the fit and finish of this machine, because some of you have opined well on the workings of this machine, I'm asking those who have had it or have any experience with this if you can weigh in with your assessment of the machine, if it is providing the longevity or if things are dropping off at the rate that to me it would appear things should be dropping off of it. Also, we were looking at the Jura Capresso E9, F8 and F9 at Williams Sonoma. Any one have any opinions to share on these machines? All of these were at least somewhat more inspiring that they'd live to see the end of the year. Lastly, Ivette, for completeness we wanted to hear from WS about their reasons for discontinuing lifetime coverage for the Juras; to us anyhow, WS's stories for discontinuing their lifetime service warrantee on these machines are getting in the realm of the ridiculous. We went in a couple or so weeks ago and the lady there said that it was because they found that people were using the Jura's "semi-professionally" which these aren't built for and that was why they were breaking and WS didn't want to take that loss. Well, I thought that was a story and a half (how would WS know that their customers were using JC's thusly?). Today went in again, and asked a different lady and her even wilder story was that it was because these being pricey machines, there have been many thefts of these machines and people were returning stolen machines for a big store credit. So this was Jura's or Capresso's policy and no amount of questioning could get her to go off of Jura's warranties and on to WS's vis a vis these machines. Got a bit fed up that so many WS people thought I looked so gullible that I'd fall for such yarns, so I told her that was hog-wash and if she could confirm if these machines last or don't last. Not a good answer but to reassure us (wide eyes and promises on the bible) that Williams Sonomas around the country have been hit with a professional hit of Jura Capresso kidnappers. The next time I go to a WS, I'm going to ask again - the stories get wilder. I'd love it if anyone going to WS could check in and report WHY WS is not providing the longer than 2year warranty on these machines. Perhaps the mean of the reasons will point to the truth. I'd certainly like to know if JC's are fragile machines.

Thanks for helping me spend my money Sue ;-) I didn't buy any cooking gadgets but I bought a couple of shelving units to help organize my stuff. Tracey

Same code also for Williams-Sonoma just for today.

You have a knife that you love. Give it a wooden cutting board big enough to be easy to work on, a steel or sharpener to keep its edge, and a nice block or magnetic strip to store it in/on. Then keep cooking and check your spreadsheet as you feel the need of something here or there. You have a minimalist heart, so I would avoid something big, expensive, and only intermittently useful like a food processor. I've cooked for forty years without one, happily. Likewise, a Vitamix is overkill unless you often make drinks or smoothies that require finely crushing ice cubes. But you'll take my immersion blender from my cold, dead fingers! If it has a whisk and chopping attachment, it can: whip egg whites, make whipped cream, make hummus, nut butters, pesto, chopped liver, and puree soups. SO much easier to get out, use, clean, and store than a stand blender! Things I use a lot from W-S that have lasted well and been well worth the $: the set of three mesh footed colanders with handles, waffle-weave white towels for drying (15 years and still going!), an OXO digital scale (not discounted anywhere, so might as well get it from W-S), and a 3-qt All-Clad saucepan with the handled steamer insert (which turns out to be perfect for making couscous the traditional way as well as steaming veg). A big silicon spoonula is about my favorite utensil -- much more heat resistant than rubber spatulas, cuts way down on cleaning needed for bowls and pots, cuts way down on waste when transferring from one vessel to another. Big-ticket items that are super versatile: Dutch oven, wide shallow two-handled braiser (which can be used, lidless, to roast and bake, in addition to one-pot prep of things like short ribs and braised chicken w/veg). This is a nice braiser: http://www.williams-sonoma.com/products/all-clad-tri-ply-stainless-steel-braiser-with-rack/ that will be easier to handle than an enameled cast iron one, but those have the advantage of being attractive enough to use for serving. Have fun!