As Seen on TV: The Best (and Worst) Infomercials By Good Housekeeping

Food Network Fan · 09-11-2009, 11:37 AM

As Seen on TV: The Best (and Worst) Infomercials

By Good Housekeeping
We've all been mesmerized by the flashy demos and the fast-talking pitchmen promising that their gadgets will change your life — "but only if you act right now!" To get beyond the hoopla, we ordered the products, watched the ads, and visited the Web sites, noting all product claims; then we set out to see if they held water (or sopped it up, or helped it cook pasta faster ...). Here, the winners and losers.

Pasta N' More
$19.99 (plus $8.99 shipping)
The Pitch: "Cook perfect al dente pasta in your microwave ... every time!"
The Reality: Spaghetti, penne, ravioli, and lasagna noodles cooked evenly in the microwave, without the hassle of boiling water and using a colander. Pasta came out a bit softer than al dente, but the truth is, most of our testers still liked the taste. As for "n' More": The device nicely steamed carrots and potatoes.

MORE HERE

Food Network Fan · 09-11-2009, 11:39 AM

The pasta thing might be nice for a microwave steamer. I have been thinking of getting a steamer for the microwave for times when I have things on all the burners.

ibcheft · 09-11-2009, 05:31 PM

They have a display in some of our stores as Seen ON TV with some of the stuff, I wait till it is marked down before even looking at, sometime I can get stuff .50 to 1.00 usually that about what it is worth.

Pluff Mudder · 09-11-2009, 07:24 PM

The only one of those items I've gotten is the Smooth Away. Picked it up at BB&B. Didn't like it for it left stubble and made my skin itch.

lonewolfette · 09-11-2009, 08:19 PM

I still can't figure out how the ShamWow removes the cola stain, though obviously it didn't with the wine.

I have a similar pasta product that I'd intended using to make healthier lunches for myself... but that never came to pass. The thing's still in a plastic bag, never used. :P

isilzha · 09-11-2009, 08:35 PM

We like the Shamwow for drying the dogs off.

BerryBaby · 09-14-2009, 06:27 PM

The Sham-Wow did not work for us. I bought daughter the cooking device that Kathy (can't remember her name) advertises. Cooks steaks, omelets, pizza, etc. in 7 minutes.

She says it works but get REALLY hot. We are still out on this one as far as commenting whether it was worth it or not.