Customer Reviews

Jamie Oliver Flavour Shaker, Grey

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(9)
1 star:		(11)

 

 

I was given one of these shakers as a Christmas gift while in Australia. It is really good, but you do have to be very careful to make sure it is connected together properly before shaking. I didn't - I was crushing some flax seeds and the ball smashed pieces of the plastic case away. It was VERY easy to make this mistake, and now the locking mechanism is badly damaged. However, it is great for crushing seeds and nuts; making a 'paste' from parsley or coriander (cilantro) leaves etc. I recommend it - but do take care it is 'locked' before shaking!

I bought this based partly on the glowing review in Cook's Illustrated, and partly because it looked like a way to control how finely I ground my spices. Some four months later, after extensive use, I find myself throwing up my hands because it does not do what I'd like it to do. For example:

Peppercorns or coriander: I wanted to get coarsely cracked corns. What I find is a mix of pulverized corns and uncracked corns. I suppose that they average to coarsely cracked, but averaging is not what I had in mind.

Garlic or fresh herbs (such as rosemary): bruised rosemary would be fine; unblemished rosemary after 3 minutes of shaking is not. Garlic does not turn to a paste (as desired), but emerges slightly bruised. A chef's knife would have done that better and faster.

Star anise and cumin seed: apparently the equivalent of kryptonite for the shaker.

Fennel seed: finely ground power. This one worked!

Juniper berries: somewhat mashed; not as efficient as the side of a cleaver, however.

All in all, the hype and the reality did not match. The principle sounds fine; I wish reality kept up with thoery. If you listen to music while you cook, it does give a good back beat, so all is not lost.

I like Jamie, but mate, this thing cracked after 3 uses. First 2 times use was garlic and green chilli, then I tried some cumin and noticed a crack in the bottom. This is likely a one-off or batch issue with the molded plastic, but very is disappointing nevertheless. Its expensive too - $25!.

As an avid cook this probably seemed like a good gift for me at christmas - but despite cooking twice daily it's still sitting on my shelf, having only been used a couple of times. Both of those times, it didn't do anything other than what the usual tools around the kitchen manage to do (like a blender or spice grinder) and wasn't powerful enough to crush or mince softish foods like garlic in a salad dressing, but it did manage to get all oily and messy. When I saw how expensive it was I felt guilty toward the person who bought it for me! I'd call it more of a marketing gimmick than anything.

I am disappointed that Jamie Oliver would put his name on such a useless product. It does not smash herbs, it bruises them. You are better off using a whisk for salad dressing. The garlic was simply bruised. Don't buy it!

The Flavour Shaker has potential for loosening the oils and scent of dried herbs and spices. It does have some limits, however. It is difficult to open and close. Both take a firm grip and hand strength that some may not possess. Also it is very limited in capacity often requiring several "goes" in order to produce an adequate amount of spice. Herbs with stems do not do well leaving the woody parts untouched such as the herbes de provence. I find myself picking out the fine short woody pieces which could be distasteful in such things as salads where the herbs are not cooked.

I keep the Flavour Shaker handy but find I often do not reach for it because of the complications in using it. Still I hope I will find a perfect use for it. If not, it will go to Good Will. Soon.

The flavor shaker shakes flavors all of your kitchen! It's a waste of money on a leaky contraption that doesn't do much for your salad dressings or herbs.

I do love this product when it is working. The first one cracked and the company sent me a new one, took about 5 weeks.
The second worked for about ten uses then it too cracked. I wrote the company this time no reply.
Don't waste your money until they can improve the design.

For as "gimicky" as I thought the Flavour Shaker was going to be, it really works. Recently, I used it to "finely crush" corriander seeds per a recipe. I was going to bring out the mortar & pestel when I realized I'd give JO's Flavour Shaker a go. I was really pleased with the results. As our household often uses "whole" spices when cooking, I can see this coming in quite handy for future culinary endeavors. Though I gave it as a gift, I am a benefactor of this nifty contraption as well.

The rubber ring used to hold the two sides fell off the first time i washed it. Now the ring will not go back on and it is imposable to get a tight seal. What a mess! to much wrong for the money and i was so excited to get it.