William Sonoma - What To Buy?
Decorating By sillywabbitz Updated 21 Dec 2010 , 9:32pm by sillywabbitz
I just picked up 2 bottles of the Nielsen Massey Pure vanilla bean paste at TJ maxx, for 3.99. Williams Sonoma is selling the same size fluid ounces for 11 bucks..WOW
Nuh uh!! OMG!!! I just paid 11 for it also, man my butt is there tomorrow!
OOH, I just looked on their website. Think about getting the big pizza stone they show. I use one in my oven when baking cakes and breads. It conducts heat and gives you even baking throughout the cake (no high or low spots). You have to put the stone in the oven when you start the pre-heat, and you have to bake your cakes a little longer, but you don't have to reach in and spin the pans around to get even baking all around.
Theresa
I'm trying that idea! I have pizza stones and have even thought about leaving them on the bottom rack just for that purpose....that why I love CC - all the great ideas!
I have the KA Ice Cream Maker attachment and I love it! I keep it in our basement freezer and it's ready to go anytime I want to make ice cream. Works great, but you can't make a very big batch in it. I find that most of the time I make ice cream it is for a party and I need quite a bit, so that's a slight problem, but not huge.
At WS yesterday I bought Guittard chocolate discs - white and semi-sweet. They were in 1 lb boxes for $6.00, originally $12. I haven't used them yet, but I've heard that the Guittard chocolate is really good. I am also a big fan of the Nielson-Massey vanilla, the huge selection of cookbooks (just saw Bakerella's cake pops book there), fun specialty foods (jams, oils, and sauces I haven't seen anywhere else), the Star Wars cookie cutters, and the fun shaped pans. Yesterday was the first time I had been in a WS since probably last Christmas - I was like a kid in a candy store!! I wanted everything!!!
I have the KA Ice Cream Maker attachment and I love it!
At WS yesterday I bought Guittard chocolate discs - white and semi-sweet. They were in 1 lb boxes for $6.00, originally $12. I haven't used them yet, but I've heard that the Guittard chocolate is really good.
If I could buy a small tank of liquid nitrogen, I wouldn't need a KA ice cream attachment. Unfortunately, the only size available here is the hospital-sized tanks.
About Guittard chocolate - that's what we used in school. A grand product. Don't worry if there's some bloom (white, powdery stuff) on it - it's just cocoa butter and will melt back in. That's a great price for 1 lb boxes - you got a very good deal.
Theresa
Guittard chocolate and Nielsen-Massey vanilla.
I am apparently a rarety. I love WS. Sure, a lot of the stuff is overpriced but there are many items that aren't and they have amazing sales online. Don't go in there expecting to spend it all in one day. Everytime you go to the mall, walk in, browse and see if something grabs your eye that you know you can't get elsewhere.
I have a pumpkin patch pan that is amazing! I don't buy their cookbooks because they have recipes online and everyone I've tried is phenomenal. They run great sales which is why I encourage you to drop in periodically. They've had some of the best sales before on KA mixers (I think they sold the silver sage 6 qt. one year for under $200 when clearing out). I also bought my Cuisinart espresso maker there for $80. Trust me, that is a steal for an espresso maker.
Everything I've bought from there: the quality has really proven itself. I would die for that gift card. 
I have a fairly geeky family so I got the Star Wars cookie cutters. I have the original set w/Yoda, Darth Vader, Boba Fett & a Storm Trooper. They now have a second set w/the vehicles. They also have pancake molds. The Star Wars stuff is exclusive to WS so if you have kids that like Star Wars you could go in that direction.
Kristy
I'm so glad I saw this - my 16 year old daughter is a huge fan and I was looking for some things to add to her presents - since all she wanted was over priced small packages (electronics lol). Thank you!
I took a browse thru that store 1st time a few days ago....saw this post..
Just a bunch of snooty-hoity-toity employees!!! LOL
Overpriced store! WOW!
Take a look comparison, I was searching for a decent heavy-guage 8x4 loaf pan:
Williams Sonoma: 16 bucks for 8-1/2 x 4-1/2" pan 16 BUCKS! 
Ultimate Baker http://cooksdream.com/store/nor3849.html
SAME pan size NORPRO: $8.90 
I have a $125 gift card to William Sonoma and I have no idea what to buy.
Mostly I find there stuff to be over priced so I shy away from it.
Anybody found anything they can't live without there?
I'm definately going to look for a really good rolling pin but any other ideas?
If you like decorating your kitchen walls up, I would considering the pretty trivets and the copper cutters, etc., to change out the kitchen "look" during the holidays. Their stuff is overpriced, but at least you could enjoy a different decorating theme. I know a gal who decorated her kitchen walls a bit different using this type of holiday decorations, and her parties seemed to *pop*....everyone always hangs in the kitchen anyways!!
I took a browse thru that store 1st time a few days ago....saw this post..
Just a bunch of snooty-hoity-toity employees!!! LOL
Overpriced store! WOW!
Take a look comparison, I was searching for a decent heavy-guage 8x4 loaf pan:
Williams Sonoma: 16 bucks for 8-1/2 x 4-1/2" pan 16 BUCKS!
Ultimate Baker http://cooksdream.com/store/nor3849.html
SAME pan size NORPRO: $8.90
Yes $8.90 + shipping of ($6) = Final cost of pan $14.90.
I'd go to WS just to avoid the $6 waste of $$ in shipping.
I just bought a Kitchen Aide Hand Held 9 speed mixer from there and LOVE IT!!!
Ditto on this one! This is on my Christmas wish list after researching a bunch and it's the same price at WS as in most other stores. So helpful to have an extra mixer, especially if you're doing any cake recipes with whipped egg whites so you don't have to clean the stand mixer in between the batter and the whites...
Also, I got the $40 measuring cups/measuring spoon set from them as a wedding gift (All-Clad brand) and I absolutely love them (not that a cheaper brand wouldn't do but these are definitely lifetime quality) - If I have to melt a small amount of sugar or something, I can also use the 1cup measure as a mini "pot" since they're stovetop safe...
My DH (who's a chef) can't just pass that store up without going inside... if only just to browse at all the cookbooks, knives, and cookware.. I can't stand the overpriced stuff that looks more novelty than useful ($16 Thomas Keller Cake Mix? $50 popsicle mold?), but they do have some good stuff if you look.
they also have this pan
http://cakecentral.com/modules.php?name=gallery&file=displayimage&pid=1897848
they also have this pan
http://cakecentral.com/modules.php?name=gallery&file=displayimage&pid=1897848
I bought the cookie pan when it first came out. I used it once then packed it away in the goodwill box. I prepped the pan really well, moreso than usual as it has so many nook and crannies, but my cake stuck in some of the grooves anyway. It was pretty ragged looking by the time I got the layers removed. I don't really like it has cookie imprinted on it either. It would have been great if they'd been able to get permission from whomever (Christie?) makes Oreos, to use the name. The pans are not very high either, 1 1/2 inch so you have to watch your don't overfill.
Williams Sonoma have the best baking pans. And they have added other sizes now. They're called Goldtouch. They bake like no other. I got them on a recommendation from Cooks Illustrated and I've been back for more for my sister, and the rest of my family.
They also have a pancake pen that's pretty nice.
And, a Emile Henry pizza stone that's just the best out there.
That's why I said buy what you want.
OOH, I just looked on their website. Think about getting the big pizza stone they show. I use one in my oven when baking cakes and breads. It conducts heat and gives you even baking throughout the cake (no high or low spots). You have to put the stone in the oven when you start the pre-heat, and you have to bake your cakes a little longer, but you don't have to reach in and spin the pans around to get even baking all around.
Theresa
I've heard the WS pizza stones break easily and they have a very bad smell...and they're hard to clean. That made me go straight into the Emile Henry, but I guess the size might not be good for you.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/13/dining/13stone.html
The question I have for you is what are you in the need of? There is soooo much to chose from at WS. I like the water carbonator. They have two models...one that is $150 and the higher end one is $200. It makes homemade carbonated H2O. You add syrups to make soda or can add juices to make Spritzes.
The panini maker is currently on sale for $100, down from $120. It was recently featured on Oprah as one of her "favorite things". That thing is fantastic.
In the bakeware department...there are tons of baking sheets and tart pans. The Emile Henry line bakes up well, too. The pie plates yield perfectly baked pies.
I also have the 16C Cuisinart Food Processor and its FABULOUS. The KitchenAid 610 series in more powerful than the basic Pro600.....15 watts more power.
Have fun with your gift card!
I just bought their version of a giant cupcake pan and love it!
http://www.williams-sonoma.com/products/the-great-cupcake-cake-pan/
Good tip on waiting until after the holidays.
Bob, I have never had parchment burn on me but I can tell you my cookies are so much better now that I cook them on parchment instead of aluminum foil. No more burnt bottoms.
I've been eye-ing the Nordicware Gingerbread house cake pan, it's only about $35 BUT I need another shaped pan like a hole in the head. I will definately check out the vanilla bean paste...but will have to figure out how to use it
The vanilla bean paste is excellent. I use it in the same ratio as regular vanilla. 1 tsp vanilla=1 tsp vanilla bean paste. I think those are the directions on the bottle. It's worth $11.
Fresh Market has Vanilla Bean Paste for $7.99/bottle, but is on sale now for $6.99.
Right! That's where i bought my last bottle for less than $8. I was shocked at the price difference.
With Williams Sonoma (one of my favorite stores, but I still know about their overpricing on some items), you are better off buying stuff that nobody else sells for less, or things no other store has. I also look for better prices for the Vanilla Bean Paste. $6.99 / 4oz = 1.75 oz. Amazon also has a 32 oz bottle for $44, which brings the price per oz a lot lower.
Thanks everyone. This has been such a helpful thread. Sadly I really don't "need" much except the cookie sheets Bob suggested. Funny enough someone already gave me that "oreo" cookie pan and the giant cupcake pan I haven't used the cookie one yet. Like most of my specialty shaped pans they were gifts and adorable but I never find time to bake them up. I use my standard round and square more than anything else.
I actually laughed at the $40 measuring spoons until you told me they were stove safe...that's kind of cool. I'm a sucker for a really good rubber spatula so I may check that out as well.
I have really enjoyed reading what people love and hate at WS.
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