Does it Really Work? - Steam n' Mash

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Story Published: Nov 19, 2009 at 10:29 AM MDT

Story Updated: Nov 19, 2009 at 10:29 AM MDT

By Tommy Noel

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With Thanksgiving about a week away, you're probably getting your dinner plans ready for the big day. So let us help you out.

In today's edition of 'Does it Really Work?' spuds get tested on the Spud-o-Meter.

Infomercial: Want homemade mashed potatoes without the homemade hassle? Introducing Ore Ida Steam n' Mash.

The staff at the Senior Citizens Community Center in Idaho Falls let me borrow their kitchen so we all could whip up some potatoes.

"So you don't open up the bag. You just leave everything like that," says Tommy Noel.

Our unopened bag is placed in the microwave with the timer set for ten minutes. While we wait for the Steam n' Mash, we'll prepare some potatoes the ole fashioned way- by boiling them.

Meanwhile, our Steam n' Mash potatoes are done and even got a few minutes to cool in the microwave. Out of the bag, the potatoes are in cubes so you will need a masher or electric mixer. Add milk and butter as mentioned in the directions, and you're done.

Meanwhile, my boiled potatoes weren't done, but when the time came, I added milk and butter.

We know which product wins the time test. As Steam n' Mash from start to finish took about 13 minutes. The ole fashioned way - 40 minutes.

Now for the taste test. I'll have Community Center patrons try both and give their opinion.

"I like this one [Steam n' Mash] better because this [boiled potatoes] is lumpy."

How embarrassing to serve lumpy potatoes to these people!

"I like this one [Steam n' Mash] the best."

We're two and zero for the Steam n' Mash.

"I like them [Steam n' Mash] best."

"Them [Steam n' Mash] are tasty. They're tastier."

So the Steam n' Mash picks up perfect marks, with all testers enjoying the instant product better.

Turning to the Spud-o-Meter, or in this case, the Mashed-Potato-Meter.

"I'd say four."

"Four. It's a nicer tasting product."

"This is a five."

You've witnessed the speed and taste test. Let's compare the cost. Cost of Steam n' Mash- $4 at Albertsons. Cost of three large Russet potatoes, less than a buck. Will saving time and better tasting potatoes be worth spending nearly four times as much? That's for you to decide.

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