CooksCountry.com FAQs
Membership Information
- I’m already a member of CooksIllustrated.com. Why should I join CooksCountry.com?
The recipes, tips, and techniques available at CooksCountry.com are not available at CooksIllustrated.com.
CooksCountry.com contains every recipe from the pages of Cook’s Country magazine as well as hundreds of additional recipes available nowhere else online. In addition, every kitchen shortcut and cooking technique featured in Cook’s Country magazine is available exclusively at CooksCountry.com. None of this information is found on CooksIllustrated.com.
And like the best features of CooksIllustrated.com, each recipe page on CooksCountry.com features quick links to related recipes, equipment ratings, ingredient tastings, one-click shopping lists, step-by-step illustrations and photos, and a Google-powered search engine to find what you’re looking for fast.
A dual membership allows you to access the entire range of recipes, testings, and web-exclusive recipes and articles from the pages of both Cook’s Illustrated and Cook’s Country magazines.
- Is a separate fee charged for access to each of your websites, or does one membership entitle me to access all three?
We currently offer 3 premium membership services: CooksIllustrated.com, CooksCountry.com, and AmericasTestKitchen.com. We do not currently offer one membership that provides access to all 3 of our premium web services. Access to each site's premium content requires a membership to that service. You can sign up using the same username and password for each.
- Can I join the website without a credit card?
If you would like to join the website with a check or money order, send your request to:
America's Test Kitchen
Attn: Customer Service
17 Station St.
Brookline, MA 02445Be sure to include your complete mailing address, your e-mail address, and a password you would like to use to log on to the website.
Once we have received your order with payment, we will send you an e-mail confirming that your membership has been started.
- Why should I join CooksCountry.com if I already subscribe to Cook’s Country magazine?
From the Desk of Christopher P. Kimball
Dear Friend of Cook’s,
If I were you, I’d be wondering why I would want to join CooksCountry.com when I already read Cook’s Country magazine.
I wondered the same thing myself. After all, I had all the back issues, the hardbound editions, and all of our cookbooks, including The New Best Recipe. But within weeks, I was clicking away, searching for a tasting or an equipment test or just looking for a recipe variation that was in a back issue from months ago.
Powerful Search Engine
For starters, our Web site is powered by an newly updated search engine, which means that you can find anything in just seconds, whether it is a ranch chili recipe from our charter issue or a recent kitchen shortcut that gives you an easy way to skim the fat from homemade stock. (Place plastic wrap on the still-warm stock and then refrigerate overnight. Peel away the wrap and the fat comes right off with it.)
No more looking through a master index or table of contents or flipping through the pages of a book. You can find what you want in seconds. And our extensive database, which is constantly growing and being updated, will give you countless options for any meal or dish you want to cook.
Updated Equipment and Ingredient Ratings
Models and prices seem to change almost overnight. Our team of Web editors is constantly updating previous tests on, well, you name it: electric carving knives, standing mixers, cookie sheets, instant-read thermometers, and more. And of course in addition to these updates our Web site gives you access to our extensive database of previously published equipment tests (everything from garlic presses to food processors) and ingredient tastings (from semisweet chocolate to gourmet salt). All in all, we have the results of more than 550 tastings and tests covering more than 2,500 individual products, saving you money, time, and the headache of purchasing the wrong knife, the overpriced standing mixer, or the expensive brand of olive oil that might actually have been made from hazelnut oil imported from Turkey!
Complete Menus and Shopping Lists
Since I am not terrific at menu planning, I also like the Menus section of our Web site, which helps me with ideas for matching recipes to the season or the occasion. I know that mashed potatoes go with fried chicken, but what do I serve with pan-seared scallops or glazed pork tenderloin? (I’m a good cook, but Martha Stewart is a whole lot better at putting it all together!) I also use the Shopping List feature, which prints every ingredient I'll need for every recipe on my menu. This is a huge timesaver.
Smart, Intuitive Links to Related Content
But the best part of being a Web member is the access to the breadth of information that is linked to a particular recipe. Recently, a recipe for Sunday-Best Garlic Roast Beef provided a link to the best roasting pan in Equipment Corner and the best canned beef broth in the Tasting Lab. I even clicked on a related Kitchen Shortcut to learn a clever way to keep garlic from sticking to my knife when mincing.
I love books. I love magazines. I like the feel of the paper. I like exploring pages one by one. But I also like convenience and up-to-date information. And I love searching thousands of pieces of information to find exactly what I was looking for. In just seconds.
FREE 14-DAY TRIAL
If you’re like my Vermont neighbors, you don’t like slick marketing offers, so let me make a simple, no-nonsense suggestion. Try out our Web site FREE for a 14-Day No-Hassle Trial Offer. I’m pretty confident that our Web site will quickly become one of your frequent online destinations. Of course, you can always cancel at any time. No problems. No hassles. Guaranteed.
Thanks for your consideration, and I hope to see you soon at our site. (You can leave a question or comment for me--even personal comments are welcome.)
Best regards,
- How does the My Favorites section of the site work?
As a paid member of CooksCountry.com, you can save your favorite recipes, taste tests, equipment reviews, menus, videos, and cooking tips as bookmark in a personal folder. From your My Favorites folder (/favorites) you can quickly access your recipes, print out shopping lists, or watch videos.
- What is the charge for CooksCountry.com?
A one-year membership to Cook’s Country is $34.95. If you are a current magazine subscriber, CooksIllustrated.com, or AmericasTestKitchen.com member, you can join CooksCountry.com for the discounted one-year membership fee of $29.95.
- I’m already a member of CooksIllustrated.com and/or AmericasTestKitchen.com. Am I entitled to a discounted membership to CooksCountry.com?
YES. All active Cooksllustrated.com and/or AmericasTestKitchen.com members will receive a discount on their annual Cookscountry.com membership. Simply click here to begin your 14-Day Free Trial Membership.
- Is a separate fee charged for access to all of your websites, or does one membership entitle me to access to the other two?
We currently offer three premium membership services: CooksIllustrated.com, CooksCountry.com, and AmericasTestKitchen.com. We do not currently offer one membership that provides access to all three of our premium web services. Access to each site's premium content requires a membership to that service. Once a member, you’ll receive a discounted membership for one of our other websites. You can sign up using the same username and password for each.
- Can I join the website by using a check or money order?
Yes. You can join the website by using a check or money order.
Send your check or money order to:
Cook's Country
PO Box 6101
Harlan, IA 51593Be sure to include your complete mailing address, your e-mail address, and a password you would like to use to log on to the website. Once we have received your payment and address information, we will send you an e-mail confirming that your membership has begun.
- Can I download a gift card?
Yes. Gift cards can be downloaded from the gift card page in our bookstore.
- Is Cook’s Country magazine available on any digital devices, such as an iPad or Nook?
Yes, currently Cook’s Country Magazine is available on the following devices: iPad; Barnes & Noble Nook; Amazon Kindle Fire; and all Android devices through Google Play. To find out more information on our digital editions, visit our Digital/Mobile information page.
- If I am a current Cook’s Country magazine print subscriber, do I get a discount on any of the Cook’s Country digital editions?
At this time, there is no discount to subscribe to Cook’s Country on a digital device for current print subscribers. Unlike most publishers, which are mostly concerned about selling advertisements, Cook’s Country does not accept any advertising or promotional revenue. We are 100% ADVERTISING FREE, and rely on the revenue from our magazine subscriptions and single issue sales to support our product.
Manage your Account
- What is this charge on my credit card statement?
If your monthly or annual Cookscountry.com membership has renewed or if you have recently become a member of the Web site, the charge on your credit card statement will read: COOKS COUNTRY WEBSITE.
- Why do you charge for the content on CooksCountry.com?
A membership to our website is separate from a subscription to our magazine. Website memberships are $34.95 per year, and magazine subscribers and current web members receive a discounted rate of $29.95.
Unlike most websites, which are first and foremost about making money from advertisements, selling products, and selling your personal information to other companies, Cookscountry.com does not accept any sort of advertising or promotional revenue. We are 100 percent advertising-free and rely entirely on the support of our website members. Given the substantial investment required to create, maintain, and update our Web site, we have no choice but to charge a modest fee.
Cook's Illustrated and Cook's Country magazine subscribers already know that only America's Test Kitchen provides no-nonsense cookware reviews and food ratings as well as an in-depth approach to recipe development. In our test kitchen, we roast 38 turkeys to find the best method for cooking it, sample turkeys from eight different producers to find the one that tastes the best, and test eight brands of roasting pan to find the one that works best for the best price. Of course, you can get hundreds of roast turkey recipes free elsewhere on the Web, but none will have been tested as extensively as ours or come anywhere close to foolproof.
With a membership to CooksCountry.com, you'll readily find all the recipes from every issue of Cook's Country as well as equipment ratings and product tastings from both Cook's Country and our sister magazine, Cook's Illustrated - all available to be searched by name, ingredient, course, or category—then viewed, downloaded, and printed with just a click of your keyboard.
But our website is not just an archive—we continually develop, add, and update content prepared only for web members. You'll get additional recipes, equipment ratings, and ingredient tastings as well as other content never published in the magazine. This web-exclusive content includes the following:
- Cook's Country Extra: Our "Extra" feature gives you additional recipes and cooking advice as well as expanded cookware tests and ingredient tastings that we didn't have room to print in the magazine.
- Updated equipment ratings and ingredient tastings: You'll have full access to all tests and tastings from Cook's Country and from 20 years of Cook's Illustrated—more than 550 tests (of more than 2,500 individual products!). We are constantly revisiting past tests to keep up with the endless rounds of product development in both kitchen equipment and food items.
- Recipes, tests, and tastings developed exclusively for the Web: Published only on CooksCountry.com.
- One-click shopping lists: One click will print out every ingredient you need to prepare a single recipe or a complete meal.
- Complete menus: From appetizer to dessert, created by Cook's Country editors for easy one-click meal planning and shopping.
- Searchable archive: Contains all of the recipes, tastings, equipment ratings and more from every issue of Cook's Country.
- My Cookbook: Save and organize your favorite recipes, kitchen tips, menus and ratings. Add your personal notes to recipes, ratings, and menus.
- Ask Cook's Country: Correspond with editors and staff. Members are invited to submit cooking or food questions to our editors.
- Pre-publication offers and special discounts: Be the first to purchase new books and special issues from our bookstore at substantial discounts. Get early notification of clearance sales plus access to television show content.
- How do I sign up for or unsubscribe to e-mail newsletters?
Click here to sign up for e-Notes. To unsubscribe, follow the link in the last Notes from the Test Kitchen you received.
- How do I cancel my online membership?
Return to the Cook's Country home page and log in to "My Account." The "My Account" link is located in the log in box on the upper right hand side of the webpage. Then choose "Cancel my Membership" from the options on the left.
If you are still experiencing difficulties, please call 800-526-8447. Please use this number only to cancel CooksCountry.com online membership.
- Contact us
For questions regarding the website or your CooksCountry.com membership, please e-mail cookscountryonline@americastestkitchen.com, or call Customer Service at 800-526-8447.
If you are a website member and have a cooking question, please e-mail cooks@americastestkitchen.com.
- How do I change my e-mail or password?
Log in to My Account. You will have access to all your account information and can enter and confirm a new password in the password fields. Remember to click "Save My Changes" when you have finished changing your information.
- How do I cancel my membership?
Log in to My Account and choose "Cancel My Membership" from the options on the left.
- How do I renew my membership?
To renew your membership, log in to My Account then click on the "Renew My Membership" option. If you have any difficulty, please call 800-526-8442. Hours are 8 AM to 7 PM CST, Monday to Friday.
- How do I change my billing information?
Log in to My Account and choose the option in the left column.
- What can I do if I forgot my password?
Click here to have your password e-mailed to you.
- I can't remember the e-mail address I used to sign up. Can you help?
Please email your name and complete mailing address to webinquiry@americastestkitchen.com. You may also call customer service at 800-526-8447 between 8 AM and 7 PM CST, Monday to Friday.
- How do I contact you?
For questions regarding the website or your membership, please e-mail webinquiry@americastestkitchen.com, or call Customer Service at 800-526-8447. Our office hours are Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 7 PM CST.
If you have a cooking question, please e-mail cooks@americastestkitchen.com.
Technical Questions
- Help — I can't log in.
If you are having difficulties logging in with your password and username:
1. First, close the current browser window, and open a new one
Open a new browser window, and type in "cookscountry.com" in the URL field.
Then, log in with your email address and password. (Do not pull up the Web
site from your "favorites" or from a "bookmark".) If you still have
problems, check the following:2. E-mail User Names and Passwords Are Case-Sensitive
Make sure to enter your email and password exactly as you entered it when
you established your account. In order for our login screen to recognize
your account, you must enter your e-mail and password with the same upper or
lower case characters that you entered when setting up your account.3. Make sure there are no spaces before your e-mail and password
Our login screen recognizes spaces as characters. Therefore, make sure that
you do not have any spaces at the beginning of your e-mail or password when
logging in.4. Delete stored password information
If the log in page shows dots (*****) in the password field, delete the
characters and type your password in again.5. Cookies must be enabled to use our site
Go to our assessment page to verify that your cookies are enabled and
receive instructions on how to enable them.6. Check any firewall/anti-virus software
If your computer has firewall/anti-virus software installed such as Norton
Firewall, ZoneAlarm, etc., be sure that CooksCountry.com is added as a
trusted site.7. The time and date on your computer must be correct
Check the clock on your computer. If it is not accurate, the Web site will
not work properly.8. If you are still experiencing difficulties logging into the site, please
call 800-526-8447. Please note that the CooksCountry.com online membership is a separate product from the CooksIllustrated.com membership. Please use this number only for CooksCountry.com online inquiries. - I’ve forgotten my password.
Click here to retrieve your password for your CooksCountry.com online membership.
- How do you secure the privacy of our credit card numbers?
CooksCountry.com uses SSL technology to keep your information safe. Whenever you access credit card information, either during checkout or when viewing your account, you are put into a "secure session." In Internet Explorer, you will see a "lock" icon in the bottom right of your screen, indicating that all communications between you and the CooksCountry.com website are encrypted.
- I put a space in my e-mail address and now I can't log in.
To get back in, try logging in with the erroneous space in the e-mail address. If you get in, go to your account and update your e-mail address there.
If you still can't log in, call customer service at: 800-526-8447. Please use this number only for CooksCountry.com online inquiries.
- I have an older browser and I can’t access the recipes.
You will need to upgrade your browser to a new version. To get a recent version of Microsoft Inernet Explorer, click here to go to the IE homepage.
- How can I tell if my cookies are enabled?
When you log in, we attempt to place a cookie on your browser.
Some users have their browsers configured to reject cookies or have cookies "turned off."
You need to check the settings of your browser and either turn them back on or stop rejecting them.
Each browser is different. In Internet Explorer, for example, you go into the TOOLS menu and click on INTERNET OPTIONS. Here you may need to click on the PRIVACY tab and adjust the settings.
- The screen message says that my password was sent, but I never got it.
There are a few reasons this might have happened:
1. It's possible that we don't have that particular e-mail address in our database. Make sure you are using the same e-mail address that you used when you first became a customer or member.
2. Make sure you typed the e-mail address correctly.
3. If you are running spam-blocking software, such as Earthlink spam blocker, please be sure to add support@americastestkitchen.com to your list of tallowed senders.
- I am having technical problems. Whom can I contact?
To contact us regarding technical difficulties associated with watching the videos or accessing the recipes, send an e-mail to webinquiry@americastestkitchen.com. You may also call customer service at 800-526-8442, Monday thru Friday, 8am to 7pm CST.
- The screen message says that my password was sent, but I never received it. What's going on?
There are a few reasons why this might happen:
1. It's possible that we don't have the e-mail address you checked in our database. Make sure you are using the same e-mail address that you used when you first became a customer or member.
2. Make sure you typed the e-mail address correctly.
3. If you are running spam blocking software, such as Earthlink spam blocker, please be sure to add support@bcpress.com to your list of allowed senders.
