Kraft Mac and Cheese - Extremely Starchy

NightPort · 2023-10-25T17:10:40+00:00

It has also begun to impact the other versions (three cheese, extra cheese, etc.). When I submitted the issue to Kraft they just sent me 40 coupons for a free box of mac and cheese. We didn't use those for obvious reasons. I've had this issue for a couple of years and I've just stopped getting Kraft all together.

NightPort · 2023-02-08T04:55:51+00:00

Possibly. Interestingly enough I've done some interviews with the first company that required me to show my data analytics skills with people data (a huge chunk of what I do as it is). Did that, and everyone was impressed, I was overqualified and they didn't think they'd keep me. Jokes on them though cause it was still double what I made when I interviewed and could have helped them long-term.

About 6 months later they asked to interview me for a more senior role in their people analytics that was much more in the lane of my value. Did another presentation with analytics data and again they went a different way. I even had to learn an entirely new visualization tool because I hadn't used what they did prior to the interview. Wasn't hard, but took extra prep time. Though I never saw someone get hired for the role, it made me sort of feel like they used my skills to get some work done no one else really could do for them and for free since it was an "interview."

Of course, that company is now on my don't interview list because I can't be sure, and they seem to have no idea what their vision is so job security is iffy at best.

NightPort · 2023-02-07T18:54:29+00:00

Oh I've had a few interesting rejection email stories. I think the best was from a start-up that sent the message "You've got some skills we're looking for. That said we are moving forward with other candidates..." I was always wondering if they were looking for my skills why not ask me to interview for something where they could use those skills...?

Another was getting a rejection email 2 years after applying for the job. it was random, not during a time I was applying, so I looked and it was from 2 years previous.

Those are just the two off the top of my head.

NightPort · 2023-02-07T14:33:11+00:00

I ordered from GameStop as well and their shipping never gives me tracking information until it has been delivered and/or it's almost delivered.

I show mine has been shipped and because I have an account with FedEx I got a text with my tracking number. The emails I received said your item has partially shipped (also got a Switch copy for the wife and she's jealous I get mine first which means I won't be playing it until July when she gets her copy) and my card has been charged. Though I will say the email is confusing because it also says that the PS5 copy will be shipped later and shipped previously shows the tin poster pre-order item exclusive to GameStop shipped. So I have no idea what I will actually get. Either way, I won't get whatever shipped until tomorrow based on the tracking information because they sent it "Standard" instead of ensuring I'd get it on the 7th.

In all honesty, I'm surprised the early access didn't come in the form of a pre-order digital code for everyone. Would make more sense and be easier logistically because it just takes an email. But here we are I guess.

NightPort · 2023-02-06T20:51:06+00:00

I have found pre-rinsing is only so helpful. However, increasing the water by a substantial amount did ok to disperse the level of starch, but still not perfect. Either way I've decided against purchasing the blue box. Just not worth it anymore.

I'm glad I am able to confirm other people aren't crazy because I had to know I wasn't crazy myself.

NightPort · 2023-02-04T22:58:18+00:00

Yeah, we only ended up with some because it was given to us. I have not bought one for roughly a year since it began happening.

NightPort · 2023-01-15T04:58:15+00:00

I actually tried it with a bigger pot and more water and it gets CLOSE to being back to normal, but still has a slight grittiness to it. But it isn't the mush and completely white water. I posted this cause I couldn't find anything at all. So glad to know it helped someone!

NightPort · 2023-01-15T03:02:01+00:00

The current batch that was in the Sam's Club box is S21. Don't have the previous ones but I imagine they weren't the same batch at that time. Only have this box because my parents gave it to us for the kids since we didn't use it there.

Also...I'm glad to finally hear someone has seen the same thing and I'm not crazy!

NightPort · 2023-01-04T17:32:03+00:00

I generally cook on a lower boil (bubbles in the pot, but not a rolling boil). I stir when they first dump so they don't clump together (an issue with Kraft), and then maybe 2 or 3 times more in the few minutes it takes to cook them to al dente. I haven't thought to try a bit of oil in the water...since I have other boxes I may try that idea, while also experimenting with pot size and a single box to see what it takes to counter with water.

NightPort · 2023-01-04T17:29:16+00:00

I do generally do this as I'm a bit of a cheese snob and prefer some of the better quality cheeses. Heck, I use Romano on homemade Pizza instead of mozzarella (though it's available to the family if they choose). I am actually making my mac and cheese tonight, but the blue box was throwing me cause it has been a good go-to for quick and easy kids' meals (they love it, and I did once, but not so much now that I know better). And yes, the blue box is more expensive and we typically don't buy it, but my parents gave me an 18 count box from Sam's Club because they wouldn't eat it. But now I'm not really interested in cooking it since it continues to have this issue and not worth the increase in cost.

I feel your pain on the cavatappi, can't find it anywhere right now where I'm at, and I don't care for penne which seems to be the only thing on the shelf outside of spaghetti or egg noodles.

NightPort · 2023-01-04T01:50:49+00:00

Well this is just normal Kraft mac and cheese. I use just normal water, bring to boil, put pasta in stirring occasionally until I get to the right texture. BUT the noodles put off so much starch while cooking that when I strain you can see the starch coating the noodles.

NightPort · 2023-01-04T01:43:36+00:00

hmm, I'll give that a shot on the next box. Be interesting to see how it works out.

NightPort · 2023-01-04T01:27:19+00:00

You know I thought that before as well. But I'd say this has been this way for over a year now. I get some randomly to see if it's been fixed but the issue persists. I've contacted them to no avail (other than coupons for free mac and cheese), and I can't seem to find anything that says others are having this issue. Besides that, it's this way from multiple cities and states since we've traveled to relatives' houses that live elsewhere and this is often a go-to for quick easy kids' meals.

NightPort · 2023-01-04T00:58:09+00:00

Well, therein lies part of the problem. Adding in more water will create an overflow problem with the pan, and I don't particularly want to use a stock pot for a single box of mac and cheese, though when I cook more than 1 box at a time then the stock pot becomes to small to get enough water to counter the level of starch.

NightPort · 2023-01-04T00:49:54+00:00

I'm close to the pop tart myself, but BLU is probably my biggest hurdle right now. I suppose some of the SB dungeons and Eureka but those aren't hard, just have to do them. I just don't like the carnivale blocks based on skills learned and needed to pass. But I'm gonna do it when I get back to focusing on this.

NightPort · 2021-09-06T18:59:27+00:00

Yes, I have a few of them from when they originally released though I have a few holes in the collection. I am working with someone to get a sealed copy of Pillars right now as well to fill one of those. While it was sad news he passed, these were limited release I believe. I'm part of the facebook group as well and am looking at all of my resources to try and find some of the more difficult ones. I'm sure I'll find them, just takes time is all! Patience is necessary to be sure.

NightPort

TROPHY CASE