OS Book - Buying Kitchen Equipment

Former_MSE_Sue · 22 March 2006 at 3:40PM

Ok in the kitchen bit now...........going through which kitchen appliances are worth having and which not to bother with..... can we post tips on what to look out for if you're buying any of the gadets below? (that's naturally if you can't beg, borrow or steal them) ie what bits/buttons do you need but so you avoid paying extra for fancy bits on them that you don't need?

Bread Maker
Slow cooker
Food processor
Hand whisk
Grill (George Foreman style)

Do have a a little list of what NOT to bother with but if you have any more suggestions for the most time consuming/waste of money appliance feell free to post Ta Sue

Ticklemouse · 22 March 2006 at 3:55PM

Ooooh, Sue - this is a bit 'horses for courses' in a lot of respects, so I reckon there will an awful lot of personal likes and dislikes regarding the same items.

However - Bread makers: Having owned a cheap one and an expensive one with the nut dispenser, I would say that the expensive one is worth it's weight in gold. I paid about £30 - 35 for the cheap one about 8 years ago - it went in the back of a cupboard after a few months because it made 'housebricks'. However, I got my Russell Hobbs Breadman Ultimate (v. similar to the Panny most on here have) last year - cost me £66 ish when on sale. Fantastic bit of kit and although I don't use the nut dispenser all that often, I'm glad I have it.

Slow-cooker: Get bigger than you think you'll need as families grow, as do appetites and there's always the trusty freezer to store leftovers in. I don't think most people will need to pay more for a timer tho (stand to be corrected, obviously

)

Stick Blender - I love mine - make soups, smoothies, breadcrumbs with mine. It was a ridiculously expensive one I bought years ago but I understand the value ones are nearly if not as good. I'll let you know because I bought my mum a Tesco value one last week.

George Foreman - I bought mine as my grill is diabolical. However, I don't think they are any better than a (decent working) grill and in fact you can be limited to what you can cook in them properly ie very thick sausages and chops. I find it a pain to clean if it has dried stuff on as the plates aren't removeable. If I were to buy another one, I'd def go for removeable plates. However, I'm hoping to replace my oven/grill soon, so won't need a new one.

I'll think on some more - haven't time now.

Jay-Jay_4 · 22 March 2006 at 3:58PM

The Kenwood Smoothie maker has been sat, gathering dust, on my worktop for 2 years now. It's easier to just eat the fruit rather than chop it, blend it, mix it with milk, clean the jug/tap/spout etc....!

My electric steamer was used twice and now sits on another worktop. It's a nightmare to clean as there is a window (like on an iron) to indicate the water level, this is a seperate compartment with is 'uncleanable'.... so fills up with the veg water and then goes mouldy. Yak! Much easier to have a stainless steel 'over pan' steamer.

If you're going for a steamer then make sure that the water level indicator window is a completely cleanable part of the machine.

Edited to add: Another vote for the stick blender! I use the seperate chopping container/attachment loads too for blending onions with garlic for bolognaise that children will eat, pate and it was used for all the baby food.

mirakl · 22 March 2006 at 4:32PM

Bread Makers rock! they're ridiculously handy.
Slow cooker don't have one and am still trying to work out if I'd ever use one.
Food processor I have a blender that I love although I generally use it to make cocktails as opposed to real food

Hand whisks are indispensible
Grill (George Foreman style) I threw mine out. It was horrible to clean, restrictive, too small and I didn't like how little control you had with the temperature.
I also have an ice cream maker I couldn't live without.

moggins · 22 March 2006 at 4:55PM

The four things I couldn't live without:

Slow cooker
electric hand mixer/whisk
Blender
V-Slicer.

Ticklemouse · 22 March 2006 at 4:56PM

See - 'horses for courses'

I have an electric veg steamer - I'm on my 3rd one (Mr TM dropped one, other died of overuse) I never have enough space on my hob for a pan so I like the fact I can steam my veg over on the worktop. I've never had any problems cleaning mine.

Food processor - I decided I didn't need one but have bought a hand food processor, just for chopping onions etc - quick, easy and no smelly hands and crying eyes.

Ice cream maker - I did get one but took it back unesed as I thought it would become a useless gadget. Guess what - my kids want more and more 'decent' ice cream, so I may have to rethink this one in the future. I would imagine that a good quality, does it all machine would be best (rather than faff around putting containers into and out of the freezer - but then I'd either forget or be too lazy

)

purplegirluk1 · 22 March 2006 at 5:00PM

I could not live without my Tescos Value hand blender! It cost £4.99 and has two speeds, is easy to clean and helps me make sauces, soups, batters etc and the bonus is that it was so cheap I wouldn't mind if I had to replace it but its been going strong for a year now and looks as good as new.

elona · 22 March 2006 at 5:28PM

I love my slow cooker - just had a huge shepherds pie and DD actually complimented it!!!!

Adore my breadmaker which has just made a fruitcake, as well as pizza dough, rolls, and jam!

Ice cream maker will be used as soon as weather gets better.

Microwave is great for defrosting meat in a hurry or softening veg ready to go in slow cooker.

MrsMW · 22 March 2006 at 5:31PM

Another vote for slow cookers, especially the modern big ones. I loved my 18 years old one but the new big one is brilliant. There are only two of us but the large cooker is great for cooking extra meals to freeze.
Also love my Russell Hobbs bread machine, much better that the cheap one I first bought.
I wouldn't be without my combination microwave, I use all the functions on it and very rarely use my big oven, in fact my big oven is over 2 years old and I've never cleaned it other than to give it a quick wipe. I'm not a !!!!!! really it just never gets dirty as I only use it for a big baking session or if I'm cooking for guests.

Former_MSE_Sue · 22 March 2006 at 5:46PM

Love the idea of 'multi purpose' appliances - as a non breadmaker (dare I admit this here?) had no idea you could make fruitcake and even jam in it!!! Any other ideas for other functions or any of these appliances? Thanks Sue

amanda40 · 22 March 2006 at 5:50PM

I use my George Foreman grill a lot to make toasties and the kids sausages. Wouldn't be without it though as easier to clean than a breville! Have a small food procesor - very handy for makeing chicken nuggets etc for the kids.

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OS Book - Buying Kitchen Equipment

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