Must have kitchen gadgets

Patchwork_Quilt

I do use my food processor quite a lot but I have a Kenwood electric hand mixer that my MIL gave me 20 years ago. I would not be without it.

One OS idea for helping with all the fiddly washing up bits is to have half a bowl (or a jug) of hot water standing by while you are baking. Drop all your spoons, chopping blades, beaters etc into it and all the sticky bits will have dissolved when you come around to the washing up

Butterfly_Brain

I couldn't be wthout my huge stock pot - I make enough stew in it to feed us for 6 meals. My other favourites are my slo cooker and Breadmaker and my stainless steel Wok

Olliebeak

Wouldn't want to be without my SlowCooker, Pressure Cooker, Stick Blender (cheapie one!), M/wave and Steamer Pan - all would be replaced if anything happened to them. Oooooh and my one-person cafetiere (so much quicker than the dratted filter machine :mad:!)

I have a food mixer that has only been used twice since I bought it a year ago ; electric tin opener (what was I thinking of ?) - don't think it's ever successfully opened anything in 2yrs - but the knife sharpening bit is good; tumble dryer very rarely gets used and we could do without it - in fact the space it takes up would be far more useful :rolleyes: !

jenster

larmy16 wrote: »

My JML Halogen oven has changed my life! Used in combination with my microwave, it has speeded up dinner time, food tastes great and it saves heaps on electricity.

got to agree100% on that the halogen is marvelous so much quicker
saves heeps of time

kunekune

I used to have a food processor, but it was a real hassle to put it together, and when we moved to the UK I didn't bring it (can't bring electricals easily). Also, this kitchen is small so I couldn't leave one out and set up - the only way it gets used. Other gadgets I no longer have are the breadmaker (prefer to do it the old-fashioned way) and the grill (liked it but the timer broke and again, no room anyway).

Now I just have a stick blender and a mini-chopper. There's a smoothie maker/liquidiser stuffed in the back of a cupboard but it's not used. The chopper is fantastic - small bowl means it works for small quantities, and the blade does nuts with no problems. When these die, I have another stick blender and chopper set that I won in a raffle sat downstairs. The only thing I can't do easily is grate, but apart from a FP I haven't found a good alternative to an ordinary grater yet. I use a hand whisk for cream or eggs. My other big time saver is the defrost setting on the fan oven. We have a built-in microwave but don't need it, and won't get one when we move (in rental at the moment) provided still have a fan oven. It will defrost meat in about an hour, no hot spots.

What would I like? Given the kind of cooking I do, I think I'd add: pestle & mortar, a cheese grater with a bowl under it to catch the cheese, and I've always fancied an ice cream maker, mad as it sounds!

Essex-girl_2

bibbly wrote: »

I use my food processor a lot, though in "waves"! Depends how organised I'm being so sometimes it'll get used several times in a week, other times it languishes in the cupboard for a few weeks without seeing the light of day! The children prefer hm cakes and biscuits to shop bought - do fairy cakes freeze well btw? Something I haven't tried.

My BM hasn't been out in months but I really could do with getting that out again. Problem I've found is that it goes hard really quickly (the bread, not the maker!!) - within 2 days it's inedible really - any tips please?

Great ideas on here though, both the board in general of course and this thread.

I use the BM all the time now, I also invested in a kenwood slicer. When the bread is cool I slice it then freeze it in portions - usually 2 or 4 slices, I find that HM bread freezes very well.

vivw_2

Thanks for that tip Essex-girl. I have both a bread maker and the kenwood slicer which haven't had an airing lately while the kitchen is being done. When we have eaten all the shop bread I'll use them and hopefully save lots of money.

I love my maximix food processor and wouldn't be without it.

greenbee

vivw wrote: »

I love my maximix food processor and wouldn't be without it.

Me too... I saved up and got the best one I could afford. It's great when batch cooking as I can make vast quantities of cake batter at once, or slice masses of onions or carrots or whatever in seconds, all ready to use. I have three bowls on mine, which means that if I use them carefully I don't have to rinse it between every use. And it all goes in the DW at the end of the day

hotcookie101

I have a food processor that I don't use that much-usually easier to just slice/chop onions etc for most stuff I cook. I use it for pastry (never fails me ) making breadcrumbs, and when I am cooking up a huge batch bolognase/chilli/shepherds pie mince etc I REALLY finely chop carrots onions and celery to go in it-is easier and quicker to do that that to chop 4 onions/carrots and celery finely. However for veg soups/broths that I like to have the veg chunky in I hand chop still-I find it all goes a little too fine in the processor. Kenwood chef (was my grans!) hardly ever used simply cos I dont really bake, but when I do its a god send. Stick blender with small chopping bowl-brilliant-use it all the time.

Jasper27_2

I've always avoided gadgets as I have a small kitchen and hate clutter, so I've always beaten, chopped etc by hand. However following failed surgery it looks like my right hand and arm are going to be permanently disabled. It's not that bad, but I now have very poor grip, can not lift anything heavy and my arm gets tired very easily. Cooking is one of tasks I'm finding most difficult which is frustrating as I enjoy it and always cook from scratch and bake cakes etc. OH helps with chopping, lifting pans and trays from the oven etc but I think I'd cope better with a few gadgets.

I've posted here rather than the disability and dosh forum as I know there are lots of cooks here. So what gadgets do you have you wouldn't be without and which are gathering dust? It can't be anything heavy as I can't move it by myself and I don't have much cupboard space. I don't mind spending money for something quality that's going to last but don't want to waste cash on something useless.

I have a smoothie maker which I have found great for whipping cream and a few other tasks. I've just ordered an electric can opener and some new kitchen scissors that are easier to grip. I'm also considering a stick blender with the attachments for chopping, whisking etc. There are knives for people with impared grip/weak arms but I don't know if I'd be better off just having decent sharper knives. Can anyone suggest anything else they think might help? All suggestions gratefully received.