Must have kitchen gadgets

Alcmene

sarahsarah wrote: »

I'm not really sure why you need to streamline.. I have lived in MQ for 5 yrs now and my kitchen is not very streamlined... In fact it is totally the opposite!

And I dont get the stocking up either, For me, its more important when dh is away that I am not stocked up, just to make sure I get out and about the the shops to pick up milk etc.. When in the UK I used to do an online shop for the heavy stuff, and use vouchers to cover the delivery cost, and now here in Gib I just buy things in smaller amounts so that I dont have to lug heavy stuff about on the bus..

I'm from Gibraltar!

Torkijo

I grew up in Army Quarters across Germany, Northern Ireland, UK and Saudi Arabia and the only reason Mum had to streamline was the packing fee to ship the stuff around the world, the quarters themselves were no smaller than a normal house - in fact most of them were normal houses. Might be worth asking the question of the quarter master at current location or a colleague who has experienced them before you get rid of bits

alittlebitofmagic

I'd be hesitant to get rid of anything for your kitchen until after your move. I moved a few years ago from a larger kitchen to a small one, I got rid of lots on freecycle.

However, amaz\ingly the smaller kitchen had a better cupboard and drawer layout and I actually had triple the room, wow did I kick myself!

Infact it looks like nobody lives here as thinkgs like full size coffee machine, s.cookers, blenders etc are all in the cupboards. The only thing I have out is my kettle, microwave and washing up liquid dispenser. Looks rather empty, but so much better than having to clean everything constantly.

Sorry, I went off on one! I'd not stock up that much myself, you will find that it goes off!

Why not get an online order for the bulk, but only buy when that item is on offer, plus using codes etc?

Additionaly, I'd be concerned that a lot of the freezer things would be stored well over the recommended times due to the sheer quantity.

I do all my groceries online and it is done in a flash and some supermarkets let you have a favorites list and so it is so quick!

I love being organised, but I think you are over doing it. I am not meaning to be critical, I am ridiculous at times, but I think you should simply pack up what you have(if no room I suspect there are new couples in the married quarters who would gratefully recieve!!!)and do a store cupboard order online once there, there is no point moving lots of food, most people try to reduce their store cupboard not increase, before a move!

alittlebitofmagic

Ah, state of the above post, fingers are freezing-sorry!

paulabear

Hi

Big fan of the OS boards but have lately been drawn to the Grabbits, now trying to be sensible again as it's far more fulfilling and I don't get tempted to buy more stuff!

I'm getting money for my Christmas present and was thinking that instead of buying anything silly I should try to get the most out of it, by getting things such as storage containers for freezing food, among other things.

I'm getting between 100 and 200 quid, I think, more likely the lower amount but would love to hear anyone's opinion on how I should spend it!

I've got three little ones aged 1, (nearly)3, and 4, so I don't think I'll have time for an allotment until they're all a bit older, or else I'd be thinking about that. I also don't think i'd get the hang of a Remoska, although I do have a lovely slow cooker that I'm very fond of!

Any advice appreciated, thank you!

scotrae

Do you have some decent baking / muffin trays for home baking? I'm hoping I might get some cash to spend on a third baking tray so I can do all the Twinks' hobnobs at once, some different coloured cake cases and an icing kit. If you don't already bake with your little ones you'll soon discover the joys! Perhaps get some cookie cutters for them to get involved too. A decent cooling rack (extendable is handy) is a must and something large to use as a mixing bowl (I'm 'temping' with a casserole dish at the moment).

I tend to keep my storage containers for the fridge, cakes etc but have been saving butter / marg spread containers which I freeze portions of leftovers in.

With three little ones you must be kept busy though, so I think you deserve to treat yourself a little too. Did you see the £10 spas on Grabbit?!

paulabear

Thank you I was thinking maybe I should invest in some containers that will last as I always manage to wreck margarine tubs within a few uses! Do you know anywhere I can find cheap silicon(e?) muffin trays or maybe something I can make cereal bars in? Have been using the Nigella recipe for breakfast bars, and Black Saturn's weetabix cake is amazing, we all got up late this morning and I was so glad I'd made some last night as we all had it for breakfast at the bus stop!:rotfl:

We already have some kids' baking stuff that my mum-in-law got the middle one from Lakeland, it's fab! And as good as the spa idea was, I'll probably get some Soap & Glory stuff from someone, so that's my treat :T - love that stuff. So I'm thinking I'll get some containers, maybe some bakeware... and maybe a big snuggly jumper to encourage me not to put the heating on!:D

toriaterrier

Home Bargains is great for cheap silicon bake ware, if you have a Home Bargains.

Getting home/kitchen things stocked up is great but you deserve to treat yourself too!

Guapa1

Storage stuff aside, I'd say decent bakeware, pots and knives. I've gone through so much cheap stuff, that it would be more effective to have bought the expensive stuff.

Jamie Olivers silicone bakeware came top in Good Housekeeping tests. Storage, I'm not sure about as I use old containers. Good luck, let us know what you got in the end!

Pink.

Hi paulabear,

The one thing I wouldn't like to be without in my kitchen is my stick blender so if you don't have one of those it may be worth thinking about.

These threads will show you what other Old Stylers like most and wouldn't waste kitchen space on:

Kitchen gadgets ...what is/is not essential

Must have kitchen gadgets

Unused kitchen gadgets

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