Must have kitchen gadgets

maman

I love my wok. That's partly because we love to eat huge stir fries but it's so useful for starting off casseroles, browning lamb shanks etc Always found that frying pan was never big enough. Oh and I love my microwave saucepan. It's got a slatted lid so acts as a strainer too.

Bitsy_Beans

I second the hand blender. I bought it when I had my first baby and I still use it nearly 5 years on for soups and smoothies etc. I like my BM (when I do use it ) - not sure why I think it's such a faff - after weighing out the ingredients 3 hours later I have a lovely loaf and I've not had to spend any time or energy kneeding it. However if that part is something you enjoy then a BM is going to be no benefit to you.
I think you've probably got most of it covered.

Ginger_Snap

I agree with the hand blender, but also LOVE my huge, heavy-bottomed saucepan. I often joke that it was the best present my OH ever bought me. I use it for making double quantities of lots of dishes so I can freeze one half.

wssla00

Mine have to be my cast iron casserole dishes- no idea why they work so well but they are AMAZING! Just bung it all in and leave it to do it's job!

Bitsy_Beans

Can I add my mahoosive freezer too? I think without it I'd be lost completely. The ability to store leftovers, batch cooking, any potential bargains etc is a real must for me. I grant you not everyone has one as big as me (you can get a body inside it - not that I've tried.....honest ) and I am incredibly lucky to have one (despite it being in the garage). In fact it's probably more worthwhile than my little hand blender.........

cooking-mama

I recently bought a pressure cooker (as recent as last week)....and it is fantastic,I cannot believe how good it is,so far ive made a whole chicken,mince n tatties,braised steak,turnip and tonight chicken curry,it is so quiet and so quick,and everything tastes far better than it ever did in the slow cooker..im converted to pressure cooking.

bramble1

Sooo Christmas is on its way, as is my birthday and i'd like to ask my family for gifts that will help my OS lifestyle in the long term.

What do you use thats make a big difference to your life? for either every day use or even recreational?


I have a slow cooker, and pasta machine, i love to cook and experiement and i love arts and crafts.

Alison_Funnell

Sewing machine. Essential if you plan on a lot of sewn/repurposed clothes etc.

Little_Vics

bread machine for us....

Alison_Funnell

Hand blender and food processor.