Must have kitchen gadgets

Honeythief

On the countertop:

• microwave
• kettle
• toaster
• compost bin (not really a gadget but it is used daily!)
• knife rack
• utensil holder for spatulas, whisk, etc.

That's really all we have space for. Hidden away in cupboards or not even in the kitchen because they don't fit:

• Senseo coffee machine (we're going to get rid of this soon as the coffee pads are too expensive and hard to find here in NZ)
• popcorn maker (used regularly)
• stick blender (used regularly)
• cup blender (used regularly)
• Kenwood food processor (used regularly)
• small slow cooker (used infrequently)
• double slow cooker (used infrequently)
• fondue set (used rarely, but worth keeping!)
• toastie maker (used infrequently)

I'm pleased to notice that we don't have much that isn't used. I already got rid of things like the pasta maker and the electric frying pan that were huge space hogs and we didn't use at all. No point in keeping that sort of thing! The toastier maker had a sticker on it saying that if it wasn't used in six months from the label date, it was to go to charity, but my husband hauled it out with about a month's grace so it can stay for now

Mrs_Bones

Electric gadgets on the counter top

Kettle - used frequently every day,
Toaster - used frequently every day,
Kitchen aid mixer - only used about once a week but it's too heavy to move on and off, besides it just makes me smile to see it so I like to keep it out.

Other stuff on the counter top are spice / herb rack used frequently, banana hook, teapot, tea canister.

At the side of the counter we've got a huge cupboard that use to contain an inbuilt fridge freezer. In there I've got all the electric things I use occasionally and just bring out as and when;

sandwich toaster,
slow cooker,
bread maker,
food processor,
mini oven (used when we didn't have a full oven now just kept for family get togethers),
hand mixer,
stick blender

All of the above I use to use much more frequently when there were more of the family were here and I was working but now it's just mostly one or two of us they arn't need so much, yet I still use then enough not to want to get rid of them.

I am at the moment thinking of adding another gadget to my counter top, I'm really tempted to get a water filter combined chiller, the sort with the tap on. I do have a water filter jug for the fridge but it's continually empty as we drink a lot of water. The water straight out of our taps doesn't taste too great. Just not sure I can justify to myself the £50 price tag for it when a jug in the fridge is a fraction of the cost.

Lettuce_Wraith

Mrs_Bones wrote: »

I'm really tempted to get a water filter combined chiller, the sort with the tap on. I do have a water filter jug for the fridge but it's continually empty as we drink a lot of water. The water straight out of our taps doesn't taste too great. Just not sure I can justify to myself the £50 price tag for it when a jug in the fridge is a fraction of the cost.

Cucumber works well for cheering up the taste of tap water or "council pop" as we call it
Drop 4 fairly thin slices of cucumber per pint of water into your water jug and then let it sit in the fridge for a few hours, replace the cucumber every 2 days or so (it starts to swell and disintegrate if you leave it too long) obviously keep the jug topped up with water.
It takes the edge off nasty tasting tap water and makes it quite pleasant.... almost creamy - can't think of a better thirst quenching drink on a summers day than this.

Steve059

I'm still managing quite well with just my Braun stick blender. OK, it does also have a whisk (useful) and very small "food processor" (used a couple of times) and a blender jug (I can't recall ever using this).

I quite deliberately don't have a toaster. I know that I'd just end up eating too much toast. I could do it under the grille, but this is enough of a disincentive.

davsidipp

love my old steamer,you can cook a meal quite easily in it,slow cooker i can take or leave it,still have not got the hang of it,breadmaker sits with pride too,love the loaves that are made in it,even though i have had a few duds,its still worth it.

Mrs_Bones

Lettuce_Wraith wrote: »

Cucumber works well for cheering up the taste of tap water or "council pop" as we call it
Drop 4 fairly thin slices of cucumber per pint of water into your water jug and then let it sit in the fridge for a few hours, replace the cucumber every 2 days or so (it starts to swell and disintegrate if you leave it too long) obviously keep the jug topped up with water.
It takes the edge off nasty tasting tap water and makes it quite pleasant.... almost creamy - can't think of a better thirst quenching drink on a summers day than this.

Thanks I'll try that, I love cucumber anyway.:)

bluebag

Whhhhhat? yer asking me to actually look in my cupboards??

I'm not coming on here again, you lot are unreasonable.

GreenFairy

Microwave goes on top of the little fridge freezer, with my nesting mixing bowls on top. Whistle kettle lives on the hob. Counter has breadmaker, bread bin, chopping block, 2 utensil jars, coffee machine, small compost caddy, 3 cookbooks (most used atm), salt pig and oil/vinegar set.

Electronics hidden away in press:
4 in 1 slow cooker, Kenwood chef, Magimix food processor, Magimix ice cream maker, toaster, stick blender and all the bits, sandwich toaster.

Got rid of a load of kitchen things last year including my Foreman grill. Was quite harsh on myself but at least now I use all the things I have.

notanewuser

Bean to cup coffee machine :heartpuls:, KitchenAid mixer :heartpuls:, toaster, fruit bowl, kettle. All used every day.

Microwave, stick blender, food processor and hand mixer all live in the utility room.

Alton_Towers

On worktops kettle, esspresso machine, microwave, toaster, kitchen scales, bread/chopping boards.

In cupboards Kenwood processor along with various attachments, Kenwood Patissier (I have Kitchenaid envy to all those that have one, I am willing my Kenwood to die so I have an excuse to get a Kitchenaid), handheld mixer, pasta machine, waffle maker, sandwich toaster, bread machine and veg/potato peeler.