Must have kitchen gadgets

misty

Have to be the breadmaker - not bought shop bread since. I like the slow cooker and look forward to using it more in the winter.

Zziggi

It's a difficult one... probably slow cooker but also high on my list are my breadmaker, yogurt maker, food processor - and a large chest freezer!!

bargainaddict

No 1 has to be the kettle, my new large fridge and separate large freezer, great for when Iceland have all their special deals. Followed closely by my newly discovered slow cooker and stick blender.

AussieLass

Lotalittlies,

It looks like by your signature you've been bare foot & pregnant in the kitchen for too long. Get out now.

I think my microwave would be the handiest. Not that I cook meals as such in it, but I use it everyday on bits and pieces. I'm really thinking of buying myself (hints for Xmas coming up) a stick blender and a food processor down the track. If anyone else has a stick blender - you know for soup when they say blitz soup, is it ok to use a stick blender? I never seem to use my big blender, stays in the back of the cupboard gathering cockroach poo. :DJust kidding.

Lotta_Littlies

Oh no! Having lots of children is a good thing. I allocate all chores to them while I sit and drink tea and read MSE all day

I have a stick blender and now I have it I wouldn't be without it. I've not taken the tabletop one out of the cupboard (which doesn't seem to be as powerful) since I bought it a couple of months ago and have found it invaluable, especially for whizzing up the babies food while weaning.

I bought a blender/chopper/whisk one from Amazon (using a £10 voucher earnt from Juicybrains surveys!).

Lotta

GreenFingers_2

My favourite kitchen gadget divorced me some time ago...hee hee... :rotfl: ... just joking..honestly. More seriously and in order of importance, the essential kitchen gadgets are (drum roll......) :-

1. Bread Making Machine
2. Slow Cooker

Curry_Queen

Aussielass I'd definitely say a stick blender is much easier to use for soups etc as you can just blend them in the pan and rinse the stick under the tap afterward! Far less washing up to do

Sounds like the new one I got is the same one as you Lotta, also from Amazon, it has the detachable motor so you can interchange the tools, but I've not yet had it out of the box LOL! Soon will do though as it's coming up to the right time of year to be making soups again :j

nicki_2

Since I don't have a slow cooker or breadmaker ... :think:

I'd have to say .... my digital scales - I use them every day for weighing out DD's porridge, weighing out ingrediants and I also use them when I'm ebaying items to work out the postage cost

Second would have to be my microwave which I use every morning to make DD's porridge but hardly use it for anything else except for the occasional defrost or melting of something like chocolate.

I use a PDA/Palm in the kitchen alot as well. Although it isn't a kitchen gadget it is very useful for converting recipes, keeping track of my cupboard/fridge/freezer inventories and I'll be adding all the recipes I make to it as well once I get a memory card to put them on. I also use it when I go shopping (this will work much better when my inventory is up-to-date) as I can see if there is anything I've forgotten to add to my list or whether it is worth buying something that is on offer. I know if my inventory is long then don't buy more than what is on my list as it won't fit in my cupboards! :rotfl:

se999

I'd be lost without my steamer!

I love freshly lightly cooked vege's, and it keeps more vitamins by not overcooking, as well as the 'drip' tray collecting stock/juices.

At xmas or for cooking big party type meals, you prepare the vege's in the baskets, and put on last minute, and the timer makes sure they're not over cooked. It also saves having lots of extra saucepans on the top of the cooker. Before the steamer, I never had enough room/saucepans.

I find the baskets are easier to clean than most saucepans (especially as I don't burn things so often ).

When we go on holiday if it's self-catering, it goes with us too. Sometimes the saucepans and cooker are grotty in these places, and this way I guarantee I've got something to do the bulk of my cooking with. Yes, I know I'm a sad person taking it on holiday with me

larmy16

No1 has to be my dishwasher alias Derek Watson and I am listening to his comforting sound as I write.

Second is my Panasonic breadmaker (truly remarkable)

I am a total gadget freak though, and have a large blender, baby blender (boot sale - makes individual smoothie), a mini food processor, a rice cooker, slow cooker, yoghurt maker, food slicer, popcorn maker, rotary grater ....... I could go on and on. I love anything that saves you chopping or slicing
Forgot the steamer too - electric from boot sale, just a single one though, not layered - perfect for one.

Oh forgot, my fave thing of all (beside dishwasher) is a herb spinner, like a mini salad spinner - just right for a smallish side salad. (another boot sale buy = 20p)