Unused kitchen gadgets

Ticklemouse

C_Q,

The one I have is an old fashioned hand turned one, which was my parents. They are OK for slicing evenly and I wanted one so that I could slice the hams as thin as possible. The problem I have with mine is that the suckers don't grip the counter as it's not perfectly smooth so I find it hard to hold the meat in place, hold the whole lot down and turn the handle smoothly. If I turn my glass chopping board uppside down, then I can get it to grip, but really I still need someone else there to hold the board. Maybe it's just because it's old and the suckers aren't as good as they were.

Maybe it would be easier for bread as it's easier to slice anyway, but TBH, I've not used it for bread. Another problem for me was that last time I bought an absolutely HUGE ham and it was far too big for the slicer (as well as the fact that I overcooked it so it fell to bits rather than was sliced).

Maybe a leccy one would be better, but in true OS mode, I can't justify one.

apprentice_tycoon

Ticklemouse wrote:

C_Q,

The one I have is an old fashioned hand turned one, which was my parents. They are OK for slicing evenly and I wanted one so that I could slice the hams as thin as possible. The problem I have with mine is that the suckers don't grip the counter as it's not perfectly smooth so I find it hard to hold the meat in place, hold the whole lot down and turn the handle smoothly. If I turn my glass chopping board uppside down, then I can get it to grip, but really I still need someone else there to hold the board. Maybe it's just because it's old and the suckers aren't as good as they were.

Maybe it would be easier for bread as it's easier to slice anyway, but TBH, I've not used it for bread. Another problem for me was that last time I bought an absolutely HUGE ham and it was far too big for the slicer (as well as the fact that I overcooked it so it fell to bits rather than was sliced).

Maybe a leccy one would be better, but in true OS mode, I can't justify one.

I echo every word! I aquired one of these a few months ago and it makes roasts and ham go much further but it is a bit of a struggle to keep it still. I'll try the glass chopping board trick, up until now I have been trying to keep it in one place by putting a chopping board on the work top touching the wall and butting the slicer up to it, but it still isn't very stable

trace-j

Rikki wrote:

I have the older style soda stream. Where can I get replacement gas cylinders?

Try Morrisons or Wilkinsons, I think you can part ex your old empty cylinder.

AnnaV

It's really interesting everyone saying that when you don't have the surface space you don't use stuff. We have a food processor that I've been using loads more sinced we moved and it can sit on the side rather than in it's box. I never really thought about it until now!

Penny-Pincher!!

Hi

Your all going to kill me when I say this :eek: I am so ashamed.......but it has to be my:

BREADMAKER :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek:

It has been used about 8 times. I find it easier just to buy a shop loaf Never seem to get the consistency correct. Can I use value flour-which is the best yeast etc? OH & DD only like white bread-which is the easiest recipe for this and cheapest?

Hanging head in shame.

PP
xx

Curry_Queen

Thanks TM and AP, but I think I'll give the food slicer a miss for now then, having managed perfectly well without one so far, even if the bread get's sliced wonky sometimes and sliced meat for sarnies ends up in chunks LOL!

I'm not going to waste money on something that isn't guaranteed to do the job, nor do I want to spend a fortune on some high-powered jobby, as it's not that necessary. Maybe if I ever come across one of the old hand jobby's you describe in a car boot sale or something I'll consider it ... but thanks

meadowcat

I have to confess that I am a total gadget freak. Most get used, but a few are lurking in the darker recesses of the cupboards - usually the things that are trouble to clean. I have a little dome shaped Prima oven which I didn't think I would use when I bought it years ago, but it is in constant use.

About 20 years ago I bought a plastic bag maker and my daughter thinks this is the funniest thing she ever heard of and definitely one of my maddest gadgets. Well, it's not just a plastic bag maker - it seals the plastic top and bottom but also sucks the air out of the bag to make a vacuum seal. Now if I could only find it since I moved house ......

bethscott1970

AnnaV wrote:

I remember my mum used to have an egg squarer & slicer (very useful :rolleyes: )

My egg slicer gets used a few times each week but not for eggs, when I'm cooking my 6 year old helps by slicing the mushrooms in it. Neat slices and I don't have to worry about him cutting his fingers .

Gadget wise I think I still have a steamer hiding in the cupboard somewhere with a food processor and juicer that are too heavy for me to lift now. The main gadget I couldn't do without (and don't scream at me ) is my Tassimo cos it means I can make myself a hot drink during the day when I'm on my own without trying to lift a kettle and risking throwing it down myself again. The breadmaker isn't used as much now all my little darlings are having school meals but the sandwich toaster is still a regular favourite round here.

nearlyrich

I have a cupboard in the utility room with ice cream maker, bread maker, popcorn machine, in drawer in kitchen there's a contact grill. I have a coffee maker that gets used occaisionally, ditto the food processor and electric knife. I have a hand mixer and a stick blender, both get used but not massively, main gadgets we use are kettle, microwave & toaster, sandwich maker left home with DD a couple of weeks ago.

I also have a paella pan, a fish kettle and various other specialist items that might get used once or twice a year.

competitionscafe

My Braun hand blender lives on the counter top - I use the little chopper thing all the time for chopping a few herbs or onions or whatever.

Juicer lives there too - was using it every day for the last 2 weeks but then got bored of cleaning it every day.

Microwave (big ugly thing) and kettle always there - it's a rented house, if it (microwave) was mine I think I would get rid of it, it takes up so much space and I only really use it as a butter softener!

Food processor is the only other thing that stays out, maybe gets used once or twice a month - probably should use it more, but as I cook for one I usually use the stick blender chopper - what else do people do with their food processors? (I am sure all those attachments are really useful, but I can't justify getting it dirty just to grate cheese etc.

Plastic 3 tier steamer stays in the cupboard - easier just to use a colander on top of a saucepan with a saucepan lid, George Foreman also stays in cupboard - easier just to use the griddle pan and theres no more space on the counter. Oh yeah, pestle and mortar stays out too (looks good!) but doesn't get used that often to be honest.