Chickendoodle Posted November 8, 2010 Share Posted November 8, 2010 Just wondering what electric kitchen gadgets you wouldn't be without and which ones were a complete waste of money. Also which ones are worth spending extra money on to get a good one Expensive loves Bright yellow Kitchenaid mixer - very sturdy and so pretty Dualit toaster - so worth the extra money as you can just replace the elements Kitchenaid blender Cheap loves Hand mixer - cost about £12, does the job Steamer - have phases of using it but it just about makes the love list Money wasters Omlette maker - why did I ever get one? Sandwich toaster Bread maker - used it for about a year then got fed up Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted November 8, 2010 Share Posted November 8, 2010 Hm, lets see Used almost daily: Kenwood mixer - invaluable, and cheap as got from charity shop for £20 Dualit 6 slice toaster - gets hammered, cheap from ebay £50 Not used too often, but loved when we do: 4 slice toasted sandwich/panini maker Coffee machine with cappuchino milk foamer thingy/espresso maker Cheap argos slicing machine - perfect for homemade bacon New 6.5 litre slow cooker from Aldi (£20 at the moment) Waste of space and need to go: Pressure cooker - only ever gets used as a large saucepan Hand held electric whisk Hand blender Bread maker Actually, I got rid of all my useless gadgets - smoothie maker (superceded by the Kenwood with a blender on top), 2 slice toastie maker, 3 litre slow cooker. In all fairness, these were only got rid of because they were superceded by something bigger! I don't seem to cook in small amounts these days! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted November 8, 2010 Share Posted November 8, 2010 Love Magimix Kuhn Rikon Pressure cooker - fab for soup and stews. Pampered Chef Stoneware dishes Stick blender Chopping board and decent knife. Decent grater. Tefal Actifty. Like but seldom use because I am too idle to get it out of the garage. Remoska Waste of money and cupboard space. Bread maker, although to be fair I don't eat bread any more and the menfolk will only eat claggy Warburtons. Philistines. I did use it a lot at one time. Mandolin. Cost a fortune. Used it once and nearly amputated my fingers. Electric grater. Useless. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Omletina Kyckling Posted November 8, 2010 Share Posted November 8, 2010 Ok, here goes. Love: Magimix food processor Bamix hand blender (use it all the time, takes the place of about 6 other items!) Breadmaker (never buy bread, use it for all types of breads and doughs) Pampered Chef stone roaster Pretty red Stove!! Espresso machine (it's red!!) Cheap red kettle and toaster from Lidl Don't need/uselss for me Not much really, Juicer (Magimix does this) Fancy ceramic garlic grater bought at BBC Good Homes Pasta maker (used it when there were two of us, but just for me, too much faff!!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chick wiggle Posted November 8, 2010 Share Posted November 8, 2010 Love Magimix, left on worktop all the time and used practically daily cost an arm and a leg knives, worth every digit! Tefal Actifry Like but rarely use George Foreman grill, great if i can be bothered to get it out the cupboard Pasta machine, ditto above Waste of space Bread maker, used for about 6 months then back of cupboard, now at the tip! Im looking for a waffle maker at the moment, so if anyone wants to get rid of theirs? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted November 8, 2010 Share Posted November 8, 2010 I like this thread! love and use frequently Chef's knife from Wilkinsons, a Good Housekeeping recommended buy and it was under £10 hand mixer, cheap and cheerful 'stick' blender, ditto EZ-pull corkscrew, never fails Wouldn't part with but use less often Food processor, my Braun is 24 years old but still going It's not worth getting it out to slice one onion or grate an ounce of cheese though - I save it for big dishes George Foreman grill Microplane citrus zester Disposed of ages ago Juicer - useless and hard to clean Bread maker, took up too much room and wasn't a very good make. I do think about buying another one, but judging by the posts above ... Mandolin, I echo Egluntyne on that! Garlic crusher. Why do people have these? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted November 8, 2010 Share Posted November 8, 2010 LOVE Tassimo machine Magimix Cafe press type Breville sandwich toaster thingy (kids use it all the time) Kenwood stick blender Kenwood Mini food processor Tefal Actifry £6 'emergency' Tesco value kettle that has lasted for 4 years Dualit brilliant toaster Pyrex baking sheets that are PROPER non-stick Rangemaster dual fuel double range cooker - eBay bargain!...brand new unwanted competition prize! WASTE OF TIME Bread maker Expensive Japanese knives that are badly balanced & horrible to use Mandolin - to scared to use it after slicing a big piece of my finger off on first use Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ClaireG Posted November 8, 2010 Share Posted November 8, 2010 Love and use a lot: Sabaiter Knives - were a wedding pressie and get used daily Bamix - used for loads of things. Don't know how i managed before. Chantry knife sharpener Jam funnel - i make a lot of my own jams,jellies and chutneys and it's invaluable. Use less but wouldn't part with: Dolce Gusto coffee machine Zyliss veg peeler Big stock pot that doubles up as jam pan Waste of space: Kenwood smoothie maker - thrown ages ago sandwich toaster - " Bread machine - will be going soon. Microwave - i havn't used one since we moved here 18 months ago due to space. It's in the shed! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chick wiggle Posted November 8, 2010 Share Posted November 8, 2010 Garlic crusher. Why do people have these? Whaaaaaaaat????? You've gotta be kidding, this is not a gadget to me but an everyday essential Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluekarin Posted November 8, 2010 Share Posted November 8, 2010 Garlic crusher. Why do people have these? Whaaaaaaaat????? You've gotta be kidding, this is not a gadget to me but an everyday essential Excellent topic! I find the best way for garlic is either cooking it, and then squeezing it out of its papery case or mashing with a fork and a sprinkle of salt. Much more garlic and less fiddly to clean up. I bought a cheap garlic press from Waitrose and it is rubbish - bends before it actually crushes! My Loves Kenwood mixer - £15 charity shop bargain and use it at least once a week Stick blender with bowl attachment and whisk Silicone baking sheets my brother got me from the kitchen he works in My veg peeler - my Grandmother in law gave this to me. Its from Germany and is still fantastic Electric whisk My likes chip fryer - but would love to replace as it is about 15 years old coffee machine with built in grinder - don't use everyday, but love it when I do use it Slow cooker - I don't really use this much anymore, but I couldn't get rid of it as my late Nan gave this to us for a wedding pressie I don't like these at all Simpson's sandwich maker - kids bought it for their dad one fathers day. Nightmare to clean and only does two sarnies which takes ages to make. Much prefer to do them in a frying pan, which is quicker and has much better results I'm sure there is something else, but I can't think of it right now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rhapsody Posted November 8, 2010 Share Posted November 8, 2010 On The Pedestal- Actifry (nuff said) Toaster bags (they go in the dishwasher and take up no space at all) Gaggia Coffe machine- you put in beans and water and it makes coffee, and it does frothy milk Slow Cooker Wok Rubber Spatulas Tower veg steamer (saves Xmas every year) In the Sin Bin- Pasta Maker (gave it away on here!) Metal cradle for wooden spoons while cooking (MIL gift) Goblet blender Anything that isnt dishwasherproof Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted November 8, 2010 Share Posted November 8, 2010 In the Sin Bin- Anything that isnt dishwasherproof Seconded Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daphne Posted November 8, 2010 Share Posted November 8, 2010 Love: Bog standard bottle opener with 'arms' Decent knives Chopping boards which don't blunt the knives Heavy duty saucepans, saute pans and stockpot Stick blender (seems to be a common theme ) His 'n' hers potato peelers (We like different approaches and have different peelers. I even volunteer to peel things as I like mine so much!) Gas hob and electric oven (not really gadgets I know....) DISHWASHER Grill thing you put over an open fire to cook My new heavy duty springform cake tins Hand whisker Large metal mixing bowl Tongs Like: Proper coffee maker but I can't be bothered to use it much so tend to have cafetiere coffee Waste of space: With the exception of a waiters friend (a proper, traditional corkscrew and foil cutter) I honestly can't think of one. When we moved I think we've ditched everything we didn't use (ie deep fat fryer, yogurt maker, magimix type thing, chocolate fondue, those prongs you put in potatoes to bake them faster, fancy lemon squeezers) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted November 8, 2010 Share Posted November 8, 2010 My fondue should be on my *loves* list. We don't use if often,but when we do,boy its good Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scarlettohara Posted November 8, 2010 Share Posted November 8, 2010 Love: Hand blender - great for mashed potato and 18 years old Set of John Lewis stainless steel saucepans - nearly 20 years old Pizza cutter - £1 from Sainsburys Handheld saucepan drainer (like a flat spoon with holes) £1 from M&S Breadmaker - just use it for dough (pizza dough especially good) Non stick wok Cheap kettle from Tesco - lasted longer than all the expensive ones Hate Fancy potato masher - the handle always falls off Ice-cream maker - can never remember to freeze the bowl And if anyone can recommend a coffee machine (not expensive) that makes latte would be very grateful Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted November 8, 2010 Share Posted November 8, 2010 i thought this was about electric kitchen gadgets but people have put pizza slicers and bottle openers!? Have they gone electrified these days? I love my breadmaker, I use it to make bread, dough (mostly for pizza but also for bread rolls etc) and I make cakes in it. My stick blender for making soups. slow cooker/crock pot for stews, curries, casseroles etc Apsrt from that and the kettle and toaster i don't really bother with gadgets. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daphne Posted November 8, 2010 Share Posted November 8, 2010 I hold my hand up - but on the other hand...an electric bottle opener....even speedier and no I haven't got an electric peeler either. I think we've just got carried away with the interest of the topic (its either that or I can't read) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted November 8, 2010 Share Posted November 8, 2010 Another 'love'. Potato ricer. Makes heavenly mash. I suppose because the word 'electric' doesn't appear in the title, people are naming 'other' stuff. Makes the thread very interesting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted November 8, 2010 Share Posted November 8, 2010 I'd like an electric sink that does the dishes! (don't have room for a dishwasher) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Couperwife Posted November 8, 2010 Share Posted November 8, 2010 I've been using a lemon zester loads recently I love... The dishwasher Yoghurt maker Whizzychopper(hand held Egg skelter Could easily bin George Forman frilly thing Food processor Icecream maker The toaster(too small) Stuff I don't like using, but do out of necessity Deep fat fryer (can't do prawn crackers in an actifry - can you?) Cathy X Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janty Posted November 8, 2010 Share Posted November 8, 2010 Our love list... Hubby says he has to be top Kenwood Major and attachments Dishwasher Nespresso Bamix Dualit coffee burr grinder Krups coffee machine - we love coffee Breadmaker Slow cooker Ironing board built into the kitchen units (not electrical but a great space saving gadget) Our useless list... Our Neff fridge - hubby hates it as we can't get the temp right Electric pancake griddle - Dad bought it one Christmas Hubby hates the extractor fan over the cooker - in order for me to reach the controls, it had to be lowered but he now bumps his head on it. Personally I think it's great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted November 8, 2010 Share Posted November 8, 2010 Oh - I should have added to the 'love' list my Prestige stainless-steel saucepans, bought off a friend at least 20 years ago and still going strong. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goodinparts Posted November 8, 2010 Share Posted November 8, 2010 Loves....breadmaker egg skelter slow cooker all my lovely Le Creuset pans (some of which date from 1979 when I bought them to cheer myself up for being suddenly on my own at 18 after my parents died) ancient non stick wok (wedding present 25 years ago) Why bothers....toaster Kenwood mixer (used it more when kids were younger, but now it pretty much takes up space on the worktop and gets used twice a year) most of the baking tins in the cupboard & above all the ring mould. NEVER used it. Must dispose of it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickendoodle Posted November 9, 2010 Author Share Posted November 9, 2010 (edited) i thought this was about electric kitchen gadgets but people have put pizza slicers and bottle openers!? Have they gone electrified these days? I don't mind that the thread has expanded Forgot on my useless electrical list Yoghurt maker Juicer Ice cream maker My non electrical loves Prestige saucepans - again about 15 years old Old cheap glass lemon sqeezer (although I am hankering after a bright yellow ridiculously expensive one from Lakeland - must resist must resist) Thin bendy cutting boards that you put over the main one so that you can do raw meat etc and then just bung it in the sink - about £3 for 2! My lovely garlic press - how can you not love a garlic crusher! In mine you put the whole unpeeled one in ,squeeze and out pops the crushed garlic- flick it over and a s"Ooops, word censored!"e of the knife cleans it. Bought it in Steamer Trading which I think is just in the south of the country and is a fab kitchen shop. It was quite pricey but I have had it years now so well worth it. Preserving pan - think its worth getting a really good one of these We moved from a largish house to a bungalow 5 years ago and now we are very careful what we buy as we just don't have the space I have just ordered a slow cooker and I am pleased to see that this is in the majority of the "loves" so here's hoping Edited November 10, 2010 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jlo Posted November 9, 2010 Share Posted November 9, 2010 Love (might be putting a little strongly Garlic Crusher (sorry to the detractors but I find mine really useful!) Coffee Machine (funky turquoise De longhi one) Crocodile Dicer thing from Lakeland for onion chopping and carrot sticks and things - although it does get a bit manky to clean. Le Creuset Casserole Dishes - always come up clean even when it looks impossible. microplane grater but they keep breaking and bending and they are not cheap so this is a sort of love/hate thing Use Occasionally Juicer (but I know what you mean about the cleaning!) Food Processer Blender Why did I bother Breadmaker That lolly thing from Lakeland Ice cream maker - Built in obsolescence meant that this stopped working after a year or so. Lots of other things that have been binned and I am too embarrassed to list in detail! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
