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DEL.ICIO.USWhat’s your new favorite kitchen gadget?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Everyone has an obsession. For people that love to cook that often means filling their kitchens with nifty products designed to dazzle and amuse… and hopefully help get dinner on the table at little bit easier.
I admit I buy into the gadget dynamic to a degree. I couldn’t live (as a cook) without my food processor and kitchen-aid mixer. I view those as must-haves, but there are a few “non-essentials” that I’ve been loving recently.
Microplanes are a huge favorite. Having had a tendency to scrape my knuckles until they were bleeding whenever I used a box grater, I dreaded any recipe that called for lemon zest. With my microplane I don’t even bat an eye when a recipe calls for a cup of zest.
My favorite big gadget is a water carbonator. I confess I am a bubbly water addict. Lugging 2-liter bottles of seltzer from the supermarket wasn’t good for either my back or the environment. This nifty product, from Soda Club has truly changed my life. It comes with 2 refillable bottles that you carbonate whenever you feel like it (there’s also added flavoring that you can use to make soda).
Are you a minimalist or a collector when it comes to stocking your kitchen drawers? Is anything indispensable for helping you get dinner on the table? What do you have that’s fun to look at, but you haven’t gotten quite as much use out of it as you thought you would?
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Comments
By JJ
April 2, 2008 1:22 PM | Link to this
I love my microplane for zesting, and I have two of them……
I have two food processors, one big, one small. I have a hand held mixer, but am dying for a new Kitchen-Aide mixer, as soon as I can afford one. I love to cook.
Basically, anything that comes from Williams Sonoma is something that I want. I could linger in that store for days…….
I am getting a new oven this weekend, as my old one finally died. I can’t wait, I’ve never had a brand new oven……..I already know what I am cooking in it as soon as the installer leaves…….
By Stan
April 2, 2008 2:16 PM | Link to this
I have a mini-micro plane that works really well, but I’d like one from the home center, so it’s new and sharper. I have had a mini food processor for years now and really do love it. I also recently accuired my Mom’s full size processor (same as my mini but full size) and her Kitchen-aid mixer. I have yet to use the mixer as I haven’t baked anything yet and don’t really have time right now to start.
I would love a deep fryer or at least a splatter screen for a pan (even though I almost never fry deeper than a saute…)
I tend to follow Alton Brown’s distaste of unitaskers. I don’t have a large kitchen at all and can’t afford to give up extra space.
Stan
By JJ
April 2, 2008 2:40 PM | Link to this
I’m looking for one of those countertop deep fryers, kind of what Emeril has on his show. I would love to make fried shrimp, potato chips, french fries, etc……
Stan, if you don’t use that mixer, I’ll be happy to take it off your hands……..but I’m sure you have sentimental attachment, since it was your Mom’s??
By Stan
April 2, 2008 3:34 PM | Link to this
Yeah JJ, That it was Mom’s not that big a deal…but as soon as I get some time I want to get into baking some.
And that’s the kind of fryer I would love to have, in my dream kitchen. Nice in set into the counter top, with the industrial style fry basket. Fries, Hushpuppies, doughnuts, fish mmmmm drool
Sorry had a Homer moment there :)
By john
April 2, 2008 3:36 PM | Link to this
This story link is broken from my browser. I had to copy and paste it while adding a h to the front of the link. The link is missing the h in the http://www and thus won’t work without it.
My favorite gadget, my pressure cooker. beans in 20 minutes. Brown rice in 30 minutes. Marinara and other tomato sauces that take all day to cook- 30 minutes. Collard greens in 15 minutes. If you choose to buy a pressure cooker, get a stainless steel one because it won’t interact with acidic food (tomatoes, lemon juice) and leave a metallic taste in your mouth. F* makes some very nice ones that you can find for cheap over the internet on amazon.com
By Walt
April 2, 2008 3:47 PM | Link to this
I love my Electric Griddle. It’s got enough space to make 4 pancakes and a pile of scrambled eggs in very little time. Cleaning up is as simple as removing the cooking surface and taking it to the sink.
By mw
April 2, 2008 3:59 PM | Link to this
Kitchen shears - two pairs. One for meats, one for breads/herbs/vegetables, etc. Cuts pizza better than pizza slicer.
By just a little thing but makes life easier
April 2, 2008 4:21 PM | Link to this
How can I compare with all you really accomplished foodies? Mine is an under-the-cabinet electric can opener. It has lasted 15 yrs. and makes my life a little easier. That’s all.
By lovelyliz
April 2, 2008 4:32 PM | Link to this
In no particular order:
Microplane KitchenAid Mixer Silpat 7” Santuko Knife
I do totally agree on the unitasking gadgets. Kitchen are like master bedroom closets, no matter how massive, they are never big enough for all the stuff, so you have to set limits.
By Becky
April 2, 2008 4:38 PM | Link to this
John, you are so right..Nothing quiet like a good pressure cooker..I don’t use any of the other gadgets that others here have mentioned even though I have most of them..I wil lhave to say that I love my biscuit cutter.. I get laughed at because I still make them from scratch..
By Grammaw
April 2, 2008 4:48 PM | Link to this
I have two favorites…#1 is my vacuum seal-a-meal. I save so much on plastic bags and wraps, and wasted food. #2 is my hand-held mixer-blender..the type you see advertised on t.v. all the time that is a tall, single blade mixer/blender. I use it all the time. It’s the best way to make the smoothest gravies, make my own peanut butter, etc. The list goes on with this one.
By Stan
April 2, 2008 4:51 PM | Link to this
Shopping list: Pressure cooker Silpat kitchen shears
Becky, If anyone laughs at you for making biscuits from scratch, slap the stew out of em!
I forgot to add, my absolute fav kitchen “gadget” is just a good quality chef’s knife 8”
Stan
By Meg
April 2, 2008 5:01 PM | Link to this
Bread machine! I love it! I love my vacuum sealer too.
By personal chef
April 2, 2008 5:25 PM | Link to this
Have any of you ever thought about a career as a personal chef? Let me know. I mean it.
By MrHughes
April 2, 2008 6:00 PM | Link to this
HSN used to have a pretty nice countertop fryer from the Wolfgang Puck collection for about $100 w/ shipping . It’s a smaller version of a commerical grade fryer with the basket and everything. I’ve gotten tons of use out of mine. Unfortunately, I can’t find it on their website now or I’d put up a link. It seems they are in bed with Emeril and Tfal.
By Ivy Brown
April 2, 2008 8:32 PM | Link to this
Can’t live without my Santuko knife. I use it for everything.
By catlady
April 2, 2008 9:57 PM | Link to this
A precious man willing to do the cleanup (and sometimes willing to cook, too). THAT is the best kitchen gadget!
By bronco
April 2, 2008 10:20 PM | Link to this
The spoon….think about the thought that went into this ingenuious device and what it can do. Just think if there weren’t any spoons how would we eat soup or cereal. It fits perfectly into the mouth and contours the tongue like it was a part of it. I think this was the invention of the millieum.
By f(x) = 36x^2
April 2, 2008 11:07 PM | Link to this
It’s “Santoku”, not “Santuko”, and it’s by far the most-used piece of equipment in my kitchen.
By rip & read
April 2, 2008 11:24 PM | Link to this
You people are so fancy. I live and die by my sandwich grill. Cuts the sandwich diagonally and puts a great crust. I use it to make quesadillas and hash browns. Wipe it down with a wet paper towel and you’re finished. Think I’ll make a grilled cheese right now.
By JJ
April 3, 2008 7:55 AM | Link to this
My George Foreman Grill, both of them. A small and a large……The large came with a belgian waffle maker.
And my electric griddle too. I too can make pancakes, sausage and eggs all at one time. LOVE that thing. As a matter of fact, I make a ton of pancakes on Sunday and freeze them for my daughter’s breakfast during the week. Microwave them for 1 minute, and VIOLA……
And my Henckle knives……ALL of them….
By Deb
April 5, 2008 7:54 AM | Link to this
I have to say that my deep non stick skillet is a must have. It is good for spaghetti sauce to fried eggs. Also a fish turner is a must have for any household. It is the best spatula for any reason.
By JC
April 6, 2008 12:38 PM | Link to this
I love my garlic press from pamered chef. You put a whole clove of garlic in (no peeling neccessary) and out comes garlic for cooking. It’s great!!! I also like my egg separater from pampered chef. separates the yolk from the egg white in no time!
By Mark
April 7, 2008 10:39 AM | Link to this
My wife.
By Mark
April 7, 2008 10:53 AM | Link to this
spaghetti sauce in a skillet?
That’s so wrong in so many ways.
By bobby dee
April 7, 2008 10:56 AM | Link to this
My 8” Forschner knife, & 3 crockpots & several cast iron skillets & Dutch ovens. I used to be a sucker for gadgets but then I moved to a house with not enough cupboard or counter space.
By julie
April 7, 2008 8:32 PM | Link to this
My pizzelle iron. It’s old - but they don’t make them like that anymore. Pizzelles are a hit year round!
By non-cook
April 29, 2008 2:11 PM | Link to this
I love my apple slicer/corer from Pampered Chef. Perfectly sliced apples in less than 10 seconds!
By non-cook
April 29, 2008 2:12 PM | Link to this
I love my apple slicer/corer from Pampered Chef. Perfectly sliced apples in less than 10 seconds!
By non-cook
April 29, 2008 2:12 PM | Link to this
I love my apple slicer/corer from Pampered Chef. Perfectly sliced apples in less than 10 seconds!