Kitchen Gadgetaholics Anonymous

I use a liquid measure for liquids.  Using a dry measuring cup for liquids makes it difficult to measure the exact amount without spilling any, though I guess if you’re careful you can technically use a dry measuring cup for liquids.  Never use a liquid measuring cup for dry ingredients though.


I love a good muddler...

-s.


This looks cool, but I worry that it wouldn’t live up the the hype


It doesn't look gimmicky. Looks like it's been used since forever in Denmark.

Cooks Illustrated likes it.

4.5 to 5 stars on Amazon.

hmmmmm

eta: sigh, I bought one, though a cheaper model with a metal handle than what's pictured.


We have that dough mixer and love it!  We use it all the time for pancakes and biscuits. Does a great job and is faster and more thorough than the wooden spoon we used to use. 


RichardR said:

We have that dough mixer and love it!  We use it all the time for pancakes and biscuits. Does a great job and is faster and more thorough than the wooden spoon we used to use. 

 Yeah, it seems like a good idea.


It does look like it would be easier to clean than a traditional whisk.  


One item I love is my vacuum sealer.  I bought one years ago and it finally started dying, so I replaced it because I use it a lot.  Especially with the freezer I find it very useful


I've got a sealer too, but I never got the hang of it. Not even sure where it is now. To be fair, most of the stuff I put in the freezer is either in a container, or is freezer stuff I get from the store. Not too many leftovers.


drummerboy said:

I've got a sealer too, but I never got the hang of it. Not even sure where it is now. To be fair, most of the stuff I put in the freezer is either in a container, or is freezer stuff I get from the store. Not too many leftovers.

 How many people are you cooking for?  When it was just the husband and myself it wouldn’t have been worth it.  Now that I’m cooking meals for five it is enormously helpful.  For short term, one to two months, zip lock bags are fine.  But I like to stock up on certain meal items and when they’re vacuum sealed they last longer without freezer burn.


I only cook for 1 to 2, depending on how crazy my son is about what I cooked.


drummerboy said:

I only cook for 1 to 2, depending on how crazy my son is about what I cooked.

 Yeah, then in your case a vacuum sealer would just take up cabinet space


spontaneous said:

This looks cool, but I worry that it wouldn’t live up the the hype

 I bought one of these and have used it a few times. I like it. Definitely worth the few bucks. 


I finally did it. After hearing my older brother go on about how cool his air fryer is, I went and got one myself. (I have a tendency to copy big brother.)

The Ninja AF100

I've used it a few times so far. Made some reubens with leftover corned beef - they came out great and no greasy bread. Reheated a Popeye's chicken sandwich.


I’m confused. Isn’t the point of a Reuben to have the greasy bread!?!


Heynj said:

I’m confused. Isn’t the point of a Reuben to have the greasy bread!?!

 good point!


How did I miss this thread? This is so 'In my wheelhouse' (sorry, I feel it is my duty to crosspost whenever I can).  While I'm not drooling yet, I did detect a little moisture at the corner of my mouth when I looked at that Ninja - did it come with a set of Ginsu Knives? 

That knife sharpener? Meh, the footprint is way too big and I believe it belongs in a cabinet or a drawer.  I have the dumbed down version of that knife sharpener, but it's that time to replace.  My problem? I'm hesitant to remove that kind of metal from my knife every time I sharpen.  

So here is the 20,000 question, being the proud owner of every gadget and tool you all have mentioned (and lets not even talk about basic tools),  Through the years I've had to switch back and forth between gadgets, but I question combining.  An air fryer has one job, though I question wether the insta pot and the crock pot could not be one device.  Toaster oven and microwave? Again, different kinds of process, though we still have our bulky taster oven from simpler times.  All of these sit in cabinets, unless I'm making something in one of them.  Nothing is everyday use, though the air fryer is out now because my wife uses it at least once a week.  

The question? Which gadget (besides a simple toaster), could you do without if you had to? I've found that I enjoy using my Le Creuset dutch oven to make a one pot meal over the Crock Pot or the Insta Pot.  The chore of finding a recipe that everyone will enjoy has put these two appliances on a higher shelf in the cabinet recently.  It seems I use a simple cast iron skillet way more these days for everyday cooking as well. A tie in question - did gadgets make cooking easier for you, or did they actually make more work and just take up space in your kitchen?  For me, the novelty of using most of them has worn off, and I like the simpler way to make a meal with basic tools.  It's improved how I cook, as opposed to throwing stuff in a pot so I can time it and walk away.  


spontaneous said:

One item I love is my vacuum sealer.  I bought one years ago and it finally started dying, so I replaced it because I use it a lot.  Especially with the freezer I find it very useful

 The vacuum sealer is a must have item in a kitchen, in my humble opinion.  I have one of the original models, and it still does the trick after at least ten years or more.  They have improved on the model I own, but the process is good for both fridge and freezer, though the expense of the bags always bugs me.  Why can't they hook up with ziplock and just share product and pricing? The simple baggy does not cut it for freezer stuff, but single use vacuum sealer bags can get expensive.  I wish I was an inventor, or someone came up with it on Shark Tank.  


Lately I've been sucked into Misen's marketing, and I now have a new chef's knife, utility knife, and paring knife, plus a new large non-stick pan.

I will not mention the number of chef's knives I've accumulated over the years.


You better not, because I'm jealous already.  I keep defaulting to my Global santoku chef's knife, as it keeps the edge nicely and I love the groove functionality.  I was 'this close' to getting a new knife recently, but it was from 'across the ocean' so COVID dinged me on it.  I was worried about shipments from countries that were shut down.  


drummerboy - As Crocodile Dundee once said, "Now THIS is a knife!" 

https://www.knifemerchant.com/product.asp?productID=7993

Unfortunately, you can't get these in the States anymore, but I coveted it for a hot second because of the quality and feel of it in my hand.  I found it at a local kitchen place, but could not justify the expense.  


drummerboy said:

Lately I've been sucked into Misen's marketing, and I now have a new chef's knife, utility knife, and paring knife, plus a new large non-stick pan.

I will not mention the number of chef's knives I've accumulated over the years.

 I bought two Misen pans, 10" and 12".   I like 'em.


Formerlyjerseyjack said:

drummerboy said:

Lately I've been sucked into Misen's marketing, and I now have a new chef's knife, utility knife, and paring knife, plus a new large non-stick pan.

I will not mention the number of chef's knives I've accumulated over the years.

 I bought two Misen pans, 10" and 12".   I like 'em.

 Yeah, I like mine too. Much better than the TFAL that it replaced.


These arrived from BB&B last week...

-s.


I had this tool for the longest time - finally started to use it - it's a must have if you like corn on the cob:


No kitchen is complete without one of these. An end to the clumsy spatula, the dangerous knife blade!

-s.


soda said:

No kitchen is complete without one of these. An end to the clumsy spatula, the dangerous knife blade!

-s.

 agreed. I've got two.


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