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carriebor

Small and/or Inexpensive Indispensable Gadgets (pre-update interlude)

11 years ago

What small, relatively inexpensive gadgets & such have you found to be indispensable, or, at least, well worth the small investment?

I've already ordered the Never MT based on recommendations here.


I'm considering buying the sliding appliance caddy (which I saw mentioned here in the last week or so) to use for my coffee maker, which will most likely be placed under an upper cabinet and will need to be slid out in order to fill with water every morning. Does ayone have experience with the caddy? I'm a little worried that my coffee maker will be too heavy for it.


What other clever things do you have in your kitchen that are relatively cheap & easy to buy (or make?)

Comments (87)

  • 11 years ago
    last modified: 11 years ago

    Which size of the Danish Dough Wisk do you like for meatloaf? I also hate mixing cold meat by hand. I tried my Kitchenaid mixer but it changed the consistency/denseness of the meatloaf.

    My Amazon wishlist is growing. Does Amazon sell Tupperware?

  • 11 years ago

    I thought I had a lot of gadgets! I do have a number of the ones above, but one of my favourites is my set of magnetic measuring spoons. I love that they "stick together" in the drawer, and are easy to take apart when I use them.

    I also love myJoseph Joseph Utensils. Cheerful colours plus they're weighted so the tops don't sit on the counter.

  • 11 years ago

    Can anyone recommend a good wine opener? Our OXO just broke -it was the second one we've had of that brand so I think I'd prefer to try something different. Thanks.

  • 11 years ago

    Another one who can't stand mixing cold meat by hand, but the thin handle on the Danish Dough Wisk would kill my arthritic hands. Looks like I'm going to have to stick to using the KA with a dough hook.

    Cute utensils, Sherri! I might have to get some of those for SO, who's forever setting goopy utensils on the counter, rather than the tray I have sitting right next to him.

    Is there a link that I missed for this sliding coffee caddy thing? I'm not quite understanding the purpose, but maybe my coffee maker is different?

  • 11 years ago
    last modified: 11 years ago

    errant - I've got a link to the caddy in my very first post. The green letters are a link. My coffee maker is under an upper cabinet, and I can't pour water into the top of it without first pulling it out from under the upper.

  • 11 years ago

    Oops, I forgot to share my must have:

    Under $1 each, easy to clean, easy to use, strong.

  • 11 years ago

    I see it now, Carrie, thanks!

  • 11 years ago

    sherri-love that those keep the tops off the counter! An automatic spoon rest. :)

  • 11 years ago

    Thanks for the recommendations for the salad spinner.I think my old one was like the OXO.

    I realize that there are so many gadgets I still need :)

  • 11 years ago

    Errant - so if I use the dough hook for meatloaf, it doesn't overmix it? It never occurred to me when I used the KA mixer, that it would make my meatloaf too dense. Sorry for the off topic question.

  • 11 years ago

    Really not gadgets, but 2 other things that I love are my pizza stone and my perforated pizza pan. I use the stone for pizza, and the perforated pan for almost anything else that I would otherwise use a cookie sheet for (except cookies!)

  • 11 years ago
    last modified: 11 years ago

    Errant_gw, I love those too! My DH bought me expensive tongs for a gift once but I much prefer my cheapie ones.

  • 11 years ago

    I do love my 9" whisk.

    It doesn't tip out of the bowl and spray it's contents all over if I let go like my large one does.

  • 11 years ago

    The zester that others have referred to is also known as a microplane, and has many uses. We use it for zesting, parmesan cheese, chocolate, nutmeg, and garlic. Very handy; just bear in mind that it zests knuckles efficiently, too!

    Does anyone make a manual can opener that actually works? I don't know if it's the openers or the cans, but we have had poor luck in recent years.

  • 11 years ago

    I love my Zyliss Magican opener. Easy to use. DH prefers the Kitchenaid one. Zyliss is small and will fit in the any drawer space you have, even a crowded one. The KA one, not so much. I would love to ditch the KA to clear up space in the drawer but DH keeps rescuing it.

  • 11 years ago

    mushcreek, I posted a link earlier, we love the Kuhn Rikon manual can opener. It's very easy to use and is a safety opener - neither the lid nor the opened can have any sharp edges.

  • 11 years ago

    We have a KA opener, and it won't keep it's grip on the can. The bead on modern cans is much smaller than the old days. I'll have to give that Kuhn Rikon a try.

  • 11 years ago

    I have never had any problems with this OXO can opener .

  • 11 years ago
    last modified: 11 years ago

    lawjedi -- we have one of those whisks for dough; I never thought to use it for meatloaf! I always have to put on gloves to mix the meatloaf. I can't stand the feeling and the chill makes my hands ache!

    Bluebell66 -- I love our Rabbit opener; have had it for 10 years and it's still working flawlessly: http://www.amazon.com/Rabbit-6-Piece-Wine-Tool-Silver/dp/B000063K7G

    Here are a couple of my favorites:

    * Silicone lids -- http://www.amazon.com/Charles-Viancin-AGS10994-Lilypad-Lid/dp/B00PRLC2VM

    These really work and keep stuff sealed! My MIL gave us a large one years ago and we rarely used it. Then one day I tried it on a big bowl of popcorn, and the next day I bought smaller ones. I have a couple that work on tea/coffee mugs, too. They're great for preventing a mess in the microwave when melting butter or reheating soup/sauce.

    * Mini angled measuring cups -- http://www.amazon.com/OXO-Grips-Angled-Measuring-Clear/dp/B00FYL4MPY

    * Smidgen spoon set (great for Stevia!) -- http://www.amazon.com/Norpro-3080-Stainless-Measuring-smidgen/dp/B0009X1P9S

    Thought of a couple more:

    * Exoglass cooking spoons -- http://www.amazon.com/Matfer-Bourgeat-Exoglass-Spoon-Blue/dp/B00457GFMQ

    * Silicone splatter screen -- the one I have is no longer sold (and got terrible reviews, though I love it!). It's so much easier to clean than the mesh ones. I've been using it for years and will never use mesh again.

  • 11 years ago

    http://www.tampabay.com/news/aging/lifetimes/ergonomic-kitchen-tools-can-offer-relief/1097240

    I don't have these but they came up when researching arthritis kitchen gadgets.

    There`s a ton of interesting gadgets on the search page that came up.

    kitchen gadgets for arthritis hands

    https://www.google.ca/search?q=kitchen+gadgets+for+arthritis+hands&safe=strict&biw=749&bih=662&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&sqi=2&ved=0CAYQ_AUoAWoVChMIiLih-NGwyAIVwiuICh1ZLAo4#imgrc=_

    Also saw this website which gives some ideas for rheumatoid arthritis sufferers.

    http://www.lifescript.com/health/centers/arthritis/articles/healthy_cooking_with_arthritis.aspx

    Here, she shares her 10 most useful techniques:

    1. Open plastic cartons with a ring.
    The idea for this technique, which Winner uses almost daily, came as she
    was struggling to open a yogurt container with a plastic top.

    As she was trying to pull off the top, a ring she wears on her left
    thumb accidentally caught the lid’s lip, offering the leverage she
    needed.

    “It popped off,” Winner says. “It was the most amazing discovery.”

    Try it with cottage cheese, sour cream or other foods that come in covered plastic tubs.

    2. Cut vegetables with an apple corer.
    This
    gadget, which looks like a small metal wagon wheel with handles, can
    slice other veggies into easy-to-work-with sizes, Winner says.

    “Potatoes,
    cucumbers, summer squash – even a tomato if it’s not too soft,” she
    says. “Put one handle toward you, the other away from you, and lean on
    it with your forearms.”

    3. Slice produce into squares with a French fry cutter.
    This
    device uses a handle to push produce through wires laid in a grid,
    cutting them into small rectangular pieces. Again, use your body weight
    to lean on the handles instead of relying on sore hands.

    “I use
    it for mushrooms, strawberries and hard-boiled eggs for egg salad. It
    cuts and squishes them into uniform pieces,” Winner says.

    4. Separate eggs with a small funnel.
    When
    she needs egg whites to make a meringue or a low-fat omelet and sore
    hands make it too hard to hold the shells, Winner uses this basic
    kitchen tool.

    “The whites slide through; the yolks stay in the funnel,” she says.

    5. Roll out dough using forearms.
    The
    manual dexterity needed to maneuver a rolling pin can be hard on
    someone with hand or arm pain, so Winner uses her forearms and body
    weight to apply pressure.

    “I hold my hands like I’m praying and lean on the rolling pin with my forearms,” she says.

    “Don’t lean too hard, or you’ll go all the way through the dough.”

    6. When cutting large items, steady them with a barbecue fork.
    Winner
    wraps a dishcloth and rubber around the long fork’s handle for
    stability, then pierces the vegetable, such as a head of cabbage.

    For stability, she holds the fork tightly between her underarm and body.

    To finish the cut, “I take the fork out, lay my forearm over the knife, and use my weight to rock it back and forth,” she says.

    7. Remove boiled items with a spider skimmer.
    Pasta
    and vegetables are easily scooped and drained out of hot water using
    the round, shallow basket of this long-handled mesh spoon.

    8. Put a rug and chair in your kitchen.
    A hard tile floor can cause back and foot pain, so Winner stands on a rubber-backed rug.

    And she keeps a stool nearby so she can sit when she gets tired.

    9. Invest in the right gadgets.
    Food processers, mixers, juicers and electric can openers are important parts of an arthritis-friendly kitchen, Winner says.

    10. Take breaks for temperature therapy.
    Both heat and cold can provide temporary relief from hand pain.

    Try both to see which feels best at that moment.
    Winner keeps cans of healthy
    drinks in the fridge because the cold can feels good in her hand.

    For warmth, she washes dishes.

    “It’s kind of like a hot tub for your hands,” she says.

  • 11 years ago

    romy718, I've not had any problem with meatloaf being over-mixed with the KA dough hook. I do try to make sure my ingredients are close to room temp before mixing, though.

    Great tips, yeonassky!


  • 11 years ago

    Cut vegetables with an apple corer.
    This gadget, which looks like a small metal wagon wheel with handles, can slice other veggies into easy-to-work-with sizes, Winner says.

    “Potatoes, cucumbers, summer squash – even a tomato if it’s not too soft,” she says. “Put one handle toward you, the other away from you, and lean on it with your forearms.”

    Brilliant. Why have I never thought of doing this? I will be moving my apple corer next to my knives so I remember to do this.

  • 11 years ago

    bpathhome, where did you find that paper holder thingy? I can't find anything like this. thanks!

  • 11 years ago

    Scrappy, it's called a Page Up and I got it HERE from The Container Store! They have nice heft but not heavy. It's like an egg filled with sand.

  • 11 years ago

    bp, would it hold a full-size sheet of paper upright?

  • 11 years ago


    Here it is holding my dinner menus for the week. Two sheets. It can hold maybe 8 sheets. It can hold them ".landscape", too.

  • 11 years ago

    pbathome - your dinner menus for the week? As in, what you're going to cook at home this week? I think you need company (you know, there's no use to do that kind of planning for solely a family.) Where do you live? ;-)

  • 11 years ago

    thanks bpathome, and I am really impressed with your dinner menus! You should do a post on those.


  • 11 years ago

    I have a couple of the page ups that bpathome shows and they do work great. I found mine at either Marshalls or TJMaxx.

  • 11 years ago
    last modified: 11 years ago

    A lot of my favorites have already been mentioned:

    -oxo mini angled measuring cups

    -microplane grater

    -lemon/lime juicer

    -roll up dish rack

    -mixing bowls w/handles and silicone bottoms

    A couple things I love that haven't been mentioned (I don't think!):

    -flat whisk (good for using in sauce pans for those edges that the round whisks can't get into)

    -odd sized measuring cups & spoons (⅔c, ¾c, 1 ½c & 2t, 1 ½T, 2T)

    -scoop for making cookies

    Edited to add: now I need one of those recipe card holders!!!

  • 11 years ago

    Thought of one more!! I have a silicone rolling pin that has different sized "guides" (for lack of a better word) that snap onto each end for rolling things to a particular thickness (i.e. ⅛", ¼", etc) so that the dough is exactly the thickness you need and uniform all the way across.

  • 11 years ago
    last modified: 11 years ago

    Sorry I went off grid there for a bit - in answer to the question about the dough whisk, mine measures 11" from tip to tip. & yes, it works wonderfully for mixing the meats without over mixing. I think that little curly-q helps mix it faster or something. Love it. :-)

    I like to have my recipes at eye level. I have a few magnet clips that I'll put on my hood when I'm following a recipe. I've also taped the often used recipes inside my cabinet door where I do most of my prepping.

  • 11 years ago

    Where did you get the odd sized measures? I need a 1.5 cup for my big
    dog's food and haven't found one. Thanks. :) Love the flat whisk.
    It's on the list... along with the width measuring rolling pin! Cool!
    Boy this is a costly read. :)

  • 11 years ago

    I got the odd sized measures at Williams Sonoma.

  • 11 years ago

    Carrie and scrappy, maybe I will post sometime on it. For now, suffice to say: subscribing to a menu-planning service changed my life, and my family's life.

    Carrie B thanked bpath
  • 11 years ago
    last modified: 11 years ago

    I put those small round felt furniture leg pads on the 4 corners/legs of my coffee maker. Just peal off paper and press on. It slides in and out on the counter for filling much easier and won't scratch the counter. Lawjedi had a similar idea.

  • 11 years ago

    bpathome, are you using Saving Dinner? I subscribed for awhile and it looks like her layout. Good stuff. There are so many to choose from these days, too.

  • 11 years ago

    Another inexpensive thing I recently started using -- these really good bag clips, great for closing bread, cereal, frozen veggies, etc. These are Ikea but I got mine at Aldi:

    http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/70083252/#

  • 11 years ago

    Funkycamper, yes that IS saving dinner. I subscribed for several years, through several layouts. I didn't resubscribe because I have a few years worth of menus in two binders (by season), so I just cycle through em now. There are so many out there, but I like routine so I stick with this one. Maybe I should try another service some time? Do you use one? Stay tuned, I'm about to start a new thread.

  • 11 years ago

    Will answer in your other thread. :)

  • 11 years ago
    last modified: 11 years ago

    Went today to BBB to get the over the sink roll out dish mat - the saleslady had never heard of it. I showed her the GW pic -she looked online & ordered two (one for my brother's new kitchen) with 20% off each & free shipping. She really liked it. I also got two Charles Viancin lids (20% off) & a replacement Oxo dish scrubber.

    I'll be ordering the Danish Dough Whisk & a few other things from Amazon. I have to track down Bpathman's recipe/menu holder.

    i also got the 4 piece Tupperware FridgeSmart set on Ebay.

    Thanks all.

  • 11 years ago

    Romy, I thought you were the one who turned me on to the over the sink rollup dish rack?

  • 11 years ago

    Not me, lcskaisgir. I do have that flat whisk you recommended-a great kitchen tool. If I did any rolling, I'd consider the silicone rolling pin.

  • 11 years ago
    last modified: 11 years ago

    Don't bother with a silicone rolling pin, get two silicone sheets and put whatever you want flattened between the two of them and use any rolling device, the dough doesn't stick to the silicone sheets....the sheets have many uses and take up less space than the pin.

  • 11 years ago

    I love the silicone rolling pin, but really mostly because of the attachments that came with it for even rolling (and the nonstick surface). I see now that they sell those little guides to fit any rolling pin. I do have the silpat sheets also that I roll the dough out on though, love them too!

  • 11 years ago

    Practigal, that is a great tip, putting the dough between the silicone sheets!

  • 11 years ago

    Practigal, thanks for that great tip.

  • 11 years ago

    I love this tool from Pampered Chef to break up and cook ground beef. It works even if the meat isn't quite thawed in the middle.

    http://www.amazon.com/The-Pampered-Chef-Chop-2583/dp

    /B0011UFPXU

  • 11 years ago

    "we love the Kuhn Rikon manual can opener. It's very easy to use and is a safety opener - neither the lid nor the opened can have any sharp edges."

    that's what I have and I love it. Is easy enough on my arthritic hand/fingers. Has a little 'beak' on it to pull off the lid so you never have to touch it. mine has other 'openers' on it too like one to open cans with the pull tab. best can opener I've ever had. and it's purple! I bought one for my dd too.