Kitchen Small Appliances/Gadgets

4 years ago

I am curious if there may be anything I should look into getting that I don't have. I have the basics that most have. Microwave, toaster, coffee pot, food processor, walffle maker, mini chopper, blender, crock pot, pots and pans, garlic press, milk frother and probably other basics I'm forgetting.

I have been looking at panini presses/sandwich makers - simple smaller ones and ones that can also be used as griddle/grill, Aerogarden, personal blenders(such as Nutribullet or Ninja), Air fryers, Insta pot, immersion blenders and other things I can't think of right now.

It seems like when I find something I might want and I look it up on GW, there are a few that have whatever it is and love it and most say it's not worth getting or some like one and some like another(ex: Nurtibullet vs. Ninja personal blenders) Also, when I look up reviews on things, it seems like every product has pros and cons and most things have so many negative reviews, that I give up trying to find something.

I'm curious what people here have gotten that is really worth getting, works well and you use a lot. It could be a small appliance or a gadget. Thanks!

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Comments (4)

User
4 years ago
My little 2qt air fryer is getting used a LOT! I make lunch for my husband when he's home for lunch, 3 days a week. Now it goes much faster. My ceramic bowls fit the appliance and I can make chili cheese fries, with bubbly cheese on top without the wait....for instance.... or home fries to go with the salmon. I hate cooking outdoors in Winter or heating the kitchen up in Summer.☺ I didn't spend much. $20. Black Friday sale. Cooks brand from JC Penney. I think THIS will heat up a grilled cheese sandwich, in the middle, better because it's enclosed and hotter than on a stove top grilling pan. No need for a panini(got rid of mine when we moved).
sushipup2
4 years ago
I have gotten farther and farther away from gadgets and small appliances. Really, we are both pretty good cooks, and somehow make do without more stuff. Give me a good chef's knife and I'm happy.
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Toronto Veterinarian
4 years ago
I love my Aerogarden, but I don't think of it as a kitchen appliance or gadget - it's just the only way I can get anything to grow. Right now, I've got a bunch of basil and dill growing.

I do like my Actifry air fryer, because it has a rotating blade so the food doesn't have to be shaken or repositioned. I use it for fish, chicken wings, fries, and cauliflower. - but not all at the same time. My other favourite counter top appliance is my bread maker - I don't use it often, but I love it when I do (mostly for pizza dough, occasionally for bread). I used to love my Instant Pot for making baked beans, but I seem to be out of my 'baked bean' phase.
Mrs Pete
4 years ago
I think this is an individual question. Ask yourself these questions:

- How often will I use this? Will I use it often enough to justify it?

- Can any of my small appliances do double-duty?

- Do I have the storage space for this item?

Microwave

Honestly, I could do without my microwave. I wish I had a big enough pantry that I could have a small one tucked away for the occasional bag of popcorn, etc. Mine's not "earning its space on the counter".

toaster,

We don't toast often, so we got rid of ours ... we toast in the oven or with the Air Fryer, which are inferior choices, but since I make toast less than once a month, I'll live with it.

coffee pot,

My husband drinks coffee; no one else in the house does. I'd like to say our Keurig isn't "earning its space", but he loves coffee, so I'd never get rid of it.

food processor, mini chopper

We use these constantly.

walffle maker,

We have a bitty-model and use it fairly often.

blender,

Don't own one.

crock pot,

I have two crock pots (one very small, one medium-large) and one Insta-pot (large). If I could only have one, I'd want to go with the Insta-pot because it can act as a pressure cooker OR a crock pot.

pots and pans,

Go through your pots and pans and see which ones you use constantly ... and which ones are rarely used. Get the best set you can find and take good care of them.

garlic press, milk frother

Don't have these. No desire to own them.

panini presses/sandwich makers

I have a Cruisinart Griddler, which I love, but it honestly doesn't get all that much use. I do love that it can "open up flat" and act as a pancake griddle.

Aerogarden,

Don't know what that is.

personal blenders (such as Nutribullet or Ninja),

Had one. Gave it to Goodwill.

Air fryers,

We like our Air Fryer. Unlike the oven, it doesn't require pre-heating, so we can cook something small like a pot pie or a French bread pizza very quickly. It's great for cooking anything in small quantities.

immersion blenders

We do enjoy homemade soup, and the immersion blender is like magic.

Give me a good chef's knife and I'm happy.

Love a good knife.

Additional thoughts:

- Things I've had /got rid of: Juicer, Bread Maker, Rotisserie

- I have a small ice cream maker, and I should get rid of it.

- I have a dehydrator, which my husband uses to make jerky. It gets enough use to justify keeping it.

- I have a rice cooker, which I love. Sure, I can make rice on the stove, but I don't have to watch this. It can cook other things too.

- One thing you didn't mention is a stand mixer. I love-love-love-love-love my Kitchen Aid. It's well over 20 years old and works just like it did the day I took it out of the box. Kitchen Aid makes a bunch of accessories; I have a sausage grinder and zoodler. It makes sense to have a Kitchen Aid + accessories ... rather than one-shot items.