A why did you buy that small electric appliance (1,251 views)
applecrisp1
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Post by applecrisp1 on Jul 21, 2019 13:49:37 GMT -5
I was at a garage sale with a friend and the amount of small kitchen appliances the person was selling was impressive (you know those small electric gadgets) She said they were all her things -- you could tell by what she had/selling she loved to cook. She was moving abroad. From waffle maker, coffeemaker, toaster (I will say SMEG brand is cute!), espresso machine, bread maker, juicer, soda stream, ice cream maker, coffee grinder, panini, VItamix, crockpots, Instapot. And on...... Her own Williams Sonoma but displayed in her yard. : )
So what electric appliance did you just have to have to buy, but don't really use?
Or what appliance when you use, think, wow, this is really good/helpful I should use more often?
Any new favs?
Any still in the box?
Any that you are thinking of buying?
I have just three small electric appliances and they come in super handy (I don't use the blender very often but good to have when I'm in the mood for a smoothie). I have a full size Cuisi food processor, a mini Cuisi food processor and a cheapie blender (in that what 1980's blah beige color) that I bought years ago. I used my mini processor a few days ago and it was a super time saver. Made me think I should really use it more often since so quick and easy cleanup. I am sometimes tempted to buy new gadgets but I don't have the room, have super limited counter space, and I really can't think of one that I really need.
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Post by Catbatty on Jul 21, 2019 16:13:58 GMT -5
Would never give up my Cuisinart Food Processor (it's mostly a cheese shredder), my 6-quart Duo Instant Pot, my microwave. Wish I'd never given away my Braun handheld set of mixer, immersion blender thingy. Miss it. (Luckily, I do have a different immersion blender still.) Got rid of and don't miss: The Griddler, blender, slow cooker, electric knife, pasta maker, tortilla press, electric can opener that never worked well--we just do it by hand now. Could get rid of and not miss all that much: Cuisinart Mixer. Zo Breadmaker. (I *intend* to really break those out and use them someday, however.) LOVE all the Maytag appliances that came with our new (used) house. Never knew what I was MISSING!! LOVE LOVE LOVE!! (Fridge, stove, washer/dryer, dishwasher.) I can't think of anything I want electric-appliance-wise...right now. 
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Post by karenw on Jul 21, 2019 19:12:12 GMT -5
LOVE: instant pot Food Processor-Breville Counter top convection oven-Breville Stick blender-Braun Kitchen Aid mixer-hand held and big guy! Vita mix Electric griddle-use for making homemade English muffins now, but kids also ate a lot of pancakes growing up Vacuum sealer GONE and FORGOTTEN  : Slow cooker Griddler Ice cream maker-although I liked it but mine was not great. Maybe someday get a better one Bread Machine-got it free but gave away anyway cause I just like doing it by hand Waffle maker-had it when the kids were young and at home as they loved waffles. DH and I do not so had not used it in years Rice Cooker-just as easy to make on stove and now my instant pot as well so did not need the extra appliance
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Post by wallycat on Jul 22, 2019 12:56:57 GMT -5
Love: Cuisinart counter multi-oven that has steam ability microwave I consider as standard as a sink, LOL Cuisinart food processor Hand held mixer (happens to be a KA) Oster blender Coffee bean grinder (Breville or Baratza) Greenworks handheld vacuum (wish it had a nozzle attachment) Small and medium cheapie slow cookers Induction cooktop (Bosch)
Not enough use: KA huge 6 quart stand mixer Vitamix newer model All-Clad 6 quart big slow cooker Immersion blender (old braun) Vacuum sealer Cuisinart coffee maker (I do French Press almost all the time now) Espresso machine
Gone and forgotten: Bread maker Grain mill grinder (not attachment for KA; separate grain mill)
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Post by Catbatty on Jul 22, 2019 14:02:32 GMT -5
So interesting!! I forgot to add:
Love:
Keurig coffee maker - addicted to Wolfgang Puck's Hazelnut coffee, I top with Reddi Whip or any canned whipping cream. Cannot LIVE without now...each and every day. It's worrisome. But...
Vacuums - 1. Dyson upright - DC25 2. Dyson V8 hand held (cordless)
And stand mixer I seldom use, mentioned previously, I mis-spoke...it's a KA, not a Cui.
And, I would say I love our Braun oven thingy, but we don't need to use it anymore because the Maytag oven has mini oven at top that we think has same functions.
We are such privileged humans, aren't we?
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Post by swedishcook on Jul 30, 2019 15:48:13 GMT -5
You are so right about being privileged catbatty! Growing up I watched my mom whipping egg whites by hand. I have two handheld mixers - the older one (Krups) for its excellent dough hooks and the newer (Cuisinart) for its many speeds. With limited storage space I need to think long and hard what would really be of use in our kitchen. Still, two small electric appliances slipped in and are now on their way out: a coffee bean grinder and a spice grinder. When not touched for 5 years time is up. To us coffee made with pre-ground beans tastes great and spices are crushed with my trusted old mortar and pestle.
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Post by soupandstew on Aug 5, 2019 21:02:36 GMT -5
I still have my old coffee grinder for spice grinding. Love my Instant Pot but don't use it often. The Braun blender, food processor, immersion blender thingy I got is awesome. I worship my Nespresso coffee/espresso maker; it's the reason I get up every morning. George Foreman is a very reliable tool when it's too cold or rainy to grill, or if we just want a couple of slices of grilled onion in a sandwich. I have a hand-held mixer so old it's Harvest Gold, seriously. As Swedish cook said, a small kitchen really makes you curate your toys.
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applecrisp1
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Post by applecrisp1 on Aug 6, 2019 16:16:41 GMT -5
soupandstew --- that mixer might coordinate nicely with my ancient blender.
Not having the room (and sooo realizing it) has really prevented me from shopping for gadgets/appliances. Although sometimes for a minute I'm tempted but then get back to reality. Ha. The only thing I might get is a spiralizer but one of those tiny hand held ones (non electric so not really part of this thread).
I've been on a big clean out. I just sold my Le Creuset braiser since although it was so pretty and in my all time favorite fennel color, I just didn't use it. I found it super bulky. And I sold a new 12 inch pan since I'm not a big nonstick person and I certainly don't need it (got it as a gift). And the only place it would fit is in the bottom oven drawer. Too wide for my cabinets.
I really can't think of a small electric that I would want -- even if I had the room. It is interesting to read what people like/use ....
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Post by PattiA on Aug 9, 2019 21:53:56 GMT -5
soupandstew --- that mixer might coordinate nicely with my ancient blender. Applecrisp - I have and still use the Oster chrome beehive blender that my parents got as a wedding gift in 1956. I live in fear of breaking the glass container. I bought a replacement blade about 10 years ago and my husband replaced the electrical cord but that is the only service it has ever had. When I had it in college in the late 70s and early 80s, we called it the concrete mixer.
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traildoggie
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Post by traildoggie on Sept 2, 2019 12:00:18 GMT -5
Most of my mistakes were not electric. like the spiralizer. wow, what a disappointment. does not work very well and I don't like spiralized vegies anyway. it wastes half or more of the vegie with odd sized pieces, and when I want spaghetti, I want spaghetti. do not tell me zucchini is a substitute. a soda stream I used for at least 5 years, but suddenly got sick of carbonated water. still have a slow cooker and bread maker that get occasional use. Cuisinart ice cream maker. I used it like crazy for a few years and then got tired of the things I was making. I've gone thru quite a few food processors.. last one is limping so will need a new one soon. usually a part breaks and its not replaceable so it gets dumped. never got sucked into buying a stand mixer because didn't want on the counter, and it turned out to be wise for me.
the stick blender gets used all the time. the waffle maker, no.
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Gail
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Post by Gail on Jan 20, 2020 22:51:41 GMT -5
 I want to play-- even though you've all gone home now and the sun has set...  Really, I think I'm a minimalist. A couple of days ago my mom was asking my opinion on an air fryer. My immediate answer was "I don't want another gadget." She kept extolling its perceived virtues (or maybe it's a Wonderful Thing, I really don't care...) I kept replying that I don't want another gadget. I won't discuss all the small electric appliances we got rid of when we sold my mother's house. Perhaps I'm adopted. My electric appliances are mostly old, ok (but then again, so am I...) I am on my third Cuisinart Toaster Oven/Convection Oven -- Other than the first, which was returned under warranty for some strange problem I've forgotten, they've served me well and I've used the hell out of them. Yes, I have two other perfectly good ovens, but when it's summer and it's hot, we have no air conditioning, and a small oven doesn't heat up the house. Plus, I use the toaster function quite a bit, use it for warming up stuff and I still prefer baking potatoes to nuking them (so I use this appliance for that as well). Have me committed if you will. Kitchenaid stand mixer and its cousin, the hand-held Cuisinart Stone-age Food Processor -- I really only use it when I'm entertaining, otherwise I default to the Kitchenaid Mini-Chop, which I use the hell out of. Coffee grinders (both Braun), one for spices, one for coffee. Neither sees a tremendous amount of action, poor things. Coffee maker (ancient Braun) Only comes out when my husband wants coffee. For everyday use, I use a coffee press. Very old-fashioned Waring Blender - It's rare that I use it, but my husband uses it a lot. REALLY DUMB PURCHASES Deep Fryer-- (who remembers what make?) What a mess to use and clean. Yes, it made nice fish and chips, but so does cast iron. Outtahere. Pasta maker for Cuisinart-- I bought that in the eighties. I still haven't opened it. Meat grinder for Kitchenaid -- see comment re pasta maker Mini crockpot -- So glad I never bought a full-sized one. I bought this in the eighties when I was single and working. It was occasionally helpful and pleasant to come home to a fragrant pot of boeuf bourguignon. It got used more in 1991 when we were remodeling the kitchen. Maybe I'll dig it out for the next remodel. I should mention that we were also given an air popcorn popper, a waffle iron and an electric wine bottle uncorker for gifts. Though I can't say these are things we'd ever purchase on our own, they get used.
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Post by soupandstew on Jan 22, 2020 17:10:38 GMT -5
I'll play! I live in 1,300 sq ft so every appliance has to earn its footprint.
1. Nespresso coffee maker 2. Cuisinart 2-slice toaster 3. Medium size George Foreman electric grill 4. Braun multi-system which is sort of a blender, food processor, immersion blender thing. I mostly use the immersion blender but the chopper is handy sometimes 5. 6 qt. Instant Pot 6. Very ancient Sunbeam handheld mixer
That's it. Over the years we were gifted various wine chillers, electric wine openers, waffle irons, etc. They were off to resale rather quickly.
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applecrisp1
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Post by applecrisp1 on Jan 24, 2020 20:38:04 GMT -5
Hi Gail, so nice to "see" you here.
So interesting to see what people use and don't use.
soupandstew --- I bet your old sunbeam mixer would look great with my ancient blender.
Funny I'm the person that has only three appliances (mini food processor, a large food processor and the blender) and always says, I don't want anything else, no need, no space, blah blah. And this week I've been thinking of getting an Instapot. I could get one at a super discount and I've heard such good things. I eat very little meat, boneless chicken sometimes, and cook for 1-2 typically. I'm not sure its a good fit, let alone where I would fit it. Now if I start cooking beans from dry -- I could put it on what is typically my Goya shelf. : )
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Post by Catbatty on Jan 24, 2020 22:15:34 GMT -5
I'm trying HARD not to say a word to Applecrisp about the Instant Pot. <slapping myself like crazy> If she got one and hated the space it takes, I'd never forgive myself for badgering her into getting one. <super cheap, huh? well...> <no> <going away> <bye>
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Post by soupandstew on Jan 25, 2020 18:47:10 GMT -5
I've heard good things about the Instant Pot from my vegetarian friends because of the speed and ease with which it cooks whole grains and dried beans. I've used it for Senate bean soup and not having to soak the beans was a great timesaver. I made a mushroom/spinach risotto in mine last night, and I promise it makes the world's best collard greens. A week ago I used it to make the base for my chili with dried anchos. And then there's the corned beef and beef tongue that we do in it, plus the lamb or goat curries. It's earned it's cabinet space for sure.
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Post by karenw on Jan 25, 2020 19:54:29 GMT -5
Not trying to influence anyone (Applecrisp!!) but my Instant Pot is worth the space for making chicken stock, dried beans and bean based soups, rice, grains, and more. I love that thing. I am not a meat eater either but others in my family are so it's great for me for that too when I don't want to "deal with" the meat doing a lot of hands on....like ribs, pulled chicken for tacos, etc.. etc..etc... Can't imagine being without it!!
Karen
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Varaile
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Post by Varaile on Jan 26, 2020 8:44:49 GMT -5
This is a fantastic thread! I also have a small house with limited storage space and very limited counter top space.
Use ALL the time: 15-18 year old 3 cup Cuisinart food processor/blender combo (contemplating getting an 11 cup so I can make pie dough, pizza dough faster ) immersion blender Belgian waffle maker (just received for Christmas, I think we've made waffles nearly every Sunday...) Kitchen-Aid stand mixer slow cooker electric kettle (we're a tea household) Use infrequently, but still use and I'm glad I have it: FoodSaver IP - I just need to figure out a good source for recipes - Milk Street is coming out with a cookbook in a couple months. LOVE it for stock. Slow cook feature is a disappointment. Doesn't get as hot as my regular slow-cooker spice (coffee) grinder
Haven't used in years: (this was a Husband purchase...) dehydrator
Haven't used yet (just received for Christmas) Spiralizer
Missing from this list/don't own: Microwave (no counter space and I can do almost everything on the stove/oven or with the electric kettle) Coffee pot of any kind (tea peeps)
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Post by wallycat on Jan 26, 2020 18:49:00 GMT -5
Karen, if someone has a pressure cooker (stove top) do you think the IP is still worth getting? I'm trying to gut my kitchen to basics and I have SO MUCH STUFF it is daunting. I have little room for food in my pantry and copious cupboards because it stores all my crap!
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