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Any favourite gadgets/kitchen implements you wouldn't want to be without?

(74 Posts)
sunflowersuffolk Thu 07-Feb-13 20:36:35

I don't like too many gadgets cluttering up the house, as most of them don't get used much and take up loads of space (ie steam cleaner my husband bought)

But I've just treated myself to a Joseph and Joseph scoop colander, which allows you to scoop and drain food straight from a pan. When there's only 1 or 2 of you, it's really handy for draining and dishing up veg etc. instead of using a colander and serving spoon.

http://www.josephjoseph.com/colanders-and-strainers/scoop-colander123 (sorry can't do links)

loona Thu 02-May-13 23:53:42

I have a tablespoon which belonged to my great grandmother which I could not live without. I once lent it out and had to beg to get it back.

I have 2 kitchen knives nearly 50 years old (my first kitchen knives). I cannot feel comfortable with newer ones even though I have tried.

I have a Braun stick blender with attachments of potato ricer, whisk and a fine sieve for juicing that has been use for 27 years. never a week goes by without using it. I pureed my childrens food with it and made juice for them to drink. I mash my potatoes with it. I blend soups with it and I make juice for my granddaughter. I remember it cost me £10. Best tenner I ever spent.

Enviousamerican Fri 03-May-13 00:42:49

I have a large metal spoon my mother gave me to stir my sons formula with. I have shown it to him so it won't get thrown out or given away when I'm gone.

BAnanas Fri 03-May-13 15:04:24

An electric whisk, how anyone can make meringue with a manual one I'll know and a balloon whisk is great for white sauces it always eliminates lumps leaving it silky smooth!

BAnanas Fri 03-May-13 15:05:15

Should have said I'll never know in previous post.

Gorki Fri 03-May-13 15:36:16

Bean slicer for runner beans . You just push them through and if they don't go through ,you know they are stringy.

mrsmopp Fri 03-May-13 23:44:47

Golly those scoop colanders are a bit pricey aren't they? Why not just use a slotted serving spoon?

Galen Sat 04-May-13 00:10:49

Sharp knives! Soup maker by cuisinart. And now my crockpot. I can go to work all day and come back to a hot meal.
(As long as my electric economy mad cleaner doesn't turn it off! I frequently find my kettle isn't working because she switches it off at the plug!angry)

Gorki Sun 05-May-13 18:10:08

My egg shell pricker to prevent eggs from cracking when they are boiled.

J52 Sun 05-May-13 19:13:03

Kenwood mixer, going strong since 1974. Makes wonderful cakes and meringues. For eating on the non 5:2 diet days!!

Gorki Sun 05-May-13 19:19:36

Agreed J52. I've had mine since about then and it gets used most days for something even if it is only whipping up Angel Delight for the grandchildren.

J52 Sun 05-May-13 19:27:04

Gorki: There is a company who refurbish them completely so that they look like new. Thinking I might treat mine for its 40th birthday!!

noodles Sun 05-May-13 19:29:52

Electric Mini-Chopper
flexible spatula
cook's knife
stick blender

I use the mini-chopper almost every day, especially for onions - I used the spatula for turning griddle scones earlier today. smile

annodomini Sun 05-May-13 19:36:51

After I had read about the scoop-colander in the OP I ordered one from Amazon and I agree - it's invaluable. Thanks for the recommendation, sunflower. smile

Gorki Sun 05-May-13 19:48:18

J52.That's a good idea. Could you let me have the name of the company .I would be grateful. Mine looks a bit tired.

granjura Sun 05-May-13 19:52:43

My Cheffette - got it free with Green Shield stamps in 1971 smile still going strong. And my recently acquired pizza stone - great for making nans.

Stansgran Sun 05-May-13 20:23:47

Always searching for a garlic squisher as I now cannot bash it with a knife as I used to. I've just bought a beautiful looking but expensive Joseph one. Used it tonight and I'm not sure . I did have a woollies one which was perfect but it "vanished"I suspect with a DD when she went to uni. My most precious possession is a long tined silver fork which breaks up horrid lumpy mince and lumps in mash.

Stansgran Sun 05-May-13 20:24:19

Apart from DH who is my commission chef

mrsmopp Thu 16-May-13 15:36:08

I still use the prestige bread knife my grandfather bought for my mum when my dad was away during the war. He always used a block for sharpening knives. This prestige one was new out and has a serrated edge. The sales assistant told my grandfather " it would never need sharpening."
Absolutely right, it has been used every day for 70 years and it will cut through anything.
I wouldn't part with it.

alana Sat 18-May-13 18:39:44

My George Foreman grill, I use it almost every day and it's great for crisping microwaved jacket potatoes and garlic bread too.

jeanie99 Sun 19-May-13 15:50:21

I couldn't manage without my electrical steamer, I take one on most of the trips we do for when we are staying in apartments.

The obvious appliances are
washer
vacuum cleaner

matson Sun 19-May-13 15:55:14

my kettle is the MOST important appliance I own !!!!!!! x

FlicketyB Mon 20-May-13 15:10:07

Is a knife really a gadget? I thought a gadget was an extra that you could manage without. I would treat knives, saucepans, casseroles, cookers etc as essentials.

I would say my most useful gadget is my Tala measuring container that's has the weights of over a dozen common ingredients, converted to volume and marked on the inside. I used it at lunch time to measure some rice. I also use it for flour, sugar and other dry items.

mrsmopp Mon 20-May-13 18:04:03

The heading of the thread is "gadgets or implements" so i would say a knife is an implement, wouldnt you?
Its the one thing i use more than anything else so it answers the question I think..
:-)