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

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..
:-)

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.

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

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

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

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.

Apart from DH who is my commission chef

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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

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!)

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

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

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

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!

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.

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.

Steamer and set of sharp knives.

Agree about the stick blender.

My other is the microwave - not for cooking, but for its timer which I must use umpteen times a day!