What is your favorite kitchen appliance you couldn't do without & use most?

[RamblingRose]

For all you smarty pants - fridge, stove, oven, microwave, dishwasher don't count.

Mine

Favorites
Kitchen Aid Mixer
Crock pot (I have 3 sizes and like my late 1970/early'80's model the best)
Rice cooker (for brown rice)


Things I never use
Dehydrator
George Foreman Grill (small)
blender
Magic Bullet (used it a lot when I first got it)


I just ordered an immersion blender and am anxious to try it.



*Sorry if there has been another thread on this

[multigraincracker]

1. My Bunn Coffee maker.

Has never failed me.

[MiHale]

24. +1

[SheltieLover]

2. Foreman Grill

And can opener.



On Edit: Instant Pot

[RamblingRose]

7. I've kept my Foreman Grill since so many people love theirs. What do you make with it? I tried a

chicken breast and it came out too dry.

[SheltieLover]

15. Marinade chicken

Or do my lazy way of brushing on a bit of Italian salad dressing. Lol

Steaks, chops are great too.

I'm going to try eggplant soon.

I love it!

[Turbineguy]

3. Dishwasher.

I hate washing dishes by hand. When I was in high school I worked in a restaurant and washed dishes by hand. When I got out of college I swore I would always have a dishwasher.

[Demsrule86]

54. That too...

[MLAA]

4. I'm not much of a cook, so microwave and Keurig Coffee Maker see the most action.

Occasionally use the slow cooker and Vita-Mix.

[polmaven]

5. "Mr. Coffee"

[viva la]

6. Immersion blender

Also a crock pot and a big blender.
I use the George Forman grill occasionally.

But the food processor and the instant pot are like about two steps too complicated for me.

The LEAST useful appliance is an apple peeler. I never got it to work right, and even if it did work, I think it wouldn't save any time.

[RamblingRose]

10. I gave my apple peeler away years ago. Interesting to know about the Instant Pot n/t

[viva la]

22. Pressure cookers like instant pots are adults only!

My aunt used to cook with an old-style (stovetop) pressure cooker, and she always made such a big deal about how incredibly dangerous it was and only she could do it and we kids had to be out of the house when she was using it...

I kind of got the idea that it's a nuclear bomb.
That's probably making me more squeamish about the Instant Pot.

But also, I read that it braises that beef in 30 minutes... but turns out there's 15 minutes of pressure buildup first, then 15 minutes of slow release after. It saves time, but not THAT much time.

Also it might explode and take out the neighborhood, Auntie Glad told me.

[hlthe2b]

25. Old style pressure cookers build up much more pressure than the Instant Pot...

The instant pot is pressure self-releasing so they are quite safe. That said, I only use it under pressure when I am near by. (I will let it slow cook or make yogurt when I'm out of the house though).

[viva la]

28. Make yogurt? That's interesting.

I've mostly used it with stews, and it's useful to cook dry beans pretty quick.

But I need to use it better. I think it does meld flavors well.

[hlthe2b]

31. Not all models do, but the DUO-6 has a setting. As a two gallon/week yogurt maker for

more than five years now, I've made yogurt every way possible. The Instant Pot is the easiest, hands down. It did convince me to buy a second inner lining pot, though so that I could cook other things when yogurt was cooling in the refrigerator.

[Demsrule86]

55. I make dairy free yogurt using Lactaid Milk or Fairlife milk...which I prefer.

I also strain the yogurt to make Greek Yogurt or Yogurt cheese.

[yellowdogintexas]

38. I have decided I don't want an immersion blender.

My daughter uses hers all the time, and she has scarred the bottom of her non stick pans. If I want to puree soup, i use my large blender

[luvs2sing]

8. Slow cooker is #1..

followed by the toaster and blender. We donated the Foreman and the bread machine years ago.

We have a rice cooker that we never use but Hubster isn’t ready to part with it. I’ve been able to perfect rice on the stovetop, so I see no need for it.

I have a small electric mixer that serves my needs. The blender is used occasionally for smoothies and sauces, just often enough for me to keep it around. I make toast several days a week. And the slow cooker is the real workhorse. During busy performance seasons, I use it once or twice a week.

Hubster would say the coffee maker, but since I gave up coffee, it really doesn’t register that we even have one.

We have very limited kitchen space, so I keep things pared down to necessities.

I, too, would love an immersion blender.

[viva la]

32. I just used the immersion blender to pulverize stewed apples

for apple butters.
It's easy to use and easy to clean up.

But it's really only useful for cooked items-- can't use it like a stand-up blender for dry and frozen stuff.

[Diamond_Dog]

9. Things I use a lot

Coffee percolator
Crock pot
Electric skillet

When I want to make a skillet meal, even the big Farberware skillet for the stove top is too small when you cook for 3 guys. I have to double almost any recipe that says it serves four. The electric one is bigger and works out perfectly. I also deep-fry fish in it.

[dem in texas]

44. Same for me

But i have a Mr Coffee. I also like to cook with my crock pot and electric skillet. One thing i can't be without is my little chopping board that I keep hanging on the cabinet by sink. I prep the veggies, dumping the scraps in the sink then take the chopped veggies, still on the board and using my knife, swipe them down in the pot or skillet. I like my little hand mixer, so old it is "almond" color- remember that?

[CurtEastPoint]

11. air fryer, instant pot, slow cooker.

[Atticus]

12. Vacuum sealer. nt

[Arkansas Granny]

13. My Keurig. This is my second one. When it dies the next one will be on order the same day.

[RamblingRose]

14. do you use the refillable pods? n/t

[Arkansas Granny]

46. I have used them, but I prefer the k-cups.

[Polly Hennessey]

16. My toaster.

[Dream Girl]

17. Instant pot and air fryer.

I use my air fryer daily, sometimes three times a day.instant is great for pressure cooking stew, pot roast, beans, in about a quarter of the time. Last night I made oxtail stew which takes 4 hours to cook in 45 minutes. Came out great!

[hlthe2b]

18. #1. Vitamix Blender (use it daily). 2. Instant Pot (2x weekly yogurt; 1x weekly for other dishes)

#3. My Zojirushi water boiler. Hot water for pour-over coffee, tea at the push of a button and so well insulated it uses little energy. Plus you can choose your holding temperature (great for various teas)

#4 My now 15 yo Nespresso espresso maker. I use it at least 2x weekly for cappuccinos and lattes.

I do love my #5. Zojirushi rice cooker but I don't use it that often. However, it has a GABA setting which is ideal for my favorite nutty brown rice (slow germinates the rice before cooking to increase GABA content, a very healthy nutrient not typically released in normal rice cooking).


Honestly, the rest, I could live without, but I've found my electric wok with its carbon steel surface very useful as a backup appliance for any number of purposes beyond stir-frying. I have a bread maker I used to use a lot, but my lower-carb lifestyle has meant it gathers more dust than not. I was given both a food processor and a kitchenmaid stand mixer. Both were appreciated, but used rarely.

But the Vitamix and the Instant Pot would be immediately replaced if they stopped working. The former has certainly lived past its 7-year warranty, but I hope it keeps going a long time to come.

Though you stated not to list a microwave, I honestly do use mine daily. When my built-in went defunct I immediately went out to buy a fairly inexpensive countertop model thinking I might return it if my built-in was repairable. It was not and I'm glad to have the latter.

[Beatlelvr]

20. I'm my mother's caregiver

And sometimes she wants a quick snack so it's the Vitamix for a smoothie or microwave for other stuff.
My Mr. Coffee gets me through the morning. Recently got an immersion blender. She only likes the tips of asparagus, so I made soup with the remaining stalks and used the blender to puree.

[Warpy]

19. You'll use that immersion blender in soup weather

For now, you can make smoothies in the glass with it.

I guess I'd have to be boringly typical and say microwave. Oh, I can heat things in a bamboo steamer, but it takes longer. Second would be my rice cooker, no more spacing rice on the stove and ending up with a cinder.

[dem in texas]

45. Started making my rice in the oven

I am usually cooking something in the oven, so I take advantage of the heat. I put the rice with water and salt in a Pyrex loaf dish, covering the top tightly with aluminum foil and punch some holes in the foil. When ready, just remove foil and fluff the rice. Made it so much that I don't even have to measure anymore

[Autumn]

21. My air fryer. I use it daily. nt

[NurseJackie]

48. We have one too... it's great!

[Freddie]

23. Keurig, air fryer, handheld mixer

Rarely use the nice stand mixer. Thought I’d use it for Christmas cookie baking but you can only use the bowl that came with it and I usually have several doughs going at once, some chilling in the fridge.
I have an Oskar mini food processor that I LOVE and I understand they don’t make them anymore because the originals never die, therefore no one buys a new one. Mine is at least 25.

[Binkie The Clown]

26. Microwave oven. I cook ahead and heat up "leftovers" all week. nt

[SamKnause]

39. We are definitely on the same page.

I love cooking but don't feel well enough to do it everyday.

I cook in bulk and heat up the intentional leftovers in the microwave.

Works out great because I love my homemade homecooked food.

[RainCaster]

27. Coffee pot & Traeger

What never gets used: the million plastic containers with no matching lids that I'm not allowed to throw away.

[Jilly_in_VA]

29. Mr. Coffee (I joke that it's my other husband)

Instant Pot
Air Fryer
Toaster Oven
Blender

Stuff I never use
Bread Machine
Juicer

[wendyb-NC]

30. My single cup

Black&Decker, coffee maker. Simple to use, reusable mesh filter. Have had it since January, 2014. I got it for 14.99, at Big Lots.
That model cost several dollars more now.

[WA-03 Democrat]

33. I love buying kitchen gadgets

Daily:
Keurig (coffee for my wife and tea for me)
Cuisinart combo air-fryer/induction oven/toaster - we cooked a ribeye in it and it was great
Fridge- we love the filtered water
Vita Mix

Sometimes:
Brevell juice maker (works great but cleaning is a pain)
Insta-Pot (use it a lot more in the winter)
Waffles!
Panini maker :0

Never:
- Cuisinart food processor! My wife is left handed and nothing is designed for her. We opened it, I’m right handed and while snapping sharp blades in place keeps me focused but found it reasonable to use. My wife tried and it was quickly packed deep in the back of the “things we don’t use cabinet.” I fancy one of these days I’ll break it out for fun but its viewed in our home as a terrible accident just waiting to happen.
-bread maker
-vacuum sealer
-Tortilla/dough press

[Worried2020]

34. couldn't do without - can opener . . .

.

& use most - kitchen sink, well not really,

That would be the unmentionable microwave





W

[elleng]

35. Tomato knife,

that's all folks!

Mostly home alone, so only a few preparations these days. Happy brother + sister in law included it with a bunch of other kitchen stuff YEARS ago; still use it, and will do so shortly, for 'brunch:' toasted bagel, cream cheese + tomato.

[Kali]

36. a couple of good knives

but for electronics if we aren't allowed to say dishwasher it would be the countertop ice maker. I have several old refrigerators - none have an icemaker. If they weren't so damned expensive I would buy a commercial one. I hate ice cube trays.

[yellowdogintexas]

37. I also love kitchen gadgets

My favorites:

Stand Mixer (Sunbeam) It is my second one and I have 2 sets of bowls and beaters for it
Hand Mixer My husband had one which died. I saved the beaters and acquired his mother's identical one at the estate sale.

Those extra beaters can make a huge difference if I am doing a big baking session.

toaster oven. Does the work of 2 appliances.

Small Cuisinart blender Similar to the magic bullet; perfect for smoothies

rice cooker; Does everything except Instant Pot; if i make a large pot of rice I can plan several meals which use rice.

Not a true appliance, but i love all of my Tupperware! The stackable cabinet containers save so much space; the large marinating container is so useful for so many things. I use the bowls all the time. if it cracks or splits it is covered under lifetime guarantee.

[lark]

40. Coffee maker - #1 with a bullet!

Air fryer is next, I have a cheap knock off of the Ninja Foodie and it's way better, way easier to use & clean than the Foodie.

[mia]

41. Microwave and 4-cup coffee maker.

Favorite gadget is a garlic press. Love my All-Clad cookware. It looks like new, after 30 years, thanks to Bar Keepers Friend. My kitchen is very small, but I enjoy cooking there. I just made some soup and my place smells wonderful.

[vanlassie]

42. Electric Kettle. $20.00.

[msongs]

43. rice cooker - never use it for rice tho nt

[NurseJackie]

47. Keurig 2.0

[The Polack MSgt]

49. I use my immersion blender more than any of my powered kitchen tools

Other than maybe my toaster oven. I love that thing, my red beans and rice is so much better because of it.

But the most used best loved tools in my kitchen are an 18 cm bladed knife I bought in Hachinohe Japan and a great big cast iron skillet my great aunt left behind that no one else wanted.

[lapucelle]

50. I just read about this horrifying "kitchen gadget" today.

The Best Kitchen Gadget of the 1600s Was a Small, Short-Legged Dog
Turnspit dogs ran in a wheel to keep the spit meat spinning.

https://bit.ly/3BoXJp2

[sir pball]

51. A cake tester.

The Ateco ones, with the blue plastic handle. You get em in bulk for like 75¢ a pop.

In a professional kitchen, they are used to check the doneness of...well, just about anything. If you eat at a restaurant with a visible kitchen, watch for it - the cooks will stick the tester in an item, wait a beat, then touch the tester to their upper lip. You determine the doneness of steak (or pork) by the degree of heat; medium rare is just slightly above body temperature. Chicken, it should sting. Fish, it should go in with no resistance, you can feel the silver skin popping if it's not done. And of course cakes.

Actual thermometers are so unthinkable on the line that I have seen Michelin-atarred chefs confiscate them for the shift. You can't have the steak guy spending 90 seconds waiting for his fancy Thermapen to read out a cake tester takes about 5 seconds. Like, they're so essential I know other cooks with forearm tattoos of them.

[Hortensis]

52. Between us, my daughter and I have loaded me up with

more electronic gadgets in the past four years than I've ever had or wanted in the past 50. I enjoy them when I use them, but mostly I chop with knives and use my stove and microwave as always. I am trying to use the Breville convection/toaster oven more since it's obviously very useful and waits reproachfully on the area of counter it's taken over.

I hope you enjoy your immersion blender. Even though I like stuff chunky and don't use it as much as some might, such as for pureeing soups, a gift that replaced a cheapie I didn't use is now a favorite. I'm a lazy cook, and it's just so convenient. Since I seldom need anything blender-smooth, it keeps me from needing to pull that out, also sometimes the food processor or mixer. Just last night I whipped it out to whip a 1/4 cup of heavy cream that a recipe fussily called for. Zip-zip, rinse-rinse.

[Demsrule86]

56. Have you baked in the Breville? I had double ovens in my big house but we downsized to a smaller

house so I don't have one. I was looking at the in order be able to bake a casserole or bread to go with a meal.

[Hortensis]

57. A little. Recently on a baking forum one of the regulars

said she now did nearly everything that'll fit in hers. I was browsing how to use mine. Her fellow flour-heads didn't all rush in to say me too, but quite an endorsement for what they're capable of.

I know our small Breville will hold a 9x9, or 3-quart, casserole because I stuck the dish in once. I just have to buckle down and learn what I have to so it's not a research project. My daughter uses hers a few times a day for her family.

[Demsrule86]

53. Hmm...can't do just one.

I can't do without my espresso maker, crockpot, Instapot, KitchenAid mixer, food processor and I really like a separate rice cooker too even though the Instapot cooks rice as well.