Most Useful Kitchen Gadgets You Have

try2bhelpful on 02/12/2017 - 17:33

I am a bit of a kitchen gadget aholic. My other half is getting to the point where he is telling me I have to get rid of some of my kitchen toys before I can buy anymore. It isn't the money it is the room. Some of mine have been real finds and some are duds.

A while back I posed the question "What was the most Useless Kitchen Gadget you have" and some of the responses were really hilarious. Some of them were things I had previously thought - "you know?" but after reading the responses I thought "nah".

https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/298108

My question now is "What are the most useful kitchen Gadgets you have?"

Mine would have to be my big Magimix food processor. It turns vegetables into stir fry in no time flat.

I also have:

  • a Kitchen Aid mixer - I don't use it enough for what I paid for it; but it does what I want it to do well.I really must use the grinder and icecream maker attachments more.
  • a small Magimix - which is great for onions and puree fruit to top yoghurt as a quick dessert.
  • a philips pasta maker - which actually makes decent pasta and it really easy to use, but requires a bit of effort to clean.
  • an Anova Sous Vide which I have just bought, so I'm reserving judgement until I have time play with it.
  • Vitamix - which is great for smoothies, pasta sauces and soups. This thing could seriously puree a brick. Easy to clean but not so easy to get all the stuff out of the bottom.
  • a Bamix Wand, which was my go to for small chopping jobs until I got the baby magimix. I've tried to use it for "in pot" purees for soup and find greens like Kale get could in the chopping area. They are great for Pesto, though.
  • Flat LCD display scales - would never to back to analogue after using them. Add a box and they can double as pet weighing scales.
  • a Tefal Multicooker - good for Yoghurt and stews but I would probably buy CookMe if I had my time over.

I'm interested to know what people think are worthwhile purchases and happy to answer any questions on what I have. Also would welcome any tips on how I might better use my own toys.

Home & Garden

Comments

  • oscargamer on 02/12/2017 - 17:52
    +50

    can i say wife?

    oscargamer on 02/12/2017 - 17:52 (Collapsed - Offtopic. Show)
    • Zaenille on 02/12/2017 - 17:56
      +17

      What model did you get?

      • oscargamer on 02/12/2017 - 18:10
        +31

        1.0

        i've seen ver 2.0 and 2.2a - both visually superior, just not sure about the kitchen module

        • anonymous01 on 03/12/2017 - 09:24
          +15

          I'd say hold on to the 1.0 model while you trial out the 2.0 and 2.2a. You can always return them if they don't perform as well as 1.0. Just make sure not to use them around each other.

        • TrendyTim on 04/12/2017 - 11:01
          +3

          @anonymous01:
          I heard they cause problems if they are in close proximity, even if not turned on.

        • gentlecrack on 05/12/2017 - 22:50

          @anonymous01: 3.4dd is better

      • Some Human on 02/12/2017 - 18:13
        +51

        I recommend the pre-1999 models. You can get yourself in a lot of trouble with a post 1999 model.

        • oscargamer on 02/12/2017 - 18:15
          +3

          wise words indeed !

        • Harold Halfprice on 04/12/2017 - 14:05

          I heard they're going to start patching some of the post 1999 models starting next year. They should be okay to use starting January, however they'll be rolling the patches out in stages - whilst some post 99 models may be okay, not all will - ALWAYS check date of manufacture before use and cross reference with the recommended usage guidelines.

        • JIMB0 on 17/12/2017 - 13:49

          Good advice. Stick to models from last century.

      • edwardcr on 03/12/2017 - 00:46

        I prefer the analogue version 1.00 wife generally speaking, and especially in the kitchen.

        However the digital versions 2.00 and up have their uses in certain circumstances…..

    • spackbace on 02/12/2017 - 18:13
      +4

      Pretty bloody expensive though

      • oscargamer on 02/12/2017 - 18:15
        +1

        comparatively…….suzuki vs toyota ;)

        • spackbace on 02/12/2017 - 18:19
          +2

          Still takes half your house when it's ready to be thrown in the bin… ;)

        • oscargamer on 02/12/2017 - 18:33

          @Spackbace:

          yet to go there………but, never say never

        • GetOffMyUnicorn on 03/12/2017 - 22:46

          @oscargamer: Trust me mate, you don't want to, lol.

    • Dreamcast on 03/12/2017 - 14:50

      Can I say mother?

    • ju2au on 04/12/2017 - 12:50

      Which mail-ordered version did you get? Russian or Thai?

    • GregMonarch on 04/12/2017 - 13:43
      +1

      If you're asking OUR permission, that's a sign the henpecking has gone way too far.

    • h4zey on 06/12/2017 - 16:17

      they are phasing out husband too now days..

    • kaleidoscope on 25/04/2023 - 11:19

      Does she come with blue tooth?

  • ihbh on 02/12/2017 - 18:28
    +6

    For us:

    • Carbon Steel Wok - < $10, can stir fry, steam - allows very quick cooking
    • Blender - smoothies, blend soups with pressure cooker, grind nuts, seeds
    • Dish washer - just stack and run when full
    • Air fryer - much quicker than the oven, can cook, toast, roast and fry lots of different foods

    • Pressure cooker - healthy stews and soups

    • Kitchen aid, waffle maker are nice to haves to make cakes, waffles, but we don't use daily/weekly so not in the above list.

    • try2bhelpful on 02/12/2017 - 22:54
      +1

      how close is an air fryer to a deep fryer taste wise? Do you need to do anything special?

      • ihbh on 03/12/2017 - 11:17

        We don't deep fry so can't compare.

        • miicah on 04/12/2017 - 09:31
          +1

          Can you air fry things with a wet batter, like fish?

        • prinsenhof on 06/12/2017 - 23:34

          @miicah:

          we do, our basket came with a rack as well. Using the rack and some spray oil, only a little sticks. If you directly put it in the basket you'll have to scrape it all out. Fish takes about 12 minutes.

      • Qkumber on 03/12/2017 - 14:48
        +1

        I find the texture different. Imagine a drier crunch from the air fryer compared to a crispier crunch from deep frying. However I don’t have a deep fryer at home so this is comparing to purchased fried foods.

      • thianh on 03/12/2017 - 15:34

        It is a big difference in taste and crunchiness when you deep fry spring rolls over air fryer.
        But then again if you want healthier food and you eat fried food very often, air fryer is the way.
        I have air fryer sitting unused for almost a year now.

      • jaybo on 04/12/2017 - 19:08
        +2

        airfryers are great, we use ours all the time, but don't think of it as a replacement for a deep fryer, think of it as a tiny fan-forced oven. anything you can cook in an oven you can cook in an airfryer, usually significantly quicker.

        they're really good for small meals for 1 or 2 people, tonight i used it to heat up some small pies i made yesterday - 10mins in that rather than waiting 10-15mins for our big oven to heat up then ~15mins to cook.

        if you soak something in enough oil before throwing it in, then yeah it'll come out closer to deep frying, but at that point you may as well deep fry :D

        • Carmen Sandiego on 05/12/2017 - 16:59

          Agreed.

          We use it for oven meals for 2 people and it's perfect.

          Crisps up your croissants in 2 minutes, cooks chicken thigh in no time. Just perfect quick mini-oven :3

        • fusion17 on 06/12/2017 - 11:31

          No way, its not even close.

          The only thing airfryers are useful for is 'air' frying things which have already been pre-fried lol.
          Frozen chips, fish fingers and all the other frozen crap.

          Try making battered chicken/fish/anything and airfrying yourself. Not even remotely close. (wings turn out ok though)

          As above comment, It's barely faster than an oven, and definitely not quicker than the benchtop ones.
          For something like wings, you can make like 3/4 wings max due to the single layer requirement.

        • blonky on 06/12/2017 - 14:25

          @toshin:
          An air fryer does the same job as an oven on fan bake
          The basket does make cooking more even and it's much faster, but same cooking method

          You wouldn't throw anything wet battered straight onto an oven tray - but instead shallow or flash fry in oil, then freeze for later or transfer to the air fryer once the batter has cooked.

          My secret to the best air fried fries is 1) Chop & blanch in hot water, 2) Flash fry in olive oil, 3) Cook in an airfryer

    • charzy on 03/12/2017 - 14:42
      +3

      Is the Air fryer similar to a convection oven? My convection oven is dying and looking for alternatives, from what I can see with the Air fryer it generates heat and has a fan to distribute the heat similar to the convection oven?

      • jellykingdom on 03/12/2017 - 17:48
        +7

        Pretty sure its exactly the same thing

      • Antikythera on 04/12/2017 - 18:25
        +1

        consider a Convection Microwave. I rent and have an old gas oven that isn't very precise. I have a convection microwave its combo setting is good for reheating things like pizza or pies and the Convection fan forced is good for precise stuff like baking biscuits or cakes.

        • Jackson on 04/12/2017 - 18:59
          +1

          I have a top of the range Panasonic convection oven and it's fantastic, retails for about 900 but it's better than my oven, don't use the oven any more, has the benefit of being table height and really easy to clean. Grays sell them for 1/3 of the price refurbished if you are lucky.

      • Jackson on 04/12/2017 - 18:54
        +1

        The air fryer I have is a bit like the halogen oven I've I have but has a paddle to turn the food.

      • Illian on 04/12/2017 - 19:57
        +1

        This was what I would have answered. My Convection Oven is the single best kitchen purchase I have ever made. One of our housemates has an airfryer and trust me you don't want to go near it, it's basically the same thing except it does everything much worse and is much smaller, it's useless.

      • Baghern on 06/12/2017 - 20:49
        +1

        I found it difficult to move to a air fryer as its smaller and its not visible like a glass convection I had.

        BUT it cooks way faster, pretty evenly.

        The air fryer feels just like a better made convection oven, $200-500 compared to convection ovens $30-100

    • dsgfh on 05/12/2017 - 14:41

      Can't recommend a Rambo wok burner outdoors to go with your wok highly enough. Best kitchen gadget (also awesome for lighting charcoal for my weber/smoker) and it's not even in the kitchen.

  • oscargamer on 02/12/2017 - 18:32
    +1

    the thing we use most, is our half decent coffee bean grinder, mixed with hot water in our half decent coffee machine……produces a lovely cup of morning motivation

  • PJC on 02/12/2017 - 18:33
    +9

    Portable manually operated digger. Spoon.

  • [Deactivated] on 02/12/2017 - 18:34
    +15

    Mandoline slicer. Even though it is a thing of evil that feeds on blood, pain and fingertips, they're a great gadget for coleslaw, potato slices or anything like that.

    Cutproof glove. A must if you own a fingertip chopper.

    Pressure cooker. Old-fashioned stove-top one. Soups, stews, casseroles, curries, preserving and the potential threat of BLEVEs.

    Ipad. Eveything is carb-counted, so this is an essential for me.

    Honourable mention - food smoker. A magic cabinet of deliciousness. Not technically a kitchen gadget.

    Most useful unitasker - Coffee roaster. It roasts coffee and that's it. But having cheap, fresh, top-quality coffee on hand makes it worth the price.

    • try2bhelpful on 02/12/2017 - 22:56
      +3

      Got the cutproof glove after I took out a knuckle with a microplane grating cheese. Not sure how well it would protect me, but I feel better using it.

      Thinking about the smoker - have used liquid smoke before for some food. I'm concerned the smoker is not all that good for me. What model did you get.

      • [Deactivated] on 03/12/2017 - 08:09
        +3

        Aldi gas-powered cabinet smoker. They're rebadged Hark ones. Pair it with a digital thermometer and $20 worth of heatproof felt seal around the door and you're good to go. About as simple to use as it gets.

        I do understand your health concerns about owning one. It does increase your BBQ-food-consumption levels drastically.

        • try2bhelpful on 03/12/2017 - 08:47
          +1

          Went to New Orleans recently. They had a blues and barbeque festival at Lafayette Park. The food was amazing.

        • [Deactivated] on 03/12/2017 - 09:59
          +2

          @try2bhelpful:

          It's funny, for a country with such a strong outdoor cookery tradition, where the barbie is a national institution and where even city centre parks have public BBQs to use, Australia mostly sucks at the actual cooking part.

          We're catching up really quickly though. :)

        • try2bhelpful on 03/12/2017 - 10:25
          +2

          @NoPantsToday: I grew up WASP in the 60s, so you can imagine what barbecues used to be. I think the issue is lack of prep and barbies traditionally being seen as a quick way to cook meat whilst holding a beer. American barbecues are more about slow roasting and smoking with rubs and marinades. I also think the fat content in our meat is lower.

        • tjc589 on 05/12/2017 - 09:32

          Are the Aldi smokers that same as the Bunnings one- just cheaper?
          Missed it last time so not sure if I should get a Bunnings one or hold out for Aldi again.
          BTW- where did you get the heatproof seal tape?

        • [Deactivated] on 05/12/2017 - 09:52

          @tcollins:

          The Aldi ones are almost identical to this: http://hark.com.au/hark-units/smoke/2-door-gas-smoker.html
          Mine's a few years old now, but Aldi were selling this model. Not seen what they have at Bunnings. Is it the bullet-shaped charcoal-fueled one?

          Heatproof seal was from BBQs Galore and is the felt tape they use for sealing the lid of Kamado Joe BBQs. Not listed on their website, but they should have it as a spare part. Or hit up Ebay. :)

        • zealmax on 06/12/2017 - 22:13

          @tcollins:
          I just use the hooded gas bbq with hickory pellets wrapped in aluminium foil. Does a good job. The smoking is most effective for the first half hour or so. Normally have enough to smoke for about 20 mins and I throw in another ball of hickory once the first aluminium wrapped hickory burns out. Also works in kettle BBQ. I have cut down on using smoking chips lately because apparentlybit can cause cancer.

    • RobVH on 04/12/2017 - 18:48
      +1

      I feel your pain, took off my finger tip like a dumb-ass. Wish I trusted my spidey sense that said 'use the guard'.

  • Irate Monk on 02/12/2017 - 18:43

    Just the right post to hear some recommendations on Knife Sharpeners. Thanks try2bhelpful
    Can't seem to convince the wife to get one, to save the waste of replacing SS knives every month.

    Many videos on YouTube- some very satisfying ones; on manual sharpening with using whetstones of increasing grit to achieve superb results. Not an ideal Town House method; unfortunately.
    Was wondering how something like this would fare.

    • try2bhelpful on 02/12/2017 - 22:58

      Apparently a bad sharpener will damage your knife. You can get them professionally sharpened and then just hone them from there; you don't need to use a sharpener regularly. I'm sure someone here has a better idea than I do.

    • tebbybabes on 02/12/2017 - 23:14

      I would love to have one of the really really fancy stones…

      but my inner budget maker will balk at it. I have a dollar store stone that has been doing the job reasonably well.

      I've owned my mundial chef's knife for almost a decade now. It was my first non-hand-me-down knife. Still going strong. It can do that paper test just fine any time.

    • srr on 03/12/2017 - 23:10

      Get yourself Spyderco Tri-Angle Sharpener. Easy to use and good enough.

    • abb on 04/12/2017 - 09:17
      +4

      I've got one of these: http://www.kitchenwarehouse.com.au/Global-Water-Sharpener-Ce…
      There are probably other brands that work much the same way.

      It works well for me, I can cut veges thin enough to see through.

      Much better than the horribly aggressive tungsten carbide thing I used to have.

      • cantoangel on 05/12/2017 - 09:48

        I use this for my global knives! I tend to cut myself accidentally straight away though because they're so sharp :(

        • abb on 05/12/2017 - 10:51

          The trick is to not put yourself in front of the pointy end!

    • lime111 on 04/12/2017 - 11:28

      Check out the Lansky sharpening system as well, you can pick them up on ebay, they give you a very consistent edge.

    • tjc589 on 04/12/2017 - 11:44
      +4

      'Pull Through' style are not really sharpeners, they are technically for honing the knife before each use. Many chefs will tell you never to use the pull through ones. Better to get a knife steel for daily honing.

      For sharpening you really need to get a whetstone. You don't have to spend hundreds on the best ones, just make sure to get a reasonably fine grit and check out a few youtube videos on how to sharpen correctly- and practice on some crappy knives first.

      With regards to good knives, I can't recommend more to invest in good quality knives. It is a joy to use them and they will last a lifetime. Start with a good chef's knife and smaller paring knife and then expand collection from there. We got most of ours for our wedding 14 years ago and they are still as good as new today with sharpening.

    • smpantsonfire on 05/12/2017 - 12:40

      I use my dremel. I don't have expensive knifes, and the dremel does such a good job, and its 10x safer and 20x quicker.

    • sourmango on 05/12/2017 - 13:33

      Any one used the cheap Chinese sharpening jigs from eBay? e.g
      https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/2015-Second-Gen-Professional-Edg…
      or
      https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Pro-Fix-Angle-Knife-Sharpener-St…
      or
      https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Christmas-Sale-On-Was-199-00-Wic…

      what are they like? Comparable to the brand name jigs? Or are the cheap and dangerous?

  • retiredfeline on 02/12/2017 - 18:49
    +2

    Can opener. :)

    But I see from your list that you have appliances in mind, not tools. In that case, it would be toaster, microwave, slow+pressure cooker, kitchen scale, bread maker and steamer. Even the rice cooker doesn't get much use as I use a pot and evaporation method for small amounts. I often boil water for tea/coffee in the microwave instead of a kettle.

    • try2bhelpful on 02/12/2017 - 19:29

      Happy to have tools. It’s just my list of tools is truly frightening. Very good quality knives and pots and pans is an absolute must.

      • logictom on 05/12/2017 - 13:59

        http://www.kuhnrikonshop.com/product/slim-safety-lidlifter-b… best can opener I've used - plus cuts the rim of the lid so you don't get nasty sharp edges.

        • try2bhelpful on 05/12/2017 - 17:43
          +1

          I have a swingaway can opener, which works really well and doesn't tend to leave sharp edges. I don't open a lot of cans anymore - most of the ones I get have the ring pull thingy. I put any opened "cat food tins" into a take away container to keep them fresh and avoid smelling out the fridge.

  • kerfuffle on 02/12/2017 - 19:02
    +9

    Electric kettle. Finally got with the times after using a stovetop kettle and got a small Breville one and it's so good not having to wait an age for water to boil just so I can drink tea or have hot water!

    Ice cream scoop and spreader. Used to use an ordinary spoon for both.

    • chumlee on 02/12/2017 - 20:22
      +22

      Welcome to the 21st century. Hope you're enjoying the kettle

      • kerfuffle on 02/12/2017 - 20:28
        +1

        I know right? I don't know how I've lived!

        I'm loving my kettle! :') I got this one: https://breville.com.au/products/the-compact-kettle-clear

        • chumlee on 02/12/2017 - 20:34
          +3

          I'm interested in the ice cream spreader. How do you use it?

        • kerfuffle on 02/12/2017 - 20:35
          +1

          @chumlee: Haha very funny. I'm sure you know they're two separate utensils. :P

        • try2bhelpful on 02/12/2017 - 22:59
          +5

          Do you ever find yourself, absent mindedly, trying to put the kettle on the stove?

        • kerfuffle on 02/12/2017 - 23:01
          +1

          @try2bhelpful: Nope. The stovetop kettle I have at home is MASSIVE which is why I rarely use it and never drank tea until I got my little electric one.

          I can literally watch my kettle boil now! 😂

        • try2bhelpful on 02/12/2017 - 23:05
          +1

          @kerfuffle: Yep, we have an electric one as well. The fast boil ones are great, particularly if you have one with a base so you just lift it up to pour water. Just wondered if your muscle memory lead you to putting it on the stove occassionally?

        • kerfuffle on 02/12/2017 - 23:08

          @try2bhelpful: Nope because I rarely used the stovetop kettle (my parents use it. I usually get my hot water from this: https://www.appliancecentral.com.au/tiger-1-3l-tiger-stainle…

        • try2bhelpful on 02/12/2017 - 23:25
          +2

          @kerfuffle: good looking kettle.

        • Savas on 03/12/2017 - 08:02
          +1

          that looks like a good quality kettle, I am still using a wood oven

      • Eeples on 04/12/2017 - 21:01
        +1

        Oddly enough electric kettles are not worldwide even in the 21st century.

        In USA for example very hard to find; usually you will find one as a gift for someone overseas.

        The low voltage in the USA (and other countries) means they take forever to boil; yes most Americans boil water on a stove.

        This is same situation for powertools in the USA ie. all low powered with way less grunt than we have in Oz.

        • Ten on 06/12/2017 - 21:44

          Wow. This is very interesting, would never have guessed Americans deal with that.

    • SmartestAlec on 04/12/2017 - 11:32
      +1

      haha I recently switched to stove top so I could use a le creuset zen cerise kettle, works out though because my gas is free in my apartment

    • tik tok on 06/12/2017 - 14:24

      Where'd you buy the ice cream scoop from and how is it coming along?
      I bought one from Coles, if I remember correctly, and the damn thing broke(at its neck) while scooping out ice cream in a couple of months - with occasional use. So am happy to buy another one - just need to know where to shop for quality scoops which wont break too easy

      • kerfuffle on 06/12/2017 - 16:53

        One from IKEA but years ago. It'll never break as the entire thing is made from aluminium: http://lundbergdesign.se/phone/ikea-strössel.html

  • Peanut money on 02/12/2017 - 19:54
    +7

    Bottle opener

    • DarwinBoy on 03/12/2017 - 11:56
      +1

      Handy but not completely necessary. For beer bottles ive seen teeth used effectively and for wine bottles ive seen a butter knife used.
      Both done by necessity rather than by choice but universtity students are thinkers.

      • ilikeradiohead on 03/12/2017 - 14:33
        +1

        I used a fork to open a bottle of wine when I couldn't find a corkscrew. The cork ended up in the bottle but I don't think it greatly affected the $3 wine haha

      • Qkumber on 03/12/2017 - 14:57
        +1

        User name checks out

      • decr on 04/12/2017 - 18:03

        And pay a $1k+ bill later on for wrecking your teeth. Use a newspaper or a lighter, wouldn't use a knife for beer bottles as it's a bit too easy to cut yourself in case of "necessity".

    • Flamo on 04/12/2017 - 15:46
      +1

      I have a "Ring Thing", it's a ring you wear on your finger (so no, it's not a bumhole) that's got a bottle opener on the side facing in. Was given it probably 15+ years ago, wear and use it every weekend. Your mates will love you for it as well since you can open their beers. Works on screw tops and pop tops as well!

  • 2jzzzz on 02/12/2017 - 20:04
    +3

    Slow Cooker and Weber Kettle outside

  • JoyVee on 02/12/2017 - 20:11
    +4

    Microplane for zesting citrus.
    Decent garlic press which is easy to clean. Kenwood mixer.

  • hasselbladsnapper on 02/12/2017 - 20:47
    +1

    Aldi pressure cooker, great for the price and works so well.

    An artisan made santoku Damascus steel knife I discovered,with an in store display of arts and crafts featuring the actual makers .. had some personal touches added by him, I think of that each time I use it.

    A bit off beam, but my 4 coil induction cooktop from Ikea, superb, and one of the few with a 5yr warranty - German made and inexpensive

    • try2bhelpful on 02/12/2017 - 23:03
      +1

      A good knife is just so important. Using a well balanced sharp knife is just so satisfying.

      I haven't used my pressure cooker in a while, must drag it out. I always seemed to need to much fluid in them.

  • mskeggs on 02/12/2017 - 21:03
    +3

    I was given a Dualit toaster. I gather they are expensive, but it is a cracking toaster, and gets hammered every day at our place.
    My other favourites are all cheap little tools:
    - knockoff micro plane style grater for $2 on eBay
    - little colour changing thing you boil along with an egg so you can tell when it is done.
    - digital meat thermometer
    - a daisyo sushi roller that works by shaking it

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