Author Topic: Favorite New Kitchen Toys? (Read 4334 times)

Run Amok · « **on:** May 21, 2020, 10:25:21 PM »

Have you added something to your kitchen and gotten more use out of it than you thought?

I bought a 6 quart Dutch oven a year or so ago to gather bread in. But I find myself using it all the time. It's just the right size for a lot of things.

picote · « **Reply #1 on:** May 22, 2020, 12:36:41 AM »

I keep finding new routine stuff to do with the instant pot. The latest was adding yogurt to the weekly rotation. We’re also loving the avocado slicer that OL recommended last fall. I bought some half sheet pans today that I think will get a fair bit of use. Our pizza stone has been getting much more regular use now that we’ve figured out pizza on the grill. I’ve mentioned them before but we use the small (~8x5) cutting boards way more than we ever thought. We have a stack of maybe 8 of them and probably use 5-6/day. That and the collapsible colanders.

I’ve been debating getting some of the reusable silicon bags that eco Ellen (I think?) mentioned.

rocketgirl · « **Reply #2 on:** May 22, 2020, 12:32:59 PM »

I just ordered an insulated carafe, so I can pour my French press coffee into and keep it warm as I work through the pot. It will be here Saturday and I have high expectations. (I very much try to limit how much space-taking crap I have in my kitchen.)

I bought some grill mats a while back and have not tried them yet. At least they were cheap.

Natasha · « **Reply #3 on:** May 27, 2020, 03:03:00 PM »

I would like to get a stick blender. Any suggestions? Can it replace a regular blender?

Natasha · « **Reply #4 on:** May 27, 2020, 03:04:00 PM »

I use the silicone bags with a sliding seal that replace baggies. I like them a lot.

merigayle · « **Reply #5 on:** May 27, 2020, 06:28:11 PM »

Quote from: Natasha on May 27, 2020, 03:03:00 PM

I would like to get a stick blender. Any suggestions? Can it replace a regular blender?

I use my stick blender for soups and small batch items that are too small for my Vitamix. Mine also has a whisk attachment i have used many times, and it makes whipped (Dalgona) coffee in a snap.

Ice Cream · « **Reply #6 on:** May 28, 2020, 09:09:32 AM »

Quote from: Natasha on May 27, 2020, 03:03:00 PM

I would like to get a stick blender. Any suggestions? Can it replace a regular blender?

I have cuisinart. Use it all the time. Blenders are a pain to clean, so I never used mine. You can take the bottom part of this one off and put it in the dishwasher.

https://www.amazon.com/Cuisinart-CSB-79-Smart-Blender-Stainless/dp/B00AN9UJ68

Magic Microbe · « **Reply #7 on:** May 28, 2020, 09:51:08 AM »

Air fryer. I use it at least weekly.

BonitaApplebum · « **Reply #8 on:** May 28, 2020, 10:34:53 AM »

Yup stick blender is SO much easier to clean than a regular blender. I almost never use my regular one.

We got some new goldtouch nonstick cookie sheets (2 full, one half) and they have been excellent. I hope they hold up.

Natasha · « **Reply #9 on:** May 28, 2020, 04:30:56 PM »

Quote from: merigayle on May 27, 2020, 06:28:11 PM

I use my stick blender for soups and small batch items that are too small for my Vitamix. Mine also has a whisk attachment i have used many times, and it makes whipped (Dalgona) coffee in a snap.

What brand is it?

Natasha · « **Reply #10 on:** May 28, 2020, 04:36:42 PM »

Quote from: Ice Cream on May 28, 2020, 09:09:32 AM

I have cuisinart. Use it all the time. Blenders are a pain to clean, so I never used mine. You can take the bottom part of this one off and put it in the dishwasher.

https://www.amazon.com/Cuisinart-CSB-79-Smart-Blender-Stainless/dp/B00AN9UJ68

Thanks, that looks good.

diablita · « **Reply #11 on:** May 28, 2020, 04:53:51 PM »

Have this and love it

merigayle · « **Reply #12 on:** May 28, 2020, 05:54:36 PM »

I think mine is Cuisinart. Got it at Costco on sale.

The Turtle Whisperer · « **Reply #13 on:** May 30, 2020, 07:00:11 PM »

Quote from: Magic Microbe on May 28, 2020, 09:51:08 AM

Air fryer. I use it at least weekly.

Which one did you get? I'm considering the Ninja Foodi. They say it's huge, but it would replace an Instant Pot and a slow cooker for me...

diablita · « **Reply #14 on:** May 30, 2020, 07:54:37 PM »

I have the Vortex XL air fryer they sell atTarget. Absolutely love it.

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Run Amok · « **Reply #15 on:** May 31, 2020, 01:30:52 AM »

Cooking in someone else's kitchen is weird. I'm forever stumped with people having a bunch of fancy gimmicky stuff but not good basics.

My MIL has this decorative peeler corer thing from pampered chef, for example. But it reall sucks as a peeler. Sometimes basic is good!

Ice Cream · « **Reply #16 on:** May 31, 2020, 09:05:35 AM »

Quote from: diablita on May 28, 2020, 04:53:51 PM

Have this and love it

I had this one, but it broke. I prefer the cuisinart for the detachable bottom that goes into the DW.

ihop · « **Reply #17 on:** June 01, 2020, 04:05:40 PM »

Mine is a Braun as well. It is ancient and works great!

Air fryer! I had no idea how much I would use it.

picote · « **Reply #18 on:** June 01, 2020, 05:31:47 PM »

OK, what do you all use your air fryer for? And does the ninja thing really work as well as the instant pot for that? I've perfected a bunch of basics in the instant pot, but I'm intrigued. I'm still waiting for radials instant pot air fryer attachment review!

redkitty · « **Reply #19 on:** June 02, 2020, 11:55:17 AM »

I am getting way more use out of my cast iron skillets than I expected. I mean I have gone my entire adulthood without any and have been fine. But yea, I like them a lot (my grandma used them all the time, but I honestly just assumed it was because that's what she was used to...though I think that is still the case.)

I bought two wilton cookie sheets recently. I really like them, but I don't use them for anything special, I needed to replace some of my aging gross sheets.

I am thinking about buying a stand mixer. Do you all get a lot of use out of that or not? I am iffy on it. again, gone my entire adult life without one. But tried to make pizza dough the other day (yes, I have made it without a beater before) and used my hand mixer. Not a good idea. But if I really wanted to, I have a bread machine that I could use to make pizza dough. I also tend to just use my hand mixer for cookies and frosting (my hand mixer has a very good motor.)

merigayle · « **Reply #20 on:** June 02, 2020, 12:27:18 PM »

Yes I use my mixer often, including pizza dough but that can be done in your bread machine on dough setting.

BonitaApplebum · « **Reply #21 on:** June 02, 2020, 12:48:28 PM »

Stand mixers are awesome, I love mine. I would just say that not to get one unless you have the space on your counter for it, because it's too much of a drag to hoist it in and out of a cupboard or drawer every time you want to use it.

merigayle · « **Reply #22 on:** June 02, 2020, 12:53:28 PM »

Quote from: BonitaApplebum on June 02, 2020, 12:48:28 PM

Stand mixers are awesome, I love mine. I would just say that not to get one unless you have the space on your counter for it, because it's too much of a drag to hoist it in and out of a cupboard or drawer every time you want to use it.

Mine lives on a bottom shelf and it is a PITA to move but I do.

Run Amok · « **Reply #23 on:** June 02, 2020, 06:09:02 PM »

I almost never use a mixer. Pizza dough is a good example of when it's useful.

RioG · « **Reply #24 on:** June 02, 2020, 08:12:45 PM »

I just got a La Creuset kettle and French press with my visa points. They are SO pretty.

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BonitaApplebum · « **Reply #25 on:** June 02, 2020, 08:54:32 PM »

Quote from: RioG on June 02, 2020, 08:12:45 PM

I just got a La Creuset kettle and French press with my visa points. They are SO pretty.

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Oooh what colors?

RioG · « **Reply #26 on:** June 02, 2020, 09:00:05 PM »

Quote from: BonitaApplebum on June 02, 2020, 08:54:32 PM

Oooh what colors?

That pale seafoam greenish. SO 60's, but so pretty.

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merigayle · « **Reply #27 on:** June 02, 2020, 09:13:34 PM »

I saw that french press recently and just

it.

BonitaApplebum · « **Reply #28 on:** June 02, 2020, 09:41:21 PM »

Oh I love it!!

Run Amok · « **Reply #29 on:** June 03, 2020, 12:44:09 AM »

So pretty!

picote · « **Reply #30 on:** June 03, 2020, 01:24:10 AM »

Oh I love that color! So pretty.

The Turtle Whisperer · « **Reply #31 on:** June 03, 2020, 10:10:57 AM »

Quote from: RioG on June 02, 2020, 09:00:05 PM

That pale seafoam greenish. SO 60's, but so pretty.

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damn, that's hot.

I'm considering that ninja air fryer combo. So many of the reviews are from people who loved their instapots and used them for the same things I do, and they say this does all of it as well, plus the airfryer. I could rehome my instapot and slow cooker, but apparently it's a freakin beast and I'm not going to save much space... but otoh, I buy an air fyer and now I have three appliances.

diablita · « **Reply #32 on:** June 03, 2020, 05:43:56 PM »

That's stunning Rio. And it's nice to see you back.

With the French Press is there somewhere you can see how much water you've put in? I usually eyeball mine vs. measuring water.

picote · « **Reply #33 on:** June 03, 2020, 11:06:27 PM »

Just coming back in to admire Rio’s backsplash. So pretty!

RioG · « **Reply #34 on:** June 04, 2020, 05:32:55 AM »

Quote from: diablita on June 03, 2020, 05:43:56 PM

That's stunning Rio. And it's nice to see you back. beat:
With the French Press is there somewhere you can see how much water you've put in? I usually eyeball mine vs. measuring water.

I have no idea how to use a french press

my sole purpose in getting it was for when the power goes out in the winter, so I always have a way to make coffee (can boil water in my matching visa points la creuset kettle on the woodstove).

And picote, Dh did the backsplash. It is nice. But it is the lipstick on the pig that is our ancient kitchen with painted cupboards from the 70's.

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diablita · « **Reply #35 on:** June 04, 2020, 04:30:10 PM »

Got it. Seems like it’ll be a while until we get a review. I love my French press.

Someone mentioned upthread the heft of a stand mixer. I traded in my Kitchenaid for a Cuisineart a few years ago and find it to be less bulky and easier to carry. I keep mine on a high shelf put away and it’s not an issue. My little galley kitchen wouldn’t have room for it otherwise.

merigayle · « **Reply #36 on:** June 05, 2020, 10:58:25 AM »

I use an aeropress for my personal coffee and when bf is here i use a french press because it makes two cups.

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Author Topic: Favorite New Kitchen Toys? (Read 4334 times)

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