topic Re: Favorite Kitchen Gadgets!!! in Kitchen

Favorite Kitchen Gadgets!!!

gardenman — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 14:22:41 GMT

It's been a while since we've had a kitchen gadgets thread. (I looked back through four pages of posts and couldn't find an old thread on them.) So, time for a new one! I've got a few new things to add to the list.

One is one that's probably been mentioned before but I just found it, and that's the Oxo Good Grips measuring cups that you look down from above (or from the side) to see the markings. Those cups make measuring liquids so much easier. Just plop one down on the counter and pour in while looking down from above. Super easy, accurate, and fast.

And the second thing is a new electric toy. The Mueller Austria Ultra-Stick 500-watt Immersion Multi-Purpose Hand Blender. It was $19.99 when I bought it (now up to $35 at most places) but Wow! I use it with the whisk attachment (it comes with a milk frother and immersion blender head also) and it's fantastic! I use it for muffins, cake mix, waffle batter, pancake batter, and more. You're always told not to overmix things like muffin or waffle/pancake batter. Ignore that. Ten to fifteen seconds of using this thing has them whipped into a frenzy and the muffins, waffles, and pancakes come out super light and fluffy. I can't say how well it works for everything, but for the Krusteaze Belgian Waffle mix, the Pearl Milling (former Aunt Jemima) Pancake mix, and the Betty Crocker Corn Muffin mix it's fantastic! It seems to whip the eggs in the mixes making them extra light and fluffy. They say not to use it for more than fifty seconds at a time. You should never need more than fifteen or twenty seconds at most. It's insanely fast even on the lowest speed. I bought it because I was having trouble getting the cocoa powder adequately mixed in ice cream mixes. It solved that problem. I'm using it for almost everything that's light enough for it to handle. (No cookie dough, bread dough, or things like that.)

A third product that I've just stumbled upon is the Betty Crocker Batchables baking mixes. I've got the Fudge Brownie one now and it lets me make small batches of brownies (two or more) in muffin cups. They give directions for four or more at a time, but in the Nutrition Facts you can see that one brownie uses 42 grams of mix, so I measure out 84 grams of mix and half the recommended water for four (they recommend three tablespoons for four, so one and a half tablespoons for two) and it makes two very nice chocolate brownies. You just measure out the amount of mix you want and reseal the rest in the plastic bin it comes in. There's also a chocolate chip and blueberry muffin mix available. It's very nice for those of us who'd like a brownie from time to time, but don't want a whole pan of them. The Batchables aren't easy to find and the price varies wildly. (I paid $5.99 for the Brownie one.) If you can find them at a good price though, they're a great option. Not the best brownie I've ever had, but very good and very easy.

And I've finally bought some silicone muffin cups. In the past, I've had trouble getting and keeping silicone stuff clean, but these have cleaned up fine so far. They're the Amazon Basics ones and are well worth the money. I've used these maybe ten times so far and they still look like new.

Re: Favorite Kitchen Gadgets!!!

Bookplate — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 14:27:57 GMT

Believe it or not, I found that I have loved the little pull-chop devices that Q sells. Not sure if they are currently in stock. They are small, manual choppers whose blades are activated by a coiled cord in the lid, which one pulls. Every time I chop an onion I find myself reaching for one of these - the cuts are consistent and its quick and neat.

Re: Favorite Kitchen Gadgets!!!

cheriere — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 14:41:10 GMT

I like the break apart shears with the magnetic cases. They're incredibly handy! 😊

Re: Favorite Kitchen Gadgets!!!

catter70 — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 14:43:31 GMT

@Bookplate , I bought that chopper just for chopping celery and onions for my Thanksgiving dressing. It's the only meal that I cook all year. I also like the MCM egg cooker for making hard boiled eggs for my salad or for making egg salad.

Re: Favorite Kitchen Gadgets!!!

Sooner — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 14:49:56 GMT

@gardenman KitchenAid Juice Presser with juice catcher! Great because you squeeze and no seeds, and the juice goes in the squeezer in a little cup with a pour spout.

You can squeeze, sit the whole thing on the counter, then pour up the juice later!

Re: Favorite Kitchen Gadgets!!!

Biftu — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 14:57:59 GMT

Kuhn Rikon bottle opener. I used to struggle to open bottles and jars until I received this gift. It easily opens any size jar or bottle. It has been a lifesaver.

Re: Favorite Kitchen Gadgets!!!

Sooner — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 15:02:20 GMT

@gardenman Katherine Hepburn's brownies! Just follow the recipe and they are very good!

Ingredients
½ cup cocoa or 2 squares (2 oz.) unsweetened baker's chocolate
1 stick (1/2 cup) unsalted butter
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1/4 cup flour
1 teaspoon vanilla
Pinch of salt
1 cup roughly chopped walnuts or pecans

Directions
Melt butter with the cocoa or chocolate together in a heavy saucepan over medium low, whisking constantly till blended. Remove from heat and stir in the sugar. Whisk in the eggs and vanilla. Stir in flour, salt and walnuts. Mix well. Pour into a well buttered 8-inch square baking pan.
Bake at 325 degrees for about 40 minutes till a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Cool completely and cut into squares. These brownies are very fudgy and may be somewhat difficult to slice cleanly; use a sharp knife and a spatula to help them loosen from the baking dish.

Re: Favorite Kitchen Gadgets!!!

QVCkitty1 — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 15:21:36 GMT

@Bookplate wrote:
Believe it or not, I found that I have loved the little pull-chop devices that Q sells. Not sure if they are currently in stock. They are small, manual choppers whose blades are activated by a coiled cord in the lid, which one pulls. Every time I chop an onion I find myself reaching for one of these - the cuts are consistent and its quick and neat.

@Bookplate , Even if you only use it for onions, it is worth the money, it's a great gadget.

Re: Favorite Kitchen Gadgets!!!

geezerette — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 15:35:09 GMT

@QVCkitty1 wrote:
@Bookplate wrote:
Believe it or not, I found that I have loved the little pull-chop devices that Q sells. Not sure if they are currently in stock. They are small, manual choppers whose blades are activated by a coiled cord in the lid, which one pulls. Every time I chop an onion I find myself reaching for one of these - the cuts are consistent and its quick and neat.
@Bookplate , Even if you only use it for onions, it is worth the money, it's a great gadget.

I agree, it's one of the best things I've ever bought from QVC! I got the set of two and I save one just to do onions and garlic.

I bought them reluctantly thinking they would never work as advertised, but they're terrific. And easy to clean. I always wash the blades by hand, dry them immediately and put the plastic blade guard back on.

Re: Favorite Kitchen Gadgets!!!

novamc — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 15:39:46 GMT

These are used at least once and sometimes more every single day at our house:

--A set of medium and large flat silicone lids that loosely cover casseroles, soup, veggies and other foods being warmed up in the microwave.

These handy lids have been run thru my dishwasher daily for more than 20 years by now and were purchased in the kitchen department at Bloomingdale's. I thought they were awfully expensive at the time but had no idea how useful they would become. They are also heavier-weight and far better designed than any I've seen since then.

--Other most-used gadgets include the Kuhn Rikon jar opener and Kuhn Rikon can opener.

Re: Favorite Kitchen Gadgets!!!

gardenman — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 15:39:11 GMT

@Sooner

There are a ton of great brownie recipes out there. But for just one person like myself, the Batchables is a good alternative. I can just make two at a time and get a decent brownie. (I tend to add some chopped walnuts and extra chocolate chips also which helps them out.)

If I make a full batch of brownies (and the ones from "Rosie's Bakery, All-Butter, Cream-Filled, Sugar-Packed Baking Book" that she calls her "Chocolate Orgasms" are great, even better on day two) I tend to overeat them. I know you can freeze the extra, but they're never quite the same when defrosted. For just me, making just two little muffin cup-sized brownies is a great alternative. I'll mix up two on a Saturday morning and have a nice treat for later on Saturday and Sunday.

Re: Favorite Kitchen Gadgets!!!

wagirl — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 15:53:27 GMT

A few of mine are---

1) the original Fasta Pasta thing that you cook pasta in the microwave---

2) the Slices Prefect thing that you cut breads into prefect slices--from 1995

3) Ninja outdoor grill and smoker---LOVE!!!!!!

4) Breville counter top oven

5) 3 qt Instant pot pressure cooker

Re: Favorite Kitchen Gadgets!!!

PA Mom-mom — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 15:57:48 GMT

@geezerette @QVCkitty1 @Bookplate I use the Pull-Chop so much it almost never gets put away. It's so much easier than dragging out a big food processor. It's great for doing lots of garlic as well. I checked, and it isn't available on QVC right now. Amazon usually has a version, but it's too expensive.

@novamc That Kuhn Rikon can opener is tied with the pull-chop for first place in my kitchen.

Re: Favorite Kitchen Gadgets!!!

cindyNC — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 16:05:51 GMT

1 - boiled egg maker.

2 - muffin scoop

3 - silicone muffin pan with a reinforced metal frame.

4 - 8 cup pyrex measuring cup

5 - toaster oven

6 - large heavy duty full sized sheet pan from Wilton

Re: Favorite Kitchen Gadgets!!!

PickyPicky3 — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 16:02:45 GMT

My can lid pull tab tool from Amazon $6.99.

I injured my finger last year (mallet finger) and no longer can do it myself.

Re: Favorite Kitchen Gadgets!!!

Sooner — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 16:17:51 GMT

@gardenman I posted this because they are one pot, stir up with ingredients we all have. We always freeze some. Not trying to upset what you like or do, just a suggestion for anyone who might like to try.

Re: Favorite Kitchen Gadgets!!!

Imaoldhippie — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 16:28:40 GMT

1. My battery operated can opener

2. My jar lid remover

3. My small chopper

4. My knife sharpener

All of these are from QVC and I used them a whole bunch.

Re: Favorite Kitchen Gadgets!!!

PinkyPetunia — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 16:32:05 GMT

Set of silicone multicolor flexible spatulas in different sizes.

Don't remember where I got them. So handy for scrambled or fried eggs. Spatulas are heat safe. Also good for scraping sauces out of pans, dishes, jars, mixing bowls, etc. I use these daily.

Re: Favorite Kitchen Gadgets!!!

rockygems123 — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 17:10:18 GMT

@cheriere

I really like those too, have purchased several sets and have given some away, they love them!

Re: Favorite Kitchen Gadgets!!!

homedecor1 — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 17:24:20 GMT

@gardenman

I love all kitchen gadgets but needed to stop buying I have way too many BUT my favorite:

1) Kuhn Rikon pull & chop - use it everyday

2) Kuhn Rikon can opener that uncrimps the cans - great for also opening pull tab cans

3) Thin skinny spatulas

and more...

I agree those OXO measuring cups are the best!