speaking of gadgets- help or hindrance?

jnbythesea · **speaking of gadgets- help or hindrance?**

What has helped you simplify your life? What had (or has to ) go?

For me:

Help: my rice cooker. Love it!
Hinder: pasta maker... why did I ever think this was a good idea? It is so outta here

momma_bear · 08-06-2006, 06:24 PM

Help: stoneware from pampered chef
Hinderance: deep fat fryer, it's so unhealthy, I hate the smell of the oil, yuck!!

Kim · 08-07-2006, 04:51 PM

Help: Quesadilla maker (we use it frequently)

Hindrance: Ice cream maker, food processor, electric can opener (I still use my crank opener),

I couldn't think of too many things for "help" because I've gotten rid of so much! I'd rather do things from scratch than have junk cluttering up my kitchen, I guess.

sunburn107 · 08-07-2006, 05:12 PM

Help: Apple Slicer (The round one that goes over the apple and cores it and makes pieces)

Hindrance: Bread Machine...I've had it for 3 years, have made one loaf and it turned out awful!

morrismomaof2 · 08-07-2006, 06:09 PM

Help: crock pot- love it especially in the winter for making stews!

Hindrance: waffle makers- dh and I got 3 for our wedding and then another 2 for Christmas that same year! I mean how many waffle makers does one person need for goodness sake. I think one is enough, dont you?

Happymom · 08-07-2006, 06:25 PM

good: Kitchen Aide Mixer!!! love it!

bad: Can't think of anything right now, I already got rid of a bunch of crap.

jnbythesea · 08-07-2006, 07:40 PM

The waffle maker made me think of another total gadget that we got as a wedding present:

A fondue pot! C'mon... is anyone out there still making fondue at home ( you know- using the full set, dipping anything besides strawberries into chocolate?) I had to laugh...

jlkhorn · 08-07-2006, 09:20 PM

I actually use a lot of our "gadgets". I use our bread machine on a regular basis, mostly for pizza dough and occassionally a treat of homemade bread. We use our quesadilla maker a lot. It's great for picky toddlers. My dd would eat anything in a quesadilla or on a pizza. I came up with some weird concoctions but it got her to eat well. I use my food processer a LOT - crushing crackers/bread crumbs, crumbling cheese, etc. I also made dd's baby food, and will with the next one, and it was a lifesaver. We use our crockpot at least weekly, if not more. In fact I have 3 that I use a lot. I also have a huge electric griddle that we use at least once or twice a week.

The only things I don't use much are the George Foreman grill, ice cream maker, and veggie steamer. We used to use the steamer a lot but I've really slacked off lately. I should start using it more as it makes great carrots and broccoli.

P.S. I would love to have a waffle maker if you'd like to part with one.

Redcrow · 08-08-2006, 08:42 AM

Help...Presto steamer/slow cooker/fryer (it's an all in 1) I LOVE it! It saves so much space.
Coffee pot with a timer!
Mandolin
Toaster oven
Kitchen Aid mixer
Excalibur food dehydrator
Not good... Press & chop
2 burner griddle (the one that goes on the stove top)
Juicer (dh HAD to have that one...it's in the box somewhere)

I'm sure there's more. Dh & I are both gadget freaks. We seem to buy everything that comes out

jnbythesea · 08-08-2006, 10:38 AM

We also use our bread maker all the time. DD has food allergies, so I make all our bread (it's pretty quick and easy). Also love our Kitchen Aide mixer.