Kitchen gadgets you love but don't need

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-06-2007
Kitchen gadgets you love but don't need
6
Tue, 03-25-2008 - 1:56pm

I recently bought a kitchen gadget that I don't need, but now that I have it I love it!  I was wondering what other little things people have in their kitchen drawers that has become an essential 'tool of the trade' that you never thought you would need. 


 

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iVillage Member
Registered: 12-06-2007
Tue, 03-25-2008 - 1:58pm

My new little gadget is a 'soft skin peeler'.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 06-20-2007
Tue, 03-25-2008 - 2:03pm

Over spring break, I was cooking at other people's houses and realized things that I have that other people don't. Even small things like a potato masher! I was making banana bread, and I never realized how handy a potato masher came in. (have you ever tried mashing bananas with a spoon? LOL!) Also, my full sized food processor. I got

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iVillage Member
Registered: 04-02-2003
Tue, 03-25-2008 - 2:06pm

I have one of those pampered chef drink containers that you just use the "plunger" to mix up your drinks (like Crystal Light and Kool Aid) SUCH an unnecessary item. I really could just stir things. But...we love it! Use it all the time and just give it a fresh "plunge" before pouring a drink.


I also have one of their microplane tools that I love. I could use a plain one, but this one is a bit fancier and you can put little things down in the holder (like nutmeg) to grate it w/out grating your fingers.


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iVillage Member
Registered: 08-07-2007
Tue, 03-25-2008 - 2:29pm

I have 3 microplanes that all get lots of use, but I think of those as essential items at this point!


My biggest gadget indulgence is the fancy rice cooker with timer.

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Avatar for dana828
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Tue, 03-25-2008 - 3:48pm

I totally know what you mean! Cooking at my IL's is always interesting, as they don't cook much and I am always surprised by what they *don't* have that I consider essentials--like decent knives, a cooling rack, and the like.


I think my favorite thing that I use all the time but that many people probably don't use is my Kitchen-Aid stand mixer. It was by far my favorite wedding gift, and I don't know how I ever lived without it!


Your "mashing bananas with a spoon" made me laugh. I usually use a pastry cutter, or sometimes a fork. :o)

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iVillage Member
Registered: 10-13-2005
Tue, 03-25-2008 - 4:01pm

Mine would be very similiar to yours.

               Meredith


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