Healthy HomeYou don’t own every kitchen gadget known to man? Don’t worry. Here are seven kitchen appliances you don’t really need.
By Tiffany, Contributing Writer
When I was registering for my wedding, I thought I needed all kinds of cool kitchen gadgets that seemed to be “must-haves” for my house.
And then I didn’t get any of them.
But you know what? I got through just fine.
I learned to make do with what I already had, and in many cases, that worked much better than if I had some fancy schmancy kitchen appliance!
I’ve spent a lot of time in the kitchen these past 9 years of marriage and I’ve learned exactly what kitchen tools are worth the investment, and which you can skip. Every kitchen will be different of course, but if you’re curious where to begin, start with this list!
7 Kitchen Appliances You Don’t Really Need
#1. Pastry cutter
The purpose of a pastry cutter is to “cut in the fat” so that when it bakes, the water from the fat evaporates and creates air pockets (fluffy dinner biscuits, anyone?). For this to work, the fat can’t be melted or pasty. But you don’t need a pastry cutter to do this.
- Two butter knives. You’re literally cutting the fat. This method doesn’t work for me, but I really think it’s me and not the method, because some of my friends swear by it!
- Your fingers. Mash the butter with the flour, but work quickly so you don’t melt the butter. Squish and release, squish and release. This was my method until I found…
- A mixer. A standing mixer with the paddle attachment (the one you use to make cookies) works wonders! The only caveat is that it happens within a minute or so, so be sure to stay near to watch otherwise the butter will start to cream.
#2. Yogurt maker
Milk needs to be incubated at 100F or so to make yogurt. A yogurt maker is perfect for doing that, but it’s an appliance that doesn’t do anything and takes up quite a bit of room. Plus there are several other ways to make yogurt without a yogurt maker:
- An oven. Your oven light (with the oven off) emits enough heat to culture yogurt. This worked for me before our oven light went out, but I’ll admit, this method puts the yogurt out of my sight and therefore out of my mind. Which kinda scares me with towels in the oven.
- A slow cooker. There are several methods for crock pot yogurt, but this overnight version is my favorite so far. Some say crock pot yogurt makes runny yogurt and others say it works fine. I honestly think it depends on your starter and the milk (and possibly the slow cooker).
- A big cooler. With a bit pot of hot water, incubating yogurt in a cooler works well too. We don’t have a big cooler though, so we use…
- A heating pad. Yep! I make yogurt with a heating pad on my counter. It works every time, and it’s in my sight so I don’t forget about it!
Tip: You can turn regular homemade yogurt into thicker Greek-style yogurt with this easy method!
#3. Zester
These cute little tools take off the color off from citrus rind, which is also known as zest. The catch is that they don’t work very well (for me anyway), so it’s just cluttering my kitchen drawer. Now I use other ways to zest instead:
- Knife. This is the old school method. Cut off just the color from citrus and then chop chop chop until it’s incredibly fine. Works every time!
- Cheese grater. This is how I prefer to do it, and I really like that I can choose between super fine (like you would for Parmesan) and larger pieces (like you would grate carrots) depending on my recipe. Super fine orange zest is perfect for Triple Chocolate Einkorn & Almond Biscotti, while the larger zest adds zing and color to 3-Ingredient Key Lime Pie.
#4. Cherry pitter
Really, these do exist! I can see how these would be handy if you ate A LOT of cherries or made a point to preserve lots of cherries each year, but for the average consumer who might make a pie once a year, you can get away with:
- A paperclip. I haven’t tried this method myself, but this You Tube video makes it look fairly easy.
- A knife. Yep, another old school method here. It doesn’t leave the cherries whole, but I’m actually okay with that. More cherries in my pie!
#5. Bread machine
Our favorite No-knead Artisan Bread is just 69¢ per loaf, so it’s a no brainer that making bread from scratch is one of the key ways we keep our grocery budget at just $330 each month. If making bread scares you (or if the idea of yeast freaks you out), I understand why a bread machine would be appealing. But it’s definitely not a necessity! Here are a few recipes that walk you through making bread from scratch:
- Easy: No-knead Artisan Bread and Man Bread and Little Bother Oat Bread
- Moderate: Soaked Whole Wheat Bread and Rosemary Olive Oil Bread (pictured above) and Beer Bread
- Skilled: English Muffins and Fluffy Dinner Rolls
And here are a few other posts that will help too:
- A Beginner’s Guide to Using Yeast
- How to Convert a Bread Machine Recipe to a By-hand Recipe
- Baking Bread in a Slow Cooker
#6. Baby food maker
Baby food makers do two things: cook and mash. But our grandmothers made baby food before it came in jars and before this one-purpose device was invented, right?
The steps are simple:
- Cook the food how you normally would: roast, boil, steam, etc.
- Mash it with a fork or a potato masher, or puree in a blender or food processor.
#7. Rice Cooker
The purpose of a rice cooker is to cook rice, yet this can easily be done on a stove. Just follow the directions on the package!
And yes, while a rice cooker can be used for other things too, it accomplishes the same tasks as a slow cooker. Since a slow cooker is more versatile (like for making Homemade Chicken Stock and baking bread), that’s the one that wins the spot in my appliance shelf.
Image by Pixabay
3 Kitchen Appliances You Really Do Need
Of course no “don’t buy list” wouldn’t be complete with a “do buy list,” so here are the three kitchen appliances I absolutely love and am fairly sure I can’t live without!
#1. Stand mixer.
This is quite the investment, but one you won’t regret. From making cookies and cutting the fat and kneading dough, I use this at least twice a week. Did you know you can shred chicken with a mixer? You can also do it with a hand mixer! Way cool.
#2. High speed blender.
I love, love, LOVE my Blendtec. From smoothies to dressings to oat flour to homemade laundry detergent – I seriously use my Blendtec all.the.time.
#3. Immersion blender.
This makes blending hot stuff incredibly easy. The Blendtec won’t shatter when blending hot items, but I can be a messy pour-er. So when I’m making spaghetti sauce in the slow cooker or Tomato Basil Soup on the stove, I use the immersion blender to puree without making a mess everywhere. I also use it for Fail-proof Homemade Mayo, which tastes WAY better than store-bought and super convenient, since it’s ready in less than a minute.
Do you have any kitchen tools that you realized you didn’t need? What tools are you must-haves in your kitchen?
cover image by Pixabay
a woman
that’s for me 🙂
I found I have more than 20 items to bake in it. And I nothing bake it this summer because we stay in the parks and do sport outside. So a part I sold, a part I donate ( see freecycle.org ideas).
Then I bought the bread machine – very good decision because I found a very cheap price, in plus I sold my Kitchen Aid used only to do bread manually.
Then I sold a manual mixer ( I have a food processor with blender, knifes, etc).
Then I sold ice cream machine – the organic ice cream is not appreciated in my house I finally finished to eat myself and to gain weight.
One day I will clean my kitchen and eliminate what I never used in the last 12 months. No, that day is not yet here :))
ann guest
My baby food grinder was a small, white, Happy Baby brand. I used it with all 3 kids, and even when we went other places, it came with me. I used it later with grands kids. I find I use my Instant pot a lot now. Biscuits and pastry are done in a food processor, do yourself a favor and get a good one, or by hand. I have an air fryer, it is good for teens. I also have a large toaster/convection oven that will bake a 9 x 13 pan. It gets used every day.
Suzanne
This list is so subjective; I can and have lived without an immersion blender for 52 years, but my rice steamer is a necessity, not just for perfect steamed rice, but for perfect steamed veggies. You can’t get that in a crock pot. What’s necessary for me depends on my family’s diet and perfect every time steamed veggies are worth it.
Lori Morgan
Yes! I loved for years without my rice cooker and when I finally bought one, I realized want a great appliance it is and use it at least once a week. No more rice burnt on the bottom of my sauce pan either!
I also love my cherry putter and my zester. I make fruit salads 2-3 times a week and we love cherries, the putter just speeds up the process.
What do I not use much, my garlic mincer…to me it’s easier to use a knife. The other one I enjoyed having, but don’t really “need” is an ice tea maker. I might have to go buy another one of those.
ann guest
I put my rice in the microwave. Liquid, rice, salt, and 18 minutes later, it is done. I do use a zester, I have a really good one that came from a bar supply business, and it works. I also use my bread machine, less now than when I had teens at home. The other things you mention, no, I don’t have or need.
Tiffany
Oh, it absolutely is subjective Suzanne! There will never be a one-size fits all list for everyone – we all have different needs! But that was the point – I thought I needed what everyone else did, when I really didn’t!
Peggy
I am NOT a gadget person but would NOT be without a pastry cutter. Can’t get a mixer to make as flaky of a crust as you can my hand! And it really isn’t very expensive. Also if you cook much rice a rice cooker is definitely a plus. Paired with a crock pot they’re the dynamic duo!!!
Tiffany
I agree – those two appliances make a great pair! I’m not sure we’d even need to be in the kitchen at all, lol!
Katie
I would agree except for the pastry cutter. I use mine for other things like making deviled eggs and salmon or tuna patties. It works great for finely cutting up the yokes and the fish.
Lydia @ Thrifty Frugal Mom
I’m with you! It also works great for “chopping” up ground beef when you are browning it!
Tiffany
Lydia and Katie – those are great uses for the pastry cutter! We don’t eat ground beef or fish, so that’s likely why it’s a one-timer for me!
Joanna
Ooh! Great idea! I’ll have to try that!
Aislynn
I never learned to make pie crusts like my sister, not a skill I have and I’ve never used a cutter. I put the deviled eggs and salmon patty ingredients in a plastic bag and squish them with my hands lol
Erin
I love the squishy bag approach! Great idea!
Kelsey
My husband desperately wanted a juicer…he got one…we’ve never used it. Been married 3 years now. That’s the only one we’ve never used.
Tiffany
LOL, we did the same thing with an ice cream maker. 😉
Abigail
I agree with another poster that this list is so subjective and dependent on each family’s specific needs. Except for the cherry pitter and the baby food maker, I have and use all these on a regular basis and I would consider them necessities for *me*. Yes, I could “make do” without them but it would take me extra time in the kitchen and would take me away from time with my family. I think on posts like these the title should read, “7 Kitchen Appliances I don’t really need” – make it about one person’s experience and not about what everyone should do (implied by the “you” in the title). Often times when I read a post about what I “should do” because someone else is doing it, I fight feelings of guilt. This should not be! Share your experience in a way that makes it easy for people to take it or leave it without feeling like if you do it they should too 🙂
Tiffany
You’re right Abigail – this is absolutely subjective! There will never be a one-size fits all list for everyone – we all have different needs! But that was the point – I thought *I* needed what everyone else did, when I really didn’t! Please don’t feel guilt when you read posts – they’re never intended to make you feel inferior, rather encourage you to do what’s best for you by sharing what worked for us!
Lisa @ This Pilgrim Life
I would agree with the seven items on your list, personally. I make yogurt in the crockpot, bread by hand, we skipped baby food ;-), our rice is baked in the oven, and I use our food processor for pie and biscuit dough. I definitely do try to practice an economy of space habits in our kitchen, not keeping unnecessary tools or appliances. Although, I do have a microplane I use for grating cheese and zesting fruit. It is awesome and worth the money and space.
As far as the three you wouldn’t go without, I see everywhere how wonderful an immersion blender is, and have questioned if I should get one. But I always come back to it being unnecessary for us. My Vitamix purees wonderfully and can make mayo as well. For us, our third appliance would be our food processor. I use it to make doughs, salsa, shred carrots and cheese, and more.
I always enjoy reading these lists and seeing what other people value as essential in their kitchen. 🙂
Tiffany
I like these lists too Lisa – thank you for sharing what works for you! It’s funny about the food processor; we had one for THREE years and I used it twice. I just preferred to cut everything by hand. I find it soothing!
Linda
I noticed people having trouble with burned rice. Bring your water to a boil, add rice, give it a stir then wait for it to boil again. Once it returns to a boil you can’t stir down, cut the burner off and cover with a tight lid. Leave for around 15 to 20 minutes. You have saved energy, rice will be done, and the pot is easily cleaned. The only way I cook rice.
Tiffany
That’s how I cook it too Linda! 🙂
Joy
I’ve been married 34 years and never knew this. I’ve burned pans, used rice makers, but my favorite is my microwave rice cooker. My son (19 years old) told me the other day he wanted to know how to really cook” rice. Now I know. I do have to ask do you cook brown rice using the same method?
Talia
Hello. I loved your post. I have several of the “not-necessary” gadgets that you mentioned. I will say that one that is a must in our house IS a Rice Cooker.
However, I found that I love my Kitchen Aid mixer; but even though I have the Professional one, I cannot make my bread dough in my machine. So, I was looking for easy bread recipes for my family and wanted to thank you for sharing yours!
Tiffany
Thank you Talia for your encouragement, and you’re most welcome for the bread recipes! I hope you enjoy them as much as we do!
Olivia
I like this list except for the last item. 😉 I use our rice cooker at least twice a week, and it is NOT the same as a sloow cooker. I can cook several different one pot dishes in about 40 min, and the real beauty is that I don’t have to keep an eye on it which is wonderful with small children. I’ve also never missed having an immersion blender.
Tiffany
We can definitely agree to disagree – I’ve never had a rice cooker and make do just fine, but apparently it’s a hot commodity and quite popular!! 🙂
Lori Morgan
Well, that’s it. We are sending you a rice maker for Christmas. LOL!
Destin
Love my immersion blender and my stand mixer! Such a life saver 🙂
Tiffany
Agree whole heatedly Destin!
Destin
Thanks for taking the time to reply! You can check out my blog here: arrowsofcontent.com =)
Ursula
I have so many unnecessary things in my kitchen – sales parties where I thought I needed it all. Or the bread maker that stayed in the wedding box for the first three YEARS of our marriage.
Instead of a rice cooker, I got an Instant Pot (pressure cooker) this summer. It’s a 7 in 1, so it can be a pressure cooker, rice cooker, slow cooker (though I haven’t tried that yet – I still love my Crock Pot), yogurt maker, steamer and …whatever else make it to 7. Huge space saver and love the versatility.
Thanks for this list and for making me think about what I might need to jettison from my cabinets and drawers.
Stacy
I also have an instant pot. My mom gave it to me for Christmas last year. It works very well as a rice cooker and a pressure cooker. I can cook chicken perfectly for shredding in just minutes. I have not tried it as a crockpot yet. I also read it can be used to can small batches of things. I usually use a large canner though so I doubt I’ll try that anytime soon.
Tiffany
Ooh, I really like the idea of a 7-in-1 Ursula!! Maybe that should be my solution to a rice maker, lol!
Julia
I LOVE my Instant Pot! I use it for rice maker, pressure cooker, and yogurt maker, and am about to get rid of my slow cooker because it does that too. Did you know they even make perfect cheesecakes and boiled eggs because of the steaming function? Soups come out amazingly flavorful in half the time. (I’m thinking of getting rid of my dutch oven.) Meat cooks up scrumptiously tender in no time. We can have brown rice and dry (presoaked) beans cooked and on the table in tweny minutes. It’s hands down my favorite kitchen appliance.
Susie
I’ve never considered owning any of those, except I do have a zester. I use a plane zester (similar to a fine cheese grater, my cheese grater isn’t fine enough). I use it all the time, usually a couple times/week, for Parmesan, citrus, or chocolate.
Tiffany
Wait – did you say chocolate? 😉
Stacy
I adore my pastry cutter and use my zester regularly – especially for fresh nutmeg. And if I didn’t have my bread maker, I would cry. It has literally changed our lives.
But, yes, yes YES on the high powered blender!
Tiffany
You have an amazing story with your bread machine Stacy, and I think I might cry for you if you didn’t have it! I haven’t tried fresh nutmeg personally, so now you’ve got me thinking!
Christy
I imagine I’ll be the odd one out here, but I’ve never used my stand alone Kitchen Aide blender (though I refuse to get rid of it. Lol) Also, we never used our toaster oven, no matter how much I liked the idea of it. (Finally got rid of it a week ago.) A rather silly appliance we had that was a hand me down from a neighbor was a sorbet maker. Yep, never used that either. But the appliance that my husband and I were most happy to not have was a (get ready for this) microwave. Life is just so much better without it. Crazy? Maybe. But we’re happy. ☺
Tiffany
We’ve considered ditching the microwave too, but I just don’t think I’m there yet with my kids. I used to have a toaster oven and loved it, but couldn’t justify keeping it for the ONE TIME we’d use it each year, lol!
Bethany Lotulelei
I got married three months ago, and received TONS of wonderful presents. Thanks to my Mom’s {and aunties!} guidance I really feel like everything I received {except for three drills, ha ha!} has been incredibly useful.
My top three favorite things:
1. Kitchenaid Mixer {light blue!}
2. A stainless steel French Press {use it every day!}
3. Nice set of stainless steel pans
A few things I don’t need:
A standing mixer, hand mixer, and immerson blender. Having all three is a bit redundant, but I won’t complain. 😉
Tiffany
Ooh, my husband would LOVE a French press… now, if it only came with an automatic timer function! 😉
Rhonda
I usually have my mobile phone near so I just set the timer on it so I know when the coffee is ready. Did you know that you can froth milk in the French press? Check it out on youtube . I can now make a latte’ or a cappachino without that pesky machine as well. 🙂
Linda H.
While I do agree with a couple in the list, I do have to say I also disagree with some in the list! I use my pastry blender ALL THE TIME and really can’t imagine using anything else in place of it. Knives don’t work for me and I hate getting my fingers messy! My zester sees more occasional use, but it does only take off the colored part of the rind, instead of getting the bitter white part, too, which I have found to be a problem with the cheese grater! I also LOVE my rice cooker. It is so much faster and more convienent than cooking on the stovetop and also means that I can make my main dish in the slow cooker and my side dish in the rice cooker! I also don’t believe an immersion blender is a “must-have” item. While I understand its convenience, I have managed to get along without it just fine. I use a hand mixer with nearly the same results! 🙂 Just another avid cook’s thoughts on this list. It’s interesting to see the difference of opinion between cooks on what items are a must-have and which ones are optional or not-needed! Love your blog!
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So, you’ve intrigued me with the heating pad yogurt. I’ll have to check that out. And, an immersion blender is on my Christmas list. I’ve been making a lot of butternut squash soup and roasted red pepper soup since it’s turned cold. An immersion blender would definitely speed up the process!
rhodia
I’m sorry but I disagree! I love my pastry blender, my rice cooker, my stand mixer etc…etc…and I use all of them all of the time!
Elizabeth
I think this list will vary for each household. I find we use our toaster daily. We also use our electric kettle daily. We did get rid of our bread machine but that was because of my gluten free needs and difficulties with the machine to get a loaf to rise properly. We were given multiple juicers/bullet type gadgets and I’ve kept one and given the others away to those who wanted one. We were also given a sandwich press, and we love it. Yes it takes up space and most things could be done under the grill or in the oven, but it’s nice to have the grilled feel on food.
Natalie
I LOVE and use (all. the. time.) my KitchenAide stand mixer… and I use the whipping attachment to do the cutting of fats for those recipes, and haven’t ever had an issue with the creaming, kneading and mixing of bread doughs and such. I don’t have a high-powered blender, but at this point, my simple Oster seems to be doing what I need it to (except for eating its original rubber seal lol. Thankful for my dad and his handy ways and mind… went to a hardware store and bought gasket material and cut out a new one, woot!) or an immersion blender (which was a tough thing when it came to wanting to make my own mayo–but then the mayo scene from Julie & Julia came to mind one day, and I just pulled out my mixing bowl and whisk and voila! Wasn’t as difficult as I thought it would be 🙂 ). My mom did get me a cherry pitter this year… I did the whole knife method and was so super frustrated by the pits and halves of cherries flying from my hands about every other time (slippery little balls of goodness).
Lisa Sharp
I have to disagree about a pastry cutter. It makes life so much easier. I use mine at least few times a month. Now if someone isn’t a baker forks do work but it’s SO much easier and I argue better to use a pastry cutter. But this is coming from someone that has been baking since 2 years old so I know I’m not the normally home baker. 🙂
Also disagree about the zester. I don’t have a cheese grater that could make it fine enough and I can’t image how long it would take to use a knife, plus you’d risk getting too much peel which will be bitter.
I’d say fancy coffee machines are on my list of things you don’t need. A french press and/or stove top espresso maker take up much less space and do a better job. 🙂
Molly Stahl
My husband and I don’t have a microwave and we NEVER miss it!!
Jean | DelightfulRepast.com
Tiffany and Erin, of all the gadgets mentioned as needed or not needed, I can honestly say I “need” none of them. I love kneading bread dough by hand, making pie dough by hand, mixing cakes by hand. And happily did it that way for a long time and sometimes still do. But I have THE most well equipped kitchen in the world and have all sorts of things I now am quite happy to use! 😀 I’m thrilled to have a food processor when I have a pound of carrots to grate, for example. And I so agree with you about the Blendtec. There really is no other way to make my daily smoothies! And the immersion blender is the only way to puree soups. I mean, it’s simply too messy and time-consuming to puree it in batches in a blender. And some kitchen gadgets are just plain fun to have, even if you only use them once a year! 🙂
Michael
yup, I dont need the microwave, honestly I use it as a timer & nothing more. I never use it & its time to send it packing 🙂 Its a power waster if you ask me & I hate how it kills foods which I eat raw mostly & at room temperature. SO GONE IT IS 😀
Vera
Electric can opener, the hand held ones that you turn manually are so easy now and most cans have a pop top!
Sheri
Crock pot and electric roasting pan I can use on the back porch for cooking during the summer or on the table inside for winter. With big appetites, that roasting pan is big enough for a one pot meal for my family. Only five children left at home. It also makes enough chili for our gang and doesn’t have to be watched as closely as cooking on the stove.
I was so blessed that a friend gave me her spare Bocsh mixer and blender combo! Both very powerful! It’s in use almost everyday! The mixer sure helps with the bread (5 loaves at a time) and the grain grinder. Any grain or bean can become flour for my whole grain, high protein bread.
I miss my Stir Crazy popcorn popper! We love it! I use it for kettle corn to bless my family and others. I wish I knew where it went! I might get a stove top model next time.
Hand blender. It’s really nice for blending drinks in the cup, so less loss of food and less to clean up. Makes baby food too.
I have zesters and grater for my citrus. Both work and don’t take up a lot of space. Microwave, I would like to ditch, but it’s part of my oven range. I would trade my microwave for a toaster oven! I have a mandolin that slices vegetables finer and faster that using knives. Electric juicer for when friends or neighbors give us an abundance of citrus.
Coffee maker – no. Bread maker – no. Ice cream maker -no. Rice cooker – no. But for my daughter-in-law is a must have! She is Asian with little children. It also doubles as a slow cooker.
Been married almost 35 years and we have 8 children. Only 5 at home, but when everyone is together, we have 3 daughters-in-law and 9 grandchildren. Our needs are different. Every appliance needs to earn their keep on the very small counter.
Christy
I’m curious about your thoughts about a coffee maker! I read this post, looking for your opinion about coffee – and it wasn’t mentioned.
My mom used one exactly like the one you have pictured, and I’m thinking about returning to it (we currently have a Keurig). I tried a press pot for a wile, but always had grounds in my coffee. (I’ll keep the Keurig in the basement for parties/guests).
I’d love your opinion!
I love your blog, posts, and replies to comments!
Angela Vincent
Great discussion here! We have two coffee-making options: I use an Italian stove-top espresso machine if the coffee’s just for me, and we have what over here we call a cafetiere (French press to you!) which will make enough for more people. That’s it. They don’t take up much space.
My go-to kitchen gadget, though, has to be a vacuum flask (e.g. Thermos brand)! A litre-sized one sits on my worktop and unused hot water from my kettle goes straight into it, so I don’t waste it – perfect for that bit of washing up, or to make an extra hot drink. Plus, when it comes to yogurt making, I just mix up my milk and starter (saved in the freezer from the previous batch), dump it into the flask and let it sit for a few hours. (I do label it “yogurt” at this point, to save anyone tipping my half-made yogurt into the sink to wash-up!). No faffing around, just creamy yogurt every time 🙂
Erin
I had never heard of a vacuum flask! It sounds so neat!
Jenn
I was really bummed when we didn’t get a rice cooker at our wedding. We ended up getting one for free that was broken and just needed a cheap repair, instead of buying the super nice one we wanted brand new. And cooking stuff by hand really isn’t as big of a hassle as people suggest it is!
Trudi Hall
Apart from my Kitchenaid Mixer, my favorite kitchen tool is my dough scraper. It is a 4×6″ blade with a handle on one 6″ edge. It is the best thing for chopping fruits and veggies (and perfect for someone with joint issues since all the force is applied directly to the blade instead of cantilevered in a handle. Of course it is excellent for scraping dough off my counters, as well as dividing dough for multiple loaves. If you don’t have one, spring for the $6 or so investment. I have bought them for my mom and friends and they all love them.
Bethany
Love this! I always laugh when I go to a kitchen supply store, 90% of things there can be replaced with a knife!!
Beth
So, this is a post about paring down kitchen gadgets…..but you’re suggesting that I “need” THREE separate mixing appliances? ?
Erin
It probably depends on how much mixing you do! 😉 LOL
Robin
I have a rice cooker and this is my 3rd one we use it almost everyday a lot more often than I use my slow cooker so I really have to disagree on that one. My rice cooker has a timer so it comes on early in the morning so our rice is done for breakfast or so it is ready when we get home from work. I also use it in combination with my slow cooker. Gumbo is my slow cooker rice in my rice cooker. In my hose it is a nessasity
Erin
That’s awesome that you love it so much!
Joy
It is fun to see how people look at different appliances differently. Like Robin, I am on my third rice cooker (over the years) and wouldn’t like to be without one. There is rice and quinoa, of course that come out perfectly. My gas stove runs on propane and runs too hot. Short of stacking burner grates on top of each other to give a pan distance from the burner, the lowest my flame will go is still too hot. Therefore rice and quinoa are too troublesome on the stove.
I also steam lots of veggies in it, often using two baskets at a time. During gardening season I love to use it to blanch my greens, green beans and other items for freezing. Again two baskets at a time and I don’t lose as many nutrients as boiling in a pot. Oh, and last year I discovered grilling hamburgers and pork chops to put in the freezer. In winter I just take out what I need, heat them in my rice steamer and they come out beautifully moist and flavorful.
So I get to trade the immersion blender for my rice cooker. 😀
Kathleen
Oddly enough, I have been keeping house for 43 years without a high-speed blender. I’d love to have one but it’s definitely not a necessity!
I use my bread machine for pizza dough, although I could probably find another method if necessary.
Erin
It’s always interesting what different people find essential! My blender is my #1 appliance!
Sara B
I totally agree with most of this! I lived without a coffee maker for a long time after mine broke. I just used a French press I had for camping.
One kitchen gadget you may want to consider is an electric pressure cooker. It can slow cook, make rice, makes soups and stews, speed cook, and some have a yogurt setting. I use mine alongside my rice cooker several times a week so that food can cook while I’m off doing other things. It will turn itself to warm when finished, so I don’t have to worry about my absent mindedness leading to burnt dinner! It’s also great for cooking chicken that I’ve forgotten to thaw beforehand. ?
Melissa
Late to the party, but I have to agree with the poster who said that perhaps the article would be more appropriately titled Things I Don’t Need.
The list will vary so much person to person.
I love my bread machine and often set it for a fresh loaf to be don’t when my kids got up for school. Such a treat!
Yet, though I have a very nice immersion blender, I never use it.