5 Silly Kitchen Gadgets That Are Totally Worth It
July 1, 2010 at 5:59 pm , by Louise Sloan
I am not a gadget girl. Even if I didn’t live in a space-challenged New York City apartment, I’d roll my eyes and sneer at most of them. A waste of money and storage, never mind the environmental cost of all that unnecessary, dust-collecting junk. Kitchen gadgets seem to be the worst, and most plentiful. A tomato slicer, really? You couldn’t slice an actual ripe homegrown tomato with one of those, anyway. And I mince my garlic with a chef’s knife, having never found a garlic press that didn’t take longer to clean than to use. But, despite my strident anti-gadget stance, I have to admit there are a few seemingly laughable kitchen gadgets and products I can’t live without. I just bought a terrific new one last week:
The Cupcake Courier
I know, a special container just for cupcakes? But my son just had his first school birthday party (4 candles!), and I’m about to embark on a decade or so of hauling cupcakes to classrooms. You can decorate your cupcakes in this thing (see photo, above), keep them fresh in it, bring 36 of them (or a cake) somewhere without messing them up, and it’s pretty, so you can serve right from the container. Brilliant!
The Rice Cooker
When my then-partner wanted to buy one of these at a yard sale years ago, I’ll admit, I mocked the idea. What’s wrong with a pot? Here’s what’s wrong: You have to watch it. Which I never did. So I always burned the rice. So I avoided making rice. A rice cooker magically knows when the rice is done, turns itself down and then keeps the rice warm for you. It’s like having a competent sous-chef on staff. I am addicted. And actually eating rice again.
The Microplane Grater
I already had a grater, so I smiled and gave a semi-sincere thank-you when a friend gave me one of these. But the way it grates fresh parmesan? Like a blizzard. Easy. Quick. Fine shreds that pack a lot of flavor. And then you stick it in your dishwasher’s flatware holder. I now have two of them and wish I could go back and wipe that insincere smile off my face.
The Vacu Vin Wine Saver
C’mon, just stick a cork in it, right? Except then the bottle leaks, or the cork gets stuck and you have to struggle to get it out again, and meanwhile the air in the bottle has made your wine go sour faster. The Vacu Vin stopper is small, easy to insert and remove, and the pump is also small and makes your wine keep for longer. Cheers!
The Bread Machine
OK, I still kind of scoff at myself over this one. Bread machines are ridiculous, large, and make hideously ugly square loaves. And baking bread from scratch really isn’t that hard. But… how often are you really gonna do it? If you’re like me, with a job and a kid, the answer is, maybe once a year. It’s easy, but it requires half a day of going back at timed intervals to deal with it, and you get flour all over your kitchen counter. With a bread machine you dump everything in, set a timer, and have the smell of fresh bread wake you up in the morning. I go through phases of doing this, and I think it’s time to dig the embarrassing hulk out of the closet again.
Tell me, what’s your favorite seemingly silly kitchen gadget and why should I get one? (And don’t try to talk me into a tomato slicer, it ain’t gonna work.)
Categories: Ladies' Lounge | Tags: best kitchen gadgets, cupcake carrier, cupcake courier, kitchen gadgets | 50 Comments
50 Responses to “5 Silly Kitchen Gadgets That Are Totally Worth It”




Written on July 1, 2010 at 6:16 pm, by Suzy
An electric egg cooker. Perfect eggs every time with no effort. Put the eggs and water in, turn it on, and when it buzzes, you’re done.
An electric teakettle. Turns itself off when the water is ready. Faster, easier, safer than a kettle on the stove.
Also, bread machine bread is a different species from homemade bread, but still very good and well worth the space for the hulking thing, if only for the ease of smelling and eating fresh-baked bread on a regular basis!
Thanks for a great article! I think I see a cupcake courier in my future!
Written on July 12, 2010 at 10:54 pm, by Kate Anne
Love the microplane grater for lemon zest BUT as for rice, I recently learned how easy it is to make rice by making it as you would pasta, in boiling water, and then draining it. No more burnt rice and not another larger item to buy/store.
Written on September 12, 2012 at 4:28 pm, by icons for you
I am sorry, that has interfered… But this theme is very close to me. Write in PM.
By the way, what do you think about this icons site?
Written on September 17, 2012 at 2:26 am, by icons collection
I apologise, but, in my opinion, you are not right. I suggest it to discuss.
P.S. Please review icons
Written on February 7, 2013 at 1:57 am, by Ross Andreatta
This needs to become underneath Carters Bio: Did you recognize
Written on February 12, 2013 at 1:46 am, by Solomon Gullickson
Oh my goodness! a amazing write-up dude. Thanks a great deal Nonetheless We are experiencing trouble with ur rss . Do not know why Not able to sign up to it. Possibly there is anybody obtaining identical rss issue? Anyone who knows kindly respond. Thnkx
Written on February 13, 2013 at 2:44 pm, by Malik Trinidad
It is difficult to find a single word that have labeled exactly world wide web. Perfect, perfect, perfect? But I do know that your activity on the net causes only healthy! Great work!
Written on February 15, 2013 at 4:00 am, by Alda Joynt
I really wanted to post a comment to be able to say thanks to you for the superb secrets you are giving out at this site. My time intensive internet investigation has at the end been paid with extremely good details to go over with my colleagues. I ‘d believe that most of us site visitors actually are unequivocally blessed to exist in a fantastic community with very many marvellous professionals with beneficial tricks. I feel rather happy to have come across your entire website page and look forward to really more amazing minutes reading here. Thanks a lot again for all the details.
Written on February 20, 2013 at 10:16 pm, by mattress cleaning service
I have read a few good stuff here. Certainly value bookmarking for revisiting. I surprise how a lot effort you set to create such a magnificent informative website.
Written on February 22, 2013 at 7:05 pm, by pamietniki wampirĂłw
This laptop is slammin sexy. The Apple IIgs was my last purchase from Apple computer. Your creation gives me chills. A shame the 6502 architecture did not bloom in an alternate reality, Apple didn’t abandon it for the 68ousand. I would be proud to carry that as an official laptop as I still use IIs in my daily life.
Written on February 23, 2013 at 7:14 am, by Harddrive Recovery
Good day! I simply would like to give a huge thumbs up for the good data you have right here on this post. I will probably be coming again to your blog for extra soon.
Written on February 26, 2013 at 8:02 pm, by spójrz na to
I do not know if it’s just me or if everybody else encountering problems with your site. It appears as if some of the text in your posts are running off the screen. Can somebody else please provide feedback and let me know if this is happening to them as well? This could be a issue with my internet browser because I’ve had this happen previously. Thanks
Written on March 1, 2013 at 2:22 am, by transporter cars
how much does it cost to ship a car from hawaii to oregon
Written on March 1, 2013 at 3:46 pm, by Limo Rentals in Houston
Keep up the superb work, I read few posts on this internet site and I believe that your web site is real interesting and holds circles of wonderful information.
Written on March 6, 2013 at 5:32 am, by birth records
Sorry for my English.I wish to voice my gratitude for your kind-heartedness giving support to people that need guidance on that concept. Your real commitment to passing the message all through had become extremely powerful and has usually permitted associates like me to realize their desired goals. Your own insightful publication indicates this much to me and even more to my fellow workers. Many thanks; from each one of us.
Written on March 16, 2013 at 3:59 pm, by kurye
After exploring a handful of the articles on your website, I really appreciate your way of writing a blog. I book marked it to my bookmark site list and will be checking back in the near future. Please visit my website too and tell me how you feel.
Written on March 20, 2013 at 5:59 pm, by Full Post
Asking questions are actually good thing if you are not understanding something totally, but this paragraph offers pleasant understanding yet.
Written on March 24, 2013 at 8:58 am, by girls prom dresses
For anybody who is bombarded together with the understanding of learn how to structure your favorite are dressed, we help you find pie which is custom made to fit your unique specs.
Written on March 26, 2013 at 5:04 am, by wynajem apartamentów
I cling on to listening to the newscast speak about receiving free online grant applications so I have been looking around for the finest site to get one. Could you tell me please, where could i acquire some?
Written on March 27, 2013 at 7:49 am, by kamagra
I’ll gear this review to 2 types of people: current Zune owners who are considering an upgrade, and people irritating to decide stuck between a Zune and an iPod. (There are supplementary players worth bearing in mind elsewhere here, akin to the Sony Walkman X, other than I expect this gives you adequate data to create an knowledgeable result of the Zune v players added than the iPod line as well.)
Written on March 29, 2013 at 10:44 pm, by Continuing
I am extremely impressed with your writing skills and also with the layout on your weblog. Is this a paid theme or did you modify it yourself? Anyway keep up the nice quality writing, it’s rare to see a great blog like this one these days.
Written on April 2, 2013 at 8:57 am, by related webpage
Wow, this piece of writing is pleasant, my sister is analyzing such things, so I am going to tell her.
Written on April 4, 2013 at 6:49 am, by Full Article
Hi everybody, I know YouTube video contains less bytes of memory due to that its quality is awful, except this YouTube video has fantastic picture quality.
Written on April 4, 2013 at 4:10 pm, by Additional Info
Why YouTube videos are shared everywhere? I think one reason is that these are easy to take embed script and paste that code everyplace you want.
Written on April 9, 2013 at 11:41 pm, by Katalogi seo
It is so pleasurable to read this.
Written on April 9, 2013 at 11:45 pm, by mocne sinooke
It is so pleasurable to read this.
Written on April 9, 2013 at 11:47 pm, by Website
I like what you guys are up too. Such smart work and reporting! Keep up the superb works guys I’ve incorporated you guys to my blogroll. I think it will improve the value of my website
Written on April 10, 2013 at 12:13 am, by mocne katalogi stron
I can hardly believe how lucky I am that I visited such a well-written blog.
Written on April 16, 2013 at 2:38 pm, by visit the following internet site
Remarkable video, in fact a pleasant quality, this YouTube video touched me a lot in terms of quality.
Written on April 23, 2013 at 1:02 pm, by Full Post
Paragraph writing is also a fun, if you be familiar with afterward you can write or else it is complex to write.
Written on April 23, 2013 at 2:27 pm, by Go Here
That is a beautiful picture with very good lighting
Written on April 26, 2013 at 11:05 am, by Full Guide
I think that everything said made a bunch of sense. However, think on this, what if you were to write a awesome title? I am not suggesting your content isn’t solid., but suppose you added a post title that makes people want more? I mean %BLOG_TITLE% is a little plain. You ought to look at Yahoo’s front page and note how they write news titles to get viewers to click. You might try adding a video or a related pic or two to get people excited about what you’ve written. Just my opinion, it might make your website a little livelier.
Written on April 30, 2013 at 7:34 pm, by all property management
Genuinely no matter if someone doesn’t know after that its up to other visitors that they will assist, so here it occurs.
Written on May 8, 2013 at 6:44 pm, by Suggested Webpage
Wonderful website. Plenty of helpful info here. I am sending it to several buddies ans also sharing in delicious. And of course, thanks for your sweat!
Written on May 9, 2013 at 9:22 am, by Bet Casino
Please forgive my bad English.I’ve recently started a web site, the info you provide on this site has helped me greatly. Thank you for all of your time & work.
Written on May 9, 2013 at 3:44 pm, by custom advertising apron
Sorry for my bad English.I precisely needed to thank you very much again. I am not sure the things that I would have created in the absence of these smart ideas contributed by you on that field. This has been the traumatic issue in my view, however , discovering your expert avenue you managed that made me to leap with contentment. I’m just thankful for the help and pray you realize what a great job you’re undertaking training men and women all through your webpage. Most likely you haven’t come across any of us.
Written on May 9, 2013 at 11:57 pm, by similar website
In the great pattern of things you secure an A for effort and hard work. Where exactly you actually confused us was first on all the particulars. As people say, the devil is in the details… And that could not be more accurate right here. Having said that, let me inform you exactly what did do the job. Your authoring is certainly incredibly persuasive which is probably the reason why I am making an effort in order to comment. I do not make it a regular habit of doing that. 2nd, whilst I can see the leaps in logic you make, I am not necessarily confident of how you appear to unite your points that help to make the conclusion. For now I shall subscribe to your issue however wish in the future you link the facts much better.
Written on May 14, 2013 at 4:06 am, by Reasons For Headaches
you’re truly a good webmaster. The web site loading pace is incredible. It kind of feels that you’re doing any unique trick. Furthermore, The contents are masterpiece. you have performed a great task in this subject!
Written on May 15, 2013 at 4:14 am, by Denver chiropractor
Definitely believe that which you said. Your favorite reason seemed to be on the net the simplest thing to be aware of. I say to you, I certainly get annoyed while people consider worries that they just do not know about. You managed to hit the nail upon the top and defined out the whole thing without having side effect , people can take a signal. Will probably be back to get more. Thanks
Written on May 25, 2013 at 11:09 am, by Leola Starek
Nice weblog right here! Also your website lots up fast! What web host are you using? Can I am getting your associate link on your host? I desire my web site loaded up as fast as yours lol
Written on May 27, 2013 at 4:01 pm, by belize
After I originally commented I appear to have clicked on the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and now every time a comment is added I recieve 4 emails with the exact same comment. Is there an easy method you are able to remove me from that service? Thanks!
Written on May 29, 2013 at 12:50 am, by Sean Hebdon
I blog often and I seriously thank you for your content. This great article has truly peaked my interest. I’m going to take a note of your website and keep checking for new details about once a week. I opted in for your Feed too.
Written on May 30, 2013 at 5:02 pm, by e cig shop
At this point of time it is very early to say will Google get a grip on this deal or not.
Written on June 6, 2013 at 8:03 am, by virtual office glasgow
I don’t commonly comment but I gotta say appreciate it for the post on this perfect one : D.
Written on June 6, 2013 at 9:32 am, by Filomena Viener
You have made some decent points there. I checked on the web to find out more about the issue and found most individuals will go along with your views on this web site.
Written on June 6, 2013 at 12:10 pm, by Ready to Eat Meals
Spectrascape-cape – Ready to Eat Meals and Bread Flour – Long Life Storage Foods. Easy Bread Recipes. MRE Meals, Camping Food I have tried all their products, and they are great.
Written on June 7, 2013 at 12:05 am, by pakistan vs west indies live streaming online
Thanks for sharing your thoughts about %meta_keyword%. Regards|
Written on June 8, 2013 at 8:02 pm, by Hack Candy Crush
Hey there! I just want to offer you a big thumbs up for your excellent information you have got right here on this post. I will be returning to your blog for more soon.
Written on June 9, 2013 at 2:44 am, by encouraged internet site
Hi all. I found your weblog using msn. This is a well written article. I’m going to you should definitely bookmark it and are available back to find out more of the helpful info. Appreciate the post. I’ll definitely return.
Written on June 17, 2013 at 8:04 pm, by Bemis
I genuinely enjoy reading on this internet site, it holds good articles.