Updated Kitchen Device List
In one of my recent kitchen histories, I mentioned my just over ten year old list of kitchen devices. A whole bunch has changed in the last decade, so I thought it would be interesting (not to mention totally predictable) to revise and update the list. To recap, the old list was:
1. The rice cooker - no longer used
2. The food processor - upgraded
3. The Kitchenaid Mixer - repaired twice but still used
4. The Griddler - still used
5. The blender - broken and not replaced
6. The toaster oven - upgraded and then replaced
7. The waffle iron - still used
8. The electric ketttle (unranked in last list) - replaced
Those six items that remain have been joined by five notable additions:
- The crock pot
- The InstantPot
- The air fryer
- The immersion blender, which also came with a mini food processor
- The spice grinder
My overall top two still look pretty similar, but things change a lot from there.
1- Over the last three years the InstantPot has replaced the rice cooker, and for that reason alone would be near the top of this list. We also use it for other recipes. It's handicapped in that my main cooking magazine only rarely has electric pressure cooker recipes. I bought one cookbook, but it turned out not to be that great. I need to track down some more recipes, or failing that some conversion guidelines for my existing recipes.
2- I got a new food processor back in 2011 and I use it often. It's largely replaced most of my blending needs, which is why I never replaced my blender once it broke. On a side note, it baffles me that I can't buy a new blender bowl online, and believe me, I spent a lot of time looking. Oh well, no loss.
3- The InstantPot does have a crock pot mode which proved subpar during testing, so I still use my crock pot at least once a week in the winter, and not infrequently in the summer. I got it somewhere around 2012 and it's slowly starting to break. When it does, I'll replace it.
4- I've got a fancy toaster oven. I use it with some regularly in both the toaster and bake modes. It's always handy to supplement the main oven.
5- M got an air fryer. It's great for falafel reasons alone, but we do use it for other things reasonably often. Apparently there's now an air fryer mode on new InstantPots (and some toaster ovens) so if I ever need to consolidate I'll look at that.
6- My sister got me an immersion blender back in 2011. I use the mini food processor with some regularity. Between the blender wand for hot liquids and the food processor for everything else, all my blending needs are met.
7- My sister also got me a spice grinder after she was aggravated by its absence during a supper club. It's very helpful for Indian cooking, which I've done rather a lot of since 2013.
8- I do use the Kitchenaid Mixer, but not nearly as often as the items above it on the list. It's great to have when I need it, but it's worth noting that twice now I've had to send it back for factory maintenance.
9- I rank the electric kettle this low because neither M or I use it very often as neither of us drinks tea with any regularity. Sometimes I accelerate my pasta by heating up water in the kettle before bringing it to a boil on the stove.
10- The Griddler ended up being a flash in the pan, so to speak. I drag it out occasionally when I need to grill something, but that's rare. Frankly, I should just buy a gas grill and use it in the garage.
11- The waffle iron my mother gave me is used very rarely, but I still have held on to it, because waffles are pretty great.
I don't really have anything on my wish list at the moment. M actually owns a mandoline, but I've never managed to use it. she also has an enamel dutch oven, which I've also never used. I've no particular desired to make my own pasta, or to buy any additional attachments for the Kitchenaid or the food processor. I'm sure something will come up and this list will look different in 2030.
1. The rice cooker - no longer used
2. The food processor - upgraded
3. The Kitchenaid Mixer - repaired twice but still used
4. The Griddler - still used
5. The blender - broken and not replaced
6. The toaster oven - upgraded and then replaced
7. The waffle iron - still used
8. The electric ketttle (unranked in last list) - replaced
Those six items that remain have been joined by five notable additions:
- The crock pot
- The InstantPot
- The air fryer
- The immersion blender, which also came with a mini food processor
- The spice grinder
My overall top two still look pretty similar, but things change a lot from there.
1- Over the last three years the InstantPot has replaced the rice cooker, and for that reason alone would be near the top of this list. We also use it for other recipes. It's handicapped in that my main cooking magazine only rarely has electric pressure cooker recipes. I bought one cookbook, but it turned out not to be that great. I need to track down some more recipes, or failing that some conversion guidelines for my existing recipes.
2- I got a new food processor back in 2011 and I use it often. It's largely replaced most of my blending needs, which is why I never replaced my blender once it broke. On a side note, it baffles me that I can't buy a new blender bowl online, and believe me, I spent a lot of time looking. Oh well, no loss.
3- The InstantPot does have a crock pot mode which proved subpar during testing, so I still use my crock pot at least once a week in the winter, and not infrequently in the summer. I got it somewhere around 2012 and it's slowly starting to break. When it does, I'll replace it.
4- I've got a fancy toaster oven. I use it with some regularly in both the toaster and bake modes. It's always handy to supplement the main oven.
5- M got an air fryer. It's great for falafel reasons alone, but we do use it for other things reasonably often. Apparently there's now an air fryer mode on new InstantPots (and some toaster ovens) so if I ever need to consolidate I'll look at that.
6- My sister got me an immersion blender back in 2011. I use the mini food processor with some regularity. Between the blender wand for hot liquids and the food processor for everything else, all my blending needs are met.
7- My sister also got me a spice grinder after she was aggravated by its absence during a supper club. It's very helpful for Indian cooking, which I've done rather a lot of since 2013.
8- I do use the Kitchenaid Mixer, but not nearly as often as the items above it on the list. It's great to have when I need it, but it's worth noting that twice now I've had to send it back for factory maintenance.
9- I rank the electric kettle this low because neither M or I use it very often as neither of us drinks tea with any regularity. Sometimes I accelerate my pasta by heating up water in the kettle before bringing it to a boil on the stove.
10- The Griddler ended up being a flash in the pan, so to speak. I drag it out occasionally when I need to grill something, but that's rare. Frankly, I should just buy a gas grill and use it in the garage.
11- The waffle iron my mother gave me is used very rarely, but I still have held on to it, because waffles are pretty great.
I don't really have anything on my wish list at the moment. M actually owns a mandoline, but I've never managed to use it. she also has an enamel dutch oven, which I've also never used. I've no particular desired to make my own pasta, or to buy any additional attachments for the Kitchenaid or the food processor. I'm sure something will come up and this list will look different in 2030.