Kitchen Gadgets

black · June 22, 2016, 01:49:18 PM

Necessary or Nuisance?

I saw this article and it had me thinking about kitchen gadgets;

https://consumerist.com/2016/06/16/8-gadgets-devoted-solely-to-spreading-butter-on-stuff/

I have a pro ice cream scoop, a special spoon for doling out cookie dough (that doesn't work that great)

That's all I can think of right now.

What do you have and is it helpful or just more crap cluttering up a drawer?
I have a pretty basic kitchen set-up and am open to suggestions.
Plus I'd like to see more goofy stuff like those butter knives as well.

MadJohnShaft · June 22, 2016, 08:00:21 PM

I'm with Alton Brown - no uni-taskers allowed. Except, I got a Strawberry huller which is a Godsend.

I think it's great to have more than one of items that are used a lot. Why can't one have 3 vegetable peelers? Always one clean. And two sets of measuring cups, and four tongs.

A fancy Thermapen is a must.

It's important to replace the grater every few years, as it gets remarkably dull.

In the bad cooler in the basement, I keep all extra things that would be handy at a picnic - paper plates, cups, knapkins, matches, plastic silverware, the old knife, bottle opener, wine screw, old cutting board, plyers, paper towels, wert wipes, fucked up old spatulas - instead of hunting around, I just throw that in the back of the car and instant outdoor picnic!

black · June 23, 2016, 09:01:03 AM

I'm feeling better about my impliment collection after reading that.

Fancy Thermapen---check
Multiple tongs, spatulas, wooden spoons and veg peelers---check
Picnic supplies (cutting board, old knives and such) in central container---check

I also save those packages of disposable cutlery that come with a napkin and salt and pepper and keep them in my picnic/camping chest.

MadJohnShaft · June 23, 2016, 10:00:46 AM

Last spring our microwave crapped out so I went to BBB and got a new one for $200

Then I went to a rummage sale last weekend and saw the same one as our old model for $10

Fucking shit!

black · June 23, 2016, 10:20:22 AM

I hope you used your 20% off coupon.

MadJohnShaft · June 24, 2016, 08:48:48 AM

I keep dropping hints to wifey for a sous vide for my 50th bday in August - which I can use for many Shaft Projects™.

Or a threesome with my hot secretary - which I can use for many Shaft Projects™.

black · June 24, 2016, 09:02:40 AM

A Birthday Threesome?
Now that's good eatin'!

Mr. Foxen · June 27, 2016, 04:50:42 PM

I have sous vide gear I bought when I refitted my kitchen and still aren't got round to using it. Its a shared house and the first person to move in after I refitted the kitchen commenced breaking everything in there in the first 6 weeks. How the fuck you break an electric kettle I don't know. Oh, I'm tricked the fuck out with Le Creuset pans too, took up dealing them on ebay and kept all the best stuff.

MadJohnShaft · June 29, 2016, 06:41:56 AM

To get Le Crueset pots sparkling white again, I have powdered brewery wash (PBW) that I use in beer making. Stick a tablespoon full over night and it is bright white again in a day.

It's not a harsh chemical like barkeepers friend and works without any scrubbing

mortlock · July 13, 2016, 01:08:31 AM

im gonna post a pic of the spatula my lovely assistant just picked up as soon as i can get one. its like an old time viking weapon.

RAGER · April 12, 2020, 05:55:07 PM

My kinda gadgets.

Pissy · April 28, 2020, 09:55:39 AM

Nice cast iron collection. Are those muffin pans from back in the day? Me and SparkleMotion went through a phase of electrolytic cast iron restoration and got some nice pieces. Fell in love with a Wagner square skillet that we restored for someone else. Been casually looking for one since.

I try to stay away from gadgets. Like Alton Brown. My brother was a total gadget guy. Cleaning out his house we chucked tons of those things.

About 8 years ago my microwave shit the bed and I decided I could live without. Too much counter space to give up, and they're junk now and don't last anyways. Only miss it to heat up cups of coffee.

RAGER · April 28, 2020, 11:25:01 AM

Man I wish those were mine. Just a pic I found.

I think I remember you guys doing that.

He was out here I think last year. We spoke on the phone and tried to connect up but it just didn't work out.

Main thing I use the micro for is quick thaw. That's about it.

RAGER · February 18, 2021, 04:03:37 PM

Not a big gadget guy but a little chopper comes in handy. I gave a mini cuisinart but it blows. Made some salsa in this. Works great.

Sparkle Motion · February 24, 2021, 02:24:05 PM

Quote from: RAGER on February 18, 2021, 04:03:37 PM
Not a big gadget guy but a little chopper comes in handy. I gave a mini cuisinart but it blows. Made some salsa in this. Works great.

Did you also get a sham wow to clean up the mess?

RAGER · February 26, 2021, 11:56:24 AM

It actually works really well. No mess so far but I've only used it once

mortlock · May 21, 2021, 10:17:30 AM

Picked this up from an estste sale. $4. Wolfgang puck cafe collection. Its awesome for smash burgers. Pics have the remnants of last nights smashburgs.
On a side note the house this came from was a million dollar lakefront home. The view from the massive living room was so amazing. They had their own boat dock slip.

RAGER · May 21, 2021, 10:28:44 AM

Your next door neighbor? I know you and J.P. would go out for a cruise in the Vintage Riva Tritone from time to time.

mortlock · May 21, 2021, 11:42:45 AM

Fuck i wish. You could give me the house for free and i still couldnt afford to live there due to the taxes.

Muffin Man · May 21, 2021, 09:12:34 PM

nice score on that spatula. Looks like it'll hold up.

socket · May 23, 2021, 08:00:46 AM

I need to implement a better image posting dealio

RAGER · May 23, 2021, 11:43:40 AM

What did you have in mind? I just use Imgur

RAGER · November 20, 2021, 11:06:56 AM

I'm actually thinking about getting a rice cooker. Anybody else use one? Is it because you aren't successful cooking rice on the stove? I don't have an issue with that but peer pressure is getting to me. I guess they work for sticky rice too which is a bonus. I'm thinking a Zojirushi one of sorts.

RAGER · December 03, 2021, 01:57:26 PM

Nix the rice cooker. I'm staying old school. But now I'm thinking induction burner. Doing some digging (not research. I hate that word now) to find the right one. Just one burner with lots of settings and reliability. Any opinions?

Muffin Man · December 04, 2021, 05:52:03 AM

no but I've been after a high btu single burner, i think gas might do it best? I was prompted by seasoning my steel pans originally, red hot, but that is long past now unless I re-do them but no reason for me to do so. no good for rice but high searing, flash frying, I guess, would be a nifty tool. too bad you tossed the rice cooker, I was going top copy your move. thanks for posting your stuff.