Small Electric KItchen Appliances

What small kitchen appliances do you have, and how often do you use them? I have the following:

Kitchen Aid Stand Mixer:

I use it frequently, especially now since I've started with cake decorating.

Kitchen Aid Blender:

Almost everyday. Mostly for smoothies and breakfast drinks

Kitchen Aid 13 cup wide-mouth food processor:

At least twice monthly. Mostly for slicing, shredding and chopping

Hamilton Beach Open Face Grill

If I had the room to keep it out, I would probably use it everyday. But it's a pain to dig out from the cupboard and clear off counter space.  But I try to use it at least twice monthly.

Slow Cooker

At least monthly, sometimes more depending on how ambitious I am. I live alone so I use it when I want to make "make ahead meals."

Pressure Cooker (2 sizes.  Regular and a large canning one)

To be honest, I've had these for about 20 years. I used the regular one once or twice. I've never used the one for canning.  Honestly they scare me to death! Not sure why I bought them.

Coffee Maker

I use it about once a month. I don't drink coffee at home.  I bought it for when I was working night shift and I would make coffee to take with me in a thermos. At that time I used it several times per week. Now it's basically a clock, lol

Toaster

I use it a couple times per week

Pop Corn Popper

I was using it almost every single day, but since I don't like plain unbuttered popcorn, I decided that it was adding too much fat to my diet. So now I use it about twice monthly.

Bread Maker

I've had this for about 8 years if not more. I have never ever used it. The paddles are still in their original wrapper. I keep thinking I'll use it one day, but I just haven't had the energy to try experimenting with it.  Buying bread is so much easier.

Food vacuum system

I don't use it often but it does come in handy in the summer when I buy fresh produce in bulk and freeze it.

Medium side George Forman grill -- 4 times a week for hamburgers 

Just got a giant "GF'' grill from a yard sale for $5.00 in great condition --haven't used it yet

and a big crock pot too from a yard sale for $5.00.-Haven't used yet.

coffee pot -- everyday

basic can opener -everyday

small crock pot --2 times a week

average size crock pot -- 3 times a week

toaster -every day

and if you count a big microwave -- everyday to warm things up

Oops. Forgot the microwave!!

Microwave:

Several times per day

Hand mixer

At least once per month

Stick Blender

A couple times per month

Oh man... I barely cook ever, but after the move we are on a strict at-home diet to conserve money. So we will have the following:

• Microwave - we love those "steam in bag" veggies. Boyfriend also cooks his chicken nuggets in there.
• George Forman - I don't use it much but when we make pasta I will use it to cook chicken to cut up and put in pasta.
• Keurig - Boyfriend uses it for coffee, I use it for tea and "honey water" when I'm sick (just dump honey into the hot water... tastes delicious and very helpful for a sore throat). Sometimes the dregs from the last k-cup will come through into the plain water and in that case I just dump it and do another cycle.
• Crockpot - we don't use it much now but plan to rely on it heavily since we both have classes this semester. Hot dinner waiting after work... yummy.
• Toaster - used for the obvious. We love hummus on toasted pumpernickel for any meal so that's the most frequent use.

That's about it! I want a KitchenAid mixer but will not buy one or ask for one until I prove to myself I will actually use it. (The proof will be when I make food for myself on a regular basis instead of buying packaged foods.)

Several years ago, we decided to get rid of the large entertainment center that was taking up a ton of space in the living room. Our first thought was to try to sell it. Then I decided that we could put it in the basement and I could use it to store kitchen items that I use and don't want to give away or sell. I may not use something often (sometimes only once or twice a year or so, but it's there when I need it).

Kitchen Aid Stand Mixers - I have two, the Classic and the Professional and I use them both frequently. I use the Classic for small batches of cookie dough, cakes and such. I use the Professional for cake frostings (especially buttercreams that need a good whipping), bread dough, and triple batches of cookies. Both of them stay on the kitchen counter at all times.

Two Portable Hand Mixers - One is Hamilton Beach; the other is a KA. I use them from time to time, but not that often. Stored in the baking lazy Susan (so called because that lazy Susan has the baking powder, baking soda, cocoa, chocolates, decorations, corn syrups, molasses bottles, etc.)

Kitchen Aid 12-cup food processor - At least once a week, slicing, shredding and chopping. Stays on the kitchen counter at all times; the attachments are stored in the cabinet above the fridge.

Cuisinart Ice Cream Maker - in red, for Rick. We probably use it 6 times a year for homemade ice cream. It has little storage places for cones and for different sprinkles. I think it makes 1-1/2 quarts, which is fine for the two of us. When we make for more people, we'll make some ahead of time and freeze it. The grandchildren love it. Stored in the basement.

Slow Cookers - I have four of them, in various sizes, and use them all, depending on what I'm making. Stored in the cabinet above the pantry. And it's getting to be a pain in the butt to have to climb up on a chair to get the one I need. No matter which one it is, it's always in the back of the shelf. 

Nesco Pressure Cooker - A 6-quart electric pressure cooker that I will never, ever live without again. It's a wonderful appliance. One of the reasons I bought this one is because it gets up to 15 P.S.I. Not many electric pressure cookers get up to that standard. It saved my life when we were renovating the kitchen. We could work all day and still come home and I'd have a good pot roast or stew ready in an hour. Stored in the basement.

Nesco Pressure Canner - A 12-quart stove-top pressure canner. I don't use it often, maybe 4 times during the summer for veggies and such. I love it. Stored in the basement. (I also have my MIL's regular water canner now, too....in the basement. Perfect for pickles.)

Nesco Dehydrator - (I have a lot of Nesco appliances, but they're good quality IMO) With six trays. I just dehydrated a bunch of tomato slices over the weekend again. Used primarily during the summer with food from the garden. Stored in the basement.

George Foreman Party Grill - probably used once a month or so. It's really nice when it's raining (or snowing) outside. I like it because it's circular and the center will hold marinade to keep it warm while grilling. It's big, so I can grill pretty much our entire dinner at the same time. It came with a free sandwich grill...that we don't use that often. Stored in the basement.

Two Electric Cookie Makers - Both Wilton. We use them when making cookies (Spritz, for example) around the holidays. I don't know how I ended up with two, but I did. Stored in the basement.

Sunbeam Electric Knife - Pretty much used for the Easter ham at this point and that's about it. It's in the cat food lazy Susan (that's where we keep the dry cat food, along with some casseroles and such). I could probably get rid of it and not miss it at all.

Keurig Coffee Maker - used every single day of my life. Stays on the kitchen counter.

Maxwell House 30-cup Percolator - I got it with the orange tops from the MH coffee cans. It looks like a MH coffee can. I think I've had that thing for 30 years maybe. Still works and when we've got a house full of people, it comes in quite handy. Stored in the basement.

Proctor-Silex Percolator - My mom's old coffeepot. Still works. I don't use it that often, but I cannot bring myself to part with it. I just can't. My Dad made the best coffee in the world in that coffeepot. 

West Bend Electric Frying Pan - It was my mom's; we gave it to her for Christmas one year. I use it sometimes, when I want to make liver and onions, or fry pork chops or when I'm making something for a crowd (Mom made great meatloaf in that thing.). Stored in the cabinet next to the dishwasher.

West Bend Electric Wok - I got this one time when my mom held some kind of a party (Tupperware maybe?). She chose that as a hostess gift and then decided she'd never use it. I do use it and I like it. Stored in the basement.

Toaster - used once a month (maybe....I love toast, I adore toast. I just can't eat it all the time or I'd be as big as a barn) In a cabinet above the fridge.

Dry Air Pop Corn Popper - pretty much used during the holidays when I make sugared popcorn for the entire family. Stored in the basement.

18-Quart Nesco Roaster - for the Thanksgiving turkey, the Christmas crown roast of pork, and the Easter ham. Stored in the basement.

Small Electric Juicer - basically for juicing oranges, lemons, and limes. It was my aunt's juicer and  I took it. I use it more than I thought I would. Stored in the cabinet above the fridge.

Microwave - It's a very old Sharp. It's large enough that I can cook in it (and I've made a fair share of Cranberry Short Ribs in that thing). It still works well, but the digital display isn't showing properly anymore. We're going to get a new one, but it's not an emergency, so we keep using this one. At this point, I primarily use it to thaw foods, melt chocolate and butter, and to boil water. And for popcorn. Rick uses it for his daily breakfast of oatmeal. When we do replace it, it will be with a much smaller unit.

I think that's about it. We keep talking about getting an immersion blender and I'm sure I'd use it. But honestly, I've lived without one this long, so do I really, really, need one? I don't think so.

ETA: Forgot about the breadmaker.....I've never used it and Rick might have used it 3 times. My parents gave it to me for Christmas one year. Stored in the basement. I should probably ditch it. I don't like using a breadmaker.

Microwave, use it to heat foods only such as frozen dinners.

Toaster when I need it.

Coffee maker, used daily.
 

Microwave - in summer maybe a couple of times a week to heat wrap breads, or steam vegetables. In winter every morning to make porridge.

Smoothie maker - In summer usually use every day to make frozen yogurt and berry ice using plain soya yogurt, frozen mixed berries and a little sweetener. This year I've been bad and eaten loads of ice cream so it's stuck at the back of the cupboard.

Hand held blender / mixer -   In summer not often, in winter maybe every week or two when I make batches of soup and want to roughly puree. Use for cake mixing when friends' kids are round and they want to bake. Occasionally use the little mini-processor bowl for making pesto or grinding spices.

Juicer -  In phases, maybe use once or twice daily for 6 months then don't use for the next 6!  Usually vegetable juice not fruit ones.  It's my favourite gadget as couldn't make the veg' juices without it!

Blender -  A couple of times a year when I make big batches of soup that I want to have with smooth texture.

I have a kettle and espresso maker that sit on the hob, and make toast in the grill so that's it for me.

Microwave = I use every day
Toaster - Five or six times a week
Toaster Oven - Five or six times a week
Electric Can Opener - Every day
Kitchen Aid Mixer - I am still learning to use it - I love it so much I try to find ways to use it
Portable Mixer - Not at all since I got the KA
Blender = Only when I want a milk shake
Coffee Grinder - Mostly in the winter when I drink more coffee. Then I want some gourmet when I grind my own beans
Coffee maker - At least once a day
Keurig Mini Coffee Maker - When one of us wants a cup of coffee and nobody else wants one
Food Processor - Only when I cut cabbage for cole slaw
Apple Peeler and slicer - In the fall when my pears are ripe on the trees
Electric knife - Maybe twice a month - But it is nice for ham, turkey, roast etc.
Electric frying pan - I always take it on the porch to fry fish, etc.
Deep fat fryer - I use it to fry the shrimp in when I fry fish - Hubby is allergic to fish and I can't cook anything else in the same grease
George Foreman Grill - I use it often for pork chops, chicken breast, mostly all the meat I cook
Crock pot - Never in the summer- I still don't know how to cook much in it
Electric Chopper - All the time to chop onions

Now I wonder how I ever did anything when I first got married and had none of this stuff.:lol3: I remember a percolator for the stove and making cakes by hand, no mixer. The rest of thse things, I don't know if they even existed then because I had no money and stayed out of the store.

blueyedgirl5946 said:

Crock pot - Never in the summer- I still don't know how to cook much in it

Now I wonder how I ever did anything when I first got married and had none of this stuff.

I remember a percolator for the stove and making cakes by hand, no mixer. The rest of thse things, I don't know if they even existed then because I had no money and stayed out of the store.

Click to expand...

I know! I got married when I was 16 and didn't have much of anything. My mom and my MIL made sure that I had all kinds of baking and cooking items: cookie sheets, cake pans, springform pans, loaf pans, (Rick loves cheesecake, so my MIL made sure I had springform pans). My grandmother gave me a ton of her things, too. But as for electrical appliances, not much other than a portable mixer and a toaster oven and (maybe) an electric knife. I think that's it. And it didn't matter because I.WAS.NOT.GOING.TO.COOK!

As for your crock pot, have you looked in the Recipe Exchange in Groups at all? We do have a crock pot section and there are some really good recipes there for you to try.

Oh, and I was in the basement this morning on the treadmill. And the pressure canner is not a Nesco.....it's a Mirro. Sorry.

We also have an Oster food grinder. It belonged to my parents; Mom always made the cranberry relish for the holidays and the electric grinder made it easier for her than the old one that she had to twist to the counter top. When she died, we took it and it's in the basement. 

And a West Bend waffle iron. I may use it once or twice a year. I love waffles and so does Rick. My thighs, however, curse me every time I eat them.

Winchester said:

I know! I got married when I was 16 and didn't have much of anything. My mom and my MIL made sure that I had all kinds of baking and cooking items: cookie sheets, cake pans, springform pans, loaf pans, (Rick loves cheesecake, so my MIL made sure I had springform pans). My grandmother gave me a ton of her things, too. But as for electrical appliances, not much other than a portable mixer and a toaster oven and (maybe) an electric knife. I think that's it. And it didn't matter because I.WAS.NOT.GOING.TO.COOK!

As for your crock pot, have you looked in the Recipe Exchange in Groups at all? We do have a crock pot section and there are some really good recipes there for you to try.

Oh, and I was in the basement this morning on the treadmill. And the pressure canner is not a Nesco.....it's a Mirro. Sorry.

We also have an Oster food grinder. It belonged to my parents; Mom always made the cranberry relish for the holidays and the electric grinder made it easier for her than the old one that she had to twist to the counter top. When she died, we took it and it's in the basement. 

And a West Bend waffle iron. I may use it once or twice a year. I love waffles and so does Rick. My thighs, however, curse me every time I eat them.

Click to expand...

Where is groups and the recipe exchange.

blueyedgirl5946 said:

Where is groups and the recipe exchange.

Click to expand...

Look in my signature; the link to the Recipe Exchange is in there. I've been keeping it there so that it might draw attention and we can get more people involved in posting their favorite recipes. Or go to the top of the page, click on Forums, Social Groups, TCS Social Groups.....the Recipe Exchange will be in the Groups forums. I think it's the 21st group.

Winchester said:

Look in my signature; the link to the Recipe Exchange is in there. I've been keeping it there so that it might draw attention and we can get more people involved in posting their favorite recipes. Or go to the top of the page, click on Forums, Social Groups, TCS Social Groups.....the Recipe Exchange will be in the Groups forums. I think it's the 21st group.

Click to expand...

I found it from your signature. Good idea setting up and even better putting the link in your address.    I plan to add to it at some point, and also sending the link to a friend who cooks way more than I do

Barely anything here.

Microwave  - probably daily

Coffee maker   - definitely daily, sometimes 3 pots per day!

Blender   - forgot l had it, used it once this year

Meat grinder   - use it at least monthly to make cat food

Toaster   - a couple of times a week

Crock pot   - it's lucky if l use it once a year

Espresso machine/coffee maker   - still new in box. lt's my back-up for when the current one fails, as it ALWAYS happens first thing in the morning before work.

I LOVE kitchen appliances and gadgets! Great idea for a thread!

Toaster Oven: Breville "The Smart One". Daily!, I use mine several times a day! It reduces my need to use the large oven, and saves on my utility bill! I LOVE it! My old Proctor Silex caught fire a few months back after many years of daily use, so when I replaced it , I bought the most safe one I could find at the time with the highest ratings. I LOVE it! Highly recommend!!

Keurig: "Keurig B60" Daily, several times a day! I love this and use it constantly!

Crock Pot: "Ninja 3 in 1 cooking system" : 4-5 times a week. I use mine a lot!! I use it to make breakfast (crock pot oatmeals and cassaroles, as well as lunches/dinners!)

Electric Chopper/Blender/Prep system: Ninja Master Prep: Daily I use this constantly when I cook! The small container is great or chopping up veggies, making salsa, mincing garlic and onion,; the larger one is great for making smoothies! You name it! It really helps me out because it keeps me from using my wrists as often for chopping! It's also lightweight, so much easier for me to move around than the large blender we have (My boyfriend has an Oyster blender that is nice, but I honestly prefer the simplicity of the ninja since it's easier to use and clean!)

Coffee Grinder Maybe once a month, if that . See above! I honestly use the little Ninja blender for everything, even grinding coffee for my reusable kcup!

Microwave I use it it maybe 5-7 times a week I mainly use it for heating up the leftovers from what we cook. Normally though, I heat up food in the toaster oven, vs the microwave because it makes it taste better.

Indoor Grill Maybe once a week . I have a knock-off version of the George Foreman grill, and really like it! It has interchangable plates, and is fairly easy to clean! My dad gave it to me several years ago and I enjoy using it!

Waffle Iron: Maybe once a month, if not longer I should really use my waffle iron more often! I just don't think about it when I'm half awake in the mornings.

Popcorn Air Popper Several times a week I love my air popper because I can control the ingredients that I put on my popcorn, and have a healthy snack. (I tend to burn microwave popcorn, so the airpopper is amazing because you can't burn anything!)

Hand Mixer 2-3 times a month I rarely use this, not because I don't enjoy baking, but simply because it really hurts my wrists! (I have nerve damage to my wrists, so it's difficult for me to use the hand mixer). I need a stand mixer!

I think that's everything!

• drip coffee maker : daily
• microwave: daily
• pad coffee maker: 4 - 5 times a week
• electric kettle: 4 - 5 times a week
• slow cooker: weekly
• small electric chopper: weekly
• blender: about 2 - 3 times a month
• hand mixer: maybe once a month
• dehydrator: lots of use in late summer/early autumn
• vacuum food sealer: lots of use in late summer/early autumn
• coffee grinder: occasionally
• waffle iron: 2 - 3 times a year
• pressure cooker: maybe twice a year
• breadmaker: rarely, and then just to knead dough
• food processor: only for coleslaw; it's ancient and needs to be replaced
• juicer: hasn't been used since we got the blender

I didn't forget a toaster. When our last one bit the dust about 10 years ago, we didn't replace it, because we very, very rarely eat white bread.