larry_stewart
Master Chef
So, I recently had the pleasure of having to clean out my basement so I could store more crap that I seem to keep accumulating. While doing this I came across a bunch of kitchen appliances, gadgets... which seemed like a good idea at the time, but were used once, maybe twice, and ultimately found their way into the Kitchen appliance/gadget graveyard in my basement.
So, my question is, what kitchen appliance/ gadgets have you bought in the past, thats seemed like a great idea at the time, but have gotten minimal to no use, and ultimately shoved aside, never to be used again ??
Im not talking about a crappy gift someone got you, but more something that you thought you would really use and it just didnt live up to the thrill you thought you would get. Possibly because it didnt work as well as you like, not worth the effort to set up/ clean up, can do it better with what you already had....
So, the few things I've found so far ( keep in mind Im not anywhere close to having the basement cleaned) would be:
Quesadila Maker
Grilled Cheese Sandwich maker
Flatbread ( tortilla, indian puffed bread.....)
Waffle Maker
The above are all basically nonstick presses that make the affiliated item. All worked pretty well, but none are kept in the kitchen cabinets or counters. Therefore, I have to schlep downstairs, find it, clean it ( cause its been in the basement so long), Schlep it stairs.....
Crockpot/ Slow cooker
As discussed in other threads, Im more of an active cook. I understand the benefits and can see how it makes peoples lives easier. In my case, its impossible for me to leave something in a pot without constantly stirring, tasting, tweaking ... Its like torture for me to walk by a pot and not touch it in one way or another.
Bread Machine
This we used frequently, years ago. I guess the thrill is gone. Also, me having to watch my carbs may have a little to do with it
Air fryer ( not sure exact name).
My wife bought it for me as a present. The first thing she made was breaded, 'fried' zucchini. They tasted great, and cooked in about 10 minutes. We were both surprised by how well it worked. So I asked for more to snack on and she said, thats it. It only can cook like 4- 6 pieces at a time. Now keep in mind we have the bigger , more expensive one. So, it worked well, but to make a substantial amount for dinner purposes was not practical.
Meat slicer .
Yep, you heard me right. A vegetarian with a meat slicer. Ill explain. My wife makes the best eggplant parm. The reason its so good is because the eggplant is cut thinly, evenly and consistent , allowing the breadcrumb to eggplant ratio to be perfect. So, what better way to do this than get a meat slicer. Worked great. No complaints about the machine. But, for as often as we have it, a knife with a little patience works almost as good ( the machine is more consistent , but not enough to go digging for the machine, have to clean it, and then restore it again in the dungeon).
Vegetable/ fruit juicer
Works fine, just more trouble than its worth ( plus, I always forget that I have it, until I go in the basement to get something else and notice it on the shelf). I guess if I really wanted to use it, Id remember it .
There are probably others that are buried even deeper in the dungeon. Ill add as I come across them.
There are a few things that dont get much use, but I do look forward to using them when I get the chance. Some of them are seasonal items. Others are just once in awhile items. So these , although not used often, I look forward to using them every time, and wouldn't be on the above list.
Apple cider press
Ebelskiver pan
Ice cream maker
Pasta maker ( hand cranked)
So, my question is, what kitchen appliance/ gadgets have you bought in the past, thats seemed like a great idea at the time, but have gotten minimal to no use, and ultimately shoved aside, never to be used again ??
Im not talking about a crappy gift someone got you, but more something that you thought you would really use and it just didnt live up to the thrill you thought you would get. Possibly because it didnt work as well as you like, not worth the effort to set up/ clean up, can do it better with what you already had....
So, the few things I've found so far ( keep in mind Im not anywhere close to having the basement cleaned) would be:
Quesadila Maker
Grilled Cheese Sandwich maker
Flatbread ( tortilla, indian puffed bread.....)
Waffle Maker
The above are all basically nonstick presses that make the affiliated item. All worked pretty well, but none are kept in the kitchen cabinets or counters. Therefore, I have to schlep downstairs, find it, clean it ( cause its been in the basement so long), Schlep it stairs.....
Crockpot/ Slow cooker
As discussed in other threads, Im more of an active cook. I understand the benefits and can see how it makes peoples lives easier. In my case, its impossible for me to leave something in a pot without constantly stirring, tasting, tweaking ... Its like torture for me to walk by a pot and not touch it in one way or another.
Bread Machine
This we used frequently, years ago. I guess the thrill is gone. Also, me having to watch my carbs may have a little to do with it
Air fryer ( not sure exact name).
My wife bought it for me as a present. The first thing she made was breaded, 'fried' zucchini. They tasted great, and cooked in about 10 minutes. We were both surprised by how well it worked. So I asked for more to snack on and she said, thats it. It only can cook like 4- 6 pieces at a time. Now keep in mind we have the bigger , more expensive one. So, it worked well, but to make a substantial amount for dinner purposes was not practical.
Meat slicer .
Yep, you heard me right. A vegetarian with a meat slicer. Ill explain. My wife makes the best eggplant parm. The reason its so good is because the eggplant is cut thinly, evenly and consistent , allowing the breadcrumb to eggplant ratio to be perfect. So, what better way to do this than get a meat slicer. Worked great. No complaints about the machine. But, for as often as we have it, a knife with a little patience works almost as good ( the machine is more consistent , but not enough to go digging for the machine, have to clean it, and then restore it again in the dungeon).
Vegetable/ fruit juicer
Works fine, just more trouble than its worth ( plus, I always forget that I have it, until I go in the basement to get something else and notice it on the shelf). I guess if I really wanted to use it, Id remember it .
There are probably others that are buried even deeper in the dungeon. Ill add as I come across them.
There are a few things that dont get much use, but I do look forward to using them when I get the chance. Some of them are seasonal items. Others are just once in awhile items. So these , although not used often, I look forward to using them every time, and wouldn't be on the above list.
Apple cider press
Ebelskiver pan
Ice cream maker
Pasta maker ( hand cranked)
