Since you only get to register once, do you fill up your kitchen with small electric appliances? As I'm sure is true of many of you, I have limited cabinet space. What are the most important gadgets for a foodie to own? Jon and I already have the toaster, food processor, KitchenAid stand mixer, blender, deep fryer, waffle maker and panini press (yes, it was a successful Christmas-and-engagement party), but I'm still considering adding to my list.
For example, Jon loves fresh juice and ice cream, which makes me think I think I need a juicer and ice cream maker. But is it better to consolidate pieces and register for juicer and ice cream-making attachments for my stand mixer? This brings into question the slow cooker, rice maker, coffee and espresso makers we already have. After four years together, we have yet to really need any of them. Though co-workers of mine swear by the slow cooker and I can absolutely see the positives. I suppose the size of them scares me -- along with Jon's face expressing, "we are going to have to start putting these in a closet because we're running out of room fast."
Again, I would love your advice, especially in terms of certain products like the KitchenAid attachments. Do you love them or hate them?
Thank you always,
Your Hungry Bride
4-16-2009 @4:22PM CD said... I didn't get many small appliances when I got married, but I did get something that I thought would gather dust but I wound up LOVING IT. It's the Cuisinart Supreme Ice Cream maker (http://www.williams-sonoma.com/products/sku6178545/index.cfm?pkey=cspecialty-electrics). It's more expensive than other ones, and it's big, but it has a built-in compressor so you don't have to pre-freeze the bowl that you use. I have used it to make ice cream and sorbet many many times since I got married and absolutely love it.
The other thing I love, I don't use too much, but I still love it. It's the pasta maker attachment for the Kitchenaid stand mixer. It works great. Most other appliances just take up space. I can't remember the last time I used my blender.
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4-16-2009 @4:24PM Barkin said... The Kitchenaid ice cream maker attachment doesn't do the job well. If you actually want an ice cream maker, get a dedicated one. I like mine from Cuisinart.
When we registered for our wedding last year, I got a copy of Alton Brown's "Gear for Your Kitchen," which I then took with me to register. He has a good way of differentiating what you really need from what you might want to have from what's a waste of space. I followed pretty much every one of his recommendations.
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4-16-2009 @4:29PM kindli said... is it better to consolidate pieces and register for juicer and ice cream-making attachments for my stand mixer?
yes! I have & love the ice-cream bowl attachment for my stand mixer & it works amazingly well. We've got limited storage & I only use it a few times a year, but it stashes away nicely & takes very little space.
I'd get rid of the rice maker, ours broke & we haven't bothered to replace it, all you need is a pot w/a lid.
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4-17-2009 @9:07AM ninjak80 said... Ricecooker is useful is you plan to regularly serve/eat rice in your household. This includes making sushi rice, chinese dishes, etc. Otherwise, probably taking up space.
Slow cooker is a wonderful addition, especially when wanting to make a simple flavorful dish that can be thrown together, left alone for hours, and then have a meal ready when you get back home from work, errands, etc.
Ultimately, it just depends on your level of cooking and what you like to make. Ice cream maker is great if you're making ice cream once a week... if you only break it out once a year, it's probably a waste of space and more of a novelty. Same goes for all the other items... if you don't bake much, the stand mixed may not seem nearly as useful to someone who loves to bake and uses it regularly.
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4-16-2009 @5:47PM SteffanyF said... I love my rice cooker. Love it, love it. You can use it to make so much more than just rice, too. I think stand mixers are completely useless and I have never, ever had need for a food processor/cuisinart.
I love the idea of getting Alton Brown's "Gear for Your Kitchen". I heart Alton Brown.
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4-16-2009 @5:11PM SJ said... My all time absolute fav is a nice immersion blender. It takes up very little space, is awesome for making smoothies, sauces and purees and is easy to clean unlike a full-sized blender. If you need space, ditch the big blender and go for the stick blender. You won't regret it.
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4-16-2009 @5:37PM Amanda said... I highly recommend the ice cream maker. We didn't register for one, but ended up getting one this year and used it a lot in the summer for delicious fresh fruit sorbets. We keep it in the closet most of the time, off the counter. Otherwise - the mini prep food processor is probably my favorite thing we got, next to the stand mixer, which I had before we got married. I make panini's on the cast iron grill we got. Also highly recommend the immersion blender.
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4-16-2009 @5:45PM Leslie said... I have to agree that the immersion blender is the best tool...smoothies in the cup and making soup and blending it in the pot! Also consider a pressure cooker. Did you know you can cook beans in like 6 min.?
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4-16-2009 @5:37PM Sarah said... While I couldn't live (or bake bread!) without my Hamilton Beach stand mixer since I'm a wimp, I could KILL for the ice cream maker mentioned by CD. It's been on my Amazon Wishlist for over a year now!
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4-16-2009 @5:42PM Cliff said... The first would be my rice cooker. A close second is the Keurig B30 Mini Coffee Brewer.
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4-16-2009 @6:06PM betsyturner said... I have quite a few small appliances... but I certainly don't need them. I use the toaster oven a lot, the stand mixer some, the bread machine at least once a week (pizza dough for pizza night). Almost never use the blender, and the food processor does a lot more things, so if I were choosing, I'd choose it over the blender. We own an ice cream maker (cheap electric one from Target or the like) and have used it a few times. I avoid all appliances that only do one thing (like a waffle maker - I'll just have pancakes on the 2 times a year I make a big breakfast... although there are panini/waffle things that multitask).
As with silverware and other things, I say look at a whole week (or month) of cooking and think about how many times your life would have been easier with the ______. Most small appliances aren't very expensive, so I think it's better to register for less and then add later if you decide you REALLY want something.
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4-16-2009 @7:09PM Kren said... Rice Cooker - I've had mine for 30+ years and it is used more than any other appliance, at least 3-4 times a week. I cook a lot of Asian food and so rice is my key staple (potatoes rot in my house). I particularly love the rice cooker when entertaining, as it frees up my stove, and I don't have to think about it at all, just put in the rice and water, and let it go - it keeps the rice in great condition for an hour or more allowing me great flexibility if guests are late.
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4-16-2009 @7:27PM Sally said... My toaster is used more than any other appliance, then slow cooker, blender, mixer, and food processor. All are used frequently. I rarely use immersion blender (just not satisfied with it -- and it's a good one) and ice cream maker is still in the box! I had a rice cooker and gave it away. I make coffee using a Mellita cone (and wouldn't dream of changing to a automatic coffee maker).
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4-16-2009 @7:57PM Kim said... Immersion blender
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4-16-2009 @11:13PM BraH said... Two things for you, Hungry Bride.
A Toaster Oven. Used twice as much as my stove's oven and does away with the need for a toaster and countertop broiler.
An Electric Deep Fryer. Perfect temperature control, every time, in small enough quantities for one or large enough for a group.
I don't care what anyone's opinion is on fried foods, because everyone knows they're delicious and bad for you, but you have to cut loose sometimes.
Pro-Tip: Try deep frying in lard next time. Your head will say no but your mouth will say YES!
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4-16-2009 @11:21PM Brighella said... Have to say, Vitamix is the way to go. we make soups, fruit juices, veggie juices, sorbets, frozen yogurts etc
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4-16-2009 @11:47PM Jessica said... I keep a lot of appliances in the closet, including my slow cooker, my stand mixer, and my food processor. They still get used and I couldn't go without them when I need them.
One thing I've used to help save a ton of counter space is a Cuisinart Mini Prep. I use it a lot to chop onions and herbs very quickly. It's so tiny but very useful.
I'm just not the type to get a juicer. I have the old fashioned kind. They work just fine.
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4-16-2009 @11:57PM Phil said... I've heard bad things about the Kitchen Aid Juicer attachment. I guess it spins, but you still have to mash the fruit into it, so the old fashioned manual version is more comfortable to use.
I wouldn't live without an immersion blender that has the food chopper attachment. I've found use, especially at parties, for the rice cooker to keep a pot of beans, cheese dip, BBQ sauce, and other liquids warm. Most rice makers warm up when you plug them in and cook when you flip the switch, so that's a great second purpose for them.
Here's a pair of questions: Do you have your cast iron skillet yet? Should you register for one?
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4-17-2009 @5:01AM Dea said... I agree with everyone who said an immersion blender!!! I use mine 2-3 times a week!!! i blend batters make mashed potatoes do a quick chop on things for like a quick salsa and its compact enough to fit in a drawer. My kitchen it the size of a normal bathroom i love this!!! i also agree with everyone who said a slow cooker! When you work different schedules and such its really nice to come home to a REAL dinner.
6 Months post wedding and well fed :)
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4-17-2009 @10:52AM Karen said... Instead of a slow cooker, get a Nesco Roaster. I use mine as a slow cooker, but I also use it for so many other things. I probably use it once a week.
The kitchen appliances I use most are toaster oven (daily), blender (4-5 times a week), Nesco Roaster (weekly), Kitchen Aid Mixer (frequently enough that I'd never go without one), mini food processor (although I'm thinking about upgrading).
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