Comments on: so tell me: what are your top 5 underdog kitchen gadgets?

By: Ray Shephard

Ray Shephard — Sat, 11 Dec 2010 15:08:51 +0000

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By: Matt

Matt — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 18:29:49 +0000

I think I’m late to this thread, but:

My favorite strange little device is a shot glass with measuring gradients on it. It’s super for multiple tsps and tbps measurements, also has ml and others I can’t recall now. It’s so great to measure 3 tsp without having to do three measurements. I bought a second one.

My cast iron skillet. My wife assures me that it loves me, too.

By: wasabi prime

wasabi prime — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 17:03:54 +0000

I’m reading through others’ lists and I’m inspired! Love the porcelain brick for keeping humidity in the oven. I’ve done ice cubes before, but the brick is a smart way to keep things consistent without opening/closing the door.

1. wooden spoons, especially the giant wooden long-necked rice paddle; great for all cooking, given its wide edge
2. microplane – not just for citrus zesting; great for pulverizing garlic into a paste
3. mandoline – aside from some bad accidents, the ceramic blade is fantastic and makes for fast slicing
4. pie tins – not for baking, just for setting up lightweight mise en place, as well as holding foodscraps to be thrown into compost pile
5. Multiple dishtowels – seems weird, but having up to three around the kitchen — one by the sink, one by the oven, one over the shoulder — makes for quick cleaning and protecting hands and surfaces from hot dishes

By: Geaux Ghoti

Geaux Ghoti — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 08:13:18 +0000

1. Cellphone… This is probably my most important kitchen tool, to be honest… It has my timers (I can run multiple timers with notes at the same time) my converter, calculator, weight chart (for those times when I have to know how much butter or something else weighs because the converter gives me a liquid measure and I need a weight one) and the ability to call my mom when I’m trying for the 4 billionth time to cook her Beef Stroganoff as well as she does!

2. Chopping knife… This one is my own creation, and I own the only one, so telling you much about it wouldn’t do much good lol.

3. Cast Iron skillet… I have about 20 or so different pieces of cookware in my cabinets, of all types and sizes, but my old cast iron skillet is still my favorite.

4. Scissors… My kitchen scissors are actually the same kind that are used by EMTs on ambulances. They have no problem cutting through cartilage, heavy fat and small bones, and are surprisingly good with paper, plastic, herbs and such…

5. My Porcelain Brick. Whenever I’m making a cheesecake or something else that needs to maintain a high level of humidity in the oven, I soak my brick in some water while I’m preparing it and then put it on the bottom rack of my oven… Works perfectly every time!

By: Omnomicon makes » discussion: kitchen gadgets (continued)

Omnomicon makes » discussion: kitchen gadgets (continued) — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 16:46:52 +0000

[...] so tell me: what are your top 5 underdog kitchen gadgets? [...]

By: Sarah

Sarah — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 02:53:29 +0000

1) bench scraper. It keeps my beautiful bread board clean.
2) magnetic knife holder – holy cow, I never would have bought one for myself, but this thing is GENIUS, I’m so glad our new apartment had one already installed!
3) ramekins! lots of ramekins! I bought them for a short-lived packaging idea long ago, and ended up keeping them for mise-en-place bowls.
4) timer! I’m not at all an uptight person, but I’ve even started using it to make sure my tea doesn’t get bitter. Need 3 minutes? Got it. Need to just count up to see how long something takes? Got it. Love it!
5) coffee/spice grinder. seriously, where would I be without it?

By: Maxly

Maxly — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 20:02:19 +0000

1) Garlic Press–I have two
2) Wooden Spoons–lots of ‘em
3) My 2/3 and 3/4 cup measuring cup–who knew I needed these?!
4) Serated Bread Knife–love it
5) My husband because he cleans the kitchen after I have been in there again

By: Lynne

Lynne — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 02:07:59 +0000

1. crock pot
2. chopsticks
3. mandolin
4. that olive oil topper/pouring thing (whatever it’s called)
5. dish rag

By: Tami

Tami — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 21:26:53 +0000

1. my long handled slotted spoon from Ikea that I got years ago. They don’t sell them any more.
2. mini food processor – got mine at a yard sale 5 yrs. ago. It’s still working like a charm.
3. apple slicer/corer. My kids will eat apples like crazy if they are sliced. This makes it easy.
4. big chef knife – not name brand but I still like it.
5. wet/dry measuring cup from Pampered Chef

By: Mr. P

Mr. P — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 20:25:43 +0000

1. The mezzaluna. I love it.
2. The blender. Everybody loves the blender.
3. Sharp scissors.
4. My hands – you can do it all with these babies!
5. Chopsticks. Useful in the extreme as a cocktail stirrer.