subject: Kitchen Gadgets: What Do We Really Need [print this page] We store an incredible amount of stuff in our kitchens and we're also really good at squeezing everything into drawers and cabinets, where we simply can't find what we own. Someone who spends hours in the kitchen cooking and baking every day, will have more gadgets. People who spend very little time in the kitchen will, generally have one very important gadget called a microwave!.
It's common for busy professionals to forgo kitchen duty once the kids are grown and they are on their own. I fondly remember the hours spent in the kitchen with the kids doing their homework. That's when I heard about their day at school, answered questions related to homework and enjoyed the family time.
What Gadgets Should You Keep?
Let's begin our journey by looking at gadgets in your kitchen drawer. For example:
Cheese slicer- seems like a great concept but it rarely gets used. For sandwiches, it's easier to use pre-sliced cheese and for parties, there's the tricky matter of holding down the cheese while you cut a slice with your fingers?
Can opener - absolutely as who doesn't buy things in cans, which can only be opened with a hand or electric can opener. Given the number of products that now come frozen, ready to zip into the microwave, I doubt many people need an electric can opener any more.
Ice cream scoop - is a "what was I thinking?" Honestly, I'm guessing I liked seeing a cute new green gadget but that's crazy. While we had lots of ice cream when my boys were at home, they've been gone a few years so there's no need any more.
Pizza cutter - depends on how often you eat pizza and whether you make your own.
Apple peeler - is something I'll never part with. Not only was it a gift from my sister in Maine, it's really practical and probably the only
reason I'm happy to make apple cobbler all the time as this tool makes it fun!
Paring knives - are a must but how many do you need? I keep one on the shelf over my sink where it's easy to grab. Putting the 2 knives in my hands together told me I didn't need the one with the larger handle, as I like a firm grip and felt the smaller knife fit my hand better.
Rules for New (or Lost in the Drawer) Gadgets
From this simple analysis - I would keep just 3 of the 7 gadgets reviewed. What rules make sense going forward?
Keep gadgets you use at least once a week, i.e. the knife and can opener.
Keep gadgets you love, and ones that save you time. The best way to test these is whether you remember and use them every time,
i.e. my apple peeler is key to baking apple cobbler
