What Kitchen Gadgets Are Really Worth the Money?
Everyone has that cupboard in the kitchen packed with gadgets and kitchen equipment which they thought were essential. We’ve all bought ice cream makers, pasta machines, coffee grinders and all manner of other gadgets on the spur of the moment, only to discover they’re not as useful as we’d thought. Here’s our guide to the kitchen gadgets which really are worth having, and which will be used instead of confined to the cupboard.
Stick Blender
The disadvantage to many kitchen gadgets is that they are bulky to store and inconvenient to get out and use on a regular basis. The main benefit to a stick blender is its compact size, which means it can be kept in a drawer or cupboard. Most come with attachments which let you blend soup and smoothies, chop vegetables or whisk cake batters and desserts. Another main advantage is that these gadgets won’t break the bank; a basic three in one stick blender with attachments costs less than £30.
A Decent Set of Kitchen Knives
Top chefs get very attached to their knives, taking them from job to job with them. A good chef’s knife is one of the most versatile kitchen gadgets, and this is one gadget where it’s worth paying for quality. A decent set of knives should feel comfortable in your hand as you hold it, and have a steel blade which can be easily sharpened. The sky’s the limit when it comes to buying kitchen knives, but you should be able to get a great quality set for between £80 and £100.
Digital Scales
Accuracy is important for many different types of recipes and a ser of digital scales take the guesswork out of cookery. If storage is an issue, look for the flat, slimline scales which can be stored in a drawer or on shelves. The digital function makes it easy to add in ingredients too – put the mixing bowl on the scales, zero the counter, and zero again after each ingredient is added as many times as you need to. The biggest brand name in the scales world is Salter, but there are many other good quality scales available for between £15 and £30.
Food Thermometer
Most cases of food poisoning are easily avoided by ensuring food is cooked through. A food probe or food thermometer will help you do this. Just poke the metal probe into the centre of the food and read the temperature off the digital screen. This isn’t an expensive kitchen gadget, as basic thermometers costs less than £10. But it’s one gadget every kitchen should have to keep the family healthy.
Slow Cooker
The idea behind a slow cooker is that you can prepare food before you leave for work in the morning, leave it cooking slowly at a low temperature all day, then return in the evening to a meal ready to eat. It’s perfect for stews, soups and slowly cooked red meats, but adventurous cooks can also use them to make desserts or mulled wine for Christmas parties.
