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The New Coffee Room

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  3. Cooking gadgets

Cooking gadgets

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  • George KG Offline
    George KG Offline
    George K
    wrote on last edited by
    #1

    Sort of related to my sous-vide turkey thread.

    What gadgets do you have that you use ALL THE TIME.

    I use my sous-vide about twice a month. Steaks are great, to be sure.

    "Air Fryer?" Don't have one.

    My InstantPot has been great. I use it 2-3 times a week. Today, it was for mashed potatoes. Great for hard-boiled eggs. I LOVE pork chops in the IP. To be sure, there's a curve to learn what's good and what's "okay" in the IP, but after almost two years, I've got the "good" part down.

    "Now look here, you Baltic gas passer... " - Mik, 6/14/08

    The saying, "Lite is just one damn thing after another," is a gross understatement. The damn things overlap.

    1 Reply Last reply
    • kluursK Offline
      kluursK Offline
      kluurs
      wrote on last edited by
      #2

      We we probably use the air fryer about 10x a week - but some of that is my spouse's predilection for french fries. The rice cooker is used for oat meal and rice - perhaps 9x a week. The one thing we never use is our blender. We use the Instant Pot a couple of times a month - soup or occasionally a roast. We have yet to dip into the sous vide world, at least partly as we rarely eat steak.

      George KG 1 Reply Last reply
      • kluursK kluurs

        We we probably use the air fryer about 10x a week - but some of that is my spouse's predilection for french fries. The rice cooker is used for oat meal and rice - perhaps 9x a week. The one thing we never use is our blender. We use the Instant Pot a couple of times a month - soup or occasionally a roast. We have yet to dip into the sous vide world, at least partly as we rarely eat steak.

        George KG Offline
        George KG Offline
        George K
        wrote on last edited by
        #3

        @kluurs said in Cooking gadgets:

        We we probably use the air fryer about 10x a week

        Which one do you have? What else do you make in it?

        Is there a difference between the oven-shaped ones and the ones that look like a pot?

        We talked about air-fryers a while ago, and my understanding is that it's basically just a small convection oven.

        my spouse's predilection for french fries

        Heh. Yeah, mine too.

        "Now look here, you Baltic gas passer... " - Mik, 6/14/08

        The saying, "Lite is just one damn thing after another," is a gross understatement. The damn things overlap.

        kluursK 1 Reply Last reply
        • LuFins DadL Offline
          LuFins DadL Offline
          LuFins Dad
          wrote on last edited by
          #4

          We’re pretty basic. I don’t even like to use a microwave. I have thought about buying an induction stovetop for work.

          The Brad

          1 Reply Last reply
          • JollyJ Offline
            JollyJ Offline
            Jolly
            wrote on last edited by
            #5

            I use my grinder on occasion for ground round or to make small batch sausage, but I guess the two that get used the most are the Kitchenaide stand mixer and the Crockpot. Unless y'all consider the Keurig a gadget. That's in daily use.

            “Cry havoc and let slip the DOGE of war!”

            Those who cheered as J-6 American prisoners were locked in solitary for 18 months without trial, now suddenly fight tooth and nail for foreign terrorists’ "due process". — Buck Sexton

            1 Reply Last reply
            • George KG George K

              @kluurs said in Cooking gadgets:

              We we probably use the air fryer about 10x a week

              Which one do you have? What else do you make in it?

              Is there a difference between the oven-shaped ones and the ones that look like a pot?

              We talked about air-fryers a while ago, and my understanding is that it's basically just a small convection oven.

              my spouse's predilection for french fries

              Heh. Yeah, mine too.

              kluursK Offline
              kluursK Offline
              kluurs
              wrote on last edited by kluurs
              #6

              @george-k said in Cooking gadgets:

              @kluurs said in Cooking gadgets:

              We we probably use the air fryer about 10x a week

              Which one do you have? What else do you make in it?

              We got one at Costco - a cheapie that didn't take up much counter space. I think it was $97, an investment that if it didn't work out, we could get rid of it w/o much despair. It looks a bit like this one.

              c36a6eba-5f5a-4fbb-af37-e3e65af8ff8b-image.png

              Besides the infinite number of french fries, it does a nice job as a rotisserie having used it for chicken, turkey breast and roasts. It is magnificent for frozen egg rolls/pot-stickers or reheating them. Brats or Polish sausage come out great - and I use it for making teriyaki chicken or other things we might have done on our gas grill.

              Again, the only reason we opted for this unit was the fact it didn't take up counter space and was cheap as hell. Amazingly, it has become a go to appliance for us.

              George KG 1 Reply Last reply
              • kluursK kluurs

                @george-k said in Cooking gadgets:

                @kluurs said in Cooking gadgets:

                We we probably use the air fryer about 10x a week

                Which one do you have? What else do you make in it?

                We got one at Costco - a cheapie that didn't take up much counter space. I think it was $97, an investment that if it didn't work out, we could get rid of it w/o much despair. It looks a bit like this one.

                c36a6eba-5f5a-4fbb-af37-e3e65af8ff8b-image.png

                Besides the infinite number of french fries, it does a nice job as a rotisserie having used it for chicken, turkey breast and roasts. It is magnificent for frozen egg rolls/pot-stickers or reheating them. Brats or Polish sausage come out great - and I use it for making teriyaki chicken or other things we might have done on our gas grill.

                Again, the only reason we opted for this unit was the fact it didn't take up counter space and was cheap as hell. Amazingly, it has become a go to appliance for us.

                George KG Offline
                George KG Offline
                George K
                wrote on last edited by
                #7

                @kluurs thanks for the reply.

                Mrs. George always asks if we should get one. I have a good spot in our kitchen for one, in a corner that's basically wasted anyway.

                I'll measure and decide.

                What kind of fries, by the way...frozen?

                "Now look here, you Baltic gas passer... " - Mik, 6/14/08

                The saying, "Lite is just one damn thing after another," is a gross understatement. The damn things overlap.

                kluursK 1 Reply Last reply
                • George KG George K

                  @kluurs thanks for the reply.

                  Mrs. George always asks if we should get one. I have a good spot in our kitchen for one, in a corner that's basically wasted anyway.

                  I'll measure and decide.

                  What kind of fries, by the way...frozen?

                  kluursK Offline
                  kluursK Offline
                  kluurs
                  wrote on last edited by
                  #8

                  @george-k said in Cooking gadgets:

                  @kluurs thanks for the reply.

                  What kind of fries, by the way...frozen?

                  We mostly use it for frozen. Previously, I never thought reheated restaurant fries were very good - but they come out halfway decent now.

                  1 Reply Last reply
                  • MikM Away
                    MikM Away
                    Mik
                    wrote on last edited by
                    #9

                    I don't use electric gadgets too much, although I have a food processor, minichop, immersion blender, blender, Instant Pot, crock pot, regular blender. I LOVE my Breville toaster. My espresso machine lives in the basement.

                    Things I use a lot are my tomato knife, zester, pizza pan, other knives. I was thinking about a meat grinder, which would be handy at times.

                    “I am fond of pigs. Dogs look up to us. Cats look down on us. Pigs treat us as equals.” ~Winston S. Churchill

                    JollyJ 1 Reply Last reply
                    • MikM Mik

                      I don't use electric gadgets too much, although I have a food processor, minichop, immersion blender, blender, Instant Pot, crock pot, regular blender. I LOVE my Breville toaster. My espresso machine lives in the basement.

                      Things I use a lot are my tomato knife, zester, pizza pan, other knives. I was thinking about a meat grinder, which would be handy at times.

                      JollyJ Offline
                      JollyJ Offline
                      Jolly
                      wrote on last edited by
                      #10

                      @mik said in Cooking gadgets:

                      I don't use electric gadgets too much, although I have a food processor, minichop, immersion blender, blender, Instant Pot, crock pot, regular blender. I LOVE my Breville toaster. My espresso machine lives in the basement.

                      Things I use a lot are my tomato knife, zester, pizza pan, other knives. I was thinking about a meat grinder, which would be handy at times.

                      When you can find boston butt roasts on sale, you can make your pan sausage for close to $1/lb, seasoned how you prefer. And it will be lower in fat. You can also stuff your own link sausage, but I don't hot smoke, I cold smoke or use it fresh on the smoker. The cajuns have a dark brown gravy made with fresh link sausage that I'm still trying to get right.

                      “Cry havoc and let slip the DOGE of war!”

                      Those who cheered as J-6 American prisoners were locked in solitary for 18 months without trial, now suddenly fight tooth and nail for foreign terrorists’ "due process". — Buck Sexton

                      1 Reply Last reply
                      • MikM Away
                        MikM Away
                        Mik
                        wrote on last edited by
                        #11

                        Got a butt in the fridge defrosting now. Going to make taco meat. Probably just do it in the oven instead of smoking it.

                        “I am fond of pigs. Dogs look up to us. Cats look down on us. Pigs treat us as equals.” ~Winston S. Churchill

                        1 Reply Last reply
                        • Aqua LetiferA Offline
                          Aqua LetiferA Offline
                          Aqua Letifer
                          wrote on last edited by
                          #12

                          Food processor is really about it for me.

                          My wife loves our insta-pot blender. Cooks as it blends. It makes incredible soup of a very specific kind, but I don't use it much myself.

                          Please love yourself.

                          kluursK 1 Reply Last reply
                          • LuFins DadL Offline
                            LuFins DadL Offline
                            LuFins Dad
                            wrote on last edited by LuFins Dad
                            #13

                            Prep: I generally do almost everything by hand. I’ve used a food processor maybe 4 times in my life. I’m just too lazy to get everything set up and taking it back down afterwards. And cleanup? Ugh… Give me a knife and a cutting board (though I wouldn’t mind some classes on knife techniques… I think my process could be improved). It’s the same with the blender and other electronic gathers except for the immersion blender…

                            Cooking? Occasionally I will use s slow cooker, otherwise it’s all stovetop, oven, and charcoal/open fire. Unlike the the prep work, this is about the process and I love the process. I don’t think that I will ever get a gas or pellet grill. If I do, it will just be for the convenience of grilling some burgers quickly…

                            The Brad

                            1 Reply Last reply
                            • MikM Away
                              MikM Away
                              Mik
                              wrote on last edited by Mik
                              #14

                              I’m a lot like Lufin. For most things it’s easier to do by hand. I’d like to take knife skills classes too.

                              I have a PK, a Weber kettle and a Broil King gasser. The gas grill is very handy.

                              “I am fond of pigs. Dogs look up to us. Cats look down on us. Pigs treat us as equals.” ~Winston S. Churchill

                              1 Reply Last reply
                              • Aqua LetiferA Aqua Letifer

                                Food processor is really about it for me.

                                My wife loves our insta-pot blender. Cooks as it blends. It makes incredible soup of a very specific kind, but I don't use it much myself.

                                kluursK Offline
                                kluursK Offline
                                kluurs
                                wrote on last edited by
                                #15

                                @aqua-letifer said in Cooking gadgets:

                                Food processor is really about it for me.

                                incredible soup of a very specific kind,

                                What kind is that?

                                Aqua LetiferA 2 Replies Last reply
                                • kluursK kluurs

                                  @aqua-letifer said in Cooking gadgets:

                                  Food processor is really about it for me.

                                  incredible soup of a very specific kind,

                                  What kind is that?

                                  Aqua LetiferA Offline
                                  Aqua LetiferA Offline
                                  Aqua Letifer
                                  wrote on last edited by
                                  #16

                                  @kluurs said in Cooking gadgets:

                                  @aqua-letifer said in Cooking gadgets:

                                  Food processor is really about it for me.

                                  incredible soup of a very specific kind,

                                  What kind is that?

                                  The actual Insta-Pot brand blender. It's great.

                                  Please love yourself.

                                  1 Reply Last reply
                                  • kluursK kluurs

                                    @aqua-letifer said in Cooking gadgets:

                                    Food processor is really about it for me.

                                    incredible soup of a very specific kind,

                                    What kind is that?

                                    Aqua LetiferA Offline
                                    Aqua LetiferA Offline
                                    Aqua Letifer
                                    wrote on last edited by
                                    #17

                                    @kluurs said in Cooking gadgets:

                                    @aqua-letifer said in Cooking gadgets:

                                    Food processor is really about it for me.

                                    incredible soup of a very specific kind,

                                    What kind is that?

                                    Oh the soup you mean. 😄 Basically creamy soups.

                                    Please love yourself.

                                    kluursK 1 Reply Last reply
                                    • Aqua LetiferA Aqua Letifer

                                      @kluurs said in Cooking gadgets:

                                      @aqua-letifer said in Cooking gadgets:

                                      Food processor is really about it for me.

                                      incredible soup of a very specific kind,

                                      What kind is that?

                                      Oh the soup you mean. 😄 Basically creamy soups.

                                      kluursK Offline
                                      kluursK Offline
                                      kluurs
                                      wrote on last edited by
                                      #18

                                      @aqua-letifer

                                      Besides french fries, my spouse loves to make soup. I was thinking this might make an appealing acquisition though she seems to make humongous quantities and then freezes in serving sized containers - which partly explains the need for multiple freezers. Similar things happen with applesauce.

                                      1 Reply Last reply
                                      • MikM Away
                                        MikM Away
                                        Mik
                                        wrote on last edited by
                                        #19

                                        Gotta love a woman who makes great soup.

                                        “I am fond of pigs. Dogs look up to us. Cats look down on us. Pigs treat us as equals.” ~Winston S. Churchill

                                        1 Reply Last reply
                                        • Aqua LetiferA Offline
                                          Aqua LetiferA Offline
                                          Aqua Letifer
                                          wrote on last edited by
                                          #20

                                          @kluurs said in Cooking gadgets:

                                          @aqua-letifer

                                          Besides french fries, my spouse loves to make soup. I was thinking this might make an appealing acquisition though she seems to make humongous quantities and then freezes in serving sized containers - which partly explains the need for multiple freezers. Similar things happen with applesauce.

                                          Each batch for us makes 2.5 bowls, with enough left over to fill about 2 pint jars. So, not a ginormous batch, but enough for leftovers. And (1) it's fast and (2) the results are better than a pot. Very good.

                                          Please love yourself.

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