What small kitchen appliances do I use? Lemme tell you!
I found a message in my Instagram DMs asking for a post about the small kitchen appliances that I use.
I don't think I've written about this before, so let's run through them. It'll be a fairly short tour because I lean slightly to the minimalist side, and I don't usually buy unitaskers.
I'm going to include buttons with links where you can see these items brand new and can grab the model number, but honestly, many of them can be bought secondhand or refurbished. When an item is well-made, it's a pretty safe bet to buy a used one!
The appliances I have are often not the most inexpensive option, but I typically prefer to pay more if it means I'm getting a product that will work well and last a long time.
Also, please note that my kitchen sometimes looks like this:
It also frequently looks like this:
I usually have it clean by the time I go to bed, but a working kitchen never stays in a pristine state!
Ninja Toaster Oven
I have a secondhand Ninja toaster oven, which is great for cooking small-ish quantities of things. I love it for baking sweet potatoes and for heating up leftovers, such as pizza. I also like to broil my tuna melts in there.
I don't really love it for making toast, though. 😉
I'm linking the model I have below, but honestly, I think it's unnecessary to get one that fancy, at least brand new. I'd just poke around Facebook marketplace or the thrift stores and buy one there!
Kitchen Aid Toaster
I've had this toaster since 2020; I took it with me from my old house, and I think it was recommended by Consumer Reports at the time of purchase.
I use it basically every day, and I have zero complaints about it.
This is the exact model I own, but this seems to be the newer version of what I have.
Capresso Water Kettle
I lived for many years without a kettle, but boy, it is so nice to have one for making tea or hot chocolate. I also use it to quickly heat water to add to a pot on the stove (like to boil pasta).
On work mornings, I pour hot water into my travel mug to heat it up a little, and then I dump it out and pour in my hot coffee. So, I use the kettle for that.
Mr. Coffee Drip Coffee Maker
Lisey bought this many, many years ago, and somehow, it's still kicking. It's not fancy, but I am not a coffee snob at all.
And the small size is perfect for me!
Vitamix 5200 Blender
This is one of my most expensive kitchen appliances, probably, but I love it to pieces. It powers through anything I throw at it, and I've had it since 2014.
I seriously may have this blender for the rest of my life. 😉
I like the 5200 because the pitcher has a narrow base, and that means you can blend small quantities of food with no problem.
I got mine at Costco, but the Vitamix website sometimes has good deals on refurbished 5200s.
Also, if you're interested, here's a comparison between the Vitamix and the Ninja.
Kitchen-Aid Artisan Mixer
This black one, from 2006, is the second one I've owned (I burned up the motor on my first one because a metal piece fell into the bowl and I didn't notice it! I do not consider this Kitchen-Aid's fault.)
I've put my mixer through the wringer with all the baking I've done over the years, and it's held up well.
The bigger pro-level one actually won't beat one egg white; the bowl is too big!
Kitchen-Aid Food Processor
I got this one as a wedding gift back in 1997, and it is still going.
It's not my most-used kitchen appliance, but boy, it sure is handy when you need to do something like slicing a bazillion potatoes to make scalloped potatoes.
I also use it to:
- make banana "ice cream"
- blend sauces (like the cilantro sauce or this roasted red pepper sauce)
- blend up chipotle chilies
- mix up falafel
It's a little easier to scrape things out of the food processor than out of the blender, so I use the blender for pourable things and the food processor for less liquidy things.
Mine is from 1997, so obviously that model is long gone. But I think this one is fairly similar, and it's less than $100.
Whisper Mill Grain Grinder
This is probably my most niche kitchen appliance, and I don't think it's even remotely close to being a kitchen necessity.
I wrote a big ol' comprehensive post about my grain grinder already, so click here if you want to read all about that.
I don't think my exact model is made anymore, but this one is almost identical.
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I didn't realize until now that I have multiple Kitchen-Aid appliances! I guess I like that brand. 😉
Notably, I don't have a crockpot, an air fryer, or an Instant Pot, mainly because I have no idea where I'd put them (and in the case of a crock pot, I wouldn't really use it).
Similarly, I don't have many small kitchen appliances, but I don't think I could live without my electric kettle! I heard that there is higher voltage in Europe than in the US, which is why they're more popular here.
I also have a blender but it's pretty basic, along with my tiny toaster. I need to upgrade both at some point! I have a small French press which I got secondhand.
I came to say the same thing, I still find it strange that an electric kettle is not the norm in some countries, everyone has one in the UK and ours is used multiple times a day!
Ah yes, they are not as common here as in Europe, it seems!
An electric kettle is almost always supplied in hotel rooms here! Travel kettles are also very popular.
I got an electric kettle years ago when we did a kitchen remodel and had no kitchen for weeks. I was hooked. It heats up much faster then stove top kettles and it's so convenient.
Like you, I have no air fryer at him debated about that. But I do have a crock pot that I use at least once a week. And I'm going to try making bread in it. I recently saved a recipe for that.
And I came to say the same thing too, our electric kettle is used multiple times a day!
I miss having a blender in my furnished apartment, but the electric kettle is a nice addition. In regular life I use my KitchenAid mixer frequently and in summer months my blender.
A surprising staple is an inexpensive Rival ice cream maker. I received one as a gift when I was 22 and had it for 15 years or so- it got damaged in a move or I'm sure it would still be going strong. I did buy a replacement, but I may eventually pick up a used ice cream bowl for my mixer. I found it especially sweet when I brought an elderly neighbor a container of basic vanilla and he teared up, saying it reminded him of ice cream his mom used to make.
Aww, I love that you shared ice cream with him and that it meant so much to him. Good job. 🙂
I have a mix of Kitchen Aid, Vitamix, Cuisinart, Nespresso, Braun and Ninja small appliances. Many have served me well for almost 30 years (kitchen aid, cuisinart) and some are newer (Nespresso, ninja). I am not a frequent air fryer or pressure cooker user. My crock pots are mostly used for holiday serving and the occasional soup. I use my hand mixer more than my stand mixer.
I bought my daughter a ninja appliance that switches between food processor and blender to save space in her apartment. She's got multiple food restrictions so scratch cooking works best for her. It works well for now, but I don't see it lasting like mine have.
Honestly, my best kitchen investment has been high quality chef knives!
I do have an electric kettle too (U.S.)!
The electric hot water kettle is such a game changer!! I didn’t think I would use one but now use it many times a day!!!
I also love my Moka pot—yes I have the brand name one as it was a gift! 😊
My KitchenAid mixer is also in my top 5 favorite appliances along with the crock pot, electric roaster, Krupps coffee grinder and French press coffee pot
I'm pretty simple with my appliances too. My splurge item that is used often is my rice cooker. In the winter I make steel cut oats in it too. I love my crockpot! I spend 10 minutes or so assembling it in the morning, and there's a hot meal ready when I return from work. I recently got a new one that conveniently keeps the food warm after the cooking time has ended.
I love mine, too! It's a Cuisinart and that timer function is great. It doesn't take up all that much space and is so handy to have around the holidays, especially. For me, its the only way to make a fantastic pot of beans.
It is so interesting how, generally, we all have the same things and foods available to us, but our preferences for use and prep and consumption vary so widely.
We went through a bunch of cheap coffee makers early in our marriage, finally about a decade ago replaced the last deceased one with a previously-loved Bunn, wore it out, and replaced it with a new Bunn a couple months ago. Timely coffee in vast quantities is a joy.
Also, no toaster oven or blender here, but two crock pots — three if you count the one that's currently stored because tiny. I did the obligatory corned beef braise in one yesterday and was not disappointed.
Three crock pots here as well! Two large ones, and one very small one. I use them ALL THE TIME! Love baking potatoes in them!!! They come out so soft and moist inside—my hubby loves them much more than microwaved baked potatoes. I also bake bread in the crockpot—a small, round loaf just perfect for a day or two of toast.
Are you willing to share your bread recipe? I'm also a multiple crock pots person, and I love the idea of making bread in the crock pot.
I use all the same as you, minus the toaster oven. I’ve just never been a toaster oven person 😂.
So true about a working kitchen- I always have things drying in my dish rack because I actually cook!
We have a crockpot (authentic 60s/70s avocado, baby!), an immersion blender, a toaster, and a stand mixer. Everything else is manual (coffee grinder, French press) or works with our gas stove (hot water kettle). If I had to choose one, my crockpot would win easily, with the immersion blender second. I've done everything from poaching fish to caramelizing onions in the crockpot and use it multiple times a week--it has a designated spot on the counter. The immersion blender is small enough to live in a drawer and has attachments that allow it to also work as a food processor (hummus!) or to whip cream or eggs.
I have never trusted those crockpots thanks to This Is Us 😉
I heard about that episode. Rest assured, I work at home, so our crockpot is never unattended when it's on. Small appliances are NEVER left plugged in when not in use--I'm a militant un-plugger. 😛
Same! My father’s first degree was in electrical engineering and he was a volunteer firefighter when I was little, so his knowledge of electrical fires is a bit higher than most. He instilled in me a rather impressive fear of fire, so things get unplugged constantly! 🙂
I know what you mean!!!
@N, are you willing to send me a link or a photo to your manual coffee grinder? Ours is from the ‘70s and isn’t going to last forever, but I’ve had no success finding a backup. (Do you still have my email address in case you send a photo?) Thanks!
Our grinder was a gift from my parents after my husband admired theirs, but this looks just like it! https://www.amazon.com/PARACITY-Grinder-Stainless-Aeropress-Espresso/dp/B08KDRM2MX
I've told my best story about my mother's 1970s avocado Crock-Pot before, but here it is again: On DH's and my first trip South to introduce him to my parents, my mother, DH, and I went out one day for a tour of the local Civil War battlefields. Unbeknownst to either of us, my mother had put hamburger patties in the Crock-Pot before we left. When we went back to the parental dwelling, DH was the first through the front door, and the first words he uttered were "My God, something's spoiled!" It says a lot for both my mother's and DH's good natures that this didn't run the new relationship completely onto the rocks. In fact, they became very good friends over time.
I love this so much.
Touring Civil War Battlefields sounds like the best date I can think of. I'm sure my wife would disagree.
I was thinking I don't have many small appliances, but then I started listing them to myself--electric kettle, toaster, immersion blender, standard blender, handheld mixer, food processor--and it was more than I realized. The omission that always surprises people is that I don't have a stand mixer, given how much I bake. Someone offered me a free one a few months ago, and I didn't take it. Storage reasons, mostly, but also I can consider my frequent mixing of quadruple batches of sourdough to be my arm workout. 🙂
Same here! In my mind, I don't have many but then I wrote them out and...it turns out I do. Toaster oven/Air fryer, blender, electric kettle, and rice cooker get used multiple times a week. Stand mixer and immersion blender get used a couple times a month. Crockpot, hand mixer, food processor, donut maker (was a gift) and waffle iron hardly get used. My friend has had my Crockpot since the fall and I haven't really missed it. I think it's time to shed it, the donut maker and waffle iron. We used to make waffles all the time but the kids no longer like them.
I’m the only one in my extended family to not have a kitchen aid mixer, and I bake so often for our little family of 2 that I go through more than 60kg of flour a year!
Our kitchen has a kettle (multiple times per day), a toaster (a few times a week), a waffle iron (weekly), and an immersion blender. I recently added a smoothie maker, which felt extravagant, but since I usually have a smoothie a day, it turns out to have saved us a fortune.
I have a lot of unused kitchen appliances, some are still in the boxes. The things that I actually use are the microwave, the toasters, the automatic can openers, and the tea kettle. I also use the countertop ice maker as the ice maker in my fridge died over 20 years ago.
I have an instant pot, a crockpot, a small air fryer, 2 small blenders, 2 larger blenders, a Mr Coffee iced coffee maker, a keurig coffee/tea/etc maker, a small glass veggie chopper, a bread maker...I think that's it.
I did have a toaster oven but never used it. So it went bye bye lol.
I use a slow cooker largely for making pulled pork and barbecue rubs. Also have an electric griddle for making pancakes and on the rare occasions when we have hamburgers at home, as we are not an outdoor grilling family. The biggest work horse is a rice cooker, for quick one-pot meals in addition to rice.
Also have a toaster, a Ninja air fryer largely for making French fries and frozen pizza, a coffee maker, a quite old Kitchen Aid mixer that is now rarely used because it's almost too heavy for me to lift up on the counter, an ancient air popcorn maker, a small food chopper, a mini blender for making smoothies, a stick blender for soups, and an electric kettle (works perfectly) that was destined for the trash at my old office.
Mine, need to have:
- Breville Air Fryer Pro countertop oven (toaster oven on steroids).
- electric kettle.
- Zojirushi fuzzy logic rice cooker (to which I was dragged kicking and screaming but now feel differently).
- Breville blender.
- KA stand mixer.
- Food Saver vacuum sealer (this teeters between need and nice).
Mine, nice to have or gifted:
- Cuisinart food processor (I also have a mini-prep).
- KA stick blender.
- small coffee grinder for spices.
I know many love their Instant Pots but they’re not for me. They do many things OK but few really well. I need a good rice cooker and a good pressure cooker, I did not find the IP to be good at either.
My list is almost exactly the same as yours. I hardly use my full oven because the Breville handles most of the work (so much faster to preheat and a fits a full pan of lasagna or a dozen cupcakes!). I also consider my Cuisinart food processor a nice to have and just got rid of my instant pot. I was only using it to cook pinto beans and then it started leaking so I just use my stovetop pressure cooker instead. I still feel like I could have gotten a more minimalist (and cheaper) rice cooker but it's growing on me too.
Indeed - same same.
I forgot that I have a waffle maker, an ice cream maker, and a dehydrator. I used to use each with some frequency. Now I don’t often but often enough to justify moving them to the new house.
Lol...oh ya, I have a Cuisinart ice cream maker too 🙂
I live in a RV/tiny house and this is my small appliance inventory: toaster oven/air fryer, 3 crock pots in various sizes, Bosch mixer (rarely used since we stopped eating grain), vitamix, small food processor, immersion blender (considering switching out for a hand mixer because it doesn't whip cream well), reg size drip coffee that can also heat plain water if just poured through, microwave and an electric skillet.
Can you tell I use crock pots 2-3 times a week?😂
You can get an immersion blender with a whip attachment.
And a vacuum sealer....frugal for families of 2 to better freeze family packs.
@J in NC, I am stunned that you can fit so many into your RV/tiny house!!
The only appliance on our worktop (counter top) is the electric kettle - used multiple times every day. Everything else (slow cooker, air fryer, food mixer, food processor, juicer, drip coffee maker and immersion blender) is stored in the pantry.
I have MANY small kitchen appliances, some of which were gifted to me. My dad went to culinary school in the 1960s and is a gadget guy, so... lots of inventory gets passed around.
I was gifted a professional Kitchen Aid mixer and replaced my standard one (the motor was dying). I often have issues with the larger bowl not getting fully mixed at the bottom.
I cook constantly but blend rarely. Ninjas have been fine for us -- we have a large one and a mini. I've considered a Vitamix but just can't justify the cost. And my dad doesn't have one so ... The mini Ninja for the countertop is a game changer. My husband/daughter use it for smoothies and I use it constantly for sauces and salad dressings. Since it's always out it gets used way more. We've had ours for at least two years.
I also wholeheartedly endorse the Bunn speed brew. I am a coffee snob and I used a Bunn for about 15 years. I recently bought a fancy coffee maker on Facebook Marketplace (a Ratio Six) and am convinced the Bunn Speed Brew is superior.
If you ever do find yourself in need of a crock pot or instapot id highly recommend the instapot! You can do several functions with one (including crock pot meals). It has pretty well replaced our crock pot. We haven’t used it in several months and I’m ready to get rid of the bulky old thing.
Yes To the Instapot. I can't believe more people don't rank it at the top. I weekly make yogurt in it. So simple. I have several recipes that start with frozen meat because I forget to defrost. It browns meat with the saute function. I can cook unsoaked beans in 35 mins. The one pot recipes and ChatGPT "Dump" suggestions are endless.
I redid my recipe box last summer. Everything is categorized by appliance. I am not an easy cook but I want healthy, inexpensive and "in and out" of the kitchen quickly. Vita Mix, Airfryer, Electric Kettle ( for instant coffee), and a mini Cuisinart are life savers.
I am an alcoholic who hasn't had a drink in 38 years. I don't hang out in bars. I am a food addict that has to go into the kitchen three times a day. I make the journey as perfunctory as possible.
Mary Ann,
You are an inspiration to us all. Congrats on your longstanding sobriety! Very impressive!
@Mary Ann, “categorized by appliance” is an intriguing organizational concept. I agree with Fru-Gal Lisa about you being an inspiration, for several reasons.
I have a bigger version of your Vitamix, the exact same food processor, and similar other appliances. But, definitely no grain grinder & no toaster oven. We do have a crockpot that I use on probably a a monthly basis. I could live without it, but there are days & recipes where it's a pinch hitter.
We have an espresso machine (on the counter, for daily use - 1x/me, 4x/DH). We also have a coffee pot tucked away in a hall closet for when my parents come, because they prefer a very weak mix (their words) of half regular & half decaf that we can't achieve with the espresso machine, because it grinds the beans.
I know we'd use an Air Fryer, but we are so against having anything out on the counter that we've held tight on getting one. We will eventually cave, although maybe the most useful period of having one (two teens at home) has passed.
My very basic white kitchen aid mixer has been used and probably abused. It is now 25 years old and going strong.
Howdy! In the food process pic you mentioned cottage cheese, frozen bananas, frozen strawberries...I'm curious what you make with that? I'm not a fan of the texture of cottage cheese but I know it's supposed to be super healthy...so I'm trying to find a way to eat it that's more tolerable lol The pic makes it looking nice and smooth and creamy...Thanks in advance! : )
Yes if you blend up the cottage cheese first to make it smooth, and then add the frozen fruit, it makes an ice cream-ish mixture!
Ooohhh that sounds yummy...by any chance do you have a recipe for that? : )
I find it amusing how different our taste profiles are.
I have a Cuisinart Toaster. It's okay. We had a Proctor Silex toaster from the 90s that I got for like $2 at a thrift store that ran circles around this Cuisinart but my wife wanted something that fit bagels. Happy spouse, happy house. Oh well. There are no good toasters made any more. They all suck.
My microwave is a Toshiba with a Convection oven built in. The majority of microwaves are at least in part made by Midea.
I have a Zojirushi rice maker. It is expensive, yes, but worth every single penny. If you eat rice, you need a rice cooker. There's a reason every house in Japan has a rice cooker.
Next I have a Duxtop Induction burner. Should I ever remodel my kitchen I think I could mostly go to induction. I would just need a couple new pots.
I have an Instant Vortex Air Fryer. It's what ATK recommended. Outside of the LCD being wonky it works well.
I have an Instant Pot I got on clearance from Walmart because it had a Pioneer Woman design. It is fantastic and I recommend them.
A Bowl-lift Kitchenaid Pro Stand Mixer. I outgrew the tilt head. I also never beat one egg white and I'd use the hand mixer if I did.
Smaller appliances:
I have a stick blender that came from Goodwill. I don't use it much but when I need it, it is great. I have a hand mixer from a garage sale (A 90s Proctor Silex I think)
A cheap coffee grinder for grinding spices.
Whatever electric scale ATK recommended.
And fun stuff like the Stuffler and a Snoopy Waffle maker (and a couple of those mini ones.)
Yes, we have too much stuff.
What is ATK?
America's Test Kitchen
@Battra92, I think it is so funny that you bought the Instapot because it has the Pioneer Woman design! Her blog is the 2nd one I ever followed—loved it before she became such a Big Deal. (The first blog was The Yarn Harlot, who also became a Big Deal and quit blogging regularly.)
I bought it because it was on clearance. It's a normal IP with some flowery designs on it. I am frugal first. I honestly can't say I've ever read a blog post of hers or watched an episode of her shows.
Just want to say... glad to see you back in this space. Your comments and input have been missed!
Thank you. Life uhh ... has been busy.
I second that. Welcome back, Battra!
I don't have many either, and I LOATHE anything on my counter so that complicates things a bit. (Yes, everything is stored away except the Wonder Oven. I pull it out when I need it.) I do have an Our Place Wonder Oven that we use almost daily. Since it's just me and my husband, it's so nice to use for air frying, warming up small portions, etc. But I have also baked in it, and it does a great job! I have two KitchenAid mixers for the exact reason you mentioned. I use my smaller one most often, but the bigger one is nice when I am baking larger batches. I do have several crock pots and a food processor that I pull out when needed, but I can't be bothered with things like waffle irons or countertop grills or even a blender!
What a fun column and comment section. And very timely! I'm currently away from home, helping my daughter with her newborn baby. While he's been home alone cooking for himself, my engineer husband has dusted off our instant pot and bought an air fryer. I only ever used the IP as a rice cooker but he's made fancy meals in it! I can't wait to get home and eat his creations. We've been married 40 years and he's never cooked much other than eggs and pancakes. I think the gadgets motivated him.
Air fryer: we use multiple times a day the way you use your toaster oven and toaster!
Instant pot: absolutely love it!
Crock pot: use weekly. Could not function without and makes best bone broth overnight!! I love to put in a rusty overnight too so breakfast is hot and ready (or lunch is ready to be packed!).
I also have the other items you mentioned except toaster and toaster oven.
Would love to hear more about grain mill. Thought you bought flour?
Rusty? lol Roast!
I Mae my bone broth I. My crockpot over night too! so easy.
I have a Nutrimill. I originally bought it because hubby grows wheat and brings home a huge bucket of grain. These days we eat hardly any wheat. Still I have a bucket of wheat berries that apparently never go bad, the mill, oil and salt for emergency Food Prep. With our generator, we would always have bread.
#1 KA stand mixer obviously for baking but also great for shredding cooked meat like chicken or pork-way faster than forks or tongs.
#2 Keurig I like a fresh cup of coffee at various times throughout the day but also use it a ton for tea. I just run it without a pod and instantly get steaming hot water in my cup with my preferred tea bag. We don’t buy any pods but have a reusable filter to use our own ground coffee.
#3 Ninja Foodie smallish slow cooker because it has a nonstick pot with a sear function so no dirtying other pots to sauté or brown meat and it has rice and pasta cooking function all in one appliance. Highly recommend!
#4 cheap Walmart mandolin for slicing-no electricity or food processor needed. I’m surprised how much I have used this for so many things beyond fruit and vegetables.
Oh, I have a variety of small appliances! 90% of them were gifts and we have the space to store them so I hang on to them even if they only get used a couple times a year. One notable omission is a toaster – I haven’t had one in my adult life and just use my broiler.
Always on the counter – stand mixer, Keurig, nugget ice maker, milk frother (appliance or gadget?)
In storage but used weekly – Vitamix, rice cooker, Instapot (my husband is terrified of this)
In storage and used less frequently – air fryer, two large slow cookers, one mini slow cooker, immersion blender, food processor, sous vide, vacuum sealer for the sous vide, coffee grinder (I don’t remember the last time I used this!), a second Keurig that came with my husband and is on standby for our daily used one to die
Even with all of these I still find myself reaching for the mandolin, mortar/pestle, non-electric tea kettle, and French press.
Your post made me think about the appliances I use:
My toaster oven gets used on the daily -- for toast, for cooking smaller quantities of things -- and it has an air fryer function I use often for vegetables.
My instant pot is in service multiple days a week -- for making yogurt, cooking dried beans, making broth, and cooking rice. I make meals in it too.
My crock pot has dinner in it right now (Swiss steak).
Nutribullit blender -- I have a full-sized blender and a food processor, but those only get used for large quantities of things. The Nutribullit is perfect for smaller quantities or making smoothies.
My Kitchen Aid mixer -- mine is 25 years old and still going strong. I use it weekly to make bread as well as a lot of other things. I also have a Nutrimill for grinding grain.
Having been married for 31 years and love cooking (not as much now), I have a lot of appliances. Most of them are the originals I bought 25+ years ago.
Appliances on the counter: Bunn Coffee Maker, Electric Kettle (Winter only, put it away for summer)
Appliances in Appliance Garages:
Bunn Coffee Grinder
KitchenAid Mixer
Toaster Oven (so old I do not remember the name)
Appliances Inside Cabinets/Pantry:
Instant Pot – Weekly yogurt, applesauce (love it and only takes 5 min!), dried beans, hard boiled eggs (super easy to peel), best bone broth ever (only 1 hour)
KitchenAid Immersion Blender – Great for soups, salad dressing, sauces
KitchenAid Food Processor – Use it 3 times per year, love juicing oranges in winter for juice
Braun Waffle Maker – Love to use old sour milk and make triple batches for the freezer
Sunbeam Hand Mixer – Works great for whipping cream without having to use the whole darn KitchenAid
Cuisinart Ice Maker – My brother bought it for me for always cutting his hair. Found an extra bowl at Goodwill for $1 so now I have two and use it a lot in summer!! Makes great lemon ice and frozen drinks too!
Food Saver vacuum sealer – Got from my mom. Said I would use it until all the bags were gone. There are a TON of bags. Probably will gift it to someone else. Husband and I are getting older and do not eat/buy as much that needs to be sealed.
Had several versions of crock pots, which all eventually broke/died. Now my IP can be used as a crockpot (with a locking lid for traveling). I also had several blenders, but they always died to I just gave them up.
An little appliance I love that I didn't expect to use is my immersion blender. It is handy for things like blending applesauce or whipping cream, but it came with a little food processor attachment that I use regularly. Chopping up nuts and fruit - and it's so easy to clean! My poor big food processor lurks in the back cupboard now. I also like my bread machine - I only use it for kneading dough, but it spares my poor kitchenaid mixer the stress.
That is an impressive collection, in quantity, functionability, and quality!
The only unitaskers I own are a hot air popcorn maker from the early ‘80s and a Mr. Coffee (in case we have company, but we never do so it is dusty but I keep it because it is blue, a freebie from Gevalia—do they still exist?)
The other appliances: blender (also from early ‘80s), and an immersion blender.
That’s a pretty sparse collection. No microwave, dishwasher or garbage disposal either.
But I do have more sweaters than we have cold days to wear them, so I am not a true minimalist (lest anyone be misled by my sorry little kitchen collection.)
Wait, I DO have an electric kettle, only used if traveling (it’s blue too). And we DO have a toaster, but it is from the ‘40s, so it requires a continual Toast Monitor, and now we rarely make toast so I forgot about it. And OF COURSE I have an orange juicer, because I live in the 2nd largest citrus growing county in the country. But like toast, orange juice is off the menu. (Stupid pre-diabetes, stealing all the joy out of breakfast).
I forgot about those 3 appliances! Now I feel a bit more like I fit into this crowd. 😎
I can't believe you don't have a microwave! Kudos.
Instead of heating up water in the kitchen, I have found an almost instant way to get hot water: from the bathtub hot water faucet! My bathroom is close to the water heater and I just turn on the hot water faucet and let it run a few seconds and then it is super hot. I turn it down to a trickle and then fill up the cup or bowl or whatever.
I also have a 4 cup coffee maker and an off brand Keurig type coffee brewing machine. I use a refillable k cup and just put a spoonful of coffee from the can in there (much cheaper than buying k cups). Oh, and to make frugal breakfast coffee, I sprinkle cinnamon on top of the unbrewed grounds. This works in both the big and little coffee making appliances.
I have an electric pizza grill from Aldi which cooks a full size pizza pie. It looks sorta like a giant George Foreman grill, only for pizzas. But I don't use it a lot since I live alone. I have a George Foreman grill but have not used it in ages, since a Burger King Jr Whopper (no ketchup and no cheese, but with mayo, pickles, lettuce and tomato) is my go-to for burgers.
I have a small tabletop oven. It works as a regular oven, convection oven and air fryer. Necessary since the kitchen oven doesn't work. It could toast but I use a regular toaster instead.
I mostly use the microwave for preparing food, however. I'm not much of a cook. I'm like my old Weight Watchers lecturer: more than 3 ingredients qualifies as gourmet. And too complicated to bother with!
I have the same that you have except the grain mill. I only use my toaster oven in the summer. In the winter I don't mind heating up the house some with the big oven. The toaster oven gets put in storage during the winter.
I do have an air fryer and an electric pressure cooker (I have a Nesco that is an electric canner or a pressure cooker like an instapot. I love my Nesco!). They're both stored in the bottom of the pantry because they are bulky, but I use them so much. I made turkey breasts for lunch meat in the air fryer this morning and plan to make chicken breasts and roasted potatoes in it for supper tonight.
I do have a crockpot, but it is in storage. It isn't used but maybe 2-3 times a year around the holidays for buffets or to take things to other's homes or DH takes stuff to work holiday lunches.
I think it would be fun to have a separate post on your grain mill, how you use it, where you source your grains, and maybe a recipe or two as well . . . ?
I quote you to myself often when I clean up my kitchen or lament that it is rarely pristine!
A functional kitchen isn’t going to be clean all the time.
You’ve helped me be kind to myself SO. MANY. TIMES. 🙂 thanks for that xoxo
Fun post! I have the Pro Kitchen aid mixer, I regularly use the pasta, juicer and grinder attachments. I have 1991 cuisinart processor, but it is on its last legs, I picked up a brand new in box kitchen aid processor at an estate sale for $10.
I have an insta-hot, so I gave my electric kettle to my tea drinker daughter. I have a keurig coffee pot that will do pods. It has an insulated carafe, so I wake up to hot coffee to take with to do chores. I also have a French press. I was given a vita max when a friend moved into assisted living. I have a cuisinart toaster/convection oven, bought for $10 @ estate sale, insta-pot bought at estate sale for $10. I have 2 cuisinart slow cookers. They are used every Sunday for family dinner. Coffee bean grinder, one is over 150 yrs and is attached to my kitchen island.
I have a meat slicer, ice cream maker and microwave. All are stored in the pantry, except coffee maker and stand mixer. Most are gifts or picked up at estate sales.
I was thinking that I didn't have many, but I actually do. Here's the list-
Rice cooker - black and decker? Love it. Weekly use ( it was a gift)
Electric coffee grinder - a few times a week ( I'll buy a hand crank one when this one is done)
Electric kettle - daily
French press - daily
Espresso machine - daily use Delonghi
Hand held milk frother( battery operated. Daily use
Blender - bi weekly. Used I bought it at a yard sale about 10 years ago. Ive never bought a new one.
Stick blender - bi-weekly. ( It was a gift) Kitchen aid
Toaster- multiple times a day.
Vacuum sealer - monthly
Food processor - used a few times a year- Procter -silex it was a gift and it's worth it's weight in gold when making salsa
Electric grill with removable plates. Pampered chef - used weekly. Worth every penny
Kitchen aid pro series stand mixer. Used monthly. Love it. It was a gift
Mandolin - used a few times a year. I can take it or leave it.
Crock pot - gifted. Use it a few times a year. Won't be replaced when it dies.
Knife sharpener - ( my partner bought it and he sharpens the knives). 100% buy again.
The breakfast items are out in the open, but you can't see them when you glance at the kitchen. Everything else has it's home.
I have some of those, but no toaster or toaster oven. We use our Ninja Foodie Air Fryer (clamshell opening type) for all of our toasting needs, plus it grills, bakes and air fries. We honestly use it multiple times a day. We gave our grown daughter one and she finally tried it. She's now sold too. Said she's posting her toaster oven and toaster for sale! To be fair, I'm not a huge fan of a, standard air fryer with the 'drawer' type.
Drip coffee maker, used daily.
Magic Bullet mini (purchased used) - for smoothies - this gets used multiple times a week.
Toaster Oven (free from a friend) - I use this a lot to toast, cook, and reheat.
Kitchen Aid stand mixer - gifted to me - I bake frequently, and this gets used.
I also still have a Hamilton Beach hand mixer from 1972 that was a wedding gift to my Father & Stepmother - it is still going strong! Doesn't get used much, but has sentimental value!
Small rice cooker purchased from thrift - doesn't get used a lot, but it makes perfect rice and doesn't take up a lot of space in the cabinet.
My kitchenaid mixer came out of a closed restaurant about 43 years ago. It did not have a bowl or attachments, so my husband ordered those. Then he found another bowl at one of the other closed restaurants that they had under renovations.
I do have an instant pot--I use it periodically. I also use it as a slow cooker. I will be needing to get the cover for that purpose as I won't be able to borrow my daughter's anymore.
I have an "air fryer" oven--toaster, bake, air fry. No it doesn't do well with toast but it's okay. I have been gifted a different type of air fryer that I will try. If I don't like it, I can forward it on to someone else who make like it. I received it from someone who did not find a need for it in her kitchen. We'll see.
I have a coffee grinder. I buy beans from a local roaster. Admittedly more expensive then the supermarket coffee--When one does not buy coffee out, it is enjoyable to have a good cup of coffee and save. (I'll have to try to see how long this most recent bag lasts and a rough estimate of the # of cups per bag.)
There are a few small appliances that I will need after I move because I won't be able to borrow through the hallway anymore.
I do have a crock pot; in fact, I have several. When I was teaching full time and the kids were growing up, it was an easy way to put a good meal on the table when I was tired after a full day. Now that my kids are grown and I'm retired, I use it for canning. During tomato season, I will have as many as five slow cookers of different sizes simmering my homemade tomato sauce for days! The mini dipper comes in handy for things like diced apples with brown sugar and cinnamon.
I guess I'm a slow cooker addict. That's an addiction I can live with.
My appliance list is pretty small, and several of the things I do have were gifts:
microwave oven, hand mixer, blender, food processor, waffle iron, electric knife, and an airpopper popcorn maker. This I keep only because I can take it to my classroom and make fresh popcorn as a class reward. At home, I just make popcorn in a pot on the stove. Of the listed appliances, I use the handmade and microwave oven the most. The others are all used only occasionally. I boil water in a kettle on my stove, and I make toast under my oven broiler. This works in my very small kitchen.
We lack counter space in our kitchen, so small appliances had better be used to stick around. We do have a ninja blender that is amazing, and instead of a big food processor, we have a small ninja processor thingy (no idea what it's called!). But we use it for making hummus, blending granola, and sauces, and I tried Kristen's fruit "ice cream" in it and it was amazing! It's the perfect size and can store in the cupboard.
That being said, we got an air fryer for Christmas and I'm still trying to figure out what exactly to use it for other than chicken. Anyone have ideas for using the air fryer for a newbie?
Roasted veggies are the best. Slice and spray with olive oil spray. Salt and pepper. Shake the drawer a couple of times.
I buy the tempura fish soles. So delish for a lunch with roasted veggies.
Heating up frozen left overs is great as well. I buy Sam's Cluib Stuffed peppers. there are only two of us so I freeze extra. Slip it into the airfryer. Can't be beat.
We have a really old Kitchenaid toaster, not nearly as pretty as yours, but it works quite well. It lives in the cabinet, so the looks don't matter. I dread the day that it dies, because appliances aren't made to last 30+ years anymore!
I'm commenting just to assure everyone that you are not the only one who finds great deals on second-hand appliances.
Kitchen Aid Toaster oven/ air fryer combo= $20 at Goodwill
Vitamix Blender=$30 at Deseret Industries
CuisinArt food processor= $30 at Goodwill
Mr. Coffee= $1 at St. Vincent de Paul
extra carafe =free Buy-Mothing-Group
I'm commenting just to assure everyone that you are not the only one who finds great deals on second-hand appliances.
CuisinArt Toaster oven/ air fryer combo= $20 at Goodwill
Vitamix Blender=$30 at Deseret Industries
CuisinArt food processor= $30 at Goodwill
Mr. Coffee= $1 at St. Vincent de Paul
extra carafe =free Buy-Mothing-Group
My general rule for buying small appliances (or anything, really) is "Is this missing/am I reaching for this?" and not "Do I want it/what could I do with it?" For example, Mr. B and I brought a bread machine because we wanted to make bread at home, and I'd already tried to make it the usual way. I wasn't able to do it because it didn't work with my work schedule; what was missing was a "set it and forget it" kind of thing. But as much as I've been tempted many, many times by the Instant Pot, it's not missing from our kitchen. Mr. B and I make beans and rice and soups and stews in pots without difficulty. There isn't anything we're trying to cook that we can't with the tools we have right now.
Thinking of it that way helps me cut through the marketing. Same with clothes. What am I reaching for that isn't there? It's often things like a black t-shirt or a pair of jeans, not the pretty dress hanging in the shop window.
I'm the same way but have the opposite result with clothes; I don't wear black shirts or jeans very often so for me they aren't useful, but I wear dresses with leggings a lot!
I grew up with a Cuisinart food processor and my mom gifted me one when I got married. I use it for things like hummus, falafel, tapenade. Anything that really needs to be cut. Growing up that's what I mixed cookie dough in, too. I am so thankful for this gift. I use it quite often.
I also got a Cuisinart food processor when I got married! I love it. I use it for cooking shortcuts--like if I need to cut up onions/garlic/carrots/celery for a large batch of something. I also grew up making cookie dough in the processor. It's funny to me that people think you need a stand mixer for baking. If you're a dedicated sweets baker, then I've hear that a stand mixer is helpful for really beating air into butter/sugar, or whipping eggs. But a good food processor is totally adequate (and faster) at kneading bread dough. In under a minute, you can get to the windowpane test! The only limitation is that even my 14-cup bowl handles only one large loaf's worth of dough.
Late to the party here, and not a very impressive list, but here it is:
(1) Sharp microwave, bought new at Lowe's. We used to have a combo microwave/toaster, but it never performed either function very well, and DH finished it off during his dementia by mixing up the functions.
(2) Oster 2-slice toaster, bought new in damaged box for half price at the Regional Market flea market.
(3) Cuisinart 12-cup coffee maker, bought new in box at one of our local Thrifty Shopper stores. Only the lid for the carafe was missing, and I had one in stock from our previous identical coffee maker.
(4) Cuisinart immersion blender (aka "the kitchen vibrator," as the Two Fat Ladies of BBC fame naughtily called it). I must further admit that @WilliamB's mention of "an immersion blender with a whip attachment" gave me an even naughtier giggle in this regard. (Sorry for being a dirty-minded old lady. 😛 ) But this appliance is indispensable for making pureed soups, and a lot less trouble than a full-size food processor or blender. As another commenter has noted, it also stores handily in a drawer.
(5) Finally, a Corner Bakery/Breadman bread machine that was a gift from NDN2 (my former next-door neighbor to the north) about 20 years ago. I wasn't sure about this one at the time, but I've gotten a surprising amount of use out of it, both for bread and for pizza dough.
But no Crock-Pot (see my 1970s story above), no Instant Pot (the Bestest Neighbors recently jettisoned theirs since it didn't do anything very well), no pressure cooker, no air fryer, etc. I've got a limited amount of counter space and not much interest in acquiring any more appliances.
Same on the limited counter space!
Interesting. I don’t have a coffee maker or grain mill or electric kettle or toaster oven or food processor. I do have a crock pot, soda stream, nutribullet, lefse griddle, rice cooker, and various waffle makers (regular, heart, mini, cookie…). I guess we like waffles?
My rule is that the only thing kept on the counter is the soda stream. Even the toaster has a special spot in a cabinet.
I always put hot water in my kids' food thermos before I put the hot food in, but I've never thought to do that with my coffee mug. Great idea!
I'm a lover of kitchen appliances. On my counter I have a electric tea kettle, electric percolator, and ninja air fryer. In my cabinets I have 2 yogurt makers, and ice cream maker, InstaPot, ninja crock pot, cuisinart food processor, bread machine, and food saver. In my pantry there is another InstaPot, another crock pot, meat slicer, tea maker, wheat grinder and juicer. On my open shelves I have another crockpot, kitchenaid mixer, and ninja blender. About half of them have been second hand, I found one of the InstaPots on top of a garbage can and it works perfectly.
What fun!
I cook only for myself and I have way too many small appliances -- in a small kitchen. Storage is a problem.
I have a Kitchen Aid stand mixer which I use often. It was a gift maybe 20 years ago.
I have a built-in microwave. Frigidaire, I think, which seems ironic.
On my counter I have a recently thrifted two-slice Oster toaster. It replaced a toaster oven. Also a Bunn coffeemaker, which I love. It was a gift.
In my cabinets I have a Cuisinart food processor (gift), a Stir Crazy popcorn popper, a mini Magic Bullet, an egg cooker (gift), and an electric griddle.
Tucked away in drawers and under my breakfast nook benches I have an Instant Pot, a gift rarely used, but it was from my DIL, who was so excited to give it to me, so it stays. Also a Better Homes and Garden blender, a Rival hand mixer (thrifted), a panini press, a single-serve waffle iron, an immersion blender, three small crock pots (all thrifted -- I have most recently used these as room humidifiers.) I guess that's it! Not as bad as I thought.
Fun post! I learned a lot, too. I think just one other person mentioned their electric griddle. My husband and I use ours for eggs (fried, scrambled and omelets), pancakes and French toast. Breakfast is usually our biggest meal of the day, whether we're using the griddle or not.
My list feels a bit excessive after reading the comments, lol.
First in the kitchen we have what’s in use weekly: a Kenwood mixer and food processor, water kettle, immersion blender, rice cooker, microwave, Nespresso machine (Christmas gift from the in-laws, I don’t particularly like the waste even though the capsules is recycled), a big, round griddle called «steketakke» for pancakes and other Norwegian traditional things like «lefse» (Christmas staple but I make it year round, looks like American pancakes. Made with sour milk and baking soda, served with butter, sugar and cinnamon) «lomper» (soft potato flatbread,) «flatbrød» (crispy flatbread) and a vacuum machine. We haven’t had a toaster in years, but before Christmas I got a Sage sandwich toaster on supersale and I absolutely love it.
In the basement we have a dehydrator, meat grinder, Kitchen Aid blender and a «krumkake» iron for making thin, buttery, and crisp Norwegian Christmas cookies shaped like a icecream cone.
And speaking of, I have a Ninja icecream maker on my wish list 🙂
What a fun post! Here’s what I have at home:
1. Moka pot-can’t live without it! Best coffee ever! 😉I like espresso that pretends to be regular coffee.
We sold our last house furnished and I made my realtor rescue it before the final sale inventory was taken. It’s 16 years and going…perfectly aged.
2. Ninja air fryer/oven
Bought this for our little camper but sold the camper and I use it a lot at home. It flips up and I store it under the cabinet. We are in a cabin with no oven right now (vacation) and I have baked scones and pizza. Impressed!
3. Two blenders-Ninja and a tiny smoothie blender
4. Toaster-it was a gift and it’s used enough to keep
5. Electric kettle-used frequently
6. Kitchen Aid hand mixer-going since 1993
7. Ninja frother/steamer-bought on clearance and it’s fun for making fancy coffee at home on occasion
8. Keurig-for company or camping with no stove
9. Crock pot-standard issue
10. Coffee grinder-made in France, over 25 years old!
11. I have a double sided, fancy Kitchen Aid waffle maker that is used VERY infrequently. It was a gift that might go live with my sister. 😄She has a ton of grandkids….
Ah I would love a Vitamix one day! I have a blender that works ok but it would be nice to have a high powered one. A kettle would be nice as well. Agreed that the Kitchen Aid food processor lasts forever; I've had mine for over 15 years and it's still going strong. Also I initially thought I didn't really need an Instant Pot but got one as a gift and turns out I LOVE it and it is one of my most used appliances. Everything cooks so incredibly fast! Recommended if you're on the fence.
How do you not have an electric pressure cooker?? There are just the two of us (retired), but I can make pasta in 5min of pressure, or soaked dried beans in about 10min of pressure, or vegetable minestrone soup in 5min of pressure, all hands off! I make brown rice cooked with quinoa or lentils in 15min of pressure, and all that time plus to depressurize is all hands off. Lately we have been making Indian recipes like Korma and Aloo Gobi, etc. so it helps us eat healthier too.
We have an inexpensive soy milk blender-- milk, from beans, so frugal!
And the drawer-type air fryer has been a godsend, as we moved to Bangkok for retirement and ovens are rare here, so we make our granola in it, small bread loaves (no knead recipe), roasting veggies, chicken, etc.
We did spring for a immersion blender for making mayo, plus it has a small processor attachment for hummus and more. Mayo is crazy expensive here, as are most imported condiments...
We do have a copycat no name brand vitamix style blender too-- taking advantage of all the cheap delicious tropical fruit!
I love that your Kitchen Aid has googly eyes! 🙂