Jenise and I discussed my efforts to keep my kitchen gadgets to no more than 20 items, and Cynthia suggested that we start a separate thread on the subject.
Basic question: what are your essential kitchen gadgets?
In my case, I've tried to limit my set to 20 items, primarily because I come from a long line of obsessive collectors, and cooking has become something of an obsession over the past three years. I'm aided in this effort by Janet's dislike of cluttered kitchen counters.
Kitchen Gadget List.
1. 8 inch chef's knife.
2. Whetstone.
3. 3 quart covered pot.
4. Steamer basket.
5. Measuring spoon set.
6. 12 quart covered pot.
6. 10 inch saute pan.
7. Large double oven in the form of a large skillet, four inches deep.
8. Small food processer.
9. Ice cream maker.
10. Pot holder.
11. Wooden pizza peel.
12. Rolling pin.
13. Pizza cutter.
14. Tongs that are also be used as a spatula.
15. Thermometer.
16. Ladle.
17. Wooden mixing spoon.
18. Mixing bowl.
19. Measuring cup.
20. Flat baker's pan.
We have some items that serve double duty, especially bowls that are pretty and often used for serving food, but sometimes used for cooking food -- a set of four Cazuelas from Spain, for example. And I agonize about including my corkscrew in this list from time to time, but make every effort to find a screw cap wine for cooking purposes. We also have two can openers, which go into Clive's list of gadgets since they are both used more for opening his cans than ours.
One other weak spot in the gadget list: we do have a stove, a Viking grill, a Foreman type grill, a toaster, a waffle iron, a microwave, a dishwasher, a sink, a portable cutting board, and compost and recycling bins, all of which I use from time to time in my cooking efforts. As you can see, the definition of "gadget" is pretty tight, and if they were included I would have to increase my 20 gadget limit to 30 items.
On the knife front, when I lost my sight for a couple years ago, I learned knife skills using just that one knife, and I've never cut myself with it. From time to time folks give me a knife as a present, and I invariably donate them to the next animal shelter auction. If I had to get rid of a gadget to add another one, the vegetable peeler would go -- until two months ago, I used the chef's knife to peel everything, but my yields have gone up since buying an elegant little peeler.
Regards, Bob
PS: just as I was ready to post this, I realized I use a spin dryer -- one of the best performing devices I've ever owned. I'm going to have to go over that list again and pare it down by one item. Darn it! B.
