Thank you all for your thoughtful responses yesterday. I have read them quickly and will go back and respond once I have written this post. As for the list from last night, here is my response.
1 Blender – I have one as part of a combination with my food processor.
2 Electric Grill – we had one which we did use but when it died I did not consider replacing it. A bit of a fad, I guess.
3 Baby Food Maker – it is a long time since I was making food for babies but I have no idea what this would be.
4 Microwave oven – yes, I have a microwave but I use it less and less. If it died, I would not automatically rush out and buy another one.
5 Panini Press – I expect this is like my sandwich press which I use quite a bit.
This is my food processor and all of the associated gadgets in the cupboard. The blender is with some of the other bits in the box at the back. Like most things, I do not use it to its full potential although the blender, citrus juicer, grater and slicer attachments are well-used.
I also have a Kitchen-Aid stand mixer and the pasta attachment for it.
Here are the rest of my appliances in the convenient appliance cupboard.
Top shelf:
Kettle – used on the gas stove if we lose power. Also on the slow-combustion heater during winter.
Slow-cooker – very well-used for soup, baked potatoes, casseroles, refried beans.
Middle shelf:
Sandwich press – toasted sandwiches and I also use it for cooking pancakes
Bread slicing guide – very useful for home-made bread
Toaster
Bottom shelf:
Juicer – rarely used – very difficult to clean
Breadmaker
Jug
I also have a stick blender in another cupboard.
I have never been seduced by the single-purpose appliances such as a pie-maker, ice-cream maker, popcorn maker or hot dog thingummy but I still have plenty of gadgets. If I were to get rid of any it would be the juicer, I think. It is interesting to consider how our needs change, particularly as families grow and children leave home. Our diet and the types of food we eat has changed over the years, also. This is how clutter can become a problem – something that was essential 10 years ago is not longer required but we are loathe to move it along.
How do my appliances compare to what you have? Everyone has different essentials and priorities.
We are not huge fans of online shopping but there are some instances where it is definitely worthwhile and pet food and supplies are one of them. This tends to be GMan’s domain and he orders tick and flea medication for the dog online. A few months ago he discovered that we could buy the dog food we usually purchase and it was cheaper to buy online and have it delivered than we where we had previously bought it. We buy 2 x 15kg sacks at a time and they are delivered to the door within a couple of days of placing the order. We no longer have a 70km round trip to buy it and don’t have to hoist 30kg of dog food into and out of the boot of the car. This is definitely quicker, easier and less expensive so we will definitely continue to buy it online.
