The Kitchen Gourmet Needs
Gizmos and Gadgets

The kitchen gourmet needs a gizmo or two and for those of you who typed in "kitchen tools gadgets," we're assembling a list you really need and we've really tried.

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No kitchen is complete without some gadgets and gizmos. No, I won't backpedal on this. Machines and gizmos make cooking "funner."

Only the best ones survive in my kitchen, because space is an issue -- maybe yours, too?

Second tier appliances go to the basement and suffer from underuse, even if they are pretty darn good.

There's hardly a one I haven't tried out.

What I recommend and why you need it.

• Above all, the best knives you can get
• Immersion blenders
• Rice cooker
• Ball jars
• Crock pots
• Romertopf clay pots
• Indoor rotisserie
• Fish smoker
• Devices to keep the kitchen sanitary
• Pressure cooker
• Instant water heater
• High pressure faucet spray head
• Apple corer/ peeler
• Cast iron dutch ovens and skillets

More suggestions for the kitchen gourmet will be added as inspiration suggests.

Great ideas that disappoint

I liked the idea of food sealing devices - and have owned several under the heading, "Maybe this time...," - but I'm still searching for one that

• has a vacuum that will not fail,
• doesn't "backwash" juices into the machine,
• and isn't "picky" about the bag or jar used (and no, I don't want to buy those pricey accessories for crushable items - just give me a nice, plain Ball jar, thank you.)
• Permits using wider bags so I can slide a plate into it and not have to transfer ready-too-go meals to other containers first. Just a little bit wider, and the large Pyrex dishes that I use would make ready-to-go casseroles and gratins a snap to store in the freezer with very little concern for freezer burn.

*Note - there is one that probably performs like a mule, but it's HUGE -- who has that much counter space? -- and priced for the commercial market or movie stars.

Great ideas that passed away

One of my all time favorites is no longer available (manufacturers, do you hear me?)

It was called the "Ultra Chef" and though it was a little pricey -- don't ask, it's been years, I only remember feeling the pinch -- it was pretty terrific.

Why was it special?

The best gizmo ever for delicate sauce preparation:

• Open large glass cylinder made of non-shatter heat-resistant glass
• Add ingredients - blend first
• And no matter how delicate the sauce, this machine would could it low-low-low, while stirring slow-slow-slow
• Hollandaise? Perfection
• Bechamel? Ymmm.
• AND, there were no silly parts to lose. Just the base unit and the cylinder.

One thing that really turns me off about a kitchen appliance is those with too many attachments. You buy something in May, throw out the box, put the attachments in the drawer with all the other plastic/metal attachments to keep it company, and now, in September, best of luck trying to figure out how it goes together. Indeed, the kitchen gourmet is sorely pressed to determine which parts belong to which whiz-bangs. Oh, and Mr. Manufacturer, please put the name of your appliance on every detachable part, okay?

The Kitchen Gourmet also needs a test kitchen.

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