Kitchen Gadgets

The company that makes the Insta-Read thermometers you see on America's Test Kitchen has all sorts of kitchen gadgets. Their wireless bbq/smoker thermometers are really good. I've bought a bunch of stuff from them. I just got an email for a kitchen scale that has a wireless display. It looks kinda neat, not only for oversized bowls that might block the display, but just for general convenience. The 43 second video explains it:


Available for pre-order here. $119.00
 
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My kitchen utensil drawers are getting difficult to open and close because I've somehow acquired too much stuff. Three pairs of tongs, 8 silicone stirring spatulas, 3 whisks plus the potato masher, the Thing-a-ma-Jig and goodness knows what else have exceeded its capacity. Then there's the smaller drawer with the silicone serving & slotted spoons, pancake turner spatulas, a bunch of timer/thermometers and the spurtles. I've never kept a utensil canister or knife block on the countertop because they take up space, and I'm not running a commercial kitchen...I can easily grab what I need to make a single meal from the drawers.

Until I figure what (or if) is going to Goodwill, I picked up a canister to put utensils in at the Dollar Store this afternoon for the frequently used stuff and to de-clutter the drawers so I can get them closed. I may like having it there but I'm thinking I'm more likely to get rid of the excess stuff and the canister. Who in their right mind needs 8 spatulas? I must have been in a "We don't clean no stinkin' dishes" mode.

I went through this when I moved here in 2010. I brought a whole bunch of stuff with me, put one of each thing in the drawers and set the rest aside in a box. I lived with it for a while, grabbing things out of the box when I encountered the need to have more than the single item available. After some period of time, the remaining stuff went to Goodwill.

I never had this problem when I was house poor.
 
Marie Miller said:
John, I need a stash of spatulas. Some of my stainless utensils are from before I got married:)
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When I buy a gadget, I hang on to it forever. The stash only gets bigger. If I had a basement things would be easier, but it's a small house. I have a deep drawer for the once-a-year use stuff, but I can hardly close it. I'm thinking I need to go heartless on it, too. That potato ricer takes up a lot of space, and I bought it to make one specific thing that I'll never make again. Then there's the odds & ends of the partial measuring cup sets, partial measuring spoon sets (I might need that extra 3/4 tsp someday), etc.
 
John Brunner said:
When I buy a gadget, I hang on to it forever. The stash only gets bigger. If I had a basement things would be easier, but it's a small house. I have a deep drawer for the once-a-year use stuff, but I can hardly close it. I'm thinking I need to go heartless on it, too. That potato ricer takes up a lot of space, and I bought it to make one specific thing that I'll never make again. Then there's the odds & ends of the partial measuring cup sets, partial measuring spoon sets (I might need that extra 3/4 tsp someday), etc.
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Could you put the seldom used gadgets into a box that will slide under your bed or someplace? As soon as you dispose of the ricer you will need it. 😬
 
Krystal Shay said:
🤚 Me! I have lots of spatulas in all sizes and shapes. 😄
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Beth Gallagher said:
Ditto. Must possess. :D
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I've said before that I could convert my entire house to a kitchen & related storage and live in a tent, and it still wouldn't be enough room. And like you two, my spatulas are of different shapes and sizes.

I put one of the old style ones with the pale blue vinyl scraper and the aluminum handle in the Goodwill box. I have a couple of pancake turner spatulas (why are these things the same name?) I've upgraded that could also get donated.
 
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