Kitchen Gizmos and Gadgets

[NoseyNooNoo]

Currently having our new kitchen designed. The price quoted is actually lower than we had budgetted for (I know, I couldn't believe it either).

So, I was thinking we may have scope for a few extras. I was wondering what other people found useful in their kitchen in the frivolous/nice to have/make your life better way.

[kayah]

if you are planning to have tv ot a radio in your kitchen plan it so it doesn't occupy your surface

pull out narrow unit with metal shelves is ideal for sroting plastic containers - not the veg ;)

I would create a mini pantry - somewhere in the dark and dry part, to store potatoes and other root veg

I would also buy a fridge which has separate compartments fore ved and meat - where temperature is controlled individually

when planning undet the cupboards lightning make sure bulbs won't generate any heat

under floor heating is a bless in cold winters, everyone loves it

[NoseyNooNoo]

Thanks Kayah.

Does anyone else have any other ideas?

[AgentProvocateur]

Personally, I'd go for the boiling water tap (can't remember what it's called) and a plumbed in coffee machine.

[kayah]

and a sink with an extending tap + mill under (no idea if that is appealing, but certainly both would be useful in my kitchen, as I cook daily)

I would also prfet drawers to shelves - for pans, pots and all plates

[meloncholy]

We have a Quooker tap which gives you instant hot water- it is a fantastic kitchen gadget and useful in so many ways!

[OiMissus]

I love my wine fridge!

[Catsmamma]

I'd love a Qooker tap too!

[NoseyNooNoo]

I had been thinking of a Quooker tap because our hot water takes an age to run through. Instead I boil water to fill the washing up bowl. I had ruled the Quooker out because whilst i understand that the water is pressurised and insulated it is effectively on standby all day which uses unneccessary energy. I also think it would take quite a bit of cupboard space.

Kayah, what do you mean by the 'mill under'?

[meloncholy]

The cupboard space for the Quooker is not too bad - it's like a big thermos flask 15cm diameter and just over 40cm high. According to the manufacturers it is still energy efficient as you boil what you need and running costs are 3p a day vs 10p each time you boil the kettle - not sure if there is other evidence out there to prove this wrong. I guess it just depends what suits you though.

PS. We also have underfloor heating which is great in the winter and works well for us as no space wasted on radiators.

[kayah]

I meant grinder :)

www.homeimprovementpages.com.au/connect/the_sink_and_bathroom_shop/news/food_waste_disposal_units_available_from_the_sink_and_bathroom_shop

[MmeLindor.]

I would have a Nespresso Miele coffee machine.

Or at work top counter one like this

And a Kitchen Aid.

[deste]

I have a built in coffee maker, it is the same size as the microwave and I love it. My friends say it is the best coffee shop in town. I also have drop down sockets so that the wall tiles are a straight run with no plugs and sockets. I wish I had bought one of those pull out taps but they were unavailable.

[baressentials]

deste what are drop down sockets?

[deste]

You can get them in b&q they pop up on the work top and when you are finished you push them down so that they are not seen.

[NoseyNooNoo]

I would call that a pop-up socket! :)

[baressentials]

deste when you say they are not seen then how does that work? (again with the thick emoticon)
Do they have a bit of worktop on top of them so it looks flush when they go down? But surely you can still see the join?
I love the idea of them (I'm planning my kitchen at the moment) but can't find them on b&q website.

[deste]

Yes they have a flattish top that sits on the worktop when you push them down when you are finished with it. They still had them a few months ago. You make a hole in the worktop push it in and screw together from underneath and then it is plugged in underneath the worktop into a socket. Does that make sense.

[deste]

search.diy.com/search#w=WorkTop%20accessories&asug= try this link.

[midnightexpress]

I'd love a boiling water tap too. I've also read that they are more energy efficient than using the kettle. And an extractor hood that a. works and b. doesn't deafen me when I turn it on. Possibly also one of those luverly pantry cupboard things.

[PeanutGallery]

I'd nominate a fridge with a water dispenser and ice maker.

We have this, it cost a bomb but I love it sooo much.

It has double doors so you get lots of wide shelf space, then freezer drawers which are much better than lots of little shelves. Plus the ice maker and chilled, filtered water dispenser which means no need to buy bottled water.

A boiling water tap is quite nice, but my parents had one fitted a year ago and they still tend to use the kettle more ... they say it's easier to fill pans with the kettle than fill under the tap then carry to the stove, and the water's not quite hot enough for tea apparently

Drop down/pull up plugs are great for an island unit if you are having one.

[zinfandel]

I'd agree with top of the range quiet cooker hood. DH has set off our smoke alarm on several occasions as he won't use the "too noisy" extractor.

[SierraMadre]

Deste I wondered about those, but do the crumbs etc not get all caught in the bit that's left on the work surface when the plugs are down?

[deste]

I cant say I've noticed but then I have a cloth in my hand cleaning the worktop whenever I am in the kitchen.