Kitchen gadgets that never get used

[Southwest12]

I was tidying out my kitchen cupboards on Sunday and found this (hope the picture is attached!) for making coconut pyramids. My mum bought it years ago, god knows how many given that Lakeland dropped the plastics part of their name 22 years ago! She never opened it. I then took it and I’ve never opened it! It sits in the cupboard waiting for the day that I need to make coconut pyramids...

Has anyone else got any “must have” kitchen gadgets that have never been used but are still sat waiting for that just in case moment?

I completely ignored the recipes in the breadmaker booklet. It's bread. All you need is 1lb 2oz of flour, 1 tsp of easy bake yeast, 1tsp of sea salt and a smidge under 350ml of water for a perfect medium loaf.

If I wanted a larger, softer crumb that kept another day, I'd chuck in a glug of oil, if I want seeds/herbs flavouring it, I'd chuck in 2tsp of those. But absolutely no sugar, milk powder or faffing about.

It's easier, cheaper, tastier, more filling and quicker to get going than running round the corner just before the shops close. And it doesn't go mouldy, it just dries out. Which means bread pudding. Win-win.

Apple corer/peeler thing from Lakeland. I was very excited about this as we have masses of apples every year.

Total waste of time and money. It can only cope with perfectly symmetrical apples where the core is dead centre - so that’s about one in twenty - the others have to be individually finished off to get all the little toenailly bits out. It’s an ugly brute too.

A toaster that makes poached or boiled egg at the same time ??!! Which doesn’t take much mode room than a toaster ??!!
About to google this. Not that I want one - have my poaching method perfected now and it definitely needs gas hob small pan etc. Can’t even imagine a toaster poaching an egg. Ok here goes - google it !

Spiraliser
Pasta maker
Waffle pan

A good set of knives, a decent wooden chopping board and some solid based pans are all you really need.

I bought the eye wateringly expensive professional vitamix blender after a mostly 'liquid' lunch with my sister. She bought one too. I'm sure I'll come to appreciate it when I've spread out the lifetime useage coat but I shudder with buyers remorse every time I walk past it in the meantime!

I got rid of my squeezer for fresh orange juice. I miss it occasionally though.

Gadgets that were bought, used lots initially, then forgotten but occasionally get another flurry of use:

Bread maker
Waffle iron (kids would have waffles more if I could be bothered to make them)
Sandwich toaster (tuna / sweetcorn / grated cheese) - also used for making 5 minute cakes
Orange juicer
Food processor

Current gadget that is in its first flush of use - Actifry (I really should learn and stop buying these things!)

We do have an egg boiler. My DH eats sooo many eggs and uses it lots.

No to electric carving knife, must chuck it out actually. Would prefer a proper carving knife and do it by hand.

I nearly fell into the soup maker trap. I told my DD I was going to buy one and she said 'what the heck for. You have saucepans and a stick blender, why do you want one?'
Phew. Averted!

I was bought this huge juicer about 5 years ago. It's moved 3 houses with me, losing its box at some point. Have never used it. No doubt a tiny Ninja would do the same now.
I recently sold a pasta maker at life is literally too short to bother. That and my mincer.

Bread maker. I did use it quite a bit before concluding it really was a bit crap.
You had to watch it mix or it wouldn't do it properly and you'd end up with a strange sort of lumpen object that looked more at home at a medical oddity museum than the dining table.
Then you'd have to spend ages levering out the mixing blade so you could slice the wretched thing.
Such a lot of faff so if I'm ever bored enough to want to make bread I use my kenwood chef to mix the dough.
The bread maker did make decent jam though.

I use my kenwood chef quite a lot but I've only used the meat grinding attachment twice. It looked like a good idea and can also make sausages. I've never made sausages.
I have used the pasta attachment quite a lot, it's a bit like a grown up playdoh machine!

The spiralyser has been used once. Only I liked the results and everyone else hated it and it was a massive faff.
Our ice cream maker is MIA. Actually I chucked it ages ago as it hadn't been used in a long time and was taking up a lot of space. DH still thinks its around somewhere and has been known to mutter "I should make some ice cream for the kids sometime" but has never got any further. I haven't missed it.
The salad spinner and the weird thing to cut boiled eggs into fancy shapes have also met the same fate. DH was oddly attached to his salad spinner, considering he never ate any and doesn't even like lettuce.

finger chopper mandoline
Juicer
Slow cooker got used a lot but now supplanted by my instant pot.
We have a cheap food processor which has been relegated to the loft but the old kenwood chef gets a lot of use and I've just got a replacement stick blender with a slicing/grating attachment as that was the main function I missed.

Ice cream maker is used a lot - the built-in freezer type is so much better and more convenient than the canister type.

Bread maker is used all the time - Panasonic ones seem so much more reliable than other brands.

I bought a Bamix. I have used it to make icing sugar just for the hell of it. Other than that, nada.

Useless things I've gotten rid of:

• juicer (Xmas present - would have never bought this)
• ice cream maker (also Xmas gift)
• little silicone cups to poach eggs

Surprisingly useful items

• spiraliser (used monthly)
• sandwich press (used daily)
• popcorn maker

Items I want but am resisting buying due to probable uselessness

• food processor

Home made pasta is delicious, and so much nicer than shop bought. I have a Kenwood attachment to roll it out.

I was so inspired that I bought a ravioli ice cube tray shaper thing, and stamps, and a thing for my Kenwood where I can generate shapes like fusilli and penne. Bronze dies - things of beauty! And I was gifted a pasta drying hanger such was my enthusiasm. Obviously I've never made any pasta ever again.

I do use my silicon poach pods for eggs all the time though - I can't master proper poached eggs, and these are super easy to use.

Lifeofsmiley We had a Karcher window vac too. I told DH not to buy it, it would be useless, but he wouldn't listen. I was right. So very right.

@timetochuckthetree That's the pasta attachment I have! Do you have a good/easy pasta recipe that is actually reliable? Bonus points if you just chuck all the ingredients in a food processor (or even better, the kitchen aid)!

Oh no! I’m feeling the lust for bronze pasta dies.

I probably need therapy!

I use my spiraliser a lot for cougettini instead of spaghetti when I'm cutting g back on carbs, love it!

Juicer comes our rarely but I love it when I do use it, it's just the cleaning I hate.

Bread maker on the counter, used this morning.

Don't use deep fat fryer much, just for churros when nagged by DDs.

Waffle iron, only makes this at a time which is annoying.

Sandwich maker - mmm just fancy a toasted Camembert sandwich now!

My mum bought the Arlington cream maker once after seeing it at the Ideal Home Exhibition. You had to pump milk and unsalted butter together, it was really hard work but did produce cream at the end.

Quantum
300g 00 flour (I use Waitrose pasta flour)
3 eggs
Dollop of olive oil

Bind it with a spoon then use KA dough hook until smooth.
Bung in fridge wrapped in oiled clingfilm till ready to roll.
Divide dough into 4 then roughly roll out on very floured surface.
Using attachment roll it through on 1 first then work up.

It's quick once you get going and worth the tiny faff.

I have a panini press and a sandwich maker which probably accounts for why my arse is as big as a small country

My friend (who is a total clean bean, always cleaning) uses a Karcher window vac on her granite and swears by it.
I got as far as looking at it on Amazon and then told myself not to be silly

snowdropssoon Thank you! Perhaps the KA Pasta attachment will make it out of the box this year? At least the KA itself is getting a bit more of a workout these days, after I worked out how to use it for brioche dough. Helps me justify keeping it on the counter (DH wants to banish it, but it is just so pretty!), but less good for my waistline!

Roussette I love our panini press. I would not be parted from it. It gets very regular use, but (along with the aforementioned brioche) has contributed to similar arse related issues!

Pasta makers are essential for when creating with polymer clay ie Fimo, sculpy etc. If you have an unused one do donate to your local charity shop or sell it on eBay as they are in great demand from hobbyists ( mainly older women) who cannot justify paying full retail price.

I had been thinking of buying an ice cream maker as well.

Laughing with recognition at some of these. We regularly use Instant Pot, Air Fryer and coffee maker. Used to use steamer and slow cooker but they have been bumped out by IP so will sell or donate. Juicer, GF grill and bread maker rarely used (although I want to get back into the bread making). Ice cream maker, blender and food processor used but only at certain times. Mandolin I eventually charity shopped unused in box.

I use my sandwich maker a lot. Not just for toasties but for pancakes and cake. It’s a deep one though