to wish I'd bought one of these years ago

[NutElla5x]

So I've just made myself poached eggs on toast for lunch using my new microwave egg poacher-which cost me the princely sum of 70p using a voucher-and it did the job perfectly,cleanly and soo quickly. If it hadn't been on special offer I probably wouldn't have bothered to try it out because I think mostly the old fashioned ways of cooking things is best,but I can see me and the kids getting a lot of use out of this thing. What cheap and cheerful gadget have you bought that's made your life that bit easier and made you wish you'd bought it years ago?

Washing basket on legs - they have springs and fold up underneath when not in use. Bought mine from Aldi years ago and really want another but they have never had them in since. I believe Lakeland sells something similar, but there are none local to use.

I cook poached eggs in water in a mini frying pan - always come out perfectly.

Also love the cheap clips from Ikea to seal up bags.

Love some previously mentioned gadgets: Jarkey, silicon kitchen tongs, silicon spatulas, bag clips.
We have the same Zyliss garlic press as a PP and I hate it, think it's the most inefficient device ever!
I do recommend this Lakeland pineapple prep gadget, it works perfectly.

Jar lids will open easily if you just tap the lid 3-4 times with the blunt side of a knife and if you still can't open it, grab a rubber glove for a bit extra force.

I love my washing basket with handles. It looks like a giant shopping basket and is so much easier to carry my washing down steps.

USB-chargeable lighter

No gas, never has to be replaced and has a long bendy neck for reaching into big candle jars. Totalky non essential but brings me joy. And looks like a tiny cattle prod.

This coffee table with a storage area and a lid you can use as an occasional dining table or desk. It was only £30 from eBay and its very sturdy and solid.

Frozen minced garlic and ginger. a A big bag for about £1.20 . Buy it from Asian supermarket.

One of these in-the-pan egg timers. Amazing. Perfect boiled eggs to your taste every time.

Would lining the oven bottom with foil work instead of oven liners? Or do they cover the sides too?

I buy jarred puree garlic (KTC brand) and don't peel potatoes.

www.lakeland.co.uk/14236/Magnetic-Wooden-Toast-Tongs-For-Toasters?gclid=CjwKCAiA4OvhBRAjEiwAU2FoJQDdf3Zen2ksNRVTQ4QcTzEF7x3ylM7cCg8U8zA4unA4cnqMxQgExhoC3N0QAvD_BwE&src=gfeed&s_kwcid=AL!49!3!246750929015!!!g!40434093750!&ef_id=XCJ2IwAAAKKraQMf:20190113092621:s
These are perfect for teenagers using the toaster for the first time.

Are they OK for 5 year olds using the toaster for the first time too (how did they get to be teens and not use it?)

A dog polisher. Mutt comes up like new every time.🐕🐶🐶

Robot hoover. I will never buy an upright hoover ever again.

Use a little handheld hoover for the stairs.

@BitOfFun I am on my 3rd one of those egg timers now as they do eventually crack and the colour change part stops working over time with excessive water exposure. The first one I had actually split in 2.

That said I use mine a lot. Very handy gadget to have and cheap to replace. Poundland usually has them. I’ve been using them for 12 years and only just bought my 3rd so not too bad.

@bionicnemonic I tried foil in my new oven and it stuck to the bottom, its part of the oven now.

Oh blimey! Thank you for the warning!

Some interesting wee gadgets on here. I feel a spot of online shopping coming on , and I'm def going to get some frozen garlic with my next supermarket shop. How did I not even know there was such a thing?!!

My amazon basket is bulging now, thanks everyone. My absolute favourite kitchen machine (too big and expensive to be called a gadget) is the Sage Tea Maker.

Lazy Garlic. I buy a huge container of it in Costco.

Don't you have to use up the garlic quite quickly once the jar is open though Plump?

@HellsBellsAndBatteredBananas what is this cleaner for the job? No matter what I use my hob will not clean. And I'm in a rental so worried about getting it clean.

The silicon moulds that make big balls of ice
...and not a gadget, but the e-cloth (the pack with two different cloths in it) has changed window and glass cleaning forever

These are fantastic for adding to big pots of stuff - I cook in bulk and freeze casseroles, ragu, etc

I love my Palm peeler. It even has a little pointy thing on the top to remove potato eyes.It makes such short work of peeling carrots and potatoes! It cost under a fiver from Amazon.

Steamer basket (sits over a regular pan) - pretty much impossible to overcook potatoes when you steam them.