Most useful item purchased in lockdown

[CoRhona]

...or items?

Mine have been:

1. A large transparent command hook that I put on the side of a chest of drawers to hang my hairdryer on (I tried lots of other sticky hooks before but that was the only one that actually worked)

1. Buying all the same clothes hangers so DD's clothes look tidier

1. A large kitchen sink tidier which has instantly made the kitchen side less messy

I am on a constant mission to improve our living spaces, so AIBU to ask what yours have been?

Signed up for a milk man, who also delivers huge bags of compost!

@DenisetheMenace

Kittens.

Pictures please!

@Whengodwasarabbit nice set ! Am interested in the yoghurt maker. whether a one purpose only gadget is better than a multitasker like an instant pot. Also interested in the non dairy yoghurt idea - how do you do that and What did you get.and is it working out well? If you don´t mind me asking. thanks a mil.

I was given a bread maker 6 months before lockdown. I can honestly say that, if it broke now, I'd buy another.

sueelleker

DenisetheMenace
Kittens.
Pictures please!”

I’ll try. Last attempt, I think I downloaded the internet
Please watch this space.

Ha, I also have a eufy and an instant pot.

Disco light for afternoon lockdown discos when the DC are fractious.

A silicon baking muffin tin thing - we baked a lot to fill time but I worried dd4 was having too much cake. With this, we make tiny bitesized cupcakes and she doesn't complain about me cutting a big one in half! I often scale down a recipe to make less.

I'm a convert to buying staples like rice and pasta in bulk.

I've bought nice face creams too.

A fire pit
Ticket to ride board game
Roomba
Jill Stein candles (they smell of holidays!)

DH would say exercise bike, rower, weights, garden gym.

Lots and lots pyjamas

OK I fancy one of these eufy things now haha
What model is best? Someone said theirs does corners? Do they all? Or which one do I need for corners?
Thanks!

I bought a weighted blanket, blinking menopause and night sweats mean a duvet is too hot but I can’t sleep without something heavy on me - have had a full nights sleep ever since.

@OverweightPidgeon I've been watching the thread but now very interested in the weighted blanket menopause help ! Any particular one ?

@Gotthetshirt23 it’s a Brentford’s teddy weighted blanket , I got the 8kg one .

@fromcooktochef you can make yogurt in the instantpot-it's a doodle & the yogurt is lush. I bought a second instantpot in this lockdown!

@buckeejit I have an instant pot but never tried making yoghurt, is it that simple ? I use loads of full fat yoghurt in cooking ?

The weighted blanket
A game changer. Solid nights sleep
Also blissy pilkow cases worth their weight in gold.

I think I'll say my water flosser. When dentists had to close I thought I'd better see if there was anything I could do to improve oral health and minimise the risk of teeth problems. These gadgets are great. Perhaps in 10 years time they'll be as common as electric brushes.

@Gotthetshirt23 really easy you just need a digital thermometer.

Boil kettle & pour boiling water around the insides of the pot to sterilise it.

Pour in milk - I do 2l at a time which fills a v big Greek yogurt pot

Depending what model you have - press yogurt & then boil or pasteurise, go. The milk will heat / you can give it a stir part way through - not sure if it Makes much difference. When it beeps, check the temp is 180-185F, (try to hold the temp there for a minute or two I think makes thicker yogurt), then cool pot in cold water bath in sink until temp is 90-110F.

Dry pot & add about a tablespoon & a half of (plain) yogurt & whisk in. Put lid on & select ferment or Yogt for 8 hours.

Strain through a Muslin or thin teatowel & put in fridge. The whey that gets strained off can be used in marinades to tenderise meat, added to baking or soups & diluted as a plant feed.

I sometimes have to put the milk on to sauté for a couple of minutes. Also, you can cut out the sterilising & boiling if you want to use uht milk. My mum does it this way.

Please let me know your best easy yogurt recipes - I've been having sumac yogurt with rice, roasted veg & chicken all this week.

@Welshwabbit

Two things:

(1) Finally getting a monitor to connect to my laptop. Having two screens has made everything so much easier.

(2) An electric piano. Didn't realise you could get them for significantly under £1000 with weighted keys and everything. Took the plunge and it has made me really happy. I last played regularly when I was in my teens. Hasn't taken me long to get a few pieces back up to "enjoyment" standard. My eldest is also learning and having lessons (currently remotely) with an old friend, which has been lovely too.

Which piano please? I have been toying with this idea but not sure which one to get!

@buckeejit. I cool the yogurt in the fridge before straining-you lose less if you let it finish setting first.

Recommendations for bean to cup coffee machines please! I want one that doesn’t need loads of maintenance and cleaning.

Just ordered a eufy because if this thread...

M&S thermals.... ridiculously happy not to be cold.

@Bouncealot

Just ordered a eufy because if this thread...

Not regretting my Eufy purchase! Also the wool wellie liners - they make such a difference!

@sueelleker thanks for the reminder. I always forgot to chill before attaining but will give it a go with my next batch!