Poorly designed things that make using them difficult?

[Whatisthisfuckery]

Spice jars, who in hell has designed the dimensions of spice jars? What measurement of spices does one usually find in a recipe? Teaspoons. What can you not quite fit in a spice jar? A fucking teaspoon. Whose bloody bright idea was it to design a jar that makes it hard to dispense the most common measurement of the ingredient contained within?

Ahh, that’s better, I needed that rant.

Go on, rant away. What poorly designed thing makes you angry inside?

@UhtredRagnarson

Vinegar bottles without the sprinkler top. What’s the point?

Yes! Completely thoughtless.

Spice jars and spoons ... until I discovered that the spoons that accompany Calpol fit into the jars always keep a couple of those in the cutlery drawer. What a sad git I am 😆

The design fault that enrages me is my frying pan's handle, which conducts heat extremely well. I have to use oven gloves to pick it up. I invariably forget and grab hold of a handle that is as hot as hell. What idiot would design such a thing
I now have a "travel" steamer pan thing"
Because I bought it without noticing the bloody metal pan lid handle and side handles.
But it cost like 20 quid so I'm loathe to throw it. Dont want others to suffer so no charity shopping it, so to get some use and hopefully break it sooner it goes with us on domestic holidays. Its apparently un fucking breakable, because it's done several trips to Scotland in the boot of a car wedged in a corner and not even dented.

www.procook.co.uk/product/procook-professional-steel-steamer-set-20cm-2-tier?fo_c=1344&fo_k=f3b05091bb5d020f840d9af90645a59b&fo_s=gplauk&gclid=Cj0KCQiAnKeCBhDPARIsAFDTLTIVS7eqpSzaXDbKGC-w1vvB9T2YQLT0Z9voESs1TgCJCyAOKmFQ7jcaAg24EALw_wcB

Like this one.

The plastic bags used by one of our local healthfood shops for lentils, rice etc. They are so flimsy it's a miracle if you can get stuff home without them ripping.

Nearly everything - I’m left handed!

Off the top of my head scissors, pens that smudge, can openers and so much other kitchen stuff. A really precise example - the little plastic pot for measuring porridge and milk that only has the pouring bit if you’re doing it right-handed (guess who spilt milk everywhere this morning) .

I think a pp mentioned this upthread somewhere, but small saucepans whose handles are heavier than the pan itself, so they don't balance and tip over really easily.

As for new milk pans. Useless.

I have two very old and battered ones which need replacing. Milk pans are supposed to have a little pouring lip on both sides, so you can neatly pour out your milk, custard, gravy or whatever. I can't find any that are like that and I've been looking for ages. A few have one lip, most have neither. And see above re handles.

It works ! Hallelujah ! No more beeping washing machine

BetaSasquatch oh my yes!!! The times I've (almost) chucked the splashguard of my Kenwood Chef across the kitchen. Then remembered reeeeally need it because even the slowest speed setting is still fast enough to try to eject all the dry ingredients in a cloud Thank you MrKenwood for my £700 machine

Pressure cooker lids . It’s takes me a good 10 minutes to get the bloody thing on so it can be locked .

@Gurufloof

The design fault that enrages me is my frying pan's handle, which conducts heat extremely well. I have to use oven gloves to pick it up. I invariably forget and grab hold of a handle that is as hot as hell. What idiot would design such a thing I now have a "travel" steamer pan thing" Because I bought it without noticing the bloody metal pan lid handle and side handles. But it cost like 20 quid so I'm loathe to throw it. Dont want others to suffer so no charity shopping it, so to get some use and hopefully break it sooner it goes with us on domestic holidays. Its apparently un fucking breakable, because it's done several trips to Scotland in the boot of a car wedged in a corner and not even dented.

www.procook.co.uk/product/procook-professional-steel-steamer-set-20cm-2-tier?fo_c=1344&fo_k=f3b05091bb5d020f840d9af90645a59b&fo_s=gplauk&gclid=Cj0KCQiAnKeCBhDPARIsAFDTLTIVS7eqpSzaXDbKGC-w1vvB9T2YQLT0Z9voESs1TgCJCyAOKmFQ7jcaAg24EALw_wcB

Like this one.

I had an Ikea one of those given to me.

I put string whipping round all the handles. It took forever to do and takes forever to dry, but at least I don't burn my hands.

@Gurufloof I have a cure for your hot steamer handles. MN introduced me to the wonder that is Sugru, and it is heat-proof up to 180 degrees, among it's other wondrous properties.

Fixing broken and stupidly designed stuff is literally its raison d'être: sugru.com

OK, it could end end up costing the same again as the steamer, but depends how much you need.

I'd never be without it now, and have list of small jobs to do next time I open a pack.

@dodobookends

I think a pp mentioned this upthread somewhere, but small saucepans whose handles are heavier than the pan itself, so they don't balance and tip over really easily.

As for new milk pans. Useless.

I have two very old and battered ones which need replacing. Milk pans are supposed to have a little pouring lip on both sides, so you can neatly pour out your milk, custard, gravy or whatever. I can't find any that are like that and I've been looking for ages. A few have one lip, most have neither. And see above re handles.

M&S do a milk pan with 2 pouring lips for £12.50, I got one from there, I agree they are very rare

[quote PerkingFaintly]@Gurufloof I have a cure for your hot steamer handles. MN introduced me to the wonder that is Sugru, and it is heat-proof up to 180 degrees, among it's other wondrous properties.

Fixing broken and stupidly designed stuff is literally its raison d'être: sugru.com

OK, it could end end up costing the same again as the steamer, but depends how much you need.

I'd never be without it now, and have list of small jobs to do next time I open a pack.[/quote]
Oh I actually have some sugru somewhere. Bought as an unused Christmas gift. I will tear my house apart looking for it now.
Worst thing about the whole sorry saga is my "home" steamer has the lid handle broken off, so I use a teatowel/oven glove and a fork to prise it off. Bloody hell, learn summat every day here.

BT organisation.
Most internet service providers customer service.
The dates of the financial year and tax year, which result in lots of roads being dug up in February and March.

@BramStoker

Can I nominate Morrisons supermarket

The layout is so frigging frustrating with stupid 'market place' area which makes it impossible to get all the fruit n veg you want without going round in circles

Our local one now has a big booze section accross the back which completely f**ks up your flow too

There is a very good reason why most supermarkets just consist of a row of nice straight aisles!

Oh - I like the marketplace style fruit and veg section. I find no-one is in my way like they are in aisle-style fruit and veg sections. It also feels less supermarket-y and I like that. But if I shop in Morrisons I do bypass huge parts of the store. I agree its not logical and has far too many aisles devoted to cakes and biscuits. I basically go there for fruit/veg and fish.

@dodobookends

I think a pp mentioned this upthread somewhere, but small saucepans whose handles are heavier than the pan itself, so they don't balance and tip over really easily.

As for new milk pans. Useless.

I have two very old and battered ones which need replacing. Milk pans are supposed to have a little pouring lip on both sides, so you can neatly pour out your milk, custard, gravy or whatever. I can't find any that are like that and I've been looking for ages. A few have one lip, most have neither. And see above re handles.

I found one in Sainsbury's! Been looking for ages as well. Got it fairly recently, so should still have them.

I muted my washing machine too. Its isn't as cheery when you know the words!

Don't let me start on customer service advice services. As DMIL's dementia has advanced over about 8 years, I've had to take over running her life and utilities. After I have completed all the ID issues, and had 40 minutes of safeguarding, the phone call has lasted 65 minutes. To be fair, once I have reached a human, and hopefully a female human, they are usually really good and helpful but I have yet to see any evidence that my default suggestion to set up a dedicated line for proxies so that there is a clear route for the elderly, who can't cope with multiple choice voicemail options, and a route, obviously with authentication procedures, for attorneys, has changed anything. DMIL was unable to cope with any of this after she was 87 and it was a battle to quit TalkTalk to move her to BT, who did speak English in an accent she understood. But recently, I cancelled her buildings and contents insurance, as she's sold her house to fund residential care fees, and I am getting the runaround. I wish I had phoned as her to say I was just changing companies. It would have been much easier.

Sugru is so useful... always have some available.

I bring you this. Nice idea for the summer until you realise that you can't access the last 4+ cups worth of juice out because of the placement of the tap....

@Fatredwitch

The design fault that enrages me is my frying pan's handle, which conducts heat extremely well. I have to use oven gloves to pick it up. I invariably forget and grab hold of a handle that is as hot as hell. What idiot would design such a thing?

@fatredwitch you can get handle covers. Aga do a nice fabric one but there are loads on Amazon either fabric or silicone

www.agacookshop.co.uk/aga-pan-handle-cover.html

@Dilbertian I used damp toothbrush on mine to get the bits out. Then today I forgot it shouldn't be immersed in water- so washed it. It still works but it was in and out of the water as I wash up under running hot water. I think I need to put a bold reminder sticker on it.

@Bloodyhamabeads before you stick the straw in the carton/juice box lift up the top ‘ears’ on side of carton and raise the seam/join by a gentle squeezing/flattening motion the top of the carton. So the bottom remains square but the top looks triangular in side profile, now poke the straw in. Not without some risk but improves the splash odds in your favour.

@lifelongfrugaleer

The Joseph tooth brush holder holds 4 electric toothbrushes. Got mine in dunhelm

Have you spotted the design flaw yet? Easy clip off drip tray but no grid under the storage to keep the toothbrush from sitting in the water. Mine now sports a kitchen roll pad to stop the rubber on my toothbrush going mouldy

The packets that cooked meat comes in are often impossible to get in to. Bring back the deli counter. I don't want to buy all my ham in a stupid packet, especially not a packet I can't open without ripping and having to decant the whole lot into another vessel.

And hot wax. You scrape the excess from the spatula thingy on the edge of the pot then next time you want to defuzz you can't get the flipping thing open. grrr and double grrr.