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Original poster

Pampered chef - what should i buy?

29 replies

Pootles2010 · 29/12/2010 09:17

I don't normally go in for these party things, but i'm trying to be more sociable, and woman at post-natal is having one, so i'm going. I went to PC party once before, it struck me as a load of over-priced tosh.

I'm on a serious budget right now (maternity leave so half pay), so is there anything you've bought that is really good? I'd prefer something a bit cheaper, but guess if its really good and def worth it it might be ok.... please help! I know i'll get guilt-tripped into getting something....

OP posts:
taffetazatyousantaclaus · 29/12/2010 10:17

I have been to loads of these parties, and in my opinion, the only things worth buying are the pizza stone ( I use it every week ) and the corn cob knobs which cost about a quid or so and you put in the corn cobs before you boil them, they cool down v quick after. They are great!

I also won a wee little palette knife and a wee little fish slice type thing in some silly competitions they did, and whilst I wouldn't necessarily fork out for them, they are used quite often.

If its the evening, have enough to drink to make it bearable but not so much that you end up overspending. I have seen this happen often.....Grin

ZebrasAreSpotty · 29/12/2010 11:01

Best thing I got is the microwave veggie steamer, used it nearly every day for the last 3 years, it's brilliant!

Ealingkate · 29/12/2010 11:03

I have the measuring jug, which is great for measuring small amounts of things and I do use it quite often.

SleighdyInPink · 29/12/2010 11:15

First thing i ever bought were the two measuring spoons. They can measure 1/4 teaspoon for example. Since then i have hosted a couple and had quite a bit to spend due to friends buying lots and so i bought things i maybe wouldn't have bought otherwise. I love my pizza stone but haven't used my stone dishes at all as prefer pyrex.
Lots of people bought the ice cream scooper which heats up in your hand for the perfect scoop but i don't know if it's not just a gimmick.

I used to love my dicer which cost about £25 but it's fiddly to wash as no dishwasher and so i do it by hand - the dicing not washing up Xmas Grin i have a DH who does that bless him!

LaurieFairyonthetreeEatsCake · 29/12/2010 11:21

I like The bamboo wooden spoons as you can put them in the dishwasher and they are nice and tactile to use. 8 quid for 3 or thereabouts.

I also splashed thirty quid on the trifle dish which has been brilliant. Used at every family occasion for trifle and is a nice display item at Christmas with baubles in it or with pot pourri at any time. It's been really useful.

wingandprayer · 29/12/2010 11:25

I second the microwave sauce pan steamer thing - is brilliant. Use mine several times a week to cook small amounts of veg for the kids.

I also use my lemon squeezer and fine grater a lot but basically they are very poncey and overpriced, I got them after hosting a party. Silicone potato masher very good, doubles as a mini whisk and effective maker of tuna or egg mayonnaise for sandwiches.

nikki1978 · 29/12/2010 11:40

I used to be a consultant so have loads of stuff. The things I use a lot are:-

Large Batter Bowl
Large Mix and Scraper
Any type of stone you fancy - I have about 8!
Large or small micro cooker are great for steaming in the microwave
Stainless Mesh Colanders
Forged Utility Knife - this is awesome!
Executive Cookware Saute Pan - these pans are expensive but very very good

Things I like but don't use loads are:-

Mini Muffin tray and shaper - use this lots for parties
Food chopper - I think I would use this more if I cooked from scratch a lot (great for onions and for getting veg small enough to hide in sauces)

FestiveOrganisoid · 29/12/2010 11:47

I use my bar pan and deep dish baker almost every day. Also use the flat stone a lot. Batter bowl also gets used a lot... Oh and the paring knife that I got free with an order. My mum has the saucepan set which I am deeply envious of-they are really nice to cook with and can go in the oven too.

Chopper was a waste of money for me, doesn't chop brilliantly and is a bugger to clean.

craftynclothy · 29/12/2010 11:49

I like my mini muffin tin. It's good for jam tarts for kids as they're not too big.

I also have a couple of kids safety knives which are quite good (and pretty sure they were fairly cheap).

I also got a bar board chopping board thing which is really good for cutting chicken/meat on.

Scootergrrrl · 29/12/2010 12:34

Garlic press and potato peeler - seem expensive but they are the best ones I have ever used and I have broken or binned a fair few cheap ones in the past.
The food chopper is proving particularly useful now DS is on solids. I just set aside a portion of whatever the big ones are having and give it a little bash with the chopper to make baby food!

BendyBobCratchit · 29/12/2010 12:43

I bought the cheese knife (looking for a smallish thing to buy at a party to be polite) and it is excellent. It also cuts thin slices which is useful.

Elk · 29/12/2010 12:45

kids safety knives are good if you want something cheap.
I use - bamboo spoons
bar pan (I have the larger one)
food choppers can now be bought in lots of places much cheaper.
I also like the crinkle cutter and the silicone brush as it can go in the dishwasher.

IAmRubyLennox · 29/12/2010 17:51

I have one of these which I got as a freebie because I had spent £6zillion on other stuff.

I love it, it's really excellent value for the money (not that I paid for it Blush and I use it all the time.

CuppaTeaJanice · 29/12/2010 18:00

Another vote here for the bamboo spoons. They stay nice and smooth when they've been in the dishwasher loads of times, unlike wooden spoons which go a bit fibrous.

In general, it's very expensive stuff though!

alemci · 29/12/2010 18:11

garlic press and pizza stone are very good and still going strong.

ipredicttrouble · 29/12/2010 20:00

All very overpriced IMHO Smile

Moguie · 02/01/2011 14:19

January sale is on and for £45 spend you can get the veg micro cooker for free. Not saying spend that much but if you want a few things including this then it is worth it as you get it free. My first purchase was measure all cup and the easy adjustable measuring spoons, smallest one fits INTO spice pots where normally you just pour the spice of your worksurface whilst trying to get it onto a teaspoon!
Second purchase I made was a mini muffin tin as great for quick entertaining and with the kids for cooking (squeeze the balls of pastry into pastry rounds!) great,

If you are going with someone you know then combine your order so you get the steamer free anyhow!!

Moguie · 02/01/2011 14:21

oh - forgot to say, serratted peeler, great for all peeling but especially Butternut squash type peeling which is normally a bugger but this makes really light work. Also you can peel peppers, toms, kiwis with it and cheese slices!

raspberryroo · 02/01/2011 22:02

Shallow stone ware tray - use it constantly - has lasted 6 years - I used to buy a new baking tray every year so has worked out cheap in the long run

raspberryroo · 02/01/2011 22:03

apparently called a medium bar pan lol

BelaLugosiinStripes · 02/01/2011 22:25

For a pizza stone - get a granite chopping board from Tesco for under £10 - save money on the pampered chef prices.

supersalstrawberry · 02/01/2011 22:26

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

jonicomelately · 02/01/2011 22:29

I have the stone tray thing (bar?), the bamboo spoons, the big jug, the food chopper and the microwave container. All of them are good and regularly used.

ItsMeMo · 02/01/2011 22:42

I love my muffin tin. I make Yorkshire puds in it lots!

LacksDaisies · 03/01/2011 14:21

the mini muffin tray and wooden dibber thing are great; the kids love making little tarts, pies and quiches and they are just kiddy sized. It's also good for grown up canapes. I got the little cutters as well to make pretty little tops, but must admit it's the heart and star that get used the most.

The large batter bowl (lol @supersal) is used everyday here; from making the porridge (it doesn't spill over) to a mixing bowl.

the stoneware is very overhyped at the parties, and I bought some (or rather got it free when hosting my own party) and although the big one is great for a family sized lasagne, I don't agree that you can cook one dish meals like spag bol and risotto from scratch in it. Well you can, but it takes forever.

We also have the little knives for kiddies, the bamboo spoons (love them) and spatulas and a pizza stone which I do like, especially the fact that the crust stays quite soft so the kids eat all their pizza slices now, but DH likes his pizza crispy so prefers not to use it.

Oh and I just bought the aluminium baking tray too; the most expensive baking tray I've ever bought and it is much better than cheaper ones I've had as it is really solid and doesn't buckle in the oven like some. It's made a lovely job of roast tatties so far as well.

I'm sure I have more of it too Blush

Oh yes, a quick scn of the thread has reminded me of the ice cream scooper thing. I wouldn't say it scoops better than any other ice cream scoop, but it does make a lovely little kiddy sized scoop of ice cream and is very tactile. That gets used too much a lot too!