Useless gadgets... or not?

[BerryinClover]

Any things you bought, suspecting deep down they would turn out to be useless gadgets, but now you find really useful? (Me - coathangers with swivel tops, re-chargeable candles, spatterguard). In the other direction (thought would be useful, but turn out to be dust-gatherers - breadmaker, Rumtopf, sandwich maker, fondue set). Actually some flops can get brought into service if I get a bright new idea for it - any suggestions?

roomba- thought it would be a meh, look at my funky robot... and then having to follow it round with the dyson- but no, it is very well trained and is far better than the dyson in soooooo many ways!

flops- any coffee make i have ever bought!

My George Foreman health grill, dh thought it would end up in the car boot sale like all the other useful gadgets I've bought but I actually use it practically everyday. Though I wish I'd got the one with removable plates as it's a bit of a pain to clean.

I know this sounds a bit Nigella-ish, but I am a massive fan of my rice cooker. I liberated it from my sister who got it as a wedding present and put it in the cupboard for six years.

Big food processor is a bit of a waste of space, but I've had it for 18 years now so don't feel too bad about it.

Proper garlic curchers are great (if you like garlic).

Make sure you get one with pokey bits that go thorugh the holes, not just a flat plate.

zest rinders (sp)...why, use a grater. i bought one when feeling all culinary, ended up chucking it in the back of the drawer never to be seen again

My breadmaker and waffle machine hardly get used. I think they've been a waste of space and money in hindsight.

My ice cream maker, I used it once and it was rubbish.

But I have a feeling that if I'd have bought a more expensive one, I may have had better results, and used it more often.

My jury's still out on the potato ricer - it's got holes in the sides and just spurts everywhere.