best small kitchen appliances?

[sissy_ib]

I have NO appliances. Just moved in to my first apartment after living in military dorms for three years...

I have been looking at BF deals, but I want things that will last, not just the one that is the cheapest.

Things I need/want:
toaster, toaster oven, hand mixer, blender, juicer, slow cooker, bread maker, waffle iron, griddle, food dehydrator, rice cooker/steamer.

Please tell me what you have and if you love/hate it. TYIA!

 

[okeydokey]

Instead of a toaster and toaster oven, we have a convection/toaster oven. It is big enough to bake some things in too, so you don't have to use the big oven for everything.

I also love my kitchenaid mixer. It has attachments that you can buy to grind, grate etc.

I try not to buy appliances that I can only use for one thing. I would rather use a steamer basket to steam veggies than a separate steamer. Appliances have a way of taking over a kitchen, especially a small kitchen.

 

[Cruise]

Love my crockpot... wouldn't be without it. If I only had money for a couple of the things you mentioned it would be a crockpot and the hand mixer.

I have a few of the others, but if necessary could make toast in the oven (though it would use more energy). I hardly ever use my blender. Unless you're planning on protein drinks, smoothies, or a margarita party, it could probably wait. I've had a juicer and food dehydrator in the past... they just seemed like more trouble and mess than they were worth. I've never had a bread maker, but my mother did and I honestly just can't see myself taking the time to measure out the ingredients to get it going. And if you buy the pre-made mixes, you're losing any savings you might have had. But then, we're not big bread eaters anymore either.

We also don't eat a lot of rice, but I'm thinking my next appliance will be a rice cooker. After having rice my sister made with hers, I can tell you, it's much better than Minute Rice.

And I just can't see devoting counter space to a griddle or waffle iron - we don't make waffles and anything I would make on a griddle can just be made on the stove in a pan anyway.

 

[CleoPahd]

It's not on your list, but I have a medium sized George Foreman grill and I love it. We use it all the time, it cooks so quickly and you can not only grill, but make great paninis, quesadillas, grilled cheese & so much more. It cleans up so quickly and easily....LOVE IT.

 

[tikilyn]

Hit up Black Friday for small appliances! They are going to have some priced 2.97! Also get a mini chopper. I got one years ago at walmart during black friday for 5.00 this year is it's 2.97 and black!! I love to make salas with it!

 

[scrapquitler]

I have NO appliances. Just moved in to my first apartment after living in military dorms for three years...

I have been looking at BF deals, but I want things that will last, not just the one that is the cheapest.

Things I need/want:
toaster, toaster oven, hand mixer, blender, juicer, slow cooker, bread maker, waffle iron, griddle, food dehydrator, rice cooker/steamer.

Please tell me what you have and if you love/hate it. TYIA!

You don't NEED all of those to start. I suggest starting with: hand mixer, microwave, toaster oven (you definitely don't need both the toaster and the toaster oven), slow cooker and electric fry pan/griddle (but then again, you can just get a griddle pan for on the stove).

I do have all of the things you mention except the juicer and the dehydrator, and I don't have a food processor either. If you want a rice cooker (I do love mine) just buy a microwave one.

Now is actually a really good time to be looking for the small appliances, a lot of stores use them as door busters for Black Friday. You can get what you need, even if it isn't a model with all the nicest features and then upgrade later.

 

[sissy_ib]

You don't NEED all of those to start. I suggest starting with: hand mixer, microwave, toaster oven (you definitely don't need both the toaster and the toaster oven), slow cooker and electric fry pan/griddle (but then again, you can just get a griddle pan for on the stove).

I do have all of the things you mention except the juicer and the dehydrator, and I don't have a food processor either. If you want a rice cooker (I do love mine) just buy a microwave one.

Now is actually a really good time to be looking for the small appliances, a lot of stores use them as door busters for Black Friday. You can get what you need, even if it isn't a model with all the nicest features and then upgrade later.

I know I dont need everything on that list. That is why I wrote "need/want"

Does anyone have any suggestions for brands? I really don't want to buy $3 appliances just because they are $3, I would rather pay more and have something that will last. I see no reason to spend a little money now and "upgrade" later when I can just buy the better model now.

 

[Fyrefly]

Fellow small-kitchen apartment noobie here.

I'd say what you NEED is:
1) a microwave, if your new place doesn't have one
2) a toaster oven (does double duty for a toaster, plus can be used to reheat stuff like pizza things you dont want to go soggy faster than I real oven, make garlic bread, etc.)
3) a hand mixer (baking, mixing etc. If you want to do the milkshake/smoothie route get one with an attachment for that and some giant glasses. if you end up using that a lot, then you should think about a blender. we have yet to buy our blender)
4) slow cooker (the only brand name rec I have is get a Rival. They are nigh impossible to kill. The mechanical hand-me down I use with just one knob on it is about 15 years old and still going)

If you have the space after you move in, I would consider the rice cooker/steamer. Or rather, a steamer that can do rice so you can double duty. But those are big, and if you don't have a good place to put it, you won't use it because it will be a pain to get out, which has happened to me.

I think those 4 are the basics. After a month or two in your kitchen it will be all organized and you'll get a better feeling of if you really need something, like if you find the spare time/desire to juice things, and you've noticed there is a space in that one cupboard it could go in... that sort of thing

Also, invest in GOOD pots and pans. Don't get the cheap crap if you can help it, I would personally buy expensive pans before anything else. Good pans will go further to making your cooking pleasant more than any appliance ever could. Crappy pans and stuff will burn, cook unevenly, and you'll spend all your money on takeout instead...

 

[sissy_ib]

Can someone please give me some recommendations as to brand names? Not the type of appliances you thing I need? I know what I really need and what I just want, but I would like to buy good, long lasting items for my home.

 

[garydeb]

sissy_ib,

I love my jcpenney brand (cooks) griddle. I have a hamilton beach toaster, blender and hand mixer all are 10 years old. My toaster oven was a wedding gift 29 years ago and it's a hamiton beach and still works great. I have a sunbeam waffle iron and won't recommend it becuase it has always stuck my waffles. I don't have any of the other items but good luck with your new apartment.
Hope this helps,
Debbie

 

[cruisnfamily]

Things I use very often:
Small Chopper(for onions, etc)
George Foreman Grill
Electric Can opener
Toaster Oven
Microwave

Things I use occasionally:
Waffle Iron
Griddle
Crockpot

Things I use very rarely:
Hand mixer
Blender
Sandwhich maker/press thing
Egg McMuffin maker(it's actually super awesome, just don't use it that much)



I've never owned a steamer, dehydrator, rice cooker, juicer, etc.

 

[Topper]

Can someone please give me some recommendations as to brand names? Not the type of appliances you thing I need? I know what I really need and what I just want, but I would like to buy good, long lasting items for my home.

Cuisinart

 

[okeydokey]

Can someone please give me some recommendations as to brand names? Not the type of appliances you thing I need? I know what I really need and what I just want, but I would like to buy good, long lasting items for my home.

Kitchenaid stand mixer. Black and Decker toaster oven.

 

[bettymae1121]

Kitchenaid stand mixer. Black and Decker toaster oven.

Ditto. I also have a Cuisinart food processor and coffee maker and love them both. I'm pretty sure my electric griddle is a Rival but don't quote me on that one, I can't remember for sure and I'm too lazy to get up and look! And my slow cooker is a Crock Pot, only had it for about a year now but no complaints so far.

 

[msmama]

Honestly, there are some things I would go with the $3 brand until you're sure you're really going to use it.

Any crock pot is probably going to be fine - I have a Crock Pot brand and an off brand and I like them both.

Kitchen Aid anything is pretty good. I have a Black and Decker Toaster oven (which I make toast in). Bread Man bread maker.

Have you thought about a magic bullet which will take the place of several of these things.

If you've heard of the brand, it's probably going to be fine.

And really, you don't want too much because you'll run out of counter space to actually cook on!

 

[Cruise]

My crockpot is Rival. As a PP noted, as long as you get a brand you've heard of, you'll probably be okay. One thing I would suggest though is be sure to get one with a removable crock. Trying to wash a crock while keeping the electric base it's stuck in dry is not fun. Most good size slow cookers are like this, but some of the smaller ones are not removable.

My sister's rice cooker is an Oster. I asked her if there was a reason she bought it over other brands and she replied "it was the cheapest one." And they use that thing at least twice a week and have for the past 3 years...so, just because something is the cheapest doesn't mean it's going to fall apart.

 

[Poohbear5]

I second another poster's suggestion to get quality pots and pans. My mom got me a nice set of stainless steel farberware 27 years ago and they are still in great shape!

On the crockpot, I agree with the poster who recommends one with the removal crock. For years, I had the metal slowcooker and wondered why my pot roast came out like a shoe when everyone else said it was hard to mess up! Got one with a removable crock this year, finally have fail proof pot roast!

 

[rewok]

I think the list of must have depends a lot on each individual style of cooking. Just to guide you, here is how I work.

For those items I can’t do without, I’d do quality: Cuisinart, Kitchenaid. For the blender you could also look at Osterizer (my 50$ first one did 10 years of frozen drinks!). For other items, you could look at cheaper brands or even the 3$ deal!

What I couldn’t do without:

- blender: For frozen drinks, soup, …
- hand mixer: for mixing cakes, whipping cream, …
- toaster: well to toast beard & bagels!
- Coffee machine: enough said!

What I have and could live without (or have lived without):

- waffle iron: great, but used 4-6 times a year! Have a 20$ cheapie and it works nice enough for what I do.
- Stand mixer: a luxury that replaces my hand mixer most of the time.
- Crock pot: it’s gathering dust mostly…
- Microwave: it’s probably used once a moth here. I’ve lived without a long time when my cheapie “zapped”. Most things I can heat over the stove with 10 minutes more!

What I don’t have:

- toaster oven: Had one for a while Takes too much place on the counter for what it is used. I have a perfectly good regular oven!
- Food processor: I’m looking at buying one after 12 years of living on my own. I have my eye on the Kitchenaid that matches my blender.
- Rice steamer: we don’t eat enough rice to justify, but my sister’s Cuisinart one does a fabulous job!
- Bread machine: lots of room & don’t eat enough bread. I use my stand mixer to knead dough and just bake it in my oven!

 

[andycat]

Goodwill usually has some kitchen appliances, but it's hit-or-miss if they have what you need. Look around and see if there's a thrift store along your commute, and make a point of stopping a couple times a week. At thrift store prices, even if it breaks in a year, you're not out a lot of money. Things I've purchased at Goodwill (or other thrift stores):

Electric can opener: $3
Small George Foreman Grill: $8
Toaster Oven: $10

Pint glasses: $.50 - $1.00 each

I don't recommend buying cutlery at the thrift stores though - anything decent is snatched up quickly, leaving only the flimsy stuff that will frustrate.