Pampered Chef what to buy?

[disykat]

The mini serving spatula thing - like you use to take brownies out of a pan. I've had one for years and won a second one at a party a few years ago. I was so excited to win it that I think everyone at the party bought one!

I also like a thin mixing spatula I bought at that party, it's great for getting stuff like creamed soups, sour cream, etc. out of containers.

Pampered chef is the one kind of party I enjoy going to.

 

[minniebeth]

The stones are awesome, but since you said no stones, I second some of the things that have been mentioned that I use almost every day:
Mini serving spatula (I have 3 and use them all)
Mini bamboo spoons
Garlic press
Batter bowls
Their seasonal recipe pamphlets

Everytime I chop something (like with a knife, the "old fashioned" way) I say to myself I need a chopper!

Love Pampered Chef...no one around me has had a party in a long time!

 

[Stasieki]

I love the dill dip mix - just ordered some this morning!

 

[mickeyboat]

Here's another suggestion - we love our hamburger chopper upper (don't know what it is called). It's a black plastic utensil that is used to break up hamburger as you are browning it. Other than it being hard to clean, it is one of our (mine and DH's) favorite gadgets.

 

[mumto3girls]

I have several things that I like and use almost daily

1. Kitchen shears--I have two pairs and both go through the dishwasher almost every day. I use them to quickly cut up food for my little kids--pizza etc. and for almost any other thing you could possibly need scissors for.

2. Apple slicer--really works great. I've had mine for years, use it regularly and it is still super sharp--watch your fingers though.

3. Pizza stone---use it for everything from pizza to cookies.

4. Pitchers with built in stirer--initially bought the one quart and used that a ton and then decided to get the 2 quart one and bought two--DH likes crystal light.

5. I use the batter bowl less often but love it when I use it.

 

[zulaya]

Pampered Chef Consultant chiming in here...

mickeyboat is referring to the Mix N Chop. Seriously, people, this is a must have. If you've ever used a spatula to try and break up hamburger while you were browning it and end up with big chunks, medium chunks and little chunks and then still have the partially frozen chunk in the middle because you didn't thaw it long enough...this is the tool for you.

When this first came out, I totally was indifferent to it and didn't see the big deal...until I took it home and used it. It's freakin' amazing and it's only $10. This product also only took 8 months to sell its first million. Yes, million pieces.

Some others mentioned their favorites and some things they didn't like. I have to say that a good number of those are now outdated and have been re-designed. Specifically the cheese grater, bamboo tongs and kitchen shears. So just be aware that you need to look at what's available with an open mind.

Here are some basics that I think would be good starts if you don't have any Pampered Chef products:

Mini Serving Spatula
Classic Batter Bowl
Quick Stir Pitcher
Large Grooved Cutting Board
Mix N Scraper, Small Mix N Scraper, Classic or Skinny Scraper - these are made of silicone, not plastic. They are heat safe to 650 degrees. They won't melt, permanently discolor and the heads don't pop off.

Bamboo Spoons - bamboo is not wood; it's actually grass. It doesn't absorb water like wooden tools do. So no water absorption and no rotting. Very stain and split resistant. Dishwasher safe.

Forged Cutlery - we have very competitively priced cutlery. Lifetime warranty. Each piece comes with a hard plastic blade guard. (A lot of other places this is an additional $10-$20 per guard.) High carbon steel; holds a sharp edge for a very long time. They don't even recommend evaluating it for sharpening for at least 2 years. Hone as much as you like.

Rice Cooker - ok, this is a personal fave because we eat so much rice at my house. Makes perfectly steamed rice every time. No boilovers; no undercooking; no burning.

29 Minutes To Dinner Cookbook - every single recipe takes 29 minutes or less - from start to serve - this includes your prep time. Who doesn't want dinner on the table fast?


***

There are quite a few new things this season so be sure to check out the whole catalog and ask the consultant to tell you about the new items.

 

[pearlieq]

Normally I'm pretty anti-home "parties" because it's usually overpriced junk you're coerced into buying to stay "friends" with someone. Almost everything there is something you can get cheaper at Target.

That being said, from my one Pampered Chef experience, there were a couple of things that I came away with that are really good:

1.) Quick Stir Pitcher. This thing is AWESOME if you use any kind of powdered drink mix. It stirs up in a flash and it great for refreshing it if you've had it in the fridge for a day or two.

2.) Mini spatula. Very handy. Again, cheaper at Target, but this one has held up well and wasn't too expensive.

3.) Icing spreader. Another item that can be had for less elsewhere, but it has lasted and wasn't too pricey to begin with.

 

[lovetoscrap]

The corn on the cob knobs...We couldn't live with out em. You put them in before you boil your corn and they are cool two seconds after after you pull them out of the boiling water. We buy two packages whenever i find a pampered chef party as we are always losing one or two here and there..dd 8 throws them away sometimes by accident. They are cheap and much much sturdier than the corn holders that you find at store!

I forgot these! We love these and the corn butterer thingy. And the Quick Stir Pitcher.

I haven't been to a party in years At one point I was going to them every month as the consultant made her way around all my friends (and roped one into signing up!).

 

[1-disneyfan]

Well, my favorite is such a mom one the cut & seal. I buy my bread at Costco and make up PB & J sandwiches and stick them in the freezer. When DD wants a sandwich in her lunch it's so nice to just grab it from the freezer and it's thawed by lunch. Love it! and much cheaper than buying them.

Kris

 

[mhsjax]

I am going to go totally against the grain here and say buy the least expensive thing that you think you will use. I hate Pampered Chef. I have yet to find anything that works better than something cheaper somewhere else. As far as the stones, I made cookies on one once, my kids begged me to never do it again. They were burned on the outside and raw n the middle. I have never burned a cookie on a regular cookie sheet in my life. I know that I am the exception ,but I think that stuff is a total ripoff.

 

[crz4mm2]

OOOH! My favorite kitchen gadget is the mix and chop (10 bucks).
LOVE that thing!

 

[java]

Well thanks to you guys I have $70 of stuff in my shopping cart right now.

I went for the corn things(plus the butter thing) The chop meat thing-, The big Batter Bowl, the BIG pitcher(we had one that we broke) the decorator bottles(My kids like to help me with my cookies and I want them to leave my tips and bags alone! ) and I get a free bar board for ordering over $60. All in all things I think I will really use.
These parties used to be all the time around here. Now this is only an annual event so I forgot what was good. THANKS for all the inspiration! Now who wants to help pay for it all!

Anyway though this is way cheaper than I get out of a Longaberger party so I'm happy.