Comments on: My Favorite Kitchen “Gadgets” http://blog.ruhlman.com/2008/04/my-favorite-kit.html Translating the Chef's Craft for Every Kitchen Sat, 13 Mar 2010 22:50:47 +0000 hourly 1 By: solid wood beds http://blog.ruhlman.com/2008/04/my-favorite-kit.html/comment-page-1#comment-39169 solid wood beds Tue, 30 Nov 1999 06:00:00 +0000 http://ruhlman.com/newblog/2008/04/my-favorite-kit.html#comment-39169 I have never used twine in cooking, and have different needs for things like spatulas, spoons and tongs than some. I have never used twine in cooking, and have different needs for things like spatulas, spoons and tongs than some.

]]> By: Ana http://blog.ruhlman.com/2008/04/my-favorite-kit.html/comment-page-1#comment-39170 Ana Tue, 30 Nov 1999 06:00:00 +0000 http://ruhlman.com/newblog/2008/04/my-favorite-kit.html#comment-39170 Most useless: A sandwich press and a hulking bread machine. Both my bf's, neither of which see any use. I don't really understand the appeal of bread machines. Most useful: A rice cooker. No, I don't need one to make good rice, but it does greatly speed up the process. And if you love Asian food as much as I do, it's near-indispensable. I make LOTS of rice. Most useless: A sandwich press and a hulking bread machine. Both my bf’s, neither of which see any use. I don’t really understand the appeal of bread machines.

Most useful: A rice cooker. No, I don’t need one to make good rice, but it does greatly speed up the process. And if you love Asian food as much as I do, it’s near-indispensable. I make LOTS of rice.

]]> By: Copper Sinks http://blog.ruhlman.com/2008/04/my-favorite-kit.html/comment-page-1#comment-39168 Copper Sinks Tue, 30 Nov 1999 06:00:00 +0000 http://ruhlman.com/newblog/2008/04/my-favorite-kit.html#comment-39168 I saw a demo once in a supermarket and thought it was hysterical -- a plastic thing that you stick in the cheese so you don't get finger prints on it when you slice it. I had to have it. It was too goofy not to. My most recent acquisition in this ilk was a free Black and Tan beer pourer thingie that I got for free from Bass Ale's website. I saw a demo once in a supermarket and thought it was hysterical — a plastic thing that you stick in the cheese so you don’t get finger prints on it when you slice it. I had to have it. It was too goofy not to. My most recent acquisition in this ilk was a free Black and Tan beer pourer thingie that I got for free from Bass Ale’s website.

]]> By: Kitchen Tools http://blog.ruhlman.com/2008/04/my-favorite-kit.html/comment-page-1#comment-39166 Kitchen Tools Tue, 30 Nov 1999 06:00:00 +0000 http://ruhlman.com/newblog/2008/04/my-favorite-kit.html#comment-39166 Really nice show and are very useful in kitchen too. Really nice show and are very useful in kitchen too.

]]> By: Mary Bowman http://blog.ruhlman.com/2008/04/my-favorite-kit.html/comment-page-1#comment-39167 Mary Bowman Tue, 30 Nov 1999 06:00:00 +0000 http://ruhlman.com/newblog/2008/04/my-favorite-kit.html#comment-39167 Here is a free "gadget" that can make out of season strawberries pretty decent. Take a drink straw and poke the tastless white core from the center of each strawberry, from the bottom. Whole core and stem pop out. Slice and sugar very lightly, little lemon juice and it's great. Here is a free “gadget” that can make out of season strawberries pretty decent. Take a drink straw and poke the tastless white core from the center of each strawberry, from the bottom. Whole core and stem pop out. Slice and sugar very lightly, little lemon juice and it’s great.

]]> By: Kathy McCaughna http://blog.ruhlman.com/2008/04/my-favorite-kit.html/comment-page-1#comment-39164 Kathy McCaughna Tue, 30 Nov 1999 06:00:00 +0000 http://ruhlman.com/newblog/2008/04/my-favorite-kit.html#comment-39164 Does anyone make a timer small and flat enough to be slipped in a pocket? If I leave the kitchen I take the timer with me, but then I leave that room and sometimes go in the yard, completely forgetting there's something in the oven. A pocket timer would help a lot. Does anyone make a timer small and flat enough to be slipped in a pocket? If I leave the kitchen I take the timer with me, but then I leave that room and sometimes go in the yard, completely forgetting there’s something in the oven. A pocket timer would help a lot.

]]> By: kitchens http://blog.ruhlman.com/2008/04/my-favorite-kit.html/comment-page-1#comment-39165 kitchens Tue, 30 Nov 1999 06:00:00 +0000 http://ruhlman.com/newblog/2008/04/my-favorite-kit.html#comment-39165 my least valualbe would be garlic press and the cylicon cylinder.. and most valuable.. well, the list would go very big.! there are a lot of gadgets my least valualbe would be garlic press and the cylicon cylinder.. and most valuable.. well, the list would go very big.! there are a lot of gadgets

]]> By: RosieHawthorne http://blog.ruhlman.com/2008/04/my-favorite-kit.html/comment-page-1#comment-39163 RosieHawthorne Tue, 30 Nov 1999 06:00:00 +0000 http://ruhlman.com/newblog/2008/04/my-favorite-kit.html#comment-39163 Most useful - 1) My chef's knife 2) My pastry scraper blades, which I use for much more than pastry. 3) My tiny, thin metal spatulas for getting cookies off my baking sheets. 4) My offset knife, for icing and whatever. 5) My mini-whisks - for mini-jobs. 6) My knife sharpener. V-sharp Warthog. See the video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5xUZGBiR7Zs Just wish they could have gotten someone less hirsute to demonstrate. 7) My numerous, multiple-sized wooden chopping boards. 8) Good quality baking pans. Crap: 1) Salad shooters. I was all angsty during the Christmas season when this item was the rage in advertising. 2) Stainless steel garlic odor remover. Just why? I have soap. I have lemon juice. I actually have stainless steel. 3) Wine bottle thingies that vacuum the air out. Who the hell has leftover wine? 4) Ditto on the egg separators. I have hands. 5) Hamburger pattie-ers. I still have hands. 6) I'm sure I can think of something else. Most useful -
1) My chef’s knife
2) My pastry scraper blades, which I use for much more than pastry.
3) My tiny, thin metal spatulas for getting cookies off my baking sheets.
4) My offset knife, for icing and whatever.
5) My mini-whisks – for mini-jobs.
6) My knife sharpener. V-sharp Warthog.
See the video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5xUZGBiR7Zs
Just wish they could have gotten someone less hirsute to demonstrate.
7) My numerous, multiple-sized wooden chopping boards. 8) Good quality baking pans.

Crap:
1) Salad shooters. I was all angsty during the Christmas season when this item was the rage in advertising.
2) Stainless steel garlic odor remover. Just why? I have soap. I have lemon juice. I actually have stainless steel.
3) Wine bottle thingies that vacuum the air out. Who the hell has leftover wine?
4) Ditto on the egg separators. I have hands.
5) Hamburger pattie-ers. I still have hands.
6) I’m sure I can think of something else.

]]> By: RosieHawthorne http://blog.ruhlman.com/2008/04/my-favorite-kit.html/comment-page-1#comment-39162 RosieHawthorne Tue, 30 Nov 1999 06:00:00 +0000 http://ruhlman.com/newblog/2008/04/my-favorite-kit.html#comment-39162 Most useful - 1) My chef's knife 2) My pastry scraper blades, which I use for much more than pastry. 3) My tiny, thin metal spatulas for getting cookies off my baking sheets. 4) My offset knife, for icing and whatever. 5) My mini-whisks - for mini-jobs. 6) My knife sharpener. V-sharp Warthog. See the video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5xUZGBiR7Zs Just wish they could have gotten someone less hirsute to demonstrate. 7) My numerous, multiple-sized wooden chopping boards. 8) Good quality baking pans. Crap: 1) Salad shooters. I was all angsty during the Christmas season when this item was the rage in advertising. 2) Stainless steel garlic odor remover. Just why? I have soap. I have lemon juice. I actually have stainless steel. 3) Wine bottle thingies that vacuum the air out. Who the hell has leftover wine? 4) Ditto on the egg separators. I have hands. 5) Hamburger pattie-ers. I still have hands. 6) I'm sure I can think of something else. Most useful -
1) My chef’s knife
2) My pastry scraper blades, which I use for much more than pastry.
3) My tiny, thin metal spatulas for getting cookies off my baking sheets.
4) My offset knife, for icing and whatever.
5) My mini-whisks – for mini-jobs.
6) My knife sharpener. V-sharp Warthog.
See the video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5xUZGBiR7Zs
Just wish they could have gotten someone less hirsute to demonstrate.
7) My numerous, multiple-sized wooden chopping boards. 8) Good quality baking pans.

Crap:
1) Salad shooters. I was all angsty during the Christmas season when this item was the rage in advertising.
2) Stainless steel garlic odor remover. Just why? I have soap. I have lemon juice. I actually have stainless steel.
3) Wine bottle thingies that vacuum the air out. Who the hell has leftover wine?
4) Ditto on the egg separators. I have hands.
5) Hamburger pattie-ers. I still have hands.
6) I’m sure I can think of something else.

]]> By: Emily http://blog.ruhlman.com/2008/04/my-favorite-kit.html/comment-page-1#comment-39161 Emily Tue, 30 Nov 1999 06:00:00 +0000 http://ruhlman.com/newblog/2008/04/my-favorite-kit.html#comment-39161 I use a Sharpie every day in the kitchen for labelling and dating soups, sauces, leftovers and baby bottles. Most useful- Wusthof chef's knife Least used- potato ricer I use a Sharpie every day in the kitchen for labelling and dating soups, sauces, leftovers and baby bottles.

Most useful- Wusthof chef’s knife
Least used- potato ricer

]]> By: laura http://blog.ruhlman.com/2008/04/my-favorite-kit.html/comment-page-1#comment-39158 laura Tue, 30 Nov 1999 06:00:00 +0000 http://ruhlman.com/newblog/2008/04/my-favorite-kit.html#comment-39158 most useful: vintage pressed glass lemon juicer and microplane grater least useful: my GIANT Le Cruset dutch oven (too big unless cooking for 10+ people) most useful: vintage pressed glass lemon juicer and microplane grater

least useful: my GIANT Le Cruset dutch oven (too big unless cooking for 10+ people)

]]> By: Wardah (SA) http://blog.ruhlman.com/2008/04/my-favorite-kit.html/comment-page-1#comment-39159 Wardah (SA) Tue, 30 Nov 1999 06:00:00 +0000 http://ruhlman.com/newblog/2008/04/my-favorite-kit.html#comment-39159 Jus wanted to say thanks for all your comments - its really making my Kitchen Tea registry a joy to list! Jus wanted to say thanks for all your comments – its really making my Kitchen Tea registry a joy to list!

]]> By: Susan http://blog.ruhlman.com/2008/04/my-favorite-kit.html/comment-page-1#comment-39160 Susan Tue, 30 Nov 1999 06:00:00 +0000 http://ruhlman.com/newblog/2008/04/my-favorite-kit.html#comment-39160 Chiming in very late with the comment that useless gadgets (I inherited quite a few from my mom, the gadget queen) are great for distracting culinarily-challenged guests who insist on helping in the kitchen. Especially gadgets without sharp edges. Chiming in very late with the comment that useless gadgets (I inherited quite a few from my mom, the gadget queen) are great for distracting culinarily-challenged guests who insist on helping in the kitchen. Especially gadgets without sharp edges.

]]> By: Selkie http://blog.ruhlman.com/2008/04/my-favorite-kit.html/comment-page-1#comment-39156 Selkie Tue, 30 Nov 1999 06:00:00 +0000 http://ruhlman.com/newblog/2008/04/my-favorite-kit.html#comment-39156 I really love my kitchen scissors, though I will admit it is partially because my knife skills maybe aren't what they could be. I like to use them for chopping fine herbs, and quite number of other things. Most useless gadget? Non heat-safe rubber spatulas. They always even up melted! Underrated gadget- Cherry pitter. I know it sounds silly, but it takes 2-3 times as long to pit the things with a paring knife, and they wind up a bit mangled- even though I have done lots of them (I like cherry pies, and fresh cherries in summer blender drinks). I really love my kitchen scissors, though I will admit it is partially because my knife skills maybe aren’t what they could be. I like to use them for chopping fine herbs, and quite number of other things.

Most useless gadget? Non heat-safe rubber spatulas. They always even up melted!

Underrated gadget- Cherry pitter. I know it sounds silly, but it takes 2-3 times as long to pit the things with a paring knife, and they wind up a bit mangled- even though I have done lots of them (I like cherry pies, and fresh cherries in summer blender drinks).

]]> By: Melinda http://blog.ruhlman.com/2008/04/my-favorite-kit.html/comment-page-1#comment-39157 Melinda Tue, 30 Nov 1999 06:00:00 +0000 http://ruhlman.com/newblog/2008/04/my-favorite-kit.html#comment-39157 Wow, what a fun comment section to read. I love that after a month there are still wonderful entries. I'm a gadget whore, I'll be honest but I really prefer basic, old school tools. Most Important: Flat Wood Spatula, Mesh Strainer, Plastic and Wood cutting boards, basic old school peeler, kitchen scissors, my variety of pyrex measuring cups (the larger ones are excellent as mixing bowls), and Bourdain be damned I love my garlic press. I too am a fan of the salad spinner, it does save on paper towel. Least Useful: Apple corer, much faster with a knife and a peeler.The rubber spatula is also voted off the island, silicon is the way to go. Most Fun: My Cocomotion and a citrus reamer is great for stress relief. Wow, what a fun comment section to read. I love that after a month there are still wonderful entries. I’m a gadget whore, I’ll be honest but I really prefer basic, old school tools.

Most Important: Flat Wood Spatula, Mesh Strainer, Plastic and Wood cutting boards, basic old school peeler, kitchen scissors, my variety of pyrex measuring cups (the larger ones are excellent as mixing bowls), and Bourdain be damned I love my garlic press. I too am a fan of the salad spinner, it does save on paper towel.

Least Useful: Apple corer, much faster with a knife and a peeler.The rubber spatula is also voted off the island, silicon is the way to go.

Most Fun: My Cocomotion and a citrus reamer is great for stress relief.

]]> By: Beth http://blog.ruhlman.com/2008/04/my-favorite-kit.html/comment-page-1#comment-39155 Beth Tue, 30 Nov 1999 06:00:00 +0000 http://ruhlman.com/newblog/2008/04/my-favorite-kit.html#comment-39155 10" Chef's knife followed by my favorite cherry hand-carved wood mixing spoon. There's something about the feel of the smooth-grained, hard wood that's hard to describe. The patina it's developed is lovely. Must be the artist in me that appreciates something so simple yet so loved 10″ Chef’s knife followed by my favorite cherry hand-carved wood mixing spoon. There’s something about the feel of the smooth-grained, hard wood that’s hard to describe. The patina it’s developed is lovely. Must be the artist in me that appreciates something so simple yet so loved

]]> By: Bert http://blog.ruhlman.com/2008/04/my-favorite-kit.html/comment-page-1#comment-39152 Bert Tue, 30 Nov 1999 06:00:00 +0000 http://ruhlman.com/newblog/2008/04/my-favorite-kit.html#comment-39152 But, you can open a beer with tongs! I'm suprised to see you still have the standard issue side towels. Mine got pretty rank and were ceremoniously immolated my last day in the E-room kitchen. But, you can open a beer with tongs! I’m suprised to see you still have the standard issue side towels. Mine got pretty rank and were ceremoniously immolated my last day in the E-room kitchen.

]]> By: brad http://blog.ruhlman.com/2008/04/my-favorite-kit.html/comment-page-1#comment-39153 brad Tue, 30 Nov 1999 06:00:00 +0000 http://ruhlman.com/newblog/2008/04/my-favorite-kit.html#comment-39153 Ronco, "in egg shell" electric scrambler! Ronco, “in egg shell” electric scrambler!

]]> By: Mindy http://blog.ruhlman.com/2008/04/my-favorite-kit.html/comment-page-1#comment-39154 Mindy Tue, 30 Nov 1999 06:00:00 +0000 http://ruhlman.com/newblog/2008/04/my-favorite-kit.html#comment-39154 Must have gadget: Salad Shooter I have endured much abuse defending this thing, but it makes lots of perfect thin potato slices for Pommes Anna, au gratin, etc, in record time. That's all I use it for, because I have a knife and I am not afraid to use it. And I gave up trying to use my mandolin for this purpose, because I am left-handed and it isn't. Other essentials: rice cooker, Mom's perfectly seasoned cast iron pans, a thin textured rubber square to open tight lids, instant read digital thermometer Worst: a small round metal disc that you put in a pot of water - it bangs around on the bottom of the pot to alert you when the water is boiling. One of the nicest gifts ever received from mother-in-law, grrrr. Strawberry stem remover - a very small tong-like thing that chunks out the top of the berry. Like I said, I have a knife. Must have gadget: Salad Shooter
I have endured much abuse defending this thing, but it makes lots of perfect thin potato slices for Pommes Anna, au gratin, etc, in record time. That’s all I use it for, because I have a knife and I am not afraid to use it. And I gave up trying to use my mandolin for this purpose, because I am left-handed and it isn’t.
Other essentials: rice cooker, Mom’s perfectly seasoned cast iron pans, a thin textured rubber square to open tight lids, instant read digital thermometer

Worst: a small round metal disc that you put in a pot of water – it bangs around on the bottom of the pot to alert you when the water is boiling. One of the nicest gifts ever received from mother-in-law, grrrr.
Strawberry stem remover – a very small tong-like thing that chunks out the top of the berry. Like I said, I have a knife.

]]> By: Rick Schwartz http://blog.ruhlman.com/2008/04/my-favorite-kit.html/comment-page-1#comment-39151 Rick Schwartz Tue, 30 Nov 1999 06:00:00 +0000 http://ruhlman.com/newblog/2008/04/my-favorite-kit.html#comment-39151 "It's my contention that, if you have a typical assortment of pots and pans, a wok is pretty redundant. For most tasks I think a wok would be the second or third best option." Like much else, it's a cultural preferance. It took me 20 years to get used to having rotten fish in every meal that I ate. :-) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bagoong “It’s my contention that, if you have a typical assortment of pots and pans, a wok is pretty redundant. For most tasks I think a wok would be the second or third best option.”

Like much else, it’s a cultural preferance. It took me 20 years to get used to having rotten fish in every meal that I ate.
:-)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bagoong

]]>