I would love to hear from anyone who is a hoarder and hates to throw away any of there cooking gadgets that they might have used only once! What are they.... and why dont we use them...and perhaps we could set up a swapping system? Jo

well Jo, funny you should say it, but whilst clearing things out the other day, I came accross a pop-corn maker, a candy-floss machine, an espresso machine, milk frother, electric bottle opener and a Health Grill. hmm, wonder what I was thinking when I shelled out on all that stuff? however, I do want a sausage maker! so, if you have one let me know - Richard

I have an electronic tin opener, an electronic steamer (prefer my bamboo one), a coffee grinder and a salad spinner that is too small for salads we eat!

oh i use my cofee grinder for spiced - curries etc. What provoked my original comment was the fact that I am thinking of buying an ice cream maker. Does anybody have one and uses it regularly?
My juicer was used once and was such a pain to clean i've never used it since............

Last year I decided I would buy an ice cream maker,making ice cream used to take ages, all that freezing and stirring, but what price should I pay, do I buy the ones you see the top chefs use, the ones with the built in freezing unit or the other type where you put the bowl in the freezer over night.In the end I bought a Kenwood, it cost £19.99 from Homebase.You have to freeze the bowl, but if you keep it in the freezer it's always ready. By the end of this week I will have used it 3 times this week. After my blender it's best thing I ever bought, I wish I had bought it sooner.If you buy something that is expensive and don't use it often, you then feel guilty. There are other makes of this type of ice cream maker which may be just as good.

One gadget that had been in my cupboard , but now I use is the Slicer / shredder. It is orange and you see them demonstrated on markets and at food shows.
It slices and shreds and just needs a wash under tap.
The yoghurt maker is still in its box, sat on top of the ice cream maker,

One gadget that had been in my cupboard , but now I use is the Slicer / shredder. It is orange and you see them demonstrated on markets and at food shows.
It slices and shreds and just needs a wash under tap.
The yoghurt maker is still in its box, sat on top of the ice cream maker,

One gadget that had been in my cupboard , but now I use is the Slicer / shredder. It is orange and you see them demonstrated on markets and at food shows.
It slices and shreds and just needs a wash under tap.
The yoghurt maker is still in its box, sat on top of the ice cream maker,

Wow Cheff - you must really like it !!

Essex girl - thanks for the info on the ice cream maker. May put it on my Xmas list.. One of the other things i hardly ever use is my mandolin. Agraid of slicing off my fingers and can never quite work out the different attchments. It is white plastic - cant remember the make.

I want a Mandolin! just thought you might want to flog it!

I have a juicer in the cupboard. The most useless thing I have ever owned. Its a £40 rather than £100 one.

Juices an orange etc really fast. Takes ages to clean so I never bother.

i may have another bash at trying to master it.. if i fail you can have it with pleasure...will let you know

what is the best gadget you have ever bought. I bought a knife at the Good Food Show two years ago - a large chopping knife with holes (similar to a chees knife type of thing) its superb. Did anyone else manage to get hold of one

Best gadget I've bought is the Braun 6 in 1 thingy they were advertising on UKFood about 6 months ago it was every other advert.

It was a bit pricey but well worth it, I use it for everything and now my little nipper has started weaning I can use it about 3 times a day for mushing things up!

Have to agree with the juicer comments.... I love the juice but hate cleaning it so it never gets used.

i have just inherited an icecream maker that someone was going to ditch. it looks near new.

anyone know how they work? i think i have to freeze the bowl for a few days then put the ingredients in, then just turn the thing on. anyone know how long it takes, and do i have to refreeze\the whole bowl in the middle of the process.

i have made icecream and sorbet before by hand, but not used a machine. what luxury!

Hi Aliz, usually putting the bowl in the freezer for 24 hours is enough, some take less time. If you give the manufacturer someone may be able to answer that more accurately as they do vary.

Make sure you turn the motor on before adding the ice cream or sorbet mixture otherwise it will freeze on the sides immediately and the motor will not be able to turn.

I have a Philips Delizia ice cream maker and it takes about 15 to 20 minutes to be the right consistency.

If you don't eat it all straight away and freeze it instead, then make sure you take it out about 20 to 30 minutes before and put it in the fridge, this will allow it to soften a little.

I have a juicer and a book called 'Raw Juices Can Save Your Life' by Dr Sandra Cabot. Before hubby's operation he was having great difficulty with his water works (sorry if this is a bit too much information) and I made him a diuretic juice recipe and the effects were stunning. It made a difference the very next day. I make different recipes for myself. I make two batches of juice a day, that's four glasses. We both feel better for it.

It is a pain to clean, I agree. But the health benefits are well worth it. I spend about 45 minutes a day juicing. This includes all the veg prep and the clean up afterwards. That's not so long really is it?

So come on, guys. Get your juicers back out of the cupboards and try again. You will feel the benefit I promise. We have.

Aliz, sometimes manufacturers put on-line handbooks on their websites, you could try that.

I know I started this thread with the unwanted gadget thing. What is the best and most used item in your kitchen you couldn't live without?

my partner marcus as he does most of the cooking!!!!!!!!

lucky you!!

My oven and sink

thanks for the hints regarding the icecream maker.

the best gadget i have ever bought is a japanese knife sharpener... or maybe my cuisipro graters.... or is it my WMF whisk?????

yesterday my pasta maker came into its own - making polish uszka...

what a hard thing to choose!

where did u get the knife sharpener? What is WMF :