When to Realize It's Time to Part with a Kitchen Gadget
Revamp your kitchen essentials with A Guide to Upgrading Your Kitchen, a blog series where I guide you on which small appliances are worth investing in and which ones are better off tossed out.
As a food writer, it's my job to write about what's popular, as this generates traffic, keeping my job alive in the process. A published author should also provide efficient service journalism. On the other hand, discounting a trendy appliance like the air fryer as just a more expensive convection oven can be a bit pretentious. So, an air fryer may not be the fanciest addition to your kitchen, but it serves as a financially accessible way for people living in small spaces or without access to a high-end oven to enjoy convection-cooked meals for under $100.
Moreover, I frequently find myself using appliances more often than I would have if I weren't writing about them. This can result in discovering creative and exciting ways to use these appliances. However, it can also lead to exhaustion and craving for the latest appliance trends. With that being said, knowing when to let go of a kitchen appliance is essential for you. To help you decide if a relationship with your Instant Pot, air fryer, slow cooker, or sous vide device can be reignited or if it's time to say goodbye and free up valuable counter space, here are some questions to consider:
Appliances that can provide more happiness than your long-lost juicer from 2007:
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- Cuisinart Classic Waffle Maker
- Vitamix Immersion Blender
- Aroma 6-cup Rice Cooker
Nespresso Vertuo Pop+ Deluxe Coffee and Espresso Machine by De'Longhi - Compact espresso maker for quick and effortless brewing. Available for $10.99 on AmazonShop NowShop Now$10.99 on Amazon ## Were you satisfied with your last experience using the appliance?
The "throw it out if you haven't used it in the last year" maxim is a cluttered decluttering rule, but I'm not entirely aligned with that concept. I tend to be obsessive and go through phases, heavily attaching myself to certain items, including appliances. I've neglected some appliances for long periods. Instead, consider if you enjoyed using the appliance the last time you interacted with it. If the answer is yes, you'll likely keep it around.
Is there an alternative appliance or method that performs the same task more effectively?
Many people bought immersion circulators when promised perfectly cooked, grey band-free steaks with no risk of overcooking. While sous vide cooking delivers on this, it can be accomplished with a pan and a decent oven. If you're aware of a better alternative, you might want to consider trading in your immersion circulator for something new.
Does the appliance excel in delivering a specific dish?
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I may never use my immersion circulator for steak again, but it's invaluable for cooking large pieces of meat with generous amounts of connective tissue and fat. It's also ideal for preparing large quantities of "poached" eggs (and hollandaise sauce) and is outstanding for giving gator an unparalleled flavor. If you only employ one or two dishes with your appliance frequently, it's worth keeping it.
Do you dislike the appliance?
Are you greeted with memories of Supertramp's "Goodbye Stranger" whenever you lay eyes on the appliance? Do you have negative emotions surrounding it? Do you feel compelled to avoid talking about it? If you answered "yes" to any or all of these, it's time for it to go.
Above all, finding the right balance between using your kitchen appliances and giving away your clutter is the key.
In the same way, if others don't like their Instant Pot (or any other appliance), doesn't mean you have to stop using yours. Popular opinion changes often, and there isn't one "right" way to prepare a meal. The perfect method is the one that works for your schedule and tastes great. If the appliance you're using helps you make easier and delicious meals, it's probably worth keeping for a little longer.
Read also:
- Top Initial Creations for a Brand New Instruction Pot
- Unnecessary Kitchen Gadgets That Only Fool You
- A kitchen scale is a crucial item in any kitchen for precise measurements of ingredients.
- Top Kitchen Gadgets with No Cords to Purchase
Source: lifehacker.com
