Upgrading and investing in kitchen "stuff"

[CAFE]

I think you are on the right track! Have you heard of the TURBO COOKER? I have one, but have not used it a lot yet. Everyone that has them loves them. I am a PAMPERED CHEF LOVER. I have almost everything in the book, and can't say enough about it. (I got 3/4 of my stuff free, by having parties.) I replaced my other kitchen things with PC. I love all my stones, tools,etc. If I had to state which was my favorite item, I would have trouble choosing. Cafe

[mulberry204]

This might be off track, but I thought you all might like to know that Maytag is offerring a 12 month no interest no downpayment special right now. I found out by accident and since I needed a new dishwasher, I thought the terms were really reasonable for a good product. I am so excited - my new dishwasher arrived yesterday and no more handwashing of dishes!! YIPPEE!!

[janet]

Mulberry, you are so lucky! Tell me what it is like to have a dishwasher..last time I had one, I was single and never ate at home. lol Haven't had one since eventhough I keep nagging!

You are truly loved!

janet

[mulberry204]

I know, I am lucky to have a new dishwasher. YIPPEE! I just hate dishes - and I live alone - so it is really a luxury. My mother worked when I was growing up and did everything by hand. She did the floors on her hands and knees and you could see yourself in the shine. She would die if she could see what a poor housekeeper I am. I asked on another thread if anyone knows how to save kitchen cabinets that are looking worn around the handles. It is like some of the stain has left. What do you do next? I want to keep these cabinets (can't afford new ones). Also, when I clean them, they seem to shine just until they dry and then they look the same. Any hints?
Has anyone ever had luck with painting cabinets so that they looked professinally done? My kitchen has a lot of cabinets and it would be a major undertaking. (like 28 doors). Has anyone gotten new doors made? Also, has anyone stripped wallpaper and then painted? Is the surface ready to use, or does it have to be sanded? I don't like sanding. Thanks for any and all help.

[barbszy]

I LOVE chatting about kitchen appliances!

On my counters I have:
large toaster oven
Rival stand mixer (heavy duty but LOUD )
coffee maker

In the cabinets I have:
bread machine (usually just used to make dough)
rice cooker
4 qt roaster oven (that's coming out tonight to bake the dinner casserole)
hand mixer, for when the stand mixer is just too big
small blender/food processor
stick blender

In the basement I have:
coffee urn (for parties)
12 qt convection roaster oven
18 qt roaster oven with buffet pans
That's my Heavy Duty stuff for when I do large-group cooking. And in the summer I'll be using that convection roaster to do my baking rather than heating the house with the regular oven. I can put the roaster on the back porch if I want!

[luvsbirds]

I am now renting a very small home.
But have hopes of moving into a home or our own someday.
I definitely hope to have a bigger kitchen than I have now.
But I love all the gadgets that go into a kitchen that make cooking fun.

My wonderful husband just bought me a new set of pots and pans from Safeway.
I was so excited!
First time all my pans match.

On my countertops is
4 slice toaster.
Kitchenaid Mix
Knives in holder
Drainer
Microwave

I have 2 food dehydrators
2 canners
1 pressure cooker.
bread machine. Which I seldom use.
Only for things like Cinnamon rolls.
T-Fal deep fryer. (which I never use)
WHeat grinder
2 roAsting pans
waffle iron.
Pancake griddle.
Wow, no wonder I dont have anyroom in my kitchen.
Most of this stuff is stored in the spare room down in the basement.

[Txchef_fran]

I always tell my customers (I sell kitchen tools) that every good cook need a good well made knife, a good cutting board and a food chopper. I couldn't live without these items.

What's good?

KNIFE:
Make sure it is stainless steel and the blade goes all te way through the handle so it doesn't break off form pressure to pressure point. (Also a good sharpener)

CUTTING BOARD:
No wood (harbors bacteria), no glass or tile (dulls knives). The best is one that is polyethylene which won't crack, peel, dull knives or absorb odors.

FOOD CHOPPER
Cuisinarts are good for large jobs but a pain to clean so I only use mine when I BULK cook. A good hand chopper is one with a large capacity, comes apart for cleaning and has stainless steel blades.

I also could not live with my stoneware and cookware.

[Sammi1961]

I cook from scratch most of the time and the things I could not live without in my kitchen are a good sharp paring knife, a good serated knife, a cutting board and a good pasta pot. (of course I have other pots and pans and the other usual kitchen gadgets but those are the things I depend on the most.)

[kathymac]

I was just telling dh this morning that I want to upgrade some of of my kitchen gadgets and buy good quality utensils. I recently bought a great large frying pan.

My favorite appliances are my Kitchen Aid mixer and bread machine.