Great Kitchen Gadgets

By: Yollie and Dan Bunag

Nowadays, with all the new inventions and developments that appear quite often, we cannot keep track of which ones are the best. Once you buy the latest electronic gadget, appliances and/or accessories, in a couple of months, yours is already an old version and was far more expensive. That's why one rule to follow is if you can wait, don't buy the newest one yet; wait a little longer, unless you just got to have it right away. This applies to computers, television, laptops, rice cookers, microwave ovens, and the like. These are just some of the important ones to replace when they go kaput (broken). The following items I will discuss in this hub are some of my favorite kitchen gadgets, which I am so thankful they were invented. I plan to add some more to this list based on personal experiences and readers' feedback.

So, what's in your kitchen?

We bought our Ninja Mega Kitchen System in May 2013 at the local Bed Bath & Beyond Store. The 20 percent store coupon brought the price down to less $180 after the sale price. We bought the Ninja because we weren't too happy with our juicer as so much of the fruits and vegetables were being wasted such as the nutrient rich pulps. With the Ninja, we can blend and blast the fruits and vegetables with no waste. Prep time is pretty easy. Making smoothies and liquified fruits and vegetables take a matter of minutes as the Ninja's powerful motor makes short work of what is otherwise a tedious task. We bought the one with single-serve, but found we prefer the full-size blender as this makes sharing and getting refills easier. The Ninja is fast becoming our favorite and often-used kitchen gadget. Highly recommended!

Nu-Wave Oven - this is a combination of a microwave, conventional oven and infrared cooking system. You can even cook frozen meat in less than half the time that of a regular oven. It never burns your food and it's easy to operate, just adjust the timer and leave. All my friends who have tasted the pork chops and steak that I cooked, all complimented that it's the best and so moist because it retains the juice while cooking. It also bake, cook or heat frozen rolls, garlic bread and hamburgers perfectly. For singles and those that need quick way to cook, Nu Wave oven is a must have.

Nuwave 20322 Pro Digital-Controlled Infrared Tabletop Oven, Black

Rotisserie - If you like moist and tender chicken, then this is the best for you. After I marinate the chicken (it can fit two) I just put the machine on timer and leave it. It retains the juice while rotating and it's also excellent for roast beef and pork loin. In order to get the most out of the juice for gravy, I place a container or heavy duty foil, bend it a little bit and pour water on it to avoid drying the juice while cooking then just put it on pause take it out and do the same process again. For roast beef, after an hour of cooking (depends how big the meat is) I poke the meat with a small knife while rotating to get the juice out.

Ronco ST4000WHGEN Showtime Standard Rotisserie and Barbeque Oven with Bonus Accessory Kit, White

Make Your Own Home -cooked Bread in No Time

Bread maker - Any brand will do if you want freshly bake bread to wake you up in the morning. Just follow the recipe inside and it's like having your own bakery. I also use it when I have to bake pastries especially if you're an Asian like me wherein we like making siopao (Asian burger) or making the dough for any other goodies we bake. Set it for dough and wait for it to rise before shaping the hot buns, dinner rolls (pandesal) or for empanadas too. For the same recipe of siopao or hot buns, let the machine bake it and presto! - a very different taste of bread. The bread maker is perfect for bachelors and apartment dwellers who prefer compact kitchen gadget.

Zojirushi BB-HAC10 Home Bakery 1-Pound-Loaf Programmable Mini Breadmaker

Coffee maker with espresso - No need to go to the expensive coffee houses since it will do the works. When I smell the coffee brewing, it perks me up and my day is complete. Of course it doesn't compare to Starbucks or Seattle's Best but to get the same flavor, I buy the coffee beans from their shop or go to the grocery stores that carry their brand.

Mr. Coffee Steam Espresso Machine

This versatile machine will do virtually any job in the kitchen in 10 seconds or less, yet it takes up no more space on your counter than a coffee mug. It's so easy you'll use it every single day of the week!! The Magic Bullet replaces a food processor, blender, electric juicer and coffee grinder. Yet it occupies only the space of a coffee mug.

Magic Bullet Deluxe-22-pc Blender Set,1set

I like the Euro sealer which is battery operated that seals any open bags (chips, cookies, etc.) or frozen bags of shrimps, chicken, vegetables that maintain their freshness.

EURO SEALER

The Samurai Shark Sharpener that works on serrated knives is easy and safe to use and it has carbide steel sharpening blades. Even my dullest knives, scissors, tools, cutlery, they work like brand new with a lifetime guarantee on blades. The best part is it is design for left and right-handed people!

Samurai Shark

The deluxe Gopher Reacher - it's a pick up and reaching tool. Now I don't need to use my ladder or kitchen stool to grab canned goods, which are stock on the top of the pantry. It has a suction and lock to hold on to whatever you want to get without trying hard to reach it. Great for people with handicap.

Gopher Reacher

HIC Harold Import iSlice Opener

Patented iSlice safely clips, cuts, and opens thousands of items. Zirconium-oxide ceramic blade resists wear and never rusts; stays sharp.

Ideal for scrapbooking, opening DVDs, clipping recipes, and cutting gift wraps.

Big Boss Juicer, 700W 18,000 RPM

The Big Boss Juicer is a high end stainless steel juicer featuring a durable stainless steel design, stainless steel super fine filter and dishwasher safe parts. Make all natural juices, soups, baby food, sauces and more without unhealthy preservatives. The Big Boss Juicer is the ultimate kitchen assistant. The powerful 700 Watt, 2-Speed stainless steel juicer allows whole fruit consumption due to the large three inch feeder tube. Easy to clean up with dishwasher friendly parts.

We bought one the Big Boss juicer and it does a good job of making vegetable and fruit juices. The only drawback is the pulp or fiber is wasted.

Crock-Pot SCVT650-PS 6-1/2-Quart Programmable Touch Screen Slow Cooker, Stainless

The oval-shaped slow cooker has 6-1/2-quart removable stoneware crock, touchscreen control panel and programmable cooking time; auto keep-warm. The crock is dishwasher safe and the glass lid easily cleans up. There is a bonus cookbook included.