Our Top Ten Kitchen Gadgets

We're pleased to share with you some of our favourite pieces of kitchen equipment, and also one or two kitchen gadgets that may be on our Christmas list.

1. Hand-held Blender - Far and away the most useful piece of equipment in our kitchen. We have used it for blending the children's food when they began eating solids, for making soup and smoothies, chopping herbs or onions, making breadcrumbs and whisking. Choose one with plenty of attachments, you won't regret it. One word of warning, check which attachments can be put into the dishwasher.
   See Hand Blenders on Amazon
    
2. Espresso Coffee Machine - Nothing beats the smell of a fresh cup of strong espresso coffee or the luxury of a authentic cappuccino or latte. Prices for a coffee machine can vary hugely, but our Gaggia Cubika 74511 Espresso Coffee Maker, has served well for many years.
   Choose one of the well-known makes such as Flavia, Krups, DeLonghi, or Gaggia, but don't be seduced by the larger commercial coffee machines (unless you intend opening your own café) as most entry level coffee makers will suit any domestic kitchen.
    
3. Coffee Bean Grinder - We have two coffee grinders in our kitchen. The first is used for the obvious task of grinding coffee beans, the other is used to grind spices for curries. See more Coffee Grinders Once you have your coffee grinder, have fun trying out new varieties of coffee bean or perhaps combine two separate blends to find one that suits your tastes.
    
4. A good set of knives - A good quality cook's knife and paring knife are essential, as too are a carving knife and a bread knife. In our opinion, it's much wiser to spend as much as you can afford on a small number of general purpose knives, rather than buying a large expensive set containing knives that will receive little or no use.
    

5. Knife Sharpener - Sharp knives are safer than blunt ones, so it's worth making sure you've got a good knife sharpener too. We tried plenty, including a traditional sharpening steel, but this Chantry Knife Sharpener is the best we've ever had.
   
    
6. Roasting tray - The more solid the better and make sure it's suitable to use both in the oven and on the hob. The best we've got is this Hard Anodised Roasting Trayfrom Silverwood.
    
7. Blow Torch - Perfect for browing the topping of a crème brûlée. Instead of buying an expensive chef's version from the local kitchen shop, head to your nearest DIY or hardware store and pick up something for a fraction of the cost.
    
8. Saucepans - Our cast-iron Le Crueset pans have served us well for fifteen years and still look as good today as when they were new. The only downside is that they are not recommended for use in the dishwasher, but they hold the heat well and food does not stick so they are worth this little sacrifice. For a budget option, Ikea produce an excellent range of saucepans ideally suited to students and anyone setting up a new home.
    
9. Cork Screw - How else can you get the cork out of the bottle while waiting for your meal to cook? We have a Vacuvin Winemaster Corkscrew which has served us well for many years. You might also want to consider the Vacuvin Vacuum Wine Saver , although we admit that ours isn't used as much as it should be!
    
10. Cast Iron Skillet - for frying steaks. The heavier ones will hold the heat and the raised profile gives the appetising seared lines.
     

Some Other Kitchen Equipment to Consider

We don't own these items, but other friends have recommended them highly. They may well find their way onto our Christmas list.

1. Fondue - It's only used a few times a year, but a fondue always goes down well with our guests, whether it's filled with hot oil, cheese or chocolate.
    
2. Pressure cooker - The pressure inside the pan causes liquids to boil at a higher temperature, significantly reducing the cooking time.
    
3. Slow cooker - Great for preparing those hearty, nutritious casseroles fro the winter months, especilly for those days when you're out of the house all day.
    
4. Steamer - A great number of healthy fish and vegetable dishes can be prepared using a steamer.
    

If you have any other pieces of kitchen equipment that you can't do without, why not let us know. We're always keen to learn from our friends.