What are your must have kitchen tools/gadgets?

[Amby 490]

I my silpat and my deli containers

gadgets I love are...kitchen aid, immersion blender, food processor, coffee/espresso machine, hand frother when I want to make some foams, works way better than adding steam

pans that are essential for me are stock pot, stainless steel saute pans, 6" and 8" nonstick saute/omelet pans, 10" cake pan, half and quarter sheet trays, oversize muffin/cupcake pan, baking dishes

[Peikko 1,575]

I cook all the time and I'm just curious what items other people consider their must haves.

For me, the basics are...Y peeler, chef's knife, paring knife, serrated knife, microplane, sturdy whisk, wooden spoons, cutting boards, and good pans with heavy bottoms for even cooking/heat distribution

What is one of these?

I have fallen in love with my dumpster diving BBQ - at least now I have a quick and foolproof method of lighting proper charcoal. That quicklight stuff stinks and makes everything cooked on it taste as if was marinated in gas!!! I almost gave up.

[Amby 490]

I cook all the time and I'm just curious what items other people consider their must haves.

For me, the basics are...Y peeler, chef's knife, paring knife, serrated knife, microplane, sturdy whisk, wooden spoons, cutting boards, and good pans with heavy bottoms for even cooking/heat distribution

What is one of these?

I have fallen in love with my dumpster diving BBQ - at least now I have a quick and foolproof method of lighting proper charcoal. That quicklight stuff stinks and makes everything cooked on it taste as if was marinated in gas!!! I almost gave up.

Great for grating cheeses and fingers (watch out it's super sharp), also awesome for zesting! I also use mine for garlic and ginger.

You can use lighter fluid for the BBQ but you have to let it all burn off before you put any food on there or it will taste of the fluid

Edited May 27, 2009 by Amby

[Peikko 1,575]

It was the pre soaked stuff I tried first. No amount of waiting got the smell/flavour to go away. However, happy now, I have one of those chimneys and it's foolproof...well, so long as you don't use the LA Times as the ignition fuel - that stuff does not burn, useless!!!!

Oh, a zester, neat.

[Nagishkaw 510]

I have to have an electric carving knife and a meat cleaver. Not to use on food, but for protection in case someone tries to steal my food.

sister Nagi is wise

I forgot about the antique ice pick. Nifty little thing, it is.

[lucyrich 20]

A good cast iron skillet. Mine is ancient. I found it abandoned by previous tenants in my first apartment in college. It's heavy, well-seasoned, and the seasoning makes a nice non-stick surface. Yes, I've got some nice expensive All-Clad stainless pans, and they're prettier than the cast iron, but I still prefer cooking most things with cast iron.

[Amby 490]

A good cast iron skillet. Mine is ancient. I found it abandoned by previous tenants in my first apartment in college. It's heavy, well-seasoned, and the seasoning makes a nice non-stick surface. Yes, I've got some nice expensive All-Clad stainless pans, and they're prettier than the cast iron, but I still prefer cooking most things with cast iron.

I found some old cast iron skillets in one of the barns at my family's land. I threw them into the firepit to burn all the ####### off them and proceeded to try to start the seasoning once again. Love cast iron skillets, but I don't come across many people that use them these days. I find that most people are all about non-stick because it's easier to clean.

[Chica Yeyé 41]

but like lucyrich said, a good old seasoned cast iron is the awezomeee. it becomes non-stick after time, kind of. I don't like them because I am stupid enough to burn myself with the handle. yeah, y'all can laugh.

[Amby 490]

Len you can get silicone handle covers to leave on there, so you don't burn your hand

[Chica Yeyé 41]

Len you can get silicone handle covers to leave on there, so you don't burn your hand

really? now that's a new one.

[almaty 19]

A good cast iron skillet. Mine is ancient. I found it abandoned by previous tenants in my first apartment in college. It's heavy, well-seasoned, and the seasoning makes a nice non-stick surface. Yes, I've got some nice expensive All-Clad stainless pans, and they're prettier than the cast iron, but I still prefer cooking most things with cast iron.

I found some old cast iron skillets in one of the barns at my family's land. I threw them into the firepit to burn all the ####### off them and proceeded to try to start the seasoning once again. Love cast iron skillets, but I don't come across many people that use them these days. I find that most people are all about non-stick because it's easier to clean.

i had one in zuni, but got hit over the head with it..and tossed it after i came too..i have a phobia concerning them now

[NavarreMan 10]

Corkscrew & bottle opener!

[DeadPoolX 9]

MOST IMPORTANT! -> COFFEE MAKER + EXPRESSO MACHINE

Other than that, I could careless.

It's espresso, not expresso.

[natty bumppo 297]

Len you can get silicone handle covers to leave on there, so you don't burn your hand

really? now that's a new one.

Also check Home Depot and Lowes. Look in the aisle that contains work gloves

[Chica Yeyé 41]

MOST IMPORTANT! -> COFFEE MAKER + EXPRESSO MACHINE

Other than that, I could careless.

It's espresso, not expresso.

good point my fellow java snob, good point B)