Here are my LEAST favorite appliances not just of 2010 but period (either because they are too big..or useless in my opinion’). And if you think I’m just too fussy..or picky..then just know that you can find these ‘EN MASSE’ at your local thrift store. Personally, if I find a bunch of one particular appliance at a thrift store, then that tells me something--I don’t need it!! :o)
On My Worst Dressed List for 2010
The Pasta Maker You know, as soon as I open my big mouth, I know what’s going to happen. Someone is going to shoot me for taking a stand. But if I find 20 of these on a thrift store shelf…well..I KNOW what is going on. Someone got ‘took’ for a lot of money for something they thought they would love..and then changed their mind. The local thrift store is the best place to ‘market test’ appliances..and books in my opinion. If you see too many--that’s a red flag! Don’t believe me? Guess what the second most prevalent items are to buy from a thrift store…Exercise equipment. Ha! Got you!” :o)
The Iced Tea Maker Now don’t get me wrong--I ADORE iced tea!! I’m the ‘queen and connoisseur’ of the perfect pitcher of iced tea. But an appliance? What ever in the world for?? When it comes to taking up too much space, this tops my list. :o) If you want one…just pick one up for pennies at your local thrift store. Perhaps you, too, will find out why it’s there. :o) I’m embarrassed to admit that I often revert to your old fashioned teapot. Yes..I have one of those. :o)
The Belgian Waffle Maker
I admit, that I received one of these as a wedding gift…and I moved it 22 times!! I believe I used it four times, if my memory serves me correctly. Why so few times? Well, it isn’t because my dear hubby doesn’t like Belgian waffles. But it only served two. We had three mouths to feed…right from the beginning..and then every other year, we added another mouth to feed. Do you know how long it takes to make waffles..one at a time? Sorry, but until we retire, I’m not buying another one. It never fit..on ANY shelf in ANY kitchen. After 22 kitchens, you would think it would fit somewhere?! It’s so embarrassing to eat that first waffle, while everybody else drools and watches you eat. My advice?…Stick with the four-waffle iron if you really want one. :o)
Automatic Bread Baking Machines Ok,… don’t shoot me girls..but why, may I ask, are the thrift stores so buried in bread baking machines? I can’t tell you how many complaints I’ve heard from people who have owned one of these. Now, the bread does taste great…IF it all works the way it’s supposed to. My daughter-in-law’s father, Klaus, swore by his. But the flour is so expensive..and the machines appear to get very mixed results. I think the problem is, that it’s hard to find a good one. So, even though it’s a lot of trouble, learning to make your own bread is better in the long run. This one gets a ‘4’ from me. The bread is great..but the purchase is risky. If you want fresh baked bread and don’t want to go to the trouble to learn to make your own…then buy frozen bread dough and let it rise..then bake it. That way you get some freshly baked bread without the expense of an expensive machine. If you are itching to try this, then buy it at a local thrift store so you can save your money and your space! :o)
Food Dehydrators and Juicers
Ouch..I just felt someone giving me the evil eye..Was it you? Oh..you have one of those up on the top shelf of your pantry taking up space too..right along side your juicer. Tee-hee! Now, to be fair, if you are committed..and I mean VERY committed..you may very well consider this appliance and your juicer to be your two most important appliances in your kitchen. (Shhh..my daughter inherited one of these and LOVES it!) But if you are just ‘wishing’ you would eat healthier, then this appliance may be taking up unnecessary space in your cabinet or on your counter too. I don’t use this for the same reason that I don’t use a juicer--It’s a lot of fruit and veges that for the most part are going ‘down the drain’ for the sake of health. The fiber gets dumped when the fresh vege or fruit would be much better for us. This baby is too expensive for us frugal folk, if you ask me.
To their credit, I don’t see these at the thrift store much. I think the crowd who buys these is pretty committed. But when I’ve received not one but TWO of these as hand-me-downs from people who’ve changed their minds…well..what can I say? I kept meaning to use that dehydrator..but I just never ‘got a Round TUIT’, if you know what I mean.
The Electric Can Opener
OK, I thought my husband was just NUTS when he suggested ditching my electric can opener. Was he out of his mind? How dare he even suggest such a thing? His response, “My mom never used one.” I hate to say, “So What?!!” quite so non-chalantly..but really! What does that have to do with anything? His mom never used a meat tenderizing hammer either…but then she doesn’t make Southern style chicken fried steak, so of course, she doesn’t have one. It’s not MY fault she didn’t grow up in the South is it? Are we going to skip a taste of heaven..which requires owning one, just because his dear sainted mother didn’t use one? She is a darling..but still…each woman to her own kitchen!
But our kitchens were always small, so I thought, OK, just this once, I’ll do without an electric can opener. Well, sometimes husbands are smarter than you think. I’ve been using a good quality heavy duty hand cranked can opener for 23+ years…and I’ve never looked back. Since it slips right into the utensil drawer, I can’t complain. Now, the meat tenderizer..that’s an entirely DIFFERENT story! Don’t you even THINK of messing with my meat tenderizer, Buddy-boy!
In Summary…
Honestly, though, it’s January, and we all have the de-cluttering bug. If you have a big kitchen and WHOLE drawers to put your appliances in, then maybe this isn’t a big issue for you. But if you, like me, are tight for space, or you’re mentally exhausted from having too many choices, then maybe some of these appliances should join their sisters and brothers..on the shelves of your local thrift store. Tee-hee!
PS. On the other hand, just know that as far as I’m concerned, if you love one of these appliances and USE it, then enjoy it with my personal blessing. Everyone has their own take on appliances and I’m no expert. :o) Each woman is the queen of her kitchen and KUDOS to any of you who regularly use your juicer or dehydrator. I bet you have a rice cooker too. All I can say is..I’m impressed!
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