It can be a challenge to figure out which kitchen appliances you need and which ones you can do without. Do you need a blender or a food processor? A toaster oven or a microwave? The Ultimate Guide to Kitchen Appliances – What You Need and What You Don’t takes the guess work out of it. This comprehensive guide covers all of the major kitchen appliances and provides insight into how they are used and which ones are essential.
It will also give you tips on how to keep your appliances in top condition and how to get the most out of the ones you own. Whether you’re a novice cook or a seasoned pro, this guide will provide you with the knowledge you need to choose the right kitchen appliances for your home.
Types of Kitchen Appliances
There are many types of kitchen appliances to choose from. Knowing the type of appliances you need will help you determine which ones are essential and which ones are non-essential. The following are some common types of kitchen appliances you will find in most kitchens.
1. Blenders
Blenders are used to make smoothies, milkshakes, drinks, purees, sauces and soups. They can also be used to make salad dressings, grinding coffee and making batters for desserts like crème brûlée and flan. Blenders come in different sizes and can vary from a single serving size to a large capacity model that can blend a whole pitcher of drinks at once. Blenders can be manual or electric and can range in price depending on their features, power and size. Blenders come in two different types, regular and immersion blenders. An immersion blender is a handheld blender that can be used to blend soups and sauces right in their pots or bowls. Immersion blenders are good for smaller jobs while regular blenders are better suited to larger batches.
2. Coffee Makers
Coffee makers are used to brew coffee, espresso and tea.Coffee is made using a percolator, steam or drip method. Some coffee makers can also make espresso, cappuccino and lattes. Coffee makers come in different varieties. Single serve coffee makers are usually smaller, automated machines that make one cup at a time. Drip coffee makers are larger and can make up to 12 cups at once. Coffee makers can also be espresso machines that can make a single serving of espresso at a time.
3. Deep Fryers
Deep fryers are used to fry foods like French fries, chicken, fish, doughnuts and other foods that are traditionally fried. Some deep fryers also have a grill feature to allow you to grill foods like steaks, chicken breasts and vegetables. Custom fry baskets can be used to fry smaller batches while large baskets are used to fry larger batches of foods.They can be used to fry foods like French fries, chicken, fish and doughnuts. Deep fryers come in both electric and propane gas models. Electric fryers are more common. You can use your preferred oil type when frying foods in a deep fryer.
4. Dishwashers
Dishwashers are used to wash dishes either by hand or in a dishwasher. They come in two different types, standard and compact. Standard dishwashers are larger and better suited for use in large households. Compact dishwashers are designed for smaller households or for people living alone. Dishwashers can be installed under your counter or on the countertop. They come in both electric and gas models. Dishwashers can be used to wash dishes, pots and pans and cutlery. Dishwashers are good for people who are short on time or don’t want to hand wash dishes. They can also be used by people who have limited mobility and find it difficult to bend over a sink to wash dishes. –
5. Electric Griddles
Electric griddles can be used to cook foods like pancakes, bacon, eggs, quesadillas, sandwiches and steaks. They can be used in a variety of different settings such as griddle, grill and stovetop. Electric griddles are usually large, flat plates that can be used for cooking large batches of food at once. Griddles can be used in different settings such as griddle for pancakes, grill for griddle-cooked foods and stovetop for eggs, omelettes and sandwiches.Griddles are especially useful for large households where there may be a lot of cooking going on at any given time. –
6. Electric Skillets
Electric skillets are used to make pancakes, eggs, omelettes, sandwiches and desserts. Electric skillets are usually single serving skillets that can be used to make a single portion of food at a time. They can also be used in larger settings such as a buffet or a party. Electric skillets are popular in households with only one or two people. They are good for single servings or small portions. – Electric Pressure Cookers – Electric pressure cookers are used to cook meats, fish, stews, soups, beans and grains. They can also be used to make desserts like cheesecake and puddings.
7. Humidifiers
Humidifiers are used to add moisture to the air to help reduce coughs and congestion. Humidifiers are good for people with allergies, asthma, emphysema, eczema or other breathing conditions. – Microwaves – Microwaves are used to heat food, popcorn, melt butter and warm beverages. Microwaves are a common appliance often found in kitchens, dorms and staff rooms. They come in a variety of different models. The most basic models only heat food while others can also be used to cook food and do more advanced tasks such as popping popcorn.
8. Mixers
Mixers are used to mix, knead and whisk dough for making bread and other baked goods. They can also be used to make creams, sauces and soups. Mixers can be either stand mixers or hand-held mixers. Stand mixers are usually larger and better suited to large batches while hand-held mixers are better suited to single servings. Mixers can be used to mix ingredients together, knead dough and make dough. They are often used to make dough for bread, biscuits, pastries and other baked goods.They can also be used to make creams, sauces and soups. –
9. Microwave Ovens
Microwave ovens are used to heat, cook and reheat food. They are often used to heat leftovers, re-heat meals and heat beverages. Microwave ovens are a common kitchen appliance often found in homes, dorms and staff rooms. They come in a variety of different models to suit different needs. The most basic models only heat food while others can also be used to cook food and do more advanced tasks such as popping popcorn.
10. Popcorn Poppers –
Popcorn poppers are used to pop popcorn.They can be used to pop corn for a single person or a large group. Popcorn poppers come in a variety of different designs and can be either manual or electric. – Rice Cookers – Rice cookers are used to cook rice, grains and beans. They can also be used to make oatmeal, porridge and other hot cereal items. Rice cookers come in two different types, electric and stovetop. Electric rice cookers are better suited for large households or people cooking large batches of rice. Stovetop rice cookers are better suited for single servings or smaller batches. –
11. Slow Cookers
Slow cookers are used to slow cook, simmer and steam food at a low temperature.They can be used to make stews, soups, beans and grains. Slow cookers are also commonly called crock pots. – Stand Mixers – Stand mixers are used to mix, knead and whisk dough for making bread and other baked goods. They can also be used to make creams, sauces and soups. Stand mixers can be either electric or manual. They are larger, better suited to larger batches and are often used in commercial kitchens. –
12. Toaster Ovens
Toaster ovens are used to warm, toast and bake foods such as pizzas, sandwiches, toaster pastries and homemade biscuits. They can also be used to warm and bake foods like cookies, casseroles, one