Monday, March 16, 2009

Small Kitchen Appliances Making Cooking Easy

By Angela Periotti

If you are like a lot of people, you may have a weakness for gadgets and countertop appliances for the kitchen. With the wide selection of kitchen cookware and kitchen equipment available today, it can be difficult to choose which to purchase.

A few decades ago, all that people had to cook with were just the basics. Everyone had a stove, several hand operated tools and an array of pots and pans. That is about it. Now the assortment of cooking equipment is vast. Cooking appliances come in many varieties which all perform different functions.

It goes without saying that we need equipment in our kitchens in order to be able to prepare meals. Kitchen equipment is essential and most of us could not get by without some of the modern cooking equipment and cooking appliances that we use everyday.

Nearly everyone owns a bread toaster. A toaster is considered to be a standard piece of equipment that most of us cannot seem to live without. Toasters these days come in all sizes, shapes and color to suit everyone.

Having a coffee machine is also considered quite standard. You can purchase an electric percolator, one of the drip-variety kind and even coffee machines that have a coffee grinder built right in. Many coffee makers today come with a timer so that you can set it the night before so that the coffee is ready when you get out of bed in morning.

Countertop mixers are very common and popular. All bakers today own a mixer. Most of the modern mixers have functions which include chopping, slicing and dicing. Some can even roll out fresh pasta and the prices can vary greatly; it all depends on what functions you need.

In the early 1980s, microwave ovens became very popular. These days microwaves come in all styles and can grill food, roast meat and bake breads. The varieties are many and they come with varying power levels also.

Having a food processor is a great plus as it can make the tasks such as shredding, blending, chopping and slicing a breeze and even fun! Different blades or discs are included that are each designed for a specific function. You can usually buy extra accessories for a food processor also.

Slow cookers or crackpots are great for someone who does not have a lot of time to spend preparing meals. All that is required is to add all of your ingredients to the pot, set the timer and you will have a complete meal in just a few short hours.

Many college students own toaster ovens due to their compact size. They can easily fit on a countertop and they do not cost much to operate. They are great for baking pizzas, re-heating food and making quick grilled sandwiches in.

Blenders are very popular amongst people who like to mix drinks. You can put fruit, yogurt and juice in a blender and make wonderful smoothie right at home. A blender is also terrific to use as an ice crusher.

The variety available of small kitchen appliances is very vast. Choosing just what appliances to purchase depends on what your cooking habits are and we all may require something different. It is up to each and every one of us. The choices really are endless!

About the Author:

No comments: