# Modern device your parents had that you don’t have now **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [August 28, 2022, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/modern-device-your-parents-had-that-you-don-t-have-now/970470 "2022-08-28T14:00:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2022, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/modern-device-your-parents-had-that-you-don-t-have-now/970470/121 "2022-08-30T00:35:31Z")
> [@WildaBeast](#): > > Likely it was one of Beverly Cleary’s earlier works; at that age I checked out literally every one of her books the school library had. But anyway, in the story the main character’s friend had the idea “Hey, let’s get our moms to make dresses for us, so we’ll have identical dresses to wear on the first day of school” or something like that. And ultimately the main character ended up feeling embarrassed by her dress because her mom couldn’t sew as well as her friend’s mom. Yeah, [Ellen Tebbits.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ellen_Tebbits) ---
**Author:** ![P-man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/p-man/32/3606_2.png) [@P-man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/P-man)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2022, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/modern-device-your-parents-had-that-you-don-t-have-now/970470/122 "2022-08-30T00:54:29Z")
My first apartment in Brooklyn had one, circa 1993. It did a good job washing, but an abysmal job drying. It did ok with dress shirts and underwear, but everything else I hung up to dry on the terrace. ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2022, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/modern-device-your-parents-had-that-you-don-t-have-now/970470/123 "2022-08-30T01:51:41Z")
Yeah, I was an odd size as a kid, and my mom always had to hem my pants because I was a bit shorter than the kid size would indicate. Having a sewing machine was very helpful for that. ---
**Author:** ![Bonum\_Legatum](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bonum_legatum/32/6183_2.png) [@Bonum\_Legatum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bonum_Legatum)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2022, 1:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/modern-device-your-parents-had-that-you-don-t-have-now/970470/124 "2022-08-30T13:09:52Z")
And to think that I pulled out the sewing machine early in the pandemic because masks were not to be had for love or money – but there were instructions on how to make one with multiple layers of cloth and elastic ear bands. ---
**Author:** ![TRC4941](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trc4941/32/6792_2.png) [@TRC4941](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TRC4941)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2022, 1:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/modern-device-your-parents-had-that-you-don-t-have-now/970470/125 "2022-08-30T13:57:51Z")
> [@teelabrown](#): > > My mom didn’t have much in the way of electrical appliances, but she did have one thing: a plug-in electric “skillet”. It sat on your table and you fried things in it. I haven’t seen one of these for decades, though I’m sure they must still exist. > > I don’t know why she had it. My parents tended to scorn “fancy, new-fangled” stuff. And we only used it very occasionally. I had one that we got for our wedding in 1982 and used it until it crapped out a few years ago. I purchased a new one and use it all the time. I use it when I have to brown a large quantity of ground beef for tacos, sloppy joes, lasagna, etc. for when I’m feeding a crowd. If you don’t have a griddle they work great for cooking more than two pancakes at a time. I also use it for large quantities of scrambled eggs. Just this last weekend I used it to make a big batch of fried rice. My mom used hers for cooking roasts. I think I’ve seen somewhere that you can “bake” a cake in them. They’re quite versatile. ---
**Author:** ![SlipperyPete](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ba9def/32.png) [@SlipperyPete](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SlipperyPete)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2022, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/modern-device-your-parents-had-that-you-don-t-have-now/970470/126 "2022-08-30T14:13:02Z")
My dad had a phone installed in his car. Not sure that counts but it was kinda cool. ---
**Author:** ![dolphinboy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dolphinboy/32/330_2.png) [@dolphinboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dolphinboy)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2022, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/modern-device-your-parents-had-that-you-don-t-have-now/970470/127 "2022-08-30T14:14:15Z")
That counts, but cell phones replaced car phones… unless you don’t own a cell phone. ---
**Author:** ![Tibby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tibby/32/17030_2.png) [@Tibby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tibby)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2022, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/modern-device-your-parents-had-that-you-don-t-have-now/970470/128 "2022-08-30T14:15:36Z")
I think generally smaller families today account for the decreased market for electric skillets. But, they are great when needed. My mother used one often and effectively for our family of 5. I particularly loved when she whipped up what she called a _“mixed grill”_, but was really a _Full English Breakfast_ (with the addition of delicious Philly scrapple!). Good stuff. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2022, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/modern-device-your-parents-had-that-you-don-t-have-now/970470/129 "2022-08-30T14:17:55Z")
My cousin’s wife still uses a sewing machine. Primarily for embroidery and lettering. She put my name on both my jean jackets. I’ve seen shirts and skirts that she’s embroidered. AFAIK she doesn’t sew clothing. Just minor alterations. I can’t think of anyone else in my family that uses a sewing machine. ---
**Author:** ![pullin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c57346/32.png) [@pullin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pullin)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2022, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/modern-device-your-parents-had-that-you-don-t-have-now/970470/130 "2022-08-30T15:00:17Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > I gather from your collective posts that you’re fairly well off living in a fairly large house. Except for living on the lakefront you can certainly have any or all of those things installed in your current house. > > Double ovens are easy; you just sacrifice a little cabinet space for them. I have double ovens in my condo and greatly appreciate the extra flexibility. > > Instant whole-house hot water can be retrofitted easily & inexpensively to any house with no significant plumbing required. I did it to my former McMansion with looong slooow hot water runs a few years ago. This is what you’re looking for: > > [https://www.amazon.com/Watts-500800-Instant-Recirculating-Install/dp/B000E78XHG](https://www.amazon.com/Watts-500800-Instant-Recirculating-Install/dp/B000E78XHG) Thank you for your post. I mentioned some of this stuff to the Missus and we’re talking about it for some planned upgrades. I’m really interested in the instant sink water heater. I didn’t know any of this existed. We probably need to start watching more home improvement stuff on TV. ---
**Author:** ![Icarus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/icarus/32/72_2.png) [@Icarus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Icarus)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2022, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/modern-device-your-parents-had-that-you-don-t-have-now/970470/131 "2022-08-30T15:15:53Z")
We haven’t owned a vacuum cleaner for over 10 years. I don’t consider such a thing obsolete. Instead, we have been fortunate enough to pay cleaners to come in on a regular schedule. And we don’t do anything that could need a vacuum cleaner in the meantime. Our homes have been wood/tile floors so a broom and dustpan suffice. HOWEVER, we are moving into a new home that is carpeted. So, we will likely invest in a vacuum cleaner. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2022, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/modern-device-your-parents-had-that-you-don-t-have-now/970470/132 "2022-08-30T15:39:25Z")
Happy to help. > [@pullin](#): > > I didn’t know any of this existed. I suspected as much. FWIW, I have this exact device as my current hot/cold dispenser for my kitchen sink: > **[Indulge Contemporary Hot/Cool Faucet (F-HC1100) | InSinkErator](https://insinkerator.emerson.com/en-us/shop/insinkerator/products/water-dispensers/insinkerator-fhc1100)** > > Thanks To Its Modern Flair & Blended Design, Indulge Contemporary Hot & Cold 1100 Faucet Brings Added Energy & Instant Convenience. Shop 13 Finishes. I plumbed a small feed line off the sink’s cold side angle stop through a cartridge water filter and into the inlets of this gizmo. The result is filtered room-temp water from one handle & filtered almost-boiling water from the other. I can recommend this specific product by make/model. I’ve installed a couple of these in various residences I’ve owned; they look good, work great, and wear well. FYI various vendors also sell miniature chillers that can also install undersink so you could have chilled water from the cool-side handle. Chiller or no, you’ll probably need to wire in a new electrical feed under there too; the thing likes amperage. As to the whole-house quick hot water system, the one I linked to on Amazon was simply the first one from my search there that had the gross features mine did. I’m not specifically endorsing that make/model. Good luck whatever you do. ---
**Author:** ![Die\_Capacitrix](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/die_capacitrix/32/9_2.png) [@Die\_Capacitrix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Die_Capacitrix)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2022, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/modern-device-your-parents-had-that-you-don-t-have-now/970470/133 "2022-08-30T16:42:21Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > Also, how would you ever get caught? I would expect that a home owner could install such a device on their own, as no plumber would install it. Renters (70% of the population) would not install such a device, since it’s not permitted, and they would definitely lose their security deposit. Article 10 is quoted in the Wikipedia article: ###### [**Art. 10** Prohibition of waste disposal with waste water](https://www.fedlex.admin.ch/eli/cc/1998/2863_2863_2863/en#art_10) > It is prohibited: > > a. > to dispose of solid and liquid wastes with waste water unless this is expedient for treatment of waste water; > b. > to discharge substances in a way which is contrary to instructions on the manufacturer’s label or in the directions for use. @EinsteinsHund The German word is [Küchenabfallzerkleinerer](https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/K%C3%BCchenabfallzerkleinerer). ---
**Author:** ![WildaBeast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wildabeast/32/6_2.png) [@WildaBeast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WildaBeast)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2022, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/modern-device-your-parents-had-that-you-don-t-have-now/970470/134 "2022-08-30T16:44:57Z")
> [@teelabrown](#): > > My mom didn’t have much in the way of electrical appliances, but she did have one thing: a plug-in electric “skillet”. It sat on your table and you fried things in it. I haven’t seen one of these for decades, though I’m sure they must still exist. Oh yeah, I forgot about that in my previous post, but my mom has one of those, too. And also and electric “broiler” which is basically a thing with a heating element on top and drip pan on the bottom. It’s pretty much her go-to appliance for cooking any meat – season it with salt and pepper and throw it in the broiler. I never quite understood the point of either one. I can see how the electric skillet might be useful if you need to cook somewhere where you don’t have a proper stove, but otherwise a pan on the stove does exactly the same job. Mom literally sets the electric skillet on the counter next to the stove and cooks in that instead of on the stove. And likewise the broiler doesn’t do anything her oven and toaster oven, both of which have broil settings, can’t do. ---
**Author:** ![dolphinboy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dolphinboy/32/330_2.png) [@dolphinboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dolphinboy)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2022, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/modern-device-your-parents-had-that-you-don-t-have-now/970470/135 "2022-08-30T16:47:57Z")
We have a whole house vacuum that our housekeeper loves since it means she doesn’t have to lug a vacuum cleaner around the house. Just plug and play. We also have a portable Dyson stick vacuum that works great, takes care of the messes I make, and picks up the dog hair in between house cleanings. I second the poster that mentioned answering machines and will add to that home phone service. My parents kept their home phones as long as possible even though they both had cell phones because many of their friends only knew their home numbers, which meant they still needed an answering machine. (Over time, that became less of an issue, if you get my drift.) I used to run in the door and immediately check to see if anyone had left me a phone message… it’s been many years since I needed to do that. I only had a home phone recently because I needed it for my home security system, but I cut the cord three years ago and now rely on WiFi. ---
**Author:** ![EinsteinsHund](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/einsteinshund/32/8400_2.png) [@EinsteinsHund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EinsteinsHund)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2022, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/modern-device-your-parents-had-that-you-don-t-have-now/970470/136 "2022-08-30T16:50:56Z")
> [@Die\_Capacitrix](#): > > @EinsteinsHund The German word is [Küchenabfallzerkleinerer](https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/K%C3%BCchenabfallzerkleinerer). Never heard that word before, but I love the German language. 😆 ETA: the German word is also more precise, it literally means “kitchen garbage shredder”. I had assumed that also non-organic garbage went into it. Ignorance fought. And I have never seen such a device anywhere in Germany. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2022, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/modern-device-your-parents-had-that-you-don-t-have-now/970470/137 "2022-08-30T16:51:43Z")
> [@WildaBeast](#): > > Oh yeah, I forgot about that in my previous post, but my mom has one of those, too. And also and electric “broiler” which is basically a thing with a heating element on top and drip pan on the bottom. It’s pretty much her go-to appliance for cooking any meat – season it with salt and pepper and throw it in the broiler. My mom doesn’t have one of those, but my aunt does; every year at Thanksgiving, she cooks the turkey in that electric broiler (which, obviously, is big enough to fit a turkey). I think it serves a couple of functions: - Gives you more oven space for a big meal, with multiple dishes requiring time in the oven - Lets you bake or broil something without heating up the kitchen with the big oven (probably more of a concern in the summer months) ---
**Author:** ![WildaBeast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wildabeast/32/6_2.png) [@WildaBeast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WildaBeast)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2022, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/modern-device-your-parents-had-that-you-don-t-have-now/970470/138 "2022-08-30T17:05:56Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > My mom doesn’t have one of those, but my aunt does; every year at Thanksgiving, she cooks the turkey in that electric broiler (which, obviously, is big enough to fit a turkey). The one my mom has is nowhere near that big. It’s about the same size as the electric skillet, with just enough room inside for a couple of burgers or steaks or pork chops or whatever. Actually the best way to describe it is that it’s like the electric skillet, except the heating element is in the lid, and instead of a smooth cooking surface on the bottom there are holes with a drip pan underneath. ---
**Author:** ![suranyi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e36b37/32.png) [@suranyi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/suranyi)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2022, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/modern-device-your-parents-had-that-you-don-t-have-now/970470/139 "2022-08-30T18:46:58Z")
I just remembered something: All through my childhood, we had a toaster oven on our kitchen countertop. We used it mainly for toast and toaster pastries, occasionally as a small oven. I’ve never had one myself in my adult life. We do have a regular toaster. ---
**Author:** ![JohnGalt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johngalt/32/184_2.png) [@JohnGalt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnGalt)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2022, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/modern-device-your-parents-had-that-you-don-t-have-now/970470/140 "2022-08-30T18:53:33Z")
Something electric skillets are really good at is making doughnuts. My mother made them on a regular basis (and then fried potatoes in the leftover oil to clean it up). I tried making doughnuts a few times, but it’s so much easier to just go to the bakery at the grocery store for the two or three we would eat before we got tired of themm. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/modern-device-your-parents-had-that-you-don-t-have-now/970470.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/modern-device-your-parents-had-that-you-don-t-have-now/970470.md?page=8)