# What household/kitchen gadget will vastly improve my quality of life? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [September 14, 2010, 12:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-household-kitchen-gadget-will-vastly-improve-my-quality-of-life/553715 "2010-09-14T12:51:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![phreesh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/9fc29f/32.png) [@phreesh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/phreesh)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2010, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-household-kitchen-gadget-will-vastly-improve-my-quality-of-life/553715/21 "2010-09-14T21:50:16Z")
A good cordless drill. This is easily my most used tool. Screws are better than nails, so I screw most of my wood projects together. Also, most of the stuff that goes wrong in the house is screwed together, so my first move is to get the drill. I had a Makita for years, but I let it get wet and had to buy a DeWalt, which works just as well. My only caution would be to NOT get the massively powerful ones, which can be used as hammer drills or whatever as I find them too heavy for continous use, especially overhead work. I also second a Roomba and quality knives. ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2010, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-household-kitchen-gadget-will-vastly-improve-my-quality-of-life/553715/22 "2010-09-14T21:54:39Z")
> [@Ferret\_Herder](#): > > A Roomba vacuum? 🙂 Speaking of iRobots, does anyone have a Scooba? If so, does it work well? Do you have cats? I ask because cat fur ends up in the kitchen. I don’t mind vaccuming, but I’d _love_ not to have to wash the kitchen floor. ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2010, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-household-kitchen-gadget-will-vastly-improve-my-quality-of-life/553715/23 "2010-09-14T22:01:01Z")
I just got [this avocado slicer](http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=avocado+slicer&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&cid=767957401223591417&ei=y-6PTLTHJJOesQOI1tCxDg&sa=X&oi=product_catalog_result&ct=result&resnum=2&ved=0CDUQ8wIwAQ#), and it’s awesome. Why have I never heard of this before? No peeling, instant slicing and slice removal, and by squeezing the sides it adjusts to the size of each avocado. ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2010, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-household-kitchen-gadget-will-vastly-improve-my-quality-of-life/553715/24 "2010-09-14T23:52:03Z")
A tool to fry up corn tortillas for taco shells. (Yes, I like hard tacos. Sue me.) It’s sort of a v-shaped tongs with long handles. It’s designed for sticking in a frydaddy or something, so I have to flip it in the frying pan, but it’s still one heck of a lot easier than using a fork. Along with my wallet, it’s on my list of things to grab while escaping from a fire. ---
**Author:** ![salinqmind](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3ec8ea/32.png) [@salinqmind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/salinqmind)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2010, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-household-kitchen-gadget-will-vastly-improve-my-quality-of-life/553715/25 "2010-09-15T00:01:36Z")
Other than my toaster oven, a mini-food processor. It has a base, blade, bowl, and lid. I use it surprisingly often. (don’t need a full size as there are just 2 of us). Oh, and a wooden spoon, or rather stirrer, with a flat bottom edge, useful for cooking puddings, custards, and sauces. ---
**Author:** ![MsWhatsit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eb8c5e/32.png) [@MsWhatsit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsWhatsit)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2010, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-household-kitchen-gadget-will-vastly-improve-my-quality-of-life/553715/26 "2010-09-15T00:23:51Z")
> [@Frank](#): > > A tool to fry up corn tortillas for taco shells. (Yes, I like hard tacos. Sue me.) It’s sort of a v-shaped tongs with long handles. It’s designed for sticking in a frydaddy or something, so I have to flip it in the frying pan, but it’s still one heck of a lot easier than using a fork. I had no idea such a thing existed. We fry up our own hard taco shells, but we use a fork, and yeah, it sucks. Where did you get this tool? ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2010, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-household-kitchen-gadget-will-vastly-improve-my-quality-of-life/553715/27 "2010-09-15T00:37:22Z")
> [@MsWhatsit](#): > > I had no idea such a thing existed. We fry up our own hard taco shells, but we use a fork, and yeah, it sucks. Where did you get this tool? At an independent kitchen store on the Pearl Street Mall some 20 years ago. A google search comes up with [this](http://store.gourmetsleuth.com/tortilla-taco-frying-tongs-P131.aspx), which is pretty similar. On mine the hinges are closer to the middle, and there’s no coating on the handles. I didn’t realize they were available anywhere else; I’ve never seen them before or since in a store. I guess I don’t need to worry about rescuing them; perhaps I should grab the cat instead. ---
**Author:** ![An\_Arky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/87869e/32.png) [@An\_Arky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/An_Arky)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2010, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-household-kitchen-gadget-will-vastly-improve-my-quality-of-life/553715/28 "2010-09-15T00:37:42Z")
A well-seasoned 12 inch cast iron skillet. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2010, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-household-kitchen-gadget-will-vastly-improve-my-quality-of-life/553715/29 "2010-09-15T01:32:22Z")
I’m not a fan of cast iron, and I haven’t experienced a food processor or Kitchen-Aid mixer (yet), so I’m going to suggest a huge frying pan with lid. I use my huge frying pan _all the time_ - you can brown and sauté and stir-fry and mix with abandon without all your stuff getting flung out of it. With a lid, you can let your food simmer without messing up your stove. ---
**Author:** ![kittenblue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ba8739/32.png) [@kittenblue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kittenblue)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2010, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-household-kitchen-gadget-will-vastly-improve-my-quality-of-life/553715/30 "2010-09-15T01:39:59Z")
An Egg-rite timer, if you like hard-boiled eggs. You put it in the pan with the eggs and water, and turn the heat on. When the Egg-rite turns black (liquid Crystal Technology!) your eggs are done. Works at all altitudes…I could not have survived Colorado without it! ---
**Author:** ![Drain\_Bead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e47774/32.png) [@Drain\_Bead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drain_Bead)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2010, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-household-kitchen-gadget-will-vastly-improve-my-quality-of-life/553715/31 "2010-09-15T02:07:39Z")
If you have cats, a Litter Robot. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2010, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-household-kitchen-gadget-will-vastly-improve-my-quality-of-life/553715/32 "2010-09-15T02:35:17Z")
Wow, there are some serious gadget geeks here! I do have cleaning people. Two guys who come once a month. The first time they came they even washed all my windows inside and out. They cleaned out my fireplace ashes at the end of winter. They are wonderful. I also have a mini-food processor, the infamous Magic Bullet of infomercial fame. I like it a lot. I’m intrigued by the Vienna espresso maker thingy. Ummmm… is this it: “Saeco 4045 Vienna Plus 15-Bar-Pump Super-Automatic Espresso Machine” for 500 buckarooskis? I use a Bialetti moka pot and also a Keurig machine. I feel that my quality of life has improved just by reading this thread and KNOWING about these products. ---
**Author:** ![Panurge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/fbc32d/32.png) [@Panurge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Panurge)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2010, 9:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-household-kitchen-gadget-will-vastly-improve-my-quality-of-life/553715/33 "2010-09-15T09:15:30Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > Quality knives. > [@An\_Arky](#): > > A well-seasoned 12 inch cast iron skillet. These. It is the basic stuff you shouldn’t skimp on. A good set of knives (or really, just 1 good chef’s knife) can replace a whole range of mandolin irons, garlic graters, food processors/choppers, etc. Invaluable. ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2010, 9:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-household-kitchen-gadget-will-vastly-improve-my-quality-of-life/553715/34 "2010-09-15T09:54:16Z")
> [@Frank](#): > > A tool to fry up corn tortillas for taco shells. (Yes, I like hard tacos. Sue me.) It’s sort of a v-shaped tongs with long handles. And it makes a dandy percussion device, according to the Chenille Sisters. They call it a “taco turner” and use it on beats 2 & 4, not on tacos. ---
**Author:** ![Sattua](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sattua/32/11906_2.png) [@Sattua](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sattua)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2010, 12:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-household-kitchen-gadget-will-vastly-improve-my-quality-of-life/553715/35 "2010-09-15T12:28:30Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > I’m intrigued by the Vienna espresso maker thingy. Ummmm… is this it: “Saeco 4045 Vienna Plus 15-Bar-Pump Super-Automatic Espresso Machine” for 500 buckarooskis? I use a Bialetti moka pot and also a Keurig machine. Saeco yes, and the price point is correct. You DO need to pull it apart and clean the coffee gunk out every few months… otherwise, they’re pretty reliable. I have lots of very useful kitchen gadgets, but that one stands out as the quality-of-life gadget. I’m drinking my two-shot morning latte right now 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Ellen\_Cherry](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellen_cherry/32/3600_2.png) [@Ellen\_Cherry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellen_Cherry)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2010, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-household-kitchen-gadget-will-vastly-improve-my-quality-of-life/553715/36 "2010-09-16T17:09:32Z")
I’ve started taking coffee and cream with me when I travel. If I got one of those $500 whammajammas, I don’t think I’d ever leave the house. My contribution? George Forman. I have three of them — one large one with removable plates, and two smaller ones that you have to hand-wash. The large one is in use two or more nights a week. I grill meat, fish, vegetables, sandwiches. I haven’t been using it as much lately due to wild practice schedules with my children, but for most of the two or so years I’ve had George, I use it all the time. You can throw the plates into the dishwasher too. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Angel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/d26b3c/32.png) [@Johnny\_Angel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Angel)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2010, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-household-kitchen-gadget-will-vastly-improve-my-quality-of-life/553715/37 "2010-09-16T17:25:17Z")
Here are a couple of fantastic items I’m going to miss if they get eaten by gremlins: [Thermos Stainless King 16-Ounce Leak-Proof Travel Mug](http://www.amazon.com/Thermos-Stainless-SK1005MB4-16-Ounce-Leak-Proof/dp/B002PY7AYS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden&qid=1284657220&sr=8-1) - Sips like a travel mug, keeps coffee hot like a thermos. The leak-proof feature works. I load up on coffee in the morning and just throw it in my bag. A full-borg thermos would hold the temperature longer, but would also be trickier to sneak a drink from. The lid can be disassembled for cleaning. [Thermos 12 oz Beverage Can Insulator](http://www.amazon.com/Thermos-2700-Beverage-Can-Insulator/dp/B0000644AF/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden&qid=1284657539&sr=8-1) - I really like my pop cold. This item vastly expands the window in which I can drink it at optimal yumminess. I have more than once found that a pop was still a little cool even after it had gone flat. ---
**Author:** ![medstar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f07891/32.png) [@medstar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/medstar)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2010, 5:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-household-kitchen-gadget-will-vastly-improve-my-quality-of-life/553715/38 "2010-09-17T05:03:45Z")
I have several Microplane graters in various sizes and I love them all. I grate lemon and lime zest, garlic, parmesan cheese, nutmeg, etc., and the results are amazing. My old box grater is only good for grating cheddar cheese. ---
**Author:** ![dwyr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dwyr/32/363_2.png) [@dwyr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dwyr)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2010, 6:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-household-kitchen-gadget-will-vastly-improve-my-quality-of-life/553715/39 "2010-09-17T06:19:01Z")
> [@MsWhatsit](#): > > I am very fond of my stovetop Whirly-Pop popcorn popper. It is so very awesome. Oh, man I love my Whirley-Pop. Many, many pounds of popcorn have gone through it over the years. One gadget I couldn’t do without is my Zojirushi Neurofuzzy Rice Cooker. Not only does it make perfect rice every time it also cooks any other grain or bean, never scorches and keeps stuff warm as long as you like. I make whole meals in it and there’s only one nonstick pot to clean afterwards. ---
**Author:** ![Suburban\_Plankton](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/suburban_plankton/32/219_2.png) [@Suburban\_Plankton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Suburban_Plankton)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2010, 6:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-household-kitchen-gadget-will-vastly-improve-my-quality-of-life/553715/40 "2010-09-17T06:26:20Z")
> [@dwyr](#): > > > [@MsWhatsit](#): > > > > I am very fond of my stovetop Whirly-Pop popcorn popper. It is so very awesome. > > Oh, man I love my Whirley-Pop. Many, many pounds of popcorn have gone through it over the years. I’ll third this. Best popcorn maker ever invented! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-household-kitchen-gadget-will-vastly-improve-my-quality-of-life/553715.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-household-kitchen-gadget-will-vastly-improve-my-quality-of-life/553715.md?page=3)