Kitchen Gadgets Archives

Plasma Mug w/Electronic Coaster

plasma-mug.jpg This double-walled glass mug works with a specially designed electronic coaster to create the look of plasma sliding along the surface of the mug.

When you touch the glass with your fingers, the plasma will follow your fingertips as you slide them along the mug.

Check price and availability at ThinkGeek.

“* Touch and interact with the plasma light
* Suitable for use with any beverage - hot or cold
* Holds eight ounces of beverage!
* Completely portable (battery operated, uses 8 AA batteries not included)
* Independent ON/OFF control on electronic coaster
* Built-in AC Adapter Jack (Power supply sold seperately)”

Fold-Up Electric Food Slicer

Fold-Up-Electric-Food-Slicer.jpg I’ve wanted a deli slicer for so long, but I just don’t have room for any more gadgets in my kitchen. But this slicer folds-up…maybe there’s a bit more room in the cupboard over the fridge.

The Food Slicer has a 6-1/2-inch stainless-steel blade and a thickness control dial so you can slice from wafer thin to extra thick. The Slicer also has a switch that locks the food carriage limiting access to the blade when it’s not in use. All the slicing parts are removable for washing.

Check price and availability at DealYard.

“* 75-watt electric food slicer for deli-style slicing at home
* Housed in durable plastic; 6-1/2-inch stainless-steel blade; safety switch
* Thickness control dial easily adjusts from wafer-thin to extra-thick slices
* Easy-to-clean removable slicing parts and tray
* Tray folds up for convenient storage
* Dimensions: 4 x 12 x 10 inches”

iTouchless Hands-Free Infrared Automatic Trash Can

itouchless.jpg iTouchless is a 13 gallon trash can that opens and closes without you having to touch it. This brushed stainless steel beauty has a built-in Smart-Chip that works like automatic faucets or soap dispensers. When your hands are about 6 inches away from the sensor the can opens, and 3 seconds after you moves away, it closes.

And hey, if automated trash cans aren’t your thing, there’s even buttons on the front to open and close the lid manually, and an on/off switch on the back.

Check price and availability at Amazon.

“This trashcan creates a germ free, odor free, automated environment. It keeps your hands clean while you are cooking or playing with your children. It also helps prevent contamination, which reduces the threat of certain illnesses and infections. Because the trashcan turns an ordinary chore into something fun, your kids will have fun throwing the trash away for you. In addition, the Touchless Trashcan outlasts most of the step-on and hand-touch cans. If you can’t touch it, you can’t break it! These cans have been opened 100,000 times in laboratory tests, and they’re still going strong. In fact, if you open your can 20 times a day, it can last over 10 years. This could actually be the last trashcan you ever buy, which will save you money, mess, and time.”

Capresso H2O Plus Glass Water Kettle

Capresso-H2O.jpg I’ve seen some attempts to make kettles more attractive, but they still just end up looking like utilitarian items that you want to hide away after use. But the Capresso cordless H2O Plus glass water kettle really is attractive enough to leave on the counter all the time.

The kettle has is made of heat-resistant German SCHOTT Glass, has a 1½ quart capacity, and a fast, quiet boil. The kettle shuts off automatically once water has boiled, and the heating element is hidden under the easy clean stainless steel dome.

Check price and availability at My Secret Pantry.

“* Illuminated power switch, automatically turns off upon boiling. Ounce and cup markings for easy filling.
* Cordless design with 360° swivel base for right and left-hand use. Kettle lifts easily for pouring and serving.
* Cool-touch handle and drip-free pouring design.
* When pouring all of the steaming hot water at once, open the lid first, to divert any steam away from your hand.”

NY Times Recipe Master

NY-Times-Recipe-Master.jpg This electronic guide has over 1,000 recipes from renowned NY Times food columnist Craig Claiborne. There are appetizers, soups, salads, main courses, and desserts, but that’s just the beginning of what you can do with this kitchen gadget.

Now you can throw away all those cookbooks taking up too much room. The Recipe Master is a mere 3 7/8″ w x 5/8″ d x 5 1/8″ h, and it has a built-in, fold-out stand so it can stand upright on your counter. You can find, add, edit recipes, and even create a shopping list based on the recipes you want to make.

Check price and availability at Brookstone.

“Find a recipe for ingredients you have on hand or create a portable electronic shopping list—you can add a recipe’s ingredients with the simple push of a button. You can also enter and store memos on recipes you’ve tried, such as quality, ease of preparation and any adjustments you would like to make next time. The “Favorites” folder allows you to save 25 of the tastiest recipes.”

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Star Wars R2-D2 Peppermill

r2d2_peppermill.jpg This R2-D2 Peppermill is a wonderful kitchen accessory for anyone looking to spice up their kitchen or anyone who collects Star Wars memorabilia. (Or any one who likes R2, and really, who doesn’t.)

Just twist R2’s head and out comes the pepper right onto your food. This peppermill is a licensed Star Wars collectible, and he stands 4.75″ tall.

Check price and availability at ThinkGeek.

“* Pepper Grinder that Looks Like R2-D2
* Twist R2’s head and pepper comes out the bottom
* Licensed Star Wars collectable Imported from Japan
* Peppercorns Not Included
* Stands 4.75″ Tall”

PictureBook Pocket Digital Photo Album

digital-photo-album.jpg This 3.5″ TFT LCD screen with 320 x 234 resolution digital photo album stores up to 500 photos using its 64MB built-in memory.

The small scale of the album means you can take it with you anywhere you go, and you can customize your albums into categories like Family, Vacation, Kids, etc.). All you do is
insert your camera’s memory card into the album to transfer photos. The album is compatible with Smart Media, Multimedia, Memory Stick, Secure Digital, and xD. Or you can transfer photos from your computer (compatible with Windows 98/SE/ME/2000/XP and MAC).

Check price and availability at Brookstone.

“* Intuitive controls and customizable folders let you scroll and organize.
* Portable digital photo album features an automatic slideshow feature.
* Compatible with most memory cards.
* No subscription fess—keep free access to all your photos forever!
* Portable digital picture frame includes rechargeable battery.”

“Glow in the Dark” Instant-Read Thermometer

Instant-Read-Thermometer.jpg This “Glow in the Dark” Instant-Read Thermometer has a 2-inch face and glow-in-the-dark background to make it easy to read once the sun has gone down.

The thermometer has a “doneness” end-temperature scale that gives you reference points for the most commonly cooked meat and poultry. There is even an end-temperature magnet for your fridge or grill for easy reference.

Check price and availability at Cybercucina.

“The Instant-Read Termometer has a large 2-inch face and a premium grade stainless steel stem.”

Moo Mixer Supreme

moo-mixer.jpg This 16 oz. mug makes it easier than ever to enjoy chocolate milk or hot chocolate without any icky lumps of chocolate power, and barely any clean up.

Check price and availability at Perpetual Kid.

The Moo Mixer comes with a spill proof lid and a detachable tumbler. Said tumbler is also dishwasher safe.

Back to Basics Egg and Muffin Toaster

Egg-and-Muffin-Toaster .jpg This 4 slot egg and muffin toaster is the perfect solution to hectic and busy mornings.

Check price and availability at Giving Gallery.

This egg and muffin toaster can be used just as a toaster, egg poacher, or can do both simultaneously to make breakfast sandwiches…in 4 minutes! This fabulous gadget can even hard or soft boil up to 8 eggs at a time. All of this and it takes up no more room than a regular toaster.

ScanPan Multipurpose Fondue Set

SCANPAN-FONDUE-Set.jpg It used to be that a fondue set was for one type of fondue, cheese, broth, etc. But the Scanpan Fondue set is designed to do everything! You can use it for chocolate, cheese, wine, oil, or broth fondues.

The set includes:6 Numbered Forks, Stainless Steel Base and Burner, Scanpan Classic Pot, Heat Resistant Glass Lid, Ceramic Bowl, Stainless Steel Collar Insert for holding the forks.

Check price and availability at My Secret Pantry.

“The heavy duty pressure cast aluminum body ensures perfect heat distribution, superior heat retention and is safe to use with metal utensils, and oven safe to 260C. Suitable for all cook tops EXCEPT Induction.”

Hot Chocolate Maker

Hot-Chocolate-Maker.jpg This 32oz ceramic Hot Chocolate Maker is battery powered and dishwasher and microwave safe. That means that you get to enjoy delicious homemade hot chocolate any time you want, with barely any clean up.

Check price and availability at My Secret Pantry.

The maker comes with an automatic mixer that combines milk and chocolate giving your hot chocolate just the right combination of mix and chocolatety froth.

Hot/Cold Beverage Fountain

Hot-Cold-Beverage-Fountain.jpg The brushed stainless steel finish on this beverage fountain is attractive and functional. The fish means that you can use the fountain to serve both traditional cold drinks as well as warm drinks.

The fountain has a built-in heater that keeps warm beverages, like cider or hot chocolate, at an even 120 F. No reheating or continual trips to the microwave required.

Check price and availability at Hammacher Schlemmer.

“This fountain has an integrated quiet pump that pushes liquids up through a central cylindrical chamber and out of three spigots that gently pour into the 1-gallon reservoir without splashing. With a constant flow that eliminates the need for repeated stirring, it is simple to operate and clean. The removable tier is dishwasher safe. 19″ H x 10 3/4″ Diam. (10 lbs.)”

Countertop Ice Maker

Countertop-Ice-Maker.jpg At Christmas and New Years’ there is no room in a standard freezer for extra ice. I speak from experience. This ice machine makes up to 35 lbs. of ice per day, and its small 17″ H x 15″ W x 13″ D size means it can fit easily on a countertop or bar.

The ice maker can make up to 1/3 lb. of cylindrical ice cubes in one cycle, and the control panel allows you to adjust the size of the ice cubes to either small, medium, or large.

Check price and availability at Hammacher Schlemmer.

“An easy-to-fill reservoir holds one gallon of water, and the unit makes up to 6 1/2 lbs. of ice before an LED signals the reservoir requires refilling. The integrated handles ensure ease of transport, and it has a durable, brushed stainless steel exterior. Includes an ice scoop.”

Chemical-Free Food Sanitizer

Chemical-Free-Food-Sanitizer.jpg This Chemical-Free Food Sanitizer sanitizes meat, fruits, vegetables, and household surfaces without the use of chemicals. It combines water and O3, a molecule that is purportedly 50% more powerful and begins to work 3,000 times faster than chlorine bleach.

The result is that it kills 99.99% of salmonella and E. coli while reducing pesticide residue on foods in less than four minutes. The sanitizer bowl is roughly the size of a salad spinner and requires only the addition of tap water.

Check price and availability at Hammacher Schlemmer.

“At the touch of a button on the unit’s base, an electrical charge infuses the tap water with O3, cleaning the food during a four-minute cycle. More than just a food sanitizer, the unit comes with a spray bottle that docks in the sanitizer base and oxygenates the contained water in two minutes, allowing you to kill unpleasant odors, eliminate mold and mildew, and clean surfaces in a kitchen, bathroom, or family room. To ensure optimal sanitation, the device has a replaceable cartridge (additional units sold below) that automatically removes humidity from air inside the unit and informs you when a new cartridge is necessary. The base has an LCD that shows time remaining in a cleaning cycle and audible alerts inform you when a cleaning cycle is complete.”