Based off another thread discussion, in your kitchen what small appliances are out on your counters 24/7? Are you neat and tidy, only a keurig out? Or do you have the 4 slice toaster, coffee pot, Foreman, blender, food processor, coffee bean grinder, magic bullet, electric kettle - and more???
I do like things nice and tidy. However, the family has needs, right? Right now I have two crockpots sitting on the kitchen counter waiting for their next “assignment” since a new Instapot will be coming tomorrow!
Otherwise, these things are out 24/7: Toaster, combo blender/food processor (I need to reevaluate this!), small coffee maker, toaster oven - it does get used a lot, Electric kettle on a small side “desk” area.
My mental state would love it to be able to hide most of this!
24/7 it is a two slice toaster and a Mr Coffee pot. When needed the kitchen aid gets lugged out. It use to get a spot on the counter until I realized that it was taking up prime real estate and not being used that often. Slow cooker and rice maker only appear when needed.
Keurig, Latte maker and Foodsaver are the only appliances that are out. I really hate counter clutter and would love to get it down to just the Keurig. My kitchen isn’t huge and I’m out of places to store any more appliances. I am very lucky though to have my KitchenAid on a mixer lift so it can be used at any moment.
Three coffee makers - Espresso, French Press, and drip - (one should get put away, it only gets used for parties), two coffee grinders (don’t ask!), toaster, food processor, knife sharpener, big Kitchen Aid, juicer (the little kind), blender. Also out: a cannister of chopsticks, one of wood spoons, one of whisks, one of pancake turners, a smaller cup of measuring spoons and one of small pastry brushes and tiny whisks. On the wall the most used spices, all my frying pans, some bigger metal spoons and ladles. Hanging from the center island table, dish towels, a collander and BBQ implements. I’ve got a big pantry with dishes and some canned food. Two small upper cabinets which have Chinese and Indian sauces and spices, the coffee, egg cups and some storage containers. What’s left is in drawers. There are a few too many drawers with non-kitchen items in them.
Coffee maker (don’t do Keurig) - used most days
KitchenAid mixer - too big to tuck away
blender - used most days
2 slice toaster - used most days
All 4 are in one corner of the countertops and the rest are clean and clutter free absent a fruit bowl and S&P near the stovetop. Oh, and husband’s 1/2 empty bottle of wine. Other appliances I have - a Cuisinart food processor, slow cooker, and an immersion blender - are tucked away as they are used less often.
Toaster and small keurig out but everything is pretty handy for dragging out when needed.
I kept looking at that smart pot thing but I’ve had other multi-cooker items that just weren’t as good as the dedicated items to one type cooking.
As to toaster–I bought some “toaster bags” which I mentioned on the “new stuff” thread. Love them! Great for heating up pizza and muffin sandwiches in the toaster. I actually don’t make much actual toast.
I loved the “new stuff” thread until it degenerated into “how to boil an egg”…
I have to fess up… I have a “butlers counter” (the lonely counter away from the kitchen triangle where the phone and bills are supposed to go), and I keep… a Lusmo on it! That’s my tortie’s private dining hall. That way, she can enjoy her kibble without being harassed by the other cats because the bigger cats either are too lazy or cannot jump up there.
I need to redo my kitchen. But for now, I have a “peninsula” counter that has a brilliant extra counter that is about 12" deep and a few inches higher than the regular counter. Perfect spot for a banana hanger, bread basket, garlic bowl, nespresso machine (facing out), etc.
On the regular counter is my toaster, blender, knife block, coffee grinder, and a big bottle of olive oil. The essentials!
Nothing is out on the counter (appliance wise - bread and fruit are always out) - I have in my kitchen cabinets - small toaster, mr. coffee, blender, and mixer. The bigger appliances - electric griddle, waffle iron, electric skillet, and george foreman grill live in the basement.
BTW I use an old fashioned pressure cooker on the stove when I make pot roast (the way grandma did!) so no instant pot!
The “appliance garage”. Never been a fan of the look.
My dream home will have a huge butler’s pantry with a marble counter top for baking and a spot for the KitchenAid mixer and other appliances as well as canisters of baking essentials.
Oh yeah, if you want to talk things OTHER than small appliances, of course I too have fruit bowl, canister set, 2 olive oil bottles, a basket with “pills” (ibuprofen, vitamins, etc.), knife block, one of the 5 mini flower vase thingys that holds either fresh flowers or herbs…too much!
I have a lot of counter space, but the only small appliances that stay out are the coffee pot and the Kitchenaid Mixer (in a discreet corner). Everything else like toaster, Vitamix, etc. get put away right after use. There are ceramic canisters in another corner near the prep area and a fruit bowl on the island.
lookingforward–If I had the chance at the “model” home look, I’d have it messed up the second I walked in by putting down my purse on the counter, my shoes near the sofa and a drink on the coffee table. I enjoy too much memorabilia to keep the streamlined look. I love family photos especially. And my house is meant to be comfortable in.
Which is why that “bag a week” club is important. Right now (with two households of stuff to go through) I’m dumping stuff just to keep a “happy cluttered” look rather than “hoarder”.
The question was small appliances in the kitchen but as I look around --does the computer, water pitcher and a whole array of oils/basalmic vinegar and a feathered chicken (my fave) count? The keurig can go but the chicken stays.
Dumb question. You eat all the fruit in a bowl, before summer gnats get to it? You rotate the fruits? For thin skinned fruits like apples, you still wash before eating?
I have fake pomegranates in a bowl in the butler’s pantry. No one has yet said liquor. That’s out in the BP, too. Along with some decanters. Pretty much sits there, except for rum, in summer.
I’ve only had problems with fruit flies once (knock on wood) and I’m sure they were brought home from the store. If I was having persistent problems with them, I’d switch grocery stores.
We go through the fruit in the bowl in about a week or so. Some of the things I buy need several days to reach a ripe stage. I do a bigger shopping trip once per week and buy most of our fruit then.
I keep cheap amaretto out behind the knife block during the strawberry season. A little drizzle, especially with some lemon zest, adds a lot of flavor!
For fruit, it doesn’t keep as well if you leave it out. I don’t like to eat cold apples or peaches though so I will take them out an hour beforehand. If peaches or avocados need to ripen, they’re out, with the peaches carefully padded. Once they’re soft enough they go in the fridge.
Other appliances I have - a Cuisinart food processor, slow cooker, and an immersion blender - are tucked away as they are used less often.