Got a drippy spoon? These Utensil Pot Clips ($5.56 apiece at Sur La Table and many other retailers) are intended to keep those drips inside the pot instead of splattered on your stove. You can clip them anywhere - on the side of a stockpot, frying pan, or casserole dish - anything that needs stovetop time.
It looks like a great idea in theory, but we are wondering how helpful they are in practice. Are they awkward to use? Does the spoon fall out? Does anyone have experience with these little gadgets?
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I just used one of these for the first time last night. The spoon doesn't fall out, and now I don't make such a huge drippy mess on my stove.
It's really easy to use, and whatever you're holding in there stay's put. A great idea!
The only time I take the spoon out of the pot is when I put a lid on it, which would make it impossible and pointless to use this clip.
I got one for Christmas and I am still getting used to using it. I tend to forget to use it and put my spoon on the stove top even when I have the clip in the side of the pot. Then there is the struggle of putting the lid on. When I do use it, it works well. All of my utensils have stayed in the holder, even a regular soup spoon.
They suck. Where do I put the spoon when I need to put the lid back on the pot?
What a pointless unitasker. Can't you just use a spoon rest to not get gunk all over your stove top?
Angry.kitty, then you'd have to wash the spoonrest. This thing only touches the clean part of the spoon so it doesn't get messy. And I usually dripped on the stove on my way to the spoonrest.
I've got a cool spoonrest (which goes in the dishwasher) with one side for a spoon and another side for the pot lid, which leans up against a handle in the middle. I've found it very useful.
The pots I use most have handles on the sides that are slightly angled upwards, which makes them perfect for nestling a spoon (whether the lid is on or off). But I do have to remember to bang the spoon on the rim of the pot to get all the drippy stuff off before stowing it.
For my handleless pots, I like these in concept, but knowing myself, I'd likely forget to rummage through the drawer to pull them out for use. And I make a mess of the stove one way or the other, so maybe these just aren't for me!
I actually thought this would be great for holding my digital thermometer probe in place. I got the el cheapo target version which is more for roasts etc but I like it for candy making so I think this would work well. Last time I used a cloths pin but the wood just makes me think fire danger even though it didn't get hot.
I'm voting for "unitasker" ... we just have a small plate on our stove for setting utensils on. Cost: $1.
I'd never buy one, but I got one for my birthday and clip it to my KitchenAid mixer handle to hold the spatula I use to scrape the bowl down between adding ingredients. It took some awkward balancing at first, but once I found that sweet spot, I always knew where to clip it. When I cook, though, I just rest my spoon on the pot lit, which is usually on whatever I'm cooking up.
Joan A., where can I find that really cool spoon rest that also holds pot lids? I always come a little too close to burning myself when awkwardly placing a heated pot lid upside on the counter while cooking.
OneWallKitchen, that is a great idea, esp if you are making sticky things like meringue in your kitchenaid. I am def going to get one for my mixer
$6 seems pretty steep for something that not only has a single use, but also becomes an awkward obstacle when you need to use a lid. Speaking of hazard, I'm sure kids love the bright colors.
What's more unitask than a spoon rest? Besides, I don't really have room on my stove for one.
I'm revisiting this post because I pulled this out over the weekend when I was making a layered veggie soup, and it definitely came in handy as I added things into the pot before I had to put the lid on. Melt the butter, stir, add the onions and garlic, stir, add the carrots and celery, stir, add the root veggies, stir, mix in the other veggies, stir, add the tomatoes and stock, stir, lid. It's the same deal with chili and other stewy or soupy things I cook in layers. And it makes a good chip clip. ;D Unitaskers are for unithinkers.
Here's how I clip it to my mixer bowl--no drips because I scrape it off the side of the bowl first, but since the spoon is still dirty and sticky, I don't want to actually set it down: http://www.flickr.com/photos/razz1/2196264104/
I've got a pot of marinara going on the stove right now and I am using a coffee mug to hold my spoon when I'm not stirring...........I'm all for unitaskers, too!