apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

Just keep food processor, toaster and slow cooker! The rest can be done away with.

Loose the rice cooker, popcorn maker, 4 slice toaster (get a 2 slice one after you move). Those three things can FOR SURE go, IMHO.

This quote is about open shelving from a kitchen tour, but I think its a good philosphy in general for keeping things:

“If you use it more than once a week, have it out. If you use it a few times a month, stick it in a cabinet. Once or twice a year? It belongs in the basement.”

So in other words you could stick anything not commonly used in long term storage (doesnt have to be a basement) or do like faith said and do the whole "outbox" thing where you get rid of anything you haven't gone back for after a certain amount of time.

Or make nice with the new neighbors by gifting them appliances. Then if you really need it you can borrow it back!

Okay, here's what I did when I moved across the country....

1. I kept ONE set of everyday tableware. I kept ONE set of silverware.

2. I kept ONE GOOD set of pots (soup, noodle, sauce).

3. I kept ONE REALLY GOOD frying pan (medium).

4. I donated ANY unitaskers that I owned.

5. I carefully considered any of the remaining appliances to see if it was possible to get them cheaper on the other side than it would be to ship and/or pack them. Consider the fact that the larger appliances take up more room in boxes and/or on moving trucks, and moving trucks are expensive to go across the country.

You could probably get rid of the blender too. I got an immersion blender for Christmas two years ago and haven't used the full sized blender since! Also, you can pop your own popcorn in a standard stock pot -- follow the directions on the kernel bag (I find this way much tastier than an air popper). I know how it feels to have very little storage space! Good luck with your move.

Bummer! Such a nice collection. What do you think the chances of being able to sell everything would be? Or can you just box everything up and then pick and choose what to keep when you get there? You've really what looks to be an "essential collection." I guess with the exception of the popcorn popper. You could cook popcorn in the pressure cooker.

FYI - Remember - the photo is NOT of her actual collection.

ditto on the immersion blender. They're smaller, almost as good, more convenient, and easier to clean.

I've actually thought far too much about this. Somehow I always think maybe I'll move away... :P

Plug in gadgets that I have - stick blender, stand mixer, hand mixer, air popper, crock pot, toaster oven, toaster, rice cooker, food processor, waffle iron, coffee maker. I guess it's not SO many, but it seems like a lot to me.

Things I'd keep - stick blender, stand mixer, toaster. I'd replace the coffee maker with an electric kettle to use with my french press once I got wherever. I'd miss the food processor most of all the things I'd give up, but I only use it 4-5 times a year.

s and the r: Good reminder! I was getting so angry until I reread the post and your comment. With the popcorn popper, the water kettle, the crock pot, and the rice cooker, I was wondering if this person even had a stove!

ooops...I feel like a dumb arse.

Thanks for all the advice! I've been thinking about the immersion blender for a while-- I think I'll throw out the blender and work on loving everything over ice :) Pots are the big toughie for me. I can't see doing without a sauce, pasta, and esp large stock pot. I make way too much in bulk on the weekends to give that up.

Laurie II- I'm with you on the coffee pot. I love my little percolator and won't go back to the big counter hog.

Definitely would be helpful to know what she has to figure out how to pare down.

However I'd recommend eliminating all unitaskers like the others said.

Here's a big one: those huge stand mixers? I do most of the same things that they are used for, with a simple hand mixer or even a spoon/whisk.

Sometimes having to do a little extra work in prep is worth it, to get rid of all the space-consumers in the kitchen.

Why have a picture that isn't of the poster's stuff? It's confusing and pointless.

I've never owned a food processor and have gotten by just fine. I wonder what people did before they were invented.

MUST HAVE APPLIANCES
Food Processor
Good Blender
Juicer
Good Mixer

GET RID OF IT
Toaster (Cheap to buy / can use the oven)
Popcorn Maker (Easier to pop stovetop)
Coffee Maker (Get a press or buy one when you get there)


I live in NYC. And have half a foot of counter space. So I feel your downsizing pain.

Must have for me is my cuisinart, kitchen aid stand mixer and immersion blender. Even though I also have a rice cooker and free-standing blender, I could easily do without those.

I have an immersion blender that has a food processor attachment (KitchenAid brand). It's small, which means I sometimes have to do things in batches, and it really only chops, no slicing or grating, but it's easy to store and it is really handy!

Unless your asian and have rice regularly, say bye to the rice pot! I am also in agreement about thye food processor. I have never had one - space reasons, as well not wanting to overly rely on something. It makes you a better cook to practice your knife skills and other techniques...

I would definitely echo losing the rice cooker. Rice is incredibly easy to make in a pan with a good lid. Just do a quick search on "making perfect rice" and you'll find instructions. You can also make microwave popcorn in a paper bag rather than use a dedicated air popper (though personally I make it in a pot with olive oil since it tastes better).

I'd also ditch the hot water pot unless you drink tea all day. Even then, you can heat water in anything.

Generally speaking, any appliance that is for a single purpose or has limited functionality would go if I were in your shoes. I'd keep the stuff which is used for various types of food preparation (the Cuisinart, good pans, etc.).

Plug In Appliances I have:

3 hand mixers (no idea why)
1 small food processor (gift from mom 2008)
1 large food processor (gift from mom 2007)
Toaster Oven 1 immersion blender coffee bean grinder
1 quesadilla maker (ridiculous, i know, I never use it)
ancient crock pot that i love even though the lid doesn't fit well.

Other stuff:
2 French Presses
2 rolling pins (why?!?!!?)
2 pastry cutters
2 microplanes big and small
far too many sheet pans
far too many baking pans
tart shell (i don't cook tarts)
1 cake pan (where did my other cake pan go?)


Pots/Pans
1 way too big noodle pot
1 medium pot that I lost the lid to
1 small pot with good fitting lid
2 rissotto pots (i loooove cooking in these) they have small handles and are heavy.
2 poached egg pans (1 cooks only 1 egg, 1 cooks 4)
2 unseasoned never used cast iron skillets (inherited when my mom got a conductive range (aparently cast iron scratches)
1 heavy stainless skillet
1 pot with really high sides, i think its supposed to be used for stirring on the range.
cast iron pizza stone

i think i need to be cured!


Sorry this post clearly won't help your problem, just wanted you to know that you aren't alone!

If you do use your food processor all the time, like you say, then keep it.

Send your Kitchen Aid stand mixer to me.