Both Mick and I have been thinking of treating ourselves to some small kitchen appliances for a while now so we've been doing a bit of research on the things we're wanting to buy.
First up is a bean-to-cup coffee machine. Mick loves a good cup of coffee and I know this is something he'll get a lot of use out of. It's something that other members of the family will get a lot of use out of too! This is something that Mick is definitely going to buy, it's just a matter of which one. The one above is a Ninja, we went into an independent shop where they gave him a demonstration and he tasted the coffee it made, you don't get that sort of service in chain stores. We've got a Ninja air fryer and we've always been happy with that.
Another contender is this Sage model. He hasn't had a demonstration but he likes the look of this one and it's got all the functions that he wants the machine to have.
Something that I've been considering buying is a Kitchenaid stand mixer, not in the colour above, that's Milkshake. I quite like the Almond Cream or Cast Iron Black, and I prefer the stainless steel mixing bowl rather than the glass. I've always used a hand mixer or good old elbow grease in the past so I'm wondering if I actually need one. I'm still thinking this one over.
I'm definitely going to treat myself to a Hotel Chocolat Velvetiser. I know I don't actually 'need' this but I 'want' it. I always enjoy a nice hot chocolate and this gadget makes delicious hot chocolate, and cold drinks too. So this is going to be a gift to myself. There's some delicious flavours that you can buy so it will be fun trying them all out.
We don't often treat ourselves to 'things', in fact, we're using money which my mum and dad gave us as Christmas gifts, and they died over five years ago. It will be nice to use that money on something we'll actually use. So, has anyone got any experience of the things we're thinking of buying? Any recommendations or things to look out for? I'd love to hear your thoughts.
My daughter has the velvetiser, it makes great smooth drinks, I would definitely suggest you get that one. We have a big food mixer not the one you show, but we rarely use it, I kept my small hand mixer which I often pull out and use, maybe the bigger one would be used more if I have space to keep it out on the counter top.
ReplyDeleteMy problem with new gadgets is learning how to use them! The bean to cup coffee makers look good - bit like an aeroplane cockpit!! Have fun choosing and then enjoy
ReplyDeleteIt's nice to contemplate the things you'd like to have.
ReplyDeleteWe have a De Longhi coffee machine. I don't drink coffee, ever, but my husband does, and the rest of the family do when they visit, and they like what this machine produces.
We have a Hotel Chocolat Velvetiser and it is superb. It's my indulgence, as my husband doesn't drink hot chocolate, but always makes mine with Green and Black's 85% dark chocolate. Delicious! Good luck with your purchases.
Definitely go for the Hotel Chocolat machine, it makes the most delicious hot chocolate. As I've got older I do less baking, so am managing with just a hand held mixer and as I can't stand coffee wouldn't buy a coffee machine. Xx
ReplyDeleteI have a Kitchen Aid Stand Mixer. I've had it for many, MANY years. It works really well. You can buy so many attachments for it as well. I have bright white with the stainless steel bowl.
ReplyDeleteOne benefit of the stainless steel is that you can put the bowl in the freezer for when you want to whip cream. One downfall .... the whip attachment has to be hand washed. If you put it in the dishwasher the metal discolors. It doesn't hurt anything, but it doesn't look nice.
Have fun on your shopping spree. The espresso maker looks wonderful.
I love my Kitchen Aid mixer! It's somewhere between 15-20 years old. Problems: 1. It's very powerful. I've painted the kitchen with pumpkin pie filling because I used too high of a speed. 2. It's very heavy. I don't leave it on the counter. That never used to be an issue. Now that I have arthritis in my shoulders, I have to ask my husband to lift it out of the cabinet. Would I buy another one? ABSOLUTELY!!
ReplyDeletewe have the stand mixer too and we love it. We have the stainless color with the stainless steel bowl. We also have an ice cream attachment (bowl and blades) and I make ice cream (well, ice milk, since we're trying to be healthier) once a week and even when using only half and half the result is delicious. Agree, it is heavy and we don't leave it on the counter, so it is a nice little upper body exercise to get it on the counter. No complaints from us on this!
ReplyDeleteI'm not a huge fan of a lot of kitchen gadgets, but I wouldn't say no to a decent coffee machine :) They're certainly not cheap, so you are wise to consider your options carefully. I'm looking forward to finding out which one you buy. Xx
ReplyDeleteLOL I can relate to Sue's comment above "the trouble with new gadgets is learning how to use them!"
ReplyDeleteBut enjoy your new gadgets when you get them, and deciding which one's is half the fun of it!
All the best Jan
I'm pleased to read your coffee maker tips as we've had ours for years and it must be on its last legs! I prefer a hand mixer rather than a larger model. The Velvetiser seems very popular, I've often wondered whether it would be worth it but the comments above seem very positive.
ReplyDeleteHi. I'm new here and just this past week Hubby got me a Bamix stick blender and it rocks. As for stand mixer, a few years ago he got me one for Christmas and I LOOOOOOOVE that mixer.
ReplyDeleteI made bread dough in it all the time and for that, I went with the lift model because it's stronger for dough. Not the head back one. Whilst they do make dough in the head back ones (not sure the right name), research showed me as well as a friend who had one too, that the lift bowls are stronger for dough.
I just love it. Just love it.
Excellent on the customer service and showing him how to use it with coffee. That is very cool. Love that kind of store.
Have a great week. Happy playing with your new upcoming toys. Cheers, Ivy.
I have never had a Kitchen Aid mixer! I absolutely love your photos and this spending spree post!
ReplyDeleteHello Jo! I have the Kitchen Aid stand mixer in black, and I love it and use it all the time. I received it for a wedding gift nineteen years ago, and it still works great. Be sure to buy a color you really love because you will have it for a very long time! When mine ever gives out, I'd love to have the almond cream color.
ReplyDeleteI don't have any of these things but they sure look nice.
ReplyDeleteHello Jo ... this isn't a comment just an observation.
ReplyDeleteFor some reason your blog didn't update anyone's blog posts (the blogs shown in your side bar)
It was 21.31 Friday evening when I checked!
All the best Jan
Hello Jo ... sorry it's me again.
ReplyDeleteBlogger must have known I'd just sent that earlier message because hey presto it's now showing all the updated posts.
Blogger does move in mysterious ways sometimes.
All the best Jan
Stopped back in to see if you made the purchase and also to tell you that tonight I used the stand mixer food grinder, the metal one. I used it to crush cranberries and it worked sooo well. KA stand mixers rock. PS: I also used the stick blender to. But I think if it's BIG batches of cranberries, the food grinder wins. If it's just a bag, then the stick blender wins.
ReplyDeleteHey Jo! Got your comment and came back to share this with you ....
ReplyDeleteHi Jo! We also call them mincer and some call them meat grinders too. However, with KitchenAid. I once bought the plastic mincer/grinder and straight back to the store it went. Then when the metal one went on sale, I bought it locally so that if needed, I could also returned it only ... I looooooove it. So, so, so useful and easy to clean.
I can relate in part because it took me a long time to get a KitchenAid. Before Tim got it for my for Christmas a few years back, I wasn't sure I would use such a big machine. I am happy to tell you that I am wrong. It is one of my most important tools. I went with the light yellow and she makes me smile all of the time. Just a great, great machine.
Yes! I love holiday magazines, I don't own those. I enjoy looking at them at Barnes - our bookshoppe cafe aka Barnes & Noble.
That sounds like some fun shopping. We have a stand mixer and we use it a lot for baking. I don't regret that expense at all. D has a velvetiser and it makes wonderful hot chocolate. There are so many flavours to try, I'm sure you will find some favourites if you buy a machine for yourself..
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