The Modern Materialist : appliances

Great Option for the Appliance-Challenged

Steph Auteri — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 18:31:00 GMT

[Photo via]

I'm sort of a spaz when it comes to spatulas. Or any kitchen appliance, for that matter.

But especially with spatulas. Like when I have to flip things. Or lift things.

I generally just mutilate whatever food I'm attempting to work with. If you're anything like me, you'll appreciate this:

[$12.95, King Arthur Flour]

It seems that this giant spatula would be way less unwieldy for me. I love it.

All My Breakfasts Live in Texas

Laureen Mahler — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 14:23:00 GMT

Do you know what's even better than the shape of Texas? Breakfast that's shaped like Texas:

[$47, Mission RS]

And yes, that is why I eat my lunch in Tennessee.

[via Nerd Approved]

International Pancake Day: The Perfect Pancake

Laureen Mahler — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 14:07:00 GMT

[Photo via]

Just when you thought that Tuesdays couldn't get any tastier, the world goes and decides to have International Pancake Day. With the hotcakes flipping coast-to-coast and continent-to-continent today, you might just want to join in on the action. If so, I recommend the Perfect Pancake Maker:

[$15, Perfect Pancake]

Batter, pour, flip, and mangez!

By the way, has anyone else seen the infomercial for this little device? I think I counted thirty seven repetitions of the phrase "perfect pancake" in those three minutes of breakfasty bliss.

Cheap Trick: Make Draining Less of a Strain

Steph Auteri — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 19:02:00 GMT

While I'm aware that not everyone destroys their entire kitchen and injures themselves every time they cook, I'm still thinking you should check this out.

Because if it exists, that means I'm not the only one who spills perfectly good food into the sink every time she tries to drain something.

[$8.95, The Spoon Sisters]

Kitchen klutz, meet the can strainer.

Warm and Toasty Beverage Music To My Ears

Steph Auteri — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 16:00:00 GMT

What typically happens when I boil water for tea:

I fill up my whistling teapot and wander off. By the time I hear the beginnings of a low whistle, I am at the very opposite end of the condo. I seize up at the thought of our crazy, grumpy, next-door neighbor knocking on the door to complain about noise levels, so I make a mad dash to the kitchen. This involves slaloming around furniture, as I have a weakness for...um...all furniture. The whistling builds. One or all three of my cats decide to saunter along in front of me, directly underfoot, all the way to the kitchen. By the time I reach the teapot, it is at mad shrieking levels. I lift it from the stovetop and breathe a sigh of relief as quiet descends.

What I wish would happen:

The Alessi Train Whistly Water Kettle by Richard Sapper replaced that infernal screech with sweet, sweet music.

[$265, fitzsu]

[Via Oh Gizmo!]

Things That Happen On TV But Not In Real Life

Diana Vilibert — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 19:57:00 GMT

Things That Happen In TV But Not In Real Life, #4536:
Expertly catching a slice of toast as it soars through the air onto your plate.

Things That Make Perfect Toast Catching Happen:
This concept design from Ivo Vos:

Set the angle and force of your toast to exactly hit your plate. Impress your one-night stands in the morning if you failed to impress them the previous evening.

[Ivo Vos]

Cheap Trick: Sandwiches Look Terrifyingly Neat

Steph Auteri — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 17:32:00 GMT

I've posted about sandwich cutters in the past, but I do so like to outdo myself.

I have a thing for dinosaurs, and the way in which they can capture the imagination. Now that's one exciting sandwich.

[$4.49, Shop.com]

[Via Curiobot]

Related: Cut-n-Seal, Pack a Lunch

Quick Tip of the Day: Chop To It

Steph Auteri — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 12:27:00 GMT

[Photo via]

Okay, guys. I have to admit. I've been holding out on you. While I wouldn't mind having a pair of onion goggles, I feel that the Cut & Collect cutting board I posted about the other day is far inferior to the product I actually use when chopping onions. And I was reminded of this yesterday when I was whipping up an onion and sausage pizza.

The Vidalia Chop Wizard ensures that you will spend as little time as possible hovering over deadly onion fumes. After peeling the onion and quickly chopping it into twos or fours, all you have to do is place it on top of the dicer blade and bring the top down. Instant diced onion! And you can use it for other veggies, fruit, and cheese as well. Easily one of the most helpful appliances in my kitchen.

[$19.95, Vidalia Chop Wizard]

Quick Tip of the Day: No Crying Over Spilt Onions

Steph Auteri — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 12:27:00 GMT

Does chopping onions make you cry? Is it the mess you always make?

Don't worry. With the Cut & Collect chopping board, you can just sweep all the fruit of your labors right into the built-in drawer.

That and onion goggles will make everything alright.

[25.95 pounds, Handpicked Collection]

[Via Book of Joe]

Conversations With My Fridge

Steph Auteri — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 17:19:00 GMT

The fridge: object of temptation and desire and Ben & Jerry's ice cream and that sweet potato pie I made the other day. Things I would scrawl across it if I could:

11:22 p.m. is too late for donuts.
Fit into that dress yet, Steph?
There's still nothing in here. Stop looking.
Stop eating all the string cheese, [redacted]. It's mine! All mine!!!
Can you make me dinner so I don't have to?

[$649, Amana]

A dry-erase refrigerator!? Sign me up!

The Sweet and the Low: Espresso Makers

Steph Auteri — Fri, 02 May 2008 13:00:00 GMT

Over at Yale, scandal broke out when a bit of subterfuge on the part of the University Dining Services-operated Thain Family Cafe was uncovered. It seems that — when stock of regular espresso beans ran out — they started substituting decaf for regular.

Oh, the deception!

To ensure that such a thing never happens to you, perhaps it's time you started preparing your espresso at home.

[$99, Amazon]

[$299-$349, Sur La Table]

[$799.95, Williams-Sonoma]

[$899.95, Sur La Table]

And of course, there's always espresso making to go.