A survey conducted by insurance company Direct Line has discovered that 65% of British people own expensive gadgets that they never use. In fact, they have found that there could be as many as 123 million bread makers, coffee machines, food processers and other kitchen devices sitting at the back of cupboards.
Of course, when we first buy costly kitchen gadgets, we’re full of good intentions, believing that we will use them regularly. We may even justify the high price by telling ourselves that the gadgets will save time, improve our culinary skills or make us healthier. But all too often, after just a couple of uses, our sparkly new gadgets are consigned to life at the back of the cupboard and never see the light of day again.
So how can we avoid spending money on gadgets that won’t get used? Well the obvious answer is don’t allow yourself to be tempted by clever marketing that makes you buy gadgets you simply don’t need. For example, a food processor is a great investment if you cook all of your meals from scratch and make lots of dishes that require fiddly preparation. However if you only chop a few vegetables each week, then a good quality kitchen knife is all you need and of course, the added benefit is that it’s much cheaper and will take up less space in your kitchen.
Equally, a coffee machine might seem like a great buy – particularly if you love your daily dose of caffeine. But if your mornings are spent rushing to get to work, then you’ll probably find you stick to instant coffee as it’s so much quicker.
If you already have a cupboard full of gadgets that are not being used, why not take them out, give them a clean and remind yourself why you bought them in the first place. Put them on display and you’re more likely to use them. Here are five common gadgets that are worth putting to good use once more:
- Juicer – homemade juice is delicious and a great way to get one of your five-a-day. Make juicing part of your daily routine for maximum health benefits.
- Breadmaker – homemade bread tastes so much better than supermarket loaves and avoids the preservatives and additives often found in processed bread. Always keep a supply of ingredients in your kitchen cupboard and you’ll be able to make delicious loaves each week.
- Slow cooker – a slow cooker is ideal for making affordable and nutritious meals. Set your slow cooker going in the morning and you’ll have a tasty meal waiting for you when you get home from work.
- Ice-cream maker – if you own an ice-cream maker but don’t use it because you think ice-cream is unhealthy, try making low-calorie frozen yogurt and sorbets instead. Show the kids how to use the ice-cream maker and it’s sure to get plenty of use!
- Hand blender – if you have a hand blender that’s tucked away in a cupboard, it’s easy to forget about it. Keep it on the kitchen counter instead and it will always be to hand for making delicious soups and smoothies from left-over fruit and vegetables.
If you’re looking for new recipe ideas to help you get the most of your kitchen gadgets, visit: www.bbcgoodfood.com
