What is the kitchen utensil/gadget you can't live without?

[7rider]

So what is the kitchen utensil/gadget that you can't live without? Looking for brand specifics.

Oxo salad spinner.

This, and our 3.5 qt. Analon Straining Saucepan, gets used daily.

[Pax]

Sharp knife and a cutting board.

[papaver]

brands in my kitchen:

Le creuset (you guys call it a Dutch oven >>> dunno why )
De Meyere cookware http://www.demeyere.be/default.asp?SLID=1
Peugeot peppermills http://www.psp-peugeot-usa.com/products/mills.htm
Solingen knives: http://www.knives-from-solingen.com/
Laguiole knives: http://www.laguiole-french-knife.com/
Wüsthof chef knives: http://www.wusthof.com/desktopdefault.aspx

[indysteel]

brands in my kitchen:

Le creuset (you guys call it a Dutch oven >>> dunno why )
De Meyere cookware http://www.demeyere.be/default.asp?SLID=1
Peugeot peppermills http://www.psp-peugeot-usa.com/products/mills.htm
Solingen knives: http://www.knives-from-solingen.com/
Laguiole knives: http://www.laguiole-french-knife.com/
Wüsthof chef knives: http://www.wusthof.com/desktopdefault.aspx

I don't have a Le Creuset (too rich for my blood), but I do have a Dutch Oven that I love! It's very versatile.

I only recently started cooking in earnest and had no idea where to start in terms of buying the things I might need in the kitchen. I finallyl subscribed to America's Test Kitchen/Cook's Illustrated online content. Their online equipment reviews have proven very helpful, especially since you can often find recommendations at various price points. I use their ingredient reviews a lot, too. My BF gave me a subscription to Cook's Illustrated magazine for my birthday. I learn a lot about food prep and technique from just reading their recipes, even if I don't ultimately follow them to the letter.

[papaver]

I know that quality kitchen stuff is really expensive... I save money for the stuff I want, sometimes I ask something for my birthday like a Peugeot Peppermill, or I look out for special sales (like stores that have to close down...). And i participate in contests... that's how I won my creuset.

I just take my time.

[indysteel]

I know that quality kitchen stuff is really expensive... I save money for the stuff I want, sometimes I ask something for my birthday like a Peugeot Peppermill, or I look out for special sales (like stores that have to close down...). And i participate in contests... that's how I won my creuset.

I just take my time.

It does pay to be patient. My BF and I recently combined a sale with a rebate to finally get a KitchenAid stand mixer for over $100 less than what it typically sells for. Same with my roasting pan. I've signed up for a couple of sites like Cooking.com that have good sales here and there. I got a good deal there on my stainless 12-inch skillet. I do think quality pays off with certain items.

[shootingstar]

I know that quality kitchen stuff is really expensive... I save money for the stuff I want, sometimes I ask something for my birthday like a Peugeot Peppermill, or I look out for special sales (like stores that have to close down...). And i participate in contests... that's how I won my creuset.

I just take my time.

When my partner's mother died last year, we inherited alot of her top-notch cooking ware. She was an excellent cook, baker and did use quality kitchen tools --ie. her special cooking pot for steaming and cooking dumpfenudel.

Yes, serious German cooks have a particular type of pot so dumpfnudels don't stick much and steam doesn't escape when cooking. Yup, it's been used since dearie and his brother have made dumpfnudel several times since her death. Dumpfnudel is like a Chinese bao, steamed white bun --but no filling for dumpfnudel. But each bun type uses a totally different way of making the dough and slightly different steaming technique and apparatus.

That's how we also ended up having some wonderful kitchen shears, etc.

[shootingstar]

This thread is interesting..really show such varied cooking style preferences. For instance, I can't get overly excited about certain Cruset pots nor Dutch ovens. I've never used a Dutch oven...yet.

[Tuckervill]

I cook outside with cast iron Dutch Ovens, too! Love its ease, and I especially like making a big breakfast in mine, but I don't see me going to any shows or cook-offs.

Karen

[papaver]

This thread is interesting..really show such varied cooking style preferences. For instance, I can't get overly excited about certain Cruset pots nor Dutch ovens. I've never used a Dutch oven...yet.

I didn't get it either... till I got one for free... seriously... you never burn things, it's perfect for slow cooking...

[ny biker]

This thread is interesting..really show such varied cooking style preferences. For instance, I can't get overly excited about certain Cruset pots nor Dutch ovens. I've never used a Dutch oven...yet.

And then there are people like me who would have to answer "the microwave" because we can't cook...

All the recommendations for good sharp knives makes me think of my mother, who has been using the same old paring knife for more than 50 years. I don't think she has ever sharpened it. But you should see her peel and slice a big pile of apples when she makes apple pie -- that knife works fine and there's no way she'd want to replace it.

[SadieKate]

Oxo salad spinner.

Amazingly, that's the gadget maillotpois can't do without in my kitchen.