397982 Thu May 03 09:40:43 -0700 2007 36 41 Cookware 0 2537930 I'm trying to think of a small kitechen present for a co-worker, who I heard loves to cook. Not knowing what she already has nor what kinds of cooking/baking she is into. So I started to think about my own kitchen. What gadget I'd love to have more of? Being a baker, I can never have enough measureing spoon/cups. What about you and your kitechen? Thu May 03 09:40:43 -0700 2007 70689 meimei 1 2537940 knives, baking sheets, tongs, spatulas, mixing bowls. Thu May 03 09:43:02 -0700 2007 2537930 26725 swsidejim 2 2539344 Yeah, I could definitely use more tongs -- I use mine constantly, so I'm always having to fish them out of the dishwasher and wash them. And can you have too many spatulas? I think not! I really need more small bowls -- I have a set of the bright-colored plastic nesting 1/4 cup to 2 cup measuring/prep bowls ( http://www.surlatable.com/product/id/126787.do ); I'd love another set and they're cool enough to make a nice gift. But what I really need is another set of both the 4-ounce and 8-ounce pyrex custard cups -- the ones with the fluted edges that are have remained unchanged for at least 40 years. An indispensible classic! Thu May 03 15:15:03 -0700 2007 2537940 10159 Ruth Lafler 1 2537977 cookbooks! Thu May 03 09:54:19 -0700 2007 2537930 76025 mojoeater 1 2537983 knives and heat resistent spatulas. Always run out and am constantly rinsing. Jfood's favorite tool in the kitchen is one of my pans. A 10" non-stick Calphalon pan with sides. When purchased years ago they called it a sauteuse, now they call it a saute pan. Have two of them, one with two u-handles and the other with one u-handle and one long handle. Jfood loves the second one more than any pan. Thu May 03 09:55:42 -0700 2007 2537930 11290 jfood 1 2538239 I just asked a similar question earlier this week so check out all the great posts under the following subject: You have $15...What kitchen gadget do you buy? People have really great ideas for exactly the question you are asking! Thu May 03 10:52:35 -0700 2007 2537930 95300 ktcolt 2 2538276 yes that's a good thread! i would also second cookbooks or cookbookstore gift cert! Thu May 03 11:01:01 -0700 2007 2538239 46030 soupkitten 2 2541835 That is definitely a good thread to check out...the idea I got from that is the silicone universal pot lids from Sur La Table. Haven't had a chance to check them out yet, but seems like that could make a great gift for someone who may have lots of everything since it could be considered a bit of a noveltly item. I also second those who have suggested tongs...those are by far my most indespensible item in the kitchen, and it's great to have a variety of lengths. Fri May 04 11:11:37 -0700 2007 2538239 80286 italyinmind 3 3460641 UMM..one word ont the lids: AMAZING :) Enjoy 'em. Tue Mar 04 18:37:42 -0800 2008 2541835 73756 enbell 1 2538310 I love cookbooks just for some new ideas!! I call myself a cookbook aholic! Or give a magazine subscription to Bon Appetit, Gourmet, Food and Wine etc. It is a gift that keeps on giving. Depending on your budget another fun gift is a wine club membership there are a ton out there at many different price ranges and maybe a food/wine pairing cookbook to go with it. Thu May 03 11:09:50 -0700 2007 2537930 93377 chrystaldawn 1 2538343 I can't get enough kitchen towels. I don't use oven mitts, so the kitchen towels get used for that. I use them instead of paper towels for cleaning. I used them for drying. I have stacks of them, and they get used constantly. Thu May 03 11:15:22 -0700 2007 2537930 74556 manraysky 1 2538382 heat resistant spatulas (in lots of bright colors), small non-stick saute pans from the restaurant suply store, white "bar mop" style towels, ramekins (or small bowls) for mis en place, olives, nuts, dips, etc... Thu May 03 11:23:48 -0700 2007 2537930 94179 ChefNet 1 2539561 Wooden spoons and small metal bowls. Thu May 03 16:27:07 -0700 2007 2537930 75002 Megiac 1 2539646 Dishtowels. Seriously -- Every time I go to Ikea I buy more. But my favorites are the large flour sack towels. Double as a potholder, an apron, a salad spinner. Love dishtowels. Actually potholders too -- they're always wet when you need one. Thu May 03 16:56:33 -0700 2007 2537930 10669 Amuse Bouches 2 2539780 i second dishtowels. also stackable plastic square storage bowls with lids. Most everything else, I can get buy with just one or two. Thu May 03 17:36:49 -0700 2007 2539646 10246 choctastic 3 2545909 You realize that dishtowels are extremely flammable -- word from firefighters I've talked to is that some ridiculous percentage of kitchen fires are spread by the dishtowels. The flour sack type clothes are also so light that when they do burn they can actually waft burning fragments around the whole house. Curtain will catch fire and then WOOOPH -- if you are not next door to the fire station the whole is going to be a engulf... Sun May 06 09:06:01 -0700 2007 2539780 87093 renov8r 4 2546728 I'm a bit confused by this post -- you're saying that one shouldn't use dishtowels because they're flammable? Last time I checked, so are my clothes, but I still wear them every day ... Sun May 06 16:05:45 -0700 2007 2545909 10669 Amuse Bouches 5 2546778 The only thing I know one really need be careful of is putting dishtowels that have a lot of cooking oil on them into the washing machine and dryer. Sun May 06 16:27:30 -0700 2007 2546728 80141 ccbweb 5 3458790 Sorry I missed this follow-up so long ago, but my point then, and now, is that using the lightweight flour sack dishtowels as a potholder or anywhere near a stove (either gas or electric) is a very dangerous idea. It is a factor in a HUGE percentage of kitchen fires. Use potholders that are flame-resistant and HEAVY as any lightweight cloth will almost certainly contribute to a situation that could destroy a home. Tue Mar 04 10:14:59 -0800 2008 2546728 87093 renov8r 2 3474078 You do need pot holders for the top of the stove, but I gave myself some ""Cool Touch" oven rack gaurds. They snap onto the front of oven racks and protect you from burns. It says on the package that they're not intended to use to pull out oven racks, but I use them for that all the time. "Safe to 500 degrees." Love 'em! http://jazinnovations.com/ Sat Mar 08 20:06:03 -0800 2008 2539646 112096 Caroline1 1 2545807 Cookbooks and (though perhaps not directly related to your immediate question) bottles of wine. Sun May 06 08:10:12 -0700 2007 2537930 52088 huruta 1 2546171 Tasting spoons. Best gift I've gotten was from my wife who bought me a dozen small teaspoons (British style teaspoons, that is). Its great because I can taste with each one once and then put it in the sink. I love them. They also don't take up a lot of room which is good...I'd love more 2qt pots or more tongs, etc but I just don't have the space for more. Sun May 06 11:04:55 -0700 2007 2537930 80141 ccbweb 1 2546351 I am with you on measuring cups and spoons. I especially love my odd sized ones. When you are baking "big" having multi sets is terrific and having a 2 tsp. measuring spoon, a 2/3 C., 3/4 C etc.are huge time and motion savers. I love my old fashioned granny cooking forks with the really sharp tines, they are carbon steel antiques, love little prep bowls that hold just about an egg yolk in size. When I am doing a lot of Chinese or Vietnamese recipes those bowls are wonderful for getting your mise set up. Heat resistant silicone spatulas and basting brushes. Bowls of all sizes, lots of tongs, those French clothes pins in brightly covered coating. I have 6 Kuhn Rikon vegetable peelers they are the ones in the Y shape and are very sharp. Foley food mill, several graters and Microplanes, glass measuring cups in all sizes. Tart tins in all shapes and sizes. Whisks in many sizes. I never worry about duplicates, it is great to use someting and pop it into the dishwasher and keep going and not have to stop and wash something because I need it in step 2 or 3. Sun May 06 12:49:01 -0700 2007 2537930 10285 Candy 2 2546355 towels, spats, cookbooks, storage containers, multiple bowls for the Kitchen Aid Sun May 06 12:52:38 -0700 2007 2546351 79603 nyfoodjoe 1 2546957 I absolutely agree with the wooden spoons/tongs/towels, etc, that have already been mentioned. I'll suggest something that is not gadgetry ( and heaven knows we all have our own ideas about what is and isn't necessary vis-a-vis gadgets). What about a nice serving bowl or platter? Doesn't have to be spendy. It's been my experience that people who like to cook also like to serve, and the scramble to find something in the cupboard to serve in can be stressful. A cheap pretty serving bowl or plate from Target or the like can be a lovely gift. Most of us who love to cook like to "present" the food. Maybe it's an option if you don't know what she needs food-execution-wise. Sun May 06 17:58:43 -0700 2007 2537930 49525 cayjohan 1 2550610 Cutting boards in all diff sizes, tongs galore, Spatulas, wooden spoons. A bigger kitchen LOL!!! Mon May 07 22:28:20 -0700 2007 2537930 69079 starlady 1 2551082 Paring knives Tue May 08 07:16:21 -0700 2007 2537930 18981 Jimmy Buffet 2 3469731 totally agree with you. i'm always running out of paring knives. and like Megiac and ccbweb, i'm also always looking for small bowls and teaspoons. edit--whoops. just noticed the date... why am i reviving a year old thread?! Fri Mar 07 10:19:23 -0800 2008 2551082 20489 marcopolo 3 3504549 Why not?! The wedding season is approaching. I agree about paring knives, silicone spatulas, and measuring cups. And I'm always replacing those plastic flexible cutting boards. Tue Mar 18 11:57:07 -0700 2008 3469731 71215 mlgb 1 3460561 1/2 sheet pans, heavy duty tongs and bamboo spatulas (ridiculously cheap, last forever. won't melt and won't scratch anything). Tue Mar 04 18:08:08 -0800 2008 2537930 10784 Scrapironchef 1 3460620 Quarter sheet pans (not necessarily non-stick), tongs and serving bowls in all sizes, especially ones that can be heater or held in the oven to keep food warm. Also serving spoons and forks, to go with all of the serving plates for my family style dinners. Tue Mar 04 18:30:44 -0800 2008 2537930 87837 RGC1982 1 3460726 TONGS! I have two pair, and I wish I had ten. Also, sheet pans and wooden spoons are always good. I have tons of mise en place bowls, but most people don't have as many as they should. If you want to go the spice route, sea salt and peppercorns are always good. Tue Mar 04 19:10:11 -0800 2008 2537930 67548 azhotdish 1 3476045 Sorry if this is going slightly against the topic, but it reminded me of a time I was captive at a wedding shower during the mandatory gift-opening ceremony. As we sat through yet another frigging gift of a platter, the mother of the bride-to-be said, very graciously, "Well, you can never have too many platters!". The woman beside me leaned over and whispered, "Oh yes you can." Sun Mar 09 17:21:24 -0700 2008 2537930 12383 Nyleve 1 3476296 sets of measuring spoons, and measuring cups. Sun Mar 09 18:52:52 -0700 2008 2537930 15153 Dave Westerberg 2 3476347 Staub pots. They're so beautiful and functional - the best of both worlds. Sun Mar 09 19:14:59 -0700 2008 3476296 139101 beauxgoris 2 3503766 I think measuring spoons and measuring cups are like socks. I always lose one of every set. Tue Mar 18 08:27:52 -0700 2008 3476296 161635 wildfire 1 3476382 Stainless steel bowls in graduating sizes, to answer the OP's question. But the number of responses that included heat-resistant (silicone) spatulas made me grin in triumph. They were my 'general purpose' Christmas present last year and I saved at least half a dozen for myself. Sun Mar 09 19:23:39 -0700 2008 2537930 60923 MobyRichard