611104 Fri Apr 10 14:51:53 -0700 2009 198 41 Cookware 0 4585462 Years ago, when I put my first house on the market, the realtor told me to put everything away except the coffee maker. I was miserable for months. Why? Because I must be some kind of kitchen appliance junkie. It has to be so, because the 100+ square feet of granite counters in my kitchen are covered in appliances. And I am forever considering adding to the collection. I love all colors and have no trouble mixing and matching, although most tend to be white. Let's see, the last one was a rice cooker. It is now next to the microwave (I have two, one is a built-in), the ice tea maker, coffee grinder and coffee maker. That would be the right side of the sink. I won't get started on the other things I like to use, like my Kitchen Aid stand mixer, electric kettle, and blender. About the only things I put away are my slow cooker, ice cream maker and a rarely-used electric fry pan. I'd buy a high end espresso maker right now if not for the trouble I have deciding what color to choose. What do you insist upon leaving out on your counters, not matter how silly it is starting to look? Fri Apr 10 14:51:54 -0700 2009 87837 RGC1982 1 4585503 I'm your opposite...I'm a minimalist who hates anything that smacks of clutter. I keep only the two that I use daily -- often more than once -- a toaster oven and electric kettle out on the counter. Stashed away are Cuisinarts (mini & regular size), coffee grinder, spice grinder and a hand mixer. Long gone are an electric frying pan, coffee maker & juice squeezer. The microwave is built in so I don't count that as a counter occupant. Paradoxically, I completely understand your fascination/obsession -- I'm forever contemplating purchases (the latest is an immersion blender) which I am just about to decide against after months of flirtation, research and wavering. Fri Apr 10 15:07:00 -0700 2009 4585462 11069 fauchon 2 4585558 No, no, no. I came along just in time!!! You MUST get the immersion blender :) I just got one after years of thinking I didn't want one. I got it at Costco for $30 and it has attachments for FP and whisking. I made wontons recently and the FP attachment was the perfect size for chopping 4 oz. of chicken. And it fits great in a drawer. See? Aren't you glad you read this? HAHAHA. Fri Apr 10 15:26:27 -0700 2009 4585503 131001 c oliver 3 4585589 Immersion ..... in my drawer and I love it. Fri Apr 10 15:38:24 -0700 2009 4585558 232829 kchurchill5 3 4585811 I have one of the immersion blenders from Costco. I got it with a coupon for less than $20. Five years later it's still kicking. Works like a charm! On my counter top? Microwave Bean Grinder French press Knife Block Fruit bowl Fri Apr 10 17:15:40 -0700 2009 4585558 253154 Fritter 4 4588721 Appliances that stay on the counter. coffee grinder coffee maker digital scale toaster food processor stick and jar type blenders. Sun Apr 12 02:40:19 -0700 2009 4585811 259011 Demented 3 4588762 I agree. I've had mine for over 10 years and I love it. It's so handy, and it's not very expensive. Sun Apr 12 04:47:52 -0700 2009 4585558 253735 bayoucook 4 4657092 ive only used mine a couple of times to make soup...what do you use yours for? Tue May 05 15:26:31 -0700 2009 4588762 206111 bythebayov 5 4660376 "refried" beans to add body to a stew or a soup smoothies on tomatoes to make some pasta sauces Wed May 06 15:08:21 -0700 2009 4657092 155034 alwayscooking 3 4660230 I'm not a gadget person, but the immersion blender is a must in my kitchen. Purees soups, cooked beans, chops garlic when I need more than a few cloves, etc. Nothing more tedious then putting soup in blender in batches to puree, then having to pour back into separate container, because you still have soup in pot that needs pureeing. Immersion blender eliminates all that. Wed May 06 14:32:13 -0700 2009 4585558 19003 PAO 1 4585522 You might find this thread from a few months ago interesting: http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/567479?tag=search_results;results_list I've since then started keeping my KA stand mixer on the counter because I'm using it alot and it's too heavy to bring down from the top shelf of the pantry which is the only shelf tall enough to hold it. Still a minimalist. I don't decorate with books or stereo equipment either :) Fri Apr 10 15:11:21 -0700 2009 4585462 131001 c oliver 1 4585540 I have a few hand made pottery pieces which are my canisters and my spoon holder for all my hand made spoons. Toaster, Coffee Maker, micro, my wrought iron plate holder hand made, s/p and not much else. I have a wine rack and glass rack but with an apartment. I seriously downsized. I still hate an empty counter, looks cold and bothers me, but also hate it cluttered. I have just enough. Now with an apartment you never have enough room.. Fri Apr 10 15:17:44 -0700 2009 4585462 232829 kchurchill5 2 4585594 Agreed about the space issue. My knives w/ their block, the cuisinart, the kitchenaide (I've got the 5-speed pro and I swear it's got to be at least 30 lbs - probably wouldn't move it even if I had someplace to stash it), and the french press stay on the counter. And, of course the microwave, but where else would I put it. The rice cooker and blender(s) get put away, but that's because they fit in the cupboards. Although I'm rather neurotic about clutter, I think the thing that really helps is that all of my stuff matches and is on the minimalist side (black and stainless steel). Fri Apr 10 15:39:55 -0700 2009 4585540 43515 adrienne156 3 4585677 Mine may be all pottery and good pottery however, they do match. I have an art degree major in advertising, commercial art and interior design so ... yes, they match. My pet peeve as well. Not black and stainless, but all matching. I hate non matching items. Picky I admit. Fri Apr 10 16:13:05 -0700 2009 4585594 232829 kchurchill5 4 4585724 3 majors - wow! That must have taken awhile. My neurosis is purely self imposed (I have a "pre-law" L.A. degree). :o) I've been toying with the idea of getting a hanging rack for my kitchen, but I don't know how my landlord would feel about me drilling the 20+ holes it'll need to bare the weight and then having to pull the mollies out when I leave. Oh, the joys of living in an apartment... Fri Apr 10 16:38:46 -0700 2009 4585677 43515 adrienne156 5 4585817 I drill away. Only way I can survive ... Spackling is a great fix :) Fri Apr 10 17:18:44 -0700 2009 4585724 232829 kchurchill5 5 4586447 My god, do NOT hang a pan rack from a ceiling with molly bolts! Well, unless you want it to fall down on you one day while you're in the middle of making a marinara sauce! Find the ceiling joists and screw large substantial hooks into them, then use chains, that can hang at an angle, to mount your pan rack. And the holes from the bolts are quite easy to cover and repair when/if you move with no harm to your damage deposit refund. Fri Apr 10 23:21:46 -0700 2009 4585724 112096 Caroline1 6 4586690 Actually mine are mollys, but really good ones. Chains, 8' ceiling, they would be hitting me in the head :). It is a small rack, ceiling flat mount with hooks for the pots. I will have more holes to fix than I can count with all the things I have hung just to try to gain extra room. Never lived in an apt, so from a very large house to this was a shock. Thank god for spackle. Sat Apr 11 06:00:41 -0700 2009 4586447 232829 kchurchill5 6 4586854 I vote your way, C1. The thought of molly bolts holding up heavy metal items over my head makes me shudder. I'd rather have nothing than that. Sat Apr 11 07:26:58 -0700 2009 4586447 131001 c oliver 7 4587438 My bolts hold up to 100 lbs. Contractor grade bolts. I could hang from my rack Sat Apr 11 12:01:32 -0700 2009 4586854 232829 kchurchill5 8 4587623 Boy, they obviously make things differently where you live. I wouldn't trust a molly bolt for that kinda weight. MAYBE a toggle bolt but, nah, wouldn't want to risk it on a ceiling. Walls fine. Even if the bolts themselves hold, it could pull down the whole dang ceiling. I hate suing my tenants but I also don't hesitate to :) Sticking with C1 on this. Sat Apr 11 13:36:01 -0700 2009 4587438 131001 c oliver 8 4588653 Kim, it doesn't matter whether your molly bolts are certified to hold up to 27 tons! The PROBLEM lies in the gypsum board (dry wall) that the molly bolts are hanging from on from the other side. Gypsum board is unpredictable. Many things can compromise its integrity, or whatever integrity it has to start with. Age, humidity, thickness of the board used, the climate where you live. All of these things play a role on how strong the board is. Add that to the fact that NO gypsum board is certified to support ANYTHING hung from it when used overhead. Yes, yes. I know. You're an interior designer. Well, I daresay I have more years as an interior designer and architectural consultant than you've been alive, so PLEASE, Kim, if you want to live very dangerously by hanging a pot rack from YOUR ceiling with molly bolts, that's fine, but PLEASE do not advise others to live dangerously too. Use heavy duty screw-in hooks or even lag bolts (if you have attic access to the kitchen rafters) that attach firmly to the ceiling joists to hang a pot rack. Be safe! Sat Apr 11 23:54:41 -0700 2009 4587438 112096 Caroline1 9 4589009 I never advised anyone to ... I was just replying to your comment. I have mine up with very strong mollys. I wasn't disagreeing, but mine is very sturdy and I would never suggest to anyone how to hang something. Everyones situation is different. I just mearly said the molly work for me and is very strong. I wasn't trying to tell anyone or to fight over how to hang something at all. I just told you how I hung mine. That was it. And chains are great but not the type rack I could use or have due to the height. Is this about mollies of cookware appliances? I'm really sorry I even made the comments I used mollies and they work Sun Apr 12 07:39:18 -0700 2009 4588653 232829 kchurchill5 10 4589054 Again, Kim, it has absolutely nothing to do with what kind of molly bolts you have used but relates to the material your CEILING is made of. But you do have me wondering just how tall you are. My last kitchen had 8' ceilings, my pan hanger was suspended from it with chains, I had all sorts of pots and pans hanging from it with NO problem. I'm 5'7" tall. The only one I recall having a problem was a 6'4" friend who managed the problem by tilting his head to the side when passing under that particular pot. Sun Apr 12 08:02:00 -0700 2009 4589009 112096 Caroline1 8 4588759 K Jfood has to agree with C1. He would NEVER hang anything from a ceiling with Mollys. Take the 100# rated mollys and hammer them into whipped cream and pull, then hammer them into 1" steel and pull. Major difference. The reason so many racks do do go directly onto the ceiling but are attached via chain links is for 1) aethestics and 2) find the studs to attached safely. Jfood does not even attach shelves in the little jfoods' rooms for trophies with mollys. Why? The mollys work great but they "slide" out of the holes ever so often. Sun Apr 12 04:24:48 -0700 2009 4587438 11290 jfood 9 4644820 Jfood may not have put the togglebolts (UK) in correctly and ensured that his toggley bit had untoggled. Jfood may well have been trying to put them in an insulated wall where results frquently go awry. For the cost of a return flight to NY I will happily instruct Jfood in ensuring a he has a jolly molly and not a boondoggle toggle. Fri May 01 05:50:12 -0700 2009 4588759 154622 Paulustrious 8 4636540 why dont you find a joist to screw into? Would be a lot safer than those moly bolts. Tue Apr 28 13:07:45 -0700 2009 4587438 11130 jen kalb 6 4591461 I appreciate the concern and I apologize profusely for my silly comment as it was taken a bit more seriously than I intended it to. I often forget that much is lost in translation on the internet (I would never drills 20 holes in a drywall ceiling, perforating it to basically create a giant easy-tear hole). :o) But, Caroline, you are certainly correct, one would have to find a load bearing beam - aka a ceiling joist - and then use a heavy duty screw (I would probably use a longer lag screw w/ a larger head or fitted with a washer) then chains, and then the mollies if I felt they were necesarry for extra support (toggle bolts would be more appropriate even though the lag screws would certainly be adequate). Mon Apr 13 10:12:00 -0700 2009 4586447 43515 adrienne156 2 4585618 rather than perceiving it as not enough room, i think of it as too much stuff. i moved from a 3 bedroom house with a pantry to a loft with almost no storage. a serious down-sizing of possessions beforehand. all that is on my counter are the 2 hand-made pottery wine chillers i use for cooking utensils, a glass jar of brittany salt and a kettle which stays on the stove-top. salt dish and pepper mill on back of stove panel. i do not own a microwave and dirty dishes in the sink are not allowed. yes, i entertain often, but having worked in professional kitchens, i'm not much of a gadget person. until this thread, i have never even heard of an iced tea maker! good golly, boil water, steep tea, pour over ice, lol. Fri Apr 10 15:49:16 -0700 2009 4585540 30273 hotoynoodle 3 4585629 I've actually seen an iced tea maker in someone's kitchen. It's been a year ago probably and I still scratch my head over that one. I have an 8 cup pitcher that's perfect for steeping tea. I've never liked 'one trick ponies' and that seems like the ultimate :) Fri Apr 10 15:54:44 -0700 2009 4585618 131001 c oliver 4 4930180 We combine iced tea (rooibos) with fruit juice at home as our mealtime beverage of choice. We make our iced tea in a 1-litre (2-pint) glass jar, and then store it in the fridge. We got the glass jar when we bought bulk honey, so no additional costs. One of the most used items in my fridge! Sun Aug 09 05:45:27 -0700 2009 4585629 10431 Gooseberry 4 4930602 I kwym about one-trick ponies, and philosophically I agree, but when I hear people who have something like that that they LOVE and use all the time, it starts making sense to me. I mean, try parting me from my coffee grinder & espresso maker - not likely! I adore them and they certainly don't do anything else - in fact, it takes both of them *together* to get me my espresso, so maybe they're really 1/2-trick ponies! Sun Aug 09 09:39:44 -0700 2009 4585629 42513 Mawrter 3 4585631 I make fun of my own iced tea maker all the time. I don't remember what possessed me to buy it. Mr Coffee brand, $15 from Target a few years ago. But we use it ALL the time during the hot months here in AZ...where are plenty. I know I can easily make iced tea without one of these but for whatever reason this stupid machine is a well-used well-loved un-necessity in our house. LOL It gets way more use than our microwave and I swear if we had to pick between the two the microwave would be gone. Fri Apr 10 15:56:45 -0700 2009 4585618 16406 ziggylu 3 4585680 I have my 7 or 8 main items and that is it. I agree, I don't have much. Coffee Maker!! A must, 1 small, 1 large processer, A must!! immersion blender in cabinet, hand mixer with or without but I do use it. Knives and good wooden spoons and my cast iron. Oh yeah toaster and micro. There you go. I could do without the rest Fri Apr 10 16:15:18 -0700 2009 4585618 232829 kchurchill5 3 4902729 Yes, it's a one-trick pony but it was much easier to use an ice tea maker than it was to get my pennsylvanian born husband to get the dang proportions right with the boiling hot water, the time to let it all steep the ration of hot water to cold water and the right amount of ice. Now after 8 years of marriage later I've got him well trained, we moved on to the electric kettle and the rubbermaid pitcher but I still have to mark the pitcher with the little lines that let him know how much hot water, how much cold ater and how much ice. We take iced tea pretty seriously down here in TX, and wherever else it's the "house wine." I do have a beautiful big french copper kettle that stays on the stovetop and my kitchenaid mixer (agreed, too heavy to use) along with the coffee maker stay out permanently. Thu Jul 30 06:29:47 -0700 2009 4585618 1092553 aggiecat 1 4585563 Toaster Oven and Microwave. Now that the weather is warming up the iced tea maker will come out and sit out until things cool off again in October. That's all on the counter. I will confess that the Kitchen Aid, Nespresso, Food Processor and blender live on the bottom shelf of my butcher block cart so while they aren't on the counters they aren't necessarily out of sight completely either. Easy to grab when I need them and not cluttering up the counters when I don't. Fri Apr 10 15:27:52 -0700 2009 4585462 16406 ziggylu 2 4585591 MY FP would be on the counter if I had room. I barely have room for what I have. Fri Apr 10 15:39:16 -0700 2009 4585563 232829 kchurchill5 3 4585646 I use the FP so infrequently it should live in back closet. I hate the thing to be honest but it is handy for the very rare things I use it for(unfortunately my pie dough by hand is not yet as good as my pie dough in the FP. ONce it is I may just dump the thing). I have yet to be convinced its any kind of time saver though given what a bitch it is to clean. Fri Apr 10 16:03:18 -0700 2009 4585591 16406 ziggylu 4 4586099 I can't believe you feel that way. I love my FP. If it isn't out it would not used, but I bet I use it every other day!! I slice, mix, grate, chop! Fri Apr 10 19:17:52 -0700 2009 4585646 115579 Mother of four 5 4586317 slice with a knife or benriner for larger qty or very thin, consistent slices(gratins) mix with a whisk or spoon grate with a microplane chop with a knife I really only use mine for pie dough. My DH might use it occasionally but if he does he has to clean it, I won't go anywhere near it. However, I AM the one with the iced tea maker on the counter. ;) Seriously i loathe having to using the FP. THere's no way it's a time saver by the time you put it together, use it, take it apart and clean it. Fri Apr 10 21:25:57 -0700 2009 4586099 16406 ziggylu 1 4585605 Only 2 things out on my counter are a 2 slice toaster and a set of canisters. Everything else is tucked away. i was gifted an Immersions blender (Wolfgang Puck) set recently but have to admit I have not used it as I will need a spot for it. I love to cook and am in the Kitchen all the time, but love to have the counter clear. It's a struggle..Crazy huh? Maybe I should revisit that Immersion thingey..What is it great for again? Fri Apr 10 15:43:30 -0700 2009 4585462 17403 easily amused 1 4585626 appliances on my counter? Not too bad, I think. A toaster oven, a coffee grinder, a drip coffee maker, and an espresso machine. Everything else gets put away. The microwave is a built in (which being short, I detest). I also have a knife block, and a glass vase which holds utensils. On the stove is a spoon rest. I used to keep a tea kettle on the stove as well, but I think someone threw it out, as I can't find it for the life of me. Fri Apr 10 15:53:59 -0700 2009 4585462 120180 tzurriz 2 4594844 Actually, we now have a new "appliance" on the counter. We put the toaster away for Passover, and my husband replaced it with his new Acer Netbook computer. Smallest functional laptop I've ever seen. I complained, but it stayed. Then he caught me using it the other night to look up a recipe online for chard. I guess it's going to stay. Tue Apr 14 11:06:01 -0700 2009 4585626 120180 tzurriz 3 4594931 Got the same computer just recently. Love it and, yes, it's perfect for the kitchen, isn't it? Tue Apr 14 11:29:08 -0700 2009 4594844 131001 c oliver 4 4596574 it is, just please don't ever tell my husband that I said so! ;) Tue Apr 14 19:40:26 -0700 2009 4594931 120180 tzurriz 5 4596669 Just between us girls :) Tue Apr 14 20:19:16 -0700 2009 4596574 131001 c oliver 4 4599899 Actually, I didn't count my laptop when I listed my appliances, because it sits perched on the outer bar-height part of the second island. But I guess you could say it too is out on the counter. Just be really, really careful about spilling liquids into the keyboard of any laptop computer. You may ruin it, and the techs can tell if a liquid has been spilled inside if you try to make a warranty call. (Don't ask how I know) Wed Apr 15 19:34:15 -0700 2009 4594931 87837 RGC1982 5 4601681 Yeah, I had that accident but not in the kitchen. Just a really small amount of water and I had to have the keyboard replaced. The tech said anything more than water and I would probably have been buying a new computer. So, yeah, when it's in the kitchen it's either WAY over to the left out of the way or up on the bar height counter. Thu Apr 16 11:22:55 -0700 2009 4599899 131001 c oliver 6 4653239 I spilled a bit too much water(actually, my cat knocked a bottle over...) on my laptop keyboard and ended up needing a new laptop...love the cat but I wasn't happy with him that day. Mon May 04 12:13:02 -0700 2009 4601681 136251 Fromageball 7 4660403 At those times, I smile sweetly and say "can you spell euthanasia?" Makes me feel better anyway. Wed May 06 15:15:07 -0700 2009 4653239 131001 c oliver 1 4585769 Only the coffee maker made the cut for visible appliances on the counter. Fri Apr 10 16:57:52 -0700 2009 4585462 11290 jfood 2 4585815 I wish it were only the coffee maker - my SO bought and leaves out the toaster, ugh (it is slim and he brings many other redeeming features!). I much prefer seeing fresh fruits, vegetables, breads some of the oils and salts on my counters rather than appliances. Fri Apr 10 17:17:21 -0700 2009 4585769 155034 alwayscooking 3 4586627 just a hint: you're better off storing the oils in a cabinet. exposure to light speeds up the oxidation. Sat Apr 11 05:13:57 -0700 2009 4585815 30273 hotoynoodle 4 4587092 Thanks for the reminder - most come in very dark bottles and those that aren't get transferred to pottery bottles when I bring them home. And these are the ones I use daily not the canola, rice bran, etc stuff. Sat Apr 11 09:24:10 -0700 2009 4586627 155034 alwayscooking 1 4585843 This is funny. On the kitchen countertops: a multitude of cutting boards in a stand knife block canister crock of tools that don't fit in the utensils drawer toaster (kind of a goof as it's used rarely--used it tonight to toast bread for meatballs) blender microwave opposite mini counter holds the espresso machine and a spice rack next to the fridge We have a rolling cart that lives in the sunroom off the kitchen that houses: the KA mixer coffee bean grinder baking racks meat tenderizer and other hanging tools whatever other pans/racks don't fit in the kitchen Just like the rest of this condo, we've got more stuff than space! But I don't want to get rid of any of it. And there are more "kitchen toys" on a bakers' rack in the living room. How do you spell obsessed? ;) Fri Apr 10 17:27:42 -0700 2009 4585462 249664 kattyeyes 2 4646116 I live in an early '50s tract house, and your kitchen sounds like mine, except I don't have the spice rack. I LOVE my immersion blender, it lives just next to the sink in the mini side cupboard. My current gadget display (due to lack of space, it rotates) is bread oriented, so I have a dough mixing machine, and a handheld electric coffee grinder, which I use to grind grain for bread flour additions. Most all of my gadgets live on a shelf in the Pantry room off the kitchen. I have a countertop toaster oven, a 4-slice toaster, a 5 qt. slow cooker, a rice cooker (great for grits, too!), my blender, my ice cream maker, and usually my food processor, but I was moving stuff, and put it on another shelf, and promptly knocked it onto the floor...Thank goodness the immersion blender and my Waring blender fill in most of the time, and a good old knive has managed to do, as well...lol! ~Kizzle Fri May 01 12:07:12 -0700 2009 4585843 287441 Kizzle 3 4651878 An immersion blender fits perfectly into a wine-rack. At least that's where mine goes. Then again, I classify the wine rack itself as a kitchen appliance. Mon May 04 05:08:25 -0700 2009 4646116 154622 Paulustrious 4 4660996 What a great idea! Wed May 06 18:42:20 -0700 2009 4651878 15691 mcel215 1 4585865 I gutted my kitcen 3 years ago. I didn't have a lot of $$, so no bells and whistles. And my kitchen is a galley, with not a lot of extra storeage. And I don't like a lot of clutter. I have my KA stand mixer, KA processor, KA blender and toaster on the counter. On another counter, my coffee maker and grinder. I have a SS strip for all my knives on the wall. I also have a white glass top stove with an extra burner in the center, it holds my large Staub. In my pan drawer is my immersion blender, electric juicer and mini food processor. On top of my fridge, is my handmade wooden cutting board and digital scale. I have three drawers full of utensils......ugh. Someone once did a piece on Oprah (?), to take a cardboard box, and place all of your utensils in the cardboard box and leave on your counter for a week. After a week, check the box. Whatever is still in the box, are the things you don't need handy. Put them away in places further than "at your reach". I cook/bake a lot, so not much was left in the box. Fri Apr 10 17:40:06 -0700 2009 4585462 15691 mcel215 1 4586001 On my counters: Coffee maker on one, Blender, FP, knife block on the other. Microwave in wall over stove, toaster on pantry counter, immersion blender and all else behind closed doors in cabinets. I'm very lucky in that I do have adequate storage.... a place for everything, and everything in it's place.... Fri Apr 10 18:46:29 -0700 2009 4585462 75332 Gio 1 4586041 I have very VERY limited counter space. The only thing out is a coffee maker and a toaster. My nuker is in a microwave stand (cabinet actually, with storage above and below) and my cutting board is on a microwave stand. I have a small chest freezer that I use for counter space when I need it, but nothing stays on it. Cooking in a small apt is a PITA. Fri Apr 10 18:59:26 -0700 2009 4585462 251167 billieboy 2 4586049 <"Cooking in a small apt is a PITA."> But that just forces you to be efficient.... Fri Apr 10 19:02:15 -0700 2009 4586041 75332 Gio 3 4586055 Yes, and I have found that I rather like being able to stand in the kitchen and barely move more than a step or while washing things, putting them in the dishwasher, using the stove, and getting something out of the fridge. Fri Apr 10 19:04:28 -0700 2009 4586049 10985 MMRuth 2 4586247 I hear ya - I have so little counter space (Manhattan apartment) that I often end up using the lid of my (metal) garbage can to set bowls on. And yet I keep out my plug-in kettle, mini-food processor, blender, spice grinder, and mortar & pestle. To be fair, I a) use all of those but the spice grinder and m&p on almost a daily basis, and the grinder is small and the m&p is pretty, and b) I've got just as little storage space as I do counter space, so there's not many other options for where to put them. Microwave is on a shelf above the stove, toaster is on another shelf with the pots & pans, breadbaker is in the broom closet - you get the gist. Fri Apr 10 20:37:13 -0700 2009 4586041 131105 Emmmily 3 4586573 I use the top of my garbage can too. And various surfaces in my living room. Various cookie sheets, the roasting pan, and the cast iron live in the oven, and on a chair when they aren't in the oven. Sat Apr 11 03:50:14 -0700 2009 4586247 10985 MMRuth 2 4586285 I hear ya! We have 2.25 sq. ft. of counter space. That's it! So on our actual counter top? Nothing. What on earth would fit? Our microwave is on an old TV stand and on top of that is the toaster and coffee maker. The toaster gets used almost every day, the microwave isn't even plugged in. We have a ton of "counter" appliances that we got as wedding gifts that are still living in their boxes and stored on top of our cabinets 8 years later. Someday I'll have yards and yards of counter space where a KA stand mixer will live happily ever after. Fri Apr 10 21:06:22 -0700 2009 4586041 11778 irishnyc 3 4586302 2.25 squ ft : been there done that When space is that tight it is challenging.Back when the sink counted as 25% of the CLEAN WORK SPACE I learned about ???? practicle creative.Those days are long gone but the lessons are not los or forgotten. Fri Apr 10 21:13:55 -0700 2009 4586285 203919 lcool 1 4586089 FP, mini FP, Toaster, Scale, Keurig coffee maker, KA stand mixer. If I had a larger kitchen I would have more out. If it's hidden it does not get used!! Since you said appliances, I didn't include the knife block, container for salt, (pepper grinder, 2) , large ceramic container for a lot of tools. Fri Apr 10 19:13:47 -0700 2009 4585462 115579 Mother of four 1 4586128 NONE ,However my counters aren't bare.Fruit bowl,vegetable tray and olive wood board,mortar and pestle are always there.My counter space tends to look spare and organic.But the temporary things ,like lemons and apples also look at home. Fri Apr 10 19:34:45 -0700 2009 4585462 203919 lcool 1 4586205 On the counter now: KA mixer, coffee maker and grinder, blender, toaster. On our flat glass cooktop (which is technically counter...) the big dutch oven. I think that's it. My SO is a clutterbuster, so that's all I'm allowed to have exposed. Works for me. My cuise is relegated to under the counter cuz, it's just not used enough, as is my deep fryer, the george foreman grill, the electric skillet, etc. adam Fri Apr 10 20:10:09 -0700 2009 4585462 154787 adamshoe 1 4586329 Just a coffee maker. Fri Apr 10 21:31:44 -0700 2009 4585462 139589 ATaleOfFiction 1 4586440 I would probably have been rude to your realtor . But a lot of realtors are strange. I had one refuse to list my house for sale unless I removed an ABSTRACT nude painting from my living room. Needless to say she did not get the listing! When I see a house, whether in photos or real life, and there's nothing but a coffee pot and a bowl of fruit on the countertops, I just assume there is no resident cook. I think a kitchen is for cooking, so my counter tops house my espresso machine (far too big and heavy to put away anyway), my Kitchen Aid stand mixer, an electric reamer/juicer, blender, electric can opener, Cuisinart, four slice toaster, an electronic scale, and an AM FM Shortwave radio. I use every one of them way too often to even consider putting them in a cupboard. If I had room.... '-) Hey, I'm a kitchen junkie, what can I say? Fri Apr 10 23:14:47 -0700 2009 4585462 112096 Caroline1 2 4586634 an electric can opener? a manual one is about the size of a wine key. or do you just have it to laugh every time you turn it on and the cat or dog comes running into the room? ;) Sat Apr 11 05:20:03 -0700 2009 4586440 30273 hotoynoodle 2 4590265 Of everyone here, you sound the most like me! Sun Apr 12 19:15:53 -0700 2009 4586440 87837 RGC1982 1 4586644 rgc1982, your countertop clutter sounds like my condiments in the fridge! i have a small kitchen, with very little counter space, but i keep out a coffeemaker and toaster. right now a breadbaker is taking up space, but i haven't used it in months. the scary thing is, if i moved to a bigger home (with a bigger kitchen), i'd have to pack up all my junk (er, i mean "stuff"). Sat Apr 11 05:24:14 -0700 2009 4585462 105717 alkapal 2 4590266 Oooh, a breadbaker. I have thought about getting one of those :) Sun Apr 12 19:16:24 -0700 2009 4586644 87837 RGC1982 3 4598816 Whenthe little jfoods were in grammar school, jffod made bread every night for their sandwiches. Coming downstairs to the smell of baking bread every morning was the perfect way to start the day. Burnt that puppy out in about three years. Wed Apr 15 13:15:18 -0700 2009 4590266 11290 jfood 1 4586785 most of the time my toaster and rice cooker. Sat Apr 11 06:51:34 -0700 2009 4585462 11828 Maximilien 1 4586965 Guess I am a slovenly gadget freak. When I built my kitchen I added an appliance counter. Holds lots of stuff underneath and lots of gadgets on top. So we have juicer, microwave, toaster, blender, food processor, stand mixer and phone. Sat Apr 11 08:20:22 -0700 2009 4585462 154622 Paulustrious 2 4586972 Ooooh, I love your cabinets with the frosted glass panels. Sharp! Sat Apr 11 08:22:44 -0700 2009 4586965 249664 kattyeyes 3 4586979 Ikea - relatively cheap, and I think they look better than they cost. Sat Apr 11 08:26:34 -0700 2009 4586972 154622 Paulustrious 1 4587072 My microwave is built into my cabinets but the coffee maker and the food processor sit on the counter. I have a corner appliance garage for my stand mixer, toaster, and the blender. Sat Apr 11 09:17:32 -0700 2009 4585462 22220 Kelli2006 2 4587565 I've always wanted an appliance garage. Those are the coolest things going--lucky you! Sat Apr 11 13:05:14 -0700 2009 4587072 249664 kattyeyes 1 4587474 I have a lot of appliances, a lot of counter space, and a lot of storage space in a smallish apartment with great design. No wasted space anywhere. Three bedrooms and three baths. No appliances on the counters. All stored within quick reach. Sat Apr 11 12:17:45 -0700 2009 4585462 36661 Sam Fujisaka 1 4587793 I HATE to clutter my countertops. The only "appliances" that reside permanently on my countertop are my coffee grinder and coffee maker. I use them every day -- often more than once a day -- so I can justify their placement there. Every other appliance, no matter how large or small, has a home somewhere else, and gets taken out ONLY when needed. My kitchen counters are work spaces, not display areas for my kitchen "tools." Sat Apr 11 14:58:58 -0700 2009 4585462 49600 CindyJ 2 4587809 That last sentence is an excellent description. I have a decent sized kitchen compared to alot of the NYC ones but not so much that I want to decorate with small appliances. Even the toaster is two steps away in the pantry. The end of the counter has an electrical outlet so the toaster, slow cooker, whatever, can come out of the pantry, get used, cleaned and put back away. I've not Nelly Neat in the least (far from it!) but it annoys. Sat Apr 11 15:05:32 -0700 2009 4587793 131001 c oliver 1 4588294 Kitchen Aid stand mixer, Blender, Coffeemaker, Coffee grinder, Food Processor, Electric meat grinder, Cusinart Griddler. 3 crocks of gadgets- whisks, rasps, spatulas etc. On the other counter is hubby's coffeemaker, my cusinsart oven and vertical Food Saver.. Hubby and I have our own coffeemakers, he likes his coffee and I like mine. Sat Apr 11 18:46:11 -0700 2009 4585462 171261 LadyCook61 2 4588775 ladycook, how do you like your griddler? Sun Apr 12 05:01:14 -0700 2009 4588294 105717 alkapal 3 4588830 yes, i've been eyeing that too - how often does it get used? Sun Apr 12 05:51:53 -0700 2009 4588775 253735 bayoucook 4 4588907 I use it most every day, which is why it sits out on the counter. *smile* Sun Apr 12 06:43:33 -0700 2009 4588830 171261 LadyCook61 3 4588904 I like it a lot, hubby is always asking for panini. I have used it also for grilling hamburger. Sun Apr 12 06:42:43 -0700 2009 4588775 171261 LadyCook61 1 4588539 If we are talking about JUST appliances (not utensil holders, knife blocks, etc.): coffeemaker, toaster, electric kettle. That's it. We used to keep an electric can opener out, but it's chipped and ugly though it works. We keep that and plenty of other appliances out of sight unless needed. That's not to say our countertops are clean! Plenty of other junk manages to accumulate, LOL! Sat Apr 11 21:46:55 -0700 2009 4585462 124191 comestible 2 4588696 Clean countertops are SO important: both for space and for hygiene. You don't know how often commercial kitchen's countertops are --deeply-- cleaned and sanitized. I have my MAGIMIX FP that replaces mini-chopper, mandoline and stand mixer (all-in-one), my SAECO fully automatic coffee maker so no need for a separate grinder, and no need for a kettle as it provides hot water (TIP: if you want to buy a fully automatic coffee maker choose the one that has the least electronic...electronic and coffe don't get well together!), a MAGIMIX toaster, and a MAGIMIX juicer -- we make fresh navel orange juice by the glass every morning and the pineaple juice on Sunday is delicious. The microwave is built-in, and sad to say, but for hot chocolate, very little used as well as the egg cooker and the popcorn machine that are hidden. That's it, no bacteria. Sun Apr 12 01:15:28 -0700 2009 4588539 253666 Montceau 3 4588760 I had my microwave built-in to save counter space, without realizing I could easily live without it. I use it to re-heat leftovers about once a week. I use the timer on it though! ugh.... Sun Apr 12 04:36:26 -0700 2009 4588696 15691 mcel215 3 4588761 an egg cooker? there's an appliance called that? Sun Apr 12 04:42:04 -0700 2009 4588696 30273 hotoynoodle 3 4588764 GEEZ, where did I miss the part where the OP asked if there was any BACTERIA on our countertops? Please! Sun Apr 12 04:48:41 -0700 2009 4588696 249664 kattyeyes 4 4588780 i think montceau mistook comestible's comment about "clean" countertops. "clean" can mean "clear of clutter" as well as "scrubbed and disinfected", etc. i'm sure comestible was talking about "clean" in the first sense. Sun Apr 12 05:04:42 -0700 2009 4588764 105717 alkapal 5 4588809 No, I get that, but we are a site of food lovers. I think (hope!) it goes without saying we're working on clean work surfaces and aren't mixing up our deliciousness with bacteria. ;) comestible--I'm with ya--stuff (containers of this or that) accumulates all the time at my house, then I can't stand it anymore and get it all tidied up...as I did just yesterday. Sun Apr 12 05:30:26 -0700 2009 4588780 249664 kattyeyes 6 4588820 i have papers and books on my countertops!!! i forgot my tv and telephones and iphone charge station in the kitchen. i watch food shows, and call my mom about old recipes. there -- food related! ;-). Sun Apr 12 05:44:22 -0700 2009 4588809 105717 alkapal 7 4588828 I only get a pass because my papers/books/mags are on the dining room table and we rarely eat there--we eat in the sunroom off the kitchen. :) It's the brightest and most fun/funky room in the house. When we have to make room for more than three people, then the DR table gets organized. Otherwise, it's a way station for all sorts of stuff "in process!" Welcome to real life! Hey, Happy Easter! Sun Apr 12 05:49:41 -0700 2009 4588820 249664 kattyeyes 8 4588841 kattyeyes, tell that to mr. alka! ha! happy easter, to you too! Sun Apr 12 06:00:57 -0700 2009 4588828 105717 alkapal 6 4589412 Yep -- I meant the countertop as way-station for the detritus of everyday life -- today's mail, car keys, newspapers, etc. It's a big counter, so there's always room to work. And stuff gets cleared away eventually. Sun Apr 12 11:13:45 -0700 2009 4588809 124191 comestible 2 4588752 Electric kettle, toaster oven, microwave, toaster, rice cooker and French press. All used at least once a day. Sun Apr 12 04:13:03 -0700 2009 4588539 252227 jadec 2 4590268 Funny, the one and ONLY appliance I just refuse to consider is an electric can opener. Maybe when I get old and my athritis makes it more appealing... Sun Apr 12 19:18:37 -0700 2009 4588539 87837 RGC1982 3 4590273 Me too. I just don't like single-purpose thingies if there's an alternative. Sun Apr 12 19:21:18 -0700 2009 4590268 131001 c oliver 3 4590716 I grew up with an electric can opener and an old school manual one that made the electric appliance seem like the better deal. But now I have an OXO Good Grips and it makes opening cans a cinch. I believe it will serve me well through old age! :) Mon Apr 13 04:39:41 -0700 2009 4590268 249664 kattyeyes 3 4590796 Oh, believe me. Arthritis moves an electric can opener from "appealing" to "must"! '-) Mon Apr 13 05:48:58 -0700 2009 4590268 112096 Caroline1 4 4590808 You just deflated my balloon. Honestly, one day I won't love my Good Grips anymore? I had four hand surgeries already when in my 20s, but am much better now. I always joke I didn't have hands that were built to work hard...but my OXO tools are so comfy to use--the can opener and the peeler. On the other HAND, guess we'll never find out who won the LIMBS-O contest, eh? ;) Mon Apr 13 05:57:23 -0700 2009 4590796 249664 kattyeyes 5 4591206 I used a manual can opener for years. The one thing I DO NOT miss about it is that it would entangle itself with all of the other tools that shared a drawer with it. My counter-top electric attacks none of its neighbors. I think the contest was banished because the mods don't like cheesecake! '-) Mon Apr 13 08:46:21 -0700 2009 4590808 112096 Caroline1 6 4591226 It's good when our appliances and tools can play nicely with one another. Someday, I'd like bigger drawers/more storage space for sure, so I can keep such attacks at bay. My oo-ma-moochie whisk is prone to entanglements. Apparently, it's called a "twirl whisk" in real life. It is my favorite egg-beating tool because it's sort of toy-like and springy and reminds me of my mom chanting, "Oo ma moochie, gamma gamma goochie" when she'd beat eggs when I was little. I think it was from "Bippity Boppity Boo" or something. http://www.chefcentral.com/-P3407C119.aspx?utm_source=froogle LOL--neither cheesecake NOR beefcake, apparently, but that's OK. ;) Mon Apr 13 08:54:30 -0700 2009 4591206 249664 kattyeyes 7 4591266 The whisks are the bad boys in my drawer too. Gonna keep them (seperated!) in a canister with other more friendly tools. Mon Apr 13 09:08:51 -0700 2009 4591226 253735 bayoucook 8 4591449 I keep all of my whisks in a jar on the counter top, but they still tie themselves to each other. They're just malicious creatures by nature. After all, they're MADE for whipping! Mon Apr 13 10:08:19 -0700 2009 4591266 112096 Caroline1 7 4593610 my twirl whisk, and its cousins, stand with my wooden spoons in a re-purposed mustard crock Tue Apr 14 00:44:19 -0700 2009 4591226 105717 alkapal 4 4590846 So true, that's the reason I switched to electric about a year ago. Mon Apr 13 06:19:03 -0700 2009 4590796 253735 bayoucook 1 4588769 Induction burner, convection oven, toaster, coffeemaker, KA food processor, small FP, knife block, small tv, canister of wooden spoons and cooking utensils. Sun Apr 12 04:53:42 -0700 2009 4585462 253735 bayoucook 1 4589448 Uh...everything? Let's see: electric kettle, microwave, toaster, electric skillet, Foreman grill, electric griddle, dirty dishes, clean dishes, old saucer we use as spoon rest, huge canister of tea bags, hot plate, huge toaster oven, crock of utensils, last night's beer bottles, stray forks, last week's beer bottles, cat toys, to name a few. In fairness we do have open plank shelves in the kitchen that hold at least a couple appliances and canisters, and freestanding bookshelves that hold a few more, and a place on the floor for the breadmaker, and steel utility shelving in the corner behind the freezer for packaged food, wine bottles, onion and potato baskets, and empties for homebrewing. Sometimes the Foreman grill ends up on top of the cat food bucket or the kettle on the coffee table with the books and last week's mail. And since we don't have a stove (hence all the electric gadgets), we can't store/hide anything in the oven...We own the place and don't like to waste time arguing, so dirty dishes are 'allowed' anywhere, at least until they grow fuzz. Obviously 'looking silly' never mattered to me, except for the time we wanted to refinance and tried in vain to clean up for the appraiser. We live here! - and yes, we use all of that stuff. We've made some pretty fine meals in our weird kitchen. I challenge Robert Irvine to do a "Dinner Impossible" in my kitchen - I can hear him fretting and moaning now...! Sun Apr 12 11:31:53 -0700 2009 4585462 160926 Kinnexa 2 4589519 Do you not have a stove because all the small appliances overload your circuits???? Inquiring mind(s) want to know. Sun Apr 12 12:15:18 -0700 2009 4589448 131001 c oliver 3 4593468 Very funny! Actually there was a stove in the house when we bought it, but over the years parts started to s**t the bed. My mother-in-law offered us her 'spare' stove, so we gleefully banished ours to the town dump (I believe we actually threw rocks at it too.) Then we discovered Mom's stove weighed about a million pounds and there was no way it would fit up the tiny cellar stairs - how did it get down there anyway? At any rate, we soon found we didn't miss having a stove unless we wanted to hide the dirty dishes in the oven. So now we have a collection of small appliances...but hardly any one-trick ponies. I mean, there is a limit!! Mon Apr 13 22:26:07 -0700 2009 4589519 160926 Kinnexa 4 4593614 i'm intrigued by the mental scenario created by your description of appliances s#!%%!*g the bed. although....i *can* picture my fridge wetting the bed. Tue Apr 14 00:48:36 -0700 2009 4593468 105717 alkapal 5 4600200 Been there, done that. Boy, what a mess! Wed Apr 15 22:31:17 -0700 2009 4593614 160926 Kinnexa 1 4590668 One counter has a small Sharp microwave/toaster with a Cuisinart ice cream freezer on top of it, espresso machine, and grinder. Another counter has a dish rack (next to the sink), food scale, usually an electric tea kettle, large maple cutting board, knife block, Kitchen Aid stand mixer, blender, a vase with cooking utensils, and a couple of salts and pepper grinders next to the rangetop. The rice cooker comes and goes as needed. There are pots and pans hanging from individual hooks all around the kitchen, with some heavier items resting on shelves and the top of the fridge. I like stuff to be accessible. Mon Apr 13 02:12:47 -0700 2009 4585462 198087 David A. Goldfarb 1 4590866 I have lots of counter top space (quartz), much of it covered by appliances I use daily/weekly. Starting at the fridge and going clockwise: microwave, coffee grinder, coffee maker, waffle iron. Toaster oven, knife block, electric kettle. Food processor, blender, set of canisters, stand mixer. Fagor slow cooker/pressure cooker,rice cooker. This is a serious cook's kitchen, and anyone who ever buys this house in the future will buy it for the kitchen. Screw your realtor. Mon Apr 13 06:31:52 -0700 2009 4585462 11995 pikawicca 2 4591517 I like your attitude! Actually, you made me think -- I DO put my waffle iron away, just under the cooktop. One of the few. Mon Apr 13 10:27:23 -0700 2009 4590866 87837 RGC1982 1 4591542 The kitchen aid mixer and coffee maker are the only things on our counter. Mon Apr 13 10:32:37 -0700 2009 4585462 63906 odkaty 1 4592383 We like a streamlined, uncluttered look, so no appliances are visible on the counter. On the counter, but behind an "appliance garage," are the drip coffee maker, expresso maker, coffee grinder, and 4-slice toaster. Everything else is put away in cabinets. Works just fine for us. Mon Apr 13 14:22:26 -0700 2009 4585462 25595 masha 1 4592770 Crock Pot- it's a pretty one- oval, green crock and it's painted like some of my hand painted bowls from Italy- with olives! Cuisinart Grind -n- Brew (and I sing to it often, "cuisinart grind-n-brew i love you..." 4 slice toaster (it's not plugged in except for when we use it- I have visions of the cats traipsing across it and the dog slamming the level down on their paws. NO ONE is allowed on my counters but I haven't installed the web cam yet so I dunno what happens here during the workday...) My KA (Hunter Green) hangs out on the bakers rack, attracting wolf whistles from the ugly yet functional water dispenser... Everything else is shoved away- no- wait- my tiny mini chopper is out- and the base of the magic bullet but only because someone left them out, they need to be put away... Mon Apr 13 16:47:42 -0700 2009 4585462 110426 Boccone Dolce 2 4592804 You crack me up! :) I would totally do something like that (sing to the grind-n-brew). Mon Apr 13 17:01:41 -0700 2009 4592770 249664 kattyeyes 2 4593616 boccone dolce, i've been debating getting a grind-and-brew..... sounds like you're smitten. ;-). and i love my black & decker handy chopper, too. http://greasypot.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/handy_chopper2.jpg Tue Apr 14 00:51:49 -0700 2009 4592770 105717 alkapal 1 4593671 kettle, toaster. Tue Apr 14 02:42:23 -0700 2009 4585462 180623 Soop 1 4594607 I kindof like clutter. So, from left to right: - Spice racks (flush-ish against the wall. - Tray with 2 jars of utensils, 8 kinds of salt, butter dish, peppermill... - Knife block & 3 cutting boards - Stand mixer & food processor. (I could put at least one of these away, but why bother?) - Canisters (at least one of which is empty) - Toaster (hands-down the most used appliance I own) - Finally, the space above the dishwasher usually has drying dishes -or- the cocktail shaker and mixers. Just outside my kitchen, I also have a rolling cart with the microwave (purchased so my mother-in-law could make her instant coffee). The lower shelves hold all of my enameled cast iron + coffee-making stuff. Tue Apr 14 09:56:45 -0700 2009 4585462 17827 cyberroo 1 4597028 At what point did a knife block or french press become an appliance? Wed Apr 15 01:09:23 -0700 2009 4585462 259011 Demented 2 4597074 I didn't read this thread properly, but I assumed electrical appliance. I suppose a french press might count otherwise though Wed Apr 15 02:56:16 -0700 2009 4597028 180623 Soop 2 4597980 An appliance is an instrument that performs a specific task with the implication that it is power operated. My french press makes coffee and lives on my counter because I use it often. If I preferred a coffee maker, it would live on my counter, too. I think most people, like myself, simply stated what was on their counters. Wed Apr 15 09:38:24 -0700 2009 4597028 43515 adrienne156 2 4599904 I say let her count the knife block and the French press if they have a permanent home. Wed Apr 15 19:36:32 -0700 2009 4597028 87837 RGC1982 1 4597092 the blender sits out mainly because it's too tall to put in the assigned appliance cabinet. So into the depth of the only corner in the countertop. Recipe book on stand serves as the 'garage' door Wed Apr 15 03:45:49 -0700 2009 4585462 264226 toomanypots 1 4599980 My kitchen lacks both storage and counter space. It is small and so badly designed it looks cluttered even without anything on the counters. Even if that weren't the case, I'd prefer to have absolutely nothing on the counters... but reality intrudes. I don't have space in the kitchen to put away the things I use regularly unless I start using the oven or the dishwasher for storage. The things I don't use *very* regularly (like daily, or close to it) get put away in the hall closet, the dining room closet or one of the dining room cabinets. The only exception is the stand mixer, because it's too damned big and heavy to justify moving around that much. so, on the counters: * stand mixer * toaster oven * espresso machine * coffee grinder All the appliances people leave out all the time are bad enough, but what I really hate is food out on the counters. Those "decorative" containers of sugar and flour and whatnot; spices, oils... all being exposed to light and air and getting staler by the second. Wed Apr 15 20:09:07 -0700 2009 4585462 42513 Mawrter 1 4601862 Rice cooker, microwave, and toaster oven. The rice cooker is way too big for the limited counter space I have but I use it almost every day so why bother putting it away! Plus I don't have storage space for it anywhere else. Thu Apr 16 12:03:10 -0700 2009 4585462 267467 happy_c 1 4602402 I am in the minimalist camp. I leave none of my appliances out. Actually, 2 - electric water kettle and a toaster, but they are both hidden behind these "appliance garage" doors built between the cupboard and the counter in 2 corners of my kitchen. Thu Apr 16 14:44:49 -0700 2009 4585462 147538 polish_girl 1 4604599 I envy all you folks who have learned to live without a microwave. :( If I could do it, I really would. It's taking up way too much room that I don't have. From east to west, my appliances: small toaster (which I just realized I can get rid of/move to a better space) immersion blender magic bullet base (I LOVE this thing) rice cooker (this one comes and goes but I'm on a rice kick right now) microwave toaster oven old school cuisinart - not on counter but out nonetheless (no room inside any of the cabinets) I try to limit it just to those and have no problems with any being out ... except for that microwave. ARG! Fri Apr 17 10:40:17 -0700 2009 4585462 17410 Ali 2 4617475 you *can* learn to live without a microwave. i used to have one, but when i moved, i lost a ton of space. just get rid of it. you'll learn quite quickly. they're such eyesores. Wed Apr 22 06:06:00 -0700 2009 4604599 30273 hotoynoodle 3 4619104 I am in agreement, the only think i ever used mine for was melting butter for popcorn it seemed, so when i moved, i didnt miss it. What do you use it for Ali? Wed Apr 22 13:34:34 -0700 2009 4617475 158016 cassoulady 4 4619699 Reheating food. It's the single most-used item in my kitchen, that microwave. I tend to cook on weekends, and reheat food during the week. And especially on dreary days and days when I get home from work extremely late, the most I can stand is waiting the 4 minutes it takes for the microwave to do its job. The mere thought of getting out a pot/pan/whatever, even for the same purpose, would just deter me from eating. Wed Apr 22 16:35:04 -0700 2009 4619104 17410 Ali 5 4622861 That makes sense.... I rarely have leftovers to reheat which is probably why I never used mine ( expect for pizza which gets soggy anyway). Thu Apr 23 13:59:47 -0700 2009 4619699 158016 cassoulady 2 4619904 To save some space, I got a microwave that's also a toaster. It's not a great toaster, but it's enough of a toaster. I use it more as a toaster than as a microwave. I used to use it to warm up coffee, but I've been making coffee almost exclusively with the espresso machine for the past few years, so I don't do that anymore. I could downsize even more and just get a toaster, but I've been using the microwave for defrosting, and the ice cream freezer is stacked on top of it, so it's like having three appliances with one small footprint. If you just use it for heating food, one strategy is just to do everything in a single serving size pan (like a 9-10" frypan), which is how some restaurants keep orders moving down the line. Bowl of soup?--heat it up in a pan. A dish that involves sauteeing and broiling--it can all be done in one or two pans. Firing a dish that's been partially cooked--it happens in the same size pan. They'll usually have a few stacks of cast aluminum pans like this on a shelf over the range. Wed Apr 22 17:53:51 -0700 2009 4604599 198087 David A. Goldfarb 2 4620823 It's possible that a lot of people who don't list a microwave on their counter tops have built ins. I have two wall ovens. One cooks with microwave and/or halogen light. It will do everything from broil a steak, bake and brown cookies, or heat my soup. The other oven uses thermal heat, convection heat, or microwave in conjunction with either or both of those, but will not use microwave alone. Ain't nuthin' wrong with cookin' with microwaves! But it's usually a personal choice on whether they take up half your counter space. And THAT is annoying! Thu Apr 23 05:38:37 -0700 2009 4604599 112096 Caroline1 1 4604996 The only conclusion after all this is that one cook's clutter is another cook's mise en place. Fri Apr 17 12:34:07 -0700 2009 4585462 198087 David A. Goldfarb 2 4606172 I think you have finally answered my question. Thank you. Fri Apr 17 20:56:36 -0700 2009 4604996 87837 RGC1982 1 4605016 Stand mixer, toaster, food processor, blender. coffee pot Fri Apr 17 12:41:51 -0700 2009 4585462 124339 bnemes3343 1 4605046 Heck, I wish I could get rid of _my_ microwave, but SO won’t hear of it! :-P On the counter – Microwave, Coffeemaker, Food Processor and Toaster. Counter space is at a real premium in my kitchen, so I put in special U-shaped shelves in the closet to hold most appliances. Fri Apr 17 12:53:26 -0700 2009 4585462 233294 cuccubear 2 4605441 What are U-shaped shelves? Are they available to order, or did you custom make them? I have a broom closet in my kitchen, that now stores a small upright freezer and one high shelf. But there is room for one more shelf, and I would love to maximize the space. Thanks. Fri Apr 17 14:55:46 -0700 2009 4605046 15691 mcel215 3 4611228 I custom made it myself. The closet in my kitchen starts at knee level (weird I know) so I have standard shelves a little more than half way up. Towards the top, I cut the middle of the shelves out so it's shaped like a U. That way I can reach up to store things in the highest part of the closet. Usually it's wasted space. Mon Apr 20 09:13:36 -0700 2009 4605441 233294 cuccubear 4 4613841 Thanks, I think I understand what you are saying. I have a closet in my kitchen and there is a high shelf only. It was originally a broom closet, thus no other shelving. I bought a small upright freezer, so now I have extra freezer space. But there is about a five ft. gap between the top of the freezer and the upper shelf. My problem with putting shelves in between, is the circuit box sits on the right hand wall, and I need access to it. It has a cover/door that needs to be opened to change a fuses when necessary. So, I too need to custom design something, thus the curisiosity into your U-shaped design. Thanks. Tue Apr 21 03:00:30 -0700 2009 4611228 15691 mcel215 5 4619362 I believe that in most places it is against code to have the (main) circuit box in a cupboard in which things can be stored. But that's between us. Wed Apr 22 14:46:34 -0700 2009 4613841 154622 Paulustrious 6 4624195 Really? Well, that's probably why is "supposed" to be a broom closet! But, there is a large metal frame around the small box, preventing me from adding shelves near it anyway! I just saw wasted space and used it. With a 725 sq. ft. Condo, one tends to do that. I put a small standing freezer on the floor and the top shelf was already there. I am just looking to add some space to hold my small appliances and get them off the counter now. Fri Apr 24 02:35:01 -0700 2009 4619362 15691 mcel215 1 4606235 I have a Model SR-MK10S National Rice Cooker with Fuzzy LOgic. I am looking for manual for this cooker. It is actually made by Panosnic and sold under various retail outlets with different model numbers. I downloaded a PDF from Pansonic for another model that looks Identical. Anybody got any ideas? I her the rice cooker chimming rice is ready, but it tastes a small bit undercooked. Perhaps this is due to the fact that I live at 8578 ft altitude. Water boils faster but not as hot at this elevation. But the air is always sparklingly clean and fresh. Peyton Q Fri Apr 17 21:51:21 -0700 2009 4585462 283640 PeytonQuinn 2 4607084 I don't own a rice cooker so can't help you there. But I live at "only" 6400 ft. and I ALWAYS add salt to water which raises the boiling point. I know there are books about baking at high altitude. Maybe some on just plain cooking. I'm struggling with learning how to make pasta dough. Both the altitude and the humidity effect the result. Good luck. Sat Apr 18 11:42:23 -0700 2009 4606235 131001 c oliver 1 4607765 The KA stand mixer, Breville citrus juicer, Food processor, are all on open shelves in the kitchen. and the toaster is on the griddle of the stove. These are the only things I really use and they are in arms reach of the stove. Sat Apr 18 17:28:10 -0700 2009 4585462 158016 cassoulady 1 4607921 Wow, after reading all of these posts, I guess I'm going to have to break out my immersion blender from it's (ORIGINAL) box and start using it! :) I'm one of the clutter-free people, so the counter top is home to only a toaster, a coffee maker and the mini-Cuisinart. The crock of wooden spoons doesn't count! Sat Apr 18 18:54:23 -0700 2009 4585462 275953 Cascokat 2 4609186 I keep my immersion blender in one of those utensil canisters in a cabinet. Wrap the cord around the motor part and drop the head in beside the motor. Sun Apr 19 12:48:39 -0700 2009 4607921 63906 odkaty 1 4609350 Moving clockwise from 11:00, electric kettle (Braun ) burr coffee grinder (Solis Maestro) Hario Nouveau (if you have to ask . . .) Sharp microwave (inherited when my father died; would never have bought it, hardly use it) Delaminator (Krups Type F404; explained below) Toaster (Siemens Global Design) Rice cooker (Panasonic SR-EA10N) One of the cooks in our kitchen is a native-born Japanese, so we make rice in that rice cooker 300+ nights per year, and have done so in that selfsame rice cooker for the past ~20 years; it just keeps working. And -- out on a tea cart, but moved to the counter when it needs to be used, blender (Bosch MMB2000) The delaminator needs to be explained, I suppose, as RGC1982 was the person who started this thread, then went on to dis' electric can openers. We ain't gots no steenkin' electric can opener, we's gots an electric can delaminator! (Krups calls it an "Open Master") Here is why it is essential: Our dog (who weighs 79.999 pounds) gets fed twice a day, 5:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., a different meal in the evening than in the morning. At the morning meal, he gets a dollop of plain yogurt and a sprinkling of dried blueberries on top of his kibble, but at the evening meal, he gets 1/4 can of canned dog food (Solid Gold Turkey & Ocean Fish) under his kibble. So three days out of every four, we have a partly used can of dog food in the refrigerator. Because the Krups does not actually cut into the metal, but merely uncrimps the seal at the top of the can, we can put the top back onto the can and make the can a servicable sealed container stored in the refrigerator, no need for Saran Wrap or the like to cover the partially full can. (Works well for part cans of tomato paste, etc., too.) Sun Apr 19 13:55:42 -0700 2009 4585462 278068 Politeness 2 4610079 We've always just used the plastic can caps they sell at the pet supply store for the in-progress cat food cans. Sun Apr 19 19:25:01 -0700 2009 4609350 10074 Caitlin McGrath 3 4610343 But Caitlin, have you ever seen one of those for a tomato paste can, though? Sun Apr 19 21:38:38 -0700 2009 4610079 278068 Politeness 4 4613098 I have not; then again, unlike with pet food, I don't mind transfering leftover tomato paste to a jar (which I think is safer for potentially longer keeping once open), and in fact, I often buy it in tubes. Mon Apr 20 17:34:01 -0700 2009 4610343 10074 Caitlin McGrath 5 4613124 We also use the tube of tomato paste when we want to use just a little vs. the whole can. Works like a charm and I never realized it even existed in a tube until a few years ago. Mon Apr 20 17:43:48 -0700 2009 4613098 249664 kattyeyes 5 4620834 I transfer my tomato paste to a ziplock sandwich bag, squeeze all of the air out, zip, mash flat and even, score it into four equal sections with my finger (a la tic tac toe), fold along one score and pop it in the freezer. Next time I can use it all or only use a fourth of it. Works for me! I don't like storing acidy things in a can, no matter how much white plastic liner they come with. Thu Apr 23 05:51:22 -0700 2009 4613098 112096 Caroline1 2 4613641 I use a plastic lid designed to fit pet food cans, but I totally understand why you might like the delaminator. I supposed that one day I too will have to give in, but not yet. It just seems easier not to have one than to clean one. Mon Apr 20 20:58:57 -0700 2009 4609350 87837 RGC1982 3 4617006 RGC1982, true confessions time: we never have cleaned our Krups Open Master. In our defense, we have never had occasion to clean it. When a can is delaminated, not cut into, the liquids inside generally do not ooze out onto the appliance. Tue Apr 21 20:29:53 -0700 2009 4613641 278068 Politeness 1 4616614 Just my electric kettle. I also have a paper towel roll and often a bowl of fruit but that's it. I hate having things on my counter. Tue Apr 21 17:52:56 -0700 2009 4585462 281174 FigNinja 1 4617295 I don't see a problem with electric kettles on counter, and as for the rest it depends on how frequent they're in use. Some people make toast frequently so if the toaster was on the counter that would make sense. As for me it's kettle, mini smoothie maker bottom, but the cup is in the cupboard. Mini chopper, large blender, george forman grill and everything else is put away. I don't like appliances on counters, but I don't mind things like oils/vinegars that need to be accessible. Wed Apr 22 03:20:40 -0700 2009 4585462 224081 BamiaWruz 1 4625026 It's easier to clean a counter with less stuff on it, and it gives you more work room, but it seems like I use most often the tools that I can see. My kitchen has limited counter space, but I keep a huge maple cutting board out at all times (18" round); knife block; 5 jars full of spoons/spatulas/whisks int he corner; drip coffee maker; toaster oven; KA mixer. No room for more--but in a revolving shelf inside a corner cupboard are my food processor, blender, immersion blender, and FP blades. On the stove top, a beautiful copper tea kettle. Fri Apr 24 09:42:01 -0700 2009 4585462 270246 Krissythecook 1 4628429 Starting by the fridge and working clockwise around the kitchen: kitchenaid coffee maker blender knife sharpener (I know, I know, but I'd put away almost everything before I'd give up room for that thing. I am devoted to it...) food processor rice cooker toaster oven If I was not so lazy about hauling things out to use them, I could put away the stand mixer, the rice cooker, the blender, the coffee maker (I drink a lot of tea), the food processor... just don't make me give up my knife sharpener! ;-> Sat Apr 25 15:48:48 -0700 2009 4585462 78679 linengirl 1 4636615 I have a big kitchen with a lot of storage space and a huge marble table which is the main work/eating space - while my preference and desire when I built this kitchen was to store most of this stuff out of signt it hasnt worked. First, I am an incredible food collector and accumulate a lot of stuff which lies around all the open spaces. Second, we keep out appliances for daily or frequent use. /Third, a lot of these items are too big and tall or heavy to fit in a storage space under or near the work area. Appliance have gotten bigger over the years. My current processor is MUCH bigger than my original cuisinart, which fit easily in the cabinet. My current toaster is a huge monster, coffeemaker ditto, etc.Finally, my arm (tendonitis in the elbow) tells me almost daily that lugging heavy items unnecessarily is stupid. Selling a house is hopefully a one time experience - unless your own aethestic sense demands it, you should set up your kitchen for your own convenience. Here is the equipment that is is sitting out on ours on the spaces on the two sides of the sink, (1) coffee grinder (2) mini-chopper (received as blooddrive premium, not yet assigned a home) (3) huge drip coffee maker (should be in the cabinet, rairly used (4) knife block (5) toaster (6) espresso machine behind the cooktop under the hood several crocks full of utensils other side of cooktop - (7) kitchenaid mixer (8) food processor (9) blender (8) scale. Tue Apr 28 13:25:49 -0700 2009 4585462 11130 jen kalb 2 4876852 since this report I have demoted my blender to the cabinet - who knows, I may get rid of it - replaced with an Indian mixie, butterfly brand, which so far has competently made some masala and a chutney and liquidized a pineapple. I have high hopes for this appliance but its too soon to give a recommendation here. Tue Jul 21 07:24:09 -0700 2009 4636615 11130 jen kalb 1 4644442 Microwave's a given. - Coffee maker - Toaster/Oven toaster - Rice cooker (which also works as a steamer!) Very minimal. =) I like space - not clutter. But I make sure other appliances like my blender and George Foreman grill are easily available. I keep them in a cabinet nearby. Gotta have the George Foreman grill! All my appliances are black, too, except for the rice cooker. I love black. It goes with everything, and it looks nice. Thu Apr 30 21:23:38 -0700 2009 4585462 217880 mels88 1 4645714 Coffee pot, stand mixer, blender, food processor, toaster. Fri May 01 10:30:17 -0700 2009 4585462 287751 dcrb 1 4651812 Counter appliances drive me nuts. When designing cabinet layout, I including hiding places for my microwave, food processor and Kitchen Aid mixer. I don't have anything else but those. Don't eat toast. Don't drink coffee. Don't drink juice. Mon May 04 04:08:17 -0700 2009 4585462 289185 CaseyAngelova 2 4657101 no coffee or juice? :-( Tue May 05 15:28:19 -0700 2009 4651812 206111 bythebayov 3 4665752 or toast O__O Fri May 08 08:03:02 -0700 2009 4657101 180623 Soop 1 4657090 food processor (use it too often to put it up), toaster oven and coffee maker Tue May 05 15:25:12 -0700 2009 4585462 206111 bythebayov 1 4702046 I'm also in the minimalist camp. I am pretty obsessive about keeping the granite counters clean, and I like the uncluttered look. On deck: toaster, coffee maker, salt cellar, pepper mill, EVOO in dark green tall bottle with screw cap (about 2 c. capacity). Also a large utensil canister that in a pinch can double as an ice bucket. My DH likes to have a knife block out, I prefer steak knives put away and kitchen knives on a magnetic holder on the wall. I use a blender daily, so it's out. Beside the sink is a trivet that holds dish soap and hand cream (no stained granite). Leaning against the backsplash is a large wood cutting board, and an IKEA trivet that is also big enough to handle several dishes at once. We've got a kitchen with lots of counter space and an island. Plenty of drawers to hold all my paraphernalia, plus a pantry. All other appliances (a bunch like the rest of you) are out of sight and hopefully away from volatilized oils from cooking. If I had 2 more drawers next to the stove I'd probably delete the utensil canister and put those away, too. I know it's kind of obsessive, but I really like to wipe down all those glossy counters and see no fingerprints, no mess, no fuss. Wed May 20 16:59:04 -0700 2009 4585462 263389 blaireso 1 4871901 Okay, am sitting at mu built in kitchen desk. On it are laptop, small scanner, lamp, speakers, telephone and a few refrence books. Like Sam I have a lot of counter space and storage. Looking to my right is kind of my baking area, Lg. processor, sm. processor, stand mixer, and Food Saver. Continuing to the right past wall oven, two doorways, the fridge, next counter has an unused Krups Coffee maker that needs to go away, stab mixer, French Press, Microwave is mounted above, under an upper cabinet. Then the sinks, then electric kettle, DH's tea pot and toaster. In the island is the cook top and crocks of utensils. In the room are also 3 bookshelves, a table for my orchids on the SW windowed wall, rocking chair, and lamp. I have 3 sets of tall cupboards for china and glasswar not in everyday use, 1 basket of dog toys, and a basket under the orchid table to collect magazines. There is a dining area too and a door to the screened porch. As a former Realtor first thing is to make the kitchen sparkle and shine. Cleanliness is the biggest factor. Kitchens that don't look lived in are a turn off to anyone who cooks. If they don't cook what do they care what the kitchen looks like? Sun Jul 19 12:23:52 -0700 2009 4585462 10285 Candy 1 4871926 For me: I finally have nice counter space. The last kitchen (downtown Boston galley kitchen) was so cramped, I had appliances everywhere and about 20 inches of useable counter space. In the new kitchen I can store most of the appliances in the pantry. I have three long counter spaces and try to to keep them uncluttered. One is between the refrigerator and oven, and one on each side of the cooktop. Basically, the only appliances out are the Hamilton milkshake blender, coffee grinder/coffee machine, and KitchenAid. The first area holds a stainless steel milkshake blender and the bottles of booze that won't fit in the cabinets. Yes, sad but true, we have too many bottles! One of these days we're going to put in a wet bar in another part of the house so I can clear that. On one side of the stove is the coffemaker, stainless steel and class cannisters for coffee beans and sugar, Wusthof knife block, and a SS container for cooking utensils right by the stove. On the other side, next to the stove is a ceramic olive oil carafe, then cookbook stand, SS/glass cannisters for flour and rice, and KitchenAid mixer. A silver Nambé bowl holding fruit is on the kitchen table in the nook, the island contains the kitchen sink and SS drying rack, and the low bookcase behind the sofa dividing the kitchen from the main living area holds cookbooks and on top a stainless steel platter with cocktail/shaker set. Sun Jul 19 12:43:02 -0700 2009 4585462 10271 Rubee 1 4872073 Counter clutter drives me nuts, but unfortunately I am also a gadget junkie. Thankfully I have a large island kitchen and a walk in pantry. The only appliances on the counter are the coffee maker (Senseo), Henkel knife block and screwpull wine opener (which is actually my husband's gadget - I prefer the old fashioned cork screws), along with two decorative oil and vinegar caddies and a wooden tea box. And next to the stove I have two utensil caddies (storing spatulas, mixing spoons, whisks, etc.), because having all that stuff cluttering a drawer also drives me crazy. There is a pull-out cabinet (with doors) that is counter-height under my microwave - it was made to store counter top appliances, but mine is chock full of various seasonings, vinegars, soy sauce, etc. It's very handy to be able to open it up and pull out the shelf to access whatever ingredient I want when I'm cooking. Sun Jul 19 13:58:00 -0700 2009 4585462 253542 cycloneillini 1 4877758 I have a big kitchen for NY, but it has very little counter and cupboard space. I am always trying to make more room but don't seem to be able to function without the microwave (aka big electronic timer per my husband), coffeemaker (Keurig, hate the footprint, too big), DLC-7 Cuisinart 1984 vintage, K5A standing mixer 1987 vintage, 2 coffee grinders (we use loose in the Keurig, one for coffee and one for spices), and cute red KA toaster which is the least used item of all (I eat breakfast at work, my husband seldom eats toast). With the back of the counter on the other side of the sink being cluttered with soy sauces, vinegars and other nonputtawayable cooking ingredients, I barely have room to roll out a pastry crust (or swing one of my 2 dear cats). Tue Jul 21 11:39:05 -0700 2009 4585462 13709 buttertart 1 4878057 I have a decent amount of counter space, but not quite enough for what I leave on my counter: Musts: Zorjirushi hot water boiler Rice cooker blender 2x Utensil crocks knife block/knives Tray for my cooking oils/salt hoping to get rid of: dish rack (when we get a dishwasher) Tue Jul 21 12:58:56 -0700 2009 4585462 104826 itstangy 1 4930189 I think it boils down to: personality (clutter vs minimalist) cupboard space (where things will go if NOT on the counter) counter space I've moved to a place with much more counter space,and quite deep counters, which means I can have things out and keep enough workspace for, well, working. Dishrack 3xjars with cooking utensils butter dish salt, pepper, olive oil kenwood mixer microwave toaster oven electric kettle chopping board rack tray containing tea items, notepad, pens vintage containers containing flour, sugars, etc. I'm interested that on one else has listed stationery, but I find it indispensable when annotating recipes, scribbling in the margins, etc. Sun Aug 09 05:53:26 -0700 2009 4585462 10431 Gooseberry 1 4934050 Let's see - immersion blender in it's stand, toaster, coffee maker, bean grinder, stand mixer and cuisinart food Processer. My kitchen is fairly large so it really doesn't seem cluttered. Mon Aug 10 13:49:26 -0700 2009 4585462 223367 nvcook 1 4934313 I am trying to minimize all the items on the counter . Right now I have coffee machne, toaster and toaster oven. If I ever received (as a gift) a beautiful colored Kitchen Aid Blender, food processor etc royal blue I would definitely keep them out (Better half - are you reading this........) Mon Aug 10 14:56:59 -0700 2009 4585462 254503 Matash 1 4987038 In the kitchen:Food Processor,KitchenAid Stand Mixer,microwave, Technivorm perfect coffee maker,coffee grinder,scale, hanging pot rack and magnetic knife holder on the wall.On a rack in the garage:Blender,toaster,electric frypan,slow cooker, countertop BBQ, fondue pot,electric grill,electric kettle, ice cream maker, rice cooker,bread maker. I got rid of all the esoteric kitchen gadgets long ago.( pasta maker, meat slicer, etc) I can't live without the immersion blender, mandoline, and microplane in the drawer though. Fri Aug 28 15:49:09 -0700 2009 4585462 74853 suz_pereira 1 4987199 I am an ultra minimalist. The toaster is the only thing (apart from a wooden chopping board and vitamins) on my counter. However it is actually cleaned to get rid of any crumbs and placed neatly in the corner with a tea towel over it after each use. In my old house there was a cupboard that you would open up and there would be my toaster, kettle and all my tea/coffee/Milo/vegemite etc ready to go) it made the process or breakfast and hot drinks a pleasure to prepare. We also have one of those work office types of water cooler/heater that is free standing in the corner. But I would have the kettle out on the bench if we didn’t have the water dispenser. Fri Aug 28 16:47:14 -0700 2009 4585462 222454 snax 1 4988380 Depends on where we are living. We've rented for years and moved alot. Our last place the only thing out was the coffee grinder and toaster. In our new place, I don't have much cabinet space but a decent amount of counter space so the toaster and coffee grinder and now joined by the food processor, mixer and blender. Sat Aug 29 09:55:46 -0700 2009 4585462 52088 huruta 1 5166814 Currently: Convection toaster oven, KitchenAid mixer, blender, toaster, rice cooker, microwave oven, grind-and-brew coffee maker, food processor and electric knife sharpener all are out on my (very inadequate) counters. All get used weekly, if not daily. Mon Nov 09 07:45:48 -0800 2009 4585462 70211 Beckyleach 1 5172688 The ones that I use everyday will stay on my countertop, in other words, my Jura espresso machine only. I _hate_ clutters Wed Nov 11 08:44:07 -0800 2009 4585462 117079 cutipie721 1 5183149 I have a tiny New York kitchen.. So all th fits is the coffee maker and the toaster oven, the microwave in on the fridge. Every else is stuffed into closets. By the way... I love my hand held blender that I bought it at a stoop sale for 5 bucks 10 years ago. It is great for soups, making lumpy gravy smooth and tomato sauce, salad dressing for a crowd etc.... Sun Nov 15 09:59:06 -0800 2009 4585462 26442 roux42 2 5183164 I think I said this somewhere else but.... The hand-held blender fits really well in a wine rack Sun Nov 15 10:06:14 -0800 2009 5183149 154622 Paulustrious 1 5183762 Microwave with a convection toaster oven on top. Food processor in an alcove shelf. Coffee grinder, knife block and the 2 salt cellars [kosher and sea -large crystals]. They all get used a few times a week, if not daily. PS. Thermo-carafe French Press if you caffeine addicts are wondering. Holds the requisite 30+ Oz of morning madness.... Sun Nov 15 14:50:59 -0800 2009 4585462 1124802 algct 1 5186347 To keep married bliss alive it consits of Toaster Kitchen Aid Knives in Block We do have a 5 QT Hobart that stays out in our baking area - it's a little heavy to move and the area was designed around it. Mon Nov 16 13:40:53 -0800 2009 4585462 131643 RetiredChef 1 5198783 Coffee grinder. French press. Insulated carafe. Toaster oven. Knife block. Utensil pot. Goldfish in a bowl. Sat Nov 21 13:49:26 -0800 2009 4585462 1126372 whiskysour 1 5198887 Just talking about appliances, not other stuff like knives, knife blocks, bowls, etc.: -blender -cusinart mini-prep -coffee grinder -microwave Sat Nov 21 14:56:50 -0800 2009 4585462 248284 taos