Great Kitchen Gadgets You Shouldn’t Be Without- Part 2

Friends! I have saved the best for last. The last four kitchen gadgets you shouldn’t be without. [Click if you missed Part 1 ] We’ve got some ground to cover today, so grab a cup of coffee and settle in. These gadgets are well worth the investment and reward you with simplicity and ease. Enjoy!


We may earn a small commission for our endorsement, recommendation, testimonial, and/or link to any products or services from this website. Your purchase helps support our work in bringing you spiritual encouragement and other favorite product reviews. Thank you.

Last four kitchen gadgets

I received my KitchenAid stand mixer 18 years ago. I love its versatility, ease of clean up, nearly indestructible bowl and attachments. When you add your KitchenAid stand mixer to a soft close mixer lift, you’ll never want to go back having it sit on your countertop.

KitchenAid has many attachments (more gadgets) that can be purchased for your stand mixer. Pasta makers, grinder, food prep items, ice cream maker, sifter scale, grain mill, sausage stuffer, fruit and vegetable strainer and food processor.

It is worth the time so see it in action at QVC https://www.qvc.com/KitchenAid-5-qt-325W-Artisan-Stand-Mixer-with-Flex-Edge.product.K46570.html?sc=SRCH with Tina Verrilli https://www.epicuricloud.com/. Tina is most notable for being the Grand Prize winner of the Pillsbury Bake-Off Contest, as well as being runner up in the Food Networks America’s Best Cook. I love to listen to Tina. She is a down-home type of gal, talks to you not down to you. Her enthusiasm for the KitchenAid products makes her fun to watch.

When we moved to our new home in Minnesota, the house contained a mixer lift. It was broke at the time, so I simply “stored” the mixer on the shelf, but a couple of months later it was fixed and I could officially use it to its full capacity.

When we remodeled our kitchen two years ago I made sure that there was going to be a soft close mixer lift in the kitchen cupboard configuration. I really love the ease of pulling it up, locking it in place, making a recipe, and then the easy cleanup, unlock, and back into the cupboard. If you have an extra cupboard you can easily install a soft close mixer lift gadget.

From across the pond

  • Spurtle

I know you are probably wondering what in the world is a spurtle? I was watching QVC with David Venable and he announced the next item was a “spurtle”. Never having heard of a spurtle before, I was immediately intrigued.

By the end of the demonstration, I was wanting a spurtle. A spurtle https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spurtle is a wooden Scottish kitchen tool, having its beginnings in the fifteenth century. A spurtle was made for the stirring of porridge, soups, stews, and broths. Its unique long spatula-like curved bottom makes getting around the bottom of bowls and pots very handy.

I use my spurtle for making scrambled eggs, pudding, and hot fudge. It gets down and round the sides well and prevents the sugar from burning to the side. I also like it for making oatmeal.

Zojuriushi Website

This is an awesome bread maker! I have had four bread makers throughout my married life and this one is the best by far! I make homemade bread weekly as well as pizza dough.

This bread machine makes a 2lb, rectangular loaf. I like the quick loaf feature, taking only 2 hours and 18 minutes, as well as a quick dough feature which is done in 45 minutes.

If you’re in need of extra bread machine recipes, check out the Breadmachine Diva. She has some great recipes and uses a Zojuriushi as well.

I have used my Zojuriushi so much, I wore the non-stick coating off the pan, so I had to replace it. The paddles have been replaced a few times as well- not resting or collecting dust in this house. In addition to a variety of bread and doughs, it will also make jams and meatloaf.

Save your fingers

  • Zester

As my baking skills have increased, it became apparent I was coming up short in some handy kitchen gadgets. One of these gadgets was a zester. The above zester was the first zester I bought, now that I have used it a great deal I would be willing to upgrade to a longer narrower version.

It grates everything from lemons, limes to garlic, ginger, chocolate, parmesan, etc. Saves me from grating my knuckles off on the old grater. Always a plus!

Well, we made it! I hope this two part kitchen gadgets review was helpful. Until next time, here is to good friends, good food and and good life!

mandyandmichele.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. We want to make you aware, that if you click on the link and purchase an item, we receive an affiliate commission. We recommend products or services that we use personally and/or firmly believe will bless our readers. Thank you!


About Michele Bruxvoort

Michele Bruxvoort is sure to draw you in with her delightful sense of humor and love for living life.   She enjoys reading, repurposing,  as well as remodeling the family home with her husband. Drawing from her life experience as wife, mom, and follower of Jesus, Michele brings you a very honest and real perspective on life.  When you don't find her writing, you can find her mowing lawns, stocking shelves, taking care of her grandbaby and tackling her latest life adventure. Wisconsin native and empty-nester, she now makes her home with her husband of 27 years in the South West Prairie plains of Minnesota.

View all posts by Michele Bruxvoort

One Comment on “Great Kitchen Gadgets You Shouldn’t Be Without- Part 2”

  1. It’s nice to meet another Zojirushi fan! Thanks for the kind words about my site.

    And thanks for talking about zesters. I know people who say, “That’s okay. I’ll just use this carrot peeler instead.” Yikes! Zesters don’t cost that much and are a pleasure to use.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.