Don't get me wrong - I love my traditional Mason Cash mixing bowl. Steph gave it to me twenty years ago, and I use it often, it will be out again very soon when I make my Christmas Cake. The design dates back to 1901. And I like their Website with its interesting ideas and good recipes. But their latest range has left me a little confused.
But you have to wash the batter off the spoon before you can measure anything, and again before using the other end to scrape. Surely it would be easier to have a separate wooden spoon, a set of measuring spoons and a spatula?
Then there's the "Turner and rack grabber" which is a sort of wooden fish slice for turning roasted veg etc in oven trays, and the handle has a hook for pulling out the oven shelf.
And the bizarre ceramic egg store, with a spike to crack the egg on. Doesn't it get sticky?
Maybe I'm being overcritical. But this Innovative Range seems to be full of gimmicks and I think these multi-purpose tools will be less useful than a set of separate simple utensils.
My MC bowl is solid, strong and useful, I'm not surprised this design has stood the test of time. But this range seems too clever for its own good.
The older I get, the more I rely on the same simple tools which do the job efficiently.
What about you?
Couldn't agree more about too fancy gadgets!
ReplyDeleteHowever, one of the best things to have emerged for cooking is silicone utensils. Nothing better for scraping jars or protecting a non stick pan And they can go in the dishwasher"
Yes, I love my silicon spatulas & scrapers. But ones with wooden handles like this shouldn't go in the dishwasher!
DeleteI totally agree! Once I've started baking I don't want to be washing the utensils every three minutes!
ReplyDelete👍
DeleteI suppose, if it uses less raw materials it has an eco advantage and maybe if space is limited, one would prefer less tools.
ReplyDeleteGreetings from Dedham Vale!x
I take your point about less raw material & more space. But if I had these gadgets, I suspect I'd still hang on to my very efficient lemon reamer, and my neat set of nestingmeasuring spoons.
DeleteI do agree. Im so glad that I am not the only one that finds that simple is best. Love Isabel
ReplyDeleteBut I must admit I am a long, long way from the sort of kitchen that just has three sharp knives and two bowls...
DeleteI rather like that multi-purpose mixing spoon. I'd just scrape off any batter with my finger and use the spoon to measure any liquid I'd be adding to that batter. I think, if one is trying to be a minimalist, then, having these multi-purpose utensils will make a lot of sense. Or, if one is living in a tiny studio apartment, like my daughter, with very little storage space for multiple utensils. :)
ReplyDeleteI can see that for people with minimal storage, multi-purpose items make sense. I like the 'scrape off with finger' idea [would you then lick your fingers?]
DeleteHa, ha, yes, I just might lick my finger! But, more likely, I'll just scrape the batter off the finger against the edge of the bowl! I don't like to taste the food when I am cooking or baking. Only rarely will I check for salt, etc. :)
DeleteI don't think I check seasonings enough either
DeleteOne of my ex-boss's daughters bought me one of those silicone mixing spoons with a digital thermometer installed into the handle for ease of temperature-reading when making jams and jellies. Unfortunately, I forgot to separate the handle from the rest of the spoon the first time that I washed it after use and that, as they say, was the end of that!
ReplyDeleteoops!
Deleteps My lot have all invested in air fryers. I think there may be one being ordered from Santa for me! (not really sure whether I want one cluttering up my kitchen actually, though I'm assured they can be popped into a cupboard when not in use!).
ReplyDeleteAh, the ubiquitous air-fryers. My girls both have them and love them. I'm not sure I have use [or space] for one though
DeleteI have a small one that is suitable for 1 or 2 people and it doesn't take up much space in the cupboard. It is great for a couple of pieces of breaded fish, followed by oven fries which I shake in the container from time to time so they all get crisp. Takes a little longer than fish and fries in the oven but the results are better and no oven use in a hot summer! I've "roasted" cut up potatoes tossed in oil and herbs, too.
DeleteI suspect many people buy the large sizes when a smaller one would probably suit them better.
DeleteMuch too gadgetty for me. I do love my silicone scrapers as they get every little bit out of a pan or bowl.Catriona
ReplyDeleteSilicone scrapers are Very Useful. As long as they have metal or plastic handles though
DeleteTakes me back to domestic science at school where we only had one of each item and kept having to wash up as we went along. Thankfully I can use more of one of if needed but always need more measuring spoons than I possess and it would be nice to have one sharp knife to hand !
ReplyDeleteI never did Dom Sci at school - and secretly envied my friends who left school at the end of the day with a cake or a pie or a cobbler to carry home - and I just had science homework!
DeleteThere is a lot to be said for simplicity and less. There is one kitchen cupboard which every time I open it a cubic meter of Tupperware tumbles out.
ReplyDeleteMy husband suffers with one of those too!
DeleteCouldn't agree with you more! Whatever were they thinking of? That measuring spoon makes no sense at all and I think the weight of the spoon and handle would render the jar scraper somewhat awkward.
ReplyDeleteI presume their marketing team tested them out on a focus group somewhere before they went into production. Who knows?
DeleteGimmicks, one and all. We've used our bench scraper as a dough cutter for age and long ago bought tools to do other jobs.
ReplyDeleteHugs!
I use our dough cutter as a bench scraper...
DeleteI was given an egg separator with a spike to put a hole in the round end of the egg before cooking. The spike goes into the air sac, so it's not sticky, but easy to wipe clean.
ReplyDeleteI am also not a fan of a kitchen full of gadgets but my small silicone scraper is used every day. ~skye
Bob uses a silicone scraper every morning to stir, and serve, the porridge, but it must be the blue one not the red
DeleteI am still trying to master the table top apple peeler and corer. It is cutting a deep spiral into the peel of just half of an apple so far. I got two cut fingers in the process.
ReplyDeleteOuch!! It sounds like you have got the blade set wrongly, Anon. Do you have the instruction leaflet ? That has helpful hints Email me and I will scan one for you.(address in my profile)
DeleteThank you, Angela. There were no instructions and I hadn’t thought to look online, but I have found some now. We foraged 85lbs of assorted apples.
DeleteBlessings on people who throw apple cores into quiet hedgerows.
The ones without grubs should keep well in the garage, but I have a lot to prepare. The strings of apple peel are a treat!
85lbs is a phenomenal harvest! You will definitely need the peeler. Glad you found the instructions. Someone online the other week posted and easy recipe for making cider vinegar from the peel strings. I've not tried it yet
Deletei have my mason cash my grandmas and a huge one of great grandmas , havent used them in years to heavy im afraid
ReplyDeleteThe biggest ones are very heavy. I have reluctantly given away a stoneware casserole dish which came from my MIL because it was heavy when empty - and when full of casserole I could not lift it
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