Handy Devices

YAY GADGETS. I was always a fan of movies and books with gadgets. When I was in elementary school* and my mom would take me shoe shopping with her, I would I would haunt the spy section of the closest toy store for the latest night goggle set or secret message pen. They would always have displays and I could happily amuse myself for hours. Since it was shoe shopping, I do mean hours. So when I discovered kitchen gadgets, well, you can imagine my giddiness.
While gadgets can sometimes lead to a cluttered area, deadly in a tiny kitchen, the following tools are useful and can actually maximize space.
These are the tools that I can consider the most important for a Tiny Kitchen. Other than pots/pans/utensils, these might not be on your list. If they are, congrats! You're all set. If not, here ya go!

7. Mason Jars: A favorite among hipsters, these should be your favorite too. THEY ARE SO USEFUL. Seriously, you can use them as drink ware, to bake, to hold leftovers, and make cocktails. Also to make jam and preserves, which is what they're originally made for. Seriously though, if you're making jam, please send me some of your adultness, I could probably use it. The versatility is the key here, it means you can dial back on your tupperware and cups, freeing up valuable cabinet space. Also if you buy a bulk of 12, you can just open maybe 6 and store the rat to retrieve when needed. Finally, they look really cool. Plain and simple.

6. Brita Water Filter: I remember seeing this on a lot of "must get" lists, so I won't elaborate too much on it. If you want to not buy a whole pitcher, I recommend getting one of the water bottles, pictured below. I bought two, I switch them out periodically, always keeping one in the fridge, so I have cold water on the go. An investment of 18 bucks for two has saved me a bunch on bottled water.

5. Electric Kettle: I'm a big tea drinker. Coffee too, I'm an equal opportunity caffeine addict, but tea's a big staple in my apartment. I got one of these when I lived in a dorm and it was life saver when I didn't have a stove, now that I have one, it's great for mornings when my stove is in use for breakfast. Or when I'm working at my desk and just want to keep refilling my tea cup, I'll have a pitcher of water and the kettle next to my workspace and just keep refilling. It saves me a walk. One note, if you live in a dorm and want one, check what you're allowed to have one. Normally I think electric kettles are okay, but you never know and better safe than sorry, I always say. I don't actually say that but you get the idea. If you're not allowed one in the room, check with your R.A. and see if you can set a communal one up in the common room. They might be able to get that paid for by the residence hall. YAY FREE THINGS.

4. Egg Muffin Microwave pan: Currently, I am sans microwave. When I had one though, this was awesome. You put your egg in the tray, microwave, and voila! Egg sandwich without a pan. WONDERFUL INVENTION. Egg purists may or may not hate it but hungry students and morning workers or egg sandwich lovers will surely sing its praises. I certainly am.

3. Panini Maker: Okay so sandwiches. They're amazing, fact. Paninis are warm happy sandwiches. They are also amazing. This machine gives you paninis. This machine is amazing. Logic.

2. Hot Plate: I'll start off with saying it again, check your dorm restrictions if you want to bring this to a college dorm. If you don't have a communal kitchen, see if you can have this little beauty put in the common room. I have to say, my first experience with one of these was in a high school chemistry class, but darn it, this thing is glorious. Portable and with most you can even set the temperature! I got one from Amazon for I think 20 bucks? The ability to make scrambled eggs and pasta in a tiny cramped room was worth it.

1. HAND BLENDER: THIS IS MY FAVORITE THING EVER. I don't know if you can tell my excitement from the caps lock, but it's there. I love my hand blender. The one I got came with a blending cup and a whisk attachment as well as a standard blending attachment. I think the technical term is immersion blender. I use this for smoothies, for soups, for homemade pasta sauce, for a lot of stuff. It's perfect as a substitute a blender because A. less to clean and B. it makes smaller portions because chances are you're only making something for you or two. Also, my old blender kept making my smoothies taste like rubber. Not sure why, but this thing sure doesn't. It blends smoothies perfecting and I can just drink it out of the cup. OR I can make a smoothie ahead of time for the next morning when I know I'll be too groggy and grumpy to blend things properly. If you like smoothies get this. If you like time savers, get this. SERIOUSLY YOU SHOULD GET THIS I LOVE IT SO MUCH.

Final Pro Tip: I get/got most of my gadgets from places like Marshalls or Nordstrom Rack. They usually have pretty cheap kitchenware that actually works well. If neither of those sounds appealing, Amazon is always pretty wonderful.

Think Delicious,

J

*Also, I may or may not still check out the spy gadget section of Target whenever I happen to go there.