My cooking toolbox is complete...

malligator

Okay, maybe not complete. I still need some doodads and geejaws, but I just got the last of the big four today. We started with a food processor last year. Then the BGE this last Christmas. Then a Kitchenaid stand mixer in January. Today we ordered a Vitamix.

Each successive purchase has really broadened our cooking abilities. The BGE was a game changer. I don't think we've used the oven since getting it. Of course, I don't need to explain how it's changed our lives. We all know.

The food processor has been the least used of the four. We...wait for it...process food with it. And make great homemade mayo. Other than that...it just sorta sits and waits. I think it might be because there are so many parts to clean every time we use it.

The stand mixer has been an absolute blast. I've never even imagined trying to bake until now. I was just always so intimidated. Since getting it in January we've made pizza regularly and soft pretzels and bagels one time each. We've also made simple desserts like sheet cake, lemon bars, and cookies.

Now, I really think the Vitamix will be a game changer like the BGE. At least I hope it will. It does so much and is practically self-cleaning so we won't be hesitant to use it. Can't wait until it gets here.

I think that'll do it for us. I'm not the type to have too many small appliances. We got rid of my girlfriend's waffle iron, Panini press, popcorn maker, and electric griddle when she moved in. I like having a few foundational, not a lot of specialty, small appliances.

lousubcap

You did gloss over all the BGE accessories.  Even when you think you "are there" along comes the newest great thing. I wish you luck  

CharleyR

Interesting comments on the food processor.  I've been thinking I need one for a long time, but not sure why.  Other than every cooking video seems to use one. But like you, I hesitate to use those things that are a pain to clean.  Maybe I should continue just thinking about it, rather than getting one.  

caliking

Dude, pace yourself...

You still need the sous vide, vac sealer, knives, secondary egg, tertiary egg, and so on. It never ends!! And the bastiges around here are VERY good at spending your money for you. 

I too found that addition of each device upped my game considerably - first with the KitchenAid, then eggs, then SV unit. Its been a lot of fun learning how to use each device

malligator

CharleyR said:

Interesting comments on the food processor.  I've been thinking I need one for a long time, but not sure why.  Other than every cooking video seems to use one. But like you, I hesitate to use those things that are a pain to clean.  Maybe I should continue just thinking about it, rather than getting one.  

I have liked having ours, but I think the Vitamix will take over its current duties. I plan to be a little more proactive on finding good uses for it.

I know the folks at America's Test Kitchen use food processors all the time. I've seen them do things like grind hamburger and make pizza dough. Unfortunately, my stand mixer gets those duties (with a grinder attachment for the hamburger).

malligator

caliking said:

Dude, pace yourself...

You still need the sous vide, vac sealer, knives, secondary egg, tertiary egg, and so on. It never ends!! And the bastiges around here are VERY good at spending your money for you. 

I too found that addition of each device upped my game considerably - first with the KitchenAid, then eggs, then SV unit. Its been a lot of fun learning how to use each device

Those are filed under doodads and geejaws. I have a PS, pizza stone, and KAB for my egg. A woo or AR will be added soon enough.

We definitely want a vac sealer so we can buy meat from Costco (it's just the two of us) and so we can vac seal leftover brisket and pulled pork.

And, yes, we want a MiniMax for camping and as a cold smoke source for the LBGE.

In addition to all that we want better knives, more sheet pans, and a large synthetic cutting board for processing briskets and pork butts.

Okay...my cooking toolbox is complete...for today. Better?

texaswig

We use our vitamix alot. Tons of smoothies and salsa. 

Ozzie_Isaac

Lol!  Funny topic.  If you think you are done, leave this forum now!!  I mean like, now, like right now, don't finish my post, leave!  Seriously, leave.

The Cen-Tex Smoker

caliking said:

Dude, pace yourself...

You still need the sous vide, vac sealer, knives, secondary egg, tertiary egg, and so on. It never ends!! And the bastiges around here are VERY good at spending your money for you. 

I too found that addition of each device upped my game considerably - first with the KitchenAid, then eggs, then SV unit. Its been a lot of fun learning how to use each device

So true. I hustled a guy in to a pellet burning pizza oven on here tonight. Boom! 

johnnyp

Keep your mind and wallet open 

Dredger

Umm - what's that song by the Carpenters? We've only just begun, lol. Love our Vitamix too. And Joetisserie, and AR, and Grill Grates, and CI pans and .......... See what I mean?

Skiddymarker

Life will never be the same once you have a Trés Booblay, sous vide has been the biggest change in our cooking repretoir. 
Of all the tools mentioned, the Vitamix was the one we seemed to get the least out of. Other than some kick ass soups and sauces, it was not for us. Great well made product, just way above our normal cooking. Time for an addition to house all this stuff.

YukonRon

Now you have to remodel the kitchen, second Freezer, expand the patio, new patio furniture, need I say more. BGE=wallet genocide.

Davec433

I've convinced myself I need GrillGrates and a vacuum sealer. I'll order the GrillGrates soon and really looking forward to the vacuum sealed in a couple months!

We have something like this for a food processor and barely use it but I don't feel bad since it was 15$.

http://www.freesuperstore.com/catalog/productInfo/spid/R810/sprid/SRFT93900B?gclid=CKqWj4qgk8wCFUIfhgodBPAOFg

malligator

Added an 18"x30" cutting board this weekend. Made processing three racks of spares so much easier. Our previous meat cutting board was about the size of a piece of paper. Talk about useless.

I definitely need to add a vacuum sealer, because three racks of ribs is just too much for us to cook at one time. We ate maybe a little over a half rack between us.

tailg8ers

When the Vita mix arrives - donate or sell the food processor on craigslist - you'll never use it!!!  Got a Vita mix as a b'day gift several years ago and man is it a workhorse! 

badinfluence

I agree with the vita mix. Love ours. We have the 750pro. I also have a food processor and do use it quit a bit for making large amounts of slaw and stuff. It would take forever to hand chop it all without it. But most folks don't make slaw in a 5 gallon bucket either...lol. And the kitchen aid mixer I cand say enough about mine. That little bugger gets a workout...lol. If I had room I'd get a big old Hubbard floor mixer...lol, but the wife did say no to that. Back to the vita mix we use ours most for mixing drinks and soups. Enjoy it!

Focker

badinfluence said:

I agree with the vita mix. Love ours. We have the 750pro. I also have a food processor and do use it quit a bit for making large amounts of slaw and stuff. It would take forever to hand chop it all without it. But most folks don't make slaw in a 5 gallon bucket either...lol. And the kitchen aid mixer I cand say enough about mine. That little bugger gets a workout...lol. If I had room I'd get a big old Hubbard floor mixer...lol, but the wife did say no to that. Back to the vita mix we use ours most for mixing drinks and soups. Enjoy it!

One of those Hobart Legacy's would be really  nice.  Peeps want too much for them on CL.

Always fun breaking out the gear oil on kitchen toys. 

Dredger

The Vitamix does a great job on chopping veggies also. For slaw, we quarter a cabbage, roughly chunk it up and put in the container, cover with water and pulse a few times. Dump the cabbage in a colander to drain well and repeat with the remaining quarters, then mix the other stuff with it. For larger batches, we'll bring out the big processor, but that's rare.