What $$$$ kitchen items would you definitely buy again?

[JCBBQ]

This might be fun. Of the expensive items I’d buy again, the first two are an easy answer:



Im considering my grinder and espresso machine as one item. Most days start with 2 double espressos. Then depending on the day I either stop or drink all day long. For me it’s an absolute MUST have. This set up is fairly modest compared to real aficionados but it’s sort of entry level coffee snobbery. Sorry not sorry.

Next is a luxury item that I could live without but why?? I really love my ice cream maker and it’s fun to blow people away when you make an exotic flavor for guest then drop, “ yeah I made that”. Lol

Both are beautiful and live on my counter. I refer to them as my “goomars” - that’s a little New Jersey lingo for mistresses.

Third place is more difficult. If I had a really beautiful and exciting Japanese knife that’d probably be in first place. None of my knives are expensive, just utilitarian. Good knives just not special. Third place I guess will go to my Zojirushi rice maker. Not particularly sexy but I love it and use it all the time.


Let know what you’ve dropped some coin on that you love and would do again.

[BBQPhil]

My La Marzocco Linea Mini espresso machine. Still working perfectly after 5 years. Kept the last La Marzocco (GS3) for over 12 years - and sold it for 50% of the purchase price when it started needing lots of maintenance. While there are lower cost machines, the quality of the output is the same as the top coffee shops. The morning ritual of grinding, tampling, pulling a shot and enjoying it is a great way to begin the day.

[JCBBQ]

Right there with ya Phil!!

[dpearce]

Vitamix Blender. That thing is a beast. Run it fast and long enough, it'll heat up your soup for you. Crushing ice cubes and frozen fruits for blending smoothies is what my wife and kids use it for.

Other than that, most of our kitchen stuff is pretty utilitarian, not much to write home about, other than my ThermoWorks.

I am looking into carbon steel pans. So far Made In Cookware is at the top of my list, so that may be the second most expensive thing.

Edit: Forgot about my mom's Kitchen aide mixer. I had bought her this for Christmas back in the mid-90's from a restaurant supply house, so it has the metal gears versus the nylon gears in the head. After my folks went into assisted living I ended up with the mixer. I had to regrease the head, and put in some replacement gears, and to this day it runs exceptionally well. We just don't use it that much, unfortunately.

[JCBBQ]

Forgot about my vitamix. They’re awesome

[klflowers]

+2 on the vitamix

[Dan Deter]

Having just redone the kitchen in the last few years...the Thermador induction cooktop and Wolf double ovens. Lord they were expensive but so, so good.

[JCBBQ]

Oh jeez! Of course, how could I forget that. Forget my rice cooker! My double oven Blue Star rig is freaking incredible. I simply refuse to talk about the price. 😬😬😬

[barelfly]

Something rather new to my kitchen, but…worth it. My Profitec 400 Espresso Machine I’m like you…I love my own espresso/cappuccinos and regular coffee just doesn’t cut it. I struggled with buying this last November because of the price. But my Bambino Plus died and keurig coffee was 🤮 to me. so… I bit the bullet and love the machine and don’t regret it at all!

My Kitchenaide Professional Mixer, even thought I don’t use it often, it’s nice when I do!!!

then the two carbon steel pans I have - I love ‘em! they are my go to for cooking. One I’d buy over the other, but they both are great!

[klflowers]

+2 on the kitchenaide

[Alan Brice]

+3KA.

[surfdog]

Yep, the KA Pro line is a great mixer. Between the metal gears and the upgraded motor, it’s a beast. I won’t be letting go of that anytime soon.

[Huskee]

• Greenpans for eggs & omelets. I know lots of pans can become or be made slick for eggs but these things work immediately and stay that way. Meathead turned me onto them.
• Battery-powered frother wand for coffee.
• Battery-powered wine opener.
• Electric cheese grater. Seems luxury and wasteful for something that takes 2 minutes by hand, but man it makes such quick work of a mindless task when you have lots to shred. And we all know block cheese shredded is 1000% better than bagged shredded cheese.
• 4-slice toaster
• And lastly, not items but processes: 1) toast your grilled cheese bread before making your grilled cheese, and 2) microwave your potatoes to nearly baked tater state before making fried taters.

[JCBBQ]

Henrik Huskee’s providing all the charm

[Alan Brice]

Been thru a couple of them. The internal batt takes a dump before a practical amount of use has been obtained. The cost has tripled. Internal battery, evidently there is a trick to access them. My first was a Costco version $19.99. It worked great! Came with an aerator n two rubber stoppers to replace corks. Still trying to decide if I wanna go for the third batt operated one.

[JimLinebarger]

Huskee Which electric cheese grater?

[Panhead John]

Mine aren’t that expensive, but two things I would buy again in a heartbeat …..

My Le Creuset SS Rondeau pot. I never had any kind of Rondeau pot until about a year ago. I don’t know what took me so long to get one, just never thought about it too much I guess. It’s now my favorite pot to use, it’s so versatile and well made.



This one might seem a little silly but it’s a hand held can opener I bought a few years ago. Doesn’t take up counter space, you just place it on top of the can and push a button. It shuts off automatically when done and leaves no sharp edges. The rechargeable battery lasts forever. I’ll never have any other type of can opener again. The brand is Canslab.

[GolfGeezer]

Damn you, John! Order placed for the can opener. 😠

[Panhead John]

Sam, I did a little review of it after I bought it last year. There’s a video of it in action. 🙄😂

https://pitmaster.amazingribs.com/forum/other-aa/1767606-historic-can-opener-review

[Henrik]

Can’t go wrong with Le Creuset, love their quality.

[texastweeter]

Amanda

[CaptainMike]

HAH!

[klflowers]

+1

[Oak Smoke]

Well said!

[Richard Chrz]

Gozney Arc Xl is one of the best purchases I have made (outdoor kitchen of course)

Ankarsrum Stand mixer, it's a total workhorse, I have a KA 600 Pro too, but it is just a back up now.,

Anova SV

I have a few All Clad D5 pans, and a few Mauviel Carbon steel pans, that I would not want to be with out.

I also have a nice Stainless steel cart that I use in the kitchen.


...

Top of my head so far..

[JCBBQ]

Ha! Well it looks like I’ve got some homework looking up a couple products I’ve never heard of. I’m sure this will be interesting, thanks!

[klflowers]

Love the new avatar, Richard

[Skip]

Lodge 17", 12", and 10" CI Pans (I use the 17" on the Gas Grill Often)
Misen Enameled CI Pan
Ceramic Fry Pans
Themo Works Smoke and Thermapens
Kitchen Aid 600 Mixer
Set of 2 Small Silicone Spatulas from Thermo Works

[JCBBQ]

Huh. Don’t think I’ve heard of a ceramic fry pan. You guys are giving me lots of research projects!! ♥️

[CaptainMike]

AllClad copper core pans. I collected them over a few years through their occasional factory seconds sales. Still expensive, but not nearly as much as first line, and I've only found one pan that had the tiniest blemish.

[Carolyn]

CaptainMike I think All-Clad got in a bit of trouble with a class action suit for saying you could put their pots with the exposed aluminum in the dishwasher because people got some pretty eroded aluminum because of it. It left some sharp stainless sticking out.

[CaptainMike]

Carolyn, Yeah, aluminum and DW's don't play well together.

[Carolyn]

CaptainMike Yeah, the soap used in home dishwashers isn't compatible with aluminum. I think there is aluminum friendly commercial soaps for restaurants IIRC.

[cruiseplanner1]

My Tchibo coffeemaker. Sadly they no longer sell them. Cuisinart has a similar item but reading the reviews it does not sound like it has the quality of the Tchibo. And I am a coffeeholic......

[JCBBQ]

Me too!

[bbqLuv]

The Solo 22" Griddle caught my eye.
Daughter and son-in-law have a griddle and can cook food quickly, and in large quantities

[JCBBQ]

I have a nice built in griddle that works great and I love. It’s narrow though so not for entertaining.

[Carolyn]

I don't have super expensive kitchen items, but I don't regret my Staub 4 quart Cocotte purchase or my All-Clad 8 qt stock pot. I can keep a gumbo at a perfect simmer on the low, back burner with that pot. It retails for about $350, but I got it for $130 during a second quality sale.
The Cocotte was $107 during a Christmas sale in 2020. That same pot is now $380. Glad I made that purchase when I did.

[JCBBQ]

I’d say those are big ticket items. You got some great deals!!! 👏👏👏

[Carolyn]

JCBBQ My best deal was the 4 qt. All-Clad d5 10" skillet sans lid that I found at the thrift for $9.99. It is easily a $200 skillet. My stock-pot lid fits it. 🙂


All Clad skillet thread

[klflowers]

My Baratza coffee grinder was about $125, and my air fryer and instant pot were less than $200. I have a pricey Nama J2 cold press juicer, and an expensive beautiful blue lodge Dutch oven that I refuse to cook in lol. And a Vitamix. Can't forget that. My Kitchenaide is so old I have no idea how much it cost.

I don't keep it in my kitchen, but the Cabelas meat grinder my son got me for Christmas was a few hundred bucks I think. I don't use it that often but i love the thing.

[klflowers]

JCBBQ when I visit people that buy pre-ground coffee, I turn my nose up lol

[JCBBQ]

Same! 😆🤣😆🤣

[Alan Brice]

Guys, I find myself nodding my head with every post on this thread. All but my KA n bean grinder, ohh and my ACME SS juicer. Bought when I was a hippie freak/vegitarian prolly fidy yr ago. Most of the really nice kitchen stuff or cookers are because of AmazingRibs.