5 Vintage kitchen gadgets evaluated
- Thread starter mattl
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We had one of those french fry cutters when I was a kid and it wasn't good either. Really need a commercial sized one for good results.
Back in those days at least these gadgets were made with metal. Now these crappy gadgets that are being hawked on TV are plastic junk. It amazes me that they can manage to complete one of these commercials without this junk falling to pieces.
All you need to do is learn to use a knife properly and invest in three good knives, a good paring knife, a good serrated long blade slicing knife and a 6” utility knife. Keep them sharpened and your good to go. I would also add a fourth knife, a sudoku, I got one of these for Christmas two years ago and I use it everyday. Its wonderful for slicing tomatoes.
Eddie
All you need to do is learn to use a knife properly and invest in three good knives, a good paring knife, a good serrated long blade slicing knife and a 6” utility knife. Keep them sharpened and your good to go. I would also add a fourth knife, a sudoku, I got one of these for Christmas two years ago and I use it everyday. Its wonderful for slicing tomatoes.
Eddie
One of my friends has a french fry cutter that is the commercial type, and it was very expensive. I think it may be a Vollrath. The Wasserstrom website has them, and they're over $200. They also have the Nemco, and they run well over $300.00, so you can't expect much of some cheap version.
Eddie you are so right about having a good set of knives and they will be able to do most of these food prep tasks that these gadgets really can't perform. Knives are an investment that will pay back with years of good service.
Many restaurants boast "hand cut fries" and many use commercial cutters costing hundreds of dollars. But when you are preparing 50, 100, or more pounds of potatoes a day you need the heavy-duty tools that will get the job done day after day. If their fries are good and they sell well, those machines will pay for themselves in a week!
Many restaurants boast "hand cut fries" and many use commercial cutters costing hundreds of dollars. But when you are preparing 50, 100, or more pounds of potatoes a day you need the heavy-duty tools that will get the job done day after day. If their fries are good and they sell well, those machines will pay for themselves in a week!
We also had one of those french fry cutters when I was a kid. I have one now that is made by Star Frit. It has a suction cup base and it works very well. I use it all the time to make french fries.
Gary
Gary
Pomme Frites (aka French Fries)
Proper good sharp knife along with skills is all one really needs.
Suppose if one were making scores of pounds per day a gadget could come in handy.
Proper good sharp knife along with skills is all one really needs.
Suppose if one were making scores of pounds per day a gadget could come in handy.
angus
Well-known member
I still have my mother's "juice-o-mat" from her 1951 wedding shower and use it all the time. It's quite heavy and stable - have no problem with using sufficient pressure to extract. Hers even came with a metal cup that fits into the base of the unit.
However, I could see how a left handed person would have difficulty with it. Also, it is made of aluminum so not sure how safe it is with acidic citrus juices. That said, there isn't prolonged exposure as I squeeze and decant as I go. As for getting all the juice out of the fruit, the shape of the cone plays a role, but individual size and hardness, rind thickness, etc... plays a role also which I expect would be an issue with any juicer. The best thing is that I can juice any size or type of citrus from small limes to large grapefruit..
However, I could see how a left handed person would have difficulty with it. Also, it is made of aluminum so not sure how safe it is with acidic citrus juices. That said, there isn't prolonged exposure as I squeeze and decant as I go. As for getting all the juice out of the fruit, the shape of the cone plays a role, but individual size and hardness, rind thickness, etc... plays a role also which I expect would be an issue with any juicer. The best thing is that I can juice any size or type of citrus from small limes to large grapefruit..
I have found it hard to even find a good can opener anymore. It seems like there are less choices in stores and one is forced to buy online for most things.
Derek....
The best hand held can opener in my experience, is the Oxo Good Grips. I have nothing to do with electric openers....noisy, and the electricity was on and off every week in my world.. however, some people are lazy or have hand limitations. Lawrence/Maytaghbear
The best hand held can opener in my experience, is the Oxo Good Grips. I have nothing to do with electric openers....noisy, and the electricity was on and off every week in my world.. however, some people are lazy or have hand limitations. Lawrence/Maytaghbear
Derek,
Try the Good Cook Safe Cut Can Opener. I bought one of these about 3 years ago and I love it! The cutting wheel doesn’t get an accumulation of schmutz from the food in cans that are opened and it leaves an edge that doesn’t cut.
And Lawrence, I totally agree with you about electric can openers. A waste of counter space and just one more appliance that needs to be cleaned. I never have to clean my Good Cook Safe Edge can opener.
I bought mine at True Value Hardware for $8.99, way less than Walmart wants for one now, but then everything is way more expensive now.
Eddie
Try the Good Cook Safe Cut Can Opener. I bought one of these about 3 years ago and I love it! The cutting wheel doesn’t get an accumulation of schmutz from the food in cans that are opened and it leaves an edge that doesn’t cut.
And Lawrence, I totally agree with you about electric can openers. A waste of counter space and just one more appliance that needs to be cleaned. I never have to clean my Good Cook Safe Edge can opener.
I bought mine at True Value Hardware for $8.99, way less than Walmart wants for one now, but then everything is way more expensive now.
Eddie
My partner and I think the Oxo Good Grips "Smooth Edge Can Opener" is the cat's pajamas.
Some of his talking points-
were "say what?" One of them, the taste test. Unless the food is wet and is acidic, there will be no real flavor change. My guesses are "time filler, also. "not everyone has an idea what 'material science' might be, " could think it is the difference between cotton, silk, linen or synthetic!
(Yes, I did drink a big glass of water, and had my Vitamin B-12 pill this morning!)
This point is even smaller, fussier than the other.. really did not care for his voice.
Lawrence/Maytagbear
were "say what?" One of them, the taste test. Unless the food is wet and is acidic, there will be no real flavor change. My guesses are "time filler, also. "not everyone has an idea what 'material science' might be, " could think it is the difference between cotton, silk, linen or synthetic!
(Yes, I did drink a big glass of water, and had my Vitamin B-12 pill this morning!)
This point is even smaller, fussier than the other.. really did not care for his voice.
Lawrence/Maytagbear
northwesty
Well-known member
I have a french
fry cutter that is vintage but you push straight down and use both hands, it works petty good. I've got that juicer too, I don't use it very often but they definitely work. I will be on the lookout for those other gadgets thanks for posting this.
fry cutter that is vintage but you push straight down and use both hands, it works petty good. I've got that juicer too, I don't use it very often but they definitely work. I will be on the lookout for those other gadgets thanks for posting this.
