I've never had clothing damaged in 8+ years of using my Calypso.
Kitchen Appliances That Never Quite Fullfilled Their Promises
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I've never had clothing damaged in 8+ years of using my Calypso.
Some of the other counter top appliances I see in abundance at the thrift stores are George Foreman style grills and Nu Wave type glass ovens. Within the next year or two I expect to be seeing many Tfal Actifry thingamibobs with the rotating turntable. Those are quickly being replaced by air fryers.
justjunque
Well-known member
Petek
I don't know if I'm the only one, but I LOVE my George Foreman grill!
I do steak on it, boneless chicken breasts, burgers, ground chicken patties, etc.
I just really like it!
Barry
I don't know if I'm the only one, but I LOVE my George Foreman grill!
I do steak on it, boneless chicken breasts, burgers, ground chicken patties, etc.
I just really like it!
Barry
mjg0619
Well-known member
I'm with Barry. I LOVE my George Foreman grill and really want to get a bigger one.
I used to have a George Foreman grill and HATED it.The mesat cooked on it was like eating shoe leather-and the non removable grates also made me give it away to someone else.My old Farberware electric grill was MUCH better!!!The George Foreman machine did well with grilled cheese sandwitches
justjunque
Well-known member
Matt:
We actually have two of them. Both were given to us by my mom.
A really small one, for times where you're just making one burger, one smallish steak, maybe a grilled cheese.
Then we have the one that fits four burgers.
Rex:
I will admit, I would like it even more if the grates were removable for cleaning.
But that's never been enough of a negative to make me stop using it.
Believe it or not, I've never tried making a grilled cheese sandwich on it!
But now I'm going to!
Barry
We actually have two of them. Both were given to us by my mom.
A really small one, for times where you're just making one burger, one smallish steak, maybe a grilled cheese.
Then we have the one that fits four burgers.
Rex:
I will admit, I would like it even more if the grates were removable for cleaning.
But that's never been enough of a negative to make me stop using it.
Believe it or not, I've never tried making a grilled cheese sandwich on it!
But now I'm going to!
Barry
My Mom used hers for the grilled cheese sandwiches-about all she used it for.I don't like the fixed temps and cleaning the thing after cooking meat on it was a pain.And the drip pan that can't go in a dishwasher.And too me the flavors of the meat dripped into the little tray along with the fat!Hence the shoe leather meat.However for meat the machine did cook hamburgers better than steaks.
I've tried a couple of the Foreman-type grills.
One had removable plates, one did not. They were both hard to clean, even the one with removable plates had to be cleaned around the edges. I always used them on my cooktop so I could vent out the smoke - so I always ended up cleaning that too because some grease always seemed to drip or leak.
In the end a small frying pan was just less trouble and easier to deal with.
One had removable plates, one did not. They were both hard to clean, even the one with removable plates had to be cleaned around the edges. I always used them on my cooktop so I could vent out the smoke - so I always ended up cleaning that too because some grease always seemed to drip or leak.
In the end a small frying pan was just less trouble and easier to deal with.
I have a GE version of a Foreman grill...it has a drippings drawer and removable grates that are dishwasher safe. I haven't used it in at least 10 years though! I did like using it for chicken, pork chops, occasionally hamburgers. Never used it for sandwiches.
I have a Hamilton Beach Contact Grill,with removable plates. It really does a nice job on burgers, pork chops and boneless chicken breasts. The grills are easy to clean and it doesn’t generate any smoke. But I really prefer using the broiler instead. I think its faster,and I like the results of the broiled meats better.
Eddie
Eddie
You mean no one has mentioned . . .
Continuous cleaning ovens?
The death knell was probably most users ignoring the instructions to resist the urge to clean the thing and spraying on two inches of Easy-Off (in the yellow can, of course).
Continuous cleaning ovens?
The death knell was probably most users ignoring the instructions to resist the urge to clean the thing and spraying on two inches of Easy-Off (in the yellow can, of course).
norgeway
Well-known member
Re George Foreman Grill
I had one but got rid of it, WAYYYY too hot for my cooking, burned up everything.
I had one but got rid of it, WAYYYY too hot for my cooking, burned up everything.
Surprised nobody has mentioned electric knives.
In the late 70s it seemed like everybody had one but nobody used them. I think I remember ours getting used twice.
Today when I see one all I can picture is the dinner scene from the RHPS.
In the late 70s it seemed like everybody had one but nobody used them. I think I remember ours getting used twice.
Today when I see one all I can picture is the dinner scene from the RHPS.
My dad used our quite a bit. He became quite adapt at its usage. I have it, but I wouldn't use it, too dangerous for me. But guests are welcome to use it wwen the opportunity arises. I've toyed with the idea of using it to slice bread out of the oven.
Yes the electric knife is great for slicing soft bread.. Some bread machines also come with one.. It's also good for cutting and shaping foam if you have a reupholstery project
My sister received 6 (or more?) electric knives at their wedding 25+ years ago.
xraytech
Well-known member
I love my electric knife. Mine is a mid 60s GE in avocado. Was grandmas. We both use it for carving hams, I’ve used it for bread and cheese as well
I use the electric knife for carving any type of meat - turkey, roast, etc. I also use it to cut home made bread or if I buy bread not already sliced.
Gary
Gary
justjunque
Well-known member
Electric knife
My parents had one, probably bought back in the 70s. Hamilton Beach Scovill.
I could slice a roast NICE with it.
I'm horrible at it with a normal knife.
I'm on a quest to find one exactly like it, with original box, since my mom gave hers to my brother, who destroys everything.
Barry
My parents had one, probably bought back in the 70s. Hamilton Beach Scovill.
I could slice a roast NICE with it.
I'm horrible at it with a normal knife.
I'm on a quest to find one exactly like it, with original box, since my mom gave hers to my brother, who destroys everything.
Barry
Still have and use our original electric knife from the mid 60's, when I was a kid. It's a wood grained GE with 2 sets of knives, short and long, and it came with a wall mountable case.I use it for cutting bread cubes and carving meat, works well.
Aaaarrrggghhh! The TOASTER OVEN!
This is the one in-laws had given to us a few years ago, as the one I'd attempted to get for our wedding eleven-years ago looked like it would take up more counter space than used well or appreciated and it's the time and temperature regulations I have a hard time with determining how long and how high the temp should be when I'm toasting, not to mention that the cavity is admittedly too small...
There is an even smaller white Black And Decker one I bought for myself long ago left at my parents' house that I supposedly had an easier time with but just didn't bother to make use of in my own living quarters, post-marriage as it had fallen a bit dirty, and with which ever more over the years and ocasionally looking at it sitting on the basement bar, noticed the cord for it, excessively frayed...
And long ago some childhood friends of mind toasted in a mini oven like that, as opposed to ever owning a pop-up, which I prefer, but the four-slice I got from my late brother-in-law (a Chefnan from Ollie's) broke and I could never figure out how to open/remove the crumb tray from it, so my Cuisinart (soon to be a no-name, the writing is rubbing off!) two-slice still after these many years still works and does its job![this post was last edited: 12/29/2018-18:15]
This is the one in-laws had given to us a few years ago, as the one I'd attempted to get for our wedding eleven-years ago looked like it would take up more counter space than used well or appreciated and it's the time and temperature regulations I have a hard time with determining how long and how high the temp should be when I'm toasting, not to mention that the cavity is admittedly too small...
There is an even smaller white Black And Decker one I bought for myself long ago left at my parents' house that I supposedly had an easier time with but just didn't bother to make use of in my own living quarters, post-marriage as it had fallen a bit dirty, and with which ever more over the years and ocasionally looking at it sitting on the basement bar, noticed the cord for it, excessively frayed...
And long ago some childhood friends of mind toasted in a mini oven like that, as opposed to ever owning a pop-up, which I prefer, but the four-slice I got from my late brother-in-law (a Chefnan from Ollie's) broke and I could never figure out how to open/remove the crumb tray from it, so my Cuisinart (soon to be a no-name, the writing is rubbing off!) two-slice still after these many years still works and does its job![this post was last edited: 12/29/2018-18:15]
Okay, get ready for this one, that will cause argument or challenge a debate:
The slow cooker!
The food is mushy, 9-out-of-10 times the modest amount of liquid is excessive and even oozes and drips out of there, while maybe that "statistical one time" some spaghetti I made was too dry...
In any event, what I bought a newer, slightly larger model (though the stoneware had a hole in it, and the flawless one that Sunbeam sent me was for the big sized, while sadly right at the day I wanted to make that first meal in it, I have to contend with another (though smaller hole) and got too late for them to send me another!) the semi-successful AMKrayoRoast Duck:
(And maybe the dried duck grease that leaked on my ice cream scoop when making that drink made me sick!)
The slow cooker!
The food is mushy, 9-out-of-10 times the modest amount of liquid is excessive and even oozes and drips out of there, while maybe that "statistical one time" some spaghetti I made was too dry...
In any event, what I bought a newer, slightly larger model (though the stoneware had a hole in it, and the flawless one that Sunbeam sent me was for the big sized, while sadly right at the day I wanted to make that first meal in it, I have to contend with another (though smaller hole) and got too late for them to send me another!) the semi-successful AMKrayoRoast Duck:
(And maybe the dried duck grease that leaked on my ice cream scoop when making that drink made me sick!)
lordkenmore
Well-known member
I actually like toaster ovens. It's funny, because I think my mother always said they weren't worth bothering with or some such thing. I got one at a yard sale...and grew to like the thing. I've had several since then, most of which weren't special. Oddly the only one I didn't like was the DeLonghi that I got from some thrift shop. I'd sort wanted one, remembering when they were sold at the Bon for $$$, but mine never really worked that well for me. Maybe it was the design. Maybe it was just the condition (e.g., worn down by the previous owner to a mere shadow of its former self).
Although I've mostly used these as small ovens. I do use my current one for any/all toasting duties, but I think a toaster would work better. I don't have a toaster, although I don't toast bread very often any more.
Although I've mostly used these as small ovens. I do use my current one for any/all toasting duties, but I think a toaster would work better. I don't have a toaster, although I don't toast bread very often any more.
lordkenmore
Well-known member
For me personally...I'd vote for the bread machine as an appliance that never fulfilled the promise. I remember when they were fairly new (at least as a more or less mass market product), and hyped for how wonderful they were. I have had at least 2, maybe 3 I've gotten dirt cheap at a thrift store the last 15 years or so, and they never impressed me. Convenient? Easy to use? Yes. But the bread wasn't very good. One is better off just using a mixer or food processor to do the hard mixing/kneading work. (Plus the mixer/food processor can be used for more than bread.) For that matter, one can buy bread. Grocery stores in my area offer breads much better than "traditional" grocery store bread (like Wonder Bread), and these better breads are often better than what I recall ever eating from a bread machine.
Of course, "milage varies." I know a lot of people loved their bread machines. And it's entirely possible I'll try one again.
Of course, "milage varies." I know a lot of people loved their bread machines. And it's entirely possible I'll try one again.
Used my GE (WM exclusive) toaster oven reasonably often for baking, not so much for toasting. I find that a traditional toaster does that quicker and better.
The GE's thermostat went wonky at 12.25 years.
Have a Breville Mini Smart Oven now. Like it a lot. I don't use the included porcelain baking tray, dark color browns too much. I kept the aluminum tray from the GE, works better.
launderess
Well-known member
Bread Machine
Have a Phillips that got for a very good price at local thrift. Used the thing to death for a few years when going through a bread making craze. Even purchased the book "Breadmaker's Bible" and so forth. Not to mention a job lot of SAF yeast packets that still are sitting in freezer.
Liked the bread machine because it allowed one to bake bread even under less than optimal conditions. Read very warm and moist summer weather, and or other times of year when house was cool (like to shut down most of the radiators in winter), and so forth.
After awhile things went they way always do; all that baking either by machine or whatever fell out of favor and machine has sat sitting haunting me ever since.
That being said the one thing can always count on finding at thrifts is the odd bread machine. *LOL*
As for quality, most things came out pretty well. Thanks to that bread maker's book and learning a few tricks could turn out decent to good brioche, raisin & cinnamon, whole wheat, seven grain and a few other breads.
Have a Phillips that got for a very good price at local thrift. Used the thing to death for a few years when going through a bread making craze. Even purchased the book "Breadmaker's Bible" and so forth. Not to mention a job lot of SAF yeast packets that still are sitting in freezer.
Liked the bread machine because it allowed one to bake bread even under less than optimal conditions. Read very warm and moist summer weather, and or other times of year when house was cool (like to shut down most of the radiators in winter), and so forth.
After awhile things went they way always do; all that baking either by machine or whatever fell out of favor and machine has sat sitting haunting me ever since.
That being said the one thing can always count on finding at thrifts is the odd bread machine. *LOL*
As for quality, most things came out pretty well. Thanks to that bread maker's book and learning a few tricks could turn out decent to good brioche, raisin & cinnamon, whole wheat, seven grain and a few other breads.
Speaking of piles at thrift stores -
Remember the Black & Decker (et al) electric jar opener? There were stacks of those at the thrift stores for a while a decade or so ago.
Add to the breadmaker department at the thrifts were all the accessories made to complement them, the slicing guides, bread storage containers and similar wares to make your bread-life easier.
The air popper that Glenn mentioned was an excellent example of larger-than-life hype for a product that basically manufactured marginally edible packing peanuts. That said, I just let mine from the 80's go last year.
This youtube channel is fun to watch now and then, he reviews many of the "As Seen On TV" products. Some results are pretty surprising, some, not so much.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTCpOFIu6dHgOjNJ0rTymkQ
Remember the Black & Decker (et al) electric jar opener? There were stacks of those at the thrift stores for a while a decade or so ago.
Add to the breadmaker department at the thrifts were all the accessories made to complement them, the slicing guides, bread storage containers and similar wares to make your bread-life easier.
The air popper that Glenn mentioned was an excellent example of larger-than-life hype for a product that basically manufactured marginally edible packing peanuts. That said, I just let mine from the 80's go last year.
This youtube channel is fun to watch now and then, he reviews many of the "As Seen On TV" products. Some results are pretty surprising, some, not so much.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTCpOFIu6dHgOjNJ0rTymkQ
xraytech
Well-known member
Speaking of popcorn making, we had a WestBend hot air machine from the 80s, that was the most horrid popcorn.
In 1994 or 95 we bought this Presto Power Pop at Hill’s Department Store as a Christmas gift for dad.
From what I recall it actually worked well in our JCPenney microwave and made good popcorn. We used this a lot and for quite a few years.
While I wouldn’t exactly call it a bad product, it certainly was a one trick pony
In 1994 or 95 we bought this Presto Power Pop at Hill’s Department Store as a Christmas gift for dad.
From what I recall it actually worked well in our JCPenney microwave and made good popcorn. We used this a lot and for quite a few years.
While I wouldn’t exactly call it a bad product, it certainly was a one trick pony
xraytech
Well-known member
Grandma Rose had one of these gadgets in her 1980s GE spacemaker microwave.
I don’t remember this working well, and I don’t think it lasted very long
I don’t remember this working well, and I don’t think it lasted very long
earthling177
Well-known member
Rotating devices like that had a funny hit ratio -- some people loved them and some hated them. My feeling is that for people who had a good microwave oven with a decent stirrer fan probably didn't care for them much, because you only had to rotate the food a couple of times during cooking, while the folks who had an oven with no stirrer fan or a badly designed one were the ones to perceive the most difference.
That being said, for people who absolutely hated paying any attention to their food and wanted a set it and forget it thing, the rotating trays seemed to help some.
That being said, for people who absolutely hated paying any attention to their food and wanted a set it and forget it thing, the rotating trays seemed to help some.
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