Little electrical or mechanical things you might want...

[maytagbear]

but don't exactly want to rush out and buy?
Either because part of you thinks the item(s) are either too expensive (no matter the actual price), too foolish, or both.

I can think of three offhand.

1) The Clapper. The layout of my bedroom is very weird (this is a converted Mom and Pop grocery store), and the switch for the overhead light is way far from where a bed can be positioned. The Clapper would be very useful for the lamp on my night table, but try to buy one after December 24!

2) A Sunbeam Hot Shot. I had one, but packing for a move, someone (a bossy female relative) all but wrenched it out of my hands. She said "but you have a microwave." True, but compared to a Hot Shot, the microwave is slooooow. I look for one every time I go to Goodwill, et cetera. The Hot Shot leads me to #3.

3) One of those mini warming plates to keep mugs of hot beverages hot. This apartment is drafty, even with the added insulation and new windows. If I don't keep focussed on my beverage, it is cold very quickly.

I bet you have one or some, too. What are yours?

Lawrence/Maytagbear

 

[scott55405]

Great ideas Lawrence! I had no idea the Clapper was only sold at holiday time. Hope you can snap one up on a future go-round. Sounds ideal for your situation. Sounds like the time I wanted to replace my electric blanket, and quickly found out they are considered a seasonal item. And that was when I still lived in Minnesota! Now of course I could find one online pretty much anytime.

You'll be happy to note that the "Hot Shot" is still in Sunbeam's current product lineup. I've had an electric teakettle for years, and would never part with it, esp. in favor of a microwave. Microwaved water is just wrong, I don't care what anyone says! LOL

I've always wanted one of those mug warmers too, for work. Come to find out, there's now one you can plug into your USB port on your computer, and it warms your coffee and has more USB ports on it for other things. Cool!

I don't suppose it's that little, but last year I bought a toaster oven. I've never had one before, and for one person they're just the most ideal thing! A microwave, I'll use if I have, don't know if I'd replace it if it quit. The toaster oven, if it quits a new one comes in before close of business that day! LOL

http://sunbeam.com/productdetail.aspx?PId=274

 

[duetboy]

mug warmer

Check out your local hobby store/craft store. See if they have the "wax warmers" that you put those little glass jars of wax on that have the fragrence in them. They look like the old mug warmers of days gone past. I wonder if that would work?

duetboy
aka Jeff

http://www.electricburners.com/basvelelcanw.html

 

[paulg]

Mug warmer

I used to think those mug-warmers were the stupidest things around... Until I got one.
Now everyone who knows me knows that I am a coffee addict. I ended up somehow with a mug warmer and took it to work. It is great. The beverage of choice is gently warmed all day and represents just a touch of luxury.
My workplace should pay for the thing as it saves time. I no longer have to run to the microwave to reheat my coffee every hour. It is cheaper to own a mug warmer than to not just in lost time.

 

[veg-o-matic]

That Hot Shot is one of the best things around! Can't beat it for hot drinks or oatmeal--the water's boiling before you can turn around.
I've always found those mug warmers to be not worth it. Now I just keep my coffee in a travel mug (even at home) and it stays hot long enough for me.
The Clapper is all right but if you get a cold with a cough... There are better remote control thingies available.
I'd like a Scooba, but not for the prices they're charging!

veg

 

[petek]

The Chinese and Japanese are big into those plug in hot water dispensers. You can find all sorts of them by all the big Japanese names like Panasonic, Sanyo etc. in pretty much most Asian food or gadget stores in every city. They're not cheap though.

 

[oxydolfan1]

I buy the Hot Shots for my mother, who will use NOTHING else, four at a time, whenever KMart, Walmart, etc. has them available.

For some reason, a lot of smaller hardware stores carry them around here, for a few dollars more.