Three Kitchen Appliances I Can’t Do Without

I have a really tiny kitchen… I mean super tiny. So I have to be pretty particular about what appliances I purchase for my kitchen. Today I want to share my three favorite kitchen appliances with you so you could get an idea of what is really necessary and what isn't.

Keurig


I know some people might think this is excessive - citing a French press or perhaps a small coffee maker instead. But let me tell you -this machine revolutionized my life. Well, my coffee life. I've had my Keurig since I moved to Chicago four and a half years ago and it hasn't given out yet, despite the fact that I use it every single day.



Now I know some people have an issue with the trash created by K-Cups (as well as the cost!), but I learned quickly that the best choice for me was to buy a few re-usable k-cups, and fill them with a scoop of coffee grinds. To me, this is just as quick and much better for my budget and the environment. The best part of a Keurig? It saves time and is perfect for when you just need one or two cups, like I do, rather than a whole pot.

Magic Bullet

You might think I'm crazy, but I use my Magic Bullet probably 10 times more than I use my Vitamix blender despite it being almost 1/10th the cost. Why? Space, space, space. My Vitamix is fantastic, no doubt, and I certainly need it for some things. But it is HUGE. Not only does it take up almost all of my counter space, but my sink is pretty small, and thus cleaning it out is a pain as well.



My magic bullet on the other hand? Small, simple and easy. I've had this magic bullet for about 3.5 years and again, it's still kicking. I go through phases with it, but on average I've used it once a day since I purchased it. It's so easy to rinse out to clean, it takes up zero space on my counter, and if I need to I can bring it with me when I travel. Win, win, win!

Crockpot

I definitely use this more in the winter than in the summer, but a crockpot can be a life saver, whether you're short on time or just not a cook. Almost every crockpot recipe I've ever tried involved dumping a list of ingredients in the pot and turning it on. Voila. Simple even for the worst cook.



It also really saves time because once you dump everything in, that's it! You can do it in the morning before work, and by the time you get home at night dinner is done and your apartment smells good. You'd also be surprised by what you can make in a crockpot - it's not just soup and chili! I've seen recipes for oatmeal, lasagna, cakes, brownies and more! The possibilities are endless.