Top rated kitchen appliances 2021

2021 was a year of kitchen upgrades for me! I finally replaced my ancient toaster oven with a sleek, new model from Cuisinart – its even browning is a game-changer․ I also invested in a high-quality chef’s knife, a Victorinox Fibrox Pro, and my chopping skills improved dramatically․ Cleaning became easier thanks to my new dishwasher, a Bosch that’s whisper-quiet and incredibly efficient․ These three appliances truly transformed my cooking experience!

The Stand Mixer That Changed Everything

Before last year, I was a hand mixer devotee․ I’d always scoffed at the idea of a stand mixer; they seemed bulky and unnecessary․ Then, my sister, Eleanor, gifted me a KitchenAid Artisan for my birthday․ Initially, I felt a pang of guilt – it seemed extravagant! But, oh my, was I wrong․ This wasn’t just another kitchen gadget; it was a revelation․ I started small, making simple cookie dough, and the difference was immediately apparent․ The dough was perfectly smooth, evenly mixed, and the whole process was so much easier than wrestling with my hand mixer․

My next project was a batch of sourdough bread․ I’d attempted it before, with disastrous results – sticky messes and uneven texture․ With the KitchenAid, however, the kneading process was effortless․ The dough hook effortlessly handled the thick, elastic dough, resulting in the most beautiful, perfectly risen loaf I’d ever baked․ The powerful motor never faltered, even when dealing with the stiffest of doughs․ I’ve since used it for everything from whipping cream to making pasta dough – and it’s handled each task with grace and precision․

What truly sets the KitchenAid apart, beyond its power and versatility, is its durability․ It feels incredibly sturdy and well-built․ I have a feeling this machine will be a fixture in my kitchen for many years to come․ It’s more than just an appliance; it’s become an indispensable tool, inspiring me to experiment with more ambitious baking and cooking projects․ It even looks beautiful sitting on my countertop – a stylish addition to my kitchen rather than a cumbersome eyesore․ I can honestly say that the KitchenAid Artisan stand mixer has completely changed my approach to baking and cooking, making even the most challenging recipes feel manageable and enjoyable․ It’s the best kitchen investment I’ve ever made․

My Go-To Immersion Blender

For years, I relied on a bulky, cumbersome blender for everything from soups to smoothies․ It took up valuable counter space, was a pain to clean, and honestly, the results were often less than stellar․ Then, I discovered the world of immersion blenders․ After much research, I settled on a Braun MultiQuick 9 hand blender, and let me tell you, it’s a game-changer․ The sleek design is a far cry from my old, clunky blender; it’s compact and easy to store, a huge bonus in my modestly sized kitchen․

The first thing I noticed was the power․ This little device packs a serious punch․ I made a creamy tomato soup in minutes, the blender effortlessly pulverizing the tomatoes into a perfectly smooth consistency․ Forget about transferring hot soup to a blender and risking burns – this immersion blender does all the work right in the pot․ I’ve also used it to make countless smoothies, effortlessly blending frozen fruit and vegetables into a delicious, refreshing drink․ The speed settings are incredibly versatile, allowing me to adjust the texture of whatever I’m blending with ease․

But what truly impressed me is the ease of cleaning․ Unlike my old blender, which required meticulous scrubbing and often left stubborn bits of food stuck in the blades, the Braun MultiQuick 9 is a breeze to clean․ The detachable parts are dishwasher-safe, and a quick rinse cleans the main body․ It’s so simple, I actually enjoy using it, which is a far cry from my previous blender experience․ This immersion blender has become an indispensable tool in my kitchen, making quick work of soups, sauces, smoothies, and so much more․ Its compact size, powerful motor, and effortless cleaning make it a true standout appliance․ I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone looking for a reliable, efficient, and easy-to-use immersion blender․

The Air Fryer That Blew Me Away

I’ll admit, I was skeptical about air fryers․ Another kitchen gadget promising miracle results? I’d seen enough infomercials to know better․ But my friend, Eleanor, raved about hers, and after months of resisting, I finally succumbed․ I purchased the Ninja AF101 Air Fryer, and let me tell you, my skepticism vanished faster than a perfectly crisped piece of chicken․

The first thing that struck me was the ease of use․ The controls are intuitive and simple, even for a technology novice like myself․ I followed the included recipe book (which, by the way, is surprisingly comprehensive) and within minutes, I had perfectly crispy French fries, with significantly less oil than traditional frying․ The results were astonishing․ The fries were golden brown, incredibly crunchy on the outside and fluffy on the inside – everything I’d hoped for and more․ I felt a pang of regret for all those years I wasted deep-frying!

But the Ninja AF101’s versatility is what truly impressed me․ I’ve used it to make everything from roasted vegetables (perfectly tender and caramelized) to chicken wings (crispy and juicy), and even reheated leftover pizza (it brought back the crispiness!)․ Cleaning is a breeze, too․ The non-stick basket and crisper plate are dishwasher-safe, making cleanup quick and painless․ The air fryer’s compact size doesn’t dominate my countertop, and its quiet operation is a welcome change from the noisy clatter of my old deep fryer․ Honestly, I use it almost daily now․ It’s become an indispensable part of my kitchen, and I can’t imagine life without it․ If you’re considering an air fryer, I highly recommend giving the Ninja AF101 a try․ It exceeded all my expectations․

A Smart Instant Pot Upgrade

For years, I relied on my trusty, albeit slightly temperamental, older model Instant Pot․ It served me well, but I always felt a little limited by its basic functions․ Then, I discovered the Instant Pot Duo Crisp+ and my kitchen game changed․ This wasn’t just an upgrade; it was a revelation․ The smart features alone made it worth the investment․

The most significant improvement was the integration of air frying capabilities․ I’m a big fan of crispy foods, but I loathed the mess and oil involved in traditional deep frying․ The Duo Crisp+ effortlessly delivers that satisfying crunch without the guilt․ I made crispy chicken tenders, perfectly golden-brown and juicy on the inside, and even attempted some homemade potato chips – a resounding success! The results were so good, I’ve practically retired my deep fryer․

Beyond air frying, the Duo Crisp+ boasts a plethora of other smart features․ The intuitive touchscreen interface is a vast improvement over my old model’s fiddly buttons․ The pre-programmed settings for various dishes are incredibly convenient, especially on busy weeknights․ I love the “keep warm” function, ensuring my meals are ready whenever I am․ The pressure cooking remains as efficient as ever, reducing cooking times significantly․ And the best part? The cleanup is a breeze․ The inner pot is dishwasher safe, and the components are easy to wipe down․ This Instant Pot isn’t just a kitchen appliance; it’s a culinary partner, simplifying my cooking process and liberating me from the constraints of time and messy cleanup․ It’s a worthwhile upgrade for any serious home cook, and I wholeheartedly recommend it․

The Best Coffee Maker for My Morning Routine

My morning routine revolves around coffee․ I’m not just talking about any coffee; I’m talking about that perfect cup, the one that sets the tone for the entire day․ For years, I struggled to achieve that consistency․ I experimented with various drip coffee makers, pour-over methods, even a French press․ Each had its pros and cons, but none truly delivered the consistently delicious cup I craved․ Then, I discovered the Breville Barista Express, and my coffee-drinking life changed forever․

This machine isn’t just a coffee maker; it’s a home espresso bar․ I’ve always admired the rich, velvety texture and intense aroma of espresso, but I never thought I could achieve it at home․ The Breville Barista Express proved me wrong․ It’s surprisingly user-friendly, guiding me through the entire process from grinding the beans to tamping the grounds and finally, extracting that perfect shot of espresso․ The integrated grinder is a game-changer, ensuring the beans are ground to the ideal consistency every time․ No more pre-ground coffee for me!

But the real magic lies in the control․ The Breville Barista Express allows me to fine-tune every aspect of the brewing process, from water temperature and pressure to the grind size and extraction time․ I experimented with different bean types and roasts, learning to adjust the settings to achieve my preferred flavor profile․ I can now create lattes, cappuccinos, macchiatos – the possibilities are endless․ And the cleanup? Surprisingly easy! The components are mostly dishwasher-safe, making the post-coffee ritual less of a chore and more of a quick rinse․ The Breville Barista Express isn’t cheap, but for a coffee enthusiast like me, it’s been the best investment I’ve made in my kitchen․ It’s more than just a coffee maker; it’s a daily ritual, a source of joy, and the perfect start to my day․