What Am I Missing Out On?

[EcclesCake]

I don't have a microwave, slow cooker, George Foreman grill or a halogen oven.

Judging by posts on here they are all very popular, so what am I missing out on?

[mallyh]

i microwave jacket potatoes for a short time then finish off in oven
all the things you mentioned cut cooking time ,slow cookers are great for stews etc.x

[Graham-W]

Given the choice between those four, I'd choose the slow cooker.
Set it going before you go out to work and come back to a perfectly cooked stew, casserole, chicken, curry etc.
Easy to use & easy to clean.
You could, of course, do the same thing in a casserole dish ion your oven but there is a danger of burning and it's more expensive to run.

[Robinia]

Out of those I only have a microwave...and I mostly use that for heating up wheat packs for my aches 'n pains...lol. I don't think I'm missing out.

[pusskin]

Would miss my microwave more as their great for starting jacket pots, then finishing in my oven. Hotting up drinks that have got a bit cold.
I make all my custard in micro. Quick and delicious.

[mrs_overall]

You mean you don't have a wood burning pizza oven? ;-)

[237SJ]

I have a slow cooker but I hardly ever use it. There isn`t anything I can do in it that can`t be done in a casserole. I gave my George Foreman grill away. The microwave is good for reheating home made ready meals that have been frozen so I couldn`t be without that.

[sunny-dave]

My microwave is dual purpose - the micro function is used for 'quick steaming' veg (and heating up cold cups of tea).

The conventional oven function is useful for baking (very accurate thermostat) and cooking smallish items for shortish periods (very quick warm up time compared to my main cooker).

I don't have any of the other toys you list ... but my La Pavoni espresso machine is indispensible.

[EcclesCake]

Doh! Natch Mrs O!

[Prudie]

LOl Mrs O, I've recently had to go out for pizza with a family group one of whom insisted phoning the restaurants first to ensure their oven was wood fired, he wouldn't go if it wasn't. Twerp!

[Prudie]

Oh and of those things only the microwave is essential to me - for heating ready meals!

[mrs_overall]

I am not a gadget lover but I wouldn't be without my bread making machine.
I throw the ingredients in at bed time, set the timer, and wake up each day to a lovely, warm, fresh loaf.
The best thing about it is that I bought it brand new at an auction for £2

[Connemmara]

since you are a good cook on whatever you use - you are missing out on nothing

[EcclesCake]

I do have a bread maker but as I eat hardly any bread it rarely sees daylight unless we have visitors. The smell of fresh bread in the morning is lovely though!

I kind of miss having a microwave for heating up leftovers, but not enough to buy a new one.

I rarely grill anything as I prefer frying so the George Foreman appeal goes right over my head.

And as for slow cookers I would have to brown my meat, soften/caramelise my onions etc so I don't see how I would save much time or effort.

Halogen ovens are a total mystery to me.

I suppose because we have solar power I take a different view to the energy saving aspects of some of these devices.

I was just wondering if anyone could come up with a 'clincher' as to why a particular gadget is a must have.

[EcclesCake]

That is a very kind comment Conne.

[boxtops]

Easy quick clean cooking, eccles. We never fry anything, it's verboten to me because of my cholesterol levels, so we grill everything. In fact, our kitchen equipment is all stand-alone items - we don't have a floor-standing cooker, I got rid of it about 15 years ago.

[giveup]

Have tried them all,and most are in the garage now. Would like a tandoori oven in the garden though.

[EcclesCake]

I'm not sure my grill has ever been used for anything other than cheese on toast!

[sherrardk]

I've got a slow cooker but so far have only tried one recipe (but have done it quite a few times). I've got a microwave combi grill thing (but haven't used it properly as I haven't read the instructions). Bread machine occasionally gets used for fruit bread.

[EcclesCake]

Are you still doing battle with your naan bread giveup?