Gadget mania
Mixers that can cook, boiling-water taps, teppanyaki hot plates… there’s a befuddling array of gadgets to seduce the keen cook, but what’s actually worth buying? Hayley Gilbert rounds up seven classics, along with new-fangled bits of hi-tech kit.
1.
Mix it up
Artisan stand mixer is retro in style and super-efficient in action. It also comes in a funky range of colours. From around £389.
2.
Smooth operator
This hand-operated stainless-steel
is the traditional choice for creating perfect-textured purées. £29.95 from Divertimenti.
3.
Power of one
The
3200 BlenderMix food processor can mix, grate, slice, chop, whisk, knead and liquidise. It also has an integrated mini processor for smaller jobs. £179.96 – £215.96 at John Lewis.
4.
Soft touch
Silicone spatulas from
make mixing and folding easier, thanks to their flexible heads, which are heat- resistant to 300°C. In red, orange, blue or frosted, they cost £9.99 each.
5.
Easy does it
is perfect for preparing spuds and root veg. It has a soft, comfily contoured handle, and the ‘Y’ design means you can peel at speed. It costs £5.50. Call 0114 290 1455 for stockist details.
6.
The professional choice
The
is a hi-tech food processor that cooks, too. It can handle anything from making jam to steaming rice, with one bowl, blade and whisk. The hefty £885 price tag includes a thick recipe book.
..and six hi-tech innovations
1.
An oven and a half
extra-wide 90cm built-in single oven is great for entertaining and cooking in bulk. The EB388 has a generous 78-litre capacity and a Pyrolytic self-cleaning programme. Priced around £4,590.
2.
Hot water on tap
The latest must-have is the
boiling-water tap. Saving time, energy and water, it delivers 100°C water without waiting for the kettle to boil. The tap is designed to be child-proof. But, at £790, it ain’t exactly cheap.
3.
Top of the hobs
Professional chefs love the robust, industrial feel of
. It has porcelain-coated cast-iron grates and is easy to clean. Fans include Galton Blackiston, Thomasina Miers, Michel Roux Junior and John Torode. The ICBCT36G is priced from £1,845.
4.
The griddler
If you enjoy Japanese cuisine, have a go yourself with
Siemens’ Teppan Yaki cooktop griddle
. The 40cm wide steel hotplate has touchpad controls and can reach temperatures of 240°C. It’s priced around £1,500.
5.
Super cool
Keep your ingredients fresh with
. Priced around £2,050, it features VitaFresh technology in special compartments, which reduces the temperature to near freezing. These drawers have up to 95% humidity to help vegetables and fruit stay crisp and fresh for up to three times longer than a conventional refrigerator.