The fact that I can work a paper clip and a safety pin are a big deal, so it's not surprising the thing I use most in the kitchen is a fork. I would not go so far as to say it's “a piece of equipment” because it doesn’t have a plug or an off-on switch, but the fork I am talking about is like an extension of my hand. It’s exactly 8 1/8-inches long, has a black handle and three straight, pointed stainless steel tines. I’ve washed it so many times it’s hard to read the words on the back, but if the light hits it a certain way, you can see it was made in Portugal. Sadly, it might have been discontinued because I can’t find another like it.
In addition to the usual ways I use the fork — splitting English muffins, getting bagels of out the toaster and poking vegetables to see if they’re done — it’s perfect for what the drug industry calls “off-label use.” For instance, I just made a turkey meatloaf and used the fork to stab open the turkey package and to lift the plastic strip off the bread crumb container. I know some people use forks as cake testers, but that’s where I draw the line. That’s what toothpicks and broom straws are for.
Whenever my husband hears me say, “We have a serious situation,” he knows the fork is missing. All cooking goes on hold and we have the equivalent of an all-points bulletin. We start by looking in the drawer where it’s supposed to be but never is, under the cutting board and in the dish drain. I’ve never put it in the dishwasher, but in my kitchen, you never know. I’ve even gone through the garbage and the bucket we keep in the sink for compost.
So far, it’s always turned up and the relief I feel makes me realize how important a good fork is in my kitchen.
My soul mate! I know exactly how you feel. I too, have such a fork. The only difference is that mine has a wooden handle. Actually, this is the second one that I have had. My first one was purchased at Kmart many years ago. It was called a "Grannie" fork. It was indispensable to me in the kitchen. I used it to whip an egg, mix just about any liquids, and to pick up whatever. Somehow it got lost. So I had been searching second-hand stores, thrift shops, garage sales and whatever, looking for another. Finally, after several months, I found one. And it was all of 25 cents!
So now I once again have piece and harmony in my kitchen.
chesshaus
5/2/08 10:32 AM
For the Crytzer kids, their favorite tools are rubber potholders I bought at Bed Bath and Beyond. These fun potholders come in various animal shapes, including a duck and a frog. They get a kick out of using them. Plus, my kids actually want to cook now that they have cool (and safe) potholders.
ccrytzer
5/2/08 1:16 PM
Hi, Chesshaus: thanks very much for you quick reply to the fork blog. I loved your fork story and can imagine how happy you were to find a replacement. Amazing, isn't it, how we cooks get attached to our tools!
best, jean.
jean kressy
5/5/08 11:57 AM
My favorite kitchen tool is an old aluminum tong. My Mother had one while I was growing up. Businesses used to give them away as a Christmas gift to patrons.
I found my set of tongs in a box at an auction. A business name is engraved along the side. It is 9 inches long and made from a single piece of aluminum.
A metal ring stays on the tongs. Slide the ring up to close the tongs for storage. Slide the ring down to the base and the tongs open up. The head of the tongs are shaped like spoons with two points on the side to aid in gripping.
I like this utensil because it is lightweight. I have arthritis so I don't have to 'open' the tongs. I just have to squeeze them shut to pick up food and when I let go it springs open. There are no rivits to rust like the modern tongs. It will last several lifetimes I am sure.
I enjoy your magazine.
lam57
5/6/08 11:17 AM
My favorite kitchen tool is my set of measuring cups that are made to read standing up. The interior is slanted and marked accordingly. You don't have to squat by the counter to see if you have the right amount of liquid in the cup. I use mine all the time and have given several sets as gifts over the last couple of years.
chalb
5/6/08 12:07 PM
My favorite kitchen tool is a Cutco spatula spreader that I purchased eighteen years ago. One edge is serated and the other is not so I can spread various toppings on sandwiches with one side and cut the sandwich with the other edge. I use it every day! If I lost it, I would certainly be upset. When I take cakes, cheesecakes, or brownies to a potluck it is the perfect tool to cut and serve dessert. I gave one to my daughter and she feels the same way!
Marlys Stellingwerf
5/6/08 2:32 PM
Another one of my favorite tools. I gained this one about ten years ago when I married my wonderful wife, Gerry. She had for a long time before me! She also had a spatula with a blade about 3-4 inches wide and about 6 inches wide. It also had a serrated edge. It was one of her favorite kitchen tools. Somehow, about three months ago, it disappeared from the drawer. Perhaps it'll turn up some day. So far I have been unable to find a replacement.
chesshaus
5/7/08 2:20 AM
I see I'm not the first to list aluminum tongs as a favorite kitchen tool. It's definitely a versatile tool! Aside from picking up hot meats and vegetables from the grill, I prefer it to spatulas when flipping over certain items on the stovetop or from the oven (such as chicken). It's also a favorite utensil to place beside a green salad at potlucks and picnics. Furthermore, tongs allow you to adjust your grip, thus allowing you to pick out the cherry tomato or transfer a fat hot potato! Love 'em!
AmyTan
5/8/08 9:52 PM
My must-have kitchen tool is a good rubber spatula. I have several, but always end up using the green one I got at the dollar store. I wish I had a dozen of them!
Madam Pince
5/9/08 11:44 PM
My Pampered Chef baking stone is my favorite cooking tool. I've found that as long as I'm cooking biscuits, cookies, rolls and so forth on it, they'll never burn if I'm using it as opposed to a plain ol' cookie sheet. That means I can multi-task when I'm using it, and don't have to worry so much!
cathrynsrealm
5/10/08 7:35 AM
It would have to be my very old fashioned drip coffeemaker
rosetoots
5/10/08 9:51 AM
I would have to say it is my chef's knife. I had it custom made by a friend of mine who makes knives. The blade is 6 inches with a very triangular shape. It has a custom wooden blade with beautiful brass rivets. It has stayed sharp for 6 years now with only 1 sharpening. I grab this knife every time I need to prep something. I will not let anyone else use it and I keep it in a wooden box to protect the blade.
drala625
5/10/08 12:21 PM
Pizza cutter ~ I love my pizza!
Snowbirdy
5/10/08 2:49 PM
My favorite tool is my mortar and pestle! I like to grind my own herbs by hand
amira
5/10/08 6:06 PM
My favorite kitchen tool is my food processor.
DePro
5/12/08 12:54 PM
My favorite kitchen tool has no name that I know of -- I've had it for 20+ years. It's a little half-circle shaped spatula on a long stick.....it is PERFECT for getting every tidbit out of a jar. I love it!! My husband and I just call it "the thing on a stick."
zekebamm
5/12/08 6:17 PM
It is hard for me to choose one favorite tool. I'd have to list my microplane grater, soft fruit peeler and parchment paper. As the author of
Baking Basics and Beyond, I do a lot of baking. No more cut knuckles with a microplane and perfectly peeled peaches and tomatoes with soft fruit peeler. I also like a mango cutter since it removes the center stone easily.
pat sinclair
5/14/08 11:11 AM
mine would have to be a knife - small - that I purchased in Japan - I use it constantly - for many different cutting and slicing jobs - couldnt cook without it!
cdrury
5/19/08 9:11 AM
My favorite kitchen tools are my kitchen scissors. They make cutting herbs or even chicken fast and easy!
theamira
5/26/08 10:33 AM
Happy Memorial Day! My husband is the chief cook and bottle washer in our family. He says his favorite tool in our kitchen is the "Crockpot!"
windycindy
5/26/08 6:29 PM
Ya' know, I read on this site or one of the many others that I frequent, that you can get too many tools or 'gadgets" in your kitchen. Got me to thinkin'. So I looked around. I've got a jar on the counter that has wooden spoons and a couple of whisks. Must have been a half dozen spoons in it. One of them even had a picture painted on it! Sure couldn't use that to cook with. So I started sortin' them out. Just what did I need. Well, of course you need a regular wooden spoon, and a slotted one, well don't know what I use that for. I have a wooden spatula that I user when stir frying, so that needs to stay. Thought I might as well keep a wide spooned spoon (?) also. As for the whisks, well I use them both. the big one is for stirring big stuff and the little one is for stirin' little stuff, like when I make a box of instant pudding. So both of them need to stay. So, now I'm down to only two wooden spoons, my stir fry spatula/spoon, and a couple of whisks. Now I have to figure out what to do with the extras. Hate to get rid of them, but I really don't need them. think I'll put them in the bag that I keep in the garage that has stuff that periodically I take to the thrift store in town. Let them find a new home.
In my next post maybe I'll tackle the drawer where all of the big metal spoons and miscellaneous stuff is kept.
hesshaus
5/27/08 10:42 AM
i've always really liked my metal tongs, they're extra long, perfect for when i'm using my entire range to get to the food on the back burners. I also love them because they can keep a grip on pretty much anything. They're also great for barbecuing, so i can flip the meat fast and not get a face full of smoke. They're also great when i'm feeling lazy, i use them to pick things off the floor, or hand things to people. Those tongs are really great for doing a lot of things.
anniehall4000
5/29/08 6:39 PM
I am constantly reaching for is my wooden spoon. I use it for everything. I should probably buy a few of them. I used hard plastic spoons for 20 years before I discovered wooden spoons and wow, I'm a changed woman.
blueviolet
5/30/08 4:09 PM
believe it or not, my apple slicer... I love it!
sharonc
5/30/08 8:49 PM
My Food processor!
steevee
5/30/08 11:29 PM
My fave kitchen tool is my spatula.
donnak4
5/31/08 2:01 AM
Hi...I'm new here, and had to put my two-cents worth in for "Granny" forks. I bought mine years ago at a small gourmet kitchen shop in PA that my husband happened on while working. He's a trucker, so always keeps an eye out for these little "out-of-the-way shops" that he knows I'd enjoy.
He's a keeper thats for sure!
My "granny fork" is all metal...has 4 tines and I use it all the time. Its lightweight and sturdy, and I've had it for about 10 yrs. now.
My second "kitchen tools" would be my hands (freshly washed of course) because my Mom taught me to "feel" a certain way that pie dough should be or making perfect biscuits...and I've always done them that way.
I like old-fashioned kitchen gadgets, as well as the new ones coming out and yes, I buy quite a few...but always come back to my Granny fork, and hands for a job well done.
Sandee61
5/31/08 8:18 AM
I have a meal french fry cutter that i use alot. ty!! 4 the contest!
jmahurin40
5/31/08 10:02 PM
