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Top Kitchen Gadgets
We are fortunate to have known MarkCharles Misilli since he was a little boy, so when we decided to do an article on our favorite kitchen gadegts, we had to consult with our friend, the expert, and ask for a few of his picks. For the past eight years, MarkCharles has served as the "gadget expert "on QVC with his Kitchen Innovations with MarkCharles Misilli show. Since we already love so many of the products he recommends, it was no surprise, that many of our picks were also on his list too. Enjoy!
1.The Ultimate Can Opener with Auto Attach Feature by Kuhn Rikon. This is a must have item- throw out your old opener. This product is a 5-in-1. It has a hidden blade to open cans without risk of sharp edges, a universal cap opener to open all sizes of soda bottles, a lid lifter, a ring tab, jar opener to loosen those hard to open jars, and bottle cap opener. And it has one of the highest customer ratings on QVC- 4.5 stars and 313 reviews. If you don’t believe us that this does everything, check out the video. Available at QVC.com for $14.97.
The Ultimate Can Opener with Auto Attach Feature by Kuhn Rikon. This is a must have item- throw out your old opener. This product is a 5-in-1. It has a hidden blade to open cans without risk of sharp edges, a universal cap opener to open all sizes of soda bottles, a lid lifter, a ring tab, jar opener to loosen those hard to open jars, and bottle cap opener. And it has one of the highest customer ratings on QVC- 4.5 stars and 313 reviews. If you don’t believe us that this does everything, check out the video. Available at QVC.com for $14.97.2.Pineapple Slicer- we love this gadget. Serve up fresh, perfectly cut pineapple slices in no time. This slicer just needs to be centered atop a pineapple whose top has been cut off, and then twisted like a corkscrew. It yields beautifully spiral-cut slices and leaves the tough core in the shell. Pina Colada anyone? Available at QVC.com for $14.93.
Pineapple Slicer- we love this gadget. Serve up fresh, perfectly cut pineapple slices in no time. This slicer just needs to be centered atop a pineapple whose top has been cut off, and then twisted like a corkscrew. It yields beautifully spiral-cut slices and leaves the tough core in the shell. Pina Colada anyone? Available at QVC.com for $14.93.3.Microplane Zester/ Cheese Grater. Wonderful for adding that slight taste of lemon to your summer salads or for grating fresh parmesean over your caesar. Stores easily. Found this one on sale at Ace Hardware for $10.99 and includes free shipping.
Microplane Zester/ Cheese Grater. Wonderful for adding that slight taste of lemon to your summer salads or for grating fresh parmesean over your caesar. Stores easily. Found this one on sale at Ace Hardware for $10.99 and includes free shipping.
4.The Ultimate 4th Burner Pot by MarkCharles Misilli – this truly is a kitchen innovation. Designed specifically for that little burner on your stove that rarely gets used, or the burner attached to your BBQ grill. It has a spout for pouring and lid with two sets of draining holes, a stainless steel steaming basket with feet so your veggies don’t sit in water, and silicone covering on handles and lid. Steam your clams, corn, hot dogs, make tea or coffee and so much more. Available at QVC.com for $22.56.
The Ultimate 4th Burner Pot by MarkCharles Misilli – this truly is a kitchen innovation. Designed specifically for that little burner on your stove that rarely gets used, or the burner attached to your BBQ grill. It has a spout for pouring and lid with two sets of draining holes, a stainless steel steaming basket with feet so your veggies don’t sit in water, and silicone covering on handles and lid. Steam your clams, corn, hot dogs, make tea or coffee and so much more. Available at QVC.com for $22.56.5.Orka 35 oz. Round and 20 oz. Oval Silicone Steamers w/Lids- use the microwave to steam healthy, nutricious meals without all the added fat. Microwave, dishwasher safe and oven safe to 425F. Available at QVC.com for $22.00.
Orka 35 oz. Round and 20 oz. Oval Silicone Steamers w/Lids- use the microwave to steam healthy, nutricious meals without all the added fat. Microwave, dishwasher safe and oven safe to 425F. Available at QVC.com for $22.00.
6.Kuhn Rikon Kitchen and Household Shears- comes with a herb stripper and bottle opener. It has a self-sharpening stainless steel blade that works for both right- and left-handed users. In addition to being great for culinary prep, it easily cuts through those horrible plastic packaging that many items are packaged in. $13.37 at QVC.com.
Kuhn Rikon Kitchen and Household Shears- comes with a herb stripper and bottle opener. It has a self-sharpening stainless steel blade that works for both right- and left-handed users. In addition to being great for culinary prep, it easily cuts through those horrible plastic packaging that many items are packaged in. $13.37 at QVC.com. And our tomato picks:
7.When cherries drop down to $2.99 a pound, we grab them up. The kids love them and they are a healthy snack, but the pits are a choking hazard for young ones but also require adults to spit them out in a bowl, which is very classy at the picnic table. This pitter is easy and quick to use. Worth it- also good for olives. Available at Bed Bath & Beyond for $12.99.
When cherries drop down to $2.99 a pound, we grab them up. The kids love them and they are a healthy snack, but the pits are a choking hazard for young ones but also require adults to spit them out in a bowl, which is very classy at the picnic table. This pitter is easy and quick to use. Worth it- also good for olives. Available at Bed Bath & Beyond for $12.99. 
8.Prep Bowls. It’s so much easier to have your measurements prepared ahead of time when making a recipe. Also great for melting butter in the microwave for your lobster feast. Tempered glass bowls measure 1 cup to the rim and have markings for smaller measures . Set of six. Bowls are dishwasher-, freezer, microwave- and oven-safe to 350°F; lids are dishwasher-safe. $20 through Pampered Chef, enter Three under host first name and tomatoes under host last name when purchasing.
Prep Bowls. It’s so much easier to have your measurements prepared ahead of time when making a recipe. Also great for melting butter in the microwave for your lobster feast. Tempered glass bowls measure 1 cup to the rim and have markings for smaller measures . Set of six. Bowls are dishwasher-, freezer, microwave- and oven-safe to 350°F; lids are dishwasher-safe. $20 through Pampered Chef, enter Three under host first name and tomatoes under host last name when purchasing.9. Cuisinart Hand Blender, with mini chop. This is a very useful tool and worth the upgrade for the mini chop. Now that summer is here, there is no reason to buy jarred salsa when you can make it fresh in a few minutes using the mini chop. Use the hand blender to make gazpacho with many of the same ingredients and don’t forget that you can also whip up fresh whipped cream in no time for those berries with the whisk attachment. Simple to clean up. Available at Macy’s for $60.
Cuisinart Hand Blender, with mini chop. This is a very useful tool and worth the upgrade for the mini chop. Now that summer is here, there is no reason to buy jarred salsa when you can make it fresh in a few minutes using the mini chop. Use the hand blender to make gazpacho with many of the same ingredients and don’t forget that you can also whip up fresh whipped cream in no time for those berries with the whisk attachment. Simple to clean up. Available at Macy’s for $60. 
10.Mandoline Slicer- There’s no excuse not to make your own coleslaw or cucumber salad. The Oxo Good Grips madoline is a good bang for your buck -- it comes with a straight waffle blade, a julienne, and a food
Mandoline Slicer- There’s no excuse not to make your own coleslaw or cucumber salad. The Oxo Good Grips madoline is a good bang for your buck -- it comes with a straight waffle blade, a julienne, and a foodholder. It gets the job done and is easy to clean. Available at Cooking.com for $69.95.
What are your favorite kitchen gadgets?
What are your favorite kitchen gadgets?
"My favorite kitchen gadget is the refrigerator. I couldn't live without rubber spatulas. I use a 19th century nutmeg grater than I bought years ago from a antique dealer. It has a spring to hold the nutmeg so you dont grate your fingers."
Gael Greene, The Insatiable Critic
"First and foremost, the microplane grater (one of the world's "grate" inventions)
Love the "zester" and use it a lot
Mini whisk (only about three inches tall) for making glazes
Melon baller. Use if for making melon balls and scooping the seeds out for baked apples and pears."
Lynnette Scofield, Proprietor
