What's a nifty gadget to own?

Gadget....a small mechanical device or tool, especially an ingenious or novel one.


So...what have you got?

A cell phone. Small enough to fit in your pocket; yet it enables you to talk to anyone, anywhere!

Sounds to me like you use a cell phone a lot. lol

Not sure if this counts, but I love the Salad Shooter I have.  It slices and shreds so many things (including potatoes) and saves me a lot of hassle and time.

Actually, I don't use my cell phone much at all, but you have to admit, it can certainly come in handy, especially for emergencies.

One time, for example, I was walking down the street when a young toddler who couldn't have been more than 4 years old came to the front door of his house and asked, "Where's my mommy?' When I stopped and asked what was wrong, he said, "My mommy's not here."

Two things crossed my mind. One was that I was glad I was there at the time, and not maybe somebody else that couldn't be trusted. The second thing that I thought about was that I didn't know what to tell him, but I couldn't just walk away, especially since the front door was within 15 feet of a major roadway, so I ended up calling the police, explained the situation, and waited for them to arrive. Good thing I had my cell phone!

So, you can make hash browns with your salad shooter?

cell phones are good, most times. Yet, I hear many complaints that they don't work in certain areas...sometimes, when needed most. Like any good gadget, they have their limits. I'm glad you could help the child.

Yes, you can use the salad shooter for making hash browns. lol

How about garlic presses? They are simple little tools that make it a lot easier to crush or mince fresh garlic.

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I've never used a garlic press. I have this one knife I love for just about everything! lol

If you find one at a rummage sale, I highly recommend it!

I will keep that in mind.

I am offering up the egg poacher. lol
the simpler ones will poach a few eggs at a time..either electric for counter or just a pot with water and the inserts for eggs... I loved how that worked and found one that does 12 at a time..or is it 16? Anyway, the inserts stack inside the pot... can't seem to find one like it at all to even show. Hmmm....

I don't need the picture; I know what an egg poacher is. I just haven't felt the need to poach eggs very often.

Tater Salad wrote:I don't need the picture; I know what an egg poacher is. I just haven't felt the need to poach eggs very often.

"I" need a picture! lol Seriously, I can't find one like it at all! I know how to use a simple one layer poacher, but this four level one has me stumped!  As for poaching eggs, I am not fond of eggs by themselves, but this way seems a little more to my liking. lol And it's a plus that it's not electric..it can be used on a camp fire! Hahahaha!!

Okay... how big is too big to be considered a "gadget" or do they come in all sizes?

Hmmm, Idk! Maybe we should ask Inspector gadget.
You know what's a great gadget? Flash drives!
More memory than your last computer had, and it fits in the palm of your hand!

Electric can opener.. great when you have arthritis.

Good one Lorry; they're very convenient even if you don't have arthritis.

Hmmm... I think "nifty gadget" is also going to depend on individuals and their daily activities and likes. lol 

What about this? It's one of my latest acquisitions and I love it! No gas, no electric.. just push power!
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They're great if you have the time, strength, and energy.

Well, that's what I was saying...maybe those nifty gadgets depend on who uses them or sees a use for them. As for me, I love that tiller... very cost efficient and I can use it even when I have no gas or electricity.  I did a small garden with it..  

How about this...hand blender/immersion blender...
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The tiller would certainly come in handy for a small garden, and would definitely be easier than turning the soil over one shovelful at a time.

The immersion blender would be great for milkshakes or smoothies. Or even if you just want to blend a few strawberries into a glass of orange juice...(trust me, strawberry puree and OJ go great together)

The tiller is basically what many Amish still use..
It can do a big garden area. lol It's not all that hard to use. I was really surprised at how it worked.

Many people are saying they don't need their blenders now that they use those immersion blenders. I have tried the immersion blenders and was really surprised at the power behind them.

Actually, one of the most useful gadgets for a lot of things is the simple, humble clothes pin. For example, you can use two or three of them to close a bag of chips and keep them fresh. Yeah, you can buy a chip clip for about a dollar, but for the same price, you can get 50 or maybe even a hundred clothes pins. I'm talking about the ones with the spring, like this:

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If you are just blending a drink, they work great; I've seen a lot of bartenders use them. But will they pulverize ice for a frozen drink?

Tater Salad wrote:If you are just blending a drink, they work great; I've seen a lot of bartenders use them. But will they pulverize ice for a frozen drink?

Maybe it depends on what you pay for?

A cd player... I couldn't do without my music.

Good one, although they have now pretty much been replaced by iPods/MP3 players.

I still have my cd player that I have had for the past 20 odd years. I am an old fashioned girl.. lol

Tater Salad wrote:Good one, although they have now pretty much been replaced by iPods/MP3 players.

I still have cassette players and record players....as well as the CD players. lol

maybe a small radio is best..you get all kinds of music, but also weather and news, etc....

I still have my old record player too Breezey. I love it. I hardly ever listen to a radio. I watch the news at night to see what's happening in the world and to see the weather... I am stuck still listening to music from the past.. The 80's music is fabulous.

You know what else is a nifty gadget?
A digital meat thermometer. Set it and forget it, and it beeps when it's done.

I've never had one of those Tater. But I have heard they are great

Tater Salad wrote:You know what else is a nifty gadget?
A digital meat thermometer. Set it and forget it, and it beeps when it's done.

I actually have a couple laying around, but have never used one. lol

I have been finding I love steamers... I have a bamboo one with three layers that you just use with any pot or pan...versatile for grill or even fire pit. lol

I love steaming veggies, as they are much better tasting and better for you if you don't overcook or boil them. But wouldn't the bamboo burn in a fire pit?

Digital meat thermometers are great because they are much more accurate than a regular probe thermometer, and they are programmed so you can set it for the type of meat you are cooking, and in the case of a beef roast, you can choose whether you want it rare, medium rare, medium well...And you don't have to check on it. Just wait till it beeps, and it's done!

Another great 'gadget': cordless phones. We are are old enough to remember how tangled the cords used to get, plus, you had to be within a few feet of wherever the phone was plugged in or attached to the wall..

I have cordless phones and like them. My sister doesn't. She loves a wall phone I gave her that is made to look like the really old ones...it is already vintage. lol Anyway...she claims regular phones sound and work much better. She may be right because ours stinks when internet goes out and other inopportune times... the company went digital.

Does she think records sound better than CD's too?

Tater Salad wrote:Actually, one of the most useful gadgets for a lot of things is the simple, humble clothes pin. For example, you can use two or three of them to close a bag of chips and keep them fresh. Yeah, you can buy a chip clip for about a dollar, but for the same price, you can get 50 or maybe even a hundred clothes pins. I'm talking about the ones with the spring, like this:

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I have those! Lots of them! I use them for the intended use! lol

Upon reading the definition I posted for "gadget" I do believe my tiller is not a gadget in that sense? 

so, let's try this.... Misto!
Just Fill, Pump, and Spray! Easy as 1-2-3 1. –Fill bottle HALFWAY with oil. 2. – Tighten screw collar and pump cap until resistance is felt. 3. – Remove cap and press nozzle to spray. 
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This is a better way for spraying oil...no cans and no added "crap".

A remote control for a garage door. Great when it's pouring down cats and dogs.

Breezey, is that for use instead of PAM?


Garage door openers are especially good for someone like my mom, who is 81 years old and has arthritis. She could never park her car in the garage if it wasn't for the automatic garage door opener.

How many gadgets do we actually really need?

Tater Salad wrote:Breezey, is that for use instead of PAM?


Garage door openers are especially good for someone like my mom, who is 81 years old and has arthritis. She could never park her car in the garage if it wasn't for the automatic garage door opener.

Exactly! no more spray cans from stores with "stuff" added.

lorry p wrote:How many gadgets do we actually really need?

That's a very good question! For each of us, the gadgets needed varies as will our ideas of what is needed.

lorry p wrote:How many gadgets do we actually really need?

We don't need many of them but you have to admit, some of them come in very handy!

I do have to admit that.. lol.. (:

Okay, how about a stud finder?
(No, not THAT kind of stud)

Tater Salad wrote:Okay, how about a stud finder?
(No, not THAT kind of stud)

LOL never used one...never owned one... 
Either kind!

They really come in handy for hanging pictures.

Who.. the stud or the stud finder comes in handy for hanging pictures?

pencil.... so simple but allows communication, thoughts to be written and read....