Our favourite kitchen gadgets…in the back of the cupboard

A recent story we spotted caught our eye. Apparently us Brits have a whopping £11 billion (yes, billion, that’s not a typo) worth of kitchen equipment that we never actually use.

A company called HelloFresh conducted the research which showed we each have approximately £415 worth of gear and gadgets and utensils in our kitchens which never, ever see the light of day. Probably after a disastrous or far too time consuming first outing, like our spiraliser.

For every one person who never uses their bamboo steamer, of course there’ll be another who uses it every other day. But as a rule, it is very easy to get caught in the moment with these things, and see yourself as a wannabe Nigella Lawson or James Martin, when in fact you’re more of a 20-minute supper-on-the-table kind of person.

Some of the gadgets which are buried deep in our kitchen cupboards include sushi mats, sous vides, tagines, pasta makers, potato ricers, pestle and mortars, tapas or souffle dishes, waffle makers and even professional chef knives (not sure why you wouldn’t use those – everyone needs a good set of knives!)

Of course, bread makers and ice cream makers also made the list – and there must be quite a few homes which have them taking up worktop space and gathering dust. It sometimes seems a bit of an effort knocking up your own granary, when you can buy so many wonderful, freshly made local loaves at reasonable prices.

Expensive barbecues and outdoor grills also got a mention fairly high up the list – so it’s not only our kitchens which are affected, our gardens are getting in on the act too!

Almost 60 per cent of those surveyed said they had no idea how to use the equipment – which seems odd if it’s just a tapas dish as that’s not exactly difficult. But we can understand if it’s more about not having the confidence to knock up a batch of fresh pasta, or the time to roll your own sushi.

But not only are we collecting gadgets and then having buyer’s remorse, we’re also stocking up on random foods when we go somewhere on holiday. More than half of the people surveyed said they had brought items home from a trip with the intention of cooking recipes they’d tried there – but many ended up throwing the likes of herbs, spices and cured meats in the bin. Those who did try it out said it was either a ‘disaster’ or nothing like the dish they’d had on holiday. We’ve all been there.

But have no fear. Hunters are here to help. Got a kitchen gadget that’s filling you with fear? Hanging on to a random ingredient you’re not sure what to do with? Trying to recreate a holiday recipe that just isn’t working? We all love our food here at Hunters, and if we can help by recommending ingredients, alternatives, help or advice, we’re happy to do so. And if you want to just discuss pointless kitchen gadgets we’re also happy to oblige. Now, where’s those escargot forks?