New Uses for Unused or Underused Small Appliances

Real Simple has a great feature on creative new uses for rice cookers, waffle irons, ice cream makers and milkshake machine. An ice cream maker can be used to make a variety of fun beverages, while a rice cooker can be used to steam towels for dinner guests, make hot cereal or non-stir risotto, slow cook soups and poach fruit. Calzones on a waffle iron and aioli in a milk shake machine are other included additional uses on the list.

Microwave

A microwave is more than a popcorn maker. Real Simple created a list of 14 new ways to use a microwave that includes disinfecting and deodorizing sponges, disinfecting plastic cutting boards, softening brown sugar, decrystalizing honey, roasting garlic and toasting nuts.

Blender

Blenders can be used for more than making smoothies. They can also be used much like food processors. With a decent quality blender, you can crush ice, chop nuts and make peanut or other nut butter. Blenders can be used to make salsa, chop, puree and mix. HamiltonBeach is just one source of many for blender salsa recipes.

Coffee Maker

Cooking soft-boiled eggs and corn on the cob are just two additional uses for a coffee maker. Coffer Maker company Keruig offers a list of uses for their coffee makers that could be adapted for other brands, as well. These uses include making breakfast, lunch and sweet treats.

Don't forget about coffee filters. There are many uses for coffee filters besides creating a great cup of brew. Daily Shot of Coffee offers a list of 24 uses for coffee filters besides making coffee.

Toaster Oven

The Kitchen offers a list of ten uses for toaster ovens that includes warming plates, toasting nuts, baking cookies and defrosting frozen ingredients.

Rotisserie Oven

Aside from chicken. roast and turkey, a rotisserie oven can be used to cook many other foods. Kabob rods can be used to cook sausage and shrimp (plain or wrapped in bacon). Basket accessories can be used to cook fish, chicken wings, a variety of vegetables, meatloaf, beef patties and pork chops. The rotisserie itself can also be used to cook prime rib, Cornish hens, duck and lamb. Desserts can also be made in a rotisserie oven.

In The Ultimate Rotisserie Cookbook: 300 Mouthwatering Recipes for Making the Most of Your Rotisserie Oven, author Diane Phillips shares dessert recipes including Caramelized Bananas with Hot Fudge, Bittersweet S'mores and Grilled Drunken Figs.

Resources:

Real Simple website.

10 Best Uses for Your Toaster Oven. Sara Kate Gillingham-Ryan. October 12, 2009. The Kitchen.com