In conjunction with Dr. Jaffe’s latest “In the Kitchen” video, we wanted to take a closer look at a few kitchen appliances and devices that he cannot live without, and suggests that you invest in too.*
Dualit® Bagel Toaster. The Dualit 4 Bun Slice Toaster was developed to produce the perfect bagel (or bun) by “toasting one side of the bun whilst warming the other.” The toasters are hand built in the UK and are considered commercial grade. They are meant to be serviced, rather than replaced, if issues should arise. One online review noted, “Put it this way. The biggest problem you’ll have with a Dualit toaster is deciding which child to leave it to in your will; it’ll outlast you.”
Dr. Jaffe loves that it’s large enough for sliced gluten-free, grain-free bagels or four pieces of toast. The bottom opens easily so any crumbs or remnants are easy to remove, and the wires and internal components are high quality. Each Dualit toaster comes with a one-year guarantee.
The “Classic” model that Dr. Jaffe owns is preferred; you can recognize it by its lever on the front. There is a newer Chinese-made model with a spring action mechanism on the side. That one is less expensive and far less durable, according to online reviewers. Be sure to look for the Handmade in the UK designation.
Kitchen Aide® Mixer with Vegetable Spiralizer. Dr. Jaffe has had his KitchenAide Mixer for more than 25 years, so the exact model is no longer being sold. This one is similar from the consumer line, and there are also commercial grade models available. Dr. Jaffe also suggests the possibility of buying one used, to save on costs.
The base mixer comes with a variety of attachments including a dough hook and a wire whip, beaters, scrapers, etc. And there are many attachments that can be purchased separately including a vegetable spiralizer, food processor, food grinder, and more. Be sure to check out the KitchenAid website for any featured sales and discounts.
Zojirushi® rice cooker. Dr. Jaffe purchased his rice cooker awhile back, and at that time, the inside pot was made of stoneware. If possible, you’ll want to find a rice cooker that has a stoneware or ceramic pot rather than non-stick, coated metals available now. We recommend choosing grasses over grains, using the cooker to prepare wild rice and other grasses like millet, buckwheat, fonio, amaranth, and quinoa. The appliance does the work and senses when your grasses are perfectly ready. We like to add bouillon or broth at the end, and add our favorite herbs and spices for flavor.
Kuhn-Rikon® pressure cooker. This is a high-quality Swiss-made pressure cooker. Dr. Jaffe has been using his for more than 30 years! These pressure cookers have an integrated locking system with four safety steam releases for maximal safety. Dr. Jaffe loves that his is so easy to use and easy to clean up. Their website notes that their pressure cookers “will cook high-fiber, low-fat foods in record time… [while preserving] essential vitamins and nutrients.”
Villaware® Waffle Iron. Dr. Jaffe’s waffle iron is a heavy, old fashioned appliance that whistles to let you know the waffles are done, but doesn’t turn off until it is unplugged. His version is no longer being made, as VillaWare merged with another company in 2003. You can purchase one used on eBay or one of the other reseller sites.
Although one typically thinks of waffles as being made with wheat flour, we recommend choosing a recipe that is free of oil, sugar, and grains. Some suggestions would be using grass-based flours such as buckwheat, or nut-based flours such as almond.
Breville® Food Processor. These food processors are truly top of the line. They come with an ultra-durable BPA-free bowl and lid, and a variety of accessories, depending on the model chosen. You can use them to prepare entire meals, or components to air fry or oven roast. They are easy to clean, as well.
A few of our recipes make use of a food processor. Check out our Zucchini Noodles with Oil-Free Herb Pesto Sauce, our Sugar-Free, Oil-Free Marcona Almond Butter, our Fluffy Mashed Cauliflower, or our Sugar-Free Chocolate Avocado Pudding Recipe, for just a few ideas. To find others, navigate to our Consumer Blog, and type in “food processor” in the search bar and see what else comes up!
Breville Air Fryer. It cooks and roasts and toasts and does everything, including air frying. It has a very easy to use basket, and is nearly entirely plastic free. Their Smart Oven® Air Fryer Pro also has a dehydrator feature.
We have previously written an entire blog post on Air Fryers, and have created a few recipes that make use of an air fryer! Check out our Air Fryer Summer Salmon Tacos, our Air Fryer Apple / Sweet Potato Chips Two Ways, and our Flavor-Packed, Oil-Free, Sweet Potato Fries for some delicious and healthy meals and snacks.
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In summary, we recommend that you invest in your health by investing in some high-quality kitchen appliances and devices to help make your meals nutritious and delicious. Happy cooking!
*Note, we are not associated with or affiliated with any of these products, and any recommendations are solely those that Dr. Jaffe uses personally in his home.