The following post is brought to you by my love for all things Hamilton Beach.
Sure, in some instances, I was sent the product for review – and other times, I’ve had the product for years. But the fact remains that my kitchen is crammed to capacity with these terribly innovative products that just happen to be affordable too.
Toaster Ovens. Hand Blenders. Waffle Makers and more… what’s not to love?
Hence, I thought it was only fitting to start the new year off right with a few of Hamilton Beach’s most loved small appliances. If you’re looking for a little help in the kitchen this year, here are my tried and true favourites from a brand you can trust.
Instant Hot Water DispenserThis is one of those items that I didn’t know I needed until I actually started using it. Every day. Multiple times per day. Oh yeah.
Here’s the deal: with Ryder starting school this past September, we’ve all been sick… well, every freaking week. No lie; I swear I spend more time taking the boys’ temperature than checking my e-mail. And so I’ve spent the better part of the last three months making tea, liquid medicine concoctions, spiced cider… anything to make me feel like my head is not about to pop off. Normally, I’m the type to boil water on the stove, but when you’re indulging in hot beverages 4-5 times per day, it can get tedious – quickly. Enter the Instant Hot Water Dispenser.
Now I actually took a video of the dispenser in action, but even after adding my witty commentary, I realized there is just no way of hyping up a product that boils water (nor would I subject y’all to a 1:13 demonstration of said product). But nonetheless: with a quick boil function, adjustable water flow from 150 – 300 ml and smart safety features (the unit automatically turns off when water boils), this is THE product for tea drinkers or anyone who needs hot water in a hurry. The 1.8 L reservoir ensures that you’re not refilling the unit all day long, but is not so big that water remains dormant and stale over days. I also love that it has a convenient stop button which immediately cuts the flow of hot water when you’ve reached the desired amount – another safety feature that prevents overflowing and well, scalding. #ouch
If there’s one item you pick up during cold and flu season, make sure it’s the Instant Hot Water Dispenser!
6 Quart Set ‘N Forget Programmable Slow Cooker
The truth is, Hamilton Beach makes SIXTEEN slow cookers and they’re all pretty great depending on your needs. But my fave happens to be the 6 Quart Set ‘N Forget Programmable Slow Cooker. What sets it apart? Well, here’s a fact: slow cooked meals should never taste like slop. If they do, your cooker has overcooked the meat, plain and simple. But come on – slow cookers aren’t mind readers! They have no idea what you’ve put in, how much of it, etc – they just know to exude constant low heat for a set amount of time. And that’s where the Set ‘N Forget Programmable Slow Cooker comes in.
The product includes a temperature probe and a programmable internal temperature shift, which automatically shifts the slow cooker from cooking to “keep warm” once the proper internal temperature is reached. So, you’ll never have to constantly monitor the meal, and you’ll never come home to meal that is overcooked. Roasts fall of the bone without shredding to pieces. Chicken breasts remain plump and juicy without resembling a soupy mess. It’s perfection.
Panini Press Gourmet Sandwich Maker
I don’t actually own the Panini Press, but after seeing it in action at a friend’s house over the holidays, it is officially on my wish list for 2013. And, I may have spent more time admiring the sandwich maker that day than taking care of my kids (a girl’s gotta do her research, right?). With its commercial-style floating lid, it evenly presses sandwiches up to 3 inches thick. We did prosciutto with arugula and baby mozzarella on traditional white panini buns. (If your mouth just watered, totally understandable.)
In case you’d rather grill than press, the lid locks in an upper position for bruschetta, pizza and open-faced sandwiches. Love the versatility! And with large non-stick grids, you know you can press to your heart’s content, because cleanup will always be a breeze. Just like the Belgian Style Flip Waffle Maker (read my review here), it’s another example of how Hamilton Beach brings commercial ingenuity and quality to your kitchen – for less.
Quesadilla MakerBy far one of my favourite small appliances! The Quesadilla Maker sees much action in this house – and can you blame us? Restaurant-quality quesadillas in 5 minutes. OMG.
The product, like all good quesadilla makers, seals the edges for a super easy snack. Your options are only limited by your imagination! We’ve made traditional Mexican chicken and beef quesadillas, but we’ve also experimented with:
Peking Duck (shredded duck, green onions, Hoisin sauce and grated mozzarella)
Greek chicken (shredded roasted chicken, feta cheese, thinly sliced red onion and kalamata olives)
Pecan, Havarti and Pear (self explanatory and sooo good!)
Portabello Mushroom (avocado, mozzarella, portabello mushrooms and sun-dried tomato)
Caramel Apple Pie (butter, apple, brown sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg)
The locking lid means less mess, and cleanup is as simple as a wipe with a damp cloth. And here’s the clincher – you can find this item for about $20! That’s right – it’s currently on sale at Sears for $23.88, and you can find it everyday at Walmart for $24.88. If you have picky eaters, quesadillas are a great way to “hide” stuff – we’ve successfully camouflaged salmon, onions and broccoli :)
And there you have it! My Hamilton Beach must-haves for 2013. Click here to visit Hamilton Beach.
Tell me – what’s your favourite kitchen gadget or gizmo?
Mine has to be my counter top flavorwave oven
I really think it’s time I looked into these Debbie. Hear so much about them!
I really like my Vitamix!
I have always wanted a panini press. Looks like fun.
Every time we go to a home show my husband begs me for a Vitamix, but we have way too many gadgets as it is!
I kinda like the sandwich maker. Will be a great addition to my kitchen!
Somehow the hot water machine sounds weird.For $89?! A stove and a flask will work equally well. An electric kettle will do the same job and is cheaper too.
Yeah, I’m actually quite surprised at the $89 price tag, especially for Hamilton Beach, whose products tend to be more affordable. But it’s not just a hot water dispenser – it’s an INSTANT one, so for those who want hot water in a hurry, I suppose it’s worth the investment.
My crockpot has to be my favorite. Love to start it in the morning and supper is ready on time.
Doesn’t it make dinner so simple and great?
i want the gourmet sandwich maker!
Me too :) Even though I said I’d cut down on carbs in 2013, ha!
Hard to pick a fav! I love both my Tassimo and my Keurig coffee makers, but as for most used it would be my Sanyo Microwave.
My husband would say the same thing, except the coffee makers would be first (and most used too!)
quesadilla maker?! never knew such a thing existed!
YES! It is life changing Angie, LOL
An instant hot water dispenser? WHAT! Cool.
Totally cool! Tea in 60 seconds :)
I LOVE my Slowcooker – while it isn’t as fancy at the HB one (which I now know I need.. and I mean NEED) it is still in high use in my home!
That’s the thing about the programmable slow cooker from HB… once you see it, you NEED it!
……. and now I need that quesadilla maker. Everything you listed sounds so delicious!
Oh they are so good! You must grab it!
I don’t really have a favourite gizmo but my new favourite one is the instant hot water dispenser you featured. I drink at least 6 cups of tea per day so this is on my next shopping list. Thanks for profiling it.
NP! Happy to introduce it to you – cheers!
Quesadilla maker? haha awesome! :) My husband would love that! As for myself, I would LOVE the hot water dispenser! I usually drink at least 2 big cups of tea a day. That’s one thing I miss about our old water cooler/dispenser, the instant hot water! Although I will take my good-tasting tap water at our new place over our yucky tap water at the old!
Oh Nicole you would adore the quesadilla maker. There’s virtually no cleanup and it cooks evenly every time! And, happy to hear you now have good-tasting tap water!
Reading this post made me realize that I NEED more kitchen gadgets in the house… It would make life so much easier and more delicious! I would love a Quesadilla Maker!
Time to stock up Jenny! Here’s to making 2013 more delicious!
I love the Gourmet Sandwich Maker.
It’s so awesome, isn’t it?
I have the slow cooker model you mention. If you don’t already own it — DON’T BUY IT!!!!! I asked for it on my bridal registry, to my eternal regret. It just cooks way too hot. If you leave a large roast in the cooker on the low setting for 8 hours, it will taste burnt and have the texture of shoe leather. It doesn’t matter how juicy and expensive the cut. I mourn the loss of my (cheaper) old crockpot, which I tossed when I received this shiny, fancy-looking new one. Beyond that, if you check out reviews, you’ll find that the cooker often just “shuts off” on its own. I plan on buying a new slow cooker — but it definitely won’t be Hamilton-Beach.
So interesting Janice! It’s funny, because most people I know either love or hate this model – and for the people who hate it, it’s always the same thing – the fact that it shuts off on it’s own! Wonder if it’s a manufacturing defect on some of the older models? (I’m assuming yours would be from 2007)… regardless, thanks for weighing in. It’s on my “must-have” list because we’ve never had a problem with ours, but then I always cook for 4-6 hours on medium heat (wonder if that makes a difference at all). Anyhoo, I’ll cross my fingers that ours will continue to serve us well!
My Vitamix is my favourite and most-used appliance hands down.
Every morning green smoothie (and yup it tastes good), then my go-to sip at my am desk soup in my oversized mug that I also make in the Vitamix.
So obsessed am I that I have pre-made bags of frozen vegetables, precooked chicken, onion and Parm regiano cheese. This I put in the blender with organic soup broth for 8 min and I have steaming hit delicious cheesy vegetable soup! My kids make I’ve cream and frozen hot chocolate all summer Iong and I freeze my choc chai tea in ice cubes and add to frozen strawberries and cinnamon for my own frozen treats. We can do without any other appliance around here but this one.
Well worth the money (and geeez it’s expensive)! Costco has them a few times/year for $75+ less.
My next wish list is the grain blade so I can make fresh flour out of Quinoa or almonds, it’s actually quite simple. Don’t kid yourself though, although I do eat more vegetables every day than most peeps do in a week, I do consume my fair share of junk a well, but at least most of it is healthy ;o)
Debbie
WOW Debbie, I absolutely have to show my husband your comment! He’s been lusting after a Vitamix for years. It sounds so incredibly versatile!
I would worry about the hot water dispenser with my kids(especially the oldest) . they love to press buttons and the oldest loves to play with water. i have a tassimo coffee maker and my son is always turning it on and pushing the start button. luckily it wont turn on without inserting a new t-disc or the cleaning disk. we tried unplugging it but my sneaky little guy just climbs up on the couter and plugs it back in.
we have a slow cooker and love it. my son likes when we make beef stew in it.
the panini press and the quesadilla maker look good. my husband usually makes quesadillas in the oven with the broiler and has to keep a close eye on them. never tried making a panini at home but they are delicious.
Francine, you’re right to worry about the hot water dispenser if your kids are likely to play around with gadgets. Once you hit the boil button, hot water will disperse and if you’re not careful someone can get burned – badly. For our part, we have the dispenser at the back of our countertop and our kids are trained NEVER to touch our appliances. But really, you know your kids best and have to safeguard your house accordingly!
The Panini press gourmet sandwhich maker looks awesome! would make for fast and fresh meals for us, we are always on the go and it looks very well made! would love to try that one!
Sandwiches are perfect for families on the go, and I love that the Panini Press gives you the option of fresh, hot sandwiches!
Hello, L2L. I do not have a favourite gadget. I do like your article with the Hamilton Beach reviews I have been considering buying a Hamilton Beach slow cooker though and I did not know that they have quesadilla makers. Thank you for the information, L2L.
You’re very welcome Michelle! I think you’d love the quesadilla maker – we use it quite often, with amazing results. Enjoy!
I NEED a panini maker!! I’m addicted to the Chipoltle Turkey Paninis at Tim Hortons. Toasty bread, melty cheese, and the spicy yet creamy chipotle sauce..mmmm..craving one now!!
Mmm… that sounds SO good – you’re totally making my mouth water!
very very neat..
the hot water dispenser that is.. doh! I did submit too quick
Hahaha thanks Candi!
Oh I so want a Panini Press. I love Panini’s and I would save so much money if I had one of my own. I usually go to my local coffee shop and grab one at least once a week. I want one! Thanks for all the Hamilton Beach product reviews.
You’re welcome Lee! I think if you grab paninis once a week it would be well worth the investment!
My sister sent me a Hamilton Beach Slow Cooker a few years ago when Sara and I were living in Ottawa (Barrhaven). We have been back in Victoria, BC for a while now. I love my slow cooker. I have made two soups in the last week…split pea with ham and carrots…curry lentil…I have been trying to have lighter dinners to help with the weightloss plan.
Mmm…. Teresa, those soups sound divine!
I’d really enjoy the Quesadilla Maker! I believe that my grandkids would love it if I had it too lol
Hadn’t thought about a Instant Hot Water Dispenser before but I can see where it would come in handy in our house, will have to check it out
I now want that HB sandwich maker, everyone is raving about it!
These small appliances are really cool and I bet really helpful