Great Galley Gadgets

Carolena · Sep 21, 2015

Some of our favorite galley gadgets:

Induction cook plate - heats up amazingly fast, temps are spot on, and it doesn't throw as much heat into the cabin in summer as the built-in propane stove. We've also used it on the dock several times for fish fries and boils, as we cannot have open flames.

Victrinox chefs knife and knife safe. We have very nice knives at home, but this thing is great for the price. The safe allows us to throw the knife in a drawer (we have them for other size knives as well).

Oxo silicone dish drying mat. Easy to clean and it keeps things from sliding around.

And cannot forget the Cuisinart coffee maker - the two large insulated cups are perfect for the two of us.

Pineapple Girl · Sep 21, 2015

Diesel Duck 492 said:
Have to call you out on this one Marin.

Cuisinart is a brand not a specific product... Much like "trawler" is a specific type of fishing vessel.

So which "Miniature Cuisinart" product are you referring to?

Waffle maker
Coffee maker
Blender
Convection oven
Crockpot
Griddle
Beverage maker
Baby bottle sterilizer
Bakeware
Can opener

And the list goes on and on.......

https://www.cuisinart.com

Well I understood him to mean a food processor. I have a miniature cuisinart at home. It's a kitchen aid brand mini food processor.

Pineapple Girl · Sep 21, 2015

You guys have posted some interesting gadgets. I may have to consider if I need to add anything to my galley. My favorite thing is by Fisher & Paykal dishwasher drawer but it's a little big to call a gadget.

ronlord · Sep 21, 2015

FlyWright said:
I almost hesitate starting this thread on the same section where the hottest topic is head repair, but since we have no Galley Section, here goes. If you just came from the Toilet Paper thread, please wash your hands or wear gloves before continuing on this post.

Have you got that perfect galley gadget that really makes a difference on the boat? It can be store bought or something like a homemade knife storage system. Something that works really well on the boat? Great for limited storage? A good system for drying dishes?

I've got a new gadget that I love cooking with; an electric skillet. I bought this lightweight, ceramic coated aluminium (for you blokes!) Presto skillet at my local Kohl's store. After using all my wife's coupons, I almost made money on the deal!

It's listed as 1250W 120V but on my Kill a Watt, it pulls just 1050W...and that was at a low 108V. With better voltage, I could probably run it with my little 1000W POS inverter, but it'll be just fine on the Honda eu2000i.

This pan is efficient, precisely adjustable and extremely easy to clean. I like to bring left-overs onboard to reheat, but the microwave is not always the best option for taste and crispness. I also like to cook fresh veggies onboard. This little skillet holds a lot and browns nicely.

At 12 inches, it takes a bit of storage space, but I have a spot where it fits perfectly. With protection, items can be nested within the pan to conserve space.

My cost out the door...$25. One of the cheapest things I bought for the boat this year. But I like it so much, it's at home now in daily duty.

We have one and love it!

However our favorite gadget is the Induction cooktop, we bought this one from Amazon and haven't used our Princess range once since we got it.

Heats instantly and has a power display in watts. You can cook on as little as 200 watts all the way up to 1300.

FlyWright · Sep 21, 2015

ronlord said:
However our favorite gadget is the Induction cooktop, we bought this one from Amazon and haven't used our Princess range once since we got it.

Heats instantly and has a power display in watts. You can cook on as little as 200 watts all the way up to 1300.

Has anyone tried to operate one of these induction cooktops on a MSW inverter?

Britannia · Sep 21, 2015

Pasquini Livia 90 Espresso Machine

Rancilio Rocky Burr Grinder

Behmor 1600 Coffee Roaster (technically not a galley gadget since it's used in the cockpit)

Yes - I'm a coffee snob too!!

Richard

MYTraveler · Sep 21, 2015

Three things:

1) Beni Hana table on my mezz deck;

2) Sous Vide cooker -- The Anova product doesn't take up much room and attaches to most any pot;

3) Chamber vacuum packer, convenient for sous vide cooking, but really great for long-term freezer storage of most anything.

ronlord · Sep 21, 2015

FlyWright said:
Has anyone tried to operate one of these induction cooktops on a MSW inverter?

I'll try tonight and let you know. The only thing so far I have found that won't run off the inverter is our heated mattress pad. We have a Heart Freedom 10 with a Link 2000.

CaptTom · Sep 21, 2015

We've just started playing with our pressure cooker on board this year. We've made some great meals during the hour or so we'd be running the genset anyway to heat water and charge the house bank. Once it's at pressure you can pretty much unplug it and it keeps on cooking until the pressure is released.

The next step will be to use it underway as a slow cooker, via the inverter. This seemed like a great idea, but it means planning and preparing the evening meal before getting underway in the AM, which is too much like a schedule to have gained much traction on our trips this year.

Another nice gadget is a microwave egg poacher. Look for one with a flat bottom if you like "McMuffin" sandwiches, or a rounded one if you like the traditional poached egg look. Less than one minute of microwave time means no need to fire up the noisemaker. Tip: a tiny spray of oil makes cleaning the cooker much easier.

Moonstruck · Sep 21, 2015

fryedaze said:
We cook underway with a crock pot. It took us a while but we found one that fits in the sink so it doesn't get tossed in heavy seas. It only draws 700 watts and the 2000watt inverter and two 150amp alts handle it easily.

Yep, cooking along the way is what we do.

When it's my turn to cook Stouffers frozen dinners are the galley gadget I use.

dwhatty · Sep 21, 2015

Moonstruck said:
Y

When it's my turn to cook Stouffers frozen dinners are the galley gadget I use.

They (and their ilk) are what I would prefer. Quick, easy and no pots or dishes for the designated scullery person (me) to deal with. Unfortunately, my better half won't allow them in the larder. I get to buy and eat them only when I'm aboard by myself for dinner.

She likes to cook full meals aboard, which usually means copious pots, utensils and dishes for the aforesaid (that's a legal term) scullery person to wash up.

Life afloat can be a bit**ch sometimes.

RT Firefly · Sep 21, 2015

Greetings,
Rather than:

I much prefer:

MUCH better for whisking flat pans when making gravies and sauces.
Gets into the corners better.

markpierce · Sep 21, 2015

I can see that, RT. Never seen it before.

BruceK · Sep 21, 2015

Al`s electric skillet, which we call an electric frypan, is useful and versatile.
My childhood memories of seeing the contents of the pressure cooker on the ceiling still put me off using one.
We love our espresso machine, I know the onboard machine has been done to death on TF, but proper coffee is a joy onboard,and if you like ruining coffee with milk you can foam milk with it. We have a small grinder so beans are fresh ground. And "to go" cups, for the occasional neighbour request.

FlyWright · Sep 21, 2015

Good thought...we carry a small number of disposable cups for friends, too.

My Cuissinart pressure cooker has several layers of safety devices to prevent inadvertent release of pressure and contents. There are electronic controls and mechanical locks that must all work in concert to allow the lid to be opened. Also, years ago the 'stone' would go flying if the pressure built up beyond a safe limit.

Today's machine does not have that scary trait. :nonono:

Forkliftt · Sep 22, 2015

Moonstruck said:
Yep, cooking along the way is what we do.

When it's my turn to cook Stouffers frozen dinners are the galley gadget I use.

Don we keep a 20 oz Stauffers Mac and cheese in the freezer- Patrcia heats it in the micro wave, then seasons s little and stirs in a can of tuna. Easy and yum.

Forky
1983 Present 42 Sundeck
Twin Lehman 135's

ronlord · Sep 22, 2015

FlyWright said:
Has anyone tried to operate one of these induction cooktops on a MSW inverter?

Tried it last night and it did run just fine off the MSW inverter, a Heart Freedom 10.

Codger2 · Sep 22, 2015

We got ours (a NuWave) as a gift and proceeded to try it in the presence of the gifters. Steaks were our first effort and they were done to a "T". Grease spatter was the big culprit and the clean up took quite some time. When cooking anything that might "spatter", a cake saver that covers the cook top might be a good idea!

NuWave PIC - Precision Induction Cooktop - Seen on TV | NuWavePIC.com

menzies · Sep 22, 2015

what_barnacles said:
ah for you sir. This will certainly restore the balance of primitive mans need for flavor.

The One Hour Indoor Pressure Smoker - Hammacher Schlemmer

The only downside is the first time you use it, you quickly find out its too small to smoke everything you have in the fridge at once. LOL

Just sent her the link.

kolive · Sep 22, 2015

Coffee making is paramount to morning cruises so we use a Cozyna hand Burr grinder and an AeroPress coffee press. Smoothest cup of Coffee I have ever made. Not a French press at all, easy simple and quick clean up.

http://www.amazon.com/Cozyna-Cerami...442932210&sr=1-2&keywords=Cozyna+burr+grinder

Amazon.com | AeroPress Coffee and Espresso Maker with Bonus 350 Micro Filters: Espresso Machine Replacement Parts: French Presses

what_barnacles · Sep 22, 2015

Nordicware's microwave slow cooker can cook a pot roast in 25 minutes. Tastes great and saves hours of generator run time.

FF · Sep 23, 2015

I dont carry it aboard , but taking all the SS pots off and spending a while at the buffing wheel seems to ielight the bride.

Ditto with removing all the knives for a quick pass om the belt sander with a fine emery belt.

what_barnacles · Sep 23, 2015

But I like rust on my steak knives, it saves on seasoning.

gaston · Sep 23, 2015

what_barnacles said:
But I like rust on my steak knives, it saves on seasoning.

Australian steak is so tender you don't need a knife

what_barnacles · Sep 23, 2015

gaston said:
Australian steak is so tender you don't need a knife

I was lucky enough to live in Townsville between the ages of 9 and 13. I don't remember much about the meat tenderness but I definitely remember the countryside. Awesome place.

caltexflanc · Sep 23, 2015

Ann wants me to add that in her expert opinion, the best gadget by far that she bought was a vacuum sealer, and as the grateful recipient of her wonderful cooking, I have to agree. We can stock up at Costco and the taste and texture difference it makes in freezing meat, fish and chicken is tremendous. She also uses it for thick sauces.

In addition, we found many other uses including preserving small batteries and other spare parts prone to corrosion and exposure.

what_barnacles · Sep 23, 2015

Good call on the vacuum sealer. If you seal your fresh caught fish without rinsing off the filets before hand they will taste just a fresh a year later.

Codger2 · Sep 23, 2015

caltexflanc said:
Ann wants me to add that in her expert opinion, the best gadget by far that she bought was a vacuum sealer,.......

We can stock up at Costco and the taste and texture difference it makes in freezing meat, fish and chicken is tremendous.

My brother who cruised the Sea of Cortez for many years also used a vacuum sealer and stocked up on foods from Costco, as well. He said it was the best thing he ever learned about cruising. Since I was aboard on a couple of those trips, I heartily agree!

Moonstruck · Sep 23, 2015

gaston said:
Australian steak is so tender you don't need a knife

Yeah, road kill is the same way.

Moonstruck · Sep 23, 2015

Forkliftt said:
Don we keep a 20 oz Stauffers Mac and cheese in the freezer- Patrcia heats it in the micro wave, then seasons s little and stirs in a can of tuna. Easy and yum.

Forky
1983 Present 42 Sundeck
Twin Lehman 135's

Steve try it with Costco canned chicken.

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