Which gadget deserves a comeback?

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Posted at 5:25PM, 27 September 2010 by Sarah Sysum - Assistant editor, Easy Cook magazine

With the gold-plated SodaStream set to become the must-have retro bling Christmas pressie and Seventies camel coats back in fashion, isn't it time we dusted off other kitchen classics?

Firstly let's take the hostess trolley, a formica monstrosity on wheels generally divided into three covered dishes on top and a warming drawer, all designed to keep your pre-prepared food at the correct temperature whilst you hand round the cheese and pineapple sticks. I have mixed feelings about them; they take up space, generally don't look particularly great and can turn meat to the texture of rubber if the meal is kept waiting too long. On the other hand, who hasn't wanted to prepare a buffet even a couple of hours ahead?

Moving on to the sandwich maker, manufacturers are constantly trying to reinvent this classic. Firstly we had panini makers, now 'deep stuff' versions suitable for the "thicker, gourmet sandwich". Time to bring back the original I say; nothing quite says toasted sandwich like the deep-filled semi-fried outer casing with molten lava cheese in the middle.

Yes, you can buy electric ice crushers now but do they really have the visual appeal of a fat smiling snowman?

And what about the snowman ice crusher? Proof, if needed, that I've been a gadget freak since the age of eight, I recently found in my parents loft my treasured Mr Frosty; for those uninitiated you bung your ice cubes into his head, replace his hat and start turning. The crushed ice is then delivered into the technically labelled tummy tray. Yes, you can buy electric ice crushers now but do they really have the visual appeal of a fat smiling snowman?

Of course comeback kids are possible - just look at the success of the Teasmade. When customers of a well-known department store clamoured they couldn't get it anymore, the store obliged with a new model albeit with a few modern tweaks. It sold out before Christmas.

So come on everyone, why don't we have a Facebook group campaigning for the reintroduction of a snowman-shaped ice crusher? Unless anyone has any better ideas of what we should ask for?

Comments

Nicola

28 September 2010, 8:20AM
Nicola

Wow - a teasmade would be good...surely that would make waking up a little easier, if you had a nice hot cuppa waiting!! I want one now!

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rozmorgan

28 September 2010, 10:01AM
rozmorgan

I want a snowman ice crusher for Christmas. It's the kitsch value. I must have one. Only for Christmas mind, it would have to live in the cupboard for the rest of the year.

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jansrecipes

30 September 2010, 2:56PM
jansrecipes

I don't think my 'children' have forgiven me for not buying them a Mr Frosty. Now you've found yours perhaps you could share it with them for a few hours. In fact, I really even wanted one myself!

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Ellie Reade

1 October 2010, 1:04PM
Ellie Reade

My Nan bought me a Mr Frosty when I was a kid....loved it - had a few near misses with the rotating grating blade...but still have all my fingers! Also recently borrowed an old soda stream...but they've changed the size of the gas bottle so you can't seem to get it any more....a cunning sales scheme me thinks?

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Tessa

3 October 2010, 3:20PM
Tessa

We had a terrific version of the 'teasmade', made I think by Russell Hobbs. It has a matt black china base like a teapot, without the lid - teabag(s) here. Into the top fitted a chrome 'cushion shape' which you filled with water and an electric plug element fitted into that vertically. You had to add your own cups or mugs to a tray and a small thermos of milk, but we loved it. It was such a classy design - although writing this it doesn't sound it! When you woke you just pressed the little red switch on the top and when the water boiled it came down into the teapot. Voila - tea's'made! I would love to see it sold again.

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brianh

19 October 2010, 10:34AM
brianh

ha! would love a teasmade, maybe when the children are older and dont wake us up so early. one thing I wouldnt want back is an electric carver they always seemed absolutely pointless

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Kerry

20 October 2010, 3:30PM
Kerry

I blew up my sodastream by putting flat Pepsi in it, thinking that would put the bubbles back in... Nope. Oh to be 12 again! My mum still uses her hostess trolley at Christmas, but that's it. I'll pass on the snowman ice crusher, I've got a crusher on my fridge. Show-off. :-)

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BRENDA BROWN

20 October 2010, 9:45PM
BRENDA BROWN

Would love a more modern version of the teasmade. The one we had years ago was great but rather cumbersome. something sleek would be lovely...

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Margaret

22 October 2010, 8:13PM
Margaret

My son has also never forgiven me for refusing to buy him a Mr Frosty. He's 30 now! I am currently looking for a replacement for my mum's old Nutbrown pastry blender. The paint has all gone on the handle and it's starting to show it's age. It's great for making crumble toppings.

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Hip Pressure Cooking

24 October 2010, 7:14AM
Hip Pressure Cooking

Pressure cookers, definitely. They deserve a comeback and can put your microwave to shame!

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Anne

13 December 2010, 9:47PM
Anne

Too young to remember a teameade. But I loved my friends mum's soda stream. I always pestered my mum to buy one but she thought it was impractical.

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