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debm55

(62,406 posts)
Fri Jun 12, 2026, 02:01 PM Friday

What is the greatest gadget that you ever owned? Can be for the kitchen, personal care,workshop., garage, or any other

place, I don't care if you post more then one. It can be used now or was used until a better gadget was invented. Mine was the sponge on a stick for cleaning the back. And an ice crusher. And you? Small appliances can be included too--crock pot.

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What is the greatest gadget that you ever owned? Can be for the kitchen, personal care,workshop., garage, or any other (Original Post) debm55 Friday OP
TV DURHAM D Friday #1
Thank you very much, for sharing with us, DURHAM D debm55 Friday #2
My husband Ziggysmom Friday #36
That is so sweet of you, Ziggysmom. May his memories be a blessing to you. debm55 Monday #51
It has to be my Sodastream EverHopeful Friday #3
Sparkling water is MY drink and I've often thought about buying one of those! Diamond_Dog Friday #10
I love mine for sparkling water and use it everyday! sheshe2 Friday #20
Does she mean it's a pain to find the canisters or replacing them in the machine? EverHopeful Friday #21
Sorry - I meant to say it's a pain to have to acquire them Diamond_Dog Friday #23
I no longer drink sodas because of my enjoying sparkling water kimbutgar Friday #35
add a shot of tequila and you have a ranch water cocktail DBoon Monday #52
That sounds wonderful. I am going to look into that.Thank you EverHopeful. debm55 Monday #55
I started using mine more once I moved it next to the refrigerator! spooky3 Monday #58
A Furminator. It's a pet grooming tool. Ocelot II Friday #4
Thank you, very much, Ocelot II. I need one of those. debm55 Monday #56
Hori Hori Knife rog Friday #5
That, too! Great for dividing hostas. Ocelot II Friday #19
Thank you very much, rog, for sharing. debm55 Monday #59
I am particularly fond of my French butter keeper, aka butter bell. 3catwoman3 Friday #6
So you don't have to refrigerate it? Maraya1969 Friday #30
No, you do not. The butter keeper sits on the kitchen counter... 3catwoman3 Friday #37
It looks great. I may have to get one since I am tired of getting hard butter from the refrigerator all the time Maraya1969 Saturday #39
Kerry Gold is what we get, too. 3catwoman3 Saturday #40
Thanks. Good advise. I am surprised at how much butter I eat Maraya1969 Sunday #42
That sounds very interesting . Thank you very much for sharing, 3catwoman3 debm55 Monday #61
A telescoping back scratcher. Diamond_Dog Friday #7
HAHAHHAAHHAHAHha. Thank you, Diamond_Dog. I love the idea of the telescoping back scratcher. debm55 Monday #62
Chef of the Future The Wizard Friday #8
HAHAHHAHHAHAH, Thank you so much, The Wizard. debm55 Monday #63
Without a DOUBT, deb... some_of_us_are_sane Friday #9
That's great!!!!! Thank you very much, some_of_us_are_sane. debm55 Monday #64
that's a tough one.... mike_c Friday #11
Thank you very much for your wonderful selection. mike_c. GREAT.❤️ debm55 Monday #65
Wooden Spatula no_hypocrisy Friday #12
Fantastic, Thank you very much, no_hypocrisy. debm55 Monday #66
This is a hard one Grim Chieftain Friday #13
Yes, I agree with you, Grim Chieftain. I love my microwave.❤️ debm55 Monday #67
my Mikita drill WhiteTara Friday #14
Thank you very much for sharing with us, WhiteTara. I am getting all these new ideas for gadgets. debm55 Monday #70
Does my desktop PC count? And my printer. CTyankee Friday #15
Since I make yogurt 2x weekly, probably the Instant Pot--before I used heating pads, coolers, and hlthe2b Friday #16
That would be my John Deere Utility tractor. Emile Friday #17
ZipSnip LogDog75 Friday #18
I'm gonna look for the ZipSnip. CrispyQ Monday #71
Air fryer. lpbk2713 Friday #22
DVD Recorder LoisB Friday #24
Hoof Pick Pharlo Friday #25
My golf gps, tells me the distance, hit the right club. dem4decades Friday #26
I have two of them. The Madcap Friday #27
Wow 🤔 definitely my crockpot. My stove died so my toaster oven. DVR and computer. TommieMommy Friday #28
I love my egg cooker. Just set it up and it beeps when you have hard boiled, (or soft boiled Maraya1969 Friday #29
Oh , I like that. Thank you Maraya1969, I have never seen one like that. I want one. debm55 Monday #50
Bamboo back scratchers that I bought at Pier I for 99 each. CrispyQ Friday #31
HAHAHHHAHAHAHHA. Thank is so funny. Thank you for sharing with us. CrispyQ. debm55 Monday #49
Robot vacuum cleaner (dry and wet) enough Friday #32
Thank you very much for sharing with us. enough. Did you see that they have one for cutting the lawn in the yard??? I debm55 Monday #48
Folding potato masher k55f5r Friday #33
Great!!!!!!! Thank you k55f5r for sharing. What a great idea. debm55 Monday #47
I'm only going to attempt to keep my list down Niagara Friday #34
I love my battery operated candles. zanana1 Saturday #38
I love the ambiance, especially in winter months Niagara Yesterday #79
Thank you, Niagara. What a wonderful list of gadgets. I really like my battery operated candles. The rest of your list debm55 Monday #46
The tiny clip on musical tuner. I have them on all my instruments and no matter how noisy it is, it works without fail. KitFox Saturday #41
Thank you very much, KitFox for sharing, I have the old fashioned upright grater. debm55 Monday #45
My Les Paul Guitar and the Accompanying Fender Twin Reverb. NNadir Monday #43
HAHAHAHHA. Thank you very much, NNadir for sharing with us. debm55 Monday #44
Too hard to narrow down! buzzycrumbhunger Monday #53
Fantastic, buzzycrumbhunger. Thank you for sharing. debm55 Monday #77
A good three bladed pocket knife. marble falls Monday #54
Thank you very much, marble falls. I have a Swiss Army knife with all these little gadgets-scissors.corkscrew, etc. debm55 Monday #76
The Little Attachment For My Drill... ProfessorGAC Monday #57
Great gadgets, ProfessorGAC. Did you see the new lawnmower they have out? it works like the carpet cleaner but cuts your debm55 Monday #75
Titan Peeler and Julienner displacedvermoter Monday #60
HAHAHHAHHAHAHHAH. Thank you displacedvermotor. That sounds like a great gadget. debm55 Monday #74
Felco # 2 pruners Botany Monday #68
Those are great for gardening and cutting back branches. Thank you so much for sharing, Botany. debm55 Monday #69
My kindle and kindle holder Alpeduez21 Monday #72
Agree with you and thank you for sharing with us. Alpeduez21. I love using mine. debm55 Monday #73
1Zpresso X-Ultra manual coffee grinder Pinback Monday #78
A bit late to the party TexLaProgressive Yesterday #80
My 3D printer vanamonde Yesterday #81

EverHopeful

(722 posts)
3. It has to be my Sodastream
Fri Jun 12, 2026, 02:16 PM
Friday

Think it's the only thing I use every day. Never used to get close the whatever the current recommendation is for water drinking but now I meet and even exceed hydration recommendations.

Diamond_Dog

(41,414 posts)
10. Sparkling water is MY drink and I've often thought about buying one of those!
Fri Jun 12, 2026, 02:29 PM
Friday

A friend has one and she told me that although she likes it, replacing the CO2 canisters is a pain.

sheshe2

(98,921 posts)
20. I love mine for sparkling water and use it everyday!
Fri Jun 12, 2026, 02:50 PM
Friday

Nah, the canister is easy to change… u just need to get the hang of it.

Saves a lot of recycling too! The canisters are not inexpensive however they make 60 L per canister and if you compare that to the price of soda it saves you money.

EverHopeful

(722 posts)
21. Does she mean it's a pain to find the canisters or replacing them in the machine?
Fri Jun 12, 2026, 02:51 PM
Friday

During the pandemic all the stores around here couldn't seems to keep them in stock so I now have too many canisters 'cause I'd ordered new ones online.

As far as replacing them in the machine, the newer models have what's called "Quick Release" fittings and they're pretty easy to replace.

Diamond_Dog

(41,414 posts)
23. Sorry - I meant to say it's a pain to have to acquire them
Fri Jun 12, 2026, 03:22 PM
Friday

and the only store in her area that takes the empty ones for …. redemption? …. recycling ….? is out of the way for her.

This was a couple years ago she told me this, so maybe the system has changed over that time.

kimbutgar

(27,687 posts)
35. I no longer drink sodas because of my enjoying sparkling water
Fri Jun 12, 2026, 07:01 PM
Friday

And I put a little lime juice in it for time to time!

spooky3

(38,976 posts)
58. I started using mine more once I moved it next to the refrigerator!
Mon Jun 15, 2026, 01:01 PM
Monday

D’oh!

Lazy me didn’t like walking across the room to get chilled water then fizz it up.

The cola flavoring I use is too sweet but I add a little lemon juice and it’s fine.

Nice not to have to lug the expensive (pre-2024, used to be $4 for a 12 pack; now it’s at least double that) sodas home then recycle the cans.

Ocelot II

(131,685 posts)
4. A Furminator. It's a pet grooming tool.
Fri Jun 12, 2026, 02:24 PM
Friday

With that thing I can get enough loose fur off a cat to build another cat with.

3catwoman3

(30,049 posts)
37. No, you do not. The butter keeper sits on the kitchen counter...
Fri Jun 12, 2026, 07:58 PM
Friday

...all the time. Been doing this for years, with no ill effects.

The device has 2 parts. The top/lid/bell has a cylindrical part into which you put the butter. The bottom gets water put in it to a level sufficient to act as a seal to keep air away from the butter when you invert the lid and put it into the bottom part.

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/Qc4MJsvc8gE

Maraya1969

(23,624 posts)
39. It looks great. I may have to get one since I am tired of getting hard butter from the refrigerator all the time
Sat Jun 13, 2026, 06:21 PM
Saturday

I started buying Kerry Gold butter and I think if I stopped that I would definitely go for another organic grass fed butter. One thing I noticed in my old butters is they would take on the smell of the refrigerator -- or they would just develop a bad smell and I hated it.

3catwoman3

(30,049 posts)
40. Kerry Gold is what we get, too.
Sat Jun 13, 2026, 09:38 PM
Saturday

The one caution I would advise, no matter what brand of butter you buy, is to be careful not to let bread crumbs get in the butter. That can happen if you have spread butter onto whatever, decide it's not enough and go back for more with bread crumbs stuck to the knife. The bread crumbs will get moldy.

I'm careful about this, but my husband is not.

Diamond_Dog

(41,414 posts)
7. A telescoping back scratcher.
Fri Jun 12, 2026, 02:26 PM
Friday

Bought from the hardware store where they were displayed at the register! $1.98.

Great question, Deb!

debm55

(62,406 posts)
62. HAHAHHAAHHAHAHha. Thank you, Diamond_Dog. I love the idea of the telescoping back scratcher.
Mon Jun 15, 2026, 01:13 PM
Monday

some_of_us_are_sane

(3,836 posts)
9. Without a DOUBT, deb...
Fri Jun 12, 2026, 02:29 PM
Friday
It is definitely THIS:



from Amazon when we moved... and live on the 8th floor now.

PERFECT for getting our many bags of groceries upstair on the elevator. One trip does it! iT'S ALL collapsible, easy to use and WONDERFUL!

mike_c

(37,152 posts)
11. that's a tough one....
Fri Jun 12, 2026, 02:30 PM
Friday

Computers, cameras, microscopes, Kitchen-Aid attachments, electric kettle, cars, and tools. Too hard to pick just one!

Grim Chieftain

(2,264 posts)
13. This is a hard one
Fri Jun 12, 2026, 02:36 PM
Friday

I guess my microwave. It's great for heating up food and making baked potatoes. It really helps keep the heat out of the kitchen during warm weather months.

WhiteTara

(31,297 posts)
14. my Mikita drill
Fri Jun 12, 2026, 02:37 PM
Friday

It's lightweight and powerful, and the batteries last forever! I love it!

debm55

(62,406 posts)
70. Thank you very much for sharing with us, WhiteTara. I am getting all these new ideas for gadgets.
Mon Jun 15, 2026, 02:01 PM
Monday

hlthe2b

(115,059 posts)
16. Since I make yogurt 2x weekly, probably the Instant Pot--before I used heating pads, coolers, and
Fri Jun 12, 2026, 02:38 PM
Friday

microwave to heat the milk--every way possible to make it, but with the Instant Pot it is so much simpler. Plus it sautes', slow cooks, steams, you name it. But, that yogurt setting is worth it all to me.

Second: My very reliable US-made (at least mine was) VitaMix Blender. Mine has to be 15 years old by now and I've had (knock on wood) no problems with it and use it at least once or twice weekly--EOD in warmer months to make smoothies.

Third: My Zojirushi Insulated Hot Water Boiler-- keeps water at preset temps for instantly available coffee pour-overs, teas (of all kinds), hot chocolate, Matcha, or whatever one wishes. And since it is insulated, it uses little energy except to boil the first time if you let it run empty.

LogDog75

(1,439 posts)
18. ZipSnip
Fri Jun 12, 2026, 02:45 PM
Friday

I got this using my VISA Rewards points. I use it for cutting down boxes and opening blister packs. It beats using a box cutter or scissors. Nice thing about it is it's rechargeable.




I bought this compressed air duster to clean my keyboards and other items where it's hard to reach to clean. It's rechargeable, has 3-speeds, 180,000 rpm, and comes with a couple of attachments.




Magic Twist Ties for tying charging cords. There are magnets at each end and the cord stretches so you can easily connect both magnets.


CrispyQ

(41,174 posts)
71. I'm gonna look for the ZipSnip.
Mon Jun 15, 2026, 02:40 PM
Monday

The duster looks cool, too. Lots & lots of dust in CO!!

The Madcap

(2,120 posts)
27. I have two of them.
Fri Jun 12, 2026, 05:46 PM
Friday

Coffee maker that does not require paper filters (not a Keurig). It has a washable screen that serves the same function.

Weed trimmer head with three line attachment points that allows for line to be cut to approximately 1 ft lengths and inserted as needed. No more rolling up a spool of line and tapping only to have it tangle.

Maraya1969

(23,624 posts)
29. I love my egg cooker. Just set it up and it beeps when you have hard boiled, (or soft boiled
Fri Jun 12, 2026, 05:56 PM
Friday

eggs.

?v=1773169205&width=600

CrispyQ

(41,174 posts)
31. Bamboo back scratchers that I bought at Pier I for 99 each.
Fri Jun 12, 2026, 06:06 PM
Friday

I bought four & here's where I keep them: 1. bedside 2. beside my LR chair 3. at my home desk 4. at my work desk. When I retired the work one went to the basement in my craft area. They are not only good for back scratching, but for reaching items & playing with your kitty.

debm55

(62,406 posts)
48. Thank you very much for sharing with us. enough. Did you see that they have one for cutting the lawn in the yard??? I
Mon Jun 15, 2026, 12:39 PM
Monday

need that.

Niagara

(12,373 posts)
34. I'm only going to attempt to keep my list down
Fri Jun 12, 2026, 06:46 PM
Friday

To a small roar.




Kitchen: Geek Chef combination air fryer/oven/toaster/broiler & the dishwasher because I hate washing stuff by hand

Bathroom: Hair products for unruly 2b style hair and flat iron

Living room: My PC

Bedroom: Battery operated candles

Yard: Hummingbird and Oroile feeder

Garage: My bicycle 🚲 And my DIY Halloween decor

Utility room: Front load washer. I've had mine going on 7 years now and I won't ever go back to an agitator style

zanana1

(6,590 posts)
38. I love my battery operated candles.
Sat Jun 13, 2026, 07:10 AM
Saturday

The flame looks real and I don't have to worry about a certain cat pushing them off the shelves and starting a fire.

Niagara

(12,373 posts)
79. I love the ambiance, especially in winter months
Tue Jun 16, 2026, 12:15 PM
Yesterday

I haven't had living feline companions for 3 years now but that's the original reason why I got battery operated candles to begin with.

debm55

(62,406 posts)
46. Thank you, Niagara. What a wonderful list of gadgets. I really like my battery operated candles. The rest of your list
Mon Jun 15, 2026, 12:33 PM
Monday

is great.

KitFox

(610 posts)
41. The tiny clip on musical tuner. I have them on all my instruments and no matter how noisy it is, it works without fail.
Sat Jun 13, 2026, 11:49 PM
Saturday

It uses a tiny nickel size lithium battery that lasts and lasts. In the kitchen, probably my microplane grater that I use so often for zesting citrus, and grating garlic, ginger, and hard cheeses. 😊

NNadir

(38,789 posts)
43. My Les Paul Guitar and the Accompanying Fender Twin Reverb.
Mon Jun 15, 2026, 09:22 AM
Monday

I used to know how to play them too.

buzzycrumbhunger

(2,343 posts)
53. Too hard to narrow down!
Mon Jun 15, 2026, 12:51 PM
Monday

I think my computer and phone are probably at the top of the list (I’d be a total hermit by now if I couldn’t get “out” and interact with someone—anyone), but the gadget I probably use the most is my Instant Pot. I have an air fryer lid for it, so it’s a crock pot, air fryer, steamer, and steps up almost every damned day in one way or another.

debm55

(62,406 posts)
76. Thank you very much, marble falls. I have a Swiss Army knife with all these little gadgets-scissors.corkscrew, etc.
Mon Jun 15, 2026, 06:22 PM
Monday

ProfessorGAC

(77,575 posts)
57. The Little Attachment For My Drill...
Mon Jun 15, 2026, 01:00 PM
Monday

...that speeds up changing guitar strings by a factor of 5!
So simple; so cheap; but it works so well.
#2 would be my electric lawn mower.
#3 would be my kitchen mandolin.

debm55

(62,406 posts)
75. Great gadgets, ProfessorGAC. Did you see the new lawnmower they have out? it works like the carpet cleaner but cuts your
Mon Jun 15, 2026, 06:06 PM
Monday

grass. Thank you for sharing.

displacedvermoter

(5,175 posts)
60. Titan Peeler and Julienner
Mon Jun 15, 2026, 01:06 PM
Monday

Loved the commercials, too. Guy had a great accent, Julienned the hell out an eggplant!

debm55

(62,406 posts)
69. Those are great for gardening and cutting back branches. Thank you so much for sharing, Botany.
Mon Jun 15, 2026, 01:54 PM
Monday

Alpeduez21

(2,083 posts)
72. My kindle and kindle holder
Mon Jun 15, 2026, 05:32 PM
Monday

I download books and the kindle is attached to the head board with a bendy arm. The holder also comes with a remote page turner. I just nestle up under the covers and never have to expose any thing Just press the remote and keep reading. I got so lazy I made a small holder that keeps the remote in my palm so I don’t even have to hold it. Just move my thumb to turn the page Every night I fall asleep reading. It’s the epitome of lazy luxury

Pinback

(13,694 posts)
78. 1Zpresso X-Ultra manual coffee grinder
Mon Jun 15, 2026, 06:30 PM
Monday

Adjustable grind size for different roasts / brewing methods, almost silent (so I can grind beans for my gourmet-ish single-cup pourover coffee without waking my wife), and portable for traveling.

The heptagonal burr grinding mechanism gives you consistent granules for a tasty brew. Made in Taiwan, precision engineered, and very durable. Coffee nerds can spend more money on even more rarified gear, but for me this thing is perfect.



TexLaProgressive

(12,814 posts)
80. A bit late to the party
Tue Jun 16, 2026, 12:15 PM
Yesterday

This is a gadget I use nearly every day. Mine is so old that it was a gift by an electric supply company. Nobody gives stuff with their name on it anymore, they charge extra. Anyway here’s one that is shinier than mine..
?v=1720111807&width=1220

vanamonde

(246 posts)
81. My 3D printer
Tue Jun 16, 2026, 12:56 PM
Yesterday

Seems like I am always repairing broken things around my house. Now, when I can't find parts, in many cases I can just gen up a 3D model and print it. There's lots of different filament types for any job, whether the part has to be flexible, or strong, or a given color. Over the last year I have printed up dozens of handy little gewgaws and repair parts.

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