What's the most flexible, convenient, plug-in cooking appliance ?

[Michelle53]

Hi all,

I've been pondering adding one cooking option to my space, over and above my microwave.  I also have an electric kettle, a blender, and a french press for coffee.  I've avoided providing a cooking option thus far, due to extra cleaning, safety and, well, just the smell of cooking things I don't cook myself (I'm Vegan). 

I have very limited counter space, and it has to be something that plugs into a regular electrical outlet.  Something safe, and relatively easy to clean, that doesn't require a myriad of supporting pots, pans and utensils. 

Those of you who like full kitchens will probably shudder, but maybe hosts with tiny houses can offer some suggestions ?   

Right now, my short list of possibles includes:-

Toaster Oven

Electric Skillet

Single/double hot plate

I'm not considering crock pots or slow cookers, or anything that can be left unattended for hours. 

Suggestions, anyone ?   Other thoughts ?

Thanks !!

[Michelle53]

I have an electric wok that I just love, but figured that might be a bit too specialized, especially when it comes to having to chop a large quantity of vegetables.    It also has to be carefully cleaned, since it can't be immersed in water. 

[Debra300]

@Michelle53,

We are just about to start a project to include kitchenettes in our guest rooms.  The countertop space will be very limited, so we decided on portable induction cooktops that the guests can move around to make space.  We bought the Duxtop brand, and they make single and double burner cooktops.  I chose the side by side burner style over the dominoe burner style, because I didn't like having to reach over a hot skillet/pot to get to the one in the back.

Single burner: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01FLR0ET8/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Double: 

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07GB149V7/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[Michelle53]

@Debra300  Thanks for the suggestion. I'll take a look at that !

[Debra300]

@Michelle53,

I fully understand your reasons for considering the addition of a cooking appliance, and concerns about the required cooking tools.  We offered a shared kitchen, but received some inquiries where guests stated that they didn't want to share, and wouldn't book with us.  Our attempt to limit the spread of coronavirus is the reason why we're closing the kitchen, and installing kitchenettes in the rooms.  

I chose the induction cooktop, because a pan must be on the burner for it to heat up, and it's very easy to clean.  I buy a lot of my items from Amazon's Warehouse Deals, and for one room the total cost for one burner, cookware (not a full set), knives, cutting board, and can of fire suppressant was about $135 USD. I bought kitchen utensils (peeler, grater, measuring spoons and cups, spatulas, can opener, pizza wheel, etc.) at the Dollar Tree, and spent about $12 USD.  

[Michelle53]

@Debra300  Thanks, I appreciate the input. I'm starting to feel like I'd be creating more problems than I'd be solving with this idea. 

Originally, when I started hosting, I decided to try and go simple, and price accordingly. Circumstance has changed, but I think my original principle is still sound, for my hosting style. 

[Katrina79]

@Michelle53I think the most useful small appliances would be:

electric skillet

electric roaster oven 

rice cooker

I could almost cook anything with these small appliances. The roaster oven does work like an oven and you can put a rack inside them. 

[Kelly149]

@Michelle53 crock pot, IMO, way safer than a countertop burner. 

For reference the one thing my Barn wasn't allowed to have per zoning was an oven/stove. So we have microwave, toaster oven, crockpot, electric skillet and plug-in burner.

We also have a full-size fridge and a dishwasher.

I don't love the plug in burner, seems like it makes more mess than the other options. And if someone was going to do kind-of real cooking then I'd want them to be able to clean up well after themselves.

[Michelle53]

@Kelly149  Thanks for those thoughts. Yes, safety is my top concern, with cleanup second, since my experience is that there are always folks that don't clean up after themselves, and then I have to do it. 

I think a hotplate burner needs a lot of extra equipment, too. Pots, pans, and utensils that I don't really have the space to store.   Also, cooks like a good knife. Once one forays into cooking, I can visualize getting complaints about knives. It's starting to look like an expensive addition, and probably not worth it in a "value" listing. 

My least favorite thing to do after cleaning bathrooms is cleaning stuck-on food off cookware, and there is no dishwasher in the space, so everything has to be hand washed. 

[Kelly149]

@Michelle53 a 7 day stay where they dirty everything, but wash nothing... ugh!! I'd give them as little leash as possible!!

The toaster oven could be your best bet. Lots of 'ready to go' food service options these days where everything is prepared and in a disposable aluminum pan but needs to be popped in an oven to cook. You can even get a stack of 50 half size aluminum disposable trays at costco for about $8... they could cook a round of slice/bake cookies with some extra garbage but no extra washing up.

You'd just need to be super clear with the listing "we have a toaster over and a microwave for reheating leftovers or meals prepared off-site. We aren't a great choice for someone who wants to cook/bake a 5 course meal from scratch."

[Sarah977]

@Michelle53  One thing to be aware of is the electricity draw of various appliances. Small appliances which heat up really hot really quickly, like toaster ovens, electric kettles, irons, and hair dryers are the biggest energy sucks. 

Have guests indicated that they would have appreciated having XX or YY in the kitchen? If not, maybe what you already have is just fine. Just because you can fit something else in doesn't mean it's necessary.

[Michelle53]

@Sarah977    Most people have been just fine with what I currently offer, but, I imagine, folks have passed me by because of not having a kitchen.   I doubt adding one small appliance will make a difference there.

I've had a complaint about lacking a toaster, and other kitchen appliances, but I suspect they just did not read the listing properly.

I have had inquiries asking if there was a place to cook, where I've had to say there is only a microwave, and they've moved on. 

It didn't concern me too much when most of my stays were one or two nights. Now that things are shifting into longer stays of 4 - 7 days, I started wondering if it might be a good idea to make an addition. 

Of course, who knows what next year will be like.  Our "normal" travel season is rapidly drawing to a close - I never get much traffic November - January, so time to think about 2021. 

But again, with the way 2020 has gone, who knows ?

[Sarah977]

@Michelle53  Well, if you want guests to be able to cook, I'd say to put in a two-burner cooktop, but you wouldn't be able to hang that on the wall. And a toaster of some kind is a pretty basic kitchen appliance that almost everyone would use.

I've never had a microwave, but I though you could cook just about anything in them. I think most people are used to just heating things up in them and don't know how to do microwave cooking. Perhaps you should provide them with a microwave cookbook?

[Lisa723]

@Michelle53 without an exhaust fan and dishwasher I would not provide anything that could be used for frying. In our guest suite we provide a toaster and a little egg cooker. These require very little space and allow people to cook a hot breakfast without a lot of cleanup.

(We once had a group that brought their own electric skillet without asking, and our whole house smelled.)

[Michelle53]

@Lisa723  Thanks !  That's very helpful feedback.   If I end up doing anything, small toaster oven may be the way to go.