Specialty Kitchen Appliances

1. You know what a kitchen needs and you've taken care of it immediately. You've got a toaster oven, a quality blender or juicer, a monster food processor and a great coffee maker. What you need are ideas to help you trick out your kitchen better than anyone else in the neighborhood. That's why you're here.

2. The popularity of the popcorn machine has gone downhill ever since the advent of Orville's microwave revolution. We think it's a shame, because it just isn't the same. It's not as hot, not as delicious, and not as fun. Anything that comes out of a microwave is subject to inconsistency, and that can't be tolerated on movie night.

3. Ice cream makers never really went out of style, but they aren't included in the pantheon of kitchen appliances because for most they're only good for part of the year. That may be true, but if you want to find out just how easy it is to replicate those boutique ice cream shops that sell their product at 15 bucks a pint, there's only one way to do it right: at home.

4. Whether you're looking to make yourself the perfect Cubano or just invent pressed sandwiches on the fly, you'll need a quality Panini press or sandwich maker. These things are brilliant at speeding up the time to ingestion and putting a perfect golden crust on your bread. And, if you're into it, the slightly charred cheese on the edges isn't bad, either.

5. Indoor grills are also worth having a look at. These helpful kitchen devices come in both electric and propane varieties for you to enjoy the pleasures of grilled food year round. Don't get too excited, if you expect smoky, charcoal-like flavors, they're pretty tough to replicate without the real thing. But you'll still love the results.

6. While not for everyone, of course, the chocolate fondue fountain deserves an honorary mention. It's a sure-fire hit at your next dinner or cocktail party. Perhaps best of all, you can put super expensive chocolate in there, but people will be so enthralled with it, you can use the cheap stuff, too.

7. The relative to which the chocolate fountain owes its existence, the fondue pot, is a little more practical and just as fun. These kids can be had for as little as $30 and allow you to easily serve a variety of sauces, dips and cheeses.