Comments on: What appliances can you not live without?

By: LouAnn

LouAnn — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 20:29:04 +0000

I don’t like the way my clothes feel when I dry them on a line. I know dryers use a lot of energy, but I like using them. It was always such a chore to haul the clothes to the laundromat, too. In those days, it cost $10 a week to do our laundry. That was 20 years ago, and I’m sure it costs more now. $520 a year is a lot of money.

We did OK without a dishwasher when we ate out a lot. But cooking at home is a lot more fun (and more likely to happen) when you can just put the dirty dishes in a dishwasher. We only eat out about once a week now and 20 meals x 2 people is a lot of dishes. I’ve also noticed my hands, esp. nails, are in much better shape now that we’re not handwashing all the dishes.
When our kitchen was not air-conditioned, I REALLY appreciated the microwave. Now I’ve just gotten used to having it and it does save time in the kitchen.
But the little gem I really love is a toaster oven.

By: Yep

Yep — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 02:51:37 +0000

The rice cooker. This thing rocks. Drop the rice in. Fill it with water to the first knuckle. Press cook.

The new model we bought today has a steamer built in so you can steam things while the rice cooks.

By: S. Le

S. Le — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 20:27:26 +0000

Fridge, range, microwave, deep freeze, dish washer, toaster, washing machine, tumble dryer, hair dryer, computer, TV, radio, garage door opener. I WANT THEM ALL AND REFUSE TO GIVE THEM UP!!

I’m alright now. Took some cleansing breaths. Whew!

By: Dennis the Vizsla

Dennis the Vizsla — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 15:26:07 +0000

A shorter list would be which ones CAN we live without?

By: marsquat

marsquat — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 15:20:33 +0000

GOT to have a dishwasher and a hair dryer. Clothes dryers are overrated and over used in my opinion. You can buy microwaves for pretty cheap though.

By: Skye

Skye — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 04:14:52 +0000

I thought I would freak out without my toaster, but it’s been broken for half a year and I have yet to run around the house screaming. About the toaster, that it.

I would have to say the washer and dryer, given the two year old currently inhabiting the building in which I take shelter. Austin is so freakin’ humid and covered in allergens that I fear line drying, though I suspect it is unreasonable of me.

By: Cousin Russell

Cousin Russell — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 00:22:02 +0000

Lived without the lot when I was in the Peace Corps, (did have a two burner gas stovetop though), and the one that was the nicest to have available was a clothes washing machine. Washing by hand is no fun…and not very effective either…

By: Kathy M.

Kathy M. — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 23:36:45 +0000

Dishwasher. Washing machine. Dryer. Microwave. Garbage disposal. No negotiation. Take it or leave it–or rather, I do.

By: Bill Collins

Bill Collins — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 22:41:48 +0000

We do well w/o dishwasher. We could do fine w/o the microwave. If we were to replace our 4-eye electric and oven, I’d only vote for a 2-eye, better yet a 2-eye gas stove with oven. Gotta have a washer & dryer; dryer’s a convenience but it’s over rated. Gotta have a computer and gotta have a TV. I can do w/o my 8 component stereo system now that i-pod has landed. I do like cd’s though and I think it’d be neat to have an lp turntable again. None of the audio stuff is essential. I’d rather sing in choir, make real music. In our basement a dehumidifyer is a blessing, but it’s not essential. I’d love to have a clothes line; that fresh smell is heavenly. Books, they’re not appliances but they are being turned into one. Oook. Gotta have books.