The Best Money-Saving Kitchen Gadgets

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I have too seen grated cheese that is no less expensive lately. I like the ease of buying grated cheese, but I don't like the additive they add to it to keep it from sticking together. Also, it goes bad faster than a chunk of cheese...so it would less expensive to buy a chunk if you have to throw out moldy cheese

my2cents of OK 6:44PM April 15, 2009

As an avid couponer, I know from experience that shredded cheese is actually cheaper (when you find a good sale). I believe it's because shredded cheese can be made from scraps at the factory.
Also, using a cheese grater is way too time-consuming for large quantities. A food processor would be more efficient for this.

Cheezy of IL 6:03PM March 31, 2009

Not so sure about the cheese grater. I used to agree with that, but lately our grocery has had shredded and loaf cheeses of the same weight for the same price.
I would second the microwave purely for its ability to reheat serving size portions rather than firing up the range or oven to reheat a quantity. Now, if only I could get Scoob to understand this. He's constantly griping about the PG&E bill...

Wayward of CA 3:16PM March 29, 2009

One of my most cost saving items in the kitchen is containers with different spaces under one lid. I often use these to make up homemade tv dinners that my husband can then take to work or we can enjoy on a night when everyone wants something different for dinner.
Another thing we do is keep a running grocery list on the fridge and when someone adds to the list, we look though the coupon stash we keep and then clip the coupon for our item to the grocery list. Then before the major trip of the week or month, we go through our coupons and find any that are ready to expire.
Hope those help someone!

April of CA 11:19PM March 27, 2009

love these ideas! I didn't think of the storage aspect of vacuum bags.

Kimberly Palmer of DC 12:15PM March 27, 2009

Your choices are great! Wouldn't have thought of the cheese grater -- I use my food processor for the job! Here are a few more:
1.) Reynolds or Zip-Lock vacuum bags. No need for a pricey vacuum machine, and I still can buy on-sale meats in quantity and have 'em looking and tasting great when I want!
2.) Don't forget your microwave! (Ever wonder why you never see one on the Food Network?) Using it to "steam" or "Stir-fry" fresh, on-sale, vegetables beats heating up your kitchen, saving on your air-conditioning bill -- and your electric bill if you use an electric range. Don't forget to use it for blanching vegetables, prior to freezing! No need to heat a giant pot of water, just use a few tablespoons.
3.) Your microwave also makes GREAT gravies -- without lumps, if you use quick-mix flour (Wondra.) Not a great money saver, unless you figure time is money!

Sanford (Sandy) Brown, Big Pine Key of FL 12:06PM March 27, 2009