Top 10 Products for the Changing American Family from IHHS 2015
This year at the 2015 International Home and Housewares Show, the AIMsights Group continued our yearly tradition of selecting the Top 10 Products that appeal to a specific housewares market segment. This year, we searched for top products for the Changing American Family and a fit with the Kaleidoscope Marketing TM that will reach these new households.
As Millennials form independent households, they are challenging the old models of what defines a family. There were roughly 23 MM married couples with children in 1960, the so-called “ideal” family of that era– and the same number of this type of family in 2010! This statistic is crucial for home and housewares marketers! In the 50+ years since 1960, the number of households in the U.S. has doubled…while this number of married households with children has remained the same. Over 99% of the growth has been in other types of households – with the most dramatic growth in one and two-person households.
This growing complexity of the American Family creates fresh and ever-changing opportunities and challenges in the creation of successful products, businesses and marketing strategies. Kaleidoscope Marketing reaches these families through a lens that is many-faceted, multi-colored and ever-changing as we look to the marketplace.
Below are our picks for the Top 10 Products for Kaleidoscope Marketing to the Changing American Family. Click on each item to read more about how it fits in with these new families.
Which item would you most like to have in your home and for what reasons? And please share your observations about your experiences with the Changing American Family!
1. OXO GreenSaver Produce Keeper
The greatest new household growth is in the creation of single and two-person households. -And anyone who’s ever lived on their own knows how quickly produce ripens and rots when you don’t have a large family to help eat it! OXO’s new GreenSaver Produce Keeper uses an all-natural carbon pack to absorb the ethylene gas that causes produce to ripen, extending the life of your produce by days or even weeks. A single-person household can eat healthy and smart — purchasing produce without worrying that more food will be wasted than eaten.
The greatest new household growth is in the creation of single and two-person households. -And anyone who’s ever lived on their own knows how quickly produce ripens and rots when you don’t have a large family to help eat it! OXO’s new GreenSaver Produce Keeper uses an all-natural carbon pack to absorb the ethylene gas that causes produce to ripen, extending the life of your produce by days or even weeks. A single-person household can eat healthy and smart — purchasing produce without worrying that more food will be wasted than eaten.
2. Fortessa Plaza Dishes
As the American family evolves and changes, many traditional housewares items are a poor match for their needs. The 16-piece sets that worked well in the 1960’s do not make sense for many of today’s households. Today’s families need the dinnerware pieces that work for one or two-person families, as well as multi-generation and self-defined households — all with different needs than the traditional “mom, dad, and two children” model. Fortessa has clearly responded to this trend. Their display at this year’s Show invited customers (and consumers) to choose, mix and match — and select just the right tabletop pieces for their lifestyle. Individuals and families can buy what they need, select specific sizes and shapes that work for their household, and skip what they won’t use – and have fun choosing! The versatile white color combined with Fortessa’s restaurant-quality strength means they’ll be gracing the Changing American Family’s tabletop for years to come.
As the American family evolves and changes, many traditional housewares items are a poor match for their needs. The 16-piece sets that worked well in the 1960’s do not make sense for many of today’s households. Today’s families need the dinnerware pieces that work for one or two-person families, as well as multi-generation and self-defined households — all with different needs than the traditional “mom, dad, and two children” model. Fortessa has clearly responded to this trend. Their display at this year’s Show invited customers (and consumers) to choose, mix and match — and select just the right tabletop pieces for their lifestyle. Individuals and families can buy what they need, select specific sizes and shapes that work for their household, and skip what they won’t use – and have fun choosing! The versatile white color combined with Fortessa’s restaurant-quality strength means they’ll be gracing the Changing American Family’s tabletop for years to come.
3. Swiss Diamond Nonstick Double Burner Griddle Pan
In smaller one and two-person households, space is at a premium. Multi-function products that simply work are sure to hit a sweet spot. The Swiss Diamond Nonstick Double Burner Griddle Pan is a “must have” for the space-conscious household. On the stovetop, the pan works as a griddle, cooking eggs, grilled sandwiches, meats and more. In the oven, the pan works as a baking and roasting tray and can safely take the heat — to 500 degrees, perfect for everything from roasted vegetables to cookies. And the nonstick surface makes cleanup fast and simple – with no hard-baked greasy residue.
In smaller one and two-person households, space is at a premium. Multi-function products that simply work are sure to hit a sweet spot. The Swiss Diamond Nonstick Double Burner Griddle Pan is a “must have” for the space-conscious household. On the stovetop, the pan works as a griddle, cooking eggs, grilled sandwiches, meats and more. In the oven, the pan works as a baking and roasting tray and can safely take the heat — to 500 degrees, perfect for everything from roasted vegetables to cookies. And the nonstick surface makes cleanup fast and simple – with no hard-baked greasy residue.
4. Lodge 10.25 Inch Skillet
Single and two-person households are increasingly a very deliberate lifestyle choice. People are actively choosing to remain single or live a child-free life. This purposeful decision-making extends into the kitchen and home. These consumers evaluate the purpose and need for products and are drawn to quintessential, tried-and-true staples. And what’s a more perfect representation of this quest than cast iron? Lodge has been a trusted cast iron producer for 100 years and the 10.25″ skillet is one of their classics. Moving from the stovetop to the oven, this skillet does the job of multiple kitchen products. The 10.25″ is “just right” — large enough to handle most jobs but small enough to fit nicely in cabinets. And it is one of the few pieces in the kitchen that gets better with time, so savvy customers know they will have it (and love it) for life.
Single and two-person households are increasingly a very deliberate lifestyle choice. People are actively choosing to remain single or live a child-free life. This purposeful decision-making extends into the kitchen and home. These consumers evaluate the purpose and need for products and are drawn to quintessential, tried-and-true staples. And what’s a more perfect representation of this quest than cast iron? Lodge has been a trusted cast iron producer for 100 years and the 10.25″ skillet is one of their classics. Moving from the stovetop to the oven, this skillet does the job of multiple kitchen products. The 10.25″ is “just right” — large enough to handle most jobs but small enough to fit nicely in cabinets. And it is one of the few pieces in the kitchen that gets better with time, so savvy customers know they will have it (and love it) for life.
5. Holstein Housewares Dog Treat Baker
Pets are members of the American family. The 1960’s concept of “owning” a pet has been replaced by being a “pet parent.” 55% of pet households use the terms “mommy” and “daddy” when talking about their relationship with their pets. In the Changing American Family, there are more households with a pet than a child. And these “pet children” are nurtured, treated, celebrated and much-loved. What better way to treat your pet and visiting pet guests than natural, healthy homemade treats!! The new Holstein Housewares Dog Treat Baker (coming soon to retailers near you!) makes it simple and easy to whip up an absolutely fresh batch of treats for special occasions and every day.
Pets are members of the American family. The 1960’s concept of “owning” a pet has been replaced by being a “pet parent.” 55% of pet households use the terms “mommy” and “daddy” when talking about their relationship with their pets. In the Changing American Family, there are more households with a pet than a child. And these “pet children” are nurtured, treated, celebrated and much-loved. What better way to treat your pet and visiting pet guests than natural, healthy homemade treats!! The new Holstein Housewares Dog Treat Baker (coming soon to retailers near you!) makes it simple and easy to whip up an absolutely fresh batch of treats for special occasions and every day.
6. Blendtec Classic 575 Blender
Today’s brides and grooms are not only older than in past generations, they have a different mindset. Marriage has shifted from an act of “optimistic beginners” to “established winners”. And many of these couples live together for years before tying the knot. As a result, they’ve already acquired many of the items historically found on wedding registries. Their gift registries now include high performance, commercial grade, higher ticket items like the Blendtec Classic 575 Blender. And popular crowdfunding websites make it easy for wedding guests to chip in together to help the new couples upgrade their kitchens and lifestyles.
Today’s brides and grooms are not only older than in past generations, they have a different mindset. Marriage has shifted from an act of “optimistic beginners” to “established winners”. And many of these couples live together for years before tying the knot. As a result, they’ve already acquired many of the items historically found on wedding registries. Their gift registries now include high performance, commercial grade, higher ticket items like the Blendtec Classic 575 Blender. And popular crowdfunding websites make it easy for wedding guests to chip in together to help the new couples upgrade their kitchens and lifestyles.
7. Trudeau Bamboo and Melamine Mixing Bowls
It would be hard to have a conversation about quintessential products without mentioning Trudeau’s Bamboo and Melamine Mixing Bowls. These colorful, clean design bowls not only look great on the counter, they work! Form truly follows function. They are perfectly balanced in your hand and have a non-slip base which works at an angle as well as flat surfaces for comfortable, “see-in” mixing. The no-drip pour spout makes it easy to transfer the contents and they nest perfectly for compact storage. They are lightweight, yet sturdy enough to handle tough jobs. All-in-all, a classic product that gets the job done, and is sure to be appreciated by the function-conscious Changing American Family.
It would be hard to have a conversation about quintessential products without mentioning Trudeau’s Bamboo and Melamine Mixing Bowls. These colorful, clean design bowls not only look great on the counter, they work! Form truly follows function. They are perfectly balanced in your hand and have a non-slip base which works at an angle as well as flat surfaces for comfortable, “see-in” mixing. The no-drip pour spout makes it easy to transfer the contents and they nest perfectly for compact storage. They are lightweight, yet sturdy enough to handle tough jobs. All-in-all, a classic product that gets the job done, and is sure to be appreciated by the function-conscious Changing American Family.
8. Joseph Joseph Extend Dish Rack
Contrary to popular notions, the single-person household in this Changing American Family is not a lonely one. Quite the opposite, in fact. Singles are closer with friends, siblings, parents, and neighbors than couples with children. They love to entertain and invite friends and family to share their homes. The Joseph Joseph Extend Dish Rack is a perfect fit for this type of household. Its small size makes it ideal for use in a single-person household, freeing up valuable counter space while still providing room for daily dishes. But the beauty is in its extension feature, nearly doubling in size to accommodate more dishes when entertaining. Combined with the versatile draining system and the moveable (or removable) silverware tray, this product fits well in any single-person household.
Contrary to popular notions, the single-person household in this Changing American Family is not a lonely one. Quite the opposite, in fact. Singles are closer with friends, siblings, parents, and neighbors than couples with children. They love to entertain and invite friends and family to share their homes. The Joseph Joseph Extend Dish Rack is a perfect fit for this type of household. Its small size makes it ideal for use in a single-person household, freeing up valuable counter space while still providing room for daily dishes. But the beauty is in its extension feature, nearly doubling in size to accommodate more dishes when entertaining. Combined with the versatile draining system and the moveable (or removable) silverware tray, this product fits well in any single-person household.
9. Dash Rapid Egg Cooker
When it comes to purpose-driven single- and two-person households, niche products really have to earn their place and space. For these conscientious consumers, function is the ultimate goal, so products with a highly specialized purpose will only be welcome if they perform extremely well. The Dash Rapid Egg Cooker does exactly that. It makes it almost effortless for users to perfectly cook eggs a variety of different ways. The time and attention required to prepare eggs makes them an unrealistic choice for many single-person households. With the Dash Rapid Egg Cooker, users spend just a few moments prepping the machine and breakfast cooks itself. Its versatility allows users to prepare and serve eggs however they like — hard-boiled, poached, or in an omelette — no hassle and perfect every time.
When it comes to purpose-driven single- and two-person households, niche products really have to earn their place and space. For these conscientious consumers, function is the ultimate goal, so products with a highly specialized purpose will only be welcome if they perform extremely well. The Dash Rapid Egg Cooker does exactly that. It makes it almost effortless for users to perfectly cook eggs a variety of different ways. The time and attention required to prepare eggs makes them an unrealistic choice for many single-person households. With the Dash Rapid Egg Cooker, users spend just a few moments prepping the machine and breakfast cooks itself. Its versatility allows users to prepare and serve eggs however they like — hard-boiled, poached, or in an omelette — no hassle and perfect every time.
10. Salter High Capacity Touchless Tare Scale
The large size and bulk of traditional kitchen scales make them unrealistic for the kitchen of the Changing American Family. The simple design and slim profile of Salter High Capacity Touchless Tare Scale (produced by Taylor Precision Products) makes it easy to use and store in single-person kitchens – or any kitchen where space is at a premium. As consumer tastes evolve, home “chefs” are experimenting in the kitchen. And scales are becoming a more popular and precise method of measuring, replacing traditional measuring cups and spoons. This small but high performance scale allows purpose-savvy chefs to precisely measure their ingredients – and then easily store it for future use.
The large size and bulk of traditional kitchen scales make them unrealistic for the kitchen of the Changing American Family. The simple design and slim profile of Salter High Capacity Touchless Tare Scale (produced by Taylor Precision Products) makes it easy to use and store in single-person kitchens – or any kitchen where space is at a premium. As consumer tastes evolve, home “chefs” are experimenting in the kitchen. And scales are becoming a more popular and precise method of measuring, replacing traditional measuring cups and spoons. This small but high performance scale allows purpose-savvy chefs to precisely measure their ingredients – and then easily store it for future use.
i use egg cooker in my home good product and i use it almost daily so this one is very helpful and also i use scale good product and tells me my body fat and other measurements
I did look at all products I think all of those would nice to have ,scale ,fast egg cooker and coffee maker did attracted my attention and I am currently looking into buying those
Wow, this is a tough pick~ I kinda love ALL these products! I guess my favorite is the Dash Rapid Egg Cooker. If it really works as well as it does in the video, it’s amazing. I also really like their website and tagline “Unprocess Your Food.” Love that!
The other product(s) I really like are ALL of the Holstein Housewares products. These seem like something I would enjoy using as they are kind of “gadgetty” and I love a great gadget! Who doesn’t? Love the idea of making individual pies, where everyone gets their own too.
I’m gonna definitely subscribe to Dash~ have you seen the recipes? 😀
The American family is definitely changing. As a Boomer with adult kids, I can see that my kids aren’t in a hurry to get married. They’re more concerned with finding stable careers and figuring out what they want out of life before taking that step. I’m not sure if they even will get married in the future. It doesn’t seem like there is a “normal” American family anymore, and everyone just creates the family that works for them.
Thanks for this great post!
All these products would be good for the whole family (husband, wife and children.) Family composition is changing rapidly. Work, home, social issues, taxes, health insurance – all of those affects all families and it’s become very difficult to combine the effects.
As for products, I would like the egg cooker best in my home. It would make my life easier by cooking breakfast faster and by cooking multiple eggs at once. Very good idea!
I truly love the Trudeau Bamboo and Melamine Mixing Bowls for their non drip pour spout, the non slip base and the colors that would go so well with our kitchen (my mixing bowls have seen better days – I cook and bake so much) _ I would definitely put them to work in my kitchen – I also like all the other products as they would make my kitchen even prettier, while being clever and smart – and would go well with our contemporary design
My girlfriend and I both like the rapid egg cooker! We have salad nearly everyday for lunch, and love adding grilled chicken or chopped boiled egg for protein. This would make the perfect number of eggs for us, daily. It would save time, have daily fresh cooked eggs as they don’t taste as good when you boil them days before hand. It would prevent from having to boil eggs every day and heating up the kitchen in summer with using the stove-top. Looks easy and quick, I would love to try this!
The Changing American family is not just American. I am sure it’s all changing and it’s very common all over the world. People no longer think of family as a husband and wife. We need to think about LGBT community too, those couples that have children as well as other families. Adoption is a very important issue too, for people with reproductive issues or unable to have children.
The products look good, but some seem more useful than others. I would like to try the egg cooker using fresh eggs. I like to boil my eggs, I wonder how they would taste using this cooker rather than preparing them the regular way?
I think in my household there are several items we’d use or have out of what’s listed.The top item for us though would be the Oxo GreenSaver Produce keeper. Even though the description says about being perfect for a single or two person household I’d use it.We are a family of four and I suppose what would be considered a “traditional” family. My kids love fruit and I always have it on hand. However, regular containers don’t always keep it as fresh. Since I buy a variety of produce and there is variety in our fridge weekly, it would still help me keep the produce fresher then using plastic storage bags/containers.This is especially true when it comes to lettuce and lately I seem to be having issues with cantaloupe also turning faster then it should. Oxo has always made great products and I have several in my kitchen currently. I could also see us using the Fortessa Plaza dishes. I love that they are available in different sizes, styles and colors rather then the classic round 2 or 3 sizes of standard plates. From the looks of the picture it looks like they have dipping dishes as well. I love this! We oven use salsa’s and other condiments and this way it would separate them nicely on the plate. While I do not own any 16 pieces sets and the sets I do own are 4 pieces.I wish I found more 6 or 8 piece sets. It seems some of our dishes are always being cycled and I’d love just a little extra that if somethings in the dishwasher I wouldn’t have to wait around for another dish or wash it by hand.I also like the extra in case company would stop over. I grew up in a single parent household and many of these products would’ve been helpful back then as well and time savers!
The Rapid Egg Cooker fascinates me! I never seem to be able to hard-boil eggs quite right– they usually are over- or under-done, either of which makes them difficult to peel. I really like making devilled eggs and egg salad, but usually can’t be bothered with the time it takes to make the eggs and the previously mentioned difficulties with doing it right.I also LOVE a poached egg but only order them in restaurants because I have no idea how to make them! Eggs are such a great source of protein and a good healthy option for breakfast (or breakfast-for-dinner 🙂 ). I would eat them a lot more often if they were easier to prepare. I would absolutely love to see this product in action!
The BlendTec blender looks great too! We have been through several blenders in our house over the years and haven’t yet found one that we LOVE. Most seem to have difficulty really crushing ice and blending everything to a smooth consistency. This blender looks like a higher end one that might actually be able to do these thing.
Blendtec is a blender that can definitely crush ice, frozen fruit and all the other food that normal blenders, even competiting high-powered blenders have a tough time with. This Blendtec power is contributed to our powerful motor, unbreakable drive socket (where all others have plastic) and a thick unbreakable dull safety blade (vs. thin and sharp blades that break and can cut you). This combo makes for a blender that can really blend anything. Hit me up if you are interseted and I can get you in touch with our customer support.
I find that American families come in all shapes and sizes nowadays. My husband and I happen to be fitting into the more traditional married couple with children model, with our first one on the way, though we’re older than many would have been starting back in the 60’s. However, I work with children and see a lot of families who do not fit into that model. I know families with two moms or two dads, a single mom who recently adopted a newborn, blended families with half and step siblings, parents who are not married, children being raised by grandparents or aunts/uncles, divorced parents sharing custody, families who have adopted older children, stay-at-home dads, friends who choose to remain childless, and all kinds of other non-“traditional” family structures. Families like this have been out there a long time (my dad has 2 full siblings, 3 step siblings and 2 half sisters, and he was raised in the 50’s) but they were considered outside the norm. I think as a society we are becoming more and more accepting of the idea that a family does not necessarily consist of a mom, dad (who are married), and 2-3 biological children. Lots of families do not fit that mold,and yet they can be happy and children can thrive. It’s still not something we see as much in the media–TV, movies, books, etc. but it’s starting to become more common and I think people are generally becoming more and more used to the idea and sensitive to different family structures. As a society we need to continue to work on not making assumptions (that a child has a mom and a dad, for example, or that the child is necessarily the same race as both his parents, etc), but it’s slowly getting there.
I like them all they all have good qualitys but if I have to chose one I will go with the oxo greensaver produce keeper to keep my produce fresh and last longer I like my fruit and this will keep it longer for me
The Joseph Joseph Extended Dish Rack is by far my favorite product on this Top 10 List. It appears to me that this product would also be great for a 2 person household.
Living in Los Angeles, housing prices are high. We continue to choose to rent; however, in a nice neighborhood. With this criteria, space is at a premium. This dish rack looks compact; however, also looks sleek and appears it would fit into most Kitchen Decor.
I love the extension feature, as we do host dinner parties from time to time. Where can I buy this? I love it!!!
You also asked us to comment on how the American Household is changing. I don’t think we should define the “typical” American household anymore. A household should consist of however you want to live it, and whatever makes you most comfortable. I am defined as a “not typical” household, as a male/male couple who wants a child in the future. However, we don’t feel that we should be classified as “non typical”. We love our lifestyle, and just want our home to be a comfortable place that we can relax when away from the other daily stresses. Therefore, types of households do not really matter to me.
My family has a very similar nonstick griddle pan (though this one looks nicer, and I kind of want it now) that we use at *least* once a week. It’s perfection for making pancakes and french toast. We have three adults (myself, my husband, and my sister) and a kiddo (my son, who’s now 3), so we make some pretty decent sized meals. The extra grill space makes a huge difference for us. The produce keeper looks intriguing too, though I’ve never used anything like it. The way my son goes through fruit, though, I think it would be a pretty great addition!
we have at home product like griddle pan nonstick i like it a lot , we use it from time to time , you can make big and small meals by using it , i like to try this one on a picture will see
This list of products is really pretty interesting and speaks to the obviously wide ranging family structure in today’s American households. I think the two products that most stood out to me are the OXO Produce Keeper and the Holstein Housewares Dog Treat Baker. Each of these really couldn’t be much different than each other, but both seem to speak to really important aspects of the Millenial generation mindset – the first being that this generation has placed a growing focus on reducing waste and the second being that our pets are increasingly seen as members of the family.
I like how the OXO Produce Keeper appeals to the sensible consumer in that it encourages less waste but also allows for the Millenial to get the most bang for their buck. The product seems like a safe and reliable way to store the food that a single person would most likely eat over the course of a week or so. I know from personal experience that, in the past, I ran into unnecessary waste when I wasn’t able to consume everything before it went bad. There was always a toss up for me – buy smaller quantities and shop more frequently (which I often simply didn’t have time to do) or buy larger quantities, shop less frequently, and hope that I consume everything in time. This product seems like it might offset some of that limited time frame.
As for the Dog Treat Baker? I have no rational reason for really liking it, other than it would be awesome to bake my dogs their own cookies with the ingredients they love the most. I know the product appeals to me on a purely emotional basis, but I think it would be really fun to bake them treats and it probably would also allow me to have better control of their ingredient consumption. Both of my dogs have allergies, so from that respect, it might actually prove to be pretty useful if I’m saving on any kind of avoidable vet trips.
I was reading a comments and I understand that to have a family is very important and we all getting older and everybody need that special someone to help if G-D forbid something happens ,But in the same time marriage and children is a big commitment and a lot of responsibility ,
And speaking of kitchen products I like egg cooker ,I like eggs a lot and if I had that fast egg cooker I can cook faster .
I really like all the items listed but if I had to pick it would be the GreenSaver Produce Keeper. I am always so tired of tossing out spoiled produce since it is so pricey. It looks like it would provide an effective way to store produce.
All of these items look as though they would be extremely useful in my home, but if I had to choose one it would be the Blendtec Classic 575 Blender! My current household is far from a traditional family, and with no small children around, everyone is always on the go and in and out of the house at different times. Therefore, our family has joined the trend of drinking healthy smoothies for multiple meals a week, to which a top quality blender is essential!
I also really enjoy that the product comes in various colors with a trendy color palette. I am a graphic designer and find myself gravitating toward kitchen items not only provide function, but look sleek in the process as well!
I love the oxo green saver produce keeper. I am a vegetarian and single. I am always throwing produce away because I cannot use all of it in time. I have used the green bags, but they are hard to clean and reuse. I would definetly buy these and I am sure there a lot of people single or small families who will have a use for these. I have not seen the advertised anywhere. I think they will be very popular.
i love all the products they would all work great but if I had to chose I like the oxo green saver produce keeper because it would keep my produce fresher longer and it comes in all different shapes, sizes and easier to clean them. I will not be throwing away the produce sooner with the oxo green saver. today people don’t eat right and with the oxo green saver the produce will keep it fresher to have it longer in the house.
Many of these items would be very helpful additions to my home. I am single and try to keep a relatively healthy eating and lifestyle. I think the Blendtec Classic 575 Blender would be a great to have since it has so many uses. From blending soups and smoothies to making ice cream, I think it is the most versatile of the products featured.
With many families nowadays trying to be more health conscious, I think a product of this type would be valuable for any household. Even for families with babies as I am sure you can make some good baby food as well.
I think the Swiss Diamond Nonstick Double Burner Griddle Pan would also be a great addition for my home, or any family. It is multi-use capabilities are great! I didn’t even know a pan that could be used on the stovetop and oven existed. Definitely having a small kitchen with limited storage space makes this product useful. Additionally, for families with kids, this could be practical for making cookies or Sunday breakfast.
I definitely find that families are changing. Many households have both parents working, and needing to rely on community resources, family, and innovative products to life healthy and wholesome lifestyles. Additionally, many millennials are waiting longer to start families. This means that while having kid-friendly products could be helpful for the future, it many not be a factor they are thinking about or make a priority when making purchases.
We’re trying to focus a lot more on being healthy, and reducing clutter in our family (2 parents, 3 kids). For us, this means making super-food smoothies for lunch and/or snack, weighing food portions for the adults, and eating more vegetables (we have the fruits down pat!). The blender looks amazing, especially since ours just quit and we are now using my dad’s 1970’s blender. The scale would also be great to reduce the cabinet space our current broken-but-still-functioning scale uses.
Reducing the clutter in our house means a few of these would be completely impractical in our house, specifically the egg maker and dog treat maker. And a few of these we already have (both of the skillets, and the produce saver) and I can attest to their awesomeness!
I feel that as much as the millennial family is different, we are all inherently similar: looking to take the best care of ourselves and our loved ones. These products do a great job of focusing on how we all do that differently.
Wow, y’all read my mind this morning. We used to have a similar egg cooker. It was given to my husband, second-hand, by a coworker, and looked like something out of the 70s (did they make these things that far back?). It would be easy to have overly specialized small appliances take over your kitchen, there are so many of them out there for different purposes, so I’m generally not a fan of gizmos like this. But then again, I love hard boiled eggs. Sure, we use them for tuna salad or deviled eggs sometimes, but more than anything, we like them cold and plain as a quick, tasty, high-protein snack. We rarely do anything at all involving hard boiled eggs, though, because I find it inconvenient and time consuming to prepare them. I hate messing with big pots of boiling water. I always manage to crack at least 1 egg, no matter how careful I am putting them into the pot. I’m never quite sure if I’ve boiled them long enough. And then I have to wash up a great big pot afterwards….once everything has had a chance to cool down, which also takes quite a while. I cooked hard boiled eggs much more frequently back when we had a little egg cooker similar to this, but the plastic piece that holds the eggs eventually broke. Just this morning I was cooking up a couple of scrambled eggs for my husband and thinking how much I’d like a couple of boiled eggs myself, and I was contemplating getting another little egg cooker.