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Simplify your life by ditching these 5 appliances

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Cutting down on clutter will simplify your kitchen and make you happier . Here ’ s how to get on board the minimalist trend .

Kitchen trends leave their mark in our cupboards . Most of us have at least one or two retro gadgets that we rarely use . Rather than hanging on ‘ just in case ’, here ’ s how to let go of the clutter without saying goodbye to the easier life they promised in the first place .

Of all the lifestyle trends we ’ ve seen come and go over the past few years , the minimalist trend is one of our favourites . The ethos of the ‘ Simple Life ” is about being honest with yourself and understanding what makes you happy , what ’ s truly important in your life .

It ’ s also about being respectful to the world we live in and making the most of everything you consider precious , from your closest friends , to your bountiful tomato bush , to the tools you consider worthy of the limited space on your kitchen counter .

To this end , we ’ ve compiled a quick list of some kitchen gadgets you probably have lying around the house or hidden somewhere , collecting dust . They ’ ve all got a certain charm and for someone out there they ’ re just right , but for most of us , there ’ s an easy replacement .

And if you actually adore your fondue pot or other niche appliance , we ’ ve got a quirky little tip for each , to help you live the ‘ Simple Life ’ by getting the most out of everything you own .

PASS ON THE BREAD MAKER

There ’ s nothing quite as homely as the smell of freshly cooked bread wafting through the house , and few things more magical to a child than baking their own loaf . Sadly , bread makers are just too big for a single-use appliance , even if you ’ re hiding it away in the cupboard .

Replace with : your slow cooker

Thankfully , your trusty crock pot can handle the heavy lifting just as well as a dedicated bread maker . For bonus points , use a highperformance blender like a Vitamix to easily prepare your dough , and sell your bread maker to someone without a good slow cooker .

Extra Use : if you just can ’ t live without your bread maker ’ s automation , why not use it to make up a pot of jam to go with your perfect loaf ?

DITCH THE FONDUE POT

Whether you ’ re dreaming of a cozy getaway in an alpine chalet , or hosting a kitsch ’ 60s get together , it ’ s hard to argue with the appeal of fondue ’ s warm embrace on a cold night in with friends . However , for most of us down under in the land of sun , there just aren ’ t enough chilly months in the year to justify the specialist pot .

Replace with : your slow cooker

The great news is that you don ’ t have to give up fondue along with your pot : any slow cooker will do a fine job . It may sit a little less elegantly on the table but thanks to Jamie Oliver , the more rustic , slightly industrial look is the way to go now .

Extra use : if you can ’ t bring yourself to give up your Swiss cheese pot , it can also serve as a mini deep fryer in a pinch , when you ’ re feeling naughty .

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SAY GOODBYE TO THE POPCORN MAKER

Popcorn ’ s a favourite here at Vitamix HQ , particularly with some lovely paprika , siracha or dried lemon zest as a garnish . The popcorn maker , on the other hand , is a devilishly noisy contraption that exists only to clutter up our cupboards .

Replace with : your everyday pot

With a little heated peanut or vegetable oil at the bottom of your heavy-based pot , preparing a lovely bowl of popcorn is no challenge at all .

Extra use : if you ( or your kids ) are absolutely addicted to the simplicity of the popcorn maker try using it to toast some chestnuts or roast coffee beans .

FREEZE OUT THE ICE CREAM MAKER

As our summers keep getting hotter and hotter , we ’ re all screaming for ice cream , but there ’ s no need to spend hundreds of dollars on a bulky appliance you ’ ll only use in summer .

Replace with : your trusty Vitamix

Useful all year round , the humble Vitamix is well equipped to handle everything from sorbets to luxurious chocolate and nut icecream . Simply blend your frozen ingredients in the Vitamix container and in under a minute you ’ ll have a silky-smooth icecream or sorbet . It ’ s that easy

Extra use : Unfortunately , there aren ’ t any other uses for your ice cream maker !

YOU HAD TO SEE THIS ONE COMING : THE JUICER IS REDUNDANT

There ’ s nothing quite like a glass of freshly squeezed juice - but we hate leaving out all the delicious and nutritious goodies in wholefoods .

Replace with : a versatile Vitamix

Instead of gumming up your benchtop with a bulky juicing machine , simply blitz your fruit and vegetables in a Vitamix and replace a large single-use appliance with a smaller multi-use one ; it also makes soups , nut butters and doughs in just one container

If you ’ ve made the hard choice to part with one of your kitchen favourites , let us know on Facebook or Instagram how you found the experience .

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