As the trend toward gourmet, chef quality kitchens continues, people are purchasing not only high end large appliances like refrigerators and stoves, but small appliances too. Simple old fashioned coffee pots and toasters are giving way to espresso machines and panini grills. Do you need them? Probably not, but they can be lots of fun and can definitely up the quality of your morning cup of joe and your grilled cheese sandwiches. Read on for all the things you didn't know you needed, until you found out they existed.



Coffee and espresso machines are now available so that you can have coffeehouse quality coffee drinks in the comfort of your own home. The latest trend is toward coffee makers that make individual cups of coffee using pods, or small airtight packages that stay sealed until opened by the coffeemaker. In Europe these have been popular for a while, and they will get you close to a European coffee experience. The coffee tends to be strong, more like espresso, but is very fresh since your serving stays sealed until you make it, unlike that big tub of Folgers. They are more common now, but finding the pods can still be difficult sometimes, and you may not have as many varieties available to you as there are for regular old ground coffee.

What could be better than the promise of a grilled hamburger on a snowy February day? Indoor grills are becoming more and more popular both because grilled food tastes good, and because grilling can be a fast and relatively healthy cooking method. If you are looking to add one to your kitchen stable, here are some factors you'll want to look at. One is size, at both ends of the spectrum. If you live alone or with one other person, a smaller grill will probably suit your needs just fine and take up less space, unless you intend to use it for entertaining. If you have a large family, you could spend the whole evening cooking burgers on a smaller grill like the original George Foremans. A feature that is available on most newer grills is variable heat, which makes your grill much more versatile. Removable plates that are dishwasher safe also make your grill much easier to use and increase the likelihood that they will be used often. Some of the grills with removable plates also come with several sets of plates so your grill can double as a waffle iron or electric griddle as well.