Ask Lemmy

Microwave plate cover. Don't have to clean the microwave as often. No wasting saran wrap or trying to use a plate as a cover. I was living with my parents a long time ago when I first heard about these and had to get one. My Dad made fun of it at first but he then admitted how useful it was.

Maybe a bit the other way around: I replaced specialized gadgets with a simpler "tool"

Since I switched from "specialized" clips for food bags to simple clothespins, my life is so much easier.

Clothespins are easier to get on food bags and easier to get off.

A meat masher.

I thought it was a dumb gimmick until I used it for a big batch of chili and fell in love.

Seriously. Get one.

Halogen oven: I live alone, and even though it's relatively small, it's big enough for me (unless I want to cook a pizza). It preheats much faster than a regular oven, so meals take much less time to make if I'm just throwing something in it too cook.

Headphone stand: I got a stand that you can hang headphones on, and it's so much nicer than just tossing it on the table or whatever.

Battery powered lamp with a flexible "spine". I have an adjustable lamp which charges via usb and has a flexible neck. It saves the hassle of trying to prop up a phone or something with the torch turned on.

Did you know you can get toilet roll holders that have a little shelf for you to put a phone on? If you browse on the can, they're rather handy.

Extension cables: If you have a desktop or tv, you can just grab some USB, hdmi or audio extensions and swap things using that instead of leaning behind the device.

Egg cooker thingy: I have a thingie that you put a certain amount of water in and it boils an egg using the steam and turns off when done. Saves the effort of setting a timer or boiling a full pan of water.

Kettles: Apparently not a thing in the US? I don't know how you live without them.

Laser thermometer. It makes cooking things at really specific temperatures a lot easier.

Some long-handle sundae spoons. They're incredibly useful for getting to the bottom of a deep jar or yogurt tub.

Collapsible screw-together travel chopsticks. They take up virtually no space, come with their own holder so they stay clean, and you've always got some nice chopsticks to eat with.

Blue painter's tape. You can label anything (especially stuff that's going into the freezer), and it'll peel off again without leaving any residue.

Beaded reusable cable ties. It's always nice to be able to tie up a power cord.

A nice headlamp. It's really nice to be able to put on a headlamp and have your hands free when you're doing stuff outside at night. Fair warning: you may fall down a nice flashlight rabbit hole.