What is the one electrical thing that you could not do without?
By paula27661
@paula27661 (15811)
Australia
July 3, 2009 4:09am CST
We all rely on electrical appliances and we don't become aware how much until there is a power blackout or our beloved appliance is broken!
What would you do if you were allowed to only use one appliance for an entire day? Which would you choose?
I would choose the electric kettle because with it I could have tea and coffee and when I got hungry I could manage two minute noodles and soup! A pregnant friend of mine told me she could not live without her sandwich toaster because in her condition she constantly craves toasted cheese sandwiches.
What about you...
What is the one electrical thing that you could not do without?
5 people like this
25 responses
@zandi458 (28102)
• Malaysia
3 Jul 09
The only electrical appliances that I can't do without is the rice cooker. There was a time when my cooking stove run out of gas and it happened at night. The gas delivery man do not want to deliver gas at night. I have no choice but to use the rice cooker to cook from my chicken stew, boiling rice and also used for boiling water. I don't use electric kettle cos I was told it consumed a lot of power. The rice cooker saved us from eating out that night.
2 people like this
@mtdewgurl74 (18151)
• United States
4 Jul 09
I have a presto cooker, I should have chosen that instead..lol but it is hard to make pancakes in it..if I needed to and fry burgers..and other things..that is why I chose the electric skillet it is deep enough to cook soup,chili,stews, and all sorts of other things in the skillet. But my presto cooker also cook,steams,deep frys,boils and supposed to be able to bake,
@paula27661 (15811)
• Australia
3 Jul 09
That is a handy appliance isn't it? I feel the same about my electric frying pan, I have used it for so many things; roasting, frying, I even baked a cake in it once! Thanks zandi!
@katsalot1 (1618)
•
3 Jul 09
That's a really tricky question. My first thought was the kettle, because I don't function properly without several cups of tea a day, but then I thought about the computer. I can boil water on the gas hob though, so it would have to be the computer!
@paula27661 (15811)
• Australia
3 Jul 09
It was a tough choice between the kettle and the laptop but I love my coffee too much and my gas stove won't ignite without electricity! Thanks katsalot1!
1 person likes this
@katsalot1 (1618)
•
3 Jul 09
Our gas hob normally ignites with an electric spark, but when there is no electricity you can light it with a match.
@mtdewgurl74 (18151)
• United States
3 Jul 09
I would have to say my electric skillet or deep fryer since I could boil water in both, or fry or cook something. I have used my deep fryer to cook in before..not just for deep frying. But the electric skillet would be number 1 since it is a few inches deep and I could do alot in it.
2 people like this
@paula27661 (15811)
• Australia
3 Jul 09
I was just telling zandi about mine and how I not only roasted and fried in it but I baked a cake as well once, they are a must in every kitchen, I think. Thanks for responding mtdewgurl74!
@mentalward (14691)
• United States
3 Jul 09
My refrigerator. I've gone through days without electricity before after a hurricane. Four days to be exact. It got old... FAST! I was able to cook outside on the grill and had plenty of candles and battery powered lamps and flashlights, but when I want something cold, I want something cold! Keeping food cold was the hardest part of those four days.
If we had a lot of power outtages here where we live now, I'd buy a gas-powered generator, if only to keep my refrigerator going.
@paula27661 (15811)
• Australia
3 Jul 09
This is only a fun discussion but I can appreciate that if you had to go without electricity for days the refrigerator would have to take priority. It doesn't sound like you had too much fun living without power for days; it makes me realise how spoilt I am, if there is a one hour blackout I will complain the entire time! I will think about what you had to endure next time. A generator would have been a good idea.
Thanks for responding mentalward I appreciate it!
1 person likes this
@baileycows (3665)
• United States
3 Jul 09
We don't use a microwave, but not because of the power but because it is not really good for you. The radiation plus anything you can cook in 1 minute is probably not healthy.
2 people like this
@paula27661 (15811)
• Australia
4 Jul 09
Fair enough. I personally love my microwave although not as much as the kettle! (lol) Thanks for responding!
@paula27661 (15811)
• Australia
4 Jul 09
It's winter here and I forgot how much we value our air conditioners during the summer months, thanks pat!
@Thoroughrob (11742)
• United States
8 Jul 09
I would have to say the refrigerator. That way, things could at least be cold.
1 person likes this
@mimpi1911 (25464)
• India
15 Jul 09
Hi Paula!
How are you doing? After along time..
I think, electric kettle is most essential when I am in office. It kind of trouble shoot a lot of problems. I cannot do without it either when in office. When at home, I think most essential gadget would be Oven and then my hair straightener. Even though many would think its not essential but I cannot do without it.
1 person likes this
a re going to enjoy her delicacies.
@kalav56 (11464)
• India
6 Jul 09
I cannot do without a fan.Our place is a warm place and without fan I would sweat and would fall sick. THis is the biggest problem I cannot face. Even if there si no light I can cook in daylight and keep it in separate containers and give the food to my people at home. When it is hot I need a fan for the heat and when it is cold I need this fan to keep away mosquitoes.
1 person likes this
@paula27661 (15811)
• Australia
7 Jul 09
It is fair enough to have a fan if you would feel unwell without it! Thanks for the response kalav!
1 person likes this
@Aussies2007 (5336)
• Australia
3 Jul 09
Tricky question...
I think if you have a lot of food in your fridge and freezer... this would be the priority concern over a period of 24 hours.
You can get lights operating on batteries these days.
And you can boil water and cook food on a gaz stove.
It is only a matter of having them as an alternative.
I live in the bush and I have got use of having blackouts here.
So I do have those backups.
@paula27661 (15811)
• Australia
3 Jul 09
Good to hear that you are prepared, I guess you have to be if the blackouts are a regular thing. You are right about the freezer and fridge but I still wouldn't want to part with my kettle for too long! (lol)
Thanks for stopping by Aussies!
@AmbiePam (85471)
• United States
7 Jul 09
I think my choice would be a microwave. I don't really like the taste of 'nuked' food, but it also warms up cool drnks, and it goes a long way in helping me appreciate hot chocolate. 
Plus, everything gets warmer faster, and on occasion time is a big factor for me. : )
Plus, everything gets warmer faster, and on occasion time is a big factor for me. : )1 person likes this
@paula27661 (15811)
• Australia
7 Jul 09
A microwave is definitely a practical choice; I would find life quite difficult without mine. Thanks AmbiePam, appreciate the response!
@dpk262006 (58675)
• Delhi, India
4 Jul 09
Hi Paula!
I think if you allow me to keep referigerator with me, I'll make do with that. I keep many items of my need in my referigerator to spend my day.
1 person likes this
@dpk262006 (58675)
• Delhi, India
6 Jul 09
smart persons like mw would think about referigerator!
(just kidding!!)@paula27661 (15811)
• Australia
4 Jul 09
A few people have mentioned the refrigerator, I didn't even think of it! Thanks dpk!
@chaitra001 (3278)
• Bangalore, India
3 Jul 09
Hi I would choose Mixer grinder... because it helps me for grinding in my cooking... without which I cant manage cooking..
1 person likes this
@paula27661 (15811)
• Australia
3 Jul 09
I solve that problem by not cooking! It is not my forte I'm afraid...
Thanks for responding chaitra001!
@chaitra001 (3278)
• Bangalore, India
6 Jul 09
Thats great but I cant help cooking... I have to do.. In my home we dont tend to go out for food very often..
@nehaagra (848)
• Singapore
3 Jul 09
I think , in today's era, its impossible to live without any of them. We do need them all. CAn you live without fan ofr A.C , whatever u use. can u live without Fridge, T.V, light or anything you acan think of, now its really imppossible to live without any of these. Back at home, we do have powercuts, and our life at that time comes to a standstill. It moves only after power is back..
2 people like this
@paula27661 (15811)
• Australia
3 Jul 09
I know what you mean! It is during a power blackout that we become aware how much we rely on electricity and all our gadgets! Thanks for the response nehaagra!
@paula27661 (15811)
• Australia
4 Jul 09
Food going off wouldn't be too much fun...That's one thing I had not considered! Thanks Polly, appreciate the response!
@James72 (26790)
• Australia
3 Jul 09
I suppose it would be my computer! I rely on it heavily for my work for one and it plays a significant role in my social interactions as well. I use gas at home, so cooking wouldn't be a problem if electricity went down; and TV is neither here nor there either. The fridge is an important one too I guess because all my food going off would be a nightmare!
1 person likes this
@paula27661 (15811)
• Australia
4 Jul 09
I value my laptop too and you are right about the refrigerator...Hadn't thought about that, I was just concerned with my tea and coffee! Thanks for stopping by James!
1 person likes this
@paula27661 (15811)
• Australia
4 Jul 09
Very practical Jen! I didn't even think of the refrigerator when I chose my appliance! Thanks, appreciate the response!
@ymitchell1 (14)
• United States
4 Jul 09
It would have to be my coffee maker. I go crazy without my coffee!
1 person likes this
@paula27661 (15811)
• Australia
4 Jul 09
I feel the same about my coffee and my cell phone! Thanks ymithcell1!
@ymitchell1 (14)
• United States
4 Jul 09
It would definitely be my cell phone. I would be completely lost and feel detached from the world without it.
1 person likes this
