Get Patriotic With These Fourth of July Kitchen Gadgets

The 4th of July is always a fun holiday to celebrate in the summer, so we thought we would showcase some of the kitchen gadgets out there that have a red, white, and blue or patriotic theme to them. They also make for fantastic hostess gifts if you’ll be celebrating a 4th of July party this weekend. (Not sure what to serve? We love the idea of the red, white, and blue taco dip in this article on 4th of July Appetizer Recipes!

 

R & M Patriotic Usa 8 Piece Cookie Cutter Set

This cookie cutter set has everything you need for making plenty of USA inspired cookies for your 4th of July Gatherings!

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Wilton Mini Star Silicone Mold

1 cake mix will make about 21-24 star shaped cookies in this versatile silicone mold from Wilton. It would also work in the freezer for ice cubes or frozen juice, or use it for making Jello squares.

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Red, Ice and Blue (TM) Reusable Ice Cubes for your Drinks

Speaking of ice cubes, these are a great way to keep everyone’s drinks cool while adding a little red, white, and blue flair to them.

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Swissmar Swiss Trio Peeler Set, Red, White and Blue

This peeler set is made in Switzerland, but the colors are perfect for a patriotic themed kitchen.

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Red White & Blue Flags Flying Corn Pick Set Boston Warehouse

Corn on the cob is always a favorite summertime classic picnic food. These red, white, and blue corn pick sets feature a flying American flag to help your party guests eat without having to burn their fingers!

 

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Set of Six USA Patriotic Red, White, and Blue Wine Glass Markers with Bottle Neck Ring

Make it fun for your guests to keep track of their drinks with these beautiful Patriotic wine glass rings.

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Boston Warehouse Flags Flying Salt and Pepper Set

What could be more patriotic than a salt and pepper shaker that looks like a flag! These are so cute and would definitely start a conversation!

We hope you enjoyed these red, white, and blue kitchen gadgets and accesories. Have a very Safe and Happy 4th of July everyone!

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Funny Kitchen Gadgets

Every once in a while, it’s always good to see something that just makes you chuckle.  For no reason should a kitchen be without something that just brings a smile to your face every time you use it.  There are many funny kitchen gadgets out there, but which ones are actually useful?  We hunted through some of the gadgets available and found some of the funniest, and most useful, gadgets that are out there.  Any of these funny kitchen gadgets are sure to make you laugh, either at yourself or the gadget, every time you use them.

Crime Scene Ice Cube Tray

When you think of making drinks for friends, you probably don’t think of crime scenes and hand cuffs.  Nevertheless, next time you serve your guests with the Fred & Friends Freeze Handgun-Shaped Ice-Cube Tray, you can scream “FREEZE!” as if you were a copper yourself.  The silicone mold produces six automatic guns that you can put into your drinks.  The guns are very detailed and are sure to bring a laugh to any cocktail party.  The mold is shaped like a briefcase for easy handling and is dishwasher safe.  Imagine how funny the night could get if you made some jello shots with this same mold.  Get creative!  There are many things you can do with these creative cubes.
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Pantless Salt and Pepper Shaker

Moving away from drinks and cocktails, there are a variety of creative salt and pepper shakers that are out there for your use.  Nevertheless, there’s something about taking a person’s pants off every time you eat that is sure to bring a chuckle and some interesting conversation to any meal. Fred & Friends PANTS Salt-and-Pepper Set is a ceramic man that holds the salt with his pants containing the pepper.  The units come apart when you “undress” the man and you can use his pants and body separately to season your food.  They have a matte glaze and silicone stoppers to ensure they look good and keep the salt in pepper where they belong; in his pants!  These would make a great gift for anyone who has a good sense of humor.
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Aprons For the Not So Cooking Savvy

Not all of us that cook have what it takes to be labeled the master chef; cakes without eggs, over cooked meats that are as tender as the desert sand and a plethora of mismatched flavors and spices that end up tasting like nothing.  If this sums up someone you know, this apron is a perfect gag gift to hang on the wall. Pick up a few of these Certified Water Boiler Funny Kitchen Aprons and you’re sure to make someone recipe challenge laugh every time they put it on.  Hey, if you can’t boil water, you probably shouldn’t be anywhere near a stove top, right?
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Coffee From Your Toilet Anyone?

This next funny gadget isn’t for the weak stomached.  The Big Mouth Toys Toilet Mug is a ceramic mug that holds your favorite hot beverage in… well, you guessed it: a mug shaped like a toilet.  This ceramic product is dishwasher safe and has a handle that leads up to the base of the toilet back.  If you fill it with a green tea, it’s going to look like somebody forgot to flush!  It’s a hilarious novelty mug that would be a great addition to anyone’s mug selection and makes an excellent gag gift.
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Guitar Shaped Cheese Grater!

Here’s an item that made it onto our list of coolest kitchen gadgets, but returns for the list of funny kitchen gadgets. Gama Go Shredder is a guitar shaped cheese grater that mimics the look of the electric guitars our favorite rock artists used in the 1980′s.  It is not dishwasher safe, but is certain to cover all of your cheese shredding needs.  It’s great for someone who is musically inclined and also likes to cook.  Another funny option for such a person are the Gama-Go Sing-a-long Tongs.  Shaped like a microphone, you and your guests can use these tongs to serve salad and vegetables, then use them again when it comes time to start karaoke. They are dishwasher safe and have great reviews for both good times and being easy to use.

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Would You Like a Little Oil for that Salad?

Some people take the translation of oil a little too literally, such as this Rachael Ray Oil and Vinegar Bottle Set with Funnel.  These dispensers hold oil, vinegar, or your favorite dressings but are shaped like a watering can for a garden or an oil can for your land mower.  They look a little out of place in a kitchen, but they are sure to make you smile every time you dress your favorite salads with what looks like gasoline… coming from a miniature oil can!

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Industrial Strength Pizza Cutting

If you want to keep up with the workshop theme, you’ll definitely enjoy our next item.   Fred and Friends PIBOSS Pizza Boss Pizza Wheel is sure to cut through any pie you lay in front it; it’s a literal table saw!  Shaped like the one your dad uses when he’s building a shed, this pizza wheel is serious about cutting through your favorite pizza, leaving no chance of needing to cut it again.  You’re sure to make your friends laugh when you cut your pizza with a circle saw.  It has a removable shield for easy clean up and is made from laser-etched stainless steel.  It’s also dishwasher safe.  You’re sure to look like a professional carpenter, or party host, when you get this bad boy out.

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For Those Who Love to Lick the Bowl
Did your mom even tell you not to put your finger in the bowl of batter?  It was always impossible, we all know how delicious a good finger swipe of chocolate cake batter or cookie dough can be.  Well, if she tries it again, just let the Fred Batterfinger Spatula do the work for you and keep you out of trouble!  This finger shaped spatula is made from silicone and has a hole in the handle for easy hanging.  It is sure to scrape all the nooks and crannies to get all of your batter and looks like a finger the entire time.  Hand washing is recommended, but it will look at home in your hand since it is shaped like a finger!  This would also make a good gift of your cook friend also enjoys a good chuckle!

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Fresh Milk for The Table

Our next item is sure to bring a smile to the breakfast table.  Fred & Friends Calf and Half Double-Walled Creamer Pitcher is a double blown pitcher that has an inner vessel shaped like utters!  If you fill this thing up with milk, your breakfast mates are sure to enjoy the novelty of pouring milk from some utters.  Not only is it funny, but it’s also very useful.  It is designed to eliminate condensation since the liquid is suspended from the base.  Further, the spout is no-drip and there’s an extra large handle, meaning this pitcher isn’t going to leave any marks on your table cloth!  Make a moooooo-ve and pick one of these up to bring a little laughter to your breakfast nook.

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Christmas Ninja Cookie Cutters

Are you tired of seeing the same old shapes for sugar cookies?  Every time the holidays come around, you see wreaths, angels, Santas, Christmas trees and gingerbread men.  Is there nothing that can be a bit more creative than that? Oh, there is.  Have you never heard of the Christmas ninja?  Fred & Friends Ninjabread Men Cookie Cutters allow you to make your very own ninjabread men. These cookies are sure to have your guests looking twice before they enjoy your tasty treat.  You can use these cookie cutters with any recipe, although one is included with the purchase of these ninjabread men cookie cutters.

So, as you can see, there are so many different types of hilarious additions to your kitchen.  There are many forms of funny ice cube trays, cookie cutters, funny canisters or uniquely designed spatulas.  If you look around, you are sure to be able to find a few quirky, funny items to keep in your kitchen that are sure to make you smile a bit every time you use them.  Do you have any funny kitchen utensils? Tell us about them!

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5 Easy Steps to a Clean Refrigerator!

Learning how to properly clean a refrigerator probably doesn’t sound like the most exciting topic in the world, but a messy fridge can result in food spoiling because you forgot you had it, as well as causing your refrigerator to not run efficiently. It can also make your or your family sick! And, when you know what items are in your fridge, it also helps you save money on your grocery bill!

I think we all can appreciate saving money and avoiding food poisoning, so, whether you enjoy doing it or not, it’s something that must be done! Don’t worry – we have some tips to help make it easier :)

 

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Step 1: Assess the Situation

If you open the refrigerator door and are in fear of something falling out or afraid of what you may find, it’s time for a clean refrigerator makeover! (If instead you open the door and find all of your food neatly organized and arranged alphabetically, then this article is not for you). Take note of what types of foods are in your refrigerator. Do you have oodles of containers of leftovers? Can your foods be classified into one of the food groups? (ie: vegetables, dairy, meats, etc.) Determine what types of foods you need to store in the fridge, and determine the best place in the fridge for where to place them.

Step 2: Empty the Fridge

In order to really see all of the foods in your fridge and to do the next step, you’re going to need to empty the entire refrigerator. Get a large cooler for items that may spoil and place the foods in the cooler with ice temporarily until you are done cleaning. If you don’t have a cooler, consider filling a clean sink with ice to keep items cool. Be prepared to have a large heavy duty trash bag to hold anything you will need to throw out.

Step 3: Wash the Shelves & Drawers

The shelves and the drawers are where the most visible sticky grime accumulates, so it is a good practice to routinely wash them at least every 1-2 weeks, depending on how many people are using the fridge and how often things spill. (Someone with 3 kids will be doing this a lot more often than someone who lives alone!)

What Should You Use to Clean Your Refrigerator?
Using a solution of 1/4 cup baking soda and 1 quart of water mixed together works well for this task – be careful using any commercial cleaners as they may be toxic! You can also use a food grade safe sanitizer (this is what most commercial restaurants use) or mix hot water with dish soap. Be sure to rinse and wipe everything down with a dry towel to prevent drips and excess moisture.

Step 4: Place the Food Back in The Fridge

This is where the organization part comes into play. In step 1 you took some time to think about the different things that go in your refrigerator, so try to place and group like items together. We have a designated place for leftovers so we can quickly discard them after a day or two if they go uneaten. Try to keep things visible and avoid placing items in the back of the fridge. Placing an opened box of baking soda can help eliminate odors and keep your refrigerator nice and clean smelling.

Step 5: Don’t Forget the Outside of the Fridge!

Just as it is important to keep the inside of your fridge clean, you should also clean the outside of your refrigerator. Wipe down the doors and side and handles. It is also a very good idea to take a vacuum to the coils on the back and the venting below the refrigerator. Some refrigerators have a drip pan at the bottom – you should also clean that as well! Keeping your refrigerator running in peak condition can also help you save money on electric bills.

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Cleaning your refrigerator is not the most fun thing to do in the world, but remember that regular maintenance can make it easier over time and help you save money on your groceries as well as keep your family safe and healthy! Do you have any refrigerator cleaning tips? Share them in the comments section below!

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[threecol_one_last]Quick Refrigerator Cleaning Tips

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  • Discard Leftovers Within 2-3 Days if they go uneaten. Always clean out the refrigerator of leftovers or expired foods before grocery shopping
  • Wiping out the shelves at least once a week can help keep the refrigerator clean
  • Only use food grade safe sanitizers or natural cleaners in your refrigerator such as combining baking soda and water
  • Refer to the user manual of your refrigerator for cleaning instructions – certain models may have special requirements for regular maintenance!
  • Wipe all jars and containers before placing them in the refrigerator to help prevent leaks and spills

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