A Real Retired Housewife of Florida: Tupperware and Other Favorite Kitchen Gadgets

While driving to Gatorland a while ago, I noticed a Tupperware building along the way. Later I checked it out and found that it is the world headquarters for Tupperware Brands. I also found out that it has a visitor's center and gift shop inside. So when Brian and I were back in that area, we stopped by to check it out.

Ever wonder where the name "Tupperware" comes from? From the inventor Earl Tupper in the 1940's. The gallery has lots of interesting facts and displays. The tour is self-guided and takes about a half hour. Of course that depends on how nostalgic you are. Bring your dollar bills, there is a vending machine that sells Tupperware Tiny Treasures. I got the original bowl on a keychain.

It got me thinking...how many Tupperware items do I own? Here is my vintage, heavily used collection.

I like Tupperware, but I have other kitchen items that are my favorites. I am known as a KITCHEN GADGET QUEEN. I haven't found a kitchen gadget I didn't want. My salvation is that I have no problem getting rid of clutter, so once I lose interested, I get rid of it. I have had a soy milk maker, bread maker, Ronco Rotisserie. I have ordered from TV infomercials, spent hours in the aisles of Bed, Bath and Beyond, looked through catalogs and regularly buy items at thrift stores. Here are some of my FAVORITE KITCHEN GADGETS...

First thing I noticed was that several of my favorites involved EGGS. Brian bought me this Henrietta Egg Cooker as a gift when I was eating hard boiled eggs a lot. I thought he was crazy, but once I started using it I loved it. No more overcooked hard boiled eggs.

Once cooked, I use my vintage egg slicer. I couldn't be without it.

I haven't used this gadget much, but it would be fun to serve a platter of square deviled eggs.

My favorite wine corkscrew, Le Creuset, stores easily and works every time.

It's a scraper, it's a cutter...it's a kitchen multi-tasker.

These Pyrex bowls were my FIRST kitchen gadget, before I knew how to cook. The fact that they are glass and have lasted decades tells you how much I like 'em. I like the handles (easy pick up), one handle is small so you can use it as a spout and they stack for easy storage.

Brian brought this gadget into the marriage, the Boerner V-Slicer. It is an engineering marvel how all the pieces fit together. I haven't found a vegetable or fruit this thing can't slice perfectly.

This is a NordiacWare microwave steamer, broccoli in less than 10 minutes. I find these frequently at thrift stores and give them away to family and friends. I like the Tupperware one better. I must have given it away.