Top Ten Appliances College Students Must Have
Going away to college and moving into your own space is one of the most exciting times in your life. You are officially an adult: you get to choose what you’ll do, when you’ll do it, and how it will be done. The scary part is, you are officially an adult! No one is going to be checking in on you to make sure that you’ve got your homework done, had a shower, gone to bed, or even had anything to eat.
While there’s lots to be done while you’re at school, the eating part can be made easy. You might peruse the cafeteria to see what’s there, or you may find yourself at the local pizza palace late one night. However, most of the time you’ll find it more convenient to fend for yourself. Since you’re going to be preparing your own meals, there are some appliances that are absolutely necessary to make your kitchen (or dorm room) all it can be.
If you’re living on campus in a dorm or residence, make sure you check the rules before you pile up mom’s minivan with all the latest appliances. There are rules as to what you can keep in your room and these rules are based on safety and space. Many college dorms were built decades ago, when students only brought a couple of appliances to school with them. That means the building’s electrical systems may not be up to snuff and prepared for thousands of students with dozens of appliances. There may also be fire safety hazards that have to do with the limited space available in a dorm room that will prevent you from bringing any appliances that heat up.
However, if you’re in a newer residence, or in your own apartment, there are several appliances that you won’t be able to do without:
Microwave: Your microwave may be the most important thing you can bring with you to school. You can cook pretty much anything in a microwave, and it can also be used to boil water – and dry clothes! Since you’re probably going to always be eating in a rush, and convenience is the name of the game in college, your microwave will get you through many a hungry night, heating up leftovers that mom sent with you last weekend, nuking your mac and cheese and ramen noodles, even whipping up a meatloaf! And food is cooked quickly in your microwave, so you’re not going to be spending hours in the kitchen trying to fuel your study machine. Most college residences also allow microwaves (as long as the electrical systems are up to date) because they present little fire hazard to students and they’re incredibly convenient.
Mini fridge: Whether you’replanning on eating out for the next four years or you’re a five star chef on a hot plate, a mini fridge is a must have. How else are you going to keep all those energy drinks cold when you’re pulling an all-nighter? And if you prepare any type of food, chances are some of it will need to be kept cold or you risk some seriously smelly spoilage. A really great mini fridge will have a small freezer section so that you can keep microwave meals and ice handy. You may just find yourself the most popular person on the floor if you show up with a really cool beer fridge!
Electric can opener: It’s surprising how easy it is to forget the little things. Living on your own, you’re sure to stock up the cupboard with easy to make and long lasting canned goods. But you can’t get the goods if you can’t crack the can! An electric can opener is a must have because it’s more reliable than the old hand twisters and tends to be quite a bit safer, too. The fancy ones don’t have cords, but you’re bound to forget to charge it and be left in the lurch if you go with one of these. More reliable is the corded model – just plug it in and go.
Coffee maker: If you’ve ever spent an entire night studying for a final or whipping up a last minute essay (or just maybe, are rolling out of bed after a late night out on the town) you know the value of a good cup of coffee. However, getting your daily dose of caffeine isn’t always the easiest thing to do. Sure, you could try and make it all the way to campus to grab one from the coffee shop, or you could roll down the hall to see if your buddy has any instant brew, but if you stock your pad with a coffee maker, you can avoid all that effort - and possible disappointment after you taste the instant made. You might also find yourself some new friends when others get a whiff of the sweet smell of brewing beans in the morning.
Electric kettle: An electric kettle is a surprising little must have if you’re going to be cooking for yourself. So many things can be made with just a little boiling water and an electric kettle saves you all the effort that goes with the pot. The water tends to boil faster and hotter in a kettle so whether you’re brewing up a little tea to relax or making the mix for your instant soup, you won’t find yourself watching a pot boil. Some electric kettles can also be set to keep the water at a certain temperature so that you can come back to it time and again without having to reheat – a real convenience when you’re working on that big project.
Toaster: Do you think toast is just cooked bread? You’ve obviously never taken the time to find all the different things you can use it for! Whether you’re whipping up a grilled cheese sandwich without the grill or topping off a great omelet, your toaster is your best friend. Add to that the great bagels and English muffins that you can brown up in the toaster, and the fact that the latest models have a mile-long list of safety features, like a cool-touch exterior, and you’ve got the perfect roommate! You can even get creative with your toaster, roasting marshmallows, crisping chips or melting cheese (very carefully) so that you could get by with only one appliance.
Toaster oven: What’s the only small appliance more flexible than a toaster? Well, a toaster oven of course! With a toaster oven, you can brown your bread and bagels, toast up sandwiches, and bake goodies – basically, you can prepare an entire meal. Toaster ovens tend to have a few more features than a plain old toaster, and you can even find models that double as hot plates so that you can boil water on it, too. Make sure you double check that you’re allowed to bring one if you’re moving into a dorm, though, because they also tend to use up more energy.
Electric grill: George Foreman made it famous, but you’ll find tons of different versions of the indoor electric grill on the market. If you’re a die-hard fan of the BBQ, the electric grill can get you through those long winters and depressing dorm dinners by making you feel like you’re out in the yard grilling your favorite steak to perfection. Most electric grills are also designed to make meat eating a little more healthy by grilling the food on raised panels that allow grease to slide away before it ever reaches your plate. Electric grills usually come with several cooking surfaces, too, so you’ll have the grill, plus a flat plate for pancakes and eggs, and probably a bun warmer too.
Slow cooker: Ya, ya, a slow cooker sounds like something your grandma has permanently propped up on her kitchen counter. There’s a reason grandma loves the slow cooker so much, though. It’s the easiest appliance you’ll ever own and you can make a complete meal with practically no effort. The great thing about a slow cooker is you throw all your ingredients in the pot first thing in the morning, put it on low and when you come home after classes you have a meal that your friends will think came straight from mom’s stove.
Hot plate/pot: Hot plates or pots are banned from most college residences because they represent the ultimate in fire hazards: open heat, low on the floor, right next to your pile of dirty gym clothes and the notes from last night’s bio lab. However, if your residence allows it, and you’re careful to keep an eye on it, a hot plate or pot can mean the difference between the best mac and cheese and a cold peanut butter sandwich for dinner. A hot plate is basically the burner from your kitchen stove put in a little cabinet and hooked up to an electrical cord. They’re easy to use and make just about anything, but again, you have to be careful.
