5 traditional kitchen gadgets every home must have

Technology permeates every facet of life and living. And the Kitchen is not exempted. From large cooking complexes to simple family kitchenettes, you can witness the effects of appliances such as electric cooker, electric griddle, hand mixer and hand blenders among others. With these kitchen gadgets, you can prepare meals for hundreds or for one […]

Technology permeates every facet of life and living. And the Kitchen is not exempted. From large cooking complexes to simple family kitchenettes, you can witness the effects of appliances such as electric cooker, electric griddle, hand mixer and hand blenders among others. With these kitchen gadgets, you can prepare meals for hundreds or for one person in no time.

In Nigeria, the above-mentioned scenario also holds sway. Many families stock up on these appliances, in preparing everyday Nigerian cuisine. But what happens when your trusted blender fails without notice? Or if you are in the middle of whipping up a dish, power supply ceases? You are pressed for time with guests, family, and friends waiting hungrily. Indeed, what can you do in such circumstances?

The answer lies in having traditional kitchen gadgets that served our forefathers faithfully in the golden years. These devices have a lot going in their favor.

 

First off, they do not require electricity. They are readily available and not expensive to procure. The icing on the cake in using these gadgets is that they arguably enhance the taste and aroma of local Nigerian dishes.

 

The following traditional kitchen gadgets are a must-have in your cooking inventory:

Local Grinding Stone

Did your trusted multi-purpose blender pack up with suddenly? And there are budgetary limitations preventing you from acquiring a replacement? Let the grinding stone spare your blushes and be your ‘knight-in-grinding’ armor. Comprising a smooth round stone and an even smoother stone bed, this device can be used to turn tomatoes, peppers, onions etc into a usable pulp for your cooking.

Meanwhile, this gadget is not difficult to use. Grinders assume a kneeling position as they work the stone over the ingredients on the bed until the desired result is achieved. So simple!

Cook Broom

If your stomach churns at the thought of using a broom to cook, you can be forgiven. However, this broom (called Igbale Ijabe in Yoruba) is never used to sweep. No! Never! They serve the sole purpose of beating the vegetable Ewedu (Yoruba) into a consistent mash, a first step in the preparation of the tasty Ewedu soup. After which, the broom is rinsed thoroughly and put away for future use.

Mortar and Pestle

Recall the early times when you disobeyed your mum. As she made her way to the kitchen to get her weapon of correction, you always ran out of the house to your neighbor’s or into the streets. That corrective instrument is the pestle, which is actually a cooking utensil that works in tandem with a mortar.

 

The pestle is a long, thick wooden stock while the mortar is a pot-like receptacle also made from wood. This kitchen gadget works efficiently in the preparation of pounded yam, garri as well as other foods that need extensive mashing and whipping.

 

Using the pestle and mortar requires copious amounts of strength and dexterity; the user must be versed in applying the right amount of pounding force, the angle of engagement, periods to add water among other skills.

 

This local appliance is a visible member of the kitchen inventory of many Nigerian homes. Many argue that the foods produced from pestle and mortar are better in taste and consistency compared to modern-day electric pounders. For more information on how to use this multi-purpose kitchen gadget, you can read our post on 5 awesome ways to use a Mortar and Pestle.

Large cooking pots

These pots are called Ikoko irin in Yoruba. They are fabricated locally from aluminum by dexterous blacksmiths. These pots come in handy when there is a large festive occasion and cooking through conventional means (using smaller cooking pots and gas/electric cookers) will be expensive and impractical.

 

These local pots are set on equally improvised heating stands (employing charcoal). Cooking takes place outside and a group of people takes turns (in some cases, together) in stirring the contents brewing in the pots. Such content ranges from Jollof rice to soups and stews as well as porridge. Hmm! Guess that sounds yummy.

 

Again, many attest to the superior taste and quality of foods prepared with this traditional cooking device. Indeed, they are always very delicious.

Ladle

The ladle is another prominent member of many kitchens in Nigeria. Referred to as omorogun in Yoruba, the ladle is made from wood. It finds application in making eba (a solid meal of a mixture of garri and hot water) and other solid food items.

 

The list above is by no means exhaustive. There are numerous other local kitchen appliances that can save you time and money. You will find information about all kitchen gadgets, their use and how to maintain them on our website.

Damilola Shoremekun is a freelance writer and a blogger. He loves to cook and bake that explains why he’s obsessed with a kitchen gadget blog. He thinks one of the key thing that holds a good home together are delicious meals.