Whatever Happened to...

We thought this would be our easiest category. As our editorial team smugly rattled off a few products that simply faded into Americana kitchen history -- popsicle freezer trays and baby bottle warmers, we all agreed this was one list we'd have no problems completing. Boy, were we wrong. Many of the products on our original list are actually still in production somewhere, and although they may not have generated the mass commercial success their inventors dreamed of, they are still around. It seemed every time we thought we came up with another great one, someone else would nix the idea with a bit of research. And so now, we submit to your our much smaller list of humble offerings. Perhaps you have a few ideas of your own; in fact, we're positive you will. That's why we're asking that you give us a holler with your thoughts and your submissions for one-hit wonders, and we'll publish them in our follow-up feature in January.

COCOMOTION
This hot chocolate maker was introduced a little over five years ago (per our best recollection) to a big bang. Making four cups of frothy hot chocolate quickly and easily, its introduction came at a time when consumers were gobbling up new kitchen electric gadgets that could do common tasks quickly and conveniently. While consumers still desire products that help them perform tasks quickly and easily, they soon came to realize that they didn't have sufficient counter space for all those single-use small kitchen electrics. The Cocomotion is still available through Mr. Coffee; however, it made our list because we have not seen it promoted or readily available at kitchenware stores in quite some time.

DEFROSTING TRAYS
A hot category that had a short run in the upscale industry primarily because it was a "gadget" that initially seemed to perform a miracle that would virtually make countertop and microwave defrosting obsolete. The directions said to simply place frozen meat, poultry, or fish (or fruits and vegetables) on the tray, and the space-age metal would absorb the natural heat energy in the air, releasing it directly into the frozen food. In addition to hastening food's defrosting by thawing it in a matter of minutes, manufacturers also claimed the use of a defrosting tray retained the product's natural juices for maximum flavor. Unfortunately, what few realized when they purchased the tray was that it had to be preheated by running it under hot water for 20–30 seconds prior to thawing, and once again midway through the process. In addition to disappointing results, the FTC said that leaving frozen food to thaw on a defrosting tray is an ideal way to cultivate deadly bacteria. Some models are still available and sold under the banner "As advertised on TV."

EGG COOKERS AND CODDLERS
Egg cookers and coddlers are still around, but there haven't been quite as many new introductions as in years past. To coddle an egg, you break it into an egg coddler cup with some cream, seasonings, and fresh herbs, then screw the lid on tightly, and simmer the cup in water. Quite a few electric egg cookers are still on the market, but no one's tossed aside their omelette pans or poacher inserts in favor of these "timesaving" devices.

ELECTRIC PEELERS
While there are still a few electric peelers on the market, it's just always seemed like a superfluous tool to us. Consumers seem to agree because these handy tools slated to be a must for every modern kitchen just never seemed to catch on. Seems that most home chefs could handle the task the old-fashioned way.

GREEN STAMPS
In the 1970's, I remember getting those rows of green stamps from the grocery store when I was little, and carefully sticking them into place in the special Green Stamps Book. My mother would turn the booklets in for cookware and towels at the local Green Stamp store. You could even save for big-ticket items like toaster ovens and waffle irons. Little did I know with all my collecting that these valuable little stickers would soon lose their value. The Sperry and Hutchinson Co. began distributing its trading stamps in 1886. In 1951, S&H Green Stamps got their start at the Denver King Sooper store chain. In the '50's and '60's, some 200,000 retailers offered stamps that were redeemed for housewares products. S&H Green Stamps accounted for 35 to 40 percent of this market. The stamps eventually faded from the grocery scene when stores used lower prices to compete for shoppers.

HOME ELECTRIC BREAD SLICERS
With the advent of bread machines in the 1980's, demand for freshly baked bread surged. However, fresh bread baked at home brought with it one problem -- how to cut it into even slices. Responding to an anticipated need, a number of manufacturers introduced home electric bread slicers designed to perform the task much like the larger commercial machines in neighborhood bakeries and grocery stores. Many consumers, believing that this electric version would provide quick, convenient, and consistent slices, purchased the machines and headed home to enjoy their freshly baked breads. However, they quickly discovered that unless they were preparing for a party, there was no need to slice their freshly baked bread all at once. One of the advantages of making your own bread is that it stays fresher longer, in part due to the fact that it is not sliced. Once sliced, all of the edges are exposed to air and the loaf becomes stale sooner. Besides the freshness problem, the electric bread slicer proved to be a machine that consumed too much space in the kitchen. Although Bosch still markets an electric slicer that may be used to slice bread, its primary function is to slice meats and cheeses. Designs proving popular these days are manual bread slicers that offer a slotted guide for slicing. A bread knife inside the guide permits easy slicing of one or several pieces evenly and conveniently.

HOT DOG COOKERS
For those in search of the latest gadget, the 1970's brought the hot dog cooker. A favorite for family outings, cookouts, and other convenient cooking occasions, after their initial burst of popularity, hot dog makers fell under the radar, yet remained popular with true hot dog lovers. Today, they continue to be sold by a variety of manufacturers in more sophisticated versions that include multiple cooking settings for steaming and warming, as well as bun warmers. They come in a variety of styles that include a hot dog roller grill or the steamer versions. For the true hot dog aficionado, hot dog cookers are prized possessions, but for the mainstream, grilling remains the most popular method to prepare gourmet hot dogs.