What is your favourite kitchen tool?

i've never used one.
it kind of turns my stomach now, since i found out that they're not meant to be washed.   

I had one back home, I loved it!! My mom always had one, and we both would wash ours. The trick is drying it, and then seasoning it. Wash it like you would a normal pan, then dry it on the stove, over a burner, then season it by wiping it with oil. It won't rust that way.

I love my cast iron pan too, and I've got my eye on a cast iron dutch oven. Not sure whether to buy one here and lug the heavy thing over, or wait to buy it in the UK. I seem to recall not seeing as much of it over there.

As for electrical gadgets, I have to say I'm quite smitten with my wand. I love sticking it in a pot of vegetable soup and turning it into silk. (You wouldn't believe waht I can get away with sneaking into the soup that way. )

Wand?? Is that like a stick blender?? I use mine all the time. Just the other day made a strawberry icecream shake thingy for my son.......thought I might have some left over for me, but nooooooooooooooooo, he drank it all.

i've never used one.
it kind of turns my stomach now, since i found out that they're not meant to be washed.   

I've always washed mine. I just make sure to oil it well afterwards. You season it when you first get it and then after that just keep it oiled after each wash.

I've always washed mine. I just make sure to oil it well afterwards. You season it when you first get it and then after that just keep it oiled after each wash.

Exactly.  I oiled mine right after I dried it on the burner as it cooled.

My Kitchen Aid mixer is #1 on my list.  The second would have to be a tie between my slowcooker and my breadmaker.

my espresso machine 

Used to be the cork screw but now it has to be the humble kettle that comes out on top. There's always hot water in this house