Not everything in the kitchen has to be an essential.
There are the appliances we rely on every day, and then there are the ones we buy simply because they make something we enjoy a little easier. A machine just for doughnuts may not be at the top of anyone's kitchen checklist, but being able to make a fresh batch whenever you feel like it certainly has its appeal.
The same goes for waffles on a slow morning, homemade biscuits with tea or properly frothed milk for coffee. These are small conveniences, but they can make an ordinary breakfast, evening snack or coffee break feel a little more interesting.
And unlike larger kitchen appliances, most of them are compact enough to bring out when needed and put away afterwards. Here are five little-treat appliances for anyone looking to add something a little more fun to the kitchen.
Walton WCM-AK01 Donut Maker
Making doughnuts at home usually involves considerably more effort than simply picking up a box from a bakery. The Walton WCM-AK01 offers a much easier way to make a small batch at home.
The compact machine comes with a non-stick doughnut plate, allowing several mini doughnuts to cook at once without the need for deep frying. It uses 520W of power and has thermostat control to regulate the cooking temperature, along with a safety cut-off function.
The real fun begins once the doughnuts are out. They can be kept simple with icing sugar or turned into something more elaborate with melted chocolate, glaze, sprinkles or whatever else is sitting in the kitchen cupboard.
Its relatively small size also makes it easier to store. For anyone who enjoys an occasional homemade dessert but does not necessarily want to spend an afternoon baking, this is a much simpler way to get there.
WHERE TO BUY: WALTON
PRICE: TK1,150
Miyako WF-296 Waffle Maker
Waffles are one of those breakfasts that can make an ordinary morning feel slightly less ordinary. The Miyako WF-296 makes having them at home considerably easier.
The 900W machine is designed to prepare two thick waffles at a time, with non-stick cooking plates that help the finished waffles come away more easily. The straightforward design also means there is not much to figure out: add the batter, close the machine and let it do the cooking.
What goes on top is where things can change. Fresh fruit, honey or yoghurt can keep breakfast relatively simple, while chocolate spread, syrup, whipped cream or ice cream can turn the same waffle into dessert.
It can also be useful when friends or family are over, particularly when everyone wants something slightly different. Put a few toppings on the table and each waffle can be finished however its owner prefers.
For anyone who regularly finds themselves ordering waffles outside, having a dedicated machine at home might not feel quite as unnecessary after all.
WHERE TO BUY: MIYAKO
PRICE: TK3,150
Sanford SF5778BM Biscuit Maker
Biscuits with tea are hardly unusual. Having a machine specifically for making them, however, makes the whole thing a little more interesting.
The Sanford SF5778BM is a 1,000W biscuit maker designed to make the process more straightforward at home. Its cooking surface has a non-stick coating, helping the biscuits release more easily once they are ready and making clean-up less troublesome afterwards.
It can be particularly useful for anyone who likes homemade snacks but does not always want to go through the longer process of using an oven. A batch can be kept plain for everyday tea or changed with chocolate, nuts and other additions depending on what you feel like making.
There is also something nice about having warm homemade biscuits ready for an afternoon cup of tea or coffee. They may still be something you could easily buy from a shop, but making them yourself gives an everyday snack a little more room for experimentation.
WHERE TO BUY: TRANSCOM DIGITAL
PRICE: TK8,500
De'Longhi Alicia Latte Milk Frother
Making coffee at home is easy enough. Getting the soft layer of properly frothed milk that comes with a café latte or cappuccino can be a little harder.
The De'Longhi Alicia Latte Milk Frother is designed specifically for that part of the drink. It can prepare both hot and cold milk froth, making it useful beyond the usual morning cappuccino.
Hot froth can be added to coffee or hot chocolate, while the cold setting works well for iced coffees and other chilled drinks. With a 140ml frothing capacity, it is intended for smaller servings rather than preparing drinks for a whole table at once.
That makes it particularly suited to the everyday coffee break. Instead of changing the coffee itself, it upgrades the part that can be difficult to recreate with a spoon and a mug.
For anyone who already makes coffee at home but still misses the café-style finish, a milk frother is one of those small appliances that can make a surprisingly noticeable difference.
WHERE TO BUY: STAR TECH
PRICE: TK16,200
Philips HD7432 Coffee Maker
For people whose idea of a little treat is less about dessert and more about a fresh cup of coffee, then Philips HD7432 Coffee Maker is an easy one to go for.
The compact drip coffee maker can prepare between two and seven cups, making it suitable for one person as well as a small group. Philips' Aroma Twister circulates the coffee inside the jug as it brews, helping maintain a more consistent aroma from the first cup to the last.
It takes around 10 minutes to brew a full jug and includes a drip-stop function, which allows the jug to be removed temporarily without coffee continuing to drip onto the hot plate.
Its compact size also makes it easier to fit into smaller kitchens or even a dedicated coffee corner without taking over the counter.
A coffee maker can also quite easily become part of the everyday routine. But there is still a little pleasure in being able to make a fresh pot, pour it into a favourite mug and take a proper coffee break without having to go anywhere.
WHERE TO BUY: STAR TECH
PRICE: TK6,080