Appliances Common Make Machines Kitchen Sharp Large Fruit

Most kitchens in the United States have "major appliances" (large appliances) like a refrigerator, stove, dishwasher, and microwave. But they can also have many "minor appliances" (smaller, less important appliances) in addition to the toaster and coffee maker mentioned in today's episode.

One common appliance is a "blender," which has a motor that turns sharp "blades" (knife-like pieces of metal) very quickly inside a large glass container. Blenders can be used to make "smoothies" (mixtures of fresh or frozen fruit and juice, milk, or ice cream), sauces, or creamy soups. A "food processor" is another appliance with sharp blades that are used to cut food into smaller pieces.

"Rice makers" or "rice cookers" are another common appliance. Cooks put uncooked rice or vegetables in a plastic or metal container with a small amount of water. The rice cooker heats the water to "steam" (surround with water vapor that is absorbed to make something softer) the food.

A "slow cooker" or a "crock pot" is a large pot that is heated with electricity to cook foods slowly for a long period of time. People who work "outside the home" (not at home, usually in an office) can put "raw" (uncooked) meat, vegetables, and "broth" (the liquid remaining after cooking meat or vegetables in water) in the slow cooker and when they come home eight hours later, their dinner is ready.

Some less common appliances include "juicers" (machines that separate juice from the other parts of a fruit or vegetable), "bread machines" (machines that cook a loaf of bread), and "food dehydrators" (machines that remove the liquid from fruits or vegetables, usually to make snack foods).