4 things I bought in the Black Friday sales – and what I missed out on!

Here’s what I bought today for my new home kitchen in the Black Friday Sales….and things I paid full price for that are now on sale! 😭

In the 12 years of living at work, my home kitchen was also my work kitchen. So when I moved out of the office a couple of weeks ago into my own home, I’ve practically had to start from scratch to stock up my kitchen with everything I need!

While I had to go out and get some essentials early on, I saved 4 items for the Black Friday Sales. Plus, 4 things I paid full price for that are now on sale – and I’m kicking myself. 😭

Here’s what I got!

4 Things I bought TODAY in the Black Friday sales

1. cordless stick blender

What I got: KitchenAid Go Cordless Hand Blender with Battery $149 on sale (RRP $268)

Genuinely the most-used electric appliance in my kitchen, it’s incredibly versatile! I’ve had this for a few years now in my work kitchen and I absolutely love it.

I have been a loud advocate of stick blenders for years now. Instead of dragging out a food processor, blender, bullet blender, or mini-chopper every time I need to blitz something, the stick blender does 90% of the same jobs without the messing around. One attachment, one jug, one quick rinse and it’s clean.

It’s so compact and so convenient, it goes way beyond the obvious blitzing soup. I use it for pesto, curry pastes, silky purées (like pea), raspberry coulis, sauces, and even foolproof never-split Hollandaise.

The cordless feature is a game changer. I didn’t realise how much the cord annoyed me until I switched. Being able to grab it, blitz something wherever I’m standing, wherever the pot is, wherever I’m making the sauce, makes cooking faster and honestly just more enjoyable. And no sacrifice in power!

What I got: KitchenAid Go Cordless Hand Blender with Battery. This is the model with a detachable, rechargeable battery that can be used across a range of KitchenAid cordless products (beater, chopper, citrus juicer etc). You just get one product with a battery then that same battery can be used across all products (so get the other products without a battery, which is cheaper).

It’s powerful, it’s compact, and the battery is said to last for up to 30 minutes, but there’s nothing I make that calls for blitzing for that long!

2. Cordless mini chopper

What I got: KitchenAid Go Cordless Top Down Chopper $168 on sale (RRP $198), no battery (I got the battery with the stick blender above).

I haven’t owned this before but I’ve been eyeing it off for a while and today, I found out my brother Goh has one and is obsessed with it! There is some duplication in functions with the stick blender, but the chopping function is what appeals to me. Here is what he says about it:

“I use it to make pestos, salsa, puree. I also use it to chop onions or mirepoix (no tears). I use it to make grated parmesan whenever I need a lot. I even use it to turn chunks of meat into mince. Holds 3.5 cups. Very lightweight but powerful.”

There is also a KitchenAid cordless food processor which holds 5 cups (1.25 L / quarts) which is a bit larger and heavier, and starting to head into counter-top food processor territory which is why I didn’t get it.

3. THERMAPEN MEAT THERMOMETER

What I got: Thermapen® ONE in white, $105 on sale ($166 RRP)

Rarely do I cook protein without using this.

I never tell readers they should buy a gadget – except a meat thermometer. Meat is expensive! When you invest in a premium standing rib roast or beautiful piece of tender lamb blackstrap or a leg of lamb, it is not worth the risk of overcooking it and turning an incredible cut into an expensive disappointment.

A thermometer guarantees you hit perfect doneness, every single time. Thermapen markets itself as the best, most reliable and fastest – and having owned one for a number of years now, I can’t argue. I use it almost every day – for roasts, pan-searing steaks, fish, chicken breast, even breads (for recipe testing), checking oil temperature, and candy.

4. le creuset dutch oven!

This is my housewarming gift to myself. 🥰

What I got: Le Creuset Cast Iron Round Casserole Pot 26cm in Coastal Blue $426 on salt ($710 RRP) – I’d recommend 28cm if you cook for large numbers.

I have never splurged on a Le Creuset for personal use before, I’ve only gotten them for work (ie – deductible!). Turns out when you photograph 248 recipes for a cookbook, you can’t keep using the same beige dutch oven all the time – so I had to have a few different colours! 🙂

Le Creuset Dutch ovens are famously durable – the kind of thing you buy once and keep for life – with unmatched heat retention and even cooking that makes everything from slow braises to soups and baking more consistent and reliable. The enamel coating is incredibly tough, the build quality is exceptional, and they’re pieces that get passed down through generations. They’re not just pretty, they’re professional-grade workhorses that justify the investment.

So, this is my one big investment splurge for myself, as a housewarming gift. The colour matches the colour theme in my house, it’s so pretty! I think I will display it somewhere visible rather than stashing it in a cupboard. 😊

4 Things I wished I’d waited to buy today!

Here are 4 things I bought for my new home ahead of the Black Friday Sales, because I couldn’t wait – and now I regret it so much because they’re on massive sales! 😭

1. riedel red and white wine glasses

What I got: Set of 8 Riedel red and white wine glasses (good all-rounder sizes) $140 on sale ($240 RRP)

I am not a wine connoisseur so I don’t have wine glasses for different types of wines. My selection stops at red wine, white wine and champagne glasses!

For as long as I can remember, Riedel has been the brand that I’ve coveted. They are so beautifully thin and balanced, and every time I use them, it just makes the whole wine moment feel a little bit special.

2. Everything i got from wheel & barrow

What I got: Wheel & Barrow platters and bowls, cake stands and candle holders and jars and all sorts of things I didn’t actually need! Now all 30% off 😭

I just love this kitchenware shop, for decorative-type serving ware, glasses, jugs, that sort of thing. I was holding out for the Black Friday Sales but impatience got the better of me as I fooled myself into believing I’d start having friends and family over for dinner immediately upon moving in! (I didn’t factor in that tradies would still be turning up at 6.30 every morning and I’d spend most evenings sweeping and dusting and vacuuming and mopping 🤣).

3. food processor

What I got: Breville Kitchen Whizz 16 $539 on sale (RRP $769). The double blade makes this food processor so superior!

This is a beast of a food processor that I use to make Dozer’s homemade dog food – and he goes through 1 kg of food every single day, so I need a work horse! Because he has an old-man medical condition that requires food to be in a certain safe-to-eat-form, I need to whizz everything into a paste before baking and cutting into bite size pieces. I use meat, fish, raw and cooked vegetables – so you can understand why I need a powerful food processor!

The model I have has the most powerful motor you can get which is what I need else the motor burns out making Dozer’s food, and far more attachments than I’ll ever need. But really, other than the motor power, the thing I love the most about Breville food processors the double blade. It chops things up so much more effectively than single blade food processors! There are other Breville food processors that are not as large and not as powerful that also have the double blade. Look for it – I promise it will change your life!

4. microplane

What I got: Microplane 46020 Premium Zester Grater, Black $32 ($60 RRP) – note, there are different models, the other one doesn’t grate as finely. This one grates finely enough so, for example, parmesan will melt effortlessly into creamy sauces.

UGH! I’m so annoyed I paid full price for this – it’s now 40% off! And I got TWO of them. Because all too often I’ve used it for garlic then I desperately need one to grate parmesan over my pasta!

I am a dedicated microplane girl, it is my favourite grating tool for finely grating things. I only have microplanes and a standard box grater, nothing in between. It’s a tool that never lets me down – razor-sharp, effortless to use, and perfect for everything from garlic and ginger to parmesan and citrus zest.

So there you go! Real life Black Friday sales kitchen shopping, from my new home. I know it’s not a comprehensive list of all my essential kitchenware, it’s not intended to be. I just thought it was interesting to share the items I felt were worth waiting for a good sale before hitting “add to cart”, as opposed to those I couldn’t live without (cutlery, crockery, drink ware, basic cooking utensils).

What about you?? Any Black Friday deal tips? Share, share! – Nagi x

Life of Dozer

Black Friday shopping. He hasn’t figured out yet that it’s out of stock, empty and size SMALL.😂